U.S. patent application number 14/154907 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-08 for flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle, cigarette filter, filter-tipped cigarette, and method for producing flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle.
This patent application is currently assigned to JAPAN TOBACCO INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is JAPAN TOBACCO INC.. Invention is credited to Masahiro CHIDA, Ryoji FUJITA, Michihiro INAGAKI, Hiromichi MUTO, Kiyohiro SASAKAWA, Mitsuharu SUGYO.
Application Number | 20140123991 14/154907 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47558076 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140123991 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FUJITA; Ryoji ; et
al. |
May 8, 2014 |
FLAVORANT-CARRYING ADSORBENT PARTICLE, CIGARETTE FILTER,
FILTER-TIPPED CIGARETTE, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING
FLAVORANT-CARRYING ADSORBENT PARTICLE
Abstract
A flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle comprising an adsorbent
core particle having a BET specific surface area of 700 m.sup.2/g
or greater, and a flavor-generating medium carried on the surface
of the adsorbent core particle and including a flavorant and a
flavorant-holding material holding the flavorant, wherein the
flavorant-holding material is present in an amount of 5 to 20% with
respect to a total weight of the flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particle, and the flavorant is present in an amount of 10 to 50%
with respect to a weight of the flavorant-holding material.
Inventors: |
FUJITA; Ryoji; (Tokyo,
JP) ; INAGAKI; Michihiro; (Tokyo, JP) ; CHIDA;
Masahiro; (Tokyo, JP) ; SUGYO; Mitsuharu;
(Tokyo, JP) ; MUTO; Hiromichi; (Tokyo, JP)
; SASAKAWA; Kiyohiro; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JAPAN TOBACCO INC. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
47558076 |
Appl. No.: |
14/154907 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2012/067724 |
Jul 11, 2012 |
|
|
|
14154907 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/335 ;
427/294 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23L 27/77 20160801;
B01J 20/18 20130101; B01J 20/20 20130101; A24D 3/048 20130101; A24D
3/14 20130101; B01J 20/22 20130101; B01J 20/3085 20130101; B01J
20/3246 20130101; B01J 20/28064 20130101; A24D 3/0275 20130101;
B01J 20/3274 20130101; B01J 20/103 20130101; B01J 20/28004
20130101; A24D 3/16 20130101; B01J 20/3204 20130101; B01J 20/24
20130101; B01J 20/3293 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/335 ;
427/294 |
International
Class: |
A24D 3/04 20060101
A24D003/04; A24D 3/02 20060101 A24D003/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 15, 2011 |
JP |
2011-157215 |
Claims
1. A flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle comprising: an adsorbent
core particle having a BET specific surface area of 700 m.sup.2/g
or greater, and a flavor-generating medium carried on the surface
of the adsorbent core particle and including a flavorant and a
flavorant-holding material holding the flavorant, wherein the
flavorant-holding material is present in an amount of 5 to 20% with
respect to a total weight of the flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particle, and the flavorant is present in an amount of 10 to 50%
with respect to a weight of the flavorant-holding material.
2. The flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle according to claim 1,
wherein the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle has, in an
initial state, an acetone adsorption ability of 50% or greater with
respect to the intrinsic acetone adsorption ability of the
adsorbent core particle.
3. The flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle according to claim 1,
wherein the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle is produced by
spraying a liquid flavor-emitting composition containing a
flavorant and a flavorant-holding material onto an adsorbent core
particle having a BET specific surface area of 700 m.sup.2/g or
greater while stirring the adsorbent core particle under reduced
pressure.
4. A cigarette filter comprising a filter section including the
flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle according to claim 1.
5. A filter-tipped cigarette comprising a cigarette rod and the
filter according to claim 4 which is connected to one end of the
cigarette rod.
6. A method for producing a flavorant carrying adsorbent particle,
comprising: spraying a liquid flavor-emitting composition
containing a flavorant and a flavorant-holding material onto an
adsorbent core particle having a BET specific surface area of 700
m.sup.2/g or greater while stirring the adsorbent core particle
under reduced pressure.
7. The method for producing a flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle
according to claim 6, wherein the liquid flavor-emitting
composition contains the flavorant-holding material in an amount of
5 to 20% with respect to a total weight of the flavorant-carrying
adsorbent particle, and the flavorant in an amount of 10 to 50%
with respect to a weight of the flavorant-holding material.
8. The method for producing a flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle
according to claim 6, wherein the reduced pressure is a pressure of
12.3 kPa or lower.
9. The method for producing a flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle
according to claim 6, wherein the adsorbent core particle is
maintained at a temperature of 60.degree. C. or lower during the
spraying.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation Application of PCT
Application No. PCT/JP2012/067724, filed Jul. 11, 2012 and based
upon and claiming the benefit of priority from prior Japanese
Patent Application No. 2011-157215, filed Jul. 15, 2011, the entire
contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a flavorant-carrying
adsorbent particle, a cigarette filter, a filter-tipped cigarette,
and a method for producing the flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particle.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Flavorant-carrying activated carbon particles are embedded
in a cigarette filter, flavor from the flavorant is emitted in the
mainstream smoke of a cigarette, and the smoker enjoys the flavor.
For example, WO 2008/072627 discloses a flavor bead in which the
surface of a particulate carrier such as activated carbon is
covered with a glucan film containing a flavorant. This flavor bead
is produced according to the following process. A particulate
carrier is put into a fluidized-bed granulation dryer, and an
aqueous glucan solution or dispersion containing a flavorant is
continuously or intermittently sprayed onto the surface of the
particulate carrier while blowing warm air of e.g. 80.degree. C. or
lower into the dryer, followed by drying.
[0006] However, in the method of WO 2008/072627, it takes a
relatively long time when a large amount of a flavorant is
subjected to the treatment. As a result, it is difficult to
increase the amount of a flavorant carried.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0007] Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to
provide a flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle carrying a
relatively large amount of a flavorant by a treatment in a
relatively short time.
[0008] In addition, another object of the present invention is to
provide a cigarette filter comprising the flavorant-carrying
adsorbent particle, and a cigarette tipped with the filter.
[0009] Furthermore, still another object of the present invention
is to provide a method for producing a flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particle.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0010] In order to solve the above problem, according to the first
aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle comprising an adsorbent core
particle having a BET specific surface area of 700 m.sup.2/g or
greater, and a flavor-generating medium carried on the surface of
the adsorbent core particle and including a flavorant and a
flavorant-holding material holding the flavorant, wherein the
flavorant-holding material is present in an amount of 5 to 20% with
respect to a total weight of the flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particle, and the flavorant is present in an amount of 10 to 50%
with respect to a weight of the flavorant-holding material.
[0011] According to the second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a cigarette filter comprising a filter section
including the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of the present
invention. Further, according to the third aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a filter-tipped cigarette comprising a
cigarette rod and the filter of the present invention which is
connected to one end of the cigarette rod.
[0012] Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a method for producing a
flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle, comprising spraying a liquid
flavor-emitting composition containing a flavorant and a
flavorant-holding material onto an adsorbent core particle having a
BET specific surface area of 700 m.sup.2/g or greater while
stirring the adsorbent core particle under reduced pressure.
Effects of the Invention
[0013] According to the present invention, a flavorant-carrying
adsorbent particle carrying a relatively large amount of a
flavorant is provided by a treatment in a relatively short
time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an
example of an apparatus for producing a flavorant-carrying
adsorbent particle of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a
filter-tipped cigarette according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a
filter-tipped cigarette according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a partial fractured schematic view illustrating an
apparatus for trapping components contained in the mainstream smoke
of a cigarette.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a measurement result of the
amounts of a flavorant carried and a flavorant-holding
material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail.
[0020] A flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of the present
invention comprises an adsorbent core particle and a
flavor-generating medium carried on the surface of the adsorbent
core particle and including a flavorant and a flavorant-holding
material holding the flavorant. The flavorant-holding material is
present in an amount of 5 to 20% with respect to the total weight
of the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle, and the flavorant is
present in an amount of 10 to 50% with respect to the weight of the
flavorant-holding material.
[0021] The adsorbent core particle used in the present invention
has a BET specific surface area of 700 m.sup.2/g or greater. In the
present specification, the BET specific surface area refers to a
specific surface area obtained according to the publically known
BET method. When the BET specific surface area is less than 700
m.sup.2/g, it is not possible to sufficiently adsorb the components
in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette. In the present invention,
the adsorption ability is determined by taking acetone, which is
one of the representative components in the mainstream smoke of a
cigarette, or the like as a standard. The adsorbent core particle
preferably has a BET specific surface area of 1000 m.sup.2/g or
greater. The BET specific surface area of an adsorbent core
particle is generally 2000 m.sup.2/g or less.
[0022] Examples of such an adsorbent core particle include an
activated carbon particle, a zeolite particle, and a silica gel
particle.
[0023] It is preferable that the adsorbent core particle has an
average particle size of 75 to 1000 .mu.m, and for example, an
adsorbent core particle having an average particle size of 75 to
600 .mu.m may be suitably used.
[0024] The flavor-generating medium covering the surface of the
adsorbent core particle includes a flavorant and a
flavorant-holding material holding the flavorant.
[0025] Examples of the flavorant include a hydrophilic flavorant
and a hydrophobic flavorant. Examples of the hydrophilic flavorant
include leaf tobacco extract, natural vegetable flavorant (for
example, licorice, St. John's bread, plum extract, peach extract,
and the like), acids (for example, malic acid, tartaric acid,
citric acid, butyric acid, and the like), saccharides (glucose,
fructose, isomerized sugar, and the like). Examples of the
hydrophobic flavorant include menthol, cocoas (powder, extract, and
the like), esters (for example, isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate,
isoamyl propionate, linalyl butyrate, and the like), natural
essential oils (as vegetable essential oils, for example, vanilla
extract, spearmint, peppermint, cassia, jasmine, and the like; as
animal essential oils, for example, musk, ambergris, civet,
castoreum, and the like), and single flavors (for example,
anethole, limonene, linalool, eugenol, vanillin, and the like).
[0026] The holding material holding the flavorant contains a film
forming material and an emulsifying agent as needed. The
representative examples of the film forming material used in the
present invention include glucan, and examples of glucan include
pullulan, maltodextrin, and hydroxypropyl cellulose. Glucan is
water-soluble. A film forming material such as glucan is able to
hold a flavorant by embedding the flavorant in the film formed of
the film forming material. The film forming material can be used
for any of a hydrophilic flavorant and a hydrophobic flavorant.
[0027] Examples of the emulsifying agent include glycerin fatty
acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester (sugar ester), sorbitan fatty
acid ester, propylene glycol fatty acid ester, and lecithin.
Molecules of the emulsifying agent hold a hydrophobic flavorant in
an aqueous medium by causing the hydrophobic group of the molecule
to adsorb around the oil droplet of the hydrophobic flavorant, and
hold the hydrophobic flavorant after drying as well.
[0028] In the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of the present
invention, the flavorant-holding material is present in an amount
of 5 to 20%, and preferably 5 to 10%, with respect to the total
weight of the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle. In addition,
the flavorant is present in an amount of 10 to 50% with respect to
the weight of the flavorant-holding material.
[0029] The flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of the present
invention may be prepared by spraying a liquid flavor-emitting
composition containing the flavorant and the flavorant-holding
material onto the adsorbent core particle while stirring the
adsorbent core particle under reduced pressure.
[0030] The flavorant contained in the liquid flavor-emitting
composition is the same as those described above, and the
flavorant-holding material is also the same as those described
above.
[0031] When the liquid flavor-emitting composition contains only a
hydrophilic flavorant as a flavorant, it is preferable that the
liquid flavor-emitting composition contains glucan as a film
forming material and a hydrophilic flavorant, and further contains
water as a solvent for dissolving glucan and the hydrophilic
flavorant.
[0032] When the liquid flavor-emitting composition contains a
hydrophobic flavorant as a flavorant (for example, when the liquid
flavor-emitting composition contains only a hydrophobic flavorant
as a flavorant, or when the liquid flavor-emitting composition
contains a hydrophobic flavorant as well as a hydrophilic flavorant
as a flavorant), it is preferable that the liquid flavor-emitting
composition contains glucan as a film forming material, water as
the solvent of glucan, a hydrophobic flavorant (and a hydrophilic
flavorant), an oily solvent for dissolving the hydrophobic
flavorant (for example, a vegetable oil or a saturated fatty acid
triglyceride, preferably a medium chain saturated fatty acid
triglyceride), and an emulsifying agent. When this composition
contains a hydrophilic flavorant in addition to the hydrophobic
flavorant, the hydrophilic flavorant dissolves in water.
[0033] In the production of the flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particle, it is preferable that the adsorbent core particle is
under reduced pressure of 12.3 kPa or lower, for example, under
reduced pressure of 7.4 to 12.3 kPa, during spraying the liquid
flavor-emitting composition. Moreover, at that time, it is
preferable that the adsorbent core particle is at a temperature of
60.degree. C. or lower, for example, at a temperature of 40 to
60.degree. C. By spraying the liquid flavor-emitting composition
containing the flavorant and the flavorant-holding material under
reduced pressure, there are benefits that a large amount of the
flavorant can be carried on the adsorbent core particle and also
that a flavor-emitting composition having a high viscosity (for
example, a viscosity of about 2 Pas) can be sprayed through a spray
nozzle.
[0034] In order to produce the flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particle of the present invention, a conical ribbon mixer dryer may
be used. The conical ribbon mixer dryer is described in, for
example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2003-71263, Jpn.
Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2003-290641, and Jpn. Pat. Appln.
KOKAI Publication No. 2007-229633. In addition, a conical ribbon
mixer dryer manufactured by OKAWARA MFG. CO., LTD. is commercially
available.
[0035] The basic structure of such a conical ribbon mixer dryer
will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates a
schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a conical
ribbon mixer dryer 10. The conical ribbon mixer dryer 10 comprises
a treatment tank 12 for performing mixing and drying treatment
therein, which is constituted by an inverted conical part 121 and a
cylindrical part 122 united on the inverted conical part 121. The
conical ribbon mixer dryer 10 comprises a double helix ribbon rotor
blade 14 provided in the inside of the treatment tank 12. The
double helix ribbon rotor blade 14 is attached to plural bearing
bars (bearing bars 18a to 18e in FIG. 1) which are spaced apart
from each other and fixed to a rotating shaft 16 longitudinally
extending along the central axis of the treatment tank 12. To the
inner wall of the cylindrical part 122 of the treatment tank 12, a
pair of vortex flow breakers 20a and 20b (for example, having a
platelike structure) is fixed above the rotor blade 14. A treated
product (adsorbent particles in the present invention) rises along
the inner wall of the treatment tank 12 by the action of the ribbon
rotor blade 14, and therefore the vortex flow breakers 20a and 20b
cause the treated product to move near the center of the treatment
tank 12 and to fall to the lower part of the treatment tank 12.
[0036] The outer boundary of the treatment tank 12 is surrounded
with a jacket 22. In order to heat the content of the tank, steam
is introduced through a steam inlet 22a into this jacket 22 via a
line L1, and steam is discharged through a steam outlet 22b to the
outside of the system via a line L2.
[0037] The upper opening of the tank is closed by a top board 24.
On this top board 24, a motor 26 and a reduction gear 28 are
installed, and the output shaft of the reduction gear 28 is
connected to the rotating shaft 16 provided in the inside of the
treatment tank 12. In addition, at the top board 24, an inlet 24a
for an object to be treated (adsorbent core particles in the
present invention) is provided, and at the bottom of the treatment
tank 12, an outlet 12a for treated product (flavorant-carrying
adsorbent particles in the present invention) is provided.
[0038] Moreover, to the top board 24, a bag filter 30 is attached.
Of the content of the treatment tank 12, this bag filter traps
particulate matter (adsorbent particles in the present invention)
and passes volatile matter (water contained in the flavor-emitting
composition in the present invention). The passed volatile matter
is led to a condenser 32 via a line L3. The condenser 32 is
configured by, for example, a water cooled cooler, and the volatile
matter passes through the inside of an inner tube 321. The volatile
matter is cooled by cooling water introduced into an outer tube 322
through a line L5, and discharged through a line L6 as a condensate
(water). Water introduced into the outer tube 322 is discharged
through the line L5. The inner tube 321 is connected to a pressure
reducing pump P1 via a line L7, and the inside of the treatment
tank 12 is decompressed by the drive of the pressure reducing pump
P1.
[0039] The basic structure of the conical ribbon mixer dryer is as
described above. Further, in order to prepare the
flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of the present invention, a
spray nozzle 34 for introducing the liquid flavor-emitting
composition into the treatment tank 12 is provided so as to
penetrate through the top board 24. The spray nozzle 34 sprays the
liquid flavor-emitting composition LFC into the treatment tank 12
from a container 36 containing the liquid flavor-emitting
composition via a line L8 equipped with a liquid feeding pump P2.
In addition, in order to measure the temperature of the adsorbent
particles in the treatment tank 12, a temperature sensor (for
example, thermocouple) 38 is provided at the lower part of the
treatment tank 12.
[0040] In order to produce the flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particles of the present invention using the conical ribbon mixer
dryer 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, the adsorbent core particles AP
contained in a container 40 are introduced into the treatment tank
12 via a line L9. The liquid flavor-emitting composition contained
in the container 36 is sprayed into the treatment tank 12 from the
spray nozzle 34 via the line L8 according to the drive of the
liquid feeding pump P2, while heating the inside of the treatment
tank 12 by introducing steam having a temperature of 80.degree. C.
or higher, preferably 100 to 120.degree. C., into the jacket 22,
and while stirring the adsorbent particles by rotating the double
helix ribbon rotor blade 14 according to the drive of the motor 26.
During this spraying, it is preferable that the temperature of the
adsorbent particles is maintained at 70.degree. C. or lower, and
preferably 60.degree. C. or lower. This temperature of the
adsorbent particles can be maintained by the heat of evaporation
taken by water from the adsorbent particles, when water in the
liquid flavor-emitting composition introduced into the treatment
tank 12 is heated and evaporated by steam of 80.degree. C. or
higher introduced into the jacket 22.
[0041] In the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles produced in
this manner, only water is removed by volatilization during
production, but almost all of the components other than water
contained in the liquid flavor-emitting composition applied to the
adsorbent core particles during production are carried on the
adsorbent core particles. Consequently, the liquid flavor-emitting
composition applied to the adsorbent core particles contains the
flavorant-holding material in an amount of 5 to 20%, preferably 5
to 10%, with respect to the weight of the adsorbent core particles
used, and the flavorant in an amount of 10 to 50% with respect to
the weight of the flavorant-holding material contained in the
liquid flavor-emitting composition. The flavorant-holding material
contained in the liquid flavor-emitting composition, particularly,
a part of an aqueous solution or aqueous dispersion of the film
forming material may be applied to the adsorbent core particles in
advance. The advance application of a part of the aqueous solution
or aqueous dispersion of the film forming material makes it
possible to suppress the temperature of the adsorbent core
particles rising at the initial stage of production of the
flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle and also suppress the
generation of fine powder from the adsorbents.
[0042] The flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of the present
invention can have, in the initial state, an adsorption ability of
50% or greater with respect to the intrinsic adsorption ability of
the adsorbent core particle, preferably an adsorption ability of
70% or greater with respect to the intrinsic adsorption ability of
the adsorbent core particle, and more preferably an adsorption
ability of 90 to about 100% with respect to the intrinsic
adsorption ability of the adsorbent core particle. Here, the
initial state refers to a state before the flavorant-carrying
adsorbent particle is contacted with the mainstream smoke of a
cigarette. As described above, the intrinsic adsorption ability of
the adsorbent core particle is determined by taking acetone in the
mainstream smoke of a cigarette as a standard. In other words, the
flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of the present invention is
able to immediately adsorb the components contained in the
mainstream smoke of a cigarette when the flavorant-carrying
adsorbent particle is contacted with the mainstream smoke of a
cigarette. As the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle is
contacted with the mainstream smoke of a cigarette, the
flavorant-holding material contained in the liquid flavor-emitting
composition of the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle is
dissolved by a polar component (particularly, water) contained in
the mainstream smoke of a cigarette, and the adsorption ability
thereof gradually increases. As a matter of course, during storage,
it is rare that the flavorant is emitted from the flavor-generating
medium.
[0043] A cigarette filter according to the second aspect of the
present invention comprises a filter section including the
flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles of the present invention. In
addition, a filter-tipped cigarette according to the third aspect
of the present invention provides a filter-tipped cigarette
comprising a cigarette rod and the filter of the present invention
which is connected to one end of the cigarette rod.
[0044] The cigarette filter according to the present invention may
comprise a filter section in which the flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particles of the present invention are dispersed in a general
filter raw material, for example, a cellulose acetate fiber tow
(bound by a plasticizer such as triacetin). The so-called plain
filter section (for example, consisting of a cellulose acetate
fiber tow bound by a plasticizer such as triacetin) may be
connected to one end of the above filter section. Alternatively,
the cigarette filter according to the present invention may
comprise two plain filter sections disposed apart from each other
and the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles of the present
invention filled in the space between these two plain filter
sections.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cigarette
(filter-tipped cigarette) 50 equipped with the cigarette filter
according to an embodiment of the present invention. A
filter-tipped cigarette 50 comprises a cigarette rod 52 in which a
tobacco filler 521, such as cut tobacco, is wrapped with a
cigarette paper 522. The cigarette rod 52 is the same as that of a
general cigarette.
[0046] A filter 54 is attached to one end of the cigarette rod 52.
The filter 54 comprises a flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particles-containing filter section 541 which is provided so as to
be directly connected to one end of the cigarette rod 52, and a
plain filter section 542 which is provided at the end of the
downstream side of the filter section 541 with respect to the flow
direction of the mainstream smoke.
[0047] The flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles-containing filter
section 541 is, for example, a filter obtained by wrapping a
cellulose acetate fiber 541a, in which flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particles FCA are dispersed, with a filter wrapping paper 541b, and
may be prepared by the same method as that for the preparation of a
general charcoal filter.
[0048] The plain filter section 542 is, for example, a filter
obtained by wrapping a tow of a cellulose acetate fiber 542a with a
filter wrapping paper 542b.
[0049] The filter 54 consisting of the filter sections 541 and 542
is attached to the cigarette rod 52 by a tipping paper 56 as in the
general filter-tipped cigarette.
[0050] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cigarette
(filter-tipped cigarette) 60 equipped with the cigarette filter
according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this
filter-tipped cigarette 60, a filter 62 attached to a cigarette rod
52 by a tipping paper 56 comprises a first plain filter section 621
directly attached to one end of the cigarette rod 52, and a second
plain filter section 622 provided so as to be spaced from the first
plain filter section 621, and the whole is wrapped with a filter
wrapping paper 66. The first and second plain filter sections 621
and 622 have the same configurations as those illustrated in FIG.
2. The space (cavity) 64 between the first plain filter section 621
and the second plain filter section 622 is filled with the
flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles FCA of the present
invention.
EXAMPLES
[0051] <Preparation of Liquid Flavor-Emitting
Composition>
[0052] A mixture containing the components listed in Table 1 in the
proportions listed in Table 1 was emulsified using an emulsifier
(ROBOMICS MARK II manufactured by PRIMIX Corporation) at 7500 rpm
for 15 minutes. At this time, the surrounding of the emulsifier was
cooled with water such that the temperature of the mixture did not
exceed 45.degree. C. In this manner, liquid flavor-emitting
compositions A to D were obtained.
[0053] COCONARD MT manufactured by Kao Corporation was used as a
medium chain fatty acid triglyceride, LP-20E manufactured by The
Nisshin OilliO Group, Ltd. was used as lecithin, and P-1570
manufactured by Mitsubishi-kagaku Foods Corporation was used as a
sugar ester.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Mixing proportion (% by weight) Liquid
Liquid Liquid Liquid flavor- flavor- flavor- flavor- emitting
emitting emitting emitting Components composition A composition B
composition C composition D Pullulan 10 10 10 9.5 Water 79 76 80
72.3 Medium chain fatty 5 5 3 4.8 acid triglyceride Lecithin 2 2 2
1.9 Sugar ester 2 2 2 1.9 1-Menthol 2 -- -- 4.8 Vanillin -- 5 -- --
Cocoa powder -- -- 3 -- Butyric acid -- -- -- 4.8
[0054] <Preparation of Flavorant-Carrying Adsorbent
Particle>
Example 1
[0055] Here, RIBOCONE RM-50-SR manufactured by OKAWARA MFG. CO.,
LTD., was used as a conical ribbon mixer dryer (see FIG. 1). Into
the mixer dryer were put 15 kg of activated carbon (KURARAY COAL
GGS-H28/70 manufactured by KURARAY CHEMICAL CO., LTD.; average
particle size: 0.4 mm; BET specific surface area: 1700 m.sup.2/g)
and 6 kg of an aqueous solution containing 5% by weight pullulan,
and steam of 120.degree. C. under a pressure of 200 kPa was
circulated in the jacket. The pressure inside the mixer dryer was
set at 12.3 kPa and the activated carbon was stirred. After
stirring for 5 minutes, 7.5 kg of liquid flavor-emitting
composition A was sprayed through the spray nozzle into the mixer
dryer over 60 minutes, and then further stirred and dried for 5
minutes. Flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles were taken out of
the mixer dryer, immediately put in a continuous fluidized-bed
granulation dryer (MIX GRADO 0.5 TYPE manufactured by OKAWARA MFG.
CO., LTD.), and subjected to sensible heat exchange and
dehumidification of activated carbon particles for 3 minutes,
thereby obtaining a product of flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particles.
Example 2
[0056] A product of flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles was
obtained according to the same procedure as in Example 1 except
that liquid flavor-emitting composition B was used instead of
liquid flavor-emitting composition A.
Example 3
[0057] A product of flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles was
obtained according to the same procedure as in Example 1 except
that liquid flavor-emitting composition C was used instead of
liquid flavor-emitting composition A.
Example 4
[0058] A product of flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles was
obtained according to the same procedure as in Example 1 except
that liquid flavor-emitting composition D was used instead of
liquid flavor-emitting composition A.
[0059] <Manufacture of Filter-Tipped Cigarette>
[0060] A filter-tipped cigarette having a configuration illustrated
in FIG. 3 was manufactured. Specifically, the filter-tipped
cigarette having a configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 was
manufactured according to the following procedure. From a
commercially available filter-tipped cigarette product, "Winston
Lights", which is equipped with a filter having a cellulose acetate
fiber tow as a filter raw material, the cellulose acetate fiber tow
of a filter raw material was removed using a pair of tweezers.
Then, the vacant space part was filled with a cellulose acetate
fiber tow (length: 10 mm; 2.5 Y/35000 (that is, single fineness:
2.5 denier; cross-section of filament: Y type; total fineness:
35000 denier)), filled with 30 mg of the flavorant-carrying
adsorbent particles obtained in Examples 1 to 4 (in 2 mm of length
of the space 64 in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette
rod), and finally filled with a cellulose acetate fiber tow
(length: 10 mm; 2.5 Y/35000). In addition, a filter-tipped
cigarette (hereinafter, referred to as a control cigarette) was
manufactured in the same manner as above except that 30 mg of no
flavorant-carrying activated carbon (KURARAY COAL GGS-H28/70
manufactured by KURARAY CHEMICAL CO., LTD.) was used as it is,
instead of the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles obtained in
Examples 1 to 4.
[0061] These four kinds of filter-tipped cigarettes according to
the present invention were subjected to smoking. As a result, it
was confirmed that flavor from the flavorant was emitted in the
mainstream smoke, and flavor and taste were stronger compared to
the control cigarette. This result indicates that a large amount of
a flavorant was carried on an adsorbent core particle by a
treatment in a short time according to the method of the present
invention.
Comparative Example
[0062] A flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle was prepared
according to the same manner as in Example 1 except that a solution
containing 5% by weight 1-menthol in ethanol was sprayed onto
activated carbon. A filter-tipped cigarette was manufactured in the
same manner as above using this flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particle. This filter-tipped cigarette was subjected to smoking,
but flavor from the flavorant was not confirmed.
Experimental Example
[0063] The filter-tipped cigarette manufactured in Example 4 was
subjected to smoking, and the adsorption ability of the filter with
respect to acetone in the mainstream smoke was investigated.
[0064] In this experiment, an apparatus 70 illustrated in FIG. 4
was used in order to trap components contained in the mainstream
smoke of a cigarette. This apparatus 70 has a trapping device for
trapping particulate matter 71 comprising a Cambridge filter 711 (a
diameter of 47 mm), a tobacco mainstream smoke inflow port 71a,
which holds a cigarette CIG, and a tobacco mainstream smoke outflow
port 71b. Further, the apparatus 70 comprises an impinger 72. In
the impinger 72, a trapping agent solution TA for trapping gaseous
components in the tobacco mainstream smoke is contained. In the
present experiment, 10 mL of methanol containing 200 ppm of
anethole, which was an internal standard substance, was put therein
as the trapping agent solution TA. The impinger 72 was accommodated
in a Dewar bottle 73 containing a refrigerant RM for maintaining
the trapping agent solution TA at a low temperature. In the present
experiment, a mixture of dry ice and isopropanol was used as the
refrigerant RM, and the temperature of the trapping agent solution
TA was maintained at -70.degree. C. or lower during the experiment.
The outflow port 71b of the trapping device 71 for trapping
particulate matter was connected with a pipe line 74 extending into
the trapping agent solution TA in the impinger 72. In addition, a
suction port 76a of an automatic smoking machine 76 was connected
with a pipe line 75 extending to the upper space of the trapping
agent solution TA in the impinger 72. When a cigarette was ignited
and the automatic smoking machine 76 was driven, the pressure
inside the impinger 72 was reduced by suction via the pipe line 75.
In accordance with the pressure reduction, the mainstream smoke of
the tobacco passed through the Cambridge filter 711 in the trapping
device 71. At that time, the particulate matter in the mainstream
smoke of the tobacco was trapped in the Cambridge filter 711, and
the particulate matter-deprived mainstream smoke was introduced
into the trapping agent solution TA in the impinger 72 via the pipe
line 74. Bubbling occurs in the trapping agent solution TA, and the
gaseous matter in the mainstream smoke is trapped in the trapping
agent solution TA.
[0065] In the present experiment, the cigarette manufactured in
Example 4 was set to the trapping device 71, and subjected to
smoking using the automatic smoking machine 76 under the standard
smoking conditions defined by International Organization for
Standardization (1 puff: 35 mL puff for 2 seconds, puff interval:
58 seconds). After smoking was completed, the agent solution in the
impinger 72 was transferred to a serum vial, and the Cambridge
filter 711, in which the particulate matter was trapped, was also
put into the serum vial. It was subjected to a shaking extraction
at 250 times/min for 30 minutes. 1 mL of the obtained extract was
put into a vial for gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC/MS),
and the components in the mainstream smoke were analyzed under the
following conditions.
[0066] Analytical conditions of the components in the mainstream
smoke:
[0067] GC/MS: HP 7890/5975 manufactured by Hewlett-Packard
development Company, D. P.
[0068] Column: DB-1701
[0069] Flow rate of column: 1.2 mL/min
[0070] Temperature raising condition: The temperature was
maintained at 60.degree. C. for 5 minutes, and then raised to
160.degree. C. by 5.degree. C./min and to 250.degree. C. by
10.degree. C./min, and then maintained at 250.degree. C. for 30
minutes.
[0071] Ratio of injection: split 10: 1; Inlet: 220.degree. C.; Flow
rate: 12 mL/min; Total flow rate: 16.2 mL/min
[0072] MS condition: Scan parameter: 33.0 to 200.0;
[0073] Threshold: 50; MS ion source: 230.degree. C.; MS quadrupole:
150.degree. C.
[0074] The same analysis was also performed in a cigarette having a
plain filter (that is, the cigarette having a cigarette rod of a
commercially available filter-tipped cigarette product, "Winston
Lights", and a plain filter consisting of a cellulose acetate fiber
tow (length: 20 mm; 2.5 Y/70000) connected to one end thereof;
hereinafter, this will be referred to as a "standard cigarette")
and the above control cigarette.
[0075] From the analysis results of the filter-tipped cigarette of
Example 4, the control cigarette, and the standard cigarette, the
value of acetone peak area for each of the cigarettes was
calculated. Each of the values of acetone peak area for the
filter-tipped cigarette of Example 4 and the control cigarette was
divided by the value of acetone peak area for the standard
cigarette. The obtained value was multiplied by 100 to obtain the
acetone decreasing rate (%) for each of the filter-tipped cigarette
of Example 4 and the control cigarette. The acetone decreasing rate
(%) was subtracted from 100% to obtain the acetone adsorption rate.
As a result, the acetone adsorption rate with respect to the
control cigarette was 48%, and the acetone adsorption rate with
respect to the filter-tipped cigarette of Example 4 was 45%. This
result indicates that the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of
Example 4 has an adsorption ability corresponding to about 94% with
respect to the intrinsic adsorption ability of the adsorbent core
particle. That is, the adsorption ability of the filter-tipped
cigarette of Example 4 was a little lower than that of the control
cigarette including no flavorant-carrying activated carbon, but
almost the same level.
[0076] The filter-tipped cigarettes manufactured in Examples 1 to 3
also exhibited the same level of adsorption ability as that of the
filter-tipped cigarette of Example 4.
Reference Example
[0077] Two kinds of filter-tipped cigarettes were manufactured in
the same manner as the above control cigarette except that the
activated carbon was substituted with 30 mg of activated carbon
having a specific surface area of 700 m.sup.2/g and 1000 m.sup.2/g,
respectively. The acetone adsorption rate with respect to these
cigarettes was investigated in the same manner as above. As a
result, the acetone adsorption rate with respect to the former
cigarette was 23%, and the acetone adsorption rate with respect to
the latter cigarette was 34%. From this result, it is found that
activated carbon having a specific surface area of 700 m.sup.2/g or
greater exhibits an adsorption effect with respect to the
components contained in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette.
[0078] <Measurement of Amounts of Flavorant Carried and
Flavorant-Holding Material>
[0079] In regard to the flavorant-carrying particles obtained in
Examples 1 to 4, the amount of the flavorant carried and the amount
of the flavorant-holding material were measured.
[0080] The flavorant-carrying particles of Comparative Examples
were prepared according to Examples 1 to 3 of the Prior Art
Document (WO 2008/072627). In regard to the flavorant-carrying
particles thus prepared, the amount of the flavorant carried and
the amount of the flavorant-holding material were measured in the
same manner as those for Examples 1 to 4.
[0081] The flavorant-carrying particles according to Comparative
Examples were prepared as follows.
Comparative Example 1
Example 1 of the Prior Art Document
[0082] 2% by weight of coffee oil was added to a previously
prepared aqueous dispersion of pullulan containing 10% by weight of
pullulan. The mixture was vigorously stirred in an emulsifier
(emulsifier rotation speed of 2500 rpm), thus preparing a flavorant
dispersion. On the other hand, 100 g of calcium carbonate particles
having an average particle size of 250 .mu.m were charged into a
fluidized-bed granulation dryer, and immediately the flavorant
dispersion was intermittently sprayed onto the particles (in
repeated cycles of spraying for 1 minute then no spraying for 30
minutes), while blowing warm air of 75.degree. C. at a flow rate of
0.6 m/sec. In this manner, total 10 g of flavorant dispersion was
sprayed onto the surface of the calcium carbonate particles,
followed by drying. Thereafter, the inside of the fluidized bed was
immediately cooled to room temperature, thus obtaining desired
flavor beads.
Comparative Example 2
Example 2 of the Prior Art Document
[0083] 100 g of calcium carbonate particles having an average
particle size of 250 .mu.m were charged into a fluidized-bed
granulation dryer, and an aqueous flavorant mixture solution
containing 1% by weight of a tobacco flavorant, to which vanillin
was added, and 9% by weight of pullulan, was continuously sprayed
onto the particles, while blowing warm air of 30.degree. C. at a
flow rate of 1.0 m/sec. In this manner, total 5 g of the aqueous
mixture solution was sprayed onto the surface of the calcium
carbonate particles, followed by drying. Thereafter, the
temperature of the warm air was immediately decreased to room
temperature, and the particles were cooled at a flow rate of 0.4
m/sec, thus obtaining desired flavor beads.
Comparative Example 3
Example 3 of the Prior Art Document
[0084] 1% by weight of coffee oil and 0.5% by weight of lecithin
were added to a previously prepared aqueous dispersion of pullulan
containing 10% by weight of pullulan. The mixture was vigorously
stirred in an emulsifier (emulsifier rotation speed of 7500 rpm, 15
minutes), thus preparing a flavorant dispersion. On the other hand,
300 g of ground coffee bean particles having an average particle
size of 250 .mu.m to 1.4 mm were charged into a rotating
fluidized-bed granulation dryer (SFC-MINI manufactured by FREUND
Corporation), and the perforated rotating disk at the bottom and
the mixer blades for preventing lumping were rotated at about 500
rpm and about 400 rpm, respectively, while blowing warm air of
75.degree. C. at a flow rate of 0.6 m/sec, thereby forming a
fluidized bed of the ground coffee bean particles. The flavorant
dispersion kept at 40.degree. C. was continuously sprayed onto the
fluidized bed, thereby spraying total 90 g of flavorant dispersion
on the surface of the ground coffee bean particles, followed by
drying. Thereafter, the temperature of the warm air was immediately
decreased to room temperature, and the particles were cooled at a
flow rate of 0.4 m/sec, thus obtaining desired flavor beads.
[0085] The amount of the flavorant and the amount of the
flavorant-holding material were measured as follows.
[0086] Measurement of Flavorant
[0087] The flavorant-carrying particles were subjected to a shaking
extraction using a mixture of purified water and methanol. The
obtained extract was subjected to a gas chromatograph-mass
spectrometer (GC/MS) to measure the flavorant.
[0088] Measurement of Flavorant-Holding Material
[0089] The flavorant-carrying particles was weighed (weight A), and
heated and dried for the purpose of removing water in the particles
(post-drying weight B). Purified water was added to the particles
after drying, and the shaking extraction was performed, thereby
eluting the flavorant-holding material. The particles were further
heated and dried (post-drying weight C). The difference between the
weight C and weight A was regarded as the amount of the
flavorant-holding material.
[0090] The measurement result is illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5
illustrates the amount of the flavorant carried and the amount of
the flavorant-holding material in a proportion (% by weight) with
respect to the total weight of the flavorant-carrying particles.
FIG. 5 indicates that the flavorant-carrying particles according to
the present invention carry a larger amount of a flavorant than the
flavorant-carrying particles according to the Comparative
Examples.
[0091] In addition, it was possible to prepare the
flavorant-carrying particles according to the present invention by
a treatment in a shorter time than the flavorant-carrying particles
according to the Comparative Examples.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0092] 10: Conical ribbon mixer dryer, 12: Treatment tank, 121:
Inverted conical part of treatment tank, 122: Cylindrical part of
treatment tank, 12a: Outlet for treated product, 14: Double helix
ribbon rotor blade, 16: Rotating shaft, 18a to 18e: Bearing bar,
20a and 20b: Vortex flow breaker, 22: Jacket, 22a: Steam inlet,
22b: Steam outlet, 24: Top board, 26: Motor, 28: Reduction gear,
24a: Inlet for object to be treated, 30: Bag filter, 32: Condenser,
321: Inner tube of condenser, 322: Outer tube of condenser, P1:
Pressure reducing pump, 34: Spray nozzle, 36: Container for liquid
flavor-emitting composition (LFC), P2: Liquid feeding pump, 38:
Temperature sensor, 40: Container for adsorbent core particles
(AP),
[0093] 50 and 60: Filter-tipped Cigarette, 52: Cigarette rod, 521:
Tobacco filler, 522: Cigarette paper, 54 and 62: Filter, 541:
flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles-containing filter section,
542: Plain filter section, FCA: Flavorant-carrying adsorbent
particles, 541a and 542a: Cellulose acetate fiber, 541b, 542b, and
66: Filter wrapping paper, 56: Tipping paper, 621: First plain
filter section, 622: Second plain filter section, 64: Cavity,
[0094] 70: Apparatus for trapping components contained in
mainstream smoke of cigarette, 711: Cambridge filter, CIG:
Cigarette, 71: Trapping device for trapping particulate matter,
71a: Tobacco mainstream smoke inflow port, 71b: Tobacco mainstream
smoke outflow port, 72: Impinger, TA: Trapping agent solution for
trapping gaseous components in tobacco mainstream smoke, 73: Dewar
bottle, RM: Refrigerant, 74 and 75: Pipe line, 76: Automatic
smoking machine, 76a: Suction port.
* * * * *