Patent Description:
In a wrapper for rolling tobacco rag in a cylindrical shape, a wrapper in which occurrence of stains is suppressed is known. It is considered that stains that occur on tobacco rolling papers are caused by exudation of a substance included in tobacco rag during storage. A flavor made contained in tobacco rag is an example of a major composition that causes stains on tobacco rolling paper. <CIT> discloses a cigarette wrapping paper for wrapping shredded tobacco. <CIT> discloses a cigarette wrapping material having an aqueous coating formulation applied thereto. <CIT> discloses a cigarette having inner and outer papers, both coated with a combustion aid to prevent the cigarette from going out. <CIT> discloses a cigarette having an air permeability of less than <NUM> Coresta units.

In recent years, a non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article free from combustion has been very useful from the perspective of odor reduction and has been rapidly accepted in a tobacco market. On the other hand, the heating temperature of a non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article is much lower (<NUM> to <NUM>) than the combustion temperature of a traditional cigarette (<NUM> to <NUM>). In some cases, this creates a problem wherein if the same amount of flavor as that in a traditional cigarette is contained in cut tobacco a user may not sense a sufficient strength of the flavor. For this reason, with this new type of flavor inhaling article (non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article), it is necessary to have a larger amount of flavor contained in cut tobacco than in a traditional cigarette so that a smoker can obtain a refreshing sensation (aroma and taste) at the same level as a traditional cigarette. Accordingly, due to an increased amount of flavor, more stains are caused on a wrapper of the non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article than in a traditional cigarette.

An object of the present invention is to provide a non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article in which stains caused on a wrapper enclosing a tobacco filler are reduced.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-combustion-heating flavor inhaling article according to claim <NUM>.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electric-heating flavor inhaling system will be described with reference to <FIG>. The drawings schematically show each component of the invention. Thus, the dimensions on the drawings may not always match the dimensions of actual products.

As shown in <FIG>, unlike traditional paper-rolled tobacco (cigarettes), the electric-heating flavor inhaling system <NUM> is of a heating type that electrically heats the tobacco filler <NUM> without combustion, allowing the smoke aroma of tobacco to be tasted.

The electric-heating flavor inhaling system <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> and a rod <NUM> (non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article) configured to be detached from and attached to an insertion part <NUM> of the main body <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> includes a box-shaped housing <NUM> and the insertion part <NUM> recessed into a cylindrical shape along the shape of the rod <NUM>. The main body <NUM> includes a battery <NUM>, a control circuit <NUM>, a pressure sensing unit <NUM>, a heat transfer unit <NUM> (heat exchanger tube), and a heater <NUM> provided around the heat transfer unit <NUM>, inside the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> has an air vent <NUM> and a switch <NUM> for activating the main body <NUM>. The air vent <NUM> allows the outside of the housing <NUM> to communicate with the insertion part <NUM> and allows air to be supplied to the rod <NUM> inserted into the insertion part <NUM>.

The control circuit <NUM> can receive electric power supply from the battery <NUM>. The control circuit <NUM> energizes the heater <NUM> so as to adjust the temperature of the heater <NUM> within an appropriate range. The control circuit <NUM> controls the heater <NUM> in such a manner that the inside of the rod <NUM> is heated at, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. The pressure sensing unit <NUM> is composed of a pressure sensor (pressure sensing sensor). The pressure sensing unit <NUM> receives a supply of electric power from the control circuit <NUM>. The pressure sensing unit <NUM> senses a negative pressure inside the insertion part <NUM> (the insertion hole <NUM>), thereby detecting that the user has inhaled.

The insertion part <NUM> is formed by recessing another portion of the housing <NUM> into a cylindrical shape.

The heat transfer unit <NUM> has a hollow cylindrical shape. The heat transfer unit <NUM> is made of a metal material. The metal material constituting the heat transfer unit <NUM> is preferably a metal having a high thermal conductivity, such as gold, silver, copper, aluminum, or an alloy using any of these metals.

The heater <NUM> is composed of, for example, a common heating wire such as a nichrome wire. The heater <NUM> is wound around the heat transfer unit <NUM> and disposed in a cylindrical shape. Note that the heating manner of the heater <NUM> is not limited to a manner using Joule heat due to electric resistance, and may be, for example, an induction heating (IH) manner or a manner using a chemical reaction such as oxidation heat. In this case, the material and shape of the heat transfer unit may be suitably selected according to the heating method. Note that the heater <NUM>, though configured to heat the rod <NUM> (non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article) from the outside, may be formed in the shape of a blade that can be inserted into the rod <NUM> (tobacco part <NUM>) to heat the rod <NUM> from the inside.

The rod <NUM> (non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article) shown in <FIG> is formed into a cylindrical shape. A circumference of the cylindrical rod <NUM> is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, and even more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. A full length (length in a horizontal direction) of the rod <NUM> is, for example, not particularly limited but is preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, and even more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>.

The rod <NUM> includes a tobacco part <NUM> filled with the tobacco filler <NUM>, a filter part <NUM> constituting a suction port <NUM>, a connecting part <NUM> connecting the tobacco part <NUM> and the filter part <NUM>, and an air vent part <NUM>. The air vent part <NUM> has a plurality of through holes penetrating the connecting part <NUM> in the thickness direction. The plurality of through holes are formed so as to be arranged radially when viewed along the extension line of the central axis of the rod <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the air vent part <NUM> is provided in the connecting part <NUM>. The air vent part <NUM> may be provided in the filter part <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the through holes of the air vent part <NUM> are arranged in one line in a circular manner at equal intervals. For example, the air vent part <NUM> has <NUM> through holes. The through holes of the air vent part <NUM> may be arranged in two lines on two rings, at equal intervals. The through holes of the air vent part <NUM> are arranged continuously or irregularly in one line or two lines of the air vent part <NUM>. When the user puts the suction port <NUM> into their mouth, the outside air is taken into the mainstream smoke through the air vent part <NUM>.

The filter part <NUM> has a cylindrical shape. The filter part <NUM> includes a rod-shaped first segment <NUM> filled with, for example, cellulose acetate fibers and a rod-shaped second segment <NUM> likewise filled with, for example, cellulose acetate fibers. The first segment <NUM> is located on a side of the tobacco part <NUM>. The first segment <NUM> may include a hollow part. The second segment <NUM> is located on a side of the suction port <NUM>. The second segment <NUM> is solid. Each of the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> is wrapped with an inner plug wrapper <NUM>. The first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> are connected by an outer plug wrapper <NUM>. The outer plug wrapper <NUM> is bonded to the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> by an adhesive constituted by a vinyl acetate resin-type emulsion or the like.

The length of the filter part <NUM> can be, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>, the length of the paper tube <NUM> of the connecting part <NUM> can be, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>, the length of the first segment <NUM> can be, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>, and the length of the second segment <NUM> can be, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>. The length of each of these individual segments is an example, and can be appropriately changed according to production suitability, required quality, the length of tobacco part <NUM>, or the like.

For example, the first segment <NUM> (center hole segment) is composed of a first filling layer having one or more hollow parts and an inner plug wrapper <NUM> covering the first filling layer. The first segment <NUM> has a function of increasing the strength of the second segment <NUM>. The first filling layer of the first segment <NUM> is filled with, for example, cellulose acetate fibers at a high density. The cellulose acetate fibers are cured by adding a plasticizer containing triacetin thereto in an amount of, for example, <NUM>% to <NUM>% by mass with respect to the mass of the cellulose acetate. The hollow part of the first segment <NUM> has an inner diameter of, for example, ϕ <NUM> to ϕ <NUM>.

The first filling layer of the first segment <NUM> may be composed at, for example, a relatively high fiber-filling density, or at a density equivalent to the fiber-filling density of the second filling layer of the second segment <NUM> described later. Therefore, at the time of suction, air or aerosol flows only through the hollow part, and almost no air or aerosol flows through the first filling layer. For example, when it is desired to diminish the decrease in aerosol component due to filtration in the second segment <NUM>, for example, the length of the second segment <NUM> may be shortened to make the first segment <NUM> longer accordingly.

Shortening the length of the second segment <NUM> and making the first segment <NUM> longer by the shortened length is effective in increasing the delivery of aerosol components. Since the first filling layer of the first segment <NUM> is a fiber filling layer, no discomfort to the user is caused when touched from the outside during use.

The second segment <NUM> is composed of a second filling layer and an inner plug wrapper <NUM> covering the second filling layer. The second segment <NUM> (filter segment) is filled with cellulose acetate fibers at a typical density and has a performance of filtering typical aerosol components.

The filtration performance for filtering aerosol (mainstream smoke) emitted from the tobacco part <NUM> may be different between the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM>. At least one of the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> may contain flavor. The filter part <NUM> can have any structure, and may have a structure having multiple segments as described above or be composed of a single segment.

The connecting part <NUM> has a cylindrical shape. The connecting part <NUM> includes, for example, a paper tube <NUM> obtained by forming, for example, thick paper into a cylindrical shape, and a lining paper <NUM> (paper) surrounding the paper tube <NUM>. The lining paper <NUM> has an adhesive layer <NUM> formed on the entire or approximately the entire surface of one of surfaces (inner surface) of the lining paper <NUM>, except in the vicinity of the air vent part <NUM>. The adhesive layer <NUM> is constituted by a vinyl acetate resin-type emulsion, etc. The lining paper <NUM> is rolled in a cylindrical shape around the outside of the tobacco part <NUM>, the paper tube <NUM>, and the filter part <NUM>, and is adhered thereto by the adhesive layer <NUM> being interposed therebetween, thereby integrally connecting and securing these elements. The plurality of air vent parts <NUM> are formed by performing laser processing from the outside after the tobacco part <NUM>, the paper tube <NUM>, and the filter part <NUM> are integrated by the lining paper <NUM>.

The tobacco part <NUM> has a cylindrical shape. A full length (a length in the axial direction) of the tobacco part <NUM> is preferably, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, and even more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. The shape of the cross section of the tobacco part <NUM> is not particularly limited, and may be for example, a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, or the like.

The tobacco part <NUM> includes a tobacco filler <NUM> and a wrapper <NUM> enclosing the tobacco filler <NUM>. The wrapper <NUM> is rolled around the tobacco filler <NUM> in a cylindrical shape.

As shown in <FIG>, the wrapper <NUM> has a paper-made base sheet <NUM> (base sheet <NUM> (first sheet) in <FIG>) and a non-metal coating layer <NUM> provided on one side of the base sheet <NUM>. The coating layer <NUM> is formed by applying a resin or a thickening agent as a coating agent onto the base sheet <NUM>. The coating layer <NUM> is provided on a surface of the base sheet <NUM> on which the tobacco filler <NUM> is abutted. Thus, the coating layer <NUM> is arranged on the inner surface side of the wrapper <NUM> when the coating layer <NUM> is rolled up as the rod <NUM> (non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article). The arrangement of the coating layer <NUM> is not limited to the arrangement in the inner surface side of the wrapper <NUM>. The coating layer <NUM> may be provided on a surface on which the base sheet <NUM> is not in contact with the tobacco filler <NUM> (outer surface side) or may be provided on both surfaces of the base sheet <NUM> as a pair. The ventilation level of the wrapper <NUM> is for example <NUM> CORESTA units (C. ) or lower, preferably <NUM> CORESTA units or lower, more preferably <NUM> CORESTA unit or lower. The diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> is, for example, <NUM>/s to <NUM>/s, preferably <NUM>/s to <NUM>/s, more preferably <NUM>/s to <NUM>/s, when CO<NUM> or N<NUM> is used as a gas and the coefficient is measured under the measurement conditions of an environment temperature of <NUM> and an environment relative humidity of <NUM>%. As a measurement device for the diffusion coefficient, a diffusivity tester was used. The Diffusivity Tester manufactured by the Borgwaldt company was used, and the measurement was performed pursuant to an instruction manual issued by the company.

The base sheet <NUM> is constituted by commercially available paper. The basis weight of the base sheet <NUM> is for example <NUM>/m<NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>, preferably <NUM>/m<NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>, and more preferably <NUM>/m<NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>. An opacity of the wrapper <NUM> is preferably <NUM>% to <NUM>%, for example. A whiteness of the wrapper <NUM> is preferably <NUM>% to <NUM>%, for example.

The base sheet <NUM> may be constituted by a commercially available non-woven fabric.

The coating layer <NUM> contains a resin, a thickening agent, or a mixture thereof. A part of the resin, the thickening agent, or the mixture thereof contained in the coating layer <NUM> may invade into and clog micro pores of the base sheet <NUM>, and the part is thereby possible to bring the diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> into the range of <NUM>/s to <NUM>/s.

If the coating layer <NUM> contains a resin as a main component, the resin may be polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), or a composition (mixture) thereof. If the coating layer <NUM> contains a resin as a main component, the resin may be constituted as a composition additionally containing a filler. The filler may be calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide, kaolin, talc, or silica, or a mixture of some of these materials. By making a filler contained in the coating layer <NUM>, blocking between the wrappers <NUM> is prevented, curling of the wrapper <NUM> is prevented, and the whiteness/opacity of the wrapper <NUM> is improved.

If the coating layer <NUM> contains a thickening agent as a main component, the thickening agent may be any one of the following or a composition obtained by mixing some of the following: arabic gum, starch, sodium alginate, pectin, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, or a hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC). If the coating layer <NUM> contains a thickening agent as a main component, the thickening agent may be constituted as a composition additionally containing a filler. The filler may be calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide, kaolin, talc, or silica, or a mixture of some of these materials. Making a filler contained in the coating layer <NUM> provides advantages, such as prevention of blocking (adhesion) between the wrappers <NUM>, prevention of curling of the wrapper <NUM>, and improvement in the whiteness/opacity of the wrapper <NUM>.

The coating layer <NUM> may be constituted by a composition (mixture) including both of the above-described resin and the above-described thickening agent. In this case, the coating layer <NUM> may further include one of the above-listed fillers or a composition obtained by mixing two or more of the above-listed fillers.

The amount of the coating agent applied to the base sheet <NUM> to form the coating layer <NUM> varies with a type of a coating agent. For example, if arabic gum is used as a coating agent, an amount of application per <NUM><NUM> is miniscule, preferably, for example, greater than <NUM>/m<NUM> and less than <NUM>/m<NUM>. If polyvinyl is used as a coating agent, an amount of application per <NUM><NUM> is preferably miniscule, for example, greater than <NUM>/m<NUM> and less than <NUM>/m<NUM>. If polyvinyl acetate is used as a coating agent, an amount of application per <NUM><NUM> is preferably miniscule, for example, greater than <NUM>/m<NUM> and less than <NUM>/m<NUM>. Preferably, the lower limit of an amount of each material to be applied is set to a necessary amount, which is determined while a diffusion coefficient is determined.

As shown in <FIG>, the wrapper <NUM> has a one end 41A and an other end 41B provided on the opposite side of the one end 41A. Wrapping around the tobacco filler <NUM>, the other end 41B is bonded to the upper side of the one end 41A by the adhesive <NUM>. For this reason, the one end 41A and the other end 41B constitute an overlapping part <NUM> where these ends are superposed and adhered. On the portion of the coating layer <NUM> corresponding to the other end 41B, surface processing is performed to improve wettability. This surface processing may be, for example, corona processing, plasma processing, or other types of surface reformulation processing. Through performing the surface processing in such a manner, the surface on which the surface processing is performed becomes a bonding surface <NUM> between the one end 41A and the other end 41B, thereby reinforcing the bonding through the adhesive <NUM> therebetween.

In the present embodiment, on the portion of the coating layer <NUM> corresponding to the other end 41B, surface processing is performed to improve wettability. Surface processing to improve wettability may be performed on the coating layers <NUM> of both of the one end 41A and the other end 41B. Or, the following structure may be adopted as an alternative to this surface processing. Namely, a non-formation area <NUM> in which no coating layer <NUM> is formed may be provided at a position corresponding to either the one end 41A or the other end 41B. In the example of <FIG>, a non-formation area <NUM> is provided at a position corresponding to the other end 41B.

The adhesive <NUM> for adhering the one end 41A to the other end 41B is applied to the surface on which the surface processing is performed or to the non-formation area <NUM>. The adhesive <NUM> is constituted by a vinyl acetate resin-type emulsion, etc., for example. The surface on which the surface processing is performed or the non-formation area <NUM> constitutes a bonding surface <NUM> between the one end 41A and the other end 41B, in conjunction with the adhesive <NUM>.

The wrapper <NUM> may contain flavor components. Specifically, the flavor components may be contained in the base sheet <NUM> of the wrapper <NUM>, or in the coating layer <NUM> of the wrapper <NUM>.

The tobacco filler <NUM> is composed of a cut rag of leaf tobacco (dried leaf) and/or a cut of a sheet (sheet-molded material) made of pulverized leaf tobacco with a predetermined width. The tobacco filler <NUM> is formed by filling a cut of a sheet (sheet-molded material) made of pulverized leaf tobacco with a predetermined width and/or a cut rag of tobacco leaf (dried leaf) in a random orientation. This sheet-molded material may contain an aerosol-generating base material and a flavor component. The aerosol-generating base material and the flavor component may be added to or contained in the cut rag of leaf.

The tobacco filler <NUM> according to the present invention includes a tobacco filling material (tobacco) and an aerosol-generating base material. The tobacco filler <NUM> may further include a volatile flavor, water, or the like. There are no particular restrictions on the size of tobacco used as tobacco filling material or the method for preparing the tobacco filling material. As the tobacco filling material, for example, dried tobacco leaf cut into strips having a width of <NUM> to <NUM> may be used. When the tobacco leaf is cut in the above width, the resultant cut rag will have a length of approximately <NUM> to <NUM>. Alternatively, the dried tobacco leaf may be pulverized and homogenized to have an average particle size of, for example, about <NUM> to <NUM>, processed into a sheet, and then cut into strips (tobacco reconstituted sheet, sheet-molded material) having a width of <NUM> to <NUM> to use as the tobacco filling material. When cut into the above width, the length of the cut rag is approximately <NUM> to <NUM>, for example. Further, the above sheet-processed material that is gathered instead of being cut may be included as the tobacco filling material. Various kinds of tobacco can be used for the tobacco included in the tobacco filling material regardless of whether the dried tobacco leaf is cut to use or pulverized and homogenized to use as a sheet.

For the tobacco filling material, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, oriental tobacco, domestic tobacco, or other varieties such as Nicotiana tabacum L. , Nicotiana rustica L. , and Nicotiana tomentosa may be blended as appropriate to realize an intended taste to use. Details of the tobacco varieties are disclosed in "<NPL>".

There are conventional methods for pulverizing tobacco to process the pulverized tobacco into a uniform sheet (tobacco reconstituted sheet). The first is a filtered-out sheet made by a papermaking process; the second is a cast sheet made by mixing a suitable solvent such as water and a required kind/amount of a binder with a pulverized tobacco material, homogenizing the mixture, and then thinly casting the homogenized mixture on a plate or plate belt made of metal, and drying the cast mixture; and the third is a rolled sheet made by mixing a suitable solvent such as water and a required kind/amount of a binder with a pulverized tobacco material, homogenizing the mixture, and extruding the homogenized mixture into a sheet shape. Details of the kinds of the uniform sheet (tobacco reconstituted sheet) are disclosed in "<NPL>".

It is preferable that the tobacco filler <NUM> have the leaf tobacco (dried leaf) and the sheet into which pulverized leaf tobacco is molded be coated with or contain the aerosol-generating base material and the volatile flavor. The aerosol-generating base material is contained in an amount of, for example, <NUM> weight% to <NUM> weight% with respect to the leaf tobacco (dried leaf) and the sheet-molded pulverized leaf tobacco. The aerosol-generating base material is a material capable of generating an aerosol through heating, and examples thereof include glycerin, propylene glycol (PG), triethylcitrate (TEC), triacetin, and <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. As the aerosol-generating base material, glycerin is preferable to be used.

The filling density of tobacco filler <NUM> is not particularly limited, but is usually <NUM>/cm<NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM>, preferably <NUM>/cm<NUM> to <NUM>/cm<NUM>, from the viewpoint of ensuring the performance of the rod <NUM> (non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article) and imparting a decent smoking taste. To be specific, when the tobacco part <NUM> has a circumference of <NUM> and a length of <NUM>, the range of the content of the tobacco filler <NUM> in the tobacco part <NUM> can be from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, per tobacco part <NUM>.

The volatile flavor (flavor component) contained in the tobacco filler <NUM> is not limited and can be any type of flavor provided that it is a flavor used for the electric-heating flavor inhaling system <NUM>. The flavor component is one selected from the group consisting of: <NUM>-menthol; natural plant flavors (e.g., cinnamon, sage, herb, chamomile, kudzu (Pueraria lobata), hydrangeae dulcis folium, clove, lavender, cardamom, caryophyllus, nutmeg, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, lemon, orange, cassia bark, caraway, jasmine, ginger, coriander, vanilla extract, spearmint, peppermint, cassia, coffee, celery, cascarilla, sandalwood, cocoa, ylang ylang, fennel, anise, licorice, St John's bread, prune extract, and peach extract); saccharides (e.g., glucose, fructose, isomerized saccharide, and caramel); cocoa (e.g., powder and extract); esters (e.g., isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, and linalyl butyrate); ketones (e.g., menthone, ionone, damascenone, and ethyl maltol); alcohols (e.g., geraniol, linalool, anethole, and eugenol); aldehydes (e.g., vanillin, benzaldehyde, and anisaldehyde); lactones (e.g., γ-undecalactone and γ-nonalactone); animal flavors (e.g., musk, ambergris, civet, and castoreum); hydrocarbons (e.g., limonene and pinene); and extracts of tobacco (tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, tobacco flowers, tobacco roots, and tobacco seeds). As a volatile flavor contained in the tobacco filler <NUM>, <NUM>-menthol is particularly preferable. Alternatively, as a volatile flavor contained in the tobacco filler <NUM>, two or more kinds selected from the above group may be mixed and used.

The flavor component contained in the tobacco filler <NUM> may be used as a solid, or may be used by being dissolved or dispersed in a suitable solvent such as propylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, and triethyl citrate. A flavor which easily forms a dispersion state in a solvent by addition of an emulsifier, such as a hydrophobic flavor and oil-soluble flavor, may be preferably used. Such flavor components may be used alone or in combination.

An amount of the volatile flavor contained in the tobacco filler <NUM> is not particularly limited. From the viewpoint of imparting a decent smoking taste, the tobacco filler contains <NUM> weight% to <NUM> weight%, preferably <NUM> weight% to <NUM> weight%, more preferably <NUM> weight% to <NUM> weight%, of the volatile flavor with respect to the weight of the tobacco filling material.

Prior to manufacturing of a tobacco part <NUM>, a coating agent is applied to the base sheet <NUM> to form a wrapper <NUM>. The wrapper <NUM> is formed by applying a coating agent, which serves as the coating layer <NUM>, to one of the surfaces of the rolled-up base sheet <NUM>. As a method of applying the coating agent, various type of coating methods can be adopted, for example, flexography coating, gravure coating, dye coating, gateroll coating, and the like.

In the wrapper <NUM> where the coating layer <NUM> is formed on the surface of the base sheet <NUM>, the coating layer <NUM> corresponding to at least one of the one end 41A or the other end 41B is preferably subjected to surface processing, for example, corona processing, plasma processing, or the like. Particularly, in the example shown in <FIG> of the present embodiment, the coating layer <NUM> corresponding to the other end 41B is preferably subjected to surface processing, for example, corona processing, plasma processing, or the like.

Thus, wettability (affinity) to the adhesive <NUM> is improved in at least one of the one end 41A and the other end 41B. The adhesive <NUM> is applied to such a processed surface. Then, the one end 41A is adhered to the other end 41B so that the wrapper <NUM> is wound around the tobacco filler <NUM> to form a cylindrical tobacco part <NUM>. Thus, the processed surface becomes a bonding surface <NUM> between the one end 41A and the other end 41B, and the affinity of the adhesive <NUM> to the coating layer <NUM> is improved, thereby forming a strong bonding part.

Alternatively, instead of the step of such surface processing, a non-formation area <NUM> in which the coating layer <NUM> is not formed may be provided in either one of the one end 41A or the other end 41B of the wrapper <NUM>. The adhesive <NUM> is applied to the non-formation area <NUM>, and the one end 41A is adhered to the other end 41B so that the wrapper <NUM> is wound around the tobacco filler <NUM> to form a cylindrical tobacco part <NUM>. At this time, the non-formation area <NUM> serves as a bonding surface <NUM> between the one end 41A and the other end 41B. Thus, the non-formation area <NUM> on the base sheet <NUM> serves as a bonding surface <NUM>, and since there is no coating layer <NUM> on the bonding surface <NUM>, a strong bonding part is thereby formed.

The wrapper <NUM>, which either has been subjected to the surface processing or in which the non-formation area <NUM> is formed, is introduced into a common cigarette making machine and rolled around the tobacco filler <NUM> and is formed into a thin cylindrical shape. At this time, the wrapper <NUM> is set in the cigarette making machine such that the coating layer <NUM> is inside (on the tobacco filler <NUM> side). Then, the tobacco filler <NUM> and the wrapper <NUM> formed in a thin cylindrical shape is cut at a predetermined length by a cutter, etc. Thereby, the tobacco part <NUM> is formed. The tobacco part <NUM> is arranged in series with a paper tube <NUM> and a filter part <NUM> that are separately prepared. These tobacco part <NUM>, the paper tube <NUM>, and the filter part <NUM> are rolled in series and in an integrated manner with the lining paper <NUM>. Through the above-described steps, the rod <NUM> of the electric-heating flavor inhaling system <NUM> is manufactured.

The main body <NUM> of the electric-heating flavor inhaling system <NUM> can also be manufactured by a known manufacturing method for an electronic device. By combining the rod <NUM> and the main body <NUM> thus manufactured, the electric-heating flavor inhaling system <NUM> is realized.

As shown in <FIG>, by inserting the rod <NUM> into the insertion part <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, the main body <NUM> is equipped with the rod <NUM>. In this state, when the user presses a switch <NUM> to activate the main body <NUM>, the control circuit <NUM> drives the heater <NUM> to raise the temperature of the heater <NUM> and the heat transfer unit <NUM> to a predetermined temperature (for example, <NUM> to <NUM>). Thereby, the tobacco part <NUM> is heated. In this state, when the user holds the suction port <NUM> and starts suctioning, vapor (aerosol) containing smoke aroma of tobacco is emitted from the tobacco part <NUM>. The vapor is cooled by the air flowing into the inside of the connecting part <NUM> from the air vent part <NUM>, and thereby more reliable aerosolization (formation of minute droplets) is performed.

The aerosol is properly filtered by the filter part <NUM> and delivered to the user's oral cavity. This allows the user to taste the smoke aroma of the cigarette. At this time, the control circuit <NUM> senses the negative pressure in the housing <NUM> through the pressure sensing unit <NUM>. The control circuit <NUM> thus can count the number of times the user has inhaled and calculate the total inhalation time. The control circuit <NUM> stops heating the heater <NUM> and stops the heat transfer unit <NUM> from heating when a predetermined time elapses after the switch <NUM> is pressed, the user performs a predetermined number of inhalations, the total inhalation time of the user exceeds a predetermined time, or the user presses the switch <NUM> again to release the active state. One flavor inhaling operation thus ends. Then, by removing the rod <NUM> after use from the insertion part <NUM> and inserting a new rod <NUM> into the insertion part <NUM>, the user can again taste the cigarette smoke aroma from the new rod <NUM>.

In the rod <NUM> (non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article) of the present embodiment, the diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> is suppressed to <NUM>/s to <NUM>/s by the coating layer <NUM>. For this reason, the volatile flavor diffused in the rod <NUM> when the rod <NUM> is being stored does not pass the wrapper <NUM> and does not create stains on the surface of the wrapper <NUM>. Even when the rod is stored at a low temperature, the diffused volatile flavor does not pass through the wrapper <NUM>. Although the details of the mechanism of crystallization of a volatile flavor (particularly <NUM>-menthol) under low-temperature storage are unknown, a volatile flavor that passes the micro pores of the wrapper <NUM> and adheres to the outer surface of the wrapper <NUM> becomes the nuclei of crystals, the crystals then grow and capillaceous (fibrous) crystals of the volatile flavor are thereby formed. In the present embodiment, the volatile flavor is prevented from passing through the wrapper <NUM>. For this reason, it seems that a volatile flavor that would become crystal nuclei is prevented from being adhered to the outer surface of the wrapper <NUM>. Thus, in the rod <NUM> of the present embodiment, not only stains caused on the wrapper <NUM> surface can be prevented but growth of fibrous crystals of the volatile flavor on the wrapper <NUM> surface can also be prevented during low-temperature storage.

According to the first embodiment, the following can be said.

A non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article includes a tobacco part <NUM> having a tobacco filler <NUM> including a tobacco filling material and a volatile flavor, and a wrapper <NUM> surrounding the tobacco filler <NUM>, and the wrapper <NUM> has a base sheet <NUM> and a non-metal coating layer <NUM> provided on a surface on which the base sheet <NUM> is abutted to the tobacco filler <NUM>, and the diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> is <NUM>/s to <NUM>/s.

According to the configuration, through the provision of the coating layer <NUM>, it is possible to clog the micro pores in the base sheet <NUM> until the diffusion coefficient reaches the order of <NUM>/s to <NUM>/s. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the volatile flavor from passing through the wrapper <NUM>. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the volatile flavor in the tobacco filler <NUM> from staining the wrapper <NUM>. When the non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article is stored at a low temperature, a diffused volatile flavor may cause fibrous crystals on the surface of the wrapper <NUM>. According to the non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article of the present embodiment, such production of fibrous crystals of a volatile flavor is prevented. It is thereby possible to provide a high-quality non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article without causing user discomfort from the outer appearance of the non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article.

The coating layer <NUM> contains a resin, a thickening agent, or a mixture thereof. According to the configuration, the micro pores in the base sheet <NUM> can be clogged by the coating layer <NUM>.

The resin is polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl acetate. According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain a wrapper <NUM> in which a diffusion coefficient is sufficiently reduced with a small amount of application to the base sheet <NUM>.

The thickening agent is arabic gum, starch, sodium alginate, pectin, carboxymethyl cellulose, or methylcellulose. According to this configuration, it is possible, even by using various types of thickening agents, to obtain a wrapper <NUM> having a sufficiently reduced diffusion coefficient.

The coating layer <NUM> further includes a filler. According to the configuration, the coating layer <NUM> containing a micro-grain filler can more effectively clog the micro pores in the base sheet <NUM>. Furthermore, adhesion of pre-rolled wrappers <NUM> in the storage, so-called blocking, and curling of a wrapper <NUM> can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, whiteness/opacity of the wrapper <NUM> can be improved.

The filler is calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, kaolin, talc, or silica. According to the configuration, blocking of the wrappers <NUM> and curling of a wrapper <NUM> can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, whiteness/opacity of the wrapper <NUM> can be improved.

The volatile flavor is <NUM>-menthol. L-menthol is prone to diffuse inside a package during storage and cause troubles, such as stains on a wrapper <NUM> during storage, or cause fibrous (acicular) crystals on a wrapper <NUM> during low-temperature storage. According to the above configuration, even in a case where a volatile flavor is <NUM>-menthol, it is possible to prevent troubles such as stains caused on a wrapper <NUM> during storage or fibrous crystals produced on a wrapper <NUM> during low-temperature storage.

The tobacco filler <NUM> includes <NUM> weight% of the volatile flavor with respect to the weight% of the tobacco filling material. Usually, in such a tobacco filler <NUM> containing a large amount of a volatile flavor, the volatile flavor penetrates into the wrapper <NUM> and forms stains or forms crystals on the wrapper <NUM> surface. According to this configuration, even in a case where a tobacco filler <NUM> contains a large amount of a volatile flavor, which is more likely to cause such stains and crystals, it is possible to effectively prevent stains and crystals on a wrapper <NUM>.

The ventilation level of the wrapper <NUM> is less than <NUM> CORESTA unit. According to this configuration, it is possible to make the wrapper <NUM> with a low ventilation level, which allows further reduction of the possibility that a volatile flavor will pass through the wrapper <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to prevent troubles such as stains caused on a wrapper <NUM> during storage or fibrous crystals caused in a wrapper <NUM> during low-temperature storage.

The base sheet <NUM> is paper and/or non-woven fabric. According to this configuration, the outer appearance of the wrapper <NUM> of a non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article can be made to look similar to a traditional cigarette, which can prevent a user from having a feeling of discomfort.

In this case, the wrapper <NUM> has the one end 41A and the other end 41B provided on the opposite side of the one end 41A and bonded to the one end 41A. The coating layer <NUM> of the part corresponding to at least one of the one end 41A or the other end 41B is subjected to surface processing to improve wettability, and the processed surface constitutes a bonding surface <NUM> between the one end 41A and the other end 41B.

With the method of manufacturing a non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article, a coating agent containing a resin or a thickening agent is applied to a base sheet <NUM> to form a wrapper <NUM> having a coating layer <NUM>, and surface processing to improve wettability is performed on the coating layer <NUM> of the part corresponding to at least one of the one end 41A of the wrapper <NUM> or the other end 41B provided on the opposite side of the one end 41A and bonded to the one end 41A, and the one end 41A and the other end 41B are adhered to each other on the processed surface which serves as a bonding surface <NUM> so that a tobacco filler <NUM> containing a volatile flavor is enclosed by the wrapper <NUM>.

According to these configurations, due to the provision of the coating layer <NUM>, it is possible to prevent reduction of the adhesion strength in the bonding part of the wrapper <NUM>. It is thereby possible to prevent troubles, such as failed adhesion, etc., in the overlapping part of the wrapper <NUM>.

In this case, the wrapper <NUM> has the one end 41A and the other end 41B provided on the opposite side of the one end 41A and bonded to the one end 41A. A non-formation area <NUM> in which no coating layer <NUM> is formed may be provided at a part corresponding to either the one end 41A or the other end 41B. The non-formation area <NUM> serves as a bonding surface <NUM> between the one end 41A and the other end 41B.

According to this configuration, it is possible not to provide the coating layer <NUM> in the portion serving as a bonding surface <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to prevent reduction of the adhesion strength in the adhesive part of the wrapper <NUM> due to the provision of the coating layer <NUM>. By leaving the coating layer <NUM> on either one of the one end 41A or the other end 41B, it is possible to keep the diffusion coefficient of the wrapper within the range of <NUM>/s to <NUM>/s.

The electric-heating flavor inhaling system <NUM> includes a non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article and a heater <NUM> for heating the non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article. According to the configuration, an electric-heating flavor inhaling system <NUM> with which the occurrence of stains on the wrapper <NUM> due to a volatile flavor and the occurrence of fibrous (acicular) crystals during low-temperature storage are prevented can be realized.

The heater <NUM> heats the non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article at a temperature between <NUM> to <NUM>. Since a conventional cigarette involves combustion, the heating temperature of the tobacco filler <NUM> is very high at <NUM> to <NUM>. According to the above configuration, since the heating temperature of the tobacco part <NUM> is extremely low compared to traditional cigarettes, it is necessary to increase an amount of a volatile flavor contained in the tobacco filler <NUM> so that a user can perceive the same strength of the volatile flavor in aerosol as traditional cigarettes. If a volatile flavor is increased, there are a problems wherein more stains tend to be appear on the wrapper <NUM> due to the volatile flavor and more fibrous crystals tent to be produced on the wrapper <NUM> during low-temperature storage. According to the embodiment, even in a case where a volatile flavor is increased, it is possible to effectively prevent an occurrence of stains on the wrapper <NUM> and an occurrence of fibrous crystals on the wrapper <NUM>. Thus, a high-quality non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article and an electric-heating flavor inhaling system <NUM> comprised thereof can be realized.

As shown in <FIG>, the wrapper <NUM> may be constituted only by a paper-made base sheet <NUM> (base sheet <NUM> in <FIG>). As a paper-made base sheet <NUM>, glassine paper may be used, for example. Glassine paper can suppress micro pores in the base sheet <NUM> and can minimize a diffusion coefficient. For this reason, the coating layer <NUM> is not always necessary.

As long as it can inhibit micro pores in the base sheet <NUM> and reduce a diffusion coefficient, a non-woven fabric base sheet <NUM> may be used instead of a base sheet <NUM> made of paper such as glassine paper.

According to the first modification of the first embodiment, the following can be said.

A non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article includes a tobacco part <NUM> having a tobacco filler <NUM> including a tobacco filling material and a volatile flavor, a wrapper <NUM> surrounding the tobacco filler <NUM>, and the wrapper <NUM> has a paper-made or non-woven fabric-made base sheet <NUM>, and the diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> is <NUM>/s to <NUM>/s.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the volatile flavor from passing through the wrapper <NUM> by selecting the base sheet <NUM>, namely the wrapper <NUM>, as appropriate. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the volatile flavor in the tobacco filler <NUM> from forming stains on the wrapper <NUM>. When the non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article is stored at a low temperature, diffused volatile flavor may cause fibrous crystals on the surface of the wrapper <NUM>. According to the non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article of the present embodiment, such production of fibrous crystals of a volatile flavor is prevented. It is thereby possible to provide a high-quality non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article without causing user discomfort from the outer appearance of the non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article.

As shown in <FIG>, it is also preferable if the wrapper <NUM> has a second base sheet 42A (the base sheet <NUM> (second sheet) in <FIG>) inside the coating layer <NUM> and made of a material the same as or differing from the material of the base sheet <NUM>, in addition to a paper-made base sheet <NUM> (the base sheet <NUM> (first sheet) in <FIG>) and the coating layer <NUM>. In other words, the coating layer <NUM> is interposed between the base sheet <NUM> and the base sheet 42A. By making the wrapper <NUM> a three-layer structure and inhibiting micro pores in the base sheet <NUM>, it is possible to reduce the diffusion coefficient.

As long as it can inhibit micro pores in the base sheet <NUM> and reduce a diffusion coefficient, a non-woven fabric base sheet <NUM> may be used instead of a base sheet <NUM> made of paper. Similarly, as long as it can inhibit micro pores in the base sheet 42A and reduce a diffusion coefficient, a base sheet 42A made of a non-woven fabric may be used instead of a base sheet 42A made of paper.

According to the second modification of the first embodiment, the following can be said.

A non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article includes a tobacco part <NUM> having a tobacco filler <NUM> including a tobacco filling material and a volatile flavor, and a wrapper <NUM> surrounding the tobacco filler <NUM>, and the wrapper <NUM> has multiple base sheets <NUM> and 42A made of paper or a non-woven fabric and a coating layer <NUM> formed between the base sheets <NUM> and 42A, and the diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> is <NUM>/s to <NUM>/s.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the volatile flavor from passing through the wrapper <NUM> by selecting the material that constitutes the base sheets <NUM> and 42A and the coating layer <NUM>, namely the wrapper <NUM>, as appropriate. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the volatile flavor in the tobacco filler <NUM> from forming stains on the wrapper <NUM>. When the non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article is stored at a low temperature, a diffused volatile flavor may cause fibrous crystals on the surface of the wrapper <NUM>. According to the non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article of the present embodiment, such production of fibrous crystals of a volatile flavor is prevented. It is thereby possible to provide a high-quality non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article without causing user discomfort from the outer appearance of the non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article.

With reference to <FIG>, the electric-heating flavor inhaling system <NUM> according to the second embodiment and the non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article (rod <NUM>) are described below. In the present embodiment, other than the shape of the rod <NUM>, the parts are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the following, the rod <NUM>, which is a part different from the first embodiment, will be mainly described, and descriptions of the same parts will be omitted.

The rod <NUM> includes a tobacco part <NUM> filled with the tobacco filler <NUM>, a filter part <NUM> constituting a suction port <NUM>, a connecting part <NUM> connecting the tobacco part <NUM> and the filter part <NUM>, an additional segment <NUM> (second filter part) provided adjacently to the tobacco part <NUM>, and an air vent part <NUM>. The tobacco part <NUM>, the filter part <NUM>, and the air vent part <NUM> have the same configurations as those in the first embodiment. It is preferable that the wrapper <NUM> of the tobacco part <NUM> have the configuration similar to that in the first and second modifications in addition to the configuration similar to that in the first embodiment.

The additional segment <NUM> (second filter part) is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is provided so as to cover (hide) a second end surface 24B opposite to a first end surface 24A facing the filter part <NUM> of the tobacco part <NUM>. More specifically, the additional segment <NUM> is provided adjacently to the tobacco part <NUM> so as to cover the second end surface 24B of the tobacco part <NUM>. The additional segment <NUM> has ventilation, particularly high ventilation in the axial direction of the column.

In the present embodiment, the additional segment <NUM> is a rod-shaped filter filled with cellulose acetate fibers. The additional segment <NUM> is configured as a center hole segment having a hollow part 51A at the center of the additional segment <NUM>, similarly to the first segment <NUM> of the filter part <NUM> in the first embodiment; however, the embodiment of the additional segment <NUM> is not limited to this configuration. The additional segment <NUM> may be configured as a solid filter in which no center hole is provided similarly to the second segment <NUM> of the filter part <NUM>, or as a circular projection in which the lining paper <NUM> of the connecting part <NUM> projects toward the distal end side (the opposite side of the suction port <NUM>) with respect to the tobacco part <NUM> (tobacco filler <NUM>) (in the latter case, the inside of the projecting portion is formed as a hollow space).

The connecting part <NUM> includes, for example, a paper tube <NUM> obtained by forming, for example, thick paper into a cylindrical shape, and a lining paper <NUM> surrounding the paper tube <NUM>. One surface (inner surface) of the lining paper <NUM> is coated with an adhesive comprised of a vinyl acetate resin-type emulsion, etc. on the entire surface or almost the entire surface except the vicinity of the air vent part <NUM>. The lining paper <NUM> is rolled in a cylindrical shape around the outside of the additional segment <NUM>, the tobacco part <NUM>, the paper tube <NUM>, and the filter part <NUM> to connect them integrally. The plurality of air vent parts <NUM> are formed by performing laser processing from the outside after the tobacco part <NUM>, the paper tube <NUM>, and the filter part <NUM> are integrated by the lining paper <NUM>.

The means of connecting the additional segment <NUM> to the tobacco part <NUM> is not limited to the lining paper <NUM>. Naturally, the additional segment <NUM> and the tobacco part <NUM> can be coupled by a roll paper provided separate from the lining paper <NUM>.

The effects of the rod <NUM> (non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article) according to the present embodiment will be described. The rod <NUM> according to the present embodiment has an additional segment <NUM> serving as a cover provided at the distal side of the tobacco part <NUM>. For this reason, it is possible to prevent an occurrence of capillaceous (fibrous or acicular) crystals of a volatile flavor (particularly, <NUM>-menthol) from the part where the tobacco filler <NUM> is exposed from the tobacco part <NUM> during low-temperature storage.

In the cases where the segment <NUM> is constituted by a center hole segment having a hollow part 51A at the center of the additional segment <NUM> or a circular projecting portion made from the lining paper <NUM>, crystals of a volatile flavor grown from the part where the tobacco filler <NUM> is exposed will occur inside of the hollow part 51A and the inside of the projecting portion of the additional segment <NUM> during low-temperature storage. However, if the crystals grow inside the hollow part 51A or the projecting portion, a user cannot visually identify the crystals from the outside, and the fibrous (acicular) crystals will dissolve within a short time when the rod is returned to a normal temperature, and the crystals substantially do not cause any troubles. Since the additional segment <NUM> is configured as a center hole segment or a projecting portion, it is possible to prevent the increase of ventilation resistance as much as possible, and in turn, to prevent the additional segment <NUM> becoming a design limitation to the rod <NUM>.

According to the present embodiment, the following can be said.

The non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article includes the filter part <NUM> provided adjacently to the tobacco part <NUM>, and the additional segment <NUM> having ventilation and provided so as to cover the second end surface 24B opposite to the first end surface 24A facing the filter part <NUM> of the tobacco part <NUM>. According to this configuration, even when crystals of a volatile flavor are caused from the tobacco filler <NUM> located at the second end surface 24B during low-temperature storage, it is possible to cover up the crystals by the additional segment <NUM>. Thus, it is possible to prevent troubles stemming from the user's visual identification of the crystals, which leads to a misunderstanding that a product is contaminated by fibers, etc..

The non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article and the electric-heating flavor inhaling system <NUM> are not limited to those described in the foregoing embodiments and modifications; they can be concretized by modifying the structural elements without departing from the gist of the invention when they are implemented. Some of the structural elements may be deleted from each of the embodiments.

In the following, Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM> in which a rod <NUM> was formed with the change of the type of the wrapper <NUM> will be described according to the table shown in <FIG>. Before the descriptions of the examples and comparative examples, a method of measuring a diffusion coefficient, a method of evaluating a stain occurrence rate, and a method of evaluating crystal occurrence are described first.

A diffusion coefficient was measured by the Diffusivity Tester manufactured by the Borgwaldt company, using N<NUM> and CO<NUM> as gas and under a temperature of <NUM> and a relative humidity of <NUM>% as measurement conditions. The other measurement conditions were in compliance with an instruction manual issued by the company.

A tobacco rod having a circumference of <NUM> and a length of <NUM> (a long tobacco rod for cigarettes) was evaluated. For the rod to be evaluated, a tobacco filler <NUM> including <NUM>-menthol (volatile flavor) at <NUM> weight% with respect to the weight of the tobacco filling material was used. This final-product tobacco rod using this tobacco filler <NUM> was placed in an airtight (gas-barrier) container at room temperature for <NUM> days, and the number of stains was evaluated. A tobacco rod with <NUM> or more stains having a maximum diameter of <NUM> or larger, or a tobacco rod with one or more stains having a maximum diameter of <NUM> or larger was defined as a stain-occurring rod.

The stain occurrence rate was calculated as described below. <NUM> tobacco rods configured in the above-described manner were prepared, and they were stored under the above-described conditions and observed after <NUM> days of storage, and the number of stain-occurring rods was counted. The ratio of the stain-occurring rods to the total (<NUM> rods) was calculated as a stain occurrence rate (%).

A rod with a stain occurrence rate of less than <NUM>% is defined as a rod having the stain suppressing effect ("O"), and a rod with a stain occurrence rate of <NUM>% or more is defined as a rod having no stain suppressing effect ("X").

As the tobacco rod used for evaluation, the same tobacco rod as that used for evaluating the above stain occurrence rate and stain suppression effect (a long tobacco rod for cigarettes) was used. For the rod to be evaluated, a tobacco filler <NUM> including <NUM>-menthol (volatile flavor) at <NUM> weight% with respect to the weight of the tobacco filling material was used. This final-product tobacco rod using this tobacco filler <NUM> was placed in an airtight (gas-barrier) container and stored in a refrigerator at the temperature of <NUM> for <NUM> days. After the storage, the presence/absence of fibrous (acicular) crystals of <NUM>-menthol was evaluated. A rod with no fibrous crystals on the surface of the wrapper <NUM> is defined as a rod having an effect ("O"), and a rod with fibrous crystals on the surface of the wrapper <NUM> is defined as a rod having no effect ("X").

As the base sheet <NUM>, a piece of base paper of common tipping paper (TP base paper) also used in traditional cigarettes was used. This TP base paper is commercially available from paper makers. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>.

As a coating material used for the coating layer <NUM> of the wrapper <NUM>, arabic gum, which is a thickening agent, was used. This arabic gum was applied to one of the surfaces of the base sheet <NUM> using a flexography coater, thereby forming the wrapper <NUM>. The amount of arabic gum applied to the base sheet <NUM> (an amount of coating) was <NUM>/m<NUM>.

The total basis weight of this wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>. The opacity of the wrapper <NUM> including the base sheet <NUM> and the coating layer <NUM> was <NUM>%. The whiteness of this wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>%.

The diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>/s. The ventilation level of the wrapper <NUM> was less than <NUM> CORESTA unit. The stain occurrence rate was <NUM>%, and there was the stain suppression effect ("O"). There was the crystal suppression effect ("O").

As the base sheet <NUM>, a piece of base paper of common tipping paper (TP base paper) also used in traditional cigarettes was used. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>.

As a coating material used for the coating layer <NUM> of the wrapper <NUM>, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which is a resin, was used. This polyvinyl alcohol was applied to one of the surfaces of the base sheet <NUM> using a flexography coater, thereby forming the wrapper <NUM>. The amount of polyvinyl alcohol applied to the base sheet <NUM> (an amount of coating) was <NUM>/m<NUM>.

As a coating material used for the coating layer <NUM> of the wrapper <NUM>, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), which is a resin, was used. This ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer was applied to one of the surfaces of the base sheet <NUM> using a coater, thereby forming the wrapper <NUM>. The amount of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer applied to the base sheet <NUM> (an amount of coating) was <NUM>/m<NUM>.

As the base sheet <NUM>, glassine paper was used. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>.

There was no coating layer <NUM> in this wrapper <NUM>, and therefore no coating material was used. The total basis weight of this wrapper <NUM>, namely the base sheet <NUM>, was the same, <NUM>/m<NUM>, as that of glassine paper. The opacity of the wrapper <NUM>, namely the base sheet <NUM>, was <NUM>%. The whiteness of the wrapper <NUM>, namely the base sheet <NUM>, was <NUM>%.

The diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM>, namely the base sheet <NUM>, was <NUM>/s. The ventilation level of the wrapper <NUM>, namely the base sheet <NUM>, was <NUM> CORESTA units, which is less than <NUM> CORESTA unit. The stain occurrence rate was <NUM>%, and there was the stain suppression effect ("O"). There was the crystal suppression effect ("O").

The wrapper <NUM> has a first base sheet <NUM> on the outer side and a second base sheet 42A on the inner side. One of the surfaces of the second base sheet 42A is provided with a coating layer <NUM>. As the first base sheet <NUM>, TP base paper was used. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>. As the second base sheet 42A, a non-woven fabric called "P1000C" was used. The basis weight of this base sheet 42A was <NUM>/m<NUM>.

As a coating material used for the coating layer <NUM> of the wrapper <NUM>, polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), which is a resin, was used. This polyvinyl acetate was applied to one of the surfaces of the base sheet <NUM> or the base sheet 42A using a coater, and the base sheet <NUM> or the base sheet 42A was superposed on the polyvinyl acetate to form the wrapper <NUM>. The amount of polyvinyl acetate applied to the base sheet <NUM> or the base sheet 42A (an amount of coating) was <NUM>/m<NUM>.

The total basis weight of this wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>. The opacity of this wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>%. The whiteness of this wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>%.

The diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>/s. The ventilation level of the wrapper <NUM> was <NUM> CORESTA units. The stain occurrence rate was <NUM>%, and there was the stain suppression effect ("O"). There was the crystal suppression effect ("O").

The base sheet <NUM> has a first base sheet <NUM> on the outer side and a second base sheet 42A on the inner side. One of the surfaces of the second base sheet 42A is provided with a coating layer <NUM>. As the first base sheet <NUM>, TP base paper was used. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>. As the second base sheet 42A, glassine paper was used. The basis weight of this base sheet 42A was <NUM>/m<NUM>.

The base sheet <NUM> has a first base sheet <NUM> on the outer side and a second base sheet 42A on the inner side. One of the surfaces of the second base sheet 42A is provided with a coating layer <NUM>. As the first base sheet <NUM>, paper used as rolling paper for rolling the tobacco filler <NUM> in a cylindrical shape or a wrapper for rolling a filter in a cylindrical shape in traditional cigarettes (the product name: NPNP1) was used. This NPNP1 is commercially available from paper makers. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>. As the second base sheet 42A, glassine paper was used. The basis weight of this base sheet 42A was <NUM>/m<NUM>.

The base sheet <NUM> has a first base sheet <NUM> on the outer side and a second base sheet 42A on the inner side. One of the surfaces of the second base sheet 42A is provided with a coating layer <NUM>. As the first base sheet <NUM>, TP base paper was used. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>. As the second base sheet 42A, TP base paper was used. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>.

As a coating material used for the coating layer <NUM> of the wrapper <NUM>, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), which is a resin, was used. This polyvinyl acetate was applied to one of the surfaces of the base sheet <NUM> or the base sheet 42A using a coater, and the base sheet <NUM> or the base sheet 42A was superposed on the polyvinyl acetate to form the wrapper <NUM>. The amount of polyvinyl acetate applied to the base sheet <NUM> (an amount of coating) was <NUM>/m<NUM>.

The diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>/s. The ventilation level of the wrapper <NUM> was <NUM> CORESTA unit. The stain occurrence rate was <NUM>%, and there was the stain suppression effect ("O"). There was the crystal suppression effect ("O").

As the base sheet <NUM>, paper used as rolling paper for rolling the tobacco filler <NUM> in a cylindrical shape or a wrapper for rolling a filter in a cylindrical shape in traditional cigarettes (the product name: NPNP1) was used. This NPNP1 is commercially available from paper makers. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>. Neither resin nor thickening agent was applied to this base sheet <NUM>, and the wrapper <NUM> of Comparative Example <NUM> did not have the coating layer <NUM>. The opacity of this wrapper <NUM> (base sheet <NUM>) was <NUM>%. The whiteness of this wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>%.

The diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>/s. The ventilation level of the wrapper <NUM> was <NUM> CORESTA units. The stain occurrence rate was <NUM>%, and there was no stain suppression effect ("X"). There was no crystal suppression effect ("X").

As the base sheet <NUM>, a piece of base paper of common tipping paper (TP base paper) also used in traditional cigarettes was used. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>. Neither resin nor thickening agent was applied to this base sheet <NUM>, and the wrapper <NUM> of Comparative Example <NUM> did not have the coating layer <NUM>. The opacity of this wrapper <NUM> (base sheet <NUM>) was <NUM>%. The whiteness of this wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>%.

The diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>/s. The ventilation level of the wrapper <NUM> was less than <NUM> CORESTA unit. The stain occurrence rate was <NUM>%, and there was no stain suppression effect ("X"). There was no crystal suppression effect ("X").

As the base sheet <NUM>, paper (the product name: NPNP1) was used. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>. As a coating material used for the coating layer <NUM> of the wrapper <NUM>, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which is a resin, was used. This polyvinyl alcohol was applied to one of the surfaces of the base sheet <NUM> using a dye coater, thereby forming the wrapper <NUM>. The amount of polyvinyl alcohol applied to the base sheet <NUM> (an amount of coating) was <NUM>/m<NUM>. The opacity of this wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>%. The whiteness of this wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>%.

As the base sheet <NUM>, paper (product name: NPNP1) was used. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>. As a coating material used for the coating layer <NUM> of the wrapper <NUM>, pectin, which is a thickening agent, was used. This pectin was applied to one of the surfaces of the base sheet <NUM> using a gravure coater, thereby forming the wrapper <NUM>. The amount of pectin applied to the base sheet <NUM> (an amount of coating) was <NUM>/m<NUM>. The opacity of this wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>%. The whiteness of this wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>%.

As the base sheet <NUM>, a paper called "FXASNP" was used. FXASNP is made from fibrillated wood pulp. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>. As a coating material used for the coating layer <NUM> of the wrapper <NUM>, pectin, which is a thickening agent, was used. This pectin was applied to one of the surfaces of the base sheet <NUM> using a gravure coater, thereby forming the wrapper <NUM>. The amount of pectin applied to the base sheet <NUM> (an amount of coating) was <NUM>/m<NUM>. The opacity of this wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>%. The whiteness of this wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>%.

The base sheet <NUM> has a first base sheet <NUM> on the outer side and a second base sheet 42A on the inner side. One of the surfaces of the second base sheet 42A is provided with a coating layer <NUM>. As the first base sheet <NUM>, a paper called "NPNP1" was used. The basis weight of this base sheet <NUM> was <NUM>/m<NUM>. As the second base sheet 42A, P10000C was used. The basis weight of this base sheet 42A was <NUM>/m<NUM>.

The diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> was <NUM>/s. The ventilation level of the wrapper <NUM> was <NUM> CORESTA units. The stain occurrence rate was <NUM>%, and there was the stain suppression effect ("O"). There was no crystal suppression effect ("X").

From the examination of the above-described Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM>, the following can be said.

The diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> in the Comparative Example <NUM> is <NUM>/s or greater, which is greater than the diffusion coefficient in Examples <NUM> to <NUM>. The diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> of the Comparative Example <NUM> is <NUM>/s or greater, which is greater than the diffusion coefficient in Examples <NUM> to <NUM>. The diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> in the Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM> is <NUM>/s or greater, which is greater than the diffusion coefficient in Examples <NUM> to <NUM>. The lower limit of the diffusion coefficient in Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM> is <NUM>/s, which is the diffusion coefficient in Comparative Example <NUM>. For this reason, in order to have the stain suppression effect and the crystal suppression effect, it is realized that the diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> needs to be less than at least <NUM>/s. Particularly, the wrapper <NUM> having the diffusion coefficient of <NUM>/s to <NUM>/s is realized as an example having the stain suppression effect and the crystal suppression effect, as in Examples <NUM> to <NUM>. The upper limit of the diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> falls within the range from <NUM>/s to <NUM>/s.

Thus, it is recognized that the diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> makes a great contribution to the stain suppression effect and the crystal suppression effect. It was found that the diffusion coefficient of the wrapper <NUM> is <NUM>/s or greater, and an upper limit of the diffusion coefficient is between <NUM>/s and <NUM>/s.

In six out of eight examples of Examples <NUM>-<NUM>, the ventilation level was lower than <NUM> CORESTA unit, and the highest value was <NUM> CORESTA units in Example <NUM>. As to the ventilation level in Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM>, it was less than <NUM> CORESTA unit in Comparative Example <NUM> but it was <NUM> CORESTA units or greater in the rest of the examples. For this reason, the ventilation level in Examples <NUM> to <NUM> is lower than the ventilation level in the comparative examples. In other words, although there is a relationship between the ventilation level and the diffusion coefficient, it is preferable that the ventilation level be <NUM> CORESTA unit or lower, for example.

It was found that the coating layer <NUM> is not always necessary and the material of the coating layer <NUM> is irrelevant as long as it is a non-metal resin (polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate) or a thickening agent (arabic gum). This finding suggests that the coating agent that consists of the coating layer <NUM> can be of any composition as long as the coating agent can invade into micro pores of the base sheet <NUM> and become solid therein so as to clog the micro pores. Furthermore, as in Examples <NUM> to <NUM>, it was found that a standard ventilation level of a two- or single-layer wrapper <NUM> having the base sheet <NUM> but not base sheet 42A is less than <NUM> CORESTA unit.

In Comparative Example <NUM>, NPNP1 was used as the base sheet <NUM> and P1000C was used as the base sheet 42A. Although the amount of coating in the coating layer <NUM> differs, the base sheet <NUM> used in Comparative Example <NUM> differs from that in Comparative Example <NUM>. It is assumed that NPNP1 contributes to the increase in the diffusion coefficient and the ventilation level, compared to the TP base paper. For this reason, it can be said that the selection of not only the base sheet 42A in the inner side but also the base sheet <NUM> in the outer side is also crucial for the wrapper <NUM>.

The present invention is not limited to the above described embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The respective embodiments may be appropriately combined and implemented as much as possible, in which case a combined effect is obtained.

Claim 1:
A non-combustible-heating flavor inhaling article comprising:
a tobacco part (<NUM>) that has:
a tobacco filler (<NUM>) that includes a tobacco filling material and a volatile flavor; and
a wrapper (<NUM>) surrounding the tobacco filler,
wherein,
when a diffusion coefficient is measured by the Diffusivity Tester manufactured by the Borgwaldt company, using N<NUM> and CO<NUM> as gas and under a temperature of <NUM> and a relative humidity of <NUM>% as measurement conditions,
the diffusion coefficient of the wrapper is <NUM>/s or greater, and
an upper limit of the diffusion coefficient is between <NUM>/s and <NUM>/s, wherein
the tobacco filler includes <NUM> weight % to <NUM> weight% of an aerosol-generating base material with respect to a weight of the tobacco filling material.