Sustained-release menthol and method of preparing the same

Abstract

A method of preparing sustained-release menthol is provided. The method includes step S 1 of melting menthol, step S 2 of preparing a liquid mixture by mixing the molten menthol and glycerin, and step S 3 of preparing a solid dispersion by stirring the liquid mixture, wherein in step S 2 , an amount of the molten menthol is greater than an amount of the glycerin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of preparing sustained-release menthol, the method comprising:
 step S 1  of melting menthol;   step S 2  of preparing a liquid mixture by mixing the molten menthol and glycerin; and   step S 3  of preparing a solid dispersion by stirring the liquid mixture,   wherein, in step S 2 , an amount of the molten menthol is greater than an amount of the glycerin.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step S 1  is performed at a temperature of 40° C. to 50° C. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in step S 2 , a weight ratio of the menthol:the glycerin in the liquid mixture ranges from 6:4 to 9.9:0.1. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in step S 3 , the solid dispersion is obtained by uniformly dispersing and solidifying the molten menthol in the glycerin. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after step S 3 :
 step S 4  of preparing a form by adding an excipient to the solid dispersion.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein, in step S 4 , the excipient comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of lactose, microcellulose, and a binder. 
     
     
         7 . Sustained-release menthol comprising:
 a solid dispersion comprising menthol, and glycerin,   wherein the solid dispersion is obtained by uniformly dispersing the menthol in the glycerin, and   wherein an amount of the menthol is greater than an amount of the glycerin.   
     
     
         8 . The sustained-release menthol of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an excipient.   
     
     
         9 . The sustained-release menthol of  claim 7 , wherein the sustained-release menthol is in a form of at least one selected from a group consisting of a powder, a granule, and a cylindrical block. 
     
     
         10 . A smoking article comprising:
 a medium portion;   a filter portion; and   a wrapper,   wherein at least one selected from a group consisting of the medium portion, the filter portion, and the wrapper comprises sustained-release menthol,   wherein the sustained-release menthol comprises a solid dispersion comprising menthol, and glycerin,   wherein the solid dispersion is obtained by uniformly dispersing the menthol in the glycerin, and   wherein an amount of the menthol is greater than an amount of the glycerin.