EA041451B1 - INHALATION SYSTEM AND AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE - Google Patents

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to an inhalation system for generating vapor for inhalation by a user. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to an aerosol generating article that, when heated, generates a vapor or aerosol for inhalation by the user.

Prerequisites for the creation of the invention

Devices that heat, rather than combust, a vapor-generating material to produce an inhalable vapor or aerosol have become popular with consumers in recent years. Such devices may use one of a number of different approaches to apply heat to the vapor generating material.

One approach is to provide an inhalation device that uses a resistive heating system. In such an apparatus, a resistance heating element is provided for heating the vapor generating material, and steam or aerosol is generated by heating the vapor generating material by transferring heat from the heating element.

Another approach is to provide an inhalation device that uses an induction heating system. In such a device, an induction coil is provided with the device, and a current collector is usually provided with a steam generating material. Electricity is applied to the induction coil when the user activates the device, which in turn generates an alternating electromagnetic field. The current collector interacts with the electromagnetic field and generates heat, which is transferred, for example, by conduction, to the vapor generating material, and as the vapor generating material is heated, steam or aerosol is generated.

Whichever approach is used to heat the vapor generating material, it may be convenient to provide the vapor generating material in the form of a vapor generating article that a user can insert into an inhalation device. Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide an improved user experience for which steam performance is optimized.

The essence of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inhalation system for generating a vapor, or aerosol, for inhalation by a user, the inhalation system comprising an inhalation device comprising a controller; and an aerosol generating article comprising a vapor or aerosol generating material and a heating element, the heating element comprising an inductively heated current collector;

wherein the aerosol-generating article has first and second regions, each of which contains an aerosol-generating material, and which are located along the longitudinal direction of the article or are located along the radial direction relative to the axis of the article so that one of these regions is a circular region, which surrounds another of said areas, wherein the second area contains an aerosol generating material with a higher density compared to the first area, and the heating element is configured to generate more heat in the second area compared to the first area, while the inductively heated current collector comprises the first type of current-collecting element in the first region and the second type of current-collecting element in the second region, and the first type of current-collecting element is configured to destroy and thus break its electrical circuit before the second type of current-collecting element, when the first and second types of current-collecting element Several elements are exposed to the same electromagnetic field during use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating article comprising a vapor or aerosol generating material and a heating element comprising an inductively heated current collector, the aerosol generating article having first and second regions each containing an aerosol generating material. , and which are located along the longitudinal direction of the product or located along the radial direction relative to the axis of the product so that one of these regions is a circular region that surrounds the other of these regions, while the second region contains an aerosol generating material with a higher density compared to with the first area, and the heating element is configured to generate more heat in the second area compared to the first area, when the aerosol generating product is located in the device for inhalation, while the inductively heated current collector contains the first The first type of current collector in the first region and the second type of current collector in the second region, and the first type of current collector is configured to break and thus break its electrical circuit before the second type of current collector when the first and second types of current collector are subjected to in use. exposed to the same electromagnetic field.

The inhalation system is adapted to heat the vapor generating material without burning the vapor generating material to vaporize at least one component of the vapor generating material and thereby generate a vapor or aerosol for inhalation by the user of the inhalation system.

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In general terms, vapor is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature that is below its critical temperature, which means that vapor can condense into a liquid by increasing its pressure without lowering its temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solids or liquid droplets in air or other gas. However, it should be noted that the terms aerosol and vapor may be used interchangeably in this specification, particularly in relation to the form of inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by the user.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for selective (or zonal) heating of the steam generating material by generating more heat in an area containing a higher density steam generating material and/or a higher moisture content steam generating material and/or a vapor-generating material with a high content of aerosol generating material (i.e., second region). Selective heating of the vapor generating material can thus help maintain uniformity in the release of vapor or aerosol from the vapor generating material and provide optimum performance vapor or aerosol generation when used with an inhalation system.

Thus, when the vapor or aerosol generating material in the first region is depleted due to heating and no longer generates sufficient vapor or aerosol, the vapor or aerosol generating material in the second region continues to generate sufficient vapor or aerosol to allow continuous use of the aerosol generating article by the user and thereby providing an improved sensation in which vapor characteristics are optimized due to more uniform delivery of vapor or aerosol throughout the entire smoking operation. The achievement of this technical result is due to the higher density of the aerosol-generating material in the second region compared to the first region, and the presence of the two types of current-collecting element described above, which together provide heating of the second region after the heating of the first region stops.

The aerosol generating article may include a wrapper surrounding the vapor generating material and may be generally in the form of a rod with first and second ends. The filter may be located at the first end and the second region may be located at the second end. By placing a second region, which in some embodiments may have a higher density vapor generating material, at the second end, a lower density vapor generating material in the first region may be held more securely within the wrapper. The wrapper may contain a material that is non-conductive and magnetically impermeable. The wrapper may, for example, comprise a paper wrapper.

In some embodiments, the implementation of the heating element may contain a resistive heating element. Thus, an aerosol generating article may comprise a vapor generating material and a resistive heating element. The resistive heating element may comprise a metal wire.

The use of the first and second types of current collector can simplify the design of the steam generating article by allowing more heat to be generated in the second region without the need to control the density of the current collectors provided in the first and second regions. The first and second types of current collector may comprise first and second current collector materials, respectively. In one embodiment, the second type of current collector can generate more heat per unit time than the first type of current collector when the first and second types of current collector are exposed to the same electromagnetic field in use. In this embodiment, the first and second regions may be heated at the same time, with the second region being heated by more heat input than the first region.

In another embodiment, the second type of current collector can generate heat for a longer period of time than the first type of current collector when the first and second types of current collector are exposed to the same electromagnetic field in use. In this embodiment, heating of the second region may continue after the heating of the first region stops.

The first type of current collector may have a weakened part, which may have a greater electrical resistance than other parts of the first type of current collector. In one embodiment, the second type of current collector may have a weakened portion having greater electrical resistance than other parts of the second type of current collector, and the weakened portion of the second type of current collector may be stronger than the weakened portion of the first type of current collector. In an alternative embodiment, the second type of current collector may not have a weakened portion.

With such an arrangement, the first and second types of current collector can be selected to ensure that after heating of the first region ceases due to an electrical circuit break of the first type of current collector due to failure of the weakened part, heating in the second region can continue.

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The weakened part may have a smaller cross-sectional area than other parts of the current collector(s). The weakened portion may have a smaller cross-sectional area than other parts of the current collector(s) in a plane perpendicular to the direction of flow of electric current through the current collector(s). The weakened part of the first and optionally the second types of current collector(s) can be easily created by simply reducing the cross-sectional area of the current collector(s), and the level of weakening can be easily controlled by appropriate selection of the cross-sectional area, thus optimizing the generation of heat within the product, generating aerosol.

The inductively heated pantograph may comprise an annular pantograph. The inductively heated current collector may comprise a non-concentric cutout. The inductively heated current collector may comprise a slot. The non-concentric cut or slot provides a reduced cross-sectional area and, as a result, functions as a weakened portion of the current collector(s). The weakened part can thus be easily formed and the level of weakening can be easily controlled, thus ensuring the optimization of heat generation within the aerosol generating article.

The inductively heated current collector may comprise one or more of, but not limited to, aluminum, iron, nickel, stainless steel, and their alloys, such as nichrome or nickel-copper alloy. When an electromagnetic field is applied near it, the pantograph can generate heat due to eddy currents and magnetic hysteresis losses, leading to the conversion of electromagnetic energy into thermal energy.

The inhalation device may include an induction coil configured to generate an electromagnetic field. An inductively heated pantograph is heated by induction in the presence of an electromagnetic field.

The induction coil may comprise a high frequency winding wire or a high frequency winding cable. However, it should be understood that other materials may be used. The induction coil may have a substantially helical shape and may, for example, extend around the space in which the aerosol generating article is located during use.

The circular cross section of the helical induction coil may facilitate insertion of the aerosol generating article into the inhalation device, for example, in the space in which the aerosol generating article is located during use, and may provide uniform heating of the vapor generating material.

The induction coil may be configured to operate in use with an alternating electromagnetic field having a magnetic flux density from about 20 mT to about 2.0 T at the point of greatest concentration.

The inhalation device may include a power supply and circuitry that can be configured to operate at high frequency. The power supply and circuitry may be configured to operate at a frequency of about 80 to 500 kHz, possibly about 150 to 250 kHz, and possibly about 200 kHz. The power supply and circuitry may be configured to operate at a higher frequency, such as in the megahertz range, depending on the type of inductively heated current collector used.

The steam generating material may be any type of solid or semi-solid material. Exemplary types of steam-generating solids include powder, granules, grains, chips, filaments, particles, gel, strips, shredded leaves, cut filler, porous material, foam or sheets. The steam generating material may contain material of vegetable origin and in particular may contain tobacco.

The foam may contain a plurality of fine particles (eg, tobacco particles) and may also contain some water and/or a moisturizing additive such as a humectant. The foam may be porous and may allow air and/or steam to flow through the foam.

As stated above, the vapor generating material may contain an aerosol generating agent. Examples of aerosol forming agents include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof, such as glycerol or propylene glycol. Typically, the vapor generating material may have an aerosolizing agent content of from about 5% to about 50%, based on dry weight. In some embodiments, the vapor generating material may contain from about 10% to about 20% dry weight, and possibly about 15% dry weight. As noted above, in some embodiments, the vapor generating material in the second region has a higher content of aerosol generating material than the vapor generating material in the first region.

When heated, the steam generating material may release volatile compounds. The volatile compounds may contain nicotine or flavor compounds such as tobacco flavor.

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An aerosol generating article may include a breathable shell containing a vapor generating material. The breathable shell may comprise a breathable material that is electrically non-conductive and magnetically impermeable. The material may have a high breathability to allow air to pass through the high temperature resistant material. Examples of suitable breathable materials include cellulose fibers, paper, cotton and silk. The breathable material may also act as a filter. Alternatively, the vapor generating material may be contained within a material that is not breathable, but which contains appropriate perforations or holes to allow air to flow.

Brief description of graphic materials

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inhalation system containing a first example of an aerosol generating article;

fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second example of an aerosol generating article;

fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a third example of an aerosol generating article;

fig. 4a-4c are schematic views along line A-A in FIG. 3 examples of the first type of current collector;

fig. 5a and 5b are schematic views along line B-B in FIG. 3 examples of the second type of current collector;

fig. 6a is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fourth example of an aerosol generating article; and fig. 6b is a schematic view along line C-C in FIG. 6a.

Detailed description of embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, with reference to FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of an inhalation system 1. The inhalation system 1 comprises an inhalation device 10 and a first example of an aerosol generating article 24. The inhalation device 10 has a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14 and includes a main body 16 of the device that contains a power supply (not shown) and a controller 20 that can be configured to operate at high frequency. The power supply typically contains one or more batteries, which may, for example, be inductively rechargeable.

The inhalation device 10 is typically cylindrical in shape and includes a generally cylindrical space 22 for generating steam, for example in the form of a heating chamber. Cylindrical steam generation space 22 is configured to accommodate a generally cylindrical or rod-shaped article 24 comprising a steam generating material 26 and a heating element in the form of a particulate inductively heated current collector material 28 . The inhalation device 10 comprises a helical induction coil 36 which has a circular cross section and which extends around a cylindrical space 22 to generate vapor. Induction coil 36 may be powered by a power source and controller 20. Controller 20 includes, among other electronic components, an inverter that is configured to convert DC from the power source into high frequency AC for induction coil 36.

The aerosol generating product 24 is a consumable product that may, for example, contain tobacco as the vapor generating material 26 . The aerosol generating article 24 comprises a paper wrapper 30 surrounding the vapor generating material 26 and the current collector particulate material 28, and has first and second ends 40, 42. The aerosol generating article 24 includes a filter 32 at the first end 40, which with abutting coaxially aligned with the paper wrap 30. The filter 32 functions as a mouthpiece and contains a breathable stopper, for example containing cellulose acetate fibers. Both the paper wrap 30 and the filter 32 are covered on the outside by an outer wrap 34, which typically contains tip paper.

The aerosol generating article 24 has first and second regions 44, 46 which are located along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 24. The first and second regions 44, 46 comprise a vapor generating material 26 of different densities, with the second region 46 containing a higher density vapor generating material 26 than the first region 44, as shown schematically in FIG. 1. Alternatively or additionally, the vapor generating material 26 in the second region 46 may have a higher moisture content and/or a greater content of aerosol generating material than the vapor generating material 26 in the first region 44. In the first example of the product 24 generating aerosol, a second region 46 containing a vapor generating material 26 with a higher density is located at the second end 42, while the first region 40 containing a vapor generating material 26 with a lower density is located between the filter 32 and the second region

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46. This arrangement is advantageous because the higher density vapor generating material 26 in the second region 46 at the second end 42 prevents the lower density vapor generating material 26 from falling out of the first region 44.

In the first example of the aerosol generating article 24 shown, the second region 46 provides a particulate current collector material 28 with a higher density than the first region 44. With this arrangement, the same type of current collector particulate material 28 can be used in the first and second regions 44, 46 , while the susceptor particulate 28 with a higher density in the second region 46 generates more heat in the second region 46 than the susceptor particulate 28 with a lower density in the first region 44.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, when the induction coil 36 is energized while using the inhalation system 1, an alternating and time-varying electromagnetic field is generated. It interacts with the current collector particulate 28 in the first and second regions 44, 46 and generates eddy currents and/or magnetic hysteresis losses in the current collector particulate 28 causing it to heat up. Heat is transferred from the current collector particulate material 28 to the vapor generating material 26 in the first and second regions 44, 46, for example, by conduction, radiation, and convection. As indicated above, more heat is generated in the second region 46 compared to the first region 44 due to the greater density of the current collector particulate material 28 in the second region 46.

The current collector particulate material 28 may be in direct or indirect contact with the steam generating material 26, whereby when the current collector particulate material 28 in the first and second regions 44, 46 is inductively heated by the induction coil 36, heat is transferred from the current collector particulate material 28 to the material 26 , generating steam, in the first and second areas 44, 46, to heat the material 26, generating steam, and thereby obtain a vapor or aerosol. The vaporization of the vapor generating material 26 is aided by the addition of ambient air. The vapor generated by heating the vapor generating material 26 exits the aerosol generating article 24 through the air filter 32 where it can be inhaled by the user of the device 10.

Let us now turn to FIG. 2, which shows a second example of an aerosol generating product 50 which is similar to the first example of an aerosol generating product 24 described above with reference to FIG. 1, and in which the respective components are designated using the same reference numbers.

The aerosol generating article 50 comprises a first type of inductively heated current collector 52 in the first region 44 and a second type of inductively heated current collector 54 in the second region 46. extends longitudinally through the first region 44. Conversely, the second type of current collector 54 comprises a tubular current collector, with the vapor generating material 26 located both within and around the tubular current collector. With this arrangement, the tubular current collector (i.e., the second type of current collector 54) generates more heat per unit time and/or generates heat over a longer period of time in the second region 46 than the elongated current collector (i.e., the first type of current collector). element 52) in the first region 44 when the first and second types of current-collecting element 52, 54 are exposed to the same electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil 36 of the inhalation device 10. Therefore, more heat is generated in the second region 46 compared to the first region 44.

Let us now turn to FIG. 3-5, which show a third example of an aerosol generating article 60 which is similar to the first and second examples of aerosol generating article 24, 50 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and in which the respective components are designated using the same reference numbers.

The aerosol generating article 60 comprises a plurality of units of a first type of inductively heated current collector 62 in the first region 44 and a second type of inductively heated current collector 64 in the second region 46.

In more detail and with reference to FIG. 4a-4c which are schematic views along line A-A in FIG. 3 different examples of the first type of current collector 62, it will be seen that the first type of current collector 62 has at least one weakened part 66, which has a greater electrical resistance than other parts of the first type of current collector 62. The weakened part 66 is created by providing part of the first a type of current collector 62 with a smaller cross-sectional area in a plane perpendicular to the direction of current flow than other parts of the first type of current collector 62. The greater electrical resistance of the weakened portion 66 can be used to cause the first type of current collector 62 to break, and thus breaking its electrical circuit before any breaking of the second type of current-collecting element 64 occurs, thus allowing more heat to be generated in the second region 46 compared to the first region 44.

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In the example shown in FIG. 4a, the first type of current collector 62 is an annular current collector and includes a non-concentric notch 68, thus creating a weakened portion 66 with a smaller cross-sectional area. In the example shown in FIG. 4b, the first type of current collector 62 is an annular current collector with a concentric notch 70, and includes a pair of slots 72 in diametrically opposed locations, creating two weakened portions 66 with a smaller cross-sectional area. In a variation of this example, one slot 72 or more than two slots 72 may be provided. In the example shown in FIG. 4c, the first type of susceptor 62 is an annular susceptor with a concentric notch 70 that contains a pair of holes 74 in diametrically opposed locations, creating two weakened portions 66 with a smaller cross-sectional area. In a variation of this example, one hole 74 or more than two holes 74 can be provided.

To ensure that a break in the first type of current collector 62 occurs before a break in the second type of current collector 64, the second type of current collector 64 may have a weakened portion 76 that is stronger than the weakened portion 66 of the first type of current collector 62. An example of the second type of current collector 64 c weakened portion 76 is shown in FIG. 5a. The second type of current collector 64 is an annular-shaped current collector that includes a non-concentric notch 78, thus creating a weakened portion 76 with a smaller cross-sectional area. It should be understood that the second type of current collector 64 shown in FIG. 5a is similar to the first type of current collector 62 shown in FIG. 4a, except that the weakened part 76 is stronger than the weakened part 66 because the weakened part 76 has a larger cross-sectional area than the weakened part 66, while the other dimensions of the first and second types of current-collecting member 62, 64 are the same.

Alternatively, and to ensure that a break in the first type of current collector 62 occurs before a break in the second type of current collector 64, the second type of current collector 64 may be as shown in FIG. 5b. In this example, the second type of current collector 64 is an annular-shaped current collector with a concentric notch 80, and does not have a weakened portion.

Let us now turn to FIG. 6, which shows a fourth example of an aerosol generating product 90 which is similar to the first example of an aerosol generating product 24 described above with reference to FIG. 1, and in which the respective components are designated using the same reference numbers.

The aerosol generating article 90 has an axis extending between the first and second ends 40, 42 of the article 90, and the first and second regions 44, 46 are arranged along a radial direction with respect to the axis. In the example shown, the first region 44 containing the lower density vapor generating material 26 is located radially outward from the second region 46 containing the higher density vapor generating material 26. Therefore, the first region 44 is a circular region that surrounds the second region 46. In an alternative example (not shown), the second region 46 containing the vapor generating material 26 with a higher density may be located radially outside the first region 44 containing the material 26, generating steam, with a lower density. In this alternative example, the second region 46 will be a circular region that surrounds the first region 44.

As in the first example of the aerosol generating article 24 described above with reference to FIG. 1, in the fourth example of the aerosol generating article 90, the current collector particulate material 28 is used as a heating element, and it contains the current collector particulate material 28 with a higher density in the second region 46 compared to the first region 44. With this arrangement, the same type of particulate current collector material 28 can be used in the first and second regions 44, 46, while the higher density current collector particulate material 28 in the second region 46 generates more heat in the second region 46 than the lower density current collector particulate material 28 in the first region. 44. Of course, one skilled in the art will appreciate that optionally the same type of particulate current collector material 28 must be employed in the first and second regions 44, 46, and that a first type of current collector (e.g., a first type of particulate current collector) can be provided. in the first area 44, and the second type of current-collecting element (for example, a second type of dispersed current collector) can be provided in the second region 46.

While exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the exemplary embodiments described above.

The present invention covers any combination of the above features in all their possible variations, unless otherwise indicated in this description or otherwise there is no clear contradiction to the context.

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Claims (10)

Unless the context clearly implies otherwise, throughout the description and claims, expressions contain, containing, etc. should be considered in an inclusive and not exclusive or exhaustive sense; those. in the sense of including but not limited to. CLAIM 1. The system (1) for inhalation to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user, and the system (1) for inhalation contains a device (10) for inhalation containing a controller (20); and an aerosol generating article (24, 50, 60, 90) comprising an aerosol generating material (26) and a heating element (28, 52, 54, 62, 64), wherein the heating element (28, 52, 54, 62 , 64) contains an inductively heated current collector; wherein the aerosol generating product has first and second regions (44, 46), each of which contains an aerosol generating material (26), and which are located along the longitudinal direction of the product (24, 50, 60) or are located along the radial direction relative to axis of the product (24, 50, 60) so that one of the specified areas (44, 46) is a circular area that surrounds the other of the specified areas (46, 44), while the second area (46) contains the material (26) , generating an aerosol, with a higher density compared to the first area (44), and the heating element is configured to generate more heat in the second area (46) compared to the first area (44), while the inductively heated current collector contains the first type of current collector element (62) in the first area (44) and the second type of current-collecting element (64) in the second area (46), and the first type of current-collecting element (62) is made with the possibility of destruction and, thus, p breaking its electrical circuit before the second type of current-collecting element (64) when the first and second types of current-collecting element (62, 64) are exposed to the same electromagnetic field during use. 2. The inhalation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the aerosol generating article comprises a wrapper (30) surrounding the aerosol generating material (26) and is generally rod-shaped with first and second ends (40, 42) , and the filter (32) is located at the first end (40), and the second region (46) is located at the second end (42). 3. The inhalation system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second type of current collector (54, 64) generates more heat per unit time than the first type of current collector (52, 62) when the first and second types of current collector elements are exposed during use to the same electromagnetic field. 4. The inhalation system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second type of current collector (54, 64) generates heat for a longer period of time than the first type of current collector (52, 62) when the first and second types of current collector elements are exposed during use to the same electromagnetic field. 5. System for inhalation according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the first type of current collector element (62) has a weakened part (66) having a greater electrical resistance than other parts of the first type of current collector element (62); and either the second type of current-collecting element (64) has a weakened part (76) having a greater electrical resistance than other parts of the second type of current-collecting element (64), and the weakened part (76) of the second type of current-collecting element (64) is stronger than weakened part (66) of the first type of current-collecting element (62); or the second type of current-collecting element (64) does not have a weakened part. 6. Inhalation system according to claim 5, characterized in that the weakened part (66, 76) has a smaller cross-sectional area than the other parts of the current collector element(s) (62, 64). 7. An inhalation system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inductively heated current collector comprises an annular current collector (62, 64). 8. An inhalation system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inductively heated current collector comprises a non-concentric cutout (68, 78). 9. Inhalation system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inductively heated current collector comprises a slot (72). 10. An aerosol generating product (24, 50, 60, 90) containing an aerosol generating material (26) and a heating element (28, 52, 54, 62, 64) containing an inductively heated current collector, while the product generating aerosol has first and second regions (44, 46), each of which contains material (26) that generates an aerosol, and which are located along the longitudinal direction of the product (24, 50, 60) or located along the radial direction relative to the axis of the product (24, 50, 60) so that one of said regions (44, 46) is a circular region that surrounds another of said regions (46, 44), while the second region (46) contains material -