EP3973793A1

EP3973793A1 - Aerosol-generating article comprising thermally conductive material

Info

Publication number: EP3973793A1
Application number: EP21798538.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Young Joong Kim; Sun Hwan JUNG; Sung Jong Ki; Insu Park; John Tae Lee; Eun Mi Jeoung
Original assignee: KT&G Corp
Current assignee: KT&G Corp
Priority date: 2020-08-04
Filing date: 2021-07-16
Publication date: 2022-03-30
Also published as: CN114302654B; US20230292812A1; JP7359513B2; JP2022546790A; WO2022030799A1; KR20220017259A; EP3973793A4; KR102560715B1; CN114302654A

Abstract

According to some embodiments, there may be provided an aerosol-generating article including a tobacco medium section prepared from a mixture including tobacco powder and thermally conductive powder. The mixture may include, based on dry weight, less than 20 wt% of the thermally conductive powder.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article including a thermally conductive material.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of traditional cigarettes has increased. For example, there is growing demand for an aerosol generating system which generates aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material or a cigarette, rather than by combusting cigarettes.
On the other hand, in a system for generating an aerosol by heating a cigarette, it is necessary to increase the heat transfer efficiency in the process of heating the cigarette, in order to provide a user with an abundant amount of aerosol and to provide an optimal smoking experience.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Various embodiments are directed to providing an aerosol-generating article including a thermally conductive material. The technical problems to be achieved by the present disclosure are not limited to the technical problems as described above, and other technical problems may be inferred from the following embodiments.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

Various embodiments provide an aerosol-generating article including a tobacco medium section prepared from a mixture including a tobacco powder and a thermally conductive powder, and the mixture may include, based on dry weight, less than 20 wt% of the thermally conductive powder.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure may provide an aerosol-generating article including a thermally conductive material. In detail, an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure may include a tobacco medium section prepared from a mixture including a tobacco powder and a thermally conductive powder. By including a thermally conductive material in the tobacco medium section, the heat transfer efficiency in the process in which the aerosol-generating article is heated may be increased. Accordingly, an abundant amount of aerosol may be provided to a user, and the time required for preheating and power consumption of the battery may be reduced.
However, when the tobacco medium section includes too much of a thermally conductive material, as the temperature of the tobacco medium section rises greater than the intended level by the preset temperature profile while the aerosol-generating article is heated, an excessive sense of heat may be transmitted to the user. According to the experimental results to be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, when the thermally conductive powder included in a mixture is 20 wt% or more based on dry weight, it was confirmed that excessive sense of heat is transmitted to the user in the initial puff section. Accordingly, the mixture for preparing the tobacco medium section of an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure may include, based on dry weight, less than 20 wt% of the thermally conductive powder. Accordingly, the temperature of the tobacco medium section may be controlled to an intended level by the preset temperature profile while the heat transfer efficiency in the process of heating the aerosol-generating article is increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 through 4 are diagrams showing examples in which an aerosol-generating article is inserted into an aerosol generating device.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol-generating article according to an example embodiment.
FIGS. 6 to 8 are diagrams related to an experiment for determining an appropriate content of the thermally conductive powder.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views for explaining the distribution of a thermally conductive powder in a tobacco medium section according to example embodiments.

BEST MODE

An aerosol-generating article according to an aspect of the present disclosure may include a tobacco medium section prepared from a mixture including tobacco powder and thermally conductive powder, wherein the mixture includes, based on dry weight, less than 20 wt% of the thermally conductive powder.
In one example, the mixture may include, based on dry weight, 30 wt% to 80 wt% of the tobacco powder, and at least 0.1 wt% and less than 20 wt% of the thermally conductive powder.
Also, the mixture may further include at least one of an additive, a binder and a moisturizer, and the tobacco medium section may be produced in a manner that a slurry, which is produced by adding water to the mixture and then mixing the water with the mixture, is dried in a sheet form and then shaped.
For example, the mixture may include, based on dry weight, 60 wt% to 80 wt% of tobacco powder, at least 5 wt% and less than 20 wt% of thermally conductive powder, 3 wt% to 7 wt% of additives, 6 wt% to 10 wt% of binder, and 5 wt% to 12 wt% of a moisturizer.
The thermally conductive powder may include aluminum powder.
In one embodiment, when the aerosol-generating article is heated by heat transferred from outside the tobacco medium section, the thermally conductive powder is distributed at a greater density, the closer to the longitudinal axis of the tobacco medium section.
In another embodiment, when the aerosol-generating article is heated by heat transferred from inside the tobacco medium section, the thermally conductive powder is distributed at a greater density, the farther from the longitudinal axis of the tobacco medium section.
In one example, the aerosol-generating article may further include an aerosol generating section located upstream of the tobacco medium section and including a sheet of non-tobacco material to which a moisturizer is applied; a cooling section located downstream of the tobacco medium section and configured to cool aerosols generated from at least one of the aerosol generating section and the tobacco medium section; and a filter section located downstream of the cooling section.
An aerosol generating system according to another aspect of the present disclosure may include an aerosol-generating article including a tobacco medium section prepared from a mixture including tobacco powder and thermally conductive powder, wherein the mixture includes, based on dry weight, less than 20 w% of the thermally conductive powder; and an aerosol generating device including a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article, a battery for supplying power to the heater, and a controller for controlling supply of power from the battery to the heater.
In one embodiment, the heater is arranged to surround outside the tobacco medium, and the thermally conductive powder may be distributed at a greater density, the closer to the longitudinal axis of the tobacco medium.
In another embodiment, the heater may be arranged to be inserted into the tobacco medium section, the thermally conductive powder may be distributed in a greater density, the farther from the longitudinal axis of the tobacco medium section.

MODE OF DISCLOSURE

With respect to the terms used to describe the various embodiments, general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, a term which is not commonly used can be selected. In such a case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.
In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms "-er", "-or", and "module" described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.
Throughout the specification, "upstream" and "downstream" may be determined based on the direction in which air flows when a user smokes using an aerosol-generating article. For example, when a user smokes using the aerosol-generating article shown in FIG. 5, the aerosol generated by an aerosol generating section 210 or a tobacco medium section 220 moves to a filter section 240 along the air introduced from the outside, and is delivered to the user through the filter section 240, and thus, the aerosol generating section 210 or the tobacco medium section 220 is located "upstream" of the filter section 240. On the other hand, those skilled in the art will easily understand that "upstream" and "downstream" may be relative depending on the relationship of the components.
Also, throughout the specification, "longitudinal direction" may refer to a direction from an upstream end to a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article or vice versa. For example, assuming that the aerosol-generating article includes the aerosol generating section 210, the tobacco medium section 220, a cooling section 230 and the filter section 240 in the listed order, the longitudinal direction may be a direction from the aerosol generating section 210 toward the filter section 240 or vice versa.
Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1 through 4 are diagrams showing examples in which an aerosol-generating article is inserted into an aerosol generating device.
Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a battery 11000, a controller 12000, and a heater 13000. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the aerosol generating device 10000 may further include a vaporizer 14000. Referring to FIG. 4, an aerosol generating device 10000 further includes an induction coil 13500. Also, the aerosol-generating article 20000 may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device 10000. The aerosol generating device 10000 and the aerosol-generating article 20000 may constitute an aerosol generating system.
FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate components of the aerosol generating device 10000, which are related to the present embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other components may be further included in the aerosol generating device 10000, in addition to the components illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4.
Also, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate that the aerosol generating device 10000 includes the heater 13000. However, as necessary, the heater 13000 may be omitted.
FIG. 1 illustrates that the battery 11000, the controller 12000, and the heater 13000 are arranged in series. FIG. 2 illustrates that the battery 11000, the controller 12000, the vaporizer 14000, and the heater 13000 are arranged in series. Also, FIG. 3 illustrates that the vaporizer 14000 and the heater 13000 are arranged in parallel. In addition, FIG. 4 shows that the induction coil 13500 is arranged to surround a heater 13000. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to the structures illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 10000, the battery 11000, the controller 12000, the heater 13000, the induction coil 13500, and the vaporizer 14000 may be differently arranged.
When the aerosol-generating article 20000 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, the aerosol generating device 10000 may operate the heater 13000 and/or the vaporizer 14000 to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating article 20000 and/or the vaporizer 14000. The aerosol generated by the heater 13000 and/or the vaporizer 14000 is delivered to a user by passing through the aerosol-generating article 20000.
As necessary, even when the aerosol-generating article 20000 is not inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, the aerosol generating device 10000 may heat the heater 13000.
The battery 11000 supplies electric power to be used for the aerosol generating device 10000 to operate. For example, the battery 11000 may supply power to heat the heater 13000 or the vaporizer 14000, and may supply power for operating the controller 12000. Also, the battery 11000 may supply power for operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol generating device 10000.
The controller 12000 may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device 10000. In detail, the controller 12000 may control not only operations of the battery 11000, the heater 13000, the induction coil 13500 and the vaporizer 14000, but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device 10000. Also, the controller 12000 may check a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 10000 to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device 10000 is able to operate.
The controller 12000 may include at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the controller 12000 can be implemented in other forms of hardware.
The heater 13000 may be heated by the power supplied from the battery 11000. The heater 13000 is not limited thereto. The heater 13000 may be heated by a variable magnetic field generated from the induction coil 13500. In this case, the induction coil 13500 may generate the variable magnetic field with the power supplied from the battery 11000.
In one example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the aerosol-generating article 20000 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, the heater 13000 may be located inside the aerosol-generating article 20000. Thus, the heated heater 13000 may be in direct contact with an aerosol generating material in the aerosol-generating article 20000 and increase a temperature of the aerosol generating material.
In another example, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, when the aerosol-generating article 20000 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, the heater 13000 may be located outside the aerosol-generating article 20000. Thus, heat generated from the heater 13000 may be transferred from the outside of the aerosol-generating article 20000 to the aerosol generating material therein
In one example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the heater 13000 may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater 13000 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 13000 may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 13000 is not limited to the example described above and may include all heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device 10000 or may be set by a user.
As another example, as shown in FIG. 4, the heater 13000 may be an induction heating type heater. The aerosol generating device 13000 may further include an induction coil 13500 for heating the aerosol-generating article 20000 in an induction heating manner. The induction coil 13500 may generate a variable magnetic field as power is supplied from the battery 11000, and the heater 13000 may include a susceptor that is heated as the variable magnetic field passes through. The susceptor may include metal or carbon. For example, the susceptor may include at least one of ferrite, a ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum.
In addition, the susceptor may include at least one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, a nickel alloy, a metal film, a ceramic such as zirconia, a transition metal such as nickel (Ni) or cobalt (Co), and a metalloid such as boron (B) or phosphorus (P). However, the susceptor included in the heater 13000 is not limited to the above-described example, and may be used without limitation as long as it may be heated to a desired temperature by applying a variable magnetic field.
The heater 13000 may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the aerosol-generating article 20000, according to the shape of the heating element.
Also, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a plurality of heaters 13000. Here, the plurality of heaters 13000 may be inserted into the aerosol-generating article 20000 or may be arranged outside the aerosol-generating article 20000. Also, some of the plurality of heaters 13000 may be inserted into the aerosol-generating article 20000 and the others may be arranged outside the aerosol-generating article 20000. In addition, the shape of the heater 13000 is not limited to the shapes illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 and may include various shapes.
The vaporizer 14000 may generate aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the aerosol-generating article 20000 to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 14000 may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device 10000 and the air flow passage may be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 14000 passes through the aerosol-generating article 20000 to be delivered to the user.
For example, the vaporizer 14000 may include a liquid storage, a liquid delivery element, and a heating element, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage, the liquid delivery element, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device 10000 as independent modules.
The liquid storage may store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage may be formed to be detachable from the vaporizer 14000 or may be formed integrally with the vaporizer 14000.
For example, the liquid composition may include water, a solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings, or a vitamin mixture. The spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto. The flavorings may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to a user. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.
The liquid delivery element may deliver the liquid composition of the liquid storage to the heating element. For example, the liquid delivery element may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.
The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery element. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heating element may include a conductive filament such as nichrome wire and may be positioned as being wound around the liquid delivery element. The heating element may be heated by a current supply and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, aerosol may be generated.
For example, the vaporizer 14000 may be referred to as a cartridge, a cartomizer, or an atomizer, but it is not limited thereto.
The aerosol generating device 10000 may further include other components in addition to the battery 11000, the controller 12000, the heater 13000, the induction coil 13500, and the vaporizer 14000. For example, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include at least one sensor (a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, an aerosol-generating article insertion detecting sensor, etc.). Also, the aerosol generating device 10000 may be formed as a structure that, even when the aerosol-generating article 20000 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, may introduce external air or discharge internal air.
Although not illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the aerosol generating device 10000 and an additional cradle may form together a system. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000. Alternatively, the heater 13000 may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device 10000 are coupled to each other.
The aerosol-generating article 20000 may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the aerosol-generating article 20000 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the aerosol generating article 20000 may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.
The entire first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, and the second portion may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, or the entire first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000. The user may puff aerosol while holding the second portion by the mouth of the user. In this case, the aerosol is generated by the external air passing through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered to the user's mouth.
For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, opening and closing of the air passage and/or a size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 10000 may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount of smoke and a smoking impression may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the aerosol-generating article 20000 through at least one hole formed in a surface of the aerosol-generating article 20000.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an aerosol-generating article according to an example embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 5, an aerosol-generating article 20000 may include an aerosol generating section 210, a tobacco medium section 220, a cooling section 230, a filter section 240, and a wrapper 250. The first portion described above may include the aerosol generating section 210 and the tobacco medium section 220, and the second portion may include the cooling section 230 and the filter section 240.
The aerosol generating section 210 is located upstream of the tobacco medium section 220 and may include a sheet of non-tobacco material to which a moisturizer is applied. The moisturizer may correspond to an aerosol generating material. For example, the moisturizer may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The non-tobacco material is a material that is not a tobacco material, and may be a polymer material or a cellulosic material capable of absorbing a moisturizer. For example, the sheet of non-tobacco material may be a paper sheet that does not generate off-flavor due to heat even when heated to a high temperature. However, the sheet of non-tobacco material is not limited thereto.
On the other hand, the aerosol generating section 210 may include a wrinkled sheet as the sheet is crimped or compressed, or may include a sheet rolled without crimping. However, the aerosol generating section 210 is not limited thereto, and the aerosol generating section 210 may include a sheet of non-tobacco material having any suitable shape. The aerosol generating section 210 may include other additive substances such as flavoring agents, wetting agents, and the like. For example, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a moisturizer may be added by being sprayed onto the aerosol generating section 210.
The tobacco medium section 220 may be manufactured from a mixture including tobacco powder and thermally conductive powder. The mixture may further include at least one of an additive, a binder, and a moisturizer, and the tobacco medium section 220 may be manufactured in a manner that a slurry, which is produced by adding water to a mixture and mixing the water with the mixture, is dried in a sheet form and then shaped. For example, the mixture may include the tobacco powder, the thermally conductive metal powder (e.g., aluminum), a non-tobacco fiber additive (e.g., pulp) and an exogenous binder (e.g., guar gum) as solids, and further include moisturizer (e.g., glycerin).
The tobacco medium section 220 may be shaped in various ways. For example, the tobacco medium section 220 may be manufactured as a sheet itself. In this case, the tobacco medium section 220 may be made of a wrinkled sheet as it is crimped or compressed, and may be rolled without being crimped. The tobacco medium section 220 may be made of a strand produced by cutting a sheet, or may be made of cut filler produced by cutting the sheet into small pieces.
On the other hand, as the tobacco medium section 220 includes a thermally conductive material (e.g., thermally conductive powder), heat transfer efficiency in the process of heating the aerosol-generating article 20000 may be increased. Accordingly, an abundant amount of aerosol may be provided to the user, and the time required for preheating and power consumption of the battery may be reduced.
However, when the tobacco medium section 220 includes too much of a thermally conductive material, as the temperature of the tobacco medium section 220 rises greater than the intended level by the preset temperature profile while the aerosol-generating article 20000 is heated, an excessive sense of heat may be transmitted to the user. Accordingly, the tobacco medium section 220 needs to contain a not too large amount of thermally conductive material. Hereinafter, an appropriate content of the thermally conductive powder will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.
FIGS. 6 to 8 are diagrams related to an experiment for determining an appropriate content of the thermally conductive powder.
Referring to the table of FIG. 6, a mixing ratio of a mixture corresponding to each of the aerosol-generating articles used in the experiment is described. In this experiment, aluminum (AL) powder is used as a thermally conductive powder, pulp is used as an additive, guar gum is used as a binder, and glycerin is used as a moisturizing agent.
Aerosol-generating article C includes, based on dry weight, a tobacco material section prepared from a mixture consisting of 80 wt% of tobacco raw material, 5 wt% of pulp, 8 wt% of guar gum and 7 wt% of glycerin. The aerosol-generating article C corresponds to a control group that does not include the thermally conductive powder.
Aerosol-generating article A5 includes, based on dry weight, a tobacco material section prepared from a mixture consisting of 75 wt% of tobacco raw material, 5 wt% of aluminum powder, 5 wt% of pulp, 8 wt% of guar gum and 7 wt% of glycerin.
Aerosol-generating article A10 includes, based on dry weight, a tobacco material section prepared from a mixture consisting of 70 wt% of tobacco raw material, 10 wt% of aluminum powder, 5 wt% of pulp, 8 wt% of guar gum and 7 wt% of glycerin.
Aerosol-generating article A15 includes, based on dry weight, a tobacco material section produced from a mixture consisting of 65 wt% of tobacco raw material, 15 wt% of aluminum powder, 5 wt% of pulp, 8 wt% of guar gum and 7 wt% of glycerin.
Aerosol-generating article A20 includes, based on dry weight, a tobacco material section produced from a mixture consisting of 60 wt% of tobacco raw material, 20 wt% of aluminum powder, 5 wt% of pulp, 8 wt% of guar gum, and 7 wt% of glycerin.
Each of the aerosol-generating article C, the aerosol-generating article A5, the aerosol-generating article A10, the aerosol-generating article A15, and the aerosol-generating article A20 includes a tobacco medium section produced from a slurry generated by mixing with water having a weight corresponding to 500 when the weight of the mixture (i.e., the tobacco material section) is 100.
Referring to the table of FIG. 7, when the aforementioned aerosol-generating articles are heated, results of component analysis of aerosols generated from each aerosol-generating article are shown.
Referring to FIG. 7, it may be seen that as the content of aluminum powder included in the aerosol-generating article increases, an amount of transfer of smoke components such as total particulate matter (TPM), nicotine, and glycerin is increased. In other words, it may be seen that as the content of aluminum powder included in the aerosol-generating article increases, a more abundant amount of aerosol may be provided to a user, and a time required for preheating and power consumption of the battery may be reduced. However, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 8, a greater content of aluminum powder may not necessarily be desirable.
Referring to the graph of FIG. 8, when the heater is heated according to a preset temperature profile, a result of measuring the temperature of the tobacco medium section included in each of the aforementioned aerosol-generating articles is shown.
According to the preset temperature profile, the heater for heating the aerosol-generating article may be heated to 270 °C for a period of 0 second to 40 seconds, heated to 240 °C for a period of from 40 seconds to 60 seconds, heated to 235 °C for a period of 60 seconds to 80 seconds, and heated to 230 °C for a period from 80 seconds to 280 seconds. The preset temperature profile may be set such that the target temperature of the end portion of the tobacco medium section, which is not in contact with the heater, is 170 °C or more.
Referring to FIG. 8, it may be seen that the aerosol-generating article C, the aerosol-generating article A5, the aerosol-generating article A10, and the aerosol-generating article A15 are temperature controlled to an intended level by a preset temperature profile. In contrast, it may be seen that the aerosol-generating article A20 has an excessively increased temperature in the initial puff section.
As such, when the tobacco medium section includes too much (i.e., 20 wt% or more) of the thermally conductive material, as the temperature of the tobacco medium section rises greater than the intended level by the preset temperature profile in the process of heating the aerosol-generating article, it may be seen that an excessive sense of heat may be transmitted to the user. Accordingly, it may be preferred that the mixture for making the tobacco medium section includes less than 20 wt% of the thermally conductive material.
Returning to FIG. 5 again, the mixture for making the tobacco medium section 220 of the aerosol-generating article 20000 according to the present disclosure may include, based on dry weight, less than 20 wt% of the thermally conductive powder. Accordingly, while the heat transfer efficiency in the process of heating the aerosol-generating article 20000 is increased, the temperature of the tobacco medium section 220 may be controlled to an intended level by the preset temperature profile.
For example, the mixture may include, based on dry weight, 30 wt% to 80 wt% of the tobacco powder, and at least 0.1 wt% and less than 20 wt% of the thermally conductive powder. In more detail, the mixture may include, based on dry weight, 60 wt% to 80 wt% of tobacco powder, at least 5 wt% and less than 20 wt% of thermally conductive powder, 3 wt% to 7 wt% of additives, 6 wt% to 10 wt% of binder, and 5 wt% to 12 wt% of moisturizer. However, it is not necessarily limited thereto, and as long as the content of the thermally conductive powder is less than 20 wt%, the content of other materials may be appropriately changed.
On the other hand, the characteristics of the aerosol generated from the tobacco medium section 220 may vary depending on the distribution of the thermally conductive powder included in the tobacco medium section 220 as well as the content of the thermally conductive powder. Hereinafter, a preferred distribution of the thermally conductive powder will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views for explaining the distribution of a thermally conductive powder in a tobacco medium section according to example embodiments.
Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown an example of a preferred distribution of a thermally conductive powder 910 when an aerosol-generating article is heated by heat transferred from outside a tobacco medium section 220.
The fact that the aerosol-generating article is heated by heat transmitted from outside the tobacco medium section 220 may mean that the heater is arranged to surround the outside of the tobacco medium section 220 as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. When the heater is arranged to surround outside the tobacco medium section 220, the temperature of a central region 920 of the tobacco medium section 220 may be lower than the temperature of other regions (i.e., regions other than the central region 920) within the tobacco medium section 220. Accordingly, an aerosol generating material included in the other region than the central region 920 may be depleted more rapidly.
According to an example embodiment, the thermally conductive powder 910 may be distributed at a greater density, the closer to the longitudinal axis of the tobacco medium section 220 (i.e., the center of the tobacco medium section 220 shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9). Accordingly, even if an aerosol generating device used together with the aerosol-generating article includes an external heating type heater, the tobacco medium section 220 may be uniformly heated as a whole. In one example, the amount of the thermally conductive powder included in the central region 920 of the tobacco medium section 220 may be twice or more than the amount of powder contained in other regions of the tobacco medium section 220. However, the example embodiment is not necessarily limited thereto. Meanwhile, the central region 920 may be a region corresponding to half the diameter of the tobacco medium section 220, but is not limited thereto.
Referring to FIG. 10, an example of a preferred distribution of a thermally conductive powder 1010 is shown when the aerosol-generating article is heated by heat transferred from inside the tobacco medium section 220.
That the aerosol-generating article is heated by heat transferred from inside the tobacco medium 220 may mean that a heater is arranged to be inserted into the tobacco medium section 220, as shown in FIG. 1. When the heater is inserted into the tobacco medium section 220, the temperature of the central region 1020 of the tobacco medium section 220 may be greater than the temperature of other regions in the tobacco medium section 220. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material included in the central region 1020 may be depleted more rapidly than other regions.
According to an example embodiment, the thermally conductive powder 1010 may be distributed at a greater density, the farther from the longitudinal axis of the tobacco medium section 220 (i.e., the center of the tobacco medium section 220 shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10). Accordingly, even if the aerosol generating device used with the aerosol-generating article includes a heater of an internal heating manner, the tobacco medium section 220 may be uniformly heated as a whole. For example, the amount of the thermally conductive powder 1010 included in the other region of the tobacco medium section 220 (i.e., a region other than the central region 1020) may be equal to or more than twice the amount of the thermally conductive powder 1010 included in the central region 1020 of the tobacco medium section 220. However, the example embodiment is not necessarily limited thereto. Meanwhile, the central region 1020 may be a region corresponding to half the diameter of the tobacco medium section 220, but is not limited thereto.
Returning to FIG. 5 again, the distribution of the thermally conductive powder included in the tobacco medium section 220 is not necessarily limited to the examples of FIGS. 9 and 10. The thermally conductive powder may be uniformly distributed over the entire region of the tobacco medium section 220.
The cooling section 230 may be located downstream of the tobacco medium section 220 and cool the aerosol generated from at least one of the aerosol generating section 210 and the tobacco medium section 220. The cooling section 230 may be a tube filter or a paper tube filter including a hollow. However, the cooling section 230 is not limited to the above-described example, and as long as it may perform a function of cooling the aerosol, it may be applicable without limitation. For example, the cooling section 230 may be made of a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. The cooling section 230 may be made of pure polylactic acid, but is not limited thereto. Also, the cooling section 230 may be made of a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes.
The filter section 240 may be a cellulose acetate filter located downstream of the cooling section 230. On the other hand, the shape of the filter section 240 is not limited. For example, the filter section 240 may be a cylindrical rod, or a tube-type rod including a hollow therein. In addition, the filter section 240 may be a recess type rod. In a case where the filter section 240 is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may be manufactured in a different shape.
The filter section 240 may be manufactured to generate flavor. As an example, the flavoring liquid may be injected into the filter section 240, and a separate fiber to which the flavoring liquid is applied may be inserted into the filter section 240.
In addition, the filter section 240 may include at least one capsule. Here, the capsule may perform a function of generating a flavor, or may perform a function of generating an aerosol. For example, the capsule may have a structure in which a liquid containing a fragrance is wrapped with a film. The capsule may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.
The aerosol-generating article 20000 may be wrapped by the wrapper 250. At least one hole through which external air flows in or internal gas flows out may be formed in the wrapper 250. Although the wrapper 250 is illustrated as a single wrapper in FIG. 5, the wrapper 250 may be a combination of a plurality of wrappers. The wrapper 250 may include a thermally conductive wrapper. For example, the wrapper 250 may include an oil-resistant wrapper including a metal layer (e.g., aluminum, copper, etc.). However, the wrapper 250 is not necessarily limited thereto.
Meanwhile, although the aerosol-generating article 20000 is illustrated as being composed of four segments in FIG. 5, the aerosol-generating article 20000 is not limited thereto. In other words, the aerosol-generating article 20000 may be composed of a smaller number of segments or a larger number of segments, and may include at least one segment performing a function other than the cooling section 230 and the filter section 240.
The descriptions of the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and equivalents thereof may be made. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims will be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

An aerosol-generating article comprising:
a tobacco medium section prepared from a mixture including tobacco powder and thermally conductive powder,

wherein the mixture includes, based on dry weight, less than 20 wt% of the thermally conductive powder.
The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the mixture includes, based on dry weight, 30 wt% to 80 wt% of the tobacco powder, and at least 0.1 wt% and less than 20 wt% of the thermally conductive powder.
The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the mixture further includes at least one of an additive, a binder and a moisturizer, and
the tobacco medium section is produced in a manner that a slurry, which is produced by adding water to the mixture and then mixing the water with the mixture, is dried in a sheet form and then shaped.
The aerosol-generating article of claim 3, wherein the mixture includes, based on dry weight, 60 wt% to 80 wt% of tobacco powder, at least 5 wt% and less than 20 wt% of thermally conductive powder, 3 wt% to 7 wt% of additives, 6 wt% to 10 wt% of binder, and 5 wt% to 12 wt% of a moisturizer.
The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive powder includes aluminum powder.
The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein, when the aerosol-generating article is heated by heat transferred from outside the tobacco medium section, the thermally conductive powder is distributed at a greater density, the closer to the longitudinal axis of the tobacco medium section.
The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein, when the aerosol-generating article is heated by heat transferred from inside the tobacco medium section, the thermally conductive powder is distributed at a greater density, the farther from the longitudinal axis of the tobacco medium section.
The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, further comprising:
an aerosol generating section located upstream of the tobacco medium section and including a sheet of non-tobacco material to which a moisturizer is applied;

a cooling section located downstream of the tobacco medium section and configured to cool aerosols generated from at least one of the aerosol generating section and the tobacco medium section; and

a filter section located downstream of the cooling section.
An aerosol generating system comprising:
an aerosol-generating article including a tobacco medium section prepared from a mixture including tobacco powder and thermally conductive powder, wherein the mixture includes, based on dry weight, less than 20 wt% of the thermally conductive powder; and

an aerosol generating device including a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article, a battery for supplying power to the heater, and a controller for controlling supply of power from the battery to the heater.
The aerosol generating system of claim 9, wherein the heater is arranged to surround the outside of the tobacco medium section, and
the thermally conductive powder is distributed at a greater density, the closer to the longitudinal axis of the tobacco medium section.
The aerosol generating system of claim 9, wherein the heater is arranged to be inserted into the tobacco medium section, and
the thermally conductive powder is distributed at a greater density, the farther from the longitudinal axis of the tobacco medium.