EP4260723A1 - Flavor inhaler - Google Patents

Flavor inhaler Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4260723A1
EP4260723A1 EP20965140.5A EP20965140A EP4260723A1 EP 4260723 A1 EP4260723 A1 EP 4260723A1 EP 20965140 A EP20965140 A EP 20965140A EP 4260723 A1 EP4260723 A1 EP 4260723A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flavor inhaler
casing
biasing
accommodating
chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP20965140.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4260723A4 (en
Inventor
Noriyoshi Sato
Yuki Masuda
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Japan Tobacco Inc
Original Assignee
Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Japan Tobacco Inc filed Critical Japan Tobacco Inc
Publication of EP4260723A1 publication Critical patent/EP4260723A1/en
Publication of EP4260723A4 publication Critical patent/EP4260723A4/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flavor inhaler.
  • flavor inhalers for inhaling flavors or the like without burning materials are known.
  • a flavor inhaler there is a flavor inhaler including an accommodating portion that accommodates a flavor generating article and a heating portion that heats the flavor generating article accommodated in the accommodating portion and adapted to secure air tightness by using an O-ring, for example (see PTL 1, for example).
  • the O-ring is disposed in the vicinity of the accommodating portion. Therefore, there is a concern that the O-ring is degraded due to long-term exposure to a heat from the heating portion and an aerosol generated in the accommodating portion. Also, the O-ring is extended to be fitted into a groove and is then further compressed in an attached state, and a compression stress thus continuously acts on the member with the groove formed therein for a long period of time. If the groove is deformed, there is a concern that the aerosol generated in the accommodating portion may leak to the inside of a casing of the flavor inhaler and promote degradation of an electronic circuit portion or lead to breakdown of a device due to a contact failure at an electrical contact portion.
  • the member with the groove formed therein requires to be manufactured with high precision in order to secure a stable amount of compression. This may result in an increase in size of the device and an increase in cost.
  • the present invention was made in order to solve at least a part of the problem as described above, and an object thereof is to obtain a flavor inhaler capable of preventing an aerosol generated in an accommodating portion from leaking to the inside of a casing of the flavor inhaler.
  • a flavor inhaler includes: an accommodating portion that has an opening edge portion forming an opening and accommodates at least a part of a flavor generating article; an abutting portion that abuts at least a part of the opening edge portion; and a biasing portion that biases the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion.
  • sealing is formed between the opening edge portion of the accommodating portion and the abutting portion, and it is thus possible to prevent an aerosol generated in the accommodating portion from leaking to the inside of a casing of the flavor inhaler.
  • the abutting portion is a guide portion that guides the flavor generating article to the accommodating portion in the first aspect.
  • sealing is formed between the opening edge portion of the accommodating portion and the guide portion, and it is thus possible to prevent an aerosol generated in the accommodating portion from leaking to the inside of the casing of the flavor inhaler.
  • the accommodating portion has a tubular shape with the opening formed at one end, and the abutting portion, the accommodating portion, and the biasing portion are disposed in an aligned manner in this order along an axial direction of the accommodating portion inside a casing of the flavor inhaler in the first aspect or the second aspect.
  • the abutting portion, the accommodating portion, and the biasing portion are aligned in this order, and it is thus possible to apply the biasing portion to the accommodating portion of the flavor inhaler of a general stick heating type.
  • the abutting portion abuts the opening edge portion over an entire circumference of the opening in any of the first aspect to the third aspect.
  • sealing is formed between the entire circumference of the opening edge portion of the accommodating portion and the abutting portion, and it is thus possible to further prevent an aerosol generated in the accommodating portion from leaking to the inside of the casing of the flavor inhaler.
  • the abutting portion abuts at least one of a casing of the flavor inhaler and a fixed portion that is fixed to the casing of the flavor inhaler on a side opposite to the accommodating portion in any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.
  • the abutting portion abuts and is supported by the casing of the flavor inhaler or the fixed portion that is fixed to the casing of the flavor inhaler, and it is thus possible to reliably bias the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion with the biasing portion.
  • the biasing portion abuts at least one of a casing of the flavor inhaler and a fixed portion that is fixed to the casing of the flavor inhaler on a side opposite to the accommodating portion in any of the first aspect to the fifth aspect.
  • the biasing portion abuts and is supported by the casing of the flavor inhaler or the fixed portion that is fixed to the casing of the flavor inhaler, and it is thus possible for the biasing portion to reliably bias the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion.
  • the biasing portion has a projecting portion that projects in a direction opposite to the accommodating portion and is formed to be further sharpened with distance from the accommodating portion in the sixth aspect.
  • a force applied to a distal end of the projecting portion is likely to be transmitted to the entire biasing portion by the projecting portion having a sharpened shape, and it is thus possible for the biasing portion to more reliably bias the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion.
  • the projecting portion is an annular projection continuously disposed around an axis of the accommodating portion in the seventh aspect.
  • the biasing portion can bias the accommodating portion with the axis thereof being aligned with the axis of the accommodating portion, and it is thus possible for the biasing portion to reliably bias the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion. Also, it is possible to transmit a force applied to the projecting portion to the entire biasing portion by the projecting portion being continuously disposed, and it is thus possible for the biasing portion to more reliably bias the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion.
  • the projecting portion includes a plurality of projections intermittently disposed around an axis of the accommodating portion in the seventh aspect.
  • the biasing portion it is possible for the biasing portion to bias the accommodating portion with the axis thereof being aligned with the axis of the accommodating portion, and it is thus possible for the biasing portion to reliably bias the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion. Also, heat from the accommodating portion is unlikely to be transmitted to the biasing portion by the projecting portion being intermittently disposed, and it is thus possible to prevent the biasing portion from being degraded.
  • the biasing portion has a first abutting surface that abuts a first projecting portion projecting from at least one of the casing of the flavor inhaler and the fixed portion that is fixed to the casing of the flavor inhaler toward the biasing portion in the sixth aspect.
  • the first abutting surface of the biasing portion abuts the first projecting portion provided on at least one of the casing of the flavor inhaler and the fixed portion that is fixed to the casing of the flavor inhaler, and it is thus possible for the biasing portion to reliably bias the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion.
  • the biasing portion has a positioning portion that is engaged with at least one of the casing of the flavor inhaler and the fixed portion in any of the sixth aspect to the tenth aspect.
  • the biasing portion is held by the casing of the flavor inhaler or the fixed portion that is fixed to the casing of the flavor inhaler with the positioning portion, and it is thus possible for the biasing portion to reliably bias the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion.
  • the biasing portion has a notch or a penetrating hole through which a part of the accommodating portion passes, and a part of the accommodating portion is engaged with at least one of the casing of the flavor inhaler and the fixed portion in any one of the sixth aspect to the tenth aspect.
  • the part of the accommodating portion is engaged with the casing of the flavor inhaler or the fixed portion that is fixed to the casing of the flavor inhaler, and it is thus possible to fix the accommodating portion to prevent relative rotation with respect to the casing or the fixed portion with the biasing portion biasing the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion.
  • the biasing portion is formed of an elastic material in any of the first aspect to the twelfth aspect.
  • the biasing portion is elastically deformed, and it is thus possible to maintain a state where the biasing portion biases the accommodating portion inside the casing.
  • a support portion that is formed of a material having a lower heat conductivity than the biasing portion and supports the accommodating portion is further included in any of the first aspect to the thirteenth aspect.
  • heat from the accommodating portion is unlikely to be transmitted to the support portion, and it is thus possible to reduce a heat loss in the accommodating portion.
  • the biasing portion biases the accommodating portion via the support portion in the fourteenth aspect.
  • heat from the accommodating portion is unlikely to be transmitted to the biasing portion, and it is thus possible to prevent the biasing portion from being degraded and to reduce a heat loss in the accommodating portion via the biasing portion.
  • the support portion is disposed between the accommodating portion and the biasing portion in the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect.
  • the accommodating portion, the support portion, and the biasing portion are disposed in an aligned manner in this order, and it is thus possible for the biasing portion to reliably bias the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion via the support portion.
  • the accommodating portion and the biasing portion are not in contact with each other in any of the fourteenth aspect to the sixteenth aspect.
  • heat from the accommodating portion is unlikely to be transmitted to the biasing portion, and it is thus possible to prevent the biasing portion from being degraded.
  • the biasing portion has a second abutting surface that abuts a second projecting portion projecting from the accommodating portion side toward the biasing portion in any of the first aspect to the seventeenth aspect.
  • the second abutting surface of the biasing portion abuts the second projecting portion projecting from the accommodating portion side toward the biasing portion, and it is thus possible for the biasing portion to reliably bias the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion.
  • a casing that has an inlet portion is further included, the accommodating portion is disposed such that the opening edge portion provided on a side opposite to a bottom portion faces the inlet portion, the abutting portion is configured to be not able to escape to outside of the casing once the abutting portion is inserted from the inlet portion into the casing, and the abutting portion abuts the opening edge portion on a side opposite to a through-hole exposed to the outside of the casing, and the biasing portion is disposed on the bottom portion side of the accommodating portion, and in a state where the abutting portion is inserted into the casing and abuts the opening edge portion, the biasing portion is compressed by the abutting portion and the accommodating portion and biases the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion in any of the first aspect to the eighteenth aspect.
  • the biasing portion is compressed by the abutting portion and the accommodating portion and biases the accommodating portion toward the abutting portion by the abutting portion being inserted into the casing and abutting the opening edge portion, and it is thus possible to form sealing between the opening edge portion of the accommodating portion and the abutting portion with a simple configuration and to prevent an increase in size of the flavor inhaler.
  • a slide member that is slidably attached to the casing to open and close the inlet portion is further included, and the slide member is configured to cover at least a part of the abutting portion in an axial direction of the accommodating portion in a state where the inlet portion is open.
  • the twentieth aspect of the present invention it is not possible to pull the abutting portion out of the casing unless the user breaks the slide member, and it is thus possible to realize a structure that is not easily modified.
  • Fig. 1A is a schematic front view of a flavor inhaler 100 according to an embodiment.
  • Fig. 1B is a schematic top view of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the embodiment.
  • Fig. 1C is a schematic bottom view of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the embodiment.
  • an X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate system may be added for convenience of description. In the coordinate system, the Z axis is directed vertically upward, the X-Y plane is disposed to cut the flavor inhaler 100 in the horizontal direction, and the Y axis is disposed to extend from the front surface to the rear surface of the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the Z axis can also be called an insertion direction of a flavor generating article to be accommodated in a chamber 50 of an atomization portion 30, which will be described later, or an axial direction of the chamber 50. Additionally, the X axis is in a direction that perpendicularly intersects the Y axis and the Z axis.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 is configured to generate an aerosol containing a flavor by heating a flavor generating article of a stick type having a flavor source containing an aerosol source, for example.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 has an outer housing 101 (corresponding to an example of a casing), a slide cover 102, and a switch portion 103.
  • the outer housing 101 configures the outermost housing of the flavor inhaler 100 and has a size with which it fits in a user's hand. The user can hold the flavor inhaler 100 with his/her hand and inhale the aerosol when the user uses the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the outer housing 101 may be configured by assembling a plurality of members.
  • the outer housing 101 is made of a resin, for example, and may be formed of polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, or a polymer alloy or the like containing polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or a plurality of types of polymers, or metal such as aluminum, in particular.
  • PC polycarbonate
  • ABS acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
  • PEEK polyether ether ketone
  • the outer housing 101 has an opening (corresponding to an example of an inlet portion), which is not illustrated, for receiving the flavor generating article, and the slide cover 102 is slidably attached to the outer housing 101 to close the opening.
  • the slide cover 102 is configured to be movable along an outer surface of the outer housing 101 between a closed position (the position illustrated in Figs. 1A and 1B ) at which the opening of the outer housing 101 is closed and an open position at which the opening is open. It is possible to cause the slide cover 102 to move between the closed position and the open position by the user manually operating the slide cover 102, for example. In this manner, the slide cover 102 is able to permit or restrict access to the flavor generating article inside the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the switch portion 103 is used to switch ON and OFF of an operation of the flavor inhaler 100.
  • power is supplied from a power source, which is not illustrated, to a heating portion, which is not illustrated, and it is possible to heat the flavor generating article without burning the flavor generating article, by the user operating the switch portion 103 in a state where the flavor generating article is inserted into the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the switch portion 103 may be a switch provided outside the outer housing 101 or may be a switch located inside the outer housing 101. In a case where the switch is located inside the outer housing 101, the switch is indirectly pressed by pressing the switch portion 103 on the surface of the outer housing 101. In the present embodiment, an example in which the switch of the switch portion 103 is located inside the outer housing 101 will be described.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 may further have a terminal, which is not illustrated.
  • the terminal can be an interface that connects the flavor inhaler 100 to an external power source, for example.
  • the external power source can cause a current to flow to the power source and charge the power source by connecting the external power source to the terminal.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 may be configured to be able to transmit data related to the operation of the flavor inhaler 100 to an external device by connecting a data transmission cable to the terminal.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of the flavor generating article 110.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 and the flavor generating article 110 can configure a smoking system.
  • the flavor generating article 110 has a smokable article 111, a tubular member 114, a hollow filter portion 116, and a filter portion 115.
  • the smokable article 111 is rolled by a first roll paper 112.
  • the tubular member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 are rolled by a second roll paper 113 that is different from the first roll paper 112.
  • the second roll paper 113 also rolls a part of the first roll paper 112 that rolls the smokable article 111.
  • the tubular member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 are coupled to the smokable article 111.
  • the second roll paper 113 may be omitted, and the tubular member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 may be coupled to the smokable article 111 by using the first roll paper 112.
  • a lip release agent 117 for promoting the user's lip release from the second roll paper 113 is applied to the outer surface of the second roll paper 113 in the vicinity of an end portion thereof on the side of the filter portion 115.
  • the part of the flavor generating article 110 to which the lip release agent 117 is applied functions as a mouthpiece of the flavor generating article 110.
  • the smokable article 111 can contain a flavor source such as tobacco, for example, and an aerosol source.
  • the first roll paper 112 for rolling the smokable article 111 can be a sheet member with breathability.
  • the tubular member 114 can be a paper pipe or a hollow filter.
  • the flavor generating article 110 includes the smokable article 111, the tubular member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 in the illustrated example, the configuration of the flavor generating article 110 is not limited thereto.
  • the hollow filter portion 116 may be omitted, and the tubular member 114 and the filter portion 115 may be disposed to be adjacent to each other.
  • Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100 along the arrow 3-3 illustrated in Fig. 1B .
  • an inner housing 10 (corresponding to an example of a casing) is provided inside the outer housing 101 of the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the inner housing 10 is made of a resin, for example, and may be formed of polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, or a polymer alloy or the like containing polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or a plurality of types of polymers, or metal such as aluminum, in particular.
  • PC polycarbonate
  • ABS acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
  • PEEK polyether ether ketone
  • the inner housing 10 is preferably made of PEEK in terms of heat resistance and strength.
  • a power source portion 20 and the atomization portion 30 are provided in the inner space of the inner housing 10.
  • the outer housing 101 and the inner housing 10 may be collectively referred to as a casing.
  • the power source portion 20 includes a power source 21.
  • the power source 21 can be a chargeable battery or a non-chargeable battery, for example.
  • the power source 21 is electrically connected to the atomization portion 30.
  • the power source 21 can thus supply power to the atomization portion 30 to appropriately heat the flavor generating article 110.
  • the atomization portion 30 has a chamber 50 (corresponding to an example of an accommodating portion) extending in an insertion direction (Z-axis direction) of the flavor generating article 110, a heating portion 40 covering a part of the chamber 50, a heat insulating portion 32, and a substantially tubular insertion guide member 34 (corresponding to an example of an abutting portion and a guide portion) as illustrated in the drawing.
  • the chamber 50 is configured to accommodate the flavor generating article 110 therein.
  • the heating portion 40 is configured to come into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the chamber 50 and heat the flavor generating article 110 accommodated in the chamber 50.
  • a bottom member 36 (corresponding to an example of the accommodating portion) may be provided at the bottom portion of the chamber 50.
  • the bottom member 36 can function as a stopper that positions a consumable material 110 inserted into the chamber 50.
  • the bottom member 36 has irregularity on a surface that the flavor generating article 110 abuts and can define a space into which air can be supplied on the surface that the flavor generating article 110 abuts.
  • the bottom member 36 is made of a resin, for example, and may be formed of polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, a polymer alloy or the like containing polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or a plurality of types of polymers, or metal such as aluminum, in particular.
  • the bottom member 36 is preferably formed of a material with a low heat conductivity to prevent heat from being transmitted to the heat insulating portion 32 and the like.
  • the heat insulating portion 32 has a substantially tubular shape as a whole and is disposed to cover the chamber 50.
  • the heat insulating portion 32 can include an aerogel sheet, for example.
  • the insertion guide member 34 is provided between the slide cover 102 at the closed position and the chamber 50.
  • the insertion guide member 34 is configured not to be able to escape to the outside of the casing with a claw engaged with the casing if the insertion guide member 34 is inserted from the opening of the outer housing 101 into the casing.
  • the insertion guide member 34 is made of a resin, for example, and may be formed of polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, or a polymer alloy or the like containing polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or a plurality of types of polymers, in particular.
  • PC polycarbonate
  • ABS acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
  • PEEK polyether ether ketone
  • the insertion guide member 34 may be formed of metal, glass, ceramics, or the like.
  • the insertion guide member 34 is preferably made of PEEK in terms of heat resistance.
  • the insertion guide member 34 communicates with the outside of the flavor inhaler 100 when the slide cover 102 is at the open position, and the insertion guide member 34 guides insertion of the flavor generating article 110 into the chamber 50 by inserting the flavor generating article 110 into a through-hole 34a in the insertion guide member 34.
  • the slide cover 102 is configured to cover at least a part of the insertion guide member 34 in the axial direction of the chamber 50 with the through-hole 34a in the insertion guide member 34 exposed to the outside when the slide cover 102 is at the open position.
  • a state where the slide cover 102 is closed to cover the entire through-hole 34a in the insertion guide member 34 is illustrated by the two-dotted chain line.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 further has a first holding portion 37 and a second holding portion 38 that hold both ends of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32.
  • the first holding portion 37 is disposed to hold the end portions of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32 on the negative direction side of the Z axis.
  • the second holding portion 38 is disposed to hold the end portions of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32 on the side of the slide cover 102 (the positive direction side of the Z axis). Details of the first holding portion 37 and the second holding portion 38 will be described later.
  • Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the chamber 50.
  • Fig. 4B is a sectional view of the chamber 50 along the arrow 4B-4B illustrated in Fig. 4A .
  • Fig. 5A is a sectional view of the chamber 50 along the arrow 5A-5A illustrated in Fig. 4B .
  • Fig. 5B is a sectional view of the chamber 50 along the arrow 5B-5B illustrated in Fig. 4B .
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the chamber 50 and the heating portion 40.
  • the chamber 50 can have a tubular shape including an opening 52 into which the flavor generating article 110 is inserted and a tubular side wall portion 60 that accommodates the flavor generating article 110.
  • a flange portion 52a (corresponding to an example of an opening edge portion) is formed at an end portion that defines the opening 52 of the chamber 50.
  • the chamber 50 is disposed such that the flange portion 52a provided on the side opposite to a bottom portion 56 faces the opening of the outer housing 101.
  • the chamber 50 is preferably formed of a material with heat resistance and a small coefficient of thermal expansion and can be formed of, for example, stainless steel.
  • the chamber 50 may be formed of a resin such as PEEK, glass, ceramics, or the like as well as metal. This enables effective heating of the flavor generating article 110 from the chamber 50.
  • the chamber 50 is not limited to the tubular shape and may have a cup shape.
  • the side wall portion 60 includes contact portions 62 and a separated portion 66.
  • the contact portions 62 come into contact with or press a part of the flavor generating article 110, and the separated portion 66 is separated from the flavor generating article 110.
  • the desired position in the chamber 50 means the position at which the flavor generating article 110 is appropriately heated or the position of the flavor generating article 110 when the user smokes.
  • Each contact portion 62 has an inner surface 62a and an outer surface 62b.
  • the separated portion 66 has an inner surface 66a and an outer surface 66b. As illustrated in Fig.
  • the heating portion 40 is disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62.
  • the heating portion 40 is preferably disposed with no clearance from the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62.
  • the heating portion 40 may include an adhesive layer. In that case, the heating portion 40 including the adhesive layer is preferably disposed with no clearance from the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62.
  • the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 is a planar surface. It is possible to prevent a strip-shaped electrode 48 from being bent in a case where the strip-shaped electrode 48 is connected to the heating portion 40 disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 as illustrated in Fig. 6 by the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 being a planar surface. As illustrated in Figs. 4B and 5B , the inner surface 62a of the contact portion 62 is a planar surface. Also, the thickness of the contact portion 62 is uniform as illustrated in Figs. 4B and 5B .
  • the chamber 50 has two contact portions 62 in the circumferential direction of the chamber 50, and the two contact portions 62 face each other in parallel with each other.
  • the distance of at least a part between the inner surfaces 62a of the two contact portions 62 is preferably shorter than the width of the flavor generating article 110 inserted into the chamber 50 at the location disposed between the contact portions 62.
  • the inner surface 66a of the separated portion 66 can have an arc-shaped section as a whole in the plane that perpendicularly intersects the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the chamber 50. Also, the separated portion 66 is disposed to be adjacent to the contact portions 62 in the circumferential direction.
  • the chamber 50 can have a hole 56a at the bottom portion 56 thereof such that the bottom member 36 illustrated in Fig. 3 penetrates therethrough and is disposed inside the chamber 50.
  • the bottom member 36 can be fixed to the inside of the bottom portion 56 of the chamber 50 with an adhesive or the like.
  • the adhesive intervening between the bottom member 36 and the bottom portion 56 can be configured of a resin material such as an epoxy resin. Instead of this, an inorganic adhesive such as cement or welding can also be used.
  • the bottom member 36 provided at the bottom portion 56 can support a part of the flavor generating article 110 inserted into the chamber 50 with at least a part of an end surface of the flavor generating article 110 exposed. Also, the bottom portion 56 can support a part of the flavor generating article 110 with the exposed end surface of the flavor generating article 110 communicating with a clearance 67 (see Fig. 7 ), which will be described later.
  • the chamber 50 preferably has a tubular non-holding portion 54 between the opening 52 and the side wall portion 60. A clearance can be formed between the non-holding portion 54 and the flavor generating article 110 in a state where the flavor generating article 110 is positioned at a desired position in the chamber 50. Also, as illustrated in Figs. 4A and 4B , the chamber 50 preferably has a first guide portion 58 including a tapered surface 58a that connects the inner surface of the non-holding portion 54 to the inner surfaces 62a of the contact portions 62.
  • the heating portion 40 has a heating element 42.
  • the heating element 42 may be a heating track, for example.
  • the heating element 42 is preferably disposed to heat the contact portions 62 without coming into contact with the separated portion 66 of the chamber 50.
  • the heating element 42 is preferably disposed only on the outer surfaces of the contact portions 62.
  • the heating element 42 may have a difference in heating capability between a part heating the separated portion 66 of the chamber 50 and a part heating the contact portions 62.
  • the heating element 42 may be configured to heat the contact portions 62 to a higher temperature than that of the separated portion 66. For example, disposition densities of the heating track of the heating element 42 in the contact portions 62 and the separated portion 66 can be adjusted.
  • the heating element 42 may be wound around the outer circumference of the chamber 50 while exhibiting substantially the same heating capability over the entire circumference of the chamber 50.
  • the heating portion 40 preferably has an electrically insulating member 44 that covers at least one surface of the heating element 42 in addition to the heating element 42.
  • the electrically insulating member 44 is disposed to cover both surfaces of the heating element 42.
  • Fig. 7 is a sectional view illustrated in Fig. 5B in a state where the flavor generating article 110 is disposed at a desired position in the chamber 50.
  • the flavor generating article 110 can come into contact with and be pressed by the contact portions 62 of the chamber 50.
  • the clearance 67 is formed between the flavor generating article 110 and the separated portion 66.
  • the clearance 67 can communicate with the opening 52 of the chamber 50 and the end surface of the flavor generating article 110 located in the chamber 50. In this manner, air flowing from the opening 52 of the chamber 50 can pass through the clearance 67 and flow to the inside of the flavor generating article 110.
  • an air flow path (clearance 67) is formed between the flavor generating article 110 and the separated portion 66.
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the first holding portion 37.
  • Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the second holding portion 38. Note that illustration of the bottom member 36 illustrated in Fig. 3 is omitted in Fig. 8 .
  • the first holding portion 37 has a cap 72 (corresponding to an example of a support portion) and a heater cushion 74 (corresponding to an example of a biasing portion).
  • the cap 72 is configured such that a first side surface 72a facing the chamber 50 abuts the bottom portion 56 of the chamber 50 and supports the chamber 50.
  • the cap 72 is made of a resin, for example, and may be formed of polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, or a polymer alloy or the like containing polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or a plurality of types of polymers, in particular.
  • the cap 72 may be formed of metal, glass, ceramics, or the like.
  • the cap 72 is preferably made of PEEK in terms of heat resistance. Additionally, a rib 72b (second projecting portion) projecting toward the heater cushion 74 is provided at the cap 72 to stand on the surface on the side opposite to the first side surface 72a.
  • the heater cushion 74 is configured to accommodate and support an end of the cap 72.
  • the heater cushion 74 has a second side surface 74d (second abutting surface) configured to abut the rib 72b formed at the cap 72.
  • the heater cushion 74 can be formed of an elastic member such as silicone rubber, for example. Note that in a case where silicone rubber is used, a preferred range of Shore A hardness is 40 to 60 and can be appropriately selected in accordance with deformation of the heater cushion 74.
  • the heater cushion 74 is configured to be positioned at and fixed to the fixed portion 22 that is fixed to the inner housing, which is not illustrated. Note that the fixed portion 22 may be the inner housing itself.
  • the second holding portion 38 has a gasket 80 and an annular member 90.
  • the gasket 80 is disposed in the surroundings of the non-holding portion 54 of the chamber 50 and is configured to support the chamber 50.
  • the gasket 80 is made of a resin, for example, and may be formed of polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, or a polymer alloy or the like containing polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or a plurality of types of polymers, in particular.
  • the gasket 80 may be formed of metal, glass, ceramics, or the like.
  • the gasket 80 is preferably made of PEEK in terms of heat resistance.
  • the annular member 90 is configured to be engaged with and support the insertion guide member 34 and the gasket 80.
  • the annular member 90 can be formed of an elastic member such as silicone rubber, for example. In a case where silicone rubber is used, a preferred range of Shore A hardness is 40 to 60 and can be appropriately selected in accordance with deformation of the annular member 90.
  • the annular member 90 is configured to be positioned at and fixed to the fixed portion 22 that is fixed to the inner housing, which is not illustrated.
  • the insertion guide member 34 is configured to abut the fixed portion 22 on the side opposite to the chamber 50 although not illustrated in the drawing.
  • the flange portion 52a of the chamber 50 is configured to abut, over the entire circumference thereof, the insertion guide member 34 on the side opposite to the through-hole 34a.
  • the insertion guide member 34, the chamber 50, the cap 72, and the heater cushion 74 are disposed in an aligned manner in this order along the axial direction of the chamber 50 as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 . Since the insertion guide member 34, the chamber 50, and the heater cushion 74 are aligned in this order, it is possible to apply the heater cushion 74 to the chamber 50 of the flavor inhaler of a general stick heating type. Note that the heater cushion 74 may support the chamber 50 without providing the cap 72.
  • the heater cushion 74 is formed of an elastic member such as silicon, for example, as described above and is configured to bias the chamber 50 toward the insertion guide member 34, that is, on the positive direction side of the Z axis via the cap 72. Specifically, the heater cushion 74 is compressed by the insertion guide member 34 and the chamber 50 and biases the chamber 50 toward the insertion guide member 34 in a state where the insertion guide member 34 is inserted into the casing and abuts the flange portion 52a.
  • sealing is formed between the flange portion 52a of the chamber 50 and the insertion guide member 34, and it is thus possible to prevent an aerosol generated in the chamber 50 due to heating of the flavor generating article 110 from leaking to the inside of the inner housing from a part between the chamber 50 and the insertion guide member 34. Also, the sealing is formed between the entire circumference of the flange portion 52a of the chamber 50 and the insertion guide member 34, and it is thus possible to further prevent the aerosol generated in the chamber 50 from leaking to the inside of the inner housing.
  • the heater cushion 74 is configured of an elastic member and the heater cushion 74 fixed to the fixed portion 22 is thus elastically deformed, it is possible to maintain a state where the heater cushion 74 biases the chamber 50 inside the inner housing.
  • the heater cushion 74 and the chamber 50 do not come into contact with each other due to the heater cushion 74 biasing the chamber 50 via the cap 72, heat from the chamber 50 is unlikely to be transmitted to the heater cushion 74, and it is thus possible to prevent the heater cushion 74 from being degraded.
  • the cap 72 is preferably formed of a material having lower heat conductivity than the heater cushion 74. In this manner, heat from the chamber 50 is unlikely to be transmitted to the cap 72, and it is thus possible to prevent a heat loss of the chamber 50. Also, since heat from the chamber 50 is unlikely to be transmitted to the heater cushion 74 via the cap 72, it is possible to prevent the heater cushion 74 from being degraded and to prevent a heat loss of the chamber 50 via the heater cushion 74.
  • the chamber 50, the cap 72, and the heater cushion 74 are disposed in an aligned manner in this order, and it is thus possible for the heater cushion 74 to reliably bias the chamber 50 toward the insertion guide member 34 via the cap 72.
  • Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the heater cushion 74 seen from the negative direction side of the Z axis.
  • Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the heater cushion along the arrow 11-11 illustrated in Fig. 10 .
  • the heater cushion 74 has a projecting portion 74a, a positioning portion 74b, and an opening portion 74c.
  • the heater cushion 74 has, on the surface on the side opposite to the chamber 50, a third side surface 74e (first abutting surface) configured to abut the fixed portion 22. In this manner, the heater cushion 74 abuts and is supported by the fixed portion 22, and it is thus possible for the heater cushion 74 to reliably bias the chamber 50 toward the insertion guide member 34. Additionally, since the insertion guide member 34 abuts the fixed portion 22, the insertion guide member 34 is supported by the fixed portion 22, and it is possible to reliably bias the chamber 50 toward the insertion guide member 34 with the heater cushion 74.
  • the projecting portion 74a preferably projects on the side opposite to the chamber 50 and is formed to be sharpened with distance from the chamber 50. Since a force applied to the distal end of the projecting portion 74a is likely to be transmitted to the entire heater cushion 74 by the projecting portion 74a having the sharpened shape, it is possible for the heater cushion 74 to more reliably bias the chamber 50 toward the insertion guide member 34.
  • the projecting portion 74a is preferably an annular projection continuously disposed around the axis of the chamber 50.
  • the heater cushion 74 can bias the chamber 50 with the axis thereof being aligned with the axis of the chamber 50, and it is thus possible for the heater cushion 74 to reliably bias the chamber 50 toward the insertion guide member 34.
  • the projecting portion 74a may include a plurality of projections intermittently disposed around the axis of the chamber 50. Since the heater cushion 74 can bias the chamber 50 with the axis thereof being aligned with the axis of the chamber 50 in this case as well, it is thus possible for the heater cushion 74 to reliably bias the chamber 50 toward the insertion guide member 34. Also, since the contact area between the projecting portion 74a and the chamber 50 is reduced in this case, heat from the chamber 50 is unlikely to be transmitted to the heater cushion 74, and it is possible to prevent the heater cushion 74 from being degraded.
  • the heater cushion 74 is assumed to have the projecting portion 74a in the description, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the fixed portion 22 may have a projecting portion (first projecting portion) projecting toward the heater cushion 74.
  • the heater cushion 74 can bias the chamber 50 toward the insertion guide member 34 via the cap 72 by the third side surface 74e abutting the first projecting portion.
  • the positioning portion 74b projects in the direction opposite to the chamber 50 and is configured to be engaged with a positioning hole 22a formed in the fixed portion 22. In this manner, the heater cushion 74 is held by the fixed portion 22 and is fixed to prevent positional deviation, and it is thus possible for the heater cushion 74 to reliably bias the chamber 50 toward the insertion guide member 34.
  • the opening portion 74c is an opening to allow an electrode of the heating portion 40 illustrated in Fig. 6 to pass therethrough. It is possible to cause the electrode 48 of the heating portion 40 to extend substantially in parallel with the axial direction of the chamber 50 by providing the opening portion 74c in the heater cushion 74.
  • a sealing surface may be formed at a contact location between the gasket 80 and the annular member 90.
  • the second holding portion 38 holds the annular member 90, the flange portion 52a of the chamber 50, and the inner diameter of one end of the heat insulating portion 32.
  • the heater cushion 74 holds the bottom portion side of the chamber 50 and the inner diameter of the other end of the heat insulating portion 32.
  • the rib 72b provided at the support portion 72 abuts the second side surface 74d of the heater cushion 74, and the projecting portion 74a formed on the third side surface 74e of the heater cushion 74 abuts the fixed portion 22.
  • the distal end of the insertion guide member 34 comes into contact with the flange portion 52a when the insertion guide member 34 is inserted into the casing in a state where these components are accommodated in the casing, and the rib 72b bites into the heater cushion 74, the projecting portion 74a of the heater cushion 74 collapses at the same time, and the heater cushion 74 causes a reactive force when the insertion guide member 34 is further inserted until the claw of the insertion guide member 34 is engaged with the casing. In this manner, the distal end of the insertion guide member 34 comes into close contact with the flange portion 52a, and the clearance between the flange portion 52a and the insertion guide member 34 is solved. Also, since the temperature of the chamber 50 is raised, a part of the flavor inhaler 100 that approaches the mouth is preferably not heated to a high temperature when the user puts his/her mouth over the flavor generating article 110 and inhales it.
  • the insertion guide member 34 that is exposed to the outside of the casing while abutting the chamber 50 is provided in the present embodiment.
  • a resin material having lower heat conductivity and smaller specific heat as compared with the chamber 50 made of metal is selected for the insertion guide member 34, and the insertion guide member 34 is thus configured to have a temperature rise in a lower level as compared with the chamber 50.
  • Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating another aspect of the first holding portion.
  • Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the first holding portion seen from the negative direction side of the Z axis.
  • the first holding portion 137 has a ring 172 (corresponding to an example of a support portion) and a heater cushion 174.
  • the bottom member 36 provided at the bottom portion 56 of the chamber 50 has a shaft portion 36a projecting to the outside of the chamber 50 through the hole 56a of the chamber 50.
  • the ring 172 is configured to abut the bottom portion 56 of the chamber 50 and support the chamber 50. Also, the ring 172 has, at its center part, a hole 172a through which the shaft portion 36a of the bottom member 36 penetrates.
  • the ring 172 is made of a resin, for example, and may be formed of polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, or a polymer alloy or the like containing polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or a plurality of types of polymers, or metal such as aluminum, in particular.
  • PC polycarbonate
  • ABS acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
  • PEEK polyether ether ketone
  • the heater cushion 174 is configured to accommodate and support one end of the ring 172. Also, the heater cushion 174 has, at its center part, a hole 174a through which the shaft portion 36a of the bottom member 36 penetrates.
  • the heater cushion 174 may be formed of an elastic member such as silicon, for example. Note that the heater cushion 174 may have a notch through which the shaft portion 36a of the bottom member 36 passes instead of the hole 174a.
  • the bottom member 36 is configured such that the shaft portion 36a is positioned at and fixed to the fixed portion 22 that is fixed to the inner housing, which is not illustrated.
  • the fixed portion 22 may be the inner housing itself.
  • the shaft portion 36a has a flat surface 36b at an end portion on the negative direction side of the Z axis.
  • the fixed portion 22 has a flat surface 22b to face the flat surface 36b of the shaft portion 36a. It is possible to prevent relative rotation of the chamber 50 with respect to the fixed portion 22 by the flat surface 36b of the shaft portion 36a and the flat surface 22b of the fixed portion 22 being engaged with each other.
  • Fig. 14 is a sectional view illustrating the heater cushion illustrated in Fig. 12 in an extracted manner.
  • Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the heater cushion.
  • Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the heater cushion seen from the negative direction side of the Z axis. As illustrated in Figs. 14 to 16 , the heater cushion 174 has a hole 174a and a projecting portion 174b.
  • the hole 174a is a hole through which the shaft portion 36a of the bottom member 36 penetrates as described above.
  • the projecting portion 174b projects in the direction opposite to the chamber 50 and is configured to abut the fixed portion 22. In this manner, the projecting portion 174b abuts and is supported by the fixed portion 22, and it is thus possible for the heater cushion 174 to reliably bias the chamber 50 toward the insertion guide member 34.
  • sealing is formed between the flange portion 52a of the chamber 50 and the insertion guide member 34 by the heater cushion 174 biasing the chamber 50 toward the insertion guide member 34, and it is thus possible to prevent an aerosol generated in the chamber 50 due to heating of the flavor generating article 110 from leaking to the inside of the inner housing from the part between the chamber 50 and the insertion guide member 34.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 has a so-called counterflow-type air flow path through which air flowing from the opening 52 of the chamber 50 is supplied to the end surface of the flavor generating article 110
  • the present invention is not limited thereto, and the flavor inhaler 100 may have a so-called bottom flow-type air flow path through which air is supplied from the bottom portion 56 of the chamber 50 to the inside of the chamber 50.
  • the heating element 42 is not limited to a resistance heating type and may be an induction heating type. In that case, the heating element 42 can heat the chamber 50 through induction heating. Also, in a case where the flavor generating article 110 has a susceptor, the heating element 42 can heat the susceptor of the flavor generating article 110 through induction heating.
  • a method of raising the temperature of the flavor generating article 110 in the chamber 50 may be a method of bringing the heating element 42 to direct contact with the flavor generating article 110 or may be a method of generating frictional heat due to vibration of substances in the flavor generating article 110.
  • Fig. 17 is a schematic front view of another flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment.
  • a flavor inhaler 200 has a housing 210 (corresponding to an example of the casing), a container 220 (corresponding to an example of the accommodating portion), a lid portion 230 (corresponding to an example of the abutting portion), a biasing portion 240, and a mouthpiece 250. Note that illustration of the heating portion is omitted in Fig. 17 .
  • the housing 210 configures the outermost housing of the flavor inhaler 200 and has a size with which it fits in a user's hand.
  • the container 220 is configured to accommodate a flavor generating article 260.
  • the container 220 has an air introduction port 220a through which air is taken from the outside and an opening edge portion 220b that defines an opening of the container 220 and is formed at an end portion on the side of the mouthpiece 250.
  • a loose tobacco, slurry tobacco, or a molded article such as a tablet can be used rather than the flavor generating article of a stick type described in the above embodiment.
  • the lid portion 230 has an aerosol flow path 230a through which an aerosol generated by the flavor generating article 260 being heated passes.
  • the biasing portion 240 is configured to accommodate and support the lower surface of the container 220, for example. Also, the biasing portion 240 may be formed of an elastic member such as silicon, for example.
  • the mouthpiece 250 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the housing 210 and holds and fixes the lid portion 230 in a state where the mouthpiece 250 is attached to the housing 210.
  • sealing is formed between the opening edge portion 220b of the container 220 and the lid portion 230 by the biasing portion 240 biasing the container 220 toward the lid portion 230, and it is thus possible to prevent an aerosol generated in the container 220 due to heating of the flavor generating article 260 from leaking to the inside of the housing 210 from the part between the container 220 and the lid portion 230.

Landscapes

  • Packages (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
EP20965140.5A 2020-12-11 2020-12-11 FLAVOR INHALER Pending EP4260723A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2020/046196 WO2022123758A1 (ja) 2020-12-11 2020-12-11 香味吸引器

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4260723A1 true EP4260723A1 (en) 2023-10-18
EP4260723A4 EP4260723A4 (en) 2024-06-19

Family

ID=81974315

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20965140.5A Pending EP4260723A4 (en) 2020-12-11 2020-12-11 FLAVOR INHALER

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4260723A4 (zh)
JP (2) JPWO2022123758A1 (zh)
TW (1) TW202222179A (zh)
WO (1) WO2022123758A1 (zh)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN204994614U (zh) * 2015-05-30 2016-01-27 深圳市合元科技有限公司 可注液的雾化器及使用该雾化器的电子烟
CN108323812B (zh) * 2017-01-20 2023-11-14 常州市派腾电子技术服务有限公司 储液组件、雾化器及电子烟
JP6930802B2 (ja) * 2017-04-11 2021-09-01 ケーティー・アンド・ジー・コーポレーション エアロゾル生成装置
WO2019100229A1 (zh) * 2017-11-22 2019-05-31 惠州市吉瑞科技有限公司深圳分公司 一种雾化组件以及电子烟
KR102604748B1 (ko) 2018-08-15 2023-11-20 니코벤처스 트레이딩 리미티드 에어로졸화 가능한 매체를 포함하는 물품을 가열하기 위한 장치, 장치를 제조하는 방법, 및 장치와 함께 사용하기 위한 에어로졸화 가능한 재료 물품
JP7135098B2 (ja) * 2018-10-26 2022-09-12 日本たばこ産業株式会社 加熱アセンブリ及びこれを備えた香味吸引器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP4260723A4 (en) 2024-06-19
JP7344412B2 (ja) 2023-09-13
JPWO2022123758A1 (zh) 2022-06-16
WO2022123758A1 (ja) 2022-06-16
TW202222179A (zh) 2022-06-16
JP2023113847A (ja) 2023-08-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA3085676C (en) Vapour provision cartridge and system
EP4260739A1 (en) Flavor inhalerr and method for manufacturing flavor inhaler
EP3871533B1 (en) Heating assembly and flavor inhaler provided with same
CN111165879A (zh) 一种雾化装置
US20230301357A1 (en) Flavor inhaler
TW202222185A (zh) 香味吸嚐器
EP4260723A1 (en) Flavor inhaler
EP4260726A1 (en) Flavor inhaler and pressure reduction method
EP4260724A1 (en) Flavor inhaler and method for manufacturing flavor inhaler
EP4260735A1 (en) Flavor inhaler and flavor inhaler manufacturing method
EP4260728A1 (en) Flavor inhaler and method for producing flavor inhaler
US20240065319A1 (en) Flavor inhaler and method for manufacturing flavor inhaler
EP4260727A1 (en) Flavor inhaler
EP4331411A1 (en) Flavor inhaler and flavor inhaler manufacturing method
EP4260721A1 (en) Flavor aspirator
WO2024100781A1 (ja) 香味吸引器、及び、香味吸引システム
TWI850589B (zh) 香味吸嚐器及抽煙系統
EP4321042A1 (en) Flavor inhaler and smoking system
TW202430060A (zh) 香味吸嚐器
EP4260719A1 (en) Flavor inhaler
KR20230173693A (ko) 향미 흡인기

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20230711

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20240516

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: A24F 40/20 20200101ALN20240511BHEP

Ipc: A24F 40/40 20200101AFI20240511BHEP