EP4260739A1 - Flavor inhalerr and method for manufacturing flavor inhaler - Google Patents

Flavor inhalerr and method for manufacturing flavor inhaler Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4260739A1
EP4260739A1 EP20965150.4A EP20965150A EP4260739A1 EP 4260739 A1 EP4260739 A1 EP 4260739A1 EP 20965150 A EP20965150 A EP 20965150A EP 4260739 A1 EP4260739 A1 EP 4260739A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wall
housing
flavor inhaler
communication unit
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
EP20965150.4A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4260739A4 (en
Inventor
Yuki Masuda
Manabu Yamada
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 EP4260739A1 publication Critical patent/EP4260739A1/en
Publication of EP4260739A4 publication Critical patent/EP4260739A4/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • A24F40/65—Devices with integrated communication means, e.g. wireless communication means
    • 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
    • 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
    • A24F40/70—Manufacture

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a flavor inhaler and a flavor inhaler manufacturing method.
  • the present disclosure provides a flavor inhaler and a manufacturing method thereof according to which communication with an external appliance that is performed by a communication interface may be prevented from being disturbed.
  • a first aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler including: a housing including a first wall including a metal portion; an atomizing unit that is housed in the housing, and that generates heat; and a communication unit that is housed in the housing and that communicates with an external appliance via the first wall, the communication unit being disposed away from the atomizing unit, where the metal portion does not cover the communication unit in a plan view seen from a direction orthogonal to the first wall.
  • the housing housing the atomizing unit that generates heat is covered by the first wall including the metal portion having high heat conductivity, but the communication unit is not covered by the metal portion. Therefore, according to the first aspect, a local high-temperature portion in the housing that is caused by heat generation by the atomizing unit may be prevented through heat diffusion by the metal portion, and it is also possible to prevent communication of the communication unit with an external appliance from being interfered by the metal portion.
  • a second aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the first aspect, where the metal portion covers at least a part of the atomizing unit in the plan view seen from the direction orthogonal to the first wall.
  • the atomizing unit that is a heat source is covered by the metal portion having high heat conductivity on an outer surface of the housing housing the atomizing unit that generates heat. Therefore, according to the second aspect, heat is more effectively diffused on the outer surface of the housing.
  • a third aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the first or second aspect, where half or more of an area of the first wall includes the metal portion.
  • half or more of the area of the first wall of the housing housing the atomizing unit that generates heat includes the metal portion having high heat conductivity. Therefore, according to the third aspect, heat from the atomizing unit may be effectively diffused inside the flavor inhaler.
  • a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the first to third aspects, where, in a cross-section cutting the housing along a plane perpendicular to the first wall, the metal portion of the first wall is not included in a range that is defined to be within an angle range of 45 degrees on each of left and right of a reference straight line that extends from a center of the communication unit toward the first wall along the direction orthogonal to the first wall.
  • the flavor inhaler if the region in the first wall that does not include the metal portion that may interfere with communication with an external appliance is too small, communication disturbance is caused, but if the region in the first wall that does not include the metal portion is too great, heat diffusion by the metal portion is not sufficiently achieved.
  • the angle range of 45 degrees on each of left and right of the reference straight line is secured as a region where the metal portion is not present. Therefore, according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to establish both securing of a communication path between the communication unit and an external appliance and heat diffusion by the metal portion.
  • a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the first to fourth aspects, where the housing further includes a second wall that faces the first wall, and the atomizing unit and the communication unit are housed in the housing while being located between the first wall and the second wall.
  • the first wall in the set of the first wall and the second wall of the housing that face each other, provided such that the communication unit is located therebetween, the first wall includes the metal portion that does not cover the metal portion. Therefore, according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to establish both securing of a communication path and heat diffusion by the set of the first wall and the second wall of the housing that face each other such that the communication unit is located therebetween.
  • a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the first to fifth aspects, the flavor inhaler further including an external cover that covers the first wall.
  • the first wall of the housing that covers the atomizing unit that generates heat is further covered by the external cover. Therefore, according to the sixth aspect, heat generated by the atomizing unit may be prevented from being transferred to outside the flavor inhaler.
  • a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the flavor inhaler according to the first to sixth aspects, where the communication unit communicates with the external appliance by using an electromagnetic wave.
  • the communication unit on the outer surface of the housing housing the communication unit that performs communication by an electromagnetic wave, the communication unit is not covered by the metal portion that interferes with the electromagnetic wave. Therefore, according to the seventh aspect, communication with an external appliance that is performed by the communication unit may be effectively prevented from being disturbed by the metal portion.
  • An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a flavor inhaler manufacturing method including: preparing a housing including a first wall including a metal portion; housing an atomizing unit that generates heat and a communication unit that communicates with an external appliance in the housing; and disposing the metal portion in such a way that the communication unit is not covered in a plan view seen from a direction orthogonal to the first wall.
  • an outer surface of the housing housing the atomizing unit that generates heat is covered by the first wall including the metal portion having high heat conductivity, but the communication unit is not covered by the metal portion. Therefore, according to the eighth aspect, there may be provided a flavor inhaler with which communication with an external appliance that is performed by the communication unit may be prevented from being disturbed by the metal portion.
  • Fig. 1A is a schematic front view of a flavor inhaler 100 according to the first embodiment.
  • Fig. 1B is a schematic top view of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the first embodiment.
  • Fig. 1C is a schematic bottom view of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the first embodiment.
  • an X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate system may be added for the sake of description.
  • a Z-axis faces vertically upward
  • an X-Y plane cuts the flavor inhaler 100 in a horizontal direction
  • a Y-axis extends from a front surface to a back surface of the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the Z-axis may also be said to be an insertion direction of a consumable that is to be housed in a chamber 50 of an atomizing unit 30 described later.
  • the Y-axis may also be said to be a direction that is orthogonal to the insertion direction of the consumable, along which a first wall 10a and a second wall 10b described later face each other.
  • an X-axis direction may be said to be a device longitudinal direction on a plane that is orthogonal to the insertion direction of the consumable.
  • a Y-axis direction may be said to be a device transverse direction on the plane that is orthogonal to the insertion direction of the consumable.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 generates an aerosol including a flavor by heating a stick-shaped consumable including a flavor source including an aerosol source.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 includes an outer housing 101 formed from a front cover 101A and a rear cover 101B, and a slide cover 102.
  • the front cover 101A is an example of an external cover of the present disclosure.
  • the outer housing 101 forms an outermost housing of the flavor inhaler 100, and has a size that can be fitted in a hand of a user. At the time of using the flavor inhaler 100, a user may hold the flavor inhaler 100 in the hand, and may inhale the aerosol. Additionally, with respect to the outer housing 101, the front cover 101A may be formed of resin such as polycarbonate, and the rear cover 101B may be formed of metal such as aluminum, for example.
  • the outer housing 101 is not limited to the materials mentioned above, and may be formed of resin, or more specifically, polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or a polymer alloy containing a plurality of types of polymers, and selection may be freely made therefrom as appropriate.
  • PC polycarbonate
  • ABS acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
  • PEEK polyether ether ketone
  • a polymer alloy containing a plurality of types of polymers and selection may be freely made therefrom as appropriate.
  • the outer housing 101 includes an opening, not shown, for receiving a consumable, and the slide cover 102 is slidably attached to the outer housing 101 to close the opening. More specifically, the slide cover 102 is movable along an outer surface of the outer housing 101, between a close position of closing the opening in the outer housing (a position shown in Figs. 1A and 1B ) and an open position of opening the opening. For example, the slide cover 102 may be moved between the close position and the open position by the user manually operating the slide cover 102. The slide cover 102 may thus allow or restrict access of the consumable into the flavor inhaler 100.
  • Figs. 1B and 1C show the front cover 101A and the rear cover 101B of the flavor inhaler 100 to have a substantially same thickness, but a structure of the outer housing 101 is not limited thereto.
  • One of the front cover 101A or the rear cover 101B may be made thicker than the other.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 may further include a terminal, not shown.
  • the terminal may be an interface for connecting the flavor inhaler 100 to an external power source, for example.
  • a power source of the flavor inhaler 100 is a rechargeable battery
  • current may be supplied from the external power source to the power source and the power source may be charged when the external power source is connected to the terminal.
  • data about operation of the flavor inhaler 100 may be transmitted to an external device.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a consumable 110.
  • a smoking system may be formed by the flavor inhaler 100 and the consumable 110.
  • the consumable 110 includes a smokable substance 111, a cylindrical member 114, a hollow filter portion 116, and a filter portion 115.
  • the smokable substance 111 is wrapped with a first rolling paper 112.
  • the cylindrical member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 are wrapped with a second rolling paper 113 different from the first rolling paper 112.
  • the second rolling paper 113 is also wrapped around a part of the first rolling paper 112 that is wrapped around the smokable substance 111.
  • the cylindrical member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 are thus joined to the smokable substance 111.
  • the second rolling paper 113 may be omitted, and the cylindrical member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 may instead be joined to the smokable substance 111 using the first rolling paper 112.
  • a lip release agent 117 is applied on an outer surface of the second rolling paper 113, around an end portion on the filter portion 115 side, to prevent lips of the user from sticking to the second rolling paper 113.
  • the part of the consumable 110 where the lip release agent 117 is applied functions as a mouthpiece of the consumable 110.
  • the smokable substance 111 may include a flavor source, such as tobacco, and an aerosol source, for example. Furthermore, the first rolling paper 112 wrapped around the smokable substance 111 may be a breathable sheet member.
  • the cylindrical member 114 may be a paper tube or a hollow filter.
  • the consumable 110 includes the smokable substance 111, the cylindrical member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115, but the structure of the consumable 110 is not limited thereto.
  • the hollow filter portion 116 may be omitted, and the cylindrical member 114 and the filter portion 115 may be disposed next to each other.
  • Fig. 3 is a front view of the flavor inhaler 100 from which the outer housing 101 is removed.
  • Fig. 4 is a front view of just metal panel 12.
  • Fig. 5 is a front view of the flavor inhaler 100 from which the outer housing 101 and the metal panel 12 are removed.
  • the inner housing 10 houses the atomizing unit 30 described later, a power source unit 20, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface 28 that is connected to a circuit unit, not shown, and the like, and is, for example, made of resin, or more specifically, may be formed of polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polymer alloy containing a plurality of types of polymers, or the like.
  • PC polycarbonate
  • ABS acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
  • PEEK polyether ether ketone
  • the inner housing 10 is not limited to the materials mentioned above.
  • the inner housing 10 includes the first wall 10a and the second wall 10b (see Fig.
  • the inner housing 10 to which the metal panel 12 is attached is an example of a housing of the present disclosure.
  • the metal panel 12 has thermal conductivity that is higher than the thermal conductivity of the inner housing 10, and is provided to cover the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10.
  • the metal panel 12 may be formed of aluminum, for example. Furthermore, the metal panel 12 may be shaped as a sheet. The metal panel 12 may be provided close to or in contact with the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10 and an end portion of the side wall 10c. More specifically, for example, the metal panel 12 may be attached to the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10. Because the metal panel 12 having high thermal conductivity functions as a heat diffusion member for diffusing heat that is transmitted from the inner housing 10, heat that is generated by the atomizing unit 30 may be diffused inside the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the metal panel 12 is an example of a metal portion of the present disclosure. Furthermore, a set of the metal panel 12 and the first wall 10a is an example of a first wall of the present disclosure.
  • an opening portion 14 is provided in the metal panel 12, at a lower part in a Z-axis direction. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 3 , a part of the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10 is exposed from the opening portion 14 in the metal panel 12. As described later, the part of the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10 that is exposed from the opening portion 14 in the metal panel 12 includes a region corresponding to the Bluetooth interface 28 that is housed inside the inner housing 10.
  • shape and size of the opening portion 14 in the metal panel 12 according to the first embodiment may be determined as appropriate on condition that the Bluetooth interface 28 is not covered.
  • the metal panel 12 covers the first wall 10a except for the opening portion 14, and thus, heat from the atomizing unit 30 reaching the first wall 10a is diffused by the metal panel 12, and the inner housing 10 may be prevented from being locally heated to a high temperature.
  • the atomizing unit 30 generates heat inside the inner housing 10, and thus, a temperature of the first wall 10a tends to be locally increased at a periphery of the atomizing unit 30.
  • the metal panel 12 desirably covers at least a part of a region, of the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10, corresponding to the atomizing unit 30 that is housed inside the inner housing 10.
  • Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100 taken along arrows 6-6 shown in Fig. 1B .
  • Fig. 7 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100, cut along a cross-section that is orthogonal to an X-axis and that includes the Bluetooth interface 28.
  • the power source unit 20 and the atomizing unit 30 are provided in an inner space of the inner housing 10 of the flavor inhaler 100.
  • the circuit unit includes a microprocessor, for example, and is capable of controlling supply of power from the power source unit 20 to the atomizing unit 30.
  • the circuit unit may thus control heating of the consumable 110 by the atomizing unit 30.
  • the circuit unit is electrically connected to the Bluetooth interface 28.
  • the Bluetooth interface 28 is an example of a communication unit of the present disclosure.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 of the first embodiment is capable of communicating with an external appliance via the Bluetooth interface 28.
  • the region of the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10 shown in Fig. 5 that covers the Bluetooth interface 28 forms a part of the region that is exposed from the opening portion 14 in the metal panel 12 shown in Fig. 3 .
  • the Bluetooth interface 28 is positioned in a Y-axis positive direction from the part of the first wall 10a that is exposed from the opening portion 14 in Fig. 3 . That is, in a front view of the flavor inhaler 100, the Bluetooth interface 28 is not covered by the metal panel 12. Accordingly, although a metal member generally interferes with electromagnetic waves, the flavor inhaler 100 may communicate with an external appliance via the Bluetooth interface 28 using, as a path, at least the region that is exposed from the opening portion 14 in the metal panel 12.
  • FIG. 7 omits illustration of the inner housing 10 and members, other than the Bluetooth interface 28, that are housed inside the inner housing 10.
  • a region that is defined by an angle range of 45 degrees on each of left and right of a reference straight line that is a straight line that is parallel to the Y-axis and that extends from a center of the Bluetooth interface 28 toward the front surface of the flavor inhaler 100 is exposed from the opening portion 14 in the metal panel 12.
  • the cross-section shown in Fig. 7 is an example of a cross-section that includes the Bluetooth interface 28 and that is perpendicular to the X-axis, and a different cross-section may also be selected along the X-axis. In this case, a position, in the selected cross-section, of the center of the Bluetooth interface 28 on a plane parallel to a Y-Z plane is possibly not the same as in Fig.
  • the region that is defined by the angle range of 45 degrees on each of left and right of the reference straight line described above is exposed from the opening portion 14 in the metal panel 12 in any cross-section.
  • the condition regarding the region described above that is defined by the center of the Bluetooth interface 28 and the reference straight line is not applied to a part including only the protrusion portion. That is, in a case where the Bluetooth interface 28 includes, for the sake of design, a protrusion portion that does not actually contribute to transmission/reception of electronic magnetic waves, the protrusion portion does not have to satisfy the condition shown in Fig. 7 .
  • the reference straight line and the angle range defined around the reference straight line are set based on a part that actually contributes to transmission/reception of electromagnetic waves.
  • the region that is defined by the angle range described above is secured as a path to be used for communication with an external appliance that is performed via the Bluetooth interface 28.
  • the power source unit 20 includes a power source 21 that is electrically connected to the circuit unit not shown.
  • the power source 21 may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery.
  • the power source 21 is electrically connected to the atomizing unit 30 via the circuit unit. The power source 21 may thus supply power to the atomizing unit 30 so that the consumable 110 is appropriately heated.
  • the atomizing unit 30 includes the chamber 50 extending in a longitudinal direction of the consumable 110, a heating unit 40 surrounding a part of the chamber 50, a heat insulating portion 32, and an insertion guide member 34 having a substantially cylindrical shape.
  • the chamber 50 houses the consumable 110.
  • the heating unit 40 is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the chamber 50, and the heating unit 40 heats the consumable 110 that is housed in the chamber 50. Details of the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40 will be given.
  • the heat insulating portion 32 is disposed to surround the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40.
  • the heat insulating portion 32 may be an aerogel, for example.
  • the insertion guide member 34 is formed of a resin material such as PEEK, PC, or ABS, and is provided between the slide cover 102 in the close position and the chamber 50. When the slide cover 102 is in the open position, the insertion guide member 34 communicates with outside of the flavor inhaler 100, and guides insertion of the consumable 110 into the chamber 50 when the consumable 110 is inserted in the insertion guide member 34.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 further includes a first support portion 37 and a second support portion 38 for supporting both ends of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32.
  • the first support portion 37 is disposed to support end portions of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32 on the slide cover 102 side (a Z-axis positive direction side).
  • the second support portion 38 is disposed to directly or indirectly support end portions of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32 on a Z-axis negative direction side.
  • a bottom member 36 may be provided on a bottom part of the chamber 50.
  • the bottom member 36 may function as a stopper that achieves positioning of the consumable 110 that is inserted in the chamber 50.
  • the bottom member 36 may demarcate a space where air can be supplied, in a surface where the consumable 110 abuts against.
  • the surface of the bottom member 36 where the consumable 110 abuts against is uneven, and the bottom member 36 may, but not limited to, be formed of a resin material such as PEEK, metal, glass, ceramic or the like.
  • the first support portion 37 and the second support portion 38 may be formed of elastomer such as silicone rubber, for example.
  • an adhesive that may be made of a resin material such as epoxy resin, or an organic material may be used.
  • Fig. 8A is a perspective view of the chamber 50.
  • Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 taken along arrows 8B-8B shown in Fig. 8A .
  • Fig. 9A is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 taken along arrows 9A-9A shown in Fig. 8B .
  • Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 taken along 9B-9B shown in Fig. 8B .
  • Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40. As shown in Figs.
  • the chamber 50 may be a cylindrical member including an opening 52 that allows insertion of the consumable 110, and a cylindrical side wall portion 60 for housing the consumable 110.
  • the chamber 50 is desirably formed of a material that has heat resistance and that has small thermal expansion coefficient, and may be formed of metal such as stainless steel, resin such as PEEK, glass, ceramic or the like, for example.
  • the consumable 110 may thus be efficiently heated in the chamber 50.
  • the side wall portion 60 includes a contact portion 62 and a separated portion 66.
  • the contact portion 62 contacts or presses a part of the consumable 110, and the separated portion 66 is separate from the consumable 110.
  • “desired position inside the chamber 50” refers to a position where the consumable 110 is appropriately heated, or a position of the consumable 110 when the user smokes.
  • the contact portion 62 includes an inner surface 62a and an outer surface 62b.
  • the separated portion 66 includes an inner surface 66a and an outer surface 66b. As shown in Fig.
  • the heating unit 40 is disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62.
  • the heating unit 40 is desirably disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 with no gap in between.
  • the heating unit 40 may include an adhesive layer.
  • the heating unit 40 including the adhesive layer is desirably disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 with no gap in between.
  • the outer surface 62b of the contact portion 62 is flat.
  • the strip-shaped electrode 48 may be prevented from being warped.
  • the inner surface 62a of the contact portion 62 is flat.
  • a thickness of the contact portion 62 is uniform.
  • the chamber 50 includes two contact portions 62 in a circumferential direction of the chamber 50, and the two contact portions 62 face each other while being parallel to each other.
  • a distance between at least parts of the inner surfaces 62a of the two contact portions 62 is desirably smaller than a width of a part where the consumable 110 that is inserted in the chamber 50 is disposed between the contact portions 62.
  • the inner surface 66a of the separated portion 66 may have, as a whole, an arc-shaped cross-section on a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal direction (a Z-axis direction) of the chamber 50. Furthermore, the separated portion 66 is disposed adjacent to the contact portions 62 in the circumferential direction.
  • the chamber 50 may include a hole 56a in a bottom portion 56 to allow the bottom member 36 shown in Fig. 6 to penetrate and be disposed inside the chamber 50.
  • the bottom member 36 provided on the bottom portion 56 supports a part of the consumable 110 that is inserted in the chamber 50 in such a way that at least a part of an end surface of the consumable 110 is exposed.
  • the bottom portion 56 may support a part of the consumable 110 in such a way that the end surface of the consumable 110 that is exposed communicates with a gap 67 (see Fig. 11 ) described later.
  • the chamber 50 desirably includes a cylindrical non-holding portion 54 between the opening 52 and the side wall portion 60.
  • a gap may be formed between the non-holding portion 54 and the consumable 110 in a state where the consumable 110 is positioned at the desired position in the chamber 50.
  • the chamber 50 desirably includes a first guide portion 58 including a tapered surface 58a that connects an inner surface of the non-holding portion 54 and the inner surfaces 62a of the contact portions 62.
  • the heating unit 40 includes a heating element 42.
  • the heating element 42 may be a heating track, for example.
  • the heating element 42 is desirably disposed to heat the contact portion 62 without coming into contact with the separated portion 66 of the chamber 50.
  • the heating element 42 is desirably disposed only on the outer surface of the contact portion 62.
  • Heating capacity of the heating element 42 may be different between a part for heating the separated portion 66 of the chamber 50 and a part for heating the contact portion 62. More specifically, the heating element 42 may heat the contact portion 62 to a temperature higher than that of the separated portion 66.
  • an arrangement density of the heating track of the heating element 42 may be adjusted between the contact portion 62 and the separated portion 66.
  • the heating element 42 may have substantially same heating capacity along an entire circumference of the chamber 50, and may be wound around an outer circumference of the chamber 50.
  • the heating unit 40 desirably includes an electrically insulating member 44 that covers at least one surface of the heating element 42.
  • the electrically insulating member 44 is disposed to cover both surfaces of the heating element 42.
  • Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 9B , where the consumable 110 is disposed at a desired position inside the chamber 50.
  • the consumable 110 when the consumable 110 is disposed at the desired position inside the chamber 50, the consumable 110 may be pressed by coming into contact with the contact portion 62 of the chamber 50.
  • the gap 67 is formed between the consumable 110 and the separated portion 66.
  • the gap 67 may communicate with the opening 52 in the chamber 50 and the end surface of the consumable 110 positioned inside the chamber 50. Accordingly, air flowing in from the opening 52 in the chamber 50 may pass through the gap 67 and flow into the consumable 110. In other words, an air passage (the gap 67) is formed between the consumable 110 and the separated portion 66.
  • Fig. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100 taken along arrows 12-12 shown in Fig. 1B .
  • the air passage (the gap 67) is formed between the separated portion 66 and the consumable 110, and thus, air passing through the air passage may absorb heat from the separated portion 66 and may cool the separated portion 66.
  • the heating element 42 of the heating unit 40 is disposed in such a way as to heat the contact portion 62 without coming into contact with the separated portion 66 of the side wall portion 60 of the chamber 50. That is, because the separated portion 66 is not directly heated by the heating unit 40, heating of the separated portion 66 by the heating unit 40 may be suppressed.
  • the outer housing 101 houses the inner housing 10 inside.
  • An inner surface (a surface on the Y-axis positive direction side) of the front cover 101A of the outer housing 101 faces an outer surface (a surface on the Y-axis negative direction side) of the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10 across the metal panel 12. Because the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10 is covered by the front cover 101A of the outer housing 101, heat from the atomizing unit 30 that is transferred to the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10 may be prevented from being transferred to outside the flavor inhaler 100. As a result, the user may be prevented from feeling uncomfortable when holding the flavor inhaler 100.
  • Fig. 13 is a front view of a flavor inhaler 200 according to the second embodiment, from which the outer housing 101 is removed.
  • Fig. 14 is a front view of just metal panel 212.
  • Fig. 15 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 200, cut along a cross-section that is orthogonal to the X-axis and that includes the Bluetooth interface 28.
  • the flavor inhaler 200 according to the second embodiment is different from the flavor inhaler 100 according to the first embodiment with respect to the structure of the metal panel 212. That is, with the flavor inhaler 200 according to the second embodiment, the metal panel 212 shown in Fig. 14 is provided covering the first wall 10a of the inner housing 10, instead of the metal panel 12 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 4 .
  • the metal panel 212 according to the second embodiment is another example of the metal portion of the present disclosure.
  • the metal panel 12 according to the first embodiment includes the opening portion 14 at a lower part in the Z-axis direction.
  • the metal panel 212 according to the second embodiment does not include the opening portion, is cut around a center in the Z-axis direction, and does not extend to a lower part in the Z-axis direction.
  • a solid line that is shown in Fig. 13 to horizontally divide the flavor inhaler 200 (in a direction parallel to the X-axis) indicates a lower end portion 212A of the metal panel 212. Accordingly, in Fig. 13 , at a part lower than the lower end portion 212A of the metal panel 212, the first wall 10a and the side wall 10c of the inner housing 10 are exposed.
  • the metal panel 212 As in the first embodiment, from the standpoint of efficient heat diffusion, the metal panel 212 according to the second embodiment is desirably provided to cover 50% or more of the area of the outer surface of the inner housing 10. Additionally, as shown in Fig. 6 , the atomizing unit 30 that generates heat is disposed inside the inner housing 10, on an upper part in the Z-axis direction. According to the second embodiment, the metal panel 212 covers an upper part of the first wall 10a in the Z-axis direction, corresponding to the atomizing unit, and thus, heat from the atomizing unit 30 reaching the first wall 10a is diffused by the metal panel 212, and the inner housing 10 may be prevented from being locally heated to a high temperature.
  • the Bluetooth interface 28 is disposed inside the inner housing 10, at a lower part in the Z-axis direction.
  • the Bluetooth interface 28 is positioned in the Y-axis positive direction from a part of the first wall 10a in Fig. 13 that is positioned at a lower part than the lower end portion 212A of the metal panel 212 in the Z-axis direction and that is exposed. That is, in a front view of the flavor inhaler 200, the Bluetooth interface 28 is not covered by the metal panel 212. Accordingly, although a metal member generally interferes with electromagnetic waves, the flavor inhaler 200 may communicate with an external appliance via the Bluetooth interface 28 using, as a path, at least the region that is not covered by the metal panel 212.
  • FIG. 15 omits illustration of the inner housing 10 and members, other than the Bluetooth interface 28, that are housed inside the inner housing 10.
  • a region that is defined by an angle range of 45 degrees on each of left and right of a reference straight line that is a straight line that is parallel to the Y-axis and that extends from the center of the Bluetooth interface 28 toward the front surface of the flavor inhaler 100 is positioned more in the negative direction of the Z-axis than the lower end portion 212A of the metal panel 212.
  • a cross-section shown in Fig. 15 is an example of a cross-section that includes the Bluetooth interface 28 and that is perpendicular to the X-axis, and a different cross-section may also be selected along the X-axis.
  • a position, in the selected cross-section, of the center of the Bluetooth interface 28 on the plane parallel to the Y-Z plane is possibly not the same as in Fig. 15 .
  • the region that is defined by the angle range of 45 degrees on each of left and right of the reference straight line described above is positioned more in the negative direction of the Z-axis than the lower end portion 212A of the metal panel 212 in any cross-section.
  • the condition regarding the region described above that is defined by the center of the Bluetooth interface 28 and the reference straight line described above is not applied to a part including only the protrusion portion.
  • the protrusion portion does not have to satisfy the condition shown in Fig. 15 .
  • the reference straight line and the angle range defined around the reference straight line are set based on a part that actually contributes to transmission/reception of electromagnetic waves.
  • the region that is defined by the angle range described above is secured as a path to be used for communication with an external appliance that is performed via the Bluetooth interface 28.
  • the flavor inhaler 100 of the present disclosure includes a so-called counter-flow air passage with which air flowing in from the opening 52 in the chamber 50 is supplied to the end surface of the consumable 110, but such a case is not restrictive, and a so-called bottom-flow air passage with which air is supplied from the bottom portion 56 of the chamber 50 into the chamber 50 may instead be provided.
  • the heating element 42 does not have to adopt resistance heating and may instead adopt induction heating.
  • the heating element 42 may heat the chamber 50 by induction heating.
  • the susceptor of the consumable 110 may be heated by the heating element 42 by induction heating.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
EP20965150.4A 2020-12-11 2020-12-11 FLAVOR INHALER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING FLAVOR INHALER Pending EP4260739A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2020/046272 WO2022123768A1 (ja) 2020-12-11 2020-12-11 香味吸引器及び香味吸引器の製造方法

Publications (2)

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EP4260739A1 true EP4260739A1 (en) 2023-10-18
EP4260739A4 EP4260739A4 (en) 2024-10-09

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EP20965150.4A Pending EP4260739A4 (en) 2020-12-11 2020-12-11 FLAVOR INHALER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING FLAVOR INHALER

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JP (1) JPWO2022123768A1 (ja)
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WO2024127607A1 (ja) * 2022-12-16 2024-06-20 日本たばこ産業株式会社 香味吸引器及び香味吸引システム
WO2024127609A1 (ja) * 2022-12-16 2024-06-20 日本たばこ産業株式会社 香味吸引器及び香味吸引システム
WO2024127608A1 (ja) * 2022-12-16 2024-06-20 日本たばこ産業株式会社 香味吸引器及び香味吸引システム

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GB2533137A (en) * 2014-12-11 2016-06-15 Nicoventures Holdings Ltd Electronic vapour provision system
CN204519365U (zh) * 2015-02-07 2015-08-05 深圳市杰仕博科技有限公司 加热雾化器
GB201517091D0 (en) 2015-09-28 2015-11-11 Nicoventures Holdings Ltd Policy notification system and method for electronic vapour provision systems
US10058125B2 (en) * 2015-10-13 2018-08-28 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Method for assembling an aerosol delivery device
KR20180124739A (ko) * 2017-05-11 2018-11-21 주식회사 케이티앤지 궐련의 종류별로 에어로졸 생성장치에 포함된 히터의 온도를 제어하는 방법 및 궐련의 종류별로 히터의 온도를 제어하는 에어로졸 생성장치
GB201903308D0 (en) * 2019-03-11 2019-04-24 Nicoventures Trading Ltd Aerosol-generating device
CN110973703A (zh) * 2019-12-12 2020-04-10 深圳雷炎科技有限公司 带凸起式雾化芯的烟弹和电子烟
CN211832812U (zh) * 2019-12-12 2020-11-03 深圳雷炎科技有限公司 防冷凝液回流的电子烟杆和电子烟

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WO2022123768A1 (ja) 2022-06-16
JPWO2022123768A1 (ja) 2022-06-16
EP4260739A4 (en) 2024-10-09

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