EP4633394A1

EP4633394A1 - Cooling segment for aerosol generating article and aerosol generating article comprising the same

Info

Publication number: EP4633394A1
Application number: EP23903717.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Seok Su Jang; Do Hyun Yun; Jung Kyu Seo
Original assignee: KT&G Corp
Current assignee: KT&G Corp
Priority date: 2022-12-16
Filing date: 2023-10-19
Publication date: 2025-10-22
Also published as: CN119947604A; JP2025530494A; WO2024128513A1; KR20240094860A

Abstract

An aerosol generating article according to an embodiment includes a tobacco rod including a tobacco material, a cooling segment located downstream of the tobacco rod, and a mouthpiece located downstream of the cooling segment, and the cooling segment includes a first sheet forming at least a portion of an outer surface of the cooling segment, a second sheet forming, inside the cooling segment, a path through which an aerosol moves in a lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article, and a third sheet crimped between the first sheet and the second sheet.

Description

COOLING SEGMENT FOR AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE AND AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE COMPRISING THE SAME

One or more embodiments relate to a cooling segment for an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating article including the cooling segment, and more particularly, to a cooling segment capable of improving cooling efficiency and an aerosol generating article including the cooling segment.

Recently, the demand for alternative methods for overcoming the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. For example, there is an increasing demand for a system for generating aerosols by heating a cigarette or an aerosol generating material by using an aerosol generating device, rather than by burning cigarettes. Accordingly, research on a heated aerosol generating device has been actively conducted.

One or more embodiments provide a cooling segment for an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating article including the same. According to a heated aerosol generating article that generates an aerosol upon heating an aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating article, a user may feel heat as the aerosol moves in the aerosol generating article, and thus, an element for cooling an aerosol may be required.

In particular, during summer, the temperature of the aerosol delivered to the user may be higher because of the moisture contained in the aerosol. Therefore, a component that effectively performs a cooling function by removing the moisture in the aerosol may be required.

The problems to be solved by embodiments are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from the description and the accompanying drawings.

A cooling segment for an aerosol generating article includes a first sheet forming at least a portion of an outer surface of the cooling segment, a second sheet forming, inside the cooling segment, a path through which an aerosol moves in a lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article, and a third sheet crimped between the first sheet and the second sheet.

According to an aerosol generating article according to one or more embodiments, the heat that users may experience on their hands or mouths as an aerosol moves during smoking may be reduced by improving a cooling function.

Effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above effects, and effects that are not mentioned could be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the attached drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams showing examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device, in accordance with embodiments.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views illustrating examples of an aerosol generating article.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a cooling segment for an aerosol generating article, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A schematically illustrates a movement of airflow in a first airflow passage in a cooling segment, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6B schematically illustrates a movement of airflow in a second airflow passage in a cooling segment, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6C schematically illustrates a movement of airflow in a third airflow passage in a cooling segment, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining in detail crimps in a third sheet in a cooling segment, according to an embodiment.

Regarding the terms in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, terms which can be arbitrarily selected by the applicant in particular cases. In such a case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms "-er", "-or", and "module" described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

As used herein, when an expression such as "at least any one" precedes arranged elements, it modifies all elements rather than each arranged element. For example, the expression "at least any one of a, b, and c" should be construed to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that electrically heats a cigarette housed in an interior space to generate an aerosol.

The aerosol generating device may include a heater. In an embodiment, the heater may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track.

The heater may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the cigarette, according to the shape of the heating element.

The cigarette may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be formed as a sheet, a strand, or tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

The filter rod may include a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may include at least one segment. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment configured to cool aerosols, and a second segment configured to filter a certain component in aerosols.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols by using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material.

The aerosol generating device may include a cartridge that contains an aerosol generating material, and a main body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed or assembled with the main body, and may also be fixed to the main body so as not to be detached from the main body by a user. The cartridge may be mounted on the main body while accommodating an aerosol generating material therein. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. An aerosol generating material may also be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

The cartridge may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of various states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, a gel state, or the like. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

The cartridge may be operated by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body to perform a function of generating aerosols by converting the phase of an aerosol generating material inside the cartridge into a gaseous phase. The aerosols may refer to a gas in which vaporized particles generated from an aerosol generating material are mixed with air.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may generate aerosols by heating a liquid composition, and generated aerosols may be delivered to a user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosols generated from the liquid composition may move along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow passage may be configured to allow aerosols to be delivered to a user by passing through a cigarette.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates aerosols from an aerosol generating material by using an ultrasonic vibration method. At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method may mean a method of generating aerosols by converting an aerosol generating material into aerosols with ultrasonic vibration generated by a vibrator.

The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, and generate a short-period vibration through the vibrator to convert an aerosol generating material into aerosols. The vibration generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibration, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibration may be in a frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs an aerosol generating material. For example, the wick may be arranged to surround at least one area of the vibrator, or may be arranged to contact at least one area of the vibrator.

As a voltage (for example, an alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator may be transmitted to the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick. The aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be converted into a gaseous phase by heat and/or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, aerosols may be generated.

For example, the viscosity of the aerosol generating material absorbed in the wick may be lowered by the heat generated by the vibrator, and as the aerosol generating material having a lowered viscosity is granulated by the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator, aerosols may be generated, but is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates aerosols by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device in an induction heating method.

The aerosol generating device may include a susceptor and a coil. In an embodiment, the coil may apply a magnetic field to the susceptor. As power is supplied to the coil from the aerosol generating device, a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil. In an embodiment, the susceptor may be a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field. As the susceptor is positioned inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied to the susceptor, the susceptor generates heat to heat an aerosol generating article. In addition, optionally, the susceptor may be positioned within the aerosol generating article.

In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further include a cradle.

The aerosol generating device may configure a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may charge a battery of the aerosol generating device. Alternatively, the heater may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled to each other.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. Embodiments may be implemented in any of the various embodiments of aerosol generating devices described above or in different forms and are not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a battery 11, a controller 12, and a heater 13. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a vaporizer 14. Also, the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device 1.

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrates components of the aerosol generating device 1, which are related to the present embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components may be further included in the aerosol generating device 1, in addition to the components illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

Also, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate that the aerosol generating device 1 includes the heater 13. However, as necessary, the heater 13 may be omitted.

FIG. 1 illustrates that the battery 11, the controller 12, and the heater 13 are arranged in series. Also, FIG. 2 illustrates that the battery 11, the controller 12, the vaporizer 14 and the heater 13 are arranged in series. Also, FIG. 3 illustrates that the vaporizer 14 and the heater 13 are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to the structures illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 1, the battery 11, the controller 12, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14 may be differently arranged.

When the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may operate the vaporizer 14 to generate aerosol from the vaporizer 14. The aerosol generated by the heater 13 and/or the vaporizer 14 is delivered to a user by passing through the aerosol generating article 2.

In some cases, the aerosol generating device 1 may operate the heater 13 even when the aerosol generating article 2 is not inserted into the aerosol generating device 1.

The battery 11 may supply power to be used for the aerosol generating device 1 to operate. For example, the battery 11 may supply power to heat the heater 13 or the vaporizer 14, and may supply power for operating the controller 12. Also, the battery 11 may supply power for operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol generating device 1.

The controller 12 may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device 1. In detail, the controller 12 may control not only operations of the battery 11, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14, but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device 1. Also, the controller 12 may check a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device 1 is able to operate.

The controller 12 may include at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The heater 13 may be heated by the power supplied from the battery 11. For example, when the cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the heater 13 may be located outside the cigarette. Thus, the heated heater 13 may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

The heater 13 may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater 13 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 13 may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 13 is not limited to the example described above and may include all heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device 1 or may be set by a user.

As another example, the heater 13 may include an induction heater. In detail, the heater 13 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating a cigarette in an induction heating method, and the aerosol generating article may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater.

For example, the heater 13 may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the aerosol generating article 2, according to the shape of the heating element.

Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a plurality of heaters 13. Here, the plurality of heaters 13 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2 or may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article 2. Also, some of the plurality of heaters 13 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2 and the others may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article 2. In addition, the shape of the heater 13 is not limited to the shapes illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 and may include various shapes.

The vaporizer 14 may generate aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the aerosol generating article 2 to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 14 may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device 1 and the air flow passage may be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 14 passes through the aerosol generating article 2 to be delivered to the user.

For example, the vaporizer 14 may include a liquid storage, a liquid delivery element, and a heating element, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage, the liquid delivery element, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device 1 as independent modules.

The liquid storage may store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage may be formed to be detachable from the vaporizer 14 or may be formed integrally with the vaporizer 14.

For example, the liquid composition may include water, a solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings, or a vitamin mixture. The spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited thereto. The flavorings may include ingredients capable of providing various flavors or tastes to a user. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol forming substance, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid delivery element may deliver the liquid composition of the liquid storage to the heating element. For example, the liquid delivery element may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery element. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heating element may include a conductive filament such as nichrome wire and may be positioned as being wound around the liquid delivery element. The heating element may be heated by a current supply and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, aerosol may be generated.

For example, the vaporizer 14 may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but it is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device 1 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 11, the controller 12, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may include at least one sensor (a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, an aerosol generating article insertion detecting sensor, etc.). Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may be formed as a structure that, even when the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, may introduce external air or discharge internal air.

Although not illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the aerosol generating device 1 and an additional cradle may form together a system. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11 of the aerosol generating device 1. Alternatively, the heater 13 may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device 1 are coupled to each other.

The aerosol generating article 2 may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the aerosol generating article 2 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the aerosol generating article 2 may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

The entire first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, and the second portion may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, or the entire first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1. The user may puff aerosol while holding the second portion by the mouth of the user. In this case, the aerosol is generated by the external air passing through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered to the user's mouth.

For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 1. For example, opening and closing of the air passage and/or a size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 1 may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount and the quality of smoking may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the aerosol generating article 2 through at least one hole formed in a surface of the aerosol generating article 2.

Example of the aerosol generating article 2 are described below with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views illustrating examples of an aerosol generating article 2. For example, the aerosol generating article 2 may be a cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the aerosol generating article 2 may include a tobacco rod 210, a cooling segment 220, and a mouthpiece 230. In detail, the aerosol generating article 2 may include the tobacco rod 210 including a tobacco material, the cooling segment 220 located downstream of the tobacco rod, and the mouthpiece 230 located downstream of the cooling segment 220.

For example, the tobacco rod 210 may include a tobacco material and additionally include a moisturizer and/or an aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material may be included in a portion separate from the tobacco material. The cooling segment 220 may cool airflow generated by the tobacco rod 210. The mouthpiece 230 may include a filter material.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the tobacco rod 210, the cooling segment 220, and the mouthpiece 230 may be sequentially aligned with respect to a lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article 2. Here, the lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article 2 may be a direction in which the length of the aerosol generating article 2 extends. For example, the lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article 2 may be a direction towards the mouthpiece 230 from the tobacco rod 210. Accordingly, the aerosol generated from the tobacco rod 210 may form airflow by sequentially passing through the tobacco rod 210, the cooling segment 220, and the mouthpiece 230, and the user may inhale the aerosol from the mouthpiece 230.

Also, referring to FIG. 4B, the aerosol generating article 2 may include the tobacco rod 210, the cooling segment 220, the mouthpiece 230, and a supporting segment 240. FIG. 4B illustrates that the supporting segment 240 is arranged between the tobacco rod 210 and the cooling segment 220, but the supporting segment 240 may be located between the cooling segment 220 and the mouthpiece 230.

A cigarette as an example of the aerosol generating article 2 may have a diameter ranging from 5 mm to 9 mm and a length that is about 48 mm, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. The cigarette may be packaged via at least one wrapper. The wrapper may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the cigarette may be packaged via one wrapper. As another example, the cigarette may be doubly packaged via at least two wrappers.

According to one embodiment, the tobacco rod 210 of the aerosol generating article 2 may comprise an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the tobacco rod 210 may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid. Also, the tobacco rod 210 may include a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer, which is injected into the tobacco rod 210.

The tobacco rod 210 may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the tobacco rod 210 may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Also, the tobacco rod 210 may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which is formed of tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod 210 may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat conductive material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil. For example, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod 210, and thus, the heat conductivity applied to the tobacco rod may be increased and taste of the tobacco may be improved.

Also, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 210 may function as a susceptor heated by the induction heater. Here, although not illustrated in the drawings, the tobacco rod 210 may further include an additional susceptor, in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 210.

The cooling segment 220 according to an embodiment may cool airflow passing through the tobacco rod 210. Alternatively, the cooling segment 220 may cool airflow passing through the tobacco rod 210 and the supporting segment 240.

The mouthpiece 230 according to an embodiment may include a filter element. The mouthpiece 230 may include a cellulose acetate filter. Shapes of the mouthpiece 230 are not limited. For example, the mouthpiece 230 may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. Also, the mouthpiece 230 may include a recess-type rod. If the mouthpiece 230 is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may be manufactured in a different shape.

The mouthpiece 230 may also be formed to generate flavors. For example, a flavoring liquid may be injected onto the mouthpiece 230, or an additional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the mouthpiece 230.

The aerosol generating article 2 may include a wrapper surrounding at least some of the tobacco rod 210 to the mouthpiece 230. Also, the aerosol generating article 2 may include a wrapper surrounding all of the tobacco rod 210 to the mouthpiece 230. The wrapper may be a single wrapper or a combination of wrappers. An outer wrapper located on the outermost portion of the aerosol generating article 2 may package the tobacco rod 210, the cooling segment 220, and the mouthpiece 230.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a cooling segment for an aerosol generating article, according to an embodiment. Also, FIG. 5B is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the cooling segment 220 may include a first sheet 221 forming at least a portion of an outer surface of the cooling segment 220; a second sheet 222 forming, in the cooling segment 220, a path through which an aerosol moves in the lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article 2; and a third sheet 223 that is crimped between the first sheet 221 and the second sheet 222.

That is, the cooling segment 220 may include the first sheet 221 on an outer portion of the cooling segment 220 and the second sheet 222 and the third sheet 223 crimped between the first sheet 221 and the second sheet 222, wherein the second sheet 222 and the third sheet 223 are on an inner portion of the cooling segment 220.

In the cooling segment 220 according to an embodiment, the first sheet 221 may have a basis weight ranging from 120 g/m2 to 160 g/m2 and a thickness ranging from 180 μm to 200 μm, and the second sheet 222 may have a basis weight ranging from 50 g/m2 to 70 g/m2 and a thickness ranging from 70 μm to 90 μm.

The first sheet 221 may have a relatively great basis weight compared to other sheets and thus provide rigidity to the cooling segment 220 and the aerosol generating article 2.

In the cooling segment 220 according to an embodiment, the third sheet 223 may be crimped to form folds, and the crimped folds may have multiple ridges and valleys.

The first sheet 221 may surround the ridges of the third sheet 223 and form an outer surface of the cooling segment 220 by packaging an outer surface of the third sheet 223. The ridges of the third sheet 223 may contact the first sheet 221. The first sheet 221 may have a container shape that forms the outer surface of the cooling segment 220. For example, referring to FIG. 5A, the first sheet 221 may have a cylindrical shape, but the shape is not limited thereto.

The second sheet 222 may surround the valleys of the third sheet 223 and package an inner surface of the third sheet 223, and the second sheet 222 may include a hollow hole therein. The second sheet 222 may have a container shape that forms a hollow hole inside the cooling segment 220. For example, referring to FIG. 5A, the second sheet 222 may have a cylindrical shape, but the shape is not limited thereto. The second sheet 222 may have a cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter than that of the first sheet 221, and the third sheet 223 that is crimped may be located between the first sheet 221 and the second sheet 222.

The first sheet 221 may package the outer surface of the third sheet 223, and the second sheet 222 may package the inner surface of the third sheet 223; thus, the cooling segment 220 may include a paper tube having a triple structure and form three types of airflow passages 220a to 220c. That is, the airflow passage may be the first airflow passage 220a formed between the first sheet 221 and the third sheet 223, the second airflow passage 220b formed between the second sheet 222 and the third sheet 223, and the third airflow passage 220c formed in the inner space of the second sheet 222. The airflow passage may be configured to cool an aerosol passing through the cooling segment 220.

The third sheet 223 may be crimped and have a great surface area, form a plurality of first airflow passages 220a between the first sheet 221 and the third sheet 223, and form a plurality of second airflow passages 220b between the second sheet 222 and the third sheet 223. As described above, the airflow passages may be the first airflow passage 220a formed as the first sheet 221 surrounds the outer surface of the folds of the third sheet 223 crimped, or the second airflow passage 220b formed as the second sheet 222 surrounds the inner surface of the folds.

According to an embodiment, the third sheet 223 may include polylactic acid (PLA). For example, the third sheet 223 may be PLA film paper or PLA coated paper. As the third sheet 223 includes PLA, the third sheet 223 may rather effectively cool an aerosol in the great surface area.

When the third sheet 223 includes PLA, the third sheet 223 may have a basis weight ranging from 120 g/m2 to 140 g/m2 and a thickness ranging from 150 μm to 190 μm.

According to another embodiment, the third sheet 223 may include hydrophilic paper. The hydrophilic paper may be surface-modified to increase hygroscopicity. The hydrophilic paper may be uncoated paper on which separate coating is not performed. The hydrophilic paper may be crimped wrapping paper.

The hydrophilic paper according to an embodiment may be manufactured by sequentially performing a pulp manufacturing process, whereby virgin wood is cut and shredded, cooked, and washed, a raw material manufacturing process, whereby pulp is mixed with water, and subsidiary raw materials and chemicals are added to and mixed with the mixture, and a post-treatment process, whereby the raw materials are made into wet pulp, and the wet undergoes compression, and dehydration and drying to manufacture a finished product. That is, the hydrophilic paper according to an embodiment may be produced from paper. manufactured by a paper making machine according to a well-known method, without a separating coating process, that is, a varnishing process.

The hydrophilic paper according to an embodiment may have a basis weight ranging from 40 g/m2 to 80 g/m2 and a thickness ranging from 60 μm to 80 μm. The hydrophilic paper may be manufactured from virgin paper without any coating and may have a relatively low basis weight and a small thickness.

Alternatively, a contact angle of the hydrophilic paper according to an embodiment may be 25° or less. The contact angle is an angle formed by an interface between a liquid and a gas with an interface between a liquid and a solid in the presence of droplets on a solid and may indicate the level of wettability on a solid surface. In general, when a contact angle of water on a solid surface is greater than 90°, the solid surface may be considered hydrophobic, whereas, when the contact angle is less than 90°, the solid surface may be considered hydrophilic.

Alternatively, the hydrophilic paper according to an embodiment may have a basis weight ranging from 40 g/m2 to 80 g/m2 and a contact angle of 25° or less, which indicates a high hydrophile property.

As the third sheet 223 includes the hydrophilic paper, the third sheet 223 may effectively absorb the moisture in mainstream smoke, and thus, the aerosol may be effectively cooled.

In another embodiment, the third sheet 223 may be formed to provide relatively high rigidity by coating a surface forming the first airflow passages 220a and to increase hygroscopicity by not coating a surface forming the second airflow passages 220b. The coating process may include a plastic material, specifically, PLA.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the first airflow passages 220a are formed between the first sheet 221 and the ridges of the crimped folds of the third sheet 223, and the second airflow passages 220b are formed between the second sheet 222 and the valleys of the crimped folds of the third sheet 223. Also, the third airflow passage 220c is formed inside the second sheet 222. The airflow passage may refer to a path through which an aerosol generated from the tobacco rod 210 moves in a downstream direction when the user inhales through the mouthpiece 230.

In more detail, FIG. 6A schematically illustrates a movement of airflow in a first airflow passage in a cooling segment, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates an enlarged paper tube of the cooling segment 220, according to an embodiment. FIG. 6A schematically illustrates movement of airflow between the first sheet 221 and the third sheet 223. In FIG. 6A, the first sheet 221 and the second sheet 222 are omitted to illustrate in more detail the first airflow passages 220a formed between the first sheet 221 and the third sheet 223. Referring to FIG. 6A, as the air flows through the airflow passages 220a, the cooling effect of the aerosol may be improved.

The first sheet 221 may form the outer surface of the first airflow passage 220a by surrounding the outer surface of the third sheet 223. The first sheet 221 may be porous. External air penetrates through an air gap in the first sheet 221, and thus, the cooling effect of the aerosol may be improved.

FIG. 6B illustrates an enlarged paper tube of the cooling segment 220 according to an embodiment. FIG. 6B schematically shows a movement of airflow between the second sheet 222 and the third sheet 223. In FIG. 6B, the first sheet 221 and the second sheet 222 may be omitted to illustrate, in more detail, the second airflow passage 220b formed between the second sheet 222 and the third sheet 223. Referring to FIG. 6B, as the air flows through the second airflow passages 220b, the cooling effect of the aerosol may be improved. The second sheet 222 may form the outer surface of the second airflow passage 220b by surrounding the inner surface of the third sheet 223.

FIG. 6C schematically illustrates a movement of airflow in a third airflow passage in a cooling segment, according to an embodiment. The airflow may move through the third airflow passage 220c formed inside the second sheet 222. The second sheet 222 may smooth the shape of an internal airflow passage by packaging the crimped third sheet 223, enabling the easy movement of the aerosol. Also, as the second sheet 222 is packaged, the support of the aerosol generating article 2 may be improved such that a cutting process may be easily performed.

FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged paper tube of the cooling segment 220. As described above, the third sheet 223 may be crimped between the first sheet 221 and the second sheet 222 to form folds. The crimped folds of the third sheet 223 may include ridges and valleys.

The ridges may contact the first sheet 221. In this case, a distance d between one ridge and another ridge may be between 2 mm and 3 mm. Also, the valleys of the crimped folds of the third sheet 223 may contact the second sheet 222. In this case, a distance h between one valley and another valley may be between 1 mm and 3 mm.

In an embodiment, when the third sheet 223 includes PLA, the distance h between respective valleys may be between 2 mm and 3 mm.

In another embodiment, when the third sheet 223 includes hydrophilic paper, the distance h between the valleys may be between 1 mm and 1.5 mm. When the third sheet 223 includes the hydrophilic paper, the third sheet 223 has a low basis weight, and thus, the distance h between the valleys may be relatively narrow. Because of the narrow distance h between the valleys, the moisture removal effect may be improved.

FIG. 7 illustrates folds that are regularly formed, but the folds may be irregularly formed. That is, the distances d between respective ridges or the distances h between respective valleys may not be uniform and have various numerical values.

Embodiment Measurement of moisture content and temperature of mainstream smoke according to types of paper tubes of cooling segment

A cigarette was manufactured by varying types of paper tubes of a cooling segment, and the moisture content of mainstream smoke and the temperature thereof were measured.

According to Embodiment 1, a cooling segment featuring a paper tube having a crimped structure between a first sheet and a second sheet is used, wherein the cooling segment has a hollow hole therein and includes a first sheet with a basis weight of 140 g/m2, a second sheet with a basis weight of 60 g/m2, and a third sheet that is PLA film paper with a basis weight of 120 g/m2.

Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 only in the composition of the third sheet and employs a cooling segment with a paper tube, wherein the cooling segment includes a third sheet that is made of hydrophilic paper with a basis weight of 40 g/m2 and is crimped between a first sheet and a second sheet.

Comparative Example 1 shows the use of a commercial cooling segment including tube-shaped cellulose acetate having an internal hollow hole, and Comparative Example 2 shows that a cooling segment has a hollow hole therein and includes a paper tube with a three-ply laminate in which three sheets (60 g/m2 on the inside, 140 g/m2 in the middle, and 140 g/m2 on the outside) are bonded to each other.

	moisture (mg/stick)	temperature (℃)
Comparative Example 1	20.1	62.3
Comparative Example 2	24	64.87
Embodiment 1	21.4	60.8
Embodiment 2	18.3	61.6

The experiment result indicated that a cooling segment with a structure including the paper tube according to an embodiment has good cooling and moisture removal effects overall. In particular, in the case of Embodiment 1 in which the PLA film is used as the third sheet, it was found that the cooling effect on the mainstream smoke was the greatest. In the case of Embodiment 2 in which hydrophilic paper is used as the third sheet, the effect of cooling the mainstream smoke was excellent and the moisture was effectively removed.

The descriptions of the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and equivalents thereof may be made. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims will be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

An aerosol generating article comprising:

a tobacco rod comprising a tobacco material;

a cooling segment located downstream of the tobacco rod; and

a mouthpiece located downstream of the cooling segment,

wherein the cooling segment comprises a first sheet forming at least a portion of an outer surface of the cooling segment, a second sheet forming, inside the cooling segment, a path through which an aerosol moves in a lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article, and a third sheet crimped between the first sheet and the second sheet.
The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the first sheet has a basis weight ranging from 120 g/m2 to 160 g/m2 and a thickness ranging from 180 μm to 200 μm, and

the second sheet has a basis weight ranging from 50 g/m2 to 70 g/m2 and a thickness ranging from 70 μm to 90 μm.
The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the third sheet comprises polylactic acid and has a basis weight ranging from 120 g/m2 to 140 g/m2 and a thickness ranging from 150 μm to 190 μm.
The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the third sheet comprises hydrophilic paper.
The aerosol generating article of claim 4, wherein the hydrophilic paper has a basis weight ranging from 40 g/m2 to 80 g/m2 and a thickness ranging from 60 μm to 80 μm.
The aerosol generating article of claim 4, wherein a contact angle of the hydrophilic paper is 25° or less.
The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein crimped folds of the third sheet comprise a plurality of ridges and a plurality of valleys,

the plurality of ridges contact the first sheet, and

a distance between the plurality of ridges is between 2 mm and 3 mm.
The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein crimped folds of the third sheet comprise a plurality of ridges and a plurality of valleys,

the plurality of valleys contact the second sheet, and

a distance between the plurality of valleys is between 1 mm and 3 mm.
The aerosol generating article of claim 1, further comprising a supporting segment located at a downstream end of the tobacco rod.
The aerosol generating article of claim 1, further comprising an external wrapper configured to package the tobacco rod, the cooling segment, and the mouthpiece.
A cooling segment included in an aerosol generating article, the cooling segment comprising a first sheet forming at least a portion of an outer surface of the cooling segment, a second sheet forming, inside the cooling segment, a path through which an aerosol moves in a lengthwise direction of the aerosol generating article, and a third sheet crimped between the first sheet and the second sheet.
The cooling segment of claim 11, wherein the first sheet has a basis weight ranging from 120 g/m2 to 160 g/m2 and a thickness ranging from 180 μm to 200 μm, and

the second sheet has a basis weight ranging from 50 g/m2 to 70 g/m2 and a thickness ranging from 70 μm to 90 μm.
The cooling segment of claim 11, wherein the third sheet comprises polylactic acid and has a basis weight ranging from 120 g/m2 to 140 g/m2 and a thickness ranging from 150 μm to 190 μm.
The cooling segment of claim 11, wherein the third sheet comprises hydrophilic paper.
The cooling segment of claim 14, wherein the hydrophilic paper has a basis weight ranging from 40 g/m2 to 80 g/m2 and a thickness ranging from 60 μm to 80 μm.
The cooling segment of claim 14, wherein a contact angle of the hydrophilic paper is 25° or less.