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
  • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating 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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device.
• Aerosol-generating devices are configured to be portable with an internal battery, so there is a need to reduce power consumption in order to enable use for the longest time possible.
• heating systems employing electromagnetic waves (microwaves) also, it is therefore desirable for the aerosol-generating article to be efficiently heated using the electromagnetic waves from the perspective of reducing power consumption.
• the objective of the present invention therefore lies in providing an aerosol-generating device capable of efficiently heating an aerosol-generating article using electromagnetic waves.
• an aerosol-generating device constitutes an aerosol-generating device into which an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol source is inserted, the aerosol-generating device being characterized by comprising: an antenna for emitting electromagnetic waves; and a heat-generating body which generates heat by absorbing the electromagnetic waves emitted from the antenna, and heats the aerosol-generating article.
• the present invention makes it possible to provide an aerosol-generating device capable of efficiently heating an aerosol-generating article using electromagnetic waves, for example.
• FIG. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing a configuration example of the aerosol-generating device 10 according to this embodiment.
• Fig. 1 shows the aerosol-generating device 10 before an aerosol-generating article 30 and a mouthpiece 40 have been attached
• fig. 2 shows the aerosol-generating device 10 after the aerosol-generating article 30 and the mouthpiece 40 have been attached.
• Fig. 1 and 2 show directions in an XYZ coordinate system where a direction of insertion of a tobacco stick 30 into the aerosol-generating device 10 is the -Z direction.
• the aerosol-generating device 10 is configured to heat the aerosol-generating article 30 in response to an operation requesting atomization of an aerosol source (also referred to as an atomization request), such as a user inhalation action, and to provide the user with a vapor containing an aerosol or a vapor containing an aerosol and a flavor substance.
• an aerosol source also referred to as an atomization request
• the aerosol-generating device 10 may be referred to as an inhaler (atomizer), and the aerosol-generating device 10 may be designated as the "inhaler 10" in the following description.
• the aerosol-generating article 30 is an article containing an aerosol source which generates an aerosol by means of heating, and is detachably fitted in the inhaler 10 (fitted in such a way as to be capable of insertion/withdrawal).
• the aerosol-generating article 30 may also contain, in addition to the aerosol source, a flavor source for generating a flavor substance by means of heating.
• the flavor source may be a plant other than tobacco, for example mint, Chinese herbs, or herbs, etc.
• the aerosol-generating article 30 is configured as a tobacco stick in the form of a substantially cylindrical rod, but it does not have to be stick-shaped and may equally be capsule-shaped or cartridge-shaped.
• the aerosol-generating article 30 may be referred to as a "tobacco stick 30" below.
• the tobacco stick 30 may comprise, for example: a tobacco filling portion 31 (tobacco rod portion), a mouthpiece portion 32, and a tipping paper 33 that integrally links the components together.
• the tobacco filling portion 31 comprises a tobacco filling material comprising the aerosol source and the flavor source.
• the mouthpiece portion 32 is linked coaxially to the tobacco filling portion 31 by being wrapped together with the tobacco filling portion 31 by the tipping paper 33.
• the tobacco stick 30 has a substantially constant diameter over the entire length in the Z-axis direction (longitudinal direction). Note that a filter for stopping the tobacco filling material from falling out may also be provided at an end portion of the tobacco stick 30 upstream of the tobacco filling portion 31.
• the tobacco filling portion 31 There is no particular restriction on the configuration of the tobacco filling portion 31, and it may take a general form.
• a tobacco filling material wrapped with a rolling paper may be used as the tobacco filling portion 31.
• the tobacco filling material comprises, as the flavor source, tobacco leaves or tobacco leaf extract, or processed articles thereof, for example.
• the tobacco filling material is configured to contain shredded tobacco.
• the material of the shredded tobacco contained in the tobacco filling material and well-known materials such as lamina and midrib can be used.
• ground tobacco may be formed by grinding dried tobacco leaves to an average particle size of 20 ⁇ m-200 ⁇ m, then homogenized and processed into a sheet (also referred to below simply as a "homogenized sheet") which is shredded.
• a tobacco rod may be filled with a material obtained by shredding, in the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod and substantially horizontally, a homogenized sheet having a length similar to that of the tobacco rod in the longitudinal direction, forming what is known as a "strand-type" filling material, or ground tobacco may be extruded or tableted.
• the width of the shredded tobacco is preferably 0.5 mm-2.0 mm in order to fill the tobacco filling portion 31.
• the tobacco filling portion 31 has a circumference of 22 mm and a length of 20 mm.
• a mixed liquid of glycerol, nicotine and flavoring materials, etc., or a glass fiber nonwoven fabric impregnated with such a liquid may also be used as the tobacco filling material.
• a suitable solvent such as water is mixed with ground tobacco leaves and homogenized, after which the homogenized material is thinly cast on a metal plate or a metal plate belt and dried, to produce a cast sheet.
• a suitable solvent such as water is mixed with ground tobacco leaves and homogenized, and the homogenized material is extruded into the form of a sheet and shaped to produce a calendered sheet. Details on types of homogenized sheets are disclosed in " Dictionary of Tobacco, Tobacco Academic Studies Center, March 31, 2009 ".
• the amount of moisture contained in the tobacco filling material may be cited as 10 wt%-15 wt%, and preferably 11 wt%-13 wt% with respect to the total weight of the tobacco filling material.
• a moisture content such as this suppresses formation of wrapping stains and improves rolling suitability when the tobacco filling portion 31 is produced.
• a sheet when ground material is used in the homogenized sheet, a sheet may be formed by grinding dried tobacco leaves to an average particle size of approximately 20 ⁇ m to 200 ⁇ m and then homogenizing the ground tobacco, and the homogenized sheet may be shredded to a width of 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less for use.
• the tobacco filling material comprises an aerosol base material for generating aerosol smoke.
• aerosol base material for generating aerosol smoke.
• Aerosol base materials include water, glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof.
• the amount of the aerosol base material contained in the tobacco filling material is normally 5 wt% or greater and preferably 10 wt% or greater, and normally 50 wt% or less, and preferably 15 wt% or greater and 25 wt% or less, with respect to the total amount of tobacco filling material, from the viewpoint of sufficient aerosol generation and imparting a good flavor.
• the tobacco filling material may contain a flavoring material.
• a flavoring material There is no particular limitation as to the type of flavoring material, and, from the point of view of imparting a pleasant flavor, there may be cited: acetanisole, acetophenone, acetylpyrazine, 2-acetylthiazole, alfalfa extract, amyl alcohol, amyl butyrate, trans-anethole, star anise oil, apple juice, Peru Balsam oil, beeswax absolute, benzaldehyde, benzoin resinoid, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, benzyl propionate, 2,3-butanedione, 2-butanol, butyl butyrate, butyric acid, caramel, cardamom oil, carob absolute, ⁇ -carotene, carrot juice, L-carvone, ⁇ -caryophyllene, cassia bark
• the amount of flavoring contained in the tobacco filling material is normally 10,000 ppm or greater, preferably 20,000 ppm or greater, and more preferably 25,000 ppm or greater, and is normally 70,000 ppm or less, preferably 50,000 ppm or less, more preferably 40,000 ppm or less, and even more preferably 33,000 ppm or less.
• the rolling paper is a sheet material for wrapping the tobacco filling material, and there is no particular restriction on the composition thereof, and a common rolling paper can be used.
• cellulose fiber paper can be used as the base paper used for the rolling paper, and more specifically hemp or wood, or mixtures thereof, can be cited.
• the basis weight of the base paper of the rolling paper is normally 20 gsm or greater, and preferably 25 gsm or greater, for example. Meanwhile, the basis weight is normally 65 gsm or less, preferably 50 gsm or less. and even more preferably 45 gsm or less.
• the thickness of the rolling paper having the characteristics above, but it is normally 10 ⁇ m or greater, preferably 20 ⁇ m or greater, and more preferably 30 ⁇ m or greater, and furthermore is normally 100 ⁇ m or less, preferably 75 ⁇ m or less, and more preferably 50 ⁇ m or less, from the viewpoint of rigidity and air permeability, and ease of making adjustments during papermaking.
• Square or rectangular may be cited as shapes of the rolling paper of the tobacco filling portion 31 (tobacco filling material).
• one side When used as the rolling paper for wrapping the tobacco filling material (for producing the tobacco filling portion 31), one side may have a length of around 6 mm-70 mm, and the other side may have a length of 15 mm-28 mm, preferably a length of 22 mm-24 mm, and even more preferably a length of around 23 mm.
• the rolling paper may also comprise a loading material.
• the content of the loading material may be 10 wt% or greater and less than 60 wt%, and is preferably 15 wt%-45 wt%, with respect to the total weight of the rolling paper.
• the content of the loading material is preferably 15 wt%-45 wt% within the preferred basis weight range (25 gsm-45 gsm).
• the content of the loading material is preferably 15 wt%-45 wt%, and if the basis weight is greater than 35 gsm and no greater than 45 gsm, then the content of the loading material is preferably 25 wt%-45 wt%.
• Calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, or kaolin, etc. may be used as the loading material, but calcium carbonate is preferably used from the point of view of improving flavour and whiteness, etc.
• a water-resistance improving agent contains a wet-strength agent (WS agent) and a sizing agent.
• wet strength agents include urea formaldehyde resins, melamine formaldehyde resins, polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), and the like.
• sizing agents include rosin soap, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and highly saponified polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification degree of 90% or more.
• a paper strength agent may be added as an auxiliary, for example polyacrylamide, cationic starch, oxidized starch, CMC, polyamide epichlorohydrin resin, or polyvinyl alcohol.
• oxidized starch in particular is known to improve air permeability (e.g., see JP 2017-218699 A ).
• the rolling paper may also be coated as appropriate.
• a coating agent may be added to at least one of the two surfaces of the rolling paper, namely the front surface and the rear surface.
• the coating agent There is no particular restriction on the coating agent, but a coating agent that can form a film on the surface of the paper and reduce the permeability of liquids is preferred.
• Examples include polysaccharides such as alginic acid and salts thereof (e.g., sodium salt), and pectin; cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and nitrocellulose; and starch and derivatives thereof (e.g., ether derivatives such as carboxymethyl starch, hydroxyalkyl starch, and cationic starch, and ester derivatives such as acetate starch, phosphate starch, and octenyl succinate starch).
• polysaccharides such as alginic acid and salts thereof (e.g., sodium salt), and pectin
• cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and nitrocellulose
• starch and derivatives thereof e.g., ether derivatives such as carboxymethyl starch, hydroxyalkyl starch, and cationic starch, and ester derivatives such as acetate starch, phosphate
• the Z-axis direction length of the tobacco filling portion 31 may be appropriately varied according to the size of the product, but it is, for example, 5 mm or greater, preferably 10 mm or greater, more preferably 12 mm or greater, and even more preferably 18 mm or greater, and furthermore is normally 70 mm or less, preferably 50 mm or less, more preferably 30 mm or less, and even more preferably 25 mm or less.
• the mouthpiece portion 32 may be configured to include two segments (sections) comprising a cooling segment and a filter segment.
• the cooling segment and the filter segment are aligned along the Z-axis direction (longitudinal direction) so that the cooling segment is positioned closer to the tobacco filling portion 31 than the filter segment. That is to say, the cooling segment is arranged so as to be interposed between the tobacco filling portion 31 and the filter segment in the Z-axis direction.
• the mouthpiece portion 32 may be configured so that the cooling segment abuts the tobacco filling portion 31 and the filter segment, or may be configured so that a gap is formed between the tobacco filling portion 31 and the cooling segment, and between the cooling segment and the filter segment 122, respectively. Furthermore, the mouthpiece portion 32 may be formed from a single segment.
• the cooling segment of the mouthpiece portion 32 there is no particular restriction on the configuration of the cooling segment of the mouthpiece portion 32, provided that it has the function of cooling tobacco mainstream smoke, and cardboard processed into a cylindrical shape can be cited, for example.
• the inside of the cylinder is a hollow, and vapor containing the aerosol base material and a tobacco flavor component comes into contact with air inside the hollow and is cooled.
• the cooling segment may be a paper tube obtained by processing one sheet of paper or multiple bonded sheets of paper into a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, holes for introducing room-temperature external air are preferably present around the paper tube in order to increase the cooling effect afforded by contact between the external air and the high-temperature vapor. That is to say, ventilation holes, which are openings for taking in air from the outside, are provided in the cooling segment. There is no particular limitation as to the number of ventilation holes in the cooling segment. In this embodiment, a plurality of ventilation holes are arranged at fixed intervals in a circumferential direction of the cooling segment. Furthermore, groups of ventilation holes arrayed in the circumferential direction of the cooling segment may be formed in multiple stages along the Z-axis direction of the cooling segment.
• Providing the ventilation holes in the cooling segment enables low-temperature air to flow into the cooling segment from the outside when the user draws on the tobacco stick 30, and it is possible to lower the temperature of air and volatile components flowing in from the tobacco filling portion 31. Furthermore, the vapor containing the aerosol base material and tobacco flavor component condenses as a result of being cooled by the low-temperature air introduced into the cooling segment through the ventilation holes. By this means, aerosol generation is promoted while it is also possible to control the size of aerosol particles.
• the cooling effect may also be increased by utilizing heat absorption by a coating or heat of solution associated with a change of phase, by coating an inside surface of the paper tube with a polymer coating such as polyvinyl alcohol or a polysaccharide coating such as pectin.
• the airflow resistance of the cylindrical cooling segment is 0 mmH 2 O.
• the total surface area of the cooling segment When the cooling segment of the mouthpiece portion 32 is filled with a sheet, etc. for cooling air and volatile components flowing into the cooling segment from the tobacco filling portion 31, there is no particular restriction on the total surface area of the cooling segment, and it may be 300 mm 2 /mm-1000 mm 2 /mm, for example.
• This surface area is the surface area per length (mm) of the cooling segment in the air flow direction.
• the total surface area of the cooling segment is preferably 400 mm 2 /mm or greater and more preferably 450 mm 2 /mm or greater, while preferably being 600 mm 2 /mm or less, and more preferably 550 mm 2 /mm or less.
• the internal structure of the cooling segment preferably has a large total surface area.
• the cooling segment may be formed by a sheet which is a thin material that is crimped and then pleated, gathered, and folded to form channels. The more folds or pleats within a given volume of the element, the greater the total surface area of the cooling segment.
• the thickness of the material constituting the cooling segment There is no particular restriction on the thickness of the material constituting the cooling segment, and it may be 5 ⁇ m-500 ⁇ m, or may be 10 ⁇ m-250 ⁇ m, for example.
• the paper serving as the cooling sheet material preferably has a basis weight of 30-100 g/m 2 and a thickness of 20-100 ⁇ m. From the perspective of reducing removal of the flavor source component and aerosol base material component in the cooling segment, the paper serving as the cooling sheet material preferably has low air permeability, and an air permeability of 10 CORESTA units or less is preferred.
• the cooling effect may also be increased by utilizing heat absorption by a coating or heat of solution associated with a change of phase, by coating the paper serving as the cooling sheet material with a polymer coating such as polyvinyl alcohol or a polysaccharide coating such as pectin.
• the ventilation holes in the cooling segment are preferably arranged at a position at least 4 mm away from a boundary between the cooling segment and the filter segment. This makes it possible not only to improve the cooling ability of the cooling segment, but also to suppress stagnation of components generated by means of heating inside the cooling segment, and to increase the amount of delivery of those components. Moreover, openings are preferably provided in the tipping paper 33 at positions directly above (positions vertically overlapping) the ventilation holes provided in the cooling segment.
• the ventilation holes (openings) in the cooling segment are preferably provided so that a ratio of inflow air from the ventilation holes during drawing at 17.5 mL/second on an automatic smoking machine (a volume ratio of air flowing in from the ventilation holes when the proportion of air drawn from the mouthpiece end is 100 vol%) is 10-90 vol%, preferably 50-80 vol%, and more preferably 55-75 vol%, for example, the number of ventilation holes per group of ventilation holes may be selected from a range of 5-50 ventilation holes, the diameter of the ventilation holes may be selected from a range of 0.1-0.5 mm, and the above ratio may be achieved by a combination of these selections.
• the air inflow ratio may be measured by a method based on ISO9512, using an automatic smoking machine (e.g., a 1-port smoking machine, manufactured by Borgwaldt).
• an automatic smoking machine e.g., a 1-port smoking machine, manufactured by Borgwaldt.
• the length of the cooling segment in the Z-axis direction is particularly preferably 20 mm. It is possible to ensure a sufficient cooling effect and to obtain a pleasant flavor by setting the length of the cooling segment in the Z-axis direction at no less than the abovementioned lower limit. Furthermore, by setting the length of the cooling segment in the Z-axis direction at no greater than the abovementioned upper limit, it is possible to inhibit loss caused by adhesion of the vapor and aerosol generated during use to the inner wall of the cooling segment.
• the configuration of the filter segment of the mouthpiece portion 32 there is no particular restriction on the configuration of the filter segment of the mouthpiece portion 32 provided that it has the function of a general filter, and cellulose acetate tow processed into a cylindrical shape can be cited, for example.
• the single-yarn fineness or the total fineness of the cellulose acetate tow is preferably 5 to 20 g/9000 m, and the total fineness is preferably 12,000 to 30,000 g/9000 m.
• the cross-sectional shape of the fibers of cellulose acetate tow may be either a Y cross section or an R cross section.
• the filter segment When the filter segment is formed by packing with cellulose acetate tow, triacetin may be added in an amount of 5-10 wt% with respect to the weight of cellulose acetate tow in order to increase the filter hardness.
• the filter segment may be formed from a single segment or may be formed from multiple segments.
• a hollow segment such as a center hole may be arranged on the upstream side (tobacco filling portion 31 side), and an acetate filter packed with cellulose acetate tow in a mouthpiece cross section may be arranged as a segment on the downstream side (mouthpiece end side), for example.
• a mode in which an acetate filter is arranged on the upstream side (tobacco filling portion 31 side) and a hollow segment such as a center hole is arranged on the downstream side (mouthpiece end side) is also possible from the perspectives of a sensory change in draw satisfaction and comfort when holding the article in the mouth.
• an acetate filter it is also possible to adopt a mode in which the filter segment employs a paper filter filled with sheet-like paper pulp, or another alternative filter.
• Examples of general functions of the filter in the filter segment which may be cited include adjusting the amount of air which is mixed when the aerosol, etc. is inhaled, lightening the flavor, and lightening nicotine and tar, etc., but not all of these functions need to be provided. Preventing tobacco filling material from falling out as the filtration function is controlled is also another important function in electrically heated tobacco products, which generate fewer components and tend to have a lower filling rate of tobacco filling material than paper-wrapped tobacco products.
• the filter segment has a substantially circular shape in its transverse cross section, and the diameter of the circle may be suitably varied according to the size of the product, but it is normally 4.0 mm-9.0 mm, preferably 4.5 mm-8.5 mm, and more preferably 5.0 mm-8.0 mm. It should be noted that when the cross section is non-circular, the abovementioned diameter is assumed for a circle having the same area as the area of the relevant cross section, and the diameter of that circle is applied.
• the circumferential length of the filter segment may be suitably varied according to the size of the product, but it is normally 14.0 mm-27.0 mm, preferably 15.0 mm-26.0 mm, and more preferably 16.0 mm-25.0 mm.
• the length of the filter segment in the Z-axis direction may be varied according to the size of the product, but is normally 5 mm-35 mm, and preferably 10.0 mm-30.0 mm.
• the shape and dimensions of the filter medium may be suitably adjusted so that the shape and dimensions of the filter segment lie within the range above.
• the airflow resistance per 120 mm Z-axis direction length of the filter segment, but it is normally 40 mmH 2 O-300 mmH 2 O, preferably 70 mmH 2 O-280 mmH 2 O, and more preferably 90 mmH 2 O-260 mmH 2 O.
• the airflow resistance is measured by using a filter airflow resistance measurement instrument manufactured by Cerulean, for example, in accordance with the ISO standard method (ISO 6565).
• the airflow resistance of the filter segment denotes an air pressure difference between one end face (a first end face) and another end face (a second end face) when air at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc/min) flows from the first end face to the second end face in a state in which air does not pass through the side face of the filter segment.
• the units of airflow resistance are generally expressed in mmH 2 O.
• the relationship between airflow resistance of the filter segment and length of the filter segment is known to be a proportional relationship in a normal length range (a length of 5-200 mm), and the airflow resistance of the filter segment also doubles when the length doubles.
• the filter segment may comprise a wrapping paper (filter plug wrapping paper) wrapped around the filter medium, etc., from the point of view of improving strength and structural rigidity.
• the adhesive may comprise a hot-melt adhesive, and further, the hot-melt adhesive may comprise polyvinyl alcohol.
• the wrapping paper is preferably wrapped around both of these two or more segments.
• the material of the wrapping paper for the filter segment and well-known materials may be used, and the wrapping paper may furthermore include a filler such as calcium carbonate, etc.
• the thickness of the wrapping paper there is no particular restriction on the thickness of the wrapping paper, and it is normally 20 ⁇ m-140 ⁇ m, preferably 30 ⁇ m-130 ⁇ m, and more preferably 30 ⁇ m-120 ⁇ m.
• the basis weight of the wrapping paper there is no particular restriction on the wrapping paper, and it is normally 20 gsm-100 gsm, preferably 22 gsm-95 gsm, and more preferably 23 gsm-90 gsm.
• the wrapping paper may be coated or uncoated, but is preferably coated with a desired material from the viewpoint of allowing functions other than strength and structural rigidity to be imparted.
• the center hole segment and the filter medium may be connected by an outer plug wrapper (outside wrapping paper), for example.
• the outer plug wrapper may be cylindrical paper, for example.
• the tobacco filling portion 31, the cooling segment, and the connected center hole segment and filter medium may also be connected by means of a mouthpiece lining paper, for example. These connections may be formed, for example, by coating an inside surface of the mouthpiece lining paper with a glue such as a vinyl acetate-based glue, and inserting the tobacco filling portion 31, the cooling segment, and the connected center hole segment and filter medium which are then wrapped with the mouthpiece lining paper. It should be noted that these elements may also be connected by multiple separate connections with multiple lining papers.
• the filter medium in the filter segment may comprise a frangible additive release container (e.g., a capsule) comprising a frangible outer shell, such as gelatin.
• a frangible additive release container e.g., a capsule
• a frangible additive release container comprising a frangible shell such as gelatin.
• the form of the capsule and it may be an easily-rupturable capsule, for example, and the shape thereof is preferably spherical. Any of the abovementioned additives may be contained as the additive included in the capsule, but a flavorant or activated carbon is especially preferably contained.
• flavorants include: menthol, spearmint, peppermint, fenugreek, or clove, and medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides (MCT), etc., or a combination thereof.
• MCT medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides
• one or more types of materials serving as an aid to filtering smoke may be added as an additive.
• the form of the additive There is no particular limitation as to the form of the additive, and it is normally a liquid or a solid. It should be noted that use of a capsule containing an additive is well known in this technical field. Easily-rupturable capsules and methods for producing same are well known in this technical field.
• the flavoring material may be added to the filter medium in the filter segment.
• the amount of flavoring material delivered during use is increased as compared to the prior art, where flavoring material is added to the tobacco filling material constituting the tobacco filling portion 31.
• the degree of increase in the amount of flavoring material delivered further increases according to the positions of the ventilation holes (openings) provided in the cooling segment.
• the amount of flavoring material added there may be cited a form in which the flavoring material is added to a 10-100 vol% portion of the filter medium.
• the method of addition may comprise adding the flavoring material in advance to the filter medium, before the filter segment is constructed, or adding the flavoring material after the filter segment has been constructed.
• the type of flavoring material but the same flavoring material as is contained in a tobacco filling material may be used.
• the filter segment may comprise the filter medium, and activated charcoal may be added to at least a portion of this filter medium.
• the amount of activated charcoal which is added to the filter medium may be 15.0 m 2 /cm 2 -80.0 m 2 /cm 2 , as a value which is specific surface area of activated charcoal ⁇ weight of activated charcoal / cross-sectional area of filter medium in a direction perpendicular to air flow direction, in one tobacco stick 30.
• specific surface area of activated charcoal ⁇ weight of activated charcoal / cross-sectional area of filter medium in a direction perpendicular to air flow direction may also be expressed as "surface area of activated charcoal per unit cross-sectional area”.
• the surface area of activated charcoal per unit cross-sectional area may be calculated on the basis of the specific surface area of the activated charcoal added to the filter medium of one tobacco stick 30, the weight of activated charcoal added, and the cross-sectional area of the filter medium. It should be noted that the activated charcoal need not be uniformly dispersed in the filter medium to which it is added, and it is not necessary for the range above to be satisfied over the entire cross section of the filter medium (the cross section in a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction).
• the surface area of activated charcoal per unit cross-sectional area is more preferably 17.0 m 2 /cm 2 or greater, and even more preferably 35.0 m 2 /cm 2 or greater. Meanwhile, the surface area of activated charcoal per unit cross-sectional area is more preferably 77.0 m 2 /cm 2 or less, and even more preferably 73.0 m 2 /cm 2 or less.
• the surface area of activated charcoal per unit cross-sectional area may be adjusted, for example, by adjusting the specific surface area of the activated charcoal and the added amount thereof, and by adjusting the cross-sectional area of the filter medium in the direction perpendicular to air flow direction.
• the surface area of activated charcoal per unit cross-sectional area is calculated on the basis of the filter material to which the activated charcoal is added.
• the filter segment is formed by multiple filter media, the calculation above is based on the cross-sectional area and length of only the filter medium to which the activated charcoal is added.
• activated charcoal examples include those comprising wood, bamboo, coconut shell, walnut shell, or coal, etc. as a starting material. Furthermore, activated charcoal having a BET specific area of 1100 m 2 /g-1600 m 2 /g may be used, activated charcoal having a BET specific surface area of 1200 m 2 /g-1500 m 2 /g may preferably be used, and activated charcoal having a BET specific surface area of 1250 m 2 /g-1380 m 2 /g may more preferably be used.
• the BET specific surface area may be determined by the nitrogen gas adsorption method (BET multipoint method).
• activated charcoal having a pore volume of 400 ⁇ L/g-800 ⁇ L/g may be used, activated charcoal having a pore volume of 500 ⁇ L/g-750 ⁇ L/g may preferably be used, and activated charcoal having a pore volume of 600 ⁇ L/g-700 ⁇ L/g may more preferably be used.
• the pore volume may be calculated from a maximum adsorption amount obtained using the nitrogen gas adsorption method.
• the amount of activated charcoal which is added per unit length, in the air flow direction, of the filter medium to which the activated charcoal has been added is preferably 5 mg/cm-50 mg/cm, more preferably 8 mg/cm-40 mg/cm, and even more preferably 10 mg/cm-35 mg/cm.
• the surface area of the activated charcoal per unit cross-sectional area may be adjusted to the desired value as a result of the specific surface area of the activated charcoal and the amount of activated charcoal added being in the ranges above.
• the cumulative 10 vol% particle size (particle size D10) of activated charcoal particles is preferably 250 ⁇ m-1200 ⁇ m.
• the cumulative 50 vol% particle size (particle size D50) of activated charcoal particles is preferably 350 ⁇ m-1500 ⁇ m.
• the particle sizes D10 and D50 are measured by means of a laser diffraction scattering method. Apparatuses suitable for this measurement that may be cited include the "LA-950" laser diffraction/scattering particle size distribution measurement apparatus produced by HORIBA, Ltd. A powder is poured into cells of the apparatus together with pure water, and the particle size is detected on the basis of light scattering information of the particles.
• the measurement conditions used in this measurement apparatus are as follows.
• the activated charcoal should be added so as to be roughly uniformly dispersed in the filter medium to which the activated charcoal is added.
• the material of the tipping paper 33 there is no particular restriction on the material of the tipping paper 33, and it is possible to employ paper made of common vegetable fibers (pulp), a sheet made from polymer-based (polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, etc.) chemical fibers, a polymer-based sheet, metal foil, or a composite material combining the above.
• the tipping paper 33 may be fabricated from a composite material in which a polymer-based sheet is laminated onto a paper substrate. It should be noted that the tipping paper 33 referred to here means a sheet-like material that connects a plurality of segments of the tobacco stick 30, such as, for example, linking the tobacco filling portion 31 and the mouthpiece portion 32.
• the basis weight of the tipping paper 33 there is no particular restriction on the basis weight of the tipping paper 33, but it is normally 32 gsm-40 gsm, preferably 33 gsm-39 gsm, and more preferably 34 gsm-38 gsm, for example.
• the air permeability of the tipping paper 33 it is normally 0 CORESTA units-30,000 CORESTA units, and preferably greater than 0 CORESTA units and no greater than 10,000 CORESTA units.
• the air permeability is a value measured in accordance with ISO 2965:2009, and, when a differential pressure of both surfaces of the paper is 1 kPa, the air permeability is expressed by a flow rate (cm 3 ) of a gas passing through a surface area of 1 cm 2 in 1 minute.
• 1 CORESTA unit (1 C.U.) constitutes cm 3 /(min ⁇ cm 2 ) under 1 kPa.
• the tipping paper 33 may contain a loading material in addition to the above-described pulp, examples of which can include metal carbonates such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, metal oxides such as titanium oxide, titanium dioxide and aluminum oxide, metal sulfates such as barium sulfate and calcium sulfate, metal sulfides such as zinc sulfide, quartz, kaolin, talc, diatomaceous earth, gypsum and the like, and calcium carbonate is preferably included in particular from the viewpoint of improving whiteness and opacity and increasing the heating rate.
• these loading materials may be used alone, or two or more may be used in combination.
• a water-resistance improving agent contains a wet-strength agent (WS agent) and a sizing agent.
• wet strength agents include urea formaldehyde resins, melamine formaldehyde resins, polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), and the like.
• sizing agents include rosin soap, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and highly saponified polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification degree of 90% or more.
• a coating agent may be added to at least one of the two surfaces of the tipping paper 33, namely the front surface and the rear surface.
• the coating agent There is no particular restriction on the coating agent, but a coating agent that can form a film on the surface of the paper and reduce the permeability of liquids is preferred.
• the method for manufacturing the tipping paper 33 there is no particular restriction on the method for manufacturing the tipping paper 33, and general methods can be applied, and for example in the case of an embodiment in which pulp is the main component, a method that uses pulp can be cited, in which the texture is adjusted and homogenized in a papermaking process employing a Fourdrinier papermaking machine, a cylinder mould papermaking machine, or a round-short combined papermaking machine, etc. It should be noted that, if necessary, a wet strength agent can be added to impart water resistance to a rolling paper, or a sizing agent can be added to adjust a printing condition of the rolling paper.
• the tobacco stick 30 (e.g., the mouthpiece portion 32) may be provided with a microwave shield (electromagnetic wave shield).
• the microwave shield of the tobacco stick 30 is attached to the cooling segment of the mouthpiece portion 32 upstream of the ventilation holes, and is positioned inside the guide portion 13 of the inhaler 10 when the tobacco stick 30 is inserted in the inhaler 10.
• the microwave shield of the tobacco stick 30 collaborates with the guide portion 13 of the inhaler 10 so that it is possible to avoid leakage of microwaves to outside of the inhaler 10.
• the microwave shield is configured to be positioned inside the guide portion 13 of the inhaler 10 when the tobacco stick 30 is inserted in the inhaler 10, it is equally possible for the microwave shield of the tobacco stick 30 to be attached to the filter segment of the mouthpiece portion 32, or to be arranged adjacent to the filter segment of the mouthpiece portion 32, for example. Furthermore, the microwave shield of the tobacco stick 30 may be arranged at an upstream or downstream end portion of a separate filter segment provided adjacent to the cooling segment of the mouthpiece portion 32.
• the microwave shield of the tobacco stick 30 may also be configured by arranging a pre-formed shielding member at a predetermined position on the tobacco stick 30, or configured by printing said pre-formed shielding member on the filter segment of the mouthpiece portion 32. It should be noted that a microwave shield need not be provided on the tobacco stick 30 when a mouthpiece 40 comprising a microwave shield 41 is attached to the inhaler 10, as will be described later.
• the aperture ratio of the microwave shield of the tobacco stick 30 is designed to take account of blocking microwaves and airflow resistance
• the aperture ratio is 10% or greater, preferably 30% or greater, and more preferably 50% or greater, for example.
• the aperture ratio is 90% or less, preferably 80% or less, and more preferably 70% or less.
• the airflow resistance for the inhaler 10 and the tobacco stick 30 overall is 8 mmH 2 O or greater, preferably 10 mmH 2 O or greater, and more preferably 12 mmH 2 O or greater, and is also 100 mmH 2 O or less, preferably 80 mmH 2 O or less, and more preferably 60 mmH 2 O or less.
• the airflow resistance is measured in accordance with the ISO standard method (ISO 6565), as indicated above.
• the tobacco stick 30 configured in the manner above may also have a configuration in which a portion of the outer surface of the tipping paper 33 is covered by a lip-release material.
• a lip-release material means a material configured for assisting in easy separation, substantially without adhesion, of contact between the lips and the tipping paper 33 when the user holds mouthpiece portion 32 of the tobacco stick 30 in their mouth.
• the lip-release material may comprise ethylcellulose or methylcellulose, etc., for example.
• the outer surface of the tipping paper 33 may be coated with a lip-release material by applying an ethylcellulose-based or methylcellulose-based ink to the outer surface of the tipping paper 33.
• the lip-release material on the tipping paper 33 is arranged at least on a predetermined mouthpiece region which is contacted by the user's lips when the user holds the mouthpiece portion 32 in their mouth.
• a lip-release material arrangement region on the outer surface of the tipping paper 33 which is covered by the lip-release material is defined as a region lying between the mouthpiece end of the mouthpiece portion 32 and the ventilation holes.
• the airflow resistance in the Z-axis direction per tobacco stick 30 configured in the manner described above, but, from the viewpoint of ease of drawing, it is normally 8 mmH 2 O or greater, preferably 10 mmH 2 O or greater, and more preferably 12 mmH 2 O or greater, and is also normally 100 mmH 2 O or less, preferably 80 mmH 2 O or less, and more preferably 60 mmH 2 O or less.
• the airflow resistance is measured by using a filter airflow resistance measurement instrument produced by Cerulean, for example, in accordance with the ISO standard method (ISO6565:2015).
• the airflow resistance denotes an air pressure difference between one end face (a first end face) and another end face (a second end face) when air at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc/min) flows from the first end face to the second end face in a state in which air does not pass through the side face of the tobacco stick 30.
• the units are generally expressed in mmH 2 O.
• the relationship between airflow resistance and the tobacco stick 30 is known to be a proportional relationship in a normal length range (a length of 5-200 mm), and the airflow resistance of the tobacco stick 30 also doubles when the length doubles.
• w is the width of the tip end of the tobacco stick 30, and h is the length in the Z-axis direction, and preferably h ⁇ w.
• the width w of the tobacco stick 30 is the diameter when the transverse-sectional shape of the tobacco stick 30 is circular, is the major axis when the shape is elliptical, is the diameter of the circumscribing circle when the shape is polygonal, or is the major axis of the circumscribing ellipse when the shape is a rounded polygon.
• the Z-axis direction length h of the tobacco stick 30, is normally 40 mm or greater, preferably 45 mm or greater, and more preferably 50 mm or greater, for example.
• the Z-axis direction length h is normally 100 mm or less, preferably 90 mm or less, and more preferably 80 mm or less.
• the width w of the tip end of the tobacco stick 30, is normally 5 mm or greater, and preferably 5.5 mm or greater, for example.
• the width w is normally 10 mm or less, preferably 9 mm or less, and more preferably 8 mm or less.
• this ratio is normally 0.60-1.40:0.60-1.40, preferably 0.80-1.20:0.80-1.20, more preferably 0.85-1.15:0.85-1.15, even more preferably 0.90-1.10:0.90-1.10, and particularly preferably 0.95-1.05:0.95-1.05.
• the inhaler 10 comprises a case 11 in which various components to be described below are mounted.
• the case 11 is provided with: an accommodating portion 12 capable of accommodating a portion of the tobacco stick 30 which has been inserted from an opening portion 12a; a guide portion 13 for guiding insertion of the tobacco stick 30 from the opening portion 12a of the accommodating portion 12; and an air flow path 14 which communicates with the accommodating portion 12 and allows air to be introduced into the accommodating portion 12.
• An inner surface of the accommodating portion 12 may be configured by a metal, etc. in order to confine microwaves (electromagnetic waves) to the inside of the accommodating portion 12.
• the air flow path 14 has an air intake port 14a provided on the exterior of the case 11, and is provided so as to introduce air into the accommodating portion 12 from the air intake port 14a.
• the air flow path 14 may be provided with a microwave shield 14b which allows the air to pass while blocking microwaves.
• the air flow path 14 is not limited to being provided on the side face of the accommodating portion 12 as shown in fig. 1 , and it may equally be provided on a bottom face or an upper face of the accommodating portion 12.
• the inhaler 10 further comprises: a high-frequency oscillation unit 20, a waveguide 21, an antenna 22, a control unit 23, a power source unit 24, a notification unit 25, a communication unit 26, and an object detector 27. These components 20-27 are mounted inside the case 11.
• the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 comprises a semiconductor (solid-state) oscillator and generates a high-frequency electromagnetic field (electromagnetic waves) having a predetermined frequency.
• the semiconductor oscillator is configured by a semiconductor element such as, for example, an LDMOS transistor, a GaAs FET, an SiC MESFET, or a GaN HFET.
• a high-frequency electromagnetic field (electromagnetic waves) means an electromagnetic field between 3 Hz and 3 THz, including microwaves between 300 MHz and 300 GHz.
• the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 is capable of generating microwaves having a frequency (e.g., 2.40-2.50 GHz) suitable for heating the tobacco stick 30 (aerosol source).
• the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 generates microwaves with a frequency of 2.45 GHz. Furthermore, the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 may comprise an amplifier for amplifying the high-frequency electromagnetic field. In the high-frequency oscillation unit 20, the semiconductor oscillator itself may have the function of an amplifier, or else an amplifier configured as an electronic component separate to the semiconductor oscillator may be provided.
• the device for generating the high-frequency electromagnetic field may also be a magnetron oscillator, but using a semiconductor oscillator as the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 allows for a more compact body as compared to when a magnetron oscillator is used. Furthermore, a semiconductor oscillator can operate at a lower voltage than a magnetron oscillator, therefore enabling better frequency stability and output stability.
• the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 of this embodiment only needs to be capable of generating a high-frequency electromagnetic field of a predetermined frequency, and may therefore also be a magnetron oscillator.
• the microwaves generated by the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 are guided to the antenna 22 through the waveguide 21.
• the waveguide 21 connects the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 and the antenna 22, and guides the microwaves generated by the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 to the antenna 22 in order to heat the tobacco stick 30 (aerosol source).
• a waveguide tube or a coaxial cable, etc. may be used as the waveguide 21, for example.
• the waveguide 21 may be omitted when the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 and the antenna 22 are directly connected.
• the antenna 22 emits (radiates), into the accommodating portion 12, the microwaves guided through the waveguide 21.
• the antenna 22 is provided on the bottom face of the accommodating portion 12, but this is not limiting, and it may equally be provided on a side face or an upper face of the accommodating portion 12.
• the waveguide 21 may be provided with an isolator for absorbing reflected waves returned toward the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 via the antenna 22. Furthermore, the waveguide 21 may be provided with a power monitor for detecting the power of incident waves from the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 and the power of reflected waves from the antenna 22, and/or an impedance matching unit for matching the impedance of the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 and the impedance of the antenna 22 in a state where the tobacco stick 30 is set in place, to reduce the power of reflected waves.
• the control unit 23 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls overall operation of the inhaler 10 in accordance with various programs. Specifically, the control unit 23 may control the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 20 to emit microwaves from the antenna 22 in accordance with a user atomization request, and thereby heat the tobacco stick 30. Furthermore, the control unit 23 may control the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 so that the tobacco stick 30 is heated in accordance with a desired preset heating profile.
• the control unit 23 may be realized by a CPU (central processing unit) or an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor, for example.
• the power source unit 24 supplies power to the high-frequency oscillation unit 20 based on control afforded by the control unit 23.
• the power source unit 24 is configured by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, for example. Providing a power source unit 24 such as this enables the inhaler 10 to be portable.
• the notification unit 25 notifies the user of information based on control afforded by the control unit 23.
• Information notified to the user which may be cited includes, for example: information indicating detection of insertion of the tobacco stick 30 into the accommodating portion 12; information indicating the start of microwave heating of the tobacco stick 30; information indicating a transition to an aerosol inhalation-possible state; error information; and remaining capacity information of the power source unit 24 (battery remaining capacity information), etc.
• the notification unit 25 may be configured by a light-emitting element such as an LED (light-emitting diode), a vibrating element such as a vibration motor, or a sound output element.
• the notification unit 25 may be configured by display element (display) such as an LCD (liquid crystal display).
• the notification unit 25 may be a combination of two or more elements among a light-emitting element, a vibrating element, a sound output element, and a display element.
• the communication unit 26 is an interface for acquiring information relating to a state of use of the inhaler 10 and sending this information to an external data server or a user mobile terminal device, etc. (referred to below as a data server, etc.), and for receiving data from the data server, etc.
• the communication unit 26 can communicate with the data server, etc., via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or long-range wireless communication such as LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). Note that communication between the communication unit 26 and the data server, etc., is not limited to the wireless communication mentioned above and may equally be another form of wireless communication or else wired communication.
• the object detector 27 detects whether or not the tobacco stick 30 is inside the accommodating portion 12.
• the control unit 23 is able to determine whether or not there is a state in which the tobacco stick 30 is accommodated (inserted) inside the accommodating portion 12, based on a detection result from the object detector 27, and can control microwave emission from the antenna 22 in accordance with the result of this determination. For example, when the control unit 23 has determined a state in which the tobacco stick 30 is not accommodated inside the accommodating portion 12, based on the detection result from the object detector 27, the control unit 23 prohibits microwave emission from the antenna 22.
• the control unit 23 when the control unit 23 has determined a state in which the tobacco stick 30 is accommodated (inserted) inside the accommodating portion 12, based on the detection result from the object detector 27, the control unit 23 enables microwave delivery from the antenna 22.
• the object detector 27 may be configured by a capacitive proximity sensor, but this is not limiting, and it may equally be configured by a contact sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor) or a photoelectric sensor, etc. It should be noted that in the example of fig. 1 , the object detector 27 is provided on the bottom face (the inner face on the -Z direction side) of the accommodating portion 12, but may equally be provided on the side face or upper face of the accommodating portion 12, or on the guide portion 13.
• the mouthpiece 40 which the user holds in their mouth in order to draw in vapor (aerosol-containing vapor) from the accommodating portion 12, may be attached to the inhaler 10 of this embodiment, as shown in fig. 1 .
• the mouthpiece 40 may be attached to the guide portion 13 of the inhaler 10 so as to cover a part (mouthpiece portion 32) of the tobacco stick 30 protruding from the inhaler 10 (accommodating portion 12).
• the mouthpiece 40 is then provided with a microwave shield 41 for blocking leakage of microwaves to the outside from the accommodating portion 12 through the opening portion 12a and the guide portion 13.
• the microwave shield 41 may be configured by a metal mesh, etc. so that vapor is allowed to pass while microwaves are blocked.
• the inhaler 10 may be provided with the mouthpiece detector 28 for detecting whether or not the mouthpiece 40 is attached.
• This allows the control unit 23 to control emission of microwaves from the antenna 22 on the basis of a detection result from the mouthpiece detector 28. For example, when the control unit 23 has determined that the mouthpiece 40 is not attached, based on the detection result from the mouthpiece detector 28, the control unit 23 prohibits microwave emission from the antenna 22. Meanwhile, when the control unit 23 has determined that the mouthpiece 40 is attached, based on the detection result from the mouthpiece detector 28, the control unit 23 enables microwave emission from the antenna 22.
• the inhaler 10 may be configured so that the user holds the mouthpiece portion 32 of the tobacco stick 30 directly in their mouth, without the use of the mouthpiece 40.
• a microwave shield which is configured by a metal mesh, etc. may be provided on the mouthpiece portion 32 of the tobacco stick 30 in order to block microwaves.
• a heat-generating body 15 which generates heat by absorbing the microwaves emitted from the antenna 22 and heats the tobacco stick 30, and a heat-storage body 16 which stores heat while also slowly releasing this heat, are provided inside the accommodating portion 12 of the inhaler 10 according to this embodiment.
• the tobacco stick 30 may be directly irradiated with some of the microwaves emitted from the antenna 22, rather than the heat-generating body 15 absorbing those microwaves (that is, the tobacco stick 30 may be directly heated without the intermediary of the heat-generating body 15).
• both the heat-generating body 15 and the heat-storage body 16 are provided inside the accommodating portion 12 in the example described below, but a configuration in which only the heat-generating body 15 is provided inside the accommodating portion 12 is equally feasible. That is to say, the heat-storage body 16 need not be provided inside the accommodating portion 12. Even if it is only the heat-generating body 15 which is provided inside the accommodating portion 12, this enables the tobacco stick 30 to be heated using microwaves more efficiently than when the heat-generating body 15 is not provided inside the accommodating portion 12.
• Fig. 3A and 3B show the configuration/arrangement of the tobacco stick 30, antenna 22, heat-generating body 15, and heat-storage body 16 of Example 1.
• Fig. 3A shows an oblique view
• fig. 3B shows a cross-sectional view.
• a direction of emission of microwaves from the antenna 22 is represented by the arrows A in fig. 3A and 3B .
• the heat-generating body 15 is a member which generates heat (of around 200°C) by absorbing the microwaves emitted from the antenna 22, and may be formed by titanium metal or by a ceramic material such as titanium oxide, for example.
• the heat-generating body 15 is then arranged inside the accommodating portion 12 of the inhaler 10 (aerosol-generating device), close to at least a portion of the tobacco stick 30 (tobacco filling portion 31) accommodated in the accommodating portion 12.
• the heat-generating body 15 should be arranged so as to contact at least a portion of the tobacco stick (tobacco filling portion 31) accommodated in the accommodating portion 12 of the inhaler 10. This enables the heat generated by the heat-generating body 15 to be efficiently transferred to the tobacco stick 30, enabling efficient heating of the tobacco stick 30. Furthermore, the heat-generating body 15 should be configured to guide insertion of the tobacco stick 30 into the accommodating portion 12 of the inhaler 10, while also holding the tobacco stick 30 inserted in the accommodating portion 12. In this case, the heat-generating body 15 may be configured as a cylindrical member for accommodating the tobacco stick 30.
• this cylindrical member may have a shape with a bottom face abutted by a tip end of the tobacco stick 30, or may have a shape without a bottom face.
• the heat-generating body 15 is provided for at least a portion of the tobacco stick 30 (tobacco filling portion 31) in the Z direction so as to cover (surround) the entire outer circumference of the tobacco filling portion 31 in a circumferential direction of the tobacco stick 30 (a direction of rotation about the Z axis).
• the heat-generating body 15 may equally be provided for at least a portion of the tobacco stick 30 (tobacco filling portion 31) in the Z direction so as to partially cover (surround) the outer circumference of the tobacco filling portion 31 in the circumferential direction of the tobacco stick 30.
• the heat-storage body 16 is a member which stores heat while also slowly releasing this heat, and may be formed by a ceramic material, for example.
• the heat-storage body 16 is then arranged close to the heat-generating body 15 inside the accommodating portion 12 of the inhaler 10, and temporarily stores the heat generated by the heat-generating body 15.
• the heat-storage body 16 may be arranged at the outer circumference of the heat-generating body 15 in the circumferential direction of the tobacco stick 30.
• the heat-storage body 16 should be formed by a substance which stores heat for a longer period of time than the heat-generating body 15 and slowly releases the stored heat.
• the heat-storage body 16 should be formed by a substance having a higher heat storage capacity per unit volume than the heat-generating body 15.
• the tobacco stick 30 can still be heated or kept warm by the heat released from the heat-storage body 16, even when microwave emission (oscillation) from the antenna 22 has stopped. It is therefore possible to achieve the advantages of reducing power consumption by reducing the time of emission of microwaves, and shortening the time needed from microwaves again being emitted (re-oscillation) until the tobacco stick 30 reaches a target temperature (e.g., the temperature at which an aerosol is generated).
• a target temperature e.g., the temperature at which an aerosol is generated.
• the heat-storage body 16 is not limited to the outer circumference of the heat-generating body 15, and it may equally be provided on part of the outer circumference the tobacco stick 30 where the heat-generating body 15 is not provided.
• a configuration in which heat-generating bodies 15 and heat-storage bodies 16 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the tobacco stick 30 is also possible, as shown in fig. 4 .
• This configuration also enables efficient heat generation by the heat-generating bodies 15 and efficient heat storage/heat release by the heat-storage bodies 16.
• the heat-storage body 16 may also be arranged on the inner side of the heat-generating body 15 (i.e., between the tobacco stick 30 and the heat-generating body 15).
• the heat-storage body 16 may be configured as a cylindrical member for accommodating the tobacco stick 30.
• this cylindrical member may have a shape with a bottom face abutted by the tip end of the tobacco stick 30, or may have a shape without a bottom face.
• the antenna 22 may be configured as a planar antenna (e.g., a patch antenna) which is arranged on an inner face of the accommodating portion 12 so as to emit microwaves inside the accommodating portion 12.
• the antenna 22 is arranged on the bottom face of the accommodating portion 12 so as to emit microwaves toward the tobacco stick 30 (tobacco filling portion 31) and the heat-generating body 15.
• the bottom face of the accommodating portion 12 is the face on the -Z direction side, that is, the face facing the tip end of the tobacco stick 30 (tobacco filling portion 31) inserted in the accommodating portion 12.
• the tobacco stick 30 tobacco filling portion 31
• the heat-generating body 15 can be efficiently irradiated with microwaves. That is to say, the aerosol source inside the tobacco stick 30 can be heated by direct irradiation of the aerosol source with microwaves, and the aerosol source can also be heated by heat generation from the heat-generating body 15 produced by irradiation of the heat-generating body 15 with the microwaves.
• Fig. 5A and 5B show the configuration/arrangement of the tobacco stick 30, antenna 22, heat-generating body 15, and heat-storage body 16 of Example 2.
• Fig. 5A shows an oblique view
• fig. 5B shows a cross-sectional view.
• a direction of emission of microwaves from the antenna 22 is represented by the arrows B in fig. 5A and 5B . Note that any matters not mentioned in Example 2 may be in accordance with Example 1.
• Example 2 is the same as Example 1 in terms of the configuration/arrangement of the heat-generating body 15 and the heat-storage body 16, but the antenna 22 has a different configuration.
• the antenna 22 of Example 2 is configured to be inserted into the interior of the tobacco stick 30 (tobacco filling portion 31) when the tobacco stick 30 is inserted in the inhaler 10 (accommodating portion 12).
• the antenna 22 is configured as a rod-shaped vertical antenna (e.g., a monopole antenna) and emits microwaves radially outward.
• the aerosol source inside the tobacco stick 30 can be heated by direct irradiation of the aerosol source with microwaves, while microwaves leaking to outside of the tobacco stick 30 can also be absorbed by the heat-generating body 15, which then generates heat. That is to say, microwaves which were not used for heating the aerosol source inside the tobacco stick 30 are utilized for heat generation in the heat-generating body 15, so the tobacco stick 30 can be efficiently heated using microwaves.
• Fig. 6A and 6B show the configuration/arrangement of the tobacco stick 30, antenna 22, heat-generating body 15, and heat-storage body 16 of Example 3.
• Fig. 6A shows an oblique view
• fig. 6B shows a cross-sectional view.
• a direction of emission of microwaves from the antenna 22 is represented by the arrows C in fig. 6A and 6B . Note that any matters not mentioned in Example 3 may be in accordance with Example 1.
• Example 3 as shown in fig. 6A and 6B , heat-generating bodies 15 and heat-storage bodies 16 are arranged on an outer side of (around) the tobacco stick 30 (tobacco filling portion 31) inserted in the inhaler 10 (accommodating portion 12), alternately along the direction of insertion of the tobacco stick 30 (the -Z direction). Antennas 22 are then provided individually for each of the plurality of heat-generating bodies 15 so that each of the plurality of heat-generating bodies 15 can be individually irradiated with microwaves.
• the antennas 22 may be arranged on the inside face (the face on the ⁇ Y direction side) of the accommodating portion 12 so that the side face (the face on the ⁇ Y direction side) of each heat-generating body 15 is irradiated with microwaves.
• heat generation by the heat-generating bodies 15 can be controlled individually by individually controlling the intensity of the microwaves which are emitted from the antennas 22 for irradiation of the heat-generating bodies 15. That is to say, the heating distribution in the tobacco stick 30 in the Z direction can be accurately controlled.
• three heat-generating bodies 15 and three heat-storage bodies 16 are provided in the configuration example of fig. 6A and 6B , but the number of heat-generating bodies 15 and heat-storage bodies 16 is not limited to three, and any number may be set according to the accuracy of controlling the heating distribution in the tobacco stick 30 in the Z direction.
• the antennas 22 are provided individually for each of the plurality of heat-generating bodies 15, but this is not limiting, and a common antenna 22 may be provided for the plurality of heat-generating bodies 15. In this case, it is difficult to individually control heat generation by each heat-generating body 15, but a uniform heating distribution can be achieved in the tobacco stick 30 in the Z direction.
• the heat-generating body (bodies) 15 which generates (generate) heat by absorbing microwaves
• the heat-storage body (bodies) 16 which stores (store) heat while also slowly releasing this heat
• the accommodating portion 12 into which the tobacco stick 30 (tobacco filling portion 31) is inserted.
• electromagnetic waves microwaves

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• 2023
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