EP4666883A1

EP4666883A1 - Flavor inhaler and method for manufacturing flavor inhaler

Info

Publication number: EP4666883A1
Application number: EP23922581.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ikuo Fujinaga; Yasunobu Inoue; Takeshi Akiyama
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 2023-02-13
Filing date: 2023-02-13
Publication date: 2025-12-24
Also published as: JPWO2024171240A1; WO2024171240A1; CN120475915A; KR20250143325A

Abstract

A flavor inhaler is provided. This flavor inhaler comprises: an accommodating portion for accommodating a consumable material; a heating unit for heating the consumable material; and a heat insulating portion which is arranged so as to cover at least a portion of the accommodating portion and suppresses dissipation of heat to outside of the accommodating portion, the heat insulating portion being fixedly bonded to a surface of the accommodating portion or the heating unit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a flavor inhaler and to a method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler.

BACKGROUND ART

Flavor inhalers for inhaling flavors, etc. without burning of materials are conventionally known. A known flavor inhaler of this type comprises a first heat insulating portion arranged at an outer circumference of a heating unit for heating a smokable substance, and an outer heat insulating portion arranged at an outer circumference of the first heat insulating portion but separated from the first heat insulating portion (e.g., see PTL 1).
A further known flavor inhaler of this type comprises a heat insulating material packing a sealed space formed between an inner tube having a heating member disposed on a surface thereof and allowing insertion of a flavor-generating article, and an outer tube disposed at the outer circumference of the inner tube (e.g., see PTL 2).

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

PTL 1: WO 2021/214924 A1
PTL 2: WO 2020/084758 A1

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Flavor inhalers need to have a balance between a heat insulating function and compactness of an atomization unit for heating a consumable material, and in the flavor inhaler disclosed in PTL 1, the first heat insulating portion is arranged at the outer circumference of the heating unit, and the outer heat insulating portion is arranged at the outer circumference of the first heat insulating portion but separated from the first heating insulating portion. Furthermore, the outer heat insulating portion is delimited by a case. Furthermore, in the flavor inhaler disclosed in PTL 2, the outer tube is arranged at the outer circumference of the inner tube, that is, at the outer circumference of the heat insulating material packing the sealed space.
The flavor inhalers disclosed in PTL 1 and PTL 2 thus have a holding member for retaining the shape of the heat insulating portion, and there is a risk of of the heat capacity of the holding member itself causing an increase in energy consumption, that is, causing a reduction in the heat insulating function. There is furthermore a risk of the diameter of the atomization unit increasing because of the holding member. There is furthermore a risk of a reduction in heat insulating function if the heat insulating portion is made thinner in order to reduce the diameter of the atomization unit in the flavor inhalers disclosed in PTL 1 and PTL 2.
The present invention has been devised in order to at least partly solve the problem above, and the objective thereof lies in achieving a balance between heat insulating function and compactness of an atomization unit.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

A first aspect of the present invention provides a flavor inhaler. This flavor inhaler comprises: an accommodating portion for accommodating a consumable material; a heating unit for heating the consumable material; and a heat insulating portion which is arranged so as to cover at least a portion of the accommodating portion and suppresses dissipation of heat to outside of the accommodating portion, the heat insulating portion being fixedly bonded to a surface of the accommodating portion or the heating unit.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the heat insulating portion is arranged so as to cover at least a portion of the accommodating portion and is fixedly bonded to the surface of the accommodating portion or the heating unit. The heat insulating portion can therefore be arranged directly on the surface of the accommodating portion or the heating unit while demonstrating a heat insulating function without a holding member being provided in order to retain the shape of the heat insulating portion, therefore making it possible to improve the heat insulating function while making an atomization unit for heating a consumable material more compact. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress dissipation of heat to outside of the accommodating portion using only the heat insulating portion which is fixedly bonded to the surface of the accommodating portion or the heating unit, therefore making it possible to reduce the number of components.
In a second aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the first aspect, the heating unit is provided on the surface of the accommodating portion, and the heat insulating portion is arranged so as to cover the accommodating portion and the heating unit.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the heat insulating portion is arranged so as to cover the accommodating portion and the heating unit which is provided on the surface of the accommodating portion, thereby making it possible to suppress dissipation of heat generated by the heating unit to outside of the accommodating portion.
In a third aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the first or second aspect, the heating unit is printed on the accommodating portion.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the heating unit can be made thinner by printing the heating unit on the accommodating portion, therefore enabling the atomization unit to be made more compact.
In a fourth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with any of the first to third aspects, the heating unit comprises: a main body portion; and an electrode portion which extends out from the main body portion and is not covered by the heat insulating portion.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the heating unit comprises the electrode portion which is not covered by the heat insulating portion, thereby making it possible to maintain the passage of electrical current to the heating unit.
In a fifth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with any of the first to fourth aspects, the accommodating portion has the shape of a cup with a bottom face, and the heat insulating portion is fixedly bonded to at least a portion of the bottom face.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the heat insulating portion is fixedly bonded to at least a portion of the bottom face of the cup-shaped accommodating portion, thereby making it possible to suppress dissipation of heat to the outside from the bottom face of the accommodating portion.
In a sixth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with any of the first to fifth aspects, a protective portion covering a surface of the heat insulating portion is further provided.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the surface of the heat insulating portion is covered by the protective portion, thereby making it possible to prevent the heat insulating portion, which is fixedly bonded to the surface of the accommodating portion, from becoming detached due to vibration, etc.
In a seventh aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the sixth aspect citing the fourth aspect, the electrode portion is not covered by the protective portion.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the passage of electrical current to the heating unit can be maintained by ensuring that the electrode portion is not covered by the protective portion.
In an eighth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with any of the first to seventh aspects, the heat insulating portion comprises porous particles and a binder.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the heat insulating portion can be easily fixedly bonded to the surface of the accommodating portion by virtue of the heat insulating portion comprising porous particles and a binder.
In a ninth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the eighth aspect, an average pore size of the porous particles is 70 nm or less.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, heat conduction is suppressed by setting the average pore size of the porous particles at 70 nm or less, therefore making it possible to improve the heat insulating function of the atomization unit.
In a tenth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the eighth or ninth aspect, the porous particles are a silica aerogel.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, heat conduction is suppressed by using a low-density silica aerogel as the porous particles, therefore making it possible to improve the heat insulating function of the atomization unit.
In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with any of the first to tenth aspects, a surface roughness Ra of the accommodating portion is 12 µm or greater.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, friction between the surface of the accommodating portion and the heat insulating portion is increased by setting the surface roughness Ra of the accommodating portion at 12 µm or greater, therefore making it possible to improve adhesion of the heat insulating portion.
A twelfth aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler. This method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler comprises: a step of preparing an accommodating portion for accommodating a consumable material in order to heat the consumable material; and a step of fixedly bonding, to a surface of the accommodating portion, a heat insulating portion for suppressing dissipation of heat to outside of the accommodating portion.
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the heat insulating portion is fixedly bonded to the surface of the accommodating portion, thereby enabling simple formation of the heat insulating portion for suppressing dissipation of heat to outside of the accommodating portion. Furthermore, in a flavor inhaler manufactured by means of this manufacturing method, the heat insulating portion can be arranged directly on the surface of the accommodating portion while demonstrating a heat insulating function, therefore making it possible to achieve a balance between heat insulating function and compactness of an atomization unit for heating a consumable material.
In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the twelfth aspect, the step of fixedly bonding the heat insulating portion comprises: a step of attaching, to the accommodating portion, a mold which covers at least a portion of the accommodating portion; a step of filling the inside of the mold with a dispersion of a material of the heat insulating portion; a step of drying the dispersion of the material of the heat insulating portion; and a step of removing the mold.
According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a mold covering at least a portion of the accommodating portion is attached, the inside of the mold is filled with a dispersion of a material of the heat insulating portion, the dispersion of the material of the heat insulating portion is dried, and the mold is removed, thereby enabling simple formation of the heat insulating portion for suppressing dissipation of heat to outside of the accommodating portion.
In a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the twelfth aspect, the step of fixedly bonding the heat insulating portion comprises: a step of dipping at least a portion of the accommodating portion in the dispersion of the material of the heat insulating portion; and a step of drying the dispersion of the material of the heat insulating portion.
According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of the accommodating portion is dipped in the dispersion of the material of the heat insulating portion, and the dispersion of the material of the heat insulating portion is dried, thereby enabling simple formation of the heat insulating portion for suppressing dissipation of heat to outside of the accommodating portion.
In a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, which is in accordance with the fourteenth aspect, the step of preparing the accommodating portion comprises: a step of forming, on the surface of the accommodating portion, a heating unit for heating the consumable material; and a step of masking an electrode portion extending out from a main body portion of the heating unit.
According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the electrode portion extending out from the main body portion of the heating unit is masked, thereby making it possible to maintain the passage of electrical current to the heating unit with the heat insulating portion for suppressing dissipation of heat to outside of the accommodating portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an oblique view of a flavor inhaler according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an oblique view of the flavor inhaler accommodating a consumable material.
Fig. 3 is a view in cross section of the flavor inhaler along the arrows 3-3 in fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a schematic front view showing an atomization unit shown in fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional enlargement showing a part taken from the atomization unit shown in fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is an illustrative diagram showing a method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is an illustrative diagram showing another method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, identical or corresponding components will be assigned the same reference symbols and will only be described once.
Fig. 1 is an oblique view of a flavor inhaler 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an oblique view of the flavor inhaler 100 accommodating a consumable material 120 inserted through an opening 110. An X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate system may be applied to the drawings described in the present specification for convenience of description. In this coordinate system, the Z-axis is oriented vertically upwards, the X-Y plane is arranged cutting across the flavor inhaler 100 in a horizontal direction, and the Y-axis is arranged extending from the front surface to the rear surface of the flavor inhaler 100. The Z-axis direction may also refer to a direction of insertion of the consumable material 120, which is accommodated in a chamber 50 to be described later. Furthermore, the X-axis direction may also refer to a device longitudinal direction in a plane orthogonal to the direction of insertion of the consumable material 120. The Y-axis direction may also refer to a device short-side direction in a plane orthogonal to the direction of insertion of the consumable material 120.
The flavor inhaler 100 is configured to generate an aerosol containing a flavor by, for example, heating a stick-type consumable material 120 having a flavor source containing an aerosol source. As an example, the consumable material 120 comprises a smokable substance that contains a flavor source such as tobacco and an aerosol source at a tip end in the Z-axis negative direction, and comprises a filter on another part. Examples of aerosol sources that may be cited include glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof. It should be noted that, in the embodiment, the consumable material 120 is described as being stick-shaped, but the consumable material used in the flavor inhaler 100 is not limited to that shape. For example, the consumable material may also be configured to contain a cartridge accommodating a liquid aerosol source. Furthermore, this cartridge may comprise a heating unit.
As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the flavor inhaler 100 comprises: a housing 102 formed by an upper housing 104 and a lower housing 106; and a slide cover 108. The housing 102 forms the outermost housing of the flavor inhaler 100 and is of a size that fits in a user's hand. When the user is using the flavor inhaler 100, the user can inhale the aerosol while holding the flavor inhaler 100 in their hand.
It should be noted for the housing 102 in this case that the upper housing 104 is formed by a resin such as polycarbonate, for example, and the lower housing 106 is formed by a metal such as aluminum, for example. However, the housing 102 is not limited to the materials above and may also be made of a resin, for example, and it is possible to select any suitable material, such as, in particular, polycarbonate (PC), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin, PEEK (polyether ether ketone), or a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers.
The upper housing 104 comprises an opening 110 for receiving the consumable material 120, and the slide cover 108 is slidably attached to the upper housing 104 so as to close this opening 110. Specifically, the slide cover 108 is configured to be movable along an outer surface of the upper housing 104 between a closed position for closing the opening 110 of the upper housing 104, and an open position (the position shown in fig. 1 and 2) for opening the opening. For example, the user can manually operate the slide cover 108 to move the slide cover 108 between the closed position and the open position. As a result, the slide cover 108 can permit or restrict access of the consumable material 120 to the inside of the flavor inhaler 100.
Fig. 1 and 2 show the housing 102 of the flavor inhaler 100 in such a way that joining surfaces of the upper housing 104 and the lower housing 106 obliquely cross the X-Y plane, but the housing 102 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the housing 102 may also be formed from three or more members.
The flavor inhaler 100 may further include a terminal, which is not shown in the drawings. The terminal may be an interface for connecting the flavor inhaler 100 to an external power source, for example. When the power source of the flavor inhaler 100 is a rechargeable battery, the external power source can be connected to the terminal so that a current is supplied from the external power source to the power source, and the power source can be charged. Furthermore, data relating to operation of the flavor inhaler 100 may also be sent to an external device by connecting a data transmission cable to the terminal.
The internal structure of the flavor inhaler 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described next. Fig. 3 is a view in cross section of the flavor inhaler along the arrows 3-3 in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 3, a power source unit 20, an atomization unit 30, and a control unit 80 are provided in an internal space of the housing 102 of the flavor inhaler 100.
The control unit 80 comprises a board 82. The board 82 may comprise a microprocessor, etc., for example, and may control the supply of power from the power source unit 20 to the atomization unit 30. This enables the control unit 80 to control heating of the consumable material 120 by the atomization unit 30. Furthermore, the control unit 80 comprises a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface 28. The control unit 80 can communicate with an external device via the Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface 28.
The power source unit 20 comprises a power source 21 which is electrically connected to the board 82 of the control unit 80. The power source 21 may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery, for example. The power source 21 is electrically connected to the atomization unit 30 via the board 82. This allows the power source 21 to supply power to the atomization unit 30 to heat the consumable material 120 appropriately.
The atomization unit 30 comprises: the chamber (accommodating portion) 50 extending in the longitudinal direction of the consumable material 120; a heating unit (not depicted) surrounding a portion of the chamber 50; a heat insulating portion 32; and a substantially cylindrical insertion guide member 34. The chamber 50 is configured to accommodate the consumable material 120. The heating unit is configured to contact the outer circumferential surface of the chamber 50 and to heat the consumable material 120 accommodated in the chamber 50. As an example, a susceptor may be provided inside or adjacent to the consumable material 120, and the heating unit may also include an induction coil for inductively heating the susceptor. Furthermore, the chamber 50 itself may also function as a susceptor.
The heat insulating portion 32 is configured to surround the chamber 50 and the heating unit. The heat insulating portion 32 may be an aerogel, for example. The insertion guide member 34 is formed by a resin material such as PEEK, PC or ABS, for example, and is provided between the slide cover 108 (closed position) and the chamber 50. The insertion guide member 34 communicates with the outside of the flavor inhaler 100 when the slide cover 108 is in the open position, and guides the insertion of the consumable material 120 into the chamber 50 when the consumable material 120 is inserted into the insertion guide member 34.
Furthermore, the atomization unit 30 and the control unit 80 are covered by a heat diffusion sleeve 70 and arranged in an internal space of the housing 102. The heat diffusion sleeve 70 is made from a material with a high thermal conductivity, such as a metal, and diffuses the heat generated by the atomization unit 30 inside the housing 102. The heat diffusion sleeve 70 can be configured to be placed inside only the upper housing 104 without interfering with the lower housing 106. The heat diffusion sleeve 70 may furthermore be provided with an open region so as not to interfere with communication with an external device by the Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface 28 of the control unit 80. Although metallic members generally interfere with electromagnetic waves, the control unit 80 is able to communicate with an external device via the Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface 28, at least through the open region of the heat diffusion sleeve 70.
The characteristic structure of the flavor inhaler 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described next. Fig. 4 is a schematic front view showing an atomization unit shown in fig. 3. The insertion guide member 34 is omitted from fig. 4. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional enlargement showing a part taken from the atomization unit shown in fig. 4. Specifically, fig. 5 shows a cross section in which the chamber 50 is cut along the X-Z plane at the part enclosed by the single dot chain line in fig. 4.
As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the atomization unit 30 comprises the chamber 50, a heating unit 40, the heat insulating portion 32, and a protective portion 60. As noted above, the atomization unit 30 is accommodated in the housing 102.
The chamber 50 has the shape of a cup with a bottom face and accommodates the consumable material 120. It should be noted that the chamber 50 is not limited to a cup shape and may equally be cylindrical. Furthermore, the chamber 50 may also have what is known as an elliptical cross section with a major diameter and a minor diameter in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flavor inhaler 100.
The chamber 50 is preferably formed from a heat-resistant material with a low coefficient of thermal expansion, and may, for example, be formed from a metal such as stainless steel, a plastic such as PEEK, glass, ceramic, and so on. Here, a surface roughness Ra of the chamber 50 is preferably 12 µm or greater, for example. Furthermore, when the chamber 50 is formed by a conductive material such as a metal, the surface of the chamber 50 is provided with an insulating coating formed by glass or a ceramic, etc., as required.
The heating unit 40 may be a heater for heating the consumable material 120 accommodated in the chamber at approximately 300°C, for example. The heating unit 40 may be formed by printing a heating resistor on the surface of the chamber 50 which has been provided with the insulating coating. The heating resistor comprises a metal such as silver, platinum, gold, palladium, or molybdenum, or an alloy thereof. The heating unit 40 comprises a main body portion 41 and an electrode portion 42 extending out from the main body portion 41.
It should be noted that the heating unit 40 may be a film heater formed by placing a heating resistor made of stainless steel or the like between two electrically-insulating films made of polyimide (PI) or the like. Furthermore, the heating unit 40 may be provided on an inner surface of the chamber 50. Furthermore, as noted above, the heating unit may be an induction coil for inductively heating the susceptor provided inside the consumable material 120, etc.
The heat insulating portion 32 is arranged so as to cover at least a portion of the chamber 50 and suppresses dissipation of heat to outside of the chamber 50. The heat insulating portion 32 is fixedly bonded to a surface of the chamber 50 or the heating unit 40 so as to cover the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40 printed on the surface of the chamber 50. It should be noted that the electrode portion 42 of the heating unit 40 is preferably not covered by the heat insulating portion 32. Furthermore, the heat insulating portion 32 may be fixedly bonded to at least a portion of the bottom portion of the chamber 50. Furthermore, when the heating unit 40 is formed by a film heater, the heat insulating portion 32 may be fixedly bonded to the electrically-insulating film of the film heater, and the film heater may be fixedly bonded to the chamber 50.
Here, the heat insulating portion 32 comprises an aerogel, constituting porous particles, and a binder, for example. The aerogel inhibits heat conduction because the internal pores are partitioned into spaces smaller than the mean free path of air (about 70 nm), so air convection is not possible. It should be noted that the average pore size is preferably about 70 nm or less, and more preferably about 50 nm or less.
Furthermore, the aerogel has a low density and therefore suppresses heat conduction. In other words, the aerogel provides high thermal insulation by virtue of the structure described above. Note that the aerogel may include, for example, a silica aerogel, a carbon aerogel, or a porous structure comprising fumed silica, etc.
Furthermore, the binder is preferably a heat-resistant adhesive, such as an organic adhesive including a resin or rubber, etc., or an inorganic adhesive including a metal oxide such as silica, titania, zinc oxide, or zirconia. Moreover, a material which chemically bonds to these binders may be precoated on the surface of the chamber 50 and/or the heating unit 40. Furthermore, a hydrophilic or hydrophobic coating may also be applied to the surface of the chamber 50 and/or the heating unit 40 in order to improve affinity with the binder.
The protective portion 60 is arranged so as to cover the surface of the heat insulating portion 32. It should be noted that the electrode portion 42 of the heating unit 40 is preferably not covered by the protective portion 60. Here, the protective portion 60 may be a member combining glass fibers with a heat-shrink tube or a polyimide (PI) film, or else a glass or ceramic, etc.
The heat insulating portion 32 is thus arranged so as to cover at least a portion of the chamber 50, and is fixedly bonded to the surface of the chamber 50 or the heating unit 40. The heat insulating portion 32 can therefore be arranged directly on the surface of the chamber 50 or the heating unit 40 while demonstrating a heat insulating function without a holding member being separately provided in order to retain the shape of the heat insulating portion 32, therefore making it possible to improve the heat insulating function while making the atomization unit 30 for heating the consumable material 120 more compact. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress dissipation of heat to outside of the chamber 50 using only the heat insulating portion 32 which is fixedly bonded to the surface of the chamber 50 or the heating unit 40, therefore making it possible to reduce the number of components. Note that, without any limitation to the example described above, the heat insulating portion 32 may be fixedly bonded to the chamber 50 or the heating unit 40 by means of mechanical adhesion, chemical adhesion, electrostatic adhesion, diffusion adhesion, or a combination of these adhesion principles.
Furthermore, the heat insulating portion 32 is arranged so as to cover the chamber 50 and the heating unit 40 which is provided on the surface of the chamber 50, thereby making it possible to suppress dissipation of heat generated by the heating unit 40 to outside of the chamber 50. Furthermore, the heating unit 40 can be made thinner by printing the heating unit 40 on the chamber 50, therefore enabling the atomization unit 30 to be made more compact.
Furthermore, the heating unit 40 comprises the electrode portion 42 which is not covered by the heat insulating portion 32, thereby making it possible to maintain the passage of electrical current to the heating unit 40. Furthermore, the heat insulating portion 32 is fixedly bonded to at least a portion of the bottom face of the cup-shaped chamber 50, thereby making it possible to suppress dissipation of heat to the outside from the bottom face of the chamber 50.
Furthermore, the heat insulating portion 32 can be easily fixedly bonded to the surface of the chamber 50 by virtue of the heat insulating portion 32 comprising porous particles and binder. Furthermore, heat conduction is suppressed by setting the average pore size of the porous particles at 70 nm or less, therefore making it possible to improve the heat insulating function of the atomization unit. Furthermore, heat conduction is suppressed by using a low-density silica aerogel as the porous particles, therefore making it possible to improve the heat insulating function of the atomization unit.
Furthermore, friction between the surface of the chamber 50 and the heat insulating portion 32 is increased by setting the surface roughness Ra of the chamber 50 at 12 µm or greater, therefore making it possible to improve adhesion of the heat insulating portion 32. Moreover, the heat insulating portion 32 may also be retained by studding the outside of the chamber 50 to provide unevenness, by utilizing the unevenness of the surface of the heating unit 40, or by increasing shrinkage during drying which will be described later.
Furthermore, the surface of the heat insulating portion 32 is covered by the protective portion 60, thereby making it possible to prevent the heat insulating portion 32, which is fixedly bonded to the surface of the chamber 50, from becoming detached due to vibration, etc. Furthermore, the passage of electrical current to the heating unit 40 can be maintained by ensuring that the electrode portion 42 is not covered by the protective portion
A method for manufacturing the flavor inhaler 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described next. Fig. 6 is an illustrative diagram showing a method for manufacturing the flavor inhaler 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 6, the method for manufacturing the flavor inhaler 100 comprises a step of preparing the chamber 50, and a step of fixedly bonding the heat insulating portion 32 to the surface of the chamber 50.
The step of fixedly bonding the heat insulating portion 32 comprises: a step of attaching, to the chamber 50, a mold 91 which covers at least a portion of the chamber 50 on which the heating unit 40 has been printed; a step of filling the inside of the mold 91 with a dispersion 92 of a material of the heat insulating portion 32; a step of drying the dispersion 92 of the material of the heat insulating portion 32; and a step of removing the mold 91.
Here, the mold 91 may have vent holes 93 for releasing air inside the mold 91. Furthermore, the dispersion 92 of the material of the heat insulating portion 32 may be a liquid comprising the porous particles and the binder described above. Furthermore, the step of fixedly bonding the heat insulating portion 32 may be repeated multiple times while replacing the mold 91.
The heat insulating portion 32 can thus be fixedly bonded to the surface of the chamber 50 by attaching the mold 91 which covers at least a portion of the chamber 50, filling the inside of the mold 91 with the dispersion 92 of the material of the heat insulating portion 32, drying the dispersion 92 of the material of the heat insulating portion 32, and removing the mold 91, thereby enabling simple formation of the heat insulating portion 32 for suppressing dissipation of heat to outside of the chamber 50.
Another method for manufacturing the flavor inhaler 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described next. Fig. 7 is an illustrative diagram showing another method for manufacturing the flavor inhaler 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 7, this other method for manufacturing the flavor inhaler 100 comprises a step of preparing the chamber 50, and a step of fixedly bonding the heat insulating portion 32 to the surface of the chamber 50.
The step of preparing the chamber 50 comprises: a step of forming the heating unit 40 on the surface of the chamber 50; and a step of masking the electrode portion 42 extending out from the main body portion 41 of the heating unit 40. Furthermore, the step of fixedly bonding the heat insulating portion 32 comprises: a step of dipping at least a portion of the chamber 50 in the dispersion 92 of the material of the heat insulating portion 32; and a step of drying the dispersion 92 of the material of the heat insulating portion 32.
The electrode portion 42 extending out from the main body portion 41 of the heating unit 40 is thus masked, thereby making it possible to maintain the passage of electrical current to the heating unit 40 with the heat insulating portion 32 for suppressing dissipation of heat to outside of the chamber 50.
Furthermore, the heat insulating portion 32 can be fixedly bonded to the surface of the chamber 50 by dipping at least a portion of the chamber 50 in the dispersion 92 of the material of the heat insulating portion 32, and drying the dispersion 92 of the material of the heat insulating portion 32, thereby enabling simple formation of the heat insulating portion 32 for suppressing dissipation of heat to outside of the chamber 50.
While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the invention described above are for ease of understanding of the invention and do not limit the invention. The present invention may be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and equivalents thereof are included in the present invention. Furthermore, components described in the claims and specification may be combined or omitted within a scope that enables at least some of the problems described above to be solved, or within a scope that demonstrates at least some of the advantageous effects.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

20: Power source unit
21: Power source
28: Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface
30: Atomization unit
32: Heat insulating portion
34: Insertion guide member
40: Heating unit
41: Main body portion
42: Electrode portion
50: Chamber (accommodating portion)
60: Protective portion
70: Heat diffusion sleeve
80: Control unit
82: Board
91: Mold
92: Dispersion
93: Vent hole
100: Flavor inhaler
102: Housing
104: Upper housing
106: Lower housing
108: Slide cover
110: Opening
120: Consumable material

Claims

A flavor inhaler comprising:
an accommodating portion for accommodating a consumable material;

a heating unit for heating the consumable material; and

a heat insulating portion which is arranged so as to cover at least a portion of the accommodating portion and suppresses dissipation of heat to outside of the accommodating portion,

wherein the heat insulating portion is fixedly bonded to a surface of the accommodating portion or the heating unit.
The flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the heating unit is provided on the surface of the accommodating portion, and

the heat insulating portion is arranged so as to cover the accommodating portion and the heating unit.
The flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein
the heating unit is printed on the accommodating portion.
The flavor inhaler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the heating unit comprises:
a main body portion; and

an electrode portion which extends out from the main body portion and is not covered by the heat insulating portion.
The flavor inhaler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the accommodating portion has the shape of a cup with a bottom face, and

the heat insulating portion is fixedly bonded to at least a portion of the bottom face.
The flavor inhaler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5,
further comprising a protective portion covering a surface of the heat insulating portion.
The flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 6 citing claim 4, wherein
the electrode portion is not covered by the protective portion.
The flavor inhaler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein
the heat insulating portion comprises porous particles and a binder.
The flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 8, wherein
an average pore size of the porous particles is 70 nm or less.
The flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein
the porous particles are a silica aerogel.
The flavor inhaler as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein
a surface roughness Ra of the accommodating portion is 12 µm or greater.
A method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler, comprising:
a step of preparing an accommodating portion for accommodating a consumable material in order to heat the consumable material; and

a step of fixedly bonding, to a surface of the accommodating portion, a heat insulating portion for suppressing dissipation of heat to outside of the accommodating portion.
The method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 12, wherein
the step of fixedly bonding the heat insulating portion comprises:
a step of attaching, to the accommodating portion, a mold which covers at least a portion of the accommodating portion;

a step of filling the inside of the mold with a dispersion of a material of the heat insulating portion;

a step of drying the dispersion of the material of the heat insulating portion; and

a step of removing the mold.
The method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 12, wherein
the step of fixedly bonding the heat insulating portion comprises:
a step of dipping at least a portion of the accommodating portion in the dispersion of the material of the heat insulating portion; and

a step of drying the dispersion of the material of the heat insulating portion.
The method for manufacturing a flavor inhaler as claimed in claim 14, wherein
the step of preparing the accommodating portion comprises:
a step of forming, on the surface of the accommodating portion, a heating unit for heating the consumable material; and

a step of masking an electrode portion extending out from a main body portion of the heating unit.