JP6867064B2 - cartridge - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette cartridge using a tobacco plant or a non-tobacco plant and a supporting member thereof.

In recent years, in order to match the tendency of smoking cessation of cigarettes, electronic tobacco products for enjoying cigarettes have become widespread by heating a cartridge containing tobacco components and sucking vaporized tobacco components without using a flame. It has begun (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

In the electronic cigarette of Patent Document 1, a heating element is inserted into the aerosol-forming base material of the cartridge to heat the aerosol-forming base material to generate an aerosol containing a tobacco component. The cartridge has a hollow tubular support element that supports the aerosol-forming substrate, which resists the forces that the cartridge receives as the heating element is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate. The tobacco component released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heating is transferred to the mouthpiece located downstream through the hollow portion of the support element and sucked by the user.

Japanese Patent No. 600451

However, in the electronic cigarette of Reference 1, since the support element is hollow and tubular, when the heating element is inserted into the aerosol-forming base material, the central portion of the aerosol-forming base material cannot be supported and the support element is filled. There is a risk of objects popping out.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems associated with the prior art, and stabilizes the aerosol-forming substrate when the heating element is inserted while ensuring a flow path through which the aerosol is transferred in the electronic cigarette cartridge. It is an object of the present invention to provide a support member which can be supported by the user.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a support member for an electronic cigarette cartridge using a tobacco plant or a non-tobacco plant. The support member includes a central portion located along the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the electronic cigarette cartridge, and a side portion extending outward from the central portion and in contact with the packaging member located on the peripheral edge of the electronic cigarette cartridge. And is arranged adjacent to the aerosol-forming base material located at one end of the electronic cigarette cartridge or with another member sandwiched between the aerosol-forming base material and supporting the aerosol-forming base material. ..

Further, the present invention for achieving the above object is an electronic cigarette cartridge using a tobacco plant or a non-tobacco plant having the aerosol-forming base material and the support member.

According to the present invention, since a space is formed between the central portion of the support member and the inner surface of the packaging member covering the support member, heating the aerosol-forming base material while ensuring a flow path for transferring the aerosol is provided. The aerosol-forming substrate can be stably supported by the central portion when the element is inserted.

It is a schematic perspective view which illustrates the appearance of the electronic cigarette cartridge which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electronic cigarette cartridge cut along the line AA of FIG. 1, and (B) is another electronic cigarette cartridge cut along the line AA of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows an example. It is a figure which illustrates the filler of the aerosol-forming base material shown in FIG. 2 (A). It is sectional drawing which illustrates the electronic cigarette cartridge and a heating element. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the support member of the first embodiment as viewed from the X direction of FIG. 2 (A). FIG. 5 is a side view of the support member of the first embodiment as viewed from the Y direction of FIG. 2 (A). FIG. 5 is a plan view of the support member of the second embodiment as viewed from the X direction of FIG. 2 (A). 2 is a side view of the support member of the second embodiment as viewed from the Y direction of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the support member of the third embodiment as viewed from the X direction of FIG. 2 (A). FIG. 5 is a side view of the support member of the third embodiment as viewed from the Y direction of FIG. 2 (A). FIG. 5 is a side view of the support member of the third embodiment as viewed from the Z direction of FIG. 2 (A). FIG. 5 is a plan view of the support member of the fourth embodiment as viewed from the X direction of FIG. 2 (A). FIG. 5 is a side view of the support member of the fourth embodiment as viewed from the Y direction of FIG. 2 (A). FIG. 5 is a side view of the support member of the fourth embodiment as viewed from the Z direction of FIG. 2 (A).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the figure, the same reference numerals are used for the same members. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of the electronic cigarette cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention. 2 (A) is a cross-sectional view of an electronic cigarette cartridge cut along the line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (B) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic cigarette cartridge cut along the line AA of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example. Further, FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the filler of the aerosol-forming base material shown in FIG. 2 (A), and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the electronic cigarette cartridge and the heating element.

<Electronic Cigarette Cartridge 100> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (A) and 2 (B), the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 is exemplified in the aerosol forming base material 110, the support member 120, and the cooling member 130 (FIG. 2 (B)). If you do), you have a mouthpiece 140 and a packaging member 150. The outer shape of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 has, for example, a rod shape or a cylindrical shape.

The aerosol-forming substrate 110 produces an aerosol by heating. In this embodiment, the aerosol may contain aromatic components derived from non-tobacco plants. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the aerosol-forming base material 110, the support member 120, the cooling member 130 (in the case of being illustrated in FIG. 2B), and the mouthpiece 140 are arranged in this order in the X direction. It is arranged and packaged by the packaging member 150. The packaging member 150 includes, for example, paper.

<Aerosol-forming base material 110> The aerosol-forming base material 110 may contain at least one of a solid compound and a liquid compound. The aerosol-forming substrate 110 may include an aerosol-forming material, including tobacco. Further, the aerosol-forming base material 110 may further contain an aerosol former containing glycerin and propylene glycol. When the aerosol-forming base material 110 is solid, it may take, for example, a rod-like, strip-like, powder-like, granular, pellet-like, piece-like, sheet-like, fibrous, porous or block-like form. .. The aerosol-forming base material 110 is assembled in a predetermined amount or a predetermined number in any of the above forms, and is filled in one end of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the aerosol-forming base material 110 is arranged at one end of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 in a state where a predetermined number of rod-shaped fillers 111 are bundled.

The material of the filler 111 may include at least one of tobacco leaves, tobacco stalks, expanded tobacco and homogenized tobacco. The material of the filler 111 may include non-tobacco plants, that is, plants other than tobacco. Plants can be used, for example, roots (including bulbs (scales), tubers (potatoes), bulbs, etc.), stems, bark (including stem bark, bark, etc.), leaves, flowers (petals, pistils, etc.). Includes various parts such as bulbs), tree trunks and branches.

Plants that can be used include, for example, peppercorns, pepper leaves, peppers, worms, wasabi, ajowan seeds, anis, alfalfa, echinacea, eshalot, estragon, everlasting, as plants used as herbs and spices. Flower, Elder, All Spice, Oris Root, Olegano, Orange Peel, Orange Flower, Orange Leaf, Caien Chili Pepper (Caienne Chili Pepper), Chamomile German, Chamomile Roman, Cardamon, Curry Leaf, Garlic (Niniku), Cannitop, Chara Way, Chara Way Seed, Kinmokusei, Kumin, Kumin Seed, Clove, Green Cardamon, Green Pepper, Cornflower, Saffron, Cedar, Cinnamon, Jasmine, Juniper Berry, Jorokia, Ginger, Star Anis, Spare Mint, Smack, Sage, Savory, celery, celery seed, turmeric (pepper), thyme, tamarind, taragon, charville (selfille), chili, dill, dill seed, tomato (dried tomato), tonka bean, dried pakuchi, nutmeg, hibiscus, habanero , Jalapeno, Bird's Eye, Basil, Vanilla, Pakuchi (Coriander), Parsley, Paprika, Hisop, Piments Death Pellet, Pink Pepper, Fenugu Leak Seed, Fennell, Brown Mustard, Black Cardamon, Black Cumin, Black Pepper, Vetiba, Penny Royal, Peppermint (Hacka), Horse Radish, White Pepper, White Mustard, Poppy Seed, Porcini, Majorum, Mustard Seed, Maniget, Marigold, Malva Flower, Mace, Yarrow Flower, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Licoris, Linden, Red Clover, Red Pepper , Lemongrass, Lemon verbena, Lemon balm, Lemon peel, Rose (rose), Rose buds (Purple), Rose hips, Rose petals, Rosemary, Rose red, Laurel (Laurier), Long pepper, sesame (raw sesame, roasted sesame) , Golden pepper, savory, Mitaka, Sansho, chili, yuzu, etc. can be used. Also included are mixed spices (eg, five-spice powder, garam masala, Ras el hanout, Baligur, chicken curry masala, tandoori masala, cattle epis, Herbes de Provence) and mixtures of various plants used as poppies.

In particular, leaves can be preferably used for wormwood, lemon, sandalwood, peppermint, basil and the like. Fruits (including seeds) are preferred for peaches, blueberries, lemons, oranges, apples, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, grapes, plums, almonds, cacao, coffee beans, peanuts, sunflowers, olives, walnuts, and other nuts. Can be used.

In addition, flowers can be preferably used for kinmokusei, jasmine, hibiscus, rose, lavender, rose hip and the like. For sandalwood, ginger, vetiver, etc., roots can be preferably used. For sugarcane, pine, cedar, hiba, camellia, sandalwood, cypress, cinnamon, etc., the trunk or skin can be preferably used.

Also, tea can be used. Not only are the plants that make tea different, but even the same plants are different depending on the processing method. In addition to tea and green tea, for example, tomorrow's leaf tea, sweet tea, Amachazuru tea, aloe tea, ginkgo leaf tea, oolong tea, corn tea, urajirogashi tea, eleuthero tea, obaco tea, kakiodoshi tea, and persimmon leaf Tea, chamomile tea, chamomile tea, Kawahara decision tea, karin tea, chrysanthemum tea, gymnema tea, guaba tea, kuco tea, mulberry leaf tea, black soybean tea, gennoshoko tea, brown rice tea, gobo tea, comfrey tea, kelp Tea, cherry blossom tea, saffron tea, shiitake tea, shiso tea, jasmine tea, ginger tea, sugina tea, sekisho tea, senburi tea, buckwheat tea, taranoki tea, dandelion tea, sardine tea, dokudami tea, tochu tea, natamame tea, niwatoko Includes tea, rat mochi tea, honeybee tea, hub tea, biwa leaf tea, puer tea, red flower tea, pine needle tea, mate tea, barley tea, megusurinoki tea, yomogi tea, eucalyptus tea, Rakan fruit tea and Louis Bosti. For these teas, tea leaves after drinking may be used. If you use tea leaves, you can reuse expensive tea and make effective use of it.

In addition to this, for example, by-products and pomace (consisting of sake lees, grape pomace (consisting of grape skins, seeds, fruit stems, etc.)) in the production of fermented sake such as sake and wine, and molasses of sugar cane. You can also use pomace. Furthermore, the various plants described above may be mixed and used. Of course, plants other than those listed here can also be used.

The aerosol-forming base material 110 is produced, for example, by powdering the above-mentioned material, mixing it with glycerin or oil, kneading it, and then making it into a rod shape and drying it. Alternatively, it is produced by making a paste containing water without drying.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the shape of the filler 111 manufactured as the aerosol-forming base material 110 is, for example, a rod shape or a strip shape, the longitudinal direction of the shape of the filler 111 is set to the X direction at the time of filling. It is packed so that it follows. This stabilizes the airflow and makes it easier for the user to inhale the aromatic component from the aerosol-forming substrate 110.

It should be noted that FIG. 3 is a view seen from the end of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 on the side where the aerosol-forming base material 110 is located, and is a partially perspective view so that the filler 111 inside the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 can be seen. Of course, in addition to this, if it is a flat plate-shaped filling, it may be rolled and packed, or if it is a small piece-shaped filling, it may be packed randomly.

As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 is attached to the electronic cigarette body 200 at the time of use by the user. The electronic cigarette body 200 is provided with an insertion portion 210 for inserting the electronic cigarette cartridge 100.

Further, a heating element 211 is provided in the central portion of the bottom of the insertion portion 210, and the heating element 211 has a pin-shaped or blade-shaped member having a sharp tip, and is inside the aerosol-forming base material 110. And heats the aerosol-forming substrate 110. More specifically, the heating element 211 is inserted into the central portion of the aerosol-forming base material 110 when the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 is inserted into the insertion portion 210 of the electronic cigarette body 200.

The heating element 211 directly or indirectly generates heat by the electric power supplied from a battery (not shown) provided in the electronic cigarette body 200. The heat of the heating element 211 heats the aerosol-forming base material 110 to generate an aerosol containing an aromatic component. Then, the generated aerosol is transferred to the mouthpiece 140 via the support member 120 and the cooling member 130 (in the case of being illustrated in FIG. 2B) described below, and the user sucks the aerosol from the mouthpiece 140 side to obtain a fragrance. The ingredients will reach the user's mouth.

Although FIG. 4 shows a case where the heating element 211 has one pin-shaped member, the heating element 211 may have a plurality of pin-shaped members.

<Support member 120> The support member 120 supports the aerosol-forming base material 110. The support member 120 is arranged adjacent to the aerosol-forming substrate 110 and has a central portion 121 and a plurality of side portions 122. The central portion 121 is located along the central axis in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100. The plurality of side portions 122 extend outward from the central portion 121 and come into contact with the packaging member 150 located on the peripheral edge of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100. The side portion 122 is fixed to the inner surface of the packaging member 150 by, for example, an adhesive.

Further, another member may be arranged between the aerosol-forming base material 110 and the support member 120. That is, the support member 120 may be arranged with another member sandwiched between the support member 120 and the aerosol-forming base material. Other members may include, for example, a thin filter for removing fine particles of the filler 111, another support member for supporting the aerosol-forming substrate 110, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, the support member 120 resists the force received by the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 when the heating element 211 of the electronic cigarette body 200 is inserted into the aerosol-forming base material 110, and the aerosol-forming base material 110 is used. Prevents or suppresses movement in the X direction.

More specifically, since the side portion 122 of the support member 120 is fixed to the inner surface of the packaging member 150, the peripheral portion of the aerosol-forming base material 110 can be reliably supported. Further, since the support member 120 has the central portion 121, it is possible to prevent the filler 111 at the central portion of the aerosol-forming base material 110 from being pushed out in the X direction by the heating element 211 inserted into the aerosol-forming base material 110. As described above, in the support member 120 of the present embodiment, the aerosol flow path is provided not in the central portion where the force exerted by the heating element 211 acts, but in the peripheral portion.

The aerosol generated by heating the aerosol-forming base material 110 is generated from the one end portion of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 by using the space formed between the central portion 121 and the inner surface of the packaging member 150 covering the support member 120 as a flow path. Transferred towards the other end (see arrow in the figure).

Hereinafter, examples of the support member 120 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 8C. 5A is a plan view of the support member of Example 1 as viewed from the X direction of FIG. 2 (A), and FIG. 5B is a side view of the support member of Example 1 as viewed from the Y direction of FIG. 2 (A). is there. Further, FIG. 6A is a plan view of the support member of the second embodiment as viewed from the X direction of FIG. 2 (A), and FIG. 6B is a side surface of the support member of the second embodiment as viewed from the Y direction of FIG. 2 (A). It is a figure. Further, FIG. 7A is a plan view of the support member of the third embodiment as viewed from the X direction of FIG. 2 (A), and FIG. 7B is a side surface of the support member of the third embodiment as viewed from the Y direction of FIG. 2 (A). FIG. 7C is a side view of the support member of the third embodiment as viewed from the Z direction of FIG. 2 (A). 8A is a plan view of the support member of the fourth embodiment as viewed from the X direction of FIG. 2 (A), and FIG. 8B is a side view of the support member of the fourth embodiment as viewed from the Y direction of FIG. 2 (A). 8C is a side view of the support member of the fourth embodiment as viewed from the Z direction of FIG. 2 (A).

(Example 1) As shown in FIG. 5A, the support member 120 has a first side portion 122A and a second side portion 122B with a central portion 121 interposed therebetween. Specifically, the support member 120 has a cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the X direction, and has a shape in which two peripheral edges of the disk are cut out in a rectangular shape with the center of the disk in between, that is, the peripheral edge is round. It has a substantially H-shape in shape. The diameter of the support member 120 can be set, for example, D0 = 7 mm. Further, the distance between the first side portion 122A and the second side portion 122B is preferably set to, for example, about d1 = 2 to 3 mm.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the length of the support member 120 in the X direction is preferably set to, for example, about L1 = 8 to 26.5 mm.

(Example 2) Further, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the diameter of the support member 120 is set to, for example, D0 = 7 mm, and the length of the support member 120 in the X direction is, for example, L1 = 8 to 26. It can be set to about .5 mm. Further, the distance between the first side portion 122A and the second side portion 122B can be set to, for example, d2 = 1 to 2 mm.

(Example 3) As shown in FIG. 7A, the support member 120 has a first side portion 122A, a second side portion 122B, a third side portion 122C, and a fourth side portion 122D with a central portion 121 interposed therebetween. Specifically, the support member 120 has a cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the X direction, in which four peripheral edges of the disk are cut out in a rectangular shape with the center of the disk in between, that is, the peripheral edge is round. It has a substantially X-shaped shape. The diameter of the support member 120 can be set, for example, D0 = 7 mm. Further, the distance between the first side portion 122A and the third side portion 122C and the distance between the second side portion 122B and the fourth side portion 122D are preferably set to, for example, about d3 = 2 to 3 mm. Further, the distance between the first side portion 122A and the fourth side portion 122D and the distance between the second side portion 122B and the third side portion 122C are preferably set to, for example, about d4 = 1 to 2 mm.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 6C, the length of the support member 120 in the X direction is preferably set to, for example, about L3 = 8 to 26.5 mm.

(Example 4) Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, the diameter of the support member 120 is set to, for example, D0 = 7 mm, and the length of the support member 120 in the X direction is, for example, L4 = 8 to 26. It can be set to about .5 mm. Further, the distance between the first side portion 122A and the fourth side portion 122D, the distance between the second side portion 122B and the third side portion 122C, the distance between the first side portion 122A and the third side portion 122C, and the like. The distance between the second side portion 122B and the fourth side portion 122D is preferably set to, for example, about d5 = 1 to 2 mm.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the support member 120 has a central portion 121 and a plurality of side portions 122. The central portion 121 and the plurality of side portions 122 can be integrally formed by using, for example, a mold. By forming the shape as in Examples 1 to 4 described above, the support member 120 can be easily pulled out from the mold when molding, so that the support member 120 can be manufactured more easily than the hollow tubular support member.

Further, the support member 120 can be preferably formed by using, for example, silicone, but the support member 120 is not limited to silicone, and other materials having excellent heat resistance may be used.

<Cooling member 130> As shown in FIG. 2B, the cooling member 130 cools the aerosol that has passed through the support member 120. The cooling member 130 is arranged on the side opposite to the aerosol-forming base material 110 with the support member 120 interposed therebetween, and is adjacent to the support member 120. The aromatic component contained in the aerosol produced by the aerosol-forming substrate 110 is transferred along the cooling member 130, cooled to a temperature that can be sucked by a person, and transferred to the mouthpiece 140. The cooling member 130 has, for example, a sheet containing polylactic acid, and the sheet includes a plurality of folds. Alternatively, the sheet is rolled up or folded and contracted in a direction orthogonal to the X direction.

The length of the cooling member 130 in the X direction can be adjusted according to the length of the support member 120 in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the length of the support member 120 in the X direction is long (for example, 26.5 mm), the support member 120 has a function of supporting the aerosol-forming base material 110, and the support member 120 has a function of supporting the aerosol. It also has the function of cooling the contained aromatic components to a temperature that can be inhaled by humans. Therefore, the cooling member 130 can be omitted. As a result, the production cost of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 can be reduced.

<Mouthpiece 140> The mouthpiece 140 is adjacent to the cooling member 130 or the support member 120, and is arranged at the other end of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100. The mouthpiece 140 includes, for example, a cellulose acetate filter as a filter for removing fine particles. The aromatic component that has passed through the filter of the mouthpiece 140 is sucked by the user.
The mouthpiece 140 is fixed to the inner surface of the packaging member 150 by, for example, an adhesive.

The electronic cigarette cartridge 100 having the support member 120 and the support member 120 of the present embodiment described above has the following effects.

A space is formed between the central portion 121 of the support member 120 and the inner surface of the packaging member 150 that covers the support member 120. Therefore, the aerosol-forming base material 110 can be stably supported by the central portion 121 when the heating element 211 is inserted into the aerosol-forming base material 110 while securing the flow path through which the aerosol is transferred.

Further, since the aerosol-forming base material 110 produces an aerosol containing an aromatic component of a non-tobacco plant, the user can enjoy the scent of the plant. It can also be used as a tobacco substitute by users with smoking habits. Furthermore, it can be expected to improve the health of the user by generating the aromatic component of the plant that is beneficial to the health of the user.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the central portion and the plurality of side portions of the support member are integrally formed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where the central portion and the plurality of side portions are integrally formed, and the central portion and the plurality of side portions are configured to be combined after being formed separately. May be good.

Further, in Examples 1 to 4 described above, the case where the cross section of the support member has a shape in which the peripheral edge portion of the disk is cut out at two or four places in a rectangular shape has been described. However, the cross section of the support member is not limited to such a shape, and may be a shape in which the peripheral edge portion of the disk is cut out in three or five or more places in a rectangular shape, or a triangular shape or a polygonal shape instead of a rectangular shape. It may be a shape, a semicircular shape, a semi-elliptical shape, or any other shape cut out in any form composed of curved lines, straight lines, or a combination thereof.

100 e-cigarette cartridge, 110 aerosol-forming substrate, 120 support member, 121 center, 122, 122A, 122B, 122C, 122D side, 130 cooling member, 140 mouthpiece, 150 packaging member, 200 e-cigarette body, 210 heating Element.

Claims (3)

A cartridge that is used by inserting it into a main body that has a heating element.
Aerosol forming substrate and
With a mouthpiece
A sheet placed between the aerosol-forming base material and the mouthpiece and wound in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge, and a sheet.
A support member arranged between the aerosol-forming base material and the sheet and in contact with the aerosol-forming base material, and
The aerosol forming substrate, comprising the mouthpiece, prior SL sheets, and a packaging member for packaging the support member,
A predetermined cross section of the support member perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge has a shape in which a plurality of peripheral portions thereof are cut off.
The support member has a plurality of side portions formed along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge and formed by the shape cut out at the plurality of locations.
The peripheral portion of the plurality of side portions is in contact with the packaging member.
A plurality of grooves along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge are formed between each of the plurality of side portions, and a plurality of aerosol flow paths produced by the aerosol-forming base material are formed between the plurality of grooves and the packaging member. A cartridge characterized by being formed. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sheet contains polylactic acid. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol-forming base material contains a paste-like filling material.

Images