JP7260225B2 - Method and system for generating an aerosol with increased transfer of nicotine contained in the medium - Google Patents

Description

Application of Patent Act Article 30, Paragraph 2 From November 28, 2018 to June 24, 2019, sold at Reel Minimarium Gangnam, Dongdaemun, and Incheon Songdo stores. From November 28, 2018 to June 24, 2019, delivered to GS Retail, BGF Retail, Korea Seven, Ministop Korea, Emart, and Wulin.

The present invention relates to methods and systems for producing aerosols containing nicotine.

Recently, there has been an increasing demand for non-combustion aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating devices to replace traditional cigarettes. A non-combustion type aerosol generator generates an aerosol from an aerosol-generating substance contained in a cigarette by heating the cigarette to a predetermined temperature without burning the cigarette, or generates an aerosol by heating a liquid substance to generate an aerosol. A device designed to suck in air.

On the other hand, in order to deliver a sufficient amount of nicotine to the user, it is necessary to increase the transfer amount of nicotine contained in the cigarette.

The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a method and system for generating an aerosol such that the nicotine content of the aerosol is increased.
The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the contents described above, and other technical problems can be inferred from the following examples.

A method for generating an aerosol according to one aspect includes the steps of: heating a liquid composition containing an aerosol-forming agent with a first heater to generate an aerosol; heating a medium containing nicotine with a second heater; the generated aerosol is introduced into the medium; the aerosol introduced into the medium absorbs nicotine heated by the second heater; and the nicotine-absorbed aerosol is discharged from the medium. and

The aerosol-generating system separates the medium and the aerosol-forming agent and heats them with different heaters. Therefore, the medium can be heated only considering the boiling point of nicotine without considering the boiling point of the aerosol forming agent. Therefore, it is possible to prevent generation of harmful substances due to excessive heating of the medium.

Also, by appropriately setting the weight ratio of glycerin and propylene glycol contained in the aerosol-forming agent, the transfer amount of nicotine contained in the medium can be increased.

1 is a drawing showing an example of an aerosol generating system; 1 is a drawing showing an example of an aerosol generating system; It is drawing which shows the example of a cigarette. It is drawing which shows the example of a cigarette. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a process of generating an aerosol in the aerosol generating system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of an aerosol generation method; Fig. 3 is a graph showing the composition of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation system according to the first experiment; Fig. 3 is a graph showing the composition of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation system according to the first experiment; Fig. 3 is a graph showing the composition of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation system according to the first experiment; Fig. 3 is a graph showing the composition of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation system according to the first experiment; FIG. 10 is a graph showing the composition of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation system according to the second experiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the composition of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation system according to the second experiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the composition of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation system according to the second experiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the composition of the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation system according to the second experiment; FIG.

A method for generating an aerosol according to one aspect includes the steps of: heating a liquid composition containing an aerosol-forming agent with a first heater to generate an aerosol; heating a medium containing nicotine with a second heater; the generated aerosol is introduced into the medium; the aerosol introduced into the medium absorbs nicotine heated by the second heater; and the nicotine-absorbed aerosol is discharged from the medium. and

In the above method, heating the medium includes heating the second heater to a lower temperature than the first heater.

In the above method, the aerosol forming agent comprises glycerin and propylene glycol in a weight ratio of about 70:30 to about 100:0.

The above-described method further includes discharging the nicotine-absorbed aerosol discharged from the medium through a filter rod to the outside.

An aerosol generating system according to one aspect includes a battery, a container containing a liquid composition comprising an aerosol forming agent, and a first heater powered by the battery to heat the liquid composition in the container to generate an aerosol. a medium that contains nicotine and is positioned on a path through which the aerosol generated by the first heater flows and allows the aerosol to pass therethrough; a second heater that is supplied with power from the battery and heats the medium; and the battery and a control unit for controlling power supplied to the first heater and the second heater from the nicotine-absorbed aerosol flowed into the medium and heated by the second heater. to discharge.

In the system described above, the controller controls power supplied to the first heater and the second heater so that the heating temperature of the second heater is lower than the heating temperature of the first heater.

In the system described above, the aerosol forming agent comprises glycerin and propylene glycol in a weight ratio of about 70:30 to about 100:0.

The system described above further includes a cigarette including a filter rod through which the medium and the nicotine-absorbed aerosol expelled from the medium pass.

As for the terms used in the examples, general terms that are currently widely used were selected as much as possible while considering the functions in the present invention, but it does not depend on the intentions of engineers involved in the art, judicial precedents, Or it depends on the emergence of new technology. Also, in certain cases, some terms are arbitrarily chosen by the applicant, and their meanings are set forth in detail in the description portion of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the present invention rather than simple term names.

Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a component, it does not exclude other components, and may further include other components, unless specifically stated to the contrary. That means. In addition, terms such as "... unit" and "... module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and it is embodied by hardware or software, or It can also be embodied by a combination of hardware and software.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

1 and 2 are drawings showing an example of an aerosol generating system.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the aerosol-generating system 100 may include an aerosol-generating device 1 and a cigarette 2 . A cigarette 2 is inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generator 1 .

It is common knowledge in the technical field related to this embodiment that the aerosol generator 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may further include other general-purpose components in addition to the illustrated components. Those who have it will understand.

FIG. 1 shows that the battery 11, the controller 12, the vaporizer 14, and the second heater 13 are arranged in line. FIG. 2 also shows that the vaporizer 14 and the second heater 13 are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generator 1 is not limited to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 . That is, the arrangement of the battery 11, the controller 12, the second heater 13, and the vaporizer 14 can be changed depending on the design of the aerosol generator 1. FIG.

When the cigarette 2 is inserted into the aerosol generator 1, the aerosol generator 1 operates the second heater 13 and vaporizer 14 to generate aerosol. The aerosol generated by the second heater 13 and the vaporizer 14 passes through the cigarette 2 and is transmitted to the user.

The battery 11 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generator 1 . For example, the battery 11 can supply power to heat the second heater 13 or the vaporizer 14 and supply power necessary for the operation of the control unit 12 . In addition, the battery 11 can supply power necessary for operating the display, sensors, motors, etc. provided in the aerosol generating device 1 .

The control unit 12 generally controls the operation of the aerosol generator 1 . Specifically, the controller 12 controls the operations of the battery 11 , the second heater 13 , and the vaporizer 14 as well as other components included in the aerosol generator 1 . Further, the control unit 12 may check the state of each configuration of the aerosol generation device 1 and determine whether the aerosol generation device 1 is in an operable state.

Control unit 12 includes at least one processor. A processor may be embodied as an array of logic gates, or may be embodied as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which programs executed by the microprocessor are stored. Also, those skilled in the art in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs will understand that it can be embodied as hardware in other forms.

The second heater 13 is heated by power supplied from the battery 11 . For example, if a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generator 1, the second heater 13 may be positioned outside the cigarette. Thus, the heated second heater 13 can increase the temperature of the aerosol-forming substance within the cigarette.

The second heater 13 is also an electrical resistive heater. For example, the second heater 13 includes an electrically conductive track such that the second heater 13 is heated by passing an electric current through the electrically conductive track. However, the second heater 13 is not limited to the above example, and can be applied without limitation as long as it can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be already set in the aerosol generating device 1, or may be set to the desired temperature by the user.

On the other hand, in another example, the second heater 13 is also an induction heater. Specifically, the second heater 13 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the cigarette by induction heating, and the cigarette may include a susceptor heated by the induction heater.

For example, the second heater 13 includes a tubular first heater, a plate-like first heater, a needle-like first heater, or a rod-like first heater, and heats the inside or outside of the cigarette 2 depending on the shape of the first heater. can do.

Also, a plurality of second heaters 13 may be arranged in the aerosol generator 1 . At this time, the plurality of second heaters 13 may be arranged to be inserted into the cigarette 2 or may be arranged outside the cigarette 2 . Some of the plurality of second heaters 13 are arranged to be inserted inside the cigarette 2 , and the rest are arranged outside the cigarette 2 . Also, the shape of the second heater 13 is not limited to the shapes shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and may be manufactured in various shapes.

Vaporizer 14 heats the liquid composition to produce an aerosol, which passes through cigarette 2 and is also communicated to the user. That is, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 moves along the airflow path of the aerosol generator 1, and the airflow path is where the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 passes through the cigarette and is transmitted to the user. It is also configured to

For example, vaporizer 14 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid reservoir, a liquid delivery means, and a primary heater. For example, the liquid reservoir, the liquid transfer means and the first heater may be included in the aerosol generating device 1 as independent modules.

The liquid storage section can store a liquid composition. For example, a liquid composition can be a liquid containing tobacco-containing substances, including volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid containing non-tobacco substances. The liquid reservoir is made to detach/attach to/from the vaporizer 14 and may be made integral with the vaporizer 14 .

For example, liquid compositions may include water, solvents, ethanol, botanical extracts, fragrances, flavors, or vitamin mixtures. Flavors include, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavoring ingredients, and the like. Flavoring agents may include ingredients that provide a variety of flavors or flavors to the user. A vitamin mixture is also a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. Liquid compositions may also contain aerosol forming agents such as glycerin and/or propylene glycol.

For example, the ratio of the weight of glycerin to the weight of propylene glycol included in the liquid composition is also from about 50:50 to about 100:0. At this time, a ratio of 100:0 means that the liquid composition contains only glycerin and does not contain propylene glycol.

The liquid transfer means can transfer the liquid composition in the liquid reservoir to the first heater. For example, the liquid transfer means can be a wick such as, but not limited to, cotton fibres, ceramic fibres, glass fibres, porous ceramics.

The first heater is an element for heating the liquid composition conveyed by the liquid conveying means. For example, the first heater can be a hot metal wire, a hot metal plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited to them. The first heater may also be configured with a conductive filament, such as a nichrome wire, wound around the liquid transfer means. The first heater can be heated by a current supply and transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the first heater to heat the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol is generated.

For example, vaporizer 14 may also be referred to as, but not limited to, a cartomizer or atomizer.

On the other hand, the aerosol generator 1 may further include general-purpose components other than the battery 11, the controller 12, the second heater 13, and the vaporizer . For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. The aerosol generator 1 may also include at least one sensor (puff sensor, temperature sensor, cigarette insertion sensor, etc.). Further, the aerosol generator 1 is also manufactured with a structure that allows external air to flow in or internal gas to flow out even when the cigarette 2 is inserted.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the aerosol generator 1 can constitute a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle is used for charging the battery 11 of the aerosol generating device 1 . Alternatively, the second heater 13 may be heated while the cradle and the aerosol generator 1 are coupled.

Cigarette 2 is similar to a common combustible cigarette. For example, the cigarette 2 is also segmented into a first portion containing the aerosol-generating substance and a second portion containing the filter or the like. Alternatively, the second portion of cigarette 2 also includes an aerosol-forming material. An aerosol-generating substance, for example made into granules or capsules, is also inserted into the second part.

The entire first portion can be inserted inside the aerosol generator 1 and the second portion can be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generator 1, or the entire first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted. The user can inhale the aerosol with the second portion in the mouth. At this time, an aerosol is generated by external air passing through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered to the user's mouth.

As an example, external air is also introduced via at least one air passageway formed in the aerosol generator 1 . For example, the opening and closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generator 1 and/or the size of the air passage are also adjusted by the user. Thereby, the amount of atomization, the feeling of smoking, etc. are also adjusted by the user. As another example, external air is also introduced into the interior of cigarette 2 through at least one hole formed in the surface of cigarette 2 .

An example of the cigarette 2 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

FIG.3 and FIG.4 is drawing which shows the example of a cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 3, cigarette 2 includes medium 21 and filter rod 22 . The first portion 21 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 contains the medium 21 and the second portion 22 contains the filter rod 22 .

Although FIG. 3 illustrates filter rod 22 as a single segment, it is not so limited. That is, the filter rod 22 may consist of multiple segments. For example, filter rod 22 may include a segment that cools the aerosol and a segment that filters certain constituents contained within the aerosol. Also, if desired, the filter rod 22 may further include at least one segment that performs other functions.

Cigarette 2 is also wrapped by at least one wrapper 24 . As an example, the cigarette 2 is also wrapped with one wrapper 24 . As another example, the cigarette 2 may be superimposed wrapped with two or more wrappers 24 .

Medium 21 contains nicotine.

Medium 21 can be made in a variety of ways. For example, the medium 21 is made of sheets and also made of strands. The medium 21 may also be made of shredded tobacco, which is a shredded tobacco sheet. The medium 21 is also surrounded by a thermally conductive material. For example, the thermally conductive material can be, but is not limited to, metal foil such as aluminum foil. As an example, the heat-conducting material surrounding the medium 21 may evenly distribute the heat transferred to the medium 21 to improve the thermal conductivity applied to the medium, thereby improving the tobacco taste. Also, the thermally conductive material surrounding medium 21 can function as a susceptor heated by an induction heater. At this time, although not shown, the medium 21 may further include an additional susceptor in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the outside.

Filter rod 22 is also a cellulose acetate filter. On the other hand, the shape of the filter rod 22 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod containing a hollow inside. The filter rod 22 is also a recessed rod. If the filter rod 22 is made up of multiple segments, at least one of the multiple segments is also fabricated with a different shape.

Filter rod 22 also includes at least one capsule 23 . Here, the capsule 23 performs the function of generating flavor and can also perform the function of generating aerosol. For example, the capsule 23 also has a structure in which a perfume-containing liquid is covered with a film. Capsule 23 has a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not so limited.

Referring to FIG. 4, cigarette 3 may further include front end plug 33 . The front end plug 33 may be located on the side of the media 31 opposite the filter rod 32 . The front end plug 33 prevents the medium 31 from being detached to the outside and prevents the aerosol liquefied from the medium 31 during smoking from flowing to the aerosol generator (1 in FIGS. 1 and 2). can.

Cigarettes 3 are also wrapped by at least one wrapper 35 .

Filter rod 32 also includes at least one capsule 34 . Here, the capsule 34 performs the function of generating flavor and may also perform the function of generating aerosol. For example, the capsule 34 also has a structure in which a perfume-containing liquid is covered with a film. Capsule 34 has a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not so limited.

The manner in which the aforementioned aerosol-generating system generates an aerosol will now be described.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the process of generating an aerosol in the aerosol generating system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of an aerosol generation method.

5 and 6, in step S1, the first heater 141 heats a liquid composition containing an aerosol forming agent to generate an aerosol. Liquid storage portion 142 of vaporizer 14 contains a liquid composition that includes an aerosol forming agent. A first heater 141 of the vaporizer 14 can heat the liquid composition conveyed by the liquid conveying means to produce an aerosol.

In step S2, the second heater 13 can heat the medium 21, 31 containing nicotine. The media 21 and 31 are also media contained in the cigarettes illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 (2 in FIG. 3 and 3 in FIG. 4). The boiling point of nicotine is about 247°C, which is lower than the boiling point of glycerin, which is about 290°C. Therefore, the control unit controls the power supplied to the first heater 141 and the second heater 13 so that the second heater 13 that heats nicotine is heated to a lower temperature than the first heater 141 that heats glycerin. be able to. For example, the controller can control the first heater 141 to be heated to about 290°C and the second heater 13 to be heated to about 247°C.

The aerosol generated by the first heater 141 is introduced into the media 21 and 31 in step S3. The aerosol generated by the first heater 141 moves along the airflow path and flows into the media 21 and 31 .

In step S<b>4 , the aerosol introduced into the media 21 and 31 can absorb the nicotine heated by the second heater 13 . An aerosol containing glycerin, propylene glycol, etc. is flowed into the media 21 and 31 , and the aerosol can move together with nicotine heated by the second heater 13 while passing through the media 21 and 31 .

In step S5, the nicotine-imbibed aerosol is expelled from the medium 21,31. The expelled aerosol passes through a filter rod (22 in Figure 3, 32 in Figure 4) and is provided to the user.

A first experiment and a second experiment were conducted to measure the composition of an aerosol produced using the aerosol generation system and method described above.

The aerosol-generating system used in the first experiment had a cigarette medium containing 2.1% by weight nicotine and 25% by weight glycerin, with a weight ratio of glycerin to propylene glycol of 70:30 in the liquid composition. Also, the second heater heats the medium at an initial temperature of 230°C and a final temperature of 140°C. In addition, the puff conditions are a flow rate of 55 ml/2 sec (inhale 55 ml of aerosol for 2 seconds), a puff interval of 20 sec, and 14 puffs.

A first experiment was performed for three aerosol generating systems. Experiments 1-1 and 1-2 used the aerosol generation system for the comparative experimental group, and Experiments 1-3 used the aerosol generation system illustrated in FIGS. Specifically, in Experiment 1-1, an aerosol-generating system containing only a liquid composition without a medium, in Experiment 1-2, an aerosol-generating system containing only a medium without a liquid composition, and in Experiment 1-3, An aerosol-generating system containing both a vehicle and a liquid composition was used.

FIG. 7A shows the glycerin content of the aerosol generated with the aerosol generation system according to the first experiment. FIG. 7B shows the propylene glycol content of the aerosol generated with the aerosol generation system according to the first experiment. FIG. 7C shows the glycerin and propylene glycol content of the aerosol generated with the aerosol generation system according to the first experiment. FIG. 7D shows the nicotine content of the aerosols generated with the aerosol generation system according to the first experiment.

7A to 7D, in FIGS. 7A to 7C, only the result value of experiment 1-2 is 0, and in FIG. 7D, only the result value of experiment 1-1 is 0, so the first experiment is performed normally. You can check that it has been done.

Referring to FIG. 7D, it can be seen that the result value of Experiment 1-3 is higher than the result values of Experiments 1-1 and 1-2 with respect to the whole puff. Therefore, it can be seen that an aerosol generation system that includes both a vehicle and a liquid composition can increase the amount of nicotine transferred and generate an aerosol with a high nicotine content.

The aerosol generating system used in the second experiment had a cigarette medium containing 2.6% nicotine and 15% glycerin by weight. The initial temperature at which the second heater heats the medium is 230°C, and the final temperature is 140°C. In addition, the puff conditions are a flow rate of 55 ml/2 sec (inhale 55 ml of aerosol for 2 seconds), a puff interval of 20 sec, and 14 puffs.

A second experiment was performed on an aerosol generating system containing four liquid compositions. The aerosol generating system of Experiment 2-1 had a weight ratio of glycerin and propylene glycol of 70:30, and the aerosol generating system of Experiment 2-2 had a weight ratio of glycerin and propylene glycol of 80:20. The aerosol-generating system of -3 has a weight ratio of glycerin to propylene glycol of 90:10, and the aerosol-generating system of experiments 2-4 has a weight ratio of glycerin to propylene glycol of 100:0.

FIG. 8A shows the glycerin content of the aerosols generated with the aerosol generation system according to a second experiment. FIG. 8B shows the propylene glycol content of the aerosol generated with the aerosol generation system according to a second experiment. FIG. 8C shows the glycerin and propylene glycol content of the aerosols generated with the aerosol generation system according to a second experiment. FIG. 8D shows the nicotine content of the aerosols generated with the aerosol generation system according to the second experiment.

Referring to FIG. 8B, only the result values of Experiments 2-4 are 0, so it can be confirmed that the second experiment was successfully performed.

Referring to FIG. 8D, it can be seen that the nicotine content of the aerosol varies depending on the weight ratio of glycerin and propylene glycol. Also, except for the 8th puff, it can be seen that the results of Experiment 2-3 are the highest for all puffs. That is, when the ratio of glycerin and propylene glycol is 90:10, the amount of nicotine transferred is maximized, and an aerosol with a maximized nicotine content can be produced.

Those skilled in the art related to the embodiments will understand that the embodiment can be embodied in various forms without departing from the essential characteristics described above. Accordingly, the disclosed method should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive perspective. The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims rather than in the foregoing description, and all differences that come within the scope of equivalents thereof are to be construed as included in the invention.

Claims (6)

a first heater heating a liquid composition comprising an aerosol forming agent to form an aerosol;
a second heater heating a medium containing nicotine;
allowing the aerosol generated by the first heater to flow into the medium;
a step of absorbing nicotine heated by the second heater by the aerosol flowed into the medium;
and the nicotine-imbibed aerosol is expelled from the medium;
A method of generating an aerosol, wherein said aerosol forming agent comprises glycerin and propylene glycol in a weight ratio of 90:10 to 100 :0. Heating the medium comprises:
2. The method of claim 1, comprising heating the second heater to a lower temperature than the first heater. 3. The aerosol generating method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising discharging the nicotine-absorbed aerosol discharged from the medium to the outside through a filter rod. a battery;
a container containing a liquid composition comprising an aerosol-forming agent;
a first heater powered by the battery to heat the liquid composition in the container to generate an aerosol;
a medium that contains nicotine and is positioned on a path through which the aerosol generated by the first heater flows and allows the aerosol to pass through;
a second heater supplied with power from the battery to heat the medium;
a control unit that controls power supplied from the battery to the first heater and the second heater,
The medium discharges the nicotine-absorbed aerosol that is flowed into the medium and heated by the second heater;
The aerosol generating system, wherein the aerosol forming agent comprises glycerin and propylene glycol in a weight ratio of 90:10 to 100 :0. 5. The control unit according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls power supplied to the first heater and the second heater so that the heating temperature of the second heater is lower than the heating temperature of the first heater. aerosol generation system. 6. The aerosol generating system of claim 4 or 5, further comprising a cigarette including a filter rod through which the medium and nicotine-absorbed aerosol expelled from the medium pass.

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