JP7477118B2 - Aerosol product containing a liquid composition and an aerosol generating system containing the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol product containing a liquid composition and an aerosol generating system containing the same.

Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods that overcome the shortcomings of typical aerosol producing products. For example, there is an increasing demand for methods that generate aerosols by heating an aerosol generating material within an aerosol producing product, rather than by burning the aerosol producing product to generate the aerosol.

On the other hand, there is a demand for disposable aerosol products that contain a liquid composition to improve hygiene. Also, there is a demand for aerosol products that contain liquid compositions with different compositions in each of multiple segments to improve the smoking experience, atomization amount, etc.

The aerosol product according to this embodiment is a liquid aerosol product that is hygienic, lightweight, and easy to carry, thereby providing an aerosol product that can increase user convenience.

The technical problems that this embodiment aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other technical problems can be inferred from the following embodiments.

As a technical means for solving the above-mentioned technical problem, the first aspect of the present invention includes a first segment disposed at an upstream end inserted into an aerosol generating device; a second segment disposed downstream of the first segment; a cooling section disposed downstream of the second segment and including a cooling element; and a filter section disposed downstream of the cooling section and including a filter element; the first segment includes a paper sheet impregnated with a first liquid composition, the second segment includes a paper sheet impregnated with a second liquid composition, and each of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition includes at least one of a tobacco substance, a moisturizing agent, and a flavoring substance, and the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition have different compositions from each other.

In a second aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating system includes an aerosol product; and an aerosol generating device into which the aerosol product is inserted, the aerosol generating device includes a battery and a heater that is heated by power supplied from the battery, and the aerosol product includes a first segment disposed at an upstream end inserted into the aerosol generating device; a second segment disposed downstream of the first segment; a cooling section disposed downstream of the second segment and including a cooling element; and a filter section disposed downstream of the cooling section and including a filter element; the first segment includes a paper sheet impregnated with a first liquid composition, the second segment includes a paper sheet impregnated with a second liquid composition, each of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition includes at least one of a tobacco substance, a moisturizing agent, and a flavoring substance, and the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition have different compositions.

The aerosol product according to this embodiment may include a paper sheet impregnated with the liquid composition. Since a certain amount of the liquid composition can be impregnated into the paper sheet, it can be made into a disposable item. This improves hygiene and increases user convenience since the user can easily store and carry the aerosol product. An appropriate amount of the liquid composition can be impregnated into each aerosol product, and the number of inhalations by the user per aerosol product is constant. In addition, since a separate mouthpiece is not required, the user does not feel a strange sensation when inhaling the aerosol, and the sense of satisfaction in smoking can be improved.

The effects of the invention are not limited to the above examples, and the present invention includes a variety of further effects that can be inferred from the contents described in the specification.

1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment in which an aerosol product is inserted into an aerosol generating device. 13 is a diagram showing a second embodiment in which an aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generating device. 13 is a diagram showing a third embodiment in which an aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generating device. 13 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment in which an aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generating device. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an aerosol product that includes one or more segments.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an aerosol product including one or more filter segments. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol product including a capsule.

The first aspect of the present invention includes a first segment disposed at an upstream end inserted into an aerosol generating device; a second segment disposed downstream of the first segment; a cooling section disposed downstream of the second segment and including a cooling element; and a filter section disposed downstream of the cooling section and including a filter element; the first segment includes a paper sheet impregnated with a first liquid composition, the second segment includes a paper sheet impregnated with a second liquid composition, and each of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition includes at least one of a tobacco substance, a moisturizer, and a flavoring substance, and the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition can provide an aerosol product having a composition different from each other.

In an embodiment, the first liquid composition may include a nicotine salt, and the second liquid composition may include free nicotine.

In the embodiment, the paper sheet impregnated with the first liquid composition and the paper sheet impregnated with the second liquid composition also have different packing densities.

In an embodiment, the amount of the second liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the second segment is equal to or greater than the amount of the first liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the first segment.

In an embodiment, the first segment and the second segment each have a length within a range of 7 mm to 15 mm, and the cooling section and the filter section each have a length within a range of 9 mm to 17 mm.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition contains a tobacco substance, and the content of the tobacco substance contained in the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition is 6 wt % or less of the total liquid composition of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition.

In an embodiment, one of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition may contain a tobacco substance, and the other of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition may contain a humectant.

In an embodiment, the first liquid composition may include a tobacco substance and a humectant, and the second liquid composition may include a tobacco substance, a humectant, and a flavoring substance.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition may contain free nicotine, and the filter portion may contain an organic acid.

In some embodiments, the organic acid may be contained within a capsule.

In an embodiment, the filter portion includes a plurality of filter segments, each of which is at least one of an acetate filter, a tube filter, and a recess filter.

In a second aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating system includes an aerosol product; and an aerosol generating device into which the aerosol product is inserted, the aerosol generating device includes a battery and a heater that is heated by power supplied from the battery, and the aerosol product includes a first segment disposed at an upstream end inserted into the aerosol generating device; a second segment disposed downstream of the first segment; a cooling section disposed downstream of the second segment and including a cooling element; and a filter section disposed downstream of the cooling section and including a filter element; the first segment includes a paper sheet impregnated with a first liquid composition, the second segment includes a paper sheet impregnated with a second liquid composition, each of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition includes at least one of a tobacco substance, a moisturizing agent, and a flavoring substance, and the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition have different compositions.

In an embodiment, when the aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generating device, the heater surrounds at least a portion of the outer surfaces of the first segment and the second segment.

The terms used in the examples are currently commonly used terms, and are selected as far as possible while taking into consideration their functions in the present invention. However, this may vary depending on the intentions or precedents of the engineers in the field, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may have arbitrarily selected terms, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention must be defined based on the meanings that the terms have and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply the names of the terms.

Throughout the specification, when a part "comprises" certain elements, this does not mean to exclude other elements, but means that it may further include other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" or "second" are used in this specification to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

In the following examples, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the portion where air flows from the outside into the aerosol product when a user inhales air using a smoking article, and the portion where air is exhausted from the inside of the aerosol product to the outside. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used to indicate the relative positions or directions between the segments that make up the aerosol product. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above.

The following describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings so that a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the embodiment. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiment described herein.

The following describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Figures 1 to 4 show an example in which an aerosol product 2 is inserted into an aerosol generating device 1.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the aerosol generation system 100 includes an aerosol generation device 1 and an aerosol product 2 inserted into the aerosol generation device 1.

The aerosol generating device 1 includes a battery 11, a control unit 12, and a heater 13. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the aerosol generating device 1 further includes a vaporizer 14. In addition, an aerosol product 2 can be inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generating device 1.

The aerosol generating device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 shows the components related to this embodiment. Therefore, a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field related to this embodiment would understand that the aerosol generating device 1 further includes other general-purpose components in addition to the components shown in Figures 1 to 3.

In FIG. 1, the battery 11, the control unit 12, and the heater 13 are illustrated as being arranged in a row. Also, in FIG. 2, the battery 11, the control unit 12, the vaporizer 14, and the heater 13 are illustrated as being arranged in a row. Also, in FIG. 3, the heater 13 and the vaporizer 14 are illustrated as being arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. That is, the arrangement of the battery 11, the control unit 12, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14 may be changed depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 1.

When the aerosol product 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may activate the heater 13 and/or vaporizer 14 to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generated by the heater 13 and/or vaporizer 14 passes through the aerosol product 2 and is delivered to the user.

If necessary, the aerosol generating device 1 can heat the heater 13 even when the aerosol product 2 is not inserted into the aerosol generating device 1.

The battery 11 supplies the power used to operate the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the battery 11 can supply power to heat the heater 13 or the vaporizer 14, and can supply the power necessary for the operation of the control unit 12. The battery 11 can also supply the power necessary for the operation of a display, a sensor, a motor, and the like provided in the aerosol generating device 1.

The control unit 12 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. Specifically, the control unit 12 controls the operation of not only the battery 11, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14, but also the other components included in the aerosol generating device 1. The control unit 12 can also check the state of each component of the aerosol generating device 1 and determine whether the aerosol generating device 1 is in an operable state.

The control unit 12 includes at least one processor. The processor may be realized by an array of a large number of logic gates, or may be realized by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executed by the microprocessor is stored. Those having ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment pertains will understand that the processor may also be realized by other forms of hardware.

The heater 13 can be heated by power supplied from the battery 11. For example, when the aerosol product 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the heater 13 can be located outside the aerosol product 2. Thus, the heated heater 13 can increase the temperature of the aerosol generating substrate within the aerosol product 2.

The heater 13 may also be an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater 13 may include an electrically insulating substrate and an electrically conductive track, and the heater 13 may be heated by passing an electric current through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 13 is not limited to the above example, and may be any heater that can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device 1, or may be set to a desired temperature by a user.

On the other hand, the heater 13 may include a cylindrical heating element, a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of the aerosol product 2 depending on the shape of the heating element.

In addition, a plurality of heaters 13 may be arranged in the aerosol generating device 1. In this case, the plurality of heaters 13 may be arranged so as to be inserted inside the aerosol product 2, and may be arranged outside the aerosol product 2. In addition, some of the plurality of heaters 13 may be arranged so as to be inserted inside the aerosol product 2, and the rest may be arranged outside the aerosol product 2. In addition, the shape of the heater 13 is not limited to the shapes illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, and may be produced in various shapes.

The vaporizer 14 heats the liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol can be transmitted to a user through the aerosol product 2. That is, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 moves along an airflow passage of the aerosol generating device 1, and the airflow passage can be configured such that the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 passes through the aerosol product 2 and is transmitted to a user.

For example, the vaporizer 14 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid storage unit, a liquid transfer means, and a heating element. For example, the liquid storage unit, the liquid transfer means, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generation device 1 as independent modules.

The liquid storage section can store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition can be a liquid containing tobacco-containing substances including volatile tobacco aroma components, or a liquid containing non-tobacco substances. The liquid storage section can be fabricated to be detached/attached to/from the vaporizer 14, or can be fabricated integrally with the vaporizer 14.

For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvent, ethanol, botanical extracts, fragrances, flavorings, or vitamin mixtures. Flavorings include, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit aromas, and the like. Flavorings may include ingredients that provide a variety of flavors or tastes to the user. Vitamin mixtures may include, but are not limited to, a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The liquid composition may also include an aerosol forming agent, such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid transfer means can transfer the liquid composition in the liquid storage portion to the heating element. For example, the liquid transfer means can be, but is not limited to, a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

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

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

Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 11, the control unit 12, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. The aerosol generating device 1 may also include at least one sensor. The aerosol generating device 1 may also be constructed such that even when the aerosol product 2 is inserted, external air flows in or an internal gas can be inferred.

Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a susceptor 15 and an induction coil 16. The aerosol generating system 100, the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol product 2, the battery 11, and the control unit 12 in FIG. 4 correspond to the aerosol generating system 100, the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol product 2, and the battery 11 in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, and therefore a duplicated description will be omitted.

The battery 11 provides power to the induction coil 16 so that it can generate a variable magnetic field. The battery 11 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 11 may be, but is not limited to, a LiPoly battery.

The control unit 12 controls the operation of not only the battery 11, the susceptor 15, and the induction coil 16, but also other components included in the aerosol generating device 1.

The susceptor 15 may include a material that is heated by application of a variable magnetic field. For example, the susceptor 15 may include a metal or carbon. The susceptor 15 may include at least one of ferrite, ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). The susceptor 15 may also include at least one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, nickel alloy, metal film, ceramic such as zirconia, transition metal such as nickel (Ni) or cobalt (Co), and semi-metal such as boron (B) or phosphorus (P). However, the susceptor 15 is not limited thereto.

In one example, the susceptor 15 may be tubular or cylindrical and may be arranged to surround the storage space into which the aerosol product 2 is inserted. When the aerosol product 2 is inserted into the storage space of the aerosol generating device 1, the susceptor 15 may be arranged to surround the aerosol product 2. Therefore, the temperature of the aerosol generating material in the aerosol product 2 may increase due to heat transferred from the external susceptor 15. In addition, multiple susceptors 15 may be arranged in the aerosol generating device 1. The shape of the susceptor 15 is not limited to the shape illustrated in FIG. 4, and may be manufactured in various shapes.

The induction coil 16 can generate a variable magnetic field by receiving power from the battery 11. The variable magnetic field generated by the induction coil 16 is applied to the susceptor 15, thereby heating the susceptor 15. The power supplied to the induction coil 16 is adjusted by the control of the control unit 12, and the temperature to which the susceptor 15 is heated can be appropriately maintained.

Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include other sensors (e.g., a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, etc.), a user interface, and a memory in addition to the cigarette insertion detection sensor 17 and the cigarette insertion detection sensor. For example, the cigarette insertion detection sensor 17 can detect whether or not the aerosol product 2 has been inserted into the storage space of the aerosol generating device 1. The aerosol product 2 includes a metal material such as aluminum, and the cigarette insertion detection sensor is also an inductive sensor that detects a magnetic field change generated by the aerosol product 2 being inserted into the storage space. However, it is not necessarily limited thereto. The cigarette insertion detection sensor can also be an optical sensor, a temperature sensor, a resistance sensor, etc.

The user interface provides the user with information related to the status of the aerosol generating device 1. The user interface may include a display or lamp that outputs visual information, a motor that outputs tactile information, a speaker that outputs sound information, and an input/output (I/O) interfacing means (e.g., a button or touch screen) that receives information input from the user or outputs information to the user. The user interface may also include various interfacing means such as a terminal for performing data communication or receiving charging power, and a communication interfacing module for wireless communication with an external device (e.g., WI-FI (registered trademark), WI-FI Direct (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), NFC (Near-Field Communication), etc.).

However, the aerosol generating device 1 may be embodied by selecting only some of the various user interface examples exemplified above. Also, the aerosol generating device 1 may be embodied by combining at least some of the various user interface examples exemplified above. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a touch screen display that can output visual information on the front and also receive user input. The touch screen display may include a fingerprint sensor, and user authentication may be performed by the fingerprint sensor.

The aerosol product 2 can have the structure of, for example, a general combustion cigarette. In this case, the cigarette may include a cut tobacco section, a filter section, etc. A general combustion cigarette can be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1 according to the embodiment.

Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an aerosol product 500 that includes one or more segments.

As an example different from a typical combustion cigarette, the aerosol product 500 shown in FIG. 5 may include a first segment 510, a second segment 520, a cooling section 530, and a filter section 540. The first segment 510 may be disposed at the upstream end inserted into an aerosol generating device (not shown), the second segment 520 may be disposed downstream of the first segment 510, the cooling section 530 may be disposed downstream of the second segment 520, and the filter section 540 may be disposed downstream of the cooling section 530.

In one embodiment, the first segment 510 may include a paper sheet impregnated with a first liquid composition. The second segment 520 may include a paper sheet impregnated with a second liquid composition. Each of the first and second liquid compositions may include at least one of a tobacco substance, a humectant, and a flavoring substance.

The liquid composition may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing material, including volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid containing non-tobacco material. The liquid composition may contain, for example, any one or a mixture of the following components: water, solvent, ethanol, plant extracts, flavors, flavorings, and vitamin mixtures.

Tobacco substances include at least one of nicotine, nicotine salts, and free nicotine, but are not limited to these. Nicotine may include natural nicotine extracted from tobacco leaves, etc., and synthetic nicotine artificially produced by chemical manipulation.

The flavoring substances may include flavorings, flavoring agents, and the like. The flavorings include, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavorings, and the like. The flavoring agents may include ingredients that provide a variety of flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may include, but is not limited to, a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

The liquid composition may include humectants such as, but not limited to, glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

For example, the liquid composition may include a glycerin and propylene glycol solution in any weight ratio to which a nicotine salt has been added. The liquid composition may include more than one nicotine salt. The nicotine salt may be formed by adding a suitable acid, including an organic acid or an inorganic acid, to nicotine. The nicotine may be naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have any suitable concentration by weight relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

In one embodiment, at least one of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition contains a tobacco substance, and the content of the tobacco substance contained in the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition is 6 wt % or less of the total liquid composition of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition.

For example, the content of nicotine contained in the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition may be about 1 wt% of the total liquid composition of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition. The content of nicotine contained in the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition may be about 2 wt% of the total liquid composition of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition. The content of nicotine salt and free nicotine contained in the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition may be about 1 wt% of the total liquid composition of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition. However, it is not necessarily limited thereto.

The amount of the first liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the first segment 510 and the amount of the second liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the second segment 520 may be the same as or different from each other. For example, when the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition are impregnated by about 80 mg, the amount of the first liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the first segment 510 is about 40 mg, and the amount of the second liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the second segment 520 is about 40 mg, which are the same as each other. When the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition are impregnated by about 83 mg, the amount of the first liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the first segment 510 is about 45 mg, and the amount of the second liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the second segment 520 is about 38 mg, which are different from each other.

In one embodiment, the amount of the second liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the second segment 520 is equal to or greater than the amount of the first liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the first segment 510.

For example, when the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition are impregnated by about 80 mg, the amount of the first liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the first segment 510 is about 35 mg, and the amount of the second liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the second segment 520 is about 45 mg. When the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition are impregnated by about 80 mg, the amount of the first liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the first segment 510 is about 30 mg, and the amount of the second liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the second segment 520 is also about 50 mg, but is not limited thereto.

Since the amount of the second liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the second segment 520 is greater than the amount of the first liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the first segment 510, nicotine can be transferred uniformly even when the consumption rate of the first liquid composition is faster than the consumption rate of the second liquid composition.

The first liquid composition impregnated in the paper sheet included in the first segment 510 and the second liquid composition impregnated in the paper sheet included in the second segment 520 may have different compositions.

In one embodiment, the first liquid composition may include a nicotine salt and the second liquid composition may include free nicotine, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the first liquid composition may include a nicotine salt and the second liquid composition may include a nicotine salt and free nicotine. The first liquid composition may include a nicotine salt and free nicotine, and the second liquid composition may include free nicotine.

Nicotine salts refer to the types of nicotine that form naturally in tobacco leaves. Nicotine salts can be formed by the combination of nicotine with certain acids. There are many different types of nicotine salts, which vary according to the type of acid that is combined with them.

The acid for forming the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected in consideration of the blood nicotine absorption rate, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device, the flavor or taste, the solubility, etc. For example, the acid for forming the nicotine salt may be, but is not limited to, a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, or malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group.

Free nicotine means free base nicotine, which means neutral nicotine that is not protonated. Nicotine salts carry a positive charge, but when a strong base is added to a nicotine salt, the strong base is converted into a cation and the nicotine salt also becomes neutral. Nicotine in such a neutral state means free nicotine.

Nicotine salt has high thermal stability and provides a smoking taste during the middle and later puffs, while free nicotine has relatively low thermal stability and can provide a smoking taste during the early and middle puffs. As a result, in an embodiment in which the first segment 510 contains nicotine salt and the second segment 520 contains free nicotine, a uniform smoking taste can be provided during the entire puff.

In one embodiment, one of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition contains a tobacco substance, and the other of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition contains only a humectant. For example, the first liquid composition contains a nicotine salt, and the second liquid composition contains glycerin. As another example, the first liquid composition contains propylene glycol, and the second liquid composition contains free nicotine, but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the first liquid composition may include a tobacco substance and a humectant, and the second liquid composition may include a tobacco substance, a humectant, and a flavoring substance. For example, the first liquid composition may include a nicotine salt and glycerin, and the second liquid composition may include a nicotine salt, glycerin, and a menthol flavoring. As another example, the first liquid composition may include a free nicotine salt and glycerin, and the second liquid composition may include a nicotine salt, glycerin, and a menthol flavoring. In addition, the first liquid composition may include a nicotine salt and glycerin, and the second liquid composition may include a free nicotine, propylene glycol, and a menthol flavoring, but the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition are not necessarily limited thereto.

The paper sheet is produced through a crimping process, a pleating process, a folding process, a gathering process, etc., and a paper sheet in a wrinkled or folded form can be produced through the above-mentioned processes. The wrinkled or folded paper sheet can be impregnated with the liquid composition. The paper sheet can also be produced from multiple paper strands. The paper sheet impregnated with the first liquid composition and the paper sheet impregnated with the second liquid composition can be a single paper sheet or multiple paper sheets.

The paper sheets included in the first segment 510 and the paper sheets included in the second segment 520 may also have different specifications. The first segment 510 may include a paper sheet impregnated with a first liquid composition, and the second segment 520 may include a paper sheet impregnated with a second liquid composition. The paper sheets included in the first segment 510 and the paper sheets included in the second segment 520 may also have different widths, thicknesses, packing densities, weights, and lengths.

In one embodiment, the paper sheet impregnated with the first liquid composition and the paper sheet impregnated with the second liquid composition also have different packing densities.

For example, the paper sheet included in the first segment 510 has a high packing density, and the paper sheet included in the second segment 520 has a low packing density. If the packing density is high, the suction resistance is high, and if the packing density is low, the suction resistance is low. In other words, since the packing density of the first segment 510 is higher than the packing density of the second segment 520, the suction resistance of the first segment 510 is higher than the suction resistance of the second segment 520.

The first segment 510 contains a paper sheet with a high packing density, so that no storage space is visible in the cross section, and the second segment 520 contains a paper sheet with a low packing density, so that the initial amount of atomization is smooth.

In one embodiment, the paper sheet impregnated with the first liquid composition and the paper sheet impregnated with the second liquid composition also have different widths. For example, the width of the paper sheet included in the first segment 510 is about 120 mm, and the width of the paper sheet included in the second segment 520 is about 90 mm. Also, the width of the paper sheet included in the first segment 510 is about 120 mm, and the width of the paper sheet included in the second segment 520 is about 100 mm, and the width of the paper sheet included in the first segment 510 is about 120 mm, and the width of the paper sheet included in the second segment 520 is about 110 mm, but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the paper sheet impregnated with the first liquid composition and the paper sheet impregnated with the second liquid composition also have different thicknesses. For example, the thickness of the paper sheets included in the first segment 510 is about 200 μm, and the thickness of the paper sheets included in the second segment 520 is about 210 μm. Also, the width of the paper sheets included in the first segment 510 is about 210 μm, and the width of the paper sheets included in the second segment 520 is about 230 μm, but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the paper sheet impregnated with the first liquid composition and the paper sheet impregnated with the second liquid composition also have different weights. For example, the weight per ^m2 of the paper sheet included in the first segment 510 is about 80g, and the weight per ^m2 of the paper sheet included in the second segment 520 is about 85g, but is not limited thereto. The weight per ^m2 of the paper sheet included in the first segment 510 is 80g, and the weight per ^m2 of the paper sheet included in the second segment 520 is about 80g, so they are the same.

The liquid composition can be impregnated into the paper sheet in various ways. The liquid composition can be sprayed through a nozzle to impregnate the paper sheet, or the paper sheet can be produced in the form of hand-sheet by adding the liquid composition when the paper sheet is produced, but is not limited thereto.

By making the paper sheets included in the first segment 510 and the second segment 520 different specifications, the amount of atomization over time can change, increasing the initial amount of atomization and the smoking sensation.

The cooling unit 530 may include a cooling element. The cooling unit 530 may be made of a polymeric material or a biodegradable polymeric material. For example, the cooling unit 530 may be made of pure polylactic acid, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the cooling unit 530 may be made of a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes formed therein. However, the cooling unit 530 is not limited to the above examples, and may be applicable without limitation as long as it can perform the function of cooling the aerosol.

The filter unit 540 may include a filter element. The filter unit 540 may be a cellulose acetate filter. However, there is no limitation on the shape of the filter unit 540. For example, the filter unit 540 may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod having a hollow inside. The filter unit 540 may also be a recessed rod. If the filter unit 540 is composed of multiple filter segments, at least one of the multiple filter segments may be made to have a different shape.

The filter unit 540 is also designed to generate a flavor. For example, a flavoring liquid may be sprayed onto the filter unit 540, separate fibers coated with the flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter unit 540, or a flavoring substance in a solid form such as granules may be inserted into the filter unit 540.

The filter unit 540 may also include at least one capsule. Here, the capsule performs the function of generating a flavor and the function of generating an aerosol. For example, the capsule has a structure that encases a liquid containing a flavoring agent with a coating. The capsule may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

When the filter portion 540 includes a segment for cooling the aerosol, the cooling segment may also be made of a polymeric or biodegradable polymeric material. For example, the cooling segment may be made of pure polylactic acid, but is not limited thereto.

The first segment 510, the second segment 520, the cooling section 530, and the filter section 540 may each be set to a fixed length. For example, the percentage of the length of the first segment 510 and the second segment 520 relative to the total length of the aerosol product 500 may be about 40% to 50%, and the percentage of the length of the cooling section 530 and the filter section 540 relative to the total length of the aerosol product 500 may be about 50% to 60%, but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the first segment 510 and the second segment 520 each have a length in the range of about 7 mm to 15 mm, and the cooling section 530 and the filter section 540 each have a length in the range of about 9 mm to 17 mm. Desirably, the first segment 510 and the second segment 520 each have a length in the range of about 10 mm to 12 mm, and the cooling section 530 and the filter section 540 each have a length in the range of about 12 mm to 14 mm, but are not limited thereto.

For example, when the total length of the aerosol product 500 is about 48 mm, the length of the first segment 510 is about 12 mm, the length of the second segment 520 is about 10 mm, the length of the cooling section 530 is about 14 mm, and the length of the filter section 540 is about 12 mm. When the total length of the aerosol product 500 is about 48 mm, the length of the first segment 510 is about 10 mm, the length of the second segment 520 is about 12 mm, the length of the cooling section 530 is about 12 mm, and the length of the filter section 540 is about 14 mm. When the total length of the aerosol product 500 is about 54 mm, the length of the first segment 510 is about 12 mm, the length of the second segment 520 is about 12 mm, the length of the cooling section 530 is about 15 mm, and the length of the filter section 540 is about 15 mm, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The aerosol product 500 may be packaged by at least one wrapper 550. The wrapper 550 may have at least one hole through which external air flows in or internal gas flows out. As an example, the aerosol product 500 may be packaged by one wrapper 550. As another example, the aerosol product 500 may be packaged by overlapping two or more wrappers 550. For example, the first segment 510 and the second segment 520 may be packaged by the first wrapper, and the cooling section 530 and the filter section 540 may be packaged by the second wrapper. The first segment 510 and the second segment 520 packaged by the individual wrappers and the cooling section 530 and the filter section 540 may be combined, and the entire aerosol product 500 may be repackaged by the third wrapper. Also, each of the first segment 510, the second segment 520, the cooling section 530, and the filter section 540 may be packaged by an individual wrapper. Then, the entire aerosol product 500, in which the first segment 510, the second segment 520, the cooling section 530, and the filter section 540 are combined and wrapped in an individual wrapper, is repackaged in another wrapper.

At least one of the first segment 510 and the second segment 520 is also surrounded by a thermally conductive wrapper. For example, the thermally conductive wrapper may be a metal foil, such as, but not limited to, an aluminum foil.

The entire first segment 510 and the second segment 520 may be inserted into the aerosol generating device, and the cooling unit 530 and the filter unit 540 may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first segment 510 and the second segment 520 may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, and the entire first segment 510 and the second segment 520 and a portion of the cooling unit 530 may be inserted. The user inhales the aerosol with the filter unit 540 held to the mouth. At this time, the aerosol is generated by the passage of external air through the first segment 510, and the generated aerosol passes through the second segment 520, the cooling unit 530, and the filter unit 540 and is delivered to the user's mouth.

As an example, external air may flow in through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device. For example, the opening and closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device and/or the size of the air passage may be adjusted by the user. This allows the amount of atomization, smoking sensation, etc. to be adjusted by the user. As another example, external air may flow into the interior of the aerosol product 500 through at least one hole formed on the surface of the aerosol product 500.

When the aerosol product item 500 is inserted into the aerosol generating device, the heater of the aerosol generating device surrounds at least a portion of the outer surface of the first segment 510 and the second segment 520. For example, the heater may surround the entire outer surface of the first segment 510 and the second segment 520, or may surround the entire outer surface of the first segment 510 and a portion of the outer surface of the second segment 520.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 5, the aerosol product 500 according to one embodiment may further include a front end filter portion. The front end filter portion may be located upstream of the first segment 510. The front end filter portion may prevent the first liquid composition or the paper sheet of the first segment 510 from escaping to the outside, and may prevent the liquefied aerosol from the first segment 510 and the second segment 520 from flowing to the aerosol generating device during smoking.

Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an aerosol product 600 that includes one or more filter segments.

Referring to FIG. 6, the filter unit 640 may include a first filter segment 641 and a second filter segment 642. Although the filter unit 640 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes two filter segments, the first filter segment 641 and the second filter segment 642, the filter unit 640 may include two or more filter segments. Meanwhile, the aerosol product 600, the first segment 610, the second segment 620, the cooling unit 630, and the filter unit 640 in FIG. 6 correspond to the aerosol product 500, the first segment 510, the second segment 520, the cooling unit 530, and the filter unit 540 in FIG. 5, so that a duplicated description will be omitted.

In one embodiment, the filter portion 640 includes a plurality of filter segments, each of which is at least one of an acetate filter, a tube filter, and a recess filter. For example, the first filter segment 641 is a tube filter, and the second filter segment 642 is a recess filter. As another example, the first filter segment 641 is a recess filter, and the second filter segment 642 is a tube filter.

In one embodiment, the filter portion 640 includes a plurality of filter segments, each of which has an equal or different length. For example, when the length of the filter portion 640 is about 12 mm, the length of the first filter segment 641 is about 7 mm, and the length of the second filter segment 642 is also about 5 mm. When the length of the filter portion 640 is about 14 mm, the length of the first filter segment 641 is about 9 mm, and the length of the second filter segment 642 is also about 5 mm.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol product 700 that includes a capsule 741.

Referring to FIG. 7, the filter unit 740 may contain an organic acid. The aerosol product 700, the first segment 710, the second segment 720, the cooling unit 730, and the filter unit 740 in FIG. 7 correspond to the aerosol product 600, the first segment 610, the second segment 620, the cooling unit 630, and the filter unit 640 in FIG. 6, so a duplicated description will be omitted.

In one embodiment, at least one of the first liquid composition and the second liquid composition may contain free nicotine, and the filter portion 740 may contain an organic acid. At least one of the first liquid composition impregnated in the paper sheet included in the first segment 710 and the second liquid composition impregnated in the paper sheet included in the second segment 720 may contain free nicotine, and the filter portion 740 may contain an organic acid.

At least one of the first segment 710 and the second segment 720 is heated to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol is delivered to the user's mouth through the cooling unit 730 and the filter unit 740. Free nicotine contained in at least one of the first segment 710 and the second segment 720 is heated and converted into nicotine salt through a gas-phase reaction or a gas-liquid reaction with an organic acid present in the filter unit 740, and the nicotine salt can be delivered to the user's mouth.

In one embodiment, the organic acid may be contained in a capsule. For example, the first segment 710 may include a paper sheet impregnated with free nicotine, and a capsule containing benzoic acid may be contained in the filter unit 740, and after the user crushes the capsule, nicotine salt may be generated through a gas phase reaction between the free nicotine and the benzoic acid. The second segment 720 may include a paper sheet impregnated with free nicotine, and a capsule containing lactic acid may be contained in the filter unit 740. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the organic acid may be impregnated into a paper sheet, etc.

7, the filter unit 740 may include a plurality of filter segments, each of which may include a capsule. Each of the filter segments may include a capsule containing a different organic acid. For example, the filter unit 740 may include a first filter segment and a second filter segment, and a first capsule containing benzoic acid may be included in the first filter segment, and a second capsule containing citric acid may be included in the second filter segment. Each of the filter segments may also include a capsule containing the same organic acid. For example, the filter unit 740 may include a first filter segment and a second filter segment, and a first capsule containing pyruvic acid may be included in the first filter segment, and a second capsule containing pyruvic acid may be included in the second filter segment.

The organic acid may be impregnated in at least one of the first segment 710, the second segment 720, and the filter portion 740, or may be contained in a form encapsulated in the organic acid. For example, the first segment 710 may include a paper sheet impregnated with free nicotine, and the second segment 720 may include a paper sheet impregnated with benzoic acid. As the free nicotine contained in the aerosol generated by heating the first segment 710 passes through the second segment 720, a nicotine salt may be generated through a gas-phase reaction with the benzoic acid contained in the second segment 720.

Alternatively, the first segment 710 may include a paper sheet impregnated with a tobacco substance, and the second segment 720 may include a paper sheet impregnated with an organic acid and a paper sheet impregnated with a tobacco substance. The organic acid and the tobacco substance may not be impregnated together in the paper sheet. For example, the first segment 710 may include a paper sheet impregnated with free nicotine, and the second segment 720 may include a paper sheet impregnated with acetic acid and a paper sheet impregnated with a nicotine salt.

By including an organic acid in the aerosol product 700, it can also be converted to a nicotine salt through a gas-phase reaction with free nicotine. Since organic acids and free nicotine have lower boiling points than nicotine salts, sufficient nicotine transfer is possible even at lower temperatures.

The above description of the embodiments is merely illustrative, and a person having ordinary skill in the art would understand that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention must be determined only by the claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to the contents described in the claims must be interpreted as being included in the scope of protection determined by the claims.

Claims (8)

a first segment disposed at an upstream end that is inserted into the aerosol generating device;
A second segment disposed downstream of the first segment;
a cooling section disposed downstream of the second segment and including a cooling element;
A filter section disposed downstream of the cooling section and including a filter element,
the first segment comprises a paper sheet impregnated with a first liquid composition;
the second segment comprises a paper sheet impregnated with a second liquid composition;
The first liquid composition and the second liquid composition have different compositions,
The first liquid composition contains only a moisturizer ,
The second liquid composition contains nicotine ,
An aerosol product, wherein the packing density of the paper sheets in the first segment is greater than the packing density of the paper sheets in the second segment. The aerosol product of claim 1, wherein the amount of the second liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the second segment is equal to or greater than the amount of the first liquid composition impregnated into the paper sheet of the first segment. the first segment and the second segment each have a length in the range of 7 mm to 15 mm;
3. The aerosol product article of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cooling section and the filter section each have a length in the range of 9 mm to 17 mm. The aerosol product according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filter portion contains an organic acid. The aerosol product of claim 4, wherein the organic acid is contained within a capsule. The filter portion includes a plurality of filter segments.
6. The aerosol product of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of filter segments is at least one of an acetate filter, a tube filter, and a recess filter. In an aerosol generating system,
an aerosol product;
an aerosol generating device into which the aerosol product article is inserted;
The aerosol generating device comprises:
a battery and a heater that is heated by power supplied from the battery;
The aerosol product comprises:
a first segment disposed at an upstream end that is inserted into the aerosol generating device;
A second segment disposed downstream of the first segment;
a cooling section disposed downstream of the second segment and including a cooling element;
a filter section disposed downstream of the cooling section and including a filter element;
the first segment comprises a paper sheet impregnated with a first liquid composition;
the second segment comprises a paper sheet impregnated with a second liquid composition;
The first liquid composition and the second liquid composition have different compositions,
The first liquid composition contains only a moisturizer ,
The second liquid composition contains nicotine ,
An aerosol generation system, wherein the packing density of the paper sheets included in the first segment is higher than the packing density of the paper sheets included in the second segment. The aerosol generation system of claim 7, wherein the heater surrounds at least a portion of the outer surfaces of the first segment and the second segment when the aerosol product is inserted into the aerosol generation device.

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