KR102408183B1 - Aerosol inhaler and capsule for the aerosol inhaler - Google Patents

Abstract

The capsule for an aerosol inhaler has an empty interior and includes a chamber including an opening, an aerosol generating material accommodated in the chamber, and a protective film disposed to cover the opening of the chamber to protect the aerosol generating material and at least a part of which is deformable; It is disposed to cover the opening of the protective film is deformed and includes a delivery unit for delivering the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material delivered from the chamber to the outside.

Description

Aerosol inhaler and capsule for the aerosol inhaler

The embodiments relate to an aerosol inhaler and a capsule for an aerosol inhaler, and more particularly, to an aerosol inhaler and a capsule for an aerosol inhaler that is convenient and hygienic to use.

Recently, the demand for electronic cigarette devices replacing cigarettes is increasing. Various types of e-cigarette devices such as liquid e-cigarettes and cigarette-type e-cigarettes can provide users with various experiences.

A cigarette-type electronic cigarette is a device using a method of generating an aerosol by heating the cigarette to a high temperature. These cigarette-type e-cigarettes are bulky and inconvenient to carry, and it is cumbersome to dispose of used cigarettes.

In addition, when a cigarette-type electronic cigarette is used, it is inconvenient to process the residue generated while the cigarette is heated. That is, since the residues generated during cigarette generation are accumulated inside the e-cigarette, the user experiences the inconvenience of having to periodically perform a cleaning operation to remove the residues from the e-cigarette. In addition, even if the cleaning operation is carried out periodically, the inside of the electronic cigarette is contaminated with residue after a long use of the electronic cigarette, which is unsanitary to use, and thus the quality of the aerosol may change.

Embodiments provide a convenient and clean aerosol inhaler and capsule for the aerosol inhaler.

Embodiments also provide an aerosol inhaler capable of generating an aerosol of good quality and a capsule for the aerosol inhaler.

The capsule for an aerosol inhaler according to one embodiment has an empty interior and a chamber including an opening, an aerosol generating material accommodated in the chamber, and disposed to cover the opening of the chamber to protect the aerosol generating material and at least a portion is deformed It includes a possible protective film, and a transfer unit that is disposed to cover the opening of the chamber and transmits to the outside the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material delivered from the chamber after the protective film is deformed.

The protective film may include a thermally responsive material that deforms when heat is applied, and the capsule for an aerosol inhaler is disposed adjacent to the protective film and may further include a heater for applying heat to the protective film when electricity is applied.

The heater may be a heater having a mesh shape capable of passing a material for generating an aerosol, and may be disposed between the protective film and the delivery unit.

The delivery unit may include a through hole through which the material for generating an aerosol passes.

The delivery unit may further include a buffer that is connected to the through hole and receives the aerosol generating material delivered from the chamber to deliver the aerosol generating material to the through hole.

The capsule for an aerosol inhaler is arranged to cover the delivery part and may further include a protective film removable for use.

The protective film can be deformed by changes in acidity or moisture.

The aerosol inhaler according to another embodiment has an empty interior and is disposed to cover the opening of the chamber and the aerosol generating material accommodated in the chamber and the chamber including the opening to protect the aerosol generating material and at least a part of the deformable protective film and the chamber It is disposed to cover the opening of the capsule, and the protective film is deformed and includes a delivery part for delivering to the outside the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material delivered from the chamber, and the capsule can be combined with the aerosol delivered from the capsule to the outside and a body including a delivery passageway for delivering.

The body may further include an electrode pad for supplying electricity to the heater.

The protective film may be deformed by a change in acidity or moisture, and the body may further include a stimulation unit disposed at a position corresponding to the protective film to provide an acid material or moisture to the protective film.

According to the capsule for the aerosol inhaler and the aerosol inhaler according to the embodiments as described above, the user can quickly and simply inhale the aerosol, so it is convenient to use. In addition, it is possible to minimize the accumulation of foreign substances in the aerosol inhaler even after the aerosol inhalation operation, so that the aerosol inhaler can be kept clean.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an aerosol inhaler and a capsule for an aerosol inhaler according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between the aerosol inhaler and a capsule for an aerosol inhaler shown in FIG. 1 .
3 is a cross-sectional view of a capsule for an aerosol inhaler according to another embodiment.
4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between an aerosol inhaler and a capsule for an aerosol inhaler according to another embodiment.
5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between an aerosol inhaler and a capsule for an aerosol inhaler according to another embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in a variety of different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs It is provided to fully inform the possessor of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Meanwhile, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless otherwise specified in the phrase. As used herein, “comprise” and/or “comprising” refers to the presence of one or more other components, steps, operations and/or elements mentioned. or addition is not excluded. Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an aerosol inhaler and a capsule for an aerosol inhaler according to an embodiment.

The aerosol inhaler 90 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 may be combined with a capsule 7 for an aerosol inhaler containing a material 5 for generating an aerosol therein, and the capsule 7 and discharged from the capsule 7 . and a body 60 for delivering the aerosol generated by the material for generating an aerosol 5 to the outside.

The aerosol delivered to the human body by the aerosol inhaler 90 means a flow of air containing fine-sized solid particles and/or liquid droplets.

The capsule 7 for an aerosol inhaler may contain therein a substance 5 for generating an aerosol, for example a nicotine substance. The substance 5 for generating an aerosol may comprise, for example, a nicotine substance. The nicotine substance may include at least one of a solid (powder), liquid, and gaseous substance.

In order to enhance the satisfaction that the user feels when inhaling the aerosol, the chamber 10 of the capsule 7 may include at least one of a moisturizing agent, a flavoring agent, and an organic acid liquid material. In order to maintain the humectant, flavor, organic acid liquid material, etc. in the chamber 10, a carrier capable of maintaining the humectant, flavor, organic acid, etc. in an absorbed state may be disposed inside the chamber 10. The carrier may include, for example, a porous material such as cotton, sponge, or ceramic.

The capsule 7 has an empty interior and a chamber 10 including an opening 11 with one side open, an aerosol generating material 5 accommodated in the chamber 10, and an opening 11 of the chamber 10 ) and a protective film 20 disposed to cover, the protective film 20 is deformed and the delivery unit 30 for delivering the aerosol generating material 5 delivered from the chamber 10 to the outside of the chamber 10 include

The protective film 20 functions to protect the aerosol generating material 5 so that the aerosol generating material 5 does not leak to the outside of the chamber 10 . In addition, the protective film 20 functions to open at least a portion of the opening 11 of the chamber 10 by being deformed at least in part by a stimulus applied from the outside.

The protective film 20 may include, for example, a heat-sensitive polymer film, which is a thermally reactive material that may be ruptured by heat applied from the outside. The heat-sensitive polymer film may include, for example, heat-fusible components. The heat-sensitive polymer film may perform a function of emitting a target material when heat having a temperature in a predetermined range is transferred.

For example, polyisopropylacrylamide (Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide, PNIPAM)) has a phase transition temperature (LCST) of about 32 degrees Celsius. PNIPAM exhibits hydrophilicity below the phase transition temperature and dissolves in the aqueous phase, but becomes hydrophobic at a temperature above the phase transition temperature and does not dissolve in the aqueous phase and exists in a state in which the polymer chain is contracted. As such a characteristic of PNIPAM, the protective film 20 can be implemented by using the characteristic of emitting a relatively large amount of the target material at a temperature lower than the phase transition temperature and relatively low emission of the target material at a temperature higher than the phase transition temperature.

As a material of the heat-sensitive polymer membrane, a liposome coated with a temperature-sensitive polymer, a cubic nanoparticle suspension containing a temperature-sensitive polymer, alginate beads, hydrogel, etc. may be used.

The protective film 20 is sufficient if it can perform a function such as preventing leakage of the aerosol generating material 5 before use of the capsule 7 , and when heat is transferred for use of the capsule 7 , it will be rapidly ruptured. should be able Therefore, the protective film 20 may have a minimum thickness that is sufficient not to be ruptured by normal vibrations or impacts applied to the capsule 7 in the process of handling the capsule 7 .

The opening 11 of the chamber 10 is also arranged with a delivery part 30 . The delivery unit 30 is, for example, manufactured to have a plate shape corresponding to the size of the opening 11 and includes a plurality of through-holes 31 through which the aerosol generating material 5 can pass. The delivery unit 30 performs a function of delivering the aerosol generating material 5 delivered from the chamber 10 to the outside of the chamber 10 .

Before the protective film 20 is ruptured, the aerosol generating material 5 accommodated in the chamber 10 is maintained in a state accommodated in the chamber 10 by the protective film 20 . At the moment when the protective film 20 is ruptured, the aerosol generating material 5 passes through the ruptured portion of the protective film 20 by the pressure of the aerosol generating material 5 accommodated in the chamber 10, so that the delivery unit ( 30) and passed through the through hole 31 of the delivery unit 30 to the outside of the chamber 10.

A heater 40 is disposed at a position adjacent to the passivation layer 20 in the opening 11 of the chamber 10 . The heater 40 functions to deform the passivation layer 20 by applying heat to the passivation layer 20 . The heater 40 is, for example, a heater having a porous mesh (mesh) shape that can pass the material 5 for generating an aerosol, and may generate heat when electricity is applied from the outside. The heater 40 may be disposed between the passivation layer 20 and the transfer unit 30 .

One capsule 7 for an aerosol inhaler having the configuration as described above contains a material for generating an aerosol 5 to a degree that can satisfy the user's one-time aerosol inhalation operation. That is, in order to provide the same level of satisfaction as smoking experienced by the user through one regular cigarette, the amount of the aerosol generating material 5 is predetermined and the aerosol generating material 5 is filled in the capsule 7 . can

In the capsule 7 shown in FIG. 1, the protective film 20, the heater 40, and the delivery unit 30 are sequentially disposed in the direction from the upper side to the lower side in FIG. It is not limited by the arrangement order or structure of the included elements. For example, by changing the arrangement order of the elements of the capsule 7 shown in FIG. 1 , the transfer unit, the protective film, and the heater are sequentially arranged in the direction from the top to the bottom in FIG. 1 , or the heater is not arranged in the capsule 7 It is also possible to arrange a heater on the side of the body 60 of the aerosol inhaler 90 without.

The heater 40 includes a heater electrode 41 drawn out to extend to the outside of the chamber 10 . The heater electrode 41 may include an electrically conductive material such as copper to transmit electricity to the heater 40 .

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between the aerosol inhaler and a capsule for an aerosol inhaler shown in FIG. 1 .

The capsule 7 includes a protective film 50 covering the entire area of the lower surface of the opening 11 of the chamber 10 so as to cover the delivery unit 30 . The protective film 50 may completely seal the chamber 10 to prevent the occurrence of leakage, evaporation, drying, and leakage of the aerosol generating material 5 . The protective film 50 may include a parylene coating material to protect elements such as the aerosol generating material 5 and the heater 40 .

In order to use the capsule 7 for an aerosol inhaler, the user first removes the protective film 50 attached to the lower surface of the capsule 7 . The capsule 7 from which the protective film 50 is removed may be coupled to the body 60 of the aerosol inhaler 90 .

The body 60 includes support walls 60a and 60b extending along the edge of the body 60 so that capsule wings extending outward of the chamber 10 of the capsule 7 can be inserted. When the capsule 7 is inserted into the body 60 , the supporting walls 60a and 60b surround the outside of the chamber 10 of the capsule 7 , thereby stably supporting the capsule 7 .

The main body 60 has a delivery chamber 67 concavely formed on one surface corresponding to the chamber 10 of the capsule 7, an inlet 63 having one end open to the delivery chamber 67, and a mouthpiece at the other end. 65) that connects the outlet 64, the inlet 63, and the outlet 64 open to the outside, and performs a function of delivering the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material 5 discharged from the capsule 7 and a transfer passage 61 .

In addition, the body 60 includes an electrode pad 71 disposed at a position corresponding to the heater electrode 41 of the capsule 7 . The electrode pad 71 is electrically connected to the electric part 70 mounted on the main body 60 , so that electricity supplied from the electric part 70 can be transmitted to the capsule 7 . The electric unit 70 may include a rechargeable battery, a disposable battery, or a combination of a battery and a control semiconductor chip.

When the capsule 7 is coupled to the body 60 , the electricity supplied from the electric part 70 is supplied to the capsule 7 through the electrode pad 71 and the heater electrode 41 , and the heater 40 of the capsule 7 is ) starts working. The heater 40 heats the protective film 20 to generate heat at a temperature sufficient to rupture the protective film 20 .

The embodiment is not limited by the operation of the heater 40 described above, and the heater 40 continues to operate even after the protective film 20 is ruptured to vaporize the aerosol generating material 5 contained in the capsule 7 . It can also generate high-temperature heat for

When the heater 40 operates and reaches a predetermined target temperature, at least a portion of the protective film 20 is ruptured by the heat transferred from the heater 40, so that at least a portion of the opening 11 of the chamber 10 may be opened. . When the aerosol generating material 5 includes a nicotine material, the nicotine material is mixed with air in the delivery chamber 67 to generate an aerosol including nicotine particles.

The delivery chamber 67 is a space in which the aerosol generating material 5 discharged from the capsule 7 is mixed with the air present in the delivery chamber 67 to generate the aerosol. When the user performs an operation of inhaling the mouthpiece 65 by biting the mouth, the aerosol generated in the delivery chamber 67 may pass through the delivery passage 61 to be delivered to the user's mouth.

According to the aerosol inhaler 90 as described above, there is no need to light the cigarette or to separately heat the cigarette to burn the cigarette. That is, after the user inserts the capsule 7 into the aerosol inhaler 90, the user can quickly and simply inhale the aerosol through the mouthpiece, so it is convenient to use.

In addition, since there is no need to install a space for inserting a cigarette or a separate heater installation space for heating the cigarette, a separate component for heater control, etc. in the aerosol inhaler 90, the overall size of the aerosol inhaler 90 is reduced It is convenient to carry and can reduce power consumption for operation of the inhaler.

In addition, since the capsule 7 can be easily separated from the aerosol inhaler 90 after the aerosol inhaler operation, it is possible to minimize the phenomenon of residues remaining inside the aerosol inhaler 90, so that the aerosol inhaler 90 can be cleaned It can be maintained and can generate a high-quality aerosol even after repeated use.

3 is a cross-sectional view of a capsule for an aerosol inhaler according to another embodiment.

The capsule 7 for an aerosol inhaler according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is the same as that of the capsule for an aerosol inhaler according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the overall configuration, and the delivery part 30 is a buffer part (35) has been modified to include more.

The delivery part 30 further comprises a buffer part 35 for temporarily receiving the substance for generating an aerosol 5 delivered from the chamber 10 of the capsule 7 . The buffer part 35 is connected to the through hole 31 of the delivery part 30 , and the surface of the delivery part 30 facing the heater 40 is spaced apart from the heater 40 to form a space.

The aerosol generating material 5 discharged through the opening 11 of the chamber 10 when the protective film 20 is ruptured does not directly pass through the through hole 31 of the delivery unit 30, but first the buffer unit 35 will stay in When the aerosol generating material 5 discharged from the chamber 10 fills the buffer part 35 and a sufficient pressure is formed, the aerosol generating material 5 finally passes through the through hole 31 of the delivery unit 30 . begins to be discharged. According to the structure of the delivery unit 30 including the buffer unit 35 as described above, the aerosol generating material 5 discharged from the chamber 10 is buffered by the buffer unit 35 and discharged through the through hole 31 . The aerosol generating action can be made more stable and smooth.

4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between an aerosol inhaler and a capsule for an aerosol inhaler according to another embodiment.

The overall configuration of the aerosol inhaler 90 and the capsule 7 for the aerosol inhaler according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the configuration of the capsule for the aerosol inhaler and the aerosol inhaler according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 However, the capsule 7 for an aerosol inhaler includes a protective film 20 that can be deformed by changes in acidity or moisture, and the aerosol inhaler 90 is disposed at a position corresponding to the protective film 20 to stimulate the acidity change material However, it includes a stimulation unit 171 that provides stimulation due to a change in moisture to the protective film 20 .

4 exemplarily shows one moment of the operation in which the capsule 7 containing the aerosol generating material 5 is mounted on the aerosol inhaler 90, the position of the capsule 7 shown in FIG. 4 is the main body By further moving in the left direction along 60 , the magnetic pole portion 171 can be further inserted into the capsule 7 .

The capsule 7 is hollow inside and includes a chamber 10 comprising an opening 11 , an aerosol generating material 5 accommodated in the chamber 10 , and covering the opening 11 of the chamber 10 . A portion of the space between the disposed protective film 20 , the transfer part 30 spaced apart from the protective film 20 to form a space between the protective film 20 , and the protective film 20 and the transfer part 30 . It includes an entrance (10a) formed in the chamber (10) to expose to the outside.

The main body 60 of the aerosol inhaler 90 to which the capsule 7 can be coupled includes a delivery chamber 67 concavely formed on one surface corresponding to the chamber 10 of the capsule 7, and a delivery chamber 67. The delivery passage 61 and the mouthpiece 65 that are connected to and perform a function of delivering the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material 5 discharged from the capsule 7 to the outside, and the entrance of the capsule 7 It is inserted into the space between the protective film 20 and the delivery unit 30 through the (10a) and includes a magnetic pole portion 171 that provides stimulation to the protective film 20 .

The protective layer 20 may include, for example, a material whose at least a part may be ruptured according to a change in acidity (pH) or moisture. The stimulation unit 171 may include an acidity control material capable of causing a change in acidity to a level capable of rupturing the protective film 20 , or a water retention unit that provides moisture.

According to the aerosol inhaler and the capsule for the aerosol inhaler of the above configuration, it is possible to discharge the aerosol generating material 5 contained in the capsule 7 by rupturing the protective film 20 without using electricity. Therefore, since it is not necessary to install additional parts such as a battery and electrodes for supplying electricity to the inhaler, the overall size of the aerosol inhaler can be designed compactly.

5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between an aerosol inhaler and a capsule for an aerosol inhaler according to another embodiment.

The overall configuration of the aerosol inhaler 90 and the capsule 7 for the aerosol inhaler according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the configuration of the aerosol inhaler and the capsule shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the heater 40 and delivery The position at which the part 30 and the protective film 20 are disposed is deformed.

In the opening 11 of the chamber 10 , when referring to FIG. 5 , the transfer unit 30 and the protective film 20 are sequentially disposed in a direction from the upper side to the lower side of the drawing.

Since the delivery unit 30 is in direct contact with the aerosol generating material 5 accommodated in the chamber 10, the aerosol generating material 5 passes through the through hole 31 of the delivery unit 30 to the chamber 10. ready to be discharged to the outside of the However, the protective film 20 is disposed on the lower surface of the transfer unit 30 to maintain the state in which the protective film 20 completely seals the entire through hole 31 and the opening 11 of the transfer unit 30 . Before using the capsule 7 for an aerosol inhaler, the protective film 20 performs a stable sealing function so that the aerosol generating material 5 does not leak to the outside of the chamber 10 .

A heater 40 is disposed on the body 60 of the aerosol inhaler 90 . The heater 40 is disposed at a position corresponding to the opening 11 of the chamber 10 of the capsule 7 , and generates heat by operating by electricity supplied from the electric unit 70 mounted on the body 60 . do.

When the capsule 7 is mounted on the main body 60 of the aerosol inhaler 90 as shown in FIG. 5 , the heater 40 is disposed under the protective film 20 . The heater 40 and the passivation layer 20 may be adjacent to each other (a state spaced apart from each other by a minute interval) or may be in contact with each other.

According to the aerosol inhaler 90 and the capsule 7 for the aerosol inhaler as described above, since the heat generated by the operation of the heater 40 can be directly transferred to the protective film 20, the protective film 20 is the heater 40 can be more easily ruptured by Therefore, by forming the protective film 20 sufficiently thick, it is possible to further improve the sealing function of preventing the aerosol generating material 5 from leaking to the outside during storage or distribution of the capsule 7 for an aerosol inhaler. In addition, since the protective film 20 can be easily ruptured even with a small amount of power, power consumption can be minimized.

The description of the configuration and effects of the above-described embodiments is merely exemplary, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical protection scope of the invention should be defined by the appended claims.

5: Substance for generating an aerosol 60: body
7: capsule 60a, 60b: support wall
10a: entrance 61: transmission passage
10: chamber 63: inlet
11: opening 64: outlet
20: shield 65: mouthpiece
30: transfer unit 67: transfer chamber
31: through hole 70: electric part
35: buffer part 71: electrode pad
40: heater 90: aerosol inhaler
41: heater electrode 171: magnetic pole part
50: protective film

Claims (10)

a chamber having an empty interior and including an opening;
a material for generating an aerosol accommodated in the chamber;
a protective film disposed to cover the opening of the chamber to protect the material for generating an aerosol, at least a portion of which is ruptured when heat is applied or a change in acidity or moisture to discharge the material for generating an aerosol from the chamber; and
It is disposed on the outside of the protective film to cover the opening of the chamber, and at least a portion of the protective film is ruptured and a delivery part including a through hole through which the aerosol generating material discharged from the chamber passes; includes;
The aerosol generating material is mixed with air to form an aerosol,
A capsule for an aerosol inhaler that is detachably coupled to an aerosol inhaler to deliver an aerosol to the aerosol inhaler. According to claim 1,
The protective film includes a thermally reactive material that ruptures when heat is applied, and is disposed adjacent to the protective film and further comprises a heater for applying heat to the protective film when electricity is applied, the capsule for an aerosol inhaler. 3. The method of claim 2,
The heater is a heater having a mesh shape that can pass the material for generating the aerosol, and is disposed between the protective film and the delivery unit, an aerosol inhaler capsule. delete According to claim 1,
The delivery unit is connected to the through-hole and receives the aerosol-generating material delivered from the chamber, and further comprises a buffer for delivering the aerosol-generating material to the through-hole, the capsule for an aerosol inhaler. According to claim 1,
A capsule for an aerosol inhaler disposed to cover the delivery unit and further comprising a protective film that is removable for use. delete A chamber having an empty interior and including an opening, an aerosol generating material accommodated in the chamber, and disposed to cover the opening of the chamber to protect the aerosol generating material when heat is applied or changes in acidity or moisture at least a portion of the protective film is ruptured by a protective film for discharging the material for generating aerosol from the chamber; A capsule for delivering an aerosol to the outside, including a delivery part including a through hole for passing a substance for production; and
The capsule may be detachably coupled and a body including a delivery passage for delivering the aerosol delivered from the capsule to the outside;
An aerosol inhaler, wherein the aerosol generating material discharged from the chamber of the capsule is mixed with air to form an aerosol. 9. The method of claim 8,
The protective film includes a thermally responsive material that deforms when heat is applied, and the capsule further includes a heater disposed adjacent to the protective film to apply heat to the protective film when electricity is applied, and the body supplies electricity to the heater Further comprising an electrode pad for supplying, an aerosol inhaler. 9. The method of claim 8,
The main body is disposed at a position corresponding to the protective film, the aerosol inhaler further comprising a stimulation portion for providing an acid or moisture to the protective film.

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