KR20240028199A - Porous absorbent unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The embodiment relates to a porous moisture absorbent unit, in particular, while receiving or absorbing the aerosol-forming substrate, transferring a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate to at least one side (non-screen), and preventing leakage from the sides adjacent to the conveyed side. It relates to a porous moisture absorbent unit that prevents.
The porous moisture absorbent unit of the embodiment includes a three-dimensional porous moisture absorbent that absorbs or accommodates an aerosol-forming substrate in a liquid or gel state, a heater unit mounted on one side of the porous moisture absorbent, and a side adjacent to one side on which the heater unit is mounted. It includes a waterproof coating layer formed on the.

Description

Porous absorbent unit {POROUS ABSORBENT UNIT}

The embodiment relates to a porous moisture absorbent unit, in particular, while receiving or absorbing the aerosol-forming substrate, transferring a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate to at least one side (non-screen), and preventing leakage from the sides adjacent to the conveyed side. It relates to a porous moisture absorbent unit that prevents.

In general, an electronic cigarette refers to an electronic device made to inhale a solution containing nicotine filled in a replaceable cartridge into an aerosol or gaseous state (atomized state).

Such electronic cigarettes can satisfy the desire to smoke in place of regular cigarettes, and do not contain harmful ingredients such as tar, thereby reducing the harmful effects on the human body caused by cigarettes. At the same time, they do not cause the indirect damage of smoking. Due to its advantages, the number of users is increasing explosively. In other words, electronic cigarettes allow smoking indoors and have the same effect as smoking cigarettes while preventing the damage caused by cigarettes that cause various diseases.

In particular, in recent years, electronic cigarettes have been released that allow users to enjoy a variety of flavors by adding other flavors, such as fruit, to the taste of cigarettes.

In these electronic cigarettes, when an atomizer containing liquid nicotine is connected to the battery unit, the heating element of the atomizer generates heat and creates a haze that vaporizes the liquid nicotine.

However, the cartridge containing the liquid nicotine of the prior art as described above is made of plastic material, so there is a problem that it may cause environmental pollution when discarded when the liquid nicotine is consumed.

The embodiment transfers a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate to at least one side (non-screen) while accommodating or absorbing the aerosol-forming substrate, while preventing leakage on the sides adjacent to the transferred side, and when the aerosol-forming substrate is consumed. The purpose is to provide a porous moisture absorbent unit that can be disposed of without environmental pollution.

The porous moisture absorbent unit of the embodiment includes a three-dimensional porous moisture absorbent that absorbs or accommodates an aerosol-forming substrate in a liquid or gel state, a heater unit mounted on one side of the porous moisture absorbent, and a side adjacent to one side on which the heater unit is mounted. It includes a waterproof coating layer formed on the.

Additionally, the waterproof coating layer is preferably formed on all sides other than the one side where the heater unit is mounted.

In addition, the material of the waterproof coating layer is preferably made of one or more materials selected from the group including Parylene, Acrylic, Epoxy, Silicone, and Urethane.

In addition, it is preferable that the porous moisture absorbent has an accommodation space formed inside or an inside that is full.

In addition, the porous hygroscopic body includes a first porous hygroscopic body and a second porous hygroscopic body, and a receiving space open on one side is formed in at least one of the first and second porous hygroscopic bodies, and the first porous hygroscopic body The sieve and the second porous hygroscopic body are bonded and attached, the receiving space is closed to the outside, at least one of the first and second porous hygroscopic bodies has hydrophilic properties, and the heater unit is the first or second porous hygroscopic body. 2 It is desirable to be mounted on a porous moisture absorbent.

In addition, it is preferable that the first or second porous moisture absorbent with hydrophilic properties is composed of beads.

In addition, the raw materials of the first or second porous moisture absorbent with hydrophilic properties include magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate, silicate silicate, zeolite, titanium oxide, titanium carbide, zirconia, silica, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, mullite, cordierite, and carbide. It is preferably composed of one or more materials selected from the group including tungsten, zirconium carbide, and aluminum nitride.

In addition, either the first porous hygroscopic material or the second porous hygroscopic material is hydrophobic, an accommodation space is formed in the porous hygroscopic material with hydrophobic properties, and the raw materials for the porous hygroscopic material with hydrophobic properties are alumina, zirconia, and oxidation. Including one or more materials selected from the group including yttrium, aluminum nitride, aluminum titanate, plesterite, steatite, β-spodumene, zircon, zircondierite, coredierite, mullite, and porcelain. It is desirable to have it configured.

The embodiment transfers a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate to at least one side (non-screen) while accommodating or absorbing the aerosol-forming substrate, while preventing leakage on the sides adjacent to the transferred side, and when the aerosol-forming substrate is consumed. It has the effect of being able to be disposed of without environmental pollution.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure and manufacturing process of a porous moisture absorbent cartridge according to an embodiment.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a porous moisture absorbent cartridge in which an aerosol-forming substrate is absorbed and accommodated.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a porous moisture absorbent cartridge equipped with a heater unit.
Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view and a perspective view of a porous moisture absorbent cartridge according to other embodiments.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a porous moisture absorbent cartridge according to another embodiment.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a porous moisture absorbent unit according to another embodiment mounted on an aerosol generating device.

Hereinafter, embodiments are described in detail through the drawings. However, this is not intended to be limiting to specific embodiments, and the described embodiments should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numbers may be used for similar components.

In this document, expressions such as “have,” “may have,” “includes,” or “may include” refer to the existence of the corresponding feature (e.g., a numerical value, function, operation, or component such as a part). , and does not rule out the existence of additional features.

In this document, expressions such as “A or B,” “at least one of A or/and B,” or “one or more of A or/and B” may include all possible combinations of the items listed together. . For example, “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, or “at least one of A or B” (1) includes at least one A, (2) includes at least one B, or (3) it may refer to all cases including both at least one A and at least one B.

As used herein, expressions such as "first", "second", "first", or "second" may describe various elements in any order and/or importance, and may refer to one element as another. It is only used to distinguish from components and does not limit the components. For example, a first user device and a second user device may represent different user devices regardless of order or importance. For example, a first component may be renamed a second component without departing from the scope of rights described in this document, and similarly, the second component may also be renamed to the first component.

A component (e.g., a first component) is “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to” another component (e.g., a second component). When referred to as being “connected to,” it should be understood that any component may be directly connected to the other component or may be connected through another component (eg, a third component). On the other hand, when a component (e.g., a first component) is said to be “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another component (e.g., a second component), It may be understood that no other component (e.g., a third component) exists between other components.

The expression “configured to” used in this document may mean, for example, “suitable for,” “having the capacity to,” or “having the capacity to.” It can be used interchangeably with ", "designed to," "adapted to," "made to," or "capable of." The term “configured (or set) to” may not necessarily mean “specifically designed to” in hardware. Instead, in some contexts, the expression “a device configured to” may mean that the device is “capable of” working with other devices or components.

Terms used in this document are merely used to describe specific embodiments and may not be intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. Singular expressions may include plural expressions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field described in this document. Among the terms used in this document, terms defined in general dictionaries may be interpreted to have the same or similar meaning as the meaning they have in the context of related technology, and unless clearly defined in this document, they may be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense. It is not interpreted. In some cases, even terms defined in this document cannot be interpreted to exclude embodiments of this document.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure and manufacturing process of a porous moisture absorbent cartridge according to an embodiment.

In Figure 1(a), the first porous moisture absorbent 10 and the second porous moisture absorbent 20 constituting the porous moisture absorbent cartridge are manufactured, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1 (c), the first porous moisture absorbent 10 includes a cylindrical base 12 and an extension 14 protruding downward from the lower side of the base 12. .

The second porous moisture absorbent 20 is open only at the top and includes a main body 22 with an opening 24 formed on the upper side. The horizontal cross-section of the main body 22 is circular, and the main body 22 is in the form of a pipe with only the top open. In another embodiment, the horizontal cross-section of the main body 22 may have a semicircular, polygonal, or star-shaped shape. An open receiving space S1 is formed in the main body 22 and communicates with the outside through the opening 24.

At least one of the first porous hygroscopic body 10 and the second porous hygroscopic body 20 may have hydrophilic properties. In this embodiment, the first porous moisture absorbent 10 has hydrophilic properties, and the second porous moisture absorbent 20 has hydrophobic properties. However, the second porous moisture absorbent 20 may also have hydrophilic properties.

In this embodiment, the raw materials of the porous moisture absorbent with hydrophobic properties are alumina, zirconia, yttrium oxide, aluminum nitride, aluminum titanate, plsterite, steatite, β-spodumene, zircon, zircon dierite, and core dierite. It is composed of one or more materials selected from the group including, mullite, and porcelain.

In this embodiment, the raw materials of the porous moisture absorbent with hydrophilic properties are magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate, silicate silicate, zeolite, titanium oxide, titanium carbide, zirconia, silica, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, mullite, cordierite, tungsten carbide, It is composed of one or more materials selected from the group including zirconium carbide and aluminum nitride. In particular, a porous moisture absorbent with hydrophilic properties can perform the function of absorbing or transporting an aerosol-forming substrate in a liquid or gel state.

Additionally, the porous moisture absorbent with hydrophilic properties is composed of spherical beads made of the above-mentioned raw materials. The diameter or size of the beads of the porous moisture absorber is in the range of 10 to 300㎛. Pores are also formed in each bead of the porous moisture absorbent.

Each of the first porous moisture absorbent 10 and the second porous moisture absorbent 20 is manufactured by a press mold method. Beads made of raw materials of the first porous moisture absorbent 10 are introduced into the first mold corresponding to the structure or shape of the first porous moisture absorbent 10, and molds corresponding to the shape of the second porous moisture absorbent 20 are added. After the raw materials of the second porous moisture absorber 20 are added to the second mold, a press is applied to each of the first and second molds, as shown in (a) of FIG. 1, the first and second porous moisture absorbers ( 10) and (20) respectively. The pressure of the press applied from above ranges from 0.001 to 5 tons.

The first and second porous moisture absorbers 10 and 20 separated from each of the first and second molds are put into the drying space of the drying device and dried. The drying temperature, which is the temperature of the drying space, is in the range of 30~50℃.

As shown in Figure 1 (b), the extension portion 14 of the first porous moisture absorbent 10 is inserted into the receiving space S1 through the opening 24 of the second porous moisture absorbent 20, and the extension portion 14 is inserted into the receiving space S1. The lower side of the first porous moisture absorbent 10 outside the portion 14 is assembled by contacting the upper side of the second porous moisture absorbent 20.

Figure 1(c) is a vertical cross-sectional view after assembly, in which a receiving space S1 closed to the outside is formed between the first and second porous moisture absorbers 20.

Next, the assembled porous moisture absorbent cartridge 100 in Figure 1 (b) is put into a sintering furnace and sintered. The sintering furnace temperature in this sintering treatment process falls within the range of 600 to 1500°C. In one embodiment, the sintering process includes a first sintering process conducted at a first sintering temperature of 500°C for 1 hour, and a second sintering process conducted for 20 minutes at a second sintering temperature of 800°C, which is higher than the first sintering temperature. It may consist of a process and a third sintering process conducted for 20 minutes at a third sintering temperature of 1,000°C, which is higher than the second sintering temperature.

By the above sintering process, the extension portion 14 of the first porous moisture absorber 10 is bonded and attached to the inner surface of the main body 22 where the receiving space S1 is formed, and the second portion outside the extension portion 14 is attached. 1 The lower side of the porous moisture absorbent 10 is bonded and attached to the upper side of the second porous moisture absorbent 20, so that the first and second porous moisture absorbers 10 and 20 are bonded and attached to each other.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a porous moisture absorbent cartridge in which an aerosol-forming substrate is absorbed and accommodated.

In the above-described sintering process, the porous hygroscopic body cartridge 102 consisting of the first and second porous hygroscopic bodies 10 and 20 bonded to each other is placed in a housing case containing an aerosol-forming substrate in a liquid or gel state. , the porous moisture absorbent cartridge 102 causes the aerosol-forming substrate to absorb moisture.

As shown in FIG. 2, the aerosol-forming substrate is absorbed by the first or second porous moisture absorbers 10 and 20 and is accommodated in the receiving space S1. Here, the aerosol-forming substrate is absorbed through the hydrophilic porous hygroscopic body and is accommodated in the receiving space S1, and is also absorbed within the hydrophilic porous hygroscopic body.

Here, the aerosol-forming base is a substance containing at least one of fragrance, nicotine, VG (vegetable glycerin), PG (propylene glycol), flavoring agent, caffeine, tonic, CBD, etc., and is in a liquid or gel state.

The porous moisture absorbent cartridge 102, which has absorbed moisture from the aerosol-forming substrate, is taken out of the housing case and cooled or dried.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a porous moisture absorbent cartridge equipped with a heater unit.

In FIG. 2, a heater unit 40 is mounted on a porous moisture absorbent cartridge 104 on which a waterproof coating has been performed. The heater unit 40 is mounted on a hydrophilic porous hygroscopic body that can absorb moisture and transfer the aerosol-forming substrate to the outer surface. In this embodiment, it is mounted on the outer surface of the hydrophilic first porous hygroscopic body 10. .

The heater unit 40 includes a heating wire 42 that generates thermal energy when power is applied, and first and second power terminals 44 and 46 connected to both ends of the heating wire 42, respectively.

In this embodiment, the outer surface of the first porous moisture absorbent 10 or the outer surface of the porous moisture absorbent cartridge on which the heater unit 40 is mounted is such that the moisture-absorbed or transferred aerosol-forming substrate is atomized by heat energy and discharged as an aerosol. It corresponds to a no-screen screen. In this embodiment, a waterproof coating is applied to the side adjacent to the screen or all sides other than the screen to form a waterproof coating layer, thereby preventing the moisture-absorbed aerosol-forming substrate from leaking to the outside.

The material of the waterproof coating layer is composed of one or more materials selected from the group including Parylene, Acrylic, Epoxy, Silicone, and Urethane.

In addition, before performing the waterproof coating, the uncoated side that is not waterproofed is masked with any one of tape, UV resin, or latex, and then the waterproof coating is performed. After the waterproof coating is performed, the masking is removed.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view and a perspective view of a porous moisture absorbent cartridge according to other embodiments.

The porous hygroscopic material cartridge in Figure 4 (a) has a first porous hygroscopic material (10a) in the form of a pipe with a receiving space (S2) open at the lower side, and a receiving space (S3) with an open upper side in the form of a pipe. It is configured to include a second porous moisture absorber (20a).

The lower side 16a of the first porous moisture absorber 10a and the upper side 26a of the second porous moisture absorber 20a are bonded and attached by a sintering process as described above. Due to this combination and attachment, the accommodation space S2 of the first porous moisture absorber 10a and the accommodation space S3 of the second porous moisture absorbent 20a are communicated, and an accommodation space closed to the external space is formed. .

In the porous moisture absorbent cartridge 100 of Figure 1 (b), the first porous moisture absorbent 10 has the function of a cover or lid, and the second porous moisture absorbent 20 has the function of accommodating the aerosol-forming substrate. On the other hand, in the porous moisture absorbent cartridge of Figure 4 (a), when the first and second porous moisture absorbers (10a) and (20a) are respectively provided with receiving spaces (S2) and (S3) and attached. , the receiving space S2 and the receiving space S3 communicate with each other, and the aerosol-forming substrate is absorbed and accommodated.

A heater unit (not shown) is mounted on the outer surface 12a of the first porous moisture absorber 10a, and corresponds to a screenless screen as described above. In this embodiment, a waterproof coating for waterproofing is performed on the side adjacent to the non-screen outer surface 12a or on all sides other than the outer surface 12a to form a waterproof coating layer, so that the moisture-absorbed aerosol-forming substrate is exposed to the outside. Make sure there is no leakage.

FIG. 4(b) shows a porous hygroscopic cartridge having a square pillar shape with a receiving space formed therein, unlike the porous hygroscopic cartridge of FIG. 1 or the porous hygroscopic cartridge of FIG. 4(a). In Figure 4 (b), the first and second porous moisture absorbers 10b and 20b are combined in the left and right directions, and a receiving space in which the aerosol-forming substrate is accommodated or moisture is absorbed is formed. The red dotted circular area (HA) in (b) of Figure 4 is the location where the heater unit is mounted (heater unit mounting area), and waterproofing is provided on all sides other than the side adjacent to the heater unit mounting area or the heater unit mounting area. Waterproof coating is performed to form a waterproof coating layer to prevent the moisture-absorbed aerosol-forming substrate from leaking to the outside.

The porous moisture absorbent cartridge in this embodiment is inserted into an aerosol generating device that applies power or heat energy, and aerosol is generated from the outer surface (screenless screen) where the heater unit 40 is mounted. In addition, the porous moisture absorbent cartridge allows the moisture-absorbed or received aerosol-forming substrate to be transferred to the outer surface where the heater unit 40 is mounted, thereby continuously generating aerosol. Additionally, when the aerosol-forming substrate is used up, the porous moisture absorbent cartridge can be disposed of without environmental pollution.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a porous moisture absorbent cartridge according to another embodiment.

The porous hygroscopic cartridge 50 is composed of a single porous hygroscopic body with a three-dimensional (or pillar-shaped) shape that absorbs or accommodates an aerosol-forming substrate in a liquid or gel state therein. A single porous hygroscopic body may be configured to include an accommodating space for accommodating an internal aerosol-forming substrate, or may be in a form filled with a porous hygroscopic body without an accommodating space.

One side (50a) of the porous moisture absorbent cartridge 50 corresponds to a screen on which the heater unit is mounted. A waterproof coating layer is formed by performing a waterproof coating on the side adjacent to one side (50a) of the porous moisture absorbent cartridge 50 or on all sides other than one side (50a) of the porous moisture absorbent cartridge 50. , prevent the moisture-absorbed aerosol-forming substrate from leaking to the outside.

The material of the waterproof coating layer is the same as described above.

The porous moisture absorbent cartridge described above in FIGS. 1 to 5 may also be collectively referred to as a porous moisture absorbent unit.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a porous moisture absorbent unit according to another embodiment mounted on an aerosol generating device. Figure 6(a) is a perspective view from below of the porous moisture absorber unit, and Figure 6(b) is a perspective view from above the porous moisture absorber.

The porous moisture absorber unit in this embodiment includes a porous moisture absorber in a three-dimensional shape (for example, a rectangular parallelepiped) and a heater unit 70, and the porous moisture absorber has one side that is a screen on which the heater unit 70 is mounted. (60a) and the other side (60b), which is a moisture-absorbing surface that is not adjacent to or in the opposite direction to one side (60a) and is in contact with an aerosol-forming substrate in a liquid or gel state, and a side (60b) different from one side (60a) ) It is configured to include another side (60c) connecting between. When the porous moisture absorbent is mounted on the aerosol generating device, one side (60a) of the porous moisture absorbent is in contact with the airflow path, and the other side (60b) is in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate accommodated in the cartridge or receiving space.

A waterproof coating layer is formed by applying a waterproof coating to the other side 60c other than the one side 60a and the other side 60b to prevent the moisture-absorbed or transported aerosol-forming substrate from leaking to the outside.

The material of the waterproof coating layer is the same as described above.

As explained above, it is not limited to the specific preferred embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made by anyone skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the claims. Of course, such changes are within the scope of the claims.

10: First porous moisture absorbent 20: second porous moisture absorbent

Claims (8)

a three-dimensional porous moisture absorber that absorbs or accommodates an aerosol-forming base material in a liquid or gel state;
A heater unit mounted on one side of the porous moisture absorber;
A porous moisture absorbent unit comprising a waterproof coating layer formed on a side adjacent to one side on which the heater unit is mounted. According to claim 1,
A porous moisture absorbent unit characterized in that the waterproof coating layer is formed on all sides other than the one side on which the heater unit is mounted. The method of claim 1 or 2,
The material of the waterproof coating layer is a porous moisture absorbent unit characterized in that it consists of one or more materials selected from the group including Parylene, Acrylic, Epoxy, Silicone, and Urethane. . The method of claim 1 or 2,
The porous moisture absorbent is a porous moisture absorbent unit characterized by an accommodating space formed inside or a full interior. According to claim 4,
The porous hygroscopic body includes a first porous hygroscopic body and a second porous hygroscopic body,
A receiving space open on one side is formed in at least one of the first and second porous moisture absorbers,
The first porous hygroscopic body and the second porous hygroscopic body are bonded and attached, and the receiving space is closed to the outside,
At least one of the first and second porous absorbents has hydrophilic properties,
A porous moisture absorbent unit, characterized in that the heater unit is mounted on a first or second porous moisture absorbent having hydrophilic properties. According to claim 5,
A porous moisture absorbent unit, wherein the first or second porous moisture absorbent with hydrophilic properties is composed of beads. According to claim 5,
Raw materials for the first or second porous moisture absorbent with hydrophilic properties include magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate, silicate silicate, zeolite, titanium oxide, titanium carbide, zirconia, silica, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, mullite, cordierite, tungsten carbide, A porous moisture absorbent unit comprising at least one material selected from the group including zirconium carbide and aluminum nitride. According to claim 5,
Either the first porous hygroscopic body or the second porous hygroscopic body is hydrophobic, and a receiving space is formed in the porous hygroscopic body having a hydrophobic nature,
Raw materials for porous moisture absorbers with hydrophobic properties include alumina, zirconia, yttrium oxide, aluminum nitride, aluminum titanate, psterite, steatite, β-spodumene, zircon, zircondierite, coredeerite, mullite, and porcelain. A porous moisture absorbent unit comprising at least one material selected from the group containing porcelain.