WO2024019313A1 - Liquid-type inhalation formulation for use in surface wave atomizer, and cartridge and aerosol-generating apparatus comprising same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a liquid-type inhalation formulation for a surface wave atomizer, and a cartridge and an aerosol-generating apparatus comprising same, wherein the inhalation formulation has a viscosity of 1.0-120 mPa·s at 20°C and comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, and physiological saline, the content of the glycerin being 50 wt% or more relative to the total weight of the propylene glycol, glycerin, and physiological saline.

Description

Liquid inhalation formulation for use in surface wave atomizer, cartridge containing the same, and aerosol generating device

The present invention relates to a liquid inhalation formulation for use in a surface wave atomizer, a cartridge containing the same, and an aerosol generating device.

As an alternative to making up for the shortcomings of combustion-type cigarettes, a method of generating aerosol by heating the aerosol-generating material in the cigarette or cartridge, rather than a method of generating aerosol by burning a cigarette, is widely used, and demand for this method is increasing. I'm doing it. Accordingly, research on heated (non-combusted) cigarettes or heated (non-combusted) aerosol generation systems is being actively conducted.

Specifically, the aerosol generation system has a form similar to that of a conventional combustion cigarette, and generates mainstream smoke containing aerosol by heating the aerosol generating material in a heated (non-combustion type) cigarette or cartridge through a heater or ultrasonic vibration. .

Among liquid-type aerosol generators, electrically heated aerosol generators that boil and vaporize liquid have fast heat conduction and high atomization efficiency. However, there is a possibility that the functional suction material may be denatured in the liquid. For example, harmful components such as aldehydes are released at high temperatures, which can pose a serious health risk.

Meanwhile, there is an existing method of using ultrasonic waves to atomize without boiling. However, this method also has the problem that the temperature rises in the process of causing vibration, and even if a cooling method is used to lower the temperature, it is difficult to continue atomizing it stably without failure due to the use of a high-viscosity liquid, and the atomization power consumption is high and the speed is slow. Efficiency is low.

Accordingly, a liquid inhalation formulation using a surface wave (SAW) atomizer that can generate aerosol continuously and stably while atomizing it through vibration and without problems with temperature rise and high viscosity liquid, a cartridge containing the same, and a liquid aerosol generating device. Development is needed.

Accordingly, in order to overcome the problems and/or limitations of the existing technology as described above, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a liquid inhalation formulation for use in a surface wave atomizer, a cartridge containing the same, and an aerosol generating device.

However, the problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a liquid inhalation formulation for a surface wave atomizer,

Viscosity is 1.0~120 mPa·s at 20℃,

Contains one or more selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, and physiological saline,

A liquid inhalation formulation is provided, wherein the content of glycerin is 50% by weight or more based on the total weight of propylene glycol, glycerin, and saline solution.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a cartridge containing the liquid inhalation formulation is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a cartridge containing the liquid inhalation formulation; and

It provides an aerosol generating device including a control unit.

By using a liquid-type inhalation formulation for use in a surface wave atomizer according to one aspect of the present invention, continuous and stable atomization is possible up to a higher viscosity range, so liquids with a wide viscosity range can be used in an aerosol generating device. In addition, the liquid inhalation formulation of the present invention provides abundant atomization and is easy to deliver to the lungs. In addition, fragrances can be mixed with liquid inhalation formulations, and functional substances (solid or liquid) can be mixed with physiological saline and inhaled.

A cartridge and an aerosol generating device containing a liquid-type inhalation formulation for use in a surface wave atomizer according to one aspect of the present invention use vibration without increasing the temperature of the liquid by using surface waves, so that it continues stably without failure even in a high-viscosity liquid. It can be atomized.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the invention described in the detailed description or claims of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the change in viscosity (20°C) according to the composition and content of functional material (VIT B3) of a liquid inhalation formulation for a surface wave atomizer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the change in surface tension (25°C) according to the composition and content of functional material (VIT B3) of a liquid inhalation formulation for a surface wave atomizer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing the change in liquid density (25°C) depending on the composition and content of the functional material (VIT B3) of the liquid inhalation formulation for a surface wave atomizer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, various changes can be made to the embodiments, so the scope of the patent application is not limited or limited by these embodiments. It should be understood that all changes, equivalents, or substitutes for the embodiments are included in the scope of rights.

The terms used in the examples are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features. It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of elements, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the embodiments belong. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and unless explicitly defined in the present application, should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense. No.

In addition, when describing with reference to the accompanying drawings, identical components will be assigned the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted. In describing the embodiments, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiments, the detailed descriptions are omitted.

Additionally, in describing the components of the embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the component is not limited by the term.

Components included in one embodiment and components including common functions will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless stated to the contrary, the description given in one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and detailed description will be omitted to the extent of overlap.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the viscosity is 1.0 to 120 mPa·s at 20°C, and it contains at least one selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, and physiological saline, and the content of the glycerin is the propylene glycol and glycerin. and a liquid inhalation formulation for use in a surface wave atomizer, characterized in that it contains 50% by weight or more of the total weight of physiological saline.

Atomizer refers to the operation of vaporizing liquid into liquid droplets in a gas. For example, an atomizer may include an electric heater including a coil for resistive (Joule) heating, a resistive wire formed in different shapes, or a susceptor for induction heating, and an electric heater that absorbs liquid from the liquid reservoir and transfers it to the electric heater. It can be implemented as a capillary adjacent to the heater or as a porous element with a walking capability.

Surface waves can propagate along the liquid surface, and the energy is mainly concentrated on the surface of the medium, so that inside the medium, the amplitude decays exponentially with the distance from the surface. Using the characteristics of surface waves, aerosols can be created on the surface of a liquid. Its energy directional focus increases atomization efficiency and can continuously and stably generate aerosol with uniform particle size, and is more suitable for atomizing high-viscosity tobacco solutions than ultrasonic waves. The frequency of surface waves is typically 10MHz to 500MHz, which is higher than that of ultrasound. Therefore, compared with ultrasound, the aerosol generated by surface waves has smaller particle size, does not easily remain on the oral mucosa or tongue surface, has stronger suction power, and has a stronger, milder and softer scent.

The liquid inhalation formulation, which is an aerosol-forming formulation, may be a mixture of diol and glycerin, and in the present invention, the diol may be propylene glycol. In the present invention, propylene glycol can be understood as propane-1,2-diol, and glycerin can be understood as propane-1,2,3-triol. ) can be understood.

For stable atomization of an aerosol generating device, the viscosity of the liquid inhalation formulation is important. Typically, if the viscosity of a liquid composition is 10 mPa·s or more, it is considered to be high viscosity. When such a high viscosity liquid composition is used in an electrically heated or ultrasonic aerosol generating device, the device may easily malfunction, or it may be difficult to produce stable atomization. There is a problem.

The surface tension of the liquid inhalation formulation according to an embodiment of the present invention may be 50 to 70 dynes at 25°C. If the surface tension is higher than the above range (50 to 70 dynes), the size of the droplet may become smaller. However, to increase the surface tension, a large amount of ethanol must be added, which is harmful to the human body and poses risks during the process.

The liquid inhalation formulation according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a density of 0.995 to 1.164 g/cc measured after being stored at 25°C for one day.

The mass ratio of propylene glycol and glycerin in the liquid inhalation formulation according to an embodiment of the present invention may be 1:3 to 1:5.

The ratio of propylene glycol and glycerin can affect the viscosity of the liquid inhalation formulation. When the mass ratio of propylene glycol and glycerin is 1:3 to 1:5, the viscosity of the liquid inhalation formulation is 1.0 to 120 mPa·s ( 20° C.).

The mass ratio of saline and glycerin in the liquid inhalation formulation is 4:5 to 1:7, preferably the mass ratio of saline and glycerin is 4:5 to 2:6, and the density at 25°C is 1.125 to 1.164 g/cc. It can be.

The physiological saline solution in the form of a liquid inhalation formulation according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a functional inhalation material. Functional inhalation materials may be liquid or solid. Functional suction material may contain 0 to 20% by weight compared to physiological saline solution. Functional inhalation materials may include nicotine, caffeine, vitamins, and natural product extraction materials. Natural extract materials include rosemary, pine needles, peppermint, spearmint, coffee, pineapple, chamomile, orange, eucalyptus, thyme, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lemongrass, pine needle, clovo, sage, taxol, bergamot, basil, and thyme. , valerian, hyshop, tea tree, myrrh, juniper, etc. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the examples listed above.

Fragrance can be mixed by adding propylene glycol to the liquid inhalation formulation according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fragrances include mint, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, licorice, coriander, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, maltol, ethyl maltol, eucalyptol, acetic acid, breath freshener scent, bergamot oil, rosemary, geranium oil, It may be one or more selected from the group consisting of lemon oil, orange oil, lime oil, grapefruit oil, mint oil, ginger oil, isosweetener, and fruit flavor ingredients, but is not limited to the types listed above. In unscented conditions, propylene glycol may not be included.

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a cartridge containing the liquid inhalation formulation and a control unit.

An aerosol generating device may refer to a device that generates an aerosol using an aerosol generating base to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled directly into the user's lungs through the user's mouth. In the case of the aerosol generating device of the present invention, a liquid inhalation formulation is aerosolized using a surface wave atomizer.

The cartridge may generally include a liquid reservoir containing a liquid inhalation formulation.

The liquid storage unit may have a hollow cylinder shape, and the hollow may be an intake port. The inlet may provide vapor to the user.

The control unit may generally include a battery to supply power to operate the aerosol generating device, a control unit to control the operation of the system, etc. Power is transmitted from the battery to activate the heater included in the atomizer, the heater vaporizes the liquid delivered from the liquid storage unit, and the vaporized liquid can be inhaled by the user.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail through examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

Experimental Example 1: Viscosity measurement and atomization observation of liquid inhalation formulation

The present inventor measured the viscosity of the liquid inhalation formulation at 20°C using a Brookfield viscometer. Spindle number 0 was used, the rotation speed was 4~100 rpm, and a water bath was used to maintain temperature. This process was repeated 3 times and requested, analyzed, and self-analyzed (mutually checked) by the Polymer Testing Research Institute. The results are shown in Table 1 below and Figure 1.

Viscosity (mPa·s)	Functional material content (% by weight)
	0	0.25	0.5	One	1.25	2.5	5	10	20
Example 1	9.3			9.6			10.3	11.6	14.0
Example 2	39.5		39.6			40.4	43.3	47.3
Example 3	114.9	118.0			120.2	124.0	127.7
Comparative example	1.3

Example 1 - Liquid inhalation formulation with a mass ratio of saline: propylene glycol (PG): glycerin (VG) of 4:1:5. Example 2 - A liquid inhalation formulation in which the mass ratio of saline solution: propylene glycol (PG): glycerin (VG) is 2:2:6.

Example 3 - A liquid inhalation formulation in which the mass ratio of saline solution: propylene glycol (PG): glycerin (VG) is 1:2:7.

Comparative Example - Liquid inhalation formulation containing only saline solution.

If the viscosity exceeds 120 mPa·s, many large droplets with a diameter of 200 μm or more may be generated. It is assumed that more wave energy is required to vibrate a high-viscosity liquid surface, and as a result, the irregularity of surface vibration increases, resulting in the generation of many large droplets. Large droplets may stick to the inner wall of the airflow pipe and block the airflow path, or may be discharged outside the airflow pipe, causing discomfort to the smoker, and the spraying itself may not be performed smoothly. Storage difficulties may also arise due to changes in temperature and humidity.

Additionally, in order to observe whether stable atomization occurs within the above viscosity range, a solution in which a general surface wave element used for frequency filtering of a smartphone and a cigarette paper filter were soaked was used. As a result of atomizing the solution, it was confirmed that a uniform aerosol was continuously and stably generated in the above viscosity range. Therefore, the liquid inhalation formulation according to the present invention is capable of stable and continuous atomization up to a high viscosity range of 120 mPa·s.

Experimental Example 2: Observation of surface tension of liquid inhalation formulation

To obtain the results shown in Table 2 below, measurements were made using a tensiometer (plate type) at 25°C. The results are shown in Table 2 below and Figure 2.

surface tension (dyne)	Functional material content (% by weight)
	0	0.25	0.5	One	1.25	2.5	5	10	20
Example 1	57.0			57.0			57.2	57.4	57.3
Example 2	50.8		50.7			50.5	50.9	51.1
Example 3	49.5	50.0			50.1	50.4	51.3
Comparative example	64.2

Experimental Example 3: Observation of density of liquid inhalation formulation

In order to measure the density of the liquid inhalation formulation at 25°C, a certain volume of liquid was measured with a measuring cylinder, and the weight was measured and calculated to 4 significant figures. The results are shown in Table 3 and Figure 3 below. indicates.

Density (g/cc)	Functional material content (% by weight)
	0	0.25	0.5	One	1.25	2.5	5	10	20
Example 1	1.125			1.128			1.134	1.135	1.142
Example 2	1.152		1.155			1.158	1.159	1.164
Example 3	1.178	1.183			1.183	1.184	1.183
Comparative example	0.995

Although the embodiments have been described with limited drawings as described above, those skilled in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and/or components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components are used. Alternatively, appropriate results may be achieved even if substituted or substituted by an equivalent.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents of the claims also fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. As a liquid inhalation formulation for surface wave atomizer,

   Viscosity is 1.0~120 mPa·s at 20℃,

   Contains one or more selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, and physiological saline,

   A liquid inhalation formulation, characterized in that the content of glycerin is 50% by weight or more based on the total weight of the propylene glycol, glycerin, and saline solution.
2. According to paragraph 1,

   Liquid inhalable formulation with a surface tension of 50 to 70 dynes at 25 ℃.
3. According to paragraph 1,

   Liquid inhalation formulation with a density of 0.995 to 1.164 g/cc at 25°C.
4. According to paragraph 1,

   A liquid inhalation formulation, characterized in that the mass ratio of propylene glycol and glycerin is 1:3 to 1:5.
5. In paragraph 4.

   A liquid inhalation formulation, characterized in that the mass ratio of the saline solution and glycerin is 4:5 to 1:7.
6. According to clause 4,

   A liquid inhalation formulation, characterized in that the mass ratio of the saline solution and glycerin is 4:5 to 2:6, and the density is 1.125 to 1.164 g/cc at 25 ° C.
7. According to paragraph 1,

   The physiological saline solution is a liquid inhalation formulation, characterized in that it contains a functional inhalation material.
8. In clause 7,

   The functional inhalation material is a liquid inhalation formulation characterized in that it contains 0 to 20% by weight compared to physiological saline solution.
9. In clause 7,

   The functional inhalation material is a liquid inhalation formulation containing one or more selected from the group consisting of nicotine, caffeine, vitamins, and natural product extraction materials.
10. According to clause 9,

    The natural extract materials include rosemary, pine needles, peppermint, spearmint, coffee, pineapple, chamomile, orange, eucalyptus, thyme, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lemongrass, pine needle, clovo, sage, taxol, bergamot, basil, and thyme. , a liquid inhalation formulation containing one or more selected from the group consisting of valerian, hyshop, tea tree, myrrh, and juniper.
11. According to paragraph 1,

    The propylene glycol is a liquid inhalation formulation containing fragrance.
12. According to clause 11,

    The above fragrances include mint, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, licorice, coriander, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, maltol, ethyl maltol, eucalyptol, acetic acid, breath freshener fragrance, bergamot oil, rosemary, and geranium oil. , a liquid inhalation formulation, one or more selected from the group consisting of lemon oil, orange oil, lime oil, grapefruit oil, mint oil, ginger oil, isosweetener, and fruit flavoring ingredients.
13. A cartridge comprising a liquid inhalation formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
14. A cartridge containing the liquid inhalation formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and

    An aerosol generating device comprising a control unit.

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