Flavor plug for aerosol generator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flavor plug (50) for an aerosol generating device (12), wherein the flavor plug comprises: a housing (54) having at least one aperture (52) and a connecting portion for disengagingly connecting the flavor plug to an aerosol generating device, and a flavor material arranged within the housing, wherein the housing of the flavor plug comprises a adjusting means configured to adjust the amount of flavor delivered to the airflow path (26) of the aerosol generating device by the flavor plug, and the adjusting means configured to further adjust the flavor delivery. The present invention also relates to an aerosol generating system (10) comprising a flavor plug and an aerosol generating device.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flavor plug for an aerosol generating device, an aerosol generating device, and an aerosol generating system including the flavor plug. Background Technology

[0002] One type of aerosol generating device is an electronic cigarette. Electronic cigarettes typically use a liquid aerosol forming material that is vaporized to form an aerosol. A "heat-not-burn (HNB)" device can heat one or more solid aerosol forming materials to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol forming material volatilize without burning the solid aerosol forming material. Additionally, a hybrid aerosol generating device having both a liquid aerosol forming function and an HNB function is known. Additionally, an aerosol generating device in the form of a dry powder inhaler is known. Another type of aerosol generating device is a liquid inhaler, where the liquid material is aerosolized primarily by mechanical action. All of these devices, liquid aerosol forming devices or electronic cigarettes, HNB devices, hybrid devices, dry powder inhalers, and liquid inhalers are aerosol generating devices.

[0003] External air is drawn into the aerosol generator and guided through an airflow path toward the aerosol-forming substrate. The external air mixes with flavor compounds released from the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol. The aerosol can be inhaled by consumers.

[0004] Various techniques for flavoring generated aerosols to enhance user experience are known. For example, flavoring agents can be applied directly to the aerosol-forming substrate. However, adding flavoring to solid or liquid substrates can be complex and may require specific equipment, for instance, to prevent unintended release. In particular, the flavoring material requires compatibility with the aerosol generation system and, in particular, with the substrate matrix. This compatibility may relate, among other things, to the solubility, immobilization, and stability of the flavoring material. Furthermore, for consumables used in heated aerosol generators, the flavoring component must be thermally stable, and at the same time, the flavor must be sufficiently volatile to vaporize.

[0005] In addition, the amount of flavor provided per puff of the product is fixed at the manufacturing stage by the flavor concentration in the aerosol-forming agent and cannot be adjusted by the user.

[0006] It would be desirable to have an aerosol generator in which the flavor of the generated aerosol can be adjusted by the user. It would be desirable to have an aerosol generator in which the flavor modification of the generated aerosol can be controlled and modified by the user. It would be desirable to have an aerosol generator with simple user-based flavor modification of the generated aerosol. It would be desirable to have an aerosol generator in which the flavor can be modified by providing a flavor plug separate from the solid or liquid aerosol generating material.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a flavor plug for an aerosol generator is provided. The flavor plug may include at least one aperture and a housing having a connecting portion for disengagingly connecting the flavor plug to an aerosol generator. A flavor material may be arranged within the housing. The flavor plug may include a adjusting means configured to adjust the amount of flavor delivered to the airflow path of the aerosol generator by the flavor plug. The adjusting means may be further configured to adjust the flavor delivery.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a flavor plug for an aerosol generator is provided. The flavor plug comprises at least one aperture and a housing having a connecting portion for disengagingly connecting the flavor plug to an aerosol generator. A flavor material is arranged within the housing. The flavor plug comprises a adjusting means configured to adjust the amount of flavor delivered to the airflow path of the aerosol generator by the flavor plug. The adjusting means is further configured to adjust the flavor delivery.

[0009] The adjustment means may be configured to adjust flavor delivery without interfering with the suction resistance of the airflow path of the aerosol generator. That is, the adjustment means is configured so that the total suction resistance of the airflow path of the aerosol generator remains essentially constant when adjusting flavor delivery.

[0010] The present invention advantageously provides a flavor plug that can be used with any type of aerosol generating device. In particular, the flavor plug can be used with any aerosol generating device regardless of the aerosolization mechanism used.

[0011] The connection portion of the flavor plug is configured so that the flavor plug can be connected to an aerosol generator. The connection portion is further configured to establish a fluid connection between the aperture of the flavor plug and the airflow channel of the aerosol generator when the flavor plug is connected to the aerosol generator.

[0012] The housing of the flavor plug may include a single aperture. The flavor plug may be configured so that the aperture is in fluid contact with the airflow channel of the aerosol generator. Preferably, the aperture of the flavor plug comes into contact with the airflow channel without causing any deformation to the cross-section of the airflow channel. By not deforming the cross-section of the airflow channel, the suction resistance of the airflow channel is maintained substantially constant. In this way, the flavor can be released into the airflow channel without changing the suction resistance of the airflow channel.

[0013] The flavor plug may additionally include an adjustment mechanism capable of changing the size of the aperture. The adjustment mechanism may be provided in the form of a sliding flap. The adjustment mechanism may be configured to allow the user to adjust the amount of flavor provided by the flavor plug through the aperture relative to the air passing through the airflow.

[0014] The adjustment mechanism can be configured to allow the user to turn the function of delivering flavor to the airflow channel on and off at any time. The adjustment mechanism can be configured to allow the user to continuously adjust the flavor delivery to the airflow channel from 0 to the maximum amount that can be provided by the flavor plug.

[0015] Adjustments to flavor delivery can be performed at any time. Adjustments to flavor delivery can be performed before, during, or after the user experience. Adjustments to flavor levels can be performed during the user experience without the need to interrupt or disrupt the user experience.

[0016] Since aerosol generation and the flavoring of the airflow or aerosol flow are effectively separated from each other, some of the problems related to the generation of flavored aerosols faced in conventional devices are overcome.

[0017] The flavor plug may also include a plurality of apertures. The plurality of apertures may be arranged so that an airflow is guided through these apertures, wherein the passing airflow may entrain volatile components from the flavor substrate.

[0018] The flavor plug may include at least two apertures. The flavor plug may be shaped to define an airflow channel through the plug. The flavor plug may be configured such that when the flavor plug is connected to an aerosol generator, at least a portion of the airflow path of the aerosol generator is guided through the flavor plug.

[0019] The housing of the flavor plug may have a cylindrical shape having an internal wall that separates the internal volume of the plug into at least two compartments. The cylindrical housing of the flavor plug may have any desired cross-sectional shape. For example, the cylindrical housing of the flavor plug may have a circular, elliptical, rectangular, or polygonal shape.

[0020] The inner wall of the housing of the flavor plug may extend in the longitudinal direction of the plug to define compartments arranged parallel to the internal volume of the flavor plug.

[0021] At least one of the compartments may be equipped with a flavor substrate. Since at least a portion of the airflow path of the aerosol generator is guided through the flavor plug, the passing airflow can entrain volatile components from the flavor substrate.

[0022] Each compartment can be configured to have the same RTD (suction resistance). By configuring the compartments to have the same RTD, the airflow can be guided through any one of these compartments without significantly changing the overall RTD of the airflow path.

[0023] The compartment may be essentially hollow. The RTD of such a hollow compartment is essentially determined by the cross-section of the compartment.

[0024] The compartments may be configured to include a porous material through which an airflow path is guided. The compartments may be configured to include the same porous material such that the RTD of each compartment is the same.

[0025] In an embodiment where the housing of the flavor plug defines a compartment in which the device airflow path is guided, the adjusting means may include a disc-shaped cap having an opening. The disc-shaped cap may be mounted on the end face of the cylindrical housing of the flavor plug. The disc-shaped cap may have the same cross-section as the housing of the flavor plug. In a preferred embodiment, the housing of the flavor plug and the disc-shaped cap may have corresponding circular cross-sections.

[0026] The size of the opening of the disc-shaped cap may be smaller than the cross-section of the compartment. In this way, the size of the opening of the disc-shaped cap can essentially determine the RTD of the flavor plug.

[0027] A disc-shaped cap can be rotatably mounted on the end surface of the cylindrical housing of the flavor plug. The disc-shaped cap is preferably aligned with the cylindrical housing of the flavor plug such that its opening directs airflow into a compartment within the internal volume of the flavor plug.

[0028] By rotating the disc-shaped cap, the opening can be positioned to allow airflow to pass completely through one of the compartments or to allow partial airflow through two adjacent compartments. The user can adjust the rotation of the disc-shaped cap at any time. By adjusting the rotation of the disc-shaped cap, the airflow distribution through adjacent compartments can be adjusted. In particular, the opening can be positioned to adjust the airflow through the compartment equipped with the flavor material. Therefore, by rotating the disc-shaped cap, the flavor delivery to the airflow through the compartments can be modified. Since all compartments essentially have the same RTD, the overall RTD remains constant regardless of the rotation position of the disc-shaped cap.

[0029] The opening of the disc-shaped cap can have any desired shape and size. In particular, the size of the opening of the disc-shaped cap can be larger or smaller than the cross-section of the compartment defined in the flavor plug. The opening can have any desired shape and size as long as the airflow distribution through the various compartments is modified when the disc-shaped cap is rotated, and the flavor transfer to the device airflow is modified accordingly.

[0030] In an additional embodiment, the flavor plug may include a housing that defines an internal compartment provided with a flavor-coated film. The flavor-coated film may be wound onto a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft may extend along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical housing of the flavor plug.

[0031] By rotating a rotatable shaft, the flavor-coated film can be wound onto the shaft or unwound from the shaft. A diffusion element may be provided to assist in spreading the unwound portion of the flavor-coated film away from the rotatable shaft while unwinding the flavor-coated film.

[0032] When fully wound, the flavor-coated film is densely packed around a rotatable shaft, and only a small portion of the airflow through the flavor plug passes along the surface of the flavor film. Therefore, flavor delivery is reduced in this configuration.

[0033] As the flavor-coated film is unwound more from the rotatable shaft, the surface of the flavor-coated film can come into contact with the passing airflow more, and the flavor of the flavor-coated film is transferred to the passing airflow more.

[0034] RTD through a compartment containing a flavor-coated film is essentially defined by an unobstructed cross-section through the compartment. This cross-section is determined by subtracting the cross-section of the edge of the flavor-coated film facing the airflow from the cross-section of the compartment. The cross-section of the edge of the flavor-coated film facing the airflow remains the same regardless of whether the flavor-coated film is wound onto a rotatable shaft or unwound from the shaft. Thus, by winding and unwinding the flavor-coated film from a rotatable shaft, the flavor delivery of the compartment of the flavor plug can be adjusted while the overall RTD through the compartment remains constant.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and a flavor plug as described above.

[0036] The flavor plug may be configured to be connected to the air inlet of the aerosol generator. The flavor plug may be configured to be connected near the mouthpiece of the aerosol generator. The flavor plug may be configured to be connected to an airflow channel defined between the air inlet of the aerosol generator and the mouthpiece.

[0037] The aerosol generator may include a flavor plug comprising a separate air inlet to generate flavor air. The flavor air may be mixed with an aerosol that is transported into the airflow channel of the aerosol generator. The mixture of the aerosol and flavor air may be transported through the airflow channel toward the mouthpiece of the aerosol generator. A user inhaling from the mouthpiece may inhale the flavor aerosol.

[0038] The aerosol generating device may include a separate airflow passage configured to deliver flavor air from the flavor plug toward the mouthpiece. The flavor air and aerosol may not be combined before reaching the mouthpiece. Then, the aerosol and flavor air mixed at the mouthpiece may be inhaled by a user inhaling from the mouthpiece.

[0039] By selecting a location where flavored air is combined with an aerosol, desired aerosolization conditions can be obtained.

[0040] The aerosol generating device may also be equipped with additional ventilation means. The ventilation means is typically provided downstream from the aerosol generating unit. By introducing cold outside air into the airflow passage, aerosol formation can be enhanced.

[0041] In an embodiment including a ventilation means, the flavor plug may be located at a different position relative to the location of the ventilation means. The position of the flavor plug determines the timing of the aerosol formation process in which flavor air is introduced into the airflow passage.

[0042] The flavor plug can be located upstream of the ventilation means. In this configuration, flavor air is introduced during the initial stage of aerosol formation. The introduction of flavor air can influence aerosol formation.

[0043] The flavor plug can be located downstream from the ventilation means. In this configuration, flavor air is introduced during the later stages of aerosol formation. At this point, aerosol formation may already be nearly complete, and the additional introduction of flavor air may have only a slight effect on aerosol formation.

[0044] The flavor plug can also be located in the same position as the ventilation means.

[0045] By connecting the flavor plug to an aerosol generator such that the aperture of the flavor plug makes fluid contact with the airflow path through the aerosol generator, the flavor of the flavor plug can be transferred to the air and / or aerosol transported along the airflow path. The flavoring of the air is performed independently of aerosol generation. Therefore, since fewer restrictions apply in the system of the present invention compared to an aerosol generation system where aerosol generation and aerosol flavoring are performed simultaneously, flavoring can be performed in a more flexible manner.

[0046] The flavor plug can be configured as described above.

[0047] In a further embodiment, the flavor plug may be provided in the form of a frame having a lateral aperture. The frame may be configured to retain and enclose a flavor film. An aerosol generator may include a slot for receiving the frame-shaped flavor plug. The slot may be located adjacent to an airflow channel of the aerosol generator. When received within the slot, the frame may be located in a first position where the lateral aperture of the frame does not fluidly contact the airflow channel. The frame may be configured to be movable within the slot to a second position where fluid contact between the lateral aperture of the frame and the airflow channel is established.

[0048] The slot may extend parallel to the airflow channel of the device. When the frame is moved within the slot, the lateral aperture of the frame may come into fluid contact with the airflow channel. By moving the frame within the slot, a portion of the aperture is exposed to the airflow channel of the device. The slot may be configured so that the entire lateral aperture of the frame is exposed to the airflow channel. By adjusting the portion of the aperture exposed to the airflow channel, the flavor delivery of the frame-shaped flavor plug to the airflow can be adjusted.

[0049] In an embodiment in which the flavor plug comprises a housing having apertures at both ends and at least a portion of the airflow path of the aerosol generator is guided through the flavor plug, a adjusting means may also be provided as part of the device. For example, the device may be configured to receive the flavor plug such that the open end of the airflow channel is in fluid communication with the aperture of the flavor plug. The open end of the airflow channel may function in the same manner as the opening of the aforementioned disc-shaped cap.

[0050] By rotating the entire flavor plug inside the device relative to the open end of the airflow channel, the airflow can be adjusted to be guided through one or more of the internal compartments of the flavor plug.

[0051] As used herein, the terms 'proximal', 'distal', 'downstream', and 'upstream' are used to describe the components of an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article, or the relative positions of the components, in relation to the direction of inhalation while the user is using the aerosol generating device or the aerosol generating article.

[0052] As used herein, the 'aerosol generating device' relates to a device that generates an aerosol by interacting with an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol that can be inhaled directly into the user's lungs through the user's mouth by interacting with the aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating device may be a holder. The aerosol generating device may include a housing, an electrical circuit, a power supply, a heating chamber, and a heating element.

[0053] The aerosol generating device may have a length of 86 mm to 130 mm.

[0054] As used herein, the term 'aerosol-forming substrate' relates to a substrate capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article.

[0055] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may include both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may also be provided in the form of a gel or an amorphous solid. The aerosol-forming substrate may include a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may include plant-based or non-plant-based materials. The aerosol-forming substrate may include non-tobacco materials. The aerosol-forming substrate may include nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may be nicotine-free. The forming substrate may include an aerosol-forming agent that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol-forming agents are glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0056] The aerosol generating material preferably comprises a homogenized tobacco material, an aerosol forming agent, and water. Providing a homogenized tobacco material can improve aerosol generation, nicotine content, and the flavor profile of the aerosol generated during heating of the aerosol generating article. Specifically, the process for manufacturing homogenized tobacco includes a step of grinding tobacco leaves, which enables more effective release of nicotine and flavor upon heating.

[0057] The aerosol generating article may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The aerosol generating article may have a substantially elongated shape. The aerosol generating article may have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to this length. The aerosol generating article may have a substantially rod shape. The aerosol forming substrate may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The aerosol forming substrate may have a substantially elongated shape. The aerosol forming substrate may also have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to this length. The aerosol forming substrate may have a substantially rod shape.

[0058] The aerosol generating article may have a total length of 55 mm to 110 mm, preferably 60 mm to 90 mm. The aerosol generating article may have an outer diameter of about 4.5 mm to about 17 mm, preferably 6 mm to 9 mm. The aerosol generating article may include a filter plug. The filter plug may be located at the downstream end of the aerosol generating article. The filter plug may be a cellulose acetate filter plug. In one embodiment, the filter plug may have a length of about 7 mm, but may have a length of about 5 mm to about 10 mm.

[0059] The aerosol generating article may include a separator between the aerosol forming substrate and the filter plug. The separator may be approximately 18 mm, but may be in the range of 5 mm to 25 mm.

[0060] The aerosol generating article may comprise a plurality of elements, including one or more of a mouthpiece, a spacer, a hollow acetate tube, a sensory media plug, and a forward plug. All elements may be connected to each other by an external wrapper. The aerosol generating article may have a cylindrical shape.

[0061] The aerosol generating article may generally be flat. The aerosol generating article may have a thickness defined by the separation between the opposing first and second main surfaces of the aerosol generating article, and the opposing main surfaces are each planar.

[0062] Aerosol-generating articles can generally define a parallelepiped contour.

[0063] Aerosol-generating items can generally have a rectangular shape.

[0064] An aerosol-generating article may include one or more sensory medium parts. At least one of the sensory medium parts may have a material composition different from that of the other parts.

[0065] In an embodiment in which an aerosol generating article comprises a plurality of portions of a sensory medium, the plurality of portions are arranged continuously along the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction may correspond to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article. Each portion may be spatially separated from other portions.

[0066] The aerosol generating article may have a length, width, and thickness. Preferably, the ratio of width to thickness is greater than 5, or greater than 10, or greater than 20, or greater than 40. The thinner the aerosol generating article, the easier it will be to achieve uniform heating through the thickness of the sensing medium of the aerosol generating article when heat is applied.

[0067] The thickness of the aerosol-generating article is preferably 1 mm or less, or more preferably 0.75 mm or less, or more preferably 0.5 mm or less. The thickness of the aerosol-generating article may be greater than 0.05 mm or greater than 0.1 mm.

[0068] The length of the aerosol-generating article may be greater than 15 mm, or preferably in the range of 15 mm to 100 mm, or preferably in the range of 15 mm to 75 mm, or preferably in the range of 15 mm to 65 mm, or preferably in the range of 20 mm to 65 mm, or preferably in the range of 28 mm to 62 mm, or preferably in the range of 28 mm to 48 mm, or preferably in the range of 35 mm to 48 mm.

[0069] The width of the aerosol-generating article may be greater than 5 mm, or preferably in the range of 5 mm to 40 mm, or preferably in the range of 5 mm to 31 mm, or preferably in the range of 8 mm to 31 mm, or preferably in the range of 11 mm to 25 mm.

[0070] The aerosol generator may include an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit may include a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of a controller. The electrical circuit may include additional electronic components. The electrical circuit may be configured to regulate the power supply to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously after activation of the aerosol generator, or intermittently, for example, whenever puffing occurs. Power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of current pulses. The electrical circuit may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element and, preferably, to control the supply of power to the heating element according to the electrical resistance of the heating element.

[0071] The aerosol generator may include a power supply, typically a battery, within the main body of the aerosol generator. In one embodiment, the power supply is a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a nickel-hydrogen alloy battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery, such as a lithium-cobalt, lithium-iron-phosphate, lithium titanate, or lithium-polymer battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity to store sufficient energy for one or more usage experiences; for example, the power supply may have a capacity sufficient to continuously generate aerosols for a period of about 6 minutes, or for a period that is a multiple of 6 minutes. In another example, the power supply may have a capacity sufficient to provide individual activation of a predetermined number of puffs or heating elements.

[0072] A non-limiting, non-comprehensive list of embodiments is provided below. Any one or more features of these embodiments may be combined with any one or more features of other embodiments, embodiments, or aspects described herein.

[0073] Example 1. As a flavor plug for an aerosol generating device, the flavor plug is:

[0074] A housing having at least one aperture and a connecting portion for disengagingly connecting the flavor plug to the aerosol generator,

[0075] It includes flavoring materials arranged within the above housing, and

[0076] A flavor plug comprising, wherein the flavor plug comprises a adjusting means configured to adjust the amount of flavor delivered to the airflow path of the aerosol generator by the flavor plug, and wherein the adjusting means further configured to adjust the flavor delivery.

[0077] Example 2. In Example 1, the adjustment means is configured to adjust flavor delivery without interfering with the suction resistance of the airflow path of the aerosol generator, a flavor plug.

[0078] Example 3. In any one of the previous embodiments, the flavor plug comprises a single aperture.

[0079] Example 4. In any one of the previous embodiments, the flavor plug is configured such that the aperture can fluidly contact the airflow channel of the aerosol generator.

[0080] Example 5. In any one of the previous embodiments, the adjusting mechanism is a flavor plug capable of changing the size of the aperture.

[0081] Example 6. In any one of the previous embodiments, the adjusting mechanism comprises a sliding flap, a flavor plug.

[0082] Example 7. In any one of the previous embodiments, the flavor plug comprises two or more apertures.

[0083] Example 8. In any one of the prior embodiments, the flavor plug is shaped to define an airflow channel through the plug.

[0084] Example 9. In any one of the prior embodiments, the housing of the flavor plug has a cylindrical shape having an inner wall that separates the internal volume of the plug into at least two compartments.

[0085] Example 10. In any one of the previous embodiments, the inner wall of the housing of the flavor plug defines a compartment that extends in the longitudinal direction of the flavor plug and is arranged parallel to the flavor plug.

[0086] Example 11. In any one of the previous embodiments, a flavor plug having at least one compartment having a flavor material.

[0087] Example 12. In any one of the previous embodiments, each compartment is a flavor plug having the same RTD.

[0088] Example 13. In any one of the previous embodiments, the flavor plug comprising a porous material having the same porosity in the compartment.

[0089] Example 14. In any one of the prior embodiments, the adjusting means comprises a disc-shaped cap having an opening, and the disc-shaped cap is mounted on the end surface of the cylindrical housing of the flavor plug, a flavor plug.

[0090] Example 15. In any one of the previous embodiments, the size of the opening is smaller than the cross-section of the partition, a flavor plug.

[0091] Example 16. In any one of the previous embodiments, the flavor plug, wherein the disc-shaped cap is rotatably mounted on the end surface of the cylindrical housing of the flavor plug.

[0092] Example 17. A flavor plug, wherein in any one of the prior embodiments, by rotating the disc-shaped cap, the opening can be positioned to allow airflow to pass completely through one compartment or partial airflow to pass through two adjacent compartments.

[0093] Example 18. In any one of the previous embodiments, the adjusting means comprises a flavor plug including a flavor-coated film.

[0094] Example 19. In any one of the previous embodiments, the flavor-coated film is wound onto a rotatable shaft, forming a flavor plug.

[0095] Example 20. In any one of the prior embodiments, the rotatable shaft extends along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical housing of the flavor plug, the flavor plug.

[0096] Example 21. In any one of the previous embodiments, a flavor plug in which a flavor-coated film can be wound onto or unwound from a rotatable shaft by rotating the shaft.

[0097] Example 22. A flavor plug, wherein, in any one of the prior embodiments, a diffusion element is provided to assist in spreading the unwinding portion of the flavor-coated film away from the rotatable shaft.

[0098] Example 23. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and a flavor plug according to any one of the prior embodiments.

[0099] Example 24. An aerosol generating system in Example 23, wherein the flavor plug is configured to be connected at an air inlet, near a mouthpiece, or in an airflow channel defined between the air inlet and the mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device.

[0100] Example 25. An aerosol generating system in either Example 23 or 24, wherein the flavor plug is configured as a frame having a lateral aperture.

[0101] Example 26. An aerosol generating system in any one of Examples 23 to 25, wherein the device includes a slot for receiving the frame-shaped flavor plug.

[0102] Example 27. An aerosol generating system in any one of Examples 23 to 26, wherein the frame can be moved within a slot extending parallel to the airflow channel of the aerosol generating device.

[0103] Example 28. An aerosol generating system in any one of Examples 23 to 27, wherein at least a portion of the aperture is exposed to the airflow channel of the device by moving the frame.

[0104] The features described in relation to one embodiment may be equally applied to other embodiments of the present invention. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0105] The present invention will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings merely as an example: Figure 1 illustrates different types of aerosol generation systems. Figure 2 illustrates a schematic embodiment of a flavor plug. FIG. 3 illustrates an aerosol generating system having a frame-shaped flavor plug. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the system of Figure 3. Figure 5 shows an example of an embodiment of a flavor plug having two compartments. Figure 6 shows an example of an embodiment of a flavor plug having four compartments. FIG. 7 illustrates a flavor plug having a rotatable shaft and a flavor-coated film. FIG. 8 illustrates possible positions for connecting a flavor plug to an aerosol generator. FIG. 9 illustrates an additional embodiment of an aerosol generator having a flavor plug. FIG. 10 illustrates an aerosol generating device having a flavor plug and a ventilation means. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0106] FIG. 1 illustrates a different type of aerosol generation system (10). In the left drawing, a so-called heated-non-combustion aerosol generation system is illustrated. The aerosol generation system (10) comprises an aerosol generation device (12) having a cavity (14) for receiving an aerosol generation article (16). The aerosol generation article (16) is provided in the form of a stick-shaped consumable having a plug of a solid aerosol generation substrate (18). The cavity (14) forms a heating chamber that is heated by an external heating system (20). The heating system (20) heats the inserted consumable. External air (22) is drawn into the airflow path (26) of the aerosol generation device (12) through the device air inlet (24). As the external air (22) passes through the consumable, it is heated and entrains volatilized components to form an aerosol (30). The aerosol (30) can be inhaled by the consumer inhaling the inserted consumable.

[0107] In the intermediate drawing of FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device (12) has a storage section (32) that holds a certain amount of liquid aerosol generating material (18). The liquid material (18) comes into contact with a wick material (34) and leads to a mesh (36), where the liquid material (18) is aerosolized. The mesh (36) may be a heated mesh used to vaporize the liquid material. The mesh (36) may also be a vibrating mesh that aerosolizes the liquid material by mechanical action. The vibrating mesh may be activated by ultrasound. External air (22) is drawn into the airflow path (26) of the aerosol generating device (12) through the device air inlet (24). The external air (22) is guided across the mesh (36), where it entrains the aerosolized component to form an aerosol (30). The aerosol (30) can be inhaled by the consumer inhaling from the mouthpiece (38) of the aerosol generating device (12).

[0108] On the right side of FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device (12) is shown, comprising a cavity (14) into which an aerosol generating article (16) is inserted. The aerosol generating article (16) comprises a tube (40) having a capsule (42) containing an aerosol generating material (18) in the form of a dry powder. The aerosol generating device (12) comprises a penetration element (44) that can be used to penetrate the capsule (42). External air (22) is drawn into the airflow path (26) of the aerosol generating device (12) through the device air inlet (24). The external air (22) is guided through a consumable, which entrains the dry powder to form an aerosol (30). The aerosol (30) can be inhaled by a consumer inhaling the inserted consumable.

[0109] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic embodiment of a flavor plug (50) comprising a single aperture (52). The flavor plug (50) comprises a cylindrical housing (54) and a flavor substrate (56) provided in the housing (54). The housing (54) includes a connecting means (not shown) that enables the flavor plug (50) to be connected to an aerosol generator. The flavor plug (50) is connected in such a way that the aperture (52) is fluidly connected to the airflow path of the aerosol generator. The bottom side (58) of the housing (54) is closed so that airflow cannot pass through the bottom side (58) of the housing (54).

[0110] A side cross-sectional view of the flavor plug (50) is shown on the right side of FIG. 2. This drawing shows how the flavor component (57) is dragged into the airflow (60) passing through the device airflow path. The flavor plug (50) includes an adjustment mechanism in the form of a sliding flap (62), which allows the opening size of the aperture (52) to be changed. In this way, the consumer can adjust the amount of flavor delivered to the airflow (60) without interfering with the suction resistance received by the airflow (60).

[0111] In FIG. 3, an additional embodiment of an aerosol generating system comprising a flavor plug (50) having only one aperture (52) is schematically illustrated.

[0112] The flavor plug (50) is provided in the form of a thin frame (51) having one large aperture (52). The frame (51) holds a film (56) of the flavor material. The frame (51) further has a small knob (59) that can be grasped by the consumer's hand.

[0113] As illustrated in the left drawing of FIG. 3, the frame (51) is configured to be inserted into a slot (64) of the aerosol generating device (12). The slot (64) is provided next to the air inlet (24) of the airflow path (26) of the aerosol generating device (12). The inserted frame (51) can slide parallel to the airflow path (26) along the wall of the air inlet (24).

[0114] As the frame (51) slides further to the right, the portion of the aperture (52) of the frame (51) exposed to the airflow (60) passing through the airflow channel (26) becomes larger. The flavor components are entrained by the airflow (60) and transported to the cavity (14) of the aerosol generator (12).

[0115] A cross-sectional view along lines AA' and B-B' of FIG. 3 is illustrated in the top and bottom views of FIG. 4. The top view illustrated in FIG. 4 shows various possibilities for how the frame can be positioned within the slot (64). In the left view of FIG. 4, the frame (51) is positioned as far as possible to the left of the slot (64) so ​​that the aperture (52) of the frame (51) is not exposed to the airflow path (26) (left view).

[0116] In the intermediate view of FIG. 4, the frame (51) is positioned in an intermediate location, where the aperture (52) is partially exposed to the airflow path (26). In this situation, the frame is partially exposed to the airflow path (26), so that at least some of the volatile components (57) are entrained with the outside air that is guided through the frame (51).

[0117] In the right view of FIG. 4, the frame (51) is positioned by moving the frame as far as possible to the right of the slot (64) via the knob (59). In this position, the entire aperture (52) is exposed to the airflow path (26). The user can continuously adjust the flavor delivery intensity to the airflow path (26) by positioning the frame at any desired location via the knob (59).

[0118] The lower two drawings of FIG. 4 show a cross-sectional view along the BB' line of FIG. 3. These two drawings show that the effective cross-section of the airflow path (26) is independent of the actual position of the frame (51) within the slot (64). Regardless of whether the frame (51) is positioned so that the aperture (52) is exposed to the airflow path (26), the smallest cross-section of the airflow path (26) is provided further downstream from the frame (51). Thus, the RTD of the airflow path (26) is defined by the smallest cross-section that does not change regardless of the position of the frame (51).

[0119] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the flavor plug (50). In this embodiment, the flavor delivery intensity of the flavor plug (50) can be adjusted without changing the RTD of the flavor plug (50).

[0120] The upper drawing of FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a flavor plug (50) comprising a cylindrical housing (54) having apertures (52, 53) at both ends. The cylindrical housing (54) is divided into two sections (70, 72) by a central wall (74). Section (70) is provided with a porous flavor-containing substrate (76). The other section (72) is provided with a porous substrate (78) without flavor. Both porous substrates (76, 78) have the same RTD. The upper end of the flavor plug (50) is sealed by a rotatable disc-shaped cap (80) having an opening (82). The cross-section of the opening (82) is smaller than the open cross-section of each of the sections (70, 72). By rotating the disc-shaped cap (80), the opening (82) allows incoming air (22) to flow through the flavored porous substrate (76), through the flavorless porous substrate (78), or a combination thereof. Since the RTD of both compartments is the same, the air flow distribution between the two compartments can be adjusted without changing the RTD of the flavor plug. In practice, the RTD is primarily defined by the size of the opening (82) and the porosity of the two substrates (76, 78). Since the opening (82) and the substrates (76, 78) do not change, the generated RTD remains constant.

[0121] In the lower two drawings of FIG. 5, two different angle positions of the disc-shaped cap (80) are shown. In the left side view, the disc-shaped cap (80) is rotated so that about 50% of the airflow is guided through the section (70) containing the flavor material (76). In the right side view, the disc-shaped cap (80) is rotated so that the airflow is not guided through the section (70) containing the flavor material (76). Thus, all incoming air is guided through the section (72) containing only the porous material (78) without flavor. Therefore, in this situation, the flavor is not delivered to the airflow through the flavor plug (50).

[0122] In the drawing of FIG. 6, a flavor plug (50) having four compartments (70, 71, 72, 73) divided by a wall (74) is shown. Different porous flavor substrates (76, 77) and hollow porous substrates (78) are disposed in each compartment (70, 71, 72, 73). Again, all substrates have the same RTD. The flavor plug (50) is closed at the top by a rotatable disc-shaped cap (80) having an opening (82) for guiding incoming air (22) into each compartment.

[0123] The drawing on the right shows a method in which a consumer can direct the airflow (60) through one or more compartments (70, 71, 72, 73) by rotating a disc-shaped cap (82). In this way, no flavor may be delivered to the airflow (60), or one or two different flavors may be delivered.

[0124] FIG. 7 illustrates an additional embodiment of the flavor plug (50). The flavor plug (50) again has a cylindrical housing (54) through which the airflow (60) is guided. The flavor plug (50) has mechanical adjustment means for expanding or reducing the surface area of ​​the flavor-coated film (90) exposed to the passing airflow (60).

[0125] A side view of the flavor plug (50) is shown in the upper view of FIG. 7. A rotatable shaft (92) is provided in the center of the flavor plug (50) on which a flavor-coated film (90) is wound.

[0126] A rotatable shaft (92) extends along the longitudinal axis of the flavor plug (50) and is connected to the upper edge of the flavor plug (50) by an arm (94). By rotating the shaft (92) counterclockwise within the flavor plug (50), the flavor-coated film (90) is unwound from the rotatable shaft (92). To help spread the unwound portion of the flavor-coated film (90) away from the rotatable shaft (92), a diffusion element (96) is provided at the bottom of the flavor plug (50). By rotating the rotatable shaft (92) in the opposite direction, the flavor-coated film (90) is wound onto the rotatable shaft (92). An airflow (60) is guided through the flavor plug (50) and past the flavor-coated film (90). Volatile components released from the flavor-coated film (90) are entrained in the airflow (60).

[0127] The bottom drawing illustrates the operating principle of this embodiment of the flavor plug (50). In the left drawing, the flavor-coated film (90) is completely wound around a rotatable shaft (92). Thus, the flavor-coated film (90) is densely packed in the central region (98) of the flavor plug (50). The densely packed flavor film (90) has a relatively high RTD compared to the remainder of the empty internal volume of the flavor plug (50). Therefore, only a very small portion of the passing airflow (60) is guided along the surface of the flavor-coated film (90). A tiny fraction of the flavor components released from the flavor-coated film (90) are dragged into the passing air (60) or are not dragged at all.

[0128] In the drawing on the right, the flavor-coated film (90) is completely unwound from the rotatable shaft (92). The passing airflow (60) is guided between the spirally arranged layers of the flavor-coated film (90). Thus, the passing airflow (60) comes into more efficient contact with the surface of the flavor-coated film (90). The level of flavor transfer to the passing airflow (60) is increased. The level of flavor transfer can be adjusted by rotating the rotatable shaft (92) and winding and unwinding the flavor-coated film (90), but the overall RTD of the flavor plug (50) remains constant. The RTD is primarily defined by the free cross-section of the internal volume of the flavor plug (50). This cross-section is determined by the value obtained by subtracting the cross-section of the upstream edge of the flavor-coated film (90) facing the airflow (60) from the cross-section of the compartment. The cross-section of the edge of the flavor-coated film (90) facing the airflow (60) remains the same regardless of whether the flavor-coated film (90) is wound or unwound from the rotatable shaft (92). Thus, by winding and unwinding the flavor-coated film (90) from the rotatable shaft (92), the flavor delivery of the compartment of the flavor plug (50) can be adjusted while the entire RTD through the internal volume of the flavor plug (50) remains constant.

[0129] FIG. 8 illustrates another possible configuration for combining a flavor plug (50) with an aerosol generator (12).

[0130] In the upper left view of FIG. 8, the flavor plug (50) is connected to the outside of the aerosol generator (12). More specifically, the flavor plug (50) is connected to the air inlet of the mouthpiece portion (38) of the aerosol generator (12). In this embodiment, the flavor plug (50) is provided downstream of the heating portion of the aerosol generator (12). It is easy for the user to rotate a portion of the flavor plug (50) to change the flavor delivery intensity, and this can even be done during the user experience. However, the flavor plug (50) protrudes slightly from the mouthpiece portion (38) of the aerosol generator (12).

[0131] In the upper right view of FIG. 8, the flavor plug (50) is inserted halfway into the air inlet (24) of the aerosol generator (12). If the device includes a heating element, the flavor plug is provided upstream of the heating element of the aerosol generator (12). A portion of the flavor plug protrudes from the aerosol generator, allowing the user to adjust the flavor intensity during the user experience.

[0132] The bottom drawing shows an aerosol generator (12) that must be opened to insert a flavor plug (50) immediately upstream of the heating cavity (14). In this configuration, the flavor plug (50) is fully inserted into the aerosol generator (12), and the level of the flavor plug (50) can be adjusted before or after the user experience.

[0133] An additional schematic embodiment of the aerosol generating device (12) is illustrated in FIG. 9. The device (12) illustrated in the top view of FIG. 9 comprises a main body (13), a mouthpiece (38), and a flavor plug (50) integrated into the housing of the main body (13) of the aerosol generating device (12). In this embodiment, the main body (13) defines two channels (100, 102). Channel (100) is used exclusively to transport aerosol (104) toward the mouthpiece (38) of the device (12). The second channel (102) is configured to transport flavor air (106) toward the mouthpiece (38) of the device (12). The flavor air (106) is obtained by guiding external air (108) into channel (102) through the flavor plug (50). The aerosol (104) and flavored air (106) are combined in the mouthpiece (38), and the mixture of the aerosol (104) and flavored air (106) can be inhaled by a user inhaling from the mouthpiece (38).

[0134] The device (12) illustrated in the lower view of FIG. 9 includes a main body (13), a mouthpiece (38), and a flavor plug (50) integrated into the housing of the main body (13) of the aerosol generating device (12). In this embodiment, the main body (13) defines only a single channel (110). Within the channel (110), the aerosol (104) is combined with flavor air (106).

[0135] A mixture of aerosol (104) and flavored air (106) is transported through a channel (110) toward a mouthpiece (38) and can be inhaled by a user inhaling from the mouthpiece (38).

[0136] FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic embodiment of an aerosol generating device (12) having ventilation means (112). Each illustrated device (12) comprises a main body (13), an aerosol generating unit (114) at its distal end, and a mouthpiece (38) at its proximal end. An aerosol (104) generated by the aerosol generating unit (114) at the distal end of the main body (13) is transported through a channel (100) toward the mouthpiece (38) of the device (12). The main body (13) comprises ventilation means (112) in the form of ventilation holes distributed around it. The ventilation means (112) allow external air to be ventilated into the channel (100). The external air is used to cool the aerosol (104) to enhance aerosol formation.

[0137] The flavor plug (50) is integrated into the housing of the main body (13) of the aerosol generating device (12). Similar to FIG. 9, the flavor plug is used to impart flavor to the outside air (108) and to deliver the flavored air (106) to the airflow channel (100) within the device (12). The three embodiments shown in FIG. 10 differ in the position of the flavor plug (50) relative to the location of the ventilation means (112).

[0138] In the upper view of FIG. 10, the flavor plug (50) is located upstream of the ventilation means (112). More specifically, the flavor plug (50) is located between the aerosol generating unit (114) and the ventilation means (112).

[0139] In the intermediate view of FIG. 10, the flavor plug (50) is located downstream of the ventilation means (112). More specifically, the flavor plug (50) is located between the ventilation means (112) and the mouthpiece (38).

[0140] In the lower view of FIG. 10, the flavor plug (50) is located at the same longitudinal position as the ventilation means (112). In this embodiment, the cooled outside air and flavor air (106) are mixed simultaneously with the aerosol (104) conveyed to the channel (100).

Claims

Claim 1 A flavor plug for an aerosol generator, wherein the flavor plug comprises: a housing having at least one aperture and a connecting portion for disengagingly connecting the flavor plug to the aerosol generator; a flavor material arranged within the housing; wherein the flavor plug comprises a adjusting means configured to adjust the amount of flavor delivered to the airflow path of the aerosol generator by the flavor plug, and the adjusting means further configured to adjust the flavor delivery without interfering with the suction resistance of the airflow path of the aerosol generator. Claim 2 In claim 1, the flavor plug is configured such that the aperture can come into fluid contact with the airflow channel of the aerosol generator. Claim 3 In claim 1 or 2, the adjusting mechanism is a flavor plug capable of changing the size of the aperture. Claim 4 A flavor plug according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flavor plug is shaped to define an airflow channel through the plug. Claim 5 A flavor plug according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing of the flavor plug has a cylindrical shape having an inner wall that separates the internal volume of the plug into at least two compartments. Claim 6 A flavor plug according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein at least one compartment is provided with a flavor material. Claim 7 In any one of paragraphs 1 to 6, each compartment has the same RTD, a flavor plug. Claim 8 A flavor plug according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the adjusting means comprises a disc-shaped cap having an opening, and the disc-shaped cap is mounted on the end surface of a cylindrical housing of the flavor plug. Claim 9 A flavor plug according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein by rotating the disc-shaped cap, the opening can be positioned to allow airflow to pass completely through one compartment or partial airflow to pass through two adjacent compartments. Claim 10 A flavor plug according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the adjusting means comprises a flavor-coated film. Claim 11 A flavor plug according to claim 10, wherein the flavor-coated film is wound onto a rotatable shaft, preferably such that the flavor-coated film can be wound onto the rotatable shaft or unwound from the rotatable shaft by rotating the rotatable shaft. Claim 12 An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and a flavor plug according to any one of claims 1 to 11. Claim 13 In claim 12, the aerosol generating system is configured such that the flavor plug is connected at an air inlet near the mouthpiece, or in an airflow channel defined between the air inlet and the mouthpiece of the aerosol generating device. Claim 14 An aerosol generating system according to either Clause 12 or Clause 13, wherein the flavor plug is configured as a frame having a lateral aperture. Claim 15 An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the device comprises a slot for receiving the frame-shaped flavor plug.

Images