An aerosol generating article including a liquid storage portion, a heater, and a wick

Abstract

Provided are an atomized agent loading unit, a preparation method thereof, and an aerosol generating article. The preparation method is used for preparing an atomized agent loading unit. The atomized agent loading unit comprises a shell and an inner core. The shell completely wraps the inner core to form a double-layer core-shell structure. The atomized agent is propylene glycol. The preparation material of the inner core is a solid eutectic mixture of a first phase change material and propylene glycol. The preparation material of the shell is a second phase change material. The atomized agent loading unit is stored in a filter rod segment of the aerosol generating article. Through the structure arrangement of independently storing the atomized agent and releasing the atomized agent when the corresponding temperature is reached during smoking, the problems of difficult storage and poor smoking taste caused by directly adding the atomized agent to tobacco sheets are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This patent relates to the field of aerosol generation technology, specifically to an atomizing agent loading unit, its preparation method, and an aerosol generation product. Background Technology

[0002] In heated cigarette products, the generation of aerosols mainly relies on atomizing agents (usually propylene glycol, glycerol, or mixtures thereof) added to the tobacco sheet. When heated, the atomizing agent volatilizes and carries tobacco extracts and aroma components to form visible smoke. Generally speaking, increasing the amount of atomizing agent added to the tobacco sheet can significantly increase the amount of smoke released per puff, thereby enhancing the consumer's visual satisfaction and taste fullness.

[0003] However, existing processes that directly mix atomizing agents into tobacco sheets have a series of insurmountable technical drawbacks. On the one hand, atomizing agents (especially glycerol) have extremely strong hydrophilicity. When the amount added is too high, the sheets will quickly absorb moisture from the environment, causing the surface to become sticky, curled and deformed, and sticking together during storage or transportation, affecting the smoothness of subsequent cutting and rolling processes. High moisture content environments are also prone to mold growth, shortening the product's shelf life. At the same time, the moisture in the sheets may suddenly boil during heating, potentially causing fluctuations in smoke temperature and affecting the consistency of smoking.

[0004] On the other hand, in existing heated tobacco cigarettes, the atomizing agent is evenly distributed throughout the entire tobacco sheet. When smoking, the front section of the sheet closest to the heating end heats up first and releases the atomizing agent, while the rear section of the sheet further away from the heating end heats up more slowly and releases the agent later. This results in a concentrated release of smoke and rapid consumption of the atomizing agent in the early stages of smoking. In the middle and later stages of smoking, the remaining atomizing agent in the sheet is insufficient to maintain a stable amount of smoke. Consumers can perceive that the smoke becomes weaker and the taste is hollow. Furthermore, some atomizing agent remains in the sheet after smoking without evaporating, resulting in low utilization.

[0005] In addition, the porous fiber structure of tobacco sheets has a physical adsorption and hydrogen bonding effect on the atomizing agent. When the amount of atomizing agent added is too high, some of the atomizing agent is trapped inside the sheet and requires higher temperature or longer time to be fully released, which further aggravates the problem of insufficient release in the later stage. At the same time, the trapped atomizing agent will also hinder the diffusion of other aroma components in the sheet, reducing the overall smoking quality.

[0006] The existing technology lacks a technical solution that can achieve "on-demand, controllable and stable" release of atomizing agents in heated cigarettes, while avoiding problems such as moisture absorption, processing difficulties and inconsistent atomization amounts before and after the atomizing agents are directly mixed into the thin film.

[0007] This invention addresses the aforementioned problems by providing an atomizing agent loading unit, its preparation method, and an aerosol-generated product. The aim is to reduce the direct addition of atomizing agent to tobacco sheets, improve the sheet's moisture absorption and processing stability, achieve consistency in the amount of smoke throughout the cigarette, and eliminate the defect of atomization attenuation in the later stages. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This patent aims to solve the problems in existing heated cigarettes caused by the direct addition of atomizing agents to the tobacco sheets, such as moisture absorption, processing difficulties, poor storage stability, and inconsistent smoke volume at the beginning and end of the smoking process. This patent provides the following technical solutions: In a first aspect, an atomizing agent loading unit is provided, the atomizing agent loading unit including an outer shell and an inner core, the outer shell completely enclosing the inner core to form a double-layer core-shell structure; the atomizing agent is propylene glycol, the inner core is made of a solid eutectic formed by a first phase change material and propylene glycol, and the outer shell is made of a second phase change material.

[0009] Furthermore, the diameter of the atomizing agent loading unit is 2.0~4.0mm, 4.0~6.0mm, or 6.0~8.0mm; the thickness of the outer shell is 0.2~2.5mm; and the diameter of the inner core is 1.5~5.0mm.

[0010] Furthermore, the mass ratio of propylene glycol to the first phase change material is 1:0.5 to 1:5.

[0011] Furthermore, the first phase change material is selected from one of fatty acid phase change materials, vegetable oil phase change materials, lipid phase change materials, and paraffin phase change materials; the second phase change material is a single phase change material or a mixed phase change material; the second phase change material is selected from one or more of fatty acid phase change materials, vegetable oil phase change materials, lipid phase change materials, and paraffin phase change materials.

[0012] Furthermore, when the atomizing agent loading unit is heated, the outer shell melts and releases the inner core; the thicker the outer shell, the longer it takes for the inner core to begin releasing.

[0013] Secondly, a method for preparing an atomizing agent loading unit is provided. The method includes the following steps: Step S1: Propylene glycol is heated and mixed with a first phase change material to obtain a molten eutectic; Step S2: A second phase change material is heated to obtain a molten second phase change material; Step S3: The second phase change material and the eutectic are extruded through a nested pipeline device and solidified by a cooling liquid to obtain the atomizing agent loading unit.

[0014] Furthermore, in step S1, the mass ratio of the first phase change material to propylene glycol is 1:0.5 to 1:5; in step S3, the temperature of the cooling liquid is 10 to 15°C; the cooling liquid contains a stabilizer; the stabilizer is Tween 80.

[0015] Thirdly, an aerosol generating article comprising the aforementioned atomizing agent loading unit.

[0016] Furthermore, the aerosol generating product includes a tobacco segment and a filter rod segment, with the atomizing agent loading unit disposed within the filter rod segment and close to the tobacco segment; when the temperature within the filter rod segment is greater than or equal to the phase change temperature of the atomizing agent loading unit housing, the atomizing agent loading unit begins to release the atomizing agent.

[0017] Furthermore, the filter rod section is provided with a cavity along the axial direction to accommodate the atomizing agent load unit; a single cavity can accommodate multiple atomizing agent load units; the number of atomizing agent load units in a single cavity is 1 to 5.

[0018] This patent has the following beneficial effects: 1. A method for preparing an atomizing agent loading unit and an aerosol generating product are provided. The preparation method is used to prepare the atomizing agent loading unit, which includes an outer shell and an inner core. The outer shell completely encloses the inner core to form a double-layer core-shell structure. The atomizing agent is propylene glycol. The inner core is prepared by a solid eutectic mixture of a first phase change material and propylene glycol. The outer shell is prepared by a second phase change material. The atomizing agent loading unit is stored in the filter rod section of the aerosol generating product. By independently storing the atomizing agent and releasing it when the corresponding temperature is reached during inhalation, the problem of moisture-induced storage and poor inhalation taste caused by directly adding the atomizing agent to tobacco sheets is solved.

[0019] 2. In traditional heated cigarette manufacturing processes, atomizing agents such as propylene glycol and glycerol must be directly mixed into the tobacco sheet due to their strong hydrophilicity. When the amount of atomizing agent added is increased to improve smoke volume, the tobacco sheet rapidly absorbs moisture from the environment, leading to stickiness, curling, and deformation. This results in adhesion and blockage during the cutting and rolling processes, significantly increasing the empty-head rate. This invention separates most or all of the atomizing agent from the tobacco sheet and encapsulates it in a macroscopic core-shell structured atomizing agent loading unit. The outer shell of this atomizing agent loading unit is made of a hydrophobic phase change material, which is a solid, dense layer at room temperature. This completely isolates the tobacco sheet from external moisture, allowing it to maintain a low basic moisture content. This ensures a dry, crisp physical state, smooth cutting, and stable rolling, thus avoiding processing obstacles and the risk of mold growth caused by moisture absorption by the atomizing agent.

[0020] 3. In traditional heated cigarettes, the atomizing agent is evenly distributed throughout the tobacco sheet. During inhalation, the front section of the sheet heats up first and releases a large amount of atomizing agent, resulting in concentrated initial smoke and subsequent smoke decay due to atomizing agent depletion. This invention places the atomizing agent loading unit in a specific, high-temperature region of the cigarette (such as near the tobacco section on the filter rod), precisely matching the phase transition temperature of the outer shell to the operating temperature of that region. During inhalation, the outer shell only undergoes a solid-liquid phase transition when the ambient temperature reaches its melting point. Propylene glycol in the core material is then slowly released through the molten wall material layer via molecular diffusion. By adjusting the shell thickness, the timing and rate of atomizing agent release can be precisely controlled: the thin-shell unit releases rapidly in the initial inhalation to compensate for the initial smoke volume; the thick-shell unit shifts the release window later, continuously replenishing the atomizing agent in the middle and later stages, complementing the tobacco sheet's own atomizing agent decay curve. This ultimately achieves a stable output of smoke from the first puff to the last, eliminating the perceived "strong at the beginning, weak at the end" mouthfeel.

[0021] 4. In this patent, because the atomizing agent is sealed within the particles, it avoids the loss caused by the agent being adsorbed and bound by fibers in the sheet, preventing complete release. Simultaneously, the release behavior is precisely controlled by the shell thickness and phase change temperature, ensuring that every milligram of atomizing agent functions effectively during the preset inhalation stage, significantly improving utilization. Furthermore, by simply adjusting the particle diameter, shell thickness, type of phase change material, and the number and position of the implanted particles, products with different smoke release curves, such as "initial fog enhancement," "mid-stage reinforcement," and "final burst," can be derived from the same basic cigarette without altering the tobacco sheet formulation or the overall cigarette structure.

[0022] 5. In this patent, the macroscopic millimeter-level size of the particles facilitates precise positioning and quantitative implantation using automated vibratory feeders, counting devices, and other equipment, making it suitable for large-scale, high-speed roll-to-roll production. Simultaneously, the pure phase change material shell possesses excellent mechanical strength, making it less prone to breakage during transportation and rolling, thus ensuring product integrity and reliability. Compared to existing polymer microcapsules or simple adsorbent particles, this invention is fundamentally different in structure, mechanism, and effect. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this patent, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this patent and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the preparation method in this patent; Figure 2This is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the atomizing agent loading unit in the aerosol-generating product in Example 1; Figure 3 This is a graph showing the trend of smoke concentration in the atomizing agent loading unit of Example 1 as a function of the number of suction ports; Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the atomizing agent loading unit in the aerosol-generating product in Example 2; Figure 5 This is a graph showing the trend of smoke concentration in the atomizing agent loading unit of Example 2 as a function of the number of suction ports; Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the atomizing agent loading unit in the aerosol-generating product in Example 3; Figure 7 This is a graph showing the trend of smoke concentration in the atomizing agent loading unit of Example 3 as a function of the number of suction ports.

[0025] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows: 100: Tobacco segment; 200: Filter rod section; 210: Accommodating cavity; 300: Atomizer loading unit. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The detailed features and advantages of this patent are described below in the specific embodiments. The content is sufficient to enable any person skilled in the art to understand the technical content of this patent and implement it accordingly. Based on the specification, claims and drawings disclosed in this specification, a person skilled in the art can easily understand the related objectives and advantages of this patent.

[0027] It should be noted that in this specification, similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0028] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not indicate the only possible implementation. The terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships are defined with reference to the coordinates of the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this patent and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this patent. The terms "first," "second," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this patent belongs. The terminology used herein in the specification of this patent is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this patent. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0030] The aerosol-generating articles preferably use a solid matrix, which may include one or more of the following: vanilla leaves, tobacco leaves, homogenized tobacco, expanded tobacco, powder, granules, fragments, strips, or sheets; or, the solid matrix may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds to be released when the matrix is ​​heated.

[0031] "Aerosol generating material" can refer to a substance that produces smoke and / or aerosol or is used for smoking. For example, an aerosol generating material can include tobacco materials. For example, an aerosol generating material can include tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, or substances processed from them. As more specific examples, an aerosol generating material can include pulverized tobacco leaves, pulverized reconstituted tobacco, expanded pipe tobacco, expanded stems, and reconstituted tobacco. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0032] Preferably, the aerosol generating matrix is ​​a solid aerosol generating matrix. The aerosol generating matrix may simultaneously comprise solid and liquid components. Preferably, the aerosol generating matrix includes nicotine. In some preferred embodiments, the aerosol generating matrix includes tobacco.

[0033] Alternatively, the solid aerosol generating matrix may contain tobacco volatile aromatic compounds or non-tobacco volatile aromatic compounds released when the solid aerosol generating matrix is ​​heated. The solid aerosol generating matrix may also contain one or more capsules, which include, for example, additional tobacco volatile aromatic compounds or non-tobacco volatile aromatic compounds, and such capsules may melt during heating of the solid aerosol generating matrix.

[0034] Alternatively, the solid aerosol generating matrix can be disposed on or embedded in a heat-stabilized carrier. The carrier can be in the form of powder, granules, pellets, fragments, strips, bars, or sheets. The solid aerosol generating matrix can be arranged on the surface of the carrier, for example, in the form of sheets, foams, gels, or slurries. The solid aerosol generating matrix can be placed on the entire surface of the carrier, or alternatively, it can be patterned to provide uneven fragrance delivery during use.

[0035] The aerosol generating matrix can be in the form of a plug, which includes aerosol generating materials defined by paper or other packaging materials. In the case where the aerosol generating matrix is ​​in the form of a plug, the entire plug comprising any packaging paper is considered to be the aerosol generating matrix.

[0036] Preferably, the aerosol generating matrix includes a plug, which comprises an aggregate of homogeneous tobacco material or other aerosol generating material surrounded by packaging material.

[0037] In this patent, "aerosol generating agent" is used to describe any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that promotes aerosol formation in use and is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating article.

[0038] Suitable aerosol generating agents are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyols, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerol; esters of polyols, such as glycerol monoacetate, glycerol diacetate, or glycerol triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di-, or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanoate and dimethyl tetradecanoate. Preferred aerosol generating agents are polyols or mixtures thereof, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and most preferably glycerol.

[0039] The aerosol generating matrix may include a single aerosol generating agent. Alternatively, the aerosol generating matrix may include a combination of two or more aerosol generating agents.

[0040] Preferably, the aerosol generating matrix has an aerosol generating agent content of more than 5% by dry weight. More preferably, the aerosol generating matrix may have an aerosol generating agent content between about 5% and about 30% by dry weight. In one embodiment, the aerosol generating matrix has an aerosol generating agent content of about 20% by dry weight.

[0041] Tobacco sheets can be manufactured using existing manufacturing processes in the field, such as rolling, slurry processing, and papermaking, to include an aerosol-generating matrix for homogenizing tobacco sheets in aerosol-generating articles.

[0042] In this patent, sheet refers to a layered element having a width and length substantially greater than its thickness.

[0043] In this patent, the aerosol generating matrix comprises a textured sheet of aggregated homogeneous tobacco material.

[0044] In this patent, textured sheet refers to a sheet that has been rolled, embossed, stamped, perforated, or otherwise deformed. The aerosol generating matrix may include an aggregate of textured sheets of homogeneous tobacco material, comprising a plurality of spaced-apart notches, protrusions, perforations, or combinations thereof.

[0045] Preferably, the aerosol-generating matrix comprises aggregated rolled sheets of homogeneous tobacco material. The use of textured sheets of homogeneous tobacco material can advantageously promote the aggregation of the homogeneous tobacco material sheets to form the aerosol-generating matrix.

[0046] In this patent, "curled sheet" refers to a sheet having a plurality of substantially parallel ridges or folds. Preferably, when the aerosol-generating article has been assembled, the substantially parallel ridges or folds extend along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article. This advantageously promotes the aggregation of the curled sheet of homogeneous tobacco material to form an aerosol-generating matrix.

[0047] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this patent clearer, the embodiments of this patent will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] A temperature-responsive atomizing agent loading unit, wherein the atomizing agent loading unit 300 is a macroscopic solid particle with a defined core-shell bilayer structure.

[0049] Specifically, the atomizer loading unit 300 includes an outer shell that completely encloses the inner core, and the outer shell and the inner core together form a double-layered core-shell structure.

[0050] The inner core is made of a solid eutectic mixture of a first phase change material and propylene glycol, while the outer shell is made of a second phase change material.

[0051] Propylene glycol, used as the atomizing agent in this invention, has a boiling point of approximately 188°C, which matches the operating temperature of the smoke at the target placement location in the heated cigarette. It can effectively atomize within this temperature range and be released with the airflow. The target location is near the tobacco section 100 or the front end of the support section, where the smoke temperature is typically 150~200°C.

[0052] The mass ratio of propylene glycol to the first phase change material in the core is a key design parameter. When the proportion of propylene glycol is higher, the atomizer loading per unit particle increases, which is suitable for scenarios requiring large amounts of smoke replenishment; when the proportion of the first phase change material is higher, the melting point and viscosity of the eutectic increase, which may affect the atomizer release rate.

[0053] Generally, the mass ratio of propylene glycol to the first phase change material can be from 1:0.5 to 1:5, preferably from 1:1 to 1:2. By heating the first phase change material to above its melting point to completely melt the atomizing agent loading unit 300, then adding propylene glycol and stirring evenly, followed by cooling and solidification, a uniform solid eutectic core can be formed.

[0054] The outer shell is made of a second phase change material. The second phase change material can be a single phase change material or a mixture of multiple phase change materials.

[0055] The first phase change material and the second phase change material may be the same or different, and both are selected from one or more of fatty acid phase change materials, vegetable oil phase change materials, lipid phase change materials or paraffin phase change materials.

[0056] Specifically, fatty acid phase change materials include, but are not limited to, various mixtures of long-chain fatty acids, palmitic acid, stearic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, arachidic acid, and capric acid.

[0057] Specifically, vegetable oil-based phase change materials include, but are not limited to, modified vegetable oils with various melting points, coconut oil, soybean oil, and palm oil.

[0058] Specifically, lipid phase change materials include, but are not limited to, stearates, palmitates, various long-chain fatty acid esters, and polyester polyols.

[0059] Specifically, paraffin-based phase change materials include, but are not limited to, paraffins and their mixtures with different melting points. These materials are solid at room temperature, have a defined phase change temperature, and good thermal stability.

[0060] The macroscopic scale of the atomizing agent loading unit 300 is one of its important features.

[0061] Specifically, the diameter of the core-shell structure is 2.0~4.0mm, 4.0~6.0mm, or 6.0~8.0mm.

[0062] The thickness of the outer shell is 0.2~2.5mm, preferably 0.5~0.8mm.

[0063] The inner core diameter is preferably 1.5~5.0mm.

[0064] Smaller diameters and thinner housings are suitable for scenarios requiring rapid response and early release; larger diameters and thicker housings are used for delayed release and extended release windows.

[0065] The release mechanism of the atomizing agent loading unit 300 is as follows: Under room temperature storage conditions, the outer shell remains solid, completely sealing the propylene glycol in the inner core to prevent it from absorbing moisture or volatilizing. When the atomizing agent loading unit 300 is placed in an appropriate position in a heated cigarette and inhaled, the high-temperature smoke flowing through it gradually raises the ambient temperature.

[0066] Once the ambient temperature reaches or exceeds the phase transition temperature of the second phase change material, the outer shell begins to undergo a solid-liquid phase transition, melting from a solid to a liquid state. The molten outer shell no longer forms a dense physical barrier, but transforms into a liquid layer with a certain viscosity.

[0067] At this point, driven by the concentration gradient, the propylene glycol in the inner core diffuses through the molten outer shell layer and is slowly released into the external airflow, entering the consumer's mouth with the smoke and forming visible smoke.

[0068] The release is initiated precisely by temperature, while the release rate and duration are mainly affected by the shell thickness: the thicker the shell, the longer the diffusion path of the propylene glycol molecules, and therefore the later the release begins and the longer the entire release process lasts; conversely, the thinner the shell, the faster the release and the earlier the peak appears.

[0069] By adjusting the shell thickness, the atomizer loading unit 300 can be flexibly designed with different release curves such as "front-end fog enhancement", "mid-stage reinforcement" or "tail-stage burst".

[0070] Furthermore, the outer shell is made of pure phase change material and contains no polymer film-forming agents. This feature ensures that the outer shell has low viscosity and good fluidity after melting, which is beneficial for the diffusion and release of propylene glycol; at the same time, the pure phase change material can completely return to a solid state after cooling, and there is no need to consider polymer residue during use.

[0071] This invention also provides a method for preparing the above-mentioned atomizing agent supporting unit. Please refer to... Figure 1 This preparation method employs a coaxial nested pipeline extrusion and coolant curing process, enabling continuous and efficient production of core-shell particles with uniform size and controllable structure. Specifically, it includes the following steps: Step S1: Propylene glycol is heated and mixed with the first phase change material to obtain a molten eutectic.

[0072] In practice, the first phase change material is placed in a heatable container and heated above its melting point until it is completely melted into a transparent or translucent liquid. While stirring, propylene glycol is slowly added to the molten first phase change material, and stirring is continued until a homogeneous and stable melt blend is formed.

[0073] The mass ratio of the first phase change material to propylene glycol is controlled within the range of 1:0.5 to 1:5, preferably 1:1 to 1:2. The resulting eutectic is kept at a constant temperature for later use to prevent premature solidification.

[0074] Step S2: Heat the second phase change material to a molten state to obtain molten second phase change material. The selection of the second phase change material depends on the working temperature of the target particles. It is heated separately to above the melting point while maintaining fluidity.

[0075] Step S3: The molten second phase change material and the molten eutectic obtained in step S1 are extruded through a nested pipeline device and solidified by a cooling liquid to obtain the atomizing agent loading unit 300.

[0076] The nested piping device includes an inner tube and an outer tube coaxially sleeved outside the inner tube. The inner tube is used to transport the inner core material, and the annular gap between the inner tube and the outer tube is used to transport the outer shell material.

[0077] Based on the required particle size, the inner diameter of the inner tube and the width of the annular gap are precisely selected. These two parameters determine the final particle core diameter and outer shell thickness, respectively.

[0078] The equipment is equipped with a dual-pump conveying system, which independently controls the extrusion flow rate of the inner core material and the outer shell material to meet the production requirements of different core-shell ratios.

[0079] Before extrusion begins, the entire pipeline system needs to be preheated. The preheating temperature should be higher than the melting points of the first and second phase change materials used to prevent the materials from solidifying prematurely and clogging the pipeline during transport. After starting the extrusion system, run it at a low speed initially to extrude a small amount of material to expel air from the pipeline.

[0080] Once the materials have stabilized, the two pumps are started simultaneously, and the inner core material and outer shell material are co-extruded through nested pipes according to the preset flow rate ratio. At the outlet of the extruder, the inner core material is evenly wrapped by the outer shell material, forming a continuous liquid column or droplets. The droplets fall naturally under gravity or are broken off by the cutting device and fall directly into the cooling liquid below.

[0081] The cooling liquid is usually a cold water bath at a temperature of 10~15℃, and a stabilizer, such as Tween 80, is added to it to improve the wettability of the particle surface and prevent the particles from sticking together.

[0082] The moment the droplet comes into contact with the cooling liquid, the outer shell material first solidifies upon contact with the cold, forming a solid shell that encapsulates the inner core material, which remains in a liquid or semi-solid state. Subsequently, heat is transferred from the outside in, and the inner core eutectic gradually cools and solidifies.

[0083] The residence time of the particles in the cooling liquid is controlled, for example, 2 to 5 minutes, to ensure that the entire core-shell structure is completely solidified and shaped from the outside to the inside. Finally, the solidified particles are filtered out of the cooling liquid and subjected to gentle vacuum drying to remove residual moisture from the surface, thus obtaining the atomizing agent loading unit 300 of the present invention.

[0084] By adjusting the inner tube diameter, the annular gap width, and the extrusion speed ratio of the two pumps, atomizing agent loading units 300 with different inner core diameters and outer shell thicknesses can be flexibly prepared to meet different release kinetic design requirements.

[0085] The present invention also provides an aerosol generating article comprising any of the above-described atomizing agent loading units 300.

[0086] Specifically, the aerosol-generated product is a heated non-combustible cigarette, comprising a tobacco segment 100 and a filter segment 200.

[0087] The filter rod section 200 is located downstream of the tobacco section 100, and the two are connected by a splicing paper roll. The atomizing agent loading unit 300 is located inside the filter rod section 200, and its position is close to the tobacco section 100, that is, at the front end (near the hot end) of the filter rod section 200.

[0088] The reason for placing the atomizing agent loading unit 300 here is that during the heating and inhalation process, the hot smoke generated by the tobacco section 100 first passes through the front end of the filter rod section 200, where the smoke temperature is the highest, typically reaching 150~200℃, which matches the trigger temperature required by the phase change material of the atomizing agent loading unit 300 shell.

[0089] When the temperature of the flue gas inside the filter rod section 200 reaches or exceeds the phase change temperature of the outer shell, the outer shell melts, and the propylene glycol in the inner core begins to be released, entering the consumer's mouth with the flue gas.

[0090] In a preferred embodiment, the filter rod segment 200 is provided with a receiving cavity 210 along the axial direction to accommodate the atomizing agent loading unit 300. This receiving cavity 210 can be achieved by a segmented filter rod structure, that is, leaving a certain space between two filter media segments, or by using spacers such as hollow paper tubes.

[0091] Each cavity 210 can accommodate multiple atomizing agent loading units 300, such as 1 to 5. By setting multiple cavities or multiple particles, the total amount and release curve of the atomizing agent can be further finely controlled.

[0092] For example, a thin-shell atomizing agent loading unit 300 can be placed in the first cavity near the tobacco section 100 to quickly replenish the initial smoke; a thick-shell atomizing agent loading unit 300 can be placed in the second cavity slightly further away to continuously provide atomization in the middle and later stages. This multi-cavity, multi-particle composite design provides a high degree of freedom for product development.

[0093] Information on the raw materials used in the following examples and comparative examples is shown in Table 1.

[0094] Table 1. Names of Raw Materials and Suppliers

[0095] Example 1

[0096] This embodiment aims to solve the problem of insufficient smoke volume in the initial stage of inhalation and provides a fast-acting fog enhancement solution, using the same phase change material for both the shell and core – Span 60.

[0097] The prepared atomizing agent loading unit has a diameter of 2.0 mm and a shell thickness of 0.2 mm, which is a thin-shell design. The inner core is loaded with 5 mg of propylene glycol.

[0098] In heated cigarettes, the filter rod segment is designed to have a receiving cavity located adjacent to the tobacco segment. Three of the aforementioned thin-shell atomizing agent loading units are implanted within this cavity. Figure 2 As shown.

[0099] Because the outer shell is extremely thin, the temperature of the smoke quickly melts the outer shell in the initial stage of inhalation, and the propylene glycol in the inner core begins to diffuse and be released almost without delay.

[0100] These atomizing agents rapidly atomize in high-temperature smoke, effectively enhancing the fullness and satisfaction of the smoke during the initial inhalation.

[0101] The smoke concentration was compared throughout the entire smoking process between a cigarette with the core-shell atomizing particles added in Example 1 and a cigarette without the core-shell atomizing particles. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the black line represents the smoke concentration change trend during the entire smoking process of a cigarette without the core shell atomizing particles, while the red line represents the smoke concentration change trend during the entire smoking process of a cigarette with the core shell atomizing particles from Example 1 added.

[0102] Data comparison confirms the effectiveness of the modified particles in replenishing the amount of smoke during the early and middle stages of the smoking process. At the same time, the smoke release of the core-shell atomized particles continues throughout the entire inhalation process, enhancing the perceived amount of smoke during cigarette smoking.

[0103] Example 2

[0104] This embodiment aims to achieve uniform smoke volume throughout the entire cigarette and specifically address the issue of smoke attenuation in the later stages by using the same phase change material—glyceryl monostearate—for both the shell and core materials.

[0105] The prepared atomizing agent loading unit has a diameter of 3.5 mm and an outer shell thickness of 0.4 mm, which is considered a medium shell thickness. The inner core is loaded with 6 mg of pure propylene glycol.

[0106] A cavity is created near the tobacco end of the cigarette filter rod, and two of these units are implanted therein. Figure 4 As shown, due to the increased outer shell thickness compared to Example 1, the time required for heat conduction and outer shell melting is correspondingly extended, causing the atomizing agent release window to shift to the later stage of the cigarette heating process.

[0107] As the smoking progresses into the middle and later stages, and the amount of atomizing agent released by the tobacco sheet itself begins to decrease, the particles in this embodiment begin to continuously replenish the atomizing agent, thus complementing the decay curve of the tobacco sheet.

[0108] The smoke concentration was compared throughout the entire smoking process between a cigarette with the core-shell atomizing particles added in Example 2 and a cigarette without the core-shell atomizing particles. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the black line represents the smoke concentration change trend during the entire smoking process of a cigarette without the core shell atomizing particles, while the red line represents the smoke concentration change trend during the entire smoking process of a cigarette with the core shell atomizing particles from Example 2 added.

[0109] Data comparison confirms the effect of replenishing smoke volume in the middle and later stages of the cigarette production process, which effectively suppresses the decay of smoke volume in the middle and later stages of the cigarette production process.

[0110] Example 3

[0111] This embodiment aims to delay the fogging effect until the final stage of inhalation through a thick shell design, creating a strong burst of smoke at the end to mask any unpleasant odors, such as burnt smells, that may occur at the end of heated cigarettes. The shell and core materials utilize the same phase change material—glyceryl tristearate.

[0112] The prepared atomizing agent loading unit has a diameter of 5.0 mm and a shell thickness of 0.8 mm, which is considered a thick-shell design. The inner core is loaded with 12 mg of composite atomizing agent, which is a mixture of propylene glycol and a cooling agent in a 9:1 ratio. One of these units is implanted in the filter section of the cigarette, located at the center of the filter tip. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 6 .

[0113] The thick shell allows the heat from the initial and middle stages of inhalation to be primarily used to gradually melt and heat the outer shell, effectively accumulating the atomizing agent in the core. Until the last few puffs, when the outer shell is completely melted, a large amount of atomizing agent is released rapidly, along with the cooling agent, creating a strong burst of smoke and a refreshing taste at the end, effectively suppressing the burnt and stale smell that may occur at the end of heated cigarettes.

[0114] The smoke concentration was compared throughout the entire smoking process between a cigarette with the core-shell atomizing particles added in Example 3 and a cigarette without the core-shell atomizing particles. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the black line represents the smoke concentration trend throughout the entire smoking process of the cigarette without the core-shell atomizing particles, while the red line represents the smoke concentration trend throughout the entire smoking process of the cigarette with the core-shell atomizing particles from Example 3 added. The data comparison confirms the effectiveness of the smoke replenishment during the final time period.

[0115] Comparative Example

[0116] This comparative example aims to visually demonstrate the problems of moisture absorption and deterioration in processing performance caused by directly adding the atomizing agent to tobacco sheets. A comparison was set up based on Example 2: the experimental group adopted the scheme of Example 2, maintaining the basic moisture content of the tobacco sheets, with an additional 12 mg of propylene glycol encapsulated in the core-shell granules and implanted into the filter; the control group omitted these granules, and an equal amount of 12 mg of propylene glycol was added entirely to the tobacco sheet formulation during the pulping stage. Both groups of cigarettes were left open for one week in an environment of 22°C and 60% relative humidity before a comparative test was conducted. The test results are shown in Table 2.

[0117] Table 2. Performance comparison between the experimental group and the control group after 1 week of storage.

[0118] Conclusion: Due to the strong hygroscopicity of the atomizing agent, the moisture content of the control group flakes surged within a week, resulting in severe stickiness and curling deformation. During slicing, the flakes stuck to the cutting tools and frequently clogged, leading to a significant increase in empty ends during rolling. Simultaneously, the risk of mold growth increased significantly, severely shortening the product's shelf life. In contrast, the experimental group, thanks to the complete sealing and isolation of the atomizing agent by the core-shell particles, experienced only a slight increase in the moisture content of the flakes, while maintaining good physical properties and processing adaptability.

[0119] This comparison fully demonstrates that the core-shell particle solution of the present invention can fundamentally avoid problems such as moisture absorption, processing difficulties and decreased storage stability caused by directly adding atomizing agents while increasing the total amount of smoke.

[0120] This patent specification uses directional terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "side," "top," and "bottom" to describe various example structural parts and components of this patent. However, the use of these terms is merely for illustrative purposes and is based on the orientation of the examples shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in this patent can be arranged in different orientations, these directional terms are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limitations. For example, "upper" and "lower" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or the same as the direction of gravity.

[0121] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable way without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, this patent will not describe the various possible combinations separately.

[0122] Furthermore, various implementations of this patent can be combined in any way, as long as they do not violate the spirit of this patent, they should also be regarded as the content disclosed in this patent.

Claims

1. An atomizing agent loading unit, characterized in that, The atomizing agent loading unit includes an outer shell and an inner core, with the outer shell completely enclosing the inner core to form a double-layered core-shell structure; The atomizing agent is propylene glycol, the inner core is made of a solid eutectic formed by a first phase change material and the propylene glycol, and the outer shell is made of a second phase change material.

2. The atomizing agent loading unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the atomizing agent loading unit is 2.0~4.0mm, 4.0~6.0mm, or 6.0~8.0mm; the thickness of the outer shell is 0.2~2.5mm; The diameter of the inner core is 1.5~5.0mm.

3. The atomizing agent loading unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mass ratio of propylene glycol to the first phase change material is 1:0.5 to 1:

5.

4. The atomizing agent loading unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first phase change material is selected from one of fatty acid phase change materials, vegetable oil phase change materials, lipid phase change materials and paraffin phase change materials; The second phase change material is a single phase change material or a mixed phase change material; The second phase change material is selected from one or more of fatty acid phase change materials, vegetable oil phase change materials, lipid phase change materials and paraffin phase change materials.

5. The atomizing agent loading unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the atomizing agent loading unit is heated, the outer shell melts and releases the inner core. The thicker the outer shell, the longer it takes for the inner core to begin releasing.

6. A method for preparing an atomizing agent supporting unit, characterized in that, The preparation method is used to prepare the atomizing agent loading unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and the preparation method includes the following steps: Step S1: Propylene glycol and the first phase change material are heated and mixed to obtain a molten eutectic. Step S2: The second phase change material is heated to obtain molten second phase change material; Step S3: The second phase change material and the eutectic are extruded through a nested pipeline device and solidified by a cooling liquid to obtain the atomizing agent loading unit.

7. The preparation method according to claim 6, characterized in that, In step S1, the mass ratio of the first phase change material to the propylene glycol is 1:0.5 to 1:

5. In step S3, the temperature of the cooling liquid is 10~15℃; The cooling liquid contains a stabilizer; The stabilizer is Tween 80.

8. An aerosol-generating product, characterized in that, The aerosol generating article comprises the atomizing agent loading unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. The aerosol-generating product according to claim 8, characterized in that, The aerosol generating product includes a tobacco segment and a filter rod segment, and the atomizing agent loading unit is disposed within the filter rod segment and close to the tobacco segment; When the temperature inside the filter rod section is greater than or equal to the phase change temperature of the atomizing agent load unit housing, the atomizing agent load unit begins to release the atomizing agent.

10. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 9, characterized in that, The filter rod section is provided with a cavity along the axial direction to accommodate the atomizing agent loading unit; A single cavity can accommodate multiple atomizing agent loading units; The number of atomizing agent loading units in a single cavity is 1 to 5.

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