A heat-not-burn smoking device and method of use thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a heated smoking device compatible with various types of cigarettes. The heating area of ​​the device can be adjusted according to the type of cigarette it detects. The invention also discloses a method of using the heated smoking device. The device is primarily compatible with the two mainstream HNB (Hybrid New Phone) cigarette series currently on the market: IQOS and MC series. It offers good smoke quality, full smoke production, normal puff count, and a superior smoking experience; the smoking experience is essentially the same as using the respective compatible devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of tobacco machinery technology, specifically relating to a heated tobacco device that can be adapted to various types of cigarettes and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Heated cigarettes, also known as heated non-burning cigarettes (HNB), are a new type of tobacco product that uses an external heat source (usually a battery-powered electronic device) to heat the tobacco in a specially designed cartridge to 250-350°C (far lower than the combustion temperature of traditional open-flame cigarettes above 600°C), thereby releasing nicotine aerosol. Their core feature is "heating rather than combustion," aiming to reduce harmful substances such as tar produced by tobacco combustion.

[0003] After decades of development, HNB (Heated Tobacco Products) has evolved into various product categories. The mainstream cigarette specifications are four-section and five-section. The four-section design includes, in order, a tobacco section, a support section, a cooling section, and a filter section. The five-section design adds a stopper at the front of the tobacco section. Consequently, the vast majority of smoking devices can only be used with HNB cigarettes of a fixed specification.

[0004] Heated cigarette devices can be categorized by heating method into resistance heating, electromagnetic heating, infrared heating, microwave heating, and hot air heating; and by heat source location into center heating, circumferential heating, combined heating, and built-in heating element heating. Different cigarette structures require different heating methods from the devices used. For example, the IQOS ILUMA from a certain company uses electromagnetic heating with a built-in heating element. Consequently, due to the presence of a plug, it cannot be used with stick-type or plate-type center-heating devices. For consumers, smoking different brands of heated cigarettes requires additional expense on different devices; using a device to smoke an incompatible heated cigarette results in poor smoke quality, insufficient smoke output, abnormal puff count, leading to a poor smoking experience or even making it impossible to smoke normally.

[0005] This invention is proposed for this purpose. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention discloses a heated smoking device compatible with various types of cigarettes. The heating area of ​​the device can be adjusted according to the type of cigarette it senses. The device primarily adapts to two mainstream HNB (Heated Tobacco Bun) cigarette sizes currently on the market; based on the accompanying sensing and control system of this invention, different heating modes are configured for the two mainstream cigarette sizes.

[0007] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0008] The first aspect of the present invention discloses a heated smoking device that can be adapted to a variety of cigarettes, wherein the heating area of ​​the smoking device can be adjusted according to the type of cigarette it senses.

[0009] Preferably, the heating area of ​​the smoking device is divided into several independent small heating areas, and each small heating area is controlled by an independent module to control whether to heat.

[0010] Preferably, the heating area is the inner wall of a circumferential heating cylinder, which is divided into three small heating areas: a first heating area 1, a second heating area 2, and a third heating area 3.

[0011] Preferably, the compatible cigarettes of the smoking device are of two types: the first type of cigarette consists of a plug section D, a core section L, a support section, a cooling section, and a lip-touching section, starting from the distal lip end; the second type of cigarette consists of a core section L, a support section, a cooling section, and a lip-touching section, starting from the distal lip end.

[0012] Preferably, the filler segment L of the first type of cigarette is divided into a second filler segment L2 and a first filler segment L1 starting from the distal lip end; the filler segment L of the second type of cigarette is divided into a third filler segment L3 and a second filler segment L2 starting from the distal lip end.

[0013] Preferably, the first heating zone 1 of the smoking device is adapted to the first cigarette core segment L1, the second heating zone 2 is adapted to the second cigarette core segment L2, and the third heating zone 3 is adapted to the third cigarette core segment L3.

[0014] Preferably, a sensor 4 is provided at the bottom of the circumferential heating cylinder.

[0015] Preferably, the smoking device is equipped with a control chip.

[0016] The second aspect of this invention discloses a method for using the heated smoking device adaptable to various types of cigarettes: The cigarette is inserted into the heating area, i.e., the inner wall of the circumferential heating cylinder. The sensor 4 identifies whether a plug D is present. If a plug D is present, the control system in the control chip controls the control modules of the first heating zone 1 and the second heating zone 2 to perform combined heating control of the heating areas, providing a heat source, and the cigarette can be smoked normally. When the cigarette is finished smoking (i.e., the core section is fully heated) and detected by the control system in the control chip, the smoking ends and the smoking device is turned off. If there is no plug D, the control system in the control chip controls the control modules of the second heating zone 2 and the third heating zone 3 to perform combined heating control of the heating areas, providing a heat source, and the cigarette can be smoked normally. When the cigarette is finished smoking (i.e., the core section is fully heated) and detected by the control system in the control chip, the smoking ends and the smoking device is turned off.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0018] This invention provides a heating device compatible with various types of cigarettes, primarily designed to accommodate the two mainstream HNB (Heated Tobacco) cigarette sizes currently on the market (IQOS series and MC series). Based on the accompanying sensing and control system of this invention, different heating modes are configured for the two mainstream cigarette sizes. The device is compatible with both IQOS and MC series HNB cigarettes, providing good smoke quality, full smoke output, normal puff count, and a superior smoking experience; the experience is essentially the same as using the respective compatible devices. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the heating area of ​​the heating device of the present invention, which can be adapted to various types of cigarettes.

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the main sections of two types of cigarettes adapted to the heating device of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a flow chart of the heating control process for a heating device compatible with various types of cigarettes according to the present invention.

[0022] The attached diagram is labeled as follows: 1-first heating zone, 2-second heating zone, 3-third heating zone, 4-sensor, D-end section, L-core section, L1-first core section, L2-second core section, L3-third core section. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0025] Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated.

[0026] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," "fixing," "adhesion," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the terms used above should not be construed as necessarily referring to the same embodiments or examples. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0028] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the present invention provides a heated smoking device that can be adapted to various types of cigarettes, wherein the heating area of ​​the device can be adjusted according to the type of cigarette it senses.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the heating area of ​​the smoking device is divided into several independent small heating areas, and each small heating area is controlled by an independent module to control whether it is heated.

[0030] In this preferred embodiment, the heating area is the inner wall of the circumferential heating cylinder (i.e., circumferential heating), and the inner wall of the circumferential heating cylinder is divided into three small heating areas, namely the first heating area 1, the second heating area 2 and the third heating area 3.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the compatible cigarettes of the smoking device are of two types: the first type of cigarette consists of a plug section D, a core section L, a support section, a cooling section, and a lip-touching section, starting from the distal lip end; the second type of cigarette consists of a core section L, a support section, a cooling section, and a lip-touching section, starting from the distal lip end.

[0032] In this preferred embodiment, the filler segment L of the first type of cigarette is divided into a second filler segment L2 and a first filler segment L1 starting from the distal lip; the filler segment L of the second type of cigarette is divided into a third filler segment L3 and a second filler segment L2 starting from the distal lip. The cigarettes in this preferred embodiment are similar to the two mainstream HNB cigarette specifications currently on the market (IQOS series and MC series). The positions of the filler segments differ between the two mainstream HNB cigarette specifications (IQOS series and MC series); for both types of cigarettes, L2 is the main part of the filler segment.

[0033] The first heating zone 1 of the smoking device is adapted to the first cigarette core segment L1, the second heating zone 2 is adapted to the second cigarette core segment L2, and the third heating zone 3 is adapted to the third cigarette core segment L3.

[0034] Among them, a sensor 4 is set at the bottom of the circumferential heating cylinder; the sensor 4 is mainly used to detect the type of HNB cigarette.

[0035] The smoking device in this embodiment is equipped with a control chip to carry out the control system.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, the method of using the heated smoking device adapted to various types of cigarettes is as follows: Insert the cigarette into the heating area, i.e., the inner wall of the circumferential heating cylinder; the sensor 4 identifies whether it has a plug D; if there is a plug D ( Figure 2 If there is no plug D, the control system in the control chip controls the control modules of the first heating zone 1 and the second heating zone 2 to perform combined heating control of the heating areas to provide a heat source, and the cigarette can be smoked normally. When the cigarette is finished smoking (i.e., the core section is fully heated) and is detected by the control system in the control chip, the smoking ends and the device is turned off.

[0037] This invention provides a heating device compatible with various types of cigarettes, primarily designed to accommodate the two mainstream HNB (Heated Tobacco) cigarette sizes currently on the market (IQOS series and MC series). Based on the accompanying sensing and control system of this invention, different heating modes are configured for the two mainstream cigarette sizes. The device is compatible with both IQOS and MC series HNB cigarettes, providing good smoke quality, full smoke output, normal puff count, and a superior smoking experience; the experience is essentially the same as using the respective compatible devices.

[0038] Both the IQOS series and MC series cigarettes have a core length of L=12mm; L2 is 7mm in both cases. The plug of the IQOS series cigarette has a diameter D=5mm and a diameter L2=5mm; the plug of the MC series cigarette has a diameter L3=5mm. Therefore, when smoking the IQOS series cigarettes, the L1+L2 section of the core is heated; when smoking the MC series cigarettes, the L2+L3 section of the core is heated, ensuring the characteristic smoke of heated cigarettes during smoking.

[0039] In an optional implementation, the control of the heating zone can be divided into manual setting and sensor-based automatic recognition.

[0040] In an optional implementation, the heating temperature range can be switched by adding a new button or by pressing and holding a single switch button, with the default area being area L in the left figure. When the user determines that the cigarette has a plug, the switch is switched to area L in the right figure.

[0041] In an optional implementation, the system determines whether there is a blockage in the cigarette structure through sensor recognition. If the cigarette has a blockage, the system switches to the L heating area in the left figure to work; otherwise, it controls the L heating area in the right figure to work.

[0042] The smoking device of the present invention has different heating zones for different sizes of cigarettes. Different sizes of cigarettes are matched with the corresponding heating zones in the smoking device, so that the cigarette core is precisely heated, ensuring the smoking quality of the cigarettes. Ultimately, it achieves the effect of one smoking device matching two or more mainstream sizes of cigarettes.

[0043] By controlling the range of the heating area of ​​the smoking device, the main body of the cigarette core of different specifications can be heated to meet the smoking requirements. This allows a single smoking device to smoke cigarettes of different specifications. The smoking device has a control system, and the heating area can be automatically identified and switched by sensors or manually selected by the consumer through a controller such as buttons. The heating area is divided into two or more independently controlled heat source modules, and one or several of the areas can provide the heat source or all areas can provide the heat source simultaneously.

[0044] The above embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention, nor is the present invention limited to the examples described above. Any changes, modifications, additions, or substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention are also within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heated smoking device adaptable to various types of cigarettes, characterized in that, The heating zone of the smoking device can be adjusted according to the type of cigarette it senses.

2. The heated smoking device adaptable to various cigarettes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating area of ​​the smoking device is divided into several independent small heating areas, each controlled by an independent module.

3. The heated smoking device adaptable to various cigarettes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating area is the inner wall of the circumferential heating cylinder, which is divided into three small heating areas: the first heating area (1), the second heating area (2), and the third heating area (3).

4. The heated smoking device adaptable to various cigarettes according to claim 3, characterized in that, The smoking device is compatible with two types of cigarettes: the first type of cigarette consists of a plug section (D), a core section (L), a support section, a cooling section, and a lip-touching section, starting from the far lip end; the second type of cigarette consists of a core section (L), a support section, a cooling section, and a lip-touching section, starting from the far lip end.

5. The heated smoking device adaptable to various cigarettes according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first type of cigarette has its filler segment (L) divided into a second filler segment (L2) and a first filler segment (L1) starting from the distal lip; the second type of cigarette has its filler segment (L) divided into a third filler segment (L3) and a second filler segment (L2) starting from the distal lip.

6. The heated smoking device adaptable to various cigarettes according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first heating zone (1) of the smoking device is adapted to the first cigarette core segment (L1), the second heating zone (2) is adapted to the second cigarette core segment (L2), and the third heating zone (3) is adapted to the third cigarette core segment (L3).

7. The heated smoking device adaptable to various cigarettes according to claim 3, characterized in that, A sensor (4) is installed at the bottom of the circumferential heating cylinder.

8. The heated smoking device adaptable to various cigarettes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The smoking device is equipped with a control chip.

9. The method of using the heated smoking device adaptable to various cigarettes according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The process includes the following steps: Insert the cigarette into the heating area, i.e., the inner wall of the circumferential heating cylinder; the sensor 4 identifies whether a plug D is present; if a plug D is present, the control system in the control chip controls the control modules of the first heating zone 1 and the second heating zone 2 to perform combined heating control of the heating areas to provide a heat source, allowing the cigarette to be smoked normally; when the cigarette is finished being smoked and detected by the control system in the control chip, the smoking ends and the device is turned off; if there is no plug D, the control system in the control chip controls the control modules of the second heating zone 2 and the third heating zone 3 to perform combined heating control of the heating areas to provide a heat source, allowing the cigarette to be smoked normally; when the cigarette is finished being smoked and detected by the control system in the control chip, the smoking ends and the device is turned off.

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