Flavor suction system

Abstract

To provide a flavor suction system in which limitations on the shape of a flavor generation material are reduced.SOLUTION: A flavor suction system includes a flavor generation material and a flavor sucker. The flavor generation material includes a flavor source. The flavor sucker includes a storage part with an opening for storing at least part of the flavor generation material inserted through the opening, a first electrode and a second electrode electrically grounded, a third electrode located inside the storage part, and arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an oscillation part connected electrically to the third electrode and capable of oscillating a microwave. A minimum diameter of a cross section perpendicular to an insertion direction in the flavor generation material is greater than a minimum interval passing through a central axis of the storage part in the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the storage part. The storage part is configured so that the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the flavor generation material stored in the storage part becomes a shape other than a circle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flavor inhalation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, flavor inhalers for inhaling flavors and the like without burning ingredients have been known. Such flavor inhalers contain a flavor-generating article having a flavor source. The flavor inhaler and the flavor-generating article constitute a flavor inhalation system. Known flavor inhalers heat ingredients using microwaves (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 090022 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6861902 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The device in Patent Document 1 includes a microwave generator and a housing having a first portion for receiving an aerosolizable material, and the microwave generator generates microwaves for heating the aerosolizable material and generating an aerosol when the aerosolizable material is received in the first portion. However, this device has a problem in that the shape of the flavor-generating article is limited by the shape of the first portion. In the induction heating device in Patent Document 2, the object to be heated is limited to a liquid that vaporizes when heated.

[0005] In view of the above, one object of the present invention is to provide a flavor inhalation system that utilizes microwaves and has reduced restrictions on the shape of the flavor-generating article. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided a flavor inhalation system comprising: a flavor generating article and a flavor inhaler, the flavor generating article including a flavor source, the flavor inhaler including a housing having an opening and housing at least a portion of the flavor generating article inserted through the opening, first and second electrodes electrically grounded, a third electrode located inside the housing and disposed between the first and second electrodes, and an oscillator electrically connected to the third electrode and capable of emitting microwaves, the minimum diameter of the flavor generating article in a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction being greater than the minimum distance passing through a central axis of the housing in a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the flavor generating article, and the housing is configured such that the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the flavor generating article housed in the housing has a shape other than circular.

[0007] According to the first aspect, it is possible to provide a flavor inhalation system that utilizes microwaves and has reduced restrictions on the shape of the flavor generating article.

[0008] The second aspect is based on the first aspect, and is characterized in that the flavor inhaler is provided with a pair of pressing portions that press and deform the flavor-generating article inserted into the storage portion from both sides in a direction intersecting the insertion direction.

[0009] According to the second aspect, the flavor inhaler can more reliably deform and position the flavor generating article.

[0010] A third aspect is summarized as the second aspect, wherein the third electrode has a flat plate shape and is disposed so as to face the pressing surface of the pressing portion in a thickness direction of the third electrode.

[0011] According to the third aspect, the flavor source disposed between the third electrode and the pressing surface can be heated more efficiently and more uniformly.

[0012] A fourth aspect is the second or third aspect, wherein the pressing portion is a side wall of the storage portion.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect, the flavor inhaler does not require a complex mechanism and can deform and position the flavor-generating article with a simple configuration.

[0014] A fifth aspect is summarized as any one of the second to fourth aspects, in that the pressing portion includes at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect, the flavor inhalation system can be made more compact than when a pressing mechanism is provided in the flavor inhaler separately from the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0016] A sixth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the storage section has a pair of first side walls and a pair of second side walls connecting the pair of first side walls, each of the pair of second side walls being a curved wall portion, and the first electrode and the second electrode being flat and constituting the pair of first side walls.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect, the first electrode and the second electrode function as a chamber, so that the flavor inhaler 100 can be made more compact.

[0018] A seventh aspect is summarized as any one of the first to fifth aspects, in that the first electrode and the second electrode form an inner wall surface of the container portion.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect, the flavor inhalation system can be made even more compact.

[0020] An eighth aspect is summarized as any one of the first to fourth aspects, in that the first electrode and the second electrode are located outside an inner wall surface of the housing portion.

[0021] According to the eighth aspect, it is possible to prevent the contents or the like that have fallen off the flavor-generating product from coming into contact with the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby protecting the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0022] A ninth aspect is summarized as any one of the first to eighth aspects, in that the first electrode and the second electrode are flat and arranged to overlap each other in the insertion direction.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to effectively shield microwaves or press the flavor-generating article.

[0024] A tenth aspect is summarized as follows: in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the flavor source comprises a first flavor source positioned between the first electrode and the third electrode when the flavor-generating article is contained in the containing section, and a second flavor source positioned between the second electrode and the third electrode.

[0025] According to the tenth aspect, by arranging the flavor sources on both sides of the third electrode, the flavor sources can be heated more efficiently.

[0026] An eleventh aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the flavor inhaler further comprises a guide portion that guides the insertion of the flavor-generating article, and the guide portion is formed at an angle with respect to the insertion direction and has an abutment surface that abuts against the inserted flavor-generating article.

[0027] According to the eleventh aspect, the flavor-generating article can be inserted into the flavor inhaler more reliably or more smoothly.

[0028] A twelfth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the third electrode is flat, and the accommodating portion has an inner diameter in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the third electrode that is longer than the inner diameter in the thickness direction of the third electrode in a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction and including the third electrode.

[0029] According to the twelfth aspect, a configuration can be adopted in which a flat third electrode and a flavor source extending along the third electrode are arranged side by side, thereby making it possible to heat the flavor source more uniformly and efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a flavor inhalation system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a flavor inhalation system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flavor inhalation system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a flavor inhalation system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flavor inhaler according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a flavor inhaler according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a flavor inhaler according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the insertion of a flavor generating article into a flavor inhaler in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the insertion of a flavor generating article into a flavor inhaler in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor inhaler according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a flavor inhaler according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavor inhaler according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a flavor inhaler according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, identical or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. In this specification, the "longitudinal direction" refers to the longitudinal direction of the flavor-generating article, in other words, the direction in which the flavor-generating article is inserted into the flavor inhaler. In addition, in this specification, the "transverse direction" or "radial direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a flavor inhalation system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the flavor inhalation system as viewed from an arrow 2-2 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the flavor inhalation system as viewed from an arrow 3-3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a smoking system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a flavor generating article 20 and a flavor inhaler 100. The flavor inhaler 100 is preferably a portable or handheld device. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flavor inhaler 100 includes a battery 102, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 103, a microwave oscillator 104 (corresponding to an example of an oscillator), a waveguide 105, a housing 110, and a heating unit 120. The flavor generating article 20 includes a flavor source 50 that is heated by the flavor inhaler 100. The detailed configuration of the flavor generating article 20 will be described later.

[0033] The flavor inhaler 100 is configured to atomize a flavor or an aerosol source contained in a flavor source 50 of the flavor-generating article 20. The flavor source 50 constitutes a part of the flavor-generating article 20, which has, for example, a columnar shape extending along the longitudinal direction. The flavor-generating article 20 may be, for example, a tobacco stick in which the flavor source 50 contains tobacco. The battery 102 stores power used by the flavor inhaler 100. For example, the battery 102 is a lithium-ion battery. The battery 102 may be rechargeable by an external power source.

[0034] The PCB 103 is configured with a CPU, memory, etc., and controls the operation of the flavor inhaler 100, specifically the operation of the microwave oscillator 104. For example, the PCB 103 controls the microwave oscillator 104 to start heating the flavor source 50 in response to a user's operation on an input device such as a push button or slide switch (not shown), and stops heating the flavor source 50 after a certain time has elapsed. If the number of puffing actions by the user exceeds a certain value, the PCB 103 may stop heating the flavor source 50 even before the certain time has elapsed since heating of the flavor source 50 began. For example, the puffing action is detected by a sensor (not shown).

[0035] Alternatively, the PCB 103 may control the microwave oscillator 104 to start heating the flavor source 50 in response to the start of a puffing action, and may stop heating the flavor source 50 in response to the end of the puffing action. The PCB 103 may stop heating the flavor source 50 when a certain time has elapsed since the start of the puffing action, even before the end of the puffing action. In this embodiment, the PCB 103 is disposed between the battery 102 and the heating unit 120.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the flavor inhaler 100 is configured to receive a stick-shaped flavor-generating article 20. As illustrated, the battery 102, PCB 103, microwave oscillator 104, and heating unit 120 can be arranged in a direction in which the flavor-generating article 20 is inserted into the flavor inhaler 100. The housing 110 is a housing that houses the battery 102, PCB 103, and heating unit 120.

[0037] The heating unit 120 has a microwave generating electrode 122 (corresponding to an example of a third electrode), an electrode mount 124, and a chamber 126. The microwave generating electrode 122 has a shape that can be inserted into the flavor source 50, and is configured so that microwaves are radiated from the inside to the flavor source 50 by the microwave oscillator 104. Specifically, the microwave generating electrode 122 extends in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and may have a flat shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 3.

[0038] The chamber 126 is configured to accommodate at least the flavor source 50 of the flavor-generating article 20. The microwave-generating electrode 122 is arranged to overlap the flavor source 50 in the longitudinal direction when the flavor-generating article 20 is positioned at a desired position within the chamber 126. The microwave-generating electrode 122 is electrically connected to the battery 102 so that power is supplied from the battery 102. The electrode mount 124 is a member for attaching the microwave-generating electrode 122 to the housing 110. The electrode mount 124 can be formed of a material that has a relative dielectric constant of 10 or less and does not substantially absorb microwaves, for example.

[0039] The flavor inhaler 100 may include a thermocouple or radiation thermometer configured to detect the temperature at a desired location in the flavor inhaler 100, such as the chamber 126, in order to control the microwave power. The PCB 103 may control the microwave oscillator 104 based on data detected by the thermocouple or radiation thermometer. Alternatively, the PCB 103 may control the power supplied to the microwave generating electrode 122 by detecting the dielectric constant or impedance of a desired component of the flavor inhaler 100, such as the chamber 126, which changes with heating. Alternatively, the power supplied to the microwave generating electrode 122 may be controlled based on a reflected wave that changes in accordance with the change in impedance. For example, the flavor inhaler 100 may include an antenna that receives microwaves radiated from the microwave generating electrode 122, particularly reflected waves that are reflected by a component such as the chamber 126. The intensity, etc. of such reflected waves may change depending on the change in impedance of the component. Therefore, the PCB 103 may control the power supplied to the microwave generating electrode 122 based on the signal obtained via the antenna, for example, the signal strength of the signal.

[0040] The microwave oscillator 104 is, for example, a semiconductor (solid state) oscillator, and generates a high-frequency electromagnetic field of a predetermined frequency. Examples of semiconductor oscillators include an LDMOS transistor, a GaAs FET, a SiC MESFET, and a GaN HFET. In this specification, a "high-frequency electromagnetic field" refers to a high-frequency electromagnetic field between 3 Hz and 3 THz. Furthermore, a "microwave" refers to a high-frequency electromagnetic field between 300 MHz and 300 GHz. The microwave oscillator 104 can generate microwaves with a frequency of 2.40 to 2.50 GHz, although this is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the microwave oscillator 104 generates microwaves with a frequency of 2.45 GHz.

[0041] The microwave oscillator 104 may include an amplifier for amplifying the high-frequency electromagnetic field. The microwave oscillator 104 itself may have the amplifier function, or an amplifier may be provided using an electronic component separate from the microwave oscillator 104.

[0042] Although a magnetron oscillator is also used as a device for generating a high-frequency electromagnetic field, when a semiconductor oscillator is used as the microwave oscillator 104, it is possible to make the main body smaller than when a magnetron oscillator is used. Furthermore, a semiconductor oscillator can operate at a lower operating voltage than a magnetron oscillator, and has high frequency stability and output stability. However, the microwave oscillator 104 of this embodiment may be a magnetron oscillator as long as it can generate a high-frequency electromagnetic field of a predetermined frequency.

[0043] The microwaves generated by the microwave oscillator 104 propagate through the waveguide 105 and are guided to the microwave generating electrode 122. A coaxial cable may be used instead of the waveguide 105. When the microwave oscillator 104 and the microwave generating electrode 122 are directly connected, the waveguide 105 or the coaxial cable may be omitted.

[0044] Waveguide 105 connects microwave oscillator 104 and microwave generating electrode 122 and is a tube that guides microwaves generated by microwave oscillator 104 to microwave generating electrode 122. Waveguide 105 may be provided with an isolator that protects microwave oscillator 104 by absorbing reflected waves that are not absorbed by flavor-generating article 20 and return toward microwave oscillator 104. Waveguide 105 may also be provided with a power monitor that detects the power of the incident wave from microwave oscillator 104 and the power of the reflected wave from flavor-generating article 20, or an impedance matching unit that matches the impedance on the microwave oscillator 104 side with the impedance on the flavor-generating article 20 side to reduce the power of the reflected wave.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flavor inhaler 100 of this embodiment has an electrically grounded first ground electrode (corresponding to an example of a first electrode) 81. The first ground electrode 81 may be, for example, a flat-plate electrode as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Preferably, the flavor inhaler 100 further has an electrically grounded second ground electrode (corresponding to an example of a second electrode) 82. The second ground electrode 82 may be, for example, a flat-plate electrode as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82 are both flat-plate electrodes, they may be arranged to face each other substantially parallel to each other as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the microwave generating electrode 122 may be arranged to face at least the first ground electrode 81. This allows microwaves generated by the microwave generating electrode 122 to be shielded by the first ground electrode 81. Preferably, the microwave generating electrode 122 is arranged between the first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As a result, the microwaves generated by the microwave generating electrode 122 can be shielded by the first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the flavor-generating article 20 of this embodiment may include a mouth filter 30, a hollow filter 40, a flavor source 50, and a tip filter 60. In the flavor-generating article 20, the tip filter 60, the flavor source 50, the hollow filter 40, and the mouth filter 30 are arranged adjacently in this order from the tip side in the direction of insertion into the chamber 126 of the smoking system 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The flavor-generating article 20 generates flavor by being heated by microwaves. Therefore, it is preferable that microwaves are not absorbed in parts of the flavor-generating article 20 other than the flavor source 50. For this reason, in the flavor-generating article 20 of this embodiment, it is preferable that one or more filters selected from the group consisting of the mouth filter 30, the hollow filter 40, and the tip filter 60 have a relative dielectric constant of 10 or less. This prevents microwaves from being absorbed by the filters from the microwave-generating electrode 122, allowing the flavor source 50 to be heated efficiently. It should be noted that the flavor-generating article 20 only needs to have at least the flavor source 50, and other components may be omitted as appropriate.

[0047] The mouth filter 30 may be, for example, a paper filter or an acetate filter. The mouth filter 30 preferably does not contain triacetin. Because triacetin readily absorbs microwaves, not including it in the mouth filter 30 can suppress absorption of microwaves from the microwave generating electrode 122. The mouth filter 30 may have a relative dielectric constant of 10 or less, preferably 4 or less. This suppresses absorption of microwaves from the microwave generating electrode 122 by the mouth filter 30, allowing efficient heating of the flavor source 50. The mouth filter 30 may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of charcoal, a metal mesh, and a metal ring inside or on its surface. This suppresses leakage of microwaves from the microwave generating electrode 122. Specifically, the metal mesh or metal ring reflects microwaves, while the charcoal absorbs microwaves.

[0048] The hollow filter 40 is located closer to the mouthpiece (downstream) than the flavor source 50. The hollow filter 40 has, for example, one or more hollow channels 40a and a packed layer 40b that defines the hollow channels 40a. Because the packed layer 40b has a high fiber packing density, during inhalation, air, flavor, or aerosol flows mostly through the hollow channels 40a and very little through the packed layer 40b. The flavor or aerosol generated in the flavor source 50 is cooled by passing through the hollow channels 40a and reaches the user's mouth. When it is desired to reduce the loss of aerosol components due to filtration by the mouthpiece filter 30 in the flavor-generating article 20, shortening the length of the mouthpiece filter 30 and replacing it with the hollow filter 40 is effective in increasing the amount of flavor or aerosol delivered.

[0049] The hollow filter 40 may be formed of, for example, paper or acetate. Preferably, the hollow filter 40 does not contain triacetin. Because triacetin easily absorbs microwaves, the hollow filter 40 does not contain triacetin, thereby suppressing absorption of microwaves from the microwave generating electrode 122. The relative dielectric constant of the hollow filter 40 may be, for example, 10 or less, preferably 4 or less. This suppresses absorption of microwaves from the microwave generating electrode 122 by the hollow filter 40, allowing efficient heating of the flavor source 50. The hollow filter 40 may contain at least one material selected from the group consisting of charcoal, a metal mesh, and a metal ring inside or on its surface. This suppresses leakage of microwaves from the microwave generating electrode 122.

[0050] The tip filter 60 is disposed upstream of the flavor source 50 and prevents the flavor source 50 from falling off the flavor-generating article 20. The tip filter 60 is disposed upstream of the flavor source 50 and adjacent to the flavor source 50. The tip filter 60 may be, for example, a paper filter, a molded filter, or an acetate filter. The relative dielectric constant of the tip filter 60 may be, for example, 10 or less, preferably 4 or less. This prevents microwaves from the microwave generating electrode 122 from being absorbed by the tip filter 60, allowing the flavor source 50 to be heated efficiently. The tip filter 60 preferably does not contain triacetin. Because triacetin easily absorbs microwaves, not including it in the tip filter 60 can prevent absorption of microwaves from the microwave generating electrode 122. The tip filter 60 may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of charcoal, a metal mesh, and a metal ring inside or on its surface. This prevents microwaves from leaking from the microwave generating electrode 122.

[0051] The tip filter 60 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is solid. This allows the components of the heated flavor source 50 adhering to the surface of the microwave generating electrode 122 to be wiped off by the tip filter 60 when the microwave generating electrode 122 is pulled out from the flavor-generating article 20. In this case, the tip filter 60 is perforated when the microwave generating electrode 122 is inserted into the flavor-generating article 20. However, the tip filter 60 may be hollow. In other words, the tip filter 60 may have a through-hole extending in the longitudinal direction through which the microwave generating electrode 122 can be inserted. In this case, the insertion resistance of the tip filter 60 to the microwave generating electrode 122 is reduced, allowing the microwave generating electrode 122 to be smoothly inserted into the flavor source 50.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the flavor-generating article 20 preferably further includes a sheet member 70 surrounding the filter and the flavor source 50. This allows the flavor source 50 to be integrally joined to filters, such as the mouthpiece filter 30, the hollow filter 40, and the tip filter 60. The sheet member 70 may be made of a non-tobacco material. Specifically, the sheet member 70 may be made of a material that does not substantially absorb microwaves, such as paper or resin, with a relative dielectric constant of 10 or less. The sheet member 70 may also contain a microwave-absorbing substance, such as charcoal. The sheet member 70 may also be made of a metal foil, such as aluminum foil, or a metal-laminated paper, such as aluminum-laminated paper. In this case, microwaves can be reflected toward the flavor source 50 by metals such as aluminum, allowing the microwaves to be efficiently applied to the flavor source 50. In addition to aluminum, the sheet member 70 may be made of silver, copper, iron, permalloy, nickel, stainless steel, or an alloy containing two or more of these metals.

[0053] The sheet member 70 preferably has one or more holes penetrating between its inner surface and its outer surface, which allows outside air to pass through the holes in the sheet member 70 and flow into the flavor-generating article 20, thereby enabling the flavor generated in the flavor source 50 to be delivered to the user more efficiently.

[0054] The flavor source 50 may come into contact with the sheet member 70. The flavor source 50 is preferably adhered to the sheet member 70. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the flavor source 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the sheet member 70 are preferably adhered to each other with an adhesive or the like. This prevents the flavor source 50 from moving relative to the sheet member 70. In this case, a cast sheet may be created on the sheet member 70 by thinly casting the raw materials including tobacco leaves and a binder that constitute the flavor source 50 onto the sheet member 70 and then drying the tobacco leaves. Alternatively, a rolled sheet may be created on the sheet member 70 by applying pressure to thinly spread the raw materials including tobacco leaves and a binder that constitute the flavor source 50 and then drying the tobacco leaves.

[0055] The flavor source 50 does not have to be adhered to the sheet member 70. Also, the flavor source 50 does not have to be in contact with the sheet member 70. In these cases, for example, the flavor source 50 can be sandwiched between the hollow filter 40 and the tip filter 60 to fix its position.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the flavor source 50 of this embodiment includes a first flavor source 50a positioned between the first ground electrode 81 and the microwave generating electrode 122 during smoking (when the flavor-generating article 20 is positioned at a desired position within the chamber 126). Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the flavor source 50 preferably further includes a second flavor source 50b positioned between the second ground electrode 82 and the microwave generating electrode 122 during smoking (when the flavor-generating article 20 is positioned at a desired position within the chamber 126). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a gap S1 is formed between the first flavor source 50a and the second flavor source 50b, and the microwave generating electrode 122 can be inserted into this gap S1. The flavor source 50 of this embodiment includes the first flavor source 50a and the second flavor source 50b facing each other, but is not limited thereto and may be, for example, a cylindrical flavor source 50.

[0057] The flavor source 50 may be, for example, a non-tobacco sheet such as a nonwoven fabric, a tobacco sheet, or a tobacco molded product. When the flavor source 50 is a tobacco sheet, specific examples include a tobacco leaf sheet, a tobacco leaf cast sheet, and a rolled tobacco leaf sheet. The flavor source 50 may further include an aerosol source. The type of aerosol source is not particularly limited, and extracts from various natural products and / or their components can be selected depending on the application. The aerosol source is preferably glycerin or a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, or a mixture thereof. The tobacco flavor or aerosol source contained in the flavor source 50 contains moisture and can be heated by microwaves irradiated from the microwave generating electrode 122. Because glycerin has a high dielectric constant and is efficiently heated by microwaves, glycerin is more preferred as the aerosol source. The loading amount of the flavor source 50 can be, for example, 100 mg to 350 mg, and preferably 120 mg to 250 mg. The content of the aerosol source in the flavor source 50 can be 5% to 30% by weight of the amount of the flavor source 50.

[0058] The surface area of the flavor source 50 (the surface area of the flavor source 50 that contributes to aerosol generation) is 150 mm 2 Over 4000mm 2 The flavor source 50 may be made of tobacco leaves in the form of strands. In this case, the width of the tobacco leaves in the form of strands is preferably 1 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or less.

[0059] The flavor source 50 may be loaded with a flavoring agent. The type of the fragrance is not particularly limited, and from the viewpoint of imparting a good fragrance sensation, examples thereof include acetanisole, acetophenone, acetylpyrazine, 2-acetylthiazole, alfalfa extract, amyl alcohol, amyl butyrate, trans-anethole, star anise oil, apple juice, Peru balsam oil, beeswax absolute, benzaldehyde, benzoin resinoid, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, benzyl propionate, 2,3-butanedione, 2-butanol, butyl butyrate, butyric acid, caramel, cardamom oil, carob absolute, β-carotene, carrot juice, L-carvone, β-caryophyllene, cassia bark oil, cedarwood oil, celery seed oil, chamomile oil, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamyl cinnamate, citronella oil, DL-citronellol, ... Lornelol, clary sage extract, cocoa, coffee, cognac oil, coriander oil, cuminaldehyde, davana oil, delta-decalactone, gamma-decalactone, decanoic acid, dill herb oil, 3,4-dimethyl-1,2-cyclopentanedione, 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-one, 3,7-dimethyl-6-octenoic acid, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl isovalerate, ethyl lactate, ethyl laurate, ethyl levulinate, ethyl maltol, ethyl octanoate, ethyl oleate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl phenylacetate, ethyl propionate, ethyl stearate, ethyl valerate, ethyl vanillin, ethyl vanillin glucoside, 2-ethyl-3,(5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine, 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone, 2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine, eucalyptol, fenugreek absolute, gene absolute, gentian root infusion, geraniol, geranyl acetate, grape juice, guaiacol, guava extract, gamma-heptalactone, gamma-hexalactone, hexanoic acid, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, hexyl acetate, hexyl alcohol, phenylhexyl acetate, honey, 4-hydroxy-3-pentenoic acid, la Ingredients: methicone, 4-hydroxy-4-(3-hydroxy-1-butenyl)-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one, 4-(para-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone, sodium 4-hydroxyundecanoate, immortelle absolute, beta-ionone, isoamyl acetate, isoamyl butyrate, isoamyl phenylacetate, isobutyl acetate, isobutyl phenylacetate, jasmine absolute, cola nut tincture, labdanum oil, lemon terpeneless oil, licorice extract, linalool, linalyl acetate, robertia jasmine Orris root oil, maltol, maple syrup, menthol, menthone, L-menthyl acetate, para-methoxybenzaldehyde, methyl 2-pyrrolyl ketone, methyl anthranilate, methyl phenylacetate, methyl salicylate, 4'-methylacetophenone, methylcyclopentenolone, 3-methylvaleric acid, mimosa absolute, honey, myristic acid, nerol, nerolidol, gamma-nonalactone, nutmeg oil, delta-octalactone, octanal, octanoic acid, orange flower oil, orange oil, orris root oil, palmitic acid, omega-pentadecamethyl Calactone, peppermint oil, petitgrain Paraguay oil, phenethyl alcohol, phenethyl phenylacetate, phenylacetic acid, piperonal, plum extract, propenylguaethol, propyl acetate, 3-propylidenephthalide, prune juice, pyruvic acid, raisin extract, rose oil, rum, sage oil, sandalwood oil, spearmint oil, styrax absolute, marigold oil, tea distillate, alpha-terpineol, terpinyl acetate, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoxaline, 1,5,5,9-Tetramethyl-13-oxacyclo(8.3.0.0(4.9))tridecane, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, thyme oil, tomato extract, 2-tridecanone, triethyl citrate, 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexenyl)2-buten-4-one, 2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1,4-dione, 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadienyl)2-buten-4-one, 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine, γ-undecalactone, γ-valerolactone, vanilla extract, vanillin, veratrol At least one of aldehydes, violet leaf absolute, N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide (WS-3), ethyl-2-(p-menthane-3-carboxamide) acetate (WS-5), sugar (sucrose, fructose, etc.), cocoa powder, carob powder, coriander powder, licorice powder, orange peel powder, rosehip powder, chamomile flower powder, lemon verbena powder, peppermint powder, leaf powder, spearmint powder, black tea powder, natural plant flavors (e.g., jasmine oil, lemon oil, vetiver oil, lovage oil), and esters may be selected.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 1 , when the flavor source 50 is disposed between the first ground electrode 81 or the second ground electrode 82 and the microwave generating electrode 122, there is a possibility that components of the heated flavor source 50 will adhere to the microwave generating electrode 122. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the flavor-generating article 20 has a protective sheet 52 positioned inside the flavor source 50. This allows the microwave generating electrode 122 to come into contact with the flavor source 50, making it difficult for components of the flavor source 50 to adhere to the microwave generating electrode 122. The protective sheet 52 can be disposed between the first ground electrode 81 and the microwave generating electrode 122 during smoking (when the flavor-generating article 20 is positioned at a desired position in the chamber 126). The protective sheet 52 can also be disposed between the second ground electrode 82 and the microwave generating electrode 122 during smoking (when the flavor-generating article 20 is positioned at a desired position in the chamber 126). 3, the protective sheet 52 is tubular, and more specifically may be a paper tube, and may be placed around the microwave-generating electrode 122. The protective sheet 52 does not have to be tubular.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, the flavor generating article 20 has a flat cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction when being smoked (when the flavor generating article 20 is positioned at a desired position within the chamber 126).

[0062] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the smoking system 10 in a state where the flavor generating article 20 is not inserted into the flavor inhaler 100. Hereinafter, this state will be referred to as the non-inserted state. In FIG. 4, the flavor generating article 20 is shown in a schematic perspective view, and the flavor inhaler 100 is shown in a schematic cross-sectional side view taken along arrow 2-2 in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the flavor inhaler 100 in a non-inserted state, and corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along arrow 5-5 in FIG. 4. FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic enlarged cross-sectional views showing the flavor inhaler 100 in a non-inserted state. FIG. 6 corresponds to the cross-sectional side view taken along arrow 2-2 in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 shows the same side cross section as FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the smoking system 10 is configured so that the flavor generating article 20 has a cylindrical shape, and when the flavor generating article 20 is housed in the flavor inhaler 100, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flavor generating article 20 becomes flat.

[0063] 4 and 5, the flavor inhaler 100 has a storage section 200 that stores at least a portion of the flavor generating article 20 inserted into the flavor inhaler 100. Hereinafter, the storage section 200 refers to a wall that defines a space Sp in which the flavor generating article 20 is placed when the flavor generating article 20 is stored in the flavor inhaler 100. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the first ground electrode 81, the second ground electrode 82, and the chamber 126 form the storage section 200.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4, the storage section 200 is formed with an opening 101 that communicates with the outside of the flavor inhaler 100. A space Sp in which the flavor generating article 20 is stored is communicated with the outside of the flavor inhaler 100 via the opening 101. Inside the storage section 200, a microwave generating electrode 122 is positioned between the first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82. The microwave generating electrode 122 protrudes into the space Sp, and when the flavor generating article 20 is stored in the storage section 200, the microwave generating electrode 122 is positioned inside the flavor generating article 20. The storage section 200 is formed around a central axis Ax that extends in the longitudinal direction of the storage section 200. It is preferable that the central axis Ax extends in a direction that substantially coincides with the insertion direction of the flavor generating article 20.

[0065] Hereinafter, a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction will be referred to as a transverse cross section. As shown in Figure 4, the minimum diameter of the transverse cross section of the flavor-generating article 20 in the uninserted state is referred to as the product diameter D1. Here, the minimum diameter refers to the smallest outer diameter passing through the central axis Ax20 of the flavor-generating article 20. In the illustrated example, the flavor-generating article 20 is cylindrical, so the diameter of the bottom of the cylinder corresponds to the product diameter D1. If the flavor-generating article 20 in the uninserted state is not cylindrical, the product diameter D1 will be the width in the narrowest direction passing through the central axis Ax20 and perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0066] 5, the smallest distance between the inner wall surfaces of the housing portion 200 passing through the central axis Ax of the housing portion 200 in a cross section of the housing portion 200 is defined as a housing interval G1. In this embodiment, the electrode interval G10, which is the distance between the first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82, is defined as the housing interval G1.

[0067] The smoking system 10 is configured such that the product diameter D1 of the flavor-generating article 20 in the uninserted state is larger than the storage interval G1. Hereinafter, the state in which the flavor-generating article 20 is stored in the storage unit 200 and positioned at a desired position is referred to as the storage state. This desired position is preferably a position in which the flavor source 50 overlaps the microwave-generating electrode 122 in the longitudinal direction. The storage unit 200 is configured such that, in the storage state, the flavor-generating article 20 stored therein has a cross section that is not circular. This allows the flavor-generating article 20 to deform in the storage state and be easily positioned in a desired shape and at a desired position, even if the shape of the flavor-generating article 20 in the uninserted state differs from the shape of the storage unit 200. This makes it possible to provide a smoking system 10 in which restrictions on the shape of the flavor-generating article 20 in the uninserted state are reduced. For example, the shape of the flavor-generating article 20 can be determined from the perspective of efficient manufacturing or improved storage efficiency. Furthermore, microwave heating has the problem of energy concentrating in a portion of the heated object, making it important to properly prepare the conditions. Therefore, the positional relationship between the flavor source 50 and the microwave generating electrode 122 is particularly important for efficient heating, compared to other heating methods such as resistance heating. In this embodiment, by deforming and accommodating the flavor-generating article 20, the configuration of the flavor inhaler 100 can determine the positional relationship, allowing the flavor source 50 and other items to be positioned accurately and appropriately.

[0068] In this embodiment, the flavor generating article 20 in a housed state has a flat cross section as shown in Fig. 3. The microwave generating electrode 122, the flavor source 50, the first ground electrode 81, and the second ground electrode 82, each of which has a flat plate shape, are arranged so as to overlap with each other, thereby enabling the flavor source 50 to be heated more efficiently and more uniformly.

[0069] A minor axis Ax1 and a major axis Ax2 passing through the central axis Ax are set perpendicular to the central axis Ax. The minor axis Ax1 is set so as to have a storage interval G1 along the minor axis Ax1. The major axis Ax2 is set perpendicular to the minor axis Ax1. In the stored state, the flavor-generating article 20 can be longest in the major axis direction along which the major axis Ax2 extends and shortest in the minor axis direction along which the minor axis Ax1 extends. In this embodiment, since the storage interval G1 is smaller than the article diameter D1, the flavor-generating article 20 is compressed in the minor axis direction and elongated in the major axis direction in the stored state compared to the non-inserted state.

[0070] In the cross section of the storage unit 200 including the microwave generating electrode 122, the inner diameter in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction (which coincides with the major axis direction in the illustrated example) is longer than the inner diameter in the thickness direction (which coincides with the minor axis direction in the illustrated example) of the flat-plate microwave generating electrode 122. This results in a configuration in which the flat-plate microwave generating electrode 122, the flavor source 50, and the first grounded electrode 81 (or the second grounded electrode 82) are arranged side by side in the thickness direction, allowing the flavor source 50 to be heated more uniformly and efficiently. Furthermore, the flavor source 50 includes a first flavor source 50a located between the first grounded electrode 81 and the microwave generating electrode 122, and a second flavor source 50b located between the second grounded electrode 82 and the microwave generating electrode 122. Therefore, by arranging such a configuration on both sides of the microwave generating electrode 122 in the thickness direction, the flavor source 50 can be heated more efficiently.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 5 , the flavor inhaler 100 has a pair of pressing units 90 that press the flavor generating article 20 inserted into the housing 200 from both sides in a direction (short axis direction) intersecting the insertion direction. This allows the flavor generating article 20 to be more reliably deformed and positioned. At least the outer circumferential surface of the flavor generating article 20 is made of a deformable material such as paper. In this embodiment, the first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82 function as the pressing units 90, which press the outer circumferential surface of the flavor generating article 20 to deform the flavor generating article 20 so as to compress it in the short axis direction. By including at least one of the first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82 in the pressing units 90, the smoking system 10 can be made more compact than when a pressing mechanism is disposed between the flavor source 50 and the first ground electrode 81 or the second ground electrode 82. In addition, by positioning the first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82 inside the chamber 126, the distance between the microwave generating electrode 122 and the first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82 is shortened, allowing the flavor source 50 to be heated more uniformly.

[0072] In this embodiment, the inner wall surface 810 of the first ground electrode 81 and the inner wall surface 820 of the second ground electrode 82 function as pressing surfaces 91 that press the flavor-generating article 20. The flat microwave-generating electrode 122 is disposed so as to face the inner wall surface 810 of the first ground electrode 81 and the inner wall surface 820 of the second ground electrode 82 in its thickness direction (the minor axis direction in the illustrated example). In other words, the microwave-generating electrode 122 is disposed so as to face the pressing surface 91 of the pressing portion 90 in its thickness direction. This makes it possible to more efficiently and more uniformly heat the flavor source 50 disposed between the microwave-generating electrode 122 and the first ground electrode 81 or the second ground electrode 82.

[0073] The inner wall surface 810 of the first ground electrode 81 and the inner wall surface 820 of the second ground electrode 82 are also the inner wall surfaces of the storage section 200. In other words, the first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82 form the inner wall surfaces of the storage section 200. This allows the smoking system 10 to be configured compactly. In this way, the pressing section 90 is also the side wall of the storage section 200. This allows the flavor-generating article 20 to be deformed and positioned with a simple configuration without requiring a complex mechanism. From the viewpoint of effectively pressing the flavor-generating article 20 and shielding microwaves, it is preferable that the first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82 are flat and arranged to overlap each other in the insertion direction.

[0074] 6 and 7, the flavor inhaler 100 preferably has a guide portion 300 that guides the insertion of the flavor generating article 20. The guide portion 300 is formed at an angle with respect to the insertion direction and includes a contact surface (tapered portion 321) that contacts the inserted flavor generating article 20. This configuration allows the flavor generating article 20 to be inserted more reliably or more smoothly into the flavor inhaler 100. In the illustrated example, the guide portion 300 includes outer surfaces along the insertion direction of the first ground electrode 81, the second ground electrode 82, and the chamber 126, and is formed to surround the opening 101 of the storage portion 200.

[0075] The guide portion 300 has a tapered portion 321, an inlet portion 322, and an abutting portion 323. The tapered portion 321 is configured to expand toward the opening 101 side of the storage portion 200 (outward along the insertion direction) and guides the insertion of the flavor generating article 20 into the flavor inhaler 100. The inlet portion 322 is provided at the end of the storage portion 200 on the opening 101 side and has an oval or elliptical cross section, etc., and is configured so that its major axis is equal to or greater than the major axis of the flavor generating article 20 after it has been stored in the storage portion 200 and its minor axis is approximately the same as the diameter of the flavor generating article 20 before it is stored in the storage portion 200. As shown in the cross section C1 ( FIG. 9 ) at the position of the abutting portion 323, the abutting portion 323 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the storage portion 200 and has an oval or elliptical cross section, etc., and is configured so that its minimum inner peripheral length is approximately equal to the outer peripheral length of the flavor generating article 20. As a result, when the flavor generating article 20 passes through the guide section 300, the entire circumference of the flavor generating article 20 comes into contact with the abutting section 323, so that the cross-sectional shape of the flavor generating article 20 can be deformed to conform to the shape of the abutting section 323. As shown in Fig. 6, the spacing in the minor axis direction of the abutting section 323 is the storage spacing G1.

[0076] The shape of the guide portion 300 is not particularly limited as long as it can guide the flavor-generating article 20 toward the desired position. For example, the guide portion 300 does not need to be disposed around the entire circumference of the storage portion 200. The guide portion 300 can be formed on at least one of the inner wall on the first ground electrode 81 side and the inner wall on the second ground electrode 82 side. Furthermore, the guide portion 300 may be formed on the housing 110 or the like instead of the storage portion 200.

[0077] 8 and 9 are conceptual diagrams showing the insertion of the flavor generating article 20 into the flavor inhaler 100. When the flavor generating article 20 is composed of separated flavor sources 50a and 50b as shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable to position the circumferential direction of the flavor generating article 20 about the central axis Ax20 of the flavor generating article 20 before insertion so that the flavor sources 50a and 50b are located on the first ground electrode 81 side and the second ground electrode 82 side of the microwave generating electrode 122, respectively. The flavor generating article 20 may have a marker for such positioning. When the flavor source 50 in the flavor generating article 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to integrally connect the flavor sources 50a and 50b, such positioning is not necessary.

[0078] When inserting the flavor-generating article 20, the insertion end 21, which is the end of the flavor-generating article 20 opposite the mouthpiece side, is inserted first into the opening 101. The user brings the flavor-generating article 20 closer to the opening 101 (see arrow Ax10). The flavor-generating article 20 passes radially inside the entrance portion 322 and abuts against the tapered portion 321. The flavor-generating article 20 receives resistance from the tapered portion 321 and moves and deforms along the tapered portion 321. The storage interval G1, which is the width of the storage portion 200 in the minor axis direction, is smaller than the article diameter D1, which is the minimum outer diameter of the flavor-generating article 20. Therefore, the portion of the flavor-generating article 20 that is further inward in the insertion direction than the abutting portion 323 is pressed by the pressing portion 90 (the first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82). When the insertion end 21 reaches the bottom surface of the storage portion 200, the insertion of the flavor-generating article 20 is completed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable that the flavor source 50 is placed at a position overlapping the microwave generating electrode 122 in the insertion direction.

[0079] The smoking system 10 of this embodiment is a flavor inhalation system including a flavor generating article 20 and a flavor inhaler 100, wherein the minimum diameter (article diameter D1) of the flavor generating article 20 in a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction is larger than the minimum spacing (storage spacing G1) of the inner wall surface of the storage unit 200 passing through the central axis Ax of the storage unit 200 in a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the storage unit 200, and the storage unit 200 is configured so that the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the flavor generating article 20 stored in the storage unit 200 has a shape other than circular. This makes it possible to provide a flavor inhalation system that uses microwave heating and has reduced restrictions on the shape of the flavor generating article 20. Here, "electrically grounded" means that the flavor generating article 20 is arranged to have a reference potential in a circuit that oscillates microwaves.

[0080] Second embodiment The smoking system of the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the smoking system 10 of the first embodiment, but differs from the smoking system 10 in that it has a flavor inhaler 100a instead of the flavor inhaler 100 described above. The flavor inhaler 100a differs from the flavor inhaler 100 in that it has a first ground electrode 81a and a second ground electrode 82a located outside the inner wall surface of the chamber 126.

[0081] 10 and 11 are a schematic cross-sectional view and a schematic side cross-sectional view, respectively, of a flavor inhaler 100a according to this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100a at a position corresponding to the 3-3 cross-section in FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a view showing the 11-11 cross-section in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, the storage unit 200 is configured by a chamber 126a facing the space Sp in which the flavor-generating article 20 is disposed. The first ground electrode 81a and the second ground electrode 82a are located outside the inner wall surface of the chamber 126, which is the storage unit 200, as viewed from the central axis Ax. In the illustrated example, the first ground electrode 81a and the second ground electrode 82a are disposed outside the chamber 126a, but they may be embedded within the chamber 126a. In the illustrated example, the first ground electrode 81a and the second ground electrode 82a are disposed between the housing 110 and the chamber 126a, but they may be embedded within the housing 110.

[0082] The storage section 200 formed by the chamber 126a has a pair of first side walls 131a and 131b extending in the longitudinal direction and a pair of second side walls 132a and 132b connecting the first side walls 131a and 131b. The first side walls 131a and 131b are flat plates extending in the longitudinal direction and the longitudinal direction. Each of the pair of second side walls 132a and 132b is a curved wall portion. Each of the second side walls 132a and 132b extends in the longitudinal direction and has an arch-shaped cross section. In this embodiment, the pair of first side walls 131a and 131b function as a pressing section 90 that presses the flavor-generating article 20. The inner wall surfaces of the first side walls 131a and 131b form pressing surfaces 91. A chamber gap G20, which is the distance in the minor axis direction between the first side wall 131a and the first side wall 131b, is the accommodation gap G1.

[0083] In the smoking system of this embodiment, the first ground electrode 81a and the second ground electrode 82a are located outside the inner wall surface of the storage unit 200. This prevents the first ground electrode 81a and the second ground electrode 82a from coming into contact with the contents that have fallen off the flavor-generating article 20, thereby protecting the first ground electrode 81a and the second ground electrode 82a. In the illustrated example, the first ground electrode 81a and the second ground electrode 82a are separate, but they may be formed as an integrated ground electrode. For example, the ground electrode may be disposed around the entire circumference of the storage unit 200.

[0084] Third embodiment The smoking system of the third embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the smoking system 10 of the first embodiment, but differs from the smoking system 10 in that it has a flavor inhaler 100b instead of the above-mentioned flavor inhaler 100. The flavor inhaler 100b differs from the flavor inhaler 100 in that the side wall of the container 200 is configured with an integrated ground electrode including a first ground electrode 81b and a second ground electrode 82b.

[0085] 12 and 13 are a schematic cross-sectional view and a schematic side cross-sectional view, respectively, of a flavor inhaler 100b according to this embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100b at a position corresponding to cross section 3-3 in FIG. 1. FIG. 13 is a view showing cross section 13-13 in FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the storage section 200 is composed of a first ground electrode 81b, a second ground electrode 82b, and a pair of curved third ground electrodes 83a and 83b, which face the space Sp in which the flavor-generating article 20 is placed. The first ground electrode 81b, the second ground electrode 82b, and the third ground electrodes 83a and 83b are formed as an integrated ground electrode.

[0086] A pair of first side walls 131a and 131b extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing 200 are respectively constituted by a first ground electrode 81b and a second ground electrode 82b. A pair of curved second side walls 132a and 132b of the housing 200 are respectively constituted by a third ground electrode 83a and a third ground electrode 83b. With this configuration, these ground electrodes function as chambers, and the flavor inhaler 100b can be made more compact.

[0087] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims and the technical idea described in the specification and drawings. Note that any shape or material not directly described in the specification or drawings is within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention as long as it achieves the functions and effects of the present invention.

[0088] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a flavor inhalation system includes a flavor generating article and a flavor inhaler, wherein the flavor generating article includes a flavor source, and the flavor inhaler includes a storage section having an opening and accommodating at least a portion of the flavor generating article inserted through the opening, a first electrode and a second electrode electrically grounded, a third electrode located inside the storage section and disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an oscillator section electrically connected to the third electrode and capable of emitting microwaves, wherein the minimum diameter of a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the flavor generating article is greater than the minimum distance passing through a central axis of the storage section in a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the flavor generating article, and the storage section is configured such that the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the flavor generating article accommodated in the storage section has a shape other than circular. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the flavor inhaler is provided with a pair of pressing parts that press and deform the flavor-generating article inserted into the storage part from both sides in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the third electrode is flat and arranged to face the pressing surface of the pressing portion in the thickness direction of the third electrode. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the pressing portion is a side wall of the storage portion. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to fourth aspects, the pressing portion includes at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the accommodating section has a pair of first side walls and a pair of second side walls connecting the pair of first side walls, each of the pair of second side walls being a curved wall portion, and the first electrode and the second electrode being flat and constituting the pair of first side walls. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the first electrode and the second electrode form an inner wall surface of the container portion. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the first electrode and the second electrode are located outside the inner wall surface of the container portion. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the first electrode and the second electrode are flat and arranged to overlap each other in the insertion direction. According to the 10th aspect of the present invention, in any of the 1st to 9th aspects, the flavor source comprises a first flavor source positioned between the first electrode and the third electrode when the flavor-generating article is contained in the containing section, and a second flavor source positioned between the second electrode and the third electrode. According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the flavor inhaler further comprises a guide portion for guiding the insertion of the flavor-generating article, the guide portion being formed at an angle with respect to the insertion direction and comprising an abutment surface that abuts against the inserted flavor-generating article. According to the 12th aspect of the present invention, in any of the 1st to 11th aspects, the third electrode is flat, and in a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction and including the third electrode, the inner diameter of the accommodating portion in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction is longer than the inner diameter in the thickness direction of the third electrode. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10: Smoking system 20: Flavor-generating items 50,50a,50b: Flavor source 81,81a,81b: 1st ground electrode 82,82a,82b: 2nd ground electrode 90: Pressing part 91: Pressing surface 100,100a,100b: Flavor aspirator 101:Aperture 110: Housing 120: Heating unit 122: Microwave generating electrode 126, 126a: Chamber 131a, 131b: 1st side wall 132a, 132b: 2nd side wall 200: Storage unit 300: Information department Ax: Central axis of the flavor inhaler Ax1: Short axis of flavor inhaler Ax2:Long axis of flavor aspirator Ax20: Central axis of the flavor generating item D1: Item diameter G1: Containment interval G10: Electrode spacing G20: Chamber spacing

Claims

1. A flavor inhalation system comprising a flavor-generating article and a flavor inhaler, the flavor generating article comprises a flavor source; The flavor inhaler comprises: a storage section having an opening and configured to store at least a portion of the flavor-generating article inserted through the opening; a first electrode and a second electrode, both electrically grounded; a third electrode located inside the housing portion and disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; an oscillation unit electrically connected to the third electrode and capable of oscillating microwaves; Equipped with a minimum diameter of a cross section of the flavor-generating article perpendicular to the insertion direction is larger than a minimum distance passing through a central axis of the storage section in a cross section of the storage section perpendicular to the insertion direction; The flavor inhalation system is configured such that the cross section of the flavor-generating article contained in the storage section, taken along a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, has a shape other than a circle.

2. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 1 , wherein the flavor inhaler includes a pair of pressing portions that press and deform the flavor-generating article inserted into the container from both sides in a direction intersecting the insertion direction.

3. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 2 , wherein the third electrode is flat and disposed so as to face the pressing surface of the pressing portion in a thickness direction of the third electrode.

4. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pressing portion is a side wall of the container portion.

5. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 2 , wherein the pressing portion includes at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode.

6. the storage section includes a pair of first side walls and a pair of second side walls connecting the pair of first side walls, each of the pair of second side walls is a curved wall portion; The flavor inhalation system according to claim 1 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are flat and form the pair of first side walls.

7. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 1 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode form an inner wall surface of the container.

8. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 1 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are located outside the inner wall surface of the container.

9. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 1 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are flat and arranged to overlap each other in the insertion direction.

10. The flavor inhalation system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the flavor source comprises a first flavor source positioned between the first electrode and the third electrode when the flavor generating article is contained in the container, and a second flavor source positioned between the second electrode and the third electrode.

11. The flavor inhaler further includes a guide portion that guides the insertion of the flavor-generating article, The flavor inhalation system according to claim 1 , wherein the guide portion is formed at an angle with respect to the insertion direction and includes a contact surface that contacts the inserted flavor-generating article.

12. the third electrode is flat, 12. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 1, wherein in a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction and including the third electrode, the inner diameter of the storage section in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction is longer than the inner diameter in the thickness direction of the third electrode.

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