Flavor suction system

Abstract

To provide a flavor suction system capable of adjusting a temporal change in an amount of flavor flexibly.SOLUTION: A flavor suction system includes a flavor sucker and a flavor generation material. The flavor sucker includes a storage part, a first electrode, an inside electrode, and an oscillation part connected electrically to the inside electrode and capable of oscillating a microwave through the inside electrode. The flavor generation material includes a flavor substance and a flavor source including an absorber for absorbing a microwave. In a storage state in which the flavor generation material is stored in the storage part, the flavor source includes a first part arranged between the first electrode and the inside electrode, and a second part other than the first part. An amount of the absorber per unit volume in the first part is different from an amount of the absorber per unit volume in the second part, or the absorber in the first part contains a substance different from that of the absorber in the second part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

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. Among flavor inhalers, those that heat ingredients by microwaves are known (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

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

[0004] The device for heating an aerosolizable material in Patent Document 1 includes a patch antenna for generating microwaves and a shielding material for blocking the microwaves. In this device, the width of the shielding material is longer than the width of the patch antenna. This causes a problem in that the electric field density in the aerosolizable material is not constant, making it difficult to heat uniformly. On the other hand, it is also possible to intentionally avoid uniform heating of the flavor-generating product, for example, when it is desired to extend the time for flavor generation.

[0005] In view of the above, one object of the present invention is to provide a flavor inhalation system that has a flavor inhaler that uses microwaves and that can flexibly adjust the change over time in the amount of flavor generated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided a flavor inhalation system comprising: a flavor inhaler; and a flavor generating article, wherein the flavor inhaler comprises: a housing having an opening and housing at least a portion of the flavor generating article inserted through the opening; an electrically grounded first electrode; an inner electrode located inside the housing and arranged opposite the first electrode; and an oscillator electrically connected to the inner electrode and capable of emitting microwaves via the inner electrode, wherein the flavor generating article comprises a flavor source including a flavor substance and an absorber that is the same as or different from the flavor substance and absorbs microwaves, wherein the flavor source comprises a first portion disposed between the first electrode and the inner electrode when the flavor generating article is housed in the housing; and a second portion other than the first portion, wherein the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the first portion is different from the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the second portion, or the absorber in the first portion contains a different substance from the absorber in the second portion.

[0007] According to the first aspect, it is possible to provide a flavor inhalation system that has a flavor inhaler that uses microwaves and that is capable of flexibly adjusting the change over time in the amount of flavor generated.

[0008] The second aspect is summarized as follows: in the first aspect, the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the first portion is less than the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the second portion, or the relative dielectric constant of the absorber in the first portion is less than the relative dielectric constant of the absorber in the second portion.

[0009] According to the second aspect, the difference in heating efficiency due to the difference in microwave intensity between the first portion and the second portion can be reduced, and the flavor source can be heated more uniformly.

[0010] A third aspect is summarized as follows: in the second aspect, the flavor inhaler further includes a heat insulating material arranged on an inner wall surface of the storage section, and at least a portion of the heat insulating material is arranged in a position closer to the second portion than to the first portion.

[0011] According to the third aspect, the difference in heating efficiency between the first portion and the second portion can be further reduced, and the flavor source can be heated more uniformly.

[0012] A fourth aspect is summarized as being related to the first aspect, wherein the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the first portion is greater than the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the second portion, or the relative dielectric constant of the absorber in the first portion is greater than the relative dielectric constant of the absorber in the second portion.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to provide a flavor inhalation system that can increase the difference in heating efficiency between the first portion and the second portion and generate flavor for a longer period of time.

[0014] A fifth aspect is summarized as follows: in the fourth aspect, the flavor inhaler further includes a heat insulating material arranged on an inner wall surface of the storage section, and at least a portion of the heat insulating material is arranged in a position closer to the first portion than to the second portion.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to provide a flavor inhalation system that can generate flavor for a longer period of time by further increasing the difference in heating efficiency between the first portion and the second portion.

[0016] A sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the amount of the absorbent per unit volume in the first portion is different from the amount of the absorbent per unit volume in the second portion, and the absorbent is glycerin.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect, glycerin has a high relative dielectric constant, so that the flavor source can be heated more efficiently. Also, since glycerin functions as an aerosol source, it is not necessary to use separate substances for the microwave absorber and the aerosol source, so that the flavor source can have a simpler configuration.

[0018] The seventh aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, one of the absorbent of the first portion and the absorbent of the second portion contains a first substance that vaporizes when the flavor is inhaled, and the other contains a second substance that does not transform when the flavor is inhaled.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect, the difference in heating efficiency between the first and second portions can be changed over time during heating, allowing for more flexible adjustment of the change in the amount of flavor generated over time.

[0020] An eighth aspect is summarized as the seventh aspect, wherein the first substance is glycerin.

[0021] According to the eighth aspect, the flavor source can be heated more efficiently. In addition, it is not necessary to use separate substances for the microwave absorber and the aerosol source, and the portion of the flavor source containing the first substance can have a simpler configuration.

[0022] A ninth aspect is summarized as the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein the second substance is at least one of titanium oxide, titanium dioxide, and barium titanate.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect, these titanium oxides have a high relative dielectric constant, and therefore can heat the flavor source more efficiently.

[0024] A tenth aspect is summarized as any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the inner electrode is flat.

[0025] According to the tenth aspect, the microwave intensity in the first portion can be increased, which allows for efficient heating and more uniform heating in the first portion.

[0026] The eleventh aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the flavor-generating article has a long axis direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and a short axis direction perpendicular to the long axis direction, the width of the flavor-generating article in the long axis direction is longer than the width of the short axis direction, and in the stored state, the flavor-generating article is positioned in a position in the long axis direction where the first portion and the inner electrode overlap.

[0027] According to the eleventh aspect, the first portion extending in the longitudinal direction can be heated efficiently and uniformly.

[0028] A twelfth aspect is summarized as the eleventh aspect, wherein the second portion is disposed at one or both ends of the first portion in the longitudinal direction of the flavor source.

[0029] According to the twelfth aspect, the difference in heating efficiency depending on the position in the longitudinal direction of the flavor source can be reduced or utilized, thereby making it possible to flexibly adjust the change over time in the amount of flavor generated.

[0030] A thirteenth aspect is the eleventh or twelfth aspect, wherein the width of the flavor source in the major axis direction is longer than the width of the inner electrode in the major axis direction.

[0031] According to the thirteenth aspect, it becomes easy to arrange the inner electrode at a position overlapping with the flavor source in the longitudinal direction, and the flavor source can be heated efficiently.

[0032] A fourteenth aspect is summarized as follows: in any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the flavor inhaler further comprises an electrically grounded second electrode, the flavor source comprises a first flavor source that is positioned closer to the first electrode than the inner electrode in the stored state, and a second flavor source that is positioned closer to the second electrode than the inner electrode in the stored state, and at least one of the first flavor source and the second flavor source comprises the first portion and the second portion.

[0033] According to the fourteenth aspect, a flavor inhalation system can be provided that can efficiently heat multiple flavor sources arranged on both sides of the inner electrode and can flexibly adjust the change in the amount of flavor generated over time.

[0034] A fifteenth aspect is characterized in that, in the fourteenth aspect, the first flavor source and the second flavor source are flat, and the flavor-generating article has a gap between the first flavor source and the second flavor source.

[0035] According to the fifteenth aspect, the inner electrode can be easily inserted into the flavor source, and the flavor source can be efficiently heated from inside the flavor source. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [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 4A] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flavor inhaler according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4B] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a flavor inhaler according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flavor inhalation system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing substances contained in the flavor source in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a heat insulating material according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flavor inhaler according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flavor inhaler according to a second modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flavor inhalation system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a heat insulating material according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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).

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] The heating unit 120 has a microwave generating electrode 122 (corresponding to an example of an inner 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 to radiate microwaves 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] The flavor source 50 includes a flavoring substance, which is a substance that generates a flavor when heated. The flavoring substance is not particularly limited and can include various substances such as nicotine or the flavorings described below. The flavor source 50 can 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 of the flavor source 50 that can be used include a tobacco leaf sheet, a tobacco leaf cast sheet, and a rolled tobacco leaf sheet. The flavor source 50 may also include an aerosol source. The type of aerosol source is not particularly limited, and various extracts from 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. Glycerin is more preferable as the aerosol source because it has a high relative dielectric constant and is efficiently heated by microwaves. The amount of flavor source 50 filled can be, for example, 100 mg or more and 350 mg or less, and preferably 120 mg or more and 250 mg or less. The content of the aerosol source in flavor source 50 can be 5 wt % to 30 wt % of the amount of flavor source 50.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 3, flavor generating article 20 has a flat cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction when being smoked (when flavor generating article 20 is positioned at a desired position within chamber 126). Flavor generating article 20 may be pre-formed into the flat cross-sectional shape shown in Fig. 3, or flavor generating article 20 with a circular cross-section may be deformed into the flat cross-sectional shape shown in Fig. 3 by being housed in chamber 126.

[0068] 1 and 2 in a state where the flavor generating article 20 is not inserted into the flavor inhaler 100. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4B-4B of FIG. 4A. 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.

[0069] 4A, in the flavor inhaler 100, the first ground electrode 81, the second ground electrode 82, and the chamber 126 form the accommodation section 200. Hereinafter, a state in which the flavor-generating article 20 is accommodated in the accommodation section 200 and positioned at a desired position is referred to as an accommodation state. This desired position is a position in which the flavor source 50 overlaps with the microwave-generating electrode 122 in the longitudinal direction.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 4B, the storage section 200 is formed with an opening 101 that communicates with the outside of the flavor inhaler 100. The 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. The flavor generating article 20 is inserted into the flavor inhaler 100 via the opening 101. 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.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 3 , a minor axis Ax1 and a major axis Ax2 passing through the central axis Ax of the storage section 200 are set perpendicular to the insertion direction of the flavor-generating article 20. The minor axis Ax1 and the major axis Ax2 are set so that the width of the flavor-generating article 20 in the major axis direction is longer than the width of the flavor-generating article 20 in the stored state. Here, the microwave-generating electrode 122 is flat, the minor axis Ax1 is set in the thickness direction of the microwave-generating electrode 122, and the major axis Ax2 is set perpendicular to the thickness direction. 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 the example of FIG. 3 , in the stored state, the flat microwave-generating electrode 122, the flavor source 50, the first ground electrode 81, and the second ground electrode 82 are aligned in the minor axis direction so as to overlap in the major axis direction, thereby enabling efficient and uniform heating of the flavor source 50.

[0072] In this embodiment, the width of the flavor source 50 in the longitudinal direction is longer than the width of the microwave generating electrode 122 in the longitudinal direction. This makes it easy to arrange the microwave generating electrode 122 at a position where it overlaps with the flavor source 50 in the longitudinal direction, allowing the flavor source 50 to be heated efficiently. From the same viewpoint, it is preferable that the first flavor source 50a and the second flavor source 50b are flat, and that the flavor-generating article 20 has a gap S1 between the first flavor source 50a and the second flavor source 50b as described above.

[0073] As shown by the electric field lines Le in FIG. 4A, when a voltage is applied to the microwave generating electrode 122, an electric field is formed between the microwave generating electrode 122 and the electrically grounded first and second ground electrodes 81 and 82. Here, "electrically grounded" means that the electrodes are arranged to have a reference potential in a circuit that oscillates microwaves. The density of the electric field lines Le is higher on both sides of the flat microwave generating electrode 122 along the thickness direction than in other regions, and the magnitude of the electric field (the magnitude of the microwave amplitude) is larger. On the other hand, in a region of the space Sp that is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the microwave generating electrode 122 (in the long axis direction in the illustrated example), the microwave generating electrode 122 does not face the first and second ground electrodes 81 and 82, so the density of the electric field lines Le is lower and the magnitude of the electric field is smaller.

[0074] 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the smoking system 10 showing the flavor source 50 according to this embodiment in more detail. The first flavor source 50a has a first portion 51a and second portions 521a and 522a. In the housed state, the first portion 51a is disposed between the first ground electrode 81 and the microwave generating electrode 122 in the thickness direction of the microwave generating electrode 122. The second portions 521a and 522a are portions of the first flavor source 50a other than the first portion 51a. In the illustrated example, the second portions 521a and 522a are disposed on both sides of the first portion 51a in the longitudinal direction and are disposed in positions that do not overlap with the microwave generating electrode 122 in the longitudinal direction.

[0075] The second flavor source 50b has a first portion 51b and second portions 521b and 522b. In the accommodated state, the first portion 51b is disposed between the second ground electrode 82 and the microwave generating electrode 122 in the thickness direction of the microwave generating electrode 122. The second portions 521b and 522b are portions of the second flavor source 50b other than the first portion 51b. In the illustrated example, the second portions 521b and 522b are disposed on both sides of the first portion 51b in the longitudinal direction and are disposed at positions that do not overlap with the microwave generating electrode 122 in the longitudinal direction. As described above, the flavor-generating article 20 may be configured to include only the first flavor source 50a and not include other flavor sources such as the second flavor source 50b.

[0076] In this embodiment, when referring to the first portions 51a and 51b without distinguishing one from another, they are referred to as first portions 51. When referring to the second portions 521a, 521b, 522a, and 522b without distinguishing one from another, they are referred to as second portions 520.

[0077] The first portion 51 and the second portion 520 of the flavor source 50 include a microwave absorber (an example of an absorber) that absorbs microwaves. The type of microwave absorber is not particularly limited as long as it can generate a flavor by heating with microwaves. The microwave absorber may be a flavor substance that generates a flavor, or it may be a substance other than the flavor substance. From the perspective of efficient heating, the microwave absorber is preferably a substance with a high relative dielectric constant. The relative dielectric constant of the microwave absorber is preferably 40 or higher. From the same perspective, the microwave absorber preferably includes at least one substance selected from the group consisting of glycerin, titanium oxide, titanium dioxide, and barium titanate.

[0078] The flavor source 50 is configured such that the amount of microwave absorber per unit volume in the first portion 51 is different from the amount of microwave absorber per unit volume in the second portion 520, or the microwave absorber in the first portion 51 contains a different substance from the microwave absorber in the second portion 520. This makes it possible to provide a smoking system 10 that can flexibly adjust the change over time in the amount of flavor generated.

[0079] 4A and 5, the microwave intensity during heating differs between the first portion 51 and the second portion 520. The first portion 51 is disposed at a position where the first portion 51 and the microwave generating electrode 122 overlap in the longitudinal direction. The microwave generating electrode 122 is flat, and the first portion 51 is disposed between the first ground electrode 81 or the second ground electrode 82 in the thickness direction of the flat microwave generating electrode 122 in the accommodated state. For these reasons, the microwave intensity is higher in the first portion 51 than in the second portion 520, enabling efficient heating.

[0080] In this embodiment, the amount of microwave absorber per unit volume in the first portion 51 is configured to be less than the amount of microwave absorber per unit volume in the second portion 520, or the relative dielectric constant of the microwave absorber in the first portion 51 is configured to be less than the relative dielectric constant of the microwave absorber in the second portion 520. This reduces the difference in heating efficiency due to the difference in microwave intensity between the first portion 51 and the second portion 520, and enables the flavor source 50 to be heated more uniformly.

[0081] It is preferable to make the amount of glycerin per unit volume in the first portion 51 smaller than the amount of glycerin per unit volume in the second portion 520. Glycerin has a relatively high dielectric constant and also functions as an aerosol source. Therefore, when glycerin is used, it is not necessary to use separate substances for the microwave absorber and the aerosol source, allowing for a simpler configuration. Therefore, by varying the amount of glycerin in the flavor source 50, the flavor source 50 can be heated more uniformly with a simple configuration. In this way, when the amount of microwave absorber per unit volume in the first portion 51 is made different from the amount of microwave absorber per unit volume in the second portion 520, it is preferable to vary the amount of glycerin used as the microwave absorber. This makes it possible to adjust the temporal change in the amount of flavor generated with a simple configuration.

[0082] 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the flavor source 50 in which the microwave absorber 600 in the first portion 51 contains a different substance from the microwave absorber 600 in the second portion 520. In this embodiment, the microwave absorber 600 in the first portion 51 may contain a first substance 610 that is a substance that vaporizes when the flavor is inhaled, and the microwave absorber 600 in the second portion 520 may contain a second substance 620 that is a substance that does not transform when the flavor is inhaled. FIG. 6 schematically shows that in the first portion 51, the first substance 610 is dispersed and disposed in the base material 500 containing the flavor substance, and that in the second portion 520, the second substance 620 is dispersed and disposed in the base material 500 containing the flavor substance.

[0083] Because the amount of the first substance 610 gradually decreases due to vaporization during heating, the heating efficiency in the first portion 51 where the first substance 610 is disposed decreases over time. On the other hand, because the second substance 620 does not transform during heating, the second substance 620 does not decrease in the second portion 520 where the second substance 620 is disposed, and this decrease in heating efficiency is suppressed. Therefore, in this example, the difference in heating efficiency due to the difference in microwave intensity between the first portion 51 and the second portion 520 is reduced over time during heating, allowing the flavor source 50 to be heated more uniformly. In this way, when the microwave absorber 600 in the first portion 51 contains a different substance from the microwave absorber 600 in the second portion 520, one of the first portion 51 and the second portion 520 may contain a substance that vaporizes when the flavor is inhaled, and the other may contain a substance that does not transform when the flavor is inhaled. This allows the temporal change in the amount of flavor generated to be adjusted over time during heating.

[0084] As the first substance 610, which is a substance that vaporizes when the flavor is inhaled, glycerin is preferred because it has a high dielectric constant and functions as an aerosol source as described above. As the second substance 620, which is a substance that does not transform when the flavor is inhaled, it is preferred that it contains at least one of titanium oxide, titanium dioxide, and barium titanate because of its high dielectric constant.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 7 , the flavor inhaler 100 may have a heat insulating material 90 arranged on the inner wall surface of the housing 200. In the illustrated example, the inner wall surface of the housing 200 is formed by a first ground electrode 81 and a second ground electrode 82, and the heat insulating material 90 is formed on the inner wall surfaces of these electrodes. While the material of the heat insulating material 90 is not particularly limited, aerogel is preferred due to its low thermal conductivity. The heat insulating material 90 is preferably formed in a flat plate shape extending in the longitudinal and major axis directions. The heat insulating material 90 is arranged in a position facing the second portion 520 in the thickness direction or minor axis direction of the microwave generating electrode 122 and in a position overlapping with the second portion 520 in the major axis direction. Furthermore, the heat insulating material 90 is not arranged in a position facing the first portion 51 in the thickness direction or minor axis direction, and is not arranged in a position overlapping with the first portion 51 in the major axis direction. By arranging the heat insulating material 90 in this manner, the heat insulating material 90 has a higher heat insulating effect on the second portion 520 than on the first portion 51. This reduces the difference in heating efficiency due to the difference in microwave intensity between the first portion 51 and the second portion 520, and enables the flavor source 50 to be heated more uniformly.

[0086] 7, the heat insulators 91a and 92a are arranged in contact with the first ground electrode 81, facing the second portions 521a and 522a, respectively, and the heat insulators 91b and 92b are arranged in contact with the second ground electrode 82, facing the second portions 521b and 522b, respectively. While it is preferable that a heat insulator 90 is arranged for each second portion 520 in this manner, this is not limitative, and any number of heat insulators 90 may be arranged in the flavor inhaler 100. Note that, from the viewpoint of reducing the difference in heating efficiency as described above, the positions of the heat insulators 90 are not limited to those shown in the figure, and at least a portion of the heat insulator 90 may be arranged closer to the second portion 520 than to the first portion 510. Alternatively, the portion of the heat insulator 90 facing the second portion 520 may be larger in the thickness direction or minor axis direction of the microwave generating electrode 122 than the portion facing the first portion 510. When the heat insulating material 90 is disposed in the flavor inhaler 100, the first portion 51 and the second portion 520 may have the same composition. Even in this case, the heat insulating material 90 can provide the effect of heating the flavor source 50 more uniformly.

[0087] In the smoking system 10 of this embodiment, the flavor inhaler 100 is located inside the container 200 and includes a microwave generating electrode 122 arranged opposite to the first ground electrode 81, and a microwave oscillator 104 electrically connected to the microwave generating electrode 122 and capable of emitting microwaves via the microwave generating electrode 122. The flavor generating article 20 includes a flavor source 50 including a flavor substance and a microwave absorber 600 that is the same as or different from the flavor substance and absorbs microwaves. The flavor source 50 is In a state where the flavor-generating article 20 is accommodated in the accommodation section 200, the smoking system 10 includes a first portion 51 disposed between the first ground electrode 81 and the microwave-generating electrode 122, and a second portion 520 other than the first portion 51, and the amount of microwave absorber 600 per unit volume in the first portion 51 is different from the amount of microwave absorber 600 per unit volume in the second portion 520, or the microwave absorber 600 in the first portion 51 contains a different material from the microwave absorber 600 in the second portion 520. This makes it possible to provide a smoking system 10 that includes a flavor inhaler 100 that utilizes microwaves and that is capable of flexibly adjusting the change over time in the amount of flavor generated.

[0088] In the smoking system 10 of this embodiment, the flavor source 50 may include a first flavor source 50a that is disposed closer to the first ground electrode 81 than the microwave generating electrode 122 in the accommodated state, and a second flavor source 50b that is disposed closer to the second ground electrode 82 than the microwave generating electrode 122 in the accommodated state, and at least one of the first flavor source 50a and the second flavor source 50b may have a first portion 51 and a second portion 520. This allows for efficient heating of the multiple flavor sources 50 disposed on both sides of the microwave generating electrode 122, and provides a smoking system 10 that can flexibly adjust the temporal change in the amount of flavor generated. Note that, in the illustrated example, the second portions 520 are disposed at both ends of the first portion 51 of the flavor source 50 in the longitudinal direction, but the second portion 520 may be disposed at either end. With this configuration, the difference in heating efficiency depending on the position in the longitudinal direction of the flavor source 50 can be reduced or utilized, thereby flexibly adjusting the change over time in the amount of flavor generated.

[0089] Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flavor inhaler 100a, which is a first modified example of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100a at position 3-3 in Fig. 1, in a state in which the flavor generating article 20 is not inserted. The flavor inhaler 100a differs from the flavor inhaler 100 in that the first ground electrode 81a and the second ground electrode 82a are located outside the inner wall surface of the chamber 126.

[0090] In this modification, the storage unit 200 is configured with 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 126a, 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. When the above-mentioned heat insulating material 90 is disposed in the flavor inhaler 100a, it can be disposed on the inner wall surface of the chamber 126a. In this modification, the first ground electrode 81a and the second ground electrode 82a are prevented from coming into contact with the contents of the flavor-generating article 20, thereby protecting these electrodes.

[0091] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flavor inhaler 100b, which is a second modified example of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100b at position 3-3 in FIG. 1, without a flavor-generating article 20 inserted therein. The flavor inhaler 100b differs from the flavor inhaler 100 in that the inner wall of the storage section 200 is formed by an integrated ground electrode including a first ground electrode 81b and a second ground electrode 82b. The first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82 extend in the longitudinal direction and face each other. The flavor inhaler 100b also has a third ground electrode 83 connecting the first ground electrode 81b and the second ground electrode 82b. In this modified example, the storage section 200 is formed by the first ground electrode 81b, the second ground electrode 82b, and a pair of curved third ground electrodes 83, which face the space Sp in which the flavor-generating article 20 is placed. In this modification, the flavor inhaler 100b can be configured compactly.

[0092] Second embodiment The smoking system 10a 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 includes a first flavor source 50c and a second flavor source 50d instead of the first flavor source 50a and the second flavor source 50b, respectively. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the smoking system 10a of the present embodiment, corresponding to the position 3-3 in FIG. 1. The first flavor source 50c differs from the first flavor source 50a in that it includes a first portion 51c and second portions 521c and 522c. The second flavor source 50d differs from the second flavor source 50b in that it includes a first portion 51d and second portions 521d and 522d.

[0093] In this embodiment, when referring to the first portions 51c and 51d without distinguishing one from another, they are referred to as first portions 151. When referring to the second portions 521c, 521d, 522c, and 522d without distinguishing one from another, they are referred to as second portions 152.

[0094] In this embodiment, the amount of microwave absorber 600 per unit volume in the first portion 151 is greater than the amount of microwave absorber 600 per unit volume in the second portion 152, or the relative dielectric constant of the microwave absorber 600 in the first portion 151 is greater than the relative dielectric constant of the microwave absorber 600 in the second portion 152. This increases the difference in heating efficiency between the first portion 151 and the second portion 152, thereby providing a flavor inhalation system that can generate flavor for a longer period of time. For example, the flavor can be generated from the second portion 152 after the first portion 151 has finished generating flavor, thereby increasing the number of puffs required for consumption of one flavor-generating article 20. Microwave heating is suitable for sequentially heating different portions of the flavor source 50 in this manner, as energy can be concentrated at heatable positions.

[0095] It is preferable to make the amount of glycerin per unit volume in the first portion 151 greater than the amount of glycerin per unit volume in the second portion 152. As described above, when glycerin is used, it is not necessary to use different substances for the microwave absorber 600 and the aerosol source, and a simpler configuration can be achieved. Therefore, by making the amounts of glycerin in the first portion 151 and the second portion 152 different, it is possible to provide a flavor inhalation system that can generate flavor for a longer period of time with a simple configuration.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 11 , the flavor inhaler 100 may have a heat insulating material 900 arranged on the inner wall surface of the housing 200. In the illustrated example, the inner wall surface of the housing 200 is formed by the first ground electrode 81 and the second ground electrode 82, and the heat insulating material 900 is formed on the inner wall surfaces of these electrodes. The heat insulating material 900 is preferably formed in a flat plate shape extending in the longitudinal and major axis directions. The heat insulating material 900 is arranged at a position facing the first portion 151 in the thickness direction or minor axis direction of the microwave generating electrode 122 and at a position overlapping the first portion 151 in the major axis direction. Furthermore, the heat insulating material 900 is not arranged at a position facing the second portion 152 in the thickness direction or minor axis direction, and is not arranged at a position overlapping the second portion 152 in the major axis direction. By arranging the heat insulating material 900 in this manner, the heat insulating material 900 has a stronger insulating effect on the first portion 151 than on the second portion 152. This increases the difference in heating efficiency between the first portion 151 and the second portion 152, allowing flavor to be generated for a longer period of time.

[0097] 11 , a heat insulator 900a is disposed in contact with the first ground electrode 81 and facing the first portion 51c, and a heat insulator 900b is disposed in contact with the second ground electrode 82 and facing the first portion 51d. While it is preferable that a heat insulator 900 is disposed for each first portion 151 in this manner, the present invention is not limited to this, and any number of heat insulators 900 may be disposed in the flavor inhaler 100. As described above, in order to increase the difference in heating efficiency between the first portion 151 and the second portion 152, the positions of the heat insulators 900 are not limited to those shown in the figure, and at least a portion of the heat insulator 900 may be disposed closer to the first portion 151 than to the second portion 152. Alternatively, the portion of the heat insulator 900 facing the first portion 151 may be larger than the portion facing the second portion 152 in the thickness direction or minor axis direction of the microwave generating electrode 122. When the heat insulating material 900 is disposed in the flavor inhaler 100, the first portion 151 and the second portion 152 may have the same composition. Even in this case, the heat insulating material 900 can increase the difference in heating efficiency between the first portion 151 and the second portion 152, thereby achieving the effect of generating flavor for a longer period of time.

[0098] 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.

[0099] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a flavor inhalation system includes a flavor inhaler and a flavor generating article, wherein 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, an electrically grounded first electrode, an inner electrode located inside the storage section and arranged opposite the first electrode, and an oscillator section electrically connected to the inner electrode and capable of oscillating microwaves via the inner electrode, wherein the flavor generating article includes a flavor source including a flavor substance and an absorber that is the same as or different from the flavor substance and absorbs microwaves, and wherein the flavor source includes a first portion disposed between the first electrode and the inner electrode when the flavor generating article is accommodated in the storage section, and a second portion other than the first portion, wherein the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the first portion is different from the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the second portion, or the absorber in the first portion includes a substance different from the absorber in the second portion. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the first portion is less than the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the second portion, or the relative dielectric constant of the absorber in the first portion is less than the relative dielectric constant of the absorber in the second portion. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the flavor inhaler further comprises a heat insulating material arranged on an inner wall surface of the storage section, and at least a part of the heat insulating material is arranged in a position closer to the second part than to the first part. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the first portion is greater than the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the second portion, or the relative dielectric constant of the absorber in the first portion is greater than the relative dielectric constant of the absorber in the second portion. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the flavor inhaler further comprises a heat insulating material arranged on the inner wall surface of the storage section, and at least a part of the heat insulating material is arranged in a position closer to the first part than to the second part. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the amount of the absorbent per unit volume in the first portion is different from the amount of the absorbent per unit volume in the second portion, and the absorbent is glycerin. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, one of the absorbent of the first part and the absorbent of the second part contains a first substance that vaporizes when the flavor is inhaled, and the other contains a second substance that does not transform when the flavor is inhaled. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect, the first substance is glycerin. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh or eighth aspect, the second substance is at least one of titanium oxide, titanium dioxide, and barium titanate. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the inner electrode is flat. According to the 11th aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to tenth aspects, the flavor-generating article has a long axis direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and a short axis direction perpendicular to the long axis direction, the width of the flavor-generating article in the long axis direction is longer than the width of the short axis direction, and in the stored state, the flavor-generating article is positioned in a position in the long axis direction where the first portion and the inner electrode overlap. According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the flavor source of the eleventh aspect, the second portion is disposed at one or both ends of the first portion in the longitudinal direction. According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the width of the flavor source in the major axis direction is longer than the width of the inner electrode in the major axis direction. According to a 14th aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to 13th aspects, the flavor inhaler further comprises an electrically grounded second electrode, and the flavor sources comprise a first flavor source that is positioned closer to the first electrode than the inner electrode in the stored state, and a second flavor source that is positioned closer to the second electrode than the inner electrode in the stored state, and at least one of the first flavor source and the second flavor source comprises the first part and the second part. According to the 15th aspect of the present invention, in the 14th aspect, the first flavor source and the second flavor source are flat, and the flavor generating article has a gap between the first flavor source and the second flavor source. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 10, 10a: Smoking system 20: Flavor-generating items 50: Flavor source 50a, 50c: 1st flavor source 50b,50d:Second flavor source 51, 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, 151: 1st part 81,81a,81b: 1st ground electrode 82,82a,82b: 2nd ground electrode 90, 91a, 91b, 92a, 92b, 900, 900a, 900b: Insulation 100,100a,100b: Flavor aspirator 101:Aperture 104: Microwave oscillator 110: Housing 120: Heating unit 122: Microwave generating electrode 126, 126a: Chamber 152,520,521a,521b,521c,521d,522a,522b,522c,522d: 2nd part 200: Storage unit 600: Microwave absorber 610: First substance 620:Second substance Ax: Central axis of the housing Ax1: Short axis of flavor inhaler Ax2:Long axis of flavor aspirator

Claims

1. A flavor inhalation system comprising a flavor inhaler and a flavor generating article, 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; an electrically grounded first electrode; an inner electrode located inside the housing portion and facing the first electrode; an oscillation unit electrically connected to the inner electrode and capable of oscillating microwaves via the inner electrode, the flavor-generating article comprises a flavor source including a flavor substance and an absorber that absorbs microwaves and is the same as or different from the flavor substance; The flavor source is a first portion disposed between the first electrode and the inner electrode in a state in which the flavor-generating article is contained in the containing section; a second portion other than the first portion, A flavor inhalation system, wherein the amount of the absorbent per unit volume in the first portion is different from the amount of the absorbent per unit volume in the second portion, or the absorbent in the first portion contains a different substance from the absorbent in the second portion.

2. 2. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the first portion is smaller than the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the second portion, or the dielectric constant of the absorber in the first portion is smaller than the dielectric constant of the absorber in the second portion.

3. The flavor inhaler further includes a heat insulating material disposed on an inner wall surface of the storage portion, The flavor inhalation system according to claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the insulating material is disposed closer to the second portion than to the first portion.

4. 2. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the first portion is greater than the amount of the absorber per unit volume in the second portion, or the dielectric constant of the absorber in the first portion is greater than the dielectric constant of the absorber in the second portion.

5. The flavor inhaler further includes a heat insulating material disposed on an inner wall surface of the storage portion, The flavor inhalation system according to claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the insulating material is disposed closer to the first portion than to the second portion.

6. the amount of the absorbent body per unit volume in the first portion is different from the amount of the absorbent body per unit volume in the second portion; The flavor inhalation system according to claim 1 , wherein the absorbent is glycerin.

7. 7. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 1, wherein one of the absorbent body of the first portion and the absorbent body of the second portion contains a first substance that vaporizes when the flavor is inhaled, and the other contains a second substance that does not transform when the flavor is inhaled.

8. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 7, wherein the first substance is glycerin.

9. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second substance is at least one of titanium oxide, titanium dioxide, and barium titanate.

10. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 1 , wherein the inner electrode is flat.

11. the flavor-generating article has a major axis direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and a minor axis direction perpendicular to the major axis direction, The flavor inhalation system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the flavor-generating article has a width in the major axis direction that is longer than the width in the minor axis direction, and in the stored state, is positioned in a position in the major axis direction where the first portion and the inner electrode overlap.

12. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 11 , wherein the second portion of the flavor source is disposed at one or both ends of the first portion in the longitudinal direction.

13. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the width of the flavor source in the longitudinal direction is greater than the width of the inner electrode in the longitudinal direction.

14. The flavor inhaler further includes a second electrode electrically grounded; the flavor source includes a first flavor source disposed closer to the first electrode than the inner electrode in the accommodated state, and a second flavor source disposed closer to the second electrode than the inner electrode in the accommodated state; 14. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first flavor source and the second flavor source comprises the first portion and the second portion.

15. the first flavor source and the second flavor source are flat-plate shaped; The flavor inhalation system of claim 14 , wherein the flavor generating article has a gap between the first flavor source and the second flavor source.

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