Electronic cigarette cartridge

Abstract

To provide an electronic cigarette cartridge including a support member capable of stably supporting an aerosol-forming substrate when a heating element is inserted, while securing a flow path through which aerosol is transferred in the electronic cigarette cartridge.SOLUTION: The electronic cigarette cartridge includes an aerosol-forming substrate 110 containing a raw material derived from a tobacco plant or a non-tobacco plant and an aerosol-former, a support member 120 supporting the aerosol-forming substrate, another support member disposed between the aerosol-forming substrate and the support member, and a mouthpiece 140 adjacent to the support member, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of a strip, a sheet, or a fiber, and the support member has a plurality of side portions extending outward from a central portion and contacting a wrapping member 150 located at a periphery of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100. A function of cooling aerosol generated in the aerosol-forming substrate, The center portion and the plurality of side portions are integrally formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette cartridge and a support member thereof that uses a tobacco plant or a non-tobacco plant. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in line with the trend toward smoking cessation, electronic cigarette products have begun to become popular, which allow users to enjoy tobacco without using a flame by heating a cartridge containing tobacco components and inhaling the vaporized tobacco components (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] In the electronic cigarette of Patent Document 1, a heating element is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate of a cartridge to heat the aerosol-forming substrate and generate an aerosol containing a tobacco component. The cartridge has a hollow tubular support element that supports the aerosol-forming substrate, and the support element resists the force that the cartridge experiences when the heating element is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate. The tobacco component released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heating passes through the hollow part of the support element and is transported to a mouthpiece located downstream, where it is inhaled by the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6000451 Specification Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the electronic cigarette of Reference 1, the support element is hollow tubular, so when the heating element is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate, it is unable to support the center of the aerosol-forming substrate, and there is a risk that the filling material will fly out onto the support element.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the problems associated with the above-mentioned conventional technology, and aims to provide a support member that can stably support an aerosol-forming substrate when a heating element is inserted, while ensuring a flow path for the aerosol to be transported within the electronic cigarette cartridge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a support member for an electronic cigarette cartridge using a tobacco plant or a non-tobacco plant, which has a central portion located along the longitudinal central axis of the electronic cigarette cartridge and side portions extending outward from the central portion and contacting a wrapping member located on the periphery of the electronic cigarette cartridge, and is disposed adjacent to an aerosol-forming substrate located at one end of the electronic cigarette cartridge or with another member sandwiched between the aerosol-forming substrate and the aerosol-forming substrate, to support the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention also provides an electronic cigarette cartridge using a tobacco plant or a non-tobacco plant, which has the aerosol-forming substrate and the support member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a space is formed between the center of the support member and the inner surface of the packaging member covering the support member, so that the aerosol-forming substrate can be stably supported by the center when the heating element is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate while ensuring a flow path for the aerosol to be transported. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of an electronic cigarette cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] (A) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electronic cigarette cartridge cut along line AA in Figure 1, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electronic cigarette cartridge cut along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a filling material of the aerosol-forming substrate shown in FIG. 2(A). [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an electronic cigarette cartridge and a heating element. [Figure 5A] 3 is a plan view of the support member of the first embodiment as viewed from the X direction in FIG. 2(A). [Figure 5B] 2(A) is a side view of the support member of the first embodiment as viewed from the Y direction in FIG. [Figure 6A] 2(A) is a plan view of the support member of the second embodiment as viewed from the X direction in FIG. [Figure 6B] 2(A) is a side view of the support member of the second embodiment as viewed from the Y direction in FIG. [Figure 7A] 2(A) is a plan view of the support member of the third embodiment, as viewed from the X direction in FIG. [Figure 7B] 2(A) is a side view of the support member of the third embodiment, as viewed from the Y direction in FIG. [Figure 7C] 2(A) is a side view of the support member of the third embodiment as viewed from the Z direction in FIG. [Figure 8A] 2(A) is a plan view of the support member of the fourth embodiment, as viewed from the X direction in FIG. [Figure 8B] 2(A) is a side view of the support member of the fourth embodiment, as viewed from the Y direction in FIG. [Figure 8C] 2(A) is a side view of the support member of the fourth embodiment, as viewed from the Z direction in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same components. Furthermore, the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of an electronic cigarette cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2(A) is a cross-sectional view of the electronic cigarette cartridge taken along line AA in Fig. 1, and Fig. 2(B) is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electronic cigarette cartridge taken along line AA in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the filler of the aerosol-forming substrate shown in Fig. 2(A), and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the electronic cigarette cartridge and a heating element.

[0013] <Electronic cigarette cartridge 100> As shown in Figure 1 and Figures 2(A) and (B), the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 has an aerosol-forming substrate 110, a support member 120, a cooling member 130 (as shown in Figure 2(B)), a mouthpiece 140, and a packaging member 150. The external shape of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 is, for example, rod-like or cylindrical.

[0014] The aerosol-forming substrate 110 generates an aerosol by heating. In this embodiment, the aerosol may contain an aromatic component derived from a non-tobacco plant. As shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), the aerosol-forming substrate 110, the support member 120, the cooling member 130 (in the example shown in Figure 2(B)), and the mouthpiece 140 are arranged in this order in the X direction and are packaged in a packaging member 150. The packaging member 150 includes, for example, paper.

[0015] <Aerosol-Forming Substrate 110> The aerosol-forming substrate 110 may contain at least one of a solid compound and a liquid compound. The aerosol-forming substrate 110 may contain an aerosol-forming material including tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate 110 may further contain an aerosol former including glycerin and propylene glycol. When the aerosol-forming substrate 110 is solid, it may be in the form of, for example, a rod, a strip, a powder, granules, a pellet, a small piece, a sheet, a fiber, a porous material, or a block. A predetermined amount or a predetermined number of the aerosol-forming substrates 110 in any of the above forms are bundled together and filled into one end of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the aerosol-forming substrate 110 is placed at one end of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 in a bundle of a predetermined number of rod-shaped fillers 111.

[0016] The filler 111 may be made from at least one of tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, expanded tobacco, and homogenized tobacco. The filler 111 may also be made from non-tobacco plants, i.e., plants other than tobacco. Usable plant parts include various parts, such as roots (including bulbs, tubers, and bulbs), stems, bark (including stem bark and bark), leaves, flowers (including petals, pistils, and stamens), and tree trunks and branches.

[0017] Plants that can be used include, for example, plants used as herbs and spices, such as gardenia fruit, kaffir lime leaves, myoga, mugwort, wasabi, ajowan seeds, anise, alfalfa, echinacea, shallot, estragon, everlasting flower, elder, allspice, orris root, oregano, orange peel, orange flower, orange leaf, cayenne chili pepper, German chamomile, Roman chamomile, cardamom, curry leaf, and garlic. Garlic, canola tops, caraway, caraway seeds, osmanthus, cumin, cumin seeds, cloves, green cardamom, green pepper, cornflower, saffron, cedar, cinnamon, jasmine, juniper berries, jolokia, ginger, star anise, spearmint, sumac, sage, savory, celery, celery seeds, turmeric, thyme, tamarind, tarragon, chervil, chives, dill, dill seeds , tomato (dried tomato), tonka bean, dried coriander, nutmeg, hibiscus, habanero, jalapeno, bird's eye, basil, vanilla, coriander, parsley, paprika, hyssop, pimento d'espelette, pink pepper, fenugreek seed, fennel, brown mustard, black cardamom, black cumin, black pepper, vetiver, pennyroyal, peppermint, horseradish, white pepper, white mustard, poppy seed, porcini, ma You can use joram, mustard seeds, maniette, marigold, malva flower, mace, yarrow flower, eucalyptus, lavender, licorice, linden, red clover, red pepper, lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon balm, lemon peel, rose, purple rosebuds, rose hips, rose petals, rosemary, red rose, laurel, long pepper, sesame seeds (raw sesame seeds, roasted sesame seeds), golden chili pepper, Sichuan pepper, Mitaka pepper, Japanese pepper, chili pepper, yuzu, etc.Other examples include mixed spices (e.g., five-spice powder, garam masala, ras el hanout, barigoule, chicken curry masala, tandoori masala, quatre épices, herbes de Provence) and various plant mixtures used as potpourri.

[0018] In particular, leaves of mugwort, lemon, sandalwood, peppermint, basil, etc. can be preferably used. Fruits (including seeds) of peaches, blueberries, lemons, oranges, apples, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, grapes, plums, almonds, cacao, coffee beans, peanuts, sunflowers, olives, walnuts, and other nuts can be preferably used.

[0019] In addition, flowers of Osmanthus, jasmine, hibiscus, rose, lavender, rosehip, etc. can be preferably used. Roots of sandalwood, ginger, vetiver, etc. can be preferably used. Stems or barks of sugarcane, pine, cedar, hiba, camellia, sandalwood, cypress, cinnamon, etc. can be preferably used.

[0020] Teas can also be used. Not only do different plants produce different types of tea, but even the same plant can produce different types of tea depending on the processing method. Examples of teas include black tea and green tea, as well as angelica tea, sweet tea, gynostemma tea, aloe tea, ginkgo leaf tea, oolong tea, turmeric tea, oak tea, Eleuthero tea, plantain tea, persimmon leaf tea, chamomile tea, chamomile tea, Kawara Kakemyo tea, quince tea, chrysanthemum tea, gymnema tea, guava tea, wolfberry tea, mulberry leaf tea, black bean tea, geranium herb tea, brown rice tea, burdock tea, comfrey tea, and kelp tea. , cherry blossom tea, saffron tea, shiitake mushroom tea, perilla tea, jasmine tea, ginger tea, horsetail tea, red pepper tea, Swertia japonica tea, buckwheat tea, elm tea, dandelion tea, sweet tea, Houttuynia cordata tea, Eucommia ulmoides tea, sword bean tea, elderberry tea, Licorice tea, Job's tears tea, Habu tea, loquat leaf tea, Pu'er tea, safflower tea, pine needle tea, yerba mate tea, barley tea, Megusuri tea, Mugwort tea, eucalyptus tea, Monk fruit tea, and rooibos tea. Used tea leaves can be used for these teas. Using used tea leaves allows for the reuse and effective use of expensive teas.

[0021] Other than these, for example, by-products and pomace (sake lees, grape pomace (consisting of grape skins, seeds, stalks, etc.)) from the production of fermented alcoholic beverages such as sake and wine, and sugarcane molasses pomace can also be used. Furthermore, a mixture of the various plants mentioned above may also be used. Of course, plants other than those listed here can also be used.

[0022] The aerosol-forming substrate 110 is produced, for example, by powdering the above-mentioned material, mixing it with glycerin or oil, kneading it, forming it into a rod shape, and drying it. Alternatively, it can be produced by forming it into a paste shape containing water without drying it.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3 As shown, when the filler 111 manufactured as the aerosol-forming substrate 110 has a rod-like or strip-like shape, for example, the filler 111 is packed so that the longitudinal direction of the shape of the filler 111 is aligned with the X direction during filling. This stabilizes the airflow, making it easier for the user to inhale the aromatic component from the aerosol-forming substrate 110.

[0024] 3 is a view of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 as seen from the end where the aerosol-forming substrate 110 is located, and is a partial perspective view so that the filler 111 inside the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 can be seen. Of course, other than this, flat fillers may be packed in a rolled manner, or small piece-shaped fillers may be packed randomly.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, when a user uses the electronic cigarette cartridge 100, it is attached to an electronic cigarette main body 200. The electronic cigarette main body 200 is provided with an insertion part 210 into which the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 is inserted.

[0026] Furthermore, a heating element 211 is provided in the center of the bottom of the insertion part 210, and the heating element 211 has a pin-like or blade-like member with a pointed tip, and is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate 110 to heat the aerosol-forming substrate 110. More specifically, when the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 is inserted into the insertion part 210 of the electronic cigarette body 200, the heating element 211 is inserted into the center of the aerosol-forming substrate 110.

[0027] The heating element 211 generates heat directly or indirectly using power supplied from a battery (not shown) provided inside the electronic cigarette body 200. The heat from the heating element 211 warms the aerosol-forming substrate 110, generating an aerosol containing aromatic components. The generated aerosol is then transported to the mouthpiece 140 via the support member 120 and the cooling member 130 (as exemplified in FIG. 2(B)) described below, and the aromatic components reach the user's mouth when the user inhales from the mouthpiece 140 side.

[0028] Although FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the heating element 211 has one pin-shaped member, the heating element 211 may have a plurality of pin-shaped members.

[0029] <Support member 120> The support member 120 supports the aerosol-forming substrate 110. The support member 120 is disposed adjacent to the aerosol-forming substrate 110 and has a central portion 121 and multiple side portions 122. The central portion 121 is located along the central axis of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction (X direction). The multiple side portions 122 extend outward from the central portion 121 and contact the packaging member 150 located on the periphery of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100. The side portions 122 are fixed to the inner surface of the packaging member 150, for example, by an adhesive.

[0030] Furthermore, another member may be disposed between the aerosol-forming substrate 110 and the support member 120. That is, the support member 120 may be disposed with another member sandwiched between it and the aerosol-forming substrate. The other member may include, for example, a thin filter that removes fine particles from the filler 111, another support member that supports the aerosol-forming substrate 110, or the like.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the support member 120 resists the force that the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 receives when the heating element 211 of the electronic cigarette body 200 is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate 110, and prevents or inhibits the aerosol-forming substrate 110 from moving in the X direction.

[0032] More specifically, the support member 120 can reliably support the peripheral portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 110 because the side portion 122 is fixed to the inner surface of the packaging member 150. Furthermore, the support member 120 has a central portion 121, and therefore can prevent the filling 111 in the central portion of the aerosol-forming substrate 110 from being pushed out in the X direction by the heating element 211 inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate 110. In this way, in the support member 120 of this embodiment, the aerosol flow path is provided in the peripheral portion, not in the central portion where the force of the heating element 211 acts.

[0033] The aerosol generated by heating the aerosol-forming substrate 110 is transported from the one end to the other end of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 through the flow path formed between the center 121 and the inner surface of the packaging member 150 covering the support member 120 (see the arrow in the figure).

[0034] Hereinafter, examples of the support member 120 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 8C. FIG. 5A is a plan view of the support member of Example 1 as seen from the X direction in FIG. 2(A), and FIG. 5B is a side view of the support member of Example 1 as seen from the Y direction in FIG. 2(A). FIG. 6A is a plan view of the support member of Example 2 as seen from the X direction in FIG. 2(A), and FIG. 6B is a side view of the support member of Example 2 as seen from the Y direction in FIG. 2(A). FIG. 7A is a plan view of the support member of Example 3 as seen from the X direction in FIG. 2(A), and FIG. 7B is a side view of the support member of Example 3 as seen from the Y direction in FIG. 2(A), and FIG. 7C is a side view of the support member of Example 3 as seen from the Z direction in FIG. 2(A). 8A is a plan view of the support member of Example 4 as seen from the X direction in FIG. 2(A), FIG. 8B is a side view of the support member of Example 4 as seen from the Y direction in FIG. 2(A), and FIG. 8C is a side view of the support member of Example 4 as seen from the Z direction in FIG. 2(A).

[0035] Example 1 As shown in FIG. 5A, support member 120 has first side portion 122A and second side portion 122B sandwiching center portion 121. Specifically, support member 120 has a cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the X direction, which has a shape similar to a circular plate with two rectangular cutouts at its periphery, i.e., a generally H-shape with a rounded periphery. The diameter of support member 120 can be set to, for example, D0 = 7 mm. Furthermore, it is preferable that the distance between first side portion 122A and second side portion 122B be set to, for example, d1 = approximately 2 to 3 mm.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5B, the length of the support member 120 in the X direction is preferably set to, for example, L1=approximately 8 to 26.5 mm.

[0037] 6A and 6B, the diameter of support member 120 may be set to, for example, D0=7 mm, and the length of support member 120 in the X direction may be set to, for example, L1=8 to 26.5 mm. The distance between first side portion 122A and second side portion 122B may be set to, for example, d2=1 to 2 mm.

[0038] Example 3 As shown in FIG. 7A, support member 120 has first side portion 122A, second side portion 122B, third side portion 122C, and fourth side portion 122D, with center portion 121 sandwiched between them. Specifically, support member 120 has a cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the X direction, which has a shape similar to a circular plate with four rectangular cutouts at the periphery of the circular plate, i.e., a generally X-shaped cross section with rounded edges. The diameter of support member 120 can be set to, for example, D0 = 7 mm. Furthermore, it is preferable that the distance between first side portion 122A and third side portion 122C and the distance between second side portion 122B and fourth side portion 122D be set to, for example, d3 = approximately 2 to 3 mm. Furthermore, it is preferable that the distance between first side portion 122A and fourth side portion 122D and the distance between second side portion 122B and third side portion 122C are set to, for example, d4=approximately 1 to 2 mm.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 7B and 6C, the length of the support member 120 in the X direction is preferably set to, for example, L3=approximately 8 to 26.5 mm.

[0040] 8A to 8C, the diameter of support member 120 may be set to, for example, D0=7 mm, and the length in the X direction of support member 120 may be set to, for example, L4=approximately 8 to 26.5 mm. Furthermore, it is preferable that the distances between first side portion 122A and fourth side portion 122D, the distance between second side portion 122B and third side portion 122C, the distance between first side portion 122A and third side portion 122C, and the distance between second side portion 122B and fourth side portion 122D are each set to, for example, d5=approximately 1 to 2 mm.

[0041] Thus, in this embodiment, support member 120 has center portion 121 and multiple side portions 122. Center portion 121 and multiple side portions 122 can be integrally formed using, for example, a mold. By using shapes such as those in Examples 1 to 4 described above, support member 120 can be easily pulled out from the mold when it is molded, making it easier to manufacture than a hollow tubular support member.

[0042] Furthermore, the support member 120 can be preferably formed using, for example, silicone, but is not limited to silicone and other materials with excellent heat resistance may also be used.

[0043] <Cooling Member 130> As shown in FIG. 2(B), the cooling member 130 cools the aerosol that has passed through the support member 120. The cooling member 130 is disposed on the opposite side of the support member 120 from the aerosol-forming substrate 110, and is adjacent to the support member 120. The aromatic components contained in the aerosol generated by the aerosol-forming substrate 110 are cooled to a temperature that can be inhaled by a person while being transported along the cooling member 130, and are then transported to the mouthpiece 140. The cooling member 130 has, for example, a sheet containing polylactic acid, and the sheet has a plurality of pleats. Alternatively, the sheet is rolled or folded and contracted in a direction perpendicular to the X direction.

[0044] The length of the cooling member 130 in the X direction can be adjusted according to the length of the support member 120 in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 2(A), when the length of the support member 120 in the X direction is long (for example, 26.5 mm), the support member 120 not only supports the aerosol-forming substrate 110 but also cools the aromatic components contained in the aerosol to a temperature at which they can be inhaled by a human. Therefore, the cooling member 130 can be omitted. As a result, the production cost of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 can be reduced.

[0045] <Mouthpiece 140> The mouthpiece 140 is disposed adjacent to the cooling member 130 or the support member 120 and at the other end of the electronic cigarette cartridge 100. The mouthpiece 140 includes a filter, such as a cellulose acetate filter, to remove fine particles. The aromatic components that pass through the filter of the mouthpiece 140 are inhaled by the user. The mouthpiece 140 is fixed to the inner surface of the packaging member 150, for example, with an adhesive.

[0046] The support member 120 of this embodiment and the electronic cigarette cartridge 100 having the support member 120 as described above have the following advantages.

[0047] A space is formed between the center portion 121 of the support member 120 and the inner surface of the packaging member 150 that covers the support member 120. Therefore, the aerosol-forming substrate 110 can be stably supported by the center portion 121 when the heating element 211 is inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate 110, while ensuring a flow path for transporting the aerosol.

[0048] In addition, the aerosol-forming substrate 110 generates an aerosol containing aromatic components of non-tobacco plants, allowing users to enjoy the aroma of plants. It can also be used as a tobacco substitute for users who have a smoking habit. Furthermore, by generating aromatic components of plants that are beneficial to the user's health, the user's health can be expected to improve.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[0050] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the central portion and the plurality of side portions of the support member are integrally formed. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where the central portion and the plurality of side portions are integrally formed, and the central portion and the plurality of side portions may be formed separately and then joined together.

[0051] In addition, in the above-described Examples 1 to 4, the cross section of the support member has been described as having a rectangular shape in which two or four rectangular cuts are made on the periphery of a circular plate. However, the cross section of the support member is not limited to such a shape, and may have a rectangular shape in which three or five or more rectangular cuts are made on the periphery of a circular plate, or may have any shape other than a rectangular shape, such as a triangular shape, polygonal shape, semicircular shape, semielliptical shape, or any shape formed by cutting out curved or straight lines or a combination thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 100 electronic cigarette cartridge, 110 aerosol-forming substrate, 120 support member, 121 center portion, 122, 122A, 122B, 122C, 122D side portions, 130 cooling member, 140 mouthpiece, 150 packaging member, 200 electronic cigarette body, 210 heating member.

Claims

[Claim 1] an aerosol-forming substrate containing a tobacco plant or a non-tobacco plant-derived material and an aerosol former; a support member for supporting the aerosol-forming substrate, another support member disposed between the aerosol-forming substrate and the support member, and a mouthpiece adjacent to the support member, the aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of a strip, a sheet, or a fiber, The support member has a plurality of side portions extending outward from a central portion and contacting a wrapping member located on the periphery of the electronic cigarette cartridge, and has a function of cooling the aerosol generated in the aerosol-forming substrate, and the central portion and the plurality of side portions are integrally formed. An electronic cigarette cartridge characterized by:

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