Articles used in devices for heating smoking materials.

Abstract

The present invention provides a smoking product that is inserted into a device for heating a smoking material in order to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. [Solution] The smoking device 301 comprises a main body made of smoking material and a filter assembly 305. The filter assembly includes a cooling segment 307, a filter segment 309 adjacent to the cooling segment, and an oral end segment 311 that is received in the user's mouth. The smoking device is configured such that when it fully inserts the smoking material into the device, a first portion of the cooling segment is inside the device and a second portion of the cooling segment extends outside the device. The second portion of the cooling segment includes a ventilation region 317 that allows air to flow into the cooling segment and mix with at least one volatile component of the smoking material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article used together with a device for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, a device for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, and a kit comprising the article and the device.

Background Art

[0002] Articles such as cigarettes and cigars generate tobacco smoke by burning tobacco during use. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called heat-not-burn products, also known as tobacco heating products or tobacco heating devices. These release compounds by heating the material rather than burning it. The material may be, for example, tobacco, other non-tobacco products, or a combination such as a blended mixture, and they may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a smoking article is provided which is inserted into a device for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. The smoking article comprises a body made of the smoking material and an assembly having a cooling segment for cooling the volatilized at least one component of the smoking material, a filter segment adjacent to the cooling segment for filtering the volatilized at least one component of the smoking material, and an oral end segment adjacent to the filter segment that is received in the mouth of a user. The cooling segment is positioned between the body made of the smoking material and the filter segment, and the smoking article is configured such that when it is fully inserted into a device for heating a smoking material, a first portion of the cooling segment is inside the device and a second portion of the cooling segment extends outside the device, the second portion of the cooling segment having a ventilation region that allows air to flow into the cooling segment and mix with the volatilized at least one component of the smoking material.

[0004] A second aspect of the present invention provides a smoking article to be inserted into a device for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, the smoking article comprising an assembly having a body made of the smoking material, a cooling segment for cooling the volatilized at least one component of the smoking material, a filter segment adjacent to the cooling segment for filtering the volatilized at least one component of the smoking material, and an oral end segment adjacent to the filter segment for being received in the mouth of a user, wherein the cooling segment is positioned between the body made of the smoking material and the filter segment, and the cooling segment has a ventilation region that allows air to flow into the cooling segment and mix with the volatilized at least one component of the smoking material, the ventilation region having one or more rows of holes formed through the outer wall of the cooling segment.

[0005] A third aspect of the present invention provides a system comprising a heating device configured to volatilize at least one component of a smoking material, and a smoking item according to either the first or second aspect, which is inserted into the heating device. The heating device comprises a housing having a first opening at a first end into which a smoking item can be inserted into the heating device, and at least one heater component (also referred to as the "heating component") disposed within the housing for heating the smoking material when in use.

[0006] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention, given only as examples and with reference to the attached drawings, will be described. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view showing an example of an article used with a device for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the item. [Figure 3] This is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view showing an example of an article used with a device for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing an example of an article used with a device for heating a smoking material in order to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing an example of an item inserted into a smoking device. [Figure 6] This is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view showing an example of an article inserted into a smoking device. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing an example of an item inserted into a smoking device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] As used in this book, the term “smoking material” includes materials that, when heated, release volatile components, typically in the form of an aerosol. “Smoking material” may be a tobacco-free material or a tobacco-containing material. “Smoking material” may include, for example, one or more of the following: tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, re-compound tobacco, tobacco extracts, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Smoking material can be in the form of ground tobacco, shredded rag tobacco, extruded tobacco, gel, or block. “Smoking material” may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product.

[0009] As used in this book, the term "polyimide" refers to any polymer comprising imide monomers, or any polymer substantially formed from imide monomers, which may be saturated or unsaturated. Polyimides may also be hydrophobic.

[0010] As used in this book, the terms “flavoring” and “flavoring” refer to materials that may be used (where permitted by local regulations) to impart a desired taste or aroma to products intended for adult consumers. These materials include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang). It may also contain (such as peppermint oil from sage, fennel, bell pepper, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or any species of the genus Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitterness receptor blockers, sensory receptor activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives (e.g., charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plant matter, or breath fresheners). These may be imitations, synthetic materials, natural materials, or mixtures thereof. They may also contain natural or nature-identical aromatic chemicals. They may take any suitable form, such as oil, liquid, powder, or gel.

[0011] As used in this book, the term “ring-shaped” means having a ring-like or ring-like form. “Ring-shaped” does not mean that it is circular in itself. In some embodiments, elements described as “ring-shaped” in this book may actually be circular, but in other embodiments, such elements may be “ring-shaped” or other shapes such as ellipses or polygons.

[0012] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a partially cutaway cross-sectional view and a perspective view, respectively, of an example of a smoking item 101 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The smoking item 101 is configured for use with a device having a power supply and a heater. The smoking item 101 of this embodiment is particularly suitable for use with the device 1 shown in Figures 5 to 7, which are described below. When in use, the smoking item 101 can be removably inserted into the device shown in Figure 5 at the insertion point 20 of the device 1.

[0013] One example of a smoking product 101 is in the form of a substantially cylindrical rod, which includes a body made of smoking material 103 and a filter assembly 105 in the form of a rod. The filter assembly 105 includes three segments, namely a cooling segment 107, a filter segment 109, and an oral end segment 111. The smoking product 101 has a first end 113, also known as the oral end (referred to herein as the "oral end") or proximal end, and a second end 115, also known as the distal end. The body made of smoking material 103 is positioned near the distal end 115 of the smoking product 101. In one example, the cooling segment 107 is positioned adjacent to the body made of smoking material 103, between the body made of smoking material 103 and the filter segment 109, so as to be in contact with the smoking material 103 and the filter segment 130. In other examples, there may be gaps between the main body made of the smoking material 103 and the cooling segment 107, and between the main body made of the smoking material 103 and the filter segment 109. The filter segment 109 is positioned between the cooling segment 107 and the mouth end segment 111. The mouth end segment 111 is positioned adjacent to the filter segment 109 and near the proximal end 113 of the smoking item 101. In one example, the filter segment 109 is in contact with the mouth end segment 111. In one embodiment, the total length of the filter assembly 105 is 37 mm to 45 mm, and more preferably 41 mm.

[0014] In one embodiment, the body consisting of the smoking material 103 contains tobacco. However, in each of the other embodiments, the body consisting of the smoking material 103 may consist of tobacco, be substantially entirely composed of tobacco, contain tobacco and non-tobacco smoking material, contain non-tobacco smoking material, or be tobacco-free. The smoking material may contain an aerosol-forming agent such as glycerol.

[0015] In one example, the length of the main body made of the smoking material 103 is 34 mm to 50 mm, more preferably 38 mm to 46 mm, and even more preferably 42 mm.

[0016] In one example, the total length of the smoking item 101 is 71 mm to 95 mm, more preferably 79 mm to 87 mm, and even more preferably 83 mm.

[0017] The axial end of the main body, which is made of the smoking material 103, can be seen at the distal end 115 of the smoking product 101. However, in other embodiments, the distal end 115 of the smoking product 101 may be provided with an end member (not shown) that covers the axial end of the main body, which is made of the smoking material 103.

[0018] The main body, consisting of the smoking material 103, is joined to the filter assembly 105 by annular chip paper (not shown), which is positioned substantially around the entire circumference of the filter assembly 105 and extends partially along the length of the main body, consisting of the smoking material 103. In one example, the chip paper is made from standard 58 GSM chip paper. In another example, the chip paper has a length of 42 mm to 50 mm, more preferably 46 mm.

[0019] In one example, the cooling segment 107 is an annular tube positioned around the void within the cooling segment and defining the void. The void provides a chamber for the heated volatile components emitted from the main body, which consists of the smoking material 103, to flow. The cooling segment 107 is hollow to provide a chamber for accumulating aerosols, but is rigid enough to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during manufacturing and when the smoking material 101 is used while inserted in the apparatus 1. In one example, the wall thickness of the cooling segment 107 is approximately 0.29 mm.

[0020] The cooling segment 107 provides a physical displacement between the smoking material 103 and the filter section 109. The physical displacement provided by the cooling segment 107 creates a thermal gradient along its entire length. In one example, the cooling segment 107 is configured to provide a temperature difference of at least 40°C between the heated volatile components entering the first end of the cooling segment 107 and the heated volatile components exiting the second end of the cooling segment 107. In another example, the cooling segment 107 is configured to provide a temperature difference of at least 60°C between the heated volatile components entering the first end of the cooling segment 107 and the heated volatile components exiting the second end of the cooling segment 107. This temperature difference along the entire length of the cooling element 107 protects the temperature-sensitive filter segment 109 from the high temperature of the smoking material 103 when heated by the heating components of the device 1. If no physical displacement is applied between the filter segment 109, the main body consisting of the smoking material 103, and the heating element of the device 1, the temperature-sensitive filter segment 109 may be damaged during use, and therefore may not effectively perform its required function.

[0021] In one example, the length of the cooling segment 107 is at least 15 mm. In another example, the length of the cooling segment 107 is 20 mm to 30 mm, more specifically 23 mm to 27 mm, more specifically 25 mm to 27 mm, and even more specifically 25 mm.

[0022] The cooling segment 107 is made of paper, which means that it is composed of a material that does not produce problem compounds, such as toxic compounds, even when placed in the vicinity of the heater construct of the device 1 during use. In one example, the cooling segment 107 is manufactured from a helically wound paper tube that provides a hollow internal chamber and maintains mechanical rigidity. The helically wound paper tube can meet the stringent dimensional accuracy requirements of a high-speed manufacturing process with respect to the tube length, outer diameter, roundness, and straightness.

[0023] In another example, the cooling segment 107 is a recess made from stiff plug wrap paper or chip paper. The stiff plug wrap paper or chip paper is manufactured to have sufficient rigidity to withstand the axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during manufacturing and the axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur when the smoking article 101 is used while inserted into the device 1.

[0024] For each example of the cooling segment 107, the dimensional accuracy of the cooling segment is sufficient to meet the dimensional accuracy requirements of a high-speed manufacturing process.

[0025] The filter segment 109 may be made of any filter material sufficient to remove one or more volatile compounds from the heated volatile components from the smoking material. In one example, the filter segment 109 is made of a monoacetate material such as cellulose acetate. The filter segment 109 cools the heated volatile components without reducing the amount of the heated volatile components to an unsatisfactory level for the user, and enables the reduction of irritation therefrom.

[0026] The density of the cellulose acetate tow material of the filter segment 109 controls the pressure drop from end to end of the filter segment 109, and thus controls the draw resistance of the smoking article 101. Therefore, the selection of the material of the filter segment 109 is important for controlling the draw resistance of the smoking article 101. Further, the filter segment performs a filtering function in the smoking article 101.

[0027] For example, filter segment 109 is made of 8Y15 grade filter tow material, which provides a filtering effect against heated volatile materials and reduces the size of condensed aerosol droplets generated from the heated volatile materials, thereby reducing the irritation and throat impact of the heated volatile materials to a satisfactory level.

[0028] The presence of the filter segment 109 provides an insulating effect by further cooling the heated volatile components flowing out of the cooling segment 107. This further cooling effect lowers the contact temperature of the user's lips on the surface of the filter segment 109.

[0029] One or more fragrances can be added to the filter segment 109 by either directly injecting a fragranced liquid into the filter segment 109, or by embedding or placing one or more fragranced, easily disintegrating capsules or other fragrance carriers within the cellulose acetate tow of the filter segment 109.

[0030] In one example, the filter segment 109 has a length of 6 mm to 10 mm, more preferably 8 mm.

[0031] The mouth end segment 111 is an annular tube positioned around and defining a void within the mouth end segment 111. The void provides a chamber for heated volatile components flowing from the filter segment 109. The mouth end segment 111 is hollow to provide a chamber for containing aerosols, but is rigid enough to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during manufacturing and when the smoking material 101 is used while inserted in the apparatus 1.

[0032] In one example, the length of the mouth end segment 111 is 6 mm to 10 mm, more preferably 8 mm. In another example, the thickness of the mouth end segment is 0.29 mm.

[0033] The mouth end segment 111 can be manufactured from a helical-wound paper tube that provides a hollow internal chamber while maintaining critical mechanical rigidity. The helical-wound paper tube can meet the stringent dimensional accuracy requirements of high-speed manufacturing processes with respect to tube length, outer diameter, roundness, and straightness.

[0034] The mouth end segment 111 serves to prevent liquid condensation accumulating at the outlet of the filter segment 109 from coming into direct contact with the user.

[0035] In one example, the mouth end segment 111 and the cooling segment 107 may be formed from a single tube, and the filter segment 109 should be located inside that tube, separating the mouth end segment 111 and the cooling segment 107.

[0036] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a partially cutaway cross-sectional view and a perspective view of an example of an article or smoking item 301 according to one embodiment of the present invention are shown, respectively. The reference numerals shown in Figures 3 and 4 are the same as the reference numerals shown in Figures 1 and 2 plus "200".

[0037] In the example of the smoking product 301 shown in Figures 3 and 4, a ventilation region 317 is provided within the smoking product 301 to allow air to flow from the outside to the inside of the smoking product 301. In one example, the ventilation region 317 takes the form of one or more ventilation holes 317 formed through the outer layer of the smoking product 301. The ventilation holes may be located in a cooling segment 307 to help cool the smoking product 301. In one example, the ventilation region 317 includes one or more rows of holes, preferably the holes in each row are arranged around the entire circumference of the smoking product 301 in a cross section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the smoking product 301.

[0038] In one example, there are 1 to 4 rows of ventilation holes to allow ventilation to the smoking item 301. Each row of ventilation holes can have 12 to 36 ventilation holes 317. The ventilation holes 317 can have a diameter of, for example, 100 μm to 500 μm. In one example, the axial spacing between rows of ventilation holes 317 is 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm, and more preferably, the axial spacing between rows of ventilation holes 317 is 0.5 mm.

[0039] In one example, the ventilation holes 317 are of uniform size. In another example, the ventilation holes 317 are of different sizes. The ventilation holes can be fabricated using any suitable technique, for example, one or more of the following techniques: laser technology, mechanical perforation of the cooling segment 307, or pre-perforation of the cooling segment 307 before forming it in the smoking product 301. The ventilation holes 317 are positioned to effectively cool the smoking product 301.

[0040] In one example, the row of ventilation holes 317 is located at least 11 mm from the proximal end 313 of the smoking product, and more preferably the ventilation holes are located between 17 mm and 20 mm from the proximal end 313 of the smoking product 301. The position of the ventilation holes 317 is such that the user does not block the ventilation holes 317 while using the smoking product 301.

[0041] Advantageously, as can be seen from Figures 6 and 7, by providing a row of vents between 17 mm and 20 mm from the proximal end 313 of the smoking item 301, the vents 317 can be positioned outside the device 1 when the smoking item 301 is fully inserted into the device 1. By positioning the vents outside the device, unheated air can enter the smoking item 301 from outside the device 301 through the vents, helping to cool the smoking item 301.

[0042] The length of the cooling segment 307 is such that a portion of the cooling segment 307 is inserted into the device 1 when the smoking item 301 is fully inserted into the device 1. The length of the cooling segment 307 provides a first function: to provide a physical gap between the heater component of the device 1 and the heat-sensitive filter component 309; and a second function: to allow the ventilation holes 317 to be located within the cooling segment and also outside the device 1 when the smoking item 301 is fully inserted into the device 1. As can be seen from Figures 6 and 7, the majority of the cooling element 307 is located inside the device 1. However, there is also a portion of the cooling element 307 that extends outside the device 1. This portion of the cooling element 307 is outside the device 1, and it is here that the ventilation holes 317 are located.

[0043] Referring more closely to Figures 5 to 7, an example of apparatus 1 configured to heat a smoking material to form an aerosol that can typically be inhaled, in order to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. Apparatus 1 is a heating device that releases compounds by heating the smoking material without combustion.

[0044] The first end 3 is also referred to in this document as the oral end (oral end) or proximal end 3 of the device 1, and the second end 5 is also referred to in this document as the distal end 5 of the device 1. The device 1 is provided with an on / off button 7 that allows the entire device 1 to be switched on or off as desired by the user.

[0045] The apparatus 1 includes a housing 9 for arranging and protecting the various internal components of the apparatus 1. In the illustrated example, the housing 9 comprises a single sleeve 11 surrounding the apparatus 1, which is closed by an upper panel 17 that roughly defines the “top” of the apparatus 1 and a bottom panel 19 that roughly defines the “bottom” of the apparatus 1. In other examples, the housing comprises a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of opposing side panels, in addition to the upper panel 17 and the bottom panel 19.

[0046] The upper panel 17 and / or the lower panel 19 may be removably fixed to the integrated sleeve 11 to allow easy access to the interior of the device 1, or they may be "permanently" fixed to the integrated sleeve 11 to prevent, for example, a user from accessing the interior of the device 1. In one example, the panels 17,19 are made from a plastic material (e.g., glass-filled nylon formed by injection molding) and the integrated sleeve 11 is made from aluminum, but other materials or other manufacturing processes may be used.

[0047] The upper panel 17 of the device 1 has an opening 20 at the mouth-side end 3 of the device 1, through which the user can insert smoking items 101, 301 containing smoking material into and remove from the device 1 during use.

[0048] The heater component 23, the control circuit 25, and the power supply 27 are arranged or fixed inside the housing 9. In this example, the heater component 23, the control circuit 25, and the power supply 27 are adjacent to each other laterally (i.e., adjacent when viewed from one end), with the control circuit 25 generally positioned between the heater component 23 and the power supply 27, but other arrangements are also possible.

[0049] The control circuit 252 may include a controller, such as a microprocessor device, configured and positioned to control the heating of the smoking material in the smoking items 101,301, as will be further described below.

[0050] The power source 274 may be a battery, such as a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. Suitable battery examples include lithium-ion batteries, nickel batteries (such as nickel-cadmium batteries), alkaline batteries, etc. The battery 27 is electrically connected to the heater component 23 to supply power when needed and to heat the smoking material of the smoking product under the control of the control circuit 25 (to vaporize the smoking material without burning it, as described above).

[0051] The advantage of placing the power supply 27 adjacent to the side of the heater component 23 is that a physically larger power supply 25 can be used without making the entire device 1 excessively long. As can be seen, generally, a physically larger power supply 25 has a higher capacity (i.e., the total electrical energy that can be supplied, often measured in ampere-hours, etc.) and therefore can extend the battery life of the device 1.

[0052] In one example, the heater component 23 generally takes the form of a cylindrical hollow tube having a hollow internal heating chamber 29 into which smoking items 101, 301 containing smoking material are inserted for heating during use. The heater component 23 can also have other different configurations. For example, the heater component 23 may consist of a single heating element, or it may be formed from multiple heating elements aligned along the longitudinal axis of the heater component 23. The heating element may be annular, tubular, or at least partially annular or partially tubular around it. In one example, the heating element may be a thin-film heater. In other examples, the heating element may be made of a ceramic material. Examples of suitable ceramic materials include alumina, aluminum nitride, and silicon nitride ceramics, which may be laminated and sintered. Other heating components are also possible, such as induction heating, infrared heating elements that heat by emitting infrared radiation, or resistance heating elements formed by, for example, resistance electric windings.

[0053] In one particular example, the heater component 23 is supported by a stainless steel support tube and includes a polyimide heating element. The heater component 23 is sized such that, when the smoking items 101,301 are inserted into the apparatus 1, the entire body of the smoking material 103,303 in the smoking items 101,301 is substantially inserted into the heater component 23.

[0054] The heating element may be configured to heat selected portions of the smoking material individually, for example, sequentially (gradually) or together (simultaneously), as needed.

[0055] In this example, the heater component 23 is surrounded along at least part of its length by a thermal insulator 31. The thermal insulator 31 helps reduce the heat transferred from the heater component 23 to the outside of the device 1. This generally reduces heat loss and thus helps keep the power requirements of the heater component 23 low. The thermal insulator 31 also helps keep the outside of the device 1 cool while the heater component 23 is operating. In one example, the thermal insulator 31 may be a double-walled sleeve, which may have a low-pressure region between the two walls of the sleeve. That is, the thermal insulator 31 may be, for example, a "vacuum" tube, i.e., a tube that is at least partially evacuated to minimize heat transfer by conduction and / or convection. Other configurations for the thermal insulator 31 are also possible, such as using an insulating material including, for example, a suitable foamed material, in addition to or instead of a double-walled sleeve.

[0056] The housing 9 may further include various internal support structures 37 for supporting not only the heating components 23 but also all of the internal components.

[0057] The apparatus 1 further comprises a collar 33 extending around the opening 20 and projecting from the opening 20 into the interior of the housing 9, and a substantially tubular chamber 35 positioned between the collar 33 and one end of the vacuum sleeve 31. The chamber 35 further comprises a cooling structure 35f, which in this example comprises a plurality of cooling fins 35f spaced along the outer surface of the chamber 35, each circumferentially arranged around the outer surface of the chamber 35. When the smoking items 101, 301 are inserted into the apparatus 1 over at least a portion of the length of the hollow chamber 35, a gap 36 is formed between the hollow chamber 35 and the smoking items 101, 301. The gap 36 is formed around the entire circumference of the smoking items 101, 301 over at least a portion of the cooling segment 307.

[0058] The collar 33 comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged protrusions 60 around the opening 20, which protrude into the opening 20. The protrusions 60 occupy space within the opening 20 such that the opening span of the opening 20 at the location of the protrusions 60 is smaller than the opening span of the opening 20 at the location of the protrusions 60. The protrusions 60 are configured to engage with the smoking items 101,301 inserted into the apparatus 1, helping to secure them within the apparatus 1. The open space (not shown) defined by adjacent pairs of protrusions 60 and the smoking items 101,301 forms a vent around the outside of the smoking items 101,301. These vents 1 allow hot vapors emitted from the smoking items 101,301 to flow out of the apparatus 1 and allow cooling air to flow into the apparatus 1 around the smoking items 101,301 in the gap 36.

[0059] During operation, the smoking items 101 and 301 are removably inserted into the insertion point 20 of the device 1, as shown in Figures 5 to 7. Referring particularly to Figure 6, in one example, the main body consisting of the smoking material 103 and 303, located near the distal ends 115 and 315 of the smoking items 101 and 301, is completely housed within the heater component 23 of the device 1. The proximal ends 113 and 313 of the smoking items 101 and 301 protrude from the device 1 and function as a mouthpiece assembly for the user.

[0060] During operation, the heater component 23 heats the consumable article 101, 301 in order to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material from the main body consisting of the smoking material 103, 303.

[0061] The main channel for heated volatile components from the main body, consisting of smoking material 103,303, passes axially through the smoking material 101,301, through the inner chamber of the cooling segments 107,307, through the filter segments 109,309, and through the mouth end segments 111,311 to the user. In one example, the temperature of the heated volatile components emitted from the main body, consisting of smoking material, is 60°C to 250°C, which may be higher than the user's acceptable inhalation temperature. As the heated volatile components move through the cooling segments 107,307, they are cooled, and some volatile components condense on the inner surface of the cooling segments 107,307.

[0062] In the example of the smoking product 301 shown in Figures 3 and 4, low-temperature air can flow into the cooling segment 307 through the vents 317 formed in the cooling segment 307. This low-temperature air mixes with the heated volatile components, further cooling the heated volatile components.

[0063] When the smoking item 317 is heated by the device 1 during use, ventilation promotes the generation of visible heated volatile components from the smoking item 317. The heated volatile components are made visible by a process of cooling them so that supersaturation of these heated volatile components occurs. Subsequently, the heated volatile components form droplets, also known as nucleation, and finally, the size of the aerosol particles of the heated volatile components increases through further condensation of the heated volatile components and solidification of the newly formed droplets from the heated volatile components.

[0064] In one embodiment, the ratio of cold air to the total of heated volatile components (known as the ventilation rate) is at least 15%. A ventilation rate of 15% makes the heated volatile components visible by the method described above. The visibility of the heated volatile components allows the user to recognize that volatile components have been generated, thereby enhancing the sensory experience in the smoking experience.

[0065] In another example, the ventilation rate is set to 50% to 85% to further cool the heated volatile components.

[0066] To address various problems and advance technology, the entirety of this disclosure shows, through various exemplary or illustrative embodiments, that the claimed invention is implemented and provides a superior smoking product to be used with a device for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. The advantages and features of this disclosure are merely representative examples of embodiments and are not comprehensive and / or exclusive. They are presented solely to aid in understanding and teaching the features described in the claims and other disclosed features. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects in this disclosure should not be considered to limit the disclosure as defined by the claims or to limit equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and modified without departing from the scope and / or spirit of this disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, or be substantially comprised of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. Furthermore, this disclosure may include other inventions not currently described in the claims but which may be described in the future.

Claims

1. A smoking product inserted into a device for heating a smoking material in order to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, The main body is made of smoking material, An assembly comprising a cooling segment for cooling at least one volatile component of the smoking material, a filter segment adjacent to the cooling segment for filtering the at least one volatile component of the smoking material, and an oral end segment adjacent to the filter segment that is received in the mouth of the user. It is equipped with, The cooling segment is positioned between the main body, which is made of the smoking material, and the filter segment. The smoking product is configured such that when it is fully inserted into the device for heating the smoking material, the first portion of the cooling segment is inside the device and the second portion of the cooling segment extends outside the device. A smoking product wherein the second portion of the cooling segment is provided with a ventilation area that allows air to flow into the cooling segment and mix with the volatile at least one component of the smoking material.

2. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the cooling segment comprises a hollow tube, and the ventilation region comprises at least one hole formed through the wall of the hollow tube.

3. The smoking article according to claim 2, wherein the ventilation region comprises one or more rows of holes formed through the wall of the hollow tube.

4. The smoking article according to claim 3, wherein each of the one or more rows of holes is arranged around the entire circumference of the wall of the hollow tube.

5. The smoking article according to claim 4, wherein the ventilation region comprises a plurality of rows of holes formed through the wall of the hollow tube, and the plurality of rows are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction along the ventilation region.

6. The smoking article according to claim 5, wherein at least one pair of adjacent rows are spaced axially apart from each other along the ventilation area at a distance of 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm.

7. The smoking article according to claim 6, wherein at least one pair of adjacent rows are spaced axially apart from each other along the ventilation area by a distance of 0.5 mm.

8. The smoking article according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the ventilation area is located at least 11 mm from the proximal end of the mouth-side end segment.

9. The smoking article according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein at least one of the holes has a diameter of 100 μm to 500 μm.

10. The smoking product according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the total length of the smoking product is 71 mm to 95 mm.

11. A smoking product inserted into a device for heating a smoking material in order to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, The main body is made of smoking material, An assembly comprising a cooling segment for cooling at least one volatile component of the smoking material, a filter segment adjacent to the cooling segment for filtering the at least one volatile component of the smoking material, and an oral end segment adjacent to the filter segment that is received in the mouth of the user. It is equipped with, The cooling segment is positioned between the main body, which is made of the smoking material, and the filter segment. A smoking product wherein the cooling segment includes a ventilation region that allows air to flow into the cooling segment and mix with the volatile at least one component of the smoking material, and the ventilation region includes one or more rows of holes formed through the outer wall of the cooling segment.

12. The smoking product according to claim 11, wherein each of the one or more rows of holes is arranged around the entire circumference of the outer wall of the cooling segment.

13. The smoking product according to claim 12, wherein the ventilation region comprises a plurality of rows of holes formed through the outer wall of the cooling segment, and the plurality of rows are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction along the ventilation region.

14. The smoking article according to claim 13, wherein at least one pair of adjacent rows are spaced axially apart from each other along the ventilation area at a distance of 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm.

15. The smoking article according to claim 14, wherein at least one pair of adjacent rows are spaced axially apart from each other along the ventilation area by a distance of 0.5 mm.

16. The smoking article according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the ventilation area is located at least 11 mm from the proximal end of the mouth-side end segment.

17. The smoking article according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein at least one of the holes has a diameter of 100 μm to 500 μm.

18. The smoking product according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the total length of the smoking product is 71 mm to 95 mm.

19. A system comprising a heating device configured to heat a smoking material in order to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, and a smoking product according to any one of claims 1 to 18, which is inserted into the heating device, The aforementioned heating device A housing having a first opening at its first end into which the smoking item can be inserted into the heating device, A heater component disposed within the housing for heating the smoking material in the smoking product when in use. A system equipped with these features.

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