Capsules, aerosol products containing capsules, and aerosol generation systems

Abstract

The capsule comprises a core containing an active material that releases an active material upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field, and a shell surrounding the core. At least one of the core and the shell may contain at least one susceptor particle that is heated upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a capsule, an aerosol generating article comprising the capsule, and an aerosol generating system. More specifically, it relates to a capsule that releases an active substance by an alternating magnetic field, an aerosol generating article comprising the capsule, and an aerosol generating system.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there has been an increasing demand for a system that generates an aerosol by heating a cigarette (or "aerosol generating article") using an aerosol generating device, rather than by burning the cigarette to generate an aerosol.

[0003] Examples of the method in which an aerosol generating device heats an aerosol generating article include an electric resistance heating method and an induction heating method. An induction heating type aerosol generating device has a heater that generates heat by an external magnetic field disposed around or inside the aerosol generating article, and generates heat by applying a magnetic field.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] To prevent the loss of active substances (e.g., flavorings) contained in aerosol products during storage, capsules are used. Generally, a capsule has a shell surrounding a core containing the active substance. The capsule is embedded in the aerosol product, and during use, the user releases the active substance by crushing the capsule by applying pressure to the area where the capsule is embedded. However, users may experience difficulty crushing the capsule depending on its size, shell thickness, strength, flexibility, viscosity, etc.

[0006] The problems to be solved through embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and any problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those with ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong, based on this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A capsule according to one embodiment releases an active substance when exposed to an alternating magnetic field. The capsule comprises a core containing the active substance and a shell surrounding the core. At least one of the core and the shell may contain at least one susceptor particle that is heated when exposed to an alternating magnetic field.

[0008] An aerosol product according to one embodiment may include a capsule and an aerosol-generating substance that generates an aerosol when heated. An aerosol generation system according to one embodiment may include an aerosol product and an aerosol generation device that has a containment space into which the aerosol product is inserted and applies an alternating magnetic field to the containment space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The capsule according to this embodiment releases an active substance when exposed to an alternating magnetic field, thus eliminating the need for user intervention to release the active substance. The timing of the release of the active substance can be easily adjusted.

[0010] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to those described above, and any effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong, based on this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a capsule according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a capsule according to another embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of an aerosol product according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of an aerosol product according to another embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of an aerosol product according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of a sheet-like aerosol product according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] A capsule according to one embodiment releases an active substance when exposed to an alternating magnetic field. The capsule comprises a core containing the active substance and a shell surrounding the core. At least one of the core and the shell may contain at least one susceptor particle that is heated when exposed to an alternating magnetic field.

[0013] The active substance may include one or more substances selected from the group consisting of nicotine, caffeine, cannabinoids, aerosol-producing substances, and flavoring substances. The aforementioned shell may include a lipid bilayer.

[0014] At least a part of the surface of the susceptor particles can be coated with one or more selected from the group consisting of lipids, oleic acid, starch, and silica. The capsule can have a diameter of 1 μm to 50 μm.

[0015] The susceptor particles can have a diameter of 1 nm to 100 nm. The shell includes a plurality of the susceptor particles, and the shell can include a film material in which the plurality of susceptor particles are dispersed.

[0016] The film material can include one or more selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, silica, aluminum hydroxide, titanium dioxide, and calcium carbonate. The sum of the weights of the plurality of susceptor particles is 5% to 10% by weight of the total weight of the film material.

[0017] The weight of the active substance and the weight of the shell can have a ratio of 7:3 to 4:6. The shell can have a thickness of 100 nm to 500 nm.

[0018] An aerosol generating article according to one embodiment can include a capsule and an aerosol generating substance that generates an aerosol when heated. The aerosol generating article includes a plurality of the capsules, and the difference between the diameter of the capsule and the average diameter of the plurality of capsules is -10% to 10% of the average diameter of the plurality of capsules.

[0019] The aerosol generating article can include an aerosol generating rod including the aerosol generating substance and the capsule, and a filter rod disposed downstream of the aerosol generating rod.

[0020] An aerosol generation system according to one embodiment may include an aerosol product and an aerosol generation device that has a containment space into which the aerosol product is inserted and applies an alternating magnetic field to the containment space.

[0021] The embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, but regardless of the reference numerals used in the drawings, identical or similar components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations of them will be omitted.

[0022] The suffixes "module" and "part" used with respect to the constituent elements in the following description are added or mixed together solely for the sake of ease of specification drafting and do not have any distinct meaning or role on their own.

[0023] Furthermore, when describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a specific description relating to relevant known technology would obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, such detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and it should be understood that the accompanying drawings do not limit the technical ideas disclosed herein and that all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the idea and technical scope of the present invention are provided.

[0024] Terms with ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by such terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0025] When it is mentioned that one component is “connected” or “linked” to another component, it should be understood that it is directly connected to or may be linked to the other component, but that other components may be in between. On the other hand, when it is said that one component is “directly connected” or “directly linked” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0026] A singular expression has multiple forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, when an expression such as “at least one of the following” precedes an array of components, it modifies the entire component, not each of the individual components in the array. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, and c” must be interpreted as comprising a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0027] Throughout the specification, the "aerosol generating device" is defined as a device that generates an aerosol using an aerosol generating substance in order to generate an aerosol that can be directly inhaled into the user's lungs through the user's mouth.

[0028] Throughout the specification, "aerosol product" means an article used for smoking. For example, an aerosol product can be a combustible cigarette used by being ignited and burned, or a heated cigarette used by being heated by an aerosol generating device.

[0029] Throughout the specification, the term "aerosol generation system" may include an aerosol generating device and an aerosol product. For example, an aerosol generation system is a system that delivers a generated aerosol to a user by heating an aerosol product in an aerosol generating device.

[0030] Throughout this specification, "puff" means the user's inhalation. Inhalation means the user drawing an aerosol into their mouth, nose, or lungs through their mouth or nose.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a capsule according to one embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, capsule 1 may include a core C and a shell S surrounding the core C. The core C may contain an active substance. Figure 1 shows how, according to one embodiment, the active substance is released to the outside of capsule 1 after being exposed to an alternating magnetic field. For example, capsule 1 can be used for aerosol products that are heated by exposure to an alternating magnetic field.

[0032] The active substance may include materials for achieving or enhancing physiological reactions. The active substance may also include materials for altering the properties of aerosols produced from aerosol products. For example, the active substance may include one or more selected from the group consisting of nicotine, caffeine, cannabinoids, aerosol-producing substances, and flavoring substances.

[0033] The term "cannabinoid" refers to any one of the naturally occurring compounds found in certain species of the cannabis plant, specifically Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds from the cannabis plant include cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The term "cannabinoid" is used to describe both naturally occurring and synthetically produced cannabinoids.

[0034] The aerosol-generating substance comprises, but is not limited to, one or more substances selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

[0035] Flavoring substances can be added to aerosols already produced by aerosol products described later. Flavoring substances may include natural flavoring substances and / or synthetic flavoring substances. For example, synthetic flavoring substances may include one or more selected from the group consisting of esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, ethers, lactones, hydrocarbons, nitrogen-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds, and acids.

[0036] Furthermore, natural flavoring substances may include one or more oils selected from the group consisting of, for example, star anise, basil, calamus, caraway, pepper, cascarilla, ginger, sage, clary sage, clove, coriander, eucalyptus, fennel, pimento, juniper, fenugreek, bay laurel, mace, almond, anise, artemisia, apricot, strawberry, fig, ylang-ylang, wintergreen, plum, elder, chamomile, galangal, quince, guava, cranberry, sansho pepper, sandalwood, shiso, jasmine, ginseng, cinnamon, star fruit, sorghum, spearmint, apple mint, peppermint, geranium, thyme, tansy, tangerine, tuberose, mint, passion fruit, vanilla, rose, coffee, cypress, pine, mango, beeswax, musk, maple, melon, peach, lavender, and rosemary.

[0037] Core C may contain a lipophilic solvent mixed with an active substance. For example, the lipophilic solvent may include triglycerides, heavy chain triglycerides (e.g., caprylic and capric triglycerides), vegetable oils (e.g., olive oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, peanut oil, grape seed oil, wheat germ oil, vegetable oil), mineral oils, silicone oils or mixtures thereof with triglycerides, fatty acids (e.g., polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid, etc.), fatty acid esters (e.g., isopropyl myristate), sucrose fatty acid esters, liquid paraffin, squalene, etc.

[0038] Referring to Figure 1, the core C may contain multiple susceptor particles P. Figure 1 shows an example of a core C having multiple susceptor particles P, but is not limited thereto. For example, the core C may contain a single susceptor particle P. As another example, the susceptor particle P may be contained in a shell S other than the core C, or in both the core C and the shell S. Embodiments in which the shell S contains susceptor particles P will be described later with reference to Figure 2.

[0039] Susceptor particles P can generate heat due to an externally applied alternating magnetic field. For example, susceptor particles P can be heated by exposure to an alternating magnetic field generated by an aerosol generator. An aerosol generator is a device that generates aerosols by heating the aerosol products contained within the aerosol generator using an induction heating method.

[0040] Specifically, induction heating refers to a method of heating a magnetic material that generates heat in response to an external magnetic field by applying an alternating magnetic field whose direction changes periodically. When an alternating magnetic field is applied to a magnetic material, energy loss occurs due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss, and this lost energy can be released from the magnetic material as thermal energy. The larger the amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field applied to the magnetic material, the more thermal energy can be released from the magnetic material.

[0041] At least a portion of the susceptor particles P may be formed from a ferromagnetic material. For example, susceptor particles P may contain metal or carbon. Susceptor particles P may contain at least one of ferrite, ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). Susceptor particles P may also contain at least one of ceramics such as graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, nickel alloy, and zirconia, transition metals such as nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co), and metalloids such as boron and phosphorus.

[0042] The susceptor particle P can increase the permeability of the shell S by being heated by an alternating magnetic field. For example, the heated susceptor particle P can increase the permeability of the shell S to the active substance by reversibly or irreversibly deforming the structural form of the shell S. This allows the active substance to be released to the outside of capsule 1.

[0043] Referring to Figure 1, the shell S may contain a lipid bilayer (SL). The lipid bilayer SL represents a thin polar membrane composed of two layers of lipid molecules. Capsule 1 may have a morphology similar to a liposome surrounded by the lipid bilayer SL. When the susceptor particle P contained in core C is heated, the spacing between the lipid molecules constituting the lipid bilayer SL expands, and the active substance of core C can be released to the outside of capsule 1 through this expanded spacing.

[0044] At least a portion of the surface of the susceptor particles P contained in the core C may be coated with one or more substances selected from the group consisting of lipids, oleic acid, starch, and silica. The coated susceptor particles P may have improved stability within the shell S, which has a lipid bilayer SL.

[0045] Capsule 1 may have a diameter of approximately 1 μm to approximately 50 μm. The temperature of capsule 1 can be easily controlled by heating susceptor particles P within the aforementioned diameter range of capsule 1. This makes it possible to easily adjust the permeability of the shell S and adjust the release timing of the active substance. For example, capsule 1 may have a diameter of approximately 2 μm to approximately 20 μm, or approximately 3 μm to approximately 10 μm.

[0046] Furthermore, the susceptor particles P may have a diameter of approximately 1 nm to approximately 100 nm. Within the aforementioned diameter range of the susceptor particles P, it is possible to prevent thermal decomposition of the active substance. Also, when capsule 1 contains multiple susceptor particles P, the multiple susceptor particles P are uniformly dispersed inside capsule 1, thereby facilitating temperature control of capsule 1. For example, the susceptor particles P may have a diameter of approximately 10 nm to approximately 80 nm, or approximately 20 nm to approximately 60 nm.

[0047] Conventional capsules require user intervention for crushing and can therefore only be placed in areas that are not heated (e.g., filters), and not in areas where the aerosol product is heated. Furthermore, the active ingredients contained in the capsules can be limited to volatile substances that do not require heating. Also, since the capsules must be of an appropriate size to allow for easy crushing by the user, they occupy a considerable volume. This not only prevents the use of a large number of capsules, but also results in areas within the aerosol product that are relatively close to the capsules and areas that are not. This leads to uneven release of the active substance within the aerosol product.

[0048] In this embodiment, capsule 1 releases the active substance by applying an alternating magnetic field, thus requiring no user intervention. Furthermore, since capsule 1 is also placed in the area where the aerosol product is heated, the active substance requiring heating can also be contained within the capsule's core. Additionally, because capsule 1 has a relatively small volume, a large number of capsules can be contained within the aerosol product. This ensures that capsule 1 is uniformly distributed within the aerosol product, allowing for uniform release of the active substance from within the product.

[0049] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a capsule according to another embodiment. Referring to Figure 2, capsule 1 may include a core C and a shell S surrounding the core C. The core C of capsule 1 may contain an active substance. The same provisions described above for Figure 1 can be applied to the core C and the active substance contained in the core C.

[0050] The shell S may include a membrane material SM in which multiple susceptor particles P are dispersed and arranged. Figure 1 shows an embodiment in which the susceptor particles P are arranged in the core C, and Figure 2 shows an embodiment in which the susceptor particles P are arranged in the shell S, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the susceptor particles P may be arranged in both the core C and the shell S.

[0051] Multiple susceptor particles P, already positioned inside the membrane material SM, can directly affect the permeability of the membrane material SM by generating heat in an externally applied alternating magnetic field. For example, the membrane material SM can be structurally deformed by the heat generated from the susceptor particles P. This structural deformation of the membrane material SM improves the permeability of the shell S, thereby allowing the active substance to be released to the outside of the capsule 1.

[0052] The membrane material SM may contain one or more substances selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, silica, aluminum hydroxide, titanium dioxide, and calcium carbonate. However, it is not limited to these, and any material that can safely hold susceptor particles P in the membrane material SM may be applied without restriction. For example, the membrane material SM may have a silica matrix, in which multiple susceptor particles P may be dispersed and arranged inside and / or outside the silica matrix.

[0053] The sum of the weights of the multiple susceptor particles P contained in the membrane material SM is approximately 5% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the membrane material SM. When the sum of the weights of the multiple susceptor particles P contained in the membrane material SM satisfies the aforementioned range, capsule 1 stably holds the active substance, and the permeability of shell S can be easily adjusted by the heat generated by the susceptor particles P. When the amount of susceptor particles P is less than approximately 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the membrane material SM, the active substance of core C cannot be released to the outside even when exposed to an alternating magnetic field. When the amount of susceptor particles P exceeds approximately 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the membrane material SM, the stability of the membrane material SM is insufficient. For example, the sum of the weights of the multiple susceptor particles P contained in the membrane material SM is approximately 6% to 9% by weight, or approximately 7% to 8% by weight, based on the total weight of the membrane material SM.

[0054] The ratio of the weight of the active substance to the weight of the shell S can be approximately 7:3 to 4:6. If the weight of the active substance exceeds the aforementioned ratio, the shell S may have difficulty stably retaining the active substance. If the weight of the active substance is less than the aforementioned ratio, the release of the active substance may not be easy, regardless of the permeability of the shell S which changes due to the susceptor particle P. For example, the ratio of the weight of the active substance to the weight of the shell S can be approximately 7:3 to 5:5, or approximately 6:4 to 4:6.

[0055] The shell S may have a thickness of approximately 100 nm to approximately 500 nm. The stability of capsule 1 is improved by the shell S having a thickness within the aforementioned range, and the permeability of the shell S can be easily adjusted. If the thickness of the shell S is less than approximately 100 nm, the stability of capsule 1 is insufficient, such as when pores are formed in the shell S depending on the size of the susceptor particles P contained in the shell S. If the thickness of the shell S exceeds approximately 500 nm, the permeability of the shell S may not increase to a level that allows for the release of the active substance even after the exothermic reaction of the susceptor particles P. For example, the shell S may have a thickness of approximately 150 nm to approximately 450 nm, or approximately 200 nm to approximately 400 nm.

[0056] In the following section, an aerosol product to which capsule 1 according to one embodiment is applied will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol product according to one embodiment.

[0057] Referring to Figure 3, the aerosol product 10 may include an aerosol generating rod 11 and a filter rod 12. The filter rod 12 may be located downstream of the aerosol generating rod 11.

[0058] "Upstream" and "downstream" can be determined based on the direction of airflow when a user inhales an aerosol using the aerosol product 10. For example, when a user inhales an aerosol using the aerosol product 10 shown in Figure 1, the air moves from the aerosol generating rod 11 towards the filter rod 12, so the aerosol generating rod 11 is located "upstream" of the filter rod 12. On the other hand, a typical technician in the art would easily understand that "upstream" and "downstream" are relative depending on the relationship of the components.

[0059] The aerosol generating rod 11 is capable of generating an aerosol by heating. The aerosol generating rod 11 may contain tobacco material. The aerosol generating rod 11 is heated and capable of generating an aerosol containing nicotine. The tobacco material may, but is not limited to, tobacco strands, tobacco particles, tobacco sheets, tobacco beads, tobacco granules, tobacco powder, or tobacco extract.

[0060] For example, the aerosol-generating rod 11 comprises multiple tobacco strands, which may include flat-leaf shredded tobacco. Flat-leaf shredded tobacco can be produced by finely cutting flat-leaf sheets. Flat-leaf shredded tobacco can be produced by the following process: Tobacco raw materials are crushed to produce a slurry of aerosol-generating substances (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.), flavoring liquid, binders (e.g., guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethylcellulose, etc.), and water. Natural pulp or cellulose may be added to the slurry, and one or more binders may be mixed in and used. The slurry can be cast to form sheets, which can then be dried to produce flat-leaf sheets. The produced flat-leaf sheets can be cut, crimped, or finely chopped to produce flat-leaf shredded tobacco. Tobacco raw materials include tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, and / or tobacco powder generated during tobacco processing. The flat-leaf sheets may also contain other additives such as wood cellulose fibers.

[0061] Furthermore, the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain shredded tobacco produced by blending and processing various types of tobacco leaves, and then cutting them. The aerosol generating rod 11 may also contain a mixture of flat-leaf shredded tobacco and shredded tobacco.

[0062] As another example, the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain multiple tobacco granules. The tobacco granules are particles having a diameter of approximately 100 μm to approximately 2,000 μm. The tobacco granules may be produced by extruding a mixture of crushed tobacco leaves, a pH adjuster, and a solvent.

[0063] Multiple tobacco granules may be arranged between the filter material. The filter material may include, for example, bundles of cellulose acetate fiber strands that are tied together. The multiple tobacco granules may be arranged in a manner that is uniformly dispersed between the multiple cellulose fibers. As another example, the filter material may include a crimped paper sheet. The crimped paper sheet may be placed inside the aerosol generating rod 11 in a wound state. The crimped paper sheet is wound around an axis that extends along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod 11. Multiple tobacco granules may be dispersed inside the wound paper sheet.

[0064] Tobacco substances may contain aerosol-generating substances. For example, aerosol-generating substances include, but are not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. Tobacco substances may also contain other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. Furthermore, flavoring liquids such as menthol or humectants can be added to tobacco substances by spraying them onto the tobacco substance.

[0065] The aerosol-generating rod 11 may contain other plant materials, excluding tobacco substances. For example, the aerosol-generating rod 11 may contain herbal substances. The aerosol-generating rod 11 may also contain a sheet containing herbal substances. The herbal substances may include, but are not limited to, at least one of mint, lemongrass, cinnamon, clover leaves, rose petals, and corn silk. The sheet containing the herbal substances may be impregnated with an aerosol-generating substance.

[0066] The aerosol generating rod 11 may also include an aerosol generating substrate impregnated with a liquid aerosol generating composition. The aerosol generating substrate comprises a crimped sheet, and the liquid aerosol generating composition is contained in the aerosol generating rod 11 while impregnated with the crimped sheet. Other additives and flavorings, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids, are also contained in the aerosol generating rod 11 while absorbed with the crimped sheet.

[0067] The aerosol generating substrate can be placed inside the aerosol generating rod 11 in a wound state. The wound aerosol generating substrate is wound around an axis that extends along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product 10, but is not limited to this.

[0068] A crimped sheet is a sheet made of a polymer material. For example, the polymer material may include at least one of the following: paper, cellulose acetate, lyocell, or polylactic acid. For example, a crimped sheet is a paper sheet that does not produce an unpleasant odor when heated to high temperatures.

[0069] The liquid aerosol-generating composition may contain nicotine. Nicotine may include freebase nicotine and / or nicotine salt. Freebase nicotine refers to neutral nicotine that has not been subjected to protons. For example, if a strong base such as ammonia is added to a positively charged nicotine salt, the strong base is converted into a cation, and the nicotine salt becomes freebase nicotine, which is in a neutral state.

[0070] Furthermore, the liquid aerosol-generating composition may contain aerosol-generating substances. The same provisions described above apply to aerosol-generating substances contained in tobacco substances.

[0071] The liquid aerosol generating composition can be impregnated at a rate of approximately 0.05 g to approximately 1.0 g per gram of aerosol generating substrate. For example, the liquid aerosol generating composition can be impregnated at a rate of approximately 0.1 g to approximately 0.8 g per gram of aerosol generating substrate.

[0072] The aerosol generating rod 11 may include the capsule 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. While Figure 3 shows that multiple capsules 1 are included in the aerosol generating rod 11, the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain only one capsule 1. Furthermore, the size of the capsule 1 shown in Figure 3 is exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may be smaller or larger than those shown in the drawings.

[0073] Referring to Figure 3, multiple capsules 1 may be dispersed on the aerosol generating rod 11. For example, the aerosol generating rod 11 may be equipped with flat-leaf tobacco, and the multiple capsules 1 may be dispersed throughout the entire area of ​​the plug made of flat-leaf tobacco. As another example, the aerosol generating rod 11 may be equipped with an aerosol generating substrate wound around an axis extending along its longitudinal direction, and the multiple capsules 1 may be dispersed inside the wound aerosol generating substrate. When the aerosol generating rod 11 is exposed to an alternating magnetic field, the multiple capsules 1 already placed on the aerosol generating rod 11 are made capable of releasing active substances. The released active substances may be transferred together with the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating rod 11.

[0074] Multiple capsules 1 may have a uniform size distribution. That is, multiple capsules 1 may have similar sizes to each other. For example, the difference between the diameter of one capsule 1 and the average diameter of multiple capsules 1 is approximately -10% to approximately 10% relative to the average diameter of multiple capsules 1. Because multiple capsules 1 have a uniform size distribution, the active ingredient can be released from multiple capsules 1 at similar time points. As another example, the difference between the diameter of one capsule 1 and the average diameter of multiple capsules 1 is approximately -8% to approximately 8%, or approximately -7% to approximately 7%, relative to the average diameter of multiple capsules 1.

[0075] The multiple capsules 1 contained in the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain different active substances. For example, some of the multiple capsules 1 may contain a flavoring substance as the active substance, while the remaining portion of the multiple capsules 1 may contain an aerosol generating substance as the active substance. As another example, some of the multiple capsules 1 may contain nicotine as the active substance, while the remaining portion of the multiple capsules 1 may contain a flavoring substance.

[0076] Furthermore, some of the multiple capsules 1 contained in the aerosol generating rod 11 are the capsules 1 shown in Figure 1, and some of the remaining capsules 1 are the capsules 1 shown in Figure 2. However, it is not limited to this, and any of the multiple capsules 1 contained in the aerosol generating rod 11 may be the capsules 1 shown in Figure 1 or the capsules 1 shown in Figure 2.

[0077] The filter rod 12 may consist of multiple segments. The filter rod 12 may include a first segment 12-1 for cooling the aerosol and a second segment 12-2 for filtering predetermined components contained in the aerosol. Figure 1 shows the filter rod 12 having two segments, but it is not limited to this. For example, the filter rod 12 may include a single segment. The filter rod 12 may also further include at least one segment performing other functions.

[0078] The filter rod 12 is capable of filtering out certain components contained in the aerosol passing through it. The filter rod 12 may contain a filter material. For example, the filter rod 12 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod 12 may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow.

[0079] There are no restrictions on the shape of the filter rod 12. For example, the filter rod 12 may be a cylindrical (type) rod, or a tubular (type) rod with a hollow interior. The filter rod 12 may also be a recessed (type) rod. If the filter rod 12 is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the segments may be made of a different shape.

[0080] The filter rod 12 may be manufactured to generate flavor. For example, a flavoring liquid may be sprayed onto the filter rod 12, or a separate fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted inside the filter rod 12.

[0081] The filter rod 12 includes a first segment 12-1 for cooling the aerosol. The first segment 12-1 may include a polymer or a biodegradable polymer. For example, the first segment 12-1 may include, but is not limited to, polylactic acid. As another example, the first segment 12-1 may include a hollow cellulose acetate tube or a paper tube formed of paper.

[0082] At least one pore 12-1h may be formed on the outer surface of the first segment 12-1. The at least one pore 12-1h is formed along the circumferential direction of the first segment 12-1 and is made possible to form one or more rows. The at least one pore 12-1h allows outside air to flow into the interior of the first segment 12-1. The outside air that flows into the interior of the first segment 12-1 can be mixed with the high-temperature aerosol already generated by the aerosol generating rod 11.

[0083] The aerosol product 10 may include a trumpet 14 surrounding one of the aerosol generating rods 11 and the filter rod 12. Alternatively, the aerosol product 10 may include a trumpet 14 surrounding both the aerosol generating rod 11 and the filter rod 12. The trumpet 14 may be located on the outermost periphery of the aerosol product 10. The trumpet 14 is a single trumpet, but it may also be a combination of multiple trumpets.

[0084] The aerosol product 10 may be superimposed on two or more trumpets 14. For example, the aerosol generating rod 11 may be packaged by the first trumpet 14-1, the first segment 12-1 of the filter rod 12 may be packaged by the second trumpet 14-2, and the second segment 12-2 of the filter rod 12 may be packaged by the third trumpet 14-3. The entire aerosol product 10 may be repackaged by the fourth trumpet 14-4.

[0085] The first flaps 14-1 can surround the aerosol generating rod 11. The first flaps 14-1 is a bonded structure of paper and metal foil, such as aluminum foil. For example, the first flaps 14-1 is a laminated sheet in which paper and metal foil are laminated. The first flaps 14-1 is a laminated sheet in which paper is placed on one side of the metal foil, or a laminated sheet in which paper is placed on both sides of the metal foil.

[0086] The paper of the first trumpet 14-1 may contain an oil-resistant substance. For example, the paper of the first trumpet 14-1 may contain polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or silicone. The surface of the paper of the first trumpet 14-1 may be coated with polyvinyl alcohol or silicone.

[0087] The second wrapper 14-2 may surround the first segment 12-1 of the filter rod 12. The second wrapper 14-2 may include a winding paper. The winding paper of the second wrapper 14-2 may be porous or non-porous. The second wrapper 14-2 may have at least one perforation 15 formed therein. For example, the second wrapper 14-2 wraps the first segment 12-1 having at least one hole 12-1h formed therein, and the at least one perforation 15 formed in the second wrapper 14-2 may be formed at a position corresponding to the at least one hole 12-1h formed in the first segment 12-1.

[0088] The third wrapper 14-3 may surround the second segment 12-2 of the filter rod 12. The third wrapper 14-3 may include hard wrapping paper with greater thickness and basis weight compared to general wrapping paper. For example, the thickness of the hard wrapping paper may be about 70 μm to about 150 μm, and the basis weight may be about 50 g / m². 2 Or approximately 100g / m 2 Furthermore, hard wrapping paper may contain oil-resistant substances. For example, hard wrapping paper may include surface treatment with an oil-resistant substance such as polyvinyl alcohol or silicone.

[0089] The fourth trumpet 14-4 can enclose the aerosol generating rod 11, which is packaged by the first trumpet 14-1; the first segment 12-1 of the filter rod 12, which is packaged by the second trumpet 14-2; and the second segment 12-2 of the filter rod 12, which is packaged by the third trumpet 14-3. The fourth trumpet 14-4 is designed to prevent contamination of the outside of the aerosol product 10 by the aerosol generated by the aerosol product. Liquid substances may be generated inside the aerosol product 10 by the user's puff. For example, liquid substances (e.g., water) may be generated when the aerosol already generated by the aerosol product 10 is cooled by the outside air. By packaging the outside of the aerosol product 10 with the fourth trumpet 14-4, it is possible to prevent the generated liquid substances from leaking outside the aerosol product 10.

[0090] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol product according to another embodiment. Referring to Figure 4, the aerosol product 10 may include a front plug 13, an aerosol generating rod 11, a filter rod 12, and a trumpet 14. The aerosol generating rod 11, filter rod 12, and trumpet 14 of the aerosol product 10 in Figure 4 can be treated in the same way as the aerosol generating rod 11, filter rod 12, and trumpet 14 of the aerosol product 10 in Figure 3.

[0091] The front plug 13 may be positioned upstream of the aerosol generating rod 11. The front plug 13 may be located on the side of the aerosol generating rod 11 opposite to the filter rod 12. The front plug 13 is designed to prevent the aerosol generating rod 11 from detaching to the outside. The front plug 13 is also designed to prevent liquefied aerosol from moving from the aerosol generating rod 11 to the aerosol generating device during smoking.

[0092] The front plug 13 may contain cellulose acetate. For example, the front plug 13 is a cellulose acetate tube with a hollow structure. The front plug 13 may be packaged by a fifth flaps 14-5. The fifth flaps 14-5 are made of paper and metal foil such as aluminum foil bonded together. For example, the fifth flaps 14-5 are laminated sheets of paper and metal foil. The fifth flaps 14-5 are laminated sheets with paper placed on one side of the metal foil, or laminated sheets with paper placed on both sides of the metal foil.

[0093] Furthermore, the front plug 13 may be superimposed on two or more flaps 14. For example, the front plug 13 may be packaged by a fifth flap 14-5, the aerosol generating rod 11 by a first flap 14-1, the first segment 12-1 of the filter rod 12 by a second flap 14-2, and the second segment 12-2 of the filter rod 12 by a third flap 14-3. The entire aerosol product 10 may be repackaged by a fourth flap 14-4.

[0094] The front plug 13 may generate an aerosol when heated. The front plug 13 may contain an aerosol-generating substance. The front plug 13 may also contain other additives such as a wetting agent and / or an organic acid, and may contain a fragrance liquid such as menthol. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may contain at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

[0095] The front plug 13 may include an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate may be impregnated with an aerosol-generating substance. The aerosol-generating substrate comprises a crimped sheet, and the aerosol-generating substance is included in the front plug 13 in an impregnated state within the crimped sheet. Other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids are also included in the front plug 13 in an impregnated state within the crimped sheet.

[0096] The aerosol-generating substrate can be placed inside the front plug 13 in a wound state. The wound aerosol-generating substrate is wound around an axis that extends along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol product 10, but is not limited to this.

[0097] A crimped sheet is a sheet made of a polymer material. For example, the polymer material may include at least one of the following: paper, cellulose acetate, lyocell, or polylactic acid. For example, a crimped sheet is a paper sheet that does not produce an unpleasant odor when heated to high temperatures.

[0098] The front plug 13 has a length of approximately 7 mm to approximately 20 mm, and the aerosol generating rod 11 may have a length of approximately 7 mm to approximately 20 mm. However, the lengths of the front plug 13 and the aerosol generating rod 11 are not necessarily limited to these numerical ranges and can be appropriately changed.

[0099] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol product according to yet another embodiment. Referring to Figure 5, the aerosol product assembly 10 may include a front plug 13, an aerosol generating rod 11, a filter rod 12, and a trumpet 14. The same provisions described above apply to the front plug 13, aerosol generating rod 11, filter rod 12, and trumpet 14 of the aerosol product assembly 10 in Figure 5.

[0100] The front plug 13 and the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain capsule 1. Referring to Figure 5, the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain capsule 1 shown in Figure 1, and the front plug 13 may contain capsule 1 shown in Figure 2. However, it is not limited to this, and the front plug 13 and the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain the same capsule 1. Another example is that the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain capsule 1 shown in Figure 2, and the front plug 13 may contain capsule 1 shown in Figure 1. Each of the front plug 13 and the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain both capsule 1 shown in Figure 1 and capsule 1 shown in Figure 2.

[0101] The capsule 1 contained in the front plug 13 and the capsule 1 contained in the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain different active substances. For example, the capsule 1 contained in the front plug 13 may contain an aerosol generating substance as its active substance, while the capsule 1 contained in the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain nicotine. As another example, the capsule 1 contained in the front plug 13 may contain a flavoring substance as its active substance, while the capsule 1 contained in the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain an aerosol generating substance. However, it is not limited to this, and the capsule 1 contained in the front plug 13 and the capsule 1 contained in the aerosol generating rod 11 may contain the same active substance.

[0102] The capsule 1 contained in the front plug 13 and the capsule 1 contained in the aerosol generation rod 11 are capable of releasing the active substance at different times. For example, the capsule 1 contained in the front plug 13 releases the active substance at the beginning of the heating section, while the capsule 1 contained in the aerosol generation rod 11 is capable of releasing the active substance in the latter half of the heating section. Here, the "heating section" refers to the length of time from when the heater of the aerosol generation device (described later) starts heating until when it stops heating. Furthermore, the initial part of the overall heating section, for example, the length of time corresponding to about half of the heating section, corresponds to the "beginning of the heating section," and the remaining length of time corresponds to the "latter half of the heating section."

[0103] For example, the capsule 1 contained in the front plug 13 is designed to release the active substance before the capsule 1 contained in the aerosol generation rod 11. By having the upstream capsule 1 release the active substance before the downstream capsule 1, it is possible to prevent the problem of the active substances in the aerosol mixing.

[0104] For example, if capsule 1, which is positioned downstream, releases an active substance at the beginning of the heating section, and capsule 1, which is positioned upstream, releases an active substance in the latter half of the heating section, the active substance released in the latter half of the heating section may pass through capsule 1, which is positioned downstream, along with the aerosol. Therefore, a problem arises in which the active substance released in the latter half of the heating section mixes with the active substance released at the beginning of the heating section.

[0105] On the other hand, if capsule 1 positioned upstream releases the active substance at the beginning of the heating section, and capsule 1 positioned downstream releases the active substance in the latter half of the heating section, the active substance released in the latter half of the heating section does not pass through capsule 1 positioned downstream, thus preventing the problem of the active substances mixing with each other.

[0106] Figures 3 to 5 illustrate an example in which the aerosol product 10 has a rod shape, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the aerosol product may also have a sheet shape.

[0107] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a sheet-like aerosol product according to one embodiment. Referring to Figure 6, the sheet-like aerosol product 10 may have a circular cross-section when viewed perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. However, it is not limited to this, and may have polygonal shapes such as triangles, rectangles, squares, or pentagons.

[0108] The sheet-like aerosol product 10 may include an aerosol-generating substrate 16 and a plurality of capsules 1 already placed on the aerosol-generating substrate 16. The contents of the capsules 1 described in Figures 1 and 2 above may also apply to the capsules 1 in Figure 6.

[0109] The aerosol-generating substrate 16 is a solid object containing an aerosol-generating substance. Multiple capsules 1 can be placed inside the solid object containing the aerosol-generating substance. The solid object containing the aerosol-generating substance may contain tobacco material. For example, the solid object containing the aerosol-generating substance may be a single piece of tobacco solid.

[0110] For example, a tobacco solid can be produced by a manufacturing method comprising the steps of: preparing a tobacco composition comprising tobacco powder, a binder, and an aerosol-generating substance; inserting the tobacco composition into a sheet-like frame; and drying the tobacco composition inserted into the sheet-like frame.

[0111] The aerosol-generating substrate 16 may have a porous structure with multiple pores. For example, the aerosol-generating substrate 16 may contain porous tobacco solids. For example, the aerosol-generating substrate 16 may contain 200 m 2 / g or 1000m 2 It may have a specific surface area of ​​ / g. Furthermore, the aerosol generating substrate 16 is 300m 2 / g or 800m 2 It may have a specific surface area of ​​ / g.

[0112] Multiple capsules 1 can be added to the aerosol-generating substrate 16 by spraying. This allows the multiple capsules 1 to be placed on the outer surface of the aerosol-generating substrate 16. Alternatively, some of the multiple capsules 1 may be placed on the outer surface of the aerosol-generating substrate 16, while the remaining portion of the multiple capsules 1 may move into the interior of the aerosol-generating substrate 16 through multiple pores formed in the aerosol-generating substrate 16.

[0113] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the components of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0114] Referring to Figure 7, the aerosol generator 100 may include a heater 150, a coil 151, a battery 140, a sensing unit 120, and a control unit 110. However, it is not limited to these, and other general-purpose elements may be further included in the aerosol generator 100 in addition to the elements shown in Figure 7.

[0115] The aerosol generator 100 is capable of generating aerosols by heating the aerosol product 10 contained within the aerosol generator 100 using an induction heating method. The induction heating method refers to a method of generating heat in a magnetic material that generates heat in response to an external magnetic field by applying an alternating magnetic field whose direction changes periodically.

[0116] When an alternating magnetic field is applied to a magnetic material, energy loss occurs in the magnetic material due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss, and this lost energy can be released from the magnetic material as thermal energy. The larger the amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field applied to the magnetic material, the more thermal energy can be released from the magnetic material. The aerosol generator 100 is capable of transferring the thermal energy released from the magnetic material to the aerosol product 10 by causing the magnetic material to release thermal energy when an alternating magnetic field is applied to it.

[0117] A magnetic material that generates heat in response to an external magnetic field is a susceptor. The susceptor is provided in the aerosol generator 100 in the form of a section, slender section, or strip. For example, at least a portion of the heater 150 located inside the aerosol generator 100 may be made of susceptor material.

[0118] At least a portion of the susceptor material may be formed from a ferromagnetic material. For example, the susceptor material may contain metal or carbon. The susceptor material may contain at least one of ferrite, ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). The susceptor particles P may also contain at least one of ceramics such as graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, nickel alloy, and zirconia, transition metals such as nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co), and metalloids such as boron and phosphorus.

[0119] The aerosol generator 100 is capable of housing the aerosol product 10. The aerosol generator 100 may have a space for housing the aerosol product 10. A heater 150 may be placed in the space for housing the aerosol product 10. For example, the heater 150 may have a cylindrical housing space inside for housing the aerosol product 10. Therefore, when the aerosol product 10 is housed in the aerosol generator 100, the aerosol product 10 may be housed in the housing space of the heater 150.

[0120] The heater 150 can surround at least a portion of the outer surface of the aerosol product 10 housed in the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the heater 150 can surround the aerosol generating rod 11 contained in the aerosol product 10. This allows heat to be transferred more efficiently from the heater 150 to the aerosol generating rod 11.

[0121] The heater 150 is capable of heating the aerosol product 10 contained in the aerosol generator 100. As described above, the heater 150 is capable of heating the aerosol product 10 by induction heating. The heater 150 is equipped with a susceptor material that generates heat in response to an external magnetic field, and the aerosol generator 100 can apply an alternating magnetic field to the heater 150.

[0122] Coil 151 is provided in the aerosol generator 100. Coil 151 can apply an alternating magnetic field to heater 150. When power is supplied to coil 151 from the aerosol generator 100, a magnetic field can be formed inside coil 151. When an alternating current is applied to coil 151, the direction of the magnetic field formed inside coil 151 can be continuously changed. If heater 150 is located inside coil 151 and is exposed to an alternating magnetic field whose direction changes periodically, heater 150 will generate heat, and the aerosol product 10 contained in the heater 150's containment space may be heated.

[0123] The coil 151 may be wound along the outer surface of the heater 150. Alternatively, the coil 151 may be wound along the inner surface of the outer housing of the aerosol generator 100. The heater 150 may be located in the internal space formed by the winding of the coil 151. When power is supplied to the coil 151, the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil 151 may be applied to the heater 150.

[0124] The coil 151 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generator 100. The coil 151 may be extended to an appropriate length along the longitudinal direction. For example, the coil 151 may be extended to a length corresponding to the length of the heater 150, or to a length longer than the length of the heater 150.

[0125] The coil 151 can be positioned to suit the application of an alternating magnetic field to the heater 150. For example, the coil 151 can be positioned to correspond to the heater 150. The size and position of such a coil 151 can improve the efficiency of the application of the alternating magnetic field of the coil 151 to the heater 150.

[0126] If the amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field formed by the coil 151 is changed, the degree to which the heater 150 heats the aerosol product 10 may also be changed. Since the amplitude or frequency of the magnetic field from the coil 151 is changed by the power applied to the coil 151, the aerosol generator 100 is capable of controlling the heating of the aerosol product 10 by adjusting the power applied to the coil 151. For example, the aerosol generator 100 is capable of controlling the amplitude and frequency of the alternating current applied to the coil 151.

[0127] For example, coil 151 can be embodied as a solenoid. Coil 151 is a solenoid wound along the inner surface of the outer housing of the aerosol generator 100, and the heater 150 and the aerosol product 10 may be located in the internal space of the solenoid. The material of the conductor constituting the solenoid is copper (Cu). However, it is not limited to copper, and the material of the conductor constituting the solenoid may be an alloy containing one or at least one of silver (Ag), gold (Au), aluminum (Al), tungsten (W), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni).

[0128] The battery 140 is capable of supplying power to the aerosol generator 100. The battery 140 is capable of supplying power to the coil 151. The battery 140 may include a battery that supplies direct current to the aerosol generator 100 and a conversion unit that converts the direct current supplied from the battery into alternating current supplied to the coil 151.

[0129] Battery 140 is capable of supplying direct current to the aerosol generator 100. Battery 140 is a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, but is not limited to this. For example, the battery could be a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery, a lithium titanate battery, or a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery.

[0130] The conversion unit may include a low-pass filter that filters the DC supplied from the battery and outputs the AC supplied to the coil 151. The conversion unit may further include an amplifier for amplifying the DC supplied from the battery. For example, the conversion unit may be realized through a low-pass filter that constitutes the load network of a class-D amplifier.

[0131] The control unit 110 is capable of controlling the power supplied to the coil 151. The control unit 110 is capable of controlling the battery 140 so that the power supplied to the coil 151 is adjusted. For example, the control unit 110 can control the heater 150 to maintain a constant temperature at which it heats the aerosol product 10, based on the temperature of the heater 150.

[0132] Figure 8 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to another embodiment. The aerosol generator 100 may include a control unit 110, a sensing unit 120, an output unit 130, a battery 140, a heater 150, a user input unit 160, a memory 170, and a communication unit 180. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generator 100 is not limited to that shown in Figure 8. That is, it is possible for a person with ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment to understand that some of the components shown in Figure 8 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generator 100.

[0133] The sensing unit 120 senses the state of the aerosol generator 100 or the state of the area surrounding the aerosol generator 100, and is capable of transmitting the sensed information to the control unit 110. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 110 is capable of controlling the aerosol generator 100 to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater 150, restricting smoking, determining whether or not an aerosol product (e.g., cigarettes, cartridges, etc.) has been inserted, and displaying notifications.

[0134] The sensing unit 120 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the temperature sensor 122, insertion sensing sensor 124, and puff sensor 126. The temperature sensor 122 is capable of sensing the temperature at which the heater 150 (or the aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 100 may have a separate temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the heater 150, or the heater 150 itself may act as the temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 122 may be positioned around the battery 140 to monitor the temperature of the battery 140.

[0135] The insertion sensing sensor 124 is capable of sensing the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products. For example, the insertion sensing sensor 124 comprises at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and is capable of sensing signal changes due to the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products.

[0136] The puff sensor 126 is capable of detecting user puffs based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 126 can detect user puffs based on any one of the following: temperature changes, flow rate changes, voltage changes, and pressure changes.

[0137] In addition to the aforementioned sensors (122 to 126), the sensing unit 120 may further include at least one of the following: a temperature / humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), a proximity sensor, and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by an average engineer from its name, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0138] The output unit 130 is capable of outputting information regarding the status of the aerosol generator 100 and providing it to the user. The output unit 130 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a display unit 132, a haptic unit 134, and an acoustic output unit 136. When the display unit 132 and the touchpad form a layered structure to constitute a touchscreen, the display unit 132 can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0139] The display unit 132 is capable of visually providing the user with information regarding the aerosol generator 100. For example, the information regarding the aerosol generator 100 can include various types of information such as the charge / discharge status of the battery 140 of the aerosol generator 100, the preheating status of the heater 150, the insertion / removal status of aerosol products, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generator 100 is restricted (e.g., detection of abnormal items), and the display unit 132 is capable of outputting this information to the outside. The display unit 132 can be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), or an LED light-emitting element.

[0140] The haptic unit 134 converts electrical signals into mechanical or electrical stimuli, enabling it to provide the user with tactile information about the aerosol generator 100. For example, the haptic unit 134 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulator.

[0141] The acoustic output unit 136 is capable of providing the user with auditory information regarding the aerosol generator 100. For example, the acoustic output unit 136 is capable of converting electrical signals into acoustic signals and outputting them externally.

[0142] The battery 140 is capable of supplying power used to operate the aerosol generator 100. The battery 140 is capable of supplying power to heat the heater 150. The battery 140 is also capable of supplying power necessary for the operation of other components provided within the aerosol generator 100 (e.g., the sensing unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180). The battery 140 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 140 may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited to that.

[0143] The heater 150 is powered by the battery 140 and is capable of heating the aerosol-generating material. Although not shown in Figure 8, the aerosol generator 100 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power from the battery 140 and supplies it to the heater 150. Furthermore, if the aerosol generator 100 generates aerosols using an induction heating method, the aerosol generator 100 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power supply of the battery 140 into an AC power supply.

[0144] The control unit 110, sensing unit 120, output unit 130, user input unit 160, memory 170, and communication unit 180 can perform their functions by being powered by the battery 140. Although not shown in Figure 8, the system may further include a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, which converts the power from the battery 140 and supplies it to each component.

[0145] In one embodiment, the heater 150 may be formed from any suitable electrical resistant material. For example, suitable electrical resistant materials include, but are not limited to, metals or metal alloys comprising titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. The heater 150 may also be, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate with conductive tracks, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0146] In other embodiments, the heater 150 is also an induction heating heater. For example, the heater 150 may include a susceptor that heats the aerosol-generating substance by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

[0147] The user input unit 160 is capable of receiving information input by the user or outputting information to the user. For example, the user input unit 160 may include, but is not limited to, a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact-type capacitive type, pressure-type resistive type, infrared sensing type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. Although not shown in Figure 8, the aerosol generator 100 is also equipped with a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and is capable of connecting to other external devices via a connection interface such as a USB interface to send and receive information or charge the battery 840.

[0148] Memory 170 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generator 100, and is capable of storing data processed by the control unit 110 and data being processed. Memory 170 includes at least one type of recording medium from among flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. Memory 170 is capable of storing data such as the operating time of the aerosol generator 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data related to the user's smoking pattern.

[0149] The communication unit 180 includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 180 includes a short-range communication unit 182 and a wireless communication unit 184. The short-range wireless communication unit 182 includes, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth® communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee® communication unit, an infrared (IrDA: infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc.

[0150] The wireless communication unit 184 includes, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit. The wireless communication unit 184 is also capable of verifying and authenticating the aerosol generator 100 within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

[0151] The control unit 110 is capable of controlling the overall operation of the aerosol generator 100. In one embodiment, the control unit 110 comprises at least one processor. The processor may be embodied as an array of numerous logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. It is also possible for those with ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs to understand that it may be embodied by other forms of hardware.

[0152] The control unit 110 is capable of controlling the temperature of the heater 150 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 140 to the heater 150. For example, the control unit 110 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching element between the battery 140 and the heater 150. As another example, the control unit 110 can also control the power supply to the heater 150 by a control command from the direct heating circuit.

[0153] The control unit 110 analyzes the results sensed by the sensing unit 120 and is capable of controlling subsequent processing. For example, based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 120, the control unit 110 can control the power supplied to the heater 150 so that the heater 150 starts or stops operating. As another example, based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 120, the control unit 110 can control the amount of power supplied to the heater 150 and the power supply time so that the heater 150 is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintains an appropriate temperature.

[0154] The control unit 110 is capable of controlling the output unit 130 based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 120. For example, if the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 126 reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 110 can notify the user that the aerosol generator 100 will soon shut down through at least one of the display unit 132, the haptic unit 134, and the acoustic output unit 136.

[0155] The aforementioned embodiments of the present invention, or other embodiments, are not mutually exclusive or distinguishable from each other. The aforementioned embodiments of the present invention, or other embodiments, may be used in combination or in combination with each other in terms of their respective configurations or functions.

[0156] For example, it means that a configuration B described in a different embodiment and / or drawing may be combined with a configuration A described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing. In other words, even if the combination of configurations is not directly described, it means that the combination is possible unless it is stated that the combination is impossible.

[0157] The above detailed description should not be interpreted restrictively in any way, but should be considered illustrative. The scope of the invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention are included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A capsule for aerosol products that releases an active substance when exposed to an alternating magnetic field, wherein the capsule is A core comprising the aforementioned active substance, The shell surrounding the aforementioned core, It is equipped with, At least one of the core and the shell comprises at least one susceptor particle that is heated by exposure to the alternating magnetic field. capsule.

2. The active substance comprises one or more substances selected from the group consisting of nicotine, caffeine, cannabinoids, aerosol-producing substances, and flavoring substances. The capsule according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned shell comprises a lipid bilayer. The capsule according to claim 1.

4. At least a portion of the surface of the susceptor particle is coated with one or more substances selected from the group consisting of lipids, oleic acid, starch, and silica. The capsule according to claim 1.

5. The capsule has a diameter of 1 μm to 50 μm. The capsule according to claim 1.

6. The susceptor particles have a diameter of 1 nm to 100 nm. The capsule according to claim 1.

7. The shell comprises a plurality of the susceptor particles, The shell comprises a membrane material in which a plurality of the susceptor particles are dispersed and arranged. The capsule according to claim 1.

8. The aforementioned film material comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, silica, aluminum hydroxide, titanium dioxide, and calcium carbonate. The capsule according to claim 7.

9. The sum of the weights of the multiple susceptor particles is 5% to 10% by weight of the total weight of the film material. The capsule according to claim 7.

10. The ratio of the weight of the active substance to the weight of the shell is 7:3 to 4:

6. The capsule according to claim 1.

11. The aforementioned shell has a thickness of 100 nm to 500 nm. The capsule according to claim 1.

12. Aerosol product, wherein the aerosol product is The capsule according to claim 1 comprises an aerosol-generating substance that generates an aerosol when heated, Aerosol products.

13. The aerosol product comprises a plurality of the capsules, The difference between the diameter of the capsule and the average diameter of the multiple capsules is -10% to 10% of the average diameter of the multiple capsules. The aerosol product according to claim 12.

14. The aerosol product is, an aerosol generating rod comprising the aerosol generating substance and the capsule, A filter rod is positioned downstream of the aerosol generating rod, It is equipped with The aerosol product according to claim 12.

15. an aerosol generation system, wherein the aerosol generation system is The aerosol product according to claim 12, An aerosol generating apparatus comprising a containment space into which the aerosol product is inserted and an alternating magnetic field is applied to the containment space, An aerosol generation system equipped with [the following features].

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