Nicotine granules containing capsules, a method for producing the same, and an aerosol generating article containing the same

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides nicotine granules having a core-shell structure, wherein the core comprises a capsule containing a base solution, and the shell comprises a nicotine raw material, and provides nicotine granules and a method for producing the same.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to nicotine granules containing capsules, a method for manufacturing the same, and aerosol generating articles containing the same.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for articles replacing traditional cigarettes has been increasing. For example, the demand for devices that generate aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette stick (e.g., cigarette-shaped electronic cigarettes) has been increasing. Accordingly, research on electrically heated aerosol generating devices and cigarette sticks (or aerosol generating articles) applied thereto has been underway. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a non-combustible flavor inhaler, a flavor source unit, and an atomization unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object according to one embodiment is to provide a method for manufacturing nicotine granules that saves the manufacturing process time of seed granules and reduces the production time and cost of the granules, and nicotine granules formed therefrom.

[0005] An object according to one embodiment is to provide an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating system including the same that can amplify the nicotine transfer amount according to the choice of a consumer and can arbitrarily provide various taste intensities with one aerosol generating article.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides nicotine granules having a core-shell structure, wherein the core comprises a capsule containing a base solution, and the shell comprises a nicotine raw material.

[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an aerosol generating article comprising a medium and one or more filter sections, wherein the medium section contains the nicotine granules. A further embodiment of the present invention provides a method for producing nicotine granules including capsules, comprising: a capsule manufacturing step (S10) of manufacturing capsules containing a base solution inside; a curing step (S20) of curing the capsules; and a granule forming step (S30) of spraying nicotine raw material onto the outside of the capsules manufactured in the curing step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] A method for producing nicotine granules according to one embodiment of the present invention omits the seed formation step of making beads without existing adhesives, and instead reduces the production time and cost of the granules. The produced nicotine granules contain a base solution inside, and the amount of nicotine transferred can be easily increased by rubbing the granules according to the consumer's choice, and various flavor intensities can be arbitrarily provided with a single aerosol generating article.

[0009] An aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating system containing the same, according to one embodiment, do not require heating of the aerosol generating article and can minimize instability caused by free nicotine due to pH adjustment.

[0010] Furthermore, aerosol-generating items can be used immediately without preheating the device, sufficient nicotine transfer can be ensured even in non-heating mode to satisfy the user's smoking satisfaction, and using it in non-heating mode can be expected to extend the device's lifespan.

[0011] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, but should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the detailed description of the present invention or the configuration of the invention as described in the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] The following drawings accompanying this specification illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further illustrate the technical idea of ​​the invention; therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited solely to what is shown in such drawings. [Figure 1] This is a step-by-step flowchart of a method for producing nicotine granules according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure schematically shows the structure of an aerosol generating article according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure schematically shows an aerosol generating system in which an aerosol generating article is coupled to an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. However, various modifications can be made to the embodiments, and the scope of the rights is not limited or restricted by these embodiments. All modifications, equivalents, or substitutions to the embodiments should be understood to be included within the scope of the rights.

[0014] The terms used in the embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “includes” or “has” should be understood as specifying the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and not as preemptively excluding the presence or possibility of adding one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0015] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the context of the related art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless clearly defined in this application.

[0016] Also, in describing with reference to the accompanying drawings, regardless of the reference numerals, the same components are denoted by the same reference signs, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted. When it is determined that a detailed description of related known art may obscure the gist of the embodiments, the detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0017] Furthermore, when describing the components of the embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. can be used. These terms are for distinguishing the components from other components, and the essence, order, or sequence of the corresponding components is not limited by these terms. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "joined" to another component, that component can be directly connected or joined to the other component, but it should be understood that another component can be "connected", "coupled", or "joined" between each component.

[0018] Components including functions common to components included in any of the embodiments are described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, the descriptions given in any of the embodiments are applicable to other embodiments, and specific descriptions within the overlapping scope are omitted.

[0019] In the following embodiments, the "humectant" can mean a substance that can facilitate the formation of visible smoke and / or aerosol. Examples of humectants include, but are not limited to, glycerin (GLY), propylene glycol (PG), ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. In the art, humectants can be used interchangeably with terms such as aerosol forming agents, wetting agents, etc.

[0020] In the following embodiments, the "aerosol forming substrate" can mean a substance that can form an aerosol. The aerosol can contain volatile compounds. The aerosol forming substrate can be solid or liquid. For example, the solid aerosol forming substrate can include solid substances based on tobacco raw materials such as cut tobacco, tobacco granules, reconstituted tobacco, etc. Reconstituted tobacco can be classified into slurry-type sheet tobacco and paper-type sheet tobacco according to its manufacturing method. The liquid aerosol forming substrate can include liquid composition substances based on nicotine, tobacco extracts, and / or various flavoring agents. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0021] In the following embodiments, the "aerosol generating article" can mean an article that contains an aerosol forming substrate, i.e., an article through which the aerosol passes as the medium, and nicotine contained in the medium is transferred. A typical example of an aerosol generating article is a cigarette, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0022] In the following embodiments, the "aerosol generating device" can mean a device that generates an aerosol using an aerosol forming substrate in order to generate an aerosol that can be directly inhaled into the user's lungs through the user's mouth.

[0023] In the following embodiments, "upstream" or "upstream direction" may mean the direction away from the user's (smoker's) mouth, and "downstream" or "downstream direction" may mean the direction towards the user's mouth. The terms upstream and downstream are used to describe the relative positions of the elements constituting the aerosol generating article.

[0024] In the following embodiments, "puff" means inhalation by the user, and inhalation means a situation in which the substance is drawn into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose.

[0025] Figure 1 is a step-by-step flowchart of the nicotine granule manufacturing process according to one embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, a method for producing nicotine granules according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of: producing capsules (S10); hardening the produced capsules (S20); and forming granules using the hardened capsules (S30).

[0026] This configuration allows for the efficient production of nicotine granules without the time-consuming seed formation process required in granule manufacturing using fluidized bed equipment, thereby reducing both production time and costs.

[0027] To describe each component, first, the capsule manufacturing step (S10) of this embodiment involves forming a core (capsule) that encloses a base solution among nicotine granules forming a core-shell structure, and may include steps such as forming a core of base solution (S11), coating with a hydrophobic substance (S12), and coating with a new aqueous substance (S13).

[0028] First, the step of forming a core of the base solution (S11) may involve immersing microspheres of the base solution in a low-temperature liquid such as liquid nitrogen, thereby cooling the base solution to the low-temperature liquid and forming a spherical core. At this time, the time the base solution is immersed in the low-temperature liquid can be about 5 seconds to about 15 seconds, and a spherical core is best formed within this range. On the other hand, the base solution used during core formation may contain at least one of the following substances: potassium carbonate (K2CO3), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), or calcium oxide (CaO), and the substances contained in the base solution are not limited to the examples described above.

[0029] The step of coating with a hydrophobic substance (S12) may involve immersing the previously formed base solution core in the hydrophobic substance to coat the entire surface of the core. The hydrophobic substance is not limited in type as long as it can withstand the base solution and adhere well to the surface of the core, since it can come into direct contact with the base solution. Specifically, it may include one or more selected from the group consisting of paraffin wax, embed, crystal palm, multi-wax, carnauba wax, candelia wax, castor wax, microcrytallin wax, gel wax, beeswax, stearic acid, and polyethylene wax. Furthermore, the composition and blending ratio of the hydrophobic substance can be varied depending on the selection of the base solution. The hydrophobic substance can be placed in a container at a temperature of approximately 80°C to 140°C, and the core can be placed in the container to coat the surface of the core with the hydrophobic substance. Within this range, the hydrophobic substance can adhere best to the surface of the core. The time the core is immersed in the hydrophobic substance may be approximately 0.5 seconds to 3 seconds, and within this range, the hydrophobic substance can adhere best to the surface of the core.

[0030] Subsequently, in the step of coating with a new aqueous substance (S13), the core coated with the previously formed hydrophobic substance can be placed in the new aqueous substance to coat the entire surface of the coated hydrophobic substance. The new aqueous substance is not limited in any way as long as it adheres well to the surface of the hydrophobic substance and allows the nicotine raw material slurry described later to be layered well, but specifically it can include one or more selected from the group consisting of sodium alginate, carrageenan, gelatin, agar, and gum. Furthermore, the physical properties of the coated new aqueous substance can be adjusted by the composition and mixing ratio of the new aqueous substance. The new aqueous substance can be kept in a container at room temperature, and the core coated with the hydrophobic substance can be placed in the container to coat it with the new aqueous substance. At this temperature range, the new aqueous substance can adhere best to the surface of the hydrophobic substance. The time the core coated with the hydrophobic material is immersed in the new aqueous material may be approximately 0.5 seconds to approximately 10 seconds, and within this range, the new aqueous material can adhere best to the surface of the hydrophobic material.

[0031] The capsule manufacturing steps described above allow for the production of initial capsules, i.e., seed material capable of forming nicotine granules. In other words, this makes it possible to easily obtain initial capsules with a size of 30 mesh or less, i.e., a size of approximately 595 μm or larger, that can form nicotine granules, without the use of adhesives. By producing initial capsules of the above size, the production time and cost of granules can be reduced more effectively.

[0032] Furthermore, as described above, by including a base solution inside the capsule, the medium containing the nicotine granules formed from it can be rubbed to cause a reaction deep within the granules, thereby maximizing the amount of nicotine transferred. If the user wishes to use the product without maximizing the amount of nicotine transferred, they can simply use it without rubbing the medium, giving the user the advantage of being able to select and adjust the amount of nicotine transferred.

[0033] On the other hand, the curing step (S20) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a step of curing the capsules manufactured in the capsule manufacturing step (S10), and the capsules can be cured using ethanol or the like. This makes it possible to obtain capsules with a desired hardness and also prevents moisture absorption of the capsules.

[0034] The granule formation step (S30) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a step of spraying a nicotine raw material onto the outside of a capsule that has undergone the hardening step, using the capsule as a seed, wherein the nicotine raw material may be formed by crushing tobacco leaves.

[0035] Specifically, the process involves spraying a slurry obtained by crushing nicotine-containing tobacco leaves onto the surface of the capsule, allowing the nicotine raw material to accumulate on the capsule surface and grow in size. The nicotine raw material and other materials accumulated on the capsule surface in this way form a shell with a core-shell structure. After that, nicotine granules of the desired size can be obtained through a size sorting process.

[0036] On the other hand, by further spraying a base solution onto the surface of the completed nicotine granules, pH-treated nicotine granules can be formed in which the pH of the nicotine granules is between 7.0 and 9.5. By performing pH treatment as described above, free nicotine (nicotine in a gaseous state) can be transferred from the medium substrate even under non-heating conditions or relatively low temperature conditions. In other words, by adjusting the pH of the nicotine granules in the medium to within the range of 7.0 to 9.5, volatile free nicotine can be transferred under non-heating conditions, and a sufficient level of flavor intensity can be achieved.

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an aerosol generating article according to one embodiment of the present invention. Nicotine granules produced by one embodiment of the present invention can be contained in a medium and ultimately in an aerosol generating article comprising the medium and one or more filter sections.

[0038] Referring to Figure 2, an aerosol generating article 12 according to one embodiment may include a medium section 122, a first filter section 121, a second filter section 123, and a trumpet 125. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 12 may be packaged by at least one flaps 125. The flaps may have at least one hole through which external air enters or internal gases exit. The flaps 125 may be made of a material with high thermal conductivity.

[0039] For example, the first filter section 121 may be packaged by the first trumpet 1251, the medium section 122 by the second trumpet 1252, and the second filter section 123 by the third trumpet 1253. The entire aerosol generating article 12 may then be repackaged by the fourth trumpet 1254.

[0040] In one embodiment, the first flaps 1251, the second flaps 1252, and the third flaps 1253 may be made of porous paper. For example, the porosity of each of the first flaps 1251, the second flaps 1252, and the third flaps 1253 may be 35,000 CU, but is not limited to these values. Also, the thickness of each of the first flaps 1251, the second flaps 1252, and the third flaps 1253 may be within the range of 70 μm to 80 μm. Furthermore, the basis weight of each of the first flaps 1251, the second flaps 1252, and the third flaps 1253 may be 20 g / m². 2 ~25g / m 2 It may be included within the range.

[0041] For example, the second wrapper 1252 may contain an aluminum component. For instance, the second wrapper 1252 may be made by bonding a metal foil, such as aluminum foil, to a general filter wrapping paper. Alternatively, the second wrapper 1252 may be made from sterile paper (MFW).

[0042] In one embodiment, the third flaps 1253 may be made of PLA laminate. Here, PLA laminate means triple-layered paper including a paper layer, a PLA layer, and a paper layer. For example, the thickness of the third flaps 1253 may be within the range of 100 μm to 120 μm. Furthermore, the basis weight of the third flaps 1253 is 80 g / m². 2 ~100g / m 2 It may be included within the range.

[0043] In one embodiment, the fourth flap 1254 may be made of sterile paper (MFW). For example, the basis weight of the fourth flap 1254 is 57 g / m². 2 ~63g / m 2 It may fall within the range. Also, the thickness of the fourth trumpet 1254 may fall within the range of 64 μm to 70 μm.

[0044] In one embodiment, the first filter section 121 may be composed of a cellulose acetate filter. Alternatively, the first filter section 121 may be composed of a paper filter, a porous molded product, or the like. For example, the length of the first filter section 121 may be 4 to 15 mm, but is not limited to these dimensions. Furthermore, the first filter section 121 may be colored or fragranced.

[0045] In one embodiment, the medium portion 122 may include a cavity, and the cavity may be filled with a medium. For example, the medium substrate filled in the medium portion 122 may include nicotine granules produced by the method for producing nicotine granules described in detail earlier. For example, the length of the medium portion 122 is taken to be an appropriate length within the range of 6 mm to 18 mm, but is not limited to these.

[0046] Generally, nicotine granules have significantly lower moisture and / or aerosol-forming agent content than other types of tobacco substances (e.g., shredded tobacco, recombined tobacco, etc.), which can greatly reduce the generation of visible smoke, thereby easily achieving the smokeless function of the aerosol generator 11. However, the diameter, density, packing rate, composition ratio of constituent materials, heating temperature, etc. of the nicotine granules vary and can change depending on the embodiment. The diameter of the nicotine granules may be approximately 0.3 mm to 1.2 mm. Within this numerical range, appropriate hardness and ease of manufacture of the tobacco granules can be ensured, and the probability of vortex generation within the cavity can be increased.

[0047] Furthermore, the medium 122 may contain an aerosol-generating substance such as glycerin. In addition, the medium 122 may contain other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. Moreover, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a humectant can be added to the medium 122 by spraying it.

[0048] In one embodiment, the medium in the medium section 122 may include pH-treated nicotine granules. For example, the nicotine granules can be pH-treated to be basic with a pH adjusting agent such as a base solution, and may include at least one of the following substances: potassium carbonate (K2CO3), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), or calcium oxide (CaO). However, the substances included in the pH adjusting agent are not limited to the examples above, and substances that produce less negative odor during smoking may be used. The pH adjusting agent, such as a base solution, can increase the pH of the medium substrate contained in the medium section 122. Compared to a medium substrate that is not treated with a pH adjusting agent such as a base solution, the medium substrate containing basic pH-treated nicotine granules releases more nicotine when heated. That is, in the case of a basic pH-treated medium substrate, a sufficient nicotine yield can be achieved even when the medium section 122 is heated at a low temperature.

[0049] In one embodiment, the pH of the nicotine granules may be adjusted to a range of 7.0 to 9.5. By performing this pH treatment, free nicotine can be transferred from the medium substrate even under non-heating conditions or relatively low temperature conditions. That is, by adjusting the pH of the medium substrate in the medium section 122 to a range of 7.0 to 9.5, volatile free nicotine can be transferred under non-heating conditions, and a sufficient level of flavor intensity can be achieved.

[0050] In one embodiment, the first filter section and / or the second filter section may be manufactured from a cellulose acetate filter section and may further contain a plasticizer such as triacetin (TA) or triethyl citrate (TEC). This allows the free nicotine in the medium section to be adsorbed onto at least one of the first and second filter sections.

[0051] In one embodiment, a tube filter may be connected to the downstream side of the medium portion 122 of the aerosol generating article 12. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an aerosol generating system in which an aerosol generating article is coupled to an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0052] Referring to Figure 3, an aerosol generating system 1 according to one embodiment may include an aerosol generating device 11 and an aerosol generating article 12. Referring to Figure 3, an aerosol generator 11 according to one embodiment may include a battery 111, a control unit 112, a vaporizer 113, and an elongated cavity 114.

[0053] The aerosol generator 11 shown in Figure 3 only shows the components relevant to this embodiment. Therefore, a person with ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment will understand that the aerosol generator 11 may also include other general-purpose components in addition to those shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, the aerosol generator 11 may be in stick form or holder form.

[0054] In one embodiment, the battery 111 can supply power used to operate the aerosol generator 11. For example, the battery 111 can supply current to the vaporizer 113 so that the vaporizer 113 can heat the liquid composition. The battery 111 can also supply the power necessary for the operation of displays, sensors, motors, etc., provided in the aerosol generator 11.

[0055] In one embodiment, the battery 111 may be a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, but is not limited to the examples described above. For example, the battery 111 may be a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery, a lithium titanate battery, or a lithium-ion battery.

[0056] For example, the battery 111 may be cylindrical with a diameter of 10 mm and a length of 37 mm, but is not limited thereto. For example, the capacity of the battery 111 may be in the range of 120 mAh to 250 mAh, but is not limited thereto. The battery 111 may also be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, if the battery 111 is rechargeable, the charge rate (C-rate) of the battery 111 may be 10C and the discharge rate (C-rate) may be 10C to 20C, but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, for static use, the battery 111 may be manufactured so that more than 80% of its total capacity is maintained even after 2000 charge / discharge cycles.

[0057] In one embodiment, the control unit 112 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generator 11. Specifically, the control unit 112 controls the operation of not only the battery 111 and the vaporizer 113, but also other components included in the aerosol generator 11. The control unit 112 can also check the status of each component of the aerosol generator 11 and determine whether or not the aerosol generator 11 is in an operational state.

[0058] In one embodiment, the control unit 112 includes at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory containing a program executed by the microprocessor. It will be understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs that it may also be implemented as other forms of hardware.

[0059] In one embodiment, the vaporizer 113 can heat a liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and can release the generated aerosol towards an aerosol generating article 12 inserted into an elongated cavity 114, so that the generated aerosol passes through the aerosol generating article 12. Thus, tobacco flavor can be added to the aerosol that has passed through the aerosol generating article 12, and the user can inhale the tobacco-flavored aerosol by inhaling one end of the aerosol generating article 12 with their mouth. In one embodiment, the vaporizer 113 may be referred to as a cartomizer or atomizer. In one embodiment, the vaporizer 113 may be reversibly coupled to the aerosol generating device 11.

[0060] In one embodiment, the aerosol generator 11 may further include a heater. In the aerosol generating article 12 according to one embodiment, nicotine can be transferred even under non-heating conditions. Furthermore, in the low-temperature heating mode using the heater, nicotine transfer can be promoted and the amount of nicotine transferred can be increased. The low-temperature heating mode using the heater can achieve a higher level of flavor intensity compared to the non-heating mode, and the amount of nicotine transferred can be easily adjusted by using the non-heating mode and the low-temperature heating mode.

[0061] The heater can be heated by power supplied from the battery 111. For example, when the aerosol generating article 12 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 11, the heater can be located outside the aerosol generating article 12. Thus, the heated heater can raise the temperature of the aerosol generating substance inside the aerosol generating article 12.

[0062] For example, the heater may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater may be heated by the flow of current through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater is not limited to the above examples and can be any heater that heats up to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may already be set in the aerosol generator 11, or it may be set to a desired temperature by the user.

[0063] On the other hand, as another example, the heater may be an induction heater. Specifically, the heater may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the aerosol generating article 12 in an induction heating manner, and the aerosol generating article 12 may include a susceptor that is heated by the induction heater.

[0064] For example, the heater may include tubular heat transfer elements, plate-shaped heat transfer elements, needle-shaped heat transfer elements, or rod-shaped heat transfer elements, and the pattern of the heat transfer elements can heat the inside or outside of the aerosol generating article 12.

[0065] Furthermore, the aerosol generator 11 may have multiple heaters. In this case, the multiple heaters may be arranged so as to be inserted inside the aerosol generating article 12, or they may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article 12. Alternatively, some of the multiple heaters may be arranged so as to be inserted inside the aerosol generating article 12, and the rest may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article 12.

[0066] In one embodiment, the elongated cavity 114 may contain an aerosol-generating article 12. In one embodiment, a heater can heat the aerosol-generating article contained in the elongated cavity 114 by being positioned to surround the outer surface of the elongated cavity 114. In one embodiment, the heater may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the outer surface of the elongated cavity 114.

[0067] On the other hand, the aerosol generator 11 may include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 111, control unit 112, vaporizer 113, and elongated cavity 114. For example, the aerosol generator 11 may include a sensing unit, output unit, user input unit, memory, and communication unit.

[0068] In one embodiment, the aerosol generator 11 may include a vaporizer 113 and an elongated cavity 114 arranged in series or parallel. Referring to Figure 3, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 113 flows into the elongated cavity 114 via the airflow passage in the aerosol generator 11 and can pass through the aerosol generating article 12. Therefore, tobacco flavor or nicotine can be added to the aerosol that has passed through the aerosol generating article 12, and the user can inhale the tobacco flavor or nicotine-added aerosol by inhaling one end of the aerosol generating article 12 with their mouth.

[0069] A vaporizer 113 according to one embodiment may include a liquid storage section, a liquid transmission means, a heating element, and an airflow passage. Each component of the vaporizer 113 may be made of polycarbonate, but is not limited thereto.

[0070] In one embodiment, the liquid storage unit can store a liquid composition that generates an aerosol when heated. In one embodiment, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance that includes a volatile tobacco flavor component, and in another embodiment, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance. Furthermore, the liquid composition can store a liquid with a volume of 0.1 to 2.0 mL, but is not limited to these values. The liquid storage unit may also be interchangeably coupled within the vaporizer 113.

[0071] For example, the liquid composition may include water, ethanol, plant extracts, fragrances, flavoring agents, or vitamin mixtures. The fragrances may include, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit flavor components. The flavoring agents may include components that provide the user with a variety of flavors or aromas. The vitamin mixture may contain, but is not limited to, at least one of vitamins A, B, C, and E. Furthermore, the liquid composition may include aerosol-forming agents such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0072] In one embodiment, the liquid transfer means can transfer the liquid composition of the liquid storage unit to the heating element. In one embodiment, the liquid transfer means may be a wick made of cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, porous ceramics, etc., and can transfer the liquid composition of the liquid storage unit to the heating element using capillary action.

[0073] In one embodiment, the heating element is an element for heating a liquid composition transmitted by a liquid transfer means, and can be a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, a ceramic heater, etc. Furthermore, the heating element may be composed of a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire, and may be arranged in a structure that is wound around the liquid transfer means. The heating element can be heated by supplying an electric current, and heat can be transferred to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol can be generated.

[0074] In one embodiment, the airflow passage may be arranged to release the generated aerosol toward the inserted aerosol generating article 12. That is, the aerosol generated by the heating element can be released through the airflow passage.

[0075] In one embodiment, the control unit 112 can control the temperature of the heating element by controlling the current supplied to the heating element. Therefore, the control unit 112 can control the amount of aerosol generated from the liquid composition by controlling the current supplied to the heating element. Furthermore, the control unit 112 can control the supply of current to the heating element for a pre-set time when a user puff is detected. For example, the control unit 112 can control the supply of current to the heating element for 1 to 5 seconds from the time a user puff is detected.

[0076] In one embodiment, the control unit 112 can control the amount of aerosol released from the vaporizer 113 by controlling the opening and closing state of the airflow passage. Specifically, the control unit 112 can increase the amount of aerosol released from the vaporizer 113 by increasing the size of the gap in the airflow passage, or decrease the amount of aerosol released from the vaporizer 113 by decreasing the size of the gap in the airflow passage. For example, the control unit 112 can control the gap in the airflow passage using a dial.

[0077] In one embodiment, if the liquid composition in the liquid storage unit is less than a previously set amount, the control unit 112 can inform the user via a vibration motor or display that the liquid composition is insufficient.

[0078] In one embodiment, the control unit 112 can control the temperature at which the heater heats the aerosol generating article 12. For example, the control unit 112 can adjust the temperature at which the heater heats the medium portion.

[0079] In one embodiment, the control unit 112 can control the heater between a non-heating mode and a low-temperature heating mode. In the non-heating mode, the heater may not heat the aerosol generating article 12, and in this case, the medium may not be heated. In the low-temperature heating mode, the heater may heat the aerosol generating article 12 at a low temperature of 0 degrees Celsius or more and 150 degrees Celsius or less. In this case, the medium may be heated at a low temperature of 0 degrees Celsius or more and 150 degrees Celsius or less.

[0080] The flavor intensity can be adjusted by switching the aerosol generating article 12 between a non-heating mode and a low-temperature heating mode. In the non-heating mode, the amount of nicotine transferred in the medium is relatively low, and the flavor intensity may be relatively low. In the low-temperature heating mode, compared to the non-heating mode, the amount of nicotine transferred in the medium is relatively high, and the flavor intensity may be relatively high. Therefore, in the low-temperature heating mode, sufficient flavor intensity can be ensured without increasing the pH of the medium.

[0081] The above-described embodiments are illustrative only, and a person with ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention should be defined by the attached claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to that described in the claims should be interpreted as being included within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0082] Any features and modes of the aforementioned embodiments may be combined with any other features and modes of embodiments, provided that this does not result in an obvious technical conflict.

Claims

1. Nicotine granules having a core-shell structure, The core contains a capsule containing a base solution. The shell contains nicotine raw materials. Nicotine granules.

2. The nicotine granules according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the membrane material of the capsule is composed of a hydrophobic substance.

3. The nicotine granules according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the membrane material of the capsule is composed of a new aqueous substance.

4. The nicotine granules according to claim 1, wherein the size of the capsule is 30 mesh or less.

5. It includes a medium section and one or more filter sections, The medium portion is an aerosol generating article containing nicotine granules as described in claim 1.

6. The aerosol generating article according to claim 5, wherein the nicotine granules include nicotine granules that have been pH-treated so that the pH is 7.0 or higher and 9.5 or lower.

7. The aerosol generating article according to claim 5, wherein the filter portion is adsorbed by the transfer of free nicotine released from the medium portion.

8. The aerosol generating article according to claim 5, further comprising a tube filter downstream of the medium portion.

9. The filter portion contains cellulose acetate (CA), The aerosol generating article according to claim 5, comprising one or more plasticizers selected from the group consisting of triacetin and triethyl citrate (TEC).

10. A method for producing nicotine granules including capsules, Capsule manufacturing step (S10): Manufacturing a capsule containing a base solution inside; A curing step (S20) to harden the capsule; and Granule formation step (S30): Spraying nicotine raw material onto the outside of the capsule manufactured in the hardening step; A method for producing nicotine granules, including the method described above.

11. The capsule manufacturing step (S10) is, Step (S11) to form a core of the base solution; Step (S12) of coating the outside of the core with a hydrophobic substance; and Step (S13): Coating the outside of the core coated with a hydrophobic material with a new aqueous material; A method for producing nicotine granules according to claim 10, including the method described in claim 10.

12. A method for producing nicotine granules according to claim 10, further comprising the step of spraying a base solution onto granules produced from the granule formation step.

13. The method for producing nicotine granules according to claim 10, wherein the size of the capsule is 30 mesh or less.

14. The method for producing nicotine granules according to claim 10, wherein the nicotine raw material is formed by crushing tobacco leaves.

15. The method for producing nicotine granules according to claim 10, wherein the granule formation step includes a process of increasing the size of the granules by layering tobacco medium raw materials on the capsule in a fluidized bed granulator.

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