Aerosol generating products and aerosol generating systems

Abstract

An aerosol generating product and an aerosol generating system, wherein the aerosol generating product comprises a coating layer (10), a medium step (20), and a support member (30), the medium step (20) having at least one airway hole (20a) inside, the airway hole (20a) penetrating at least one end of the medium step (20), the medium step (20) being used to generate an aerosol by being heated, the support member (30) being located at the far lip end along the longitudinal direction of the medium step (20) and used to lock and fit with the medium step (20), and the coating layer (10) covering the outside of the medium step (20) and the support member (30) along the longitudinal direction. The locking fit between the support member (30) and the medium step (20) reduces the probability that the medium step (20) of the aerosol generating product will shrink and deform after heating and detach from the coating layer (10). Furthermore, the support member (30) can adjust the suction resistance to reduce the probability that the condensate generated after aerosol condensation will leak out of the aerosol generating product.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] (Cross - reference to related applications) The present invention claims the priority of a Chinese patent application with an application number of 202310926806.2 and an invention title of "Aerosol - generating product and aerosol - generating system", which was filed with the Chinese Patent Office on July 26, 2023, and all the contents of the Chinese patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of atomization technology, and particularly to aerosol - generating products and aerosol - generating systems.

Background Art

[0003] In recent years, with the promotion of the global anti - smoking campaign, new types of tobacco products represented by non - combustible heated tobacco products have been increasingly popular among users. [[ID=--]]

[0004] Non - combustible heated tobacco products are also called aerosol - generating products, and a medium section made of an aerosol - generating substrate is provided inside them. Aerosol - generating products are usually used in combination with an aerosol - generating device. The heating member in the aerosol - generating device heats the medium section to raise the temperature to a sufficient level to atomize and generate aerosol without combustion. The aerosol is discharged from the aerosol - generating device and provided for the user to inhale.

[0005] During use or transportation, the medium section may be deformed and detached due to factors such as temperature changes and external vibrations.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In view of the above, an embodiment of the present invention aims to provide an aerosol - generating product and an aerosol - generating system that can reduce the probability of the medium section falling off.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention are realized as follows.

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention provide an aerosol generating product, the aerosol generating product comprising a coating layer, a medium step portion, and a support member, The medium step portion is provided with at least one airway hole, the airway hole penetrates at least one end of the medium step portion, and the medium step portion is used to be heated to generate an aerosol. The support member is located at the distal lip end along the longitudinal direction of the medium step and is used to lock and fit with the medium step. The covering layer covers the outer surface of the medium step and the support member along the longitudinal direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the medium step portion has a first end face at the distal lip end along the longitudinal direction, and the support member is used to lock and fit with the first end face.

[0010] In some embodiments, the support member comprises a cylindrical body, and both the outer surface of the cylindrical body and the outer surface of the medium step portion are in close contact with the inner wall of the inner surface of the coating layer.

[0011] In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the cylindrical body is 5 mm or more.

[0012] In some embodiments, the support member includes a locking member, which is provided inside the cylindrical body and connected to the cylindrical body.

[0013] In some embodiments, the locking members are rib-shaped, there are multiple locking members, one end of each locking member is connected to the others, the other end is connected to the cylindrical body, and the multiple locking members are distributed radially from the center of the cylindrical body.

[0014] In some embodiments, the locking member is a fiber filtration structure, which is filled into the inner space of the cylindrical body and fixed to the inner wall of the cylindrical body.

[0015] In some embodiments, the locking member has a sieve-like structure.

[0016] In some embodiments, the support member is a single, integral structure and has a columnar shape, and the support member is provided with a plurality of first airflow holes penetrating along its longitudinal direction, and a plurality of airway holes are provided in the medium step, and the airway holes penetrate at least the end of the medium step facing the support member, and the first airflow holes and the airway holes are in communication.

[0017] In some embodiments, the support member is a membrane structure having a ventilation function.

[0018] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating product comprises a functional step, the functional step comprises a cooling step and a filtration step, the cooling step and the filtration step are provided within the coating layer and are located on the near-lip end side along the longitudinal direction of the medium step, and / or, the functional step portion comprises two cooling steps, the two cooling steps provided within the coating layer and located on the near-lip end side along the longitudinal direction of the medium step portion, and / or, the functional step portion comprises two filtration steps, the two filtration steps provided within the coating layer and located on the near-lip end side along the longitudinal direction of the medium step portion.

[0019] In some embodiments, the cooling step is located between the medium step and the filtration step, and a gap is provided between the medium step and the cooling step to form a first cavity. and / or, the coating layer protrudes from the end face of the filtration step portion away from the medium step portion, forming a second cavity on the exhaust side of the filtration step portion. And / or, the functional step portion is a two-stage combination structure, with a gap between the two combination structures to form a third cavity.

[0020] In some embodiments, the cooling stage is located between the medium stage and the filtration stage. Both ends of the medium stage contact the support member and the cooling stage respectively, and one end of the cooling stage away from the medium stage contacts the filtration stage.

[0021] In some embodiments, the medium stage, the support member, the cooling stage, and the filtration stage are cylindrical bodies with the same outer diameter and are coaxially arranged. The longitudinal direction is the axial direction of the medium stage, the support member, the cooling stage, and the filtration stage.

[0022] The embodiments of the present invention further provide an aerosol generation system. The aerosol generation system includes an aerosol generation device and an aerosol generation product described in any of the foregoing embodiments. The aerosol generation device includes a heating member, and the heating member is used to heat the medium stage to generate an aerosol.

[0023] In the aerosol generation product according to the embodiments of the present invention, the locking fit between the support member and the medium stage reduces the probability that the medium stage shrinks and deforms after heating and falls off from the coating layer. Furthermore, the support member can play a role in adjusting the suction resistance and reduce the probability that the condensate generated after aerosol condensation flows out of the aerosol generation product.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation product in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment in FIG. 1, and the dashed arrow indicates the flow direction of the air flow. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generation product in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generation product in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generation product in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating product in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating product in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating product according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating product in the eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating product in the ninth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating product in the 10th embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] In addition, unless otherwise contradictory, the embodiments and technical features of the present invention can be combined with each other, and the detailed descriptions in specific embodiments should be understood as illustrating the spirit of the invention and should not be considered as unreasonable limitations on the invention.

[0026] In this description of the present invention, the "longitudinal direction" orientation or positional relationship is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in Figure 2. It should be understood that these orientation terms are used solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention and do not indicate or suggest that a specified device or component has a specific orientation or must be configured or operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation to the present invention.

[0027] An embodiment of the present invention provides an aerosol generating product for use in an aerosol generating device to generate aerosols. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the aerosol generating product comprises a coating layer 10, a medium step portion 20, and a support member 30.

[0028] At least a portion of the medium step 20 is made of an aerosol-generating substrate, and the medium step 20 is heated to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user.

[0029] At least one airway hole 20a is provided inside the medium step 20, and the airway hole 20a penetrates at least one end of the medium step 20. After the aerosol-generating substrate is heated, the aerosol generated collects in the airway hole 20a, and the airflow in the airway hole 20a entrains the aerosol, which can then be released from the aerosol-generating product.

[0030] The support member 30 is located at the distal lip end of the medium step portion 20 along its longitudinal direction.

[0031] The coating layer 10 covers the outer surface of the medium step portion 20 along its longitudinal direction, and the coating layer 10 can perform protective and heat transfer functions for the medium step portion 20.

[0032] To make it clear, the material of the coating layer 10 has a certain structural strength, which prevents deformation due to airflow pressure during the suction process.

[0033] The specific material of the coating layer 10 is not limited and may be one or a combination of materials such as fiber paper, metal foil, metal foil composite fiber paper, polyethylene composite fiber paper, PE, and PBAT.

[0034] The support member 30 is provided at the distal lip end along the longitudinal direction of the medium step portion 20, and locks into place with the medium step portion 20, thereby restricting the range of movement of the medium step portion 20.

[0035] In related technologies, the medium step portion 20 undergoes shrinkage deformation after heating, and may tend to move under the influence of factors such as gravity. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating product provides a certain restraining effect on the deformed medium step portion 20 through the locking fit between the support member 30 and the medium step portion 20, thereby reducing the probability that the medium step portion 20 will detach from the coating layer 10. At the same time, the support member 30 can play a role in adjusting the suction resistance, reducing the probability that the condensate generated after aerosol condensation will leak out of the aerosol generating product.

[0036] In the embodiments of the present invention, the longitudinal direction does not specifically refer to the direction in which the external contour of the medium step portion 20 is longest. The arrangement direction of the support member 30 and the medium step portion 20 coincides with the longitudinal direction, and the direction in which the aerosol generating product is inserted into the aerosol generating device and the direction in which the aerosol generating product is removed from the aerosol generating device are both parallel to the longitudinal direction. The length of the medium step portion 20 along the longitudinal direction may be longer, shorter, or the same as the length in other directions.

[0037] For example, if the external contour of the medium step portion 20 is cylindrical, the longitudinal direction is the axial direction of the medium step portion 20. Even if the axial length of the medium step portion 20 is smaller than its diameter, the longitudinal direction of the medium step portion 20 is still the axial direction.

[0038] In another example, if the external contour of the medium step portion 20 is a rectangular parallelepiped, the longitudinal direction is still the direction defined above, i.e., the direction of arrangement of the functional step portion 40 and the medium step portion 20, or the direction in which the aerosol-generating product is inserted and removed, and the longitudinal direction of the medium step portion 20 may be the direction of the length, width, or height of the rectangular parallelepiped.

[0039] The far lip end refers to the end of the aerosol generating product that is furthest from the user's lips, and the near lip end refers to the end of the aerosol generating product that is closer to the user's lips, and the far lip end refers to the end of the aerosol generating product that is closer to the user's lips, and the near lip end refers to the end of the medium step portion 20 that is furthest from the user's lips, and the near lip end refers to the end of the medium step portion 20 that is closer to the user's lips, and the far lip end refers to the end of the medium step portion 20 that is closer to the user's lips, and the far lip end refers to the end of the medium step portion 20 that is furthest from aerosol generating product that is furthest from the user's lips, and the far lip end refers to the end of the aerosol generating product that is

[0040] The specific components of the aerosol-generating substrate are not limited here. For example, the aerosol-generating substrate may include plant components, auxiliary components, fumigants, binders, and the like.

[0041] In some embodiments, the plant component is one or a combination of powders formed after grinding tobacco leaf raw materials, tobacco leaf fragments, tobacco stems, tobacco powder, flavoring plants, etc. The plant component is the core source of the product's flavor, and endogenous substances within the plant component, such as nicotine, enter the human bloodstream through atomization, stimulating dopamine production by the pituitary gland, thereby providing a physiological sense of satisfaction.

[0042] In some embodiments, the auxiliary component may be one or more combinations of inorganic fillers, lubricants, and emulsifiers. Here, the inorganic filler may be one or more combinations of heavy calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, zeolite, attapulgite, talc, and diatomaceous earth. The inorganic filler can provide skeletal support to the plant components, and at the same time, the inorganic filler has even more micropores, which can improve the porosity of the wall material after molding of the plant components, thereby improving the aerosol release rate.

[0043] The lubricant may be one or a combination of candelilla wax, carnauba wax, shellac, sunflower wax, rice bran, beeswax, stearic acid, and palmitic acid. The lubricant can increase particle fluidity, reduce friction between particles, make the overall density of the particle distribution more uniform, reduce the pressure required for mold forming, and reduce mold wear.

[0044] The emulsifier may be one or a combination of polyglycerin fatty acid esters, Tween-80, and polyvinyl alcohol. The emulsifier (also known as a surfactant) reduces the interfacial tension between the water-soluble and water-insoluble components in the mixture, forming a relatively firm thin film on the surface of the microdroplets, or forming a double electrical layer on the surface of the microdroplets due to the charge imparted by the emulsifier, thereby preventing aggregation of the microdroplets and maintaining a uniform emulsion. Emulsifying and homogenizing the two miscible components can improve the consistency of product quality.

[0045] The role of the fumigating agent component is to improve the amount of smoke produced by the product by generating a large amount of vapor when heated. In one embodiment, the fumigating agent may include one or more combinations of monohydric alcohols (such as menthol), polyhydric alcohols (such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerin), esters of polyhydric alcohols (such as monoacetin, diacetin, or triacetin), monocarboxylic acids, polycarboxylic acids (such as lauric acid and myristic acid), or aliphatic esters of polycarboxylic acids (such as dimethyl dodecanediate, dimethyl tetradecanediate, erythritol, 1,3-butanediol, tetraethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl laurate, triacetin, mesoerythritol, diacetin mixture, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, ethyl vanillate, tributyline, lauryl acetate, etc.).

[0046] In some embodiments, the binder component is a natural plant extract or a nonionic modified viscous polysaccharide, and includes one or more combinations of tamarind polysaccharide, pullulan, seaweed polysaccharide, locust bean gum, guar gum, and xyloglucan. The binder plays a role in bonding the powders, liquids, etc., of the constituent materials by wetting the interface of the constituent materials and generating intermolecular attractive forces. At the same time, by selecting natural plant extracts or nonionic modified binders, the release of harmful substances such as methanol, formaldehyde, and acrolein due to colloidal modification can be avoided, thereby enhancing the safety of the product.

[0047] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1, the aerosol-generated product exhibits a columnar shape.

[0048] The specific method for achieving the locking fit between the support member 30 and the medium step portion 20 is not limited.

[0049] Exemplary, the distal lip end of the medium step portion 20 along its longitudinal direction has a first end face 20b, and the support member 30 engages with the first end face 20b. In other words, the support member 30 can abut against the first end face 20b, suppressing the movement of the medium step portion 20 toward the distal lip end and preventing the medium step portion 20 from falling off the coating layer. In this way, the support member 30 suppresses the tendency of the medium step portion 20 to move toward the distal lip end along its longitudinal direction.

[0050] The locking fit between the support member 30 and the first end face 20b may be provided with a gap between them so that contact occurs between the support member 30 and the first end face 20b after the medium step portion 20 moves a certain distance along its longitudinal direction toward its distal lip end, or the two may always maintain a contact state.

[0051] To ensure clarity, the method of locking and fitting between the support member 30 and the medium step portion 20 is not limited to the method described above. In another embodiment, the support member 30 may form a locking and fitting with the side surface of the medium step portion 20.

[0052] In some embodiments, the support member 30 is fixed to the coating layer 10, and by fixing the relative position of the support member 30 and the coating layer 10, a positional constraint effect is more effectively exerted on the medium step portion 20.

[0053] The specific method for fixing the coating layer 10 and the support member 30 is not limited. For example, the coating layer 10 and the support member 30 are fixed by adhesive bonding. In another example, the inner circumferential surface of the coating layer 10 and the support member 30 are fitted together or interlocked, and the fixing is achieved by the frictional force generated by the close contact between the two.

[0054] To make it easier to understand, there is a certain force between the medium step portion 20 and the inner circumferential surface of the coating layer 10 that suppresses the tendency of the medium step portion 20 to move.

[0055] For example, the outer surface of the medium step portion 20 and the inner surface of the coating layer 10 are in close contact, and the position of the medium step portion 20 is fixed by the frictional force between the outer surface of the medium step portion 20 and the inner surface of the coating layer 10. This suppresses the movement of the medium step portion 20 caused by the shaking of the aerosol-generating product during transportation and use.

[0056] To make it easier to understand, the space between the outer surface of the medium step portion 20 and the inner surface of the coating layer 10 is a tight fit or an intermediate fit, which creates pressure between them and increases the frictional force.

[0057] To make it easier to understand, at least a portion of the support member 30 is located on the inner circumferential surface of the coating layer 10.

[0058] To make it clear, the airflow can either pass directly through the support member 30 or through the gap between the coating layer 10 and the support member 30, thereby allowing the airflow to enter the far lip end of the medium step 20.

[0059] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 5, and 7, the support member 30 is provided with a plurality of first airflow holes 30a that penetrate along its longitudinal direction, allowing airflow to pass directly through the support member 30.

[0060] To make it easier to understand, the first air passage 30a is a pore in a macroscopic sense and can be directly observed with the naked eye.

[0061] To make it clear, the first air flow vent 30a may be one or multiple.

[0062] The specific method for forming the first air flow pore 30a is not limited.

[0063] For example, referring to Figure 2, the support member 30 comprises a cylindrical body 31, and the space inside the cylindrical body 31 forms the first air flow hole 30a.

[0064] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 2, the outer surface of the cylindrical body 31 is in close contact with the inner surface of the coating layer 10, and the frictional force between the outer surface of the cylindrical body 31 and the inner surface of the coating layer 10 fixes the relative position of the cylindrical body 31 and the coating layer 10, pushing the cylindrical body 31 against the medium step portion 20 and separating it from the coating layer 10, thereby reducing the probability of the medium step portion 20 coming loose.

[0065] To make it easier to understand, the connection between the cylindrical body 31 and the coating layer 10 is a tight fit or an intermediate fit, and by creating pressure between them and increasing the frictional force, the connection between the cylindrical body 31 and the coating layer 10 is stabilized.

[0066] Furthermore, by applying adhesive between the outer surface of the cylindrical body 31 and the inner surface of the coating layer 10, the connection stability between the two can be further improved.

[0067] The cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical body 31 along its longitudinal direction is not limited and may be circular or polygonal.

[0068] To make it easier to understand, the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical body 31 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the inner circumferential surface of the coating layer 10 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0069] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outer surface of the cylindrical body 31, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the inner surface of the coating layer 10, and the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outer surface of the medium step portion 20 are all circular, and the diameter of the outer surface of the cylindrical body 31 is the same as the diameter of the circumferential surface of the medium step portion 20.

[0070] Even after the medium step portion 20 shrinks and deforms due to heating, the support member 30 can still be locked and fitted with the first end face 20b, thereby preventing the medium step portion 20 from coming out of the coating layer 10.

[0071] In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the cylindrical body 31 is 5 mm (millimeter) or more, which allows the first end face 20b to still engage with the support member 30 even after the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the outer surface of the medium step portion 20 has shrunk to the limit minimum dimension position at the rated operating temperature, thus preventing the medium step portion 20 from coming out of the coating layer 10.

[0072] The specific numerical value of the wall thickness of the cylindrical body 31 is not limited and could be, for example, 5 mm, 6 mm, or 7 mm.

[0073] In some other embodiments, referring to Figure 3, the support member 30 further comprises a locking member 32, which is located inside the cylindrical body 31 and connected to the cylindrical body 31. That is, even if the medium step 20 shrinks to its minimum dimensional limit position at the rated operating temperature and the cylindrical body 31 can no longer achieve a locking fit with the first end face 20b, the locking member 32 can still lock and fit with the first end face 20b, thereby preventing the medium step 20 from coming out of the coating layer 10. As can be seen, in embodiments where the locking member 32 is provided, the locking action of the locking member 32 lowers the requirement for the wall thickness of the cylindrical body 31. For example, the wall thickness of the cylindrical body 31 can be 2 mm or more, and specific values ​​can be 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, etc., thereby reducing the weight while ensuring the structural strength of the cylindrical body 31.

[0074] To make it clear, when the medium step portion 20 shrinks to its limit minimum dimensional position at the rated operating temperature, the projection of at least a portion of the locking member 32, in the longitudinal direction, lies within the projection range of the medium step portion 20.

[0075] The specific structural form of the locking member 32 is not limited.

[0076] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 3, the locking members 32 are rib-shaped, there are multiple locking members 32, one end of each locking member 32 is connected to the others, and the other end is connected to the cylindrical body 31, and the multiple locking members 32 are distributed radially from the center of the cylindrical body 31. As a result, even if contraction deformation occurs in the medium step portion 20 and the locking fit between the cylindrical body 31 and the medium step portion 20 becomes impossible, the locking members 32 can still achieve a locking fit with the medium step portion 20, thus preventing the medium step portion 20 from falling off.

[0077] To make it easier to understand, referring to Figure 3, each locking member 32 and the cylindrical body 31 jointly form a structure surrounding multiple first airflow holes 30a. After the medium step 20 has contracted to its minimum dimensional limit position at the rated operating temperature, the cross-sectional dimension of the largest of the first airflow holes 30a is still smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of the medium step 20, thereby preventing the medium step 20 from coming out of the first airflow holes 30a.

[0078] One end of the locking member 32 closest to the medium step portion 20 is flush with the other end of the cylindrical body 31 closest to the medium step portion 20. This prevents displacement after the dimensions of the medium step portion 20 shrink, by releasing the locking fit between the first end face 20b and the cylindrical body 31, and consequently prevents the aerosol-generating substrate from falling off part of the medium step portion 20.

[0079] The end of the locking member 32 that is away from the medium step portion 20 may or may not be flush with the end of the cylindrical body 31 that is away from the medium step portion 20.

[0080] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, the locking member 32 is a fiber filtration structure, which is filled in the inner space of the cylindrical body 31. On the one hand, the fibers in the fiber filtration structure can form a locking fit with the first end face 20b, and even if shrinkage deformation occurs in the medium step portion 20 and the locking fit between the cylindrical body 31 and the medium step portion 20 becomes impossible, the fibers still maintain a locking fit with the medium step portion 20, thus preventing the medium step portion 20 from falling out. On the other hand, airflow pores are formed between the fibers in the fiber filtration structure, and the airflow passes through the airflow pores and flows to the far lip end of the medium step portion 20. In the process of passing through the airflow pores, the large surface area of ​​the fiber filtration structure allows it to perform a filtering action on the airflow, reducing impurities carried by the airflow entering the medium step portion 20 and improving the user experience. At the same time, the fiber filtration structure can adjust the suction resistance of the airflow, and it can also prevent the condensate produced after aerosol condensation from leaking out of the aerosol generating product and adversely affecting other equipment within the aerosol generating apparatus.

[0081] The fiber filtration structure is connected to the inner wall of the cylindrical body 31 and serves to fix the fiber filtration structure in place.

[0082] To make it clear, the airflow pores formed in the fiber filtration structure may be pores in a macroscopic sense, or pores in a microscopic sense, that is, pores that cannot be directly seen with the naked eye.

[0083] The specific method of connecting the fiber filtration structure to the inner wall of the cylindrical body 31 is not limited and could include, for example, adhesive bonding.

[0084] The specific method for forming the fibrous filtration structure is not limited.

[0085] For example, the locking member 32 is formed by filling it with an acetate fiber bundle.

[0086] Acetate fiber bundles contain acetate fibers. Acetate fibers, also known as cellulose acetate or acetylcellulose, are a type of chemically modified polymer compound obtained by esterifying the hydroxyl groups in cellulose molecules with acetic acid. They include diacetate fibers and triacetate fibers and possess excellent acid and alkali resistance and organic solvent resistance.

[0087] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 7, the locking member 32 has a mesh-like structure. A mesh-like structure means that the dimensions of the locking member 32 along its longitudinal direction are small, and multiple first airflow holes 30a are formed thereon, penetrating along its longitudinal direction. In this way, while achieving locking and fitting with the medium step portion 20 after heat shrinkage, the dimensions of the locking member 32 along its longitudinal direction can be effectively reduced, which is advantageous for reducing the overall dimensions of the aerosol generating product and making the structure more compact.

[0088] The specific method for forming the locking member 32 in a sieve-like structure is not limited. For example, the locking member 32 may be formed by weaving together multiple thread-like structures that intersect vertically and horizontally, with the first air flow holes 30a surrounded between the intersecting thread-like structures. In another example, the locking member 32 may be in the form of a thin plate, and the first air flow holes 30a may penetrate the locking member 32 along the thickness direction of the locking member 32.

[0089] In some embodiments, the locking member 32 and the cylindrical body 31 are separated, allowing them to be separated and attached / detached.

[0090] In some embodiments, the support member 30 is a single-piece structure, which facilitates the attachment and detachment of the support member 30, simplifies the manufacturing process of the support member 30, and is advantageous in improving the overall structural strength of the support member 30.

[0091] The specific method for forming the support member 30 as a single integrated structure is not limited.

[0092] For example, referring to Figure 5, the support member 30 is columnar in shape, and the support member 30 is provided with a plurality of first airflow holes 30a that penetrate along its longitudinal direction, and the first airflow holes 30a and the airway holes 20a are in communication. In other words, the first airflow holes 30a and the airway holes 20a are arranged in correspondence, so that the airflow flowing out from the first airflow holes 30a can quickly flow into the airway holes 20a, improving the aerosol extraction efficiency and adjusting the suction resistance of the airflow, thereby improving the user experience.

[0093] The number of the first airflow holes 30a and airway holes 20a is not limited; there may be one, multiple, or the number of each may be the same.

[0094] Airway opening 20a is an opening in a macroscopic sense.

[0095] The support member 30 can be formed as a single unit by an extrusion, die-casting, or injection molding process, while simultaneously forming the first air flow hole 30a, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0096] In another example, referring to Figure 6, the support member 30 is a membrane structure with a ventilation function. The membrane structure is provided with many micropores, and airflow can pass through the membrane structure through these micropores. In this way, while achieving locking fit with the medium step portion 20 after heat shrinkage, the dimensions of the support member 30 along the longitudinal direction can be effectively reduced, which is advantageous for reducing the overall dimensions of the aerosol generating product and making the structure more compact.

[0097] Micropores are holes in a microscopic sense.

[0098] The method of connecting the membrane structure to the cylindrical body 31 is not limited and can be, for example, by bonding.

[0099] The specific material of the membrane structure is not limited; for example, polytetrafluoroethylene can be used.

[0100] To make it easier to understand, the locking member 32 and the cylindrical body 31 may be formed as a single integrated structure.

[0101] In some embodiments, micropores are formed in the aerosol-generating substrate of the medium step 20, and at least some of the micropores communicate with each other to form microairways that communicate with the airway holes 20a. Furthermore, as can be understood, the communication between micropores may be such that some micropores communicate and some do not, or all micropores communicate with each other. The airway holes 20a and micropores of the aerosol-generating substrate in embodiments of the present invention can increase the surface area of ​​the aerosol-generating substrate, facilitate heat transfer, and improve heating efficiency. The aerosol-generating substrate is heated and releases an aerosol, some of which collects in the airway holes 20a through the micropores and is sent to the near lip under the action of suction negative pressure, while other parts are sent directly to the near lip through the microairways. The airway holes 20a can reduce the user's suction resistance and improve the user experience.

[0102] Note that the airway holes 20a are holes in a macroscopic sense, while the micropores are holes in a microscopic sense. The cross-sectional area of ​​the airway holes 20a is much larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the micropores. In this embodiment, where the medium step portion 20 is a particle aggregate, the dimensions of the micropores are determined by the gaps between the particles.

[0103] To make it understandable, when the external dimensions of the medium step 20 are constant, there is a negative correlation between the number of airway holes 20a and the wall thickness of the medium wall of adjacent airway holes 20a. The more airway holes 20a there are, the larger the specific surface area of ​​the airway holes 20a becomes, the lower the flow resistance of the generated aerosol, the higher the heat transfer efficiency, and the thinner the wall thickness of the medium wall of adjacent airway holes 20a. Thinner wall thickness of the medium wall of adjacent airway holes 20a is advantageous for heat transmission or diffusion. Also, the thinner the wall thickness of the medium wall of adjacent airway holes 20a, the lower the total mass of the aerosol-generating substrate, and the reduction in base material relatively lowers the suction quality and the overall amount of aerosol released. At the same time, the wall thickness of the medium wall of adjacent airway holes 20a affects the structural strength of the medium step 20, and the thinner the wall thickness, the lower the overall structural strength.

[0104] The medium step portion 20 can be formed as a single integrated structure by an extrusion, die-casting, or injection molding process, while simultaneously forming the airway holes 20a, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0105] To make it clear, the aerosol discharged from the lip end of the medium step 20 needs to be processed before being supplied to the user in order to improve the user's inhalation experience.

[0106] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 2, the aerosol generating product includes a functional step 40, which comprises a cooling step 41 and a filtration step 42, and the functional step 40 is provided within the coating layer 10 and is located on the near-lip end side of the medium step 20.

[0107] The cooling step section 41 is provided with a plurality of second airflow holes 41a that penetrate along its longitudinal direction. These second airflow holes 41a extend the airflow path, increasing the contact area between the airflow and the cooling step section 41. This improves the heat exchange efficiency between the airflow and the cooling step section 41, further reducing the temperature during the aerosol flow process, decreasing the probability of mouth burning due to aerosols, and improving the user experience.

[0108] The filtration stage 42 is provided with multiple micropores, and at least some of these micropores communicate with each other to form a micro-airway that penetrates the filtration stage 42 along its longitudinal direction, allowing the airflow to pass through the filtration stage 42 via the micro-airway. By providing micropores, the contact area between the filtration stage 42 and the airflow is increased, enabling the filtration stage 42 to better adsorb impurities carried by the airflow and improving the user experience.

[0109] Micropores are holes in a microscopic sense.

[0110] The material of the cooling step 41 includes, but is not limited to, one or more combinations of materials such as polyethylene (PE), polylactic acid (PLA, also called polylactide), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polypropylene (PP), acetate fibers, and acrylic fibers.

[0111] The material of the filtration stage 42 includes, but is not limited to, one or more combinations of materials such as polyethylene (PE), polylactic acid (PLA, also called polylactide), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polypropylene (PP), acetate fibers, and acrylic fibers.

[0112] The materials of the cooling stage 41 and the filtration stage 42 may be the same or different.

[0113] To make this clear, referring to Figures 2 and 4, the cooling stage 41 is provided between the filtration stage 42 and the medium stage 20, thereby improving the filtration effect of the filtration stage 42.

[0114] In some embodiments, the functional step portion 40 includes two cooling steps 41, which are provided within the coating layer 10 and located on the near-lip end side along the longitudinal direction of the medium step portion 20. By providing multiple cooling steps 41, a better cooling effect can be obtained, improving the user experience.

[0115] In some embodiments, the functional step portion 40 comprises two filtration step portions 42, which are provided within the coating layer 10 and are located on the near-lip end side along the longitudinal direction of the medium step portion 20.

[0116] By adjusting the number and dimensions of the airway holes 20a and micro-holes, the objective of adjusting suction resistance can be further achieved.

[0117] To make it easier to understand, the functional step portion 40 and the medium step portion 20 may be in close contact along the longitudinal direction, or they may be spaced apart along the longitudinal direction.

[0118] Using the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the support member 30 has a first airflow hole 30a, and when the medium step portion 20 is heated, an external airflow such as air can enter the interior of the medium step portion 20 through the first airflow hole 30a and diffuse. The interior of the medium step portion 20 has micropores, and at least some of the micropores are in communication with each other and also with the airway hole 20a. Aerosols generated in the medium surrounding the airway hole 20a of the medium step portion 20 (i.e., the part of the medium step portion 20 exposed to the airway hole 20a) can directly enter the airway hole 20a, while aerosols generated in other parts of the medium step portion 20 (i.e., the part of the medium step portion not exposed to the airway hole 20a) can collect in the airway hole 20a through the micropores. In this way, during the suction process, the air entering through the first airflow hole 30a takes in the aerosols that have accumulated in the airway hole 20a and flows into the second airflow hole 41a of the cooling stage 41, and finally enters the user's oral cavity after being filtered by the filtration stage 42.

[0119] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, a first cavity 40a is formed between the medium step 20 and the functional step 40, with at least a partial gap between them. The first cavity 40a increases the contact area between the airflow flowing out of the medium step 20 and the aerosol-generating product, thereby achieving a better cooling effect. At the same time, by avoiding direct contact between the functional step 40 and the medium step 20, the probability of aerosols accumulating on the end faces of the functional step 40 and the medium step 20 is reduced, thereby reducing aerosol loss during the conveying process.

[0120] In some embodiments, referring to Figures 9 and 10, the functional step section 40 is a two-stage combination structure, and a gap is provided between the two combination structures to form a third cavity 40c.

[0121] A two-stage combination structure refers to a functional stage 40 comprising two filtration stage 42, or two cooling stage 41, or simultaneously comprising one filtration stage 42 and one cooling stage 41.

[0122] The third cavity 40c increases the contact area between the airflow and the aerosol-generating product, thereby achieving a better cooling effect. At the same time, by avoiding direct contact between the individual steps within the functional step section 40, the probability of aerosols accumulating on the end faces of each step section is reduced, thereby reducing aerosol loss during the conveying process.

[0123] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 9, the cooling step 41 is provided at a distance along the longitudinal direction from the medium step 20 and the filtration step 42, respectively.

[0124] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 11, the coating layer 10 protrudes from the end face of the functional step 40 away from the medium step 20, forming a second cavity 40b on the exhaust side of the functional step 40. This improves the cooling effect on the airflow while simultaneously reducing suction resistance and improving the user experience.

[0125] In some embodiments, referring to Figures 1 and 2, the medium step 20, support member 30, cooling step 41, and filtration step 42 are cylindrical bodies with the same outer diameter and arranged coaxially, and their longitudinal direction is the axial direction of the medium step 20, support member 30, cooling step 41, and filtration step 42. In this way, the cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the medium step 20, support member 30, cooling step 41, and filtration step 42 are all circular, which is advantageous on the one hand in reducing the probability of stress concentration and providing support to the coating layer 10, thereby increasing the structural strength of the aerosol-generating product and reducing the probability of breakage during use. On the other hand, it is advantageous in increasing the consistency of the manufacturing process of the medium step 20, support member 30, cooling step 41, and filtration step 42, improving production efficiency and reducing costs.

[0126] Embodiments of the present invention further provide an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generation device and an aerosol generation product described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the aerosol generation device includes a heating member, which is used to heat the medium step 20 to generate an aerosol. The airflow enters from one end along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generation product, passes through the support member 30, and then enters the medium step 20 from the far lip end of the medium step 20, entraining the aerosol and being discharged from the near lip end of the medium step 20.

[0127] The specific form of the heating element is not limited. For example, the heating element may be a resistor, electromagnetic heating wire, sheet, pin, or tube, and the heating element is in close contact with the coating layer 10. When the heating element is activated, it transfers heat to the coating layer 10, and the coating layer 10 further transfers heat to the medium step portion 20, thereby generating an aerosol in the aerosol-generating substrate. In another example, the heating element may be an infrared / microwave / laser heating device, and the laser heating device irradiates the coating layer 10 with high-energy infrared / microwave / laser waves to raise the temperature of the coating layer 10, and the coating layer 10 further transfers heat to the medium step portion 20, thereby generating an aerosol in the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0128] To make it easier to understand, the aerosol generating product is attached to the aerosol generating device, and a heating element is used to heat the aerosol generating product. After the aerosol generating substrate inside the aerosol generating product is consumed, it is removed from the aerosol generating device and replaced with a new aerosol generating product.

[0129] Each example / embodiment provided in the present invention can be combined with one another, as long as they do not contradict each other.

[0130] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention, and various modifications and changes can be made to the invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the invention should be included within the scope of protection of the invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0131] The embodiments of the present invention provide an aerosol generating product and an aerosol generating system that can reduce the probability of the medium step portion falling off and reduce the probability of the condensate generated after aerosol condensation leaking out of the aerosol generating product.

Claims

1. an aerosol generating product comprising a coating layer, a medium step portion, and a support member, The medium step portion is provided with at least one airway hole, the airway hole penetrates at least one end of the medium step portion, and the medium step portion is used to be heated to generate an aerosol. The support member is located at the distal lip end along the longitudinal direction of the medium step and is used to lock and fit with the medium step. The coating layer is an aerosol-generating product that covers the outer surface of the medium step and the support member along the longitudinal direction.

2. The aerosol generating product according to claim 1, wherein the medium step portion has a first end face at the distal lip end along the longitudinal direction, and the support member is used to lock and fit with the first end face.

3. The aerosol generating product according to claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a cylindrical body, and both the outer surface of the cylindrical body and the outer surface of the medium step portion are in close contact with the inner surface of the coating layer.

4. The aerosol generating product according to claim 3, wherein the wall thickness of the cylindrical body is 5 mm or more.

5. The aerosol generating product according to claim 3, wherein the support member comprises a locking member, the locking member is provided inside the cylindrical body and connected to the cylindrical body.

6. The aerosol generating product according to claim 5, wherein the locking members are rib-shaped, there are multiple locking members, one end of each of the multiple locking members is connected to each other, the other end is connected to the cylindrical body, and the multiple locking members are distributed radially from the center of the cylindrical body.

7. The aerosol generating product according to claim 5, wherein the locking member is a fiber filtration structure, the fiber filtration structure is filled in the inner space of the cylindrical body and fixed to the inner wall of the cylindrical body.

8. The aerosol generating product according to claim 5, wherein the locking member has a sieve-like structure.

9. The aerosol generating product according to claim 1, wherein the support member has an integral structure and is columnar in shape, the support member is provided with a plurality of first airflow holes penetrating along its longitudinal direction, the medium step portion is provided with a plurality of airway holes, the airway holes penetrate at least the end of the medium step portion facing the support member, and the first airflow holes and the airway holes communicate with each other.

10. The aerosol generating product according to claim 1, wherein the support member is a membrane structure having a ventilation function.

11. The aerosol generating product comprises a functional section, the functional section comprising a cooling section and a filtration section, the cooling section and the filtration section being provided within the coating layer and located on the near-lip end side along the longitudinal direction of the medium section, and / or, the functional step portion comprises two cooling steps, the two cooling steps being provided within the coating layer and located on the near-lip end side along the longitudinal direction of the medium step portion, and / or, the aerosol generating product according to claim 1, wherein the functional step portion comprises two filtration steps, the two filtration steps are provided within the coating layer and are located on the near-lip end side along the longitudinal direction of the medium step portion.

12. The medium step portion and the functional step portion are provided with at least a partial gap between them to form a first cavity. and / or, the coating layer protrudes from the end face of the functional step portion away from the medium step portion, forming a second cavity on the exhaust side of the functional step portion. and / or, the functional step portion is a two-stage combination structure, and a gap is provided between the two combination structures to form a third cavity, the aerosol generating product according to claim 11.

13. The aerosol generating product according to claim 11, wherein the medium step, the support member, the cooling step, and the filtration step are cylindrical bodies having the same outer diameter and arranged coaxially, and their longitudinal direction is the axial direction of the medium step, the support member, the cooling step, and the filtration step.

14. Aerosol generation system, The aerosol generation system comprises an aerosol generating apparatus and the aerosol generating product described in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the aerosol generating apparatus includes a heating member, and the heating member is used to heat the medium step portion to generate an aerosol.

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