Flavor inhaler and flavor inhalation system

Abstract

This flavor inhaler (100) comprises a heater (120, 120A) that is formed by stacking a plurality of heating elements (300, 300A, 300B) with at least one first electrode (71, 71A) therebetween.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flavor inhaler and a flavor inhalation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, flavor inhalers for inhaling flavors without burning ingredients have been known. Various heaters for use in such flavor inhalers have been proposed (see Patent Document 1). Among such heaters, a heater having a heating element and a conductive wire stacked has been proposed (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Utility Model No. 209807157 [Patent Document 2] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 201810872487 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a flavor inhaler and a flavor inhalation system that include a heater that allows more flexible heating control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect, there is provided a flavor inhaler, comprising a heater in which a plurality of heating elements are stacked with at least one first electrode interposed therebetween.

[0006] According to the first aspect, the heating can be controlled more flexibly by using a plurality of heating elements, and therefore the release of flavor components from the flavor inhaler can be controlled more flexibly.

[0007] The second aspect is summarized as follows: in the first aspect, the plurality of heating elements include a first heating element and a second heating element, the first heating element, the second heating element and the first electrode are flat, and the first heating element and the second heating element are arranged opposite each other with the first electrode in between.

[0008] According to the second aspect, a flat heater can be provided in which a first heating element, a first electrode, and a second heating element are stacked in this order, thereby achieving a compact configuration and enabling efficient application of voltage.

[0009] The third aspect is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, a second electrode is stacked on the outside of the heating element that is located outermost among the plurality of heating elements, and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a flat, conductive support member.

[0010] According to the third aspect, since the heater can be supported by the first electrode or the second electrode, malfunction and damage to the heater due to deformation can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the first electrode or the second electrode also serves as the support, a heater and flavor inhaler with a compact configuration can be provided, and the flavor inhaler can be manufactured efficiently.

[0011] A fourth aspect is the third aspect, wherein the support member includes stainless steel.

[0012] According to the fourth aspect, stainless steel has excellent rigidity and durability, and therefore, malfunctions and breakage of the heater due to deformation can be further suppressed.

[0013] The fifth aspect is based on the third or fourth aspect, and is characterized in that at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode has a connection electrode formed thereon that protrudes from the range in which the adjacent heating element extends in the longitudinal direction of the adjacent heating element adjacent to the at least one electrode, along the surface in which the adjacent heating element extends.

[0014] According to the fifth aspect, the connection electrode can be easily electrically connected to a circuit external to the heater.

[0015] A sixth aspect is summarized as the fifth aspect, wherein the connection electrode has a connection portion with the outside on its end face or in the vicinity of the end face, and the surface other than the connection portion is insulated.

[0016] According to the sixth aspect, it is possible to prevent short circuits between connection electrodes and between connection electrodes and other electrodes.

[0017] A seventh aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth or sixth aspect, electrodes other than the connection electrodes do not protrude beyond the range in which the adjacent heating elements extend along the surface in which the adjacent heating elements extend.

[0018] According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to prevent short circuits between electrodes other than the connection electrodes and other electrodes.

[0019] The eighth aspect is characterized in that, in the third to seventh aspects, one or more of the first electrode and the second electrode include a plurality of conductive areas, and each of the plurality of conductive areas is arranged opposite a plurality of heating portions of a heating element adjacent to the one or more electrodes.

[0020] According to the eighth aspect, since it is possible to control the heating of each of the plurality of heating portions of the heating element, it is possible to control the heating by the heater more flexibly.

[0021] A ninth aspect is summarized in that in the first to eighth aspects, the first electrode includes a heat insulating material.

[0022] According to the ninth aspect, heat transfer between the multiple heating elements can be suppressed, the temperature of each heating element can be controlled more accurately, and the heat generated from the heating elements can be efficiently directed toward the consumables.

[0023] A tenth aspect is summarized as the first to ninth aspects, further comprising a heating control unit that controls a voltage or a current applied to each of the plurality of heating elements.

[0024] According to the tenth aspect, the plurality of heating elements can be controlled more flexibly.

[0025] An eleventh aspect is the tenth aspect, wherein the heating control unit controls the voltage so as to heat some of the heating elements among the plurality of heating elements and then heat at least some of the other heating elements.

[0026] According to the eleventh aspect, the temperature of the flavor-generating substrate heated by the heating element that was heated first rises quickly, thereby shortening the time from when the flavor inhaler is started until the user of the flavor inhaler (hereinafter simply referred to as the user) can inhale the flavor.

[0027] A twelfth aspect is summarized as the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the plurality of heating elements include PTC elements.

[0028] According to the twelfth aspect, due to the characteristics of the PTC element, when the temperature rises to a predetermined level, the current does not easily flow, so that a safe flavor inhaler can be provided without the need for complex control.

[0029] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a flavor inhalation system, comprising a consumable material having a flavor component and the flavor inhaler according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects.

[0030] According to the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to more flexibly control heating by using a plurality of heating elements, and therefore it is possible to more flexibly control the release of flavor components from the flavor inhalation system.

[0031] A fourteenth aspect is summarized as the thirteenth aspect, wherein the consumable material comprises a plurality of portions having the same or different flavor components, configured to be positioned opposite each of the plurality of heating elements upon inhalation.

[0032] According to the fourteenth aspect, the release of flavor components can be controlled more flexibly, and the flavor components can be arranged in a plurality of portions according to the user's preference or convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a flavor inhaler according to one embodiment in the width direction of a heater. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the flavor inhaler according to the embodiment in the thickness direction of the heater. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a heater and a control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded view schematically showing the structure of the heater according to the embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the heater according to the embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the heater according to the embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 5B is a conceptual diagram showing the A1-A1 cross section of FIG. 5A. [Figure 6B] FIG. 5B is a conceptual diagram showing the A2-A2 cross section of FIG. 5A. [Figure 7A] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing a consumable product according to the embodiment. [Figure 7B] 7B is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of the tobacco part of the consumable product shown in FIG. 7A, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a consumable material is housed in a flavor inhaler. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a consumable material is housed in a flavor inhaler. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a consumable material is housed in a flavor inhaler. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a flavor releasing method in the embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of the tobacco portion of a consumable product according to Modification 1, taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof. FIG. [Figure 13A] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a heater according to a second modification. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13B is a view showing the cross section BB of FIG. 13A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, identical or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. Note that in the following embodiments, tobacco sticks will be used as an example of a consumable product, but the consumable product is not limited to tobacco as long as it generates a flavor when heated.

[0035] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of a flavor inhaler 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention in the width direction of a heater 120. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the flavor inhaler 100 in the thickness direction of the heater 120.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the flavor inhaler 100 includes a housing 110 and a heater 120. The housing 110 has an opening 10 at one end and functions as a storage section that stores at least a portion of a consumable product 200 (Figure 7A) inserted into the opening 10. The housing 110 is made of, for example, a resin, and in particular, may be made of PC (Polycarbonate), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (PolyEtherEtherKetone), or a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers, or a metal such as aluminum. Here, the housing 110 is configured so that the cross-sectional area of a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 is smallest near the opening 10.

[0037] The housing 110 also has a shaping guide (guide portion) 20 and a retaining rib (urging portion) 30. The shaping guide 20 forms the opening 10 and deforms the cross-sectional shape of the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 to correspond to the shape of the heater 120. The retaining rib 30 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 110 and urges the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 toward the heater 120, thereby deforming the shape of the consumable product 200.

[0038] Furthermore, an air intake hole (not shown) is provided on the opposite side of the opening 10 of the housing 110, i.e., on the bottom of the housing 110. Air is supplied to the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 through this air intake hole, thereby forming a bottom-flow type flavor inhaler 100. By providing the air intake hole on the opposite side of the opening 10 of the housing 110, the configuration near the opening 10 of the housing 110 can be simplified. Note that the shape of the housing 110 is not particularly limited as long as the consumable product 200 can be fixed to the heater 120 with the desired accuracy; for example, the shaping guide 20 and the retaining rib 30 may not be provided.

[0039] The heater 120 is a flat PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater that is inserted into the consumable product 200 housed in the housing 110 and heats the consumable product 200 from the inside. The heater 120 also deforms the outer shape of the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 to match the shape of the heater 120.

[0040] A PTC heater is a heater that uses a resistor with a characteristic (PTC characteristic) in which electrical resistance rises sharply and electricity stops flowing when it reaches a certain temperature (called the Curie temperature). By utilizing the PTC characteristic, a PTC heater can maintain a temperature below a certain level without the need for a control device that stops heating when the temperature exceeds a certain level. The heater 120 may be a PTC heater that uses barium titanate (BaTiO3), which has PTC characteristics, as a resistor. In this case, the Curie temperature of barium titanate can be set to 350°C, allowing the heater 120 to heat the consumable product 200 at a suitable temperature below 350°C.

[0041] 3 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating the heater 120 and a control unit 900 that controls the heater 120. In FIG. 3, the heater 120 is shown in a perspective view. As will be described later, the heater 120 includes multiple layers including at least multiple heating elements and a first electrode, but details are not shown in FIG. 3. The flavor inhaler 100 includes a control unit 900 electrically connected to the heater 120. The control unit 900 includes a detection unit 910 and a heating control unit 920.

[0042] The heater 120 has a protrusion 125 formed on one side along the longitudinal direction. The heater 120 is inserted into the consumable product 200 from the protrusion 125. Therefore, the side of the heater 120 on which the protrusion 125 is formed is the side closest to the outside when the consumable product 200 is housed in the housing 110, and is the downstream side of the air flow path during suction. From this perspective, in the following embodiments, the side of the heater 120 on which the protrusion 125 is formed in the longitudinal direction is called the downstream side, and the opposite side is called the upstream side.

[0043] Fig. 4 is an exploded view showing a schematic structure of heater 120. Fig. 5A is a schematic plan view showing heater 120 as viewed from the second electrode 72A side. Fig. 5B is a schematic side view showing heater 120. Figs. 6A and 6B are schematic cross-sectional views taken along lines A1-A1 and A2-A2 of Fig. 5A, respectively.

[0044] The heater 120 includes multiple heating elements 300A and 300B, a first electrode 71, and multiple second electrodes 72A and 72B. The second electrode 72A, heating element 300A, first electrode 71, heating element 300B, and second electrode 72B are stacked in this order, with adjacent layers electrically connected (see FIG. 5B). Hereinafter, the heating elements 300A and 300B will be referred to as heating element 300 when referring to each without distinction. The multiple second electrodes 72A and 72B will be referred to as second electrodes 72 when referring to each without distinction. Hereinafter, the heating element 300 will be assumed to extend longitudinally along the XY plane, with the Y axis extending longitudinally, the X axis perpendicular to the Y axis, and the Z axis perpendicular to the XY plane (see coordinate system CS).

[0045] The flavor inhaler 100 includes a circuit C1. The circuit C1 is electrically connected to the first electrode 71, the second electrode 72A, and the second electrode 72B. The circuit C1 is configured to apply a voltage between the first electrode 71 and the second electrode 72A and between the first electrode 71 and the second electrode 72B. In the illustrated example, the circuit C1 includes a DC power supply V1, a first switch SW1, and a second switch SW2. The DC power supply V1 is electrically connected to the first electrode 71. The first switch SW1 is electrically connected to the DC power supply V1 and the second electrode 72A. The second switch SW2 is electrically connected to the DC power supply V2 and the second electrode 72B. The first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are arranged in parallel. The heating control unit 920 controls the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2, respectively, so that the heating of the heating element 300A and the heating element 300B can be independently controlled. Although a simple circuit configuration is shown in FIG. 4 for ease of understanding, the form of the circuit C1 is not particularly limited as long as it can control the heating of the heating elements 300A and 300B.

[0046] The heating element 300 is preferably a PTC element. Due to the PTC characteristics described above, the PTC element becomes less susceptible to current flow once it reaches a certain temperature. Therefore, by using a PTC element as the heating element 300, a safe flavor inhaler can be provided without the need for complex control.

[0047] The heating element 300 has a flat plate shape extending in the longitudinal direction. The shape of the heating element 300 is not particularly limited. However, a flat plate-shaped heating element 300 is preferable because it can be made compact by stacking and can apply voltage efficiently.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first electrode 71 includes a first electrode main body 710 and a first connection electrode 711. The first connection electrode 711 is formed on the upstream side of the first electrode main body 710. A connection portion 712 with the circuit C1 is formed on the upstream end surface of the first connection electrode 711. The second electrode 72A includes a second electrode main body 720A and a second connection electrode 721A. The second connection electrode 721A is formed on the upstream side of the second electrode main body 720A. A connection portion 722A is formed on the upstream end surface of the second connection electrode 721A. The second electrode 72B includes a second electrode main body 720B and a second connection electrode 721B. The second connection electrode 721B is formed on the upstream side of the second electrode main body 720B. A connection portion 722B with the circuit C1 is formed on the upstream end surface of the second connection electrode 721B.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first electrode 71 refers to an electrode disposed between the multiple heating elements 300 and electrically connected to each of the multiple heating elements 300. The heater 120 may be configured to include three or more heating elements 300 and two or more first electrodes 71, with each first electrode 71 disposed between opposing heating elements 300. In this manner, the heater 120 has multiple heating elements 300 stacked with at least one first electrode 71 interposed therebetween. This allows for more flexible control of the heating of the tobacco portion 210 (FIG. 7A) using the multiple heating elements 300. This therefore allows for more flexible control of the release of flavor components from the flavor inhaler 100. Furthermore, when one first electrode 71 is used to heat multiple heating elements 300, it is possible to provide a heater 120, flavor inhaler 100, and flavor inhalation system with a compact configuration, and these can be manufactured efficiently.

[0050] If the heating element 300A is the first heating element and the heating element 300B is the second heating element, the first heating element, the second heating element, and the first electrode 71 are flat, and the first heating element and the second heating element are arranged facing each other with the first electrode 71 in between. In the flavor inhaler 100 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the plurality of heating elements 300 include such a first heating element and a second heating element. This makes it possible to provide a flat heater 120 in which the first heating element, the first electrode 71, and the second heating element are stacked in this order, thereby achieving a more compact configuration and enabling efficient application of voltage to the first heating element and the second heating element.

[0051] The second electrode 72 refers to an electrode stacked on the outer side of the heating element 300 that is arranged on the outermost side of the multiple heating elements 300. In the example of Fig. 5B, the heater 120 includes two heating elements 300, and therefore both heating elements 300A and 300B correspond to the heating elements 300 that are arranged on the outermost sides.

[0052] The first electrode 71 and the second electrode 72 have a flat plate shape extending in the longitudinal direction. The shapes of the first electrode 71 and the second electrode 72 are not particularly limited. However, if the first electrode 71 or the second electrode 72 is flat, a compact configuration can be achieved by stacking, and voltage can be applied to the heating element 300 efficiently, which is preferable. The materials of the first electrode 71 and the second electrode 72 are not particularly limited as long as they are conductive. From the viewpoint of facilitating processing of the heater 120, it is preferable that the first electrode 71 and the second electrode 72 be made of a conductive adhesive or a metal electrode. As the conductive adhesive, for example, a so-called anisotropic conductive adhesive in which conductive particles are uniformly dispersed in an epoxy-based adhesive can be used.

[0053] At least one of the first electrode 71 and the second electrode 72 preferably includes a conductive, flat-plate-shaped support member. This can prevent malfunction and damage to the heater 120 due to deformation. Furthermore, because the first electrode 71 or the second electrode 72 also serves as a support, it is possible to provide a compact heater 120, flavor inhaler 100, and flavor inhalation system, and further, to efficiently manufacture these. From the viewpoints of rigidity and durability, this support member preferably includes stainless steel. Note that a conductive or non-conductive, flat-plate-shaped support member may be disposed on the outside of the second electrode 72 to support the heater 120.

[0054] The first electrode 71 preferably contains a heat insulating material. This suppresses heat transfer between the multiple heating elements 300 via the first electrode 71, allowing for more accurate control of the temperature of each heating element 300. It also allows the heat generated from each heating element 300 to be efficiently directed toward the consumable product 200. Examples of heat insulating materials include silica aerogel and carbon aerogel. The first electrode 71 itself may have a porous structure.

[0055] 5A, 5B, and 6A, the second electrode body 720A, heating element 300A, first electrode body 710A, heating element 300B, and second electrode body 720B are stacked in this order. Meanwhile, the first connection electrode 711 and second connection electrodes 721A and 721B are formed to protrude upstream along the longitudinal direction of the heater 120, and connection portions 712, 722A, and 722B are formed at their ends, respectively. The first connection electrode 711 faces the second connection electrodes 721A and 721B via gaps CL1 and CL2, respectively.

[0056] As described above, at least one of the first electrode 71 and the second electrode 72 preferably has a connection electrode formed along the plane (XY plane) of the adjacent heating element 300 extending thereto, protruding from the area where the adjacent heating element 300 extends in the longitudinal direction of the heating element. This facilitates electrical connection with the circuit C1 at the connection portions 712, 722A, and 722B. The connection portions 712, 722A, and 722B may be provided on surfaces that connect to the end faces of the first connection electrode 711 and the second connection electrodes 721A and 721B, respectively, i.e., on surfaces along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). For example, lead wires can be connected to the surfaces near the end faces of the first connection electrode 711 and the second connection electrodes 721A and 721B.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 6B, the surfaces of the first connection electrode 711 and the second connection electrodes 721A and 721B are coated except for the connection portions 712, 722A, and 722B. A coating 610 is formed on the surface of the first connection electrode 711. Coatings 620A and 620B are formed on the surfaces of the second connection electrodes 721A and 721B, respectively. This makes it possible to prevent short circuits in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the heating element 300. Note that the first electrode main body 710 and the second electrode main bodies 720A and 720B may be coated to prevent short circuits.

[0058] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A, electrodes other than the first connection electrode 711 and the second connection electrodes 721A and 721B, i.e., the first electrode main body 710 and the second electrode main bodies 720A and 720B, do not protrude beyond the range in which the adjacent heating elements 300 extend along the plane (XY plane) in which the adjacent heating elements 300 extend. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the second electrode main body 720A is formed in the range of the XY plane in which the adjacent heating element 300A extends in a top view and does not protrude beyond this range. This configuration can prevent short circuits in the Z-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the plane in which the heating elements 300 extend. From the perspective of preventing short circuits, it is preferable that electrodes other than the first connection electrode 711 and the second connection electrodes 721A and 721B do not protrude beyond the range in the XY plane in which all heating elements 300 extend.

[0059] 3, the control unit 900 includes a processing device such as a PCB (Printed Circuit Board). This processing device is configured with a CPU, a memory, etc., and controls the operation of the flavor inhaler 100.

[0060] The detection unit 910 detects the start of inhalation. The detection unit 910 detects a user's operation on an input device such as a push button or slide switch (not shown). Alternatively, the detection unit 910 detects a user's puffing action. After these detections, the detection unit 910 performs processing so that the heating control unit 920 starts applying a voltage for heating.

[0061] The heating control unit 920 electrically controls the first electrode 71, the second electrode 72A, and the second electrode 72B, thereby controlling the heating of each of the heating elements 300A and 300B. The heating control unit 920 is preferably configured to be able to independently control the voltage applied to or the current flowing through the heating element 300A, and the voltage applied to or the current flowing through the heating element 300B. In this case, the heating control unit 920 is configured to be able to independently control the heating of the heating element 300A and the heating of the heating element 300B.

[0062] In this embodiment, the heating control unit 920 electrically controls the first electrode 71, the second electrode 72A, and the second electrode 72B to heat the heating element 300A first, and then heat the heating element 300B. By heating some of the heating elements 300A first, the temperature of the flavor-generating substrate heated by the heating element 300A that was heated first increases quickly. This shortens the time from when the flavor inhaler 100 is started until the user can inhale the flavor.

[0063] The heating control unit 920 heats the heating element 300A when the detection unit 910 performs processing indicating that inhalation has started. The heating control unit 920 starts heating the heating element 300B when a switching condition is met. The switching condition may be that a predetermined time has elapsed since heating of the heating element 300A started, or that a user has input via an input device (not shown). For example, the flavor inhaler 100 may be configured to have a button, and the heating control unit 920 starts heating the heating element 300B when the user presses the button. There is no particular limitation as to whether or not heating of the heating element 300A is stopped when heating of the heating element 300B starts.

[0064] The heating control unit 920 terminates heating when a termination condition is met. The termination condition may be that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of heating, or that the number of puffing actions by the user exceeds a certain value. Note that the control by the heating control unit 920 is not particularly limited to the above example, and can be set appropriately depending on the desired heating mode. For example, the heating element 300B may be heated first, and then the heating element 300A may be heated.

[0065] Fig. 7A is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a consumable product 200 according to this embodiment. Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the tobacco section 210 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the consumable product 200 shown in Fig. 7A. The consumable product 200 has a tobacco section (non-insertion section) 210 and a paper tube 220. The tobacco section 210 has a through-hole 211 in the center through which the heater 120 is inserted. The tobacco section 210 also has a two-layer structure: a flavor-releasing layer (annular sheet) 212 and an elastically deformable layer (annular sheet) 213, which are arranged to surround the inserted heater 120. A wrapper 214 is wound around the outer periphery of the elastically deformable layer 213.

[0066] The flavor-releasing layer 212 is composed of, for example, a tobacco sheet and a non-tobacco sheet that is disposed around the tobacco sheet and carries glycerin, and is heated by the heater 120 to release volatile compounds containing flavor. The flavor-releasing layer 212 may include only one of the tobacco sheet and the non-tobacco sheet. The elastically deformable layer 213 is composed of, for example, a nonwoven fabric sheet, a corrugated sheet, a non-tobacco sheet, etc., and is elastically deformable in its thickness direction (i.e., the radial direction of the cylindrical elastically deformable layer 213). The elastically deformable layer 213 contributes to the deformation of the consumable product 200 to conform to the shape of the heater 120 when the heater 120 is inserted.

[0067] As a result, when the heater 120 is inserted into the through-hole 211, the elastically deforming layer 213 elastically deforms in the thickness direction relative to the heater 120, making it easier to come into contact with or approach the heater 120. This allows the flavor-releasing layer 212 to come into closer contact with or approach the heater 120, and the consumable product 200 can be heated efficiently.

[0068] The paper tube 220 cools the volatile compounds released from the flavor-releasing layer 212. The tobacco portion 210 includes the flavor-releasing layer 212 and the elastically deformable layer 213, which are arranged to surround the inserted heater 120, so that the shape of the consumable product 200 can be easily deformed when the heater 120 is inserted into the consumable product 200. The cross-sectional shape of the consumable product 200 may be circular or elliptical.

[0069] Here, the non-tobacco sheet may contain a flavor-generating substrate. The flavor-generating substrate is a material that imparts a smoking flavor, and is preferably a tobacco material. The flavor-generating substrate may also contain a flavoring. A flavoring is a substance that provides an aroma or flavor. The flavoring may be a natural flavoring or a synthetic flavoring. A single type of flavoring may be used, or a mixture of multiple types of flavorings may be used. Furthermore, any flavoring that is commonly used, such as essential oils, natural flavorings, synthetic flavorings, etc., may be used as the flavoring. Furthermore, the flavor-generating substrate may be liquid or solid, and any form is not important. Furthermore, the flavor-generating substrate may contain a refreshing agent or a flavoring.

[0070] The tobacco sheet may contain, for example, tobacco and polyhydric alcohol. The polyhydric alcohol may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds in the tobacco sheet. The polyhydric alcohol may also be added to the elastically deformable layer 213 described above. The tobacco sheet may be formed into a sheet by mixing powdered tobacco and polyhydric alcohol with a binder.

[0071] Next, the relationship between the consumable product 200, the housing 110, and the heater 120 when the consumable product 200 is accommodated in the flavor inhaler 100, i.e., when the consumable product 200 is inserted from one end of the housing 110 to the other, will be described. Figures 8 to 10 are cross-sectional views showing the consumable product 200 accommodated in the flavor inhaler 100. Here, a flavor inhalation system is configured by applying the consumable product 200 to the flavor inhaler 100. Note that in Figures 8 to 10, the flavor-releasing layer 212 and the elastically deformable layer 213 of the consumable product 200 are shown as a single annular sheet 215.

[0072] Fig. 8 shows the state when the consumable product 200 passes through the shaping guide 20, in terms of a cross section in the width direction of the heater 120 and a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 at the entrance portion 22 of the shaping guide 20. Fig. 9 shows the state when the consumable product 200 passes through the holding rib 30, in terms of a cross section in the width direction of the heater 120 and a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 at the middle portion and the other end portion of the holding rib 30. Fig. 10 shows the state when the consumable product 200 is stored in a predetermined storage position in the housing 110, in terms of a cross section in the width direction of the heater 120 and a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 near the other end portion of the heater 120.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 8 , the shaping guide 20 has a tapered portion 21, an inlet portion 22, and an abutment portion 23. The tapered portion 21 is configured to expand toward one end of the housing 110 and guides the insertion of the consumable product 200 into the flavor inhaler 100. The inlet portion 22 is provided at an end of the housing 110 and has an elliptical cross section, with a major axis equal to or greater than the major axis of the consumable product 200 after it has been housed in the housing 110 and a minor axis approximately equal to the diameter of the consumable product 200 before it is housed in the housing 110. The abutment portion 23 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 110 and has an elliptical cross section, with a minimum inner peripheral length approximately equal to the outer peripheral length of the consumable product 200. As a result, when the consumable product 200 passes through the shaping guide 20, the entire circumference of the consumable product 200 comes into contact with the abutment portion 23, so that the cross-sectional shape of the consumable product 200 can be deformed to match the shape of the inlet portion 22.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 9 , the heater 120 has a protrusion 125 that is pointed at one end. This allows the heater 120 to be easily inserted into the consumable product 200. The heater 120 is configured to widen toward the other end. As a result, as the consumable product 200 passes through the shaping guide 20 and is inserted, the outer shape of the consumable product 200 is deformed to match the shape of the heater 120. Specifically, the consumable product 200 is expanded in the width direction of the heater 120. This allows the consumable product 200 to be in close contact with the heater 120, improving the efficiency of heat transfer from the heater 120 to the consumable product 200. Furthermore, the heater 120 expanding the consumable product 200 prevents the consumable product 200 from falling off.

[0075] Specifically, the heater 120 has a flat plate shape and deforms the outer shape of the consumable product 200 to be inserted into the housing 110 into an elliptical cross section. At this time, the major axis of the consumable product 200 after being housed in the housing 110 is longer than the diameter of the consumable product 200 before being housed in the housing 110, and the minor axis of the consumable product 200 after being housed in the housing 110 is shorter than the diameter of the consumable product 200 before being housed in the housing 110. By the heater 120 deforming the outer shape of the consumable product 200 to be inserted into the housing 110 into an elliptical cross section, the distance of the casing 110 occupied by the consumable product 200 in the short direction is shortened. This allows the housing 110 to be made thinner. Furthermore, by the heater 120 deforming the outer shape of the consumable product 200 to be inserted into the housing 110 into an elliptical cross section, the contact area between the heater 120 and the consumable product 200 can be increased. This allows the efficiency of heat transfer from the heater 120 to the consumable product 200 to be improved.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 10 , when the consumable product 200 is stored in a predetermined storage position in the housing 110, an air layer 40 is formed between the consumable product 200 and the housing 110 around the entire periphery of the consumable product 200. The air layer 40 has low thermal conductivity, and therefore can insulate the consumable product 200 from the housing 110, thereby reducing the energy required to heat the consumable product 200. Furthermore, the inlet portion 22 abuts against the consumable product 200 around the entire outer periphery of the consumable product 200, sealing the air layer 40. This suppresses air convection in the air layer 40.

[0077] 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the flavor releasing method according to this embodiment. This releasing method is performed by the control unit 900. In this releasing method, the release of flavor components can be flexibly controlled by independently controlling the heating of the heating elements 300A and 300B. In addition, by heating some of the multiple heating elements 300 at the start of inhalation, the time until the flavor is released can be shortened.

[0078] In step S101, the detection unit 910 detects the start of inhalation by the user. After step S101, step S102 is performed. In step S102, the heating control unit 920 heats one heating element 300A out of the multiple heating elements 300. After step S102, step S103 is performed.

[0079] In step S103, the heating control unit 920 determines whether the switching condition is satisfied. If the switching condition is satisfied, an affirmative determination is made in step S103, and step S104 is performed. If the switching condition is not satisfied, a negative determination is made in step S103, and step S103 is repeated.

[0080] In step S104, the heating control unit 920 heats at least a part of the heating elements 300B other than the heating element 300A. After step S104, step S105 is performed.

[0081] In step S105, the heating control unit 920 determines whether or not the termination condition is satisfied. If the termination condition is satisfied, an affirmative determination is made in step S105, and step S106 is performed. If the termination condition is not satisfied, a negative determination is made in step S105, and step S105 is repeated.

[0082] In step S106, the heating control unit 920 ends the heating. When step S106 ends, the process ends.

[0083] In the flavor inhaler 100 and the flavor releasing method according to this embodiment, the heating control unit 920 controls the heater 120 to heat one heating element 300A among the plurality of heating elements 300, and then heat at least one heating element 300B among the plurality of heating elements 300. This shortens the time until the user can inhale the flavor.

[0084] The following modifications are also within the scope of the present invention and can be combined with the above-described embodiment or other modifications. In the following modifications, parts and the like having the same structure and function as those in the above-described embodiment will be referred to by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0085] (Variation 1) In the above-described embodiments, the consumable may comprise multiple flavor-releasing layers, each having a flavor component.

[0086] 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of the tobacco part of the consumable product according to this modification, taken perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The consumable product 200A differs from the consumable product 200 of the above-described embodiment in that it includes a tobacco part 210A instead of the tobacco part 210 (FIG. 7A).

[0087] The tobacco portion 210A includes a first flavor-releasing layer 212A and a second flavor-releasing layer 212B. The first flavor-releasing layer 212A and the second flavor-releasing layer 212B are arranged on either side of the through-hole 211 into which the heater 120 is inserted. Therefore, the first flavor-releasing layer 212A and the second flavor-releasing layer 212B can be arranged in positions facing the heating element 300A and the heating element 300B (or the heating element 300B and the heating element 300A, respectively) when the consumable product 200A is housed in the housing 110. The first flavor-releasing layer 212A can be heated by some of the multiple heating elements 300, and the second flavor-releasing layer 212B can be heated by other heating elements 300. It is preferable that the consumable product 200A be provided with positioning marks or the like so that the first flavor-releasing layer 212A and the second flavor-releasing layer 212B are positioned opposite their corresponding heating elements 300 when the consumable product 200A is housed in the housing 110.

[0088] From the viewpoint of providing a flavor inhalation system capable of changing flavors, it is preferable that the first flavor-releasing layer 212A and the second flavor-releasing layer 212B contain different flavor components. However, the flavor components disposed in the first flavor-releasing layer 212A and the second flavor-releasing layer 212B are not particularly limited, and the first flavor-releasing layer 212A and the second flavor-releasing layer 212B may contain the same flavor component. Note that the tobacco portion 210A may include three or more flavor-releasing layers containing the same or different flavor components.

[0089] In the flavor inhalation system of this modified example, the consumable material 200A includes a first flavor-releasing layer 212A and a second flavor-releasing layer 212B, which are multiple portions having the same or different flavor components. The first flavor-releasing layer 212A and the second flavor-releasing layer 212B are configured to be positioned opposite the multiple heating elements 300 during inhalation. This allows for more flexible control of the release of flavor components from the flavor inhalation system. Furthermore, the flavor components can be arranged in the multiple portions according to the user's preference, convenience, etc.

[0090] (Variation 2) In the above-described embodiments, the first electrode may include multiple current-carrying regions that each heat a different portion of the heating element.

[0091] Fig. 13A is a side view schematically showing a heater 120A of this modified example. Fig. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of Fig. 13A. The heater 120A differs from the heater 120 of the above-described embodiment in that it includes a first electrode 71A instead of the above-described first electrode 71.

[0092] The first electrode 71A has a plurality of current-carrying regions 400 and a plurality of connection regions 411, 421. The plurality of current-carrying regions 400 include a downstream region 410 and an upstream region 420. The downstream region 410 is formed downstream of the upstream region 420. In the heating element 300B adjacent to the first electrode 71A, the portion facing the downstream region 410 is called the first heating section 310, and the portion facing the upstream region 420 is called the second heating section 320. The heating element 300A also has a first heating section and a second heating section, but a description thereof will be omitted.

[0093] The first heating section 310 is a section sandwiched between the downstream region 410 and the second electrode main body 720B along the normal direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the normal direction, corresponding to the Z-axis direction) of the plane (XY plane) in which the flat heating element 300B extends. The first heating section 310 contacts and is electrically connected to the downstream region 410 and the second electrode main body 720B. The first heating section 310 is heated by a current generated by a voltage applied between the downstream region 410 and the second electrode 72B. The second heating section 320 is a section sandwiched between the upstream region 420 and the second electrode main body 720A along the normal direction. The second heating section 320 contacts and is electrically connected to the upstream region 420 and the second electrode main body 720B. The second heating section 320 is heated by a current generated by a voltage applied between the upstream region 420 and the second electrode 72B.

[0094] In the illustrated example, the downstream region 410 has a pentagonal flat plate shape in top view, and the upstream region 420 has a rectangular flat plate shape in top view. However, as long as the downstream region 410 and the upstream region 420 can be arranged to face different portions of the adjacent heating element 300, the shapes and sizes of the downstream region 410 and the upstream region 420 are not particularly limited.

[0095] The downstream region 410 is electrically connected to the control unit 900 via the connection region 411. The connection region 411 is arranged upstream of the downstream region 410 along the longitudinal direction of the heating element 300. A first end of the connection region 411 is electrically connected to the downstream region 410, and a second end of the connection region 411 is connected to an external conductor of the heater 120A via a connection portion 411C. The connection portion 411C is an upstream end face of the connection region 411. The upstream region 420 is electrically connected to the control unit 900 via the connection region 421. The connection region 421 is arranged upstream of the upstream region 420 along the longitudinal direction. A first end of the connection region 421 is electrically connected to the upstream region 420, and a second end of the connection region 421 is connected to an external conductor of the heater 120A via a connection portion 421C. The connection portion 421C is an upstream end face of the connection region 421.

[0096] To prevent short circuits, a non-conductive region 415 is disposed between the downstream region 410 and connection region 411 and the upstream region 420 and connection region 421. For the same reason, the surfaces of the connection regions 411 and 421, excluding the connection portions 411C and 421C, are insulated with a coating (not shown). The material of this surface coating and the non-conductive region 415 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a glass coating. Electrodes other than those in the connection regions 411 and 421 do not protrude beyond the extension range of the flat heating element 300 along the plane (XY plane) on which the heating element 300 extends. Electrodes protruding beyond this range can cause short circuits, and this is intended to prevent this.

[0097] There are no particular limitations on the materials of the current-carrying region 400 and the connection regions 411 and 421 as long as they are conductive. The current-carrying region 400 and the connection regions 411 and 421 preferably contain a metal or a conductive adhesive.

[0098] In this modification, the heating control unit 920 can electrically control the downstream region 410, the upstream region 420, the second electrode 72A, and the second electrode 72B independently. Therefore, it is possible to independently control the heating of the first heating section 310 and the second heating section 320 of the heating element 300B, as well as the first heating section and the second heating section set in the heating element 300A as well as the heating element 300B.

[0099] When the detection unit 910 detects the start of inhalation, the heating control unit 920 preferably heats the first heating section 310, which is located furthest downstream. The aerosol heated and released by the first heating section 310 located downstream is less likely to be blocked by other parts of the tobacco section 210 because the distance to the paper tube 220 is short. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of aerosol inhaled by the user immediately after the start of inhalation. However, the first heating section 310 does not necessarily have to be heated first. The positions and number of the multiple current-carrying regions 400 are not particularly limited and can be set appropriately depending on the mode of heating control. For example, the multiple current-carrying regions 400 may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the air flow path (Z-axis direction).

[0100] Alternatively or additionally, the second electrode 72A or 72B may also have a plurality of current-carrying regions similar to the current-carrying region 400 described above. In this case, it is preferable that the current-carrying regions 400 facing each other across one heating element 300 have the same size and shape. In this way, it is preferable that one current-carrying region 400 has a shape and size based on the current-carrying region 400 facing it across the heating element 300. This allows for more accurate control of the temperature of the heating section between these current-carrying regions 400.

[0101] In the flavor inhaler of this modified example, one or more of the first electrode 71A and the second electrode 72 includes a plurality of current-carrying regions 400. As an example of such an electrode, in the first electrode 71A, each of the plurality of current-carrying regions 400 is disposed opposite a first heating section 310 and a second heating section 320, which are a plurality of heating sections of the heating element 300B adjacent to the first electrode 71A. This allows for control of the heating of each of these heating sections of the heating element 300, thereby enabling more flexible control of heating by the heater 120A.

[0102] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof. Furthermore, the components described in the claims and specification may be combined or omitted to the extent that at least part of the above-described problems can be solved or at least part of the effects can be achieved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 10...Aperture 20... Plastic Surgery Guide 30...Retaining rib 71,71A…1st electrode 72,72A,72B…Second electrode 100...Flavor aspirator 110…Housing 120,120A...Heater 200,200A…Consumables 210, 210A...Tobacco section 212...Flavor release layer 212A…First flavor release layer 212B…Second flavor release layer 220...Paper tube 300, 300A, 300B...heating element 310...First heating section 320...Second heating section 400...Electricity area 410...Downstream area 411,421...Connection area 411C, 421C, 712, 722A, 722B...Connections 420...Upstream area 610, 620A, 620B...Coating 710...First electrode body 711...first connection electrode 720A, 720B...Second electrode body 721A, 721B...Second connection electrodes 900...Control unit 910…Detection unit 920...heating control unit C1…Circuit

Claims

1. a heater in which a plurality of heating elements that generate heat when a voltage is applied are stacked with at least one first electrode interposed therebetween; A flavor inhaler comprising: the plurality of heating elements include a first heating element and a second heating element each electrically connected to the first electrode; the heater further comprises a plurality of second electrodes; the circuit is configured to apply a voltage between one of the plurality of second electrodes and the first electrode to cause a current to flow through the first heating element, and to apply a voltage between another of the plurality of second electrodes and the first electrode to cause a current to flow through the second heating element; The flavor inhaler, wherein the circuit is configured to allow current to flow independently through each of the first heating element and the second heating element.

2. The first heating element, the second heating element, and the first electrode are flat, The flavor inhaler according to claim 1 , wherein the first heating element and the second heating element are disposed opposite each other with the first electrode interposed therebetween.

3. The second electrode is laminated on the outside of the heating element that is arranged outermost among the plurality of heating elements, The flavor inhaler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a conductive flat-plate-shaped support member.

4. The flavor inhaler of claim 3 , wherein the support member comprises stainless steel.

5. 5. The flavor inhaler according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed with a connection electrode that protrudes from an area where an adjacent heating element adjacent to the at least one electrode extends in a longitudinal direction of the adjacent heating element along a surface where the adjacent heating element extends.

6. 6. The flavor inhaler according to claim 5, wherein the connection electrode has a connection portion with the outside on an end surface thereof or in the vicinity of the end surface, and the surface other than the connection portion is insulated.

7. 7. The flavor inhaler according to claim 5, wherein the electrodes other than the connection electrode do not protrude beyond the range in which the adjacent heating elements extend along the surface in which the adjacent heating elements extend.

8. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a plurality of current-carrying regions; The flavor inhaler according to claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of current-carrying regions is disposed opposite a plurality of heating portions of the heating element adjacent to the one or more electrodes.

9. The flavor inhaler according to claim 1 , wherein the first electrode comprises a thermal insulating material.

10. The flavor inhaler according to claim 1 , further comprising a heating control unit that controls a voltage or a current applied to each of the plurality of heating elements.

11. The flavor inhaler according to claim 10, wherein the heating control unit controls the voltage so as to heat some of the plurality of heating elements and then heat at least some of the other heating elements.

12. The flavor inhaler according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of heating elements include PTC elements.

13. a heater in which a plurality of heating elements are stacked with at least one first electrode interposed therebetween; a plurality of second electrodes stacked on the outer side of the heating element arranged outermost among the plurality of heating elements; a circuit, the plurality of heating elements include a first heating element and a second heating element each electrically connected to the first electrode; the circuit is configured to apply a voltage between one of the plurality of second electrodes and the first electrode to cause a current to flow through the first heating element, and to apply a voltage between another of the plurality of second electrodes and the first electrode to cause a current to flow through the second heating element; the circuit is configured to allow current to flow independently through each of the first heating element and the second heating element; At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode has a connection electrode formed along a surface on which an adjacent heating element adjacent to the at least one electrode extends, the connection electrode protruding from a range in which the adjacent heating element extends in a longitudinal direction of the adjacent heating element, The flavor inhaler, wherein electrodes other than the connection electrode do not protrude beyond an area where the adjacent heating elements extend along a surface where the adjacent heating elements extend.

14. a heater in which a plurality of heating elements are stacked with at least one first electrode interposed therebetween; a plurality of second electrodes stacked on the outer side of the heating element arranged outermost among the plurality of heating elements; a circuit, the plurality of heating elements include a first heating element and a second heating element each electrically connected to the first electrode; the circuit is configured to apply a voltage between one of the plurality of second electrodes and the first electrode to cause a current to flow through the first heating element, and to apply a voltage between another of the plurality of second electrodes and the first electrode to cause a current to flow through the second heating element; the circuit is configured to allow current to flow independently through each of the first heating element and the second heating element; At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a plurality of current-carrying regions; The flavor inhaler, wherein each of the plurality of current-carrying regions is disposed opposite a plurality of heating portions of the heating element adjacent to the one or more electrodes.

15. a heater in which a plurality of heating elements are stacked with at least one first electrode interposed therebetween; a heating control unit that controls a voltage or a current applied to each of the plurality of heating elements; a circuit, the plurality of heating elements include a first heating element and a second heating element each electrically connected to the first electrode; the heater further comprises a plurality of second electrodes; the circuit is configured to apply a voltage between one of the plurality of second electrodes and the first electrode to cause a current to flow through the first heating element, and to apply a voltage between another of the plurality of second electrodes and the first electrode to cause a current to flow through the second heating element; the circuit is configured to allow current to flow independently through each of the first heating element and the second heating element; The heating control unit controls the voltage so as to heat some of the plurality of heating elements and then heat at least some of the other heating elements.

16. a consumable material having a flavor component; A flavor inhalation system comprising: a flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. 17. The flavor inhalation system of claim 16, wherein the consumable comprises a plurality of portions having the same or different flavor components configured to be positioned opposite each of the plurality of heating elements upon inhalation.

Images