Flavor inhaler and flavor inhalation system

Abstract

Provided is a flavor inhaler. This flavor inhaler comprises a housing portion that houses at least a portion of a consumable material, and a heating portion that is inserted into the consumable material housed in the housing portion and heats the consumable material from the interior thereof, wherein the heating portion causes the outer shape of the consumable material, when inserted into the housing portion, to deform according to the shape of the heating portion.

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 and the like without burning the material have been known. For example, one such flavor inhaler is known to have protrusions that pinch and compress an inserted consumable material (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-165751 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the flavor inhaler disclosed in Patent Document 1, a protrusion compresses a consumable product using a sliding mechanism. Therefore, the device may become complicated. Furthermore, it is considered difficult to insert or remove the consumable product in the compressed position. One object of the present invention is to provide a flavor inhaler and a flavor inhalation system that can smoothly insert the consumable product while biasing it toward the heater. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention provides a flavor inhaler comprising: a storage section for storing at least a portion of a consumable material; a heating section inserted into the consumable material stored in the storage section and heating the consumable material from the inside; and a biasing section provided on the inner circumferential surface of the storage section and biasing the consumable material inserted into the storage section toward the heating section.

[0006] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the consumable product inserted into the storage section is urged toward the heating section by the urging section, which allows the consumable product to be brought into close contact with the heating section, thereby improving the efficiency of heat transfer from the heating section to the consumable product.

[0007] In a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, at least one of the biasing portions is provided at positions facing each other.

[0008] According to the second aspect of the present invention, at least one biasing portion is provided at each of positions facing each other, so that the consumable products inserted into the storage portion can be biased toward the heating portion from directions facing each other.

[0009] In a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the length between the opposing biasing portions is smaller than the diameter of the consumable product before it is inserted into the storage portion.

[0010] According to the third aspect of the present invention, by making the length between the opposing biasing portions smaller than the diameter of the consumable product before it is inserted into the storage portion, the consumable product can be brought into closer contact with the heating portion, thereby further improving the efficiency of heat transfer from the heating portion to the consumable product.

[0011] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the biasing portions are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion.

[0012] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by arranging the biasing portions alternately in the longitudinal direction of the storage portion, the frictional force acting on the surface of the consumable product when the consumable product is inserted can be made gentler than when the biasing portions are arranged in positions opposite each other.

[0013] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to fourth aspects, the biasing portion protrudes from the inner surface of the accommodating portion toward the heating portion, and the protruding distance is configured to gradually increase from the opening side of the accommodating portion toward the opposite side of the opening.

[0014] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the protruding distance of the biasing portion gradually increases from the opening side of the storage portion toward the opposite side of the opening, thereby allowing the consumable product to be gradually deformed and achieving smooth deformation.

[0015] In the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the heating portion is configured so that the circumferential length in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion gradually increases from the opening side of the accommodating portion to the opposite side of the opening, and the biasing portion is configured so that the protruding distance is maximum at the position where the circumferential length of the heating portion in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion is maximum.

[0016] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the protruding distance of the force-applying portion is maximized at the position where the circumferential length of the heating portion in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the storage portion is maximized, thereby allowing the consumable product to be brought into closer contact with the heating portion, and further improving the efficiency of heat transfer from the heating portion to the consumable product.

[0017] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the biasing portion is configured so that an end portion on the opposite side to the opening of the accommodating portion has a retaining shape.

[0018] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the end of the force-applying portion opposite the opening of the storage portion has a shape that prevents the consumable item from falling out, even if a force is applied in the direction of pulling out the consumable item, resistance is generated by the shape that prevents the consumable item from falling out.

[0019] In an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the heating part has an elliptical cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the storage part.

[0020] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the heating section has an elliptical cross section, so that the distance in the short direction of the storage section occupied by the consumable product is shorter than that of a heating section with a circular cross section having the same cross-sectional area, thereby making it possible to make the storage section thinner.

[0021] In a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the heating part is flat.

[0022] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the heating part is flat, so that the contact area between the heating part and the consumable product can be increased, thereby improving the efficiency of heat transfer from the heating part to the consumable product.

[0023] In a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth or ninth aspect, the biasing portion is provided along the minor axis or thickness direction of the heating portion.

[0024] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the biasing portion is arranged along the short diameter or thickness direction of the heating portion, thereby deforming the consumable product inserted into the storage portion into a flat shape, thereby allowing the consumable product to be more closely attached to the heating portion.

[0025] In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in any of the eighth to tenth aspects, the biasing portion is provided along the major axis or width direction of the heating portion near the end of the heating portion opposite the opening of the accommodating portion.

[0026] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, by arranging the biasing portion near the end of the heating portion opposite the opening of the storage portion, the consumable product can be reliably brought into close contact with the heating portion up to its tip, thereby improving the efficiency of heat transfer from the heating portion to the consumable product.

[0027] In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the heating section has a heat generating element that generates heat, and at least two bases that sandwich the heat generating element.

[0028] According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the heating element is sandwiched between at least two bases, so that the bases can support the heating element. Also, when the heating element is a heating element and the bases are conductive plates, the conductive plates can support the heating element and also serve as electrodes.

[0029] In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect, the biasing portion is configured so as not to overlap with the heating element in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion.

[0030] According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the biasing portion does not overlap with the heating element in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion, thereby preventing heat generated from the heating element from escaping to the accommodating portion via the biasing portion.

[0031] In a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flavor inhalation system, comprising a consumable material and the flavor inhaler according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects.

[0032] According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the consumable material inserted into the storage portion is urged toward the heating portion by the urging portion, thereby making it possible to obtain a flavor inhalation system having a flavor inhaler that can bring the consumable material into close contact with the heating portion and improve the efficiency of heat transfer from the heating portion to the consumable material.

[0033] In the 15th form of the present invention, in the 14th form, the consumer product has an inserted portion into which a heating portion that heats the consumer product from the inside is inserted, and the inserted portion includes an annular sheet arranged to surround the inserted heating portion.

[0034] According to the 15th aspect of the present invention, the inserted part includes an annular sheet arranged to surround the inserted heating part, so that when the heating part is inserted into the consumable product, the shape of the consumable product can be easily deformed to match the shape of the heating part.

[0035] In a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the fifteenth aspect, the radial length from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the inserted portion in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the consumable product is greater than the shortest distance between the heating portion and the biasing portion.

[0036] According to the 16th aspect of the present invention, by making the radial length from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the inserted portion in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the consumable product greater than the shortest distance between the heating portion and the biasing portion, the consumable product can be reliably biased toward the heating portion by the biasing portion, and the heat transfer efficiency from the heating portion to the consumable product can be further improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a flavor inhaler according to an embodiment of the present invention in the width direction of a heater. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a flavor inhaler according to an embodiment of the present invention in the thickness direction of a heater. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heater shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the heater shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a consumable product according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the tobacco part perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the consumer product shown in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a consumable material is housed in a flavor inhaler. [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. 10 is another cross-sectional view showing the state in which the consumable material is housed in the flavor inhaler. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the holding ribs in the width direction of the heater. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the holding ribs in the width direction of the heater. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the holding ribs in the thickness direction of the heater. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] 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.

[0039] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a 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 a main part of a flavor inhaler 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention in the thickness direction of the heater 120.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the flavor inhaler 100 includes a housing (storage section) 110 and a heater (heating section) 120. The housing 110 has an opening 10 at one end, and accommodates at least a portion of a consumable product 200 (described below) inserted into the opening 10 through the opening 10. The housing 110 is made of, for example, a resin, and in particular, may be formed 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.

[0041] 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. The detailed configurations of the shaping guide 20 and the retaining rib 30 and their function of deforming the consumable product 200 will be described later.

[0042] 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. The air intake hole may be provided in a member that forms the bottom of the housing 110 and communicate with the consumable product 200 through the interior of the member. 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. Furthermore, convection can be suppressed in the air layer 40 (described below), and the heat insulating performance of the air layer 40 can be maintained.

[0043] 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. The function of the heater 120 to deform the consumable product 200 will be described later. Here, the shaping guide 20, the holding rib 30, and the heater 120 deform the shape of the consumable product 200 after it is housed in the housing 110 from the shape of the consumable product 200 before it is housed in the housing 110.

[0044] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the heater shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the heater shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the heater 120 has a PTC element (heating element) 121, at least two metal plates (bases) 122, and a holding member 123. The PTC element 121 is sandwiched between the metal plates 122 on both sides and adhered with, for example, a conductive adhesive paste. As the conductive adhesive paste, for example, a so-called anisotropic conductive adhesive in which conductive particles are uniformly dispersed in an epoxy-based adhesive can be used.

[0045] The metal plate 122 may be made of an iron alloy containing nickel (Ni) with a low thermal expansion coefficient, such as Invar (registered trademark). This can prevent the metal plate 122 from peeling off from the adhesion between the PTC element 121 due to thermal expansion when the PTC element 121 generates heat. Furthermore, by sandwiching the PTC element 121 between at least two metal plates 122, the metal plates 122 can support the PTC element 121 and also function as electrodes.

[0046] The holding member 123 is coupled to the housing 110 when the heater 120 is attached to the housing 110. The holding member 123 may be made of engineering plastic. Engineering plastic has high heat resistance and mechanical strength, and can be inexpensively formed into a desired shape by injection molding or the like, making it suitable for use as a structural member material. For example, the holding member 123 may be made of PEEK, a type of engineering plastic. PEEK is a thermoplastic resin that has very high heat resistance and high dimensional stability. Therefore, when the holding member 123 is made of PEEK, the holding member 123 can further reduce the effects of heat generated by the heater 120.

[0047] 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 the resistor 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 using a control device or the like. The heater 120 may be a PTC heater that uses barium titanate (BaTiO3), which has PTC characteristics, as the resistor. In this case, the heater 120 can set the Curie temperature of barium titanate to 350°C, so it can heat the consumable product 200 at temperatures below 350°C.

[0048] Fig. 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a consumable product 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 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. 5. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the consumable product 200 has a tobacco section (inserted 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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 7 to 9 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 7 to 9, the flavor-releasing layer 212 and the elastically deformable layer 213 of the consumable product 200 are shown as a single annular sheet 215.

[0055] Fig. 7 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. 8 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. 9 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.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 7, 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. That is, the shaping guide 20 guides the consumable product 200 to the tip position of the heater 120, and the consumable product 200 can be reliably inserted into the heater 120. Specifically, the shaping guide 20 has a tapered shape that expands toward the outside of the housing 110, thereby guiding the insertion of the consumable product 200, and the consumable product 200 can be easily accommodated in the housing 110.

[0057] Inlet portion 22 is provided at the end of housing 110 and has an elliptical cross section, with a major axis equal to or greater than the major axis of consumable product 200 after it has been housed in housing 110 and a minor axis approximately equal to the diameter of consumable product 200 before it is housed in housing 110. Here, because the end of shaping guide 20 has an elliptical cross section, the cross-sectional shape of consumable product 200 can be deformed into an elliptical shape in accordance with the shape of shaping guide 20 as consumable product 200 is inserted. Furthermore, because the minor axis of inlet portion 22 is approximately equal to the diameter of consumable product 200 before it is housed in housing 110, wobbling of consumable product 200 in the direction of the minor axis of shaping guide 20 can be suppressed. Furthermore, even if there is variation in the end face dimensions of consumable product 200, it can be shaped into a consistent shape by shaping guide 20, allowing consumable product 200 to be smoothly fitted into housing 110.

[0058] The heater 120 and the inlet portion 22 are configured so that the width direction of the heater 120 coincides with the major axis direction of the inlet portion 22. This allows the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 to deform to fit the shape 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.

[0059] Furthermore, contact portion 23 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of housing 110, has an elliptical cross section, and is configured so that the minimum inner peripheral length is equal to or less than the outer peripheral length of consumable product 200. As a result, when consumable product 200 passes through shaping guide 20, the entire circumference of consumable product 200 comes into contact with contact portion 23, so that the cross-sectional shape of consumable product 200 can be more reliably deformed to match the shape of inlet portion 22. Therefore, even if the cross-sectional shape of consumable product 200 varies, shaping guide 20 can deform the cross-sectional shape of consumable product 200 into a desired shape, and consumable product 200 can be smoothly inserted into housing 110. Furthermore, contact of the entire circumference of consumable product 200 with contact portion 23 can prevent consumable product 200 from falling off.

[0060] Here, the contact portion 23 is configured to be in point contact with the consumable product 200 housed in the housing 110 in a cross section along the longitudinal axis of the housing 110. By the contact portion 23 being in point contact with the consumable product 200, heat transfer from the consumable product 200 to the housing 110 is suppressed, and the heat insulating performance of the flavor inhaler 100 can be improved.

[0061] The heater 120 has a sharp tip. This allows the heater 120 to be easily inserted into the consumable product 200. The end of the heater 120 on the opening 10 side protrudes further toward the opening 10 than the end of the shaping guide 20 on the opposite side from the opening 10. Specifically, the end of the heater 120 on the opening 10 side protrudes slightly toward one end of the housing 110 beyond the abutment portion 23 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110. This allows the end of the heater 120 on the opening 10 side to be inserted into the through-hole 211 of the consumable product 200 at the same time as the consumable product 200 passes through the shaping guide 20, ensuring that the heater 120 can start to deform the consumable product 200.

[0062] Here, the maximum width of the heater 120 relative to the major axis of the contact portion 23 of the shaping guide 20 is configured to be larger than that of a flavor inhaler having a conventional piercing-type heater. For example, the major axis of the contact portion 23 is 7 mm, and the maximum width of the heater 120 is 6 mm. Furthermore, the heater 120 is configured so that the maximum width of the heater 120 is larger than 30%, preferably larger than 40%, of the major axis of the consumable product 200 after it has been housed in the housing 110. As a result, the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 can be deformed into a flattened shape, allowing the consumable product 200 to be more closely attached to the heater 120.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 8, the heater 120 has a pointed shape and 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 conform to the shape of the heater 120. Specifically, the consumable product 200 is expanded in the width direction of the heater 120. As a result, the consumable product 200 can be brought into close contact with the heater 120, and the efficiency of heat transfer from the heater 120 to the consumable product 200 can be improved. Furthermore, as the heater 120 expands the consumable product 200, it is possible to prevent the consumable product 200 from falling off.

[0064] 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.

[0065] Furthermore, heater 120 is configured so that the circumferential length in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of housing 110 gradually increases from the opening 10 side toward the opposite side from opening 10, that is, from one end side toward the other end side. By gradually increasing the circumferential length of heater 120 from one end side toward the other end side, the length of contact of the consumable product with the heating unit gradually increases from one end side toward the other end side, thereby preventing the consumable product from falling off.

[0066] The holding rib 30 is provided so as to protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the housing 110 toward the heater 120 along the thickness direction of the heater 120, and is composed of a pair of tapered surfaces facing each other (see FIG. 2). Note that the holding rib 30 is not limited to this configuration, and it is sufficient that at least one holding rib is provided in each of positions facing each other. Furthermore, the holding rib 30 is arranged so as to overlap with the region where the width of the heater 120 gradually increases in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110. Note that the shape of the holding rib 30 can be selected from any protruding shape.

[0067] Here, the holding rib 30 may be configured so that its protruding distance gradually increases toward the other end of the housing 110, and so that the protruding distance is greatest at the position where the width of the heater 120 is greatest, i.e., the position where the circumferential length in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 is greatest. In this case, the length between the tapered surfaces of the holding rib 30 is configured to be smaller than the diameter of the consumable product 200 before it is inserted into the housing 110. In addition, the other end of the holding rib 30 has a cliff-like shape that is approximately perpendicular to the inner circumferential surface of the housing 110 to prevent it from slipping out, and is configured so that the holding rib 30 does not overlap the PTC element 121 of the heater 120 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110.

[0068] As a result, when the consumable product 200 passes through the holding rib 30, the holding rib 30 urges the consumable product 200, which has been pushed out in the width direction of the heater 120, in the thickness direction of the heater 120, thereby deforming the consumable product 200 into a flattened shape. Here, at the middle part of the holding rib 30, as the width of the heater 120 increases, the protruding distance of the holding rib 30 increases, and the consumable product 200 is gradually deformed into a flattened shape.

[0069] In contrast, at the other end of the retaining rib 30, both the width of the heater 120 and the protruding distance of the retaining rib 30 are at their maximum, and the shape of the consumable product 200 is in its final shape in close contact with the heater 120. Therefore, the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 is urged toward the heater 120 by the retaining rib 30, thereby making it possible to bring the consumable product 200 into closer contact with the heater 120 and further improving the efficiency of heat transfer from the heater 120 to the consumable product 200. Furthermore, the urging of the retaining rib 30 on the consumable product 200 prevents the consumable product 200 from falling off.

[0070] 5 and 6, the radial length from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the tobacco section 210 in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the consumable product 200 may be configured to be greater than the shortest distance between the heater 120 and the retaining rib 30. This allows the retaining rib 30 to reliably bias the consumable product 200 toward the heater 120, further improving the efficiency of heat transfer from the heater 120 to the consumable product 200.

[0071] In this way, by providing the holding rib 30 along the thickness direction of the heater 120, the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 can be deformed into a flattened shape, and the consumable product 200 can be brought into closer contact with the heater 120. Furthermore, by providing at least one holding rib 30 at each opposing position, the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 can be biased toward the heater 120 from opposing directions. Furthermore, by making the length between the tapered surfaces of the holding rib 30 smaller than the diameter of the consumable product 200, the consumable product 200 can be brought into closer contact with the heater 120, and the efficiency of heat transfer from the heater 120 to the consumable product 200 can be further improved.

[0072] Furthermore, by gradually increasing the protruding distance of the holding rib 30 toward the other end of the housing 110, the consumable product 200 can be gradually deformed, thereby achieving smooth deformation. Also, by forming the other end of the holding rib 30 into a retaining shape, even if a force is applied in the direction of pulling out the consumable product 200, resistance is generated by the retaining shape, thereby preventing the consumable product 200 from falling off. Also, by ensuring that the holding rib 30 does not overlap with the PTC element 121 of the heater 120 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110, it is possible to prevent heat generated from the PTC element 121 from escaping to the housing 110 via the holding rib 30.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 9, when the consumable product 200 is stored in a predetermined storage position in the casing 110, the shape of the consumable product 200 remains the final shape shown in FIG. 8. Here, a storage space 50 is formed inside the casing 110 to store the consumable product 200 deformed by the heater 120. In addition, an air layer 40 is formed around the entire periphery of the consumable product 200 between the storage space 50 and the casing 110. The air layer 40 has low thermal conductivity, and therefore can insulate the consumable product 200 (storage space 50) from the casing 110, thereby reducing the energy required to heat the consumable product 200. In addition, 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.

[0074] Here, the housing 110 is configured so that the cross-sectional area in a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 is smallest near the opening 10. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of convection in the air layer 40 due to the inflow and outflow of air near the opening 10, and further improve the heat insulating performance of the flavor inhaler 100. Furthermore, the housing 110 is configured so that the ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the air layer 40 to the cross-sectional area of ​​the consumable product 200 is 5:1 to 1:1 at the point where the cross-sectional area in a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 is largest. This allows the air layer 40 to exhibit sufficient heat insulating performance.

[0075] In this way, by deforming the cross-sectional shape of the consumable product 200 with the shaping guide 20, deforming the shape of the consumable product 200 to conform to the shape of the heater 120 with the heater 120, and urging the consumable product 200 toward the heater 120 with the retaining rib 30, the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 is deformed into a flattened shape, and the consumable product 200 can be brought into close contact with the heater 120. This improves the efficiency of heat transfer from the heater 120 to the consumable product 200.

[0076] According to the flavor inhaler 100 configured as described above, the shaping guide 20 deforms the cross-sectional shape of the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 to correspond to the shape of the heater 120. Therefore, even if the cross-sectional shapes of the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 vary, the shaping guide 20 can deform the cross-sectional shape of the consumable product 200 into a desired shape that corresponds to the shape of the heater 120.

[0077] Furthermore, according to the flavor inhaler 100 configured as described above, the heater 120 causes the outer shape of the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 to deform to conform to the shape of the heater 120. This allows the consumable product 200 to be brought into close contact with the heater 120, thereby improving the efficiency of heat transfer from the heater 120 to the consumable product 200.

[0078] Furthermore, even when the shape of the consumable product 200 after being housed in the housing 110 is deformed by the shaping guide 20, the holding rib 30, and the heater 120 from the shape of the consumable product 200 before being housed in the housing 110, an air layer 40 is formed between the housing 110 and the housing space 50 in which the deformed consumable product 200 is housed. Therefore, the air layer 40, which has low thermal conductivity, can improve the heat insulating performance of the flavor inhaler 100.

[0079] Furthermore, when the consumable product 200 is housed in the housing 110, the abutting portion 23 seals the air layer 40 formed between the housing 110 and the housing space 50 in which the deformed consumable product 200 is housed, thereby suppressing air convection in the air layer 40 and achieving excellent heat insulating performance. Furthermore, by providing the abutting portion 23 near the opening 10, the volume of the sealed air layer 40 can be increased, thereby improving the heat insulating performance of the flavor inhaler 100.

[0080] Furthermore, by inserting the heater 120 into the consumable product 200 and heating the consumable product 200 from the inside, the heater 120, which is the heat source, does not come into contact with the air layer 40, thereby further improving the heat insulating performance of the flavor inhaler 100. Furthermore, by forming the air layer 40 around the entire outer periphery of the consumable product 200, the heat insulating performance of the flavor inhaler 100 can be further improved.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the heater 120 is a PTC heater, but this is not limiting. For example, the heater may be a flexible polyimide heater configured by sandwiching a heat resistor (heating element) made of stainless steel or the like between two films (substrates) made of PI (polyimide) or the like. The heater may also be a pin heater having an elliptical cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110. When such a pin heater is used, the distance occupied by the consumable product 200 in the short direction of the housing 110 when the consumable product 200 is inserted is shorter than when a pin heater with a circular cross section having the same cross-sectional area is used. This allows the housing 110 to be made thinner. Furthermore, by providing a retaining rib 30 along the minor axis of the pin heater, the consumable product 200 inserted into the housing 110 can be deformed into a flat shape, allowing the consumable product 200 to be more closely attached to the heater.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it has been described that the air intake hole is provided on the side opposite to the opening 10 of the housing 110, i.e., on the bottom of the housing 110, but this is not limiting, and an air intake hole directly communicating with the air layer 40 may be provided in the opening 10 of the housing 110 or in the housing 110. When the air intake hole is provided in the housing 110, the air intake hole 111 may be provided near the other end of the housing 110, as shown in Fig. 10. Even in this case, since the air layer 40 is sealed by the abutting portion 23, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of convection in the air layer 40 near the abutting portion 23, and it is possible to allow air to flow in while maintaining the size of the flavor inhaler 100 and preventing a decrease in insulation efficiency.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the holding rib 30 is described as being configured by a pair of tapered surfaces facing each other, but this is not limiting. Figures 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views showing the arrangement of the holding rib 30 in the width direction of the heater 120. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the holding rib 30 in the thickness direction of the heater 120.

[0084] 11, the holding ribs 30 are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110. By arranging the holding ribs 30 in this manner, the frictional force acting on the surface of the consumable product 200 when the consumable product 200 is inserted can be made gentler than when the holding ribs 30 are arranged in positions facing each other.

[0085] 2, the holding ribs 30 are arranged in the thickness direction of the heater 120 near the other end of the heater 120 so as to face each other. As shown in Fig. 12, the holding ribs 30 are arranged in the width direction of the heater 120 near the other end of the heater 120 so as to face each other. By arranging the holding ribs 30 in the vicinity of the other end of the heater 120 in this way, it is possible to reliably bring the consumable product 200 into close contact with the heater 120 up to its tip, thereby improving the efficiency of heat transfer from the heater 120 to the consumable product 200.

[0086] 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]

[0087] 10...Aperture 20... Plastic Surgery Guide 21...Tapered section 22...Entrance 23...Contact part 30...Retaining rib 40...Air layer 50...Containment space 100...Flavor aspirator 110…Housing 111...Air intake 120...Heater 121...PTC element 122...Metal plate 123...holding member 200…Consumables 210...Tobacco Department 211...Through hole 212...Flavor release layer 213...Elastic deformation layer 214...Rapper 215...Ring seat 220...Paper tube

Claims

1. A flavor inhaler, comprising: a storage section that stores at least a portion of the consumable product; a flat heating section that is inserted into the consumer product accommodated in the accommodation section and heats the consumer product from the inside; and a biasing portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the storage portion along the thickness direction of the heating portion, and biasing the consumable product inserted into the storage portion toward the heating portion to deform the consumable product into a flat shape corresponding to the flat plate-shaped heating portion. Flavor aspirator.

2. The flavor inhaler according to claim 1, At least one of the biasing portions is provided at each of positions facing each other. Flavor aspirator.

3. The flavor inhaler according to claim 2, a length between the opposing biasing portions being smaller than a diameter of the consumable product before it is inserted into the storage portion; Flavor aspirator.

4. The flavor inhaler according to claim 1, The biasing portions are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the storage portion. Flavor aspirator.

5. The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The biasing portion protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the accommodation portion toward the heating portion, and the protruding distance gradually increases from the opening side of the accommodation portion toward the opposite side to the opening. Flavor aspirator.

6. The flavor inhaler according to claim 5, the heating unit is configured such that a circumferential length in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the accommodation unit gradually increases from an opening side of the accommodation unit toward an opposite side to the opening, The biasing portion is configured so that the protruding distance is maximum at a position where the circumferential length of the heating portion in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion is maximum. Flavor aspirator.

7. A flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The biasing portion is configured so that an end portion on the opposite side to the opening of the accommodating portion has a shape that prevents the biasing portion from coming off. Flavor aspirator.

8. A flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The biasing portion is provided along a width direction of the heating portion near an end portion of the heating portion opposite to an opening of the accommodation portion. Flavor aspirator.

9. A flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The heating unit is A heating element that generates heat; At least two substrates sandwiching the heating element therebetween; Flavor aspirator.

10. The flavor inhaler according to claim 9, The biasing portion is configured so as not to overlap the heating element in the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion. Flavor aspirator.

11. 1. A flavor inhalation system, comprising: Consumables and The flavor inhaler according to any one of claims 1 to 10, Flavor suction system.

12. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 11, The consumable product has an insertion portion into which a heating portion that heats the consumable product from the inside is inserted, The inserted portion includes an annular sheet arranged to surround the inserted heating portion. Flavor suction system.

13. The flavor inhalation system according to claim 12, a radial length from an inner periphery to an outer periphery of the inserted portion in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the consumable product is greater than a shortest distance between the heating portion and the biasing portion; Flavor suction system.

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