Smoking articles and aerosol generating systems

Abstract

A smoking article according to one embodiment includes a medium storage section filled with a plurality of medium granules, a moisturizing agent storage section located on one side of the medium storage section for generating an aerosol, and a filter section located on the other side of the medium storage section, wherein the plurality of medium granules have a diameter of 0.25 mm or more.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Hereinafter, the embodiments relate to smoking articles and aerosol generating systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes. For example, there has been an increasing demand for methods that do not involve burning cigarettes to generate aerosols, but rather generate aerosols by heating the aerosol generator within the cigarettes. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0094176 discloses a smoking article filter having amorphous magnesium carbonate. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] An object of one embodiment is to provide smoking articles and aerosol generating systems having optimally sized medium granules.

[0004] An object of one embodiment is to provide a smoking article and aerosol generating system that provides a consistent tobacco taste to the consumer.

[0005] It is an object, in one embodiment, to provide smoking articles and aerosol generating systems that provide enhanced nicotine delivery.

[0006] An object of one embodiment is to provide a smoking article and an aerosol generating system that are easy to manufacture paper filters containing medium granules. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A smoking article according to one embodiment includes a medium storage section filled with a plurality of medium granules, a moisturizing agent storage section located on one side of the medium storage section for generating an aerosol, and a filter section located on the other side of the medium storage section, wherein the plurality of medium granules have a diameter of 0.25 mm or more.

[0008] The plurality of medium granules may include tobacco granules.

[0009] The diameter of the medium granules may be 0.60 mm or less.

[0010] The diameter of the medium granules may be 0.425 mm or greater.

[0011] The medium receiving portion may be formed by folding a flat sheet coated with the plurality of medium granules several times.

[0012] A moisturizing agent may be applied to one surface of the planar sheet.

[0013] The medium containing portion may be formed by applying a moisturizer to one side of a flat sheet, arranging the plurality of medium granules on the surface of the flat sheet on which the moisturizer is applied, folding the flat sheet so that the surfaces thereof face each other, and then folding the flat sheet several times, and wrapping the folded flat sheet in a wrapper.

[0014] The filter portion may include a first filter portion having a cavity therein and a second filter portion having a filled interior.

[0015] The plurality of medium granules may be manufactured through a fluidized bed granulation process in which the spray direction of the liquid binder and the flow direction of the fluidizing air are opposite to each other.

[0016] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating system includes a smoking article and an aerosol generating device, wherein the smoking article includes a granule storage section filled with a plurality of tobacco granules, a moisturizing agent storage section located on one side of the granule storage section for generating aerosol, and a filter section located on the other side of the granule storage section, and the aerosol generating device includes an elongated cavity for storing the smoking article, a heater for heating at least a portion of the granule storage section and the moisturizing agent storage section of the smoking article, and a control section electrically connected to the heater, and the diameter of the plurality of tobacco granules is 0.25 mm or more.

[0017] The diameter of the tobacco granules may be greater than or equal to 0.425 mm and less than or equal to 0.60 mm.

[0018] The plurality of tobacco granules may be produced through a fluidized bed granulation process in which the injection direction of the liquid binder and the flow direction of the fluidizing air are opposite to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] Smoking articles and aerosol generating systems according to one embodiment may have medium granules of an optimal size.

[0020] Smoking articles and aerosol generating systems according to one embodiment can provide consumers with a consistent tobacco taste.

[0021] Smoking articles and aerosol generating systems according to certain embodiments can enhance nicotine delivery.

[0022] In the smoking article and aerosol generating system according to one embodiment, the paper filter containing the medium granules is easy to manufacture.

[0023] The effects of the smoking article and aerosol generation system according to one embodiment are not limited to those mentioned above, and different effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a smoking article according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the general dispersibility of granules depending on the size of the granules. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of medium granules are applied onto a planar sheet according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an aerosol generating system in which a smoking article and an aerosol generating device are combined according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating a top-spray type fluidized bed granulation process according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, specific structural or functional descriptions disclosed in this specification are merely examples for the purpose of describing the embodiments, and the embodiments may be implemented in various different forms, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives to the embodiments are included in the scope of the claims.

[0026] The terms used in the embodiments are merely used for the purpose of explanation and are not to be construed as being limiting. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, the terms "comprise" or "have" indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Commonly used predefined terms should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless expressly defined herein.

[0028] In addition, in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. In the description of the embodiments, if a detailed description of related known technology is determined to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the embodiments, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] Furthermore, when describing components of an embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are used to distinguish the component from other components, and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components. When a component is described as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it will be understood that the component is directly coupled or connected to the other component, but that other components may be "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" between each component.

[0030] Components having functions common to those included in any of the embodiments will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, the description of one embodiment will be applied to the other embodiments, and detailed description will be omitted to the extent that they overlap.

[0031] As used herein, the term "granule dispersibility" refers to the degree to which the medium granules or tobacco granules are evenly dispersed across the planar sheet.

[0032] The term "workability of a granular filter" used in this application refers to the degree to which a clean filter part can be manufactured without any contamination, even though some of the medium granules may be crushed during the process of manufacturing the medium containing part, resulting in fine powder that may contaminate the appearance of the granule-containing filter part.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a smoking article according to one embodiment.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, a smoking article 100 according to one embodiment includes a medium containing section 110, a humectant containing section 120 located on one side of the medium containing section for generating aerosol, and a filter section 130 located on the other side of the medium containing section. The segments of the smoking article 100, i.e., the medium containing section 110, the humectant containing section 120, and the filter section 130, are each wrapped in a segment wrapper 140, and the segments wrapped in the segment wrapper 140 are wrapped in an overall wrapper 150 to form a single smoking article.

[0035] The medium containing portion 110 is filled with a plurality of medium granules 114, and the diameter of the plurality of medium granules 114 may be 0.25 mm or more. If the size of the plurality of medium granules 114 is too small, the granules may become more irregular than if the size of the granules is large, which may result in the generation of fine powder during the process of manufacturing the medium containing portion and reduce the workability of the granule filter. Therefore, the diameter of the plurality of medium granules 114 is preferably 0.25 mm or more. On the other hand, the smaller the diameter of the granules 114, i.e., the smaller the size of the granules 114, the more evenly the granules spread when applied to a flat sheet, resulting in excellent granule dispersibility. The plurality of medium granules 114 may preferably be tobacco granules, and the smaller the size of the plurality of tobacco granules, the greater the overall surface area of ​​the tobacco granules contained in the medium containing portion 110, thereby increasing the amount of nicotine transferred per puff from the smoking article 100. On the other hand, the larger the diameter of the plurality of medium granules 114 or the plurality of tobacco granules, the better the workability of the granule filter. Therefore, it is preferable that the plurality of medium granules 114 or the plurality of tobacco granules have a small diameter but have a diameter large enough to maintain excellent workability of the granule filter.

[0036] In other words, when manufacturing a smoking article containing a granular medium, the size of the granules affects the dispersibility of the granules contained in the medium storage section of the smoking article, the amount of nicotine transferred to the smoking article, and the manufacturing operability of the medium storage section, raising the need to determine the appropriate size of the medium granules when manufacturing a smoking article or aerosol generating system containing a granular medium.

[0037] In one embodiment, the size of the plurality of medium granules 114 is determined based on a standard sieve comparison. A standard sieve comparison refers to the size of particles or granules sieved using a standard sieve, and the types of standards include KS, JIS, ASTM, DIN, and Tyler. The standards used in this test are based on the American ASTM standard sieve specifications. The US-ASTM standard sieve specifications are shown in Table 1 below. [Table 1]

[0038] With reference to Table 1, test results based on ASTM standard sieve specifications are shown in Table 2 below. [Table 2]

[0039] Referring to Table 2, it can be seen that when the diameter of the granules exceeds 0.60 mm, the granules generally do not disperse well, whereas when the diameter of the granules is 0.60 mm or less, the granules are arranged on a flat sheet and then folded multiple times to form a medium containing section, and the plurality of medium granules 114 are dispersed relatively evenly. It can also be seen that when the diameter of the granules is 0.60 mm or less, the size of the granules is sufficiently small that a sufficient amount of nicotine contained in the medium granules, preferably tobacco granules, is transferred.

[0040] On the other hand, if the granule diameter is less than 0.425 mm, the granules are too small and may burst during granule production or during production of the medium container, generating fine powder and potentially contaminating filters. If the granule diameter is 0.425 mm or greater, the rate of fine powder generation due to granule bursting is significantly reduced compared to smaller diameters. In other words, when the diameter of the medium granules contained in a smoking article is between 0.425 mm and 0.6 mm, both granule dispersibility and granule filter workability are good.

[0041] The tobacco taste perceived by consumers, i.e., smoking experience, is affected by both granule dispersibility, which means whether the granules are evenly dispersed, and granule filter workability, which means whether the granule filter is manufactured without being contaminated by fine powder of the medium granules. Referring to Table 1, it can be seen that the smoking experience is best when the granule diameter is preferably 0.25 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less, more preferably 0.425 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the general dispersibility of granules depending on the size of the granules.

[0043] 2, the results of the above test show whether the medium granules 114 are evenly dispersed within the medium container 110 depending on the size range of the medium granules 114. It can be seen that when the granules are relatively small, in the diameter range of 0.425 mm to 0.60 mm, the medium granules 114 are evenly distributed between the folded flat sheet 112. On the other hand, when the granules are relatively large, in the diameter range of 0.60 mm to 0.85 mm, the medium granules 114 are not evenly distributed between the folded flat sheet 112, but are often distributed to one side.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a planar sheet having a plurality of medium granules applied thereon according to one embodiment.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 3 , the medium receiving portion 110 of the smoking article 100 is configured by folding a flat sheet 112 multiple times, onto which a plurality of medium granules 114 are applied. The plurality of medium granules 114 may be fixed within the medium receiving portion 110 by being sandwiched between the folded flat sheet 112. Coating the flat sheet 112 with a binder material having an adhesive component improves the adhesion of the plurality of medium granules 114 to the flat sheet 112. However, this binder material may be inhaled along with heated aerosol during smoking, thereby degrading the smoking taste of the smoking article. Coating one side of the flat sheet 112 with a humectant, which is not a binder material, before placing the plurality of medium granules 114 on the flat sheet 112 temporarily improves adhesion between the flat sheet 112 and the plurality of medium granules 114. The humectant is a material for generating aerosol within the smoking article and does not negatively affect the smoking taste of the smoking article. That is, the medium containing section 110 of the smoking article 100 may be formed by applying a moisturizer to one side of a flat sheet 112, arranging a plurality of medium granules 114 on the moisturizer-coated surface of the flat sheet 112, folding the flat sheet 112 so that one side faces each other, and then folding the flat sheet 112 several times, and wrapping the folded flat sheet 112 in a wrapper 140.

[0046] The filter unit 130 may include a first filter unit 132 having a cavity therein and a second filter unit 134 filled with a filtrate. The filtrate may include a cellulose-based material (e.g., acetate, paper, etc.).

[0047] 4 and 5 relate to an embodiment in which a smoking article containing a plurality of medium granules having the above-mentioned preferred diameter range is used.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0049] 4, the aerosol-generating device 200 includes an elongated cavity 210 that accommodates the smoking article 100, a heater 220, and a control unit 230. The control unit 230 is electrically connected to the heater 220 to control the temperature for heating the smoking article 100. The aerosol-generating device 200 may further include a battery 240 that supplies power in the process of generating an aerosol.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating system in which a smoking article and an aerosol generating device are combined according to one embodiment.

[0051] 5, the aerosol-generating system 10 includes a smoking article 100 and an aerosol-generating device 200. The smoking article 100 is tightly fitted into an elongated cavity 210 of the aerosol-generating device 200, and a heater 220 may heat at least a portion of the medium containing portion 110 and the humectant containing portion 120 of the smoking article 100 while the smoking article 100 is fitted to the aerosol-generating device 200. The medium containing portion 110 of the smoking article 100 is filled with a plurality of medium granules 114, and the diameter of the plurality of medium granules 114 may be 0.25 mm or more. If the size of the plurality of medium granules 114 is too small, the granules may become irregular, which may result in the generation of fine powder during the process of manufacturing the medium containing portion, reducing the workability of the granule filter. Therefore, it is preferable that the diameter of the plurality of medium granules 114 be 0.25 mm or more.

[0052] The diameter of the plurality of medium granules 114, preferably tobacco granules, in the medium container 110 included in the smoking article 100 of the aerosol generating system 10 is preferably 0.60 mm or less. If the diameter of the tobacco granules exceeds 0.60 mm, the tobacco granules will not be able to settle on the planar sheet 112, resulting in poor granule dispersion.

[0053] Furthermore, the diameter of the plurality of medium granules 114, preferably tobacco granules, in the medium containing portion 110 included in the smoking article 100 of the aerosol generating system 10 may be preferably 0.25 mm or more, more preferably 0.425 mm or more. If the diameter of the plurality of medium granules 114 is too small, the hardness of the medium granules 114 will decrease, and the medium granules 114 will be crushed even with a slight impact, generating fine powder, which will contaminate the medium containing portion 110 or the filter portion 130. Furthermore, after the plurality of medium granules 114 are applied to one side of the flat sheet 112, the flat sheet 112 will be folded to form the medium containing portion 110. In this process, the plurality of medium granules 114 that are not attached to the flat sheet 112 and fall off may be reused in a subsequent process. Therefore, in order for the shed media granules 114 to be shed and reused, a minimum hardness of the granules 114 must be ensured, and the diameter of the media granules 114 may preferably be 0.25 mm or more, more preferably 0.425 mm or more.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a top-spraying type fluidized bed granulation process among fluidized bed granulation processes according to one embodiment, and relates to the process of producing a plurality of medium granules having the above-mentioned preferred size range and the size of the granules produced by the process.

[0055] Fluidized bed granulation is a process in which powder material is mixed with heated air in a sealed container 500, and the powder is fluidized within the container, undergoing mixing, granulation, and drying processes to form granules. The fluidized bed granulation process may include top-spraying, bottom-spraying, powder feeding, and rotor-spraying methods. Among these, the top spray process is a fluidized bed granulation process in which the direction in which the liquid binder 510, which acts as an adhesive to bind the powder 530 together, is sprayed and the direction in which the fluidizing air 520 flows are opposite to each other. Compared to fluidized bed granulation processes such as the rotor spray process in which the liquid binder 510 is sprayed and the fluidizing air 520 flow in the same direction or the rotor spray process in which the liquid binder 510 is sprayed and the fluidizing air 520 flow in the perpendicular direction, the top spray process can easily and quickly agglomerate fine particles or granules, and is easy to produce granules having a desired size range.

[0056] Although the above embodiments have been described using limited drawings, those skilled in the art may apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different from that described, and / or the components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. may be combined or combined in a form different from that described, or may be replaced or substituted with other components or equivalents, and still achieve suitable results.

[0057] Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. a medium container filled with a plurality of medium granules; a moisturizing agent storage unit located on one side of the medium storage unit and generating an aerosol; a filter section located on the other side of the medium containing section; Including, The diameter of the plurality of medium granules is 0.425 mm or more and 0.60 mm or less; The medium containing portion is formed by folding a flat sheet coated with the plurality of medium granules multiple times.

2. The smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of media granules comprises tobacco granules.

3. The smoking article of claim 1 , wherein a moisturizing agent is applied to one side of the planar sheet.

4. A medium storage section filled with a plurality of medium granules; a moisturizing agent storage unit located on one side of the medium storage unit and generating an aerosol; a filter section located on the other side of the medium containing section; Including, The diameter of the plurality of medium granules is 0.425 mm or more and 0.60 mm or less; The medium containing section is formed by applying a moisturizing agent to one side of a flat sheet, arranging the plurality of medium granules on the surface of the flat sheet to which the moisturizing agent has been applied, folding the flat sheet so that the surfaces thereof face each other, and then folding the flat sheet several times, and wrapping the folded flat sheet in a wrapper.

5. The filter unit includes: a first filter portion having a cavity therein; a second filter portion whose interior is filled; The smoking article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:

6. Smoking articles; an aerosol generator; Including, The smoking article is a granule container filled with a plurality of tobacco granules; a moisturizing agent container located on one side of the granule container and generating an aerosol; a filter unit located on the other side of the granule containing unit; Including, The aerosol generating device comprises: an elongated cavity for accommodating the smoking article; a heater that heats at least a portion of the granule storage section and the moisturizing agent storage section of the smoking article; a control unit electrically connected to the heater; Including, the plurality of tobacco granules have a diameter of at least 0.425 mm and not more than 0.60 mm; The granule storage section is formed by folding a flat sheet onto which the plurality of tobacco granules are applied multiple times. Aerosol generation system.

Images