Indirectly heated tobacco devices

Abstract

To provide an indirectly heated tobacco device that reduces the risk to children of accidentally swallowing tobacco sticks, etc. [Solution] The indirectly heated tobacco device 1 comprises a storage section 3 in which a nicotine-free liquid is stored, a heating section 4 that heats the liquid and generates vapor, a power source 5 that supplies current to the heating section 4, a tobacco-containing material 6 that is heated by the vapor and generates an aerosol, a storage section 7 in which the tobacco-containing material 6 is stored, an inlet 8 for inhaling the aerosol, a case 2 in which the storage section 3, heating section 4, power source 5 and storage section 7 are arranged, and an air inlet 26 provided in the case 2 for allowing air to flow into the case 2, and the tobacco-containing material 6 is a solid material formed by mixing and compressing tobacco leaves 61 and microcrystalline cellulose 62.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an indirectly heated tobacco device. [Background technology]

[0002] Heated tobacco products are known in which a stick or the like containing tobacco leaves or processed tobacco leaves is electrically heated using a dedicated device with a heating unit, and the user inhales the aerosolized nicotine, etc. (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Heated tobacco products directly heat the tobacco leaves packed in the stick using a heating unit. When the user has finished smoking the heated tobacco product, they discard the used stick and attach a new stick to the dedicated device, allowing them to smoke again. In this way, heated tobacco products can be reused by replacing the stick. Other types of heated tobacco products that use sticks include disposable devices that are discarded after smoking the heated tobacco product. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7615181 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2051205 [Patent Document 3] Special Publication No. 2022-525380 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Heated tobacco sticks are sized and shaped so that they can be placed in the mouths of small children. Therefore, if the sticks are left in a place where children can see them, there is a risk that they may pick up the stick and accidentally ingest it. Because tobacco sticks contain nicotine, accidentally ingesting them can cause symptoms of poisoning. As such, heated tobacco products that use sticks or the like pose a problem of being highly dangerous to small children. Indirectly heated tobacco devices are also known, in which a liquid is heated by a heating element, and the generated steam heats the tobacco leaves in the sticks (see, for example, Patent Document 3). Similar problems exist with such indirectly heated tobacco devices.

[0005] The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an indirectly heated tobacco device that reduces the risk to children of accidentally swallowing tobacco sticks, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An indirectly heated tobacco device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a storage unit in which a nicotine-free liquid is stored, a heating unit that heats the liquid to generate vapor, a power source that supplies current to the heating unit, a tobacco-containing material that generates an aerosol when heated by the vapor, a storage unit in which the tobacco-containing material is stored, an inlet for inhaling the aerosol, a case in which the storage unit, the heating unit, the power source, and the storage unit are disposed, and an air inlet provided in the case for allowing air to flow into the case. The tobacco-containing material is a solid material obtained by compressing a mixture of tobacco leaves and microcrystalline cellulose.

[0007] With an indirectly heated tobacco device having such a configuration, the tobacco-containing material in the storage section can be repeatedly heated with steam and used without having to be replaced, eliminating the need for tobacco sticks and the risk of children accidentally swallowing tobacco sticks.

[0008] An indirectly heated tobacco device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the indirectly heated tobacco device according to the first aspect, wherein the proportion of the tobacco leaves contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco-containing material is 50% by mass to 70% by mass.

[0009] With an indirectly heated tobacco device having such a configuration, the state of the solid matter in the tobacco-containing material is stabilized, and a continuous smoking effect can be obtained.

[0010] An indirectly heated tobacco device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the indirectly heated tobacco device according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a control board that controls the current supplied from the power source to the heating unit, a switch provided on the control board, and a sensor that detects the air flow within the case. When the switch is pressed a predetermined number of times in succession, the control board controls the power source to start supplying current to the heating unit.

[0011] With an indirectly heated tobacco device having such a configuration, simply pressing the switch once does not put the device into a smoking state, thereby reducing the risk of children accidentally inhaling aerosol containing nicotine.

[0012] An indirectly heated tobacco device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an indirectly heated tobacco device according to the third aspect, in which, when current is being supplied from the power source to the heating unit and the sensor does not detect the air flow for a predetermined period of time, the control board performs control to stop the supply of current from the power source to the heating unit.

[0013] With an indirectly heated tobacco device having such a configuration, heating of the tobacco-containing material automatically stops if no inhalation occurs for a predetermined period of time, thereby reducing the risk of children accidentally inhaling nicotine-containing aerosols when the indirectly heated tobacco device is left unattended because the indirectly heated tobacco device has been forgotten to be turned off. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, an indirectly heated tobacco device can be provided that reduces the risk to children of accidentally swallowing tobacco sticks, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an indirectly heated tobacco device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view of an indirectly heated tobacco device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view of an indirectly heated tobacco device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the indirectly heated tobacco device showing the air flow. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the top of an indirectly heated tobacco device showing the flow of vapor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An indirectly heated tobacco device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 comprises a case 2, a storage section 3, a heating section 4, a power source 5, a tobacco-containing material 6, a storage section 7, a suction port 8, a control board 9, a switch 10, and a sensor 91. The indirectly heated tobacco device 1 according to this embodiment is disposable.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, the case 2 has a case main body 21, an inner case 22, and a bottom lid 25. The case main body 21 is cylindrical. A part of the inner case 22 is inserted into the case main body 21 from an opening on the upper side. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the bottom lid 25 is attached to the opening on the lower side of the case main body 21.

[0018] The inner case 22 is generally cylindrical. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the interior of the inner case 22 is divided into two spaces, upper and lower, by a partition wall 22a. A cylindrical steam flow path 23 protruding downward is provided in the center of the lower surface of the partition wall 22a. The upper end of the steam flow path 23 is open. A plurality of openings 23a are formed in the wall of the steam flow path 23. The upper end of the steam flow path 23 is open. The steam flow path 23 connects the space above the partition wall 22a and the space below the partition wall 22a within the inner case 22. A protrusion 22b protruding laterally is formed on the outer surface of the inner case 22. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the protrusion 22b is formed so as to surround the outer surface of the inner case 22. The portion of the inner case 22 below the protrusion 22b is inserted into the case main body 21. The portion of the inner case 22 above the protrusion 22b protrudes from the case main body 21. A lid 24 is attached to the opening at the top end of the inner case 22. A through-hole 24a is formed in the center of the lid 24. The inner case 22 is fixed to the case body 21.

[0019] The bottom cover 25 is provided with an air inlet 26. The air inlet 26 can be closed by a bottom cap 27. Air flows into the case 2 through the air inlet 26.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 3 absorbs and stores liquid in a porous material 31 such as a sponge. A through-hole 31a is formed in the center of the porous material 31. The porous material 31 is supported by a bottom 32. The bottom 32 is attached to an opening in the lower part of the inner case 22. The porous material 31 is housed in a space below the partition wall 22a inside the inner case 22. The porous material 31 is disposed below the lower end of the steam flow path 23. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a cylindrical air flow path 33 that protrudes upward is provided on the upper surface of the bottom 32. The lower end of the air flow path 33 is open. A plurality of openings 33a are formed in the wall of the air flow path 33. The lower end of the air flow path 33 is also open. The air flow path 33 connects the space below the inner case 22 inside the case body 21 with the space below the partition wall 22a inside the inner case 22.

[0021] The liquid stored in the storage unit 3 is a liquid that does not contain nicotine. As the liquid, various liquids can be used, such as e-liquid used in electronic cigarettes (a liquid containing vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, flavoring, etc.). The amount of liquid stored in the storage unit 3 is, for example, 2 cm 3 is.

[0022] The heating unit 4 has a heating element 41. The heating element 41 generates heat when an electric current is supplied from the power supply 5. The heating element 41 is disposed within the porous material 31. The heating element 41 is connected to the control board 9 by a wire 41a. The wire 41a passes through the bottom 32. The heating unit 4 heats the liquid in the storage unit 3 by the heating element 41 to generate steam.

[0023] The heating element 41 is held by a holding member 42. The holding member 42 is disposed within the through-hole 31a of the porous material 31. The lower part of the holding member 42 is attached to the air flow path 33, and the upper part of the holding member 42 is attached to the steam flow path 23. The heating element 41 is attached to the cylindrical part of the holding member 42. A filter 43, held by the cylindrical part of the holding member 42, is disposed within the through-hole 31a of the porous material 31. The filter 43 is made of cotton formed into a columnar shape. The lower end of the filter 43 abuts against the air flow path 33, and the upper end protrudes upward from the porous material 31 and abuts against the steam flow path 23.

[0024] The power source 5 is held by a bracket 51 and is arranged inside the case body 21 of the case 2. A battery or the like is used as the power source 5. In this embodiment, the power source 5 is housed in the case 2 and cannot be removed. Because the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 is disposable, the power source 5 can also be arranged in the case body 21 so that it can be removed when the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 is disposed of, making it easier to dispose of the power source 5. For example, the power source 5 may be configured to be removable from the case body 21 together with the bracket 51.

[0025] The tobacco-containing composition 6 contains tobacco leaves 61 and granular microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) 62. The tobacco leaves 61 and microcrystalline cellulose 62 are mixed and compressed to form a solid. When forming the tobacco-containing composition 6, in addition to the tobacco leaves 61 and microcrystalline cellulose 62, for example, water, benzoin, etc. are added. The tobacco-containing composition 6 may be, for example, 0.5 g of solid material. The proportion of tobacco leaves 61 contained in the tobacco-containing composition 6 is not constant, but it is preferable that the proportion of tobacco leaves 61 be in the range of approximately 50% to 70% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the tobacco-containing composition 6. By blending the tobacco leaves 61 within this range, the solid state of the tobacco-containing composition 6 is stable, even if the proportion of tobacco leaves 61 is not constant, and a continuous smoking effect can be obtained.

[0026] Microcrystalline cellulose 62 strengthens the bonding force between particles of tobacco leaf 61, ensuring the structural stability of the tobacco-containing material 6. As a result, microcrystalline cellulose 62 functions as a binder (bond) in the tobacco-containing material 6. When heated by steam, microcrystalline cellulose 62 expands, thereby maintaining its function as a binder for a long period of time. Furthermore, because microcrystalline cellulose 62 is heat-stable, it can reduce harmful substances generated when the tobacco-containing material 6 is heated and maintain a constant combustion temperature. Furthermore, because microcrystalline cellulose 62 is hygroscopic, it absorbs moisture from the tobacco leaf 61, which easily absorbs moisture, thereby preventing deformation of the tobacco-containing material 6.

[0027] In this embodiment, the storage section 7 is the portion of the inner case 22 above the partition wall 22a. The tobacco-containing material 6 is stored above the partition wall 22a. The storage section 7 is closed by a lid 24. The storage section 7 communicates with the space in the inner case 22 below the partition wall 22a, in which the storage section 3 is located, via a vapor flow path 23 in the partition wall 22a. The storage section 7 also communicates with the outside via a through-hole 24a in the lid 24 and a suction port 8.

[0028] The suction port 8 is provided in the suction tip 81. The suction tip 81 is attached to the upper end of the inner case 22 so as to cover the lid 24. The suction port 8 overlaps the through-hole 24a of the lid 24. The suction tip 81 is fixed to the inner case 22. The suction port 8 can be closed with a cap 82.

[0029] The control board 9 is provided with a circuit for controlling the current supplied from the power source 5 to the heating unit 4. The control board 9 is connected to the heating unit 4 via wiring 41a. The control board 9 is connected to the power source 5. The control board 9 is attached to a bracket 51 and placed inside the case body 21. A sensor 91 that detects air flow is connected to the control board 9. The sensor 91 is attached to the bracket 51. The placement of the sensor 91 is not limited as long as it can detect the suction state in the indirectly heated tobacco device 1.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the switch 10 is located on the front of the case body 21. The switch 10 is a button-type switch provided on the control board 9, and is used to turn the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 on and off. As shown in FIG. 3, the switch 10 is attached so that a portion of it protrudes from the case body 21. When the switch 10 is pressed a predetermined number of times in succession, the control board 9 controls the supply of current from the power source 5 to the heating unit 4, thereby switching the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 to an on state in which it can be used. In this embodiment, the control board 9 starts supplying current from the power source 5 to the heating unit 4 when the switch 10 is pressed three times in succession.

[0031] If the sensor 91 does not detect airflow for a predetermined period of time while current is being supplied to the heating unit 4, the control board 9 stops the supply of current from the power source 5 to the heating unit 4 and controls the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 to be turned off. In this embodiment, if the sensor 91 does not detect airflow for 10 minutes, the control board 9 stops the supply of current from the power source 5 to the heating unit 4. Furthermore, if the switch 10 is pressed once while current is being supplied to the heating unit 4 in the indirectly heated tobacco device 1, the control board 9 stops the supply of current from the power source 5 to the heating unit 4 and controls the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 to be turned off.

[0032] Because the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 according to this embodiment is disposable, there is no need to remove the tobacco-containing material 6 contained in the storage section 7 or replace it with a new tobacco-containing material 6. Furthermore, there is no need to add the liquid stored in the storage section 3. Therefore, the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 is designed to be difficult to disassemble. For example, the suction tip 81, the lid 24, etc. are fixed to the inner case 22 in an unremovable manner. Furthermore, the inner case 22, the bottom lid 25, etc. are fixed to the case body 21 in an unremovable manner. By fixing the various components of the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 to each other in this way, it is possible to prevent children from easily removing the tobacco-containing material 6 from the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 out of curiosity.

[0033] The operation of the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 of this embodiment will be described below. When a user presses the switch 10 three times in succession, the control board 9 controls the power source 5 to start supplying current to the heating unit 4, and the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 enters the ON state.

[0034] When an electric current is supplied to the heating unit 4 from the power supply 5, the heating unit 4 heats the liquid in the storage unit 3 by the heating element 41. When the liquid is heated, steam is generated in the space below the partition wall 22a in the inner case 22.

[0035] When a user inhales through the suction port 8, air flows from the outside into the case body 21 through the air inlet 26, as indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 4 . The air that passes through the air inlet 26 passes through the space in the case body 21 where the control board 9 is located, and flows upward through the space around the power supply 5 within the case body 21. The air then passes through the space where the sensor 91 is located and flows into the air flow path 33 in the bottom 32. At this time, the sensor 91 detects the air flow. The air that passes through the air flow path 33 flows from the opening 33a into the porous material 31 of the storage unit 3. The air can also flow into the porous material 31 through the filter 43. In this way, air from the outside flows into the storage unit 3 through the air inlet 26.

[0036] When a user inhales through the inhalation port 8 and air flows into the storage unit 3, the vapor generated in the storage unit 3 flows into the vapor flow path 23 together with the air through the opening 23a, as indicated by the symbol B in FIG. 5 . The vapor can also flow into the vapor flow path 23 through the filter 43. The vapor that has passed through the vapor flow path 23 flows into the storage unit 7.

[0037] The steam that flows into the storage section 7 heats the tobacco-containing material 6. An aerosol containing nicotine and other substances vaporized from the tobacco-containing material 6 heated by the steam is generated in the storage section 7. The user inhales the aerosol containing nicotine and other substances generated in the storage section 7 through the inhalation port 8.

[0038] When the user presses the switch 10 once, the control board 9 controls the power supply 5 to stop supplying current to the heating unit 4, and the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 enters an off state.

[0039] When the tobacco-containing material 6 is heated by steam, the compressed solid matter is gradually loosened by the moisture and heat contained in the steam. The loosened tobacco leaves 61 are easily heated by steam, and the tobacco-containing material 6 can continuously exert its smoking effect. In the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 of this embodiment, 3The indirectly heated tobacco device 1 can be used for approximately 200 puffs per vape. 3 By storing this amount of liquid in the storage unit 3, approximately 400 inhalations (vaping) can be performed.

[0040] The indirectly heated tobacco device 1 of this embodiment is disposable because it allows continuous inhalation using the liquid in the storage section 3 and the tobacco-containing material 6 in the storage section 7. As a result, it does not require tobacco sticks or the like as in conventional indirectly heated tobacco devices, eliminating the risk of children accidentally swallowing tobacco sticks or the like.

[0041] Furthermore, in the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 of this embodiment, current is not supplied to the heating unit 4 unless the switch 10 is pressed a predetermined number of times in succession, so the device will not be ready for use if a child accidentally presses the switch 10 once. This reduces the risk of a child inhaling the nicotine-containing aerosol out of curiosity. Furthermore, if no inhalation is performed for a predetermined period of time while current is being supplied to the heating unit 4, the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 automatically stops supplying current to the heating unit 4. This reduces the risk of a child accidentally inhaling when the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 is left unattended during use. As described above, the indirectly heated tobacco device 1 of this embodiment can reduce various risks to children. [Industrial Applicability]

[0042] The present invention is applicable to indirectly heated tobacco devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1. Indirectly heated tobacco devices 2 cases 26 Air inlet 3 Storage section 4 Heating section 5 Power supply 6. Tobacco Contents 61 Tobacco leaves 62 Microcrystalline Cellulose 7. Storage section 8 Suction port 9 Control board 10 Switch 91 Sensors

Claims

1. a reservoir (3) in which a nicotine-free liquid is stored; a heating unit (4) that heats the liquid to generate steam; a power source (5) for supplying current to the heating unit (4); a tobacco-containing article (6) that generates an aerosol when heated by the steam; a container (7) in which the tobacco-containing material (6) is contained; an inlet (8) for inhaling the aerosol; a case (2) in which the storage unit (3), the heating unit (4) and the power source (5) are disposed; an air inlet (26) provided on one end side of the case (2) for allowing air to flow into the case (2); Equipped with The tobacco-containing material (6) is a solid material obtained by mixing and compressing tobacco leaves (61) and microcrystalline cellulose (62), The suction port (8) is provided in a suction tip (81) that is irremovably fixed to the other end of the case (2), The storage section (7) is disposed on the other end side of the case (2) in a space surrounded by the case (2) and the suction tip (81), and is communicated with the outside through the suction port (8). An indirectly heated tobacco device (1).

2. An indirectly heated tobacco device (1) according to claim 1, The proportion of the tobacco leaves (61) contained in 100% by mass of the tobacco-containing material (6) is 50% by mass to 70% by mass. An indirectly heated tobacco device (1).

3. An indirectly heated tobacco device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, a control board (9) that controls the current supplied from the power source (5) to the heating unit (4); a switch (10) provided on the control board (9); a sensor (91) for detecting the air flow in the case (2); Furthermore, When the switch (10) is pressed a predetermined number of times in succession, the control board (9) performs control to start supplying current from the power source (5) to the heating unit (4). An indirectly heated tobacco device (1).

4. 4. An indirectly heated tobacco device (1) according to claim 3, When the sensor (91) does not detect the air flow for a predetermined time while current is being supplied from the power source (5) to the heating unit (4), the control board (9) performs control to stop the supply of current from the power source (5) to the heating unit (4). An indirectly heated tobacco device (1).

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