Articles used in non-combustible aerosol supply devices

Abstract

An article (1) for use in a non-combustion based aerosol delivery device is disclosed that includes an aerosol-generating material (2), a mouth-end section (3), a tubular member (4) located between the aerosol-generating material and the mouth-end section, and a ventilation area (5) in the mouth-end section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following relates to an article for use in a non-combustion aerosol supply device, a non-combustion aerosol supply system, and a method of manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustion aerosol supply system.

Background Art

[0002] Certain tobacco industry products generate an aerosol upon inhalation by a user. For example, a tobacco heating device heats an aerosol-generating material such as tobacco to form an aerosol without burning the material. This type of tobacco industry product may include a mouthpiece through which the aerosol passes when drawn into the user's mouth.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In an aspect of the present invention, an article for use in a non-combustion aerosol supply device is provided, the article including an aerosol-generating material, a mouthpiece end section, a tubular member located between the aerosol-generating material and the mouthpiece end section, and a ventilation area in the mouthpiece end section.

[0004] The ventilation area may be configured such that when the mouthpiece end section is placed between the user's lips and the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material is drawn into the user's mouth through the tubular member and the mouthpiece end section, air is drawn into the mouthpiece end section through the ventilation area to cool the mouthpiece end section.

[0005] Optionally, the ventilation area may include a porous wrapper wound around the mouthpiece end section.

[0006] The porous wrapper may be configured to be partially blocked by the user's lips during use to regulate the amount of air entering the mouthpiece end section through the ventilation area.

[0007] The ventilation area may include at least one hole.

[0008] The ventilation area may include a plurality of holes arranged at equal intervals on the circumferential surface of the intake end section.

[0009] The mouthpiece end section may optionally include at least one flow path extending along the length of the mouthpiece end section.

[0010] The mouthpiece end section may include multiple flow channels arranged at equal intervals on the circumferential surface of the mouthpiece end section.

[0011] Each of the multiple holes may be aligned with the corresponding flow path in the mouthpiece end section.

[0012] At least one of the holes may be a slot.

[0013] At least one of the slots may be configured to be partially blocked by the user's lips while in use to regulate the amount of air entering the intake end section through the ventilation area.

[0014] The aerosol generating material, tubular member, and mouthpiece end section may be axially aligned along the longitudinal axis, and each slot may extend axially along the mouthpiece end section.

[0015] The mouthpiece end section and the tubular member may optionally be joined by a porous wrapper.

[0016] The porous wrapper that joins the intake end section and the tubular member may be exposed by at least one hole in the ventilation area.

[0017] The aerosol generating material, the tubular member, and the mouthpiece end section may be joined by a wrapper, and a portion of the porous wrapper joining the mouthpiece end section and the tubular member may be exposed by a slit in the wrapper.

[0018] The tubular member may include a ventilation region, which is configured such that aerosols flowing from the aerosol generating material through the tubular member mix with air drawn into the tubular member through the ventilation region.

[0019] The mouthpiece end section may be formed from a fibrous material.

[0020] The fibrous material may also be filamentous tow.

[0021] The filamentous tow may also be made of cellulose acetate.

[0022] The article of the present invention may include a filtration section located between the tubular member and the suction end section.

[0023] The filtration section may be formed from fibrous material.

[0024] The fibrous material may also be filamentous tow.

[0025] The filamentous tow may also be made of cellulose acetate.

[0026] Another aspect of the present invention provides a system comprising a non-combustible aerosol supply device and the above-mentioned articles.

[0027] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol supply device, the method comprising providing an aerosol generating material and a suction end section, arranging a tubular member between the aerosol generating material and the suction end section, and providing a ventilation area in the suction end section.

[0028] The method of the present invention may include configuring a ventilation area so that air is drawn into the mouthpiece end section through the ventilation area when the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material is drawn into the user's mouth through the tubular member and the mouthpiece end section, with the mouthpiece end section placed between the user's lips, thereby cooling the mouthpiece end section.

[0029] Optionally, the method of the present invention may include wrapping the mouthpiece end section with a porous wrapper.

[0030] The method of the present invention may include configuring the porous wrapper to be partially blocked by the user's lips during use to adjust the amount of air entering the mouthpiece end section through the ventilation area.

[0031] The method of the present invention may include providing at least one hole in the ventilation area.

[0032] The method of the present invention may include providing a plurality of holes arranged at equal intervals on the circumferential surface of the mouthpiece end section.

[0033] C The method of the present invention may include providing at least one flow path in the mouthpiece end section extending along the length of the mouthpiece end section.

[0034] The method of the present invention may include providing a plurality of flow paths arranged at equal intervals on the circumferential surface of the mouthpiece end section in the mouthpiece end section.

[0035] Optionally, the method of the present invention may include aligning each of the plurality of holes with a corresponding flow path in the mouthpiece end section.

[0036] The method of the present invention may include providing at least one hole as a slot.

[0037] The method of the present invention may include configuring at least one slot to be partially blocked by the user's lips during use to regulate the amount of air entering the intake end section through the ventilation area.

[0038] The method of the present invention may also include joining the suction end section and the tubular member with a porous wrapper.

[0039] The method of the present invention may include exposing a porous wrapper that joins the suction end section and the tubular member through at least one hole in the ventilation area.

[0040] The method of the present invention may include joining an aerosol generating material, a tubular member, and a mouthpiece end section with a wrapper, wherein a portion of the porous wrapper joining the mouthpiece end section and the tubular member is exposed by a slit in the wrapper.

[0041] The method of the present invention may include providing a ventilation region in a tubular member, wherein the ventilation region is configured such that aerosols flowing from an aerosol generating material through the tubular member mix with air drawn into the tubular member through the ventilation region. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0042] Embodiments of the present invention will be described as illustrative examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] This is a side cross-sectional view of the article according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side cross-sectional view of an article according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a side cross-sectional view of an article according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a side cross-sectional view of an article according to another aspect of the present invention, and [Figure 5] This shows the steps of a method for manufacturing an article according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0043] In this disclosure, a non-combustible aerosol supply system is a system that does not burn or incinerate the aerosol generating material of the aerosol supply system (or its components) in order to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to the user.

[0044] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is an electrically powered non-combustible aerosol supply system, and the non-combustible aerosol supply device used in the non-combustible aerosol supply system is an e-cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine supply system (END), but it should be noted that the presence or absence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not a requirement.

[0045] In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol supply system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustible heating system. One example of such a system is a cigarette heating system.

[0046] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that generates aerosols using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which can be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0047] In some embodiments, this disclosure relates to consumables, including aerosol generating materials. These consumables are configured for use in the non-combustible aerosol supply devices of the present invention. These consumables are generally referred to as articles throughout this disclosure.

[0048] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply device of the non-combustible aerosol supply system of the present invention may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, a power supply or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon substrate which is excited to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol generating material or heat-conducting material adjacent to the heat-generating power source.

[0049] In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol supply device includes an area for accommodating an article, such as an opening into which the article is inserted for use with the device.

[0050] The articles of the present invention include an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material is a material that can generate an aerosol when excited, for example, by heating, irradiation, or some other method. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, which may or may not contain, for example, an active substance and / or a flavoring agent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may include an "amorphous solid," which is also referred to separately as a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that holds a fluid, such as a liquid, inside itself. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material includes about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% amorphous solid.

[0051] The aerosol generating material may contain one or more active substances and / or flavorings, one or more aerosol forming materials, and one or more other functional materials if necessary.

[0052] In this specification, the same reference numeral is used in the drawings to indicate equivalent features, articles, or components.

[0053] Figure 1 illustrates an article 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Article 1 includes a rod-shaped aerosol generating material 2 at the distal end of the article and a mouthpiece end section 3 at the opposite or proximal end. A tubular member 4 is positioned between the aerosol generating material 2 and the mouthpiece end section 3. The aerosol generating material 2, the tubular member 4, and the mouthpiece end section 3 are longitudinally aligned along the longitudinal axis of article 1. The mouthpiece end section 3 is formed from a fibrous material. Optionally, the fibrous material is a filamentous tow such as cellulose acetate. Article 1 may further include a filtration section (not shown) located between the mouthpiece end section 3 and the tubular member 4. The filtration section is formed from a fibrous material. Optionally, the fibrous material is a filamentous tow such as cellulose acetate.

[0054] The aerosol generating material 2 may contain an aerosol-forming agent such as glycerol. In another example, the aerosol-forming agent may be any other material or combination thereof as described herein. Aerosol-forming agents are known to improve the perceived performance of article 1 by facilitating the transfer of compounds, such as flavor compounds, from the aerosol generating material 2 to the consumer. However, adding such an aerosol-forming agent to the aerosol generating material in an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol supply system presents a problem: when the aerosol generating material 2 is aerosolized by heating, the aerosolized aerosol-forming agent increases the mass of the aerosol delivered by article 1. This increased mass maintains a higher temperature as it passes through the mouthpiece end section 3. As the aerosolized aerosol-forming agent passes through the mouthpiece end section 3, the aerosol transfers heat into the mouthpiece end section 3, which heats the outer surface of the mouthpiece end section 3, including the area that comes into contact with the consumer's lips during use. This temperature of the mouthpiece end section 3 and / or the aerosol can be considerably higher than the temperature the consumer is accustomed to, for example, when smoking a conventional cigarette. Therefore, it is desirable to lower the temperature of the aerosol to prevent the mouthpiece end section 3 from becoming warmer than usual.

[0055] In embodiments of the present invention, the mouthpiece end section 3 includes a ventilation region 5 through which air passes as it is drawn into the mouthpiece end section. The air drawn into the mouthpiece end section 3 through the ventilation region 5 acts to cool and lower the temperature of the mouthpiece end section 3. The ventilation region 5 may be configured such that when the mouthpiece end section 3 is placed between the user's lips and the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating material 2 is drawn into the user's mouth via the tubular member 4 and the mouthpiece end section 3, air is drawn into the mouthpiece end section 3 through the ventilation region 5, thereby cooling the mouthpiece end section 3.

[0056] The ventilation area 5 includes a porous wrapper 6 that is wrapped around the suction end section 3. The porous wrapper 6 allows air to enter the suction end section 3 and cool it. During use of the article 1, the porous wrapper is configured to regulate the amount of air that passes through the ventilation area 5 and enters the suction end section 3, being partially blocked by the user's lips. Therefore, the further the user's lips are positioned along the suction end section 3 from the proximal end of the article 1, the less air can enter the suction end section 3 through the porous wrapper 6 of the ventilation area 5.

[0057] As shown in Figure 1, the wrapped suction end section 3 and tubular member 4 are joined by a porous wrapper 7, such as a porous plug wrapper. The porous wrapper 7 connects these members and allows air to enter the suction end section 3 through the ventilation area 5. The aerosol generating material 2 is joined to the tubular member 4 and suction end section 3, which are wrapped by a wrapper 8, such as chipping paper. The chipping paper 8 covers the tubular member 4 and extends over a portion of the aerosol generating material 2 and a portion of the suction end section 3. Thus, the porous wrapper 7 is exposed at the proximal end of the article 1, facilitating air to enter the suction end section 3 through the porous wrapper 6 in the ventilation area 5.

[0058] Separately, the wrappers 6 and 7 may be ordinary non-porous wrappers, and the ventilation area 5 may include a perforation pattern in the wrappers 6 and 7 to allow air to enter the suction end section 3 through the ventilation area 5. The perforation pattern may include at least one hole configured to allow air to enter the suction end section 3. Optionally, the perforation pattern may also include a plurality of holes arranged at equal intervals on the circumferential surface of the suction end section 3. At least one of these holes may be a slot extending along the length of the suction end section 3. The slot may be configured so as to be partially blocked by the user's lips to regulate the amount of air entering the suction end section 3 through the ventilation area 5 during use of the article 1. Thus, the further the user's lips are located along the suction end section 3 from the proximal end of the article 1, the less air can enter the suction end section 3 through the ventilation area 5.

[0059] Furthermore, the tubular member 4 includes a ventilation region 9 configured such that the aerosol flowing from the aerosol generating material 2 through the tubular member 4 mixes with air drawn into the tubular member 4 via the ventilation region 9. Thus, the aerosol flowing through the article 1 is first cooled within the tubular member 4 by mixing with air drawn into the tubular member 4 via the ventilation region 9 before entering the suction end section 3. This lowers the temperature of the suction end section 3, which is further cooled by air drawn into the suction end section 3 via the ventilation region 5. Of course, the tubular member 4 does not necessarily have to include the ventilation region 9, and the ventilation region 5 of the suction end section 3 is sufficient to cool the suction end section 3 on its own.

[0060] Figure 2 illustrates Article 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Here, chipping paper 8 covers the tubular member 4 and the mouthpiece end section 3, extending over a portion of the aerosol generating material, and a ventilation area 5 includes a perforation pattern 10 in the chipping paper 8. The ventilation area 5 includes at least one hole configured to allow air into the mouthpiece end section 3. Optionally, the ventilation area 5 includes a plurality of holes arranged at equal intervals on the circumferential surface of the mouthpiece end section 3. Separately, at least one of these holes may be a slot. The main dimensions of the slot extend in a direction along the length of the mouthpiece end section 3, and the slot is configured to be partially blocked by the user's lips during use of Article 1 to regulate the amount of air entering the mouthpiece end section 3 through the ventilation area 5. Thus, the further the user's lips are located along the mouthpiece end section 3 from the proximal end of Article 1, the less air can enter the mouthpiece end section 3 through the porous wrapper 6 of the ventilation area 5. The perforation pattern 10 may be a tear 10 in the wrapper 8 that exposes the porous wrapper 7. Therefore, the porous wrapper 7 is exposed at the proximal end of article 1, facilitating air to enter the intake end section 3 through the porous wrapper 6 of the ventilation area 5.

[0061] Separately, the wrappers 6 and 7 may be ordinary non-porous wrappers, and the perforation pattern or tear 10 of the wrapper 8 may similarly extend through the wrappers 6 and 7.

[0062] As described above, the article may include a filtration section located between the tubular member 4 and the suction end section 3.

[0063] Figure 3 illustrates Article 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Here, wrappers 6, 7, and 8 are ordinary non-porous wrappers. Wrapper 8 is chipping paper extending over the entire length of the suction end section. Wrappers 6, 7, and 8 are pre-perforated with a perforation pattern 10 to allow air to enter the suction end section 3 through the ventilation area 5. Wrappers 6, 7, and 8 may be electro-perforated to impart the perforation pattern 10 to wrappers 6, 7, and 8. Alternatively, wrappers 6 and 7 may be porous, while only wrapper 8 is non-porous and includes the perforation pattern 10.

[0064] Figure 4 illustrates Article 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The suction end section 3 includes at least one flow path 11 extending axially along the length of the suction end section 3. Optionally, the suction end section 3 includes a plurality of flow paths 11 arranged at equal intervals on the circumferential surface of the suction end section 3. Each of the plurality of holes / slots in the ventilation area 5 is aligned with the corresponding flow path 11 of the suction end section 3. Aerosols flowing through the tubular member 4 along Article 1 into the suction end section 3 flow along the paths 11 of the suction end section 3. By aligning the plurality of flow paths 11 with the plurality of holes / slots of the suction end section 3, the aerosols are well cooled by the ventilation air.

[0065] As described above, the article may include a filtration section located between the tubular member 4 and the suction end section 3.

[0066] Figure 5 illustrates the steps of a method for manufacturing an article according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method of the present invention includes a first step S1, which includes providing an aerosol generating material and a suction end section. A second step S2 includes placing a tubular member between the aerosol generating material and the suction end section. A third step includes providing a ventilation area in the suction end section.

[0067] The various embodiments described herein are provided solely to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are merely representative examples and are neither comprehensive nor exclusive. Naturally, the merits, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of this disclosure should not be considered as limiting this disclosure to the claims or equivalents thereof, but rather as being able to utilize and modify other embodiments without deviating from the scope and / or idea of ​​this disclosure. The various embodiments may appropriately comprise, consist of, or be essentially composed of, the disclosed components, components, features, parts, processes, means, and other combinations. This disclosure also includes other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. Aerosol generating material and The mouthpiece end section, A tubular member located between the aerosol generating material and the mouthpiece end section, Includes a ventilation area at the intake end section, The tubular member and the mouthpiece end section are aligned axially along the longitudinal axis. An article for use in a non-combustible aerosol supply device, wherein the ventilation area includes at least one hole, the at least one hole being a slot extending axially along the suction end section and configured to be partially blocked by the user's lips during use to regulate the amount of air entering the suction end section through the slot.

2. The article according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece end section includes at least one flow path extending along the length of the mouthpiece end section.

3. The article according to claim 2, characterized in that the mouthpiece end section includes a plurality of flow channels arranged at equal intervals on the circumferential surface of the mouthpiece end section.

4. The article according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the multiple slots is aligned with a corresponding flow path in the mouthpiece end section.

5. The article according to claim 1, characterized in that the mouthpiece end section and the tubular member are joined with a porous wrapper.

6. The article according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular member includes a ventilation region, and this ventilation region is configured such that aerosols flowing from an aerosol generating material through the tubular member mix with air drawn into the tubular member through the ventilation region.

7. The article according to claim 1, characterized in that the mouthpiece end section is formed from a fibrous material.

8. The article according to claim 7, characterized in that the fibrous material is a filamentous tow.

9. The article according to claim 8, characterized in that the filamentous tow is cellulose acetate.

10. The article according to claim 1, characterized in that the article includes a filtration section located between a tubular member and a suction end section.

11. The article according to claim 10, characterized in that the filtration section is formed from a fibrous material.

12. The article according to claim 11, characterized in that the fibrous material is a filamentous tow.

13. The article according to claim 12, characterized in that the filamentous tow is made of cellulose acetate.

14. Non-combustion aerosol supply device, A system comprising the article described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. To provide an aerosol generating material and a mouthpiece end section, A tubular member is placed between the aerosol generating material and the mouthpiece end section, and the tubular member and the mouthpiece end section are positioned axially along the longitudinal axis. A method for manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol supply device, comprising providing a ventilation region in the mouthpiece end section, wherein the ventilation region includes at least one hole, the at least one hole being a slot extending axially along the mouthpiece end section, and configured to be partially blocked by the user's lips during use to regulate the amount of air entering the mouthpiece end section through the slot.

16. A method for manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol supply device according to claim 15, characterized by comprising providing at least one flow path in a mouthpiece end section that extends along the length of the mouthpiece end section.

17. A method for manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol supply device according to claim 16, characterized in that a plurality of flow channels are provided in the suction end section, arranged at equal intervals on the circumferential surface of the suction end section.

18. A method for manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol supply device according to claim 17, characterized by comprising aligning each of a plurality of holes with a corresponding flow path of the mouthpiece end section.

19. A method for manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol supply device according to claim 15, characterized by joining a suction end section and a tubular member with a porous wrapper.

20. A method for manufacturing an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol supply device according to claim 15, comprising providing a ventilation region in a tubular member, wherein the ventilation region is configured such that aerosols flowing from an aerosol generating material through the tubular member mix with air drawn into the tubular member through the ventilation region.

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