Aerosol generator with multiple cartridges

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device including a housing that forms a storage space in which an aerosol-generating article is stored, a heater section that heats the aerosol-generating article stored in the storage space, a first cartridge containing a first aerosol forming agent, a second cartridge containing liquid nicotine and a second aerosol forming agent, a first cartridge heater section that heats the first cartridge, a second cartridge heater section that heats the second cartridge, and a control section that controls the aerosol generating device to operate in a selected mode from a smoked mode and a smokeless mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device including a plurality of cartridges. Specifically, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device separately including a cartridge containing an aerosol forming substrate and a cartridge containing nicotine.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0145593 filed on October 28, 2021, and includes all the contents disclosed in the corresponding Korean patent application as part of this specification.

Background Art

[0003] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternatives to overcome the disadvantages of traditional cigarettes. For example, there has been an increasing demand for devices that generate aerosols by electrically heating cigarette sticks (e.g., cigarette-shaped electronic cigarettes). Along with this, research on electrically heated aerosol generating devices and cigarette sticks (or aerosol articles) applied thereto has been actively conducted.

[0004] On the other hand, if no visible smoke is generated during smoking, there is an advantage that the user can enjoy smoking without restrictions on location or environment. Also, due to such advantages, smokeless tobacco products such as snuff, snus, and chewing tobacco have been developed, but the exemplified smokeless tobacco products have a disadvantage in that they cannot provide a smoking feeling like that of combustible cigarettes or heated cigarette sticks. On the other hand, there are also smokers who prefer to smoke while generating visible smoke depending on their preference.

[0005] Not only is there a difference in preference depending on the presence or absence of visible smoke generation, but even if one prefers the generation of visible smoke, there are differences in the degree of preference regarding the amount of atomization, and there are also differences in the preference of individual smokers depending on their taste for tobacco regarding the amount of nicotine transfer.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for research and development of aerosol generators that can directly adjust the difference in tobacco taste caused by the presence or absence of visible smoke generation, atomization amount, and nicotine transfer amount during smoking, and that can satisfy smokers by providing atomization amount and taste that suits each individual's preferences. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-045149 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present inventors aim to provide an aerosol generator that can be operated in either a smoke-on or smoke-off mode at the smoker's discretion, and in smoke-on mode, allows the smoker to directly adjust the amount of atomization and nicotine transferred through various modes according to their preference. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to the first aspect of the present invention, The present invention provides an aerosol generator comprising: a housing that forms a containment space for containing an aerosol generating article; a heater unit for heating the aerosol generating article contained in the containment space; a first cartridge containing a first aerosol forming agent; a second cartridge containing liquid nicotine and a second aerosol forming agent; a first cartridge heater unit for heating the first cartridge; a second cartridge heater unit for heating the second cartridge; and a control unit for controlling the aerosol generator to operate in a set mode among a smoked mode and a smokeless mode.

[0010] In one specific example of the present invention, the aerosol generating article includes a tobacco rod, the tobacco rod includes a first filter segment, a second filter segment, and a cavity segment formed by the first filter segment and the second filter segment, and the cavity segment can be filled with tobacco granules.

[0011] In one specific example of the present invention, the aerosol generating article further includes a filter rod located downstream of the tobacco rod, the filter rod may include a cooling segment and a mouthpiece segment.

[0012] In one specific example of the present invention, the control unit, in response to determining that the set mode is the smoke mode, operates the heater unit and can operate one or more of the first cartridge heater unit and the second cartridge heater unit.

[0013] In one specific example of the present invention, the smoke mode can be set to any one of the following modes: general mode, boosting mode, and combined boosting mode.

[0014] In one specific example of the present invention, the control unit can operate the first cartridge heater unit in response to determining that the set mode is the general mode.

[0015] In one specific example of the present invention, the control unit can operate the second cartridge heater unit in response to determining that the set mode is the boosting mode.

[0016] In one specific example of the present invention, the control unit can operate both the first cartridge heater unit and the second cartridge heater unit in response to determining that the set mode is the composite boosting mode.

[0017] In one specific example of the present invention, the second cartridge may be means for additionally supplying nicotine such that the total amount of nicotine transferred per puff is constant in the boosting mode or the composite boosting mode.

[0018] In one specific example of the present invention, the second cartridge may contain 0.1 to 5% by weight of liquid nicotine and 95 to 99.9% by weight of a second aerosol-forming agent.

[0019] In one specific example of the present invention, the control unit can operate only the heater unit in response to a determination that the set mode is the smokeless mode.

[0020] In one specific example of the present invention, the heater unit can be arranged to heat only the cavity segment.

[0021] In one specific example of the present invention, the heater unit, the first cartridge heater unit, and the second cartridge heater unit can be driven in a form that is reheated when they first preheat and then deviate from the set range.

[0022] In one specific example of the present invention, the aerosol generator further includes a switch disposed on an outer wall surface of the housing, and the switch sets a smoky mode or a smokeless mode and can be means for setting any one of a general mode, a boosting mode, and a composite boosting mode when the smoky mode is selected.

[0023] <氧 In one specific example of the present invention, the aerosol generator can further include a flow path for directly moving the aerosol generated from the second cartridge to the first filter segment when the aerosol article is accommodated.

Effects of the Invention

[0024] It should be noted that there is an incorrect character "氧" in line . It might be a misrepresentation. If this is an error in the original text, please correct it before relying on the translation for accurate understanding.The aerosol generating device equipped with a plurality of cartridges according to the present invention can select a smoking or smokeless mode according to the preferences of smokers or the smoking location. In the smoking mode, it is possible to control whether each of the plurality of cartridges can be heated to set various modes having differences in the atomization amount and the nicotine transfer amount, and it has the effect of providing an atomization amount and a taste according to personal preferences.

[0025] The aerosol generating device equipped with a plurality of cartridges according to the present invention can transfer a uniform amount of nicotine without difference for each puff by separately supplying additional nicotine through a separate cartridge together with the aerosol generating article, and thereby has the effect of providing a tobacco taste.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a schematic exemplary view when the aerosol generating device operates in the smokeless mode in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a schematic exemplary view when the aerosol generating device operates in the smoking mode in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a schematic exemplary view of an aerosol generating article in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing the amount of nicotine transferred when the aerosol generating article is in Example 1 (General Mode) or Example 2 (Composite Booster Mode) among the smoking modes in one embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0028] The terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be construed as being limited to the ordinary or dictionary meanings. The inventor must interpret them in meanings and concepts suitable for the technical idea of the present invention in accordance with the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to explain his invention in the best way.

[0029] The terms used in this invention are used solely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly intends otherwise. In this invention, terms such as “includes” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should not be understood to preemptively exclude the possibility of the existence or addition of one or more other features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0030] The terms "front side" and "rear side" used in this invention are defined based on the flow of aerosols.

[0031] As used in this invention, the term "aerosol-forming agent" may mean a substance that facilitates the formation of visible smoke and / or aerosols. In the art, the term "aerosol-forming agent" may be used interchangeably with terms such as humectant, wetting agent, etc.

[0032] As used in this invention, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" may mean a substance capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol may include volatile compounds. The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid. For example, a solid aerosol-forming substrate may include solid substances derived from tobacco raw materials such as flat tobacco leaves, shredded tobacco, or reconstituted tobacco, while a liquid aerosol-forming substrate may include liquid compositions derived from nicotine, tobacco extracts, and / or various flavoring agents. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to such examples. The aerosol-forming substrate may further include an aerosol-forming agent to stably form visible smoke and / or aerosols.

[0033] The term "aerosol generator" as used in this invention may mean a device that generates an aerosol using an aerosol-forming substrate in order to generate an aerosol that can be directly inhaled into the user's lungs through the user's mouth.

[0034] The term "aerosol-generating article" as used in this invention may mean an article capable of generating aerosols. An aerosol-generating article may include an aerosol-forming substrate. A typical example of an aerosol-generating article is a cigarette, but the scope of this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0035] In this invention, the terms "upstream" or "upstream direction" may mean the direction away from the user's (smoker's) mouth, and "downstream" or "downstream direction" may mean the direction towards the user's mouth. The terms upstream and downstream may be used to describe the relative positions of the elements constituting the aerosol generating article. For example, in the aerosol generating article 20, the tobacco rod 21 is located upstream or in the upstream direction of the filter rod 22, and the filter rod 22 is located downstream or in the downstream direction of the tobacco rod 21.

[0036] The term "longitudinal direction" as used in this invention may mean the direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

[0037] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, so that those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them. However, the present invention can be embodied in a variety of different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0038] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0039] Conventional aerosol generators have limitations: smokers cannot directly adjust the presence or absence of visible smoke generation or the amount of atomization; the amount of nicotine transferred from puff to puff is not constant; and adjusting the amount of transfer is also difficult. This makes it difficult to provide an aerosol generator that satisfies the diverse smoking preferences of each smoker.

[0040] Therefore, in order to solve the aforementioned problems, the present inventors have invented an aerosol generator that allows smokers to select between a smoke-on or smoke-off mode according to their personal preference and smoking location, individually controls whether multiple cartridges are heated in smoke-on mode to adjust the amount of atomization and nicotine transferred, and provides a uniform amount of nicotine transferred for each puff when a specific mode is selected.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generator 10 includes a housing that forms a containment space in which an aerosol generating article 20 is contained, a heater unit 17 for heating the aerosol generating article 20 contained in the containment space, a first cartridge 14 containing a first aerosol forming agent, a second cartridge 16 containing liquid nicotine and a second aerosol forming agent, a first cartridge heater unit 13 for heating the first cartridge 14, a second cartridge heater unit 15 for heating the second cartridge 16, and a control unit 12 for controlling the aerosol generator to operate in a set mode among a smoked mode and a smokeless mode.

[0042] However, Figure 1 or Figure 2 only shows components relevant to the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, a person ordinary in the art to which this disclosure belongs will see that, in addition to the components shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, other general-purpose components may be included. For example, an aerosol generator may further include an input module (e.g., buttons, touchable display) for receiving input such as commands from the user, and an output module (e.g., LED, display, vibration motor) for outputting information such as the status of the device or smoking information. The individual components of the aerosol generator will be described below.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generator 10 includes a housing that forms a containment space for accommodating an aerosol generating article 20. Specifically, the housing can form the external appearance of the aerosol generator 10. The housing can also form a containment space for accommodating the aerosol generating article 20. Preferably, the housing is made of a material that can protect the internal components.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating article 20 contained in the containment space includes a tobacco rod 21, the tobacco rod 21 includes a first filter segment 211, a second filter segment 213, and a cavity segment 212 formed by the first and second filter segments, the cavity segment 212 can be filled with tobacco granules.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, in one embodiment of the present invention, the tobacco rod 21 may include a first filter segment 211, a second filter segment 213, and a cavity segment 212 formed by the first and second filter segments. The tobacco rod 21 is a tobacco rod including a cavity or cavity segment 212 that can supply tobacco components (or flavor components) such as nicotine when heated.

[0046] Specifically, the first filter segment 211 can form the cavity segment 212, perform filtering and cooling functions for the aerosol, and can be located downstream of the cavity segment 212. The second filter segment 213 can form the cavity segment 212 and prevent the tobacco granules from falling out. Furthermore, when the aerosol generating article 20 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the second filter segment 213 can ensure that the cavity segment 212 is positioned appropriately within the aerosol generating device 10, preventing the tobacco rod 21 from detaching to the outside and preventing liquefied aerosol from the tobacco rod 21 from flowing into the aerosol generating device 10 during smoking.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, the suction resistance of the first filter segment 211 or the second filter segment 213 may be approximately 40 mmH2O / 60 mm to 150 mmH2O / 60 mm, preferably approximately 50 mmH2O / 60 mm to 80 mmH2O / 60 mm. Within this numerical range, appropriate suction can be ensured. Furthermore, appropriate suction increases the probability of vortex flow generation within the cavity segment 212, thereby achieving the effect of uniform heating of a large number of tobacco granules 214. In addition, it has been confirmed that when the filter segment is a paper filter, an appropriate atomization amount is ensured within the exemplified numerical range.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first filter segment 211 and the second filter segment 213 may each contain a paper material.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first filter segment 211 may include a paper material, in other words, it may consist of a paper filter. The paper material may preferably be arranged in the longitudinal direction to ensure a smooth airflow path, but is not limited thereto. Since the paper material hardly denatures with heat, it can be more easily applied to the tobacco rod portion than cellulose acetate fibers, which melt or shrink when heated above a certain temperature.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first filter segment 211 may include a water-resistant or oil-resistant paper material. When the first filter segment 211 includes the water-resistant or oil-resistant paper material, the problem of reduced visible atomization due to the absorption of smoke components (e.g., moisture, aerosol-forming agent components) contained in the aerosol as they pass through the first filter segment 211 can be greatly reduced (e.g., the problem of reduced atomization in smoke mode). For example, when the first filter segment 211 includes a general paper material, the aforementioned smoke components may be absorbed due to the hygroscopicity of the paper material, potentially reducing the visible atomization. However, if the water-resistant or oil-resistant paper material is applied, the absorption of the aforementioned smoke components is almost completely eliminated, thus resolving this problem of reduced atomization.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first filter segment 211 can be made of a cellulose acetate filter. In this case, the effect of improving the removal capacity of the first filter segment 211 can be achieved.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second filter segment 213 may include a paper material, in other words, it may consist of a paper filter. The paper material may preferably be arranged in the longitudinal direction to ensure a smooth airflow path, but is not limited thereto. The paper material is heat-resistant and has the effect of greatly mitigating the problem of tobacco granules falling off due to the melting or shrinking of cellulose acetate fibers when they come into contact with the internal heating element.

[0053] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second filter segment 213 may include a water-resistant or oil-resistant paper material, and as described above in the description of the first filter segment 211, the water-resistant or oil-resistant paper material has the effect of greatly reducing the problem of reduced visible atomization.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cavity segment 212 is formed by the first filter segment 211 and the second filter segment 213. The cavity segment 212 is a segment having a cavity and can be located between the first filter segment 211 and the second filter segment 213. That is, the cavity segment 212 can be formed by the first filter segment 211 and the second filter segment 213.

[0055] The cavity segment 212 can be manufactured in a variety of ways. For example, the cavity segment 212 can be manufactured in a form that includes a tubular structure such as a paper tube, or by wrapping a cavity formed by two filter segments with a wrapper of a suitable material, but the manufacturing method is not particularly limited as long as it can be filled with tobacco granules.

[0056] As shown in Figure 3, in one embodiment of the present invention, the cavity segment 212 can be filled with tobacco granules 214. Generally, tobacco granules 214 have a significantly lower moisture and / or aerosol-forming agent content than other types of tobacco materials (e.g., shredded tobacco leaves, flat tobacco leaves, etc.), so the generation of visible smoke can be greatly reduced, and thus the smokeless function of the aerosol generator 10 can be easily realized. However, the diameter, density, filling rate, composition ratio of constituent materials, heating temperature, etc. of the tobacco granules can be varied and may differ depending on the embodiment.

[0057] In one embodiment of the present invention, the size of the tobacco granules 214 may be about 15 mesh to 50 mesh, preferably about 20 mesh to 30 mesh. Within this numerical range, appropriate hardness and ease of manufacture of the tobacco granules 214 can be ensured, shedding phenomena can be minimized, and the probability of generating vortex airflow within the cavity segment can be increased.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present invention, the density of the tobacco granules 214 is approximately 0.5 g / cm³. 3 ~1.2g / cm 3 It may be approximately 0.7 g / cm³, preferably about 0.7 g / cm³. 3 ~0.9g / cm 3 This is possible. Within this numerical range, the appropriate hardness of the tobacco granules 214 can be ensured, and the probability of vortex flow generation within the cavity segment 212 can increase.

[0059] In one embodiment of the present invention, the hardness of the tobacco granules 214 may be about 70% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more. Within this numerical range, the ease of manufacturing the tobacco granules 214 is improved, the phenomenon of pulverization is minimized, and the ease of manufacturing the aerosol generating article 20 can also be improved. In one embodiment of the present invention, the hardness of the tobacco granules 214 may be a value measured based on the national standard test method KSM-1802 ("Activated Carbon Test Method"). For details of the hardness measurement method and the meaning of the measured values, refer to the national standard KSM-1802.

[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention, the filling rate of tobacco granules 214 in the cavity segment 212 may be about 80% by volume or less, preferably about 70% by volume or less. Within this numerical range, the probability of generating vortex airflow within the cavity segment 212 can increase. Furthermore, the filling rate of tobacco granules 214 is preferably 60% by volume or more to ensure a suitable smoking taste.

[0061] In one embodiment of the present invention, the tobacco granules 214 may contain about 20% by weight or less of moisture, preferably about 10% by weight or less of moisture. Within this numerical range, the generation of visible smoke can be greatly reduced, and the smokeless function of the aerosol generator 10 can be easily realized.

[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the tobacco granules 214 may contain about 10% by weight or less of an aerosol-forming agent, preferably about 7% by weight, 5% by weight, 3% by weight, or 1% by weight of an aerosol-forming agent. Alternatively, the tobacco granules 214 may not contain an aerosol-forming agent. Within such numerical ranges, the generation of visible smoke can be greatly reduced, and the smokeless function of the aerosol generator 10 can be easily realized.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, the wet-based nicotine content of the tobacco granules 214 is approximately 1.0% to 4.0%, preferably approximately 1.5% to 3.5%. Within this numerical range, an appropriate level of flavor can be guaranteed.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present invention, the dry-basis nicotine content of the tobacco granules 214 is approximately 1.2% to 4.2%, preferably approximately 1.7% to 3.7%. Within this numerical range, an appropriate level of smoking sensation can be guaranteed.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol-generating article 20 can be packaged with at least one wrapper. Specifically, the aerosol-generating article 20 can be packaged with one wrapper. In other examples, the aerosol-generating article 20 can be superimposed on two or more wrappers. For example, the tobacco rod 21 can be packaged with a first wrapper, and the filter rod 22 can be packaged with a second wrapper. The tobacco rod 21 and filter rod 22, each packaged with an individual wrapper, can then be joined together, and the entire aerosol-generating article 20 can be repackaged with a third wrapper. If the tobacco rod 21 or the filter rod 22 each consists of multiple segments, each segment can be packaged with an individual wrapper. The entire aerosol-generating article, with the segments packaged with individual wrappers joined together, can then be repackaged with another wrapper. The wrappers can also have at least one hole formed therein, through which external air can enter or internal gas can exit.

[0066] As shown in Figure 3, in one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating article 20 further includes a filter rod 22 located downstream of the tobacco rod 21, the filter rod 22 may include a cooling segment 222 and a mouthpiece segment 221. The filter rod 22 is located downstream of the tobacco rod 21 and can perform a filtering function for the aerosol. For this purpose, the filter rod 22 may include a filter material such as paper or cellulose acetate fiber. The filter rod 22 may further include a wrapper that wraps the filter material.

[0067] The filter rod 22 can be manufactured in a variety of shapes. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a cylindrical rod, a tubular rod containing a hollow interior, or a recessed rod. If the filter rod 22 is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the segments may be manufactured in a different shape. The filter rod 22 may also be manufactured to generate flavor. For example, a fragrance liquid may be sprayed onto the filter rod 22, or a separate fiber coated with a fragrance liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 22. Another example is that the filter rod 22 may contain at least one capsule (not shown) containing a fragrance liquid.

[0068] In one embodiment of the present invention, the filter rod 22 may be composed of a plurality of segments.

[0069] In one embodiment of the present invention, the filter rod 22 may include a cooling segment 222 and a mouthpiece segment 221. Specifically, the cooling segment 222 can be manufactured in a variety of forms, for example, a paper tube, a cellulose acetate filter with a hollow structure, a cellulose acetate filter with multiple pores, a filter filled with a polymer or biodegradable polymer, etc., but is not limited to these forms as long as it can perform the function of cooling an aerosol. The mouthpiece segment 221 may be, for example, a cellulose acetate filter (i.e., a filter made of cellulose acetate fibers), but is not limited to this.

[0070] As shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generator includes a heater unit 17 for heating the aerosol generating article contained in the containment space. Specifically, when the aerosol generating article 20 is contained in the containment space of the aerosol generator 10, the heater unit 17 can heat the aerosol generating article 20 using power supplied from the battery 11.

[0071] The heater unit 17 can be configured in a variety of forms and / or manners. For example, the heater unit 17 may be configured to include an electrically resistive heating element. Another example is that the heater unit 17 may include an electrically insulating substrate (e.g., a substrate formed of polyimide) and an electrically conductive track, and may include a heating element that generates heat as current flows through the electrically conductive track. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the examples given above, and the heating element can be any element that can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may already be set in the aerosol generator (e.g., if a temperature profile is stored in advance) or it may be set to a temperature desired by the user.

[0072] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heater unit 17 may be configured to include a heating element that operates by induction heating. Specifically, the heater unit 17 may include an inductor (e.g., an induction coil) for heating the aerosol generating article 20 by induction heating, and a susceptor that is inductively heated by the inductor. The susceptor may be located inside or outside the aerosol generating article 20.

[0073] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heater unit 17 may be configured to include a heating element that heats the aerosol generating article 20 from the inside (hereinafter abbreviated as "internal heating element"), a heating element that heats it from the outside (hereinafter abbreviated as "external heating element"), or a combination thereof. The internal heating element may be in the form of, for example, a tube, needle, or rod, and may be arranged to penetrate at least a part of the aerosol generating article, while the external heating element may be in the form of a plate, cylinder, or the like, and may be arranged to surround at least a part of the aerosol generating article 20. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the heating elements can be designed in a variety of ways.

[0074] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heater unit 17 can be arranged to heat only the cavity segment 212. Specifically, when the filter segment is heated, for example, if the filter segment is a cellulose acetate filter, the heat can cause the fibers to melt or shrink, and if it is a paper filter, the heat can increase the hygroscopicity of the paper material, leading to a decrease in the visible amount of atomization. To prevent this, it is preferable for the heater unit 17 to heat only the cavity segment 212. Furthermore, this reduces the deformation and release of adhesive contained in the filter, and has the effect of preventing changes in the physical properties of the filter.

[0075] As shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generator 10 includes a first cartridge 14 containing a first aerosol-forming agent, and a second cartridge 16 containing liquid nicotine and a second aerosol-forming agent.

[0076] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first aerosol-forming agent may include, but is not limited to, a substance selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol (PG), glycerin (GLY), ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, and preferably a substance selected from the group consisting of glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second cartridge 16 may contain 0.1 to 5% by weight of liquid nicotine and 95 to 99.9% by weight of a second aerosol-forming agent, preferably 0.1 to 3% by weight of liquid nicotine and 97 to 99.9% by weight of aerosol-forming agent, and more preferably 0.1 to 1% by weight of liquid nicotine and 99 to 99.9% by weight of a second aerosol-forming agent. If the amount of liquid nicotine is less than 0.1% by weight, the amount of nicotine transferred via the second cartridge is extremely small, and therefore the effect of supplementing the amount of nicotine transferred to maintain a uniform overall amount of nicotine transferred for each puff may be minimal. On the other hand, if the amount of liquid nicotine exceeds 5% by weight, there is a problem of increased throat irritation due to the liquid nicotine.

[0078] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second aerosol-forming agent may include, but is not limited to, a selection from the group consisting of propylene glycol (PG), glycerin (GLY), ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, and preferably a selection from the group consisting of glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0079] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first cartridge 14 and the second cartridge 16 may include a liquid storage tank and a liquid transmission means. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the first cartridge 14 and the second cartridge 16 may further include other components. Furthermore, the first cartridge 14 and the second cartridge 16 may be manufactured to be detachable from the first cartridge heater section 13 and the second cartridge heater section 15, or they may be manufactured integrally with the first cartridge heater section 13 and the second cartridge heater section 15.

[0080] In one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid storage tank can store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing substances (or nicotine-containing substances), or a liquid containing non-tobacco substances. For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract (e.g., tobacco extract), nicotine, flavorings, aerosol-forming agents, flavoring agents, or vitamin mixtures. Flavorings may include, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit flavor components. Flavoring agents may include components that can provide users with a variety of flavors or aromas. Vitamin mixtures may include, but are not limited to, a mixture of at least one of vitamins A, B, C, and E.

[0081] In one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid transmission means can transmit a liquid composition stored in a liquid storage tank to the first cartridge heater section 13 or the second cartridge heater section 15. For example, the liquid transmission means may, but are not limited to, cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, or porous ceramics.

[0082] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generator 10 may further include a channel for directly transferring the aerosol generated from the second cartridge 16 to the first filter segment 211 when the aerosol generating article 20 is contained within it. Specifically, the aerosol generated by the transfer of the second aerosol-forming agent contained in the second cartridge 16 and the liquid nicotine can bypass the cavity segment 212 and instead pass through the channel to the first filter segment 211 and then move in the direction of the filter rod. If the aerosol generated from the second cartridge 16 encounters tobacco granules 214 via the channel, additional nicotine will be transferred, thus preventing the problem of being unable to control the total amount of nicotine transferred.

[0083] As shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generator 10 includes a first cartridge heater unit 13 for heating the first cartridge 14 and a second cartridge heater unit 15 for heating the second cartridge 16.

[0084] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first cartridge heater unit 13 or the second cartridge heater unit 15 can heat a liquid aerosol-forming substrate (e.g., liquid composition) stored in the first cartridge 14 or the second cartridge 16, respectively, to form an aerosol. For example, the first cartridge heater unit 13 or the second cartridge heater unit 15 can heat a liquid composition transmitted by a liquid transmission means to form an aerosol. The formed aerosol can be transmitted to the user by passing through the aerosol-generating article 20. In other words, the aerosol formed by heating by the first cartridge heater unit 13 or the second cartridge heater unit 15 can move along the airflow path of the aerosol generator 10, and the airflow path can be configured so that the formed aerosol can be transmitted to the user by passing through the aerosol-generating article 20. The operation, heating temperature, etc. of the first cartridge heater unit 13 or the second cartridge heater unit 15 can be controlled by the control unit 12.

[0085] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first cartridge heater section 13 or the second cartridge heater section 15 may be, for example, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, a ceramic heater section, etc., but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the first cartridge heater section 13 or the second cartridge heater section 15 may be composed of, for example, a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire, and may be arranged in a structure wound around a liquid transmission means, but is not limited thereto. In the art, the cartridge heater section and the cartridge may also be referred to by terms such as cartomizer, atomizer, vaporizer, etc.

[0086] As shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generator 10 may further include a battery 11. The battery 11 can supply the power used to operate the aerosol generator 10. For example, the battery 11 can supply power so that the heater unit 17 heats the aerosol generating article 20, and can supply the power necessary for the control unit 12 to operate.

[0087] In one embodiment of the present invention, the battery 11 can supply the power necessary for electrical components such as a display (not shown), a sensor (not shown), and a motor (not shown) installed in the aerosol generator 10 to operate.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generator 10 may be equipped with a smokeless function. In one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generator 10 can operate in a smoked mode or a smokeless mode. For example, an aerosol generator 10 can be provided that operates only in a smokeless mode, or in a mode selected from the smokeless mode and the smoked mode. This allows the user to use the aerosol generator 10 without being restricted by location or environment, greatly improving user convenience.

[0089] As shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generator 10 includes a control unit 12 that controls the aerosol generator 10 to operate in a set mode from among a smoked mode and a smokeless mode. Specifically, the control unit 12 can control the operation of the aerosol generator 10 in general. For example, the control unit 12 can control the operation of the heater unit 17 and the battery 11, and can also control the operation of other components included in the aerosol generator 10. The control unit 12 can control the power supplied by the battery 11, the heating temperature of the heater unit 17, and so on. The control unit 12 can also check the state of each component of the aerosol generator 10 and determine whether the aerosol generator 10 is in an operational state.

[0090] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 12 can be embodied by at least one control unit (processor). The control unit can be embodied by an array of numerous logic gates, or by a combination of a general-purpose microcontroller and memory storing a program that can be executed by the microcontroller. Furthermore, it will be obvious to a person with ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs that the control unit can also be embodied by different forms of hardware.

[0091] In one embodiment of the present invention, the smoke mode may refer to a mode in which aerosols are generated by the aerosol generator 10, and visible smoke is also generated. There can be various ways to realize the smoke mode, and the specific method of realization may vary depending on the embodiment.

[0092] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 12, in response to determining that the set mode is the smoke mode, operates the heater unit 17 and can operate one or more of the first cartridge heater unit 13 and the second cartridge heater unit 15.

[0093] In one embodiment of the present invention, the smoke mode can be set to any one of the following modes: general mode, boosting mode, and combined boosting mode. Specifically, for each mode, the smoke mode can select whether or not to heat at least one of the first cartridge 14 and the second cartridge 16 to generate visible smoke via the aerosol-forming agent contained in the cartridge, and whether or not to heat the second cartridge 16 to transfer additional nicotine in addition to the nicotine transferred from the aerosol-generating article 20. This has the effect of providing smokers with a variety of flavors and atomization amounts according to their preferences, thereby giving them a sense of smoking satisfaction.

[0094] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 12 can operate the first cartridge heater unit 13 in response to determining that the set mode is the general mode. Specifically, the general mode may be a mode in which the heater unit 17 operates to transfer nicotine contained in the tobacco granules in the aerosol generating article 20, and the first cartridge heater unit 13 heats the first aerosol forming agent contained in the first cartridge 14 to form an aerosol containing visible smoke. In the general mode, the operating temperature of the first cartridge heater unit 13 may be 190 to 290°C.

[0095] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 12 can operate the second cartridge heater unit 15 in response to determining that the set mode is the boosting mode. Specifically, the boosting mode may be a mode in which the heater unit 17 operates to transfer nicotine contained in the tobacco granules in the aerosol generating article 20, as well as additionally transfer liquid nicotine contained in the second cartridge 16, and the second cartridge heater unit 15 heats the second aerosol forming agent contained in the second cartridge 16 to form an aerosol containing visible smoke. In the boosting mode, the operating temperature of the second cartridge heater unit 15 may be 190 to 290°C.

[0096] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 12 can operate both the first cartridge heater unit 13 and the second cartridge heater unit 15 in response to determining that the set mode is the combined boosting mode. Specifically, in the combined boosting mode, both the first cartridge heater unit 13 and the second cartridge heater unit 15 operate, and an aerosol containing visible smoke can be formed via the first aerosol forming agent and the second aerosol forming agent, respectively, generating a significantly larger amount of atomization compared to the general mode and the boosting mode. Furthermore, in the combined boosting mode, not only is the amount of nicotine transferred from the tobacco granules in the aerosol generating article 20, but additional nicotine is also transferred via the liquid nicotine contained in the second cartridge 16, providing a stronger tobacco flavor to the smoker's preference.

[0097] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second cartridge 16 may be a means for supplying additional nicotine so that the total amount of nicotine transferred for each puff remains constant in the boosting mode or the combined boosting mode. Unlike the first cartridge 14, the second cartridge 16 is a cartridge containing not only an aerosol-forming agent but also liquid nicotine, and may be a means for supplying additional nicotine to increase not only the amount of atomization but also the amount of nicotine transferred during aerosol formation. Furthermore, through this additional nicotine supply, additional nicotine is transferred via the second cartridge 16 only until a set maximum amount of nicotine transferred in the aerosol generator 10 is reached, and after the maximum amount of nicotine transferred is reached, the operation of the second cartridge heater unit 15 can be interrupted. The amount of nicotine transferred via the aerosol-generating article for each puff can be predicted and adjusted in advance via accumulated profile data, or it can be adjusted via actual measurements obtained by a sensor that can measure the amount of atomization or nicotine transferred in the aerosol generator. The amount of nicotine transferred in the liquid cartridge can be adjusted via the power applied to the coil.

[0098] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the boosting mode or the combined boosting mode, if the amount of nicotine transferred via the aerosol generating article for each puff is less than the maximum nicotine transfer amount set in the device, the control unit 12 can operate the second cartridge heater unit 15 so that additional nicotine contained in the second cartridge 16 is transferred so that the total amount of nicotine transferred reaches the maximum nicotine transfer amount.

[0099] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the smoke mode, the heater unit 17, the first cartridge heater unit 13, and the second cartridge heater unit 15 can be driven in such a manner that they are initially preheated and then reheated if they deviate from a set range. Specifically, in the general mode, boosting mode, and combined boosting mode within the smoke mode, the heating temperatures of the heater unit 17, the first cartridge heater unit 13, and the second cartridge heater unit 15 may decrease over time after being initially preheated and reaching the heating temperature range, causing them to deviate from the heating temperature range of each mode. In this case, the control unit 12 can operate the heater unit 17, the first cartridge heater unit 13, and the second cartridge heater unit 15 to be reheated in order to reach the heating temperature range of each mode again.

[0100] In one embodiment of the present invention, the smokeless mode may mean a mode in which aerosols are generated by the aerosol generator 10 and no visible smoke is generated (or a mode in which the generation of visible smoke is minimized).

[0101] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 12 can operate only the heater unit 17 in response to the determination that the set mode is the smokeless mode. Specifically, in response to the determination that the set mode is the smokeless mode, the control unit 12 can operate only the heater unit 17. In such a case, the first cartridge 14 or the second cartridge 16 is not heated, and only the aerosol generating article 20 is heated, thereby preventing the generation of visible smoke. Specifically, the liquid stored in the cartridge generates an aerosol containing visible smoke when heated, but since heating of the liquid is prevented, the generation of visible smoke can also be prevented.

[0102] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the smokeless mode, the heater unit 17 can be heated to maintain a temperature of 270°C or lower, preferably 240-260°C.

[0103] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating article 20 may be an article filled with tobacco granules 214. Since tobacco granules have a very low content of moisture and / or aerosol forming agents, using such an aerosol generating article makes it easier to realize the smokeless mode of the aerosol generator.

[0104] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the smokeless mode, the heater unit 17 can be driven in such a manner that it is initially preheated and then reheated if it deviates from the set range. Specifically, in the smokeless mode, the heating temperature of the heater unit 17 may decrease over time after the initial preheating reaches the heating temperature range, and then deviate from the heating temperature range of the smokeless mode. In this case, the control unit 12 can operate the heater unit 17 so that it is reheated in order to reach the heating temperature range of the smokeless mode again.

[0105] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generator further includes a switch disposed on the outer wall surface of the housing, the switch being a means for setting a smoke mode or a smokeless mode, and for setting one of the following modes when the smoke mode is selected: general mode, boosting mode, and combined boosting mode. For example, a button-type switch may be disposed on the outer wall surface of the housing, with three buttons for general mode, boosting mode, and combined boosting mode in the smoke mode, and a smokeless mode button, allowing the smoker to set each mode. However, the switch is not particularly limited as long as it is a means for the smoker to easily set each mode.

[0106] The following examples are provided to aid in understanding the present invention, but these examples are provided only to facilitate understanding the present invention and the invention is not limited thereto.

[0107] Manufacturing example: Manufacturing of aerosol-generating articles

[0108] An aerosol generating article having the same structure as that shown in Figure 3 was manufactured. Specifically, the aerosol generating article has a circumference of approximately 22 mm and a length of approximately 48 mm, and consists of a first filter segment of approximately 5 mm, a cavity segment of approximately 18 mm, a second filter segment of approximately 5 mm, a cooling segment of approximately 10 mm, and a mouthpiece segment of approximately 10 mm. Tobacco granules with a size of approximately 30 to 40 mesh, containing approximately 85% tobacco powder, approximately 5% starch, and approximately 10% moisture were manufactured and then filled into the cavity segment to approximately 75% by volume. The paper width is approximately 150 mm and the basis weight is approximately 60 mg / m². 2Creep paper (i.e., paper that has undergone the creeping process) was produced by creeping a base paper of approximately 0.5 to 1.2 mm, and a paper filter with a suction resistance of approximately 70 mmH2O / 60 mm was manufactured. The manufactured paper filter was cut and used as the first and second filter segments. Paper tubes were used as the cooling segments, and cellulose acetate was used as the mouthpiece segments.

[0109] Example: Evaluation of aerosol transfer characteristics in an aerosol generator

[0110] [Example 1]

[0111] The aerosol generating article manufactured according to the above-described manufacturing example was applied to an aerosol generator that, as described herein, is set to smoke mode or smoke mode and separately contains a "first cartridge containing an aerosol-forming substrate" and a "second cartridge containing an aerosol-forming agent and liquid nicotine," and operates in one of the following modes under smoke mode: general mode, boosting mode, and combined boosting mode.

[0112] The aerosol generator was set to the general mode within the smoke mode and driven.

[0113] [Example 2]

[0114] The aerosol generator was driven in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the aerosol generator was set to the combined boosting mode within the smoke mode.

[0115] First, Table 1 below shows the aerosol transfer characteristics generated for each puff by driving the aerosol generator according to Example 1, and Figure 4 shows the amount of nicotine transferred for each puff by driving the aerosol generator according to Example 1 and Example 2.

[0116] Specifically, the aerosol generator was operated in a smoking room with a temperature of approximately 22±2°C and a humidity of approximately 60±5%. A total of 14 puffs were performed under CRM81 conditions, which is the standard measurement method for liquid e-cigarettes, involving inhaling 55 ml for 3 seconds and waiting for 27 seconds. The aerosol generated from each puff was collected, and the results are shown. [Table 1] TPM:Total particulate matter / PG:Propylene glycol / Gly:Glycerin

[0117] The experimental results, as shown in Table 1 above, confirmed that in Example 1, where the aerosol generator was operated in general mode within the smoke mode, the maximum nicotine transfer amount of 0.028 mg was reached after 3-4 puffs. However, it was found that the nicotine transfer amount was lower at 0.023-0.027 mg after 1-2 puffs compared to 3-4 puffs, and that the nicotine transfer amount gradually decreased as the number of puffs increased after 5 puffs or more. This indicates that the nicotine transfer amount for each puff is not constant, making it difficult to provide the same tobacco flavor for each puff.

[0118] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4, in Example 2, where the aerosol generator was operated in the combined boosting mode within the smoke mode, it was confirmed that the amount of nicotine transferred remained constant at 0.028 mg from 1 to 14 puffs.

[0119] This revealed that in the composite boosting mode of Example 2, in addition to the nicotine transferred by the tobacco granules, an additional amount of nicotine is transferred via the "second cartridge containing liquid nicotine" until the total amount of nicotine transferred reaches the maximum amount of nicotine transferred, thereby transferring a consistent total amount of nicotine for each puff and providing a uniform tobacco flavor.

[0120] Although the present invention has been described in relation to the preferred embodiments mentioned above, various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the appended claims include such modifications and variations insofar as they fall within the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0121] 10: Aerosol generator 11: Battery 12: Control Unit 13: First cartridge heater section 14: First cartridge 15: Second cartridge heater section 16: Second cartridge 17: Heater section 20: Aerosol-generating articles 21: Tobacco Rod 22: Filter Rod 211: First filter segment 212: Cavity Segment 213: Second filter segment 214: Tobacco granules 221: Mouthpiece Segment 222: Cooling segment

Claims

1. A housing that forms a containment space in which an aerosol-generating item is contained. A heater unit for heating an aerosol-generating article contained within the aforementioned containment space, First cartridge containing a first aerosol forming agent, A second cartridge containing liquid nicotine and a second aerosol-forming agent, A first cartridge heater unit that heats the first cartridge, A second cartridge heater unit for heating the second cartridge, and Includes a control unit that controls the aerosol generator to operate in a set mode, either a smoke mode or a smokeless mode, The aerosol generating article includes a tobacco rod, The tobacco rod includes a first filter segment, a second filter segment, and a cavity segment formed by the first and second filter segments. The cavity segment is filled with tobacco granules. The heater section is arranged to heat the cavity segment. Aerosol generator.

2. The control unit, In response to the determination that the set mode is the smoke mode, The heater unit is operated, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first cartridge heater section and the second cartridge heater section are operated.

3. The aforementioned smoke mode is, The aerosol generator according to claim 2, which is set to one of the following modes: a general mode that forms an aerosol containing visible smoke, a boosting mode that forms an aerosol containing visible smoke and adds nicotine, and a combined boosting mode that forms an aerosol containing visible smoke and generates a larger atomization amount than the general mode and the boosting mode and adds nicotine.

4. The control unit, In response to the determination that the set mode is the general mode, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first cartridge heater unit is operated.

5. The control unit, In response to the determination that the set mode is the boosting mode, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second cartridge heater unit is operated.

6. The control unit, In response to the determination that the set mode is the composite boosting mode, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein both the first cartridge heater section and the second cartridge heater section are operated.

7. The aforementioned second cartridge is The aerosol generator according to claim 3, wherein, in the boost mode or the combined boost mode, means for supplying additional nicotine so that the total amount of nicotine transferred with each puff remains constant.

8. The aforementioned second cartridge is 0.1 to 5% by weight of liquid nicotine, The aerosol generator according to claim 1, comprising 95 to 99.9% by weight of a second aerosol-forming agent.

9. The control unit, In response to the determination that the set mode is the smokeless mode, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only the heater section is operated.

10. The aforementioned heater section is The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the device is arranged to heat only the cavity segment.

11. The heater section, the first cartridge heater section, and the second cartridge heater section are: The aerosol generator according to claim 1, which is driven in such a manner that it is initially preheated and then reheated when it leaves a set range.

12. The aerosol generator further includes a switch located on the outer wall surface of the housing, The aerosol generator according to claim 3, wherein the switch is a means for setting a smoke mode or a smokeless mode, and when smoke mode is selected, setting it to one of the following modes: general mode, boosting mode, and combined boosting mode.

13. The aerosol generating device is The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a channel for directly moving the aerosol generated from the second cartridge to the first filter segment when the aerosol generating article is contained within it.

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