Flavoring inhaler and smoking system

Abstract

To provide a flavor inhaler that reduces heat transfer to a stopper element and reduces heat transfer to the upstream end of a smokable substance.SOLUTION: This flavor inhaler 100 comprises: a housing part 42 that houses the smokable substance of a consumable containing a smokable substance 16 and a stopper element 18; a heater 62 that is configured to be inserted into the smokable substance housed in the housing part and heat the smokable substance from the interior; and a gap S2 between the heater and the stopper element that is formed when the heater is inserted into the smokable substance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flavor attractor and a smoking system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a flavor attractor for attracting flavors and the like without burning a material is known. As such a flavor attractor, for example, an electrically heated aerosol generation system provided with a chamber for accommodating a smoking article in a housing is known (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the electrically heated aerosol generation system as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a pin or blade-shaped heater is inserted into the smokable substance, and the smokable substance is heated by the heater. When inserting and removing the smokable substance with respect to the heater, stress is applied to the smokable substance in the axial direction (the insertion direction of the heater). Therefore, in order to prevent the smokable substance from spilling from the consumable material as the heater is inserted and removed, a stopper element such as a filter may be provided at the tip of the consumable material. However, stopper elements such as filters are likely to melt or be damaged by heat. Therefore, while sufficiently heating the smokable substance, it is preferable to suppress heat transfer to the stopper element. Further, when the consumable material does not have a stopper element at its tip and the smokable substance extends to the tip of the consumable material, if the upstream end of the smokable substance is heated in the same manner as other portions, there is a risk that aerosol will flow backward to the upstream side of the air flow path from the upstream end.

[0005] One of the objectives of the present invention is to suppress heat transfer to the stopper element. Another objective of the present invention is to suppress heat transfer to the upstream end of the smokeable substance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the first embodiment, a flavor inhaler is provided. The flavor inhaler comprises a consumable material including a smokeable substance and a stopper element, a housing for housing the smokeable substance, a heater inserted into the smokeable substance housed in the housing for heating the smokeable substance from the inside, and a gap formed between the heater and the stopper element when the heater is inserted into the smokeable substance.

[0007] According to the first embodiment, since the heater is at least partially separated from the stopper element, heat transfer to the stopper element can be suppressed while the smokeable substance is heated by the heater. Therefore, melting or damage to the stopper element can be suppressed, and heat loss due to heat transfer to the stopper element can also be suppressed. It is preferable that the void exists around the entire circumference of the heater. In this case, heat transfer to the stopper element can be further suppressed.

[0008] The second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the heater has a heating portion and a non-heating portion located along the insertion direction, and the gap is located between the non-heating portion of the heater and the stopper element.

[0009] According to the second embodiment, since a gap is provided between the non-heating section, which contributes little to the heating of the smokeable substance, and the stopper element, heat transfer to the stopper element can be further suppressed while the smokeable substance is heated in the heating section to generate a sufficient aerosol.

[0010] The third aspect is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the heating element is located closer to the tip of the heater than the non-heating element.

[0011] According to the third embodiment, the non-heating portion can be positioned such that it overlaps with the stopper element and the heat-generating portion overlaps with the smokeable material in the axial direction (heater insertion direction).

[0012] The fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the second or third aspect, the heating element comprises a resistance heating element and a cover that covers the outer surface of the resistance heating element.

[0013] According to the fourth embodiment, since the resistance heating element does not come into direct contact with the smoky substance, contamination of the resistance heating element by the smoky substance and the occurrence of physical damage to the resistance heating element can be suppressed.

[0014] The fifth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to fourth aspects, the heater is positioned between the heater and the stopper element, and has a wall portion that contacts the stopper element and is spaced apart from the heater.

[0015] According to the fifth embodiment, a gap can be formed between the stopper element and the heater by the wall portion, so that the size (volume or thickness) of the gap can be kept constant. As a result, heat transfer to the stopper element can be stably suppressed.

[0016] The sixth aspect is a fifth aspect relating to the second aspect, wherein the wall portion is positioned so as to overlap with the non-heating portion in the insertion direction and is spaced apart from the non-heating portion.

[0017] According to the sixth embodiment, since a gap is provided between the non-heating section, which contributes little to the heating of the smokeable substance, and the wall section, heat transfer to the wall section can be suppressed while the smokeable substance is heated in the heat-generating section to generate a sufficient aerosol. As a result, heat transfer to the stopper element in contact with the wall section can be suppressed.

[0018] The seventh aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth or sixth aspect, the wall portion has a tapered surface whose diameter decreases from the rear end to the front end of the heater.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect, when the heater is inserted into the smokable substance from the tip side, the stopper element in contact with the wall portion is expanded, and a gap is formed between the stopper element and the heater through the wall portion. At this time, since the stopper element is smoothly expanded by the tapered surface of the wall portion, the heater can be easily inserted into the smokable substance.

[0020] The gist of the eighth aspect is that, in any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, a heat insulating member is provided between the wall portion and the heater.

[0021] According to the eighth aspect, heat transfer from the heater to the wall portion can be further suppressed. As a result, heat transfer to the stopper element in contact with the wall portion can be further suppressed.

[0022] The gist of the ninth aspect is that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the heater has a first portion and a second portion that are respectively located along the insertion direction, and the cross-sectional area of the second portion is smaller than that of the first portion. The first portion is located on the tip side of the heater with respect to the second portion, and the gap is located between the second portion and the stopper element.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect, when the heater is inserted into the consumable material, first, a through hole corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the first portion is formed in the stopper element by the first portion, and then the second portion can be positioned so as to overlap the stopper element in the axial direction. As a result, a gap is formed between the inner surface of the through hole and the second portion, so that dissolution or damage of the stopper element can be suppressed, and heat loss due to heat transfer to the stopper element can also be suppressed.

[0024] The gist of the tenth aspect is that, in the ninth aspect that cites the second aspect, the second portion includes the non-heating portion.

[0025] According to the tenth aspect, a gap is provided between the second portion where the contribution of heating of the smokable substance is small and the stopper element, so that while heating the smokable substance in the heating section to generate sufficient aerosol, heat transfer to the stopper element can be further suppressed.

[0026] The gist of the eleventh aspect is that in the ninth or tenth aspect, the first portion and the second portion are coaxially arranged.

[0027] When the central axis of the second portion is located outside the cross-section of the first portion, the second portion may come into contact with the inner surface of the through-hole formed in the stopper element by the first portion. According to the eleventh aspect, by adjusting the shape of the second portion, the entire second portion can be positioned inside the outer peripheral surface of the first portion when viewed from the insertion direction. As a result, a gap can be provided between the stopper element over the entire circumference of the second portion, so that heat transfer to the stopper element can be further suppressed.

[0028] The gist of the twelfth aspect is that in any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, the entire second portion is located inside the outer peripheral surface of the first portion when viewed from the insertion direction.

[0029] According to the twelfth aspect, a gap can be provided between the stopper element over the entire circumference of the second portion, so that heat transfer to the stopper element can be further suppressed.

[0030] According to the thirteenth aspect, a flavor attractor is provided. This flavor attractor has a housing portion for housing the smokable substance of the consumable material, a heater configured to be inserted into the smokable substance housed in the housing portion and heat the smokable substance from the inside, a wall portion disposed around the heater, and a gap between the heater and the wall portion.

[0031] According to the 13th embodiment, since the heater is at least partially separated from the smokeable substance, by positioning the wall portion to correspond to the upstream end of the smokeable substance, the internal temperature of the smokeable substance can be somewhat lowered at and near the upstream end of the smokeable substance. This suppresses aerosol generation at and near the upstream end of the smokeable substance, preventing the generated aerosols from condensing at the bottom of the containment or flowing back through the air passage. Furthermore, aerosols generated in other parts of the smokeable substance may condense at and near the upstream end of the smokeable substance. In addition, according to the 13th embodiment, since a gap can be formed between the smokeable substance and the heater by the wall portion, the size (volume or thickness) of the gap can be kept constant. As a result, heat transfer to the smokeable substance can be stably suppressed.

[0032] According to the 14th embodiment, a flavor inhaler is provided. This flavor inhaler has a housing for housing a smokeable substance of a consumable material, and a heater which is inserted into the smokeable substance housing in the housing and configured to heat the smokeable substance from the inside, wherein the heater has a first portion and a second portion which are located along the insertion direction, and the first portion which is located on the tip side of the heater than the second portion.

[0033] According to the 14th embodiment, when the heater is inserted into the smokeable substance, the first part first forms a through hole in the smokeable substance corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the first part, and then the second part can be positioned so as to overlap the smokeable substance in the axial direction. As a result, a gap is formed between the inner surface of the through hole and the second part, so that the internal temperature of the smokeable substance can be lowered somewhat at the upstream end and in its vicinity. This suppresses aerosol generation at the upstream end and in its vicinity of the smokeable substance, preventing the generated aerosol from condensing at the bottom of the containment section or flowing back through the air passage. In addition, aerosol generated in other parts of the smokeable substance may condense at the upstream end and in its vicinity of the smokeable substance. Furthermore, according to the 14th embodiment, it is possible to suppress the heater insertion resistance from becoming too high.

[0034] According to the 15th embodiment, a smoking system is provided. This smoking system comprises a flavor inhaler according to any of the 1st to 14th embodiments and the aforementioned consumables. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side cross-section of the smoking system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2A] This is a schematic side view showing an example of the heating section of this embodiment. [Figure 2B] This is a cross-section of the heating section along the line 2B-2B shown by the arrow in Figure 2A. [Figure 2C] This is a schematic side view showing the heating element when inserted into the consumable material. [Figure 3A] This is a schematic side view showing an example of a heating section in another embodiment. [Figure 3B] This is a schematic side view showing the heating element when inserted into the consumable material.

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic side cross-section of the smoking system according to this embodiment. The smoking system according to this embodiment comprises a consumable 10 and a flavor inhaler 100. The flavor inhaler 100 is preferably a portable or handheld device. As shown in Figure 1, the consumable 10 comprises a stopper element 18, a smokeable substance 16 heated by the flavor inhaler 100, a center hole filter 15, a paper tube section 14, and a filter section 12. The center hole filter 15 of the consumable 10 is located between the smokeable substance 16 and the paper tube section 14. The paper tube section 14 can function as a cooling section to cool the aerosol that has passed through the center hole filter 15. The inside of the paper tube section 14 may be filled with a material such as a sheet to increase the contact area with the aerosol and promote the cooling of the aerosol. The stopper element 18 is provided on the tip side of the consumable 10, that is, at the position where it first comes into contact with the heater 62 of the heating section 60, which will be described later, when the consumable 10 is inserted into the flavor inhaler 100. The stopper element 18 has the function of preventing the smokeable substance 16 from falling off the tip of the consumable material 10, and may be, for example, an acetate filter, a center-hole filter, a neo-filter, a paper filter, etc. Alternatively, the stopper element 18 may consist of a cylindrical wrapping sheet and a stopper sheet with both ends connected at different positions in the circumferential direction on the inner surface of the wrapping sheet. The stopper sheet may be paper with a length between its ends longer than the diameter of the wrapping sheet. The consumable material 10 does not necessarily have a stopper element 18. In that case, the smokeable substance 16 may extend to the tip of the consumable material 10.

[0038] The flavor inhaler 100 is configured to heat a solid or liquid inhalable substance 16 to atomize it. The inhalable substance 16 constitutes, for example, a part of a columnar-shaped consumer material 10 extending along its longitudinal direction. The consumer material 10 may be, for example, a tobacco stick containing tobacco as the inhalable substance 16. The inhalable substance 16 contained in the consumer material 10 may contain an aerosol source that generates an aerosol when heated at a predetermined temperature. The type of aerosol source is not particularly limited, and various extracts from natural products and / or their components can be selected depending on the application. Examples of aerosol sources include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof. As the inhalable substance 16, tobacco such as laminas or bones, or other known plants can be used. The shape of the inhalable substance 16, such as tobacco, may be shredded, sheet-like, string-like, powder-like, granular, pellet-like, slurry-like, or porous.

[0039] The flavor inhaler 100 includes a battery 23 and a PCB 24 (Printed Circuit Board). The battery 23 stores the power used by the flavor inhaler 100. For example, the battery 23 is a lithium-ion battery. The battery 23 may be rechargeable by an external power source.

[0040] PCB24 consists of a CPU and memory, and controls the operation of the flavor inhaler 100. For example, PCB24 starts heating the inhalable substance 16 in response to user operation on an input device such as a push button or slide switch (not shown), and stops heating the inhalable substance 16 after a certain period of time has elapsed. PCB24 may also stop heating the inhalable substance 16 even before a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of heating if the number of puffs performed by the user exceeds a certain value. For example, puffs are detected by a sensor (not shown).

[0041] Alternatively, PCB24 may start heating the smokeable substance 16 in response to the start of the puffing operation and stop heating the smokeable substance 16 in response to the end of the puffing operation. PCB24 may also stop heating the smokeable substance 16 even before the end of the puffing operation if a certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of the puffing operation.

[0042] In the illustrated example, the flavor inhaler 100 has an insertion end 101 into which the consumable 10 is inserted, and is configured to receive the stick-shaped consumable 10. Also, as shown in the illustration, the battery 23 and PCB 24 may be arranged in a direction that allows the consumable 10 to be inserted into the flavor inhaler 100. In this specification, the insertion direction of the consumable 10 or the longitudinal direction of the flavor inhaler 100 may be referred to as the axial direction. In this specification, the circumferential direction refers to the circumferential direction around the axis in the axial direction, and the radial direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0043] The flavor inhaler 100 includes a housing 30, a dwelling section 42, a heating section 60, and a cap section 80. The heating section 60 is configured to heat the inhalable substance 16. Specifically, for example, the heating section 60 has a shape that can be inserted into the inhalable substance 16 and is configured to heat the inhalable substance 16 from the inside. More specifically, the heating section 60 includes a heater 62 inserted into the inhalable substance 16 and a flange section 64 for fixing the heater 62 to the support 50. The heater 62 extends in the axial direction. The flange section 64 extends in a direction intersecting the axial direction, specifically in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The heater 62 may have, for example, a resistance heating track on its surface or inside.

[0044] The heater 62 is preferably a pin-type heater. In the case of a blade-type heater, where the thickness is very small relative to the width, when the heater 62 is inserted into the smokeable substance 16, the small thickness of the heater 62 makes it difficult to form the gap described later between the main surface of the heater 62 and the stopper element 18. When the heater 62 is a pin-type heater, it is easier to form the above-mentioned gap compared to a blade-type heater. Specifically, the pin-type heater may be cylindrical, for example. The shape of the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the pin-type heater does not have to be a perfect circle, and may be an ellipse, for example. The shape of the cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the pin-type heater may be angular, but in this case, the resistance when the heater 62 is inserted into the consumable material 10 becomes too high, which is undesirable.

[0045] The heater 62 is supplied with power from the battery 23. Specifically, the heater 62 is provided with lead wires 66, which can be electrically connected to the PCB 24 and / or the battery 23. The flavor inhaler 100 may have an induction coil for induction heating of the heater 62. In this case, the heater 62 can be induction heated by the induction coil as a susceptor. Specifically, the heater 62 is inserted into the inhalable substance 16 and is induction heated by an induction coil (not shown) to heat the inhalable substance 16. When the flavor inhaler 100 has an induction coil, it is preferable that at least one of the housing 30, the housing 42, and the cap 80 is permeable and non-conductive (electrically insulating). This makes it difficult for at least one of the housing 30, the housing 42, and the cap 80 to generate heat due to the induction coil, and allows the heater 62 to generate heat efficiently. Examples of materials that are permeable to magnetism and non-conductive (electrically insulating) include glass, plants, wood, paper, and resins such as PEEK. The induction coil may be, for example, a flat coil or a cylindrical coil. The induction coil may be provided on the opposite side of the consumable material 10 via the bottom wall 44 of the housing 42 (described later), or surrounding the side wall 43 of the housing 42 (described later), when the consumable material 10 is positioned at a desired location within the housing 42.

[0046] The containment section 42 is generally cylindrical and can be configured to contain the smokeable substance 16. Specifically, the containment section 42 has cylindrical side walls 43 and a bottom wall 44. The side walls 43 surround the smokeable substance 16 and stopper element 18 of the consumable material 10, which are positioned at desired locations within the containment section 42. As shown in Figure 1, the heater 62 of the heating section 60 penetrates the opening 44a of the bottom wall 44, and a portion of the heater 62 is located inside the containment section 42.

[0047] As shown in Figure 1, it is preferable that a gap S2 is provided around the entire circumference between the smokeable substance 16 of the consumable material 10 contained in the containment section 42 and the side wall 43 of the containment section 42. This suppresses the transfer of heat from the heater 62 and the heated smokeable substance 16 to the containment section 42 and the housing 30 compared to when the side surface of the consumable material 10 is in contact with the containment section 42. As a result, the temperature rise of the housing 30 surface can be reduced, and the removal of heat from the smokeable substance 16 by the containment section 42 can be reduced.

[0048] The housing 30 surrounds at least the outer periphery of the housing 42. Specifically, the housing 30 surrounds the outer periphery of the heating unit 60 and the housing 42. As shown in Figure 1, the housing 30 has an air inlet 32 ​​for supplying air to the heating unit 60 and an end 38 into which an opening is formed into which the housing 42 and the cap 80 are inserted. Air flowing in from the air inlet 32 ​​of the housing 30 flows into the interior of the housing 42 through an opening 44a formed in the housing 42.

[0049] The end portion 38 constitutes one end of the housing 30. During the assembly of the flavor inhaler 100, the housing portion 42 and the cap portion 80 are inserted from the end portion 38. Specifically, the cap portion 80 can be detachably attached to the housing 30. The cap portion 80 has an opening 81 for inserting the consumable 10.

[0050] Next, the heater 62 will be described in detail. Figure 2A is a schematic side view showing an example of the heating unit 60 of this embodiment. Figure 2B is a cross-section of the heating unit 60 in the line 2B-2B shown in Figure 2A. Figure 2C is a schematic side view showing the heating unit 60 inserted into the consumable material 10. In Figures 2A and 2C, the cover 67 and the wall portion 70 are shown transparently. As shown in Figure 2A, the heating unit 60 may have a heater 62 and a wall portion 70 attached to the heater 62.

[0051] The heater 62 preferably has a resistance heating element 68 and a cover 67 that covers the outer surface of the resistance heating element 68. This prevents the resistance heating element 68 from directly contacting the smoky substance 16, thereby suppressing contamination of the resistance heating element 68 by the smoky substance 16 and preventing physical damage to the resistance heating element 68. Specifically, in the illustrated example, the heater 62 may have a hollow tube 65. This allows the heat capacity of the heater 62 to be reduced compared to the case where the heater 62 is solid. In the illustrated example, the resistance heating element 68 is formed on the outer surface of the tube 65, and the cover 67 is placed on the outer surface of the resistance heating element 68. The tube 65, resistance heating element 68, and cover 67 are then sintered to form an integrated heater 62. The tube 65 and cover 67 may be made of an insulator such as ceramic. Placing the cover 67 on the outer surface of the resistance heating element 68 improves the strength of the heater 62 and allows for uniform heating.

[0052] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2A to 2C, the flavor inhaler 100 has a gap S1 between the heater 62 and the stopper element 18 that is formed when the heater 62 is inserted into the smokeable substance 16. As a result, the heater 62 is at least partially separated from the stopper element 18, so that the heater 62 heats the smokeable substance 16 while suppressing heat transfer to the stopper element 18. Therefore, the melting or damage of the stopper element 18 can be suppressed, and heat loss due to heat transfer to the stopper element 18 can also be suppressed. It is preferable that the gap S1 exists around the entire circumference of the heater 62, as shown in Figure 2B. This further suppresses heat transfer to the stopper element 18.

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2A, it is preferable that the heater 62 has a heating portion 69A and a non-heating portion 69B, respectively, located along the insertion direction (axial or longitudinal direction of the heater 62). Specifically, for example, the heating portion 69A corresponds to the portion of the heater 62 where the resistance heating element 68 is located, and the non-heating portion 69B corresponds to the portion where the lead wires connected to the resistance heating element 68 (conductive portions with lower resistance than the resistance heating element 68) are located. Here, as shown in Figure 2C, it is preferable that the air gap S1 is located between the non-heating portion 69B of the heater 62 and the stopper element 18. This provides an air gap between the non-heating portion 69B, which contributes little to the heating of the smokeable substance 16, and the stopper element 18, so that the smokeable substance 16 can be heated by the heating portion 69A to generate a sufficient aerosol while further suppressing heat transfer to the stopper element 18.

[0054] As shown in the figure, it is preferable that the heating element 69A is located closer to the tip of the heater 62 than the non-heating element 69B. This allows the non-heating element 69B to overlap with the stopper element 18 and the heating element 69A to overlap with the smokeable substance 16 in the axial direction (the insertion direction of the heater 62). It is also preferable that the tip of the heater 62 has a projection 69C that decreases in diameter towards the tip. This allows the heater 62 to be easily inserted into the consumable material 10.

[0055] In the illustrated example, the heating section 60 is preferably positioned between the heater 62 and the stopper element 18 and has a wall portion 70 that contacts the stopper element 18 and is spaced apart from the heater 62. The wall portion 70 can form a gap S1 between the stopper element 18 and the heater 62, so that the size (volume or thickness) of the gap S1 can be kept constant. As a result, heat transfer to the stopper element 18 can be stably suppressed. In this embodiment, the wall portion 70 can be formed from an easily processed metal such as stainless steel, or a material with low thermal conductivity (for example, a resin material).

[0056] As shown in the figure, it is preferable that the wall portion 70 is positioned so as to overlap with the non-heating portion 69B in the insertion direction and spaced apart from the non-heating portion 69B. This provides a gap S1 between the non-heating portion 69B, which contributes little to the heating of the smokeable substance 16, and the wall portion 70, so that the smokeable substance 16 is heated by the heating portion 69A to generate a sufficient aerosol while suppressing heat transfer to the wall portion 70. As a result, heat transfer to the stopper element 18 that is in contact with the wall portion 70 can be suppressed. If the consumable material 10 does not have a stopper element 18, for example, the wall portion 70 can be positioned to correspond to the upstream end of the smokeable substance 16 that extends to the tip (upstream end) of the consumable material 10 and attached to the heater 62. The wall portion 70 is located on the root side in the longitudinal direction of the heater 62. Here, the "root" of the heater 62 refers to the portion that is located in the longitudinal position corresponding to the tip (upstream end) of the consumable material 10 when the heater 62 is inserted into the consumable material 10.

[0057] As shown in the figure, it is preferable that the wall portion 70 has a tapered surface 71 whose diameter decreases from the rear end side to the front end side of the heater 62. As a result, when the heater 62 is inserted into the smokeable substance 16 from the front end side, the stopper element 18 that is in contact with the wall portion 70 is pushed open, and a gap S1 is formed between the stopper element 18 and the heater 62 via the wall portion 70. At this time, the stopper element 18 is smoothly pushed open by the tapered surface 71 of the wall portion 70, so that the heater 62 can be easily inserted into the smokeable substance 16.

[0058] Specifically, the wall portion 70 is cylindrical overall and continuously expands in diameter from the front end to the rear end by a tapered surface 71. In the illustrated example, the wall portion 70 is cylindrical. One end of the wall portion 70 on the front end can be fixed to the heater 62. The method of fixing the wall portion 70 to the heater 62 can be arbitrarily selected from chemical fixing methods such as adhesives, mechanical fixing methods such as fitting or crimping, and combinations thereof. As a result, the wall portion 70 constitutes a component integral with the heater 62. A flange 72 having a larger diameter than the tapered surface 71 can be formed at the other end of the wall portion 70 on the rear end. As shown in Figure 2C, when the heating portion 60 is inserted into the consumable material 10, the end of the consumable material 10 (stopper element 18) comes into contact with the flange 72. As a result, the flange 72 can position the consumable material 10. The flange 72 can be positioned so as to overlap the non-heating portion 69B in the axial direction.

[0059] In this embodiment, it is preferable to have an insulating member between the wall portion 70 and the heater 62. This further suppresses heat transfer from the heater 62 to the wall portion 70. As a result, heat transfer to the stopper element 18 that is in contact with the wall portion 70 can be further suppressed. The insulating member may be filled into the entire gap S1 between the wall portion 70 and the heater 62, or it may be placed between the wall portion 70 and the heater 62 such that a portion of the gap S1 remains. The insulating member may be a known insulating material such as aerogel.

[0060] Next, other embodiments of the heating unit 60 will be described. Figure 3A is a schematic side view showing an example of the heating unit 60 of another embodiment. Figure 3B is a schematic side view showing the heating unit 60 inserted into the consumable material 10. In Figures 3A and 3B, the cover 67 is shown as opaque, but it has a resistance heating element 68 similar to that in Figures 2A to 2C.

[0061] Unlike the heating section 60 shown in Figures 2A to 2C, the heating section 60 shown in Figures 3A and 3B does not have a wall section 70. In contrast, the heater 62 of the heating section 60 shown in Figures 3A and 3B has a first section 73A and a second section 73B which have a smaller cross-sectional area than the first section 73A, respectively, located along the insertion direction. Here, the cross-sectional area refers to the cross-sectional area of ​​the heater 62 in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction. As shown in the figures, the first section 73A is located closer to the tip of the heater 62 than the second section 73B, and the gap S1 is located between the second section 73B and the stopper element 18. As a result, when the heater 62 is inserted into the consumable material 10, the first section 73A first forms a through hole h1 in the stopper element 18 corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the first section 73A (see Figure 3B), and then the second section 73B can be positioned to overlap the stopper element 18 in the axial direction. As a result, a gap S1 is formed between the inner surface of the through-hole h1 and the second portion 73B, thereby suppressing melting or damage to the stopper element 18 and also suppressing heat loss due to heat transfer to the stopper element 18. The through-hole h1 may be formed in the stopper element 18 in advance.

[0062] As shown in the figure, it is preferable that the second portion 73B includes a non-heating portion 69B. This provides a gap S1 between the second portion 73B, which contributes less to the heating of the smokeable substance 16, and the stopper element 18. As a result, the smokeable substance 16 is heated by the heat-generating portion 69A to generate a sufficient aerosol, while further suppressing heat transfer to the stopper element 18.

[0063] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first portion 73A and the second portion 73B are arranged coaxially. If the central axis of the second portion 73B is located outside the cross-section of the first portion 73A, there is a risk that the second portion 73B may come into contact with the inner surface of the through hole h1 formed in the stopper element 18 by the first portion 73A. When the first portion 73A and the second portion 73B are arranged coaxially, by adjusting the shape of the second portion 73B, the entire second portion 73B can be positioned inside the outer surface of the first portion 73A when viewed from the insertion direction. As a result, a gap S1 can be provided between the second portion 73B and the stopper element 18 along its entire circumference, thereby further suppressing heat transfer to the stopper element 18.

[0064] Furthermore, when viewed from the insertion direction, it is preferable that the entirety of the second portion 73B is located inside the outer circumferential surface of the first portion 73A. This allows a gap S1 to be provided between the second portion 73B and the stopper element 18 along its entire circumference, thereby further suppressing heat transfer to the stopper element 18.

[0065] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims, specification, and drawings. Furthermore, any shape or material not directly described in the specification and drawings is within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention as long as it achieves the function and effect of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 10:Consumables 16: Smoking substances 18: Stopper element 42: Containment Unit 62: Heater 67: Cover 68: Resistive heating element 69A: Heat-generating part 69B: Non-heating part 70: Wall 71: Tapered surface 73A: 1st part 73B :Second part 100: Flavor aspirator S1: Gap S2: Gap

Claims

1. A smoking system comprising a flavor inhaler and a consumable, The aforementioned flavor inhaler is A container for containing the smoking substance of the consumer material containing the smoking substance, A heater is inserted into the smokeable substance contained in the aforementioned containment section and configured to heat the smokeable substance from the inside, The heater has a heating element and a non-heating element, which are located along the insertion direction. The aforementioned consumer material includes a stopper element, With the smokeable substance contained in the containment section, the non-heating section is arranged such that the positions of the stopper element and the heater overlap along the axial direction. A smoking system having a gap between the non-heating portion and the stopper element when the heater is inserted into the smokeable substance.

2. In the smoking system described in claim 1, A smoking system in which the heating element is located closer to the tip of the heater than the non-heating element.

3. In the smoking system described in claim 1 or 2, The smoking system comprises a heating element, a resistance heating element, and a cover that covers the outer surface of the resistance heating element.

4. In a smoking system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A smoking system wherein the heater is positioned between the non-heating portion and the stopper element and has a wall portion that contacts the stopper element and is separated from the non-heating portion.

5. In the smoking system described in claim 4, The aforementioned wall portion is configured to be inserted into the aforementioned consumable material, in a smoking system.

6. In the smoking system described in claim 4 or 5, A smoking system having an insulating member between the wall and the heater.

7. In a smoking system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The aforementioned heater has a projection at its tip that decreases in diameter towards the tip, in a smoking system.

8. In a smoking system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A smoking system having a support for the heater.

9. In a smoking system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The aforementioned heater is a pin-type heater in a smoking system.

10. In the smoking system described in claim 9, The aforementioned heater is cylindrical in shape, and the smoking system is described above.

Images