Aerosol generating article

Abstract

The application provides an aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article includes a substrate segment, a cooling segment, a filter segment and a front plug segment. The substrate segment is in an integral structure. The cooling segment, as a functional segment in an integral structure, is arranged at an end of the substrate segment along an axial direction. The filter segment is arranged at an end of the cooling segment away from the substrate segment along the axial direction. The front plug segment is arranged at an end of the substrate segment away from the filter segment along the axial direction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 748,567 filed on Jan. 23, 2025, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Aerosol generating articles may also be referred to as Heated Not Burn (HNB) cigarettes in some cases, and generate aerosols by HNB. Specifically, an HNB technology is a technology by which an aerosol generating article is heated, while temperature of heating is not sufficient to burn the aerosol generating article, and aerosols are released.

[0003] In the related art, an aerosol generating article includes a substrate segment and a cooling segment, the substrate segment is heated to generate aerosols, the cooling segment is provided to reduce temperature of the aerosols. Some cooling segments are difficult to be assembled due to their complicated structures. Therefore, how to reduce difficulty of assembling the cooling segment and improve performance of the cooling segment is a difficult point of research in the aerosol generating article industry at present.SUMMARY

[0004] The disclosure relates to the technical field of aerosol generation, and in particular to an aerosol generating article.

[0005] In view of this, according to a first aspect of disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating article, the aerosol generating article includes a substrate segment, a cooling segment, a filter segment and a front plug segment.

[0006] The substrate segment is in an integral structure.

[0007] The cooling segment, as a functional segment in an integral structure, is arranged at an end of the substrate segment along an axial direction.

[0008] The filter segment is arranged at an end of the cooling segment away from the substrate segment along the axial direction.

[0009] The front plug segment is arranged at an end of the substrate segment away from the filter segment along the axial direction.

[0010] In the first aspect of the disclosure, the front plug segment, the substrate segment, the cooling segment and the filter segment are sequentially arranged along the axial direction, the front plug segment is located upstream of the substrate segment, both the cooling segment and the filter segment are located downstream of the substrate segment, and aerosols generated by heating the substrate segment flow through the cooling segment and the filter segment sequentially and then are used by a user.

[0011] In some embodiments, the substrate segment may be formed with second air channels passing through at least one end of the substrate segment.

[0012] In some embodiments, the substrate segment may be formed into an integral structure by an extrusion process.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least one of the filter segment or the front plug segment may be the functional segment in an integral structure, and the functional segment is formed with first air channels passing through at least one end of the functional segment.

[0014] In some embodiments, each functional segment may be separately formed by an extrusion process.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first air channels may include air holes arranged inside the functional segment.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first air channels may include grooves arranged in an outer circumferential surface of the functional segment.

[0017] In some embodiments, each of the first air channels may have a cross-sectional area of 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction as a cross section.

[0018] In some embodiments, a ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels to a cross-sectional area of the functional segment may be 30% to 70%, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction as a cross section.

[0019] In some embodiments, the functional segment may have a porosity of 2% to 15%.

[0020] In some embodiments, the functional segment may have a density of 1 g / cm3 to 1.5 g / cm3.

[0021] In some embodiments, the functional segment may include a support wall, the support wall encloses to form the first air channels, and the support wall has a wall thickness of 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0022] In some embodiments, each of the first air channels may have a diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm.

[0023] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional shape of the functional segment may be a circular shape, the functional segment is provided with multiple air holes at interior thereof, and the multiple air holes are distributed in a mesh shape.

[0024] Or, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment is a circular shape, the functional segment is divided into a middle portion and an edge portion, the edge portion surrounds the middle portion, the middle portion is provided with square-shaped air holes, the edge portion is provided with irregular shapes of air holes formed during extrusion.

[0025] Or, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment is a circular shape, the functional segment has a radial-shaped structure at interior thereof, a cross-sectional shape of an air hole at the center of the functional segment is a circular shape, and cross-sectional shapes of other air holes are irregular shapes.

[0026] Or, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment is a circular shape with grooves in an outer circumferential surface thereof, a cross-sectional shape of each of the air holes is a circular shape, and a cross-sectional shape of each of the grooves is a semicircular shape.

[0027] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional shape of the functional segment may be a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a racetrack shape, a quadrilateral shape or a hexagonal shape, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction as a cross section.

[0028] In some embodiments, resistance to draw (RTD) of the front plug segment, the substrate segment, the cooling segment and the filter segment may be sequentially reduced.

[0029] In some embodiments, the functional segment may include a base material and an adhesive component, and the base material is in form of powders.

[0030] In some embodiments, a proportion of the base material in the functional segment may be 10% to 80%, and a proportion of the adhesive component in the functional segment is 5% to 80%.

[0031] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating article may meet at least one of the following conditions including:

[0032] the cooling segment has a length of 3 mm to 50 mm along the axial direction;

[0033] the filter segment has a length of 3 mm to 8 mm along the axial direction; and

[0034] the front plug segment has a length of 3 mm to 10 mm along the axial direction.

[0035] In some embodiments, the filter segment may include a filler of cellulose acetate or paper materials.

[0036] Or, the front plug segment includes one or more fillers of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, and paper tubes.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of an aerosol generating article according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a third embodiment of the disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a third embodiment of the disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a seventh embodiment of the disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to an eighth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a ninth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a tenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to an eleventh embodiment of the disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a twelfth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a thirteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 19 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a fourteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a fifteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a sixteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a seventeenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0059] FIG. 23 is a graph of a maximum temperature corresponding to a number of puffs for a blank control and different lengths of functional segments.

[0060] FIG. 24 is a bar graph of a total interception amount of aerosols corresponding to a blank control and different lengths of functional segments.

[0061] FIG. 25 is a graph of a maximum temperature corresponding to a number of puffs after adding perfumes and spices to a functional segment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Embodiments of the disclosure and technical features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict, and detailed descriptions in “DETAILED DESCRIPTION” should be understood as explanations of the purpose of the disclosure, and should not be considered as undue limitation of the disclosure.

[0063] In the embodiments of the disclosure, “axial direction Z” refers to a direction shown based on the drawings. It should be understood that these orientation terms are only intended to facilitate describing the disclosure and simplifying descriptions, rather than indicating or implying that a referred device or element must have a specific orientation or must be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be understood as limitation of the disclosure. In the embodiments of the disclosure, “multiple” includes two or more, and in the embodiments of the disclosure, “diameter” refers to a ratio of four times of a cross-sectional area to a circumference. “cross-sectional area” refers to an area of a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction. Taking an air hole of the embodiment of the disclosure as an example, when a cross-sectional shape of the air hole is a regular quadrilateral shape, the diameter is a ratio of four times of a cross-sectional area of the air hole with the regular quadrilateral shape to a circumference of the regular quadrilateral shape. For another example, when the cross-sectional shape of the air hole is a circular shape, the diameter is a hydrodynamic diameter of the air hole with the circular shape.

[0064] The disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0065] A conventional cigarette emits aerosols in a manner of igniting it to burn tobaccos.

[0066] An aerosol generating article emits aerosols in a not-burn manner, and the aerosol generating article generates the aerosols mainly by heating a substrate segment. An example of using a Heated Not Burn (HNB) cigarette as the aerosol generating article is taken, the substrate segment is made of tobacco materials, and may also be referred to as a tobacco segment. The HNB cigarette is heated by using a heating element in an aerosol generating device, such that the tobacco segment is just heated to an extent where it is sufficient for the tobacco segment to emit aerosols, while the tobacco segment is not burned.

[0067] A substrate segment of the HNB cigarette is heated in a sealed aerosol generating device, therefore the substrate segment itself does not provide a cooling effect of cut tobaccos like the conventional cigarette. It needs to add a cooling segment between the substrate segment and a filter segment, to achieve a purpose of reducing temperature of tobacco smoke.

[0068] In the related art, some cooling segments are difficult to be assembled due to their complicated structures and thus are difficult to be applied in actual production; some cooling segments cannot be produced due to high cost of their raw materials; materials of some cooling segments themselves may absorb the aerosols, resulting in that tasting and smoking effects become worse, and may have large interception of the aerosols, affecting the user's smoking experience. Furthermore, the intercepted aerosols are condensed and then may be permeated from the cooling segment onto an external paper of the cigarette, creating stains on exterior of the smoked aerosol generating article, further contaminating the aerosol generating device, and affecting the user's usage and sensory experience. Therefore, it needs to provide a cooling segment capable of improving at least one of the above problems in the related art.

[0069] With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the disclosure provides an aerosol generating article 100, the aerosol generating article 100 includes a substrate segment 101, a cooling segment 102, a filter segment 103 and a front plug segment 104. The substrate segment 101 is in an integral structure. The cooling segment 102, as a functional segment 10 in an integral structure, is arranged at an end of the substrate segment 101 along an axial direction Z. The filter segment 103 is arranged at an end of the cooling segment 102 away from the substrate segment 101 along the axial direction Z. The front plug segment 104 is arranged at an end of the substrate segment 101 away from the filter segment 103 along the axial direction Z.

[0070] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 may be made of tobacco materials, and the substrate segment 101 may also be referred to as a tobacco segment. Of course, the substrate segment 101 may also be made of other herbal materials. The substrate segment 101 is heated and then generates aerosols to be used by the user. In some embodiments, the aerosols may also be referred to as tobacco smoke.

[0071] Exemplarily, the aerosol generating article 100 is used in cooperation with an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device includes a housing and a heating element, the housing is provided with an accommodation bin, and the heating element generates heat in case that a portion of the aerosol generating article 100 corresponding to the substrate segment 101 is inserted into the accommodation bin, thereby heating the substrate segment 101 to generate the aerosols.

[0072] Each of a direction in which the aerosol generating article 100 is inserted into the accommodation bin and a direction in which the aerosol generating article 100 is taken out from the accommodation bin is parallel to the axial direction Z.

[0073] In the embodiment of the disclosure, each of the substrate segment 101 and the cooling segment 102 may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape may be a cylinder shape (that is, a cross-sectional shape thereof is a circular shape), a prismatic shape (that is, a cross-sectional shape thereof is a polygonal shape), an elliptical cylinder shape (that is, a cross-sectional shape thereof is an elliptical shape) or the like, which is not limited here.

[0074] In the embodiment of the disclosure, a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z is taken as a cross section, unless otherwise stated.

[0075] The cooling segment 102 is configured to reduce temperature of the aerosols.

[0076] The filter segment 103 is configured to filter the aerosols, and the filter segment 103 may be configured to remove impurities such as particles, water-soluble compounds or the like from the aerosols during smoking, to provide a consumer with a smooth and comfortable tasting experience. In a process of using the aerosol generating article 100, the user may take the filter segment 103 in his mouth for smoking. Of course, the user may not take the filter segment 103 in his mouth.

[0077] The front plug segment 104 may block the substrate segment 101. The front plug segment 104 is arranged upstream of the substrate segment 101 along the axial direction Z, that is, at a distal lip end away from the user's mouth along the axial direction Z. In case that the aerosol generating article 100 is heated, the front plug segment 104 may absorb condensate liquid formed by backflow of the aerosols, to prevent occurrence of a problem of the condensate liquid flowing in the device to result in that it is difficult to clean the condensate liquid.

[0078] In some cases, the front plug segment 104 may also play a role of adjusting an overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the aerosol generating article 100, and with respect to a manner of heating in which the heating element is inserted into the substrate segment 101 to generate heat, the front plug segment 104 may also play a role of scraping and cleaning a heated substrate material which is adhered to the heating element. The front plug segment 104 may prevent residues of the substrate segment 101 from falling down, liquid accumulation or the like in a process of the user pulling the aerosol generating article 100 out after the user uses the aerosol generating article 100, which reduces contamination of the substrate segment 101 to the heating element and even the aerosol generating device to a certain extent, and keeps the aerosol generating device clean.

[0079] The substrate segment 101 is in an integral structure, which means that the substrate segment 101 is a single, indivisible and physically integral part, and its integral state may be maintained without help of external elements. For example, the substrate segment 101 may be formed into an integral structure by processes such as extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, etc.

[0080] The substrate segment 101 is formed into an integral structure, and presents an integral substrate after the substrate segment 101 is heated for smoking it or heating is stopped, therefore an phenomenon of disintegration and falling down does not easily occur.

[0081] The cooling segment 102 is formed into an integral structure, which may reduce assembly steps and improve production efficiency.

[0082] The functional segment 10 in an integral structure, means that the functional segment 10 is obtained by molding a substantially uniform slurry in one step, without further applying processes of changing external shapes such as folding, gathering together or the like to the functional segment 10, and the functional segment 10 is a single, indivisible and physically integral part, and its integral state may be maintained without help of external elements. For example, a functional segment 10 monomer obtained by slurry extrusion is formed into an integral structure; however, a functional segment 10 obtained by acquiring filamentous cellulose acetate monomers and then gathering multiple cellulose acetate monomers together is not formed into an integral structure.

[0083] In the embodiment of the disclosure, the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 are sequentially arranged along the axial direction Z, the front plug segment 104 is located upstream of the substrate segment 101, both the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 are located downstream of the substrate segment 101, and aerosols generated by heating the substrate segment 101 flow through the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 sequentially and then are used by a user. The substrate segment 101 is formed into an integral structure, and presents an integral substrate after the substrate segment 101 is heated for smoking it or heating is stopped, therefore an phenomenon of disintegration and falling down does not easily occur. The cooling segment 102 forms a functional segment 101 in an integral structure, which may reduce difficulty of assembling the cooling segment 102 and improve production efficiency. The front plug segment 104 may absorb condensate liquid formed by backflow of the aerosols, to prevent occurrence of a problem of the condensate liquid flowing in the device to result in that it is difficult to clean the condensate liquid.

[0084] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the aerosol generating article 100 may include a wrapping layer 105, the wrapping layer 105 may wrap around outer circumferences of the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103. The wrapping layer 105 includes but is not limited to paper or other materials. The wrapping layer 105 fixes the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 as an integral body, to facilitate access to the aerosol generating article 100.

[0085] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the substrate segment 101 is formed with second air channels 1011 passing through at least one end of the substrate segment 101. The second air channels 1011 may increase a specific surface area of the substrate segment 101, to improve extraction efficiency of the aerosols.

[0086] The second air channel 1011 is a macroscopic passage, that is, the second air channel 1011 is formed mainly by processing, and sizes of the second air channel 1011 such as a cross-sectional area, a length or the like may be changed according to design requirements.

[0087] As an example, the second air channel 1011 may pass through one or two ends of the substrate segment 101 along the axial direction Z.

[0088] As an example, the second air channel 1011 may also pass through an outer circumferential surface of the functional segment 10.

[0089] In some embodiments, the second air channel 1011 may extend along the axial direction Z. Preferably, the second air channel 1011 passes through two ends of the substrate segment 101 along the axial direction Z.

[0090] In some embodiments, a number of second air channels 1011 may be one or more.

[0091] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 is formed into an integral structure by an extrusion process.

[0092] As an example, the substrate segment 101 has an integrally formed porous structure manufactured by the extrusion process or a die-casting process. That is, the second air channel 1011 may be molded by extrusion or die-casting.

[0093] “molded by extrusion” refers to a processing method by which a mixture of raw materials is fed into an extruder, the materials pass through a barrel of the extruder, are pushed forward by screws with an action of the screws, and continuously pass through a head piece of the extruder to form articles or semi-finished articles with various cross-sectional shapes.

[0094] The substrate segment 101 is a particle bonding body, with microchannels between particles of the particle bonding body. For example, sizes of the microchannel such as an area of a flowing cross section, a length or the like are naturally formed by components of the material, and the components of the material expand to a certain extent to form the microchannels. The aerosols may flow through the microchannels.

[0095] The microchannel described in the disclosure is different from the second air channel 1011, the microchannel is disordered. “disordered” means that it is difficult to generate the microchannel in an orderly manner according to design, that is, the microchannel is randomly generated. The second air channel 1011 is ordered, that is, it is formed mainly by design and processing, and has predictability. The second air channel 1011 described in the disclosure belongs to a hole in a macroscopic sense, the microchannel belongs to a hole in a microscopic sense, and sizes of the second air channel 1011 such as an area of a flowing cross section, a length or the like are much larger than those of the microchannel. The second air channel 1011 is formed mainly by design and processing, and exemplarily, the second air channel 1011 is formed by processing with a mold. Therefore, sizes of the second air channel 1011 such as the cross-sectional area of the flowing cross section, the length or the like may be changed according to design requirements; however, the size of the microchannel is determined by gaps between the particles. For example, the material is in form of particles, the substrate segment 101 molded by extruding from the material are provided with microchannels, sizes of the microchannel such as the area of the flowing cross section, the length or the like are naturally formed by the extrusion process and components of the material, and the material flows out of mouth of the mold and then expands to a certain extent to form the microchannel.

[0096] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 may have a porosity of 2% to 15%. Exemplarily, the porosity of the substrate segment 101 may be any one of values of 2%, 4%, 5%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 13% and 15%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0097] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 is provided with a partition wall, the partition wall encloses to form the second air channels 1011. The partition wall has a thickness of 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm. Exemplarily, the thickness of the partition wall is any one of values of 0.04 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.35 mm and 0.4 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0098] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 may have a density of 1 g / cm3 to 1.5 g / cm3. Exemplarily, the density of the substrate segment 101 may be any one of values of 1 g / cm3, 1.1 g / cm3, 1.2 g / cm3, 1.4 g / cm3 and 1.5 g / cm3, or a value between any two of the values.

[0099] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, at least one of the filter segment 103 or the front plug segment 104 forms a functional segment 10 in an integral structure, and the functional segment 10 is formed with first air channels 11 passing through at least one end of the functional segment 10. The first air channel 11 may be provided for the aerosols to circulate through it, or may temporarily store the aerosols to play a role of slowing release thereof. In this way, the first air channel 11 may achieve functions of temperature reduction, filtration, adjusting RTD, etc.

[0100] As an example, the first air channel 11 may pass through one or two ends of the functional segment 10, etc.

[0101] As an example, the first air channel 11 may also pass through an outer circumferential surface of the functional segment 10.

[0102] In some embodiments, a number of first air channels 11 of a single functional segment 10 may be one or more.

[0103] The first air channel 11 is a macroscopic passage, that is, the first air channel 11 is formed mainly by processing, and sizes of the first air channel 11 such as a cross-sectional area, a length or the like may be changed according to design requirements.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first air channel 11 may extend along the axial direction Z. Preferably, the first air channel 11 passes through two ends of the functional segment 10 along the axial direction Z.

[0105] In some embodiments, the cooling segment 102 may be formed with a first air channel 11 passing through at least one end of the cooling segment 102. The cooling segment 102 may be provided with one or more first air channels 11.

[0106] In some embodiments, the cooling segment 102 may not be provided with first air channels 11.

[0107] In some embodiments, the filter segment 103 may be formed with a first air channel 11 passing through at least one end of the filter segment 103. The filter segment 103 may be provided with one or more first air channels 11.

[0108] In some embodiments, the filter segment 103 may not be provided with first air channels 11.

[0109] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 104 may be formed with a first air channel 11 passing through at least one end of the front plug segment 104. The front plug segment 104 may be provided with one or more first air channels 11.

[0110] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 104 may not be provided with first air channels 11.

[0111] In some embodiments, each functional segment 10 is separately formed by an extrusion process. An example of each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 forming a functional segment 10 in an integral structure is taken, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 are formed by the extrusion process respectively.

[0112] The functional segment 10 is formed into an integral structure by the extrusion process or a die-casting process. The functional segment 10 molded by extrusion or die-casting has a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0113] The cooling segment 102 may be formed into an integral structure by the extrusion process or the die-casting process.

[0114] The filter segment 103 may be formed into an integral structure by the extrusion process or the die-casting process.

[0115] The front plug segment 104 may be formed into an integral structure by the extrusion process or the die-casting process.

[0116] Exemplarily, the functional segment 10 is formed into an integral structure by the extrusion process, and during extrusion, different raw materials may be mixed into a slurry in one step or multiple steps, and then the slurry may be extruded into a desired shape by an extruder. Based on different functions of structures to be extruded, different raw materials may be mixed to obtain different slurries, or the slurry may be extruded into different shapes of structures by using different shapes of molds. The first air channel 11 may be formed on the functional segment 10 by extrusion.

[0117] The cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 may be integrally formed by using the same or different processes. An example of molding the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 by the extrusion process is taken, different raw materials may be mixed to obtain different slurries according to different functions of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104, or the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 may achieve different functions by extruding into different shapes of structures.

[0118] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 22, the first air channels 11 include air holes 11a arranged inside the functional segment 10. The air holes 11a may pass through one or two ends of the functional segment 10 along the axial direction Z. The air holes 11a may effectively increase a specific surface area, which is beneficial to cool the aerosols, and may also effectively adjust the RTD.

[0119] A number of air holes 11a in a single functional segment 10 is not limited, and the number of air holes 11a may be one or more.

[0120] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 22, a cross-sectional shape of the air hole 11a includes but is not limited to a regular shape or an irregular shape by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section, and the cross-sectional shape of the air hole 11a includes but is not limited to a regular shape such as a circular shape, a regular triangular shape, a square shape, a regular pentagonal shape, a regular hexagonal shape or the like, or the cross-sectional shape of the air hole 11a may be another irregular shape except the above regular shape.

[0121] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, all of the air holes 11a of the functional segment 10 have the same cross-sectional shape.

[0122] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the functional segment 10 is provided with air holes 11a with at least two cross-sectional shapes.

[0123] In some embodiments, each first air channel 11 has a cross-sectional area of 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section. Preferably, each first air channel 11 has a cross-sectional area of 0.09 mm2 to 1.96 mm2. Exemplarily, the cross-sectional area of each first air channel 11 may be any one of values of 0.05 mm2, 0.09 mm2, 1.1 mm2 and 1.96 mm2, or a value between any two of the values.

[0124] It may be understood that the first air channel 11 may include air holes 11a and grooves 11b, and at least one of the air hole 11a or the groove 11b may have a cross-sectional area of 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2.

[0125] Exemplarily, each air hole 11a has a cross-sectional area of 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section. Preferably, each air hole 11a has a cross-sectional area of 0.09 mm2 to 1.96 mm2.

[0126] Exemplarily, each groove 11b has a cross-sectional area of 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, by taking the plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section. Preferably, each groove 11b has a cross-sectional area of 0.09 mm2 to 1.96 mm2.

[0127] In some embodiments, in an embodiment in which the front plug segment 104 forms the functional segment 10, the air hole 11a of the front plug segment 104 has a cross-sectional area of 0.09 mm2 to 1.96 mm2.

[0128] Based on simulation and experimental validation, a large variation range of the RTD is present in case that the cross-sectional area of the first air channel 11 is in a range of 0.27 mm2 to 0.67 mm2. Considering provision of a feature “specific surface area”, a range of 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2 may effectively cover a RTD range required by the designed functional segment 10. A RTD when the cross-sectional area is less than 0.05 mm2 may be too large and thus may affect the smoking experience, while a RTD when the cross-sectional area is greater than 1.96 mm2 may not be reduced any more with increase of the area of the air hole 11a. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the first air channel 11 may be 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, which may meet requirements of the RTD.

[0129] In some embodiments, each first air channel 11 has a diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm. Exemplarily, the diameter of the first air channel 11 may be any one of values of 0.3 mm, 1 mm, 1.2 mm and 1.4 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0130] In some embodiments, each air hole 11a has a hydrodynamic diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm.

[0131] In some embodiments, each groove 11b has a diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm.

[0132] With such design, the cross-sectional area of the air channel 11 may be controlled to be between 0.05 mm2 and 1.96 mm2, which may effectively cover a RTD range required by the designed functional segment 10.

[0133] In some embodiments, a ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 to a cross-sectional area of the functional segment 10 is 30% to 70%, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section.

[0134] As an example, the ratio of the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 to the cross-sectional area of the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 30%, 50% and 70%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0135] The sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 refers to a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 of the functional segment 10 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction Z.

[0136] The cross-sectional area of the functional segment 10 refers to an area of an outer contour shape of the functional segment 10 in the cross section perpendicular to the axial direction Z.

[0137] The ratio of the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 to the cross-sectional area of the functional segment 10 refers to a percentage of the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 to the cross-sectional area of the functional segment 10.

[0138] It may be understood that in an embodiment in which the first air channel 11 includes only air holes 11a, the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 is a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the air holes 11a. In an embodiment in which the first air channel 11 includes only grooves 11b, the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 is a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the grooves 11b. In an embodiment in which the first air channel 11 includes air holes 11a and grooves 11b, the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 is a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the air holes 11a and cross-sectional areas of all the grooves 11b.

[0139] In this embodiment, in case that the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 is too large, negative effects such as a poor interception effect, the aerosols scalding the mouth or the like may occur. In case that the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 is too small, phenomena such as a strong interception effect, a small amount of aerosols, reduced satisfaction or the like may occur. Therefore, the ratio of the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 to the cross-sectional area of the functional segment 10 is 30% to 70%, which may achieve balance between the amount of aerosols and temperature of the aerosols.

[0140] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 19 to FIG. 22, the first air channels 11 include grooves 11b arranged in an outer circumferential surface of the functional segment 10. The grooves 11b may pass through one or two ends of the functional segment 10 along the axial direction Z. The grooves 11b are formed in the outer circumferential surface of the functional segment 10, that is, the grooves 11b are open outward. The grooves 11b may increase an outer surface area of the functional segment 10, improve an aerosol transmission efficiency, which is beneficial for the user to acquire active ingredients and is more beneficial for extraction of the active ingredients.

[0141] A number of grooves 11b in a single functional segment 10 is not limited, and the number of grooves 11b may be one or more. Multiple grooves 11b may be arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction of the functional segment 10.

[0142] It may be understood that the circumferential direction is a direction around the axial direction Z.

[0143] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 19 to FIG. 22, a cross-sectional shape of the groove 11b includes but is not limited to a regular shape or an irregular shape by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section. Exemplarily, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 11b includes but is not limited to a regular shape such as a semicircular shape, a trapezoidal shape, a triangular shape, etc. Or, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 11b may be another irregular shape except the above regular shape.

[0144] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 has a porosity of 2% to 15%.

[0145] Exemplarily, the porosity of the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 2%, 10% and 15%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0146] In case that the porosity of the functional segment 10 is less than 2%, a fragrance-adding function of the functional segment 10 may be affected, and fragrance components carried by perfumes and spices of the functional segment 10 are not released easily. In case that the porosity of the functional segment 10 is greater than 15%, it may result in that the functional segment 10 has a large shrinkage rate during smoking and is not stable in structure, thereby affecting the smoking experience such as the RTD, the amount of aerosols, etc. Therefore, the functional segment 10 has a porosity of 2% to 15%, to achieve balance between fragrance release and structural stability of the functional segment 10.

[0147] The porosity of the functional segment 10 refers to a ratio of a sum of volumes of all the first air channels 11 of the functional segment 10 to a total volume of the functional segment 10.

[0148] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 22, the functional segment 10 includes a support wall 12, the support wall 12 encloses to form the first air channels 11, and the support wall 12 has a wall thickness of 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0149] Exemplarily, the wall thickness of the support wall 12 is any one of values of 0.04 mm, 0.1 mm and 0.4 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0150] The support wall 12 is a solid structure, and design of the wall thickness is related to cross-sectional area and size of the first air channel 11. When the wall thickness of the support wall 12 is too thick or too thin, the cross-sectional area of the first air channel 11 may be compressed, thereby affecting an adjustable range of the RTD and interception efficiency. When the wall thickness of the support wall 12 is 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm, the support wall 12 has a good structural strength, and the support wall 12 does not deform substantially during heating of the aerosol generating article 100, which may maintain shape of the first air channel 11, may also balance adjustment of the RTD, and meet requirements of the interception efficiency.

[0151] In some embodiments, the number of air holes 11a is multiple, and the support wall 12 is divided into an internal support wall 12 and an external support wall 12. Gaps between multiple internal support walls 12 form multiple air holes 11a. The internal support wall 12 refers to a solid material of the functional segment 10 between the air holes 11a. The external support wall 12 refers to a solid material of the functional segment 10 between an air hole 11a closest to the outer circumferential surface of the functional segment 10 and the outer circumferential surface, and the external support wall 12 and the internal support wall 12 may form the grooves 11b together.

[0152] A wall thickness of the internal support wall 12 may be equal or unequal to a wall thickness of the external support wall 12. Wall thicknesses of multiple internal support walls 12 may be equal or unequal.

[0153] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 has a density of 1 g / cm3 to 1.5 g / cm3.

[0154] Exemplarily, the density of the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 1 g / cm3, 1.2 g / cm3 and 1.5 g / cm3, or a value between any two of the values.

[0155] The density of the functional segment 10 depends on composite materials forming the functional segment 10. When the density of the functional segment 10 is less than 1 g / cm3, it easily results in a low strength of the functional segment 10, it is difficult to mold the functional segment 10 during extrusion, and it is difficult to store the functional segment 10 after extrusion, with a risk of structural collapse; furthermore, low-density polymer materials usually have a large coefficient of thermal expansion, and may exhibit significant deformation in a high-temperature environment, resulting in poor consistency of smoking; furthermore, non-smooth surfaces and non-uniform textures or defects easily occur, which affects appearance quality of the product. When the density of the functional segment 10 is too large, molecular chains of high-density materials are more tight there-between, resulting in a high viscosity and poor fluidity, which may result in blockage of extrusion or non-smooth extrusion, and may also result in increase of energy consumption for production and significant increase of production cost. Therefore, when the density of the functional segment 10 is 1 g / cm3 to 1.5 g / cm3, the functional segment 10 has a good molding effect, a good structural stability and relatively low energy consumption for production.

[0156] The density of the functional segment 10 refers to an actual mass of the functional segment 10 per unit volume in an absolutely dense state, that is, a density obtained by removing the first air channels 11 and micropores, that is, the volume here does not include volumes of the first air channels 11 and micropores.

[0157] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 has a diameter of 3.6 mm to 15 mm. Exemplarily, the diameter of the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 3.6 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm and 15 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0158] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 may be a regular shape or an irregular shape by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section, and the irregular shape is a special-shaped structure except the regular shape.

[0159] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a racetrack shape, a quadrilateral shape or a hexagonal shape, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section.

[0160] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is a regular shape such as a pentagonal shape, an octagonal shape or the like, by taking the plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section.

[0161] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is an irregular shape such as a vortex shape, a snowflake shape or the like, by taking the plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section.

[0162] In some embodiments, at least two of the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 may have the same or different cross-sectional shapes. Exemplarily, the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 have the same cross-sectional shape. The front plug segment 104, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 have the same cross-sectional shape, while the substrate segment 101 has a different cross-sectional shape.

[0163] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 15, a cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is a circular shape, the functional segment 10 is provided with multiple air holes 11a at interior thereof, and the multiple air holes 11a are distributed in a mesh shape.

[0164] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 7, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is a circular shape, the functional segment 10 is divided into a middle portion and an edge portion, the edge portion surrounds the middle portion, the middle portion is provided with square-shaped air holes 11a, the edge portion is provided with irregular shapes of air holes 11a formed during extrusion.

[0165] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 18, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is a circular shape, the functional segment 10 has a radial-shaped structure at interior thereof, a cross-sectional shape of an air hole 11a at the center of the functional segment 10 is a circular shape, and cross-sectional shapes of other air holes 11a are irregular shapes.

[0166] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 19, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is a circular shape with grooves 11b in an outer circumferential surface thereof, a cross-sectional shape of each of the air holes 11a is a circular shape, and a cross-sectional shape of each of the grooves 11b is a semicircular shape.

[0167] In some embodiments, RTDs of the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 are sequentially reduced. That is, from a perspective of the RTD, RTDs of the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 may be sequentially reduced from a distal lip end to a proximal lip end, that is, from upstream to downstream. Designing the RTDs to be sequentially reduced, may help to guide the aerosols to flow more smoothly, reduce local retention, and prevent flow rates of the aerosols in certain areas from becoming too slow or too fast due to a too large RTD, thereby affecting an overall smoking experience.

[0168] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 includes a base material and an adhesive component, the base material is in form of powders.

[0169] Here, the adhesive component is configured to bond the base material in form of powders. The adhesive component bonds the base material as an integral body, forming main structure of the functional segment 10. The functional segment 10 is made of a mixed material formed of the base material and the adhesive component, which has at least one characteristic such as good strength, good cooling effect, less interception of tobacco smoke, easy addition of spices, etc.

[0170] The base material in form of powders and the adhesive component are bonded to form a particle bonding body, with micropores between particles of the particle bonding body. For example, sizes of the micropore such as an area of a flowing cross section, a length or the like are naturally formed by components of the material, and the components of the material expand to a certain extent to form the micropores. The aerosols may flow through the micropores.

[0171] The micropore described in the disclosure is different from the first air channel 11, the micropore is disordered. “disordered” means that it is difficult to generate the micropore in an orderly manner according to design, that is, the micropore is randomly generated. The first air channel 11 is ordered, that is, it is formed mainly by design and processing, and has predictability. The first air channel 11 described in the disclosure belongs to a hole or groove in a macroscopic sense, the micropore belongs to a hole in a microscopic sense, and sizes of the first air channel 11 such as an area of a flowing cross section, a length or the like are much greater than those of the micropore. The first air channel 11 is formed mainly by design and processing, and exemplarily, the first air channel 11 is formed by processing with a mold. Therefore, sizes of the first air channel 11 such as the cross-sectional area of the flowing cross section, the length or the like may be changed according to design requirements; however, the size of the micropore is determined by gaps between the particles. For example, the base material is in form of particles, the functional segment 10 molded by extruding from the material is provided with micropores, sizes of the micropore such as the area of the flowing cross section, the length or the like are naturally formed by the extrusion process and components of the material, and the material flows out of mouth of the mold and then expands to a certain extent to form the micropores.

[0172] The base material may include one or more organic materials, and the base material may also include one or more inorganic materials.

[0173] In some embodiments, the base material includes at least one of plant cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, or silicon dioxide.

[0174] Exemplarily, the base material includes one of plant cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, and silicon dioxide.

[0175] Exemplarily, the base material includes multiple of plant cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, and silicon dioxide.

[0176] In this embodiment, materials such as plant cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, silicon dioxide or the like are not easily stuck into a lump when they are in contact with water, and the materials have characteristics such as low cost, easy to obtain, etc.

[0177] In some embodiments, a proportion of the base material in the functional segment 10 is 10% to 80%.

[0178] Exemplarily, the proportion of the base material in the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 10%, 50% and 80%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0179] In this embodiment, the proportion of the base material in the functional segment 10 is 10% to 80%, and the base material forms a skeleton body of the functional segment 10 and has characteristics of good strength.

[0180] In some embodiments, the adhesive component includes at least one of starch, cellulose, kudzu extraction, protein, gelatin, polylactic acid (PLA), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0181] Exemplarily, the adhesive component includes one of starch, cellulose, kudzu extraction, protein, gelatin, PLA, and PET.

[0182] Exemplarily, the adhesive component includes multiple of starch, cellulose, kudzu extraction, protein, gelatin, PLA, and PET.

[0183] The protein may be gluten protein.

[0184] In this embodiment, materials such as starch, cellulose, kudzu extraction, protein, gelatin, PLA, PET or the like have low cost; cellulose, kudzu extraction, gluten protein and gelatin may be viscous when they are in contact with water; PLA and PET may be melted at a high temperature.

[0185] In some embodiments, a proportion of the adhesive component in the functional segment 10 is 5% to 80%.

[0186] Exemplarily, the proportion of the adhesive component in the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 5%, 50% and 80%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0187] In this embodiment, the proportion of the adhesive component in the functional segment 10 is 5% to 80%, then the base material may be adhered such that the base material in form of powders and the adhesive component are mixed into slurry in form of fluid, thereby facilitating forming a specific shape of functional segment 10 by extrusion or die-casting.

[0188] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 includes a liquid component, and a proportion of the liquid component in the functional segment 10 is 0% to 50%.

[0189] The proportion of the liquid component in the functional segment 10 is 0%, that is, there may be no liquid component in the functional segment 10.

[0190] The proportion of the liquid component in the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 5%, 50% and 80%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0191] Preferably, the functional segment 10 includes 3% to 8% of aqueous liquid.

[0192] The functional segment 10 includes 0% to 50% of other liquids besides the aqueous liquid.

[0193] In this embodiment, the liquid component includes water and other liquids. The liquid component may be used in cooperation with the adhesive component; cellulose, kudzu extraction, gluten protein, gelatin or the like may be viscous when they are in contact with water, the functional segment 10 may have water, for example, PLA and PET may be melted at a high temperature, and the mixed material of the functional segment 10 may have no water.

[0194] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 includes perfumes and spices. In case that the functional segment 10 needs to provide a fragrance substance, the perfumes and spices may be added to the functional segment 10. In a process of heating the substrate segment 101 to generate aerosols, heat of the aerosols is absorbed by the perfumes and spices in the functional segment 10, and the perfumes and spices are stimulated to emit the fragrance substance, such that the functional segment 10 releases the supplementary fragrance substance, which may not only increase fragrance of the aerosols, but also achieve an effect of further reducing temperature of the aerosols. With such design, for an embodiment in which the functional segment 10 is used as the cooling segment 102 or the filter segment 103, it is unnecessary to punch side holes in the wrapping layer 105 to access to the cooling segment 102 or the filter segment 103, that is, it is unnecessary to punch side holes in the wrapping layer 105 corresponding to the cooling segment 102 or the filter segment 103, to introduce external air to cool the aerosols.

[0195] In other embodiments, it is unnecessary to supplement the functional segment 10 with the fragrance substance, then the functional segment 10 may also have no perfumes and spices.

[0196] In some embodiments, the perfumes and spices include terpene class, grape concentrates, peppermint perfumes, etc. The peppermint perfumes include but are not limited to menthol.

[0197] In some embodiments, a proportion of the perfumes and spices in the functional segment 10 is 0.5% to 10%. In this way, the perfumes and spices may release an appropriate amount of fragrance substance to meet fragrance requirements.

[0198] Exemplarily, an example of the functional segment 10 adopting the extrusion process is taken, the base material in form of powders, the adhesive component or the like may be proportionally fed to a shear type high-speed mixer to be mixed uniformly. In case that the liquid component needs to be added, the liquid component may be metered and fed in batches and mixed uniformly. The prepared slurry is fed into a screw extruder, where it is extruded through specially designed molds with different hole sizes and porosities. After drying, the extruded part is cut into different lengths of functional segments 10, and finally, the functional segment 10 may be assembled into the aerosol generating article 100.

[0199] In some embodiments, the perfumes and spices may be added to the functional segment 10 by co-extrusion or externally adding them after molding the segment.

[0200] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating article 100 meets at least one of the following conditions including:

[0201] the cooling segment 102 has a length of 3 mm to 50 mm along the axial direction;

[0202] the filter segment 103 has a length of 3 mm to 8 mm along the axial direction; and

[0203] the front plug segment 104 has a length of 3 mm to 10 mm along the axial direction.

[0204] Here, the aerosol generating article 100 may meet one, two or three of the conditions.

[0205] In some embodiments, the cooling segment 102 has a length of 3 mm to 50 mm along the axial direction Z.

[0206] Exemplarily, the length of the cooling segment 102 along the axial direction Z is any one of values of 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm and 50 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0207] In this embodiment, in case that the length of the cooling segment 102 along the axial direction Z is less than 3 mm, its cooling effect is relatively poor; in case that the length of the cooling segment 102 along the axial direction Z is greater than 50 mm, it may result in negative effects such as too high interception, a too heavy weight of the aerosol generating article 100, etc. When the length of cooling segment 102 along the axial direction Z is 3 mm to 50 mm, the cooling segment 102 may achieve a good cooling effect and may also reduce influence of interception.

[0208] In some embodiments, the filter segment 103 has a length of 3 mm to 8 mm along the axial direction Z. With such design, the filter segment 103 may achieve balance between filtration and requirements of the RTD.

[0209] Exemplarily, the length of the filter segment 103 along the axial direction Z may be any one of values of 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm and 8 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0210] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 104 has a length of 3 mm to 10 mm along the axial direction Z. With such design, the front plug segment 104 may achieve a good function of blocking the substrate segment 101 and blocking the condensate liquid, and meet requirements of adjusting the RTD.

[0211] Exemplarily, the length of the front plug segment 104 along the axial direction Z may be any one of values of 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm and 10 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0212] In some embodiments, the filter segment 103 includes one or more fillers of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, and paper tubes. That is, the filter segment 103 may include a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes. Specifically, taking the cellulose acetate as an example, the cellulose acetate may be manufactured first, and then fill to form the filter segment 103.

[0213] In some embodiments, the filter segment 103 includes a filler of cellulose acetate or paper materials.

[0214] The cellulose acetate has a structure formed by side-by-side arranging tows at intervals along a circumferential direction. Exemplarily, the cellulose acetate may be prepared into sheets, the sheets are folded and gathered together to form a cylindrical shape, and then the cylindrical shape is rolled and connected to form the filter segment 103 by using a cigarette maker. The filter segment 103 may have a structure made of solid cellulose acetate, the solid cellulose acetate refers to having only gaps between tows, without designed and formed first air channels 11. The filter segment 103 may have a structure made of hollow cellulose acetate, the hollow cellulose acetate refers to having both gaps between tows and designed and formed first air channels 11.

[0215] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 104 includes one or more fillers of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, and paper tubes. That is, the front plug segment 104 may include a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes. Specifically, taking the cellulose acetate as an example, the cellulose acetate may be manufactured first, and then fill to form the front plug segment 104.

[0216] Exemplarily, the cellulose acetate may be prepared into sheets, the sheets are folded and gathered together to form a cylindrical shape, and then the cylindrical shape is rolled and connected to form the front plug segment 104 by using a cigarette maker. The front plug segment 104 may have a structure made of solid cellulose acetate, or the front plug segment 104 may have a structure made of hollow cellulose acetate.

[0217] The aerosol generating article 100 provided in the embodiments of the disclosure will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments.First Specific Embodiment

[0218] With reference to FIG. 2, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, each of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 forms the functional segment 10, each of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and each of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 is provided with multiple air holes 11a.

[0219] The front plug segment 104 has a length of 6 mm along the axial direction Z, the substrate segment 101 has a length of 20 mm along the axial direction Z, the cooling segment 102 has a length of 26 mm along the axial direction Z, and the filter segment 103 has a length of 8 mm along the axial direction Z. Cross-sectional areas of the second air channels 1011 and the air holes 11a may affect RTD performance.

[0220] The second air channels 1011 of the substrate segment 101 have a mesh shape with a number of 1200 meshes, the substrate segment 101 has a diameter of 5.35 mm, the partition wall has a thickness of 0.18 mm, and the cross-sectional area of the second air channel 1011 is 0.13 mm2 to 0.338 mm2, then the RTD is 188 pa.

[0221] The air holes 11a of the cooling segment 102 have a mesh shape with a number of 200 meshes, the cooling segment 102 has a diameter of 5.35 mm, the support wall 12 has a thickness of 0.4 mm, and the cross-sectional area of the air hole 11a is 0.472 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, then the RTD is 135.2 pa.

[0222] The air holes 11a of the front plug segment 104 have a radial flower shape, the front plug segment 104 has a diameter of 5.35 mm, the support wall 12 has a wall thickness of 0.26 mm, and the cross-sectional area of the air hole 11a of the front plug segment 104 is 0.231 mm2 to 0.283 mm2, then the RTD is 283.2 pa.

[0223] The air holes 11a of the filter segment 103 have a mesh shape with a number of 600 meshes, the filter segment 103 has a diameter of 5.25 mm, the support wall 12 has a thickness of 0.25 mm, and the cross-sectional area of the air hole 11a of the filter segment 103 is 0.167 mm2 to 0.903 mm2, then the RTD is 40.8 pa.

[0224] Through such design matching, an effect of the RTD of each segment gradually decreasing from upstream to downstream may be achieved, to achieve an effect of reducing backflow of the aerosols and reducing condensate liquid, which may improve cleaning-free level of the product.

[0225] The RTD of each segment is related to areas of holes and the length of each segment along the axial direction Z. The greater the cross-sectional areas of the first air channel 11 and the second air channel 1011 and the shorter the length of each segment along the axial direction Z, then the smaller the RTD. The smaller the cross-sectional areas of the first air channel 11 and the second air channel 1011 and the longer the length of each segment along the axial direction Z, then the greater the RTD. Therefore, an optimal RTD performance may be achieved by adjusting them with respect to each other.Second Specific Embodiment

[0226] With reference to FIG. 3, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 forms the functional segment 10, each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 is provided with multiple first air channels 11. The front plug segment 104 has a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes.Third Specific Embodiment

[0227] With reference to FIG. 4, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, each of the cooling segment 102 and the front plug segment 104 forms the functional segment 10, each of the cooling segment 102 and the front plug segment 104 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and each of the cooling segment 102 and the front plug segment 104 is provided with multiple first air channels 11. The filter segment 103 has a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes.

[0228] In this embodiment, relative sizes of RTDs of the front plug segment 104 and the filter segment 103 may be changed by design.Fourth Specific Embodiment

[0229] With reference to FIG. 5, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, the cooling segment 102 forms the functional segment 10, the cooling segment 102 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and the cooling segment 102 is provided with multiple first air channels 11. Each of the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 has a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes.

[0230] In the second to fourth specific embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the air hole 11a of the single functional segment 10 is 0.05 mm2 to 3 mm2, the single functional segment 10 has a length of 2 mm to 40 mm along the axial direction Z, then the RTD is 600 pa to 1200 pa.

[0231] Two comparison experiments are performed by using a standard cigarette as a blank control compared with the aerosol generating article 100 of the disclosure.First Comparison Experiment

[0232] The functional segment 10 of the disclosure is manufactured first, basic operations are as follows.

[0233] In operation 1, 20 g of microcrystalline cellulose (particle size is 50 μm), 3 g of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na), and 15 g of gluten protein are weighed as base materials and fed to a shear type high-speed mixer to be mixed uniformly.

[0234] In operation 2, 10 g of deionized water is fed to the shear type high-speed mixer in three times to be mixed uniformly, to prepare a slurry, and temperature in the process of mixing them uniformly is not higher than 40° C.

[0235] The above slurry is fed into a screw extruder, where it is extruded through a specially designed porous mold. After drying, the extruded part is cut into different lengths of functional segments 10.

[0236] The front plug segment 104 has a paper structure, the substrate segment 101 is formed into an integral structure with multiple second air channels 1011, the cooling segment 102 forms the functional segment 10 manufactured in the above manner, the filter segment 103 has a paper structure with the first air channel 11 at the center, that is, is a hollow tube, and five lengths of functional segments 10 are manufactured into five experimental aerosol generating articles 100 respectively.

[0237] The aerosol generating article 100 has a total length of 60 mm, here the front plug segment 104 has a length of 6 mm along the axial direction Z, the substrate segment 101 has a length of 20 mm along the axial direction Z, and each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 has a length of 34 mm along the axial direction Z. The experimental aerosol generating article 100 is prepared by including the wrapping layer 105 outside the above segments.

[0238] In order to compare with effects of the functional segment 10 of the disclosure in terms of temperature reduction and reducing interception of the tobacco smoke, a standard cigarette is used as a blank control. Differences between the standard cigarette and the experimental aerosol generating article 100 of the disclosure lie in that the standard cigarette uses a filter tip made of cellulose acetate and having a length of 8 mm along the axial direction Z, and the standard cigarette is punched with holes at a distance of 18 mm from the filter tip made of cellulose acetate, to introduce cold air to cool it.

[0239] A smoking test is performed on a single-channel smoker: smoking per puff is made for 2 s, smoking is stopped for 28 s, a capacity of smoking is 55 ml, and a total of smoking 10 puffs is made; a filter device is connected between an outlet of the tobacco smoke and the single-channel smoker to capture aerosols, and temperature at outlet of the tobacco smoke is recorded by a thermocouple detector. According to variations of weights of the substrate segment 101, the functional segment 10, the wrapping layer 105, the filter segment 103, the front plug segment 104 or the like before and after smoking, a ratio of intercepting the aerosols by the functional segment 10 and an amount of aerosols smoked per puff may be calculated.

[0240] As may be seen according to test data shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, compared with the standard cigarette, that is, the blank control, the functional segment 10 of the experimental aerosol generating product 100 of the disclosure may effectively reduce temperature of the aerosols at the outlet and reduce interception of the aerosols without punching holes, while the functional segment 10 has a good high-temperature stability, structure of the functional segment 10 has no significant variation after smoking, and there is no phenomenon of adhering and blocking holes of the first air channel 11.

[0241] The first comparison experiment shows that each of the functional segment 10 and the substrate segment 101 is extruded by a porous mold, the functional segment 10 has a high degree of designability, and the porosity of the functional segment 10, the hydrodynamic diameter of the air hole 11a, and the wall thickness and length of the support wall 12 may be adjusted according to requirements, to obtain an optimum temperature of the aerosols at the outlet of the tobacco smoke.Second Comparison Experiment

[0242] The functional segment 10 of the disclosure is manufactured first, basic operations are as follows.

[0243] In operation 1, 20 g of microcrystalline cellulose, 3 g of CMC-Na, and 15 g of gluten protein are weighed as base materials and fed to a shear type high-speed mixer to be mixed uniformly.

[0244] In operation 2, 10 g of deionized water, 0.05 g of surfactant, and 1.0 g of peppermint perfume are fed to the shear type high-speed mixer in three times to be mixed uniformly, to prepare a slurry, and temperature in the process of mixing them uniformly is not higher than 40° C.

[0245] The above slurry is fed into a screw extruder, where it is extruded through a specially designed porous mold. After drying, the extruded part is cut into different lengths of functional segments 10.

[0246] The peppermint perfume is a kind of perfumes and spices. The perfumes and spices may not only release fragrance during smoking, but also further reduce temperature of the tobacco smoke and reduce interception since evaporation of the perfumes and spices consumes heat energy.

[0247] Differences between the second comparison experiment and the first comparison experiment lie in that 0.05 g of surfactant and 1.0 g of peppermint perfume are added to the functional segment 10, and the front plug segment 104 having a paper structure in the first comparison experiment is replaced by the functional segment 10, such that a porous HNB cigarette having a sandwich structure may be prepared, that is, “the front plug segment 104 forming the functional segment 10+the substrate segment 101 provided with second air channels 1011+the cooling segment 102 forming the functional segment 10”, hole size of each segment is matched, a direction of airflow is consistent during smoking, and the RTD is reduced.

[0248] Compared with FIG. 23, with reference to FIG. 25, it shows temperature of the tobacco smoke per puff after addition of the perfumes and spices, and the temperature of the tobacco smoke per puff after addition of the perfumes and spices decreases compared with the graph of temperature without addition of the perfumes and spices.

[0249] Table 1 is a comparison table of ratios of intercepting the aerosols by the experimental aerosol generating article 100 and the standard cigarette. Test results show that interception of the aerosols by the experimental aerosol generating articles 1001 to 1004 is further reduced, and an amount of aerosols smoked per puff is increased significantly (increased by about 23.6%).TABLE 1ExperimentalExperimentalExperimentalExperimentalaerosolaerosolaerosolaerosolgeneratinggeneratinggeneratinggeneratingStandardParameterarticle 1001article 1002article 1003article 1004cigaretteRatio of13.4%9.3%11.6%10.3%35.6%interceptionof theaerosols

[0250] Table 2 is a comparison table of amounts of aerosols smoked per puff (mg / puff) of the experimental aerosol generating article 100 and the standard cigarette. Test results show that compared with the standard cigarette, the experimental aerosol generating article 100 reduces stains on the cigarette pipe after smoking since it reduces interception of the tobacco smoke significantly, which is another advantage of the product of the disclosure.TABLE 2ExperimentalExperimentalExperimentalExperimentalaerosolaerosolaerosolaerosolgeneratinggeneratinggeneratinggeneratingStandardParameterarticle 1001article 1002article 1003article 1004cigaretteAmount of5.665.855.635.924.66aerosolssmoked perpuff(mg / puff)

[0251] In the description of the disclosure, a description with reference to the terms “in one embodiment,”“in some embodiments,”“in other embodiments,”“in still other embodiments,” or “exemplarily” or the like means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of the disclosure. In the disclosure, the schematic expression of the above terms is not necessarily directed to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or features described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. Furthermore, those skilled in the art may combine different embodiments or examples described in the disclosure and features of different embodiments or examples without contradicting each other.

[0252] The foregoing is merely a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the disclosure, and various modifications and variations may be made to those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent substitution, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of this application are included within the scope of protection of this application.

Examples

first specific embodiment

[0218]With reference to FIG. 2, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, each of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 forms the functional segment 10, each of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and each of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 is provided with multiple air holes 11a.

[0219]The front plug segment 104 has a length of 6 mm along the axial direction Z, the substrate segment 101 has a length of 20 mm along the axial direction Z, the cooling segment 102 has a length of 26 mm along the axial direction Z, and the filter segment 103 has a length of 8 mm along the axial direction Z. Cross-sectional areas of the second air channels 1011 and the air holes 11a may affect RTD performance.

[0220]The second air channels 1011 of the substrate segment 101 have a mesh...

second specific embodiment

[0226]With reference to FIG. 3, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 forms the functional segment 10, each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 is provided with multiple first air channels 11. The front plug segment 104 has a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes.

third specific embodiment

[0227]With reference to FIG. 4, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, each of the cooling segment 102 and the front plug segment 104 forms the functional segment 10, each of the cooling segment 102 and the front plug segment 104 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and each of the cooling segment 102 and the front plug segment 104 is provided with multiple first air channels 11. The filter segment 103 has a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes.

[0228]In this embodiment, relative sizes of RTDs of the front plug segment 104 and the filter segment 103 may be changed by design.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 748,567 filed on Jan. 23, 2025, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Aerosol generating articles may also be referred to as Heated Not Burn (HNB) cigarettes in some cases, and generate aerosols by HNB. Specifically, an HNB technology is a technology by which an aerosol generating article is heated, while temperature of heating is not sufficient to burn the aerosol generating article, and aerosols are released.

[0003] In the related art, an aerosol generating article includes a substrate segment and a cooling segment, the substrate segment is heated to generate aerosols, the cooling segment is provided to reduce temperature of the aerosols. Some cooling segments are difficult to be assembled due to their complicated structures. Therefore, how to reduce difficulty of assembling the cooling segment and improve performance of the cooling segment is a difficult point of research in the aerosol generating article industry at present.SUMMARY

[0004] The disclosure relates to the technical field of aerosol generation, and in particular to an aerosol generating article.

[0005] In view of this, according to a first aspect of disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating article, the aerosol generating article includes a substrate segment, a cooling segment, a filter segment and a front plug segment.

[0006] The substrate segment is in an integral structure.

[0007] The cooling segment, as a functional segment in an integral structure, is arranged at an end of the substrate segment along an axial direction.

[0008] The filter segment is arranged at an end of the cooling segment away from the substrate segment along the axial direction.

[0009] The front plug segment is arranged at an end of the substrate segment away from the filter segment along the axial direction.

[0010] In the first aspect of the disclosure, the front plug segment, the substrate segment, the cooling segment and the filter segment are sequentially arranged along the axial direction, the front plug segment is located upstream of the substrate segment, both the cooling segment and the filter segment are located downstream of the substrate segment, and aerosols generated by heating the substrate segment flow through the cooling segment and the filter segment sequentially and then are used by a user.

[0011] In some embodiments, the substrate segment may be formed with second air channels passing through at least one end of the substrate segment.

[0012] In some embodiments, the substrate segment may be formed into an integral structure by an extrusion process.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least one of the filter segment or the front plug segment may be the functional segment in an integral structure, and the functional segment is formed with first air channels passing through at least one end of the functional segment.

[0014] In some embodiments, each functional segment may be separately formed by an extrusion process.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first air channels may include air holes arranged inside the functional segment.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first air channels may include grooves arranged in an outer circumferential surface of the functional segment.

[0017] In some embodiments, each of the first air channels may have a cross-sectional area of 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction as a cross section.

[0018] In some embodiments, a ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels to a cross-sectional area of the functional segment may be 30% to 70%, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction as a cross section.

[0019] In some embodiments, the functional segment may have a porosity of 2% to 15%.

[0020] In some embodiments, the functional segment may have a density of 1 g / cm3 to 1.5 g / cm3.

[0021] In some embodiments, the functional segment may include a support wall, the support wall encloses to form the first air channels, and the support wall has a wall thickness of 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0022] In some embodiments, each of the first air channels may have a diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm.

[0023] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional shape of the functional segment may be a circular shape, the functional segment is provided with multiple air holes at interior thereof, and the multiple air holes are distributed in a mesh shape.

[0024] Or, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment is a circular shape, the functional segment is divided into a middle portion and an edge portion, the edge portion surrounds the middle portion, the middle portion is provided with square-shaped air holes, the edge portion is provided with irregular shapes of air holes formed during extrusion.

[0025] Or, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment is a circular shape, the functional segment has a radial-shaped structure at interior thereof, a cross-sectional shape of an air hole at the center of the functional segment is a circular shape, and cross-sectional shapes of other air holes are irregular shapes.

[0026] Or, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment is a circular shape with grooves in an outer circumferential surface thereof, a cross-sectional shape of each of the air holes is a circular shape, and a cross-sectional shape of each of the grooves is a semicircular shape.

[0027] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional shape of the functional segment may be a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a racetrack shape, a quadrilateral shape or a hexagonal shape, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction as a cross section.

[0028] In some embodiments, resistance to draw (RTD) of the front plug segment, the substrate segment, the cooling segment and the filter segment may be sequentially reduced.

[0029] In some embodiments, the functional segment may include a base material and an adhesive component, and the base material is in form of powders.

[0030] In some embodiments, a proportion of the base material in the functional segment may be 10% to 80%, and a proportion of the adhesive component in the functional segment is 5% to 80%.

[0031] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating article may meet at least one of the following conditions including:

[0032] the cooling segment has a length of 3 mm to 50 mm along the axial direction;

[0033] the filter segment has a length of 3 mm to 8 mm along the axial direction; and

[0034] the front plug segment has a length of 3 mm to 10 mm along the axial direction.

[0035] In some embodiments, the filter segment may include a filler of cellulose acetate or paper materials.

[0036] Or, the front plug segment includes one or more fillers of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, and paper tubes.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of an aerosol generating article according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a third embodiment of the disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a third embodiment of the disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a seventh embodiment of the disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to an eighth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a ninth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a tenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to an eleventh embodiment of the disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a twelfth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a thirteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 19 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a fourteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a fifteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a sixteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a seventeenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0059] FIG. 23 is a graph of a maximum temperature corresponding to a number of puffs for a blank control and different lengths of functional segments.

[0060] FIG. 24 is a bar graph of a total interception amount of aerosols corresponding to a blank control and different lengths of functional segments.

[0061] FIG. 25 is a graph of a maximum temperature corresponding to a number of puffs after adding perfumes and spices to a functional segment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Embodiments of the disclosure and technical features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict, and detailed descriptions in “DETAILED DESCRIPTION” should be understood as explanations of the purpose of the disclosure, and should not be considered as undue limitation of the disclosure.

[0063] In the embodiments of the disclosure, “axial direction Z” refers to a direction shown based on the drawings. It should be understood that these orientation terms are only intended to facilitate describing the disclosure and simplifying descriptions, rather than indicating or implying that a referred device or element must have a specific orientation or must be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be understood as limitation of the disclosure. In the embodiments of the disclosure, “multiple” includes two or more, and in the embodiments of the disclosure, “diameter” refers to a ratio of four times of a cross-sectional area to a circumference. “cross-sectional area” refers to an area of a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction. Taking an air hole of the embodiment of the disclosure as an example, when a cross-sectional shape of the air hole is a regular quadrilateral shape, the diameter is a ratio of four times of a cross-sectional area of the air hole with the regular quadrilateral shape to a circumference of the regular quadrilateral shape. For another example, when the cross-sectional shape of the air hole is a circular shape, the diameter is a hydrodynamic diameter of the air hole with the circular shape.

[0064] The disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0065] A conventional cigarette emits aerosols in a manner of igniting it to burn tobaccos.

[0066] An aerosol generating article emits aerosols in a not-burn manner, and the aerosol generating article generates the aerosols mainly by heating a substrate segment. An example of using a Heated Not Burn (HNB) cigarette as the aerosol generating article is taken, the substrate segment is made of tobacco materials, and may also be referred to as a tobacco segment. The HNB cigarette is heated by using a heating element in an aerosol generating device, such that the tobacco segment is just heated to an extent where it is sufficient for the tobacco segment to emit aerosols, while the tobacco segment is not burned.

[0067] A substrate segment of the HNB cigarette is heated in a sealed aerosol generating device, therefore the substrate segment itself does not provide a cooling effect of cut tobaccos like the conventional cigarette. It needs to add a cooling segment between the substrate segment and a filter segment, to achieve a purpose of reducing temperature of tobacco smoke.

[0068] In the related art, some cooling segments are difficult to be assembled due to their complicated structures and thus are difficult to be applied in actual production; some cooling segments cannot be produced due to high cost of their raw materials; materials of some cooling segments themselves may absorb the aerosols, resulting in that tasting and smoking effects become worse, and may have large interception of the aerosols, affecting the user's smoking experience. Furthermore, the intercepted aerosols are condensed and then may be permeated from the cooling segment onto an external paper of the cigarette, creating stains on exterior of the smoked aerosol generating article, further contaminating the aerosol generating device, and affecting the user's usage and sensory experience. Therefore, it needs to provide a cooling segment capable of improving at least one of the above problems in the related art.

[0069] With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the disclosure provides an aerosol generating article 100, the aerosol generating article 100 includes a substrate segment 101, a cooling segment 102, a filter segment 103 and a front plug segment 104. The substrate segment 101 is in an integral structure. The cooling segment 102, as a functional segment 10 in an integral structure, is arranged at an end of the substrate segment 101 along an axial direction Z. The filter segment 103 is arranged at an end of the cooling segment 102 away from the substrate segment 101 along the axial direction Z. The front plug segment 104 is arranged at an end of the substrate segment 101 away from the filter segment 103 along the axial direction Z.

[0070] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 may be made of tobacco materials, and the substrate segment 101 may also be referred to as a tobacco segment. Of course, the substrate segment 101 may also be made of other herbal materials. The substrate segment 101 is heated and then generates aerosols to be used by the user. In some embodiments, the aerosols may also be referred to as tobacco smoke.

[0071] Exemplarily, the aerosol generating article 100 is used in cooperation with an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device includes a housing and a heating element, the housing is provided with an accommodation bin, and the heating element generates heat in case that a portion of the aerosol generating article 100 corresponding to the substrate segment 101 is inserted into the accommodation bin, thereby heating the substrate segment 101 to generate the aerosols.

[0072] Each of a direction in which the aerosol generating article 100 is inserted into the accommodation bin and a direction in which the aerosol generating article 100 is taken out from the accommodation bin is parallel to the axial direction Z.

[0073] In the embodiment of the disclosure, each of the substrate segment 101 and the cooling segment 102 may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape may be a cylinder shape (that is, a cross-sectional shape thereof is a circular shape), a prismatic shape (that is, a cross-sectional shape thereof is a polygonal shape), an elliptical cylinder shape (that is, a cross-sectional shape thereof is an elliptical shape) or the like, which is not limited here.

[0074] In the embodiment of the disclosure, a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z is taken as a cross section, unless otherwise stated.

[0075] The cooling segment 102 is configured to reduce temperature of the aerosols.

[0076] The filter segment 103 is configured to filter the aerosols, and the filter segment 103 may be configured to remove impurities such as particles, water-soluble compounds or the like from the aerosols during smoking, to provide a consumer with a smooth and comfortable tasting experience. In a process of using the aerosol generating article 100, the user may take the filter segment 103 in his mouth for smoking. Of course, the user may not take the filter segment 103 in his mouth.

[0077] The front plug segment 104 may block the substrate segment 101. The front plug segment 104 is arranged upstream of the substrate segment 101 along the axial direction Z, that is, at a distal lip end away from the user's mouth along the axial direction Z. In case that the aerosol generating article 100 is heated, the front plug segment 104 may absorb condensate liquid formed by backflow of the aerosols, to prevent occurrence of a problem of the condensate liquid flowing in the device to result in that it is difficult to clean the condensate liquid.

[0078] In some cases, the front plug segment 104 may also play a role of adjusting an overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the aerosol generating article 100, and with respect to a manner of heating in which the heating element is inserted into the substrate segment 101 to generate heat, the front plug segment 104 may also play a role of scraping and cleaning a heated substrate material which is adhered to the heating element. The front plug segment 104 may prevent residues of the substrate segment 101 from falling down, liquid accumulation or the like in a process of the user pulling the aerosol generating article 100 out after the user uses the aerosol generating article 100, which reduces contamination of the substrate segment 101 to the heating element and even the aerosol generating device to a certain extent, and keeps the aerosol generating device clean.

[0079] The substrate segment 101 is in an integral structure, which means that the substrate segment 101 is a single, indivisible and physically integral part, and its integral state may be maintained without help of external elements. For example, the substrate segment 101 may be formed into an integral structure by processes such as extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, etc.

[0080] The substrate segment 101 is formed into an integral structure, and presents an integral substrate after the substrate segment 101 is heated for smoking it or heating is stopped, therefore an phenomenon of disintegration and falling down does not easily occur.

[0081] The cooling segment 102 is formed into an integral structure, which may reduce assembly steps and improve production efficiency.

[0082] The functional segment 10 in an integral structure, means that the functional segment 10 is obtained by molding a substantially uniform slurry in one step, without further applying processes of changing external shapes such as folding, gathering together or the like to the functional segment 10, and the functional segment 10 is a single, indivisible and physically integral part, and its integral state may be maintained without help of external elements. For example, a functional segment 10 monomer obtained by slurry extrusion is formed into an integral structure; however, a functional segment 10 obtained by acquiring filamentous cellulose acetate monomers and then gathering multiple cellulose acetate monomers together is not formed into an integral structure.

[0083] In the embodiment of the disclosure, the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 are sequentially arranged along the axial direction Z, the front plug segment 104 is located upstream of the substrate segment 101, both the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 are located downstream of the substrate segment 101, and aerosols generated by heating the substrate segment 101 flow through the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 sequentially and then are used by a user. The substrate segment 101 is formed into an integral structure, and presents an integral substrate after the substrate segment 101 is heated for smoking it or heating is stopped, therefore an phenomenon of disintegration and falling down does not easily occur. The cooling segment 102 forms a functional segment 101 in an integral structure, which may reduce difficulty of assembling the cooling segment 102 and improve production efficiency. The front plug segment 104 may absorb condensate liquid formed by backflow of the aerosols, to prevent occurrence of a problem of the condensate liquid flowing in the device to result in that it is difficult to clean the condensate liquid.

[0084] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the aerosol generating article 100 may include a wrapping layer 105, the wrapping layer 105 may wrap around outer circumferences of the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103. The wrapping layer 105 includes but is not limited to paper or other materials. The wrapping layer 105 fixes the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 as an integral body, to facilitate access to the aerosol generating article 100.

[0085] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the substrate segment 101 is formed with second air channels 1011 passing through at least one end of the substrate segment 101. The second air channels 1011 may increase a specific surface area of the substrate segment 101, to improve extraction efficiency of the aerosols.

[0086] The second air channel 1011 is a macroscopic passage, that is, the second air channel 1011 is formed mainly by processing, and sizes of the second air channel 1011 such as a cross-sectional area, a length or the like may be changed according to design requirements.

[0087] As an example, the second air channel 1011 may pass through one or two ends of the substrate segment 101 along the axial direction Z.

[0088] As an example, the second air channel 1011 may also pass through an outer circumferential surface of the functional segment 10.

[0089] In some embodiments, the second air channel 1011 may extend along the axial direction Z. Preferably, the second air channel 1011 passes through two ends of the substrate segment 101 along the axial direction Z.

[0090] In some embodiments, a number of second air channels 1011 may be one or more.

[0091] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 is formed into an integral structure by an extrusion process.

[0092] As an example, the substrate segment 101 has an integrally formed porous structure manufactured by the extrusion process or a die-casting process. That is, the second air channel 1011 may be molded by extrusion or die-casting.

[0093] “molded by extrusion” refers to a processing method by which a mixture of raw materials is fed into an extruder, the materials pass through a barrel of the extruder, are pushed forward by screws with an action of the screws, and continuously pass through a head piece of the extruder to form articles or semi-finished articles with various cross-sectional shapes.

[0094] The substrate segment 101 is a particle bonding body, with microchannels between particles of the particle bonding body. For example, sizes of the microchannel such as an area of a flowing cross section, a length or the like are naturally formed by components of the material, and the components of the material expand to a certain extent to form the microchannels. The aerosols may flow through the microchannels.

[0095] The microchannel described in the disclosure is different from the second air channel 1011, the microchannel is disordered. “disordered” means that it is difficult to generate the microchannel in an orderly manner according to design, that is, the microchannel is randomly generated. The second air channel 1011 is ordered, that is, it is formed mainly by design and processing, and has predictability. The second air channel 1011 described in the disclosure belongs to a hole in a macroscopic sense, the microchannel belongs to a hole in a microscopic sense, and sizes of the second air channel 1011 such as an area of a flowing cross section, a length or the like are much larger than those of the microchannel. The second air channel 1011 is formed mainly by design and processing, and exemplarily, the second air channel 1011 is formed by processing with a mold. Therefore, sizes of the second air channel 1011 such as the cross-sectional area of the flowing cross section, the length or the like may be changed according to design requirements; however, the size of the microchannel is determined by gaps between the particles. For example, the material is in form of particles, the substrate segment 101 molded by extruding from the material are provided with microchannels, sizes of the microchannel such as the area of the flowing cross section, the length or the like are naturally formed by the extrusion process and components of the material, and the material flows out of mouth of the mold and then expands to a certain extent to form the microchannel.

[0096] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 may have a porosity of 2% to 15%. Exemplarily, the porosity of the substrate segment 101 may be any one of values of 2%, 4%, 5%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 13% and 15%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0097] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 is provided with a partition wall, the partition wall encloses to form the second air channels 1011. The partition wall has a thickness of 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm. Exemplarily, the thickness of the partition wall is any one of values of 0.04 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.35 mm and 0.4 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0098] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 may have a density of 1 g / cm3 to 1.5 g / cm3. Exemplarily, the density of the substrate segment 101 may be any one of values of 1 g / cm3, 1.1 g / cm3, 1.2 g / cm3, 1.4 g / cm3 and 1.5 g / cm3, or a value between any two of the values.

[0099] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, at least one of the filter segment 103 or the front plug segment 104 forms a functional segment 10 in an integral structure, and the functional segment 10 is formed with first air channels 11 passing through at least one end of the functional segment 10. The first air channel 11 may be provided for the aerosols to circulate through it, or may temporarily store the aerosols to play a role of slowing release thereof. In this way, the first air channel 11 may achieve functions of temperature reduction, filtration, adjusting RTD, etc.

[0100] As an example, the first air channel 11 may pass through one or two ends of the functional segment 10, etc.

[0101] As an example, the first air channel 11 may also pass through an outer circumferential surface of the functional segment 10.

[0102] In some embodiments, a number of first air channels 11 of a single functional segment 10 may be one or more.

[0103] The first air channel 11 is a macroscopic passage, that is, the first air channel 11 is formed mainly by processing, and sizes of the first air channel 11 such as a cross-sectional area, a length or the like may be changed according to design requirements.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first air channel 11 may extend along the axial direction Z. Preferably, the first air channel 11 passes through two ends of the functional segment 10 along the axial direction Z.

[0105] In some embodiments, the cooling segment 102 may be formed with a first air channel 11 passing through at least one end of the cooling segment 102. The cooling segment 102 may be provided with one or more first air channels 11.

[0106] In some embodiments, the cooling segment 102 may not be provided with first air channels 11.

[0107] In some embodiments, the filter segment 103 may be formed with a first air channel 11 passing through at least one end of the filter segment 103. The filter segment 103 may be provided with one or more first air channels 11.

[0108] In some embodiments, the filter segment 103 may not be provided with first air channels 11.

[0109] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 104 may be formed with a first air channel 11 passing through at least one end of the front plug segment 104. The front plug segment 104 may be provided with one or more first air channels 11.

[0110] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 104 may not be provided with first air channels 11.

[0111] In some embodiments, each functional segment 10 is separately formed by an extrusion process. An example of each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 forming a functional segment 10 in an integral structure is taken, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 are formed by the extrusion process respectively.

[0112] The functional segment 10 is formed into an integral structure by the extrusion process or a die-casting process. The functional segment 10 molded by extrusion or die-casting has a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0113] The cooling segment 102 may be formed into an integral structure by the extrusion process or the die-casting process.

[0114] The filter segment 103 may be formed into an integral structure by the extrusion process or the die-casting process.

[0115] The front plug segment 104 may be formed into an integral structure by the extrusion process or the die-casting process.

[0116] Exemplarily, the functional segment 10 is formed into an integral structure by the extrusion process, and during extrusion, different raw materials may be mixed into a slurry in one step or multiple steps, and then the slurry may be extruded into a desired shape by an extruder. Based on different functions of structures to be extruded, different raw materials may be mixed to obtain different slurries, or the slurry may be extruded into different shapes of structures by using different shapes of molds. The first air channel 11 may be formed on the functional segment 10 by extrusion.

[0117] The cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 may be integrally formed by using the same or different processes. An example of molding the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 by the extrusion process is taken, different raw materials may be mixed to obtain different slurries according to different functions of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104, or the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 may achieve different functions by extruding into different shapes of structures.

[0118] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 22, the first air channels 11 include air holes 11a arranged inside the functional segment 10. The air holes 11a may pass through one or two ends of the functional segment 10 along the axial direction Z. The air holes 11a may effectively increase a specific surface area, which is beneficial to cool the aerosols, and may also effectively adjust the RTD.

[0119] A number of air holes 11a in a single functional segment 10 is not limited, and the number of air holes 11a may be one or more.

[0120] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 22, a cross-sectional shape of the air hole 11a includes but is not limited to a regular shape or an irregular shape by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section, and the cross-sectional shape of the air hole 11a includes but is not limited to a regular shape such as a circular shape, a regular triangular shape, a square shape, a regular pentagonal shape, a regular hexagonal shape or the like, or the cross-sectional shape of the air hole 11a may be another irregular shape except the above regular shape.

[0121] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, all of the air holes 11a of the functional segment 10 have the same cross-sectional shape.

[0122] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the functional segment 10 is provided with air holes 11a with at least two cross-sectional shapes.

[0123] In some embodiments, each first air channel 11 has a cross-sectional area of 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section. Preferably, each first air channel 11 has a cross-sectional area of 0.09 mm2 to 1.96 mm2. Exemplarily, the cross-sectional area of each first air channel 11 may be any one of values of 0.05 mm2, 0.09 mm2, 1.1 mm2 and 1.96 mm2, or a value between any two of the values.

[0124] It may be understood that the first air channel 11 may include air holes 11a and grooves 11b, and at least one of the air hole 11a or the groove 11b may have a cross-sectional area of 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2.

[0125] Exemplarily, each air hole 11a has a cross-sectional area of 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section. Preferably, each air hole 11a has a cross-sectional area of 0.09 mm2 to 1.96 mm2.

[0126] Exemplarily, each groove 11b has a cross-sectional area of 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, by taking the plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section. Preferably, each groove 11b has a cross-sectional area of 0.09 mm2 to 1.96 mm2.

[0127] In some embodiments, in an embodiment in which the front plug segment 104 forms the functional segment 10, the air hole 11a of the front plug segment 104 has a cross-sectional area of 0.09 mm2 to 1.96 mm2.

[0128] Based on simulation and experimental validation, a large variation range of the RTD is present in case that the cross-sectional area of the first air channel 11 is in a range of 0.27 mm2 to 0.67 mm2. Considering provision of a feature “specific surface area”, a range of 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2 may effectively cover a RTD range required by the designed functional segment 10. A RTD when the cross-sectional area is less than 0.05 mm2 may be too large and thus may affect the smoking experience, while a RTD when the cross-sectional area is greater than 1.96 mm2 may not be reduced any more with increase of the area of the air hole 11a. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the first air channel 11 may be 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, which may meet requirements of the RTD.

[0129] In some embodiments, each first air channel 11 has a diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm. Exemplarily, the diameter of the first air channel 11 may be any one of values of 0.3 mm, 1 mm, 1.2 mm and 1.4 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0130] In some embodiments, each air hole 11a has a hydrodynamic diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm.

[0131] In some embodiments, each groove 11b has a diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm.

[0132] With such design, the cross-sectional area of the air channel 11 may be controlled to be between 0.05 mm2 and 1.96 mm2, which may effectively cover a RTD range required by the designed functional segment 10.

[0133] In some embodiments, a ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 to a cross-sectional area of the functional segment 10 is 30% to 70%, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section.

[0134] As an example, the ratio of the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 to the cross-sectional area of the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 30%, 50% and 70%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0135] The sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 refers to a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 of the functional segment 10 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction Z.

[0136] The cross-sectional area of the functional segment 10 refers to an area of an outer contour shape of the functional segment 10 in the cross section perpendicular to the axial direction Z.

[0137] The ratio of the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 to the cross-sectional area of the functional segment 10 refers to a percentage of the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 to the cross-sectional area of the functional segment 10.

[0138] It may be understood that in an embodiment in which the first air channel 11 includes only air holes 11a, the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 is a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the air holes 11a. In an embodiment in which the first air channel 11 includes only grooves 11b, the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 is a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the grooves 11b. In an embodiment in which the first air channel 11 includes air holes 11a and grooves 11b, the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 is a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the air holes 11a and cross-sectional areas of all the grooves 11b.

[0139] In this embodiment, in case that the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 is too large, negative effects such as a poor interception effect, the aerosols scalding the mouth or the like may occur. In case that the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 is too small, phenomena such as a strong interception effect, a small amount of aerosols, reduced satisfaction or the like may occur. Therefore, the ratio of the sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels 11 to the cross-sectional area of the functional segment 10 is 30% to 70%, which may achieve balance between the amount of aerosols and temperature of the aerosols.

[0140] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 19 to FIG. 22, the first air channels 11 include grooves 11b arranged in an outer circumferential surface of the functional segment 10. The grooves 11b may pass through one or two ends of the functional segment 10 along the axial direction Z. The grooves 11b are formed in the outer circumferential surface of the functional segment 10, that is, the grooves 11b are open outward. The grooves 11b may increase an outer surface area of the functional segment 10, improve an aerosol transmission efficiency, which is beneficial for the user to acquire active ingredients and is more beneficial for extraction of the active ingredients.

[0141] A number of grooves 11b in a single functional segment 10 is not limited, and the number of grooves 11b may be one or more. Multiple grooves 11b may be arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction of the functional segment 10.

[0142] It may be understood that the circumferential direction is a direction around the axial direction Z.

[0143] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 19 to FIG. 22, a cross-sectional shape of the groove 11b includes but is not limited to a regular shape or an irregular shape by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section. Exemplarily, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 11b includes but is not limited to a regular shape such as a semicircular shape, a trapezoidal shape, a triangular shape, etc. Or, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 11b may be another irregular shape except the above regular shape.

[0144] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 has a porosity of 2% to 15%.

[0145] Exemplarily, the porosity of the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 2%, 10% and 15%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0146] In case that the porosity of the functional segment 10 is less than 2%, a fragrance-adding function of the functional segment 10 may be affected, and fragrance components carried by perfumes and spices of the functional segment 10 are not released easily. In case that the porosity of the functional segment 10 is greater than 15%, it may result in that the functional segment 10 has a large shrinkage rate during smoking and is not stable in structure, thereby affecting the smoking experience such as the RTD, the amount of aerosols, etc. Therefore, the functional segment 10 has a porosity of 2% to 15%, to achieve balance between fragrance release and structural stability of the functional segment 10.

[0147] The porosity of the functional segment 10 refers to a ratio of a sum of volumes of all the first air channels 11 of the functional segment 10 to a total volume of the functional segment 10.

[0148] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 22, the functional segment 10 includes a support wall 12, the support wall 12 encloses to form the first air channels 11, and the support wall 12 has a wall thickness of 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0149] Exemplarily, the wall thickness of the support wall 12 is any one of values of 0.04 mm, 0.1 mm and 0.4 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0150] The support wall 12 is a solid structure, and design of the wall thickness is related to cross-sectional area and size of the first air channel 11. When the wall thickness of the support wall 12 is too thick or too thin, the cross-sectional area of the first air channel 11 may be compressed, thereby affecting an adjustable range of the RTD and interception efficiency. When the wall thickness of the support wall 12 is 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm, the support wall 12 has a good structural strength, and the support wall 12 does not deform substantially during heating of the aerosol generating article 100, which may maintain shape of the first air channel 11, may also balance adjustment of the RTD, and meet requirements of the interception efficiency.

[0151] In some embodiments, the number of air holes 11a is multiple, and the support wall 12 is divided into an internal support wall 12 and an external support wall 12. Gaps between multiple internal support walls 12 form multiple air holes 11a. The internal support wall 12 refers to a solid material of the functional segment 10 between the air holes 11a. The external support wall 12 refers to a solid material of the functional segment 10 between an air hole 11a closest to the outer circumferential surface of the functional segment 10 and the outer circumferential surface, and the external support wall 12 and the internal support wall 12 may form the grooves 11b together.

[0152] A wall thickness of the internal support wall 12 may be equal or unequal to a wall thickness of the external support wall 12. Wall thicknesses of multiple internal support walls 12 may be equal or unequal.

[0153] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 has a density of 1 g / cm3 to 1.5 g / cm3.

[0154] Exemplarily, the density of the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 1 g / cm3, 1.2 g / cm3 and 1.5 g / cm3, or a value between any two of the values.

[0155] The density of the functional segment 10 depends on composite materials forming the functional segment 10. When the density of the functional segment 10 is less than 1 g / cm3, it easily results in a low strength of the functional segment 10, it is difficult to mold the functional segment 10 during extrusion, and it is difficult to store the functional segment 10 after extrusion, with a risk of structural collapse; furthermore, low-density polymer materials usually have a large coefficient of thermal expansion, and may exhibit significant deformation in a high-temperature environment, resulting in poor consistency of smoking; furthermore, non-smooth surfaces and non-uniform textures or defects easily occur, which affects appearance quality of the product. When the density of the functional segment 10 is too large, molecular chains of high-density materials are more tight there-between, resulting in a high viscosity and poor fluidity, which may result in blockage of extrusion or non-smooth extrusion, and may also result in increase of energy consumption for production and significant increase of production cost. Therefore, when the density of the functional segment 10 is 1 g / cm3 to 1.5 g / cm3, the functional segment 10 has a good molding effect, a good structural stability and relatively low energy consumption for production.

[0156] The density of the functional segment 10 refers to an actual mass of the functional segment 10 per unit volume in an absolutely dense state, that is, a density obtained by removing the first air channels 11 and micropores, that is, the volume here does not include volumes of the first air channels 11 and micropores.

[0157] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 has a diameter of 3.6 mm to 15 mm. Exemplarily, the diameter of the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 3.6 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm and 15 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0158] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 may be a regular shape or an irregular shape by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section, and the irregular shape is a special-shaped structure except the regular shape.

[0159] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a racetrack shape, a quadrilateral shape or a hexagonal shape, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section.

[0160] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is a regular shape such as a pentagonal shape, an octagonal shape or the like, by taking the plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section.

[0161] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is an irregular shape such as a vortex shape, a snowflake shape or the like, by taking the plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section.

[0162] In some embodiments, at least two of the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 may have the same or different cross-sectional shapes. Exemplarily, the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 have the same cross-sectional shape. The front plug segment 104, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 have the same cross-sectional shape, while the substrate segment 101 has a different cross-sectional shape.

[0163] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 15, a cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is a circular shape, the functional segment 10 is provided with multiple air holes 11a at interior thereof, and the multiple air holes 11a are distributed in a mesh shape.

[0164] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 7, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is a circular shape, the functional segment 10 is divided into a middle portion and an edge portion, the edge portion surrounds the middle portion, the middle portion is provided with square-shaped air holes 11a, the edge portion is provided with irregular shapes of air holes 11a formed during extrusion.

[0165] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 18, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is a circular shape, the functional segment 10 has a radial-shaped structure at interior thereof, a cross-sectional shape of an air hole 11a at the center of the functional segment 10 is a circular shape, and cross-sectional shapes of other air holes 11a are irregular shapes.

[0166] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 19, the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 is a circular shape with grooves 11b in an outer circumferential surface thereof, a cross-sectional shape of each of the air holes 11a is a circular shape, and a cross-sectional shape of each of the grooves 11b is a semicircular shape.

[0167] In some embodiments, RTDs of the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 are sequentially reduced. That is, from a perspective of the RTD, RTDs of the front plug segment 104, the substrate segment 101, the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 may be sequentially reduced from a distal lip end to a proximal lip end, that is, from upstream to downstream. Designing the RTDs to be sequentially reduced, may help to guide the aerosols to flow more smoothly, reduce local retention, and prevent flow rates of the aerosols in certain areas from becoming too slow or too fast due to a too large RTD, thereby affecting an overall smoking experience.

[0168] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 includes a base material and an adhesive component, the base material is in form of powders.

[0169] Here, the adhesive component is configured to bond the base material in form of powders. The adhesive component bonds the base material as an integral body, forming main structure of the functional segment 10. The functional segment 10 is made of a mixed material formed of the base material and the adhesive component, which has at least one characteristic such as good strength, good cooling effect, less interception of tobacco smoke, easy addition of spices, etc.

[0170] The base material in form of powders and the adhesive component are bonded to form a particle bonding body, with micropores between particles of the particle bonding body. For example, sizes of the micropore such as an area of a flowing cross section, a length or the like are naturally formed by components of the material, and the components of the material expand to a certain extent to form the micropores. The aerosols may flow through the micropores.

[0171] The micropore described in the disclosure is different from the first air channel 11, the micropore is disordered. “disordered” means that it is difficult to generate the micropore in an orderly manner according to design, that is, the micropore is randomly generated. The first air channel 11 is ordered, that is, it is formed mainly by design and processing, and has predictability. The first air channel 11 described in the disclosure belongs to a hole or groove in a macroscopic sense, the micropore belongs to a hole in a microscopic sense, and sizes of the first air channel 11 such as an area of a flowing cross section, a length or the like are much greater than those of the micropore. The first air channel 11 is formed mainly by design and processing, and exemplarily, the first air channel 11 is formed by processing with a mold. Therefore, sizes of the first air channel 11 such as the cross-sectional area of the flowing cross section, the length or the like may be changed according to design requirements; however, the size of the micropore is determined by gaps between the particles. For example, the base material is in form of particles, the functional segment 10 molded by extruding from the material is provided with micropores, sizes of the micropore such as the area of the flowing cross section, the length or the like are naturally formed by the extrusion process and components of the material, and the material flows out of mouth of the mold and then expands to a certain extent to form the micropores.

[0172] The base material may include one or more organic materials, and the base material may also include one or more inorganic materials.

[0173] In some embodiments, the base material includes at least one of plant cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, or silicon dioxide.

[0174] Exemplarily, the base material includes one of plant cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, and silicon dioxide.

[0175] Exemplarily, the base material includes multiple of plant cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, and silicon dioxide.

[0176] In this embodiment, materials such as plant cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, silicon dioxide or the like are not easily stuck into a lump when they are in contact with water, and the materials have characteristics such as low cost, easy to obtain, etc.

[0177] In some embodiments, a proportion of the base material in the functional segment 10 is 10% to 80%.

[0178] Exemplarily, the proportion of the base material in the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 10%, 50% and 80%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0179] In this embodiment, the proportion of the base material in the functional segment 10 is 10% to 80%, and the base material forms a skeleton body of the functional segment 10 and has characteristics of good strength.

[0180] In some embodiments, the adhesive component includes at least one of starch, cellulose, kudzu extraction, protein, gelatin, polylactic acid (PLA), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0181] Exemplarily, the adhesive component includes one of starch, cellulose, kudzu extraction, protein, gelatin, PLA, and PET.

[0182] Exemplarily, the adhesive component includes multiple of starch, cellulose, kudzu extraction, protein, gelatin, PLA, and PET.

[0183] The protein may be gluten protein.

[0184] In this embodiment, materials such as starch, cellulose, kudzu extraction, protein, gelatin, PLA, PET or the like have low cost; cellulose, kudzu extraction, gluten protein and gelatin may be viscous when they are in contact with water; PLA and PET may be melted at a high temperature.

[0185] In some embodiments, a proportion of the adhesive component in the functional segment 10 is 5% to 80%.

[0186] Exemplarily, the proportion of the adhesive component in the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 5%, 50% and 80%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0187] In this embodiment, the proportion of the adhesive component in the functional segment 10 is 5% to 80%, then the base material may be adhered such that the base material in form of powders and the adhesive component are mixed into slurry in form of fluid, thereby facilitating forming a specific shape of functional segment 10 by extrusion or die-casting.

[0188] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 includes a liquid component, and a proportion of the liquid component in the functional segment 10 is 0% to 50%.

[0189] The proportion of the liquid component in the functional segment 10 is 0%, that is, there may be no liquid component in the functional segment 10.

[0190] The proportion of the liquid component in the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 5%, 50% and 80%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0191] Preferably, the functional segment 10 includes 3% to 8% of aqueous liquid.

[0192] The functional segment 10 includes 0% to 50% of other liquids besides the aqueous liquid.

[0193] In this embodiment, the liquid component includes water and other liquids. The liquid component may be used in cooperation with the adhesive component; cellulose, kudzu extraction, gluten protein, gelatin or the like may be viscous when they are in contact with water, the functional segment 10 may have water, for example, PLA and PET may be melted at a high temperature, and the mixed material of the functional segment 10 may have no water.

[0194] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 includes perfumes and spices. In case that the functional segment 10 needs to provide a fragrance substance, the perfumes and spices may be added to the functional segment 10. In a process of heating the substrate segment 101 to generate aerosols, heat of the aerosols is absorbed by the perfumes and spices in the functional segment 10, and the perfumes and spices are stimulated to emit the fragrance substance, such that the functional segment 10 releases the supplementary fragrance substance, which may not only increase fragrance of the aerosols, but also achieve an effect of further reducing temperature of the aerosols. With such design, for an embodiment in which the functional segment 10 is used as the cooling segment 102 or the filter segment 103, it is unnecessary to punch side holes in the wrapping layer 105 to access to the cooling segment 102 or the filter segment 103, that is, it is unnecessary to punch side holes in the wrapping layer 105 corresponding to the cooling segment 102 or the filter segment 103, to introduce external air to cool the aerosols.

[0195] In other embodiments, it is unnecessary to supplement the functional segment 10 with the fragrance substance, then the functional segment 10 may also have no perfumes and spices.

[0196] In some embodiments, the perfumes and spices include terpene class, grape concentrates, peppermint perfumes, etc. The peppermint perfumes include but are not limited to menthol.

[0197] In some embodiments, a proportion of the perfumes and spices in the functional segment 10 is 0.5% to 10%. In this way, the perfumes and spices may release an appropriate amount of fragrance substance to meet fragrance requirements.

[0198] Exemplarily, an example of the functional segment 10 adopting the extrusion process is taken, the base material in form of powders, the adhesive component or the like may be proportionally fed to a shear type high-speed mixer to be mixed uniformly. In case that the liquid component needs to be added, the liquid component may be metered and fed in batches and mixed uniformly. The prepared slurry is fed into a screw extruder, where it is extruded through specially designed molds with different hole sizes and porosities. After drying, the extruded part is cut into different lengths of functional segments 10, and finally, the functional segment 10 may be assembled into the aerosol generating article 100.

[0199] In some embodiments, the perfumes and spices may be added to the functional segment 10 by co-extrusion or externally adding them after molding the segment.

[0200] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating article 100 meets at least one of the following conditions including:

[0201] the cooling segment 102 has a length of 3 mm to 50 mm along the axial direction;

[0202] the filter segment 103 has a length of 3 mm to 8 mm along the axial direction; and

[0203] the front plug segment 104 has a length of 3 mm to 10 mm along the axial direction.

[0204] Here, the aerosol generating article 100 may meet one, two or three of the conditions.

[0205] In some embodiments, the cooling segment 102 has a length of 3 mm to 50 mm along the axial direction Z.

[0206] Exemplarily, the length of the cooling segment 102 along the axial direction Z is any one of values of 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm and 50 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0207] In this embodiment, in case that the length of the cooling segment 102 along the axial direction Z is less than 3 mm, its cooling effect is relatively poor; in case that the length of the cooling segment 102 along the axial direction Z is greater than 50 mm, it may result in negative effects such as too high interception, a too heavy weight of the aerosol generating article 100, etc. When the length of cooling segment 102 along the axial direction Z is 3 mm to 50 mm, the cooling segment 102 may achieve a good cooling effect and may also reduce influence of interception.

[0208] In some embodiments, the filter segment 103 has a length of 3 mm to 8 mm along the axial direction Z. With such design, the filter segment 103 may achieve balance between filtration and requirements of the RTD.

[0209] Exemplarily, the length of the filter segment 103 along the axial direction Z may be any one of values of 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm and 8 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0210] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 104 has a length of 3 mm to 10 mm along the axial direction Z. With such design, the front plug segment 104 may achieve a good function of blocking the substrate segment 101 and blocking the condensate liquid, and meet requirements of adjusting the RTD.

[0211] Exemplarily, the length of the front plug segment 104 along the axial direction Z may be any one of values of 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm and 10 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0212] In some embodiments, the filter segment 103 includes one or more fillers of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, and paper tubes. That is, the filter segment 103 may include a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes. Specifically, taking the cellulose acetate as an example, the cellulose acetate may be manufactured first, and then fill to form the filter segment 103.

[0213] In some embodiments, the filter segment 103 includes a filler of cellulose acetate or paper materials.

[0214] The cellulose acetate has a structure formed by side-by-side arranging tows at intervals along a circumferential direction. Exemplarily, the cellulose acetate may be prepared into sheets, the sheets are folded and gathered together to form a cylindrical shape, and then the cylindrical shape is rolled and connected to form the filter segment 103 by using a cigarette maker. The filter segment 103 may have a structure made of solid cellulose acetate, the solid cellulose acetate refers to having only gaps between tows, without designed and formed first air channels 11. The filter segment 103 may have a structure made of hollow cellulose acetate, the hollow cellulose acetate refers to having both gaps between tows and designed and formed first air channels 11.

[0215] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 104 includes one or more fillers of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, and paper tubes. That is, the front plug segment 104 may include a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes. Specifically, taking the cellulose acetate as an example, the cellulose acetate may be manufactured first, and then fill to form the front plug segment 104.

[0216] Exemplarily, the cellulose acetate may be prepared into sheets, the sheets are folded and gathered together to form a cylindrical shape, and then the cylindrical shape is rolled and connected to form the front plug segment 104 by using a cigarette maker. The front plug segment 104 may have a structure made of solid cellulose acetate, or the front plug segment 104 may have a structure made of hollow cellulose acetate.

[0217] The aerosol generating article 100 provided in the embodiments of the disclosure will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments.First Specific Embodiment

[0218] With reference to FIG. 2, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, each of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 forms the functional segment 10, each of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and each of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 is provided with multiple air holes 11a.

[0219] The front plug segment 104 has a length of 6 mm along the axial direction Z, the substrate segment 101 has a length of 20 mm along the axial direction Z, the cooling segment 102 has a length of 26 mm along the axial direction Z, and the filter segment 103 has a length of 8 mm along the axial direction Z. Cross-sectional areas of the second air channels 1011 and the air holes 11a may affect RTD performance.

[0220] The second air channels 1011 of the substrate segment 101 have a mesh shape with a number of 1200 meshes, the substrate segment 101 has a diameter of 5.35 mm, the partition wall has a thickness of 0.18 mm, and the cross-sectional area of the second air channel 1011 is 0.13 mm2 to 0.338 mm2, then the RTD is 188 pa.

[0221] The air holes 11a of the cooling segment 102 have a mesh shape with a number of 200 meshes, the cooling segment 102 has a diameter of 5.35 mm, the support wall 12 has a thickness of 0.4 mm, and the cross-sectional area of the air hole 11a is 0.472 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, then the RTD is 135.2 pa.

[0222] The air holes 11a of the front plug segment 104 have a radial flower shape, the front plug segment 104 has a diameter of 5.35 mm, the support wall 12 has a wall thickness of 0.26 mm, and the cross-sectional area of the air hole 11a of the front plug segment 104 is 0.231 mm2 to 0.283 mm2, then the RTD is 283.2 pa.

[0223] The air holes 11a of the filter segment 103 have a mesh shape with a number of 600 meshes, the filter segment 103 has a diameter of 5.25 mm, the support wall 12 has a thickness of 0.25 mm, and the cross-sectional area of the air hole 11a of the filter segment 103 is 0.167 mm2 to 0.903 mm2, then the RTD is 40.8 pa.

[0224] Through such design matching, an effect of the RTD of each segment gradually decreasing from upstream to downstream may be achieved, to achieve an effect of reducing backflow of the aerosols and reducing condensate liquid, which may improve cleaning-free level of the product.

[0225] The RTD of each segment is related to areas of holes and the length of each segment along the axial direction Z. The greater the cross-sectional areas of the first air channel 11 and the second air channel 1011 and the shorter the length of each segment along the axial direction Z, then the smaller the RTD. The smaller the cross-sectional areas of the first air channel 11 and the second air channel 1011 and the longer the length of each segment along the axial direction Z, then the greater the RTD. Therefore, an optimal RTD performance may be achieved by adjusting them with respect to each other.Second Specific Embodiment

[0226] With reference to FIG. 3, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 forms the functional segment 10, each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 is provided with multiple first air channels 11. The front plug segment 104 has a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes.Third Specific Embodiment

[0227] With reference to FIG. 4, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, each of the cooling segment 102 and the front plug segment 104 forms the functional segment 10, each of the cooling segment 102 and the front plug segment 104 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and each of the cooling segment 102 and the front plug segment 104 is provided with multiple first air channels 11. The filter segment 103 has a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes.

[0228] In this embodiment, relative sizes of RTDs of the front plug segment 104 and the filter segment 103 may be changed by design.Fourth Specific Embodiment

[0229] With reference to FIG. 5, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, the cooling segment 102 forms the functional segment 10, the cooling segment 102 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and the cooling segment 102 is provided with multiple first air channels 11. Each of the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 has a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes.

[0230] In the second to fourth specific embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the air hole 11a of the single functional segment 10 is 0.05 mm2 to 3 mm2, the single functional segment 10 has a length of 2 mm to 40 mm along the axial direction Z, then the RTD is 600 pa to 1200 pa.

[0231] Two comparison experiments are performed by using a standard cigarette as a blank control compared with the aerosol generating article 100 of the disclosure.First Comparison Experiment

[0232] The functional segment 10 of the disclosure is manufactured first, basic operations are as follows.

[0233] In operation 1, 20 g of microcrystalline cellulose (particle size is 50 μm), 3 g of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na), and 15 g of gluten protein are weighed as base materials and fed to a shear type high-speed mixer to be mixed uniformly.

[0234] In operation 2, 10 g of deionized water is fed to the shear type high-speed mixer in three times to be mixed uniformly, to prepare a slurry, and temperature in the process of mixing them uniformly is not higher than 40° C.

[0235] The above slurry is fed into a screw extruder, where it is extruded through a specially designed porous mold. After drying, the extruded part is cut into different lengths of functional segments 10.

[0236] The front plug segment 104 has a paper structure, the substrate segment 101 is formed into an integral structure with multiple second air channels 1011, the cooling segment 102 forms the functional segment 10 manufactured in the above manner, the filter segment 103 has a paper structure with the first air channel 11 at the center, that is, is a hollow tube, and five lengths of functional segments 10 are manufactured into five experimental aerosol generating articles 100 respectively.

[0237] The aerosol generating article 100 has a total length of 60 mm, here the front plug segment 104 has a length of 6 mm along the axial direction Z, the substrate segment 101 has a length of 20 mm along the axial direction Z, and each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 has a length of 34 mm along the axial direction Z. The experimental aerosol generating article 100 is prepared by including the wrapping layer 105 outside the above segments.

[0238] In order to compare with effects of the functional segment 10 of the disclosure in terms of temperature reduction and reducing interception of the tobacco smoke, a standard cigarette is used as a blank control. Differences between the standard cigarette and the experimental aerosol generating article 100 of the disclosure lie in that the standard cigarette uses a filter tip made of cellulose acetate and having a length of 8 mm along the axial direction Z, and the standard cigarette is punched with holes at a distance of 18 mm from the filter tip made of cellulose acetate, to introduce cold air to cool it.

[0239] A smoking test is performed on a single-channel smoker: smoking per puff is made for 2 s, smoking is stopped for 28 s, a capacity of smoking is 55 ml, and a total of smoking 10 puffs is made; a filter device is connected between an outlet of the tobacco smoke and the single-channel smoker to capture aerosols, and temperature at outlet of the tobacco smoke is recorded by a thermocouple detector. According to variations of weights of the substrate segment 101, the functional segment 10, the wrapping layer 105, the filter segment 103, the front plug segment 104 or the like before and after smoking, a ratio of intercepting the aerosols by the functional segment 10 and an amount of aerosols smoked per puff may be calculated.

[0240] As may be seen according to test data shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, compared with the standard cigarette, that is, the blank control, the functional segment 10 of the experimental aerosol generating product 100 of the disclosure may effectively reduce temperature of the aerosols at the outlet and reduce interception of the aerosols without punching holes, while the functional segment 10 has a good high-temperature stability, structure of the functional segment 10 has no significant variation after smoking, and there is no phenomenon of adhering and blocking holes of the first air channel 11.

[0241] The first comparison experiment shows that each of the functional segment 10 and the substrate segment 101 is extruded by a porous mold, the functional segment 10 has a high degree of designability, and the porosity of the functional segment 10, the hydrodynamic diameter of the air hole 11a, and the wall thickness and length of the support wall 12 may be adjusted according to requirements, to obtain an optimum temperature of the aerosols at the outlet of the tobacco smoke.Second Comparison Experiment

[0242] The functional segment 10 of the disclosure is manufactured first, basic operations are as follows.

[0243] In operation 1, 20 g of microcrystalline cellulose, 3 g of CMC-Na, and 15 g of gluten protein are weighed as base materials and fed to a shear type high-speed mixer to be mixed uniformly.

[0244] In operation 2, 10 g of deionized water, 0.05 g of surfactant, and 1.0 g of peppermint perfume are fed to the shear type high-speed mixer in three times to be mixed uniformly, to prepare a slurry, and temperature in the process of mixing them uniformly is not higher than 40° C.

[0245] The above slurry is fed into a screw extruder, where it is extruded through a specially designed porous mold. After drying, the extruded part is cut into different lengths of functional segments 10.

[0246] The peppermint perfume is a kind of perfumes and spices. The perfumes and spices may not only release fragrance during smoking, but also further reduce temperature of the tobacco smoke and reduce interception since evaporation of the perfumes and spices consumes heat energy.

[0247] Differences between the second comparison experiment and the first comparison experiment lie in that 0.05 g of surfactant and 1.0 g of peppermint perfume are added to the functional segment 10, and the front plug segment 104 having a paper structure in the first comparison experiment is replaced by the functional segment 10, such that a porous HNB cigarette having a sandwich structure may be prepared, that is, “the front plug segment 104 forming the functional segment 10+the substrate segment 101 provided with second air channels 1011+the cooling segment 102 forming the functional segment 10”, hole size of each segment is matched, a direction of airflow is consistent during smoking, and the RTD is reduced.

[0248] Compared with FIG. 23, with reference to FIG. 25, it shows temperature of the tobacco smoke per puff after addition of the perfumes and spices, and the temperature of the tobacco smoke per puff after addition of the perfumes and spices decreases compared with the graph of temperature without addition of the perfumes and spices.

[0249] Table 1 is a comparison table of ratios of intercepting the aerosols by the experimental aerosol generating article 100 and the standard cigarette. Test results show that interception of the aerosols by the experimental aerosol generating articles 1001 to 1004 is further reduced, and an amount of aerosols smoked per puff is increased significantly (increased by about 23.6%).TABLE 1ExperimentalExperimentalExperimentalExperimentalaerosolaerosolaerosolaerosolgeneratinggeneratinggeneratinggeneratingStandardParameterarticle 1001article 1002article 1003article 1004cigaretteRatio of13.4%9.3%11.6%10.3%35.6%interceptionof theaerosols

[0250] Table 2 is a comparison table of amounts of aerosols smoked per puff (mg / puff) of the experimental aerosol generating article 100 and the standard cigarette. Test results show that compared with the standard cigarette, the experimental aerosol generating article 100 reduces stains on the cigarette pipe after smoking since it reduces interception of the tobacco smoke significantly, which is another advantage of the product of the disclosure.TABLE 2ExperimentalExperimentalExperimentalExperimentalaerosolaerosolaerosolaerosolgeneratinggeneratinggeneratinggeneratingStandardParameterarticle 1001article 1002article 1003article 1004cigaretteAmount of5.665.855.635.924.66aerosolssmoked perpuff(mg / puff)

[0251] In the description of the disclosure, a description with reference to the terms “in one embodiment,”“in some embodiments,”“in other embodiments,”“in still other embodiments,” or “exemplarily” or the like means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of the disclosure. In the disclosure, the schematic expression of the above terms is not necessarily directed to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or features described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. Furthermore, those skilled in the art may combine different embodiments or examples described in the disclosure and features of different embodiments or examples without contradicting each other.

[0252] The foregoing is merely a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the disclosure, and various modifications and variations may be made to those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent substitution, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of this application are included within the scope of protection of this application.

Examples

first specific embodiment

[0218]With reference to FIG. 2, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, each of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 forms the functional segment 10, each of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and each of the cooling segment 102, the filter segment 103 and the front plug segment 104 is provided with multiple air holes 11a.

[0219]The front plug segment 104 has a length of 6 mm along the axial direction Z, the substrate segment 101 has a length of 20 mm along the axial direction Z, the cooling segment 102 has a length of 26 mm along the axial direction Z, and the filter segment 103 has a length of 8 mm along the axial direction Z. Cross-sectional areas of the second air channels 1011 and the air holes 11a may affect RTD performance.

[0220]The second air channels 1011 of the substrate segment 101 have a mesh...

second specific embodiment

[0226]With reference to FIG. 3, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 forms the functional segment 10, each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and each of the cooling segment 102 and the filter segment 103 is provided with multiple first air channels 11. The front plug segment 104 has a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes.

third specific embodiment

[0227]With reference to FIG. 4, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, each of the cooling segment 102 and the front plug segment 104 forms the functional segment 10, each of the cooling segment 102 and the front plug segment 104 has an integral structure formed by an extrusion process, and each of the cooling segment 102 and the front plug segment 104 is provided with multiple first air channels 11. The filter segment 103 has a structure formed by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes.

[0228]In this embodiment, relative sizes of RTDs of the front plug segment 104 and the filter segment 103 may be changed by design.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating article, comprising:a substrate segment in an integral structure;a cooling segment, as a functional segment in an integral structure, arranged at an end of the substrate segment along an axial direction;a filter segment, arranged at an end of the cooling segment away from the substrate segment along the axial direction; anda front plug segment, arranged at an end of the substrate segment away from the filter segment along the axial direction.

2. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the substrate segment is formed with second air channels passing through at least one end of the substrate segment.

3. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the substrate segment is formed into an integral structure by an extrusion process.

4. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein at least one of the filter segment or the front plug segment is the functional segment in an integral structure, and the functional segment is formed with first air channels passing through at least one end of the functional segment.

5. The aerosol generating article of claim 4, wherein each functional segment is separately formed by an extrusion process.

6. The aerosol generating article of claim 4, wherein the first air channels comprise air holes arranged inside the functional segment.

7. The aerosol generating article of claim 4, wherein the first air channels comprise grooves arranged in an outer circumferential surface of the functional segment.

8. The aerosol generating article of claim 4, wherein each of the first air channels has a cross-sectional area of 0.05 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction as a cross section.

9. The aerosol generating article of claim 4, wherein a ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the first air channels to a cross-sectional area of the functional segment is 30% to 70%, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction as a cross section.

10. The aerosol generating article of claim 4, wherein the functional segment has a porosity of 2% to 15%.

11. The aerosol generating article of claim 4, wherein the functional segment has a density of 1 g / cm3 to 1.5 g / cm3.

12. The aerosol generating article of claim 4, wherein the functional segment comprises a support wall enclosing to form the first air channels, and the support wall has a wall thickness of 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm.

13. The aerosol generating article of claim 4, wherein each of the first air channels has a diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm.

14. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the functional segment is a circular shape, the functional segment is provided with a plurality of air holes at interior thereof, and the plurality of air holes are distributed in a mesh shape; orthe cross-sectional shape of the functional segment is a circular shape, the functional segment is divided into a middle portion and an edge portion surrounding the middle portion, the middle portion is provided with square-shaped air holes, the edge portion is provided with irregular shapes of air holes formed during extrusion; orthe cross-sectional shape of the functional segment is a circular shape, the functional segment has a radial-shaped structure at interior thereof, a cross-sectional shape of an air hole at the center of the functional segment is a circular shape, and cross-sectional shapes of other air holes are irregular shapes; orthe cross-sectional shape of the functional segment is a circular shape with grooves in an outer circumferential surface thereof, a cross-sectional shape of each of the air holes is a circular shape, and a cross-sectional shape of each of the grooves is a semicircular shape.

15. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the functional segment is a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a racetrack shape, a quadrilateral shape or a hexagonal shape, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction as a cross section.

16. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein resistance to draw (RTD) of the front plug segment, the substrate segment, the cooling segment and the filter segment are sequentially reduced.

17. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the functional segment comprises a base material and an adhesive component, and the base material is in form of powders.

18. The aerosol generating article of claim 17, wherein a proportion of the base material in the functional segment is 10% to 80%, and a proportion of the adhesive component in the functional segment is 5% to 80%.

19. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating article meets at least one of the following conditions comprising:the cooling segment has a length of 3 mm to 50 mm along the axial direction;the filter segment has a length of 3 mm to 8 mm along the axial direction; andthe front plug segment has a length of 3 mm to 10 mm along the axial direction.

20. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the filter segment comprises a filler of cellulose acetate or paper materials; orthe front plug segment comprises one or more fillers of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, and paper tubes.

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