Aerosol generating article and composition for preparing parts of aerosol generating article

Abstract

The application provides an aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article includes a substrate segment, a functional segment and a front plug segment. The substrate segment is in an integral structure, with at least one second air channel arranged through at least one end of the substrate segment. The functional segment is in an integral structure, arranged at an end of the substrate segment along an axial direction, with at least one first air channel arranged through at least one end of the functional segment. The front plug segment is arranged at an end of the substrate segment away from the functional segment along the axial direction. A composition for preparing parts of an aerosol generating article is also provided.

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 include aerosol generating articles which form aerosols by igniting and aerosol generating articles which form aerosols by Heated Not Burn (HNB). Specifically, HNB 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 HNB aerosol generating article includes a substrate segment and a functional segment, the substrate segment is heated to generate aerosols, and the functional segment is provided to cooperate with the substrate segment. Some functional segments are difficult to be assembled due to their complicated structures. Therefore, how to reduce difficulty of assembling the functional segment and improve performance of the functional 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 and a composition for preparing parts of 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 functional segment and a front plug segment.

[0006] The substrate segment is in an integral structure, with at least one second air channel arranged through at least one end of the substrate segment.

[0007] The functional segment is in an integral structure, arranged at an end of the substrate segment along an axial direction, with at least one first air channel arranged through at least one end of the functional segment.

[0008] The front plug segment is arranged at an end of the substrate segment away from the functional segment along the axial direction.

[0009] In the first aspect of the disclosure, the front plug segment, the substrate segment and the functional segment are sequentially arranged along the axial direction, the front plug segment is located upstream of the substrate segment, the functional segment is located downstream of the substrate segment, and aerosols generated by heating the substrate segment flow through the functional segment and then are used by a user.

[0010] In some embodiments, the functional segment may be a filter segment or a cooling segment.

[0011] In some embodiments, at least one of the functional segment, the front plug segment, or the substrate segment is formed into an integral structure by an extrusion process.

[0012] In some embodiments, the at least one first air channel may include air holes arranged inside the functional segment.

[0013] In some embodiments, each of the at least one first air channel 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.

[0014] In some embodiments, a ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of all 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.

[0015] In some embodiments, the at least one first air channel may include grooves arranged in an outer circumferential surface of the functional segment.

[0016] In some embodiments, the functional segment may have a porosity of 2% to 15%.

[0017] In some embodiments, the functional segment may have a density of 1 g / cm3 to 1.5 g / cm3.

[0018] In some embodiments, the functional segment may have a length of 3 mm to 50 mm along the axial direction.

[0019] In some embodiments, the front plug segment may be in an integral structure, with at least one third air channel arranged through at least one end of the front plug segment.

[0020] In some embodiments, each of the at least one third air channel of the front plug segment may have a cross-sectional area of 0.09 mm2 to 1.96 mm2.

[0021] In some embodiments, the front plug segment may have a length of 3 mm to 10 mm along the axial direction.

[0022] In some embodiments, the functional segment may include a support wall, the support wall encloses to form the at least one first air channel, and the support wall has a wall thickness in a range of 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0023] In some embodiments, the functional segment may have a diameter of 3.6 mm to 15 mm.

[0024] 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.

[0025] In some embodiments, Resistance To Draw (RTD) of the front plug segment, the substrate segment and the functional segment may be sequentially reduced.

[0026] In some embodiments, the front plug segment may be in a structure by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes.

[0027] According to a second aspect of disclosure, there is provided a composition for preparing parts of an aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article includes a substrate segment, a functional segment and a front plug segment.

[0028] The substrate segment is in an integral structure, with at least one second air channel arranged through at least one end of the substrate segment.

[0029] The functional segment is in an integral structure, arranged at an end of the substrate segment along an axial direction, with at least one first air channel arranged through at least one end of the functional segment.

[0030] The front plug segment is arranged at an end of the substrate segment away from the functional segment along the axial direction.

[0031] The composition includes a base material and an adhesive component, the base material is in powder form, and the composition is used for preparing at least one of the functional segment or the front plug segment.

[0032] In some embodiments, a proportion of the base material in the composition may be 10% to 80%, and a proportion of the adhesive component in the composition is 5% to 80%.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a third embodiment of the disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a third embodiment of the disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a seventh embodiment of the disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to an eighth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a ninth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a tenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to an eleventh embodiment of the disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a twelfth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a thirteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a fourteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a fifteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 19 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a sixteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment according to a seventeenth embodiment of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] It should be noted that 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.

[0054] 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 diameter of the air hole with the circular shape.

[0055] The disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0056] A conventional cigarette is a typical aerosol generating article which generates aerosols by igniting it, and specifically, the conventional cigarette emits aerosols in a manner of igniting it to burn tobaccos.

[0057] The disclosure is described by taking a Heated Not Burn (HNB) aerosol generating article as an example, the aerosol generating article emits aerosols in a not-burn manner, and the aerosol generating article generates the aerosols mainly by heating a substrate segment.

[0058] In the related art, the functional segment is usually made of cellulose acetate, to play a role of filtering the aerosols or reducing temperature of the aerosols; however, it intercepts the aerosols significantly, affecting a smoking experience. Some functional segments are difficult to be assembled due to their complicated structures and thus are difficult to be applied in actual production. Some functional segments cannot be produced due to high cost of their raw materials. Materials of some functional 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 onto an external paper of the cigarette, creating stains on exterior of the smoked aerosol generating article, further contaminating an aerosol generating device, and affecting the user's usage and sensory experience. Therefore, it needs to provide a functional segment capable of improving at least one of the above problems in the related art.

[0059] With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the disclosure provides an aerosol generating article 100, the aerosol generating article 100 includes a substrate segment 101, a functional segment 10 and a front plug segment 102.

[0060] The substrate segment 101 is in an integral structure, with at least one second air channel 1011 arranged through at least one end of the substrate segment 101. The functional segment 10 is in an integral structure, arranged at an end of the substrate segment 101 along an axial direction Z, with at least one first air channel 11 arranged through at least one end of the functional segment 10. The front plug segment 102 is arranged at an end of the substrate segment 101 away from the functional segment 10 along the axial direction Z.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] In the embodiment of the disclosure, each of the substrate segment 101 and the functional segment 10 may have a substantially cylindrical shape extending along the axial direction Z. 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.

[0065] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the disclosure, a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z is taken as a cross section, unless otherwise stated.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] As an example, the second air channel 1011 may also pass through an outer circumferential surface of the functional segment 10.

[0069] 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.

[0070] In some embodiments, a number of second air channels 1011 may be one or more.

[0071] The functional segment 10 is formed with first air channels 11 arranged 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 Resistance To Draw (RTD), etc.

[0072] The first air channel 11 of the functional segment 10 is a macroscopic passage, that is, the first air channel 11 of the functional segment 10 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.

[0073] As an example, the first air channel 11 may pass through one or two ends of the functional segment 10, etc.

[0074] As an example, the first air channel 11 may also pass through the outer circumferential surface of the functional segment 10.

[0075] In some embodiments, a number of first air channels 11 of a single functional segment 10 may be one or more.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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 in an integral structure by processes such as extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, etc.

[0078] The functional segment 10 is in an integral structure, which 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 in 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 in an integral structure.

[0079] The substrate segment 101 is in an integral structure, and presents an integral substrate after the substrate segment 10 is heated for smoking it or heating is stopped, therefore an phenomenon of disintegration and falling down does not easily occur.

[0080] Functions which may be provided by the functional segment 10 are not limited. Exemplarily, the functional segment 10 may be configured to provide at least one of functions of temperature reduction and filtration. In a process of using the aerosol generating article 100, the user may directly take the functional segment 10 in his mouth for smoking. Of course, the user may not take the functional segment 10 in his mouth.

[0081] The functional segment 10 is in an integral structure, which may reduce assembly steps and improve production efficiency.

[0082] The front plug segment 102 may block the substrate segment 101. The front plug segment 102 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 102 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.

[0083] In some cases, the front plug segment 102 may also play a role of adjusting an overall 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 102 may also play a role of scraping and cleaning a heated substrate material which is adhered to the heating element. The front plug segment 102 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.

[0084] In the embodiment of the disclosure, the front plug segment 102, the substrate segment 101 and the functional segment 10 are sequentially arranged along the axial direction Z, the front plug segment 102 is located upstream of the substrate segment 101, the functional segment 10 is located downstream of the substrate segment 101, and aerosols generated by heating the substrate segment 10 flow through the functional segment 10 and then are used by a user. The substrate segment 101 is in 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 second air channel 1011 may increase a specific surface area of the substrate segment 101, to improve extraction efficiency of the aerosols. The functional segment 10 is in an integral structure, which may reduce difficulty of assembling the functional segment 10 and improve production efficiency. The first air channel 11 of the functional segment 10 may be provided for the aerosols to circulate through it, or may temporarily store the aerosols to play a role of slowing release thereof; may also significantly increase the specific surface area, which helps to reduce temperature of the aerosols; and may also achieve functions such as adjusting RTD or the like, to provide the user with a good smoking experience. The front plug segment 102 may not only block the substrate segment 101, but also 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional shape of the front plug segment 102 may be a regular shape such as a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a racetrack shape, a quadrilateral shape, a hexagonal shape or the like, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section. In some other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the front plug segment 102 may be 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. The cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10 may be the same as or different from the cross-sectional shape of the front plug segment 102, and a cross-sectional shape of the substrate segment 101 may be the same as or different from the cross-sectional shape of the functional segment 10.

[0090] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating article 100 may include a wrapping layer 103, the wrapping layer 103 may wrap around outer circumferences of the front plug segment 102, the substrate segment 101 and the functional segment 10. The wrapping layer 103 includes but is not limited to paper or other materials. The wrapping layer 103 fixes the front plug segment 102, the substrate segment 101 and the functional segment 10 as an integral body, to facilitate access to the aerosol generating article 100.

[0091] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 is a filter segment. That is, the aerosol generating article 100 includes a filter segment, a substrate segment 101 and a front plug segment 102 sequentially arranged along the axial direction Z. The filter segment may be formed with a first air channel 11 arranged through at least one end of the filter segment. The filter segment may be provided with one or more first air channels 11.

[0092] The filter segment is configured to filter the aerosols, and the filter segment 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.

[0093] In this embodiment, the functional segment 10 is a filter segment, that is, the filter segment is in an integral structure, with first air channels 11 arranged through at least one end of the filter segment. In this way, assembly steps of the filter segment may be reduced, difficulty of assembling the filter segment may be reduced, and production efficiency may be improved.

[0094] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 is a cooling segment. That is, the aerosol generating article 100 includes a cooling segment, a substrate segment 101 and a front plug segment 102 sequentially arranged along the axial direction Z. The cooling segment may be formed with a first air channel 11 arranged through at least one end of the cooling segment. The cooling segment may be provided with one or more first air channels 11.

[0095] The cooling segment is configured to reduce temperature of the aerosols.

[0096] In this embodiment, the functional segment 10 is a cooling segment, that is, the cooling segment is in an integral structure, with first air channels 11 arranged through at least one end of the cooling segment. In this way, assembly steps of the cooling segment may be reduced, difficulty of assembling the cooling segment may be reduced, and production efficiency may be improved.

[0097] In some embodiments, at least one of the functional segment 10, the front plug segment 102, or the substrate segment 101 is formed into an integral structure by an extrusion process.

[0098] 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.

[0099] The cooling segment may be formed into an integral structure by the extrusion process or the die-casting process.

[0100] The filter segment may be formed into an integral structure by the extrusion process or the die-casting process.

[0101] 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.

[0102] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 102 is formed into an integral structure by the extrusion process or the die-casting process. The front plug segment 102 molded by extrusion or die-casting has a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0103] As an example, the front plug segment 102 has an integrally formed porous structure manufactured by the extrusion process or the die-casting process. That is, the third air channel 1021 may be molded by extrusion or die-casting.

[0104] Exemplarily, the front plug segment 102 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 front plug segment 102 by extrusion.

[0105] The cooling segment, the filter segment and the front plug segment 102 may be integrally formed by using the same or different processes. An example of molding the cooling segment, the filter segment and the front plug segment 102 by the extrusion process is taken, different raw materials may be mixed to obtain different slurries according to different functions of the cooling segment, the filter segment and the front plug segment 102, or the cooling segment, the filter segment and the front plug segment 102 may achieve different functions by extruding into different shapes of structures.

[0106] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 20, the first air channel 11 includes 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 the specific surface area, which is beneficial to cool the aerosols, and may also effectively adjust the RTD.

[0107] 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.

[0108] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 20, 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.

[0109] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 10, all of the air holes 11a of the functional segment 10 have the same cross-sectional shape.

[0110] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the functional segment 10 is provided with air holes 11a with at least two cross-sectional shapes.

[0111] 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 the 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.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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. RTD when the cross-sectional area is less than 0.05 mm2 may be too large and thus may affect the smoking experience, while 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.

[0116] 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.

[0117] In some embodiments, each air hole 11a has a diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm.

[0118] In some embodiments, each groove 11b has a diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm.

[0119] With such design, the cross-sectional area of the first 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.

[0120] In some embodiments, a ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of all 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.

[0121] As an example, the ratio of the sum of cross-sectional areas of all 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.

[0122] The sum of cross-sectional areas of all first air channels 11 refers to a sum of cross-sectional areas of all first air channels 11 of the functional segment 10 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction Z.

[0123] 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.

[0124] The ratio of the sum of cross-sectional areas of all 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 first air channels 11 to the cross-sectional area of the functional segment 10.

[0125] 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 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 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 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.

[0126] In this embodiment, in case that the sum of cross-sectional areas of all 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 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 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.

[0127] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 17 to FIG. 20, the first air channel 11 includes 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] It may be understood that the circumferential direction is a direction around the axial direction Z.

[0130] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 17 to FIG. 20, 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.

[0131] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 has a porosity of 2% to 15%.

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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.

[0134] It should be noted that the porosity of the functional segment 10 refers to a ratio of a sum of volumes of all first air channels 11 of the functional segment 10 to a total volume of the functional segment 10.

[0135] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 20, 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 in a range of 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139] 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.

[0140] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 has a density of 1 g / cm3 to 1.5 g / cm3.

[0141] 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.

[0142] 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.

[0143] It should be noted that 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.

[0144] In some embodiments, the functional segment 10 has a length of 3 mm to 50 mm along the axial direction Z.

[0145] Exemplarily, the length of the functional segment 10 along the axial direction Z is any one of values of 3 mm, 20 mm and 50 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0146] In case that the length of the functional segment 10 along the axial direction Z is less than 3 mm, its cooling effect is limited; in case that the length of the functional segment 10 along the axial direction Z is greater than 50 mm, it may result in too high interception, and it may easily cause an overall weight of the aerosol generating article 100 to be too heavy. Therefore, the length of the functional segment 10 along the axial direction Z is 3 mm to 50 mm, which may meet cooling requirements, avoid too high interception, and make the overall weight of the aerosol generating article 100 suitable.

[0147] 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.

[0148] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the front plug segment 102 is in an integral structure, with at least one third air channel 1021 arranged through at least one end of the front plug segment 102.

[0149] The front plug segment 102 is in an integral structure, which means that the front plug segment 102 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 front plug segment 102, and the front plug segment 102 is a single, indivisible and physically integral part, and its integral state may be maintained without help of external elements. For example, a front plug segment 102 monomer obtained by slurry extrusion is in an integral structure; however, a front plug segment 102 obtained by acquiring a filamentous cellulose acetate monomer and then gathering multiple cellulose acetate monomers together is not in an integral structure.

[0150] The third air channel 1021 is a macroscopic passage, that is, the third air channel 1021 is formed mainly by processing, and sizes of the third air channel 1021 such as a cross-sectional area, a length or the like may be changed according to design requirements.

[0151] As an example, the third air channel 1021 may pass through one or two ends of the front plug segment 102, etc.

[0152] As an example, the third air channel 1021 may also pass through an outer circumferential surface of the front plug segment 102.

[0153] In some embodiments, a number of third air channels 1021 may be one or more.

[0154] In some embodiments, the third air channel 1021 may extend along the axial direction Z. Preferably, the third air channel 1021 passes through two ends of the front plug segment 102 along the axial direction Z.

[0155] In this embodiment, from a perspective of production and storage, the front plug segment 102 is in an integral structure, which may reduce difficulty of assembling the front plug segment 102, improve production efficiency, improve stability and quality of the product, make it easier to maintain consistency and quality control during production, reduce defects during production, and improve consistency in batches of products. It is not easy to break and scatter the front plug segment 102 in a process of the user pulling the front plug segment 102 out from the aerosol generating device. Each of the functional segment 10 and the front plug segment 102 is in an integral structure, such that an overall structure of the aerosol generating article 100 is more uniform and stable, thereby improving durability and ensuring that the product is more stable during transportation and usage. The front plug segment 102 is formed with third air channels 1021 arranged through at least one end of the front plug segment 102, and the third air channel 1021 may allow external air to enter the substrate segment 101 or may temporarily store the condensate liquid, thereby reducing the RTD, making airflow distributed uniformly, such that by providing a smoother airflow and temperature control, it may reduce irritation of the tobacco smoke on the mouth and throat, reduce occurrence of discomfort during smoking and thus improve smoothness of the airflow.

[0156] The front plug segment 102 in an integral structure may also 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.

[0157] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 102 has a length of 3 mm to 10 mm along the axial direction Z. Preferably, the front plug segment 102 has a length of 3 mm to 8 mm along the axial direction Z.

[0158] Exemplarily, the length of the front plug segment 102 along the axial direction Z is any one of values of 3 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm, or a value between any two of the values.

[0159] In this embodiment, the length of the front plug segment 102 along the axial direction Z is 3 mm to 10 mm, which may achieve a good function of blocking the substrate segment 101 and blocking the condensate liquid, and meet requirements of adjusting the RTD.

[0160] In some embodiments, each third air channel 1021 of the front plug segment 102 has a cross-sectional area of 0.09 mm2 to 1.96 mm2.

[0161] Exemplarily, the cross-sectional area of each third air channel 1021 of the front plug segment 102 is any one of values of 0.09 mm2, 1 mm2 and 1.96 mm2, or a value between any two of the values.

[0162] In this embodiment, the third air channel 1021 may meet requirements of the RTD and structural strength.

[0163] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 102 has a shrinkage rate of 0% to 15% after usage of the aerosol generating article 100.

[0164] Exemplarily, the shrinkage rate of the front plug segment 102 is any one of values of 0%, 5% and 15%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0165] “after usage of the aerosol generating article 100” means after the aerosol generating article 100 is smoked, that is, after the substrate segment 101 is heated.

[0166] The shrinkage rate is a percentage ratio of an amount of shrinkage to a size before shrinkage, and the amount of shrinkage is a difference between sizes before and after shrinkage.

[0167] Exemplarily, a diameter before shrinkage refers to an initial diameter of the front plug segment 102 before usage of the aerosol generating article 100 and is defined as Da; a diameter after shrinkage refers to a remaining diameter of the front plug segment 102 after usage of the aerosol generating article 100 and is defined as Db; the shrinkage rate is defined as S, then S=(Da−Db) / Da*100%.

[0168] The front plug segment 102 has a shrinkage rate of 0%, which means that the front plug segment 102 does not shrink and deform after the aerosol generating article 100 is heated.

[0169] In this embodiment, in case that the shrinkage rate of the front plug segment 102 is greater than 15% after usage of the aerosol generating article 100, it may result in that the third air channel 1021 is changed during smoking, affecting the smoking experience. Therefore, the front plug segment 102 has a shrinkage rate of 0% to 15%, such that the front plug segment 102 maintains its initial shape to be unchanged substantially or changed very little, achieving good consistency of smoking.

[0170] In an embodiment in which the front plug segment 102 is provided with third air channels 1021, the third air channel 1021 may also include at least one of air holes 11a or grooves 11b, similar to the first air channel 11. The front plug segment 102 may be provided with air holes 11a arranged inside the front plug segment 102. The air holes 11a may pass through one or two ends of the front plug segment 102 along the axial direction Z. A number of air holes 11a of the front plug segment 102 may be one or more. The front plug segment 102 may be provided with grooves 11b arranged in the outer circumferential surface of the front plug segment 102.

[0171] In an embodiment in which the front plug segment 102 is in an integral structure and is provided with air holes 11a, the air hole 11a of the front plug segment 102 may have a diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm. A ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of all the air holes 11a of the front plug segment 102 to a cross-sectional area of the front plug segment 102 may be 30% to 70%. The front plug segment 102 may have a porosity of 2% to 15%.

[0172] It should be noted that the porosity of the front plug segment 102 refers to a ratio of a sum of volumes of all third air channels 1021 of the front plug segment 102 to a total volume of the front plug segment 102.

[0173] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 102 is provided with a support wall 12, the support wall 12 encloses to form the third air channels 1021, and the support wall 12 of the front plug segment 102 may have a wall thickness of 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0174] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 102 may have a density of 1 g / cm3 to 1.5 g / cm3.

[0175] It should be noted that definitions of the diameter of the air hole 11a of the front plug segment 102, the sum of cross-sectional areas of the air holes 11a, the density, the support wall 12 or the like are similar to those of the functional segment 10, and are not elaborated here.

[0176] In some embodiments, RTDs of the front plug segment 102, the substrate segment 101 and the functional segment 10 are sequentially reduced. That is, from a perspective of the RTD, RTDs of the front plug segment 102, the substrate segment 101 and the functional segment 10 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.

[0177] In some embodiments, the disclosure further provides a composition for preparing parts of the aerosol generating article, the composition includes a base material and an adhesive component, the base material is in powder form, and the composition is used for preparing at least one of the functional segment 10 or the front plug segment 102.

[0178] Here, the adhesive component is configured to bond the base material in powder form. The adhesive component bonds the base material as an integral body, forming main structures of the front plug segment 102 and the functional segment 10. The front plug segment 102 and the functional segment 10 are 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.

[0179] The base material in powder form 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.

[0180] It should be noted that the micropore described in the disclosure is different from the first air channel 11 and the third air channel 1021, 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 and the third air channel 1021 are ordered, that is, they are formed mainly by design and processing, and have predictability. Further explanations will be made below by taking the first air channel 11 as an example. 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 particle form, the functional segment 10 and the front plug segment 102 molded by extruding from the material are 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. It may be understood that the third air channel 1021 has the same definition as the first air channel 11, and is not elaborated here.

[0181] The base material may include one or more organic materials, and the base material may also include one or more inorganic materials.

[0182] In some embodiments, the base material includes at least one of plant cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, or silicon dioxide.

[0183] Exemplarily, the base material includes one of plant cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, and silicon dioxide.

[0184] Exemplarily, the base material includes multiple of plant cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, and silicon dioxide.

[0185] 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.

[0186] In some embodiments, a proportion of the base material in the composition is 10% to 80%.

[0187] In some embodiments, a proportion of the base material in the functional segment 10 is 10% to 80%.

[0188] In some embodiments, a proportion of the base material in the front plug segment 102 is 10% to 80%.

[0189] Preferably, the proportion of the base material in the functional segment 10 is 15% to 80%.

[0190] Preferably, the proportion of the base material in the front plug segment 102 is 15% to 80%.

[0191] Exemplarily, the proportion of the base material in the functional segment 10 is any one of values of 10%, 15%, 50% and 80%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0192] Exemplarily, the proportion of the base material in the front plug segment 102 is any one of values of 10%, 15%, 50% and 80%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0193] 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. The proportion of the base material in the front plug segment 102 is 10% to 80%, and the base material forms a skeleton body of the front plug segment 102 and has characteristics of good strength.

[0194] In some embodiments, the adhesive component includes at least one of starch, cellulose, kudzu extraction, protein, gelatin, polylactic acid (PLA), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0195] Exemplarily, the adhesive component includes one of starch, cellulose, kudzu extraction, protein, gelatin, PLA, and PET.

[0196] Exemplarily, the adhesive component includes multiple of starch, cellulose, kudzu extraction, protein, gelatin, PLA, and PET.

[0197] The protein may be gluten protein.

[0198] 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.

[0199] In some embodiments, a proportion of the adhesive component in the composition is 5% to 80%.

[0200] In some embodiments, a proportion of the adhesive component in the functional segment 10 is 5% to 80%.

[0201] In some embodiments, a proportion of the adhesive component in the front plug segment 102 is 5% to 80%.

[0202] 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.

[0203] Exemplarily, the proportion of the adhesive component in the front plug segment 102 is any one of values of 5%, 50% and 80%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0204] 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 powder form and the adhesive component are mixed into slurry in fluid form, thereby facilitating forming a specific shape of functional segment 10 by extrusion or die-casting. The proportion of the adhesive component in the front plug segment 102 is 5% to 80%, then the base material may be adhered such that the base material in powder form and the adhesive component are mixed into slurry in fluid form, thereby facilitating forming a specific shape of front plug segment 102 by extrusion or die-casting.

[0205] In some embodiments, each of the front plug segment 102 and the functional segment 10 includes a liquid component, a proportion of the liquid component in the functional segment 10 is 0% to 50%, and a proportion of the liquid component in the front plug segment 102 is 0% to 50%.

[0206] The proportion of the liquid component in each of the front plug segment 102 and the functional segment 10 is 0%, that is, there may be no liquid component in each of the front plug segment 102 and the functional segment 10.

[0207] 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.

[0208] Preferably, the functional segment 10 includes 3% to 8% of aqueous liquid.

[0209] The functional segment 10 includes 0% to 50% of other liquids besides the aqueous liquid.

[0210] The proportion of the liquid component in the front plug segment 102 is any one of values of 5%, 50% and 80%, or a value between any two of the values.

[0211] Preferably, the front plug segment 102 includes 3% to 8% of aqueous liquid.

[0212] The front plug segment 102 includes 0% to 50% of other liquids besides the aqueous liquid.

[0213] 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, at least one of the functional segment 10 or the front plug segment 102 may have water, for example, PLA and PET may be melted at a high temperature, and at least one of the functional segment 10 or the front plug segment 102 may have no water.

[0214] 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. It is unnecessary to punch side holes in the wrapping layer 103 to access to the functional segment 10, that is, it is unnecessary to punch side holes in the wrapping layer 103 corresponding to the functional segment 10, to introduce external air to cool the aerosols.

[0215] 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.

[0216] 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.

[0217] In some embodiments, the front plug segment 102 includes perfumes and spices. In case that the front plug segment 102 needs to provide a fragrance substance, the perfumes and spices may be added to the front plug segment 102. 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 front plug segment 102, and the perfumes and spices are stimulated to emit the fragrance substance, such that the front plug segment 102 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. It is unnecessary to punch side holes in the wrapping layer 103 to access to the front plug segment 102, that is, it is unnecessary to punch side holes in the wrapping layer 103 corresponding to the front plug segment 102, to introduce external air to cool the aerosols.

[0218] In some embodiments, a proportion of the perfumes and spices in the front plug segment 102 is 0.5% to 10%. In this way, the perfumes and spices may release an appropriate amount of fragrance substance to meet fragrance requirements.

[0219] In other embodiments, it is unnecessary to supplement the front plug segment 102 with the fragrance substance, then the front plug segment 102 may also have no perfumes and spices.

[0220] 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.

[0221] Exemplarily, an example of at least one of the functional segment 10 or the front plug segment 102 adopting the extrusion process is taken, the base material in powder form, 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 or front plug segments 102, and finally, at least one of the functional segment 10 or the front plug segment 102 may be assembled into the aerosol generating article 100.

[0222] In some embodiments, the perfumes and spices may be added to at least one of the functional segment 10 or the front plug segment 102 by co-extrusion or externally adding them after molding the segment.

[0223] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 3, the front plug segment 102 has 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 102.

[0224] 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 structure by using a cigarette maker. The front plug segment 102 may have a structure made of solid cellulose acetate, the solid cellulose acetate refers to having only gaps between tows, without designed and formed third air channels 1021. The front plug segment 102 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.

[0225] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the second air channel 1011 may be arranged inside the substrate segment 101.

[0226] In some embodiments, the second air channel 1011 may be arranged in an outer circumferential surface of the substrate segment 101.

[0227] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 is formed into an integral structure by an extrusion process or a die-casting process.

[0228] As an example, the substrate segment 101 has an integrally formed porous structure manufactured by the extrusion process or the die-casting process. That is, the second air channel 1011 may be molded by extrusion or die-casting.

[0229] “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.

[0230] 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.

[0231] It should be noted that 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 particle form, 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.

[0232] In some embodiments, all second air channels 1011 of the substrate segment 101 have the same cross-sectional shape.

[0233] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 is provided with second air channels 1011 with at least two cross-sectional shapes.

[0234] A cross-sectional shape of the second air channel 1011 arranged inside the substrate segment 101 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. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the second air channel 1011 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 second air channel 1011 may be another irregular shape except the above regular shape.

[0235] A cross-sectional shape of the second air channel 1011 arranged in the outer circumferential surface of the substrate segment 101 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. The cross-sectional shape of the second air channel 1011 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 second air channel 1011 may be another irregular shape except the above regular shape.

[0236] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 has a length of 10 mm to 40 mm along the axial direction Z. In this way, the substrate segment 101 may release a more sufficient amount of aerosols.

[0237] In some embodiments, the second air channel 1011 may have a cross-sectional area of 0.09 mm2 to 1.96 mm2, by taking a plane perpendicular to the axial direction Z as a cross section.

[0238] In some embodiments, the second air channel 1011 has a diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm.

[0239] In some embodiments, a ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of second air channels 1011 to a cross-sectional area of the substrate segment 101 is 30% to 70%.

[0240] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 has a porosity of 2% to 15%.

[0241] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 includes a partition wall, the partition wall encloses to form the second air channels 1011, and the partition wall has a wall thickness of 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0242] In some embodiments, the substrate segment 101 has a density of 1 g / cm3 to 1.5 g / cm3.

[0243] It should be noted that definitions of features such as the diameter of the substrate segment 101, the sum of cross-sectional areas of second air channels 1011 or the like may be similar to those of the functional segment 10, and are not elaborated here.

[0244] The aerosol generating article 100 of the disclosure will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments.First Specific Embodiment

[0245] With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, each of the substrate segment 101, the functional segment 10 and the front plug segment 102 is formed into an integral structure by an extrusion process, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, and each of the functional segment 10 and the front plug segment 102 is provided with multiple air holes 11a.

[0246] Specifically, with reference to FIG. 1, the front plug segment 102 and the functional segment 10 may be symmetrically arranged in terms of structure, that is, structures (including external sizes, shapes and distribution of internal air holes 11a, etc.) of the front plug segment 102 and the functional segment 10 are identical. Advantages of such arrangement are that it is unnecessary to distinguish an insertion direction of the aerosol generating article 100, the aerosol generating article 100 may be directly placed into the aerosol generating device to heat the aerosol generating article 100; furthermore, it may ensure a uniform and consistent airflow, thereby achieving a good smoking experience.

[0247] With reference to FIG. 2, the front plug segment 102 and the functional segment 10 may be asymmetrically arranged in terms of structure, and a length of the functional segment 10 along the axial direction Z is greater than a length of the front plug segment 102 along the axial direction Z. On one hand, a longer functional segment 10 helps to ensure that the aerosols are fully cooled in a process of they passing through the functional segment 10, which may control temperature of the aerosols during smoking better, provide a more uniform temperature distribution, prevent the user from experiencing too high temperature, improve comfort of smoking, and reduce potential health harms. On the other hand, a longer functional segment 10 may provide more space to adjust flow of the aerosols, and ensure that flow rates of the aerosols are more suitable during smoking. Furthermore, a longer functional segment 10 may provide more filtration space, improve a purification effect of the aerosols, and thus improve the smoking experience.

[0248] In other embodiments, structures and parameters of the substrate segment 101, the functional segment 10 and the front plug segment 102 may be matched according to requirements. For example, structures of the substrate segment 101, the functional segment 10 and the front plug segment 102 may be maintained to be the same as much as possible, such that the airflow may be distributed uniformly, to provide the user with a consistent smoking experience per puff.

[0249] From a perspective of the RTD, RTDs of the front plug segment 102, the substrate segment 101 and the functional segment 10 may gradually decrease from a distal lip end to a proximal lip end, that is, from upstream to downstream. Design of this gradual decrease of the RTDs 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.Second Specific Embodiment

[0250] With reference to FIG. 3, the front plug segment 102 has a structure made of cellulose acetate, each of the substrate segment 101 and the functional segment 10 is formed into an integral structure by an extrusion process, the substrate segment 101 is provided with multiple second air channels 1011, and the functional segment 10 is provided with multiple air holes 11a.

[0251] Specifically, the front plug segment 102 is a solid cellulose acetate structure, that is, formed of multiple fibers, the airflow may pass through pores naturally formed between the fibers. The solid fiber structure is not provided with a macroscopic third air channel 1021, that is, there is no designed and formed third air channel 1021, and sizes of the pore between the fibers such as a cross-sectional area, length or the like are naturally formed mainly during processing.

[0252] Structures and parameters of the substrate segment 101, the functional segment 10 and the front plug segment 102 may be matched according to requirements. For example, from a perspective of the RTD of each segment, the RTD of each segment gradually decreases from a distal lip end to a proximal lip end. Design of this gradual decrease of the RTD 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.

[0253] In descriptions of the disclosure, descriptions made with reference to terms “in an embodiment”, “in some embodiments”, “in some other embodiments”, “in still other embodiments”, “exemplarily” or the like mean that specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described with reference to the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of the disclosure. In the disclosure, schematic expressions of the above terms are not necessarily directed to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the described specific features, structures, materials or characteristics 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 conflicting with each other.

[0254] The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the disclosure, and are not intended to limit the disclosure, and various modifications and variations may be made to the disclosure by those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement or the like made within the spirit and principle of the disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating article, comprising:a substrate segment in an integral structure, with at least one second air channel arranged through at least one end of the substrate segment;a functional segment in an integral structure, arranged at an end of the substrate segment along an axial direction, with at least one first air channel arranged through at least one end of the functional segment; anda front plug segment, arranged at an end of the substrate segment away from the functional segment along the axial direction.

2. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the functional segment is a filter segment or a cooling segment.

3. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein at least one of the functional segment, the front plug segment, or the substrate segment is formed into an integral structure by an extrusion process.

4. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the at least one first air channel comprises air holes arranged inside the functional segment.

5. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one first air channel 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.

6. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a sum of cross-sectional areas of all 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.

7. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the at least one first air channel comprises grooves arranged in an outer circumferential surface of the functional segment.

8. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the functional segment has a porosity of 2% to 15%.

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

10. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the functional segment has a length of 3 mm to 50 mm along the axial direction.

11. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the front plug segment is in an integral structure, with at least one third air channel arranged through at least one end of the front plug segment.

12. The aerosol generating article of claim 11, wherein each of the at least one third air channel of the front plug segment has a cross-sectional area of 0.09 mm2 to 1.96 mm2.

13. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the front plug segment has a length of 3 mm to 10 mm along the axial direction.

14. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the functional segment comprises a support wall enclosing to form the at least one first air channel, and the support wall has a wall thickness in a range of 0.04 mm to 0.4 mm.

15. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the functional segment has a diameter of 3.6 mm to 15 mm.

16. 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.

17. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein Resistance To Draw (RTD) of the front plug segment, the substrate segment and the functional segment are sequentially reduced.

18. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, wherein the front plug segment is in a structure by filling at least one of cellulose acetate, paper materials, porous silica gel, or paper tubes.

19. A composition for preparing parts of an aerosol generating article, wherein the aerosol generating article comprises:a substrate segment in an integral structure, with at least one second air channel arranged through at least one end of the substrate segment;a functional segment in an integral structure, arranged at an end of the substrate segment along an axial direction, with at least one first air channel arranged through at least one end of the functional segment; anda front plug segment, arranged at an end of the substrate segment away from the functional segment along the axial direction,the composition comprises a base material and an adhesive component, wherein the base material is in powder form, and the composition is used for preparing at least one of the functional segment or the front plug segment.

20. The composition for preparing parts of an aerosol generating article of claim 19, wherein a proportion of the base material in the composition is 10% to 80%, and a proportion of the adhesive component in the composition is 5% to 80%.

Images