Flavor inhalation stick, and flavor inhalation system

Abstract

Provided is a non-combustion-heating-type flavor inhalation stick 1 that is heated by being inserted into a flavor inhaler, the stick 1 comprising a heated part 10 to which heat is applied when the stick is inserted into the flavor inhaler, and a capsule 50 that is disposed within the heated part 10 and is broken when a foaming component is foamed by heat to release at least a flavoring component.

Description

Flavor inhalation stick and flavor inhalation system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a flavor inhalation stick and a flavor inhalation system.

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an aerosol generating system in which a cavity of an aerosol generating device including a heating element is configured to receive an aerosol product article having a substrate portion including an aerosol-forming substrate and a capsule portion including a carrier material, and discloses that the heating element deforms to apply pressure to the capsule portion.

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 112117

[0004] In a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation stick that is heated by being inserted into a flavor inhaler, a capsule placed in the area where heat is applied may be broken by a physical external force, releasing the contents containing flavor components. While innovations have been considered for flavor inhalers to break capsules, there is still room for improvement for flavor inhalation sticks that have capsules. The purpose of the present disclosure is to assist the destruction of capsules in a flavor inhalation stick.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation stick that is heated by being inserted into a flavor inhaler, the flavor inhalation stick comprising: a heated portion that is heated when inserted into the flavor inhaler; and a capsule disposed within the heated portion that is broken when a foaming component is foamed by heat, thereby releasing at least a flavor component. The heated portion may further comprise a foaming agent having a core containing the foaming component and an outer shell sealing the core, and the capsule may be broken when the foaming agent expands. The outer shell may be formed from a thermoplastic resin, and the expanded foaming agent may contract when the temperature reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature. The heated portion may be filled with a sheet member to which the capsule is fixed, and the foaming agent may be disposed around the capsule. The foaming agent may be disposed so as to be in contact with the capsule. The core of the foaming agent may contain the foaming component and a flavor component. The capsule may have a content containing the flavor component and the foaming component, and an outer shell sealing the content. The capsule may have a content containing the flavor component and an outer shell sealing the content and containing the effervescent component. The effervescent component may be at least one of hydrocarbon, sodium bicarbonate, and carbonated water. A solid member may be provided upstream of the capsule. The heated section may include a base section that generates an aerosol when heated, and a container section that is disposed adjacent to the base section and contains the capsule. One aspect of the present disclosure provides a flavor inhalation system that includes the flavor inhalation stick and a flavor inhaler that heats the flavor inhalation stick.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, the destruction of the capsule can be assisted by a flavor inhalation stick.

[0007] 1 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation stick according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a flavor inhaler according to a first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section of the flavor inhalation stick according to the first embodiment, taken along line III-III of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet member filled in a heated portion according to a first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section of a foaming agent according to a first embodiment, where (A) is a diagram showing a state before expansion and (B) is a diagram showing an expanded state; FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining the destruction of a capsule according to a first embodiment, where (A) is a diagram showing a state before the capsule is destroyed and (B) is a diagram showing a state after the capsule is destroyed according to a first embodiment, where (A) is a diagram showing a state after the expanded foaming agent is destroyed and (B) is a diagram showing a state after the expanded foaming agent is destroyed; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation stick according to a second embodiment; FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining the destruction of a capsule according to a second embodiment, where (A) is a diagram showing a state before the capsule is destroyed and (B) is a diagram showing a state after the capsule is destroyed; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a heated portion according to a third embodiment, where (A) is a diagram showing a state before the capsule is destroyed and (B) is a diagram showing a state after the capsule is destroyed. Fig. 10 is a view showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation stick according to a fourth embodiment, Fig. 11 is a view showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation stick according to a fifth embodiment, Fig. 12 is a view showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation stick according to a sixth embodiment.

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0009] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a flavor inhalation stick 1 according to a first embodiment. The flavor inhalation stick (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "stick") 1 according to the first embodiment includes a heated portion 10, a capsule 50, and a foaming agent 70. The stick 1 also includes a cooling portion 20 and a filter portion 30. The heated portion 10 is a portion that may be heated by a heating portion 121 (see Fig. 2) of a flavor inhaler 100 (described later), and in the example of Fig. 1, includes a substrate portion 11. The capsule 50 and the foaming agent 70 are disposed within the heated portion 10. The stick 1 also includes tipping paper 40 that connects the heated portion 10, the cooling portion 20, and the filter portion 30. The tipping paper 40 has a communication passage 60 that connects the outside and the inside of the stick 1. Hereinafter, the direction of the center line CL of the heated portion 10 may be referred to as the "center line direction." The stick 1 has a heated portion 10, a cooling portion 20, and a filter portion 30 arranged in this order along the center line, and is wrapped with tipping paper 40 to unite these together.

[0010] In this specification, one end side in the center line direction (the left side in FIG. 1 ) may be referred to as the first side, and the other end side in the center line direction (the right side in FIG. 1 ) may be referred to as the second side. The first side is the end side that is inserted into the flavor inhaler 100. The second side is the end side opposite the first side that the user holds in their mouth for inhalation. In addition, a cross section along the center line direction is referred to as a "longitudinal cross section," and a cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the center line direction is defined as a "transverse cross section."

[0011] (Flavor inhalation system) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the flavor inhaler 100. The flavor inhalation system according to this embodiment includes the stick 1 according to the first embodiment and a non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 100 that heats the heated portion 10 of the stick 1 from the outside. The stick 1 according to the first embodiment is inserted into the non-combustion heating flavor inhaler 100 for use. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 130 of the flavor inhaler 100 includes a power supply unit 131 that stores power and supplies power to each component of the main body 130, a sensor unit 132 that detects various information related to the main body 130, and a notification unit 133 that notifies the user of the information. The main body 130 also includes a memory unit 134 that stores various information for the operation of the main body 130, a communication unit 135 that transmits and receives information between the main body 130 and other devices, and a control unit 136 that controls overall operation within the main body 130. The main body 130 also includes a heating unit 121 that heats the stick 1 and a heat insulating unit 144 that prevents heat transfer from the heating unit 121 to other components of the main body 130. In the flavor inhaler 100, the user inhales while the stick 1 is held in the holding unit 140.

[0012] The heating unit 121 heats the heated portion 10 of the stick 1. The heating unit 121 is made of any material, such as metal or polyimide. For example, the heating unit 121 is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the holding unit 140. When the heating unit 121 generates heat, the base material 11 included in the stick 1 is heated from the outer periphery of the stick 1. The heating unit 121 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 131. As an example, power may be supplied when the sensor unit 132 detects that a predetermined user has made an input. When the temperature of the stick 1 heated by the heating unit 121 reaches a predetermined temperature, the user can inhale. Thereafter, when the sensor unit 132 detects that a predetermined user has made an input, power supply may be stopped. As another example, power may be supplied and an aerosol may be generated during a period in which the sensor unit 132 detects that the user has inhaled.

[0013] The heat insulating section 144 is disposed so as to cover at least the outer periphery of the heating section 121. For example, the heat insulating section 144 is made of a vacuum heat insulating material, an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like. Note that the vacuum heat insulating material is a heat insulating material in which, for example, glass wool, silica (silicon powder), or the like is wrapped in a resin film to create a high vacuum, thereby reducing the heat conduction of gas to as close to zero as possible.

[0014] (Stick 1) The stick 1 can be exemplified as a non-combustion / heating type flavor inhalation article that releases flavor components when the capsule 50 is broken, for example. The cross section of the stick 1 is, for example, substantially circular, and the outer diameter and the size in the center line direction thereof can be appropriately changed according to the desired size.

[0015] The airflow resistance in the direction of the center line of each stick 1 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of ease of smoking, it is usually 100 mmH ２ 0 or less, preferably 80 mmH ２ 0 or less, and more preferably 60 mmH ２ The airflow resistance in the center line direction of each stick 1 is usually 8 mmH ２ 0 or more, preferably 10 mmH ２ 0 or more, more preferably 12 mmH ２ The airflow resistance of the stick 1 is measured in accordance with the ISO standard method (ISO 6565) using, for example, a filter airflow resistance measuring device manufactured by Cerulean Co., Ltd. The airflow resistance of the stick 1 refers to the air pressure difference between the first side and the second side when air is flowed at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc / sec) from the first side to the second side in a state where air does not pass through the side of the stick 1. The unit is generally mmH. ２ It is represented by O. It is known that the relationship between the size in the centerline direction and the airflow resistance of a non-combustion and heating type flavor inhalation article is proportional for normal sizes (e.g., 5 mm to 200 mm). Specifically, if the size in the centerline direction of a non-combustion and heating type flavor inhalation article is doubled, the airflow resistance will double.

[0016] (Cooling section 20) In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the cooling section 20 is disposed adjacent to the heated section 10 and the filter section 30, and is a section formed by wrapping a sheet 21 around it so that the cross section of a cylinder or the like is hollow (hollow). Because the cooling section 20 is a cylindrical member, it can cool the steam generated when the heated section 10 is heated, thereby generating an aerosol. The cooling section 20 is, for example, a paper tube formed by wrapping a sheet 21 made of paper around it.

[0017] The cross section of the cooling section 20 is substantially circular, and its outer diameter can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the stick 1, but is preferably approximately the same as the outer diameter of the filter 31 described below. If the cross section is not circular, the outer diameter is assumed to be a circle having the same area as the cross section, and the outer diameter of that circle is applied. The size of the cooling section 20 in the center line direction can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the stick 1, but a size that can ensure a sufficient cooling effect while obtaining a good flavor and that can suppress losses due to adhesion of the generated vapor and aerosol to the sheet 21 is desirable.

[0018] The material of the sheet 21 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a material primarily composed of pulp, or may be a material primarily composed of any of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, cellulose acetate, and aluminum foil, or any combination thereof. The cooling section 20 is formed by rolling the sheet 21, but is not limited to this configuration as long as the cross section is hollow. The cooling section 20 may be formed, for example, from a pipe made of synthetic resin or the like that already has a hollow cross section.

[0019] ((Filter section 30)) The filter section 30 is located on the second side (downstream side) of the cooling section 20. The filter section 30 has a filter 31 through which the aerosol passes. The filter section 30 is connected (coupled) by integrally winding up the second side end of the cooling section 20 and the first side end of the filter section 30 using tipping paper 40, which will be described later. The filter section 30 may also have a wrapping paper 32 wound between the outer peripheral surface of the filter 31 and the tipping paper 40.

[0020] The cross section of the filter 31 is substantially circular, and the diameter and perimeter of the circle can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the stick 1. If the cross section is not circular, the diameter is assumed to be that of a circle having the same area as the cross section, and the diameter of that circle is applied. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the filter unit 30 has a plain filter consisting of a single filter 31, but this is not limited to this. The filter unit 30 may also have a multi-segment filter consisting of multiple filters, such as a dual filter consisting of two types of filters or a triple filter consisting of three types of filters. When the filter unit 30 has a multi-segment filter, it is preferable that these two or more filters are each wrapped in a separate wrapping paper before being wrapped together in the wrapping paper 32.

[0021] The airflow resistance per 12 mm of the size in the center line direction of the filter part 30 is not particularly limited, but is usually 40 mmH ２ O or more 300mmH ２ 0 or less, preferably 70 mmH ２ O or more 280mmH ２ 0 or less, and more preferably 90 mmH ２ O or more 260mmH ２ The airflow resistance of the filter unit 30 is measured in accordance with the ISO standard method (ISO 6565) using, for example, a filter airflow resistance measuring device manufactured by Cerulean Co., Ltd. The airflow resistance of the filter unit 30 refers to the air pressure difference between the first side and the second side when air is allowed to flow at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc / min) from the first side to the second side in a state where air does not pass through the side surfaces of the filter unit 30. The unit is generally mmH. ２ It is represented by O. It is known that the relationship between the size of the filter unit 30 in the center line direction and the airflow resistance is proportional for normal sizes (e.g., 5 mm to 200 mm). Specifically, if the size of the filter unit 30 in the center line direction is doubled, the airflow resistance will double.

[0022] The filter 31 is not particularly limited as long as it contains a filter material and has the general functions of a filter. Examples of general filter functions include reducing unpleasant sensations such as irritation, and reducing nicotine and tar, but it is not necessary for the filter 31 to have all of these functions. Furthermore, since the stick 1 tends to produce fewer components and have a lower flavor source loading rate in the base material 11 than cigarette products, preventing the flavor source from falling off while suppressing the filtering function and adjusting the airflow resistance to provide a moderate ease of inhalation are also important functions.

[0023] The filter material constituting the filter 31 is, for example, a columnar filler made of acetate, charcoal, cellulose fiber, nonwoven fabric, pulp paper, or the like. Alternatively, a paper filter filled with sheet-like pulp paper may be used. The filter 31 may also contain, as appropriate, known flavorings (e.g., menthol), adsorbents, granular activated carbon, flavor-retaining materials, and the like.

[0024] The wrapping paper 32 may be made primarily of pulp. Pulp may be made from wood pulp such as softwood pulp or hardwood pulp, or may be made by blending non-wood pulp commonly used in tobacco wrapping papers, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, or esparto. These pulps may be used alone or in any combination of two or more types. The wrapping paper 32 may also contain fillers such as calcium carbonate.

[0025] The basis weight of the roll 32 is not particularly limited, but is usually 20 gsm to 100 gsm, preferably 22 gsm to 95 gsm, and more preferably 23 gsm to 90 gsm. The thickness of the roll 32 is not particularly limited, but is usually 20 μm to 140 μm, preferably 30 μm to 130 μm, and more preferably 30 μm to 120 μm.

[0026] The form of the wrapping paper 32 is not particularly limited, and may include one or more rows of seams containing adhesive. The adhesive may include a hot melt adhesive, and the hot melt adhesive may further include polyvinyl alcohol. The adhesive may also include a vinyl acetate adhesive. The wrapping paper 32 may be coated or uncoated, but is preferably coated with a desired material from the viewpoint of imparting functions such as strength and structural rigidity. The wrapping paper 32 may be made of plastic, a polymer sheet, or the like. The wrapping paper 32 may also be a porous member having a plurality of pores formed therein.

[0027] (Tipping Paper 40) The tipping paper 40 is wound around the outer peripheral surfaces of the heated section 10, the cooling section 20, and the filter section 30. The shape of the tipping paper 40 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, square or rectangular. The configuration of the tipping paper 40 is not particularly limited and may be a common form, for example, tipping paper containing pulp as the main component. Pulp may be made from wood pulp such as softwood pulp or hardwood pulp, or may be made by mixing non-wood pulp commonly used in cigarette paper for tobacco products, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, or esparto. These pulps may be used alone or in combination of multiple types in any ratio. The tipping paper 40 may also contain a filler, such as calcium carbonate, in order to improve whiteness and opacity and increase the heating rate. The tipping paper 40 may also contain various auxiliary agents, such as a water resistance improver including a wet strength agent (WS agent) and a sizing agent.

[0028] The basis weight of the tipping paper 40 is not particularly limited, but is usually 32 gsm or more and 40 gsm or less, preferably 33 gsm or more and 39 gsm or less, and more preferably 34 gsm or more and 38 gsm or less. The air permeability of the tipping paper 40 is not particularly limited, but is usually 0 Coresta units or more and 30,000 Coresta units or less, and preferably more than 0 Coresta units and 10,000 Coresta units or less. "Air permeability" is a value measured in accordance with ISO 2965:2009, and is the rate at which an area of ​​1 cm2 is blown out per minute when the differential pressure between both sides of the paper is 1 kPa. ２ Flow rate of gas passing through (cm ３ 1 C.U. is expressed as cm under 1 kPa. ３ / (min cm ２ )

[0029] A coating agent may be added to at least one of the two surfaces, the front and back surfaces, of the tipping paper 40. While there are no particular limitations on the coating agent for the tipping paper 40, a coating agent that can form a film on the surface and reduce liquid permeability is preferred. A portion of the outer surface of the tipping paper 40 may also be coated with a known lip release material. The lip release material refers to a material configured to help the user easily separate the tipping paper 40 from their lips without causing substantial adhesion when they hold the filter portion 30 of the stick 1 in their mouth. The lip release material may include, for example, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, etc. For example, the outer surface of the tipping paper 40 may be coated with the lip release material by applying an ethyl cellulose-based or methyl cellulose-based ink to the outer surface of the tipping paper.

[0030] ((Communicating passage 60)) The communicating passage 60 connects the outside and the inside of the stick 1. Therefore, the communicating passage 60 allows air from outside the stick 1 to flow into the inside during inhalation. Examples of the shape of the communicating passage 60 include a cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylindrical shape, a polygonal prism, a rounded polygonal prism, and a mortar shape. The communicating passage 60 is formed by a through-hole (also referred to in the technical field as a "ventilation filter (Vf)") formed in at least the region of the tipping paper 40 where the cooling section 20 is arranged. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of communicating passages 60 are formed in the cooling section 20, and are formed concentrically in the circumferential direction of the cooling section 20. Note that the communicating passages 60 are not limited to being formed around the entire circumference of the cooling section 20, but may be formed in part of the circumferential direction of the cooling section 20. Furthermore, if a plurality of concentric communicating passages 60 are considered to be one communicating passage group, there may be one communicating passage group, or there may be two or more communicating passage groups.

[0031] The presence of the communication passage 60 that connects the outside and inside of the stick 1 allows air to flow from the outside into the inside of the cooling section 20 when the user inhales on the stick 1. This makes it possible to adjust the concentration of the inhaled flavor components and aerosol. It also promotes the cooling of the vapor and air that flow in from the heated section 10. Furthermore, when the heated section 10 is heated, the vapor generated using the aerosol as a condensation nucleus comes into contact with the air from the outside, lowering its temperature and liquefying, thereby promoting the generation of the aerosol.

[0032] The position of the communication passage 60 in the center line direction is preferably a position where air can flow in from outside the stick 1, for example, a position within the area protruding from the insertion opening 142 when the stick 1 is held in the holding portion 140 of the flavor inhaler 100. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving the delivery efficiency of aerosols and the like generated by heating, the position of the communication passage 60 in the center line direction is preferably 4 mm or more away from the boundary between the cooling portion 20 and the filter portion 30 toward the first side (upstream side). The position of the communication passage 60 in the center line direction is more preferably 4.5 mm or more away, even more preferably 5 mm or more away, and even more preferably 5.5 mm or more away. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of ensuring the cooling function of the cooling portion 20, the position of the communication passage 60 in the center line direction is preferably within 15 mm toward the first side (upstream side) from the boundary between the cooling portion 20 and the filter portion 30. The position of the communication passage 60 in the center line direction is more preferably within 10 mm, even more preferably within 7 mm. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving the delivery efficiency of aerosols and the like generated by heating, the position of the communicating passage 60 in the center line direction is preferably 24 mm or more away from the end face of the second side of the stick 1 toward the first side (upstream side). The position of the communicating passage 60 in the center line direction is more preferably 24.5 mm or more away, even more preferably 25 mm or more away, and even more preferably 25.5 mm or more away. From the viewpoint of ensuring the cooling function of the cooling section 20, the position of the communicating passage 60 in the center line direction is preferably within 35 mm toward the first side (upstream side) from the end face of the second side of the stick 1. The position of the communicating passage 60 in the center line direction is more preferably within 30 mm, even more preferably within 27 mm. Furthermore, when the size of the cooling section 20 in the center line direction is 20 mm or more, from the viewpoint of improving the delivery efficiency of aerosols and the like generated by heating, the position is preferably within 16 mm toward the second side (downstream side) from the boundary between the substrate portion 11 of the heated section 10 and the cooling section 20. The position of the communication passage 60 in the center line direction is more preferably within 15.5 mm, even more preferably within 15 mm, and even more preferably within 14.5 mm.Furthermore, from the viewpoint of ensuring the cooling function of the cooling section 20, the position of the communication passage 60 in the center line direction is preferably 5 mm or more away in the direction of the second side (downstream side) from the boundary between the substrate section 11 and the cooling section 20. The position of the communication passage 60 in the center line direction is more preferably 10 mm or more away, and even more preferably 13 mm or more away.

[0033] The communicating passages 60 are arranged so that the air inflow rate through the communicating passages 60 is 10% by volume or more and 90% by volume or less when an automatic smoking machine inhales a cigarette at 17.5 ml / sec. This "air inflow rate" refers to the volumetric rate of air inflowing through the communicating passages 60 when the volumetric rate of air inhaled from the second end of the stick 1 is taken as 100% by volume. The air inflow rate is preferably 50% by volume or more and 80% by volume or less, and more preferably 55% by volume or more and 75% by volume or less. These air inflow rates can be achieved, for example, by selecting the number of communicating passages 60 per communicating passage group from the range of 5 to 50, selecting the diameter of the openings of the communicating passages 60 from the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, and combining these selections. The air inflow rate can be measured using a roll quality measuring device (e.g., a SODIMAX D74 / SODIM manufactured by SAS) in accordance with ISO 9512.

[0034] The communicating path 60 is composed of a through hole formed in the tipping paper 40 and a through hole formed in the sheet 21 of the cooling unit 20. The through hole is formed, for example, by a laser. The through hole in the tipping paper 40 is preferably formed directly above the through hole formed in the sheet 21. When producing such a stick 1, tipping paper 40 with a through hole overlapping the through hole in the sheet 21 may be prepared and wrapped around the stick 1. However, from the viewpoint of ease of production, it is preferable to produce a stick 1 without a communicating path 60 and then drill holes that penetrate both the sheet 21 and the tipping paper 40 at the same time. Note that the intensity of the laser light irradiated after wrapping the tipping paper 40 around the sheet 21 may be such that it penetrates the tipping paper 40 but not the sheet 21. Even in such a case, if the sheet 21 has a plurality of pores and is breathable, the through holes in the tipping paper 40 and the pores in the sheet 21 form a communicating path 60 that connects the outside of the stick 1 with the inside of the cooling unit 20.

[0035] 1. (Heated portion 10) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section of the flavor inhalation stick 1 according to the first embodiment taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet member 11a filled in the heated portion 10 according to the first embodiment. The heated portion 10 has a substrate portion 11 that generates an aerosol when heated, and a wrapping paper 12 that covers the outer periphery of the substrate portion 11. The heated portion 10 also has disposed therein capsules 50 that release at least flavor components when broken, and a foaming agent 70 that expands when heated. The heated portion 10 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The heated portion 10 is connected (coupled) to the cooling portion 20 by winding the cooling portion 20 and the heated portion 10 together using tipping paper 40. Note that the heated portion 10 may not have the wrapping paper 12, and may be connected (coupled) to the cooling portion 20 by winding the cooling portion 20 and the substrate portion 11 together.

[0036] The substrate 11 is the portion where aerosol is generated by heating and contains a flavor source. At least a portion of the substrate 11 is accommodated in the space 141 of the holding portion 140 when the stick 1 is held in the holding portion 140. The cross-sectional area and size in the center line direction of the substrate 11, as well as the content of the flavor source, can be changed as appropriate to suit the size of the stick 1.

[0037] The flavor source contained in the base material 11 may be derived from tobacco, such as dried tobacco leaves (dried tobacco leaves) or processed products obtained by molding tobacco shreds or tobacco raw materials into granules, sheets, or powder. The flavor source may also include non-tobacco-derived sources made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint and herbs). The flavor source may also include a flavoring. The flavor source may also include dried tobacco leaves and a flavoring-containing material in which a flavoring is encapsulated in a polysaccharide gel. The type of flavoring is not particularly limited, and menthol is particularly preferred from the perspective of imparting a good flavor. The flavoring contained in the flavor source may be used alone or in combination with two or more types. Furthermore, when the flavor inhaler 100 is a medical inhaler, the flavor source may also include a medication to be inhaled by the patient. The components constituting the flavor source are not limited to solid materials, but may also include liquid materials such as polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and water. Furthermore, the form of the flavor source is not limited to a solid or semi-solid, but may be, for example, a capsule containing a liquid material.

[0038] Furthermore, when the flavor source contained in the substrate 11 is derived from tobacco, the type of tobacco used is not particularly limited, and various known tobaccos can be used. Examples of tobacco types include flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, oriental tobacco, native tobacco, other Nicotiana tabacum varieties, Nicotiana rustica varieties, and mixtures thereof. Mixtures are used by appropriately blending various varieties to achieve the desired flavor. Furthermore, even when the flavor source is derived from tobacco, various extracts and / or their constituents from natural products may be included depending on the intended use. Examples of extracts and / or their constituents include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof.

[0039] In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the substrate 11 is filled with a sheet member 11a. The sheet member 11a is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a processed product in which a flavor source is formed into a sheet (hereinafter referred to as a "flavor source sheet"), pulp paper, a nonwoven fabric, a polymer sheet, or the like. Furthermore, the substrate 11 may be filled with simple plant leaves such as dried tobacco leaves, rather than a processed product formed into a sheet like a flavor source sheet. When the substrate 11 is not filled with a flavor source sheet or plant leaves, a flavor source is separately filled. When the substrate 11 is filled with a flavor source sheet or plant leaves, a flavor source may be separately filled, or may not be separately filled. Furthermore, when there are two or more sheet members 11a, all may have the same composition or physical properties, or some or all of the sheet members 11a may have different compositions or physical properties. Furthermore, the thicknesses of the sheet members 11a may be the same or different.

[0040] It is preferable that capsules 50 are fixed to the sheet member 11a. Furthermore, it is preferable that a foaming agent 70 is fixed to the sheet member 11a. By fixing the capsules 50 and the foaming agent 70, the arrangement of the capsules 50 and the foaming agent 70 in the base member 11 can be maintained. Furthermore, in the example shown in Fig. 4, the capsules 50 and the foaming agent 70 are fixed to the sheet member 11a before filling. By filling the sheet member 11a to which the capsules 50 and the foaming agent 70 are fixed, it is easy to adjust the arrangement of the capsules 50 and the foaming agent 70 in the base member 11 to a desired arrangement.

[0041] When the substrate 11 is filled with a single sheet member 11a, for example, the sheet member 11a, one side of which is approximately the same size as the centerline of the substrate 11, may be folded multiple times horizontally relative to the centerline of the substrate 11, as shown in FIG. 3 (a so-called gathered sheet). Another example is when the sheet member 11a, one side of which is approximately the same size as the centerline of the substrate 11, is wound in a direction perpendicular to the centerline of the substrate 11. When the substrate 11 is filled with two or more sheet members 11a, for example, multiple sheet members 11a, one side of which is approximately the same size as the centerline of the substrate 11, are wound in a direction perpendicular to the centerline of the substrate 11 so as to be concentrically arranged. "Concentrically arranged" means that the centers of all the sheet members 11a are positioned at approximately the same position. The sheet members 11a filled in the substrate 11 may also be engraved. Furthermore, it may be a so-called strand type in which sheet members 11a having a size approximately the same as the size of the base material 11 in the center line direction are filled by being cut approximately horizontally to the center line direction.

[0042] The cigarette paper 12 is not particularly limited in composition and may be of a general type, such as one primarily composed of pulp. Pulp may be made from wood pulp, such as softwood pulp or hardwood pulp, or may be made by blending non-wood pulp, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, or esparto, which are commonly used in cigarette papers 12 for tobacco products. Pulp types that can be used include chemical pulp produced by kraft cooking, acidic, neutral, or alkaline sulfite cooking, or soda cooking, ground pulp, chemi-ground pulp, and thermomechanical pulp. The cigarette paper 12 may contain a filler, such as calcium carbonate, in order to improve whiteness and opacity and increase the heating rate. The cigarette paper 12 may also contain various additives, and a coating agent may be added to at least one of its two surfaces, the front and back surfaces.

[0043] The lower limit of the basis weight of the cigarette paper 12 is, for example, usually 20 gsm or more, and preferably 25 gsm or more. On the other hand, the upper limit of the basis weight of the cigarette paper 12 is, for example, usually 65 gsm or less, preferably 50 gsm or less, and more preferably 45 gsm or less. The lower limit of the thickness of the cigarette paper 12 is not particularly limited, and from the viewpoints of rigidity, breathability, and ease of adjustment during papermaking, it is usually 10 μm or more, preferably 20 μm or more, and more preferably 30 μm or more. On the other hand, the upper limit of the thickness of the cigarette paper 12 is usually 100 μm or less, preferably 75 μm or less, and more preferably 50 μm or less.

[0044] The shape of the cigarette paper 12 used to prepare the substrate 11 can be, for example, a square or a rectangle. The size of the cigarette paper 12 can be determined depending on the size of the substrate 11. When the substrate 11 is wrapped in the cigarette paper 12 into a cylindrical shape, for example, an end of the cigarette paper 12 and an end of the cigarette paper 12 on the opposite side are overlapped by about 2 mm in the circumferential direction and glued together to form a cylindrical paper tube shape into which the flavor source is filled. Furthermore, when a cylindrical paper tube is formed in advance using the cigarette paper 12, the flavor source may be filled into the paper tube formed by the cigarette paper 12, for example.

[0045] The capsule 50 includes a content 51 containing a flavor component and a coating 52 that holds the content 51. The content 51 may include, for example, an aerosol source that generates an aerosol when heated, or may include only the aerosol source without the flavor component. Examples of the aerosol source include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and the like, or a combination thereof. The capsule 50 is disposed inside the substrate 11. The position of the capsule 50 in the longitudinal cross section of the substrate 11 is preferably such that the content 51 does not leak from the first end face and the second end face of the substrate 11 when the capsule 50 is broken. In other words, the capsule 50 is preferably disposed in a position where the diffusion of the content 51 is contained within the substrate 11.

[0046] The shape of the capsule 50 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, spherical, cylindrical, or truncated conical. A plurality of capsules 50 may also be arranged. The size of the capsule 50 is not particularly limited and is typically 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less in diameter. It is preferable that the size of the capsule 50 is such that it contains a sufficient amount of the contents 51, while the airflow resistance of the stick 1 due to the capsule 50 does not increase significantly compared to a stick without the capsule 50. This makes it possible to achieve appropriate airflow resistance even in a stick 1 in which the capsule 50 is not broken.

[0047] The flavor component contained in the contents 51 is, for example, a flavor component. Specifically, the contents 51 is, for example, a flavor component that volatilizes when heated. The flavor component is not particularly limited, and examples include powdered flavors and oil-based flavors. Main powdered flavors include powdered chamomile, fenugreek, menthol, peppermint, cinnamon, herbs, etc. Main oil-based flavors include lavender, cinnamon, cardamom, celery, clove, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon, orange, peppermint, cinnamon bark, caraway, cognac, jasmine, chamomile, menthol, cassia, ylang-ylang, sage, spearmint, fennel, pimento, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, tobacco, etc. The flavor component may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When a powdered flavoring is used, its particle size is preferably 500 μm or less. The flavor and aroma components contained in the contents 51 may include not only flavoring components but also, for example, taste components. Examples of taste components include citric acid, tartaric acid, sodium glutamate, neotame, thaumatin, stevia, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, aspartame, rutin, hesperidin, oxalic acid, tannic acid, catechin, naringin, quinine, quinic acid, limonin, caffeine, capsaicin, vitamins, amino acids, polyphenols, alginic acid, flavonoids, and lecithin.

[0048] The contents 51 may contain coloring agents such as synthetic coloring agents and natural coloring agents. Food additives such as Red No. 3,106, beta-carotene, copper chlorophyllin, gardenia blue pigment, and Yellow No. 4 are preferred coloring agents. The contents 51 may also contain a solvent that dissolves flavor components and coloring agents. Examples of the solvent include medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides, glycerin, propylene glycol, water, and ethanol.

[0049] The coating 52 enclosing the contents 51 is destroyed when a physical external force is applied. Here, "destroyed" does not only mean that the coating 52 is cracked to the extent that the contents 51 are released all at once, but also that the coating 52 is cracked or perforated to the extent that the contents 51 are released gradually. "Destroyed" also includes a state in which flavor and aroma components volatilized from the contents 51 permeate the coating 52. The strength of the coating 52 is such that it is destroyed when a physical external force is applied by the foaming agent 70.

[0050] The composition of the coating 52 is not particularly limited as long as it is a composition that is destroyed when subjected to a physical external force. Examples of materials for the coating 52 include starch, dextrin, polysaccharides, agar, gellan gum, gelatin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, cellulose acetate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, ethylene-acrylic acid plastic, ethylene-vinyl acetate plastic, ethylene-vinyl alcohol plastic, lipophilic materials, various natural gelling agents, and the like. The coating 52 may also contain a fragrance component, a plasticizer, a colorant, and the like. The composition of the coating 52 may be composed primarily of any of the above materials, or any combination thereof.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section of a foaming agent 70 according to the first embodiment, where (A) shows the state before expansion and (B) shows the expanded state. The foaming agent 70 is a so-called thermally expandable microsphere, in which a core 71 foams and expands when heated. The foaming agent 70 has a core 71 containing a foaming component and an outer shell 72 sealing the core 71. In this embodiment, when heat is applied to the foaming agent 70 shown in FIG. 5(A), the elastic modulus of the outer shell 72 rapidly decreases, and the foaming component contained in the core 71 foams at a certain temperature. As the core 71 foams, the foaming agent 70 expands as shown in FIG. 5(B). Specifically, when heat is applied to the foaming agent 70 shown in FIG. 5(A), the core 71 foams, increasing the force pushing against the outer shell 72 from the inside. As shown in FIG. 5(B), the outer shell 72 stretches and becomes thinner.

[0052] The foaming agent 70 is disposed inside the base material 11 and around the capsule 50. The foaming agent 70 is preferably disposed so as to be in contact with the capsule 50 before expansion in order to increase the physical external force applied to the capsule 50. Note that, as long as the foaming agent 70 can apply a physical external force to the capsule 50 in the expanded state, it may be disposed in a position where it indirectly applies pressure to the capsule 50 without coming into contact with the capsule 50. Note that the number of foaming agents 70 is not limited to multiple, and may be one, as long as it is possible to apply a physical external force strong enough to destroy the capsule 50.

[0053] The shape of the foaming agent 70 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, spherical, cylindrical, truncated conical, etc. The size of the foaming agent 70 is preferably such that the airflow resistance of the stick 1 due to the foaming agent 70 before expansion does not increase significantly compared to a stick without the foaming agent 70. This makes it possible to achieve appropriate airflow resistance even in the stick 1 in which the foaming agent 70 is not expanded.

[0054] The state of the core 71 before foaming is not particularly limited and may be liquid, gel, solid, or the like. The core 71 contains a foaming component that foams when heated. The foaming component contained in the core 71 is, for example, a substance that generates gas when heated. The foaming component contained in the core 71 is, for example, at least one of hydrocarbon, sodium bicarbonate, and carbonated water. Note that the foaming component contained in the core 71 may be any known foaming component other than those mentioned above, as long as it has a boiling point corresponding to the temperature at which foaming is initiated.

[0055] The core 71 may contain a flavor component in addition to the foaming component. Specifically, the core 71 may contain a flavor component that volatilizes upon heating in addition to the foaming component. Examples of the flavor component contained in the core 71 include the same flavor components and taste components as exemplified as the flavor components contained in the contents 51 of the capsule 50. When the core 71 contains a flavor component, the flavor component may be the same as the flavor component of the contents 51 of the capsule 50, or may be different from the flavor component of the contents 51 of the capsule 50.

[0056] The outer shell 72 is formed of a polymer that softens when heated. Specifically, the outer shell 72 is preferably formed of a thermoplastic resin. Examples of the thermoplastic resin that forms the outer shell 72 include those containing vinylidene chloride, acrylonitrile, acrylic ester, aromatic vinyl compounds, etc. as a main component.

[0057] The foaming agent 70 may be produced by a known production method or may be commercially available thermally expandable microspheres, such as Expancel manufactured by AkzoNovel (Netherlands), Kureha Microsphere manufactured by Kureha Corporation, Advancel manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., and Matsumoto Microsphere manufactured by Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co., Ltd.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the destruction of the capsule 50 according to the first embodiment, where (A) shows the capsule 50 before destruction and (B) shows the capsule 50 after destruction. FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which multiple foaming agents 70 are arranged around the capsule 50. In this embodiment, the capsule 50 is destroyed by a physical external force. The heating unit 121 (see FIG. 2) of the flavor inhaler 100 heats at least a portion of the substrate 11 of the heated portion 10, and the heat is also applied to the foaming agent 70. It is preferable that the capsule 50 is not destroyed by collisions or pressures caused by normal vibrations or shaking that accompany transport of the stick 1 using a vehicle, carrying the stick 1 by a user, or inserting the stick 1 into the flavor inhaler 100 by a user.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6(A), a capsule 50 and a foaming agent 70 are disposed on the substrate 11. When the substrate 11 is heated and the temperature of the foaming agent 70 exceeds the foaming initiation temperature, the foaming component contained in the core 71 vaporizes, increasing the internal pressure, and the outer shell 72 softens, causing the foaming agent 70 to expand to a predetermined expansion ratio. The expanded foaming agent 70 then exerts pressure on the capsule 50, rupturing the coating 52 as shown in FIG. 6(B), releasing the contents 51 containing the flavor components. Furthermore, when the coating 52 is ruptured, the flavor components that have already volatilized may also be released. In other words, when the capsule 50, which is ruptured by a physical external force, and the foaming agent 70, which expands due to heat, are disposed as shown in FIG. 6(A), the expanding foaming agent 70 exerts a physical external force on the capsule 50, rupturing the capsule 50 and releasing the flavor components as shown in FIG. 6(B). When heat is applied to a plurality of foaming agents 70, it is not necessary for all of the foaming agents 70 to expand at the same rate.

[0060] 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the state after the capsule 50 according to the first embodiment has been broken, in which (A) shows a state in which the expanded foaming agent 70 has contracted, and (B) shows a state in which the expanded foaming agent 70 has been broken. In Fig. 7, a case in which the capsule 50 has already been broken by the expanded foaming agent 70 is shown as an example.

[0061] In the example shown in FIG. 7A , the expanded foaming agent 70 shrinks after the capsule 50 is broken. The shrinkage of the expanded foaming agent 70 can be achieved by adjusting the composition of the outer shell 72. For example, the expanded foaming agent 70 may shrink when the temperature reaches a predetermined level. Specifically, the outer shell 72 of the expanded foaming agent 70 is thin, as shown in FIG. 5B , allowing the vaporized foaming component to easily pass through. If heat continues to be applied to the foaming agent 70 after the capsule 50 is broken, and the temperature of the foaming agent 70 exceeds the temperature at which the maximum expansion ratio is reached, the vaporized foaming component leaks out of the outer shell 72, the internal pressure decreases, and the foaming agent 70 shrinks. The shape of the foaming agent 70 after shrinkage is not particularly limited and does not need to be the same as its shape before expansion. Furthermore, the size of the foaming agent 70 after shrinkage is preferably such that the shrinkage of the foaming agent 70 does not significantly increase the airflow resistance of the stick 1 compared to a stick without the foaming agent 70. Specifically, the size of the foaming agent 70 after shrinkage is smaller than when the expansion ratio is maximum. Furthermore, it is desirable that the size of the foaming agent 70 after contraction is approximately the same as the size before expansion, and more desirably, it is smaller than the size before expansion.

[0062] In the example shown in Figure 7(B), the expanded foaming agent 70 ruptures after the capsule 50 is destroyed. The rupture of the expanded foaming agent 70 can be achieved by adjusting the composition of the outer shell 72. For example, the outer shell 72 of the expanded foaming agent 70 is thin as shown in Figure 5(B), making it more likely to rupture. If heat is applied to the foaming agent 70 even after the capsule 50 is destroyed, and the temperature of the foaming agent 70 exceeds the temperature at which a predetermined expansion ratio is achieved, the outer shell 72 cannot withstand the internal pressure, causing the foaming agent 70 to rupture.

[0063] As described above, the stick 1 is a flavor inhalation stick that is heated when inserted into the flavor inhaler 100, and includes the heated portion 10 to which heat is applied when inserted into the flavor inhaler 100, and the capsule 50 that is disposed within the heated portion 10 and is broken when the foaming component foams due to heat, thereby releasing at least the flavor component. Note that, from the viewpoint of compact size in the centerline direction, the stick 1 does not need to have the cooling portion 20 that cools the vapor and aerosol when the user inhales.

[0064] Here, it is assumed that a user inserts the stick 1, in which the capsule 50 that would be destroyed by a physical external force is not destroyed, into the holding portion 140 of the flavor inhaler 100. At least a partial region of the substrate portion 11 included in the heated portion 10 is heated by the heating portion 121. When the foaming component foams due to the heat, a physical external force is applied to the capsule 50. This eliminates the need for the user to press the stick 1 with their thumb and index finger to apply pressure to destroy the capsule 50 before inserting it into the flavor inhaler 100, and eliminates the need for the flavor inhaler 100 to be equipped with a destroying portion that destroys the capsule 50. The stick 1 can destroy the capsule 50 using the foaming agent 70 provided in the stick 1.

[0065] The stick 1 is disposed within the heated portion 10 and includes a foaming agent 70 having a core 71 containing a foaming component and an outer shell 72 sealing the core 71, and the capsule 50 is preferably destroyed when the foaming agent 70 expands. By including the foaming agent 70 containing a foaming component that foams when heated, the foaming agent 70 expands when heated, and pressure corresponding to this expansion is applied to the capsule 50. This makes it possible to destroy the capsule 50 with high reliability via the expansion of the foaming agent 70.

[0066] Furthermore, the outer shell 72 is preferably formed from a thermoplastic resin, and the expanded foaming agent 70 contracts when the temperature reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature. By forming the outer shell 72 from a thermoplastic resin, the outer shell 72 softens when heat is applied to the foaming agent 70, allowing the foaming agent 70 to expand in accordance with the foaming of the core 71. The thickness of the outer shell 72 becomes thinner as the foaming agent 70 expands. When the temperature reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature, the vaporized foaming component leaks from the thinner outer shell 72, reducing the internal pressure and causing the foaming agent 70 to contract. The contraction of the expanded foaming agent 70 can suppress an increase in airflow resistance caused by the foaming agent 70.

[0067] Furthermore, the substrate 11 of the heated portion 10 is preferably filled with a sheet member 11a to which the capsules 50 are fixed, and the foaming agent 70 is preferably arranged around the capsules 50. By fixing the capsules 50 to the sheet member 11a, the arrangement of the capsules 50 within the substrate 11 can be maintained. Also, it is possible to easily arrange the foaming agent 70 around the capsules 50. Furthermore, by arranging the foaming agent 70 around the capsules 50, a physical external force can be applied to the capsules 50 by the expanded foaming agent 70.

[0068] Furthermore, the foaming agent 70 is preferably disposed so as to be in contact with the capsule 50. By already being in contact with the capsule 50 before expansion, the physical external force applied to the capsule 50 by the expanded foaming agent 70 can be increased.

[0069] Furthermore, the core 71 of the foaming agent 70 may contain a foaming component and a flavor component. When the core 71 of the foaming agent 70 contains the same flavor component as the flavor component of the contents 51 of the capsule 50, the concentration of the flavor inhaled by the user can be varied. When the core 71 of the foaming agent 70 contains a flavor component different from the flavor component of the contents 51 of the capsule 50, the foaming agent 70 can impart a new flavor.

[0070] The foaming component may be at least one of hydrocarbon, sodium bicarbonate, and carbonated water. When heated, hydrocarbon, sodium bicarbonate, and carbonated water generate gas (e.g., carbon dioxide). In other words, when heated, hydrocarbon, sodium bicarbonate, and carbonated water become gaseous. Furthermore, by using a foaming component with a relatively low boiling point, the foaming component can become gaseous at a temperature below the softening point of the outer shell 72, which is made of a polymer that softens when heated. When the foaming component becomes gaseous, the internal pressure of the foaming agent 70 increases, causing the foaming agent 70 to expand.

[0071] <Second Embodiment> Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation stick 2 according to a second embodiment. The stick 2 according to the second embodiment differs from the stick 1 according to the first embodiment in that the heated portion 210 corresponds to the heated portion 10. Differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same components between the first and second embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, in the flavor inhaler 100 (see Fig. 2), the size and arrangement of the heating portion 121 that heats the stick 2 are appropriately changed so as to heat at least a portion of the heated portion 210. Furthermore, the size and arrangement of the heat insulating portion 144 correspond to the heating portion 121.

[0072] The heated portion 210 differs from the heated portion 10 (see FIG. 1 ) in that it does not have a foaming agent separate from the capsules 250 within the substrate portion 211. The heated portion 210 has a substrate portion 211 and a wrapping paper 212. The capsules 250 are disposed in the heated portion 210. The heated portion 210 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The heated portion 210 is connected (coupled) to the cooling portion 20 by winding the cooling portion 20 and the heated portion 210 together using tipping paper 40. The material constituting the wrapping paper 212 can be, for example, the same as the material constituting the wrapping paper 12 according to the first embodiment.

[0073] The substrate portion 211 is the portion where aerosol is generated by heating, and contains a flavor source. At least a portion of the substrate portion 211 is accommodated in the space 141 of the holding portion 140 when the stick 2 is held in the holding portion 140. The cross-sectional area and size in the center line direction of the substrate portion 211, as well as the amount of flavor source contained therein, can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the stick 2. The flavor source contained in the substrate portion 211 can be, for example, the same as the flavor source according to the first embodiment.

[0074] The capsule 250 includes a content 251 containing a flavor component and a foaming component, and a coating 252 that seals the content 251. The content 251 may include, for example, an aerosol source, or may include only the aerosol source and the foaming component without the flavor component. The capsule 250 is disposed inside the base member 211. The capsule 250 is preferably disposed in a position where the diffusion of the content 251 is contained within the base member 211. The shape and size of the capsule 250 before being heated by the heating unit 121 can be, for example, the same as the shape and size of the capsule 50 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, a plurality of capsules 250 may be disposed.

[0075] The contents 251 generate gas when at least the foaming component is heated. The contents 251 may be in a liquid, gel, solid, or other state before being heated by the heating unit 121. The flavor component contained in the contents 251 may be the same as the flavor component contained in the contents 51 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the foaming component contained in the contents 251 may be the same as the foaming component contained in the core 71 according to the first embodiment. Note that the contents 251 may contain coloring agents and solvents in addition to the flavor component and foaming component.

[0076] The coating 252 is ruptured when the internal pressure of the capsule 250 increases due to gas generated from the content 251. The strength of the coating 252 is such that it is ruptured when the internal pressure of the capsule 250 increases due to gas generated from the content 251. The composition of the coating 252 is not particularly limited as long as it is a composition that allows it to be ruptured when the internal pressure of the capsule 250 increases. For example, the coating 252 is formed of a polymer that softens when heated, such as a thermoplastic resin. Examples of the thermoplastic resin that forms the coating 252 include the same thermoplastic resin that forms the outer shell 72 according to the first embodiment. The coating 252 may contain a fragrance component, a plasticizer, a colorant, etc.

[0077] 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating the destruction of a capsule 250 according to the second embodiment, where (A) shows the state of the capsule 250 before destruction and (B) shows the state of the capsule 250 after destruction. FIG. 9 illustrates an example in which one capsule 250 is disposed. In this embodiment, the capsule 250 is destroyed by heating. The heating unit 121 (see FIG. 2) of the flavor inhaler 100 heats at least a portion of the base material 211 of the heated portion 210, and the heat is also applied to the capsule 250. It is preferable that the capsule 250 is not destroyed at temperatures in a normal environment, such as when the stick 2 is transported in a vehicle or carried by a user.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 9(A), a capsule 250 is disposed on the substrate 211. When the substrate 211 is heated and the temperature of the capsule 250 exceeds a temperature at which foaming begins, the foaming component contained in the contents 251 vaporizes, increasing the internal pressure, and the coating 252 softens, causing the capsule 250 to expand until it reaches a predetermined expansion ratio. When the temperature of the capsule 250 exceeds the temperature at which the maximum expansion ratio is reached, the flavor component leaks out from the coating 252. For example, the flavor component is volatilized by heating, and leaks out through the thinned coating 252 as shown in Fig. 9(B). Note that the flavor component is not limited to being released when the capsule 250 is expanded; for example, the flavor component may be released when the thinned coating 252 bursts due to insufficient internal pressure.

[0079] As described above, the stick 2 is a flavor inhalation stick that is heated when inserted into the flavor inhaler 100, and includes a heated portion 210 that is heated when inserted into the flavor inhaler 100, and a capsule 250 that is disposed within the heated portion 210 and that is broken when the foaming component foams due to the heat, thereby releasing at least the flavor component. Note that, from the viewpoint of compact size in the center line direction, the stick 2 does not need to include the cooling portion 20 that cools the vapor and aerosol when the user inhales. According to the stick 2, like the stick 1, the capsule 250 can be broken by the foaming component provided in the stick 2.

[0080] Furthermore, capsule 250 may have contents 251 containing a flavor component and a foaming component, and coating 252 that seals contents 251. By destroying capsule 250 by expanding it itself, there is no need to provide a component for destroying capsule 250 separately from capsule 250. Furthermore, the user does not need to perform any operation for destroying capsule 250 apart from the normal operation of sucking on stick 2.

[0081] Third Embodiment FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a longitudinal cross section of a heated portion 310 according to a third embodiment, where (A) shows the state before the capsule 350 is broken and (B) shows the state after the capsule 350 is broken. FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which one capsule 350 is disposed. The heated portion 310 according to the third embodiment differs from the heated portion 210 according to the second embodiment in that the capsule 350 corresponds to the capsule 250. Differences from the second embodiment will be described below. The same components in the second and third embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the size and arrangement of the heating portion 121 that heats the stick in the flavor inhaler 100 (see FIG. 2 ) are appropriately changed so as to heat at least a portion of the heated portion 310. The size and arrangement of the insulating portion 144 correspond to the heating portion 121.

[0082] The heated portion 310 differs from the heated portion 210 (see FIG. 8 ) in that it does not have a capsule 250 in which the contents 251 foam. The heated portion 310 has a base portion 311 corresponding to the base portion 211 and a wrapping paper 312 corresponding to the wrapping paper 212. A capsule 350 is disposed in the heated portion 310. The heated portion 310 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. Note that the heated portion 310 is one part of a stick that is configured by winding up the filter portion and the cooling portion together using tipping paper, similar to the stick 2 according to the second embodiment, for example.

[0083] The capsule 350 includes a content 351 containing a flavor component, and a coating 352 that seals the content 351 and contains a foaming component in its composition. The content 351 may include, for example, an aerosol source, or may include only the aerosol source without the flavor component. The capsule 350 is disposed inside the base member 311. The capsule 350 is preferably disposed in a position where the diffusion of the content 351 is contained within the base member 311. The shape and size of the capsule 350 before being heated by the heating unit 121 can be, for example, the same as the shape and size of the capsule 50 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, a plurality of capsules 350 may be disposed.

[0084] The state of the contents 351 is not particularly limited and may be liquid, gel, solid, or the like. The state of the contents 351 may also change; for example, the contents 351 may be solid at room temperature but may be changed to liquid by heat from the heating unit 121. The flavor components contained in the contents 351 may be the same as the flavor components contained in the contents 51 according to the first embodiment. The contents 351 may contain coloring agents and solvents in addition to the flavor components and foaming components.

[0085] The coating 352 is broken when the coating 352 itself expands. The strength of the coating 352 is such that it is broken by the stress from the contents 351 compressed by the coating 352. The strength of the coating 352 may decrease as the coating 352 itself expands. In other words, the coating 352 may become more brittle as it expands. The composition of the coating 352 is not particularly limited as long as it is a composition that causes the coating 352 itself to expand and break. In addition to the materials exemplified as the materials for the coating 52 according to the first embodiment, the coating 352 contains a foaming component that foams upon heating. Examples of this foaming component include the same foaming component as the foaming component contained in the core 71 according to the first embodiment. Note that the coating 352 may contain the foaming agent 70 according to the first embodiment instead of the foaming component.

[0086] In this embodiment, the capsule 350 is destroyed by heating. The heating unit 121 (see FIG. 2 ) of the flavor inhaler 100 heats at least a part of the base material 311 of the heated portion 310, and the heat is also applied to the capsule 350. It is preferable that the capsule 350 is not destroyed at temperatures in a normal environment, such as when a stick including the heated portion 310 is transported in a car or carried by a user.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 10(A), a capsule 350 is disposed on the substrate 311. When the substrate 311 is heated and the temperature of the capsule 350 exceeds the temperature at which foaming begins, the coating 352 containing the foaming component expands until it reaches a predetermined expansion ratio. The expanded coating 352 compresses the contents 351. As shown in Fig. 10(B), when the coating 352 is broken by stress from the contents 351, the flavor component leaks from the coating 352. For example, the coating 352 ruptures and the flavor component leaks. Note that the configuration in which the flavor component is released is not limited to the rupture of the coating 352, and the flavor component may be released by passing through the interior of the coating 352, which becomes porous due to foaming.

[0088] As described above, the stick according to the third embodiment is a flavor inhalation stick that is heated when inserted into the flavor inhaler 100, and includes a heated portion 310 that is heated when inserted into the flavor inhaler 100, and a capsule 350 that is disposed within the heated portion 310 and is broken when the foaming component foams due to the heat, thereby releasing at least the flavor component. According to the stick according to the third embodiment, the capsule 350 can be broken by the foaming component contained in the stick, similar to the stick 1.

[0089] Furthermore, the capsule 350 may have a content 351 containing a flavor component, and a coating 352 that seals the content 351 and contains a foaming component in its composition. The foaming component contained in the coating 352 of the capsule 350 can expand the coating 352 or form holes in the coating 352 by foaming. By destroying the capsule 350 by expanding or opening holes in the coating 352, there is no need to provide a component for destroying the capsule 350 separately from the capsule 350. Furthermore, the user does not need to perform any operation to destroy the capsule 350 apart from the normal operation of sucking on the stick.

[0090] <Fourth embodiment> Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation stick 4 according to a fourth embodiment. The stick 4 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the stick 1 according to the first embodiment in that the heated portion 410 corresponds to the heated portion 10. Differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same components between the first and fourth embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, in the flavor inhaler 100 (see Fig. 2), the size and arrangement of the heating portion 121 that heats the stick 4 are appropriately changed so as to heat at least a portion of the base portion 411 of the heated portion 410. Furthermore, the size and arrangement of the heat insulating portion 144 correspond to the heating portion 121.

[0091] The heated portion 410 differs from the heated portion 10 (see FIG. 1 ) in that it includes a storage portion 413 that stores capsules 50 and a solid member 414 that prevents the capsules 50 from falling out of the first end face of the heated portion 410. The heated portion 410 includes a base portion 411, a wrapping paper 412, a storage portion 413, and the solid member 414. The storage portion 413 of the heated portion 410 contains the capsules 50 and a foaming agent 70. The heated portion 410 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The heated portion 410 is connected (coupled) to the cooling portion 20 by winding the cooling portion 20 and the heated portion 210 together using tipping paper 40. The material constituting the wrapping paper 412 may be, for example, the same as the material constituting the wrapping paper 12 according to the first embodiment. In addition, when the heated portion 410 is made up of two or more components, such as a substrate portion 411, a storage portion 413, and a solid member 414, it is preferable that each of these two or more components is wrapped in a different wrapping paper before being wrapped together with the wrapping paper 412.

[0092] The substrate portion 411 is the portion where aerosol is generated by heating, and contains a flavor source. At least a portion of the substrate portion 411 is accommodated in the space 141 of the holding portion 140 when the stick 4 is held in the holding portion 140. The cross-sectional area and size in the center line direction of the substrate portion 411, as well as the amount of flavor source contained therein, can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the stick 4. The flavor source contained in the substrate portion 411 can be, for example, the same as the flavor source according to the first embodiment.

[0093] The storage section 413 is a section that stores the capsule 50 and the foaming agent 70. The storage section 413 is disposed adjacent to the first end face of the base section 411. The cross section of the storage section 413 is substantially circular, and the diameter and perimeter of the circle can be appropriately changed according to the size of the stick 4. If the cross section is not circular, the diameter is assumed to be that of a circle having the same area as the cross section, and the diameter of that circle is applied. Furthermore, the region where the storage section 413 is disposed may or may not be in contact with the heating unit 121 of the flavor inhaler 100 when the stick 4 is held in the holding section 140. When the region where the storage section 413 is disposed is not in contact with the heating unit 121 of the flavor inhaler 100, heat sufficient to sufficiently expand the foaming agent 70 is transmitted from the base section 411 heated by the heating unit 121 to the storage section 413.

[0094] The containing section 413 is not particularly limited, but is preferably a member that at least limits the movement of the capsule 50 within the containing section 413 from the viewpoint of facilitating the destruction of the capsule 50 by the foaming agent 70. Examples of the "member that limits the movement of the capsule 50 within the containing section 413" include a solid member in which the capsule 50 is embedded, and a member having a sheet that is adhered to the capsule 50 or that sandwiches the capsule 50. Furthermore, since the foaming agent 70 needs to expand to an extent that destroys the capsule 50, the containing section 413 is preferably a member whose internal state changes in response to the expansion of the foaming agent 70. Examples of the "member whose internal state changes in response to the expansion of the foaming agent 70" include a member filled with a viscoelastic filler and a member with a high internal porosity.

[0095] The solid member 414 prevents the capsule 50 and the foaming agent 70 from falling out of the first end face of the heated portion 410 and is disposed on the first side (upstream side) of the storage portion 413. The cross section of the solid member 414 is substantially circular, and the diameter and perimeter of the circle can be appropriately changed to match the size of the stick 4. If the cross section is not circular, the diameter is assumed to be that of a circle having the same area as the cross section, and the diameter of that circle is applied. The material constituting the solid member 414 is not particularly limited, but is preferably a material through which the contents 51 of the capsule 50 can permeate. For example, the material constituting the solid member 414 may be a paper filter filled with sheet-like pulp paper, or a filter formed into a cylindrical shape using a filling such as cellulose acetate fiber, nonwoven fabric, or pulp paper.

[0096] As described above, the stick 4 is a flavor inhalation stick that is heated when inserted into the flavor inhaler 100, and includes a heated portion 410 that is heated when inserted into the flavor inhaler 100, and a capsule 50 that is disposed within the heated portion 410 and that is broken when the foaming component foams due to the heat, thereby releasing at least the flavor component. Note that, from the viewpoint of compact size in the centerline direction, the stick 4 does not need to include the cooling portion 20 that cools the vapor and aerosol when the user inhales. With the stick 4, like the stick 1, the capsule 50 can be broken by the foaming component contained in the stick 4.

[0097] Furthermore, the stick 4 may be provided with a solid member 414 on the upstream side of the capsule 50. If the end face of the first side (upstream side) of the stick 4 is the end face of the storage section 413, the capsule 50 and the foaming agent 70 stored in the storage section 413 may fall out from the first side of the stick 4. Furthermore, if the capsule 50 stored in the storage section 413 is broken and the content 51 released may leak out from the end face of the first side of the stick 4. In this embodiment, even if the capsule 50 and the foaming agent 70 fall out of the storage section 413, they can be prevented from falling out from the first side of the stick 4. Furthermore, leakage of the content 51 of the capsule 50 into the flavor inhaler 100 can be prevented.

[0098] Furthermore, the heated portion 410 may include a substrate portion 411 that generates an aerosol when heated, and a storage portion 413 that is disposed adjacent to the substrate portion 411 and that stores the capsule 50. Of the sticks 1 inserted into the holding portion 140 of the flavor inhaler 100, the heated portion 410 that may be subjected to heat from the heating portion 121 includes the substrate portion 411 and the storage portion 413. Specifically, at least a partial region of the substrate portion 411 is heated by the heating portion 121. Furthermore, the storage portion 413 that is disposed adjacent to the substrate portion 411 may be heated by the heating portion 121, or heat in the substrate portion 411 heated by the heating portion 121 may propagate to the storage portion 413. Since the storage portion 413 that stores the capsule 50 and the foaming agent 70 is disposed adjacent to the substrate portion 411 that is heated by the heating portion 121, thermal expansion of the foaming agent 70 and destruction of the capsule 50 are promoted. Furthermore, when the capsule 50 is broken, the evaporation of the flavor components contained in the contents 51 is promoted, thereby improving the delivery efficiency of the flavor components contained in the contents 51 of the capsule 50.

[0099] Fifth Embodiment Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation stick 5 according to a fifth embodiment. The stick 5 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the stick 4 according to the fourth embodiment in that the heated portion 510 corresponds to the heated portion 410. Differences from the fourth embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same components between the fourth and fifth embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, in the flavor inhaler 100 (see Fig. 2), the size and arrangement of the heating portion 121 that heats the stick 5 are appropriately changed so as to heat at least a portion of the base portion 511 of the heated portion 510. Furthermore, the size and arrangement of the heat insulating portion 144 correspond to the heating portion 121.

[0100] The heated portion 510 differs from the heated portion 410 (see FIG. 11 ) in that a storage portion 513 corresponding to the storage portion 413 is arranged on the second side (downstream side) of the substrate portion 511 corresponding to the substrate portion 411. The heated portion 510 includes a substrate portion 511, a wrapping paper 512, a storage portion 513, and a solid member 514. A capsule 50 and a foaming agent 70 are arranged in the storage portion 513 of the heated portion 510. The heated portion 510 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The heated portion 510 is connected (coupled) to the cooling portion 20 by integrally winding the cooling portion 20 and the heated portion 210 using tipping paper 40. The material constituting the wrapping paper 512 can be, for example, the same as the material constituting the wrapping paper 12 according to the first embodiment. In addition, when the heated portion 510 is made up of two or more components, such as the substrate portion 511, the storage portion 513, and the solid member 514, it is preferable that each of these two or more components is wrapped in a different wrapping paper before being wrapped together with the wrapping paper 512.

[0101] The substrate portion 511 is a portion where an aerosol is generated by heating, and contains a flavor source. At least a portion of the substrate portion 511 is accommodated in the space 141 of the holding portion 140 when the stick 5 is held in the holding portion 140. The cross-sectional area and size in the center line direction of the substrate portion 511, as well as the content of the flavor source, can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the stick 5. The flavor source contained in the substrate portion 511 can be, for example, the same as the flavor source according to the first embodiment.

[0102] The storage section 513 is a section that stores the capsule 50 and the foaming agent 70. The storage section 513 is disposed on the second side of the heated section 510. Specifically, the storage section 513 is disposed adjacent to the second-side end face of the base section 511, and is disposed so that the second-side end face of the storage section 513 is the second-side end face of the heated section 510. The cross section of the storage section 513 is substantially circular, and the diameter and perimeter of the circle can be appropriately changed according to the size of the stick 5. Note that if the cross section is not circular, the above-mentioned diameter is assumed to be a circle having the same area as the cross section, and the diameter of that circle is applied. Furthermore, the region where the storage section 513 is disposed may or may not be in contact with the heating section 121 of the flavor inhaler 100 when the stick 5 is held in the holding section 140.

[0103] The storage section 513 is not particularly limited, but, similar to the storage section 413 according to the fourth embodiment, it is preferably a material that facilitates the destruction of the capsule 50 by the foaming agent 70 and allows the foaming agent 70 to expand to an extent that destroys the capsule 50. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving the aerosol delivery efficiency, the storage section 513 is preferably a material to which the vapor and aerosol generated from the base section 511 do not easily adhere. For example, the storage section 513 is preferably a material in which the proportion of voids through which the vapor and aerosol pass is high in its internal cross section, and which allows the temperature inside the storage section 513 to rise to a temperature that causes the expansion of the foaming agent 70 and the volatilization of the flavor and aroma components of the contents 51.

[0104] The solid member 514 is a member that prevents the flavor source from falling off from the first end face of the heated portion 510 and is disposed on the first side (upstream side) of the substrate portion 511. The cross section of the solid member 514 is substantially circular, and the diameter and perimeter of the circle can be appropriately changed according to the size of the stick 5. If the cross section is not circular, the diameter is assumed to be that of a circle having the same area as the cross section, and the diameter of that circle is applied. The material constituting the solid member 514 is not particularly limited, but is preferably a material through which the contents 51 of the capsule 50 that have passed through the substrate portion 511 can permeate. For example, the material constituting the solid member 514 may be the same as the material constituting the solid member 414 according to the fourth embodiment. The solid member 514 may be wrapped in a wrapping paper that covers its outer periphery.

[0105] As described above, the stick 5 is a flavor inhalation stick that is heated when inserted into the flavor inhaler 100, and includes a heated portion 510 that is heated when inserted into the flavor inhaler 100, and a capsule 50 that is disposed within the heated portion 510 and breaks when the foaming component foams due to the heat, releasing at least the flavor component. Note that, from the viewpoint of compact size in the centerline direction, the stick 5 does not need to include the cooling portion 20 that cools the vapor and aerosol when the user inhales. With the stick 5, like the stick 1, the capsule 50 can be broken by the foaming component provided in the stick 5.

[0106] The stick 5 may also include a storage section 513 in which the capsule 50 is stored, located upstream of the substrate section 411. Here, assume that the heating section 121 of the flavor inhaler 100 is in contact with the region where the substrate section 511 is located but not in contact with the region where the storage section 513 is located. When the storage section 513 is located on the first side of the substrate section 511, the heat applied to the capsule 50 is heat propagated from the substrate section 511 heated by the heating section 121, but the air passing through the storage section 513 is air flowing in from the end face on the first side of the stick 5. On the other hand, when the storage section 513 is located on the second side of the substrate section 511, the heat applied to the capsule 50 is heat propagated from the substrate section 511 heated by the heating section 121, and the air passing through the storage section 513 is air that has passed through the substrate section 511. The temperature of the air that has passed through the substrate section 511 is higher than the temperature of the air flowing in from the end face on the first side of the stick 5. In this embodiment, by increasing the temperature of heat applied to the capsule 50 and the foaming agent 70, the delivery efficiency of the flavor and aroma components contained in the contents 51 of the capsule 50 can be improved.

[0107] <Sixth Embodiment> Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a longitudinal section of a flavor inhalation stick 6 according to a sixth embodiment. The stick 6 according to the sixth embodiment differs from the stick 4 according to the fourth embodiment in that the heated portion 610 corresponds to the heated portion 410. Differences from the fourth embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same components between the fourth and sixth embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, in the flavor inhaler 100 (see Fig. 2), the size and arrangement of the heating portion 121 that heats the stick 6 are appropriately changed so as to heat at least a portion of the heated portion 610. Furthermore, the size and arrangement of the heat insulating portion 144 correspond to the heating portion 121.

[0108] The heated portion 610 differs from the heated portion 410 (see FIG. 11 ) in that it does not have a base portion separate from the containing portion 613. The heated portion 610 has a wrapping paper 612, a containing portion 613, and a solid member 614. The containing portion 613 of the heated portion 610 contains a capsule 50 and a foaming agent 70. The heated portion 610 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The heated portion 610 is connected (coupled) to the cooling portion 20 by integrally winding the cooling portion 20 and the heated portion 610 using tipping paper 40. The material constituting the wrapping paper 612, which is an example of an exterior member, can be, for example, the same as the material constituting the wrapping paper 12 according to the first embodiment. In addition, when the heated portion 610 is made up of two or more members, such as having the storage portion 613 and the solid member 614, it is preferable that each of these two or more members is wrapped in a different wrapping paper before being wrapped together with the wrapping paper 612.

[0109] The storage section 613 is a section that stores the capsule 50 and the foaming agent 70. The cross section of the storage section 613 is substantially circular, and the diameter and perimeter of the circle can be changed as appropriate to match the size of the stick 6. If the cross section is not circular, the diameter is assumed to be that of a circle having the same area as the cross section, and the diameter of that circle is applied. The storage section 613 is not particularly limited, but, like the storage section 413 according to the fourth embodiment, it is preferably a material that facilitates the destruction of the capsule 50 by the foaming agent 70 and allows the foaming agent 70 to expand to an extent that destroys the capsule 50.

[0110] The solid member 614 is a member that prevents the capsules 50 and the foaming agent 70 from falling out from the first end face of the heated portion 610, and is arranged on the first side (upstream side) of the containing portion 613. The solid member 614 corresponds to the solid member 414 according to the fourth embodiment. The cross section of the solid member 614 is substantially circular, and the diameter of the circle and the perimeter of the cross section can be changed appropriately according to the size of the stick 6. Note that if the cross section is not circular, the above diameter is assumed to be a circle having the same area as the cross section, and the diameter of that circle is applied.

[0111] As described above, the stick 6 is a flavor inhalation stick that is heated when inserted into the flavor inhaler 100, and includes a heated portion 610 that is heated when inserted into the flavor inhaler 100, and a capsule 50 that is disposed within the heated portion 610 and that is broken when the foaming component foams due to the heat, thereby releasing at least the flavor component. Note that, from the viewpoint of compact size in the center line direction, the stick 6 does not need to include the cooling portion 20 that cools the vapor and aerosol when the user inhales. With the stick 6, like the stick 1, the capsule 50 can be broken by the foaming component provided in the stick 6.

[0112] <Modifications> (1) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the scope described in the above-described embodiments. It is clear from the claims that various modifications or improvements to the above-described embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0113] (2) The sticks according to the fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments comprise a foaming agent having a core containing a foaming component and an outer shell sealing the core, and a capsule that breaks when the foaming agent expands, but are not limited to this. Specifically, the stick may comprise a capsule having a content containing a flavor component and a foaming component and a coating that seals the content, or a capsule having a content containing a flavor component and a coating that seals the content and includes a foaming component as part of its composition.

[0114] <Summary> The present disclosure includes the following configurations. (1) A flavor inhalation stick of a non-combustion heating type that is heated by being inserted into a flavor inhaler, the flavor inhalation stick comprising: a heated portion that is heated when inserted into the flavor inhaler; and a capsule that is disposed within the heated portion and that is destroyed when a foaming component is foamed by heat, thereby releasing at least a flavor component. (2) The flavor inhalation stick according to (1), which is disposed within the heated portion and comprises a foaming agent having a core containing the foaming component and an outer shell sealing the core, the capsule being destroyed when the foaming agent expands. (3) The flavor inhalation stick according to (2), in which the outer shell is formed of a thermoplastic resin, and the expanded foaming agent contracts when the temperature reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature. (4) The flavor inhalation stick according to (2) or (3), in which the heated portion is filled with a sheet member to which the capsule is fixed, and the foaming agent is disposed around the capsule. (5) The flavor inhalation stick according to (4), wherein the effervescent agent is disposed so as to be in contact with the capsule. (6) The flavor inhalation stick according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein the core of the effervescent agent contains the effervescent component and the flavor component. (7) The flavor inhalation stick according to (1), wherein the capsule has a content containing the flavor component and the effervescent component, and a coating sealing the content. (8) The flavor inhalation stick according to (1), wherein the capsule has a content containing the flavor component and a coating sealing the content and containing the effervescent component as part of its composition. (9) The flavor inhalation stick according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the effervescent component is at least one of hydrocarbon, sodium bicarbonate, and carbonated water. (10) The flavor inhalation stick according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein a solid member is provided upstream of the capsule. (11) The flavor inhalation stick according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the heated portion includes a base portion that generates an aerosol by heating, and a storage portion that is disposed adjacent to the base portion and stores the capsule. (12) A flavor inhalation system comprising the flavor inhalation stick according to any one of (1) to (11), and a flavor inhaler that heats the flavor inhalation stick.

[0115] 1...flavor inhalation stick, 10...heated portion, 11...base material portion, 12...wrapping paper, 20...cooling portion, 30...filter portion, 40...tipping paper, 50...capsule, 60...communicating passage, 70...foaming agent, 100...flavor inhaler, 413...storage portion, 414...solid member

Claims

1. A non-combustion heating type fragrance suction stick that is heated by being inserted into a fragrance attractor, comprising: a heated portion that is heated when inserted into the fragrance attractor; and a capsule that is disposed within the heated portion and is destroyed when a foaming component foams due to heat to release at least a flavor component.

2. The fragrance suction stick according to claim 1, further comprising a foaming agent disposed within the heated portion, the foaming agent having a core containing the foaming component and an outer shell sealing the core, wherein the capsule is destroyed when the foaming agent expands.

3. The fragrance suction stick according to claim 2, wherein the outer shell is formed of a thermoplastic resin, and the expanded foaming agent shrinks when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature or higher.

4. The fragrance suction stick according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the heated portion is filled with a sheet member to which the capsule is fixed, and the foaming agent is disposed around the capsule.

5. The fragrance suction stick according to claim 4, wherein the foaming agent is disposed in contact with the capsule.

6. The fragrance suction stick according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the core of the foaming agent contains the foaming component and a fragrance component.

7. The fragrance suction stick according to claim 1, wherein the capsule has a content containing the flavor component and the foaming component, and a film sealing the content.

8. The fragrance suction stick according to claim 1, wherein the capsule has a content containing the flavor component, and a film sealing the content and containing the foaming component in its composition.

9. The fragrance suction stick according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the foaming component is at least one of a hydrocarbon, sodium bicarbonate, and carbonic acid water.

10. The fragrance suction stick according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a solid member on the upstream side of the capsule.

11. The fragrance suction stick according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the heated portion includes a base portion that generates an aerosol by heating, and a housing portion that is disposed adjacent to the base portion and houses the capsule.

12. A fragrance attracting system comprising the fragrance attracting stick according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and a fragrance attractor for heating the fragrance attracting stick.

Images