Capsule, aerosol-generating article comprising capsule, and aerosol-generating system

Abstract

This capsule is exposed to an alternating magnetic field to release an active material, and comprises a core containing the active material and a shell enclosing the core, wherein at least one of the core and the shell may include at least one susceptor particle, which is heated by exposure to an alternating magnetic field.

Description

Capsules, aerosol generating articles comprising capsules, and aerosol generating systems

[0001] The embodiments relate to capsules, aerosol generating articles comprising capsules, and aerosol generating systems, and more particularly to capsules, aerosol generating articles comprising capsules, and aerosol generating systems that release active substances by means of an alternating magnetic field.

[0002] Recently, there has been a growing demand for alternative methods that overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is a growing demand for systems that generate aerosol by heating cigarettes (or "aerosol-generating articles") using an aerosol-generating device, rather than by burning the cigarette itself.

[0003] Examples of methods by which aerosol generating devices heat aerosol-generating articles include electrical resistance heating and induction heating. Induction heating aerosol generating devices place a heater that generates heat by an external magnetic field around or within the aerosol-generating article, and apply the magnetic field to generate heat.

[0004] Active ingredients (e.g., flavorings) contained in aerosol-generating products are often encapsulated to prevent loss during storage. Typically, capsules contain a core containing the active ingredient and a shell surrounding the core. The capsules are embedded in the aerosol-generating product, and upon use, the user presses the embedded capsule to crush it, releasing the active ingredient. However, users may experience difficulty crushing the capsules, depending on factors such as the capsule's size, shell thickness, strength, softness, and viscosity.

[0005] The problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0006] In one embodiment, a capsule comprises a core containing the active material and a shell surrounding the core, wherein at least one of the core and the shell comprises at least one susceptor particle that is heated when exposed to an alternating magnetic field, wherein the capsule releases an active material when exposed to an alternating magnetic field.

[0007] An aerosol generating article according to one embodiment may include a capsule and an aerosol generating material that is heated to generate an aerosol.

[0008] An aerosol generating system according to one embodiment may include an aerosol generating article, a receiving space into which the aerosol generating article is inserted, and an aerosol generating device that applies an alternating magnetic field to the receiving space.

[0009] Since the capsule according to the embodiments can release the active substance when exposed to an alternating magnetic field, no user intervention is required to release the active substance of the capsule, and the release timing of the active substance can be easily controlled.

[0010] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a capsule according to one embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a capsule according to another embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article according to another embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article according to another embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article in the form of a sheet according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 8 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0019] In one embodiment, a capsule comprises a core containing the active material and a shell surrounding the core, wherein at least one of the core and the shell comprises at least one susceptor particle that is heated upon exposure to the alternating magnetic field, wherein the capsule releases an active material upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field.

[0020] The active substance may include at least one selected from the group consisting of nicotine, caffeine, cannabinoids, aerosol generating substances, and flavoring substances.

[0021] The above shell may comprise a lipid bilayer.

[0022] At least a portion of the surface of the susceptor particle may be coated with at least one selected from the group consisting of lipids, oleic acid, starch, and silica.

[0023] The above capsules may have a diameter of 1 μm to 50 μm.

[0024] The above susceptor particles may have a diameter of 1 nm to 100 nm.

[0025] The shell may include a plurality of the susceptor particles, and the shell may include a membrane material in which the plurality of the susceptor particles are dispersed and arranged.

[0026] The above-mentioned membrane material may include at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, silica, aluminum hydroxide, titanium dioxide, and calcium carbonate.

[0027] The sum of the weights of the plurality of susceptor particles may be 5 wt% to 10 wt% of the total weight of the membrane material.

[0028] The weight of the active material and the weight of the shell may have a ratio of 7:3 to 4:6.

[0029] The above shell may have a thickness of 100 nm to 500 nm.

[0030] An aerosol generating article according to one embodiment may include a capsule and an aerosol generating material that is heated to generate an aerosol.

[0031] The aerosol generating article comprises a plurality of the capsules, and a difference between the diameter of the capsule and the average diameter of the plurality of the capsules may be -10% to 10% of the average diameter of the plurality of the capsules.

[0032] The aerosol generating article may include an aerosol generating rod comprising the aerosol generating material and the capsule, and a filter rod disposed downstream of the aerosol generating rod.

[0033] An aerosol generating system according to one embodiment may include an aerosol generating article, a receiving space into which the aerosol generating article is inserted, and an aerosol generating device that applies an alternating magnetic field to the receiving space.

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components are given the same reference numbers and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0035] The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing specifications, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves.

[0036] In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0038] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0039] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0040] As used herein, when an expression such as "at least one" precedes an array of elements, it modifies the entire array of elements, not just each element individually. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.

[0041] Throughout the specification, an "aerosol generating device" may be a device that generates an aerosol using an aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol that is directly inhalable into the user's lungs through the user's mouth.

[0042] Throughout the specification, "aerosol-generating article" means an article used in smoking. For example, an aerosol-generating article may be a combustible cigarette, which is used by ignition and combustion, or a heated cigarette, which is used by heating by an aerosol-generating device.

[0043] Throughout the specification, an "aerosol generating system" may include an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article. For example, the aerosol generating system may be a system that heats an aerosol generating article with an aerosol generating device and delivers the generated aerosol to a user.

[0044] Throughout the specification, "puff" refers to inhalation by the user. Inhalation may refer to drawing an aerosol into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose.

[0045] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a capsule according to one embodiment.

[0046] Referring to Fig. 1, a capsule (1) may include a core (C) and a shell (S) surrounding the core (C). The core (C) may include an active material. Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment in which the active material is released to the outside of the capsule (1) after the capsule (1) is exposed to an alternating magnetic field. For example, the capsule (1) may be used in an aerosol generating article that is heated by exposure to an alternating magnetic field.

[0047] The active substance may include a material that achieves or enhances a physiological response. The active substance may also include a material that modifies the properties of the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating article. For example, the active substance may include one or more selected from the group consisting of nicotine, caffeine, cannabinoids, aerosol-generating agents, and flavoring agents.

[0048] The term "cannabinoid" refers to any one of a class of naturally occurring compounds found in some species of the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds in the cannabis plant include cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The term "cannabinoid" is used to describe both naturally occurring cannabinoids and synthetically produced cannabinoids.

[0049] The aerosol generating material may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

[0050] A flavoring agent can add flavor to an aerosol generated by an aerosol generating article described below. The flavoring agent can include natural flavoring agents and / or synthetic flavoring agents. For example, the synthetic flavoring agent can include one or more selected from the group consisting of esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, ethers, lactones, hydrocarbons, nitrogen-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds, and acids.

[0051] In addition, the natural flavoring substances include, for example, one or more selected from the group consisting of star anise, basil, calamus, caraway, pepper, cascarilla, ginger, sage, clary sage, clove, coriander, eucalyptus, fennel, pimento, juniper, fenugreek, laurel, mace, almond, anise, artemisia, apricot, strawberry, fig, ylang-ylang, wintergreen, plum, elder, chamomile, galangal, quince, guava, cranberry, prickly ash, sandalwood, perilla, jasmine, ginseng, cinnamon, star fruit, soybean paste, spearmint, apple mint, peppermint, geranium, thyme, tansy, tangerine, tuberose, peppermint, passion fruit, vanilla, rose, coffee, cypress, pine, mango, beeswax, musk, maple, melon, peach, lavender, and rosemary. May contain oil.

[0052] The core (C) may comprise a lipophilic solvent mixed with an active substance. For example, the lipophilic solvent may comprise triglycerides, medium-chain triglycerides (e.g., triglycerides of caprylic acid and capric acid), vegetable oils (e.g., olive oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, peanut oil, grapeseed oil, wheat germ oil, rapeseed oil), mineral oil, silicone oil or mixtures of these with triglycerides, fatty acids (e.g., polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid, etc.), fatty acid esters (e.g., isopropyl myristic acid), sucrose fatty acid esters, liquid paraffin, squalene, etc.

[0053] Referring to Fig. 1, the core (C) may include a plurality of susceptor particles (P). Although Fig. 1 illustrates an example in which the core (C) includes a plurality of susceptor particles (P), the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the core (C) may include a single susceptor particle (P). In another example, the susceptor particle (P) may be included in the shell (S) rather than the core (C), or may be included in both the core (C) and the shell (S). An embodiment in which the shell (S) includes the susceptor particle (P) will be described below with reference to Fig. 2.

[0054] The susceptor particles (P) can be heated by an externally applied alternating magnetic field. For example, the susceptor particles (P) can be heated by exposure to an alternating magnetic field generated by an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device using an inductive heating method.

[0055] Specifically, the induction heating method may refer to a method of heating a magnetic material by applying an alternating magnetic field whose direction changes periodically to the magnetic material that is heated by an external magnetic field.

[0056] When an alternating magnetic field is applied to a magnetic material, energy loss may occur due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss, and the lost energy may be released from the magnetic material as heat energy. The greater the amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field applied to the magnetic material, the more heat energy may be released from the magnetic material.

[0057] At least a portion of the susceptor particles (P) may be formed of a ferromagnetic substance. For example, the susceptor particles (P) may include a metal or carbon. The susceptor particles (P) may include at least one of ferrite, a ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). Furthermore, the susceptor particles (P) may include at least one of a ceramic such as graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, a nickel alloy, or zirconia, a transition metal such as nickel (Ni) or cobalt (Co), or a metalloid such as boron or phosphorus.

[0058] The susceptor particle (P) is heated by an alternating magnetic field, and can increase the permeability of the shell (S). For example, the heated susceptor particle (P) can increase the permeability of the shell (S) to the active material by reversibly or irreversibly changing the structural shape of the shell (S). Accordingly, the active material can be released to the outside of the capsule (1).

[0059] Referring to Fig. 1, the shell (S) may include a lipid bilayer (SL). The lipid bilayer (SL) may refer to a thin polar membrane composed of two layers of lipid molecules. The capsule (1) may have a shape similar to a liposome surrounded by the lipid bilayer (SL). When the susceptor particle (P) included in the core (C) is heated, the gap between the lipid molecules constituting the lipid bilayer (SL) may widen, and the active substance of the core (C) may be released to the outside of the capsule (1) through the widened gap.

[0060] At least a portion of the surface of the susceptor particle (P) included in the core (C) may be coated with one or more selected from the group consisting of lipids, oleic acid, starch, and silica. The coated susceptor particle (P) may have improved stability within the shell (S) including the lipid bilayer (SL).

[0061] The capsule (1) may have a diameter of about 1 μm to about 50 μm. In the diameter range of the capsule (1) described above, temperature control of the capsule (1) by the heated susceptor particles (P) may be facilitated. Accordingly, the permeability of the shell (S) may be easily controlled, and the timing at which the active substance is released may be controlled. For example, the capsule (1) may have a diameter of about 2 μm to about 20 μm or a diameter of about 3 μm to about 10 μm.

[0062] In addition, the susceptor particles (P) may have a diameter of about 1 nm to about 100 nm. In the diameter range of the susceptor particles (P) described above, thermal decomposition of the active material can be prevented. In addition, when the capsule (1) includes a plurality of susceptor particles (P), the plurality of susceptor particles (P) can be uniformly dispersed inside the capsule (1), and thus, temperature control of the capsule (1) can be facilitated. For example, the susceptor particles (P) may have a diameter of about 10 nm to about 80 nm, or a diameter of about 20 nm to about 60 nm.

[0063] Because conventional capsules require user intervention for crushing, they cannot be placed in heated areas of the aerosol-generating device, but can only be placed in non-heated areas (e.g., filters). Therefore, the active ingredient contained within the capsule may be limited to volatile substances that do not require heating. Furthermore, capsules must be of an appropriate size for easy crushing by the user, resulting in a significant volume. Consequently, a large number of capsules cannot be included, and areas within the aerosol-generating device that are relatively close to the capsules and areas that are not are likely to exist. This can result in an uneven release of the active ingredient within the aerosol-generating device.

[0064] The capsule (1) according to the embodiment can release an active substance by applying an alternating magnetic field, and therefore does not require user intervention. Furthermore, since the capsule (1) can be placed in a heated portion of the aerosol-generating article, an active substance requiring heating can also be incorporated into the core of the capsule. Furthermore, since the capsule (1) has a relatively small volume, a large number of capsules can be incorporated into the aerosol-generating article. Accordingly, the capsule (1) can be uniformly distributed within the aerosol-generating article, and the active substance can be uniformly released within the aerosol-generating article.

[0065] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a capsule according to another embodiment.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 2, the capsule (1) may include a core (C) and a shell (S) surrounding the core (C). The core (C) of the capsule (1) may include an active substance. The same description as described above with respect to FIG. 1 may be applied to the core (C) and the active substance included in the core (C).

[0067] The shell (S) may include a membrane material (SM) in which a plurality of susceptor particles (P) are dispersed and arranged. FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment in which the susceptor particles (P) are arranged in the core (C), and FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the susceptor particles (P) are arranged in the shell (S), but the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the susceptor particles (P) may be arranged in both the core (C) and the shell (S).

[0068] A plurality of susceptor particles (P) arranged inside the membrane material (SM) generate heat by an externally applied alternating magnetic field, which can directly affect the permeability of the membrane material (SM). For example, the membrane material (SM) can be structurally deformed by the heat generated from the susceptor particles (P). Depending on the structural deformation of the membrane material (SM), the permeability of the shell (S) can be improved, and thus, the active material can be released to the outside of the capsule (1).

[0069] The membrane material (SM) may include at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, silica, aluminum hydroxide, titanium dioxide, and calcium carbonate. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any material capable of safely retaining susceptor particles (P) in the membrane material (SM) may be applied without limitation. For example, the membrane material (SM) may include a silica matrix, and a plurality of susceptor particles (P) may be dispersed and arranged inside and / or outside the silica matrix.

[0070] The sum of the weights of the plurality of susceptor particles (P) included in the membrane material (SM) may be about 5 wt% to about 10 wt% based on the total weight of the membrane material (SM). When the sum of the weights of the plurality of susceptor particles (P) included in the membrane material (SM) satisfies the above-mentioned range, the capsule (1) can stably retain the active material, and the permeability of the shell (S) can be easily controlled according to the heat generation of the susceptor particles (P). When the susceptor particles (P) are included in an amount of less than about 5 wt% based on the total weight of the membrane material (SM), the active material of the core (C) may not be released to the outside even when exposed to an alternating magnetic field. When the susceptor particles (P) are included in an amount exceeding about 10 wt% based on the total weight of the membrane material (SM), the stability of the membrane material (SM) may be insufficient. For example, the sum of the weights of the plurality of susceptor particles (P) included in the membrane (SM) may be about 6 wt% to about 9 wt%, or about 7 wt% to about 8 wt%, based on the total weight of the membrane (SM).

[0071] The weight of the active material and the weight of the shell (S) may have a ratio of about 7:3 to about 4:6. If the weight of the active material exceeds the aforementioned ratio, it may be difficult for the shell (S) to stably retain the active material. If the weight of the active material is less than the aforementioned ratio, the release of the active material may not be easy regardless of the permeability of the shell (S) changed by the susceptor particles (P). For example, the weight of the active material and the weight of the shell (S) may have a ratio of about 7:3 to about 5:5, or a ratio of about 6:4 to about 4:6.

[0072] The shell (S) may have a thickness of about 100 nm to about 500 nm. When the shell (S) has a thickness in the aforementioned range, the stability of the capsule (1) is improved and the permeability of the shell (S) can be easily controlled. When the thickness of the shell (S) is less than about 100 nm, the stability of the capsule (1) may be insufficient, such as when holes are formed in the shell (S) due to the sizes of the susceptor particles (P) included in the shell (S). When the thickness of the shell (S) exceeds about 500 nm, the permeability of the shell (S) may not be improved to a level where the release of the active material is possible even after the susceptor particles (P) are heated. For example, the shell (S) may have a thickness of about 150 nm to about 450 nm, or a thickness of about 200 nm to about 400 nm.

[0073] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, an aerosol generating article to which a capsule (1) according to one embodiment is applied will be described.

[0074] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article according to one embodiment.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating article (10) may include an aerosol generating rod (11) and a filter rod (12). The filter rod (12) may be positioned downstream of the aerosol generating rod (11).

[0076] "Upstream" and "downstream" can be determined based on the direction in which air flows when a user inhales aerosol using an aerosol generating article (10). For example, when a user inhales aerosol using an aerosol generating article (10) as illustrated in FIG. 3, air moves from the aerosol generating rod (11) toward the filter rod (12), so the aerosol generating rod (11) is positioned "upstream" of the filter rod (12). Meanwhile, those skilled in the art will readily understand that "upstream" and "downstream" can be relative depending on the relationship between components.

[0077] The aerosol generating rod (11) can be heated to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating rod (11) can contain tobacco material. The aerosol generating rod (11) can be heated to generate an aerosol containing nicotine. The tobacco material can take the form of, but is not limited to, tobacco strands, tobacco particles, tobacco sheets, tobacco beads, tobacco granules, tobacco powder, or tobacco extract.

[0078] For example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include a plurality of tobacco strands, and the plurality of tobacco strands may include a sheet-shaped cut filler. The sheet-shaped cut filler may be manufactured by cutting a sheet-shaped cut filler. The sheet-shaped cut filler may be manufactured by the following process. Tobacco raw materials are ground to manufacture a slurry containing an aerosol generating material (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.), a flavoring liquid, a binder (e.g., guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, etc.), water, etc. Natural pulp or cellulose may be added to the slurry, and one or more binders may be mixed and used. The slurry may be cast to form a sheet, and then dried to manufacture a sheet-shaped cut filler. The manufactured sheet-shaped cut filler may be cut, crimped, or chopped to manufacture a sheet-shaped cut filler. The tobacco raw materials may be tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, and / or tobacco fines generated during tobacco processing. Additionally, the sheet may contain other additives such as wood cellulose fibers.

[0079] Additionally, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include tobacco charcoal produced by blending and processing various types of tobacco leaves and then cutting them. Additionally, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include a mixture of plate-shaped leaf charcoal and tobacco charcoal.

[0080] As another example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may comprise a plurality of tobacco granules. The tobacco granules may be particles having a diameter of about 100 μm to about 2,000 μm. The tobacco granules may be manufactured by extruding a mixture of tobacco leaf powder, a pH adjuster, and a solvent.

[0081] A plurality of tobacco granules may be disposed between the filter material. The filter material may, for example, comprise a bundle of cellulose acetate fiber strands. The plurality of tobacco granules may be disposed in a uniformly dispersed form between the plurality of cellulose fibers. As another example, the filter material may comprise a crimped paper sheet. The crimped paper sheet may be disposed in a wound state within the aerosol generating rod (11). The crimped paper sheet may be wound around an axis extending along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod (11). A plurality of tobacco granules may be dispersed and disposed within the wound paper sheet.

[0082] The tobacco material may include an aerosol-generating agent. For example, the aerosol-generating agent may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The tobacco material may also contain other additives, such as flavorings, humectants, and / or organic acids. Flavorings, such as menthol or humectants, may also be added to the tobacco material by spraying them onto the tobacco material.

[0083] The aerosol generating rod (11) may include plant materials other than tobacco material. For example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include herbal materials. The aerosol generating rod (11) may also include a sheet including the herbal material. The herbal material may include, but is not limited to, at least one of mint, lemongrass, cinnamon, clover leaves, rose petals, and corn silk. The sheet including the herbal material may be impregnated with the aerosol generating material.

[0084] Additionally, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include an aerosol generating substrate impregnated with a liquid aerosol generating composition. The aerosol generating substrate may include a crimped sheet, and the liquid aerosol generating composition may be included in the aerosol generating rod (11) in a state impregnated in the crimped sheet. Additionally, other additives and flavorings, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids, may be included in the aerosol generating rod (11) in a state absorbed by the crimped sheet.

[0085] The aerosol generating substrate may be placed inside the aerosol generating rod (11) in a wound state. The wound aerosol generating substrate may be wound around an axis extending along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (10), but is not limited thereto.

[0086] The crimped sheet may be a sheet composed of a polymeric material. For example, the polymeric material may include at least one of paper, cellulose acetate, lyocell, and polylactic acid. For example, the crimped sheet may be a paper sheet that does not emit an off-flavor due to heat even when heated to a high temperature.

[0087] The liquid aerosol-generating composition may include nicotine. The nicotine may include freebase nicotine and / or a nicotine salt. Freebase nicotine may refer to neutral nicotine without protons. For example, when a strong base, such as ammonia, is added to a positively charged nicotine salt, the strong base is converted into a cation, and the nicotine salt may become freebase nicotine, which is in a neutral state.

[0088] Additionally, the liquid aerosol-generating composition may include an aerosol-generating agent. The aerosol-generating agent may be any of the aerosol-generating agents described above in relation to aerosol-generating agents contained in tobacco materials.

[0089] The liquid aerosol-generating composition may be impregnated in an amount of from about 0.05 g to about 1.0 g per 1 g of the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the liquid aerosol-generating composition may be impregnated in an amount of from about 0.1 g to about 0.8 g per 1 g of the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0090] The aerosol generating rod (11) may include the capsules (1) of FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of capsules (1) are illustrated as being included in the aerosol generating rod (11), but embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include one capsule (1). In addition, the size of the capsule (1) illustrated in FIG. 3 may be exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may be smaller or larger than that illustrated in the drawing.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of capsules (1) may be distributed and arranged on the aerosol generating rod (11). For example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include plate-shaped leaflets, and the plurality of capsules (1) may be distributed and arranged on the entire area of ​​the plug made of the plate-shaped leaflets. As another example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include an aerosol generating substrate wound around an axis extending in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of capsules (1) may be distributed and arranged inside the wound aerosol generating substrate. When the aerosol generating rod (11) is exposed to an alternating magnetic field, the plurality of capsules (1) arranged on the aerosol generating rod (11) may release an active substance. The released active substance may be carried together with the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating rod (11).

[0092] The plurality of capsules (1) may have a uniform size distribution. That is, the plurality of capsules (1) may have similar sizes to each other. For example, the difference between the diameter of the capsule (1) and the average diameter of the plurality of capsules (1) may be about -10% to about 10% based on the average diameter of the plurality of capsules (1). Since the plurality of capsules (1) have a uniform size distribution, the active ingredient may be released from the plurality of capsules (1) at similar times. As another example, the difference between the diameter of the plurality of capsules (1) and the average diameter of the plurality of capsules (1) may be about -8% to about 8%, or about -7% to about 7% based on the average diameter of the plurality of capsules (1).

[0093] The plurality of capsules (1) included in the aerosol generating rod (11) may contain different active substances. For example, some of the plurality of capsules (1) may contain a flavoring substance as the active substance, and other portions of the plurality of capsules (1) may contain an aerosol generating substance as the active substance. As another example, some of the plurality of capsules (1) may contain nicotine as the active substance, and other portions of the plurality of capsules (1) may contain a flavoring substance.

[0094] In addition, some of the plurality of capsules (1) included in the aerosol generating rod (11) may be the capsules (1) illustrated in FIG. 1, and the remaining some of the plurality of capsules (1) may be the capsules (1) illustrated in FIG. 2. However, this is not limited thereto, and all of the plurality of capsules (1) included in the aerosol generating rod (11) may be the capsules (1) illustrated in FIG. 1 or the capsules (1) illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0095] The filter rod (12) may be composed of a plurality of segments. The filter rod (12) may include a first segment (12-1) for cooling the aerosol and a second segment (12-2) for filtering a predetermined component contained in the aerosol. Although the filter rod (12) is illustrated in FIG. 3 to include two segments, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the filter rod (12) may include a single segment. In addition, the filter rod (12) may further include at least one segment that performs another function.

[0096] The filter rod (12) can filter out some components contained in the aerosol passing through the filter rod (12). The filter rod (12) can include a filter material. For example, the filter rod (12) can be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod (12) can be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow.

[0097] There is no limitation on the shape of the filter rod (12). For example, the filter rod (12) may be a cylindrical rod or a tubular rod having a hollow portion therein. In addition, the filter rod (12) may be a recessed rod. If the filter rod (12) is composed of multiple segments, at least one of the multiple segments may be manufactured in a different shape.

[0098] The filter rod (12) may be manufactured to generate a flavor. As an example, a flavoring agent may be sprayed onto the filter rod (12), or a separate fiber coated with a flavoring agent may be inserted into the interior of the filter rod (12).

[0099] The filter rod (12) may include a first segment (12-1) for cooling the aerosol. The first segment (12-1) may include a polymeric material or a biodegradable polymeric material. For example, the first segment (12-1) may include polylactic acid, but is not limited thereto. As another example, the first segment (12-1) may include a hollow cellulose acetate tube or a paper tube.

[0100] At least one hole (12-1h) may be formed on the outer surface of the first segment (12-1). The at least one hole (12-1h) may be formed along the circumferential direction of the first segment (12-1) to form one or more rows. The at least one hole (12-1h) may allow external air to be introduced into the interior of the first segment (12-1). The external air introduced into the interior of the first segment (12-1) may be mixed with the high-temperature aerosol generated by the aerosol generating rod (11).

[0101] The aerosol generating article (10) may include a wrapper (14) surrounding one of the aerosol generating rod (11) and the filter rod (12). The aerosol generating article (10) may also include a wrapper (14) surrounding both the aerosol generating rod (11) and the filter rod (12). The wrapper (14) may be located at the outermost portion of the aerosol generating article (10). The wrapper (14) may be a single wrapper, but may also be a combination of multiple wrappers.

[0102] The aerosol generating article (10) may be wrapped in layers by two or more wrappers (14). For example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may be wrapped by a first wrapper (14-1), the first segment (12-1) of the filter rod (12) may be wrapped by a second wrapper (14-2), and the second segment (12-2) of the filter rod (12) may be wrapped by a third wrapper (14-3). In addition, the entire aerosol generating article (10) may be repackaged by a fourth wrapper (14-4).

[0103] The first wrapper (14-1) may surround the aerosol generating rod (11). The first wrapper (14-1) may be a combination of paper and metal foil, such as aluminum foil. For example, the first wrapper (14-1) may be a laminated sheet in which paper and metal foil are laminated. The first wrapper (14-1) may be a laminated sheet in which paper is arranged on one side of the metal foil, or may be a laminated sheet in which paper is arranged on both sides of the metal foil.

[0104] The paper of the first wrapper (14-1) may contain a grease-resistant material. For example, the paper of the first wrapper (14-1) may contain polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or silicone. The paper of the first wrapper (14-1) may have its surface coated with polyvinyl alcohol or silicone.

[0105] The second wrapper (14-2) can surround the first segment (12-1) of the filter rod (12). The second wrapper (14-2) can include a paper roll. The paper roll of the second wrapper (14-2) can be a porous roll or a non-porous roll. At least one perforation (15) can be formed in the second wrapper (14-2). For example, the second wrapper (14-2) wraps the first segment (12-1) in which at least one hole (12-1h) is formed, and at least one perforation (15) formed in the second wrapper (14-2) can be formed at a position corresponding to at least one hole (12-1h) formed in the first segment (12-1).

[0106] The third wrapper (14-3) can surround the second segment (12-2) of the filter rod (12). The third wrapper (14-3) can include hard paper having a greater thickness and basis weight than general paper. For example, the thickness of the hard paper can be about 70 um to about 150 um, and the basis weight can be about 50 g / m. 2 About 100 g / m 2 It may be. In addition, the hard paper may contain an oil-resistant material. For example, the hard paper may contain a surface treatment with an oil-resistant material such as polyvinyl alcohol or silicone.

[0107] The fourth wrapper (14-4) can collectively wrap the aerosol generating rod (11) wrapped by the first wrapper (14-1), the first segment (12-1) of the filter rod (12) wrapped by the second wrapper (14-2), and the second segment (12-2) of the filter rod (12) wrapped by the third wrapper (14-3). The fourth wrapper (14-4) can prevent the exterior of the aerosol generating article (10) from being contaminated by the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10). Liquid substances can be generated inside the aerosol generating article (10) by the user's puff. For example, liquid substances (e.g., moisture, etc.) can be generated by cooling the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating article (10) by the outside air. As the fourth wrapper (14-4) wraps the outer surface of the aerosol generating article (10), the generated liquid substances can be prevented from leaking out of the aerosol generating article (10).

[0108] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article according to another embodiment.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating article (10) may include a shear plug (13), an aerosol generating rod (11), a filter rod (12), and a wrapper (14). The aerosol generating rod (11), the filter rod (12), and the wrapper (14) of the aerosol generating article (10) of FIG. 4 may be applied in the same manner as the aerosol generating rod (11), the filter rod (12), and the wrapper (14) of the aerosol generating article (10) of FIG. 3.

[0110] A shear plug (13) may be positioned upstream of the aerosol generating rod (11). The shear plug (13) may be positioned on one side of the aerosol generating rod (11) opposite to the filter rod (12). The shear plug (13) may prevent the aerosol generating rod (11) from escaping to the outside. In addition, the shear plug (13) may prevent liquefied aerosol from the aerosol generating rod (11) from moving to the aerosol generating device during smoking.

[0111] The shear plug (13) may include cellulose acetate. For example, the shear plug (13) may be a cellulose acetate tube including a hollow portion.

[0112] The shear plug (13) may be wrapped by a fifth wrapper (14-5). The fifth wrapper (14-5) may be a combination of paper and metal foil, such as aluminum foil. For example, the fifth wrapper (14-5) may be a laminated sheet in which paper and metal foil are laminated. The fifth wrapper (14-5) may be a laminated sheet in which paper is placed on one side of the metal foil, or a laminated sheet in which paper is placed on both sides of the metal foil.

[0113] Additionally, the shear plug (13) may be wrapped in an overlapping manner by two or more wrappers (14). For example, the shear plug (13) may be wrapped by a fifth wrapper (14-5), the aerosol generating rod (11) may be wrapped by a first wrapper (14-1), the first segment (12-1) of the filter rod (12) may be wrapped by a second wrapper (14-2), and the second segment (12-2) of the filter rod (12) may be wrapped by a third wrapper (14-3). In addition, the entire aerosol generating article (10) may be repackaged by a fourth wrapper (14-4).

[0114] The shear plug (13) may be heated to generate an aerosol. The shear plug (13) may include an aerosol-generating substance. The shear plug (13) may also include other additives, such as a humectant and / or an organic acid, and may include a flavoring agent, such as menthol. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

[0115] The shear plug (13) may include an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate may be impregnated with an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating substrate may include a crimped sheet, and the aerosol-generating material may be included in the shear plug (13) in a state impregnated in the crimped sheet. Additionally, other additives, such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids, may be included in the shear plug (13) in a state impregnated in the crimped sheet.

[0116] The aerosol generating substrate may be placed inside the shear plug (13) in a rolled state. The rolled aerosol generating substrate may be rolled around an axis extending along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (10), but is not limited thereto.

[0117] The crimped sheet may be a sheet composed of a polymeric material. For example, the polymeric material may include at least one of paper, cellulose acetate, lyocell, and polylactic acid. For example, the crimped sheet may be a paper sheet that does not emit an off-flavor due to heat even when heated to a high temperature.

[0118] The shear plug (13) may have a length of about 7 mm to about 20 mm, and the aerosol generating rod (11) may have a length of about 7 mm to about 20 mm. However, the lengths are not necessarily limited to these numerical ranges, and the lengths of the shear plug (13) and the aerosol generating rod (11) may be appropriately changed.

[0119] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article according to another embodiment.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 5, the aerosol generating article (10) may include a shear plug (13), an aerosol generating rod (11), a filter rod (12), and a wrapper (14). The shear plug (13), the aerosol generating rod (11), the filter rod (12), and the wrapper (14) of the aerosol generating article (10) of FIG. 5 may be applied in the same manner as the shear plug (13), the aerosol generating rod (11), the filter rod (12), and the wrapper (14) of the aerosol generating article (10) of FIG. 4.

[0121] The shear plug (13) and the aerosol generating rod (11) may include a capsule (1). Referring to FIG. 5, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include the capsule (1) illustrated in FIG. 1, and the shear plug (13) may include the capsule (1) illustrated in FIG. 2. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the shear plug (13) and the aerosol generating rod (11) may include the same capsule (1). In addition, as another example, the aerosol generating rod (11) may include the capsule (1) illustrated in FIG. 2, and the shear plug (13) may include the capsule (1) illustrated in FIG. 1. The shear plug (13) and the aerosol generating rod (11) may each include both the capsule (1) illustrated in FIG. 1 and the capsule (1) illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0122] The capsule (1) included in the shear plug (13) and the capsule (1) included in the aerosol generating rod (11) may contain different active substances. For example, the capsule (1) included in the shear plug (13) may contain an aerosol generating substance as an active substance, and the capsule (1) included in the aerosol generating rod (11) may contain nicotine. As another example, the capsule (1) included in the shear plug (13) may contain a flavoring substance as an active substance, and the capsule (1) included in the aerosol generating rod (11) may contain an aerosol generating substance. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the capsule (1) included in the shear plug (13) and the capsule (1) included in the aerosol generating rod (11) may contain the same active substance.

[0123] The capsule (1) included in the shear plug (13) and the capsule (1) included in the aerosol generating rod (11) may release the active substance at different times. For example, the capsule (1) included in the shear plug (13) may release the active substance at the beginning of the heating section, and the capsule (1) included in the aerosol generating rod (11) may release the active substance at the end of the heating section. Here, the “heating section” may refer to a time length from the time point at which the heater of the aerosol generating device described later starts heating to the time point at which the heating ends. In addition, a time length corresponding to the beginning of the entire heating section, for example, about half of the heating section, may correspond to the “beginning of the heating section,” and the remaining time length may correspond to the “end of the heating section.”

[0124] For example, the capsule (1) included in the shear plug (13) can release the active substance before the capsule (1) included in the aerosol generating rod (11). Since the capsule (1) placed upstream releases the active substance before the capsule (1) placed downstream, the problem of the active substances included in the aerosol being mixed can be prevented.

[0125] For example, if a capsule (1) positioned downstream releases an active substance in the early part of the heating section and a capsule (1) positioned upstream releases an active substance in the late part of the heating section, the active substance released in the late part of the heating section may pass through the capsule (1) positioned downstream together with the aerosol. Therefore, a problem may arise in which the active substance released in the late part of the heating section is mixed with the active substance released in the early part of the heating section.

[0126] In contrast, if the capsule (1) placed upstream releases the active substance in the early stage of the heating section and the capsule (1) placed downstream releases the active substance in the latter stage of the heating section, the active substance released in the latter stage of the heating section does not pass through the capsule (1) placed downstream, so the problem of the active substances mixing with each other can be prevented.

[0127] Although FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate examples of aerosol generating articles (10) having a rod shape, the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the aerosol generating article may also have a sheet shape.

[0128] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating article in the form of a sheet according to one embodiment.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 6, the sheet-shaped aerosol generating article (10) may have a circular cross-section when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may also have a polygonal shape including a triangle, rectangle, square, or pentagon.

[0130] An aerosol generating article (10) in the form of a sheet may include an aerosol generating substrate (16) and a plurality of capsules (1) arranged in the aerosol generating substrate (16). The capsule (1) of FIG. 6 may be applied in the same manner as the capsule (1) described above in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0131] The aerosol generating substrate (16) may be a solid material containing an aerosol generating substance. A plurality of capsules (1) may be positioned within the solid material containing the aerosol generating substance. The solid material containing the aerosol generating substance may include tobacco material. For example, the solid material containing the aerosol generating substance may be a monolithic tobacco solid material.

[0132] For example, the tobacco solids may be manufactured according to a manufacturing method comprising the steps of preparing a tobacco composition comprising tobacco powder, a binder, and an aerosol generating material, inserting the tobacco composition into a sheet-shaped mold, and drying the tobacco composition inserted into the sheet-shaped mold.

[0133] The aerosol generating substrate (16) may have a porous structure including a plurality of pores. For example, the aerosol generating substrate (16) may include porous tobacco solids. For example, the aerosol generating substrate (16) may have a porous structure including a plurality of pores. 2 / g to 1000 m 2 / g of surface area. In addition, the aerosol generating substrate (16) may have a surface area of ​​300 m 2 / g to 800 m 2 / g can have a specific surface area.

[0134] A plurality of capsules (1) can be added to the aerosol generating substrate (16) by spraying. Accordingly, the plurality of capsules (1) can be arranged on the outer surface of the aerosol generating substrate (16). In addition, some of the plurality of capsules (1) can be arranged on the outer surface of the aerosol generating substrate (16), and the remaining some of the plurality of capsules (1) can be arranged by moving into the interior of the aerosol generating substrate (16) through a plurality of pores formed in the aerosol generating substrate (16).

[0135] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0136] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining elements constituting an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0137] Referring to FIG. 7, the aerosol generating device (100) may include a heater (150), a coil (151), a battery (140), a sensing unit (120), and a control unit (110). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other general-purpose elements may be further included in the aerosol generating device (100) in addition to the elements illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0138] The aerosol generating device (100) can generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the aerosol generating device (100) using an induction heating method. The induction heating method may refer to a method of heating a magnetic body by applying an alternating magnetic field whose direction changes periodically to the magnetic body that generates heat due to an external magnetic field.

[0139] When an alternating magnetic field is applied to a magnetic body, energy loss may occur in the magnetic body due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss, and the lost energy may be released from the magnetic body as heat energy. The greater the amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field applied to the magnetic body, the more heat energy may be released from the magnetic body. The aerosol generating device (100) may release heat energy from the magnetic body by applying an alternating magnetic field to the magnetic body, and may transfer the heat energy released from the magnetic body to the aerosol generating article (10).

[0140] A magnetic material that generates heat by an external magnetic field may be a susceptor. The susceptor may be provided in the aerosol generating device (100) in the form of a piece, a thin sheet, or a strip. For example, at least a portion of a heater (150) disposed within the aerosol generating device (100) may be formed of a susceptor material.

[0141] At least a portion of the susceptor material may be formed of a ferromagnetic substance. For example, the susceptor material may include a metal or carbon. The susceptor material may include at least one of ferrite, a ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). Additionally, the susceptor material may include at least one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, a nickel alloy, a metal film, a ceramic such as zirconia, a transition metal such as nickel (Ni) or cobalt (Co), or a metalloid such as boron or phosphorus.

[0142] An aerosol generating device (100) can accommodate an aerosol generating article (10). A space for accommodating the aerosol generating article (10) can be formed in the aerosol generating device (100). A heater (150) can be placed in the space for accommodating the aerosol generating article (10). For example, the heater (150) can have a cylindrical receiving space for accommodating the aerosol generating article (10) therein. Accordingly, when the aerosol generating article (10) is accommodated in the aerosol generating device (100), the aerosol generating article (10) can be accommodated in the receiving space of the heater (150).

[0143] The heater (150) may surround at least a portion of the outer surface of the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the aerosol generating device (100). For example, the heater (150) may surround the aerosol generating rod (11) included in the aerosol generating article (10). Accordingly, heat may be more efficiently transferred from the heater (150) to the aerosol generating rod (11).

[0144] The heater (150) can heat the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the aerosol generating device (100). As described above, the heater (150) can heat the aerosol generating article (10) by induction heating. The heater (150) can include a susceptor material that generates heat by an external magnetic field, and the aerosol generating device (100) can apply an alternating magnetic field to the heater (150).

[0145] A coil (151) may be provided in an aerosol generating device (100). The coil (151) may apply an alternating magnetic field to the heater (150). When power is supplied to the coil (151) from the aerosol generating device (100), a magnetic field may be formed inside the coil (151). When an alternating current is applied to the coil (151), the direction of the magnetic field formed inside the coil (151) may be continuously changed. When the heater (150) is positioned inside the coil (151) and exposed to an alternating magnetic field whose direction changes periodically, the heater (150) may generate heat, and the aerosol generating article (10) accommodated in the accommodation space of the heater (150) may be heated.

[0146] The coil (151) may be wound along the outer surface of the heater (150). Additionally, the coil (151) may be wound along the inner surface of the outer housing of the aerosol generating device (100). The heater (150) may be positioned in the internal space formed by winding the coil (151). When power is supplied to the coil (151), an alternating magnetic field generated by the coil (151) may be applied to the heater (150).

[0147] The coil (151) may extend in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating device (100). The coil (151) may extend to an appropriate length along the longitudinal direction. For example, the coil (151) may extend to a length corresponding to the length of the heater (150), or may extend to a length longer than the length of the heater (150).

[0148] The coil (151) may be placed at a position suitable for applying an alternating magnetic field to the heater (150). For example, the coil (151) may be placed at a position corresponding to the heater (150). By the size and placement of the coil (151) as described above, the efficiency with which the alternating magnetic field of the coil (151) is applied to the heater (150) may be improved.

[0149] When the amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field formed by the coil (151) is changed, the degree to which the heater (150) heats the aerosol generating article (10) can also be changed. Since the amplitude or frequency of the magnetic field by the coil (151) can be changed by the power applied to the coil (151), the aerosol generating device (100) can control the heating of the aerosol generating article (10) by adjusting the power applied to the coil (151). For example, the aerosol generating device (100) can control the amplitude and frequency of the alternating current applied to the coil (151).

[0150] As an example, the coil (151) may be implemented as a solenoid. The coil (151) may be a solenoid wound along the inner surface of the outer housing of the aerosol generating device (100), and a heater (150) and an aerosol generating article (10) may be positioned in the inner space of the solenoid. The material of the conductor constituting the solenoid may be copper (Cu). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any one of silver (Ag), gold (Au), aluminum (Al), tungsten (W), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni), or an alloy including at least one thereof, may be the material of the conductor constituting the solenoid.

[0151] The battery (140) can supply power to the aerosol generating device (100). The battery (140) can supply power to the coil (151). The battery (140) can include a battery that supplies direct current to the aerosol generating device (100) and a converter that converts the direct current supplied from the battery into alternating current supplied to the coil (151).

[0152] The battery (140) can supply direct current to the aerosol generating device (100). The battery (140) may be, but is not limited to, a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. For example, the battery may be a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery, a lithium titanate battery, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, or the like.

[0153] The conversion unit may include a low-pass filter that filters the direct current supplied from the battery and outputs the alternating current supplied to the coil (151). The conversion unit may further include an amplifier for amplifying the direct current supplied from the battery. For example, the conversion unit may be implemented through a low-pass filter that constitutes a load network of a class-D amplifier.

[0154] The control unit (110) can control the power supplied to the coil (151). The control unit (110) can control the battery (140) so that the power supplied to the coil (151) is adjusted. For example, the control unit (110) can perform control to maintain the temperature at which the heater (150) heats the aerosol generating article (10) at a constant temperature based on the temperature of the heater (150).

[0155] Figure 8 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0156] The aerosol generating device (100) may include a control unit (110), a sensing unit (120), an output unit (130), a battery (140), a heater (150), a user input unit (160), a memory (170), and a communication unit (180). However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device (100) is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 8. That is, a person skilled in the art related to the present embodiment will understand that some of the components illustrated in FIG. 8 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device (100).

[0157] The sensing unit (120) can detect the status of the aerosol generating device (100) or the status around the aerosol generating device (100) and transmit the detected information to the control unit (110). Based on the detected information, the control unit (110) can control the aerosol generating device (100) to perform various functions such as controlling the operation of the heater (150), restricting smoking, determining whether an aerosol generating article (e.g., cigarette, cartridge, etc.) is inserted, and displaying a notification.

[0158] The sensing unit (120) may include at least one of a temperature sensor (122), an insertion detection sensor (124), and a puff sensor (126), but is not limited thereto.

[0159] The temperature sensor (122) can detect the temperature at which the heater (150) (or the aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device (100) may include a separate temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heater (150), or the heater (150) itself may function as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor (122) may be placed around the battery (140) to monitor the temperature of the battery (140).

[0160] The insertion detection sensor (124) can detect the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol-generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor (124) can include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and can detect a signal change as the aerosol-generating article is inserted and / or removed.

[0161] The puff sensor (126) can detect the user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor (126) can detect the user's puff based on any one of temperature changes, flow changes, voltage changes, and pressure changes.

[0162] In addition to the sensors (122 to 126) described above, the sensing unit (120) may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), a proximity sensor, and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). Since the function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by a person skilled in the art from its name, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0163] The output unit (130) can output information about the status of the aerosol generating device (100) and provide it to the user. The output unit (130) may include at least one of a display unit (132), a haptic unit (134), and an audio output unit (136), but is not limited thereto. When the display unit (132) and the touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit (132) can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0164] The display unit (132) can visually provide information about the aerosol generating device (100) to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device (100) can mean various information such as the charging / discharging status of the battery (140) of the aerosol generating device (100), the preheating status of the heater (150), the insertion / removal status of the aerosol generating product, or the status in which the use of the aerosol generating device (100) is restricted (e.g., detection of an abnormal product), and the display unit (132) can output the above information to the outside. The display unit (132) can be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), or the like. In addition, the display unit (132) can also be in the form of an LED light-emitting element.

[0165] The haptic unit (134) can provide tactile information about the aerosol generating device (100) to the user by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the haptic unit (134) can include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0166] The acoustic output unit (136) can provide information about the aerosol generating device (100) to the user audibly. For example, the acoustic output unit (136) can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

[0167] The battery (140) can supply power used to operate the aerosol generating device (100). The battery (140) can supply power so that the heater (150) can be heated. In addition, the battery (140) can supply power required for the operation of other components provided in the aerosol generating device (100) (e.g., the sensing unit (120), the output unit (130), the user input unit (160), the memory (170), and the communication unit (180)). The battery (140) can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery (140) can be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0168] The heater (150) can receive power from the battery (140) to heat the aerosol generating material. Although not illustrated in FIG. 8, the aerosol generating device (100) may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery (140) and supplies it to the heater (150). In addition, when the aerosol generating device (100) generates the aerosol by induction heating, the aerosol generating device (100) may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the direct current power of the battery (140) into alternating current power.

[0169] The control unit (110), sensing unit (120), output unit (130), user input unit (160), memory (170), and communication unit (180) can perform functions by receiving power from the battery (140). Although not shown in FIG. 8, the device may further include a power conversion circuit that converts power from the battery (140) and supplies it to each component, for example, an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit.

[0170] In one embodiment, the heater (150) may be formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials may be metals or metal alloys including, but not limited to, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, and the like. In addition, the heater (150) may be implemented as, but not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate having electrically conductive tracks arranged thereon, a ceramic heating element, and the like.

[0171] In another embodiment, the heater (150) may be an induction heater. For example, the heater (150) may include a susceptor that heats the aerosol generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

[0172] The user input unit (160) can receive information input from a user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit (160) may include, but is not limited to, a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (contact electrostatic capacitance type, pressure resistive film type, infrared detection type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezo effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 8, the aerosol generating device (100) further includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and can transmit and receive information or charge a battery (140) by connecting to another external device through a connection interface such as a USB interface.

[0173] The memory (170) is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device (100), and can store data processed and data to be processed in the control unit (110). The memory (170) may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory (170) may store data on the operation time of the aerosol generating device (100), the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and a user's smoking pattern.

[0174] The communication unit (180) may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit (180) may include a short-range communication unit (182) and a wireless communication unit (184).

[0175] The short-range wireless communication unit (182) may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc.

[0176] The wireless communication unit (184) may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit (184) may also use subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) to identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device (100) within the communication network.

[0177] The control unit (110) can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device (100). In one embodiment, the control unit (110) can include at least one processor. The processor can be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment can be implemented as other types of hardware.

[0178] The control unit (110) can control the temperature of the heater (150) by controlling the supply of power from the battery (140) to the heater (150). For example, the control unit (110) can control the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching element between the battery (140) and the heater (150). In another example, the heating direct circuit can control the power supply to the heater (150) according to a control command from the control unit (110).

[0179] The control unit (110) can analyze the results detected by the sensing unit (120) and control the processes to be performed thereafter. For example, the control unit (110) can control the power supplied to the heater (150) so that the operation of the heater (150) is started or ended based on the results detected by the sensing unit (120). As another example, the control unit (110) can control the amount of power supplied to the heater (150) and the time for which the power is supplied so that the heater (150) can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature based on the results detected by the sensing unit (120).

[0180] The control unit (110) can control the output unit (130) based on the result detected by the sensing unit (120). For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor (126) reaches a preset number, the control unit (110) can notify the user that the aerosol generating device (100) will soon be terminated through at least one of the display unit (132), the haptic unit (134), and the sound output unit (136).

[0181] Any or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct. Any or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above may have their respective components or functions combined or used together.

[0182] For example, it means that configuration A described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing can be combined with configuration B described in another embodiment and / or drawing. That is, even if the combination between the configurations is not directly described, it means that the combination is possible, except in cases where the combination is described as impossible.

[0183] The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any respect and should be considered illustrative only. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In a capsule for an aerosol generating article that releases an active substance when exposed to an alternating magnetic field, The capsule comprises a core containing the active substance and a shell surrounding the core, A capsule, wherein at least one of the core and the shell comprises at least one susceptor particle that is heated by exposure to the alternating magnetic field.

2. In paragraph 1, A capsule, wherein the active ingredient comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of nicotine, caffeine, cannabinoids, aerosol generating substances, and flavoring substances.

3. In paragraph 1, The above shell is a capsule comprising a lipid bilayer.

4. In paragraph 1, A capsule, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the susceptor particle is coated with at least one selected from the group consisting of lipids, oleic acid, starch, and silica.

5. In paragraph 1, The above capsule is a capsule having a diameter of 1 μm to 50 μm.

6. In paragraph 1, The above susceptor particles have a diameter of 1 nm to 100 nm, capsules.

7. In paragraph 1, The above shell comprises a plurality of the above susceptor particles, A capsule, wherein the shell comprises a membrane material in which a plurality of the susceptor particles are dispersed and arranged.

8. In paragraph 7, A capsule wherein the above-mentioned membrane material comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, silica, aluminum hydroxide, titanium dioxide, and calcium carbonate.

9. In paragraph 7, A capsule, wherein the sum of the weights of the plurality of susceptor particles is 5 to 10 wt% of the total weight of the membrane material.

10. In paragraph 1, A capsule wherein the weight of the active substance and the weight of the shell have a ratio of 7:3 to 4:

6.

11. In paragraph 1, A capsule wherein the shell has a thickness of 100 nm to 500 nm.

12. An aerosol-generating article comprising the capsule of paragraph 1 and an aerosol-generating material that generates an aerosol when heated.

13. In paragraph 12, The aerosol generating article comprises a plurality of said capsules, An aerosol generating article, wherein the difference between the diameter of the capsule and the average diameter of the plurality of capsules is between -10% and 10% of the average diameter of the plurality of capsules.

14. In paragraph 12, An aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating rod comprising the aerosol generating material and the capsule, and a filter rod disposed downstream of the aerosol generating rod.

15. Aerosol generating articles of Article 12; and An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device including a receiving space into which the aerosol generating article is inserted and which applies an alternating magnetic field to the receiving space.

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