Non-combustion type flavor stick

Abstract

A non-combustion type flavor stick according to the present invention comprises: a flavor rod section that includes a flavor source and an aerosol generating base material; and a filter section that is connected to the flavor rod section so as to be coaxially aligned therewith and has a mouthpiece on the downstream end side, wherein the filter section has a side outflow hole that causes a portion of the aerosol flowing from the upstream side to flow out through a side surface of the filter section to the outside.

Description

Non-combustible flavor sticks

[0001] The present disclosure relates to non-combustion flavor sticks.

[0002] Conventionally, non-combustion flavor sticks have been known that are heated without combustion during use to inhale flavor derived from a flavor source. One type of flavor stick is known, which includes a flavor rod portion formed by filling the inside of a cigarette paper with flavor materials including a flavor source (e.g., tobacco material) and an aerosol-generating base material (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol), and a filter portion disposed on the downstream end of the flavor rod (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Special table 2019-518450 publication

[0004] Conventional non-combustion flavor sticks have room for improvement in terms of smoking taste or perceived volume of smoke.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology for improving the smoking taste or perceived smoke volume of a non-combustible flavor stick.

[0006] The technology disclosed herein is a non-combustion type flavor stick that is heated without combustion during use, and comprises: a flavor rod portion containing a flavor source and an aerosol-generating substrate; and a filter portion that is connected to and aligned coaxially with the flavor rod portion and has a mouthpiece on the downstream end side, and the filter portion has a side outlet hole that allows a portion of the aerosol flowing from the flavor rod portion side to flow out from the side of the filter portion to the outside.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a technique can be provided for improving the smoking taste or perceived amount of smoke in a non-combustible flavor stick.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a non-combustion type flavor stick according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of a non-combustion type flavor stick according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a non-combustion type flavor inhalation device. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a mode in which aerosol is discharged from the mouth end face and side outlet holes of the filter part of a non-combustion type flavor stick. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating one mode of side outlet holes in the filter part. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a non-combustion type flavor inhalation device.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the non-combustible flavor stick according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the technical scope of the invention unless otherwise specified.

[0010] <Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a non-burning flavor stick 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal structure of the non-burning flavor stick 1 according to an embodiment. The non-burning flavor stick 1 is used in a state attached to a non-burning flavor inhalation device 7 illustrated in FIG. 3. The non-burning flavor stick 1 can be freely inserted into and removed from a storage cavity 71 through an insertion port 71A of the non-burning flavor inhalation device 7. The non-burning flavor inhalation device 7 includes a heater 72 provided on the side of the storage cavity 71, and the heater 72 can generate heat when activated. The non-burning flavor inhalation device 7 heats the flavor rod portion 2 of the non-burning flavor stick 1 attached to the storage cavity 71 by the heat generated by the heater 72 without combustion. As a result, the aerosol containing flavor components produced by the non-burning flavor stick 1 can be inhaled by the user. Note that reference numeral 33 in FIG. 3 denotes a power supply unit that supplies operating power to the heater 72 to operate it. Reference numeral 34 denotes a control unit for controlling the power supplied to the heater 72. When the non-combustion flavor stick 1 is attached to the storage cavity 71 of the non-combustion flavor inhalation device 7, it is inserted into the storage cavity 71 through the insertion port 71A with the flavor rod portion 2 side leading.

[0011] The non-combustible flavor stick 1 includes a flavor rod portion 2, a cooling portion 3, a filter portion 4, and the like, which are aligned coaxially. The non-combustible flavor stick 1 has a cylindrical rod shape extending in one direction as a whole. The non-combustible flavor stick 1 shown in FIG. 1 has the flavor rod portion 2, the cooling portion 3, and the filter portion 4 aligned in this order from the front end (upstream end) to the rear end (downstream end), and these are connected together by being wound up with tipping paper 5. Reference numeral 10 denotes a mouthpiece that a smoker (user) holds in their mouth when smoking the non-combustible flavor stick 1. Reference numeral 11 denotes a front end portion located opposite the mouthpiece 10 in the axial direction of the non-combustible flavor stick 1. Note that when smoking the non-combustible flavor stick 1, aerosol (smoke) containing flavor components flows from the front end 11 toward the mouthpiece 10 in the axial direction of the non-combustible flavor stick 1. In this specification, the non-combustible flavor stick 1 will be described with the front end 11 side as the upstream end and the mouthpiece 10 side as the downstream end, based on the flow direction of the aerosol (smoke). In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the non-combustible flavor stick 1 has a substantially constant diameter over its entire length in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) from the mouthpiece 10 along the front end 11. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the flavor rod portion 2, cooling portion 3, and filter portion 4 are each illustrated as a single segment, but each portion may be composed of a single segment or multiple segments.

[0012] [Tipping Paper] The material of the tipping paper 5 is not particularly limited, and can be paper made from general plant fiber (pulp), a sheet using polymer-based chemical fiber (polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, etc.), a polymer-based sheet, metal foil, or a composite material combining these. For example, the tipping paper 5 can be made from a composite material in which a polymer-based sheet is bonded to a paper base material. Note that the tipping paper 5 here refers to, for example, a sheet material for interconnecting multiple segments in the non-combustible flavor stick 1 by winding them together.

[0013] [Flavor Rod Section] The flavor rod section 2 is a rod member containing a flavor source and an aerosol-generating substrate. The flavor source may include, for example, tobacco raw material. As an example, the flavor rod section 2 is formed by wrapping a tobacco filler 21 containing tobacco raw material and an aerosol-generating substrate in cigarette paper 22. The tobacco raw material contained in the tobacco filler 21 may include tobacco shreds, tobacco granules, reconstituted tobacco material, etc., and the tobacco filler 21 may contain a combination of these. Of course, these are only examples of tobacco raw materials. The flavor rod section 2 may also contain a non-tobacco plant filler made from a plant other than tobacco (a non-tobacco plant) as a flavor source. Examples of non-tobacco plants include clove, eucalyptus, star anise, dill, ginger, rosemary, chamomile, cumin, and oregano. Alternatively, a paper substrate carrying a flavoring may be used as the non-tobacco plant filler.

[0014] The aerosol-generating substrate contained in the flavor rod portion 2 is a substance that generates an aerosol when the volatile substance that is volatilized and released is cooled. The type of aerosol-generating substrate is not particularly limited, and extracts from various natural products can be appropriately selected depending on the application. Examples of aerosol-generating substrates include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof. The tobacco filler 21 may also contain a flavoring. The type of flavoring is not particularly limited.

[0015] [Cigarette Paper] The cigarette paper 22 is a sheet material for wrapping the tobacco filler 21. There are no particular restrictions on its composition, and a common one can be used. For example, the base paper used for the cigarette paper 22 can be cellulose fiber paper, and more specifically, hemp, wood, or a mixture thereof. The basis weight of the base paper in the cigarette paper 22 is not particularly limited.

[0016] [Cooling Section] The cooling section 3 is coaxially aligned and connected to the downstream end of the flavor rod section 2. When the non-combustible flavor stick 1 is inhaled (used), vapor (volatile substances) emitted from the flavor rod section 2 (tobacco filler 21) flows downstream along the cooling section 3. The vapor emitted from the flavor rod section 2 (tobacco filler 21) is cooled in the cooling section 3 to form an aerosol inhaled by the user. The cooling section 3 is not particularly limited as long as it has the function of cooling the vapor generated by heating the flavor rod section 2. For example, a cardboard tube formed into a cylindrical shape can be cited as an example. When the cooling section 3 is formed using such a paper tube, the inside of the paper tube has a hollow passage, and the vapor emitted from the flavor rod section 2 (tobacco filler 21) can be cooled by contact with the air within the hollow passage. Of course, various forms of the cooling section 3 can be adopted as long as it has the function of cooling the vapor emitted from the flavor rod section 2 by heating the flavor rod section 2.

[0017] 1 and 2, an air intake hole 30 is provided on the side of the cooling section 3, allowing external air to be introduced into the cooling section 3. When the non-combustible flavor stick 1 is inhaled, external air is introduced into the cooling section 3 through the air intake hole 30. The air introduced into the cooling section 3 through the air intake hole 30 is mixed with the steam flowing from the flavor rod section 2 side (upstream), thereby efficiently cooling the steam. Furthermore, the steam containing the aerosol-generating base material and flavor components is cooled by the air introduced into the cooling section 3 through the air intake hole 30, causing it to condense. This promotes aerosol generation and enables the size of the aerosol particles to be controlled. However, the cooling section 3 does not necessarily have to have the air intake hole 30.

[0018] Furthermore, the number and positions of the air intake holes 30 in the cooling section 3 are not particularly limited. While FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the air intake holes 30 are arranged near the front end (upstream end) of the cooling section 3 in the axial direction of the cooling section 3, this is merely an example. However, by arranging the air intake holes 30 near the front end (upstream end) in the axial direction of the cooling section 3 in this manner, it is expected that the cooling of the steam flowing in from the flavor rod section 2 can be further promoted. Furthermore, the cooling section 3 typically has a plurality of air intake holes 30. In this embodiment, for example, a plurality of air intake holes 30 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cooling section 3. Furthermore, the group of air intake holes 30 arranged in a ring shape at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cooling section 3 may be formed in multiple rows (multiple stages) along the axial direction of the cooling section 3.

[0019] The inner surface of the cardboard tube that forms the cooling section 3 may be coated with a polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol or a polysaccharide such as pectin. By doing so, the cooling effect of the steam can be increased by utilizing the heat absorption of the coating and the heat of solution that accompanies the phase change. A heat-absorbing agent may be disposed inside the cardboard tube in the cooling section 3 so as not to interfere with the flow of steam or aerosol flowing from the upstream side.

[0020] [Filter Section] The filter section 4 has a mouthpiece 10 at its rear end and is the segment located at the very end of the non-combustible flavor stick 1. The filter section 4 is not particularly limited as long as it functions as a general filter. For example, an acetate filter using cellulose acetate tow as the filter material 41 and wrapped in a filter wrapper (winding paper) 42 in a cylindrical shape can be used. The single yarn fineness and total fineness of the cellulose acetate tow are not particularly limited. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the filter section 4 is composed of a single segment, but the filter section 4 may also be composed of multiple segments. When the filter section 4 is composed of multiple segments, for example, a hollow filter such as a center hole may be disposed on the upstream side (on the flavor rod section 2 and cooling section 3 side) as the upstream segment, and an acetate filter with a mouthpiece cross section filled with cellulose acetate tow may be disposed on the downstream side (on the mouthpiece 10 side). According to this embodiment, unnecessary loss of the generated aerosol can be prevented and the appearance of the non-combustible flavor stick 1 can be improved. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of changing the sensation of the draw and the comfort of holding the stick in the mouth, an acetate filter may be disposed upstream (toward the flavor rod portion 2 and cooling portion 3) and a hollow filter such as a center hole may be disposed downstream (toward the mouthpiece 10). Furthermore, instead of cellulose acetate tow, the filter portion 4 may use other alternative filters, such as a paper filter filled with sheet-like pulp paper as the filtering material 41. Typical functions of the filter in the filter portion 4 include, for example, adjusting the amount of air mixed in when inhaling the aerosol, reducing flavor, reducing nicotine and tar, etc., but it is not necessary for the filter to have all of these functions.

[0021] [Side Outlet Holes] The filter section 4 has side outlet holes 6 for allowing a portion of the aerosol flowing from the upstream side (the flavor rod section 2 and cooling section 3 side) to flow out from the side of the filter section 4. The side outlet holes 6 are formed, for example, by openings penetrating the tipping paper 5 and the filter wrapper (wrap) 42, and function to discharge a portion of the aerosol flowing through the filter section 4 to the outside without passing through the end face 10A of the mouthpiece 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "mouthpiece end face"). In the axial direction of the filter section 4, the side outlet holes 6 are located closer to the mouthpiece 10 (mouthpiece end face 10A). The number of side outlet holes 6 in the filter section 4 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, multiple side outlet holes 6 are formed on the side of the filter section 4. In this embodiment, multiple side outlet holes 6 are arranged in a ring shape at intervals around the circumferential direction of the filter section 4. The shape of the side outlet holes 6 is not particularly limited, but the side outlet holes 6 may be formed, for example, as circular openings. When the side outlet holes 6 are arranged in a ring shape on the side surface of the filter part 4 as described above, a plurality of the side outlet holes 6 may be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the filter part 4 .

[0022] According to the non-combustion flavor stick 1 configured as described above, the aerosol containing flavor components generated by heating the flavor rod portion 2 with the non-combustion flavor inhalation device flows out not only from the mouthpiece end surface 10A of the mouthpiece 10 of the filter portion 4 but also from the side outlet holes 6 provided on the side of the filter portion 4, and can be supplied into the smoker's oral cavity.

[0023] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the manner in which aerosol is discharged from the mouthpiece end surface 10A and side outlet holes 6 of the filter portion 4 of the non-combustible flavor stick 1. The symbol AS1 in Figure 4 conceptually indicates the aerosol that flows out from the mouthpiece end surface 10A of the filter portion 4 when the non-combustible flavor stick 1 is inhaled. The aerosol indicated by AS1 flows out from the filter portion 4 mainly in the direction of the axis (rod axis) X1 of the non-combustible flavor stick 1 (filter portion 4), and is therefore referred to below as the "axially outflowing aerosol." The symbol AS2 conceptually indicates the aerosol that flows out from the side outlet holes 6 of the filter portion 4 when the non-combustible flavor stick 1 is inhaled. The aerosol indicated by AS2 flows out from the filter portion 4 mainly in the direction of the side (radial direction) of the non-combustible flavor stick 1 (filter portion 4), and is therefore referred to below as the "laterally outflowing aerosol."

[0024] Here, the direction in which the axially outflow aerosol AS1 flows out of the filter section 4 through the mouthpiece end face 10A is referred to as the "first aerosol outflow direction" and is indicated by the symbol D1. On the other hand, the direction in which the sideward outflow aerosol AS2 flows out of the filter section 4 through the side outflow holes 6 is referred to as the "second aerosol outflow direction" and is indicated by the symbol D2. The second aerosol outflow direction D2 intersects with the first aerosol outflow direction D1 (rod axis X1), and typically they are substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0025] Because the smoker inhales the non-combustible flavor stick 1 while holding the mouthpiece 10 of the filter portion 4 in their mouth, the first aerosol outflow direction D1, in which the axial outflow aerosol AS1 is directed, tends to be directed toward the smoker's throat. In contrast, the second aerosol outflow direction D2, in which the lateral outflow aerosol AS2 is directed, intersects with or is substantially perpendicular to the first aerosol outflow direction D1, as described above. Therefore, the lateral outflow aerosol AS2 that flows out through the lateral outflow holes 6 easily spreads within the oral cavity, making the smoking taste even smoother and improving the smoking experience.

[0026] Furthermore, the laterally outflowing aerosol AS2 that flows out of the filter unit 4 through the side outlet holes 6 is discharged to the outside without being filtered in the section downstream of the side outlet holes 6 in the axial direction of the filter unit 4 (i.e., between the side outlet holes 6 and the mouthpiece end face 10A). As a result, the laterally outflowing aerosol AS2 is filtered to a relatively smaller extent than the axially outflowing aerosol AS1. As a result, the non-combustible flavor stick 1 according to this embodiment can further improve the perceived amount of smoke compared to when all of the aerosol is allowed to flow out from the mouthpiece end face 10A (i.e., compared to conventional non-combustible flavor sticks). In other words, the non-combustible flavor stick 1 can further improve the smoking taste and perceived amount of smoke compared to conventional methods.

[0027] Next, the characteristics of the side outlet holes 6 in the non-combustible flavor stick 1 will be described.

[0028] The side outlet holes 6 of the non-combustible flavor stick 1 are preferably located closer to the mouthpiece end face 10A than a position 8 mm from the mouthpiece end face 10A in the axial direction of the filter unit 4. In other words, the side outlet holes 6 are preferably located within 8 mm from the mouthpiece end face 10A in the axial direction of the filter unit 4. Because the side outlet holes 6 have a certain area, more specifically, the distal ends 6A (see FIG. 4 ), which are the farthest points from the mouthpiece end face 10A in the axial direction of the filter unit 4, are preferably located within 8 mm from the mouthpiece end face 10A. By locating the side outlet holes 6 in such a position, the side outlet holes 6 are less likely to be blocked by the lips when the mouthpiece 10 of the filter unit 4 is held in the mouth, making it possible to more reliably introduce the aerosol into the oral cavity through the side outlet holes 6 during inhalation. If the filter unit 4 has multiple side outlet holes 6 and includes side outlet holes 6 arranged at different positions in the axial direction, it is preferable that the side outlet hole 6 located most upstream in the axial direction of the filter unit 4 is located closer to the mouth end face 10A than a position 8 mm from the mouth end face 10A. In other words, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the side outlet hole 6 located most upstream in the axial direction of the filter unit 4 (more specifically, the distal end 6A of the side outlet hole 6 located most upstream) is located within 8 mm from the mouth end face 10A in the axial direction of the filter unit 4. In this way, it is less likely that all of the side outlet holes 6 will be blocked by the lips when the non-combustible flavor stick 1 is inhaled.

[0029] Next, the flow rate ratio of the aerosol flowing out from the side outlet holes 6 of the non-combustible flavor stick 1 will be described. When the non-combustible flavor stick 1 is inhaled, the total flow rate of the aerosol flowing out from the side outlet holes 6 in the filter portion 4 and the mouthpiece end face 10A is defined as the "total aerosol flow rate QA," and the flow rate of the aerosol flowing out from the side outlet holes 6 is defined as the "side aerosol flow rate QB." It is preferable that the flow rate ratio RF of the side aerosol flow rate QB to the total aerosol flow rate QA (RF = QB / QA) be greater than 50%. Here, when the non-combustible flavor stick 1 has multiple side outlet holes 6, the side aerosol flow rate QB is the sum of the flow rates of the aerosol flowing out from each of the side outlet holes 6. A flow rate ratio RF of more than 50% means that, when the non-combustible flavor stick 1 is inhaled, the flow rate (total amount, if there are multiple side outlet holes 6) of the aerosol (lateral outflow aerosol AS2) flowing out from the side outlet holes 6 is relatively greater than the amount of aerosol (axial outflow aerosol AS1) flowing out from the mouthpiece end face 10A of the filter portion 4. In this way, by configuring the flow rate of the lateral outflow aerosol AS2 to be greater than the flow rate of the axial outflow aerosol AS1, the effects of improving the smoking taste and the perceived volume of smoke when the non-combustible flavor stick 1 is inhaled become even more pronounced.

[0030] In the non-combustible flavor stick 1, it is preferable that the airflow resistance VR2 at the side outlet holes 6 is smaller than the airflow resistance VR1 in the section downstream of the side outlet holes 6 in the axial direction of the filter unit 4 (hereinafter referred to as the "side outlet hole downstream section SD"). In the filter unit 4, by making the airflow resistance VR2 at the side outlet holes 6 relatively smaller than the airflow resistance VR1 in the side outlet hole downstream section SD, the aerosol flow rate ratio RF described above is more likely to exceed 50%. In other words, it is possible to easily achieve a non-combustible flavor stick 1 in which the aerosol flow rate ratio RF is greater than 50%. Note that when the non-combustible flavor stick 1 has multiple side outlet holes 6, the airflow resistance VR2 means the sum of the airflow resistance values ​​at all of the side outlet holes 6.

[0031] As described above, from the perspective of making the airflow resistance VR2 at the side outlet holes 6 relatively small compared to the airflow resistance VR1 in the side outlet hole downstream section SD, in other words, from the perspective of making the flow rate ratio RF of the aerosol side outflow amount QB to the aerosol total flow rate QA when the non-combustible flavor stick 1 is inhaled greater than 50%, it is preferable that the position of the side outlet holes 6 in the axial direction of the filter part 4 is not excessively close to the mouthpiece end face 10A. If the side outlet holes 6 are too close to the mouthpiece end face 10A in the axial direction of the filter part 4, it becomes difficult to make the airflow resistance VR2 at the side outlet holes 6 relatively small compared to the airflow resistance VR1 in the side outlet hole downstream section SD, and the flow rate ratio RF is likely to be less than 50%.

[0032] Considering the position of the side outlet holes 6 from the above viewpoint, the side outlet holes 6 are preferably positioned at a distance of 2 mm or more, and more preferably 3 mm or more, from the mouthpiece end face 10A in the axial direction of the filter section 4. More specifically, the proximal end 6B (see FIG. 4 ), which is the point of the side outlet holes 6 closest to the mouthpiece end face 10A in the axial direction of the filter section 4, is preferably positioned at a distance of 2 mm or more, and even more preferably 3 mm or more, from the mouthpiece end face 10A in the axial direction of the filter section 4. This effectively prevents the side outlet holes 6 from being blocked when the smoker (user) bites the mouthpiece 10, for example. This also makes it easier to increase the airflow resistance VR2 at the side outlet holes 6 relative to the airflow resistance VR1 in the side outlet hole downstream section SD. In other words, it becomes easy to design a non-combustible flavor stick 1 having the flow rate ratio RF greater than 50%, making it easier to provide a non-combustible flavor stick 1 with excellent smoking taste and smoke volume. Note that the flow rate ratio RF of the aerosol side outflow amount QB to the aerosol total flow rate QA during inhalation of the non-combustible flavor stick 1 is more preferably 60% or more, and even more preferably 70% or more.

[0033] Furthermore, if the designed position of the side outlet hole 6 in the axial direction of the filter part 4 is too close to the mouthpiece end face 10A, there is a risk of reducing the manufacturability of the non-combustible flavor stick 1. Therefore, from the perspective of the manufacturability of the non-combustible flavor stick 1, it is preferable that the side outlet hole 6 (more specifically, the proximal end 6B of the side outlet hole 6) be located at a position 0.5 mm or more away from the mouthpiece end face 10A in the axial direction of the filter part 4.

[0034] Furthermore, when the filter unit 4 is provided with multiple side outlet holes 6, the preferred lower limit for the distance between the side outlet hole 6 and the mouthpiece end face 10A refers to the distance between the side outlet hole 6 located most downstream (closer to the mouthpiece end face 10A) in the axial direction of the filter unit 4 and the mouthpiece end face 10A. That is, from the perspective of ensuring that the flow rate ratio RF of the aerosol side outflow amount QB during inhalation of the non-combustible flavor stick 1 is greater than 50%, it is preferable that the proximal end 6B of the side outlet hole 6 located most downstream in the filter unit 4 be positioned 2 mm or more, and more preferably 3 mm or more, from the mouthpiece end face 10A in the axial direction of the filter unit 4. Furthermore, from the perspective of the manufacturability of the non-combustible flavor stick 1, it is preferable that the proximal end 6B of the side outlet hole 6 located most downstream in the filter unit 4 be positioned 0.5 mm or more from the mouthpiece end face 10A in the axial direction of the filter unit 4.

[0035] In this embodiment, when the side outlet holes 6 are arranged in a ring shape at intervals in the circumferential direction of the filter section 4, one or more rows of ring-shaped groups of side outlet holes 6 may be provided. That is, although Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment in which a ring-shaped group of side outlet holes 6 is provided in one row on the side surface of the filter section 4, the ring-shaped group of side outlet holes 6 may be formed in multiple rows (multiple stages).

[0036] Furthermore, the method for forming the side outlet holes 6 in the filter portion 4 is not particularly limited, and they may be formed by laser processing, for example. Of course, the method is not limited to laser processing, and the side outlet holes 6 may be formed in the filter portion 4 using, for example, a mechanical method of pressing holes with a needle-shaped toothed punch or an electrical method using corona discharge. Furthermore, when forming the side outlet holes 6 in the filter portion 4, when forming holes in the tipping paper 5 and the filter wrapper (rolling paper) 42, openings of a predetermined depth may also be formed in the surface of the filter material 41 located inside the tipping paper 5 and the filter wrapper (rolling paper) 42. In other words, openings of a predetermined depth may be formed in the filter material 41 along the radial direction of the filter material 41 so as to be continuous with the openings penetrating the tipping paper 5 and the filter wrapper (rolling paper) 42. Of course, the side outlet holes 6 may be formed by openings formed so as to penetrate the tipping paper 5 and the filter wrapper (rolling paper) 42 without providing openings in the filter material 41 in the filter portion 4.

[0037] The side outlet holes 6 are preferably formed as openings having a depth of 0.5 mm or more and 2 mm or less from the surface of the filter portion 4. In this case, the side outlet holes 6 may be configured to include a first opening penetrating the tipping paper 5 and the filter wrapper (wrap) 42 and a second opening formed in the filter material 41 so as to communicate with the first opening. The second opening may be a recess extending from the surface of the filter material 41 to a depth partway in the radial direction. By specifying the opening depth of the side outlet holes 6 as described above, the aerosol flowing through the filter portion 4 can be suitably guided to the side outlet holes 6. As a result, the outflow of the aerosol from the side outlet holes 6 into the oral cavity can be promoted.

[0038] The side outlet holes 6 may also extend in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the filter section 4. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing one embodiment of the side outlet holes 6 in the filter section 4. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the outer opening end 61 of the side outlet holes 6, located on the surface of the filter section 4, is located closer to the mouthpiece end face 10A in the axial direction of the filter section 4 than the inner opening end 62 opposite the outer opening end 61. Here, reference numeral 63 denotes a first opening portion of the side outlet hole 6. The first opening portion 63 constitutes a part of the side outlet hole 6 and is an opening that penetrates the tipping paper 5 and the filter wrapper (wrap paper) 42. Reference numeral 64 denotes a second opening portion of the side outlet hole 6. The second opening portion 64 constitutes a part of the side outlet hole 6 and is an opening formed as a recess extending from the surface of the filter medium 41 to a depth in the radial direction. As shown in Figure 5, the outer opening end 61 of the side outlet hole 6 is positioned downstream of the inner opening end 62 in the axial direction of the filter part 4, which makes it possible to preferably encourage the aerosol flowing out from the side outlet hole 6 to be diffused throughout the oral cavity.

[0039] Various other modifications can be applied to the non-combustible flavor stick 1. For example, another segment may be further connected to the front stage of the flavor rod portion 2 of the non-combustible flavor stick 1. For example, a plug segment including a cylindrical plug material and a wrapper around which the plug material is wrapped may be coaxially connected to the front end of the flavor rod portion 2. The plug material of the plug segment may be, for example, a member formed by molding cellulose acetate fibers into a cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the plug material may be a paper filter in which sheet-like pulp paper is packed inside the wrapper.

[0040] Furthermore, the non-combustion flavor inhalation device 7 shown in FIG. 3 is described as an example of a so-called external heating type device in which the flavor rod portion 2 inserted into the storage cavity 71 is heated from the outer periphery by a heater 72 arranged on the side of the storage cavity 71. However, the heating type of the inhalation device used when inhaling the non-combustion flavor stick 1 is not particularly limited. For example, inhalation may be performed using a non-combustion flavor inhalation device 7A of an internal heating type that heats the flavor rod portion 2 from the center side of the cross section, as shown in FIG. 6. Reference numeral 72A shown in FIG. 6 is an internal heater extending from the bottom surface of the storage cavity 71 in the axial direction of the cavity. The internal heater 72A can have various shapes, such as a blade shape or a pin shape. By operating the internal heater 72A while it is inserted into the flavor rod portion 2, the flavor rod portion 2 can be heated from the center side of the cross section.

[0041] Of course, the non-combustion flavor inhalation device is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 , and may be, for example, a microwave heating type or an induction heating (IH) type. A non-combustion flavor inhalation device employing a microwave heating type may be, for example, a device in which the internal heater 72A shown in FIG. 6 is replaced with an antenna that emits microwaves. By operating the antenna that emits microwaves while inserted into the flavor rod portion 2, the flavor rod portion 2 can be heated from the center side of its cross section. Note that when the non-combustion flavor stick 1 is applied to a non-combustion flavor inhalation device employing the internal heating type or microwave heating type shown in FIG. 6 , an insertion cavity for inserting the internal heater 72A or antenna may be formed in advance in the flavor rod portion 2 (tobacco filler 21). This insertion cavity is preferably formed as a through-hole or a non-through-hole recess that opens at the front end surface of the flavor rod portion 2 (tobacco filler 21) and extends along the axial direction of the flavor rod portion 2.

[0042] A non-combustion flavor inhalation device that employs an induction heating system includes an induction coil that generates a high-frequency alternating magnetic field. The non-combustion flavor stick 1 can heat the tobacco filler 21 by, for example, embedding a heating element called a susceptor in the tobacco filler 21 of the flavor rod portion 2, which generates heat when the induction coil is activated.

[0043] The present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments, but only by the claims. Furthermore, each aspect disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be combined with any other aspect disclosed in this specification.

[0044] The following supplementary notes are provided with respect to the above embodiments. (Supplementary Note 1) A non-combustion flavor stick that is heated during use without combustion, comprising: a flavor rod portion containing a flavor source and an aerosol-generating substrate; and a filter portion that is coaxially aligned and connected to the flavor rod portion and has a mouthpiece on its downstream end, wherein the filter portion has side outlet holes that allow a portion of the aerosol flowing from the upstream side to flow out from a side surface of the filter portion. (Supplementary Note 2) A non-combustion flavor stick according to Supplementary Note 1, in which the ratio of the flow rate of the aerosol flowing out from the side outlet holes to the total flow rate of the aerosol flowing out from the side outlet holes and the end face of the mouthpiece is greater than 50%. (Supplementary Note 3) A non-combustion flavor stick according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, in which the airflow resistance at the side outlet holes is smaller than the airflow resistance in a section downstream of the side outlet holes in the axial direction of the filter portion. (Appendix 4) A non-burning flavor stick according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the side outlet holes are formed as openings having a depth of 0.5 mm or more and 2 mm or less from the surface of the filter section. (Appendix 5) A non-burning flavor stick according to Appendices 4, wherein the side outlet holes extend in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the filter section, and wherein the outer opening ends of the side outlet holes located on the surface of the filter section are located closer to the end face of the mouthpiece in the axial direction of the filter section than the inner opening ends opposite the outer opening ends. (Appendix 6) A non-burning flavor stick according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5, wherein the filter section has a plurality of the side outlet holes. (Appendix 7) A non-burning flavor stick according to Appendices 6, wherein the filter section is provided with one or more rows of groups of a plurality of the side outlet holes arranged in a ring shape at intervals in the circumferential direction of the filter section. (Supplementary Note 8) A non-combustible flavor stick according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, wherein the side outlet hole is provided closer to the end face of the mouthpiece than a position 8 mm from the end face of the mouthpiece in the axial direction of the filter part. (Supplementary Note 9) A non-combustible flavor stick according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the side outlet hole is provided at a position 2 mm or more away from the end face of the mouthpiece in the axial direction of the filter part.(Supplementary Note 10) A non-combustion flavor stick according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein, when the filter section has a plurality of side outlet holes, the side outlet hole located most upstream in the axial direction of the filter section is provided closer to the end face of the mouthpiece than a position 8 mm from the end face of the mouthpiece. (Supplementary Note 11) A non-combustion flavor stick according to Supplementary Note 9, wherein, when the filter section has a plurality of side outlet holes, the side outlet hole located most downstream in the axial direction of the filter section is provided at a position 2 mm or more away from the end face of the mouthpiece. (Supplementary Note 12) A non-combustion flavor stick according to any of Supplements 1 to 11, further comprising a cooling section connected coaxially to the downstream end of the flavor rod section and configured to cool vapor generated in the flavor rod section, the filter section being arranged downstream of the cooling section.

[0045] 1: Non-burning flavor stick 2: Flavor rod part 3: Cooling part 4: Filter part 5: Tipping paper 6: Side outlet hole

Claims

1. A non-combustion type flavor stick that is heated without combustion during use, comprising: a flavor rod portion containing a flavor source and an aerosol-generating substrate; and a filter portion that is coaxially aligned and connected to the flavor rod portion and has a mouthpiece on its downstream end, wherein the filter portion has side outlet holes that allow a portion of the aerosol flowing from the upstream side to flow out from the side of the filter portion.

2. A non-combustible flavor stick according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the flow rate of the aerosol flowing out from the side outlet holes to the total flow rate of the aerosol flowing out from the side outlet holes and the end face of the mouthpiece is greater than 50%.

3. A non-combustible flavor stick according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the airflow resistance at the side outlet holes is smaller than the airflow resistance in a section downstream of the side outlet holes in the axial direction of the filter part.

4. A non-combustible flavor stick according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the side outlet holes are formed as openings having a depth of 0.5 mm or more and 2 mm or less from the surface of the filter part.

5. A non-combustible flavor stick according to claim 4, wherein the side outlet holes extend in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the filter section, and the outer opening ends of the side outlet holes located on the surface of the filter section are located closer to the end face of the mouthpiece in the axial direction of the filter section than the inner opening ends opposite the outer opening ends.

6. A non-combustible flavor stick according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the filter portion has a plurality of the side outlet holes.

7. A non-combustible flavor stick according to claim 6, wherein the filter section is provided with one or more rows of groups of a plurality of the side outlet holes arranged in a ring shape at intervals in the circumferential direction of the filter section.

8. A non-combustible flavor stick according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the side outlet hole is located closer to the end face of the mouthpiece than a position 8 mm from the end face of the mouthpiece in the axial direction of the filter part.

9. A non-combustible flavor stick according to claim 8, wherein the side outlet hole is provided at a position 2 mm or more away from the end face of the mouthpiece in the axial direction of the filter part.

10. A non-combustible flavor stick according to claim 8, wherein, when the filter section has a plurality of side outlet holes, the side outlet hole located most upstream in the axial direction of the filter section is located closer to the end face of the mouthpiece than a position 8 mm from the end face of the mouthpiece.

11. A non-combustible flavor stick according to claim 9, wherein, when the filter section has a plurality of side outlet holes, the side outlet hole located most downstream in the axial direction of the filter section is provided at a position 2 mm or more away from the end face of the mouthpiece.

12. A non-combustible flavor stick according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a cooling section that is coaxially aligned and connected to the downstream end of the flavor rod section and that cools the vapor generated by the flavor rod section, and the filter section is located downstream of the cooling section.

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