Flavor inhalation article

Abstract

A flavor inhalation article 1 comprises: a flavor source 10 that generates an aerosol by being heated by a heating source; a flow path formation body 20 that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows; and an exterior body 60 that accommodates the flow path formation body 20. The flow path formation body 20 forms a flow path so that the aerosol flows in a first direction in the longitudinal direction and in a second direction which is opposite the first direction.

Description

Flavor suction article

[0001] The present disclosure relates to flavor inhalation articles.

[0002] The non-combustion heating stick described in Patent Document 1 comprises a tobacco portion having an aerosol source containing tobacco, a cooling portion that generates aerosol by cooling the vapor generated when the tobacco portion is heated by a heating element, and a filter portion that allows the aerosol to pass through.

[0003] WO2023 / 084770

[0004] In the non-combustion heating stick described in Patent Document 1, the tobacco section, cooling section, and filter section each have a single function and are arranged in series in the longitudinal direction of the stick, resulting in a large longitudinal size. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a flavor inhalation article that is small in longitudinal size.

[0005] The present disclosure, which has been completed with respect to the above object, provides a flavor inhalation article comprising: a flavor source that generates an aerosol when heated by a heat source; a flow path former that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows; and an exterior body that houses the flow path former, wherein the flow path former forms the flow path so that the aerosol flows in a first direction in the longitudinal direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. Here, the flow path former may divide the space within the exterior body in a cross direction that intersects the longitudinal direction, and may have a communicating passage formed therein that connects adjacent divided spaces so that the aerosol can circulate between the adjacent spaces. Furthermore, the flow path former may have a sheet-like partition portion that divides the space within the exterior body, and the communicating passage may be a through hole or a notch formed in the partition portion. The exterior body may have an outer circumferential portion that covers the periphery of the flow path forming body in the intersecting direction, a first blocking portion that blocks one end of the outer circumferential portion in the longitudinal direction and has an inlet hole through which air flows in, and a second blocking portion that blocks the other end of the outer circumferential portion in the longitudinal direction. The outer circumferential portion may have an outlet hole that discharges the aerosol to the outside at a position corresponding to the flow path. The second blocking portion may have an outlet hole that discharges the aerosol to the outside at a position corresponding to the flow path. The flow path forming body may be a folded plant-based ingredient sheet. The flavor source may be a plant-based ingredient sheet, the flow path forming body may be a sheet of paper, and the flavor source and the flow path forming body may be laminated. The heating source may be a susceptor disposed in the center of the flow path forming body, and heat may be generated by a magnetic field generated by an electromagnetic induction source constituted by a coiled conductor disposed around the exterior body. The susceptor may be a flat plate parallel to the longitudinal direction, the flow path forming body may have partitions on both sides of the susceptor that partition the space within the exterior body, and the susceptor and the partitions may be in surface contact. The air permeability of the flow path forming body may be 0 to 32,000 Coresta units.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a flavor inhalation article having a small longitudinal size can be provided.

[0007] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a flavor inhalation article according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting the flavor inhalation article according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the interior of the exterior body of the flavor inhalation article according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is an example of a cross section taken along the IV-IV section of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the general configuration of an inhalation device; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol flow path in the flavor inhalation article; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the general configuration of a modified exterior body; FIG. 8 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting the flavor inhalation article according to a second embodiment; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the general configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to a third embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the general configuration of a flavor inhalation article and an inhalation device using the flavor inhalation article according to a fourth embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the general configuration of an inhalation device using the flavor inhalation article according to a fifth embodiment; FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the general configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to a sixth embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the general configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to a seventh embodiment; FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the general configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to an eighth embodiment.

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

[0009] <First embodiment> Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the interior of an exterior body 60 of the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a view in which a first blocking section 80 is omitted. Fig. 4 is a view showing an example of a cross section of section IV-IV in Fig. 1. The flavor inhalation article 1 includes a flavor source 10 that generates an aerosol when heated by a heat source, a flow path forming body 20 that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows, a susceptor 50, and an exterior body 60 that houses the flavor source 10, the flow path forming body 20, and the susceptor 50.

[0010] The flavor inhalation article 1 has a general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the rectangular flavor inhalation article 1, which is perpendicular to the up-and-down direction in Fig. 1, may be simply referred to as the "longitudinal direction," and the lateral direction of the rectangular flavor inhalation article 1 may be simply referred to as the "lateral direction." The left and right sides of Fig. 1 in the lateral direction may be referred to as the "first side" and the "second side," respectively. Furthermore, the left and right sides of Fig. 1 in the longitudinal direction may be referred to as the "third side" and the "fourth side," respectively.

[0011] (Flavor source 10) The flavor source 10 can be, for example, a plant-based raw material sheet formed into a sheet using a plant-based raw material such as tobacco plants, including tobacco leaves, or non-tobacco plants, by a known method such as papermaking, slurrying, rolling, or extraction.

[0012] In the case of papermaking, it can be produced by a method including the following steps: 1) Crushing a plant-based raw material (e.g., dried tobacco leaves) and extracting it with water to separate it into an aqueous extract and a residue; 2) Concentrating the aqueous extract by drying under reduced pressure; 3) Adding pulp to the residue, fiberizing it in a refiner, and then making paper; 4) Adding a concentrated aqueous extract to the paper-made sheet and drying it to make a plant-based raw material sheet.

[0013] In the case of the slurry method, the product can be produced by a method including the following steps: 1) mixing water, pulp, and a binder with crushed plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves); 2) spreading (casting) the mixture thinly and drying it. In this case, a step of irradiating the slurry containing the water, pulp, and binder with the crushed plant material with ultraviolet light or X-rays to remove some of the components such as nitrosamines may be added. In the case of the rolling method, the mixture of water, pulp, and a binder with the crushed plant material is spread under pressure and dried.

[0014] The extraction method can be carried out in a known manner, and examples thereof include the following methods: 1) a method in which a plant material (e.g., tobacco material) is subjected to extraction using a medium to obtain a plant extract (e.g., tobacco extract); 2) a method in which a medium is added to a plant material, heating the material, and collecting the generated vapor; and 3) a method in which the medium vaporized by heating is passed through the plant material and the vapor after passing is collected. Examples of the medium include water, hydrophilic organic solvents such as alcohol, and combinations of these, but the medium is preferably water or contains water. In method 1), it is preferable to use water as the medium from the viewpoint of workability, etc. Furthermore, in methods 2) and 3), it is preferable to use an alcohol such as glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, or ethanol as the medium from the viewpoint of work efficiency.

[0015] Alternatively, the flavor source 10 may be a nonwoven plant-derived raw material sheet manufactured by a method including the following steps: 1) mixing a powdered plant-derived raw material (e.g., tobacco leaves) with a binder; 2) sandwiching the mixture between nonwoven fabrics; and 3) forming the laminate into a fixed shape by heat welding to obtain a nonwoven plant-derived raw material sheet.

[0016] The type of tobacco used as tobacco leaves from tobacco plants is not particularly limited. Examples include flue-cured tobacco, burley, oriental tobacco, native tobacco, other Nicotiana tabacum varieties, Nicotiana rustica varieties, and mixtures thereof. Mixtures can be used by appropriately blending varieties to achieve the desired flavor. The type of non-tobacco plant is not particularly limited. Examples of non-tobacco plants include mint and herbs. Furthermore, the plant material may be a mixture of tobacco and non-tobacco plants.

[0017] The composition of the flavor source 10 is not particularly limited. For example, the content of the plant-derived material is preferably 50% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less, based on the total mass of the flavor source 10. The flavor source 10 may also contain a binder, and examples of such binders include guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, and sodium salts of carboxymethyl cellulose. The amount of the binder is preferably 1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, based on the total mass of the flavor source 10. The flavor source 10 may further contain other additives. Examples of additives include fillers such as pulp.

[0018] A polyol such as glycerin, propylene glycol, or 1,3-butanediol may be added to the flavor source 10. The amount of polyol added to the flavor source 10 is preferably 5% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, and more preferably 15% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less, based on the dry mass of the flavor source 10.

[0019] The flavor source 10 may be a laminate of multiple plant-based raw material sheets. Two or more plant-based raw material sheets may all have the same composition or physical properties, or some or all of the plant-based raw material sheets may have different compositions or physical properties. The thickness of each plant-based raw material sheet may be the same or different. While there are no limitations on the thickness of each plant-based raw material sheet, a thickness of 150 μm to 1000 μm is preferred, and a thickness of 200 μm to 600 μm is more preferred, considering the balance between heat transfer efficiency and strength.

[0020] The flavor source 10 may also contain a flavoring. The type of flavoring is not particularly limited, and menthol is particularly preferred from the viewpoint of imparting a good flavor. The flavoring may be used alone or in combination of two or more types. When the inhalation device 100 (described below) in which the flavor inhalation article 1 is used is a medical inhaler, the flavor source 10 may contain a medicine to be inhaled by the patient. The flavoring source 10 may also be a carrier such as paper carrying a flavoring.

[0021] (Flow path forming body 20) The flow path forming body 20 can be, for example, a sheet of paper. In the flavor inhalation article 1, a plant-derived raw material sheet serving as the flavor source 10 and paper serving as the flow path forming body 20 are laminated to form a laminate 25 that has a flavor source that generates an aerosol and forms a flow path through which the generated aerosol flows. The plant-derived raw material sheet serving as the flavor source 10 and the paper serving as the flow path forming body 20 may or may not be bonded together. Furthermore, if they are bonded together, they may be bonded together entirely or partially.

[0022] (Laminate 25) The laminate 25 has a first laminate 30 provided on the first side and a second laminate 40 provided on the second side. The first laminate 30 has three partitions, a first partition 31, a second partition 32, and a third partition 33, that are parallel to the vertical and longitudinal directions and that divide the space within the exterior body 60 in the short direction. The first partition 31, the second partition 32, and the third partition 33 are provided in this order from the center of the laminate 25 in the short direction to the end on the first side.

[0023] The first laminate 30 also has a first connection portion 34 that connects a lower end of the first partition portion 31 to a lower end of the second partition portion 32, and a second connection portion 35 that connects an upper end of the second partition portion 32 to an upper end of the third partition portion 33. The first connection portion 34 and the second connection portion 35 are parallel to each other in the short-side direction and the long-side direction.

[0024] A first through hole 36 that penetrates the second partition 32 is formed in a lower portion of the second partition 32 at the end on the fourth side. Furthermore, a second through hole 37 that penetrates the third partition 33 is formed in an upper portion of the third partition 33 at the end on the third side. The shapes of the first through hole 36 and the second through hole 37 when viewed in the short direction are not particularly limited. For example, the shapes of the first through hole 36 and the second through hole 37 can be a circle, an ellipse, or a rectangle.

[0025] The first laminate 30 is formed by laminating the flavor source 10 and the flow path forming body 20 so that the surface of the first partition section 31 facing the susceptor 50 is the flavor source 10 .

[0026] The second stack 40 is made of the same material as the first stack 30 and is arranged point-symmetrically to the first stack 30 when viewed in the longitudinal direction. That is, the second stack 40 has a first partition 41, a second partition 42, and a third partition 43, which correspond to the first partition 31, the second partition 32, and the third partition 33, respectively, of the first stack 30. The second stack 40 also has a first connection portion 44 and a second connection portion 45, which correspond to the first connection portion 34 and the second connection portion 35, respectively, of the first stack 30. The second partition 42 has a first through hole 46 formed therein, which corresponds to the first through hole 36 of the first stack 30, and the third partition 43 has a second through hole 47 formed therein, which corresponds to the second through hole 37 of the first stack 30.

[0027] In the second stack 40, a first connection portion 44 is provided in the upper portions of the first partition portion 41 and the second partition portion 42, and a second connection portion 45 is provided in the lower portions of the second partition portion 42 and the third partition portion 43. The first through hole 46 is formed in the upper portion of the second partition portion 42 at the fourth end, and the second through hole 47 is formed in the lower portion of the third partition portion 43 at the third end. In the second stack 40, the flavor source 10 and the flow path forming body 20 are stacked such that the surface of the first partition portion 41 facing the susceptor 50 is the flavor source 10.

[0028] (Susceptor 50) The susceptor 50 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The size of the susceptor 50 in the short direction is smaller than the size of the susceptor 50 in the up-down and long directions. The susceptor 50 is disposed between the first stack 30 and the second stack 40, with the first side surface of the susceptor 50 contacting the first partition 31 of the first stack 30 and the second side surface of the susceptor 50 contacting the first partition 41 of the second stack 40. The susceptor 50 may be bonded to the first stack 30 and the second stack 40 with an adhesive or the like. The susceptor 50 is formed of a magnetic material. Examples of the magnetic material include iron and ferritic stainless steel.

[0029] (Exterior body 60) The exterior body 60 has a rectangular cylindrical portion 70 that covers the periphery of both vertical and lateral ends of the laminate 25. The exterior body 60 also has a first closing portion 80 that closes the opening on the third side of the cylindrical portion 70 and covers the region of the laminate 25 on the third side, and a second closing portion 90 that closes the opening on the fourth side of the cylindrical portion 70 and covers the region of the laminate 25 on the fourth side.

[0030] The cylindrical portion 70 has a first side portion 71 which is a first side portion, a second side portion 72 which is a second side portion, a lower side portion 73 which connects the lower end of the first side portion 71 with the lower end of the second side portion 72, and an upper side portion 74 which connects the upper end of the first side portion 71 with the upper end of the second side portion 72. The size between the two inner surfaces in the short direction of the cylindrical portion 70 is larger than the short direction sizes of the stack 25 and the susceptor 50 which are arranged inside. A first gap 75 is formed between the first side portion 71 and the third partition portion 33 of the first stack 30, and a second gap 76 is formed between the second side portion 72 and the third partition portion 43 of the second stack 40. The longitudinal size of the cylindrical portion 70 is the same as the longitudinal size of the stack 25.

[0031] The first blocking portion 80 is flat, and has a central hole 81 formed in the center in the short side direction, which is a through-hole that allows communication between the inside and outside of the exterior body 60. The position of the central hole 81 in the short side direction is on the second side of the second partition portion 32 of the first laminate 30 and on the first side of the second partition portion 42 of the second laminate 40. The shape of the central hole 81 is not particularly limited. Examples of the central hole 81 include a circle, an ellipse, and a rectangle.

[0032] The second closing portion 90 is flat, and has a first hole 91, which is a through-hole that allows communication between the inside and outside of the exterior body 60, formed at an end on the first side. The first hole 91 is located on the first side of the third partition portion 33 of the first stack 30, and is formed at a position corresponding to the first gap 75. The second closing portion 90 also has a second hole 92, which is a through-hole that allows communication between the inside and outside of the exterior body 60, formed at an end on the second side. The second hole 92 is located on the second side of the third partition portion 43 of the second stack 40, and is formed at a position corresponding to the second gap 76.

[0033] The exterior body 60 may be formed using a heat-resistant resin material, cardboard, or the like. The cylindrical portion 70, the first closing portion 80, and the second closing portion 90 may be formed using different materials or the same material. The cylindrical portion 70 and the first closing portion 80, and the cylindrical portion 70 and the second closing portion 90 may be joined by adhesion, welding, or the like.

[0034] The cylindrical portion 70 can be integrally molded using a resin material by, for example, injection molding, or can be integrally molded by rolling a sheet of cardboard. When rolling a sheet of cardboard, for example, both ends of the cardboard can be overlapped and glued together to form a cylindrical shape. When the cylindrical portion 70 is integrally molded, the laminate 25 and the susceptor 50 can be inserted through the opening on the third or fourth side of the cylindrical portion 70, and then the first blocking portion 80 and the second blocking portion 90 can be joined to the cylindrical portion 70, thereby manufacturing the flavor inhalation article 1.

[0035] The cylindrical portion 70, the first closing portion 80, and the second closing portion 90 may be molded by pulp molding, for example, pulp injection. The cylindrical portion 70 does not have to be integrally formed. For example, the first side portion 71, the second side portion 72, and the lower portion 73 may be integrally molded, and the upper portion 74 may be molded separately and then joined together. In such a case, the laminate 25 and the susceptor 50 may be placed on the lower portion 73 of the integrally molded first side portion 71, second side portion 72, and lower portion 73, and then the upper portion 74 may be joined to the first side portion 71 and the second side portion 72, thereby manufacturing the flavor inhalation article 1.

[0036] The laminate 25 and the exterior body 60 may be joined with an adhesive or the like. For example, the first connecting portion 34 of the first laminate 30 may be joined to the lower portion 73 of the tubular portion 70 of the exterior body 60. The second connecting portion 45 of the second laminate 40 may be joined to the lower portion 73 of the tubular portion 70. The second connecting portion 35 of the first laminate 30 may be joined to the upper portion 74 of the tubular portion 70. The first connecting portion 44 of the second laminate 40 may be joined to the upper portion 74 of the tubular portion 70. The third end portions of the first laminate 30 and the second laminate 40 may be joined to the first closing portion 80 of the exterior body 60. The fourth end portions of the first laminate 30 and the second laminate 40 may be joined to the second closing portion 90 of the exterior body 60.

[0037] The corners of the laminate 25 shown in Figure 2 and elsewhere may be arc-shaped. For example, while Figure 2 shows the connection between the first partition 31 and the first connection 34 as a right angle, the first partition 31 and the first connection 34 may be connected in an arc-shaped manner. Similarly, the connection between the first connection 34 and the second partition 32, the connection between the second partition 32 and the second connection 35, and the connection between the second connection 35 and the third partition 33 may also be arc-shaped. The connection between the first partition 41 and the first connection 44, the connection between the first connection 44 and the second partition 42, the connection between the second partition 42 and the second connection 45, and the connection between the second connection 45 and the third partition 43 may also be arc-shaped.

[0038] (Usage of flavor inhalation article 1) FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the inhalation device 100. The flavor inhalation article 1 is used in a non-combustion heating type inhalation device 100. The inhalation device 100 generates an aerosol by heating the flavor inhalation article 1 by induction heating (IH (Induction Heating)). The inhalation device 100 includes a power supply unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a storage unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, an electromagnetic induction source 130, a holding unit 140, and a mouthpiece 150. In the inhalation device 100, the user inhales the flavor inhalation article 1 while it is held in the holding unit 140. Each component will be described below in order.

[0039] The power supply unit 111 stores power. The power supply unit 111 supplies power to each component of the suction device 100. The power supply unit 111 may be configured, for example, by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. The power supply unit 111 may be charged by being connected to an external power source via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. The power supply unit 111 may also be charged using wireless power transmission technology while not being connected to a power transmitting device. Alternatively, the power supply unit 111 may be detachable from the suction device 100 and may be replaceable with a new power supply unit 111.

[0040] The sensor unit 112 detects various types of information related to the suction device 100. The sensor unit 112 then outputs the detected information to the control unit 116. As an example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor. When the sensor unit 112 detects a value associated with the user's suction, it outputs information indicating that the user has performed suction to the control unit 116. As another example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with an input device such as a button or switch that accepts information input from the user. In particular, the sensor unit 112 may include a button that instructs the start / stop of aerosol generation. The sensor unit 112 then outputs the information input by the user to the control unit 116. As another example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the susceptor 50. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the susceptor 50 based on, for example, the electrical resistance value of the electromagnetic induction source 130. The sensor unit 112 may detect the temperature of the flavor inhalation article 1 held by the holding unit 140 based on the temperature of the susceptor 50 .

[0041] The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. As an example, the notification unit 113 is configured with a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In this case, the notification unit 113 emits light in different light-emitting patterns when the power supply unit 111 needs charging, when the power supply unit 111 is charging, when an abnormality has occurred in the inhalation device 100, and so on. The light-emitting pattern here is a concept that includes color, timing of turning on / off, and so on. The notification unit 113 may be configured with a display device that displays images, a sound output device that outputs sound, a vibration device that vibrates, and so on, together with or instead of the light-emitting device. Alternatively, the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information indicating that inhalation is possible. The information indicating that inhalation is possible is notified when the temperature of the flavor inhalation article 1, which is heated by electromagnetic induction, reaches a predetermined temperature.

[0042] The storage unit 114 stores various types of information for the operation of the suction device 100. The storage unit 114 is configured, for example, by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory. One example of the information stored in the storage unit 114 is information related to the OS (Operating System) of the suction device 100, such as the control details of various components by the control unit 116. Another example of the information stored in the storage unit 114 is information related to suction by the user, such as the number of suctions, the time of suction, and the cumulative suction time.

[0043] The communication unit 115 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the suction device 100 and other devices. The communication unit 115 performs communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of such communication standards include a wireless local area network (LAN), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). As one example, the communication unit 115 transmits information about the user's suction to a smartphone to display the information about the user's suction on the smartphone. As another example, the communication unit 115 receives new OS information from a server to update the OS information stored in the storage unit 114.

[0044] The control unit 116 functions as a calculation processing unit and a control device, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116 is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. The control unit 116 may also include a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs and calculation parameters to be used, as well as a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing parameters that change as needed. The suction device 100 executes various processes under the control of the control unit 116. Examples of processes controlled by the control unit 116 include power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the other components, charging of the power supply unit 111, detection of information by the sensor unit 112, notification of information by the notification unit 113, storage and retrieval of information by the memory unit 114, and transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 115. Other processes executed by the suction device 100, such as input of information to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 116.

[0045] The holding portion 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the flavor inhalation article 1 while accommodating the flavor inhalation article 1 in the internal space 141. The holding portion 140 has an opening 142 that connects the internal space 141 to the outside and holds the flavor inhalation article 1 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142. For example, the holding portion 140 is a cylindrical body with a bottom 143 as its bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141. The holding portion 140 is configured so that the inner two-face width is smaller than the two-face width of the flavor inhalation article 1 in at least a portion of the center line direction of the cylindrical body, and can hold the flavor inhalation article 1 by compressing the flavor inhalation article 1 inserted into the internal space 141 from the outside. An air inlet, which is an inlet for air into the flavor inhalation article 1, is located, for example, in the bottom 143. On the other hand, an air outlet, which is an outlet for air from the flow path, is the opening 142. The air inlet hole may be an opening 142, and the air flowing in from the opening 142 may pass through the side of the flavor inhalation article 1, flow around to the bottom 143, and then be supplied into the flavor inhalation article 1.

[0046] The electromagnetic induction source 130 heats the susceptor 50 by electromagnetic induction. The electromagnetic induction source 130 is, for example, configured with a coil-shaped conductor and arranged so as to be wound around the outer periphery of the holding unit 140. The electromagnetic induction source 130 generates a magnetic field when an alternating current is supplied from the power supply unit 111. The electromagnetic induction source 130 is arranged at a position where the generated magnetic field overlaps with the internal space 141 of the holding unit 140. Therefore, when a magnetic field is generated while the flavor inhalation article 1 is held in the holding unit 140, an eddy current is generated in the susceptor 50, generating Joule heat. The aerosol source contained in the flavor inhalation article 1 is then heated and atomized by this Joule heat, generating an aerosol. As an example, when a predetermined user input is detected by the sensor unit 112, power may be supplied and an aerosol may be generated. When the temperature of the flavor inhalation article 1, which has been induction-heated by the susceptor 50 and the electromagnetic induction source 130, reaches a predetermined temperature, the user can inhale the flavor inhalation article 1. Thereafter, power supply may be stopped when a predetermined user input is detected by the sensor unit 112. As another example, power may be supplied and aerosol may be generated during a period in which the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has inhaled.

[0047] Mouthpiece 150 is a member that is held in the mouth by the user when inhaling. Mouthpiece 150 has air outlet holes 151. By holding mouthpiece 150 in the mouth and inhaling, the user can take the aerosol into the oral cavity.

[0048] (Operation of Flavor Inhalation Article 1 and Inhalation Device 100) In the inhalation device 100, a user inserts the flavor inhalation article 1 into the internal space 141 of the holding part 140, which is inside the electromagnetic induction source 130, from the first blocking part 80 side, and uses the electromagnetic induction source 130 to perform induction heating, thereby enabling the aerosol to be inhaled. More specifically, when a user inhales, the flavor source 10 contained in the flavor inhalation article 1 is heated, and the vapor generated therefrom comes into contact with, for example, air flowing in through gaps in the device housing, causing the vapor to cool and liquefy, thereby generating an aerosol. The air flowing in through gaps in the device housing flows in through air inlet holes formed in the bottom 143 and into the exterior body 60 of the flavor inhalation article 1. The aerosol then flows out of the exterior body 60, passes through the opening 142 of the holding part 140, and the mouthpiece 150, and enters the user's oral cavity.

[0049] 6 is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol flow path in the flavor inhalation article 1. In the flavor inhalation article 1, first, steam mainly generated from the flavor source 10 near the susceptor 50 comes into contact with air flowing in from the central hole 81 of the first blocking portion 80 to generate an aerosol, which flows outward along the shape of the laminate 25.

[0050] 6 , the aerosol generated in the first space 21 formed by the first partition 31, the second partition 32, the first connecting portion 34, and the exterior body 60 (see FIG. 2 ) of the first laminate 30 passes through the first through-hole 36 formed in the second partition 32 and flows into the second space 22 formed by the second partition 32, the third partition 33, the second connecting portion 35 (see FIG. 2 ), and the exterior body 60. The aerosol that has flowed into the second space 22 passes through the second through-hole 37 formed in the third partition 33, flows into the first gap 75, and then flows out of the flavor inhalation article 1 through the first hole 91 formed in the second blocking portion 90.

[0051] 6 , the aerosol generated in the third space 23 formed by the first partition 41, the second partition 42, the first connecting portion 44 (see FIG. 2 ) of the second laminate 40, and the exterior body 60 (see FIG. 2 ) passes through the first through-hole 46 formed in the second partition 42, and flows into the fourth space 24 formed by the second partition 42, the third partition 43, the second connecting portion 45, and the exterior body 60. The aerosol that has flowed into the fourth space 24 passes through the second through-hole 47 formed in the third partition 43, flows into the second gap 76, and then passes through the second hole 92 formed in the second blocking portion 90 to flow out of the flavor inhalation article 1.

[0052] As described above, in the flavor inhalation article 1, the aerosol advances to the fourth side in the longitudinal direction within the first space 21 and the third space 23, and then advances to the third side in the longitudinal direction through the first through hole 36 and the first through hole 46. After advancing to the third side in the longitudinal direction, the aerosol passes through the second through hole 37 and the second through hole 47, advances to the fourth side in the longitudinal direction, and flows out of the flavor inhalation article 1 through the first hole 91 and the second hole 92 formed in the second blocking portion 90.

[0053] In this way, in the flavor inhalation article 1, the flow path length can be made longer compared to a configuration in which the aerosol simply flows toward the fourth side in the longitudinal direction and then flows out to the outside (hereinafter, this may be referred to as the "comparative configuration"). Therefore, in the flavor inhalation article 1, the aerosol is cooled more before flowing out of the flavor inhalation article 1 compared to the comparative configuration. Therefore, for example, there is no need to provide a member for cooling the fluid flowing out of the flavor inhalation article 1 downstream of the flavor inhalation article 1. As a result, the longitudinal size of the flavor inhalation article 1 can be made smaller than in a configuration in which, for example, a member for cooling the fluid flowing out of the flavor inhalation article 1 is provided downstream of the flavor inhalation article 1.

[0054] Furthermore, in the flavor inhalation article 1, as the aerosol flows through the flow path, heat from the upstream side is transferred to the downstream side laminate 25. Furthermore, the aerosol generated on the upstream side of the flow path is sorbed by the downstream side laminate 25. Therefore, high aerosol delivery can be achieved in the latter half of one session when the downstream side laminate 25 becomes hot.

[0055] Here, the flavor inhalation article 1 can be exemplified as having an aspect ratio defined by the following mathematical formula (1) of 1 or more and 3 or less: Aspect ratio = h / w (1) In mathematical formula (1), h is the size of the flavor inhalation article 1 in the longitudinal direction, and w is the size of the flavor inhalation article 1 in the lateral direction.

[0056] The longitudinal size h of the flavor inhalation article 1 can be, for example, 8 mm or more and 20 mm or less. The longitudinal size h is preferably 15 mm or less, and more preferably 10 mm or less. This is because the flavor inhalation article 1 can be made compact. The lateral size w of the flavor inhalation article 1 can be, for example, 6 mm or more and 20 mm or less. The lateral size w is preferably 15 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or less, and even more preferably 8 mm or less. From the viewpoint of cooling performance, a larger lateral size w is preferable, but from the viewpoint of making the flavor inhalation article 1 compact, a smaller lateral size w is preferable.

[0057] The longitudinal air resistance of the flavor inhalation article 1 is 100 mmH ２ For example, the pressure should be 80 mmH or less, and preferably 80 mmH ２ 0 or less, and more preferably 60 mmH ２ The longitudinal air resistance of the flavor inhalation article 1 is 8 mmH or less. ２ For example, the pressure is 10 mmH or more, and preferably 10 mmH ２ 0 or more, more preferably 12 mmH ２ 0 or more. The longitudinal airflow resistance of the flavor inhalation article 1 is measured in accordance with the ISO standard method (ISO 6565) using, for example, a filter airflow resistance measuring device manufactured by Cerulean Co., Ltd. The airflow resistance of the flavor inhalation article 1 refers to the air pressure difference between the third side and the fourth side when air is allowed to flow at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc / sec) from the third side to the fourth side in a state where no air permeates the side surfaces of the flavor inhalation article 1. The unit is generally mmH. ２ It is represented by O.

[0058] The air permeability of the laminate 25 can be, for example, 0 Coresta units or more and 32,000 Coresta units or less (in other words, 0 to 32,000 Coresta units), and is preferably 0 Coresta units or more and 10,000 Coresta units or less. Furthermore, in the case of a laminate 25 with low air permeability, it is preferably 0 Coresta units or more and 80 Coresta units or less. Here, "air permeability" is a value measured in accordance with ISO2965:2009, and is the value of air permeability measured at an area of ​​1 cm per minute when the differential pressure between both sides of the paper is 1 kPa. ２ Flow rate of gas passing through (cm ３ 1 C.U. is expressed as cm under 1 kPa. ３ / (min cm ２ The packing ratio of the laminate 25 can be, for example, 17 to 36%. The packing density of the laminate 25 can be, for example, 0.15 to 0.3 g / cm. ３ It can be exemplified that:

[0059] As described above, the flavor inhalation article 1 includes the flavor source 10 that generates an aerosol when heated by the susceptor 50, which is an example of a heating source, the flow path former 20 that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows, and the exterior body 60 that houses the flow path former 20. The flow path former 20 forms a flow path so that the aerosol flows in a first direction in the longitudinal direction (e.g., a direction toward the fourth side in FIG. 6 ) and a second direction opposite to the first direction (e.g., a direction toward the third side in FIG. 6 ).

[0060] According to the flavor inhalation article 1 configured as above, it is possible to increase the length of the flow path within the exterior body 60 compared to a configuration in which the aerosol simply flows toward the fourth side in the longitudinal direction and then flows out to the outside, and therefore there is no need to provide a member for cooling the fluid downstream of the flavor inhalation article 1, for example. As a result, it is possible to make the size of the flavor inhalation article 1 in the longitudinal direction smaller than, for example, a configuration in which a member for cooling is provided downstream of the flavor inhalation article 1.

[0061] Here, the flow path forming body 20 divides the space inside the exterior body 60 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction (for example, the short direction), and has a communication path (for example, the first through-hole 36) that connects adjacent divided spaces (for example, the first space 21 and the second space 22) so that the aerosol can flow between them. This makes it possible to reliably lengthen the flow path inside the exterior body 60.

[0062] In the flavor inhalation article 1, the flow path forming body 20 has a sheet-like partition (e.g., the first partition 31) that partitions the space within the exterior body 60, and the communication path is a through hole (e.g., the first through hole 36) formed in the partition (e.g., the first partition 31). This makes it possible to configure a communication path that communicates adjacent partitioned spaces (e.g., the first space 21 and the second space 22) simply by forming a through hole (e.g., the first through hole 36) in the partition (e.g., the first partition 31). Note that the communication path may not be a through hole, but may be a notch cut out in the longitudinal direction from an end of the partition (e.g., the fourth end of the first partition 31).

[0063] The outer casing 60 has a tubular portion 70 as an example of an outer peripheral portion that covers the periphery of the flow path forming body 20 in a transverse direction (e.g., the short direction, the up-down direction), a first blocking portion 80 that blocks one longitudinal end (e.g., the end on the third side) of the tubular portion 70 and has an inlet hole (e.g., a central hole 81) formed in the center through which air flows, and a second blocking portion 90 that blocks the other longitudinal end (e.g., the end on the fourth side) of the tubular portion 70.

[0064] In the flavor inhalation article 1, a discharge hole (e.g., first hole 91) for discharging the aerosol to the outside is formed in the second blocking portion 90 at a position corresponding to the first gap 75 as an example of a flow path. This makes it possible to discharge the aerosol to the outside from the opposite side (fourth side) in the longitudinal direction to the inlet hole (e.g., central hole 81) through which air flows in, and therefore makes it possible to reliably lengthen the flow path within the exterior body 60.

[0065] In the flavor inhalation article 1, the flavor source 10 is a plant-derived raw material sheet, the flow path forming body 20 is a sheet of paper, and the flavor source 10 and the flow path forming body 20 are laminated together. Therefore, even if the flavor source 10 is heated to generate an aerosol, contraction of the flavor source 10 is suppressed. As a result, the flow path through which the aerosol flows can be maintained with high accuracy from the initial stage to the later stage of heating.

[0066] In the flavor inhalation article 1, the heat source is a susceptor 50 arranged in the center of the flow path forming body 20, and heat is generated by a magnetic field generated by an electromagnetic induction source 130 composed of a coiled conductor arranged around the exterior body 60. The susceptor 50 is a flat plate parallel to the longitudinal direction, and the laminate 25 has partitions (e.g., first partitions 31 and 41) on each side of the susceptor 50 that partition the space within the exterior body 60, and the susceptor 50 and the partitions are in surface contact. This makes it possible to heat the flavor source 10 with high accuracy.

[0067] In the flavor inhalation article 1, the first laminate 30 and the second laminate 40 are made of the same material, but they do not have to be made of the same material. For example, the first laminate 30 and the second laminate 40 may have line-symmetric shapes when viewed in the longitudinal direction. However, by making the first laminate 30 and the second laminate 40 of the same material, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts.

[0068] Furthermore, in the flavor inhalation article 1, the first laminate 30 and the second laminate 40 each have three partitions, but the number of partitions is not limited. The number of partitions in the first laminate 30 and the second laminate 40 may be an odd number of 5 or more, or an even number of 2 or more. When the number of partitions in the first laminate 30 and the second laminate 40 is an even number, it is preferable that the central hole 81 through which air flows into the flavor inhalation article 1 and the first hole 91 and the second hole 92 through which air flows out from the flavor inhalation article 1 are located on the same side in the longitudinal direction.

[0069] (Modification of Exterior Body 60) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a modification of the exterior body 60. The discharge hole for discharging the aerosol from inside the exterior body 60 to the outside does not have to be formed in the second blocking portion 90. As shown in FIG. 7 , for example, a first hole 77 and a second hole 78 may be formed in the first side portion 71 and the second side portion 72 of the tubular portion 70, respectively, as discharge holes for discharging the aerosol to the outside. Furthermore, when the discharge holes for discharging the aerosol to the outside are formed in the first side portion 71 and the second side portion 72, it is preferable to form them at the end portion on the fourth side. This makes it possible to lengthen the flow path within the exterior body 60.

[0070] <Second embodiment> Fig. 8 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting a flavor inhalation article 2 according to a second embodiment. The flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in the flavor source 10 and the flow path forming body 20. Differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same components in the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] In the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, the flavor source 10 and the flow path forming body 20 form a laminate 25, but in the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment, a plant-based raw material sheet 225 functions as the flavor source 10 and flow path forming body 20 according to the first embodiment. In other words, the plant-based raw material sheet 225 is the same as the plant-based raw material sheet that forms the flavor source 10 according to the first embodiment, and the plant-based raw material sheet 225 also functions as a flow path forming body that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows. In other words, in the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, the flavor source 10 and the flow path forming body 20 are formed by two layers, a plant-based raw material sheet and a sheet of paper, but in the flavor inhalation article 2, the plant-based raw material sheet 225 alone forms the flavor source and the flow path forming body. The plant-based raw material sheet 225 may have the same thickness as the plant-based raw material sheet that forms the flavor source 10 according to the first embodiment, or may have the same thickness as the laminate 25 according to the first embodiment.

[0072] The plant-based ingredient sheet 225 has a first sheet 230 provided on a first side and a second sheet 240 provided on a second side. The first sheet 230 and the second sheet 240 correspond to the first laminate 30 and the second laminate 40, respectively.

[0073] The first sheet 230 has a first partition 231, a second partition 232, a third partition 233, a first connection 234, and a second connection 235, which correspond to the first partition 31, the second partition 32, the third partition 33, the first connection 34, and the second connection 35 of the first laminate 30, respectively. A first through hole 236 penetrating the second partition 232 is formed in the lower part of the second partition 232 at the fourth end, and a second through hole 237 penetrating the third partition 233 is formed in the upper part of the third partition 233 at the third end. The first through hole 236 and the second through hole 237 correspond to the first through hole 36 and the second through hole 37 of the first laminate 30, respectively.

[0074] The second sheet 240 has a first partition 241, a second partition 242, a third partition 243, a first connection 244, and a second connection 245, which correspond to the first partition 41, the second partition 42, the third partition 43, the first connection 44, and the second connection 45 of the second laminate 40, respectively. A first through hole 246 corresponding to the first through hole 46 of the second laminate 40 is formed in the second partition 242, and a second through hole 247 corresponding to the second through hole 47 of the second laminate 40 is formed in the third partition 243.

[0075] The air permeability of the plant-based raw material sheet 225 can be, for example, from 0 Coresta units to 32,000 Coresta units, and preferably from 0 Coresta units to 10,000 Coresta units. Furthermore, in the case of a plant-based raw material sheet 225 with low air permeability, it is preferably from 0 Coresta units to 80 Coresta units. The filling rate of the plant-based raw material sheet 225 can be, for example, from 17 to 36%. The packing density of the plant-based raw material sheet 225 can be, for example, from 0 to 36%. ３ It can be exemplified that:

[0076] As described above, the flavor inhalation article 2 includes a flavor source that generates an aerosol when heated by the susceptor 50, which is an example of a heat source, a plant-derived ingredient sheet 225, which is an example of a flow path former that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows, and an exterior body 60 that houses the plant-derived ingredient sheet 225. The plant-derived ingredient sheet 225 forms a flow path so that the aerosol flows in a first direction in the longitudinal direction (e.g., a direction toward the fourth side in FIG. 6 ) and a second direction opposite to the first direction (e.g., a direction toward the third side in FIG. 6 ).

[0077] In the flavor inhalation article 2, the plant-derived raw material sheet 225 is the flavor source, and functions as a flow path former that forms a flow path. In other words, the flow path former is the plant-derived raw material sheet 225 folded back. In the flavor inhalation article 2 configured as described above, as in the flavor inhalation article 1, the longitudinal size of the flavor inhalation article 2 can be made smaller than, for example, a configuration in which a cooling member is provided downstream of the flavor inhalation article 2.

[0078] <Third embodiment> Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article 3 according to a third embodiment. The flavor inhalation article 3 according to the third embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in that a susceptor 50 is provided at each end in the short side direction, and the first laminate 30 and the second laminate 40 are arranged differently. Furthermore, the flavor inhalation article 3 differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 in that an outer casing 360 corresponding to the outer casing 60 is different. Differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same components in the first and third embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] The flavor inhalation article 3 has two susceptors 50. The two susceptors 50 are disposed at both ends in the short side direction inside the cylindrical portion 70. Hereinafter, of the two susceptors 50, the susceptor 50 provided at the end on the first side will be referred to as the "first susceptor 51," and the susceptor 50 provided at the end on the second side will be referred to as the "second susceptor 52."

[0080] In the flavor inhalation article 3, the second laminate 40 is provided on the first side of the first laminate 30, and is arranged so that the second side surface of the first susceptor 51 contacts the first partition portion 41 of the second laminate 40 and the first side surface of the second susceptor 52 contacts the first partition portion 31 of the first laminate 30. A central gap 370 is formed between the third partition portion 33 of the first laminate 30 and the third partition portion 43 of the second laminate 40.

[0081] The exterior body 360 has a tubular portion 70, a first closing portion 380 corresponding to the first closing portion 80, and a second closing portion 390 corresponding to the second closing portion 90. A first hole 381, which is a through hole that allows communication between the inside and outside of the exterior body 360, is formed at the first end of the first closing portion 380. The first hole 381 is formed at a position corresponding to the gap between the first partition portion 41 and the second partition portion 42 of the second stack 40. Furthermore, a second hole 382, ​​which is a through hole that allows communication between the inside and outside of the exterior body 360, is formed at the second end of the first closing portion 380. The second hole 382 is formed at a position corresponding to the gap between the first partition portion 31 and the second partition portion 32 of the first stack 30.

[0082] The second blocking portion 390 has a central hole 391 formed in the center in the short side direction, which is a through-hole that allows communication between the inside and outside of the exterior body 360. The central hole 391 is formed at a position corresponding to the central gap 370. The shape of the central hole 391 is not particularly limited. Examples of the shape of the central hole 391 include a circle, an ellipse, and a rectangle.

[0083] (Operation of Flavor Inhalation Article 3 and Inhalation Device 100) A user can insert the flavor inhalation article 3 into the internal space 141 of the holding portion 140 and induce heating using the electromagnetic induction source 130 to bring the flavor inhalation article 3 into a state in which an aerosol can be inhaled. More specifically, vapor mainly generated from the flavor source 10 near the first susceptor 51 comes into contact with air flowing in from the first hole 381 of the first blocking portion 380, causing the temperature to drop and liquefy, generating an aerosol, which flows inward along the shape of the second stack 40. Furthermore, vapor mainly generated from the flavor source 10 near the second susceptor 52 comes into contact with air flowing in from the second hole 382 of the first blocking portion 380, generating an aerosol, which flows inward along the shape of the first stack 30. The aerosol that flows inward along the shape of the first laminate 30 and the aerosol that flows inward along the shape of the second laminate 40 flow out of the flavor inhalation article 3 through the central gap 370 and the central hole 391 of the second blocking portion 390.

[0084] As described above, in the flavor inhalation article 3, the aerosol advances to the fourth side in the longitudinal direction within the first space 21 and the third space 23, and then advances to the third side in the longitudinal direction through the first through hole 36 and the first through hole 46. After advancing to the third side in the longitudinal direction, the aerosol passes through the second through hole 37 and the second through hole 47, advances to the fourth side in the longitudinal direction, and flows out of the flavor inhalation article 3 through the central hole 391 formed in the second blocking portion 390.

[0085] In this way, the length of the aerosol flow path can be made longer in the flavor inhalation article 3 compared to the comparative configuration. As a result, the longitudinal size of the flavor inhalation article 3 can be made smaller than, for example, a configuration in which a member for cooling the fluid flowing out from the flavor inhalation article 3 is provided downstream of the flavor inhalation article 3.

[0086] In addition, the laminate 25 in the flavor inhalation article 3 may be replaced with the plant-derived material sheet 225 according to the second embodiment.

[0087] <Fourth embodiment> Fig. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the general configuration of a flavor inhalation article 4 according to a fourth embodiment and an inhalation device 400 that uses the flavor inhalation article 4. The flavor inhalation article 4 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in that it does not have a susceptor 50. Differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same components in the first and fourth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] The flavor inhalation article 4 according to the fourth embodiment is not a type of device that generates aerosol by using an electromagnetic induction source 130 to heat a susceptor 50 through electromagnetic induction, as in the inhalation device 100, but is used in an inhalation device 400 that has a self-heating heating unit 421 inside the holding unit 140. More specifically, the inhalation device 400 has the heating unit 421 that is disposed so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140 into the internal space 141 of the holding unit 140 and is configured in a blade shape from any material such as metal or polyimide. The flavor inhalation article 4 is attached to the inhalation device 400 so that the heating unit 421 is inserted between the first partition 31 of the first laminate 30 and the first partition 41 of the second laminate 40. When power is supplied from the power supply unit 111 and the heating unit 421 generates heat, the flavor source 10 contained in the flavor inhalation article 4 is heated from the inside and atomized, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0089] In addition, the plant-derived ingredient sheet 225 according to the second embodiment may be applied in place of the laminate 25 in the flavor inhalation article 4.

[0090] <Fifth embodiment> Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic example of the general configuration of an inhalation device 500 that uses a flavor inhalation article 5 according to a fifth embodiment. The flavor inhalation article 5 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 3 according to the third embodiment in that it does not have two susceptors 50. Differences from the third embodiment will be described below. The same components in the third and fifth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0091] The flavor inhalation article 5 according to the fifth embodiment is not a type of device that generates an aerosol by causing an electromagnetic induction source 130 to heat a susceptor 50 by electromagnetic induction, as in the inhalation device 100, but is used in an inhalation device 500 that has a heating unit 521 that generates heat itself and is located outside the holding unit 140. More specifically, the inhalation device 500 has the heating unit 521 that is provided on each of the first and second sides of the holding unit 140 and is made of a film-like material such as metal or polyimide. When the heating unit 521 generates heat by being supplied with power from the power source unit 111, the flavor source 10 included in the flavor inhalation article 5 is heated and atomized, and an aerosol is generated.

[0092] <Sixth embodiment> Fig. 12 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the general configuration of a flavor inhalation article 6 according to a sixth embodiment. In addition to the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, the flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment has a filter section 600 on a fourth side in the longitudinal direction of the flavor inhalation article 1, and also has tipping paper 650 that integrates the flavor inhalation article 1 and the filter section 600. Differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same components in the first and sixth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0093] [Filter section 600] The filter section 600 has a filter 610 through which the aerosol passes, and a wrapping paper 620 that is located between the filter 610 and the tipping paper 650 and wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the filter 610. The filter section 600 is wound up integrally with the flavor inhalation article 1 using the tipping paper 650. The wrapping paper 620 may not be provided.

[0094] The filter 610 functions to reduce, for example, nicotine and tar, as well as to reduce undesirable sensations such as irritation. Furthermore, the filter 610 may contain additives such as known flavors, such as menthol, adsorbents, granular activated carbon, and flavor retention agents. Examples of flavor retention agents include breakable flavor capsules. The filter 610 may be a plain filter including a single filter segment, or a multi-segment filter including multiple filter segments, such as a dual filter or triple filter. The filter 610 may be formed into a rectangular shape using a filler such as acetate, charcoal, cellulose fiber, nonwoven fabric, or pulp paper. Alternatively, a paper filter filled with pulp paper in sheet form may be used.

[0095] The wrapping paper 620 may have one or more rows of adhesive-containing seams. The adhesive may include a hot-melt adhesive, and the hot-melt adhesive may further include polyvinyl alcohol. The adhesive may also include a vinyl acetate adhesive. When the filter unit 600 is composed of two or more components, the wrapping paper 620 is preferably formed by wrapping each of these two or more components together with another wrapping paper. The material of the wrapping paper 620 is not particularly limited, and known materials may be used, and the wrapping paper 620 may contain a filler such as calcium carbonate. The wrapping paper 620 may be coated or uncoated, but is preferably coated with a desired material to provide functions other than strength and structural rigidity.

[0096] The shape of the wrapping paper 620 can be, for example, a square or a rectangle. When wrapping the filter 610 with the wrapping paper 620, for example, an end of the wrapping paper 620 and an end of the wrapping paper 620 on the opposite side are overlapped by about 2 mm in the circumferential direction and glued together to form a rectangular cylindrical paper tube in which the filter 610 is packed. The size of the wrapping paper 620 can be determined depending on the size of the filter part 600.

[0097] [Tipping Paper 650] The tipping paper 650 is wound around the outer periphery of the flavor inhalation article 1 and the filter section 600. The shape of the tipping paper 650 is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, square or rectangular. The basis weight of the tipping paper 650 is not particularly limited, but is usually 32 gsm or more and 60 gsm or less, preferably 33 gsm or more and 55 gsm or less, and more preferably 34 gsm or more and 53 gsm or less. The air permeability of the tipping paper 650 is not particularly limited, but is usually 0 Coresta units or more and 32,000 Coresta units or less, and preferably 0 Coresta units or more and 10,000 Coresta units or less. Furthermore, in the case of tipping paper 650 with low air permeability, it is preferably 0 Coresta units or more and 80 Coresta units or less. Here, "air permeability" is a value measured in accordance with ISO2965:2009, and is the value of the amount of air permeation per minute of an area of ​​1 cm when the differential pressure between both sides of the paper is 1 kPa. ２ Flow rate of gas passing through (cm ３ 1 C.U. is expressed as cm under 1 kPa. ３ / (min cm ２ )

[0098] The composition of the tipping paper 650 is not particularly limited and can be any common form, such as one containing pulp as the main component. Pulp may be made from wood pulp such as softwood pulp or hardwood pulp, or may be made by blending non-wood pulp commonly used in cigarette paper for tobacco products, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, or esparto. These pulps may be used alone or in any combination of two or more types in any ratio. Pulp forms include chemical pulp produced by kraft cooking, acidic, neutral, or alkaline sulfite cooking, soda cooking, ground pulp, chemi-ground pulp, and thermomechanical pulp. The tipping paper 650 may be produced by the above-mentioned production method or may be a commercially available product.

[0099] In addition to the materials mentioned above, the tipping paper 650 may contain fillers, such as metal carbonates such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, metal oxides such as titanium oxide, titanium dioxide and aluminum oxide, metal sulfates such as barium sulfate and calcium sulfate, metal sulfides such as zinc sulfide, quartz, kaolin, talc, diatomaceous earth, gypsum, etc. In particular, it is preferable that the tipping paper 650 contains calcium carbonate from the viewpoints of improving whiteness and opacity and increasing the heating rate. Furthermore, these fillers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0100] In addition to the materials and fillers described above, the tipping paper 650 may contain various auxiliary agents. For example, the tipping paper 650 may contain a water resistance improver to improve water resistance. Water resistance improvers include wet strength agents (WS agents) and sizing agents. Examples of wet strength agents include urea-formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin, polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), etc. Examples of sizing agents include rosin soap, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and highly saponified polyvinyl alcohol with a saponification degree of 90% or more.

[0101] A coating agent may be added to at least one of the two surfaces, the front and back surfaces, of the tipping paper 650. While there are no particular limitations on the coating agent, a coating agent capable of forming a film on the surface and reducing liquid permeability is preferred. The tipping paper 650 may also be coated with a cooling agent or a flavoring agent. A portion of the outer surface of the tipping paper 650 may be coated with a lip release material. The lip release material refers to a material configured to facilitate easy release of the tipping paper 650 from the lips without substantial adhesion when the user holds the filter portion 600 of the flavor inhalation article 6 in their mouth. The lip release material may include, for example, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, etc. For example, the outer surface of the tipping paper 650 may be coated with the lip release material by applying an ethyl cellulose-based or methyl cellulose-based ink to the outer surface of the tipping paper 650.

[0102] The flavor inhalation article 6 has the filter unit 600, which allows the user to inhale the aerosol by holding the filter unit 600 in their mouth. Therefore, the inhalation device 100 does not need to include the mouthpiece 150. Furthermore, in the flavor inhalation article 6, the flow path length can be made longer compared to the comparative configuration, so the aerosol can be cooled more effectively, and even if the filter unit 600 is included, the longitudinal size of the filter unit 600 can be made smaller.

[0103] The means for integrating the flavor suction article 1 and the filter portion 600 is not limited to the tipping paper 650. The flavor suction article 1 and the filter portion 600 may be joined together, for example, with an adhesive. Furthermore, the flavor suction article 2 according to the second embodiment to the flavor suction article 5 according to the fifth embodiment may each have the filter portion 600 and the tipping paper 650.

[0104] <Seventh embodiment> Fig. 13 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the overall configuration of a flavor inhalation article 7 according to the seventh embodiment. The flavor inhalation article 7 according to the seventh embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment in that it has a cooling section 730 between the flavor inhalation article 1 and the filter section 600, and that the tipping paper 650 integrates the flavor inhalation article 1, the filter section 600, and the cooling section 730. The following describes the differences from the sixth embodiment. The same components in the sixth and seventh embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0105] [Cooling Section 730] The cooling section 730 is disposed adjacent to the flavor inhalation article 1 and the filter section 600, and is formed by wrapping a sheet 731 around it so that a cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction has a hollow (in other words, a cavity) shape such as a rectangular tube. The cooling section 730 cools the aerosol flowing out of the flavor inhalation article 1. The cross section of the cooling section 730 is substantially rectangular, and its area can be changed as appropriate depending on the size of the product, but is preferably approximately the same as the cross section of the filter 610. The longitudinal size of the cooling section 730 can be changed as appropriate depending on the size of the product, but is typically 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more, and more preferably 15 mm or more. The longitudinal size of the cooling section 730 is typically 35 mm or less, preferably 30 mm or less, and more preferably 25 mm or less. The longitudinal size of the cooling section 730 preferably satisfies any combination of the above-mentioned lower and upper limits. By making the longitudinal size of the cooling section 730 equal to or greater than the above-mentioned lower limit, a sufficient cooling effect can be ensured to obtain a good flavor, and by making it equal to or less than the above-mentioned upper limit, losses due to the generated steam and aerosol adhering to the sheet 731 can be suppressed.

[0106] For example, the cooling unit 730 is a paper tube formed by winding a sheet 731 made of paper. Alternatively, the cooling unit 730 may be a paper tube formed by stacking a plurality of sheets 731 including at least paper. By stacking a plurality of sheets 731, the strength of the cooling unit 730 can be maintained even when the basis weight of each of the sheets 731 is small.

[0107] The thickness of the sheet 731 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, 50 μm to 500 μm, or 100 μm to 250 μm. The material of the sheet 731 is also not particularly limited and may be, for example, a material primarily composed of pulp, or a material primarily composed of any of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, cellulose acetate, and aluminum foil, or any combination thereof. The cooling section 730 is formed by rolling the sheet 731, but is not limited to this configuration as long as the cross section is hollow. The cooling section 730 may be formed, for example, from a tube made of synthetic resin or the like that already has a hollow cross section.

[0108] The cooling part 730 may be provided with a plurality of through-holes 732 (also referred to as "ventilation filters (Vf)" in the present technical field) in its circumferential direction. The through-holes 732 are holes that penetrate the sheet 731. Examples of the hole shapes include polygonal, rounded polygonal, circular, and elliptical. The through-holes 732 are present in an area where air can flow in from the outside of the flavor inhalation article 7, in other words, in an area that protrudes from the opening 142 when the flavor inhalation article 7 is held in the holding part 140 of the inhalation device 100.

[0109] The presence of the through-holes 732 makes it possible to adjust the concentration of the inhaled flavor components and aerosol. Furthermore, the presence of the plurality of through-holes 732 allows air to flow from the outside into the cooling section 730 during inhalation, thereby lowering the temperature of the steam and air flowing in from the flavor inhalation article 1. Furthermore, by providing the through-holes 732 in the cooling section 730 within a region 4 mm or more from the boundary between the cooling section 730 and the filter section 600 toward the cooling section 730 (third side), not only is the cooling capacity improved, but the retention of the substance (product) generated by heating in the cooling section 730 is suppressed, thereby improving the delivery amount of the product.

[0110] Furthermore, when the flavor inhalation article 7 is configured such that the flavor inhalation article 1, the cooling section 730, and the filter section 600 are wrapped with tipping paper 650, the tipping paper 650 preferably has an air hole formed in a position directly above the through-hole 732 formed in the cooling section 730. When producing such a flavor inhalation article 7, the tipping paper 650 may be prepared and wrapped with an air hole that overlaps the through-hole 732, but from the viewpoint of ease of production, it is preferable to produce a flavor inhalation article 7 that does not have a through-hole 732, and then open holes that pass through both the cooling section 730 and the tipping paper 650 at the same time.

[0111] The through-holes 732 are positioned so that the air inflow rate through the through-holes 732 is 10% by volume or more and 90% by volume or less when an automatic smoking machine is used to inhale at 17.5 ml / sec. This "air inflow rate" refers to the volumetric rate of air inflowing through the through-holes 732 when the volumetric rate of air inhaled from the mouth end is taken as 100% by volume. The air inflow rate is preferably 50% by volume or more and 80% by volume or less, and more preferably 55% by volume or more and 75% by volume or less. The air inflow rate can be measured using a roll quality measuring device (SODIMAX D74 / SODIM manufactured by S.A.S.) in accordance with a method conforming to ISO 9512.

[0112] The flavor suction article 2 according to the second embodiment to the flavor suction article 5 according to the fifth embodiment may have the filter section 600 , the tipping paper 650 , and the cooling section 730 .

[0113] <Eighth embodiment> Fig. 14 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the general configuration of a flavor inhalation article 8 according to an eighth embodiment. The flavor inhalation article 8 according to the eighth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 7 according to the seventh embodiment in that it has a tip portion 840 arranged on the third side of the flavor inhalation article 7, and that a tipping paper 650 integrates the flavor inhalation article 7 and the tip portion 840. Differences from the seventh embodiment will be described below. The same components in the seventh and eighth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0114] The tip portion 840 is a solid member that suppresses smoke leakage from the end face on the third side of the flavor inhalation article 7. The cross section of the tip portion 840 is substantially rectangular, and can be exemplified as having the same shape as the end portion on the third side of the flavor inhalation article 7. The tip portion 840 can be exemplified as a filter in which a filler such as cellulose acetate fiber, nonwoven fabric, or pulp paper is molded into a rectangular prism shape, or a paper filter filled with sheet-like pulp paper.

[0115] The tip portion 840 may have a function of guiding the air that has flowed in through the air inlet hole provided in the bottom 143 of the holding portion 140 of the inhalation device 100 only to a position that is on the second side of the second partition portion 32 of the first stack 30 and corresponds to a position on the first side of the second partition portion 42 of the second stack 40. When the tip portion 840 has this function, the flavor inhalation article 8 does not need to be provided with the first blocking portion 80.

[0116] The flavor suction article 2 according to the second embodiment to the flavor suction article 5 according to the fifth embodiment may have the filter portion 600 , the tip paper 650 , the cooling portion 730 , and the tip portion 840 .

[0117] <Summary> The present disclosure includes the following configurations. (1) A flavor inhalation article comprising: a flavor source that generates an aerosol when heated by a heat source; a flow path former that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows; and an exterior body that houses the flow path former, wherein the flow path former forms the flow path so that the aerosol flows in a first direction in the longitudinal direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. (2) The flavor inhalation article described in (1), wherein the flow path former partitions a space within the exterior body in a cross direction that intersects the longitudinal direction, and a communication passage is formed that connects adjacent partitioned spaces so that the aerosol flows between the adjacent spaces. (3) The flavor inhalation article described in (2), wherein the flow path former has a sheet-like partition portion that partitions the space within the exterior body, and the communication passage is a through-hole or a notch formed in the partition portion. (4) The flavor inhalation article according to (2), wherein the exterior body has an outer periphery covering the periphery of the flow path forming body in the cross direction, a first closing portion closing one end of the outer periphery in the longitudinal direction and having an inlet hole through which air flows in, and a second closing portion closing the other end of the outer periphery in the longitudinal direction. (5) The flavor inhalation article according to (4), wherein the outer periphery has an exhaust hole for exhausting the aerosol to the outside formed in a portion corresponding to the flow path. (6) The flavor inhalation article according to (4), wherein the second closing portion has an exhaust hole for exhausting the aerosol to the outside formed in a portion corresponding to the flow path. (7) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the flow path forming body is a folded plant-derived raw material sheet. (8) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the flavor source is a plant-derived raw material sheet, the flow path forming body is a sheet of paper, and the flavor source and the flow path forming body are laminated. (9) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the heat source is a susceptor disposed in the center of the flow path forming body, and an electromagnetic induction source constituted by a coiled conductor disposed around the exterior body generates a magnetic field to generate heat.(10) The flavor inhalation article according to (9), wherein the susceptor is a flat plate parallel to the longitudinal direction, the flow path forming body has partitions on both sides of the susceptor that partition the space within the exterior body, and the susceptor and the partitions are in surface contact. (11) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the air permeability of the flow path forming body is 0 to 32,000 Coresta units.

[0118] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8... flavor suction article, 10... flavor source, 20... flow path forming body, 25... laminate, 30... first laminate, 31, 41... first partition section, 32, 42... second partition section, 33, 43... third partition section, 36, 46... first through hole, 37, 47... second through hole, 40... second laminate, 50... susceptor, 60... outer casing, 70... cylindrical section, 77, 91... first hole, 78, 92... second hole, 80, 380... first closing section, 90, 390... second closing section, 100, 400, 500... suction device, 130... electromagnetic induction source, 225... plant-derived raw material sheet

Claims

1. A flavor inhalation article comprising: a flavor source that generates an aerosol when heated by a heat source; a flow path former that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows; and an exterior body that houses the flow path former, wherein the flow path former forms the flow path so that the aerosol flows in a first direction in the longitudinal direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1, wherein the flow path forming body divides the space within the exterior body in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and a communication passage is formed that connects adjacent divided spaces so that the aerosol can circulate between the adjacent spaces.

3. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 2, wherein the flow path forming body has a sheet-like partition section that partitions the space within the exterior body, and the communication passage is a through-hole or a notch formed in the partition section.

4. A flavor inhalation article as described in claim 2, wherein the exterior body has an outer periphery that covers the periphery of the flow path forming body in the cross direction, a first blocking portion that blocks one end of the outer periphery in the longitudinal direction and has an inlet hole through which air flows in, and a second blocking portion that blocks the other end of the outer periphery in the longitudinal direction.

5. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 4, wherein the outer periphery has a discharge hole formed at a position corresponding to the flow path for discharging the aerosol to the outside.

6. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 4, wherein the second blocking portion has a discharge hole formed in a portion corresponding to the flow path for discharging the aerosol to the outside.

7. The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the flow path forming body is a folded plant-based raw material sheet.

8. A flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the flavor source is a plant-based raw material sheet, the flow path forming body is a sheet of paper, and the flavor source and the flow path forming body are laminated.

9. A flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heat source is a susceptor arranged in the center of the flow path forming body, and heat is generated by an electromagnetic induction source consisting of a coiled conductor arranged around the outer casing, which generates a magnetic field.

10. A flavor inhalation article as described in claim 9, wherein the susceptor is a flat plate parallel to the longitudinal direction, the flow path forming body has partitions on both sides of the susceptor that partition the space within the outer casing, and the susceptor and the partitions are in surface contact.

11. The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the air permeability of the flow path forming body is 0 to 32,000 Coresta units.

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