Method for manufacturing tobacco granules

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing tobacco granules comprises spraying tobacco slurry into a fluidized bed reactor in which tobacco powder is fluidized, so as to manufacture tobacco granules, wherein the fluidized bed reactor can be of a bottom spray type.

Description

Method for manufacturing tobacco granules

[0001] The embodiments relate to a method for manufacturing tobacco granules, and more specifically, to a method for manufacturing tobacco granules with improved production efficiency.

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is an increasing demand for systems that generate aerosols by heating a cigarette (or 'aerosol generating article') using an aerosol generating device, rather than by burning a cigarette to generate an aerosol.

[0003] An aerosol generating article may include at least one aerosol generating rod, and the aerosol generating rod may include an aerosol generating substrate impregnated with a liquid non-tobacco substance and / or a solid tobacco substance. The tobacco substance may be included in the aerosol generating rod in various forms, such as tobacco sticks, granules, or powder.

[0004] Tobacco granules can be spherical particles of a certain size. Tobacco granules can be manufactured by introducing tobacco powder into a fluidized bed reactor and injecting a tobacco slurry into the fluidized bed reactor while the powder is fluidized. In the fluidized bed reactor, the tobacco slurry adheres to and aggregates on the surface of the fluidized tobacco powder, causing the tobacco powder to grow in size and produce tobacco granules. Since it takes time for the tobacco powder to grow into tobacco granules and there is a limit to the capacity of the fluidized bed reactor, it is necessary to improve the manufacturing efficiency of tobacco granules.

[0005] The problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0006] A method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment manufactures tobacco granules by spraying a tobacco slurry into a fluidized bed reactor in which tobacco powder is fluidized, and the fluidized bed reactor may be a bottom spray type.

[0007] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, compared to conventional methods for manufacturing tobacco granules, the amount of material used in manufacturing tobacco granules can be increased and the time required for manufacturing can be shortened, thereby improving the productivity of tobacco granules. In addition, the method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to the embodiments can improve production efficiency by improving the uniformity of the size and / or shape of the manufactured tobacco granules.

[0008] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2a illustrates an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 2b illustrates an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an aerosol-generating article according to one embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates an aerosol-generating article according to one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates an aerosol-generating article according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment.

[0019] A method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment manufactures tobacco granules by spraying a tobacco slurry into a fluidized bed reactor in which tobacco powder is fluidized, and the fluidized bed reactor may be a bottom spray type.

[0020] The method may include the steps of: manufacturing tobacco particles by spraying the tobacco slurry into a fluidized bed reactor in which the tobacco powder is fluidized; manufacturing tobacco seeds by spraying the tobacco slurry into the fluidized bed reactor in which the tobacco particles are fluidized; and manufacturing tobacco granules by spraying the tobacco slurry into the fluidized bed reactor in which the tobacco seeds are fluidized.

[0021] The diameter of the tobacco powder may be 1 μm to 80 μm, the diameter of the tobacco particle may be 100 μm to 300 μm, the diameter of the tobacco seed may be 320 μm to 550 μm, and the diameter of the tobacco granule may be 600 μm to 850 μm.

[0022] The internal temperature of the fluidized bed reactor may be 10°C to 60°C.

[0023] The above tobacco slurry may include the above tobacco powder, water, and alcohol.

[0024] The above tobacco slurry may contain the tobacco powder, water, and alcohol in a weight ratio of 1:1 to 3:0.5 to 2.

[0025] The fluidized bed reactor includes a nozzle for spraying the tobacco slurry into the interior of the fluidized bed reactor, and the pressure at which the nozzle sprays the tobacco slurry may be 3 bar to 5 bar.

[0026] The pressure at which the nozzle sprays the tobacco slurry can increase over time.

[0027] The above tobacco slurry can be injected into the fluidized bed reactor at an injection rate of 1 kg / min to 4 kg / min.

[0028] The injection rate at which the above tobacco slurry is injected into the fluidized bed reactor can be increased over time.

[0029] The air flap of the above fluidized bed reactor may be 50% to 70%.

[0030] The air opening / closing rate of the above fluidized bed reactor can be increased over time.

[0031] The temperature of the air supplied from the outside to the inside of the fluidized bed reactor may be 60°C to 150°C.

[0032] The temperature of the air supplied from the outside to the inside of the above fluidized bed reactor can increase over time.

[0033] The method for manufacturing the above tobacco granules can satisfy the following mathematical formula 1.

[0034] [Mathematical Formula 1]

[0035] 0.5≤T / (F+t)≤1.8

[0036] In the above mathematical formula 1, t is an integer less than or equal to 500 and is the elapsed operating time (minutes) of the fluidized bed reactor, T is the temperature (°C) of the air supplied into the fluidized bed reactor at time t, and F is the air opening / closing rate (%) of the fluidized bed reactor at time t.

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Identical or similar components are assigned the same reference numeral regardless of the drawing symbols, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. In relation to the description of the drawings, similar drawing symbols may be used for similar or related components.

[0038] The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably solely for the sake of ease of drafting the specification, and do not inherently possess distinct meanings or roles. Meanwhile, the suffixes "module" or "unit" may include units implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. "Module" or "unit" may be a component formed as a whole, or the smallest unit of said component or a part thereof that performs one or more functions. For example, "module" or "unit" may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0039] In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of related prior art may obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, such detailed description is omitted. Furthermore, the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings; it should be understood that the drawings include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the concept and technical scope of this disclosure.

[0040] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components are not limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0041] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0042] A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0043] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as software comprising one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., memory (17)) readable by a machine (e.g., aerosol generating device (1)). For example, a processor (e.g., control unit (12)) of the machine (e.g., aerosol generating device (1)) may call at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one called instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code that can be executed by an interpreter. The storage medium readable by the machine may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-temporary' simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily.

[0044] In the present disclosure, the direction of the aerosol generating device (1) can be defined based on an orthogonal coordinate system. In the orthogonal coordinate system, the x-axis direction can be defined as the left-right direction of the aerosol generating device (1). The y-axis direction can be defined as the front-back direction of the aerosol generating device (1). The z-axis direction can be defined as the up-down direction of the aerosol generating device (1).

[0045]

[0046] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a power supply (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), an output unit (14), an input unit (15), a communication unit (16), a memory (17), and / or a heater (18, CH). However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art related to this embodiment that, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device (1), some of the components shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new components may be added.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit (13) can detect the state of the aerosol generating device (1) or the state around the aerosol generating device (1) and transmit the detected information to the control unit (12). For example, the sensor unit (13) may include a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion detection sensor, a reuse detection sensor, an overly moist detection sensor, a cigarette identification sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, a cap detection sensor, and / or a motion detection sensor. Meanwhile, the sensor unit (13) may further include various sensors, such as a liquid residue sensor for detecting the liquid residue in the cartridge and a water immersion sensor for detecting the water immersion of the aerosol generating device (1).

[0049] According to one embodiment, a temperature sensor can detect the temperature at which the heater (18, CH) is heated. The aerosol generating device (1) may include a separate temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heater (18, CH), or the heater (18, CH) itself may perform the role of a temperature sensor. For example, the temperature sensor may be used to measure the impedance of the heater (18). The impedance of the heater (18) may be correlated with the temperature of the heater (18). The temperature sensor may measure the current and / or voltage applied to the heater (18) (or induction coil). Based on the measured current and / or voltage, the impedance of the heater (18) may be calculated. The control unit (12) may estimate the temperature of the heater (18) based on the calculated impedance.

[0050] For example, the temperature sensor may include a resistive element (e.g., a thermistor) whose resistance value changes in response to a temperature change of the heater (18, CH). The temperature sensor may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistive element, and the control unit (12) may detect the temperature and / or temperature change of the heater (18, CH) based on the signal corresponding to the resistance value.

[0051] As another example, the temperature sensor may include a sensor that detects the resistance value of the heater (18, CH). The temperature sensor may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the heater (18, CH), and the control unit (12) may detect the temperature and / or temperature change of the heater (18, CH) based on the signal corresponding to the resistance value.

[0052] According to one embodiment, a temperature sensor can detect the temperature of a power source (11). The temperature sensor may be positioned adjacent to the power source (11). For example, the temperature sensor may be attached to one side of the power source (11) (e.g., a battery) and / or mounted on one side of a printed circuit board. For example, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a protection circuit module (PCM), and the temperature sensor may be positioned adjacent to the power source (11) together with the protection circuit module.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor may be placed inside the housing (not shown) of the aerosol generating device (1) to detect the temperature inside the housing (not shown).

[0054] According to one embodiment, the puff sensor can detect the user's puff.

[0055] For example, the puff sensor may include a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol generating device (1), and the control unit (12) may detect the user's puff based on the signal corresponding to the internal pressure. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol generating device (1) may correspond to the pressure of the airflow path through which the gas flows. The puff sensor may be positioned in the aerosol generating device (1) in correspondence with the airflow path through which the gas flows.

[0056] As another example, the puff sensor may include a temperature sensor. When a user's puff occurs, a temporary temperature drop may occur in the airflow path, the space where the aerosol generating item is inserted (hereinafter, insertion space), the heater (18, CH), etc. The control unit (12) can detect the user's puff based on a signal corresponding to the temperature of the airflow path, etc. output from the temperature sensor.

[0057] As another example, the puff sensor may include both a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. In this case, the temperature sensor may measure the temperature used to correct the internal pressure measured by the pressure sensor. As an example, the puff sensor may correct a signal corresponding to the internal pressure based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and output the corrected signal. As another example, the puff sensor may output a signal corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and a signal corresponding to the internal pressure measured by the puff sensor. In this case, the control unit (12) may receive the signals and correct the signal corresponding to the internal pressure based on the signal corresponding to the temperature.

[0058] As another example, the puff sensor may include a capacitance sensor. In the present disclosure, the capacitance sensor may be referred to as a cap sensor or a capacitive sensor. When a user's puff occurs, a temperature change and / or a flow of aerosol may occur within the insertion space of the aerosol generating article, and accordingly, the dielectric constant inside the insertion space may change. The control unit (12) can detect the user's puff based on a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant inside the insertion space, etc., output from the capacitance sensor.

[0059] The puff sensor is not limited to the examples described above and can be implemented as various sensors to detect the user's puff.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the insertion detection sensor can detect the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol-generating article. The insertion detection sensor may be installed around the insertion space. Additionally, the insertion detection sensor may include any combination of the examples described above.

[0061] For example, the insertion detection sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor may include at least one conductor, and the at least one conductor may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space. When an aerosol-generating article is inserted into or removed from the insertion space, the dielectric constant around the conductor may change. The control unit (12) may detect the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol-generating article based on a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant inside the insertion space, etc., output from the capacitance sensor.

[0062] As another example, the insertion detection sensor may include an inductive sensor. The inductive sensor may include at least one coil, and said at least one coil may be positioned adjacent to the insertion space. If the aerosol generating article (e.g., a wrapper of the aerosol generating article) includes a conductor, when the aerosol generating article is inserted into the insertion space or removed from the insertion space, a change in the magnetic field may occur around the coil through which the current flows. The control unit (12) may detect the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol generating article including the conductor based on the characteristics of the current output from or detected by the inductive sensor (e.g., frequency of alternating current, current value, voltage value, inductance value, impedance value, etc.). Alternatively, a susceptor (SUS), etc., may be included in the aerosol generating article (e.g., the medium part of the aerosol generating article). In this case as well, a change in the magnetic field around the coil may occur based on the insertion or removal of a susceptor, etc., within the insertion space, and the control unit (12) may detect the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol-generating article based on the characteristics of the current of the inductive sensor.

[0063] The insertion detection sensor is not limited to the examples described above and may be implemented as various sensors (e.g., proximity sensors, etc.) for detecting the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol-generating article. Additionally, the insertion detection sensor may include any combination of the examples described above. According to one embodiment, the insertion detection sensor may include a switch, etc., for detecting pressure caused by an aerosol-generating article.

[0064] According to one embodiment, a reuse detection sensor can detect whether an aerosol-generating article is reused. For example, the reuse detection sensor may be a color sensor for detecting the color of the aerosol-generating article. When the aerosol-generating article is used by a user, a change in color may occur in a part of the wrapper covering the outside of the aerosol-generating article due to the generated aerosol or heating. The color sensor may output a signal corresponding to an optical characteristic (e.g., wavelength of light) corresponding to the color of the wrapper based on light reflected from the wrapper. When the control unit (12) detects a change in color in a part of the wrapper, it may determine that the aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space has already been used.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the over-humidity detection sensor can detect whether the aerosol generating article is in an over-humid state. For example, the over-humidity detection sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor may include at least one conductor disposed adjacent to an insertion space. The control unit (12) can detect whether the aerosol generating article is in an over-humid state based on the level of a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant, etc., output from the capacitance sensor. For example, the control unit (12) can determine the level range in which the level of the signal is included based on a look-up table, and determine the amount of moisture for the aerosol generating article based on the confirmed level range.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the cigarette identification sensor can detect whether an aerosol-generating article is genuine or / or detect the type of aerosol-generating article.

[0067] For example, a cigarette identification sensor may include a light sensor for detecting an identification material (or identification mark) located on the outer surface (e.g., wrapper) of an aerosol-generating article. The light sensor may irradiate light toward the identification material (or identification mark) of the aerosol-generating article and detect whether the aerosol-generating article is genuine and / or of a specific type based on the reflected light. For example, the identification material may include a material that emits light of a specific wavelength band based on the irradiated light. The control unit (12) may detect whether the aerosol-generating article is genuine and / or of a specific type based on the range of the wavelengths.

[0068] As another example, the cigarette identification sensor may include a capacitance sensor. The dielectric constant inside the insertion space may vary depending on the type of aerosol-generating item inserted into the insertion space. The control unit (12) can detect whether the aerosol-generating item is genuine and / or of the type based on a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant inside the insertion space, etc., output from the capacitance sensor.

[0069] As another example, the cigarette identification sensor may include an inductive sensor. If a conductor is included in the wrapper and / or interior (e.g., the medium) of the aerosol generating article inserted into the insertion space, the characteristics of the current detected by the inductive sensor when the aerosol generating article is inserted into the insertion space (e.g., frequency of alternating current, current value, voltage value, inductance value, impedance value, etc.) may differ depending on the type of aerosol generating article inserted into the insertion space. The control unit (12) can detect whether the inserted aerosol generating article is genuine and / or of the type based on the characteristics of the current output from or detected by the inductive sensor.

[0070] The cigarette identification sensor is not limited to the examples described above and may be implemented as various sensors for detecting whether an aerosol-generating article is genuine or / or for detecting the type of an aerosol-generating article. Additionally, the cigarette identification sensor may include any combination of the examples described above.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the cartridge detection sensor can detect the mounting and / or removal of a cartridge. For example, the cartridge detection sensor may include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a Hall sensor (hall IC), and / or an optical sensor.

[0072] According to one embodiment, a cap detection sensor can detect the mounting and / or removal of a cap. For example, the cap detection sensor may include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a contact sensor, a Hall sensor (hall IC), and / or an optical sensor. The cap may include a structure that covers at least a portion of a cartridge mounted or inserted into the aerosol generating device (1), or covers at least a portion of the housing of the aerosol generating device (1). The cap detection sensor may output a signal corresponding to the mounting or removal when the cap is mounted on the housing or removed from the housing, and the control unit (12) may detect the mounting or removal of the cap based on the signal corresponding to the mounting or removal.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the motion detection sensor can detect the movement of the aerosol generating device (1). The motion detection sensor may be implemented as at least one of an accelerometer or a gyro sensor.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit (13) may further include at least one of a humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a position sensor (Global Positioning System, GPS), or a proximity sensor in addition to the aforementioned sensors. Since the function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by a person skilled in the art from its name, a detailed description may be omitted.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the output unit (14) may output information regarding the state of the aerosol generating device (1). The output unit (14) may include a display, a haptic unit and / or an acoustic output unit, but is not limited thereto. For example, information regarding the aerosol generating device (1) may include the charging / discharging state of the power supply (11) of the aerosol generating device (1), the preheating state of the heater (18, CH), the insertion / removal state of the aerosol generating article and / or cartridge, the mounting and / or removal state of the cap, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generating device (1) is restricted (e.g., detection of an abnormal article). The display may visually provide information regarding the state of the aerosol generating device (1) to the user. For example, the display may include an LED (light emitting diode) light-emitting element, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED), etc. The display can also be used as an input unit (15) if it includes a touch pad. The haptic unit can provide information about the state of the aerosol generating device (1) to the user tactilely. For example, the haptic unit may include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, an electric stimulation device, etc. The acoustic output unit can provide information about the aerosol generating device (1) to the user audibly. For example, the acoustic output unit can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it externally.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the power source (11) can supply power for the operation of the aerosol generating device (1). The power source (11) may include one or more batteries. The power source (11) can supply power so that the heater (18, CH) can be heated. Additionally, the power source (11) may supply power required for the operation of other components included in the aerosol generating device (1), such as the control unit (12), sensor unit (13), output unit (14), input unit (15), communication unit (16), memory (17), etc. The power source (11) may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power source (11) may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto. The power source (11) may be a replaceable type (detachable) battery (hereinafter referred to as a removable battery). The removable battery may be mounted in a battery housing provided within the aerosol generating device (1) or removed from the battery housing. The removable battery may also be charged via wired and / or wireless connections.

[0077] According to one embodiment, a heater (18, CH) can heat an aerosol generating article and / or a medium and / or aerosol generating material within a cartridge by receiving power from a power source (11). An aerosol generating device (1) may include a heater (18) for heating an aerosol generating article and / or a cartridge heater (CH) for heating a cartridge (i.e., a solid and / or liquid medium).

[0078] According to one embodiment, the heater (18, CH) may be an electric resistive heater. For example, the electric resistive heater may include an electric resistive material such as a metal or metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. The electric resistive heater may be implemented as a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate with an electric conductive track, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the heater (18, CH) may be an induction heating type heater. For example, the induction heating type heater may include a susceptor that generates heat by a magnetic field. A magnetic field may be generated from the induction coil by an alternating current flowing through the induction coil. The generated magnetic field penetrates the heater, and eddy currents may be generated in the susceptor. The susceptor may be heated based on the generation of eddy currents. According to one embodiment, the susceptor may be contained within an aerosol-generating article (e.g., a medium). In this case as well, the susceptor contained within the aerosol-generating article may be heated by the induction coil.

[0080] The heater (18, CH) is not limited to the examples described above and may include or be replaced with various heating methods, structures, components, etc. for heating an aerosol generating article and / or cartridge.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the input unit (15) can receive information input from a user. For example, the input unit (15) may include a touch panel, a button, a keypad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the memory (17) is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device (1), and can store data processed by the control unit (12) and data to be processed. For example, the memory (17) may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM (random access memory), SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. For example, the memory (17) can store data such as the operating time of the aerosol generating device (1), the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the communication unit (16) may include at least one component for communication with another electronic device (e.g., portable electronic device). For example, the communication unit (16) may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (wireless local area network) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared (infrared Data Association, IrDA) communication unit, a WFD (Wireless Fidelity Direct) communication unit, an UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant (Adaptive Network Topology)+ communication unit, a cellular network communication unit, an internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device (1). For example, the control unit (12) may include at least one processor. The control unit (12) may be implemented as an array of logic gates, or as a combination of a general-purpose MCU (micro controller unit) (or microprocessor) and a memory storing a program that can be executed on such MCU. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which this embodiment belongs that it may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the temperature of the heater (18, CH) by controlling the supply of power from the power source (11) to the heater (18, CH). The control unit (12) can control the temperature of the heater (18, CH) and / or the power supplied to the heater (18, CH) based on the temperature of the heater (18, CH) detected using a temperature sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)). The control unit (12) can control the temperature of the heater (18, CH) and / or the power supplied to the heater (18, CH) based on a temperature profile and / or power profile stored in the memory (17).

[0086] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power (e.g., voltage and / or current) supplied to the heater (18, CH) by controlling a power conversion circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the heater (18, CH) and the power source (11). For example, the power conversion circuit may include a DC / DC converter (e.g., buck converter, buck-boost converter, boost converter, Zener diode, etc.) that converts power to be supplied to the heater (18, CH), and a DC / AC converter (e.g., inverter) that converts power to be supplied to an induction coil (not shown). The DC / AC converter may be implemented as a full-bridge circuit or a half-bridge circuit including a plurality of switching elements. For example, the power conversion circuit may include at least one switching element, such as a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) or a field effect transistor (FET).

[0087] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can adjust the frequency and / or duty ratio of a current pulse input to at least one switching element of a power conversion circuit (not shown) to adjust the current and / or voltage supplied to the heater (18, CH). The duty ratio for the on / off operation of the switching element may correspond to the ratio of the output voltage of the power conversion circuit to the output voltage of the power supply (11).

[0088] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supplied to the heater (18, CH) by using at least one of a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) method and a Proportional-Integral-Differential (PID) method. For example, the control unit (12) can control the supply of a current pulse having a predetermined frequency and duty ratio to the heater (18, CH) by using the PWM method. The control unit (12) can control the power supplied to the heater (18, CH) by adjusting the frequency and duty ratio of the current pulse. For example, the control unit (12) can determine a target temperature that is the target of the control based on a temperature profile. The control unit (12) can control the power supplied to the heater (18, CH) by using a PID method, which is a feedback control method using the difference value between the temperature of the heater (18, CH) and the target temperature, the value obtained by integrating the difference value over time, and the value obtained by differentiating the difference value over time.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can determine a target power that is the target of control based on a power profile. The control unit (12) may also control the power supplied to the heater (18, CH) to correspond to a preset target power over time.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can detect the user's puff by detecting the power supplied to the heater (18, CH). More specifically, the control unit (12) can control the power supplied to the heater (18, CH) using a PID method. When the user's puff occurs, a temporary temperature drop may occur in the space where the aerosol generating item is inserted (hereinafter, insertion space), the heater (18, CH), etc. Accordingly, a change may occur in the power (or current) supplied to the heater (18, CH) during the power control using the PID method. The control unit (12) can detect the user's puff based on the change in the controlled power.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can prevent the heater (18, CH) from overheating. For example, the control unit (12) can control the operation of the power conversion circuit to reduce the amount of power supplied to the heater (18, CH) or stop the power supply to the heater (18, CH) based on the fact that the temperature of the heater (18, CH) exceeds a preset limit temperature.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the charging and discharging of the power source (11). For example, the control unit (12) can check the temperature of the power source (11) using a temperature sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)). The control unit (12) can cut off the charging of the power source (11) if the temperature of the power source (11) is above a first limit temperature. The control unit (12) can stop the use (e.g., discharge) of the power stored in the power source (11) if the temperature of the power source (11) is above a second limit temperature. The control unit (12) can calculate the remaining capacity of the power stored in the power source (11). For example, the control unit (12) can calculate the remaining capacity of the power source (11) based on the voltage and / or current sensing values ​​of the power source (11).

[0093] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, CH) based on the result detected by the sensor unit (13).

[0094] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, CH) based on the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol-generating article into the insertion space. For example, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, CH) when it is determined that an aerosol-generating article has been inserted into the insertion space using an insertion detection sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)). The control unit (12) can cut off the power supply to the heater (18, CH) when it is determined that an aerosol-generating article has been removed from the insertion space using an insertion detection sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)). The control unit (12) may also determine that an aerosol-generating article has been removed from the insertion space if the temperature of the heater (18, CH) is above a limit temperature or the temperature change slope of the heater (18, CH) is above a set slope.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply time and / or power supply amount for the heater (18, CH) based on the state of the aerosol generating article. For example, the control unit (12) can increase the power supply time (e.g., preheating time) for the heater (18, CH) if it is determined that the aerosol generating article is in an over-humid state using an over-humidity detection sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)).

[0096] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, CH) based on whether the aerosol generating article is reused. For example, if the control unit (12) determines that the aerosol generating article has been used, it can cut off the power supply to the heater (18, CH).

[0097] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, CH) based on whether the cartridge is connected and / or removed. For example, the control unit (12) can use a cartridge detection sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)) to determine that the cartridge is separated, and if it is determined that the cartridge is separated, the power supply to the heater (18, CH) can be stopped or the power supply to the heater (18, CH) can be controlled so that power is not supplied to the heater (18, CH).

[0098] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, CH) based on whether the aerosol generating material of the cartridge is depleted. For example, the control unit (12) may determine that the aerosol generating material of the cartridge is depleted if it determines that the temperature of the heater (18, CH) exceeds a limit temperature while preheating the heater (18, CH) (i.e., during the preheating period). If it is determined that the aerosol generating material of the cartridge is depleted, the control unit (12) may cut off the power supply to the heater (18, CH).

[0099] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, CH) based on whether the cartridge is usable. For example, the control unit (12) may determine that the cartridge is unusable if, based on data stored in the memory (17), the current number of puffs is determined to be greater than or equal to the maximum number of puffs set in the cartridge. Alternatively, the control unit (12) may determine that the cartridge is unusable if the total time the heater (18, CH) is heated is greater than or equal to the preset maximum time, or if the total amount of power supplied to the heater (18, CH) is greater than or equal to the preset maximum amount of power. In this case, the control unit (12) may stop the power supply to the heater (18, CH) or control it so that power is not supplied to the heater (18, CH).

[0100] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, CH) based on the user's puff. For example, the control unit (12) can determine whether a puff has occurred and / or the intensity of the puff using a puff sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)). The control unit (12) can cut off the power supply to the heater (18, CH) when the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs or / or when no puff is detected for a preset time or longer. The control unit (12) may also control the power supply to the heater (18, CH) when a puff is detected.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, CH) based on whether the aerosol generating item (or cartridge) is genuine and / or of a specific type. For example, the control unit (12) can detect whether the aerosol generating item is genuine and / or of a specific type using a cigarette identification sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)). For example, if the control unit (12) detects that the aerosol generating item (or cartridge) is counterfeit, it can cut off the power supply to the heater (18, CH). If the control unit (12) detects that the aerosol generating item (or cartridge) is genuine, it can control (e.g., start) the power supply to the heater (18, CH). For another example, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, CH) differently depending on the specific type of the aerosol generating item (or cartridge). More specifically, the control unit (12) can control the temperature and / or power of the heater (18, CH) based on a first temperature profile (or a first power profile) when it is detected that the aerosol generating article (or cartridge) is a first aerosol generating article (or a first cartridge), and control the temperature and / or power of the heater (18, CH) based on a second temperature profile (or a second power profile) when it is detected that the aerosol generating article (or a second cartridge) is a second aerosol generating article (or a second cartridge).

[0102] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the output unit (14) based on the result detected by the sensor unit (13). For example, the control unit (12) can control the output unit (14) to provide visual, tactile, and / or auditory information that the aerosol generating device (1) will soon be terminated when the number of puffs counted using the puff sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)) reaches a preset number. For example, the control unit (12) can also control the output unit (14) to provide visual, tactile, and / or auditory information regarding the temperature of the heater (18, CH).

[0103] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) may store and update a history of the event that occurred in the memory (17) based on the occurrence of a predetermined event. For example, the event may include operations performed in the aerosol generating device (1), such as detection of insertion of an aerosol generating article, initiation of heating of the aerosol generating article, puff detection, puff termination, detection of overheating of the heater (18, CH), detection of overvoltage application to the heater (18, CH), termination of heating of the aerosol generating article, power on / off of the aerosol generating device (1), initiation of charging of the power source (11), detection of overcharging of the power source (11), termination of charging of the power source (11), etc. For example, the history of the event may include the time and date when the event occurred, log data corresponding to the event, etc. For example, if a predetermined event is the detection of insertion of an aerosol-generating article, the log data corresponding to the event may include data regarding the sensing value of an insertion detection sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)). For example, if a predetermined event is the detection of overheating of a heater (18, CH), the log data corresponding to the event may include data regarding the temperature of the heater (18, CH), the voltage applied to the heater (18, CH), the current flowing through the heater (18, CH), etc.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the communication unit (16) to form a communication link with an external device, such as a user's mobile terminal.

[0105] According to one embodiment, when the control unit (12) receives authentication data from an external device via a communication link, it may release the restriction on the use of at least one function (e.g., heating function) of the aerosol generating device (1). For example, the authentication data may include the user's birthday, a unique number representing the user, whether the user's authentication is complete, etc.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can transmit data regarding the status of the aerosol generating device (1) (e.g., remaining capacity of the power supply (11), operating mode, etc.) to an external device via a communication link. The transmitted data can be output through a display of the external device, etc.

[0107] According to one embodiment, when a control unit (12) receives a location search request for an aerosol generating device (1) from an external device via a communication link, the control unit (12) can control the output unit (14) to perform an operation corresponding to the location search. For example, the control unit (12) can control the haptic unit to generate vibrations or control the display to output an object corresponding to the location search and the end of the search.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can perform a firmware update when firmware data is received from an external device through a communication link.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) transmits data regarding the sensing value of at least one sensor unit (13) to an external server (not shown) via a communication link, and receives and stores a learning model generated by learning the sensing value through machine learning, such as deep learning, from the server. The control unit (12) can use the learning model received from the server to perform operations such as determining the user's inhalation pattern and generating a temperature profile.

[0110] Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device (1) may further include a power protection circuit. The power protection circuit may include at least one switching element and may cut off the power supply (11) in response to overcharging and / or over-discharging of the power supply (11). The aerosol generating device (1) may further include a connection interface, such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and may transmit and receive information or charge the power supply (11) by connecting to another external device through the connection interface.

[0111] The aerosol generating article mentioned in the present disclosure may include at least one aerosol generating rod (e.g., a medium part) and at least one filter rod. A heater (18) may be positioned to correspond to at least one aerosol generating rod and may be designed differently depending on the arrangement order and / or position of the aerosol generating rod and the filter rod. The aerosol generating rod may include at least one of nicotine, an aerosol generating material, and an additive. For example, the aerosol generating material may include glycerin (e.g., vegetable glycerin (VG)) and / or propylene glycol (PG), and may include various other materials. For example, the additive may include flavoring agents and / or organic acids, and may include various other materials. For example, the aerosol generating rod may comprise an aerosol generating substrate (e.g., a sheet) impregnated with a liquid non-tobacco material (e.g., an aerosol generating material and / or nicotine), and / or may comprise a solid tobacco material (e.g., leaf tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, etc.). The tobacco material may be included in the aerosol generating rod in various forms, such as whole tobacco, granules, or powder. According to one embodiment, the additive of the aerosol generating rod may comprise a basic material. Based on the basic material, the nicotine in the tobacco material included in the aerosol generating rod may have a basic pH (e.g., pH 7.0 or higher). In this case, freebase nicotine may be released from the aerosol generating rod even at low temperatures. According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating rod comprises two or more aerosol generating rods, and said two or more aerosol generating rods may each comprise a tobacco material and / or a non-tobacco material.Meanwhile, although not illustrated, at least one aerosol generating rod and at least one filter rod may each and / or integrally be wrapped by at least one wrapper. In the present disclosure, the aerosol generating article may be referred to as a stick.

[0112] The cartridge mentioned in the present disclosure may contain an aerosol generating material having any one of the states, such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing material containing a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid containing a non-tobacco material. Meanwhile, the cartridge may include a storage portion containing the aerosol generating material and / or a liquid delivery means impregnated (containing) the aerosol generating material. For example, the liquid delivery means may include a wick such as a cotton fiber, a ceramic fiber, a glass fiber, or a porous ceramic. A cartridge heater (CH) may be included in the cartridge in a coil-shaped structure that surrounds (or winds) the liquid delivery means or in a structure that contacts one side of the liquid delivery means. Alternatively, the cartridge heater (CH) may be included in an aerosol generating device (1) that is detachable from the cartridge.

[0113] FIG. 2a illustrates an aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment. FIG. 2b illustrates an aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a housing (11), a power supply (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), and / or a heater (182, 183) (e.g., heater (18) of FIG. 1). However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art related to this embodiment that the components included in the aerosol generating device (1) are not limited to those shown in FIG. 2a or FIG. 2b, and that some of the components may be omitted or new configurations may be added. The aerosol generating device (1) shown in FIG. 2a may be referred to as an 'internal heating type' aerosol generating device that heats the inside of an aerosol generating article (2). The aerosol generating device (1) shown in FIG. 2b may be referred to as an 'external heating type' aerosol generating device that heats the outside of an aerosol generating article (2). In the following drawings, descriptions that overlap with FIG. 1 will be omitted.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the housing (10) may provide a space that is open upward to allow an aerosol generating article (2) to be inserted. In the present disclosure, the space that is open upward may be referred to as an insertion space. The insertion space may be formed by being recessed to a predetermined depth toward the interior of the housing (10) so that at least a portion of the aerosol generating article (2) can be inserted. The depth of the insertion space may be greater than the length of the area containing the aerosol generating material and / or medium in the aerosol generating article (2). The lower end of the aerosol generating article (2) may be inserted into the interior of the housing (10), and the upper end of the aerosol generating article (2) may protrude outside the housing (10). A user may take the upper end of the aerosol generating article (2) exposed to the outside into their mouth and inhale the aerosol.

[0116] According to one embodiment, the heater (182, 183) can heat the aerosol generating article (2).

[0117] Referring to FIG. 2a, the heater (182) may be an internal heating type heater.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the internal heating element may extend upward in a space (i.e., an insertion space) into which the aerosol generating article (2) is inserted. For example, the internal heating element may include a rod-shaped or needle-shaped heating element as illustrated, but may also include various heating elements such as a tubular heating element or a plate-shaped heating element. The internal heating element may be inserted through the lower part of the aerosol generating article (2).

[0119] According to one embodiment, the internal heating type heater may include an electric resistance heater and / or an induction heating type heater.

[0120] For example, an electric resistive heater may contain an electric resistive material on the inside (e.g., inner hollow or inner surface) or on the outside (e.g., outer surface) and may be heated as current flows through the electric resistive material. In this case, the electric resistive heater may be electrically connected to a power source (11) and may be directly heated by receiving current from the power source (11). Additionally, the induction coil (181) may be omitted.

[0121] For example, in the case of an induction heating type heater, the aerosol generating device (1) may include an induction coil (181) that surrounds at least a portion of an internal heating type heater (e.g., is placed externally to correspond to the length of at least a portion of the heater). In this case, a magnetic flux concentrator, etc., may be further included outside the induction coil (181) to increase the efficiency of induction heating. The induction heating type heater may include a susceptor and may generate heat based on a magnetic field generated from the induction coil (181). According to one embodiment, the induction heating type heater (e.g., susceptor) (or a heater module including the same) may be disposed so as to be detachable from the housing (10).

[0122] According to one embodiment, the heater (182) may be a multiple heater. The multiple heater may include a first heater and a second heater and may be inserted into an aerosol generating article (2). The first heater and the second heater may be arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction. The first heater and the second heater may operate as electric resistive heaters and / or induction heating heaters, and may be heated sequentially or simultaneously. In this case, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively placed at positions corresponding to longitudinal positions of two or more aerosol generating rods. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively placed at positions corresponding to longitudinal positions of a first part and a second part of a single aerosol generating rod. Meanwhile, if the heater (182) is an induction heating type heater, the aerosol generating device (1) includes a first induction coil and a second induction coil, and the first induction coil and the second induction coil may be respectively placed at positions corresponding to longitudinal positions of the first heater and the second heater. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively placed at positions corresponding to longitudinal positions of a first part and a second part of a single heater (182). In addition, the heater and / or induction coil may include three or more.

[0123] According to one embodiment, a susceptor may be placed (or included) inside an aerosol generating article (2) (e.g., a medium part), and the susceptor included inside the aerosol generating article (2) may be implemented to generate heat based on a magnetic field generated from an induction coil (181).

[0124] Referring to FIG. 2b, the heater (183) may be an external heating type heater.

[0125] According to one embodiment, an external heating type heater may extend upwardly around a space (i.e., an insertion space) into which an aerosol generating article (2) is inserted. For example, the external heating type heater may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. As an example, the external heating type heater may include a tube shape (e.g., a cylindrical shape) containing a hollow inside. The external heating type heater may also include a shape containing a hollow inside and surrounding said hollow. In this case, the external heating type heater may be supported by a polyimide film. A heater supported by such a film may be referred to as a film heater. The external heating type heater may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The external heating type heater may heat the outside of the aerosol generating article (2) inserted into said hollow.

[0126] According to one embodiment, the external heating type heater may include an electric resistive heater and / or an induction heating type heater, and a description redundant with FIG. 2a is omitted. Meanwhile, in the case of an induction heating type heater, the aerosol generating device (1) may include an external heating type heater implemented as a tubular susceptor and may include an induction coil (181) that surrounds at least a portion of the external heating type heater (e.g., placed externally to correspond to the length of at least a portion of the heater). Additionally, the induction coil (181) may include a fan coil. Meanwhile, if the external heating type heater is an electric resistive heater, a separate induction coil (181) may be omitted because heat generation is possible through the flow of current on the tubular electric resistive heater (e.g., film heater). Meanwhile, an insulating material may be placed on the outside of the external heating type heater. This reduces the heat radiating outward from the heater (183) and applied to the outside of the housing (10).

[0127] According to one embodiment, the heater (183) may be a multiple heater, and the first heater and the second heater may be arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction to each surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The first heater and the second heater may operate as an electric resistive heater and / or an induction heating type heater, and may be heated sequentially or simultaneously. Meanwhile, if the heater (183) is an induction heating type heater, the aerosol generating device (1) includes a first induction coil and a second induction coil, and the first induction coil and the second induction coil may be respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the longitudinal positions of the first heater and the second heater. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the longitudinal positions of the first portion and the second portion of a single heater (183).

[0128] Unlike as depicted in FIG. 2a or FIG. 2b, the heater (182) of FIG. 2a and the heater (183) of FIG. 2b may be included together in the aerosol generating device (1). In this case, the heater (182) may heat the inside of the aerosol generating article (2), and the heater (183) may heat the outside of the aerosol generating article (2).

[0129] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (1) may be provided with an airflow channel through which air flows. For example, the housing (10) may include a structure (e.g., a hole) through which air from the outside can be introduced into the housing (10). The air introduced into the housing (10) may be introduced into the aerosol generating article (2) through the bottom (i.e., upstream side) of the aerosol generating article (2). The aerosol generated based on the heating of the aerosol generating article (2) may be inhaled into the user's mouth through the top (i.e., downstream side) of the aerosol generating article (2) together with the introduced air.

[0130] FIG. 3 illustrates an aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment.

[0131] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a housing (10), a power supply (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), and / or a heater (183, 24) (e.g., the heater (18, CH) of FIG. 1). However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art related to this embodiment that the components included in the aerosol generating device (1) are not limited to those shown in FIG. 3, and some of the components may be omitted or new configurations may be added. In the following drawings, descriptions that overlap with FIG. 1 will be omitted.

[0132] According to one embodiment, the housing (10) may provide a space (hereinafter, insertion space) that is open upward so that an aerosol generating article (2) can be inserted. The insertion space may be formed by being recessed to a predetermined depth toward the interior of the housing (10) so that at least a portion of the aerosol generating article (2) can be inserted. The lower end of the aerosol generating article (2) may be inserted into the interior of the housing (10), and the upper end of the aerosol generating article (2) may protrude to the exterior of the housing (10).

[0133] Unlike what is described, the cartridge (19) may provide an insertion space for receiving an aerosol generating article (2). In this case, the insertion space may be formed by being recessed to a certain depth toward the interior of the cartridge (19) so that at least a portion of the aerosol generating article (2) can be inserted. The bottom of the aerosol generating article (2) may be inserted into the interior of the cartridge (19), and the top of the aerosol generating article (2) may protrude outside the cartridge (19). Also, in this case, the aerosol generating device (1) may not include a heater (183).

[0134] According to one embodiment, the depth of the insertion space may be greater than the length of the area containing the aerosol generating material and / or medium in the aerosol generating article (2). A user may put the top of the aerosol generating article (2) exposed to the outside into their mouth and inhale air.

[0135] According to one embodiment, a heater (183) can heat an aerosol generating article (2). The heater (183) may extend upward around a space (i.e., an insertion space) into which the aerosol generating article (2) is inserted. For example, the heater (183) may be in the form of a tube (e.g., a cylinder) containing a hollow inside. The heater (183) may include a form that contains a hollow inside and surrounds said hollow. In this case, the heater (183) may be supported by a polyimide film. A heater supported by such a film may be referred to as a film heater. The heater (183) may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The heater (183) may heat the outside of the aerosol generating article (2) inserted into said hollow. In the present disclosure, the heater (183) may be referred to as an external heating type heater that heats the outside of the aerosol generating article (2). Meanwhile, an insulating material may be placed on the outside of the heater (183). Through this, heat radiating outward from the heater (183) and applied to the outside of the housing (10) can be reduced.

[0136] According to one embodiment, the heater (183) may include an electric resistive heater and / or an induction heating type heater.

[0137] For example, an electric resistive heater may include an electric resistive material and may be heated as current flows through the electric resistive material. In this case, the electric resistive heater may be electrically connected to a power source (11) and may be directly heated by receiving current from the power source (11).

[0138] For example, in the case of an induction heating type heater, the aerosol generating device (1) may further include an induction coil (not shown) that surrounds at least a portion of the heater (183) (e.g., placed externally to correspond to the length of at least a portion of the heater (183)). In this case, a magnetic flux concentrator, etc., may be further included outside the induction coil (not shown) to increase the efficiency of induction heating. The induction heating type heater may include a susceptor and generate heat based on a magnetic field generated from the induction coil (not shown).

[0139] According to one embodiment, the heater (183) may be a multiple heater. The multiple heater may include a first heater and a second heater and may be inserted into an aerosol generating article (2). The first heater and the second heater may be arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction. The first heater and the second heater may operate as an electric resistive heater and / or an induction heating type heater, and may be heated sequentially or simultaneously. In this case, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively placed at positions corresponding to longitudinal positions of two or more aerosol generating rods. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively placed at positions corresponding to longitudinal positions of a first part and a second part of a single aerosol generating rod. Meanwhile, if the heater (183) is an induction heating type heater, the aerosol generating device (1) includes a first induction coil and a second induction coil, and the first induction coil and the second induction coil may be respectively placed at positions corresponding to longitudinal positions of the first heater and the second heater. Alternatively, the first heater and the second heater may be respectively placed at positions corresponding to longitudinal positions of a first part and a second part of a single heater (183). In addition, the heater and / or induction coil may include three or more.

[0140] Unlike what is described, the aerosol generating device (1) may not include a heater (183). The aerosol generating article (2) may be heated directly or indirectly by a cartridge heater (CH), or may not be heated substantially. Indirect heating may mean that as the aerosol generated by the cartridge heater (CH) passes through the aerosol generating article (2), the aerosol generating article (2) is heated by receiving heat contained in the aerosol. In this case, the aerosol generating device (1) may be referred to as a non-heating (or indirectly heated) aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating rod of the aerosol generating article (2) may contain additives such as basic substances. Based on these basic substances, the nicotine contained in the aerosol generating rod may have a basic pH (e.g., pH 7.0 or higher). This basic nicotine can flow into the user's mouth along with the aerosol flowing from the cartridge (19) described later into the aerosol generating article (2).

[0141] Unlike what is described, the heater (183) may include an internal heating type heater. For example, the internal heating type heater may include various heating elements such as a rod type, a tubular type heating element, a plate type heating element, or a needle type heating element. The internal heating type heater may be inserted through the bottom of the aerosol generating article (2) and may be set to heat the inside of the aerosol generating article (2).

[0142] According to one embodiment, the cartridge (19) may be detachably coupled to the housing (10). For example, a space may be formed on one side of the housing (10), and at least a portion of the cartridge (19) may be inserted into the space formed on one side of the housing (10) so that the cartridge (19) may be mounted on the housing (10). Alternatively, the cartridge (19) may be integrally formed with the housing (10).

[0143] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (1) and / or cartridge (19) may be provided with an airflow channel through which air flows. For example, the housing (10) may include a structure that allows air from the outside to flow into the interior of the housing (10) when the cartridge (19) is inserted. The incoming air may pass through the cartridge (19) and flow into the insertion space through the airflow channel (CN) and into the user's oral cavity. The airflow channel (CN) may include various structures to reduce residual droplets or to facilitate airflow.

[0144] In FIG. 3, the cartridge (19) is shown positioned on the side of the aerosol generating article (2) and the airflow channel (CN) is shown formed from the side of the aerosol generating article (2) to the bottom (i.e., upstream side) of the aerosol generating article (2), but the positions of the cartridge (19) and the airflow channel (CN) are not limited thereto. For example, the cartridge (19) may be positioned adjacent to the bottom (i.e., upstream side) of the aerosol generating article (2), in which case the airflow channel (CN) may be formed in a substantially straight shape to connect the cartridge (19) and the bottom (i.e., upstream side) of the aerosol generating article (2).

[0145] According to one embodiment, the cartridge (19) may include a storage portion (C0) containing an aerosol generating material, a cartridge heater (CH) and / or a liquid delivery means impregnated (containing) the aerosol generating material. The liquid delivery means may impregnate the aerosol generating material supplied from the storage portion (C0). For example, the liquid delivery means may include a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

[0146] According to one embodiment, the cartridge heater (CH) can heat an aerosol generating material contained in the cartridge (19). For example, the cartridge heater (CH) may include an electric resistive heater and / or an induction heating heater.

[0147] For example, an electric resistive heater may include an electric resistive material and may be heated as current flows through the electric resistive material. For another example, in the case of an induction heating type heater, the aerosol generating device (1) may further include an induction coil (not shown) around the induction heating type heater. The induction heating type heater may include a susceptor and may generate heat based on a magnetic field generated from the induction coil (not shown). The cartridge heater (CH) may be formed in a coil shape that surrounds (or wraps around) the liquid delivery means and / or in a shape that contacts one side of the liquid delivery means (e.g., a pattern shape).

[0148] Unlike what is described, the cartridge heater (CH) may be included in the aerosol generating device (1). For example, the cartridge heater (CH) may be included inside the housing (10). In this case, the cartridge (19) and the cartridge heater (CH) may be separated by removing the cartridge (19).

[0149] According to one embodiment, an aerosol may be generated based on the heat generated by a cartridge heater (CH). For example, as an aerosol generating material impregnated in a liquid delivery means is heated by the cartridge heater (CH), vapor may be generated from the aerosol generating material, and as the generated vapor is mixed with outside air introduced into the cartridge (19), an aerosol may be generated. The aerosol generated by the cartridge heater (CH) may be introduced into the aerosol generating article (2) through an airflow channel (CN). While the aerosol passes through the aerosol generating article (2), tobacco or flavoring material may be added to the aerosol, and the aerosol with added tobacco or flavoring material may be inhaled into the user's mouth through one end of the aerosol generating article (2).

[0150] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol-generating article (2) according to one embodiment.

[0151] Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating article (2) may include an aerosol generating rod (21) and a filter rod (22). Additionally, the aerosol generating article (2) may be wrapped by at least one wrapper (24).

[0152] The aerosol generating rod (21) may include tobacco material and / or non-tobacco material. Tobacco material and non-tobacco material may contain nicotine and may be heated to produce an aerosol containing nicotine vapor. Tobacco material and non-tobacco material may have various shapes. For example, tobacco material and non-tobacco material may have at least one form among sheet, citric acid, strand, particle, bead, granule, powder, and extract, but are not limited thereto.

[0153] Tobacco materials may be manufactured using leaf tobacco raw materials and / or reconstituted tobacco raw materials. Leaf tobacco raw materials may include at least one of yellow tobacco, Burley tobacco, and Oriental tobacco, but are not limited thereto. Reconstituted tobacco raw materials may refer to tobacco raw materials regenerated by utilizing tobacco by-products. For example, reconstituted tobacco raw materials may include leaf-shaped leaves.

[0154] Non-tobacco substances may be substances manufactured without using tobacco raw materials. For example, non-tobacco substances may be manufactured using cellulose, nicotine, organic acids, etc. Furthermore, non-tobacco substances may be manufactured using cellulose, nicotine salts, etc., but are not limited thereto.

[0155] Tobacco substances and non-tobacco substances may include aerosol-generating substances. For example, aerosol-generating substances may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but are not limited thereto. Additionally, tobacco substances may include other additive substances such as flavoring agents and organic acids.

[0156] The aerosol generating rod (21) may include at least one plate leaf sheet. The plate leaf sheet may include at least one of a slurry-type plate leaf and a paper-type plate leaf. Slurry-type plate leaves and paper-type plate leaves may be distinguished according to the manufacturing method. At least one plate leaf sheet may be arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod (21). However, it is not limited thereto, and the aerosol generating rod (21) may include a plurality of plate leaf strips manufactured by cutting or slicing the plate leaf sheet. Additionally, the plate leaf sheet may be crimped to include wrinkles, and the aerosol generating rod (21) may include a crimped plate leaf sheet or a plurality of plate leaf strips manufactured from a crimped plate leaf sheet.

[0157] The aerosol generating rod (21) may include at least one of puffed leaf and puffed main vein. The puffed leaf and puffed main vein may be manufactured by puffing leaf tobacco raw material and main vein, which is a byproduct of leaf tobacco raw material.

[0158] The filter rod (22) may include a plurality of segments. Referring to FIG. 4, the filter rod (22) may include a first segment (221), a second segment (222), and a third segment (223). The first segment (221), the second segment (222), and the third segment (223) may be arranged in order along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (2).

[0159] The first segment (221) can support the tobacco material contained in the aerosol generating rod (21). The first segment (221) can be positioned adjacent to the downstream end of the aerosol generating rod (21). The first segment (221) can prevent the tobacco material from being pushed downstream during the process in which the heater (18) of the aerosol generating device (1) is inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating rod (21) through the upstream end of the aerosol generating rod (21).

[0160] The first segment (221) may include a filter material. For example, the first segment (221) may include at least one filter material selected from paper, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid, polypropylene, and lyocell. The first segment (221) may be a cylindrical rod or a tube-shaped rod containing an internal hollow, but is not limited thereto.

[0161] The second segment (222) can cool the aerosol. The high-temperature aerosol generated in the aerosol generating rod (21) can be cooled as it passes through the second segment (222).

[0162] The second segment (222) may include a filter material. For example, the second segment (222) may include at least one filter material selected from paper, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid, polypropylene, and lyocell. The second segment (222) may be a cylindrical rod or a tube-shaped rod containing an internal hollow, but is not limited thereto. For example, the second segment (222) may be a paper tube formed of paper.

[0163] The first segment (221) and the second segment (222) may each be a tube-shaped rod containing an internal hollow. The diameter of the hollow of the second segment (222) may be larger than the diameter of the hollow of the first segment (221). Accordingly, the speed of the airflow moving from the first segment (221) toward the second segment (222) may be accelerated, and the aerosol may be effectively cooled.

[0164] The second segment (222) may include a cooling material. For example, the cooling material may include a polymer material having a cooling function. The polymer material having a cooling function may absorb heat from the aerosol when in contact with the high-temperature aerosol. The polymer material having a cooling function may include polylactic acid, but is not limited thereto. As another example, the second segment (222) is a tube-shaped rod including an internal hollow, and a polymer material having a cooling function may be applied to the surface of the internal hollow.

[0165] The second segment (222) may include at least one perforation (222P). The perforation (222P) may be formed along the circumferential direction of the second segment (222) to form one or more rows. External air may be introduced into the interior of the second segment (222) through the perforation (222P). The external air introduced into the interior of the second segment (222) may be mixed with the high-temperature aerosol generated from the aerosol generating rod (21) to cool the aerosol. The perforation (222P) may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device (1) when the aerosol generating article (2) is inserted into the aerosol generating device (1).

[0166] The third segment (223) can filter some components contained in the aerosol passing through the third segment (223). The third segment (223) may include a filter material. For example, the third segment (223) may include at least one filter material among paper, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid, polypropylene, and lyocell. For example, the third segment (223) may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow.

[0167] The third segment (223) may be a cylindrical rod or a tube-shaped rod including an internal hollow, but the shape of the third segment (223) is not limited thereto.

[0168] The third segment (223) may add flavor to the aerosol passing through the third segment (223). For example, the third segment (223) may include a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent may be sprayed into the third segment (223) in a liquid state, but is not limited thereto.

[0169] The flavoring agent may include, but is not limited to, menthol. For example, the flavoring agent may include botanical flavorings such as cinnamon, sage, herbs, chamomile, kudzu, sweet potato, lavender, bergamot, lemon, orange, jasmine, ginger, vanilla, spearmint, peppermint, acacia, coffee, celery, sandalwood, and cocoa. As another example, the flavoring agent may include animal flavorings such as musk, ambergris, civet, and castrium.

[0170] Flavoring agents may be alcohol compounds such as geraniol, linalol, anethole, eugenol, etc. Flavoring agents may be aldehyde compounds such as vanillin, benzaldehyde, anisaldehyde, etc. Flavoring agents may be ester compounds such as isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, linalyl butyrate, etc.

[0171] The third segment (223) may include at least one capsule (23). At least one capsule (23) may be embedded inside the filter material. The capsule (23) may generate flavor or aerosol. For example, the capsule (23) may be a structure in which a liquid containing a flavor agent is surrounded by a film. The film of the capsule (23) may rupture due to external pressure to release the liquid contained within the film. The liquid released from the capsule (23) may be absorbed by the filter material of the third segment (223). The capsule (23) may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0172] The third segment (223) may include an adsorbent. The adsorbent may adsorb a specific substance in the gaseous phase. For example, the adsorbent may include at least one of activated carbon, zeolite, alumina, silica gel, and bentonite.

[0173] The aerosol generating article (2) may include a wrapper (24) that surrounds at least a portion of the aerosol generating rod (21) and / or at least a portion of the filter rod (22). The wrapper (24) may be composed of a single wrapper, or may be composed of a combination of multiple wrappers, such as a first wrapper (241), a second wrapper (242), a final wrapper (24F), and a tip paper (24T).

[0174] The wrapper (24) may include paper. For example, the wrapper (24) may include paper having a thickness of about 10 μm to about 150 μm and a basis weight of about 20 g / m2 to about 100 g / m2, but is not limited thereto. When the wrapper (24) is a combination of multiple wrappers, the thickness and basis weight of the paper included in the multiple wrappers may be the same or different.

[0175] The aerosol generating article (2) can be wrapped in multiple layers by two or more wrappers. For example, the aerosol generating rod (21) can be wrapped in a first wrapper (241), the filter rod (22) can be wrapped in a second wrapper (242), and both the aerosol generating rod (21) and the filter rod (22) can be re-wrapped in a final wrapper (24F).

[0176] The first wrapper (241) may surround the aerosol generating rod (21). The first wrapper (241) may include a thermal conductivity enhancing material. The thermal conductivity enhancing material may include, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil. The thermal conductivity enhancing material can evenly distribute the heat transferred to the aerosol generating rod (21) by improving the thermal conductivity of the first wrapper (241). For example, the first wrapper (241) may be a laminated sheet in which paper and metal foil are laminated. The first wrapper (241) may be a laminated sheet in which paper is placed on one side of the metal foil, or a laminated sheet in which paper is placed on both sides of the metal foil.

[0177] The second wrapper (242) may surround the filter rod (22). Referring to FIG. 4, the second wrapper (242) is shown to surround only the third segment (223) of the segments of the filter rod (22), but is not limited thereto. For example, the second wrapper (242) may surround the second segment (222) and the third segment (223), or may completely surround the filter rod (22). The aerosol generating article (2) may include separate wrappers that surround each of the first segment (221), the second segment (222), and the third segment (223).

[0178] The second wrapper (242) may be oil-resistant. As the second wrapper (242) is oil-resistant, the flavoring agent contained in the third segment (223) and / or capsule (23) may be prevented from leaking out of the aerosol-generating article (2). For example, the second wrapper (242) may include at least one of polyvinyl alcohol and silicone. The surface of the second wrapper (242) may be coated with an oil-resistant material.

[0179] The final wrapper (24F) can wrap the aerosol generating rod (21) and the filter rod (22) together. The final wrapper (24F) can protect the outer surface of the aerosol generating article (2) so that the aerosol generating article (2) can be smoothly inserted into the aerosol generating device (1).

[0180] The final wrapper (24F) may include at least one perforation (24FP). For example, the final wrapper (24F) may surround the second segment (222), and the perforation (24FP) of the final wrapper (24F) may be located at a position corresponding to the perforation (222P) of the second segment (222).

[0181] The wrapper (24) may include a tip paper (24T). The tip paper (24T) may surround a portion of the aerosol generating article (2) extending along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (2) from the downstream end of the aerosol generating article (2). For example, the tip paper (24T) may surround the entire third segment (223) and a portion of the second segment (222). The tip paper (24T) may come into contact with the user's bend during use of the aerosol generating article (2).

[0182] The tip paper (24T) may include at least one perforation (24TP). For example, the tip paper (24T) may surround the second segment (222), and the perforation (24TP) of the tip paper (24T) may be located at a position corresponding to the perforation (222P) of the second segment (222).

[0183] The outer surface of the tip paper (24T) may be coated with a substance such as a sweetener and a lip release agent. The sweetener may provide a sweet taste to the user. For example, the sweetener may include sucralose, citric acid, etc., but is not limited thereto. The lip release agent may allow the user's bulb to be easily separated after contact with the tip paper (24T). For example, the lip release agent may include at least one of nitrocellulose, ethyl acetate, polyamide, and isopropyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto.

[0184] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol-generating article (2) according to one embodiment.

[0185] Referring to FIG. 5, the aerosol generating article (2) may include an aerosol generating rod (21), a filter rod (22), and a shear plug (25). Additionally, the aerosol generating article (2) may be wrapped by at least one wrapper (24).

[0186] The shear plug (25) can introduce outside air into the interior of the aerosol generating article (2). For example, the aerosol generated from the cartridge (19) of the aerosol generating device (1) can be introduced into the aerosol generating rod (21) through the shear plug (25).

[0187] The shear plug (25) may be located on one side opposite to the filter rod (22) with respect to the aerosol generating rod (21). For example, the shear plug (25), the aerosol generating rod (21), and the filter rod (22) may be arranged in order along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (2). The shear plug (25) can prevent the tobacco material of the aerosol generating rod (21) from escaping toward the upstream end of the aerosol generating rod (21).

[0188] The shear plug (25) may include a filter material. For example, the shear plug (25) may include at least one filter material selected from paper, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid, polypropylene, and lyocell. For example, the shear plug (25) may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow.

[0189] The shear plug (25) may be a tube-shaped rod containing a hollow inside. The aerosol generated in the cartridge (19) of the aerosol generating device (1) may flow into the aerosol generating rod (21) through the hollow of the shear plug (25). For example, the shear plug (25) may include a hollow extending from the upstream end of the shear plug (25) toward the downstream end. The cross-section of the hollow may have various shapes such as circular, elliptical, polygonal, cross-shaped, Y-shaped, etc., but is not limited thereto. As another example, the shear plug (25) may be a cylindrical rod that does not contain a hollow.

[0190] The shear plug (25) can add flavor to the aerosol passing through the shear plug (25). For example, the shear plug (25) may contain a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent may be sprayed into the shear plug (25) in a liquid state, but is not limited thereto.

[0191] Since at least one of the components of the aerosol generating article (2) shown in FIG. 5 is identical or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating article (2) shown in FIG. 4 described above, a redundant description is omitted.

[0192] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol-generating article (2) according to one embodiment.

[0193] Referring to FIG. 6, the aerosol generating article (2) may include an aerosol generating rod (21) and a filter rod (22). Additionally, the aerosol generating article (2) may be wrapped by at least one wrapper (24).

[0194] The aerosol generating rod (21) may include a first aerosol generating rod (211) and a second aerosol generating rod (212). The first aerosol generating rod (211) and the second aerosol generating rod (212) may be arranged in order along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (2). However, this is not limited thereto, and the arrangement order of the first aerosol generating rod (211) and the second aerosol generating rod (212) may be changed.

[0195] The first aerosol generating rod (211) can be heated to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generated from the first aerosol generating rod (211) may or may not contain nicotine. The first aerosol generating rod (211) may contain an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the first aerosol generating rod (211) may include other additive materials such as flavoring agents and organic acids.

[0196] The first aerosol generating rod (211) may include an aerosol generating substrate impregnated with a liquid aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating substrate may have a sheet shape. For example, the aerosol generating substrate may be wound to have wrinkles. The aerosol generating substrate in the shape of a wrinkled sheet may be included in the first aerosol generating rod (211) in a wound state. The aerosol generating substrate may be wound around an axis extending along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (2), but is not limited thereto.

[0197] The aerosol generating substrate may include a polymer material. The polymer material may include at least one of paper, cellulose, cellulose acetate, lyocell, and polylactic acid. For example, the aerosol generating substrate may be a paper sheet that does not produce an off-odor due to heat even when heated to a high temperature.

[0198] The second aerosol generating rod (212) can be heated to generate an aerosol containing nicotine vapor. For example, the second aerosol generating rod (212) may contain tobacco material and / or non-tobacco material. Tobacco material and non-tobacco material may have various shapes. For example, tobacco material and non-tobacco material may have at least one form among sheet, citric acid, strand, particle, bead, granule, powder, and extract, but are not limited thereto.

[0199] Tobacco materials may be manufactured using at least one of leaf tobacco raw materials and reconstituted tobacco raw materials. Leaf tobacco raw materials may include at least one of yellow tobacco, Burley tobacco, and Oriental tobacco, but are not limited thereto. Reconstituted tobacco raw materials may refer to tobacco raw materials regenerated by utilizing tobacco by-products. For example, reconstituted tobacco raw materials may include leaf-shaped leaves.

[0200] Non-tobacco substances may be substances manufactured without using tobacco raw materials. For example, non-tobacco substances may be manufactured using cellulose, nicotine, organic acids, etc. Furthermore, non-tobacco substances may be manufactured using cellulose, nicotine salts, etc., but are not limited thereto.

[0201] Tobacco substances and non-tobacco substances may include aerosol-generating substances. For example, aerosol-generating substances may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but are not limited thereto. Additionally, tobacco substances may include other additive substances such as flavoring agents and organic acids.

[0202] For example, the second aerosol generating rod (212) may include a plurality of tobacco leaves. The tobacco leaves may be manufactured according to a manufacturing method comprising the steps of: mixing tobacco leaf raw materials; flavoring the mixed tobacco leaf raw materials; and cutting the flavored tobacco leaf raw materials to produce tobacco leaves.

[0203] The step of blending tobacco leaf raw materials may involve mixing different types of tobacco leaf raw materials according to a predetermined ratio. For example, the step of blending tobacco leaf raw materials may involve blending yellow tobacco and Burley tobacco. However, this is not limited to this, and a single type of tobacco leaf raw material may also be used.

[0204] The flavoring treatment step can suppress the expression of irritation, unpleasant taste, etc., when smoking, and impart moisturizing properties, flavor retention properties, etc. to the tobacco sticks. The flavoring treatment may include the step of spraying a flavoring liquid onto the tobacco leaf raw material. The flavoring liquid may contain sugars (e.g., sugar, etc.), organic acids (e.g., citric acid, tartaric acid, etc.), aerosol-generating substances (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.), flavoring agents (licorice extract, cocoa, etc.).

[0205] The second aerosol generating rod (212) may include at least one plate leaf sheet. The plate leaf sheet may include at least one of a slurry-type plate leaf and a paper-type plate leaf. Slurry-type plate leaves and paper-type plate leaves may be distinguished according to the manufacturing method. At least one plate leaf sheet may be arranged to extend along the longitudinal direction of the second aerosol generating rod (212). However, it is not limited thereto, and the second aerosol generating rod (212) may include a plurality of plate leaf strips manufactured by cutting or slicing the plate leaf sheet. Additionally, the plate leaf sheet may be crimped to include wrinkles, and the second aerosol generating rod (212) may include a crimped plate leaf sheet or a plurality of plate leaf strips manufactured from the crimped plate leaf sheet.

[0206] The second aerosol generating rod (212) may include at least one of puffed leaf and puffed main vein. The puffed leaf and puffed main vein may be manufactured by puffing leaf tobacco raw material and main vein, which is a byproduct of leaf tobacco raw material.

[0207] The second aerosol generating rod (212) may include a plurality of tobacco granules. The tobacco granules may be particles having a diameter of about 100 μm to about 2,000 μm. For example, the tobacco granules may be particles having a diameter of about 200 μm to about 1,000 μm.

[0208] Tobacco granules can be manufactured by introducing a granule core into a fluidized bed reactor and injecting a tobacco mixture into the fluidized bed reactor. In the fluidized bed reactor, the tobacco mixture adheres to and aggregates on the surface of the granule core, and as the granule core grows in size, tobacco granules can be manufactured. The granule core may contain tobacco fines produced by crushing tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, etc. Here, the tobacco fines may be particles having a diameter of about 10 μm to about 80 μm. In addition, the tobacco mixture may be a mixture of tobacco raw materials and a solvent (e.g., water).

[0209] As another example, tobacco granules may be manufactured by wet-extruding a tobacco mixture of tobacco raw materials and a solvent, and then sphericalizing it. Here, water, alcohol (e.g., ethanol) may be used as the solvent, and additives such as flavoring agents, organic acids, and pH adjusters may be added.

[0210] A plurality of tobacco granules may be positioned between the filter material. The filter material may include at least one of paper, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid, polypropylene, and lyocell. For example, the second aerosol generating rod (212) may include fibers of the filter material, and a plurality of tobacco granules may be uniformly dispersed between the fibers of the filter material.

[0211] A detailed description of the method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment will be provided below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0212] Additionally, the filter material may include a sheet-like material. For example, the filter material may include a paper sheet. The paper sheet may be included in the second aerosol generating rod (212) in a wound state. The paper sheet may be wound around an axis extending along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (2), but is not limited thereto. A plurality of tobacco granules may be uniformly dispersed within the wound paper sheet. The paper sheet may be a wound sheet with wrinkles.

[0213] The second aerosol generating rod (212) may include an aerosol generating substrate impregnated with a nicotine liquid composition. The aerosol generating substrate may be applied in the same or similar manner as described above with respect to the first aerosol generating rod (211).

[0214] A nicotine liquid composition may contain nicotine. Nicotine may include freebase nicotine and nicotine salt. Freebase nicotine may refer to neutral nicotine to which no protons have been added. For example, if a base is added to a positively charged nicotine salt, the base is converted into a cation, and the nicotine salt can become freebase nicotine in a neutral state.

[0215] Nicotinic salts may contain acids. For example, nicotine salts may include at least one of acetic acid, benzoic acid, lactic acid, carbonic acid, citric acid, gallic acid, lauric acid, levulinic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, oxaloacetic acid, palmitic acid, pyruvate, phosphoric acid, salicylan, sorbic acid, stearic acid, and tartaric acid.

[0216] The nicotine liquid composition may include an aerosol-generating substance. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto. The nicotine liquid composition may include other additive substances such as flavoring agents and organic acids.

[0217] The nicotine liquid composition may contain about 0.1% by weight to about 5% by weight of nicotine based on the total weight of the nicotine liquid composition. For example, the nicotine liquid composition may contain about 0.5% by weight to about 3% by weight of nicotine based on the total weight of the nicotine liquid composition.

[0218] The nicotine liquid composition may be impregnated in an amount of about 0.05 g to about 5.0 g per 1 g of aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the nicotine liquid composition may be impregnated in an amount of about 0.1 g to about 2.0 g per 1 g of aerosol-generating substrate.

[0219] The filter rod (22) may include a plurality of segments. Referring to FIG. 6, the filter rod (22) may include a first segment (221) and a second segment (222). The first segment (221) and the second segment (222) may be arranged in order along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (2).

[0220] The first segment (221) can cool the aerosol. The high-temperature aerosol generated in the aerosol generating rod (21) can be cooled as it passes through the first segment (221).

[0221] The first segment (221) may include a filter material. For example, the first segment (221) may include at least one filter material selected from paper, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid, polypropylene, and lyocell. The first segment (221) may be a cylindrical rod or a tube-shaped rod containing an internal hollow, but is not limited thereto.

[0222] The first segment (221) may include a cooling material. For example, the cooling material may include a polymer material having a cooling function. The polymer material having a cooling function may come into contact with a high-temperature aerosol and absorb heat from the aerosol. The polymer material having a cooling function may include polylactic acid, but is not limited thereto. As another example, the first segment (221) is a tube-shaped rod including an internal hollow, and a polymer material having a cooling function may be applied to the surface of the internal hollow.

[0223] The first segment (221) may include at least one perforation (221P). The perforation (221P) may be formed along the circumferential direction of the first segment (221) to form one or more rows. External air may be introduced into the interior of the first segment (221) through the perforation (221P). The external air introduced into the interior of the first segment (221) may be mixed with the high-temperature aerosol generated from the aerosol generating rod (21) to cool the aerosol. The perforation (221P) may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device (1) when the aerosol generating article (2) is inserted into the aerosol generating device (1).

[0224] The second segment (222) can filter some components contained in the aerosol passing through the second segment (222). The second segment (222) may include a filter material. For example, the second segment (222) may include at least one filter material among paper, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid, polypropylene, and lyocell. For example, the second segment (222) may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow.

[0225] The second segment (222) may be a cylindrical rod or a tube-shaped rod including an internal hollow, but the shape of the second segment (222) is not limited thereto. For example, the second segment (222) may include a hollow with an open downstream end.

[0226] The second segment (222) may add flavor to the aerosol passing through the second segment (222). For example, the second segment (222) may include a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent may be sprayed into the second segment (222) in a liquid state, but is not limited thereto.

[0227] The flavoring agent may include, but is not limited to, menthol. For example, the flavoring agent may include botanical flavorings such as cinnamon, sage, herbs, chamomile, kudzu, sweet potato, lavender, bergamot, lemon, orange, jasmine, ginger, vanilla, spearmint, peppermint, acacia, coffee, celery, sandalwood, and cocoa. As another example, the flavoring agent may include animal flavorings such as musk, ambergris, civet, and castrium.

[0228] Flavoring agents may be alcohol compounds such as geraniol, linalol, anethole, eugenol, etc. Flavoring agents may be aldehyde compounds such as vanillin, benzaldehyde, anisaldehyde, etc. Flavoring agents may be ester compounds such as isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, linalyl butyrate, etc.

[0229] The second segment (222) may include at least one capsule (23). At least one capsule (23) may be embedded inside the filter material. The capsule (23) may generate flavor or aerosol. For example, the capsule (23) may be a structure in which a liquid containing a flavoring agent is surrounded by a film. The film of the capsule (23) may rupture due to external pressure to release the liquid contained within the film. The liquid released from the capsule (23) may be absorbed by the filter material of the second segment (222). The capsule (23) may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0230] The second segment (222) may include an adsorbent. The adsorbent may adsorb a specific substance in the gaseous phase. For example, the adsorbent may include at least one of activated carbon, zeolite, alumina, silica gel, and bentonite. The adsorbent may have the shape of particles, and a plurality of adsorbent particles may be uniformly dispersed over the entire area of ​​the filter material, but are not limited thereto.

[0231] The aerosol generating article (2) may include a wrapper (24) that surrounds at least a portion of the aerosol generating rod (21) and at least a portion of the filter rod (22). The wrapper (24) may be composed of a single wrapper, or may be composed of a combination of multiple wrappers, such as a first wrapper (241), a second wrapper (242), a third wrapper (243), a fourth wrapper (244), a final wrapper (24F), and a tip paper (24T).

[0232] The wrapper (24) may include paper. For example, the wrapper (24) may include paper having a thickness of about 10 μm to about 150 μm and a basis weight of about 20 g / m2 to about 100 g / m2, but is not limited thereto. When the wrapper (24) is a combination of multiple wrappers, the thickness and basis weight of the paper included in the multiple wrappers may be the same or different.

[0233] The aerosol generating article (2) may be wrapped in multiple layers by two or more wrappers. For example, the first aerosol generating rod (211) may be wrapped in a first wrapper (241), the second aerosol generating rod (212) may be wrapped in a second wrapper (242), the first segment (221) may be wrapped in a third wrapper (243), the second segment (222) may be wrapped in a fourth wrapper (244), and the first aerosol generating rod (211), the second aerosol generating rod (212), the first segment (221), and the second segment (222) may all be re-wrapped in a final wrapper (24F).

[0234] The first wrapper (241) and the second wrapper (242) may surround the aerosol generating rod (21). For example, the first wrapper (241) may surround the first aerosol generating rod (211), and the second wrapper (242) may surround the second aerosol generating rod (212).

[0235] The first wrapper (241) and the second wrapper (242) may include a thermal conductivity enhancing material. The thermal conductivity enhancing material may include, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil. By enhancing the thermal conductivity of the first wrapper (241) and the second wrapper (242), the thermal conductivity enhancing material can evenly distribute the heat transferred to the first aerosol generating rod (211) and the second aerosol generating rod (212). For example, the first wrapper (241) and the second wrapper (242) may be laminated sheets in which paper and metal foil are laminated. The first wrapper (241) and the second wrapper (242) may be laminated sheets in which paper is placed on one side of the metal foil, or laminated sheets in which paper is placed on both sides of the metal foil.

[0236] The third wrapper (243) and the fourth wrapper (244) may surround the filter load (22). For example, the third wrapper (243) may surround the first segment (221), and the fourth wrapper (244) may surround the second segment (222).

[0237] The third wrapper (243) may include at least one perforation (243P). For example, the third wrapper (243) may surround the first segment (221), and the perforation (243P) of the third wrapper (243) may be located at a position corresponding to the perforation (221P) of the first segment (221).

[0238] The fourth wrapper (244) may be oil-resistant. As the fourth wrapper (244) is oil-resistant, the flavoring agent contained in the second segment (222) and / or capsule (23) may be prevented from leaking out of the aerosol-generating article (2). For example, the fourth wrapper (244) may include at least one oil-resistant material among polyvinyl alcohol and silicone. The surface of the fourth wrapper (244) may be coated with an oil-resistant material.

[0239] The final wrapper (24F) can wrap the first aerosol generating rod (211), the second aerosol generating rod (212), the first segment (221), and the second segment (222) collectively. The final wrapper (24F) can protect the outer surface of the aerosol generating article (2) so that the aerosol generating article (2) can be smoothly inserted into the aerosol generating device (1).

[0240] The final wrapper (24F) may include at least one perforation (24FP). For example, the final wrapper (24F) may surround the first segment (221), and the perforation (24FP) of the final wrapper (24F) may be located at a position corresponding to the perforation (221P) of the first segment (221).

[0241] The wrapper (24) may include a tip paper (24T). The tip paper (24T) may surround a portion of the aerosol generating article (2) extending along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (2) from the downstream end of the aerosol generating article (2). For example, the tip paper (24T) may surround an area corresponding to the entirety of the second segment (222) and a portion of the first segment (221). The tip paper (24T) may come into contact with the user's bend during use of the aerosol generating article (2).

[0242] The tip paper (24T) may include at least one perforation (24TP). For example, the tip paper (24T) may surround the first segment (221), and the perforation (24TP) of the tip paper (24T) may be located at a position corresponding to the perforation (221P) of the first segment (221).

[0243] The outer surface of the tip paper (24T) may be coated with a substance such as a sweetener and a lip release agent. The sweetener may provide a sweet taste to the user. For example, the sweetener may include sucralose, citric acid, etc., but is not limited thereto. The lip release agent may allow the user's bulb to be easily separated after contact with the tip paper (24T). For example, the lip release agent may include at least one of nitrocellulose, ethyl acetate, polyamide, and isopropyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto.

[0244] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0245] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment.

[0246] Referring to FIG. 7, a method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment can be performed in a bottom spray type fluidized bed reactor (3). For example, a method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment can manufacture tobacco granules by spraying tobacco slurry (S) into the fluidized bed reactor (3) in which tobacco powder (T1) is fluidized.

[0247] External air is introduced into the interior of the bottom spray type fluidized bed reactor (3), and an airflow can be formed from the bottom to the top. The formed airflow can fluidize the tobacco powder (T1) introduced into the interior of the fluidized bed reactor (3). The thick arrows shown at the bottom and top of the fluidized bed reactor (3) in FIG. 7 may indicate the airflow formed inside the fluidized bed reactor (3).

[0248] A bottom-spray type fluidized bed reactor (3) may include a spray nozzle (31) for spraying tobacco slurry (S). The spray nozzle (31) is positioned at the bottom of the fluidized bed reactor (3) and can spray tobacco slurry (S) toward the top of the fluidized bed reactor (3). A thin arrow shown at the end of the spray nozzle (31) in FIG. 7 may indicate tobacco slurry (S) sprayed from the spray nozzle (31).

[0249] Conventional methods for manufacturing tobacco granules use a top spray type fluidized bed reactor. The top spray type fluidized bed reactor has the disadvantage that it takes a long time to manufacture and is not suitable for mass production.

[0250] A method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment can increase the amount of material used in manufacturing tobacco granules and shorten the time required to manufacture tobacco granules by using a bottom spray type fluidized bed reactor (3), thereby improving productivity.

[0251] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment.

[0252] Referring to FIG. 8, a method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment may include the step of manufacturing tobacco particles by spraying tobacco slurry into a fluidized bed reactor in which tobacco powder is fluidized (S110), the step of manufacturing tobacco seeds by spraying tobacco slurry into a fluidized bed reactor in which tobacco particles are fluidized (S120), and the step of manufacturing tobacco granules by spraying tobacco slurry into a fluidized bed reactor in which tobacco seeds are fluidized (S130).

[0253] The diameter of the tobacco powder may be about 1 μm to about 80 μm, the diameter of the tobacco particles may be about 100 μm to about 300 μm, the diameter of the tobacco seeds may be about 320 μm to about 550 μm, and the diameter of the tobacco granules may be about 600 μm to about 850 μm.

[0254] The steps of manufacturing tobacco particles (S110), manufacturing tobacco seeds (S120), and manufacturing tobacco granules (S130) may each further include the steps of drying the manufactured tobacco particles, drying the tobacco seeds, and drying the tobacco granules. In each drying step, air at a temperature of about 100°C to about 150°C may be supplied into the fluidized bed reactor for about 10 minutes to about 60 minutes.

[0255] If the size of the tobacco granules is rapidly increased within a short period of time for the manufacture of tobacco granules, the hardness of the tobacco granules may decrease, or the size and / or shape of the manufactured tobacco granules may not be uniform. Since the manufacturing process of tobacco granules according to one embodiment can be separated according to the size of the intermediate product, the hardness, size, and / or shape uniformity of the manufactured tobacco granules can be improved. The steps of manufacturing tobacco particles (S110), manufacturing tobacco seeds (S120), and manufacturing tobacco granules (S130) can each be performed in a separately prepared fluidized bed reactor.

[0256] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment.

[0257] Referring to FIG. 9, a method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment may proceed sequentially through a first fluidized bed reactor (3a), a second fluidized bed reactor (3b), and a third fluidized bed reactor (3c). For example, a step (S110) of manufacturing tobacco particles (T2) may be performed in the first fluidized bed reactor (3a), a step (S120) of manufacturing tobacco seeds (T3) may be performed in the second fluidized bed reactor (3b), and a step (S130) of manufacturing tobacco granules (G) may be performed in the third fluidized bed reactor (3c). Tobacco particles (T2) manufactured in the first fluidized bed reactor (3a) may be introduced into the second fluidized bed reactor (3b), and tobacco seeds (T3) manufactured in the second fluidized bed reactor (3b) may be introduced into the third fluidized bed reactor (3c).

[0258] In the step (S110) of manufacturing tobacco particles (T2), the tobacco powder (T1) fluidized inside the first fluidized bed reactor (3a) and the tobacco slurry sprayed inside the first fluidized bed reactor (3a) can come into contact. Accordingly, the tobacco slurry aggregates on the surface of the tobacco powder (T1), causing the size of the tobacco powder (T1) to grow, and tobacco particles (T2) can be manufactured.

[0259] In the step (S120) of manufacturing a tobacco seed (T3), the tobacco particles (T2) fluidized inside the second fluidized bed reactor (3b) and the tobacco slurry sprayed inside the second fluidized bed reactor (3b) can come into contact. Accordingly, the tobacco slurry aggregates on the surface of the tobacco particles (T2), causing the size of the tobacco particles (T2) to grow, and the tobacco seed (T3) can be manufactured.

[0260] In the step (S130) of manufacturing tobacco granules (G), the tobacco seed (T3) fluidized inside the third fluidized bed reactor (3c) and the tobacco slurry sprayed inside the third fluidized bed reactor (3c) can come into contact. Accordingly, the tobacco slurry aggregates on the surface of the tobacco seed (T3), causing the size of the tobacco seed (T3) to grow, and tobacco granules (G) can be manufactured.

[0261] The internal temperature of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) may be about 10°C to about 60°C. In the aforementioned temperature range, the size of the tobacco powder (T1), tobacco particles (T2), and / or tobacco seeds (T3) can grow smoothly. For example, the internal temperature of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) may be about 20°C to about 50°C.

[0262] A tobacco slurry may be a mixture in which tobacco powder is dissolved in a solvent. The solvent of the tobacco slurry may include an aqueous solvent and may include water and / or an alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. For example, the tobacco slurry may contain tobacco powder, water, and alcohol in a weight ratio of about 1: about 1 to about 3: about 0.5 to about 2. Within the aforementioned weight ratio range, the tobacco slurry may be smoothly sprayed through a nozzle and may be suitable for growing the size of tobacco powder, tobacco particles, and / or tobacco seeds.

[0263] The fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) may include a nozzle for spraying the tobacco slurry into the interior of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c). The nozzle may spray the tobacco slurry in a direction from the bottom to the top of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c).

[0264] The pressure at which the nozzle sprays the tobacco slurry may be about 3 bar to about 5 bar. A method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment may shorten the manufacturing time of tobacco granules by spraying the tobacco slurry at a relatively high pressure through a bottom-spray type fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c). For example, the pressure at which the nozzle sprays the tobacco slurry may be about 3.5 bar to about 4.5 bar.

[0265] The pressure at which the nozzle sprays the tobacco slurry may increase over time. The pressure at which the nozzle sprays the tobacco slurry may increase gradually or in steps over time, but is not limited thereto.

[0266] The range of injection pressure that increases over time may be approximately 3 bar to approximately 5 bar. For example, the initial injection pressure may be approximately 3.6 bar, and the injection pressure may be approximately 3.9 bar after 60 minutes have elapsed since the operation of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c). As another example, the initial injection pressure may be approximately 3.6 bar, and the injection pressure may be approximately 3.9 bar after 100 minutes have elapsed since the operation of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c). When the injection pressure of the tobacco slurry increases over time, the manufacturing time of the tobacco granules can be shortened compared to when the injection pressure is constant, and the uniformity of the size of the tobacco granules can be improved.

[0267] The tobacco slurry can be injected into the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) at an injection rate of about 1 kg / min to about 4 kg / min. The injection rate of the tobacco slurry may refer to the weight of the tobacco slurry injected per unit time. For example, the tobacco slurry can be injected into the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) at an injection rate of about 2.8 kg / min to about 3.2 kg / min.

[0268] The injection rate at which the tobacco slurry is injected into the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) may increase over time. The injection rate at which the tobacco slurry is injected may increase gradually or stepwise over time, but is not limited thereto.

[0269] The range of injection speeds that increase over time may be approximately 1 kg / min to approximately 4 kg / min. For example, the initial injection speed may be approximately 1 kg / min, and the injection speed may be approximately 2.8 kg / min after about 10 minutes have elapsed since the operation of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c). As another example, the injection speed may be approximately 2.8 kg / min after about 5 minutes have elapsed since the operation of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c), and the injection speed may be approximately 3.2 kg / min after about 60 minutes have elapsed since the operation of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c). When the injection speed of the tobacco slurry increases over time, the manufacturing time of tobacco granules can be shortened compared to when the injection speed is constant, and the uniformity of the size of the tobacco granules can be improved.

[0270] The air flap of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) may be about 50% to about 70%. For example, the air flap of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) may be about 55% to about 65%. The air flap of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) may increase over time. The air flap may increase gradually or in steps over time, but is not limited thereto.

[0271] The range of the air opening rate that increases over time may be approximately 50% to approximately 70%. For example, the initial air opening rate may be approximately 55%, the air opening rate may be approximately 60% after about 30 minutes have elapsed since the operation of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c), and the air opening rate may be 65% after about 85 minutes have elapsed since the operation of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c). When the air opening rate of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) increases over time, the manufacturing time of tobacco granules can be shortened compared to when the air opening rate is constant, and the uniformity of the size of the tobacco granules can be improved.

[0272] The temperature of the air supplied from the outside to the inside of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) may be about 60°C to about 150°C. If the temperature of the air flowing into the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) is within the aforementioned range, the granulation process can proceed smoothly. For example, the temperature of the air supplied from the outside to the inside of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) may be about 60°C to about 130°C.

[0273] The temperature of the air supplied from the outside to the inside of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) may increase over time. The temperature of the air may increase gradually or in steps over time, but is not limited thereto.

[0274] The range of air temperature that increases over time may be approximately 60°C to approximately 150°C. For example, the temperature of the air supplied from the outside to the inside of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) initially may be approximately 60°C, the temperature at the point where about 5 minutes have passed since the operation of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) may be approximately 80°C, and the temperature at the point where about 30 minutes have passed since the operation of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) may be approximately 120°C. If the temperature of the air supplied from the outside to the inside of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) increases over time, the manufacturing time of tobacco granules can be shortened compared to when the temperature is constant, and the uniformity of the size of the tobacco granules can be improved.

[0275] A method for manufacturing tobacco granules according to one embodiment can satisfy the following mathematical formula 1.

[0276] [Mathematical Formula 1]

[0277] 0.5≤T / (F+t)≤1.8

[0278] In mathematical formula 1, t is an integer less than or equal to 500 and is the elapsed operating time (minutes) of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c), T is the temperature (°C) of the air supplied into the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) at time t, and F is the air opening / closing rate (%) of the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) at time t.

[0279] If the method for manufacturing tobacco granules satisfies Equation 1 over time, not only can the manufacturing time of the tobacco granules be shortened, but the amount of raw materials and tobacco slurry that can be fed into the fluidized bed reactor (3a, 3b, 3c) can also be improved. In addition, since the uniformity of the size and shape of the manufactured tobacco granules can be improved, it can be suitable for mass production of tobacco granules.

[0280]

[0281] Example: Preparation of tobacco granules

[0282] A step (S110) of manufacturing tobacco particles was performed by injecting a tobacco slurry into a fluidized bed reactor in which tobacco powder was fluidized according to the conditions listed in Table 1 below.

[0283] Elapsed time (min) Air opening / closing rate (%) Nozzle injection pressure (bar) Tobacco slurry injection rate (kg / min) Temperature of air supplied into reactor (°C) Internal reactor temperature (°C) Mathematical formula 1055 3.6 0.9604 51.1455 3.6 1.9803 81.4755 3.6 2.8903 81.51255 3.6 2.81103 61.64060 3.6 2.81153 71.26460 3.9 3.31203 71.01 1665 4.2 3.71253 80.7

[0284] A step (S120) of producing tobacco seeds was performed by injecting a tobacco slurry into a fluidized bed reactor in which tobacco particles were fluidized according to the conditions described in Table 2 below. The tobacco particles used were those produced by the step (S110) performed according to the conditions described in Table 1 above.

[0285] Elapsed time (min) Air opening / closing rate (%) Nozzle injection pressure (bar) Tobacco slurry injection rate (kg / min) Temperature of air supplied into reactor (°C) Internal reactor temperature (°C) Mathematical formula 1060 3.6 0.9706 41.2360 3.6 1.9905 41.4560 3.6 2.8100 411.57765 3.9 3.3125 370.98465 3.9 3.3125 370.8

[0286] A step (S130) of manufacturing tobacco granules was performed by injecting a tobacco slurry into a fluidized bed reactor in which tobacco seeds were fluidized according to the conditions described in Table 3 below. The tobacco seeds used were those prepared by the step (S120) performed according to the conditions described in Table 2 above.

[0287] Elapsed time (min) Air opening / closing rate (%) Nozzle injection pressure (bar) Tobacco slurry injection rate (kg / min) Temperature of air supplied into reactor (°C) Internal reactor temperature (°C) Mathematical formula 1055 3.6 0.9604 51.1355 3.6 1.9703 81.2655 3.6 2.8 1003 81.6 3160 3.6 2.8 1253 81.4606 03.9 3.31253 71.0856 53.9 3.31253 70.8 1306 53.9 3.31253 60.6

[0288] Table 4 below shows the production volume (kg) of tobacco seeds and tobacco granules produced by the manufacturing methods of the examples according to Tables 1 to 3 described above, and the production volume (kg) of tobacco seeds and tobacco granules produced by the conventional manufacturing method. The conventional manufacturing method used a top spray type fluidized bed reactor and is described as a comparative example in Table 4.

[0289] Classification Comparison Example Example Tobacco Seed Tobacco Granule Tobacco Seed Tobacco Granule 1 Day -- 43 - 2 Days 30 - 16 3 - 3 Days 90 - 28 36 4 Days 150 - 40 31 25 Days 210 - 52 318 6 Days 150 120 64 32 47 Days 90 240 60 22 7 38 Days 30 360 56 15 22 9 Days 90 360 52 77 110 Days 150 360 47 91,020 11 Days 210 360 43 81,269 12th 270 360 3971,518 13th 330 360 3561,767 14th 390 360 3152,016 15th 330 480 2742,265 16th 270 600 2332,514 17th 210 720 1922,763 18th 150 840 1513,012 19th 90 960 110 3,261

[0290] As shown in Table 4, after 20 days, the example produced 3,510 kg of tobacco granules, whereas the comparative example produced 960 kg of tobacco granules. Therefore, it was confirmed that the manufacturing method according to the example resulted in an increase in production volume of more than three times compared to the conventional manufacturing method.

[0291] Some or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not exclusive or distinct from one another. Some or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be used in combination or combined for their respective configurations or functions.

[0292] For example, this means that configuration A described in a specific embodiment and / or drawing and configuration B described in another embodiment and / or drawing can be combined. That is, it means that even if the combination between configurations is not directly described, combination is possible except in cases where it is described that combination is impossible.

[0293] The foregoing detailed description should not be interpreted restrictively in all respects and should be considered exemplary. The scope of the invention shall be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention are included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

A method for manufacturing tobacco granules by injecting a tobacco slurry into a fluidized bed reactor in which tobacco powder is fluidized, The above fluidized bed reactor is a bottom spray method for manufacturing tobacco granules. In paragraph 1, A step of manufacturing tobacco particles by spraying the tobacco slurry into the interior of a fluidized bed reactor in which the tobacco powder is fluidized; A step of producing a tobacco seed by injecting the tobacco slurry into the fluidized bed reactor in which the tobacco particles are fluidized; and A method for manufacturing tobacco granules, comprising the step of manufacturing tobacco granules by injecting the tobacco slurry into the fluidized bed reactor in which the tobacco seeds are fluidized. In paragraph 2, A method for manufacturing tobacco granules, wherein the diameter of the tobacco powder is 1 μm to 80 μm, the diameter of the tobacco particle is 100 μm to 300 μm, the diameter of the tobacco seed is 320 μm to 550 μm, and the diameter of the tobacco granule is 600 μm to 850 μm. In paragraph 1, A method for manufacturing tobacco granules, wherein the internal temperature of the fluidized bed reactor is 10℃ to 60℃. In paragraph 1, A method for manufacturing tobacco granules, wherein the above tobacco slurry comprises the above tobacco powder, water, and alcohol. In paragraph 1, A method for manufacturing tobacco granules, wherein the tobacco slurry comprises the tobacco powder, water, and alcohol in a weight ratio of 1:1 to 3:0.5 to 2. In paragraph 1, The fluidized bed reactor includes a nozzle for spraying the tobacco slurry into the interior of the fluidized bed reactor, and A method for manufacturing tobacco granules, wherein the pressure at which the nozzle sprays the tobacco slurry is 3 bar to 5 bar. In Paragraph 7, A method for manufacturing tobacco granules, wherein the pressure at which the nozzle sprays the tobacco slurry increases over time. In paragraph 1, A method for manufacturing tobacco granules, wherein the tobacco slurry is injected into the fluidized bed reactor at a spray rate of 1 kg / min to 4 kg / min. In Paragraph 9, A method for manufacturing tobacco granules, wherein the injection rate at which the tobacco slurry is injected into the fluidized bed reactor increases over time. In paragraph 1, A method for manufacturing tobacco granules, wherein the air flap of the above fluidized bed reactor is 50% to 70%. In Paragraph 11, A method for manufacturing tobacco granules, wherein the air opening / closing rate of the fluidized bed reactor increases over time. In paragraph 1, A method for manufacturing tobacco granules, wherein the temperature of the air supplied from the outside to the inside of the fluidized bed reactor is 60°C to 150°C. In Paragraph 13, A method for manufacturing tobacco granules, wherein the temperature of the air supplied from the outside to the inside of the fluidized bed reactor increases over time. In paragraph 1, The above method for manufacturing tobacco granules is a method for manufacturing tobacco granules satisfying the following mathematical formula 1: [Mathematical Formula 1] 0.5≤T / (F+t)≤1.8 In the above mathematical formula 1, t is an integer less than or equal to 500 and is the elapsed operating time (minutes) of the fluidized bed reactor, T is the temperature (°C) of the air supplied into the fluidized bed reactor at time t, and F is the air opening / closing rate (%) of the fluidized bed reactor at time t.

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