Aerosol-generating article and aerosol-generating system comprising same

Abstract

An aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment comprises: a medium part including a mixed reconstituted tobacco sheet; and a filter part including a filter element, wherein the mixed reconstituted tobacco sheet may comprise a first reconstituted tobacco sheet including a first smoking material, and a second reconstituted tobacco sheet including a second smoking material and an alkaline pH regulator.

Description

Aerosol generating article and aerosol generating system including the same

[0001] The embodiments relate to an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating system comprising the same. More specifically, the invention relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising a mixed plate-like leaf capable of delivering uniform nicotine upon smoking, and an aerosol-generating system comprising the same.

[0002] Recently, there has been an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is a growing demand for methods that generate aerosols by heating an aerosol-generating substance, rather than by burning a cigarette to produce an aerosol. Accordingly, research on heated aerosol generating devices is actively underway.

[0003] Such a heated aerosol generating device can generate aerosols from aerosol-generating substances contained in the tobacco medium or generate aerosols by heating a liquid substance, by applying heat to the tobacco medium without causing direct combustion of the tobacco medium, and enable the generated aerosols to be inhaled along with air. Generally, heated aerosol generating products provide the generated aerosols to consumers by heating the tobacco medium through an aerosol generating device to aerosolize it.

[0004] When providing aerosols to consumers using heated aerosol generating devices, various types of tobacco media are being studied to enhance consumer smoking satisfaction. However, when using heated aerosol generating devices, there was a problem where the amount of nicotine delivered during the initial inhalation was insufficient because sufficient heat was not transferred to the tobacco medium during the initial stages of smoking.

[0005] The embodiments provide an aerosol generating article comprising a mixed plate-like leaf capable of delivering uniform nicotine upon smoking, and an aerosol generating system comprising the same.

[0006] The problems to be solved through the embodiments 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 this specification and the attached drawings.

[0007] An aerosol generating article according to one embodiment comprises a medium portion including a mixed plate-shaped leaf; and a filter portion including a filter element, wherein the mixed plate-shaped leaf may include a first plate-shaped leaf including a first smoking material and a second plate-shaped leaf including a second smoking material and a basic pH adjuster.

[0008] An aerosol generating system according to one embodiment comprises: a medium portion including a mixed plate-shaped leaf; an aerosol generating article including a filter portion including a filter element; and an aerosol generating device including an insertion space into which the aerosol generating article is inserted and a heater surrounding the insertion space, wherein the mixed plate-shaped leaf may include a first plate-shaped leaf including a first smoking material and a second plate-shaped leaf including a second smoking material and a basic pH regulator.

[0009] According to the aerosol generating article and the aerosol generating system including the same according to the embodiments, uniform nicotine can be transferred during smoking. In particular, by increasing the amount of nicotine transferred during the initial puff, a uniform amount of nicotine transferred throughout the smoking process can be provided. Through this, the user's smoking satisfaction can be improved.

[0010] 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.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol-generating article according to one embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an aerosol-generating article according to another embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a medium portion including a mixed plate-like leaf according to one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a medium portion containing a mixed plate-like leaf according to another embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a medium portion containing a mixed plate-like leaf according to another embodiment.

[0017] The terms used in the embodiments have been selected based on currently widely used general terms whenever possible, taking into account their functions; however, these may vary depending on the intent of those skilled in the art, case law, or the emergence of new technologies. Additionally, in specific cases, the applicant has arbitrarily selected terms, and in such instances, their meanings will be described in detail in the relevant description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the embodiments must be defined not merely by their names, but based on their meanings and the overall context of the embodiments.

[0018] When a part of a specification is described as "comprising" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components. Furthermore, terms such as "-part" or "-module" as used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and this may be implemented in hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software.

[0019] As used herein, when an expression such as "at least one" precedes an arranged component, it modifies the entire set of components rather than each individual component. For example, the expression "at least one of a, b, and c" should be interpreted as including a, b, and c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c.

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0021] Throughout the specification, embodiments are any classifications intended to facilitate the description of the invention, and each embodiment is not required to be mutually exclusive. For example, configurations disclosed in one embodiment may be applied and / or implemented in other embodiments and may be applied and / or implemented with modifications to the extent that they do not depart from the scope of the disclosure.

[0022] Furthermore, the terms used in this disclosure are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments. In this disclosure, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0023] Some components in the drawings may be depicted with their size or proportions slightly exaggerated. Additionally, components depicted in one drawing may not be depicted in another drawing.

[0024] Throughout the specification, "aerosol-generating article" means an article used for smoking.

[0025] "Medium portion" may refer to a part of an aerosol-generating article that contains a smoking substance. "Smoking substance" refers to a substance contained in the medium portion of an aerosol-generating article, and may refer to an aerosol-forming material that releases volatile compounds upon heating, such as cigarettes (cigars), cigars, etc.

[0026] Additionally, throughout the specification, the "length direction" of a component may be the direction in which the component extends along a unidirectional axis of the component, wherein the unidirectional axis of the component may mean the direction in which the component extends longer than the other unidirectional axis crossing the unidirectional axis. The "length direction of an aerosol-generating article" refers to the direction in which the length of the aerosol-generating article extends, or the direction in which combustion proceeds if the aerosol-generating article is combusted.

[0027] For example, in FIG. 2, the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (2) may be the direction in which the shear portion (25), the medium portion (21), and the filter portion (22) extend. That is, it may mean the height direction of the tube-shaped aerosol generating article (2).

[0028] Additionally, when a user inhales air using the aerosol generating article (2), the part where air enters from the outside to the inside of the aerosol generating article (2) may be referred to as "upstream," and the part where air exits from the inside to the outside of the aerosol generating article (2) may be referred to as "downstream." The terms "upstream" and "downstream" may be used to indicate the relative position or direction between parts or segments constituting the aerosol generating article (2).

[0029] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that is feasible in the aerosol generating devices of the various embodiments described above, or may be implemented in various different forms, and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a housing (10), a power source (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13) and / or a heater (18, CH). 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. 1, and some of the components may be omitted or new components may be added. In the following drawings, descriptions that overlap with FIG. 1 will be omitted.

[0033] 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).

[0034] 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.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the heater (18) can heat an aerosol-generating article (2). The heater (18) may extend upwardly around a space (i.e., an insertion space) into which the aerosol-generating article (2) is inserted. For example, the heater (18) may be in the form of a tube (e.g., a cylindrical shape) containing a hollow inside. The heater (18) may include a shape that contains a hollow inside and surrounds said hollow. In this case, the heater (18) may be supported by a polyimide film. A heater supported by such a film may be referred to as a film heater.

[0036] The heater (18) may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The heater (18) may heat the outside of the aerosol-generating article (2) inserted into the hollow. In the present disclosure, the heater (18) may be referred to as an external heating type heater that heats the outside of the aerosol-generating article (2).

[0037] Meanwhile, an insulating material may be placed on the outside of the heater (18). This reduces the heat radiating outward from the heater (18) and applied to the outside of the housing (10).

[0038] According to one embodiment, the heater (18) may include an electric resistive heater and / or an induction heating type heater.

[0039] 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).

[0040] 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 (18) (e.g., placed externally to correspond to the length of at least a portion of the heater (18)). 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).

[0041] According to one embodiment, the heater (18) 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 (18) 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 (18). In addition, the heater and / or induction coil may include three or more.

[0042] Unlike what is described, the heater (18) 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).

[0043] 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).

[0044] 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.

[0045] In FIG. 1, 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).

[0046] According to one embodiment, the cartridge (19) may include a storage portion (C0) containing an aerosol generating material, a heating means for heating the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol, and / or a liquid delivery means for impregnating (containing) the aerosol generating material. The heating means may include a cartridge heater (CH). 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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).

[0049] 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).

[0050] 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).

[0051] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol-generating article according to one embodiment.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating article (2) may include a medium portion (21) and a filter portion (22). The aerosol generating article (2) may further include a shear portion (25). Additionally, the aerosol generating article (2) may be packaged by at least one wrapper (24).

[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, the medium section (21) may be positioned downstream of the shear section (25), and the filter section (22) may be positioned downstream of the medium section (21). In addition, other general-purpose components may be further included in the aerosol generating article (2) in addition to the components shown in FIG. 2.

[0054] The aerosol generating article (2) can be manufactured in a cylindrical shape. The cross-section can be manufactured in various shapes, including circular, elliptical, square, and rectangular. In one embodiment, when the aerosol generating article (2) is manufactured in a cylindrical shape, the diameter of the aerosol generating article (2) may be about 5 mm to about 9 mm.

[0055] In one embodiment, the length of the aerosol generating article (2) may be about 20 mm to about 60 mm. For example, the length of the shear section (25) may be about 5 mm to about 15 mm, the length of the medium section (21) may be about 10 mm to about 30 mm, and the length of the filter section (22) may be about 5 mm to about 20 mm.

[0056] However, the length or diameter of the aerosol generating article (2) and the elements constituting it are not limited to this and can be varied according to the design.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating article (2) may include a medium portion (21) comprising a mixed plate-like leaf medium and a filter portion (22) comprising a filter element. The mixed plate-like leaf included in the medium portion (21) of the aerosol generating article (2) may include a first plate-like leaf comprising a first smoking material and a second plate-like leaf comprising a second smoking material and a basic pH regulator.

[0058] According to an example, the first plate-like leaf may include a smoking material, a binder, and an aerosol-forming agent.

[0059] According to the embodiments, the smoking material may be manufactured using at least one tobacco raw material among leaf tobacco raw material and reconstituted tobacco raw material. The smoking material may refer to a tobacco material containing nicotine, but is not limited thereto. For example, the tobacco material may include one or more tobacco species selected from the group consisting of yellow tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, and cigar tobacco. Additionally, the tobacco material may include tobacco leaf fragments of the aforementioned tobacco species, tobacco stems, tobacco powder generated during tobacco processing, main side strips of tobacco leaves, etc.

[0060] In addition, smoking materials 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.

[0061] The smoking material may be crushed to an appropriate particle size to facilitate the formation of a sheet of leaf. For example, the smoking material may include crushed tobacco material with an average particle size of 0.03 mm to 0.12 mm, but is not limited thereto.

[0062] According to the embodiments, the binder is a component that enables the smoking material and other materials to bond well together to form a sheet, and any material known in the art can be used without limitation.

[0063] For example, the binder may comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of alginates; cellulose such as methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, ethylhydroxyethylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose; dextran; gums; gum derivatives such as hydroxyethyl guar gum, hydroxypropyl guar gum, hydroxyethyl locust bean gum and hydroxypropyl locust bean gum; pectins such as fruit pectin, citrus pectin and tobacco pectin; starches such as modified or derivatized starch; pullulan; and konjac powder.

[0064] According to the embodiments, the aerosol-forming agent is a substance that enables the delivery of nicotine, etc. to a user in aerosol form by forming an aerosol upon volatilization, and any substance known in the relevant technical field may be used without limitation.

[0065] For example, the aerosol-forming agent may comprise, but is not limited to, one or more selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and glycerol; esters of polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol mono-, di-, or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di-, or polycarboxylic acids such as diethyl suvrate, dimethyl dodecanedioate, dimethyl tetradecanedioate, ethyl laurate, lauryl acetate, and triethyl citrate.

[0066] As an example, the first plate-shaped leaf can be manufactured using a papermaking method, a rolling method, a slurry method, etc. For example, the first plate-shaped leaf can be manufactured in the form of a sheet by mixing a smoking material, a binder, and an aerosol-forming agent to prepare a slurry, then casting and drying it.

[0067] According to an example, the second plate-like leaf may include a smoking material, a binder, an aerosol-forming agent, and a basic pH adjuster.

[0068] The description of the smoking material, binder, and aerosol-forming agent included in the second plate-shaped leaf is the same as that described above for the smoking material, binder, and aerosol-forming agent included in the first plate-shaped leaf.

[0069] In one embodiment, the second plate-shaped leaf can be manufactured in the form of a sheet by mixing a smoking material, a binder, an aerosol forming agent, and a basic pH adjuster to prepare a slurry, then casting and drying it. In another embodiment, the second plate-shaped leaf can be manufactured by mixing a smoking material, a binder, and an aerosol forming agent to prepare a slurry, then casting and drying it to prepare it in the form of a sheet, and then spraying an aqueous solution containing a basic pH adjuster.

[0070] The second plate-shaped leaf contains a basic pH regulator, thereby alkalizing the nicotine in a salt state present in the smoking material and converting it into free-base nicotine. By adjusting the pH of the smoking material toward the alkaline side, a sufficient amount of nicotine can be transferred even during the initial stages of smoking when sufficient temperature has not yet been transferred to the medium.

[0071] According to the examples, a basic pH adjuster may be included in an amount of 6% to 9% by weight relative to the weight of the second smoking material. If less pH adjuster is included than the above range, the effect of increasing the amount of nicotine transferred in the initial puff is negligible. If more pH adjuster is included than the above range, an off-flavor may occur, which may impair the smoking sensation felt by the user.

[0072] By including a basic pH adjuster in the composition of the above range, the second plate-shaped leaf can have a pH value within an appropriate range. For example, the second plate-shaped leaf may have a pH value of about 7 to about 11. As another example, the pH value of the tobacco medium may be about 8.5 to about 9.5. As yet another example, the pH value of the tobacco medium may be 8.7 to 8.9.

[0073] According to the example, the basic pH adjuster may be one or more selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate (K2CO3), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3), sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), and calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

[0074] Additionally, water, fibrous material, plasticizer, flavoring agent, and / or preservative may be included when manufacturing the plate sheet, but is not limited thereto. Also, depending on the manufacturing method, the plate sheet may be a slurry-type plate sheet or a paper-type plate sheet.

[0075] According to the embodiment, the compression or formation of the plate-shaped leaf sheet can be facilitated by including water when manufacturing the plate-shaped leaf sheet. For example, a slurry of a desired viscosity can be obtained by including water when manufacturing the slurry.

[0076] According to the example, the fibrous material plays a role in increasing the strength of the sheet and assisting in bonding, and can improve the physical properties of the sheet.

[0077] For example, the fibrous material may include one or more selected from the group consisting of cellulose, wood fibers, and pulp.

[0078] According to the examples, the plasticizer is a material that improves the flexibility and processability of a material, and any material known in the art can be used without limitation.

[0079] For example, the plasticizer may include one or more selected from the group consisting of triacetin, dibutyl phthalate, dibutyl sebacate, diethyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, acetyl tribubutyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, dibutyl sebacate, and mineral oil.

[0080] Flavoring agents may be formulations that impart taste and / or aroma to aerosols generated from tobacco materials. Flavoring agents may also be referred to as flavoring agents, and any substance known in the relevant technical field may be used without limitation.

[0081] According to an example, the mixed plate-like leaf included in the medium portion of the aerosol-generating article comprises a first plate-like leaf and a second plate-like leaf, and the second plate-like leaf may be included in an amount of 20% to 50% by weight relative to the total weight of the first plate-like leaf.

[0082] When smoking using the aerosol-generating article according to the embodiment, the second plate-shaped leaf is included within the above range, thereby supplementing the insufficient nicotine transfer amount during the initial puff and providing a uniform nicotine transfer amount during smoking. If the second plate-shaped leaf is included below the above range, the nicotine transfer amount during the initial puff is insufficient, which may not improve the user's smoking satisfaction; if it is included above the above range, there is a risk of excessive nicotine transfer during the mid-to-late stages of smoking.

[0083] Meanwhile, the filter section (22) may include a plurality of segments. Referring to FIG. 2, the filter section (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).

[0084] The first segment (221) can cool the aerosol. The high-temperature aerosol generated in the medium (21) can be cooled as it passes through the first segment (221).

[0085] 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. For example, the first segment (221) may be a paper tube formed of paper.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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, licorice, 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] The second segment (222) may include at least one capsule (23). At least one capsule (23) may be embedded inside a filter material. The capsule (23) may generate flavor or aerosol. For example, the capsule (23) may be a structure that surrounds a liquid containing a flavor agent with a film. The material forming the film of the capsule (23) may be starch and / or a gelling agent. For example, gellan gum or gelatin may be used as the gelling agent. Additionally, a gelling aid may be further used as the material forming the film of the capsule (23). For example, calcium chloride may be used as the gelling aid. Additionally, a coloring agent may be further used as the material forming the film of the capsule (23).

[0093] The film of the capsule (23) can be ruptured by external pressure to release the liquid contained within the film. The liquid released from the capsule (23) can 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] The shear section (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 medium section (21) through the shear section (25).

[0096] The shear section (25) may be located on one side opposite to the filter section (22) with respect to the medium section (21). For example, the shear section (25), the medium section (21), and the filter section (22) may be arranged in order along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article (2). The shear section (25) can prevent the tobacco material of the medium section (21) from escaping toward the upstream end of the medium section (21).

[0097] The shear section (25) may include a filter material. For example, the shear section (25) may include at least one filter material selected from paper, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid, polypropylene, and lyocell. For example, the shear section (25) may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow.

[0098] The shear section (25) may be a tube-shaped rod containing a hollow interior. The aerosol generated from the cartridge (19) of the aerosol generating device (1) may flow into the medium section (21) through the hollow interior of the shear section (25). For example, the shear section (25) may include a hollow extending from the upstream end to the downstream end of the shear section (25). The cross-section of the hollow may have various shapes such as circular, elliptical, polygonal, cross-shaped, or Y-shaped, but is not limited thereto. As another example, the shear section (25) may be a cylindrical rod that does not contain a hollow interior.

[0099] The shear section (25) can add flavor to the aerosol passing through the shear section (25). For example, the shear section (25) may include a flavor agent, and the flavor agent included in the shear section (25) may be the same or similar to the flavor agent included in the filter section (22) described above. The flavor agent may be sprayed into the shear section (25) in a liquid state, but is not limited thereto.

[0100] The aerosol generating article (2) may include a wrapper (24) that surrounds at least a portion of the medium portion (21), the filter portion (22), and the shear portion (25). The wrapper (24) may be a single wrapper, but may also be a combination of multiple wrappers (241, 242, 243, 24F, 24T).

[0101] The wrapper (24) may comprise paper. For example, the wrapper (24) has a thickness of about 10 μm to about 150 μm and a g / m² of about 20 g / m² 2 Up to about 100 g / m² 2 It may include paper having a basis weight, but is not limited thereto. If 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.

[0102] The aerosol generating article (2) may be wrapped in overlapping layers by two or more wrappers. For example, the medium portion (21) may be wrapped by the first wrapper (241), the filter portion (22) may be wrapped by the second wrapper (242), the shear portion (25) may be wrapped by the third wrapper (243), and the medium portion (21), filter portion (22), and shear portion (25) may be re-wrapped by the final wrapper (24F).

[0103] The first wrapper (241) may surround the medium portion (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 medium portion (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.

[0104] The second wrapper (242) may surround the filter portion (22). The second wrapper (242) is depicted as surrounding only the second segment (222) of the filter portion (22), but is not limited thereto.

[0105] The second wrapper (242) may be oil-resistant. As the second wrapper (242) 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 second wrapper (242) may include at least one oil-resistant material among polyvinyl alcohol and silicone. The surface of the second wrapper (242) may be coated with an oil-resistant material.

[0106] The third wrapper (243) may surround the shear portion (25). The third wrapper (243) 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. For example, the third wrapper (243) may be a laminated sheet in which paper and metal foil are laminated. The third wrapper (243) 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.

[0107] The final wrapper (24F) can collectively surround the medium section (21), the filter section (22), and the shear section (25). 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).

[0108] 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).

[0109] 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.

[0110] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an aerosol-generating article according to another embodiment.

[0111] According to the embodiment, the medium portion (21) may include two or more segments. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment in which the medium portion (21) includes two segments.

[0112] According to the embodiment, the first plate-shaped leaf (21a) may be included in a larger amount in the downstream segment than in the upstream segment, and the second plate-shaped leaf (21b) may be included in a larger amount in the upstream segment than in the downstream segment. That is, the first plate-shaped leaf (21a) may be included in a larger amount as it goes toward the downstream segment of the medium part (21), and the second plate-shaped leaf (21b) may be included in a larger amount as it goes toward the upstream segment of the medium part (21).

[0113] In one embodiment, the medium portion (21) may include two segments, and the first medium segment (211) located upstream may contain less than 50 weight% based on the total weight of the first plate leaf (21a), and the second medium segment (212) located downstream may contain more than 50 weight% based on the total weight of the first plate leaf (21a). Additionally, the first medium segment (211) may contain more than 50 weight% based on the total weight of the second plate leaf (21b), and the second medium segment (212) may contain less than 50 weight% based on the total weight of the second plate leaf (21b).

[0114] Through the above configuration, when external air (e.g., aerosol) is introduced through the shear section (25) and moves through the medium section (21) to the filter section (22), the free base nicotine is first transferred from the second plate-shaped leaf (21b), which contains a larger amount in the first medium segment (211), thereby compensating for the insufficient amount of nicotine transferred during the initial puff.

[0115] For example, referring to FIG. 3, the medium portion (21) may include two segments, and the first medium segment (211) located upstream may include a second plate-like leaf (21b), and the second medium segment (212) located downstream may include a first plate-like leaf (21a). However, it is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0116] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a medium portion including a mixed plate-like leaf according to one embodiment.

[0117] The medium portion (21) may include a mixed plate-like leaf. The mixed plate-like leaf may include a first plate-like leaf (21a) and a second plate-like leaf (21b).

[0118] According to the embodiments, the thickness of the plate-shaped sheet may be 150 μm to 250 μm. As an example, the slurry-type plate-shaped sheet can obtain a desired sheet thickness by controlling the movement speed of the belt casting the slurry, and can be processed to have a uniform thickness using a roller.

[0119] At least one plate leaf described above may be arranged to extend along the entire length of the medium portion (21). However, it is not limited thereto, and the medium portion (21) may include a plurality of plate leaf cuts manufactured by cutting or shredding a plate leaf sheet with a shredder. Additionally, the plate leaf sheet may be wound to include wrinkles, and the medium portion (21) may include a wound plate leaf sheet or a plurality of plate leaf cuts manufactured from a wound plate leaf sheet.

[0120] According to the embodiment, each mixed plate leaf may have one or more of the following forms: a cut-off form of the plate leaf sheet, a folded form of the plate leaf sheet, or a rolled-up form of the plate leaf sheet. Additionally, it is known that the first plate leaf (21a) and the second plate leaf (21b) may have different forms.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 4, the first plate leaf (21a) and the second plate leaf (21b) may each be included in the medium (21) in the form of a cut leaf sheet. For example, the medium (21) may be formed by wrapping the cut leaf of the first plate leaf (21a) and the cut leaf of the second plate leaf (21b) with a wrapper. The first plate leaf (21a) and the second plate leaf (21b) cut into cut leaves may each have a length of 10 mm to 20 mm and a width of 5 mm to 12 mm.

[0122] The second plate-shaped leaf (21b) in the form of a leaflet may be included in the medium portion (21) in an amount of 20% to 50% by weight relative to the total weight of the first plate-shaped leaf (21a) in the form of a leaflet. If the second plate-shaped leaf (21b) is included in an amount less than the above range, the amount of nicotine transferred during the initial puff may not be sufficient to improve the user's smoking satisfaction, and if it is included in an amount exceeding the above range, there is a concern that nicotine may be excessively transferred during the middle and later stages of smoking.

[0123] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a medium portion containing a mixed plate-like leaf according to another embodiment.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 5, the first plate leaf (21a) and the second plate leaf (21b) may be included in the medium portion (21) in a rolled and rolled form without a separate cutting process. For example, the plate leaf sheet may be rolled into a substantially cylindrical structure as it is transported to a converging funnel (or horn).

[0125] The second plate-shaped leaf (21b) in a rolled and dried form may be included in the medium part (21) in an amount of 20% to 50% by weight relative to the total weight of the first plate-shaped leaf (21a) in a rolled and dried form.

[0126] In one embodiment, the second plate-shaped leaf (21b) is positioned closer to the outer surface of the medium portion (21) than the first plate-shaped leaf (21a), so that heat transfer to the second plate-shaped leaf (21b) is relatively faster than to the first plate-shaped leaf (21a) during the initial smoking phase, thereby further increasing the amount of nicotine transferred during the initial puff.

[0127] For example, referring to FIG. 5, the rolled first plate leaf (21a) may be positioned close to the center with respect to the cross-section of the medium portion (21), and the rolled second plate leaf (21b) may be positioned close to the outer portion with respect to the cross-section of the medium portion (21). Through this arrangement, heat can be transferred more quickly to the second plate leaf (21b) than to the first plate leaf (21a) from the heater (18 in FIG. 1) that heats the outer surface of the medium portion (21). However, this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0128] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a medium portion containing a mixed plate-like leaf according to another embodiment.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 6, the first plate leaf (21a) and the second plate leaf (21b) may be included in the medium in a folded form where the sheet is crimped without a separate cutting process being performed. For example, the plate leaf sheet may be crimped through a crimping process. For example, the plate leaf sheet may include substantially parallel folds as the crimping process is performed.

[0130] Specifically, the crimping process is a process in which wrinkles are imparted to the surface of a sheet through differences in roller pressure and speed of a crimping device, and can be divided into a wet process and a dry process. For example, the wet process is a process in which the sheet is soaked in water, softened, and then crimped, followed by a drying process. The dry process is a process in which dryers with different rotational speeds and temperatures soften and crimp the sheet.

[0131] A plate leaf sheet can have substantially parallel creases created through a wet or dry crimping process, and the plate leaf sheet can be folded due to the created creases so that it can be easily contained within a wrapper.

[0132] The second plate-shaped leaf (21b) in a folded and curled form may be included in the medium portion (21) in an amount of 20% to 50% by weight relative to the total weight of the first plate-shaped leaf (21a) in a folded and curled form.

[0133] In one embodiment, the second plate-shaped leaf (21b) is positioned closer to the outer surface of the medium portion (21) than the first plate-shaped leaf (21a), so that heat transfer to the second plate-shaped leaf (21b) is relatively faster than to the first plate-shaped leaf (21a) during the initial smoking phase, thereby further increasing the amount of nicotine transferred during the initial puff.

[0134] For example, referring to FIG. 6, the first plate-shaped leaf (21a) in a folded and warped form may be positioned close to the center with respect to the cross-section of the medium part (21), and the second plate-shaped leaf (21b) in a folded and warped form may be positioned close to the outer part with respect to the cross-section of the medium part (21).

[0135] Alternatively, the second plate-shaped leaf (21b) in a folded and warped form may have more parts placed in the periphery than in the center based on the cross-section of the medium part (21), and the first plate-shaped leaf (21a) in a folded and warped form may have more parts placed in the center than in the periphery based on the cross-section of the medium part (21). However, it is not limited to such embodiments.

[0136] The description of the embodiments described above is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the invention should be determined by the appended claims, and all variations within the scope equivalent to that described in the claims should be interpreted as being included within the scope of protection determined by the claims.

Claims

As an aerosol-generating article, A medium portion comprising a mixed plate-like leaf; and a filter portion comprising a filter element, The above mixed plate-like leaf is, A first plate-shaped leaf comprising a first smoking material and An aerosol-generating article comprising a second plate-like leaf comprising a second smoking material and a basic pH adjuster. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned second plate-shaped leaf comprises 20% to 50% by weight relative to the total weight of the above-mentioned first plate-shaped leaf, an aerosol-generating article. In paragraph 1, An aerosol-generating article comprising 6% to 9% by weight of the basic pH adjuster relative to the weight of the second smoking material. In paragraph 1, The above basic pH adjuster is one or more selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate (K2CO3), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3), sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), and calcium carbonate (CaCO3), an aerosol-generating article. In paragraph 1, The above smoking material is an aerosol-generating article comprising one or more tobacco species selected from the group consisting of yellow species, Burley species, Oriental species and cigar species. In paragraph 1, Each of the above first plate-like leaf and the above second plate-like leaf is, An aerosol-generating article included in the medium in one or more of the following forms: a plate-shaped leaf sheet in a cut-off form, a plate-shaped leaf sheet in a curled-up and folded form, or a plate-shaped leaf sheet in a rolled form. In paragraph 6, The above-mentioned second plate-shaped leaf is an aerosol-generating article positioned closer to the outer surface of the medium than the above-mentioned first plate-shaped leaf. In paragraph 6, An aerosol-generating article having a thickness of 150 μm to 250 μm of the above plate-shaped leaf sheet. In paragraph 1, The above medium comprises two or more segments, and The above-mentioned first plate-like leaf is contained in a larger amount in the downstream segment than in the upstream segment, and The above-mentioned second plate-like leaf is an aerosol-generating article that is contained in a larger amount in the upstream segment than in the downstream segment. In Paragraph 9, The above medium part includes two segments, and An aerosol-generating article in which the first plate-like leaf is included in the downstream segment and the second plate-like leaf is included in the upstream segment. In paragraph 1, It further includes a shear section positioned opposite to the filter section based on the medium section, and The above-mentioned shear portion is an aerosol-generating article having a tube shape containing a hollow interior. As an aerosol generation system, An aerosol generating article comprising a medium portion including a mixed plate-like leaf; and a filter portion including a filter element; and An aerosol generating device comprising an insertion space into which the above-mentioned aerosol generating article is inserted and a heater surrounding the insertion space; The above-mentioned mixed plate leaf comprises a first plate leaf comprising a first smoking material and a second plate leaf comprising a second smoking material and a basic pH regulator, an aerosol generating system. In Paragraph 12, The above aerosol generating device further includes an airflow channel fluidly communicating with a cartridge and the aerosol generating article, and The above cartridge comprises an aerosol generation system including a liquid delivery means containing an aerosol generating substance and a heating means for heating the aerosol generating substance to generate an aerosol.

Images