AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE AND AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0092584, filed on Jul. 12, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments relate to an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating system including the same and, more specifically, to an aerosol generating article with improved aerosol generation efficiency and an aerosol generating system including the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of general cigarettes has increased. For example, there is a growing demand for systems in which aerosols are generated by heating a cigarette (or an aerosol generating article) by using aerosol generating devices, rather than methods of generating aerosols by burning the cigarette.

Aerosol generating articles may include aerosol generating materials, nicotine, and flavoring agents, and aerosol generating devices generate aerosols including nicotine and flavoring agents by heating aerosol generating articles.

Examples of methods by which aerosol generating devices heat aerosol generating articles include an external heating type using a heater surrounding an outer side of an aerosol generating article, and an internal heating type using a heater that is inserted into an aerosol generating article.

SUMMARY

An aerosol generating article may undergo shrinkage due to heat transferred from a heater, and the volume of the aerosol generating article may be reduced. In the case of an external heating type, as the volume of the aerosol generating article is reduced, a distance between the aerosol generating article and the heater surrounding an outer side of the aerosol generating article may increase, and the aerosol generating article may not be sufficiently heated or aerosol generation efficiency may be reduced.

Problems to be solved through embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to the above-described problems, and problems not mentioned may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from the description and accompanying drawings.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments of the disclosure.

An aerosol generating article according to an embodiment may include an aerosol generating rod that is heated to generate aerosols, and an expansion unit that is arranged inside the aerosol generating rod and expands upon contact with the aerosols.

An aerosol generating system according to another embodiment may include an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device including an insertion space into which the aerosol generating article is inserted and a heater surrounding the insertion space.

An aerosol generating article according to an embodiment may include an aerosol generating rod that is heated to generate aerosols, and an expansion unit that is arranged inside the aerosol generating rod and expands upon contact with the aerosols.

The expansion unit may have an expansion rate of 5% to 50% in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article, at a temperature of 100° C. to 350° C.

The expansion unit may extend in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod, and a length of the expansion unit may be 20% to 100% of a length of the aerosol generating rod.

The expansion unit may include at least one expansion material selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose, amorphous cellulose, cross-linked carmellose sodium, sodium silicate, and bentonite.

The expansion unit may include a compressed pulp sheet.

The expansion unit may include an oxidizer that generates an exothermic reaction upon contact with the aerosols.

The oxidizer may include at least one transition metal salt selected from a group consisting of manganese oxide and chromium oxide.

The expansion unit may include a deformable member including a deformable material, and the deformable member may form an accommodation space that accommodates the oxidizer.

The expansion unit may include a structure that supports an expansion material, and the structure may include a prevention member that is arranged in at least one end portion of the expansion unit, to prevent the expansion material from expanding in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod.

The prevention member may include a porous material.

The expansion unit may include a structure including a hollow portion therein, and an expansion material located inside the hollow portion, and the structure may include a flexible material that is deformed by expansion of the expansion material.

The expansion unit may include a structure including a hollow portion therein, and an expansion material located inside the hollow portion, the structure may include a first structure and a second structure, each extending in a circumferential direction of the structure, and the first structure and the second structure may be detachably coupled to each other in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the structure.

The aerosol generating article may further include a front-end plug arranged upstream of the aerosol generating rod, wherein the front-end plug may have a tube shape including a hollow portion therein.

The aerosol generating rod may include a first aerosol generating rod that is heated to generate aerosols and a second aerosol generating rod that is heated to generate aerosols including nicotine vapor, and the expansion unit may be arranged inside the second aerosol generating rod.

An aerosol generating system according to another embodiment may include an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device including an insertion space into which the aerosol generating article is inserted and a heater surrounding the insertion space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an aerosol generating article according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an aerosol generating article according to another embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the appearance of a conventional aerosol generating article in a first half of a heating period;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the appearance of a conventional aerosol generating article in a latter half of a heating period;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the appearance of an aerosol generating article according to an embodiment in a first half of a heating period;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the appearance of an aerosol generating article according to an embodiment in a latter half of a heating period;

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing the appearance of an expansion unit according to an example before expansion;

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view showing the appearance of an expansion unit according to an example after expansion;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the appearance of an expansion unit according to another example before expansion;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the appearance of an expansion unit according to another example after expansion;

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the appearance of an expansion unit according to another example before expansion; and

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the appearance of an expansion unit according to another example after expansion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar components will be assigned the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals in the drawings, and the same descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The suffixes “module”, “-er”, and “-or” for the components used in the following description are given or used interchangeably by considering only the ease of writing the description, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves.

In addition, when describing the embodiments of the disclosure, the detailed description of the related known art, which may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments, may be omitted. Also, the accompanying drawings are only intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments described herein, and the spirit of the disclosure is not limited by the accompanying drawings and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents or alternatives included in the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another element or component.

When an element is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

The singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Throughout the specification, the term “aerosol generating device” may be a device that generates aerosols by using an aerosol generating material to generate aerosols that may be directly inhaled into a user's lungs through the user's mouth.

Throughout the specification, the term “aerosol generating article” refers to an article that is used for smoking. For example, the aerosol generating article may be a combustion-type cigarette that is used via ignition and combustion, or may be a heating-type cigarette that is used by being heated by an aerosol generating device.

Throughout the specification, the term “aerosol generating system” may include an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article. For example, the aerosol generating system may be a system that transfers, to a user, aerosols generated by heating the aerosol generating article with the aerosol generating device.

Throughout the specification, the term “longitudinal direction” of a component may be a direction in which the component extends in one axis direction of the component, and in this case, the one axis direction of the component may refer to a direction in which the component extends more than in the other axis direction crossing the one axis direction. For example, the expression “longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article” may refer to a direction in which the length of the aerosol generating article extends.

Throughout the specification, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” may be determined based on a direction of airflow when a user inhales aerosols by using an aerosol generating article. For example, the “upstream” may refer to a portion where air enters from the outside of an aerosol generating article to the inside of the aerosol generating article, and the “downstream” may refer to a portion where air exits from the inside of the aerosol generating article to the outside of the aerosol generating article. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” may be used to indicate relative positions or directions between portions or segments constituting the aerosol generating article.

Throughout the specification, the term “puff” refers to a user's inhalation. The inhalation may refer to a situation in which aerosols are drawn into the user's oral cavity, nasal cavity, or lungs through the user's mouth or nose.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an aerosol generating device 1 according to embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may include at least one of power supply 11, a control unit 12, a sensor 13, a heater 18, and a cartridge 19. At least one of the power supply 11, the control unit 12, the sensor 13, and the heater 18 may be arranged inside a body 10 of the aerosol generating device 1. The body 10 may provide a space opened upward to allow insertion of an aerosol generating article 2. The space opened upward may be referred to as an insertion space. The insertion space may be recessed toward the inside of the body 10 to a predetermined depth, to allow insertion of at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 2. The depth of the insertion space may correspond to the length of an area including an aerosol generating rod in the aerosol generating article 2. A lower end of the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the body 10, and an upper end of the aerosol generating article 2 may protrude outside the body 10. A user may place the upper end of the aerosol generating article 2, which is exposed to the outside, in their mouth and inhale air.

The heater 18 may heat the aerosol generating article 2. The heater 18 may extend upward, around a space into which the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted. For example, the heater 18 may have a tube shape including a hollow portion therein. The heater 18 may be arranged around the insertion space. The heater 18 may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The heater 18 may heat the insertion space or the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the insertion space. The heater 18 may include an electric resistance heater and/or an induction heating-type heater.

For example, the heater 18 may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 18 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 18 may be heated as currents flow through the electrically conductive track. The heater 18 may be electrically connected to the power supply 11. The heater 18 may be directly heated by receiving currents from the power supply 11.

For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include an induction coil surrounding the heater 18. The induction coil may induce heating in the heater 18. The heater 18 may be a susceptor, and the heater 18 may be heated by a magnetic field generated by an AC current flowing through the induction coil. The magnetic field may pass through the heater 18 and may generate eddy currents within the heater 18. Currents may generate heat in the heater 18.

In addition, the susceptor may be included inside the aerosol generating article 2, and the susceptor inside the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated by a magnetic field generated by an AC current flowing through the induction coil.

The cartridge 19 may contain an aerosol generating material having any one state of a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state therein. The aerosol generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material.

The cartridge 19 may be formed integrally with the body 10 or may be detachably coupled to the body 10.

For example, referring to FIG. 1, the cartridge 19 may be formed integrally with the body 10 and may communicate with the insertion space through an airflow channel CN.

For example, referring to FIG. 2, a space may be formed in one side of the body 10, and at least a portion of the cartridge 19 may be inserted into the space formed in one side of the body 10, such that the cartridge 19 may be mounted on the body 10. The airflow channel CN may be defined by a portion of the cartridge 19 and/or a portion of the body 10, and the cartridge 19 may communicate with the insertion space through the airflow channel CN.

The body 10 may have a structure that allows outside air to flow into the body 10 in a state in which the cartridge 19 is inserted. In this case, the outside air introduced into the body 10 may flow into a user's oral cavity through the cartridge 19.

The cartridge 19 may include a storage unit CO containing an aerosol generating material and/or a heater CH that heats the aerosol generating material in the storage unit CO. A liquid transfer means impregnated with (containing) the aerosol generating material may be arranged inside the storage unit CO. In this regard, the liquid transfer means may include a wick such as cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, or porous ceramics. The electrically conductive track of the heater CH may have a coil-shaped structure that winds the liquid transfer means or may have a structure that is in contact with one side of the liquid transfer means. The heater CH may be referred to as a cartridge heater CH.

The cartridge 19 may generate aerosols. As the liquid transfer means is heated by the cartridge heater CH, aerosols may be generated. Aerosols may be generated by heating the aerosol generating article 2 by the heater 18. While aerosols generated by the cartridge heater CH and the heater 18 pass through the aerosol generating article 2, tobacco material may be added to the aerosols, and the aerosols with the added tobacco material may be inhaled into a user's oral cavity through one end of the aerosol generating article 2.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include only the cartridge heater CH, and the body 10 may not include the heater 18. In this case, while aerosols generated by the cartridge heater CH pass through the aerosol generating article 2, tobacco material may be added to the aerosols, and the aerosols with the added tobacco material may be inhaled into a user's oral cavity.

The aerosol generating device 1 may include a cap (not shown). The cap may be detachably coupled to the body 10 to cover at least a portion of the cartridge 19 coupled to the body 10. The aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the body 10 through the cap.

The power supply 11 may supply power to operate components of the aerosol generating device 1. The power supply 11 may be referred to as a battery. The power supply 11 may supply power to at least any one of the control unit 12, the sensor 13, the cartridge heater CH, and the heater 18. When the aerosol generating device 1 includes an induction coil, the power supply 11 may supply power to the induction coil.

The control unit 12 may control overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. The control unit 12 may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The control unit 12 may control operation of at least any one of the power supply 11, the sensor 13, the heater 18, and the cartridge 19. The control unit 12 may control operation of a display, a motor, and the like, which are installed in the aerosol generating device 1. The control unit 12 may determine whether the aerosol generating device is in an operable state, by checking the state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 1.

The control unit 12 may analyze a result of sensing by the sensor 13 and control subsequent processes to be performed. For example, the control unit 12 may control power supplied to the cartridge heater CH and/or the heater 18 so that operation of the cartridge heater CH and/or the heater 18 is initiated or terminated, on the basis of the result of sensing by the sensor 13. For example, the control unit 12 may control the amount of power supplied to the cartridge heater CH and/or the heater 18 and the duration the power is supplied, so that the cartridge heater CH and/or the heater 18 may be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature, on the basis of the result of sensing by the sensor 13.

The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion detection sensor, a color sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, and a cap detection sensor. For example, the sensor 13 may sense at least one of the temperature of the heater 18, the temperature of the power supply 11, and the temperature inside or outside the body 10. For example, the sensor 13 may sense a user's puff. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the insertion space. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether the cartridge 19 is mounted. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether the cap is mounted.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an aerosol generating article according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating article 2 may include an aerosol generating rod 21, a filter rod 22, and a front-end plug 25. In addition, the aerosol generating article 2 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 24.

The aerosol generating rod 21 may include an expansion unit 26 arranged therein. The expansion unit 26 is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 16.

The aerosol generating rod 21 may include tobacco material and/or non-tobacco material. The tobacco material and the non-tobacco material may include nicotine and/or nicotine salt and may be heated to generate aerosols including nicotine vapor. The tobacco material and the non-tobacco material may have various shapes. For example, the tobacco material and the non-tobacco material may have the form of at least one of a sheet, pipe tobacco, strands, particles, beads, granule, powder, and an extract, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The tobacco material may be manufactured using at least one tobacco raw material among leaf tobacco raw material and reconstituted tobacco raw material. The leaf tobacco raw material may include at least one of flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, and oriental tobacco, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The reconstituted tobacco raw material may refer to a tobacco raw material regenerated using tobacco by-products. For example, the reconstituted tobacco raw material may include a tobacco sheet.

The non-tobacco material may include a material manufactured without using tobacco raw material. For example, the non-tobacco material may be manufactured using cellulose, nicotine, organic acids, or the like. In addition, the non-tobacco material may be manufactured using cellulose, nicotine salt, or the like, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The tobacco material and the non-tobacco material may include 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 the disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, the tobacco material may include other additives such as flavoring agents and organic acids.

The aerosol generating rod 21 may include at least one tobacco sheet. The at least one tobacco sheet may include at least one of a slurry-type tobacco sheet and a paper-type tobacco sheet. The slurry-type tobacco sheet and the paper-type tobacco sheet may be distinguished based on their manufacturing methods. The at least one tobacco sheet may be arranged to extend along the entire length of the aerosol generating rod 21. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the aerosol generating rod 21 may include a plurality of cut tobacco sheets manufactured by cutting or shredding a tobacco sheet. In addition, the tobacco sheet may be crimped to include wrinkles, and the aerosol generating rod 21 may include the crimped tobacco sheet or a plurality of cut tobacco sheets manufactured from the crimped tobacco sheet.

The aerosol generating rod 21 may include at least one of expanded tobacco and expanded midrib. The expanded tobacco and the expanded midrib may be manufactured by expanding leaf tobacco raw material and midrib, which is a by-product of the leaf tobacco raw material.

The filter rod 22 may include a plurality of segments. Referring to FIG. 3, 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 sequentially in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 2.

The first segment 221 may cool aerosols. High-temperature aerosols generated from the aerosol generating rod 21 may be cooled as they pass through the first segment 221.

The first segment 221 may include a filter material. For example, the first segment 221 may include at least one filter material among paper, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid, polypropylene, and lyocell. The first segment 221 may be a rod having a cylindrical shape or a rod having a tube shape including an internal hollow portion, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the first segment 221 may be a paper tube formed of paper.

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 absorb heat from high-temperature aerosols by coming into contact with the aerosols. The polymer material having a cooling function may include polylactic acid, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the first segment 221 may be a rod having a tube shape including an internal hollow portion, and a polymer material having a cooling function may be applied to a surface of the internal hollow portion.

The second segment 222 may filter some components included in aerosol that passes 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.

The second segment 222 may be a rod having a cylindrical shape or a rod having a tube shape including an internal hollow portion, but the shape of the second segment 222 is not limited thereto.

The second segment 222 may add flavor to aerosols that pass through the second segment 222. For example, the second segment 222 may include a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent may be sprayed in a liquid state onto the second segment 222, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The flavoring agent may include menthol, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the flavoring agent may also include a plant-based flavoring agent such as cinnamon, sage, herbs, chamomile, licorice, persimmon leaf, lavender, bergamot, lemon, orange, jasmine, ginger, vanilla, spearmint, peppermint, acacia, coffee, celery, sandalwood, or cocoa. As another example, the flavoring agent may also include an animal-based flavoring agent such as musk, ambergris, civet, or castoreum.

The flavoring agent may also be an alcohol-based compound such as geraniol, linalool, anethole, or eugenol. The flavoring agent may also be an aldehyde compound such as vanillin, benzaldehyde, or anisaldehyde. The flavoring agent may also be an ester compound such as isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, or linalyl butyrate.

The second segment 222 may include at least one capsule 23. The at least one capsule 23 may be embedded inside the filter material. A capsule 23 may generate flavor or aerosols. For example, the capsule 23 may have a structure in which a liquid including a flavoring agent is enclosed by a coating film. The coating film of the capsule 23 may be ruptured by external pressure, thereby releasing the liquid included in the coating film. The liquid released from the capsule 23 may be absorbed into the filter material of the second segment 222. The capsule 23 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The second segment 222 may include an adsorbent. The adsorbent may adsorb specific substances in a gas phase. For example, the adsorbent may include at least one of activated carbon, zeolite, alumina, silica gel, and bentonite.

The front-end plug 25 may introduce outside air into the aerosol generating article 2. For example, aerosols generated in the cartridge 19 of the aerosol generating device 1 may be introduced into the aerosol generating rod 21 through the front-end plug 25.

The front-end plug 25 may be located on one side of the aerosol generating rod 21, opposite to the filter rod 22. For example, the front-end plug 25, the aerosol generating rod 21, and the filter rod 22 may be arranged sequentially in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 2. The front-end plug 25 may prevent the tobacco material in the aerosol generating rod 21 from escaping toward an upstream end of the aerosol generating rod 21.

The front-end plug 25 may include a filter material. For example, the front-end plug 25 may include at least one filter material among paper, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid, polypropylene, and lyocell. For example, the front-end plug 25 may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow.

The front-end plug 25 may be a rod having a tube shape including a hollow portion therein. Aerosols generated in the cartridge 19 of the aerosol generating device 1 may be introduced into the aerosol generating rod 21 through the hollow portion of the front-end plug 25. For example, the front-end plug 25 may include a hollow portion extending from an upstream end of the front-end plug 25 to a downstream end thereof. The cross-section of the hollow portion may have various shapes such as a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, a cross shape, or a Y shape, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the front-end plug 25 may be a rod having a cylindrical shape with no hollow portion.

The front-end plug 25 may add flavor to aerosols that pass through the front-end plug 25. For example, the front-end plug 25 may include a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent may be sprayed in a liquid state onto the front-end plug 25, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating article 2 may include the wrapper 24 surrounding at least a portion of the aerosol generating rod 21, the filter rod 22, and the front-end plug 25. The wrapper 24 may be a single wrapper or a combination of a plurality of wrappers (i.e., a first wrapper 241, a second wrapper 242, a third wrapper 243, a final wrapper 24F, and a tip paper 24T).

The wrapper 24 may include paper. For example, the wrapper 24 may include paper having a thickness of about 10 um to about 150 um and a basis weight of about 20 g/m² to about 100 g/m², but the disclosure is not limited thereto. When the wrapper 24 is a combination of a plurality of wrappers, the thickness and basis weight of the paper included in each of the plurality of wrappers may be the same or different.

The aerosol generating article 2 may be wrapped overlappingly by two or more wrappers. For example, the aerosol generating rod 21 may be wrapped by the first wrapper 241, the filter rod 22 may be wrapped by the second wrapper 242, the front-end plug 25 may be wrapped by the third wrapper 243, and the aerosol generating rod 21, the filter rod 22, and the front-end plug 25 may be re-wrapped by the final wrapper 24F.

The first wrapper 241 may surround the aerosol generating rod 21. The first wrapper 241 may include a thermal conductivity enhancement material. The thermal conductivity enhancement material may include a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The thermal conductivity enhancement material may evenly disperse heat transferred to the aerosol generating rod 21, by enhancing 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 the paper is arranged on one surface of the metal foil, or may be a laminated sheet in which the paper is arranged on both surfaces of the metal foil.

The second wrapper 242 may surround the filter rod 22. It is shown that the second wrapper 242 surrounds only the second segment 222 of the filter rod 22, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The second wrapper 242 may have oil resistance. Because the second wrapper 242 has oil resistance, the flavoring agent included in the second segment 222 and/or the capsule 23 may be prevented from leaking to the outside 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. A surface of the second wrapper 242 may be coated with an oil-resistant material.

The third wrapper 243 may surround the front-end plug 25. The third wrapper 243 may include a thermal conductivity enhancement material. The thermal conductivity enhancement material may include a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. 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 the paper is arranged on one surface of the metal foil, or may be a laminated sheet in which the paper is arranged on both surfaces of the metal foil.

The final wrapper 24F may collectively surround the aerosol generating rod 21, the filter rod 22, and the front-end plug 25. The final wrapper 24F may protect an outer surface of the aerosol generating article 2 so that the aerosol generating article 2 may be smoothly inserted into the aerosol generating device 1.

The wrapper 24 may include the tip paper 24T. The tip paper 24T may surround a partial area of the aerosol generating article 2 extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 2 from a downstream end of the aerosol generating article 2. For example, the tip paper 24T may surround an area corresponding to the entire second segment 222 and a portion of the first segment 221. The tip paper 24T may come into contact with a user's oral area during use of the aerosol generating article 2.

An outer surface of the tip paper 24T may be coated with a material 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, and the like, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The lip release agent may facilitate easy separation of the user's oral area from the tip paper 24T after contact. For example, the lip release agent may include at least one of nitrocellulose, ethyl acetate, polyamide, and isopropyl alcohol, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the aerosol generating device 1 according to embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating device 1 may include at least one of the power supply 11, the control unit 12, the sensor 13, and the heater 18. At least one of the power supply 11, the control unit 12, the sensor 13, and the heater 18 may be arranged inside the body 10 of the aerosol generating device 1. The body 10 may provide a space opened upward to allow insertion of the aerosol generating article 2. The space opened upward may be referred to as an insertion space. The insertion space may be recessed toward the inside of the body 10 to a predetermined depth, to allow insertion of at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 2. The depth of the insertion space may correspond to the length of an area including an aerosol generating rod in the aerosol generating article 2. A lower end of the aerosol generating article 2 may be inserted into the body 10, and an upper end of the aerosol generating article 2 may protrude outside the body 10. A user may place the upper end of the aerosol generating article 2, which is exposed to the outside, in their mouth and inhale air.

The heater 18 may heat the aerosol generating article 2. The heater 18 may extend upward, around a space into which the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted. For example, the heater 18 may have a tube shape including a hollow portion therein. The heater 18 may be arranged around the insertion space. The heater 18 may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the insertion space. The heater 18 may heat the insertion space or the aerosol generating article 2 inserted into the insertion space. The heater 18 may include an electric resistance heater and/or an induction heating-type heater.

For example, referring to FIG. 4, the heater 18 may be a resistive heater. For example, the heater 18 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 18 may be heated as currents flow through the electrically conductive track. The heater 18 may be electrically connected to the power supply 11. The heater 18 may be directly heated by receiving currents from the power supply 11. The heater 18 is hollow and may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the aerosol generating article 2, which is inserted into the insertion space, and heat an outer side of the inserted aerosol generating article 2, or the heater 18 is a pin-shaped, rod-shaped, or tube-shaped and may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 2, which is inserted into the insertion space, and heat the inside of the aerosol generating article 2.

For example, referring to FIG. 5, the aerosol generating device 1 may include an induction coil 181 surrounding the heater 18. The induction coil 181 may induce heating in the heater 18. The heater 18 may be a susceptor, and the heater 18 may be heated by a magnetic field generated by an AC current flowing through the induction coil 181. The magnetic field may pass through the heater 18 and may generate eddy currents within the heater 18. Currents may generate heat in the heater 18.

In addition, the susceptor may be included inside the aerosol generating article 2, and the susceptor inside the aerosol generating article 2 may be heated by a magnetic field generated by an AC current flowing through the induction coil 181.

The power supply 11 may supply power to operate components of the aerosol generating device 1. The power supply 11 may be referred to as a battery. The power supply 11 may supply power to at least any one of the control unit 12, the sensor 13, and the heater 18. When the aerosol generating device 1 includes the induction coil 181, the power supply 11 may also supply power to the induction coil 181.

The control unit 12 may control overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. The control unit 12 may be mounted on a PCB. The control unit 12 may control at least any one operation of the power supply 11 and the sensor 13. The control unit 12 may control operation of the induction coil 181. The control unit 12 may control operation of a display, a motor, and the like, which are installed in the aerosol generating device 1. The control unit 12 may determine whether the aerosol generating device 1 is in an operable state, by checking the state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 1.

The control unit 12 may analyze a result of sensing by the sensor 13 and control subsequent processes to be performed. For example, the control unit 12 may control power supplied to the heater 18 so that operation of the heater 18 is initiated or terminated, on the basis of the result of sensing by the sensor 13. For example, the control unit 12 may control the amount of power supplied to the heater 18 and the duration the power is supplied, so that the heater 18 may be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature, on the basis of the result of sensing by the sensor 13.

The sensor 13 may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, and an insertion detection sensor. For example, the sensor 13 may sense at least one of the temperature of the heater 18, the temperature of the power supply 11, and the temperature inside or outside the body 10. For example, the sensor 13 may sense a user's puff. For example, the sensor 13 may sense whether the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into the insertion space.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an aerosol generating article according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the aerosol generating article 2 may include the aerosol generating rod 21 and the filter rod 22. In addition, the aerosol generating article 2 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 24.

The aerosol generating rod 21 may include the expansion unit 26 arranged therein. For example, the expansion unit 26 may be arranged inside a second aerosol generating rod, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The expansion unit 26 is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 16.

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 sequentially in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 2. However, the disclosure 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. For example, the second aerosol generating rod 212 and the first aerosol generating rod 211 may be arranged sequentially in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 2.

The first aerosol generating rod 211 may be heated to generate aerosols. The aerosols generated from the first aerosol generating rod 211 may include nicotine or may be substantially free of nicotine. The first aerosol generating rod 211 may include 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 the disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, the first aerosol generating rod 211 may include other additives such as flavoring agents and organic acids.

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 a crimped sheet with wrinkles formed. The aerosol generating substrate having a sheet shape may be included in the first aerosol generating rod 211 in a wound state. The aerosol generating article 2 may be wound around an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 2, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

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 generate an off-flavor due to heat even when heated to a high temperature.

The second aerosol generating rod 212 may be heated to generate aerosols including nicotine vapor. For example, the second aerosol generating rod 212 may include tobacco material and/or non-tobacco material. The tobacco material and the non-tobacco material may have various shapes. For example, the tobacco material and the non-tobacco material may have the form of at least one of a sheet, pipe tobacco, strands, particles, beads, granule, powder, and an extract, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The tobacco material may be manufactured using at least one tobacco raw material among leaf tobacco raw material and reconstituted tobacco raw material. The leaf tobacco raw material may include at least one of flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, and oriental tobacco, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The reconstituted tobacco raw material may refer to a tobacco raw material regenerated using tobacco by-products. For example, the reconstituted tobacco raw material may include a tobacco sheet.

The non-tobacco material may include a material manufactured without using tobacco raw material. For example, the non-tobacco material may be manufactured using cellulose, nicotine, organic acids, or the like. In addition, the non-tobacco material may be manufactured using cellulose, nicotine salt, or the like, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The tobacco material and the non-tobacco material may include 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 the disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, the tobacco material may include other additives such as flavoring agents and organic acids.

For example, the second aerosol generating rod 212 may include a plurality of tobacco cut sheets. The tobacco cut sheets may be manufactured according to a manufacturing method including blending leaf tobacco raw materials, flavoring the blended leaf tobacco raw materials, and cutting the flavored leaf tobacco raw materials into tobacco cut sheets.

The blending of the leaf tobacco raw materials may include mixing different types of leaf tobacco raw materials in predetermined ratios. For example, the blending of the leaf tobacco raw materials may include blending flue-cured tobacco and burley tobacco together. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and a single type of leaf tobacco raw material may be used.

The flavoring of the blended leaf tobacco raw materials may include suppressing occurrence of irritation or unpleasant taste during smoking and imparting moisture retention and flavor retention properties to the tobacco cut sheets. The flavoring of the blended leaf tobacco raw materials may include spraying a flavoring liquid onto the leaf tobacco raw materials. The flavoring liquid may include sugars (e.g., sugar), organic acids (e.g., citric acid, tartaric acid, etc.), aerosol generating materials (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.), flavoring agents (e.g., licorice extract, cocoa, etc.), and the like.

The second aerosol generating rod 212 may include at least one tobacco sheet. The at least one tobacco sheet may include at least one of a slurry-type tobacco sheet and a paper-type tobacco sheet. The slurry-type tobacco sheet and the paper-type tobacco sheet may be distinguished based on their manufacturing methods. The at least one tobacco sheet may be arranged to extend along the entire length of the second aerosol generating rod 212. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second aerosol generating rod 212 may include a plurality of cut tobacco sheets manufactured by cutting or shredding a tobacco sheet. In addition, the tobacco sheet may be crimped to include wrinkles, and the second aerosol generating rod 212 may include the crimped tobacco sheet or a plurality of cut tobacco sheets manufactured from the crimped tobacco sheet.

The second aerosol generating rod 212 may include at least one of expanded tobacco and expanded midrib. The expanded tobacco and the expanded midrib may be manufactured by expanding leaf tobacco raw material and midrib, which is a by-product of the leaf tobacco raw material.

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

The tobacco granules may be manufactured by putting granule cores into a fluidized bed reactor and spraying a tobacco mixture into the fluidized bed reactor. In the fluidized bed reactor, the tobacco mixture may adhere to surfaces of the granule cores and agglomerate, causing the granule cores to increase in size and resulting in formation of the tobacco granules. The granule cores may include tobacco fines manufactured by pulverizing tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, or the like. In this regard, the tobacco fines may be particles each having a diameter of about 10 μm to about 80 μm. In addition, the tobacco mixture may be a mixture of a tobacco raw material and a solvent (e.g., water).

As another example, the tobacco granules may be manufactured by wet extrusion of a tobacco mixture obtained by mixing a tobacco raw material and a solvent, followed by spherization. In this regard, the solvent may be water, an alcohol (e.g., ethanol), or the like, and additives such as flavoring agents, organic acids, and pH adjusters may be added.

The plurality of tobacco granules may be located within a 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 the plurality of tobacco granules may be uniformly dispersed among the fibers of the filter material.

In addition, the filter material may include a sheet-shaped 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 wound paper sheet may be wound around an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 2, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The plurality of tobacco granules may be uniformly dispersed inside the wound paper sheet. The paper sheet may be a crimped sheet with wrinkles formed.

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 a similar manner as described above with respect to the first aerosol generating rod 211.

The nicotine liquid composition may include nicotine. The nicotine may include freebase nicotine and/or nicotine salt. The freebase nicotine may refer to neutral nicotine that has not been protonated. For example, when a base is added to a positively charged nicotine salt, the base is converted into a cation, and the nicotine salt may become freebase nicotine, which is in a neutral state.

The nicotine salt may include an acid. For example, the nicotine salt 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, pyruvic acid, phosphoric acid, salicylic acid, sorbic acid, stearic acid, and tartaric acid.

The nicotine liquid composition may include 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 the disclosure is not limited thereto. The nicotine liquid composition may include other additives such as flavoring agents and organic acids.

The nicotine liquid composition may include nicotine in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %, based on the total weight of the nicotine liquid composition. For example, the nicotine liquid composition may include nicotine in an amount of about 0.5 wt % to about 3 wt %, based on the total weight of the nicotine liquid composition.

The nicotine liquid composition may be impregnated in an amount of about 0.05 g to about 5.0 g per 1 g of the 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 the aerosol generating substrate.

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

The first segment 221 may cool aerosols. High-temperature aerosols generated from the aerosol generating rod 21 may be cooled as they pass through the first segment 221.

The first segment 221 may include a filter material. For example, the first segment 221 may include at least one filter material among paper, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid, polypropylene, and lyocell. The first segment 221 may be a rod having a cylindrical shape or a rod having a tube shape including an internal hollow portion, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

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 absorb heat from high-temperature aerosols by coming into contact with the aerosols. The polymer material having a cooling function may include polylactic acid, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the first segment 221 may be a rod having a tube shape including an internal hollow portion, and a polymer material having a cooling function may be applied to a surface of the internal hollow portion.

The first segment 221 may include a perforation 221P. The perforation 221P may be formed in a circumferential direction of the first segment 221 to form one or more rows. Outside air may be introduced into the first segment 221 through the perforation 221P. The outside air introduced into the first segment 221 may be mixed with high-temperature aerosols generated from the aerosol generating rod 21 to cool the aerosols. When the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted into an aerosol generating device, the perforation 221P may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device.

The second segment 222 may filter some components included in aerosol that passes 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.

The second segment 222 may be a rod having a cylindrical shape or a rod having a tube shape including an internal hollow portion, but the shape of the second segment 222 is not limited thereto. For example, the second segment 222 may include a hollow portion with an open downstream end.

The second segment 222 may add flavor to aerosols that pass through the second segment 222. For example, the second segment 222 may include a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent may be sprayed in a liquid state onto the second segment 222, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The flavoring agent may include menthol, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the flavoring agent may also include a plant-based flavoring agent such as cinnamon, sage, herbs, chamomile, licorice, persimmon leaf, lavender, bergamot, lemon, orange, jasmine, ginger, vanilla, spearmint, peppermint, acacia, coffee, celery, sandalwood, or cocoa. As another example, the flavoring agent may also include an animal-based flavoring agent such as musk, ambergris, civet, or castoreum.

The flavoring agent may also be an alcohol-based compound such as geraniol, linalool, anethole, or eugenol. The flavoring agent may also be an aldehyde compound such as vanillin, benzaldehyde, or anisaldehyde. The flavoring agent may also be an ester compound such as isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, or linalyl butyrate.

The second segment 222 may include at least one capsule 23. The at least one capsule 23 may be embedded inside the filter material. The capsule 23 may generate flavor or aerosols. For example, the capsule 23 may have a structure in which a liquid including a flavoring agent is enclosed by a coating film. The coating film of the capsule 23 may be ruptured by external pressure, thereby releasing the liquid included in the coating film. The liquid released from the capsule 23 may be absorbed into the filter material of the second segment 222. The capsule 23 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The second segment 222 may include an adsorbent. The adsorbent may adsorb specific substances in a gas phase. For example, the adsorbent may include at least one of activated carbon, zeolite, alumina, silica gel, and bentonite. The adsorbent may be in the form of particles, and a plurality of adsorbent particles may be uniformly dispersed across the entire area of the filter material, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating article 2 may include the wrapper 24 surrounding at least a portion of the aerosol generating rod 21 and the filter rod 22. The wrapper 24 may be a single wrapper or a combination of a plurality of wrappers (i.e., the first wrapper 241, the second wrapper 242, the third wrapper 243, a fourth wrapper 244, the final wrapper 24F, and the tip paper 24T).

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 the disclosure is not limited thereto. When the wrapper 24 is a combination of a plurality of wrappers, the thickness and basis weight of the paper included in each of the plurality of wrappers may be the same or different.

The aerosol generating article 2 may be wrapped overlappingly by two or more wrappers. For example, the first aerosol generating rod 211 may be wrapped by the first wrapper 241, the second aerosol generating rod 212 may be wrapped by the second wrapper 242, the first segment 221 may be wrapped by the third wrapper 243, the second segment 222 may be wrapped by the 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 be re-wrapped by the final wrapper 24F.

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.

The first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may include a thermal conductivity enhancement material. The thermal conductivity enhancement material may include a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The thermal conductivity enhancement material may evenly disperse heat transferred to the first aerosol generating rod 211 and the second aerosol generating rod 212, by enhancing thermal conductivity of the first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242. For example, the first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may each be a laminated sheet in which paper and metal foil are laminated. The first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may each be a laminated sheet in which the paper is arranged on one surface of the metal foil, or may each be a laminated sheet in which the paper is arranged on both surfaces of the metal foil.

The third wrapper 243 and the fourth wrapper 244 may surround the filter rod 22. For example, the third wrapper 243 may surround the first segment 221, and the fourth wrapper 244 may surround the second segment 222.

The third wrapper 243 may include a 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.

The fourth wrapper 244 may have oil resistance. Because the fourth wrapper 244 has oil resistance, the flavoring agent included in the second segment 222 and/or the capsule 23 may be prevented from leaking to the outside 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. A surface of the fourth wrapper 244 may be coated with an oil-resistant material.

The final wrapper 24F may collectively surround the first aerosol generating rod 211, the second aerosol generating rod 212, the first segment 221, and the second segment 222. The final wrapper 24F may protect the outer surface of the aerosol generating article 2 so that the aerosol generating article 2 may be smoothly inserted into the aerosol generating device 1.

The final wrapper 24F may include a 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.

The wrapper 24 may include the tip paper 24T. The tip paper 24T may surround a partial area of the aerosol generating article 2 extending in 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 entire second segment 222 and a portion of the first segment 221. The tip paper 24T may come into contact with a user's oral area during use of the aerosol generating article 2.

The tip paper 24T may include a 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.

The outer surface of the tip paper 24T may be coated with a material 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, and the like, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The lip release agent may facilitate easy separation of the user's oral area from the tip paper 24T after contact. For example, the lip release agent may include at least one of nitrocellulose, ethyl acetate, polyamide, and isopropyl alcohol, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining changes in a conventional aerosol generating article 2 during a heating process.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the appearance of the conventional aerosol generating article 2 in a first half of a heating period, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the appearance of the conventional aerosol generating article 2 in a latter half of the heating period. In this regard, the “heating period” may refer to the time duration from when the heater 18 of the aerosol generating device 1 starts heating to when the heater 18 stops heating. In addition, within the entire heating period, an initial phase in terms of time, for example, the time duration corresponding to approximately half of the heating period, may correspond to the “first half of the heating period,” while the remaining time duration may correspond to the “latter half of the heating period.”

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the volume of the aerosol generating rod 21 may be reduced in the latter half of the heating period, compared to the first half of the heating period. The aerosol generating article 2 includes the aerosol generating rod 21, and in the case of an external heating type, the heater 18 arranged adjacent to the outside of the aerosol generating rod 21 heats the aerosol generating rod 21. Due to heating by the heater 18, moisture, an aerosol generating material, nicotine, and the like may be vaporized and released from the aerosol generating rod 21, thereby reducing the volume of the aerosol generating rod 21. When the volume of the aerosol generating rod 21 is reduced, an outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating rod 21 may shrink in a direction toward a central axis of the aerosol generating article 2. Accordingly, a distance between the aerosol generating rod 21 and the heater 18 may increase, and the amount of heat transferred to the aerosol generating rod 21 may decrease. In the latter half of the heating period, heat may not reach the center of the aerosol generating rod 21, which may lead to a decrease in aerosol generation efficiency, such as a reduction in nicotine transfer as compared to the first half of the heating period.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining changes in the aerosol generating article 2 according to an embodiment during a heating process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the appearance of the aerosol generating article 2 according to an embodiment in a first half of a heating period, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the appearance of the aerosol generating article 2 according to an embodiment in a latter half of the heating period.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the aerosol generating article 2 according to an embodiment may include the expansion unit 26 arranged inside the aerosol generating rod 21. The expansion unit 26 may expand in volume upon contact with aerosols. When the volume of the expansion unit 26 expands, the aerosol generating rod 21 may be prevented from shrinking toward the central axis of the aerosol generating article 2, and a constant distance between the aerosol generating rod 21 and the heater 18 may be maintained. Accordingly, even in the latter half of the heating period, heat may be effectively transferred from the heater 18 toward the aerosol generating rod 21, and aerosol generation efficiency may be maintained.

In addition, the expansion unit 26 may also expand in volume due to heat. For example, the temperature of the expansion unit 26 may increase due to heat transferred from the heater 18, and the volume of the expansion unit 26 may increase in proportion to the rising temperature. In the first half of the heating period, the amount of heat transferred to the expansion unit 26 is insufficient, and thus, the volume of the expansion unit 26 may not change, but in the latter half of the heating period, as heating by the heater 18 continues, the expansion unit 26 may gradually expand. In the case of an external heating type, it may be difficult for heat to be effectively transferred to a central area of the aerosol generating rod 21 compared to an outer area of the aerosol generating rod 21. The expansion of the expansion unit 26 may move the central area of the aerosol generating rod 21 toward the outer area thereof, and in the latter half of the heating period, where the expansion unit 26 has expanded, heat from the heater 18 may be effectively transferred even to the central area of the aerosol generating rod 21. Accordingly, the aerosol generating article 2 according to an embodiment may maintain aerosol generation efficiency even in the latter half of the heating period and improve nicotine transfer amount.

The expansion unit 26 may expand in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 2. In other words, the expansion unit 26 may expand in a radial direction of the aerosol generating article 2. For example, the expansion unit 26 may have an expansion ratio of about 5% to about 50% in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 2, at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 350° C. The expansion ratio may refer to a ratio of a difference between the volume of the expansion unit 26 before expansion and the volume of the expansion unit 26 after expansion to the volume of the expansion unit 26 before expansion.

When the expansion ratio is less than about 5%, it may not sufficiently prevent a decrease in volume of the aerosol generating rod 21, and when the expansion ratio is greater than about 50%, the draw resistance of the aerosol generating rod 21 may become excessively high. For example, the expansion unit 26 may have an expansion ratio of about 7% to about 40% or an expansion ratio of about 10% to about 30% in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 2, at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 350° C.

Examples 1 to 5: Aerosol Generating Articles Including an Expansion Unit

Aerosol generating articles 2 including the expansion unit 26 shown in FIG. 3 were manufactured, with the expansion ratios of the expansion unit 26 set to 3% (Example 1), 5% (Example 2), 20% (Example 3), 50% (Example 4), and 70% (Example 5), respectively.

Comparative Example 1: Aerosol Generating Article Without an Expansion Unit

An aerosol generating article identical to the aerosol generating article 2 shown in FIG. 3 was manufactured, except that the expansion unit 26 was removed.

Experimental Example

The aerosol generating articles of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Example 1 were heated using the aerosol generating device 1 shown in FIG. 1. For the aerosol generating articles of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Example 1, the nicotine transfer amount per puff was measured up to 30 puffs, and the nicotine transfer amount for initial puffs (1 to 10 puffs) and the nicotine transfer amount for later puffs (21 to 30 puffs) were added. In addition, volume changes of used aerosol generating rods and the draw resistance of the aerosol generating rods were calculated. The calculated results are shown in Table 1 below.

	TABLE 1
	Volume		Nicotine	Nicotine
	changes (%)		transfer	transfer
	of aerosol	Draw	amount of	amount of
	generating	resistance	initial	later
	rods	(mmH2O)	puffs (mg)	puffs (mg)

Comparative	−16	15	0.266	0.151
Example 1
Example 1	−11	15	0.266	0.169
Example 2	−7	16	0.268	0.194
Example 3	+2	16	0.269	0.218
Example 4	+6	21	0.277	0.200
Example 5	+9	35	0.223	0.207

As shown in Table 1, in the case of Comparative Example 1, which does not include the expansion unit, the volume of an aerosol generating rod decreased somewhat, and the nicotine transfer amount of the later puffs decreased relative to the nicotine transfer amount of the initial puffs.

In contrast, in the case of Examples 1 to 5, which include the expansion unit, it was confirmed that absolute values of volume changes of aerosol generating rods decreased, and the nicotine transfer amount of the later puffs was greater than that in Comparative Example 1. Accordingly, it was confirmed that the aerosol generating articles including the expansion unit was able to provide a relatively uniform nicotine transfer amount throughout the entire heating period.

In addition, in the case of Example 1, in which the expansion unit had an expansion ratio of 3%, it was confirmed that the nicotine transfer amount of the later puffs was lower than that in other Examples. In addition, in the case of Example 5, in which the expansion unit had an expansion ratio of 70%, it was confirmed that the draw resistance was relatively high and the overall nicotine transfer amount decreased.

The expansion unit 26 may extend in a longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod 21 and may have a length of about 20% to about 100% of the length of the aerosol generating rod 21. When the expansion unit 26 has a length of less than about 20% of the length of the aerosol generating rod 21, it may be difficult to prevent shrinkage over the entire length of the aerosol generating rod 21. For example, the length of the expansion unit 26 may be about 25% to about 90% of the length of the aerosol generating rod 21 or may be about 30% to about 80% of the length of the aerosol generating rod 21.

The expansion unit 26 may expand upon contact with aerosols. For example, the expansion unit 26 may expand upon contact with aerosols generated from the aerosol generating rod 21 and/or aerosols generated from the cartridge 19 of the aerosol generating device 1.

The expansion unit 26 may include an expansion material that expands upon contact with moisture included in aerosol. The expansion material may react with moisture (e.g., foams) or absorb moisture, upon contact with the moisture included in aerosol. For example, the expansion material may include at least one expansion material selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose, amorphous cellulose, cross-linked carmellose sodium, sodium silicate, and bentonite. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and any material that expands upon contact with moisture may be included without limitation.

As another example, the expansion unit 26 may include a compressed pulp sheet. The compressed pulp sheet may absorb moisture included in aerosol, and the absorbed moisture may move between fibers constituting the compressed pulp sheet to expand the pulp sheet. For example, the compressed pulp sheet may be wound around an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod 21, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. As another example, the expansion unit 26 may include a laminated sheet in which a plurality of compressed pulp sheets are laminated.

The expansion unit 26 may expand upon contact with an aerosol generating material included in aerosol. For example, the expansion unit 26 may include an oxidizer that reacts with an aerosol generating material (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.). The oxidizer may cause an exothermic reaction with vapor of an aerosol generating material included in aerosol, and the resulting heat may cause the expansion unit 26 to expand. The oxidizer may include at least one transition metal salt selected from the group consisting of manganese oxide and chromium oxide. For example, the oxidizer may be potassium permanganate.

The expansion unit 26 may include a deformable member including a deformable material and forming an accommodation space for accommodating the oxidizer. The deformable material may include materials having flexibility and heat resistance, for example, styrene butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, and the like, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The exothermic reaction between the oxidizer and the aerosol generating material may cause an increase in pressure inside the accommodation space, and the deformable member may be deformed by the increased pressure. At least a portion of the deformable member may include a porous material to allow the vapor of the aerosol generating material to enter the accommodation space.

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing the appearance of the expansion unit 26 according to an example before expansion, and FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view showing the appearance of the expansion unit 26 according to an example after expansion.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the expansion unit 26 may include an expansion material 262, a structure 261 supporting the expansion material 262, and a prevention member 2611 that prevents expansion of the expansion material 262 in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod 21.

The structure 261 may support a position of the expansion material 262. The structure 261 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod 21, and the expansion material 262 may be arranged on a surface of the structure 261 to have a uniform thickness. The structure 261 may have a sheet shape or a rod shape, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The prevention member 2611 may be arranged at an end portion of the structure 261. Although it is shown that the prevention member 2611 is arranged at both end portions of the structure 261, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the prevention member 2611 may be arranged at one end portion of the structure 261. When the expansion material 262 expands in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod 21, shrinkage of the aerosol generating rod 21 may not be prevented, or a component (e.g., tobacco material) included in the aerosol generating rod 21 may escape upstream or downstream of the aerosol generating rod 21. The prevention member 2611 may prevent expansion of the expansion material 262 in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod 21, and may induce the expansion unit 26 to expand in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod 21. The prevention member 2611 may extend in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod 21, to prevent expansion of the expansion material 262 in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating rod 21.

The prevention member 2611 may include a porous material. The porous material may allow aerosols moving from upstream to downstream to pass therethrough, and may facilitate contact between the expansion material 262 and the aerosols. For example, the prevention member 2611 may include cellulose acetate tow or a porous mesh, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the appearance of the expansion unit 26 according to another example before expansion, and FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the appearance of the expansion unit 26 according to another example after expansion.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the expansion unit 26 may include the structure 261 including a hollow portion therein and the expansion material 262 located inside the hollow portion.

The structure 261 may have a tube shape including a hollow portion therein. The structure 261 may have the same shape as the shape of a cross-section of the aerosol generating rod 21. Accordingly, shrinkage of the aerosol generating rod 21 may be uniformly prevented over the entire circumference of the aerosol generating rod 21. For example, a cross-section of the structure 261 may have a circular shape, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Aerosols may pass through the hollow portion of the structure 261 and may be in contact with the expansion material 262 located in the hollow portion. The expansion material 262 may expand upon contact with aerosols, and as the expansion material 262 expands, pressure directed outward from the center of the structure 261 may increase. The structure 261 may include a deformable flexible material, and the flexible material may be expanded by the pressure of the expansion material 262. The flexible material may include, for example, styrene butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, or fluorine rubber, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The length of the expansion material 262 may be about 20% to about 80% of the length of the hollow portion. When the expansion material 262 has a length of less than about 20% of the length of the hollow portion, it may be difficult to induce expansion over the entire length of the structure 261. When the expansion material 262 has a length of greater than about 80% of the length of the hollow portion, the expansion material 262 may escape outside the hollow portion during expansion. For example, the expansion material 262 may have a length of about 30% to about 70% of the length of the hollow portion or may have a length of about 40% to about 70% of the length of the hollow portion.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the appearance of the expansion unit 26 according to another example before expansion, and FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the appearance of the expansion unit 26 according to another example after expansion.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the expansion unit 26 may include the structure 261 including a hollow portion therein and the expansion material 262 located inside the hollow portion.

The structure 261 may have a tube shape including a hollow portion therein. The structure 261 may have the same shape as the shape of a cross-section of the aerosol generating rod 21. Accordingly, shrinkage of the aerosol generating rod 21 may be uniformly prevented over the entire circumference of the aerosol generating rod 21. For example, a cross-section of the structure 261 may have a circular shape, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The structure 261 may include a first structure 261a and a second structure 261b, each extending in a circumferential direction of the structure 261. The first structure 261a and the second structure 261b may extend in the circumferential direction of the structure 261 to form a hollow portion therein, and may be detachably coupled to each other in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the structure 261.

Aerosols may pass through the hollow portion formed by the first structure 261a and the second structure 261b, and may be in contact with the expansion material 262 located in the hollow portion. The expansion material 262 may expand upon contact with aerosols, and the first structure 261a and the second structure 261b may be separated from each other in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the structure 261 by pressure applied as the expansion material 262 expands.

The first structure 261a and the second structure 261b may include a material having rigidity. Accordingly, even when the expansion material 262 is shorter than the first structure 261a and the second structure 261b, expansion may occur over the entire lengths of the first structure 261a and the second structure 261b. For example, the first structure 261a and the second structure 261b may include a material such as heat-resistant plastic or metal, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

As described above regarding FIG. 3, the aerosol generating article 2 according to an embodiment may include the front-end plug 25 arranged upstream of the aerosol generating rod 21. The front-end plug 25 may be a rod having a tube shape including a hollow portion therein. Aerosols generated in the cartridge 19 of the aerosol generating device 1 may be introduced into the aerosol generating rod 21 through the hollow portion of the front-end plug 25. The expansion unit 26 may expand upon contact with the aerosols introduced from the cartridge 19 into the aerosol generating rod 21.

As another example, as described above regarding FIG. 6, the aerosol generating rod 21 according to an embodiment may include the first aerosol generating rod 211 that is heated to generate aerosols and the second aerosol generating rod 212 that is heated to generate aerosols including nicotine vapor. The expansion unit 26 may be arranged inside the second aerosol generating rod 212. The expansion unit 26 may prevent shrinkage of the second aerosol generating rod 212, thereby uniformly maintaining the amount of nicotine transfer occurring in the latter half of the heating period.

An aerosol generating system according to an embodiment may include the aerosol generating article 2 and the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the aerosol generating system may include: at least one of the aerosol generating article 2 of FIG. 3 and the aerosol generating article 2 of FIG. 6; and at least one of the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 4, and the aerosol generating device 1 of FIG. 5.

The aerosol generating system may include an insertion space into which the aerosol generating article 2 is inserted and the heater 18 surrounding the insertion space. The aerosol generating article 2 may be heated by the heater 18 surrounding the insertion space. In the aerosol generating system according to an embodiment, shrinkage of the aerosol generating article 2 may be prevented, and thus, a distance between the aerosol generating article 2 and the heater 18 may be maintained. Accordingly, the aerosol generating article 2 may be effectively heated, and aerosol generation efficiency may be improved.

Some embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not exclusive or distinct from each other. In some embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above, respective components or functions may be used in combination with one another or combined with one another.

For example, a component A described in a particular embodiment and/or drawing and a component B described in another embodiment and/or drawing may be combined with each other. In other words, even when coupling between components is not directly described, the coupling may be made except when the coupling is described as impossible.

The above description should not be construed as being limited in all respects but should be considered illustrative. The scope of the disclosure should be determined by the logical interpretation of appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the disclosure are included in the scope of the disclosure.

Volume reduction of an aerosol generating article according to embodiments, caused by thermal shrinkage thereof, may be prevented. Accordingly, an aerosol generating device may efficiently heat the aerosol generating article, and aerosol generation efficiency may be improved.

The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above-described effects, and effects not mentioned may be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from the description and accompanying drawings.