AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE AND AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2024/102008 filed on Jun. 27, 2024, which is filed based on and claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202310928877.6 filed on Jul. 26, 2023. The disclosures of the applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Smoke-generating articles include a smoke-generating article forming aerosols by ignition and a smoke-generating article forming aerosols by Heated Not Burn (HNB), here in a typical HNB smoke-generating article, the smoking article contains a functional segment and an aerosol generating substrate which may evaporate when it is heated to generate aerosols, the functional segment cooperates with the aerosol generating substrate to achieve smoking the aerosols, the aerosol generating substrate is heated by an external heat source to an extent where the aerosol generating substrate is heated just enough to emit fragrance, the aerosol generating substrate does not burn, instead carries an atomizing agent, and the atomizing agent is released by heating at a high temperature during usage, to form smoke.

In the related art, the functional segment is made of materials of which phase change or deformation occurs easily, such as a hollow paper tube (including a paper tube with an aluminum foil attached internally/externally, a coated film, or other types of paper tubes), a corrugated tube, a silicone component, a hollow cellulose acetate structure or the like, the functional segment is deformed by heat, may block a portion of an air channel after the functional segment is melted, release off-flavors, affect sensations and affect Resistance To Draw (RTD), thereby reducing a user's experience upon using the article.

SUMMARY

The disclosure relate to the technical field of smoke-generating articles, and in particular to an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating system, which may improve the user's experience upon using the article.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating article, the aerosol generating article includes a substrate segment, a functional segment and a filter segment sequentially arranged in a first direction, each of the substrate segment and the functional segment is provided in an integral structure.

The substrate segment is provided with at least one first air channel hole at interior thereof, and the first air channel hole penetrates at least one end of the substrate segment in the first direction; the functional segment is provided with at least one second air channel hole at interior thereof, and the second air channel hole penetrates at least one end of the functional segment in the first direction.

In an implementation, the substrate segment, the functional segment and the filter segment may be in a separable structure.

In an implementation, on a plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article, a sum of cross-sectional areas of all second air channel holes may be equal to or greater than a sum of cross-sectional areas of all first air channel holes.

In an implementation, on the plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article, the cross-sectional area of each second air channel hole may be equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of each first air channel hole.

In an implementation, a hydrodynamic diameter of each second air channel hole may be equal to or greater than a hydrodynamic diameter of each first air channel hole.

In an implementation, the number of the second air channel holes may be less than or equal to the number of the first air channel holes.

In an implementation, on a plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article, a sum of cross-sectional areas of all second air channel holes may be less than a sum of cross-sectional areas of all first air channel holes.

In an implementation, on the plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article, the cross-sectional area of each second air channel hole may be less than the cross-sectional area of each first air channel hole; or, a hydrodynamic diameter of each second air channel hole is less than a hydrodynamic diameter of each first air channel hole.

In an implementation, the number of the second air channel holes may be greater than the number of the first air channel holes.

In an implementation, on a plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article, a cross-sectional shape of the second air channel hole may be at least one of a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a racetrack shape, a polygonal shape or a sector shape.

In an implementation, the aerosol generating article may be provided with at least one cavity at interior thereof.

In an implementation, the functional segment may be a supporting segment or a cooling segment.

In an implementation, the substrate segment and the functional segment may be arranged at an interval there-between, to define the cavity.

In an implementation, the filter segment and the functional segment may be arranged at an interval there-between, to define the cavity.

In an implementation, the substrate segment may be provided with the cavity at least at an end away from the functional segment.

In an implementation, the filter segment may be provided with the cavity at least at an end away from the functional segment.

In an implementation, two ends of the functional segment may be in contact with the substrate segment and the filter segment respectively.

In an implementation, the functional segment may be provided with a central air channel at interior thereof, the central air channel penetrates two ends of the functional segment in the first direction, there are multiple second air channel holes, and the second air channel holes are arranged at intervals on a circumferential side of the central air channel; on a plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article, a cross-sectional area of the central air channel is greater than a cross-sectional area of each of the second air channel holes.

In an implementation, there may be multiple second air channel holes, and the second air channel holes are formed in the functional segment in a uniformly distributed manner.

In an implementation, the substrate segment, the functional segment and the filter segment may be cylinders with the same outer diameter and arranged coaxially, and the first direction is an axial direction of the substrate segment, the functional segment and the filter segment.

In an implementation, the filter segment may be in a hollow cellulose acetate structure or a solid cellulose acetate structure.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating article of any one of the foregoing embodiments, the aerosol generating device includes a heating element, and the heating element is configured to heat the substrate segment to generate aerosols.

An embodiment of the disclosure provides an aerosol generating article, the aerosol generating article includes a substrate segment, a functional segment and a filter segment sequentially arranged in a first direction, the substrate segment generates aerosols when it is heated, the functional segment mainly achieves supporting and cooling functions, and the filter segment is configured to filter the aerosols flowing through the functional segment.

Each of the substrate segment and the functional segment of the aerosol generating article according to the embodiment of the disclosure is provided in an integral structure, the functional segment is provided in an integral structure provided with the second air channel hole, for example, the functional segment is provided in an integral structure formed from a combination of any one or more of calcium carbonate, alumina, diatomaceous earth, calcined kaolin or other inorganic materials, food-grade silicone, microcrystalline cellulose, konjac gum, starch, plant polysaccharide or other polymeric materials, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polylactic acid (PLA), TPE-modified PP, TPE-modified polyethylene (PE) or other polymers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an aerosol generating article according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating article shown in FIG. 1, here dashed arrows indicate a flow direction of airflow in the aerosol generating article.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a third embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according

to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a sixth embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a seventh embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to an eighth embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a ninth embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a tenth embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to an eleventh embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a twelfth embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a thirteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating article according to a fourteenth embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a functional segment shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be noted that embodiments of the disclosure and technical features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict, and detailed descriptions in specific implementations should be understood as explanatory descriptions of the purpose of the disclosure, and should not be considered as undue limitation on the disclosure.

In descriptions of the disclosure, an orientation or position relationship of “first direction” is based on an orientation or position relationship shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, and it should be understood that these orientation terms are only intended to facilitate describing the disclosure and simplifying the descriptions, rather than indicating or implying that a referred device or element must have a specific orientation or must be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be understood as limitation on the disclosure.

An embodiment of the disclosure provides an aerosol generating article, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 16, the aerosol generating article includes a substrate segment 10, a functional segment 20 and a filter segment 30 sequentially arranged in a first direction. That is, the functional segment 20 is located between the filter segment 30 and the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 achieves supporting and/or cooling and improves a “scalding mouth” phenomenon when a user smokes aerosols, and the filter segment 30 is configured to filter the cooled aerosols.

Specifically, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, two ends of the functional segment 20 in the first direction are in contact with the substrate segment 10 and the filter segment 30 respectively; at this time, the functional segment 20 may play a role of supporting the substrate segment 10 and the filter segment 30, to increase an overall strength of the aerosol generating article; furthermore, since the functional segment 20 is provided with second air channel holes 20a at interior thereof, the functional segment 20 may play a role of adjusting Resistance To Draw (RTD); furthermore, aerosols generated by the substrate segment 10 pass through a certain length of the functional segment 20, temperature of the aerosols may be reduced; that is, in this implementation, the functional segment 20 plays a role of supporting, cooling and adjusting the RTD simultaneously.

Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 8, the functional segment 20 is spaced apart from each of the substrate segment 10 and the filter segment 30, and at this time, the functional segment mainly plays a role of cooling and adjusting the RTD. It may be understood that in other implementations, the functional segment 20 may also mainly play a role of supporting and adjusting the RTD, which is not limited to in the disclosure.

It should be noted that the filter segment 30 is configured to filter the aerosols, and it may be understood that since the aerosols flow through the filter segment 30, the filter segment 30 also achieves a function of further cooling the aerosols.

It should be noted that the aerosol generating article 100 generates aerosols by the substrate segment 10, and the functional segment 20 is not configured to generate aerosols.

It should be noted that the aerosol generating article 100 according to the embodiment of the disclosure may be applicable to a scenario where it is smoked by ignition, or may be applicable to a scenario where it is smoked by Heated Not Burn (HNB). In the embodiment of the disclosure, descriptions are made by taking an example that the aerosol generating article 100 is applicable to the scenario where it is smoked by HNB.

The aerosol generating article 100 is intended to use with an aerosol generating device.

The substrate segment 10 is configured to generate aerosols when it is heated, to allow the user to smoke the aerosols.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the substrate segment 10 is in a substantially columnar shape. The columnar shape may be a cylindrical shape (that is, a cross-sectional shape thereof is a circular shape), a prismatic shape (that is, a cross-sectional shape thereof is a polygonal shape), an elliptical cylindrical shape (that is, a cross-sectional shape thereof is an elliptical shape) or the like, which is not limited here.

Exemplarily, the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30 are in a separable structure, all of the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30 are not connected together by mechanical or physical structures or adhesives there-between, while two of the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30 may be in contact with each other, that is, the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30 are in a combined structure, therefore different substrate segments 10 may be reasonably matched with different functional segments 20 to meet customer's requirements for different RTDs.

Each of the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 is provided in an integral structure, and in an implementation, the substrate segment 10 is provided in an integral structure formed by extrusion, and the functional segment 20 is also provided in an integral structure formed by extrusion. That is, the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 are produced and manufactured by using the same processing technology. Compared to the related art where the substrate segment and the filter segment are produced and manufactured by using different processing technologies, production efficiency of the aerosol generating article is improved by producing and manufacturing the substrate segment and the filter segment by using the same processing technology.

In other implementations, each of the substrate segment 10 and the filter segment may also be provided in an integral structure formed by injection molding, die-casting or other processes respectively.

Exemplarily, with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 15, the substrate segment 10 is provided with at least one first air channel hole 10a at interior thereof, and the first air channel hole 10a penetrates at least one end of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction. That is, the first air channel hole 10a extends in the first direction of the substrate segment 10.

It should be noted that the first air channel hole 10a is not limited in terms of its number, and there may be one first air channel hole 10a or multiple first air channel holes 10a.

It should be noted that “multiple” mentioned in the embodiment of the disclosure refers to a number of two or more.

When it is mentioned that the first air channel hole 10a penetrates at least one end of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction, it means that the first air channel hole 10a may penetrate opposite ends of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction (with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 15), and an airflow may flow from an end of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction to another end of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction through the first air channel hole 10a.

Of course, it may also mean that an end of the first air channel hole 10a penetrates an end surface of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction, and another end of the first air channel hole 10a may be a blind end. Each first air channel hole 10a may penetrate the same end of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction. In other implementations, a portion of the first air channel holes 10a may penetrate an end of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction, and another portion of the first air channel holes 10a may penetrate another end of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction.

It may be understood that compared to the first air channel hole 10a penetrating an end of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction, it is more beneficial to reduce the user's RTD upon smoking the article by the first air channel hole 10a penetrating two ends of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction.

The first air channel hole 10a may increase a surface area of the substrate segment 10, facilitate heat transfer and improve heating efficiency. Aerosols in the first air channel hole 10a is transported to a smoking end with an action of a negative pressure for smoking, the first air channel hole 10a may reduce the user's RTD upon smoking the article and improve the user's experience. It should be noted that the RTD is positively correlated to flow resistance of the aerosols, then the smaller the flow resistance of the aerosols in the substrate segment 10, the smaller the RTD experienced by the user, and the greater the flow resistance of the aerosols in the substrate segment 10, the greater the RTD experienced by the user.

It should be noted that the substrate segment 10 is formed with micropores, and the micropores are communicated with each other and form a micro-air channel communicated with the first air channel hole 10a. That is, the micro-air channel is communicated with the first air channel hole 10a, and since the micro-air channel is formed by communication between the micropores, the micropores are communicated with the channel 10a. Furthermore, it may be understood that the communication between the micropores may be that: a portion of the micropores are communicated with each other, and another portion of the micropores are not communicated with each other; or, all the micropores may be communicated with each other. For example, in an embodiment where the substrate segment 10 is a particle-combined body, gaps between particles constitute the micropores. A size of each of the micropores is determined by the gaps between the particles.

The first air channel hole 10a and the micro-air channel may increase the surface area of the substrate segment 10, facilitate heat transfer and improve heating efficiency. The substrate of the substrate segment 10 releases aerosols when it is heated, the aerosols are collected to the first air channel hole 10a through the micro-air channel or gaps between wall materials, aerosols released by an atomized substrate exposed to the first air channel hole 10a (i.e., an atomized substrate located on an inner wall surface of the air channel hole) may be directly released to the first air channel hole 10a, aerosols from adjacent first air channel holes 10a may also circulate between the first air channel holes 10a through the micro-air channel and may be transported to the smoking end with an action of a negative pressure for smoking.

It should be noted that specific types of the functional segment 20 are not limited here, as long as the functional segment 20 may achieve supporting and/or cooling functions. Exemplarily, the functional segment 20 is a supporting segment or a cooling segment.

Exemplarily, with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 15, the functional segment 20 is provided with at least one second air channel hole 20a at interior thereof, and the second air channel hole 20a penetrates at least one end of the functional segment 20 in the first direction. That is, the second air channel hole 20a extends in the first direction of the functional segment 20.

With arrangement of the second air channel hole 20a, when the aerosols pass through the functional segment 20, the aerosols may flow through the second air channel hole

20a, which is beneficial to cool the aerosols. Furthermore, it facilitates adjusting the RTD by controlling design parameters of the second air channel hole 20a.

It should be noted that the second air channel hole 20a is not limited in terms of its number, and there may be one second air channel hole 20a or multiple second air channel holes 20a.

When it is mentioned that the second air channel hole 20a penetrates at least one end of the functional segment 20 in the first direction, it means that the second air channel hole 20a may penetrate opposite ends of the functional segment 20 in the first direction (with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 15), and an airflow may flow from an end of the functional segment 20 in the first direction to another end of the functional segment 20 in the first direction through the second air channel hole 20a.

Of course, it may also mean that an end of the second air channel hole 20a penetrates an end surface of the functional segment 20 in the first direction, and another end of the second air channel hole 20a may be a blind end. Each second air channel hole 20a may penetrate the same end of the functional segment 20 in the first direction. In other implementations, a portion of the second air channel holes 20a may penetrate an end of the functional segment 20 in the first direction, and another portion of the second air channel holes 20a may penetrate another end of the functional segment 20 in the first direction.

It may be understood that compared to the second air channel hole 20a penetrating an end of the functional segment 20 in the first direction, it is more beneficial to reduce the user's RTD upon smoking the article by the second air channel hole 20a penetrating two ends of the functional segment 20 in the first direction.

It should be noted that the functional segment 20 molded by extrusion is also formed with micropores at interior thereof, that is, gaps between components of the functional segment 20 constitute micropores, and the micropores are communicated with each other and form a micro-air channel communicated with the second air channel hole 20a. When the aerosols pass through the functional segment 20, a portion of the aerosols may flow through the second air channel hole 20a, another portion of the aerosols may flow through the micro-air channel, and the aerosols stay for a long time when they flow through the micro-air channel, which is beneficial to cool the aerosols. Furthermore, there is a large flow resistance of the aerosols when they flow through the micro-air channel, which may increase the RTD, that is, it is beneficial to achieve adjustment of the RTD through the functional segment 20.

It should be noted that the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a as described above belong to holes in a macroscopic sense, the micropores belong to holes in a microscopic sense, and cross-sectional areas of the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a are much greater than those of the micropores. Exemplarily, the cross-sectional areas of the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a are at least 20 times the cross-sectional areas of the micropores. In case that sizes of the micropores remain unchanged substantially, when the cross-sectional areas of the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a are less than 20 times the cross-sectional areas of the micropores, it means that sizes of the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a may become too small, the aerosols may not be easily released from an inner wall of the first air channel hole 10a into the first air channel hole 10a, and the aerosols may not easily flow from the first air channel hole 10a to the second air channel hole 20a, which may cause the user's RTD to become large and reduce the user's experience upon smoking the article. Therefore, in the embodiment, when the cross-sectional areas of the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a are equal to or greater than 20 times the cross-sectional areas of the micropores, a rate of releasing the aerosols from the inner wall of the first air

channel hole 10a and a flow rate of the aerosols in the second air channel hole 20a may be ensured, and the RTD may also be reduced, thereby improving the user's experience upon smoking the article.

In some embodiments, the cross-sectional areas of the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a are 20 to 60,000 times the cross-sectional areas of the micropores. If the cross-sectional areas of the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a are greater than 60,000 times the cross-sectional areas of the micropores, it means that the areas of the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a may become too large, an overall quality of the generated aerosols may decrease, a strength of the functional segment 20 may also decrease, utilization of an aerosol generation substrate may become low, a heating rate may become large, and the aerosols may be easily released from the micropores into the environment.

Exemplarily, the cross-sectional areas of the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a are 100 to 40,000 times the cross-sectional areas of the micropores.

In some embodiments, an aperture of the first air channel hole 10a is in a range of 0.05 millimeter (mm) to 6 mm. When a diameter of the air channel hole 10a is less than 0.05 mm, processing cost of the substrate segment 10 becomes high, and problems such as a large RTD and a low substrate utilization occur easily. When the diameter of the first air channel hole 10a is greater than 6 mm, the cross-sectional area of the first air channel hole 10a becomes large, a flow rate of the same volume of airflow is smaller in a smoking state, and deposition of the aerosols occurs easily, resulting in a low aerosol utilization.

Specific values of the aperture of the first air channel hole 10a are not limited, for example, the aperture of the first air channel hole 10a is 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, etc.

It should be noted that apertures of the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a refer to their equivalent diameters.

The equivalent diameter refers to a diameter of a circle with the same cross-sectional area as the measured object.

The first air channel hole 10a and the micro-air channel may increase the surface area of the substrate segment 10, facilitate heat transfer and improve heating efficiency. The substrate of the substrate segment 10 releases aerosols when it is heated, the aerosols are collected to the first air channel hole 10a through the micro-air channel or gaps between wall materials, aerosols released by an atomized substrate exposed to the first air channel hole 10a (i.e., an atomized substrate located on an inner wall surface of the first air channel hole 10a) may be directly released to the first air channel hole 10a, aerosols from adjacent first air channel holes 10a may also circulate between the first air channel holes 10a through the micro-air channel and may be transported to the smoking end with an action of a negative pressure for smoking.

The functional segment 20 is provided in an integral structure formed by extrusion, the functional segment 20 is provided with at least one second air channel hole 20a at interior thereof, and the second air channel hole 20a penetrates at least one end of the functional segment 20 in the first direction, the functional segment 20 with a porous structure formed in this manner plays a role of supporting, cooling and adjusting the RTD.

Exemplarily, the substrate segment 10 is a particle-combined body, which is also referred to as a powder-combined body, it is a kind of recombinant tobacco substrate, such as a recombinant tobacco substrate containing a smoke-generating agent, tobacco or other components. The substrate segment 10 is provided in an integral structure, such as an integral structure that may be molded by an extrusion process. “molded by extrusion” refers to a processing method by which a mixture of raw materials is fed into an extruder, the materials are pushed forward by screws with an action of a barrel of the extruder with the screws, and continuously pass through a mold of a discharge port of the extruder to form products or semi-finished products in various cross-sectional shapes. The substrate molded by extrusion is in a strip-shaped structure. In this way, the substrate segment 10 presents an integral substrate after the substrate segment 10 is heated for smoking or heating of the substrate segment 10 is stopped, and a phenomenon of disintegration and falling down does not occur easily, which solves problems occurred to the substrate segment 10 made of thin sheets, filamentous or dispersed particles in the related art, for example, the thin sheets loosen and fall off, filamentous components fall off, particle components fall off, and it is difficult to clean the substrate segment, as well as a problem of non-uniform components.

Exemplarily, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 15, the aerosol generating article 100 includes a wrapping layer 40, and the wrapping layer 40 wraps around outer circumferences of the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30.

The wrapping layer 40 may play a role of protecting the substrate segment 10 to a certain extent, reduce a surface area of the substrate segment 10 exposed to the external environment directly, thereby reducing a probability of the substrate segment 10 becoming damp and deteriorated by contacting with the air, while reducing a probability of the substrate segment 10 becoming contaminated by contacting with other components in the aerosol generating device.

It should be noted that the substrate segment 10 and the wrapping layer 40 may be provided in an integral structure. That is, the substrate segment 10 and the wrapping layer 40 are different parts of an integral structure. In this way, on one hand, relative positions of the substrate segment 10 and the wrapping layer 40 are fixed, which may reduce a probability of separation of the substrate segment 10 from the wrapping layer 40 due to temperature variation, vibration or other factors during usage of the aerosol generating article 100; on the other hand, the substrate segment 10 and the wrapping layer 40 may be prepared simultaneously, thereby reducing manufacturing steps and improving production efficiency.

For example, the integral structure of the substrate segment and the wrapping layer 40 is formed by a co-extrusion process.

Of course, the substrate segment 10 and the wrapping layer 40 may also be in a split-type structure.

An embodiment of the disclosure further provides an aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating article according to the embodiment of the disclosure, the aerosol generating device includes a heating element (not shown), and the heating element is configured to heat the substrate segment 10 to generate aerosols.

Specifically, the aerosol generating device includes a housing and a power supply assembly arranged in the housing, the housing is provided with an accommodation cavity, a power output part of the power supply assembly is arranged in the accommodation cavity or around a side wall of the accommodation cavity. When a part of the aerosol generating article 100 corresponding to a range of first direction where the substrate segment 10 is located is inserted into the accommodation cavity, the power output part transmits power to a heating element in a contact or non-contact manner, and the heating element generates heat by receiving energy from the outside, thereby heating the substrate segment 10 to generate aerosols.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the first direction does not specifically refer to a direction in which the substrate segment 10 presents a longest outer contour. Specifically, a direction in which the aerosol generating article 100 is inserted into the accommodation cavity and a direction in which the aerosol generating article 100 is taken out of the accommodation cavity are both parallel to the first direction. A length of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction may be longer than, shorter than or the same as lengths of the substrate segment 10 in other directions.

For example, when the outer contour of the substrate segment 10 is in a cylindrical shape, the first direction is an axial direction of the substrate segment 10, and it should be noted that even when a length of the substrate segment 10 in the axial direction is less than a diameter of the substrate segment 10, the first direction of the substrate segment 10 is still the axial direction. For another example, when the outer contour of the substrate segment 10 is in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the first direction is still the direction as defined above, that is, the direction in which the aerosol generating article 100 is put into or taken out of the accommodation cavity, the first direction of the substrate segment 10 may be any one of a length direction, a width direction and a height direction of the rectangular parallelepiped shape.

An embodiment of the disclosure provides an aerosol generating article, the aerosol generating article 100 includes a substrate segment 10, a functional segment 20 and a filter segment 30 sequentially arranged in a first direction, the substrate segment 10 generates aerosols when it is heated, the functional segment 20 mainly achieves supporting and/or cooling functions, the filter segment 30 is configured to filter the aerosols flowing through the functional segment 20, and it may be understood that since the aerosols flow through the filter segment, the filter segment also achieves a function of further cooling the aerosols.

Each of the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 of the aerosol generating article 100 according to the embodiment of the disclosure is provided in an integral structure, the functional segment 20 is provided in an integral structure provided with the second air channel hole, for example, the functional segment 20 is provided in an integral structure formed from a combination of any one or more of calcium carbonate, alumina, diatomaceous earth, calcined kaolin or other inorganic materials, food-grade silicone, microcrystalline cellulose, konjac gum, starch, plant polysaccharide or other polymeric materials, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polylactic acid (PLA), TPE-modified PP, TPE-modified polyethylene (PE) or other polymers, which improves high temperature-resistant performance of the functional segment 20, thereby improving structural stability of the functional segment 20, the functional segment 20 is not easily deformed and melted after it is heated, which may improve a situation of releasing off-flavors, affecting RTD and blocking the air channel to a certain extent, thereby improving the user's experience upon using the article. Furthermore, the first air channel hole may increase a surface area of the substrate segment, facilitate heat transfer and improve heating efficiency.

Furthermore, compared to the related art where the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 are produced and manufactured by using different processing technologies, the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 are produced and manufactured by using the same processing technology here, thereby improving production efficiency of the aerosol generating article 100; furthermore, the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 are in a separable structure, and different substrate segments 10 may be matched with different functional segments 20 reasonably to meet customer's requirements for different RTDs and cooling requirements, thereby further improving the user's experience upon using the article.

Specific components of the substrate segment 10 are not limited here. Exemplarily, in an embodiment, the substrate segment 10 may include a plant component, an adjuvant component, a smoke-generating agent component, an adhesive component, a fragrant component, etc.

The plant component is configured to generate aerosols when it is heated. The adjuvant component is configured to provide a skeleton support for the plant component. The smoke-generating agent component is configured to generate smoke when it is heated. The adhesive component is configured to bond various raw material components. The fragrant component is configured to provide characteristic fragrance. In this way, the plant component and the smoke-generating agent component may ensure a generation amount of the aerosols, while the fragrant component may improve release of fragrance during smoking and improve the user's experience. The adjuvant component may not only improve fluidity of a mixed material, but also enable the substrate segment 10 to have a porous structure to facilitate extraction and flow of the aerosols. The adhesive component ensures that the plant component, the adjuvant component or the like constitute a stable mixture, to avoid a loose structure.

Exemplarily, the plant component may be a combination of one or more of powders formed by crushing treatment of leaf tobacco raw materials, leaf tobacco fragments, tobacco stems, tobacco fine wastes, fragrant plants, etc. The plant component is a core source of fragrance, endogenous substances in the plant component may produce a sense of physiological satisfaction for the user, the endogenous substances such as alkaloid enter human blood and promote the pituitary gland to produce dopamine, thereby obtaining the sense of physiological satisfaction.

Exemplarily, the adjuvant component may be a combination of one or more of an inorganic filler, a lubricant and an emulsifier. The inorganic filler includes a combination of one or more of ground calcium carbonate, precipitated calcium carbonate, zeolite, attapulgite, talc powder and diatomaceous earth. The inorganic filler may play a role of providing a skeleton support for the plant component, while the inorganic filler is also provided with micropores, which may improve a porosity of the substrate segment 10, thereby improving a release rate of the aerosols. The lubricant includes a combination of one or more of candelilla wax, carnauba wax, shellac, sunflower wax, rice bran, beeswax, stearic acid and palmitic acid. The lubricant may improve fluidity of powders of the plant component, reduce a friction force between the powders of the plant component, implement a more uniform overall density of distribution of the powders of the plant component, reduce a pressure required in a process of molding by extrusion, and reduce wear of the mold. The emulsifier includes a combination of one or more of polyglycerol fatty acid ester, Tween-80 and polyvinyl alcohol. The emulsifier may slow down loss of fragrant substances during storage to a certain extent, improve stability of the fragrant substances, and improve sensory quality of the article.

Exemplarily, the smoke-generating agent component may include a combination of one or more of monohydric alcohol (such as menthol); polyhydric alcohol (such as propylene glycol, glycerol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and tetraethylene glycol); esters of polyhydric alcohol (such as glycerol triacetate, triethyl citrate, glyceryl diacetate mixture, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, glyceryl tributyrate); monocarboxylic acid; dicarboxylic acid; polycarboxylic acid (such as lauric acid, myristic acid) or aliphatic esters of polycarboxylic acid (such as dimethyl dodecanedioate, dimethyl tetradecanedioate, erythritol, 1,3-butanediol, tetraethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl laurate, Triactin, meso-erythritol, glyceryl diacetate mixture, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, ethyl vanillate, glyceryl tributyrate, ethyl laurate).

Exemplarily, the adhesive component is in moist and close contact with interfaces of component raw materials, to generate an intermolecular attraction force, thereby playing a role of bonding the component raw materials, such as powders, liquids, etc. The adhesive component may be extracted from a natural plant, and a non-ionized modified viscous polysaccharide, including a combination of one or more of tamarind polysaccharide, guar gum and modified cellulose (such as carboxymethyl cellulose). The adhesive is configured to bond the particles together such that it is not easy to loosen the particles, it also improves water resistance of the substrate segment 10 and is harmless to human body.

Exemplarily, the fragrant component is configured to provide characteristic fragrance, such as hay fragrance, roasted sweet fragrance, solid or liquid substances of nicotine. The fragrant component may include a combination of one or more of tobacco or other plants, extractions from fragrant plants, extractum, essential oils and absolute oils; the fragrant component may include monomeric fragrant substances, such as a combination of one or more of megastigmatrienone, neophytadiene, geraniol and nerol, etc.

Exemplarily, in some implementations, components of the functional segment 20 are the same as those of the substrate segment 10.

In some other implementations, components of the functional segment 20 are different from those of the substrate segment 10. Specifically, the functional segment 20 is provided in an integral structure molded by extrusion from a combination of any one or more of inorganic materials (calcium carbonate, alumina, diatomaceous earth, calcined kaolin, etc.), polymeric materials (food-grade silicone, microcrystalline cellulose, konjac gum, starch, plant polysaccharide, etc.) and polymers (LDPE, PP, TPE, PLA, TPE-modified PP, TPE-modified PE, etc.).

It should be noted that the functional segment 20 achieves a function of adjusting the RTD. Specifically, the functional segment 20 may adjust the RTD by controlling parameters such as the number of the second air channel holes 20a of the functional segment 20, a hydrodynamic diameter of the second air channel hole 20a, etc.

In order to meet requirements for sensory characteristics such as implementation of natural and smooth smoking by the user during smoking, permeability of tobacco smoke, comfort or the like and improve the user's experience upon using the article, it needs to control a range of RTD of the aerosol generating article 100. It should be noted that the RTD is positively correlated to flow resistance of the aerosols, then the smaller the flow resistance of the aerosols in the aerosol generating article 100, the smaller the RTD experienced by the user,

and the greater the flow resistance of the aerosols in the aerosol generating article 100, the greater the RTD experienced by the user.

Exemplarily, the RTD of the aerosol generating article 100 is in a range of 500 Pa to 1100 Pa. For example, the RTD of the aerosol generating article 100 is 500 Pa, 550 Pa, 600 Pa, 650 Pa, 700 Pa, 750 Pa, 800 Pa, 850 Pa, 900 Pa, 950 Pa, 1000 Pa, 1050 Pa, 1100 Pa, etc.

When the range of RTD of the aerosol generating article 100 is greater than 1100 Pa, the flow resistance of the aerosols in the aerosol generating article 100 is greater, the first air channel hole 10a corresponding to the substrate segment 10 and the second air channel hole 20a corresponding to the functional segment 20 are relatively small, which may increase difficulty of their molding processes significantly; it is not easy to control sizes of the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a, which may increase defective rates of the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20.

When the range of RTD of the aerosol generating article 100 is less than 500 Pa, there are a small number of first air channel holes 10a corresponding to the substrate segment 10 and a small number of second air channel holes 20a corresponding to the functional segment 20, a burnt phenomenon of the substrate segment 10 occurs easily, and a phenomenon of uniformly releasing aerosols easily occurs to the substrate segment 10 during heating (for example, a large amount of aerosols are released for the first two puffs, and a small amount of aerosols are released for several subsequent puffs), which affects the user's experience upon smoking the article.

When the RTD of the aerosol generating article 100 is in a range of 500 Pa to 1100 Pa, there is a small flow resistance in the substrate segment 10 (that is, the RTD is small upon smoking the article), there is an appropriate flow rate for the aerosols, it is easy to extract aerosols from interior of the substrate segment 10, the aerosols are released more uniformly, there is a high aerosol utilization, a burnt phenomenon of the substrate segment 10 does not occur easily, the user's experience upon using the article is relatively high, and it is also easy to process and manufacture the article.

Exemplarily, in some implementations, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, on a plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article 100, a sum of cross-sectional areas of all second air channel holes 20a is equal to or greater than a sum of cross-sectional areas of all first air channel holes 10a. That is, a porosity of the functional segment 20 is equal to or greater than that of the substrate segment 10, that is, the RTD of the functional segment 20 is less than or equal to that of the substrate segment 10. In this way, a residence time of the aerosols flowing through the functional segment 20 and a contact area between the aerosols and the functional segment 20 may be increased, thereby improving a cooling effect.

Exemplarily, in some implementations, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, on the plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article 100, the cross-sectional area of each second air channel hole 20a is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of each first air channel hole 10a. That is, a hydrodynamic diameter of each second air channel hole 20a is equal to or greater than a hydrodynamic diameter of each first air channel hole 10a.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the hydrodynamic diameter refers to a ratio of four times the area of a flow cross section of the hole to a perimeter thereof.

It may be understood that when the aerosols flow from the first air channel hole 10a of the substrate segment 10 to the second air channel hole 20a of the functional segment 20, an airflow channel becomes large, the residence time of the aerosols is increased, and the functional segment 20 is not heated any more, thereby achieving an effect of reducing temperature of the aerosols. Furthermore, since the hydrodynamic diameter of each second air channel hole 20a is equal to or greater than that of each first air channel hole 10a, the flow resistance of the aerosols is reduced when the aerosols flow from the first air channel hole 10a to the second air channel hole 20a, which is beneficial to extract the aerosols. Furthermore, the functional segment 20 is also provided with micropores, then when the aerosols flow through the functional segment 20, a portion of the aerosols may flow through the micropores, which further increases the residence time of the aerosols and thus is further beneficial to cool the aerosols.

It may be understood that when there is a small number of second air channel holes 20a each with a large hydrodynamic diameter, it is more beneficial to cool the aerosols. On the plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article 100, the cross section of the functional segment 20 is consistent with that of the substrate segment 10, then when the hydrodynamic diameter of each second air channel hole 20a is greater than that of each first air channel hole 10a, the number of the second air channel holes 20a should be less than the number of the first air channel holes 10a. Exemplarily, the number of the second air channel holes 20a is less than or equal to the number of the first air channel holes 10a.

Exemplarily, in some other implementations, with reference to FIG. 5, on a plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article 100, a sum of cross-sectional areas of all second air channel holes 20a is less than a sum of cross-sectional areas of all first air channel holes 10a. That is, the porosity of the functional segment 20 is less than that of the substrate segment 10, that is, the RTD of the functional segment 20 is greater than that of the substrate segment 10. In this way, when the aerosols flow from the substrate segment 10 to the functional segment 20, the RTD of the aerosol generating article 100 may be increased, it may be ensured that it is easy to extract aerosols from interior of the substrate segment 10, the aerosols are released more uniformly and there is a high aerosol utilization, a burnt phenomenon of the substrate segment 10 does not occur easily in this case, while requirements for sensory characteristics such as implementation of natural and smooth smoking by the user during smoking, permeability of tobacco smoke, comfort or the like are met.

Exemplarily, in some other implementations, with reference to FIG. 5, on the plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article 100, the cross-sectional area of each second air channel hole 20a is less than the cross-sectional area of each first air channel hole 10a. That is, a hydrodynamic diameter of each second air channel hole 20a is less than a hydrodynamic diameter of each first air channel hole 10a.

It may be understood that when the aerosols flow from the first air channel hole 10a of the substrate segment 10 to the second air channel hole 20a of the functional segment 20, the airflow channel becomes small, that is, the RTD of the functional segment 20 is greater than that of the substrate segment 10, which is beneficial to increase the RTD of the aerosol generating article 100. Furthermore, the functional segment 20 is also provided with micropores, then when the aerosols flow through the functional segment 20, a portion of the aerosols may flow through the micropores, which further increases the flow resistance of the aerosols and thus is further beneficial to increase the RTD of the aerosol generating article 100.

It may be understood that when there is a large number of second air channel holes 20a each with a small hydrodynamic diameter, it is more beneficial to increase RTDs of the functional segment 20 and the aerosol generating article 100. On the plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article 100, the cross section of the functional segment 20 is consistent with that of the substrate segment 10, then when the hydrodynamic diameter of the second air channel hole 20a is less than that of the first air channel hole 10a, the number of the second air channel holes 20a should be greater than the number of the first air channel holes 10a. Exemplarily, in some other implementations, the number of the second air channel holes 20a is greater than the number of the first air channel holes 10a.

It should be noted that the shape of the second air channel hole 20a is not limited here. Exemplarily, on a plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article 100, a cross-sectional shape of the second air channel hole 20a is at least one of a circular shape (as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13), an elliptical shape, a racetrack shape, a polygonal shape or a sector shape, here the polygonal shape includes a regular or irregular polygonal shape (a long strip shape shown in FIG. 16 is a kind of irregular polygonal shape).

The racetrack shape refers to a shape similar to an athletics track, formed by connecting two semicircles and two parallel straight edges alternately.

Exemplarily, with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 15, the aerosol generating article 100 is provided with at least one cavity 100a at interior thereof. It should be noted that the number of cavities 100a is not limited here, that is, there may be one cavity 100a or multiple cavities 100a.

It should be noted that specific positions and formation methods of the cavity 100a are not limited here, for example, the cavity 100a may be formed between any two of the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30, or the cavity 100a may be formed at an end of the substrate segment 10 away from the functional segment 20, or the cavity 100a may be formed at an end of the filter segment 30 away from the functional segment 20.

With a combined structure of cavities 100a arranged at different positions, a flow path of the aerosols may be increased, the airflow channel may be increased; with technical principles such as heat exchange or the like, and with a structure where the cavities 100a are combined as required, advantageous effects may be achieved in aspects of improving formation, buffering and cooling of the aerosols, etc.

Exemplarily, in some implementations, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 11, the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 are arranged at an interval there-between, to define the cavity 100a. That is, the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 are arranged at an interval there-between, and form the cavity 100a by enclosing the cavity 100a together with the wrapping layer 40 wrapping around circumferential sides of the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20. It may be understood that with the cavity 100a formed between the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20, the aerosols generated by heating the substrate segment 10 may flow into the cavity 100a, and with arrangement of the cavity 100a, it may buffer the aerosols generated by the substrate segment 10, which may be beneficial to extract the aerosols and improve utilization of the substrate segment 10. Furthermore, with arrangement of the cavity 100a, it may increase a contact area between an airflow flowing out of the substrate segment 10 and the aerosol generating article 100, thereby achieving a better cooling effect.

Exemplarily, in some implementations, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 12, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30 are arranged at an interval there-between, to define the cavity 100a. That is, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30 are arranged at an interval there-between, and form the cavity 100a by enclosing the cavity 100a together with the wrapping layer 40 wrapping around circumferential sides of the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30. It may be understood that with the cavity 100a formed between the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30, the aerosols generated by heating the substrate segment 10 may flow into the functional segment 20, and then flow into the cavity 100a to buffer the aerosols. Therefore, the flow path of the aerosols may be increased during transportation of the aerosols, thereby achieving a quick cooling effect; furthermore, with arrangement of the cavity 100a, it may also buffer the aerosols generated by the substrate segment 10.

It should be noted that in some other embodiments, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 13, a cavity 100a is provided between the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20, and another cavity 100a is provided between the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30. The cavity 100a provided in the embodiment achieves functions of buffering and cooling the aerosols, and it is beneficial to extract the aerosols quickly. Furthermore, under a premise of giving priority to ensuring the function of buffering the aerosols, a cavity 100a is provided between the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20, and another cavity 100a is provided between the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30, that is, the function of buffering the aerosols and extraction rate of the aerosols are further improved with a structure where the cavities 100a are combined alternately.

Exemplarily, in some implementations, with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 15, the substrate segment 10 is provided with the cavity 100a at least at an end away from the functional segment 20. That is, the substrate segment 10 is provided with the cavity 100a at least at a distal lip end thereof, and the cavity 100a may store the air and increase a contact area between the substrate segment 10 and the air, which is beneficial for natural diffusion of the aerosols formed by heating the substrate segment 10 and is beneficial to extract the aerosols.

The distal lip end of the substrate segment 10 refers to an end of the substrate segment 10 away from the user when the user uses the aerosol generating article 100.

Exemplarily, in some implementations, with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 14, the filter segment 30 is provided with the cavity 100a at least at an end away from the functional segment 20. That is, the filter segment 30 is provided with the cavity 100a at least at a near lip end thereof, an area of the cavity 100a at the near lip end of the filter segment 30 is increased to reduce a heat conduction efficiency. Therefore, the aerosols may contact with the air quickly after the aerosols flow out of the near lip end of the filter segment 30, that is, a low heat conduction efficiency of the air is used, then when the aerosols meet cold air from the environment, quick heat exchange there-between and cooling of the aerosols are achieved, a “scalding” problem of the tobacco smoke is improved, and it is beneficial to extract the aerosols and achieve the cooling function.

Exemplarily, in some implementations, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the functional segment 20 is provided with a central air channel 20b at interior thereof, the central air channel 20b penetrates two ends of the functional segment 20 in the first direction, there are multiple second air channel holes 20a, and the second air channel holes 20a are arranged at intervals on a circumferential side of the central air channel 20b. That is, both the central air channel 20b and the second air channel holes 20a extend in the first direction, and the aerosols generated by the substrate segment 10 may flow through the central air channel 20b and the second air channel holes 20a to cool the aerosols.

On a plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article 100, a cross-sectional area of the central air channel 20b is greater than a cross-sectional area of each of the second air channel holes 20a. That is, the central air channel 20b is arranged at the center of the functional segment 20, the central air channel 20b has a large aperture, and the second air channel hole 20a at the outer circumference has a small aperture, which is beneficial to gather the aerosols toward the center to smoke the aerosols, and the aerosols have good agglomeration.

Exemplarily, there are multiple second air channel holes 20a, and the second air channel holes 20a are formed in the functional segment 20 in a uniformly distributed manner. That is, the second air channel holes 20a have consistent apertures, and with uniform distribution of the second air channel holes 20a, it is beneficial for flow smoothness, uniformity of the aerosols and the aerosol cooling efficiency, and plays a role of improving the user's experience upon smoking the article.

It should be noted that when it is mentioned that the second air channel holes 20a are present in a “uniformly distributed” manner, it includes that the second air channel holes 20a are distributed in a matrix or concentric circles, and when the second air channel holes 20a are distributed in concentric circles, there is an equal spacing between circular rings, that is, the second air channel holes 20a themselves are arranged uniformly. It may be understood that the second air channel holes 20a may not be uniform within the cross section of the functional segment 20, that is, the second air channel holes 20a are distributed uniformly; however, the second air channel holes 20a do not divide the entire functional segment 20 uniformly. For example, when the cross section of the functional segment 20 is in a circular shape, the second air channel holes 20a distributed in a matrix are not uniformly distributed within the cross section in the circular shape.

Of course, in other implementations, the second air channel holes 20a are formed in the functional segment 20 in a non-uniformly distributed manner. For example, the second air channel holes 20a have different apertures, and a range of the apertures shows a trend of changing in a certain direction, for example, the second air channel holes 20a are distributed in coaxial circular rings, and there may be an equal or unequal spacing between the circular rings, or the second air channel holes 20a are distributed in other manners.

Exemplarily, the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30 are cylinders with the same outer diameter and arranged coaxially, and the first direction is an axial direction of the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30. The substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30 are configured as cylinders with the same outer diameter and are sequentially arranged in the axial direction of the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30, such that structure of the aerosol generating article 100 may be made more compact, thereby improving the user's experience upon using the article.

Nine specific embodiments will be briefly introduced below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the embodiment, the aerosol generating article 100 includes a substrate segment 10, a functional segment 20 and a filter segment 30 sequentially arranged in a first direction, and the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30 are in a separable structure, that is, the aerosol generating article 100 is in a three-segment combined structure formed by combining the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30 sequentially. Two ends of the functional segment 20 are in contact with the substrate segment 10 and the filter segment 30 respectively.

Each of the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 is provided in an integral structure formed by extrusion. The substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 are produced and manufactured by using the same processing technology, thereby improving production efficiency of the aerosol generating article 100.

The functional segment 20 is provided in an integral structure formed by extrusion, which improves high temperature-resistant performance of the functional segment 20, thereby improving structural stability of the functional segment 20, the functional segment 20 is not easily deformed and melted after it is heated, which may improve a situation of releasing off-flavors, affecting RTD and blocking the air channel to a certain extent, thereby improving the user's experience upon using the article.

The filter segment 30 is in a hollow cellulose acetate structure or a solid cellulose acetate structure to filter and cool the aerosols.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the substrate segment 10 is provided with at least one first air channel hole 10a at interior thereof, and the first air channel hole 10a penetrates at least one end of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction; the functional segment 20 is provided with at least one second air channel hole 20a at interior thereof, and the second air channel hole 20a penetrates at least one end of the functional segment 20 in the first direction. Arrangement of the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a may play a role of adjusting the RTD.

On a plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article 100, a sum of cross-sectional areas of all second air channel holes 20a are equal to or greater than a sum of cross-sectional areas of all first air channel holes 10a, to achieve that the RTD of the functional segment 20 is less than or equal to that of the substrate segment 10; a hydrodynamic diameter of each second air channel hole 20a is equal to or greater than a hydrodynamic diameter of each first air channel hole 10a; the number of the second air channel holes 20a is less than or equal to the number of the first air channel holes 10a. When there is a small number of second air channel holes 20a each with a large hydrodynamic diameter, it is more beneficial to cool the aerosols. On the plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article 100, the cross section of the functional segment 20 is consistent with that of the substrate segment 10, then when the hydrodynamic diameter of each second air channel hole 20a is greater than that of each first air channel hole 10a, the number of the second air channel holes 20a should be less than the number of the first air channel holes 10a, such that it is more beneficial to cool the aerosols.

The RTD of the functional segment 20 is less than or equal to that of the substrate segment 10, therefore the functional segment 20 mainly achieves supporting and/or cooling functions.

The second air channel holes 20a are formed in the functional segment 20 in a non-uniformly distributed manner. Specifically, the functional segment 20 is provided with a central air channel 20b at interior thereof, the central air channel 20b penetrates two ends of the functional segment 20 in the first direction, there are multiple second air channel holes 20b, and the second air channel holes 20b are arranged at intervals on a circumferential side of the central air channel 20b. That is, the central air channel 20b is arranged at the center of the functional segment 20, the central air channel 20b has a large aperture, and the second air channel hole 20a arranged at the outer circumference of the central air channel 20b has a small aperture, which is beneficial to gather the aerosols toward the center to smoke the aerosols, and the aerosols have good agglomeration.

The substrate segment 10 is provided with micropores at interior thereof, and the micropores are at least partially communicated with each other and are communicated with the first air channel hole 10a. When the substrate segment 10 is heated, an external airflow such as air may enter the substrate segment 10 through the first air channel hole 10a to diffuse in the substrate segment 10, aerosols generated by the substrate of the substrate segment 10 enclosing the first air channel hole 10a (i.e., a part of the substrate segment 10 exposed to the first air channel hole 10a) enter the first air channel hole 10a directly, and aerosols generated by other parts of the substrate segment 10 (i.e., parts of the substrate segment that are not exposed to the first air channel hole 10a) may be collected in the first air channel hole 10a through the micropores. In this way, during smoking, the aerosols collected in the first air channel hole 10a flow to the second air channel hole 20a and the central air channel 20b of the functional segment 20, and finally enter the user's mouth after they are filtered by the filter segment 30.

Second Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 3, in the embodiment, the structure of the aerosol generating article 100 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and differences of the embodiment compared to the first embodiment mainly include: in the embodiment, the functional segment 20 is not provided with a central air channel 20b at interior thereof, and the second air channel holes 20a are formed in the functional segment 20 in a uniformly distributed manner. That is, the second air channel holes 20a have consistent apertures, and with the uniform distribution of the second air channel holes 20a, it is beneficial for flow smoothness, uniformity of the aerosols and the aerosol cooling efficiency, and plays a role of improving the user's experience upon smoking the article.

Third Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 16, in the embodiment, the structure of the aerosol generating article 100 is substantially the same as that of the second embodiment, and differences of the embodiment compared to the second embodiment mainly include: in the embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the second air channel hole 20a of the functional segment 20 is a long strip shape.

With the second air channel hole 20a in this cross-sectional shape and distribution thereof, it is beneficial for flow of the aerosols, and may reduce a situation where misalignment between the second air channel hole 20a of the functional segment 20 and the first air channel hole 10a of the substrate segment 10 occurs to a certain extent, thereby improving a situation where flow of the aerosols is hindered; furthermore, it is easy to adjust the RTD for the second air channel hole 20a in this cross-sectional shape, for example, the RTD may be increased by reducing length of a short side of the second air channel hole 20a, and the RTD may be reduced by increasing the length of the short side of the second air channel hole 20a.

Fourth Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 5, in the embodiment, the structure of the aerosol generating article 100 is substantially the same as that of the second embodiment, and differences of the embodiment compared to the second embodiment mainly include: in the embodiment, on a plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article 100, a sum of cross-sectional areas of all second air channel holes 20a is less than a sum of cross-sectional areas of all first air channel holes 10a.

That is, the porosity of the functional segment 20 is less than that of the substrate segment 10, that is, the RTD of the functional segment 20 is greater than that of the substrate segment 10. In this way, when the aerosols flow from the substrate segment 10 to the functional segment 20, the RTD of the aerosol generating article 100 may be increased, it may be ensured that it is easy to extract aerosols from interior of the substrate segment 10, the aerosols are released more uniformly, there is a high aerosol utilization, a burnt phenomenon of the substrate segment 10 does not occur easily, while requirements for sensory characteristics such as implementation of natural and smooth smoking by the user during smoking, permeability of tobacco smoke, comfort or the like are met.

On the plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article 100, the cross-sectional area of the second air channel hole 20a is less than that of the first air channel hole 10a. That is, a hydrodynamic diameter of the second air channel hole 20a is less than a hydrodynamic diameter of the first air channel hole 10a.

It may be understood that when the aerosols flow from the first air channel hole 10a of the substrate segment 10 to the second air channel hole 20a of the functional segment 20, the airflow channel becomes small, that is, the RTD of the functional segment 20 is greater than that of the substrate segment 10, which is beneficial to increase the RTD of the aerosol generating article 100. Furthermore, the functional segment 20 is also provided with micropores, then when the aerosols flow through the functional segment 20, a portion of the aerosols may flow through the micropores, which further increases the flow resistance of the aerosols and thus is further beneficial to increase the RTD of the aerosol generating article 100.

It may be understood that when there is a large number of second air channel holes 20a each with a small hydrodynamic diameter, it is more beneficial to increase RTDs of the functional segment 20 and the aerosol generating article 100. On the plane perpendicular to the first direction of the aerosol generating article 100, the cross section of the functional segment 20 is consistent with that of the substrate segment 10, then when the hydrodynamic diameter of the second air channel hole 20a is less than that of the first air channel hole 10a, the number of the second air channel holes 20a should be greater than the number of the first air channel holes 10a. Exemplarily, in some other implementations, the number of the second air channel holes 20a is greater than the number of the first air channel holes 10a.

The RTD of the functional segment 20 is less than or equal to that of the substrate segment 10, therefore the functional segment 20 mainly plays a role of supporting and adjusting the RTD.

Fifth Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 11, in the embodiment, the aerosol generating article 100 includes a substrate segment 10, a functional segment 20 and a filter segment 30 sequentially arranged in a first direction, and the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30 are in a separable structure, that is, the aerosol generating article 100 is in a three-segment combined structure formed by combining the substrate segment 10, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30 sequentially.

Each of the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 is provided in an integral structure formed by extrusion. The substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 are produced and manufactured by using the same processing technology, thereby improving production efficiency of the aerosol generating article 100.

The functional segment 20 is provided in an integral structure formed by extrusion, which improves high temperature-resistant performance of the functional segment 20, thereby improving structural stability of the functional segment 20, the functional segment 20 is not easily deformed and melted after it is heated, which may improve a situation of releasing off-flavors, affecting RTD and blocking the air channel to a certain extent, thereby improving the user's experience upon using the article.

With reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 11, the substrate segment 10 is provided with at least one first air channel hole 10a at interior thereof, and the first air channel hole 10a penetrates at least one end of the substrate segment 10 in the first direction; the functional segment 20 is provided with at least one second air channel hole 20a at interior thereof, and the second air channel hole 20a penetrates at least one end of the functional segment 20 in the first direction. Arrangement of the first air channel hole 10a and the second air channel hole 20a may play a role of adjusting the RTD.

In the embodiment, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 11, the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 are arranged at an interval there-between, to define a cavity 100a.

That is, the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 are arranged at an interval there-between, to define the cavity 100a. That is, the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20 are arranged at an interval there-between, and form the cavity 100a by enclosing the cavity 100a together with the wrapping layer 40 wrapping around circumferential sides of the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20. It may be understood that with the cavity 100a formed between the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20, the aerosols generated by heating the substrate segment 10 may flow into the cavity 100a, and with arrangement of the cavity 100a, it may buffer the aerosols generated by the substrate segment 10, which may be beneficial to extract the aerosols and improve utilization of the substrate segment 10. Furthermore, with arrangement of the cavity 100a, it may increase a contact area between an airflow flowing out of the substrate segment 10 and the aerosol generating article 100, thereby achieving a better cooling effect.

Sixth Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 12, in the embodiment, the structure of the aerosol generating article 100 is substantially the same as that of the fifth embodiment, and differences of the embodiment compared to the fifth embodiment mainly include: in the embodiment, the cavity 100a is provided between the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30.

That is, the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30 are arranged at an interval there-between, and form the cavity 100a by enclosing the cavity 100a together with the wrapping layer 40 wrapping around circumferential sides of the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30. It may be understood that with the cavity 100a formed between the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30, the aerosols generated by heating the substrate segment 10 may flow into the functional segment 20, and then flow into the cavity 100a to buffer the aerosols. Therefore, the flow path of the aerosols may be increased during transportation of the aerosols, thereby achieving a quick cooling effect; furthermore, with arrangement of the cavity 100a, it may also buffer the aerosols generated by the substrate segment 10.

Seventh Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 13, in the embodiment, the structure of the aerosol generating article 100 is substantially the same as that of the fifth embodiment, and differences of the embodiment compared to the fifth embodiment mainly include: in the embodiment, a cavity 100a is provided between the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20, and another cavity 100a is provided between the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30.

The cavity 100a provided in the embodiment achieves functions of buffering and cooling the aerosols, and it is beneficial to extract the aerosols quickly. Furthermore, under a premise of giving priority to ensuring the function of buffering the aerosols, a cavity 100a is provided between the substrate segment 10 and the functional segment 20, and another cavity 100a is provided between the functional segment 20 and the filter segment 30, that is, the function of buffering the aerosols and extraction rate of the aerosols are further improved with a structure of alternate combination of cavities 100a.

Eighth Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 15, in the embodiment, the structure of the aerosol generating article 100 is substantially the same as that of the fifth embodiment, and differences of the embodiment compared to the fifth embodiment mainly include: in the embodiment, the cavity 100a may be provided at an end of the substrate segment 10 away from the functional segment 20.

In the embodiment, the substrate segment 10 is provided with the cavity 100a at an end away from the functional segment 20, to increase a contact area between the substrate segment 10 and the air, which is beneficial for natural diffusion of the aerosols formed by heating the substrate segment 10 and is beneficial to extract the aerosols.

Ninth Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 14, in the embodiment, the structure of the aerosol generating article 100 is substantially the same as that of the fifth embodiment, and differences of the embodiment compared to the fifth embodiment mainly include: in the embodiment, the cavity 100a is provided at an end of the filter segment 30 away from the functional segment 20.

In the embodiment, the filter segment 30 is provided with the cavity 100a at an end away from the functional segment 20, to increase an area of the cavity 100a at the near lip end of the filter segment 30 and reduce a heat conduction efficiency. Therefore, the aerosols may contact with the air quickly after the aerosols flow out of the near lip end of the filter segment 30, that is, a low heat conduction efficiency of the air is used, then when the aerosols meet the cold air from the environment, quick heat exchange there-between and cooling of the aerosols are achieved, a “scalding” problem of the tobacco smoke is improved, and it is beneficial to extract the aerosols and achieve the cooling function.

In the descriptions of the disclosure, descriptions made with reference to terms “in an embodiment”, “in some embodiments”, “in some other embodiments”, “in yet other embodiments”, or “exemplary” or the like mean that specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in combination with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of the disclosure. In the disclosure, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, specific features, structures, materials or characteristics as described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, different embodiments or examples described in the disclosure and features of different embodiments or examples may be combined by those skilled in the art without conflict.

The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the disclosure. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and variations may be made to the disclosure. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement or the like made within the spirit and principle of the disclosure should fall within the scope of protection of the disclosure.