AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE AND AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2024/101719 filed on Jun. 26, 2024, which is based on and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310929873.X filed on Jul. 26, 2023, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of atomization of aerosol, and in particular to an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating system.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, with the advancement of the global tobacco control campaign, new types of tobacco articles represented by heat-not-burn tobacco articles have become more and more popular among users.

A heat-non-burn tobacco article, also known as an aerosol generating article, is provided with a substrate segment made of an aerosol generating substrate inside. The aerosol generating article is typically used in conjunction with an aerosol generating device. A heating component of the aerosol generating device may heat the substrate segment to a temperature high enough to atomize and generate the aerosol without burning, and the aerosol is discharged from the aerosol generating device for inhalation by a user.

In the related technologies, during the inhalation process, the air from the external environment directly enters through the substrate segment, causing a large fluctuation in the temperature of the substrate segment, unstable cracking reaction of the aerosol generating substrate as well as differences in the compositions of the generated aerosol, which affect the user's experience feeling.

SUMMARY

In view of above, the embodiments of the present disclosure are expected to provide an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating system, in which the air from the external environment does not directly enter through a substrate segment, and the atomization consistency is high, so that the user's experience feeling is better.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosol generating article, which includes a substrate segment, a functional segment, a stopper, and a wrapping layer.

The substrate segment is configured for generating aerosol, the substrate segment is an integrated structure and is disposed between the functional segment and the stopper. The stopper is configured for abutting engagement with one end of the substrate segment away from the functional segment.

The wrapping layer is wrapped on circumferential outer surfaces of at least part of the stopper, the substrate segment, and at least part of the functional segment.

Herein, a portion of the wrapping layer that protrudes from the substrate segment and is away from the stopper along a length direction is a first wrapping segment, at least part of the functional segment is disposed in the first wrapping segment, and the first wrapping segment and/or the functional segment defines a first air inlet.

In some embodiments, the functional segment is provided with an air inlet channel and an air outlet channel, one end of the air inlet channel is connected to the first air inlet, and the other end of the air inlet channel is connected to the air outlet channel.

In some embodiments, the substrate segment is provided with at least one airway channel, and the airway channel passes at least through one end of the substrate segment approximate to the functional segment along a length direction.

In some embodiments, the functional segment is provided with one or more central airways, the one or more central airways extend through the functional segment along the length direction, and the central airway at least partially overlaps with the airway channel.

In some embodiments, the first wrapping segment is provided with the first air inlet, and the first air inlet extends through a sidewall of the first wrapping segment.

In some embodiments, the functional segment is a hollow tubular structure with an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, a hollow space is defined by the inner wall surface, a sidewall of the functional segment is provided with a second air inlet, the second air inlet extends at least through the outer wall surface, and the second air inlet is abutted against the first air inlet.

In some embodiments, a structure between the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface is solid, and the second air inlet extends through the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface.

In some embodiments, a groove channel is provided in between the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface, the groove channel extends at least through one end of the functional segment along the length direction, and the second air inlet is connected to the groove channel.

In some embodiments, the second air inlet passes through the groove channel and extends through the inner wall surface.

In some embodiments, a circumferential surface of the functional segment is provided with a groove, the groove extends at least through an end of the functional segment approximate to the substrate segment, and the first air inlet is provided at a position of the first wrapping segment corresponding to the groove.

In some embodiments, a circumferential surface of the functional segment is provided with a groove, and the groove extends at least through an end of the functional segment approximate to the substrate segment, an end of the functional segment away from the substrate segment passes through the first wrapping segment, and a gap between an end of the first wrapping segment and the functional segment defines the first air inlet.

In some embodiments, the functional segment and the stopper have same structures, and the functional segment and the stopper are symmetrically arranged with respect to the substrate segment.

In some embodiments, the substrate segment and the functional segment are spaced apart and form a first cavity; and the first air inlet extends through a portion of the first wrapping segment corresponding to the first cavity.

In some embodiments, the functional segment is a multi-segment combined structure, the multi-segment combined structure comprises at least two of a cooling segment, a supporting segment, and a filtering segment; at least two combined structures are spaced apart and form a second cavity, and the first air inlet extends through a portion of the first wrapping segment corresponding to the second cavity.

In some embodiments, two ends of the substrate segment along the length direction are in contact with the functional segment and the stopper, respectively.

In some embodiments, the functional segment is a single-segment structure, and the single-segment structure comprises one of a cooling segment, a supporting segment, or a filtering segment; or, the functional segment is a multi-segment combined structure, and the multi-segment combined structure comprises at least two of a cooling segment, a supporting segment, and a filtering segment.

In some embodiments, the stopper is one of the following: a membrane structure with a gas permeability function, a mesh structure, a solid acetate fiber structure, a hollow tubular structure, a structure formed by disposing a separator within a hollow tubular structure, or a porous structure by extrusion molding.

In some embodiments, the functional segment, the substrate segment and the stopper are cylinders that are with uniform outer diameters and coaxially arranged, and the length direction is an axial direction of the functional segment, the substrate segment and the stopper.

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosol generating system, which includes:

• • an aerosol generating device; and
  • the aerosol generating article of any one of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure.

Herein, the aerosol generating device includes a heating component, and the heating component is configured for heating the substrate segment to generate the aerosol.

In the aerosol generating article according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the air from the external environment enters through the first air inlet instead of entering directly through the substrate segment. This can improve the temperature consistency of the substrate segment during atomization, and decrease the probability of the composition of the generated aerosol being different due to large fluctuations in the atomization temperature of the substrate segment 11 caused by the direct entry of the air from the external environment into the substrate segment. The abutting engagement is made between the substrate segment and the stopper to restrict the movement range of the substrate segment in the wrapping layer, so that the position of the substrate segment in the wrapping layer is stable. As such, the probability of the substrate segment coming out of the wrapping layer due to the shaking of the aerosol generating article 1 during the transportation and use process can be reduced; at the same time, the probability of the substrate segment falling off from wrapping layer under gravity due to factors such as heating shrinkage and deformation can be also decreased. In addition, the stopper can also adjust the inhalation resistance, decrease the probability of the condensates generated after the aerosol condensation flowing out of the aerosol generating article, and improve the user's experience feeling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the structure shown in FIG. 1. Here, the dashed lines in the drawing indicate the flow direction of the airflow.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an aerosol generating article according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the dashed lines in the drawing indicate the flow direction of the airflow.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an aerosol generating article according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the dashed lines in the drawing indicate the flow direction of the airflow.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the structure shown in FIG. 4. Here, the dashed lines in the drawing indicate the flow direction of the airflow.

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an aerosol generating article according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the structure shown in FIG. 6. Here, the dashed lines in the drawing indicate the flow direction of the airflow.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an aerosol generating article according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the dashed lines in the drawing indicate the flow direction of the airflow.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an aerosol generating article according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the dashed lines in the drawing indicate the flow direction of the airflow.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an aerosol generating article according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the dashed lines in the drawing indicate the flow direction of the airflow.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an aerosol generating article according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the dashed lines in the drawing indicate the flow direction of the airflow.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an aerosol generating article according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the dashed lines in the drawing indicate the flow direction of the airflow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be noted that, when not conflicting, the embodiments and the technical features of the embodiments in the present disclosure may be combined with one other. The detailed description in the specific implementations should be understood as an illustrative explanation of the present disclosure, and should not be construed as any undue limitation on the present disclosure.

In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms “inside/inner” and “outside/outer” and other indication of orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. Such terms are intended only for the convenience of describing and simplifying the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, such terms cannot be understood as any limitation on the embodiments of the present disclosure.

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosol generating article 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, the aerosol generating article 1 includes a wrapping layer 10, a substrate segment 11, a functional segment 12, and a stopper 13.

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosol generating system, which includes an aerosol generating device and the aerosol generating article 1 according to any embodiment of the present disclosure. A plugged and unplugged engagement may be made between the aerosol generating article 1 and the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device includes a heating component for heating the substrate segment 11 to generate aerosol, and the aerosol may be discharged from the aerosol generating device for the inhalation by the user.

The substrate segment 11 is configured to generate the aerosol, that is, at least part of the substrate segment 11 is composed of an aerosol generating substrate, so that the substrate segment 11 can generate the aerosol for use by the user.

The specific form of the heating component is not limited. The heating component may be a resistance heating film, an electromagnetic induction heating element, an infrared heating coating, a laser heating component, or the like, which is not limited herein.

The wrapping layer 10 is wrapped on circumferential outer surfaces of at least part of the stopper 13, the substrate segment 11, and at least part of the functional segment 12.

Specifically, during the manufacturing process, the wrapping layer 10 may be directly wrapped on the circumferential outer surfaces of at least part of the stopper 13, the substrate segment 11, and at least part of the functional segment 12 by a rolling process, to integrate the stopper 13, the substrate segment 11 and the functional segment 12 together. Thereby, the overall structural strength of the aerosol generating article 1 can be improved, the probability of failure due to separation of various parts of the aerosol generating article 1 during transportation and use can be decreased, and the use reliability of the aerosol generating article 1 can be enhanced.

It can be appreciated that the material of the wrapping layer 10 has the structural strength to decrease the probability of deformation of the aerosol generating article 1 during the use process due to the airflow pressure. The wrapping layer 10 may be an integrated structure or a combined structure.

The specific material of the wrapping layer 10 is not limited, for example, one or more or a combination of materials such as: fiber paper, metal foil, metal foil composite fiber paper, Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene composite fiber paper, Poly (butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT)), and the like.

The substrate segment 11 is an integrated structure and is disposed between the functional segment 12 and the stopper 13.

In other words, the substrate segment 11 is an integrated molding structure, for example, integrated extrusion molding structure, integrated injection molding structure, an integrated die casting structure, or the like.

The portion of the wrapping layer 10 that protrudes from the substrate segment 11 and is away from the stopper 13 along the length direction may be a first wrapping segment 101. At least part of the functional segment 12 is disposed in the first wrapping segment 101, and the first wrapping segment 101 and/or the functional segment 12 defines a first air inlet 10a.

The first wrapping segment 101 and/or the functional segment 12 defining the first air inlet 10a may include a variety of cases, which may include that: the first wrapping segment 101 defines the first air inlet 10a; the functional segment 12 defines the first air inlet 10a; or, the first wrapping segment 101 and the functional segment 12 collectively define the first air inlet 10a.

That is, when in use, the negative pressure is generated by inhalation; and the air from the external environment may enter the aerosol generating article 1 through the first air inlet 10a, and further move towards the substrate segment 11, thereby driving the aerosol generated by atomization of the substrate segment 11 to flow out of the aerosol generating article 1, for the inhalation by the user.

It can be understood that, in some embodiments, along the length direction, the wrapping layer 10 may further include a second wrapping segment 102 and a third wrapping segment 103. Herein, the first wrapping segment 101, the second wrapping segment 102 and the third wrapping segment 103 are sequentially connected along the length direction; the second wrapping segment 102 is wrapped on the circumferential outer surface of the substrate segment 11; and the third wrapping segment 103 is wrapped on the circumferential outer surface of at least part of the stopper 13. The first wrapping segment 101, the second wrapping segment 102 and the third wrapping segment 103 collectively form the wrapping layer 10. The first wrapping segment 101, the second wrapping segment 102 and the third wrapping segment 103 may be integrally formed; that is, the wrapping layer 10 is an integrated structure. The first wrapping segment 101, the second wrapping segment 102 and the third wrapping segment 103 may also be independent components, which are assembled to form the wrapping layer 10. That is, the wrapping layer 10 is a combined structure.

It should be noted that, when the first wrapping segment 101 is wrapped on the entire circumferential outer surface of the functional segment 12, the user may directly inhale the aerosol by holding the first wrapping segment 101 in the user's mouth; and when the first wrapping segment 101 is wrapped on the partial circumferential outer surface of the functional segment 12, the user may directly inhale the aerosol by holding the portion of the functional segment 12 exposed outside the first wrapping segment 101 in the user's mouth. Of course, the user may also install an inhalation nozzle outside the functional segment 12 and inhale the aerosol through the inhalation nozzle.

The stopper 13 is configured for forming the abutting engagement with the end of the substrate segment 11 away from the functional segment 12. That is, the stopper 13 can be abutted against the end of the substrate segment 11 away from the functional segment 12, to suppress the movement of the substrate segment 11 away from the functional segment 12 in the direction, and thus prevent the substrate segment 11 from coming out of the wrapping layer 10.

It should be noted that the abutting engagement formed between the stopper 13 and the end of the substrate segment 11 away from the functional segment 12 may be that: the substrate segment 11 and the stopper 13 are spaced apart, and when the stopper 13 moves in the direction away from the functional segment 12 for a certain distance, the stopper 13 is abutted against the end of the substrate segment 11 away from the functional segment 12. Or, the abutting engagement formed between the stopper 13 and the end of the substrate segment 11 away from the functional segment 12 may also be that: the stopper 13 remains being abutted against the end of the substrate segment 11 away from the functional segment 12.

It can be understood that the manner of the engagement between the stopper 13 and the wrapping layer 10 is not limited. For example, in some embodiments, the engagement between the stopper 13 and the wrapping layer 10 may be formed by an interference fit. In some other embodiments, the engagement between the stopper 13 and the wrapping layer 10 may also formed by bonding, clamping, etc. As such, the stopper 13 can be better fixed on the wrapping layer 10, which can be conductive for forming the abutting engagement between the stopper 13 and the substrate segment 11.

It can be understood that there is the force between the substrate segment 11 and the inner wall of the wrapping layer 10, to suppress the tendency of the substrate segment 11 to move. For example, the outer circumferential surface of the substrate segment 11 is bonded to the inner wall of the wrapping layer 10, and the position of the substrate segment 11 is fixed by the frictional force between the outer circumferential surface of the substrate segment 11 and the inner wall of the wrapping layer 10. There is the interference fit or transition fit between the outer circumferential surface of the substrate segment 11 and the inner wall of the wrapping layer 10, so that the friction force is increased by extrusion between the outer circumferential surface of the substrate segment 11 and the wrapping layer 10.

In the related technologies, the substrate segment is prone to movement due to the shaking of the aerosol generating article during the transportation and use process, and the substrate segment is prone to shrinkage and deformation during the heating process, thereby falling out from the wrapping layer under the action of gravity, affecting the structural reliability of the aerosol generating article.

Therefore, in the aerosol generating article 1 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the air from the external environment enters through the first air inlet 10a instead of entering directly through the substrate segment 11. This can improve the temperature consistency of the substrate segment 11 during atomization, and decrease the probability of the composition of the generated aerosol being different due to large fluctuations in the atomization temperature of the substrate segment 11 caused by the direct entry of the air from the external environment into the substrate segment 11. The abutting engagement is made between the substrate segment 11 and the stopper 13 to restrict the movement range of the substrate segment 11 in the wrapping layer 10, so that the position of the substrate segment 11 in the wrapping layer 10 is stable. As such, the probability of the substrate segment 11 coming out of the wrapping layer 10 due to the shaking of the aerosol generating article 1 during the transportation and use process can be reduced; at the same time, the probability of the substrate segment 11 falling off from wrapping layer 10 under gravity due to factors such as heating shrinkage and deformation can be also decreased. In addition, the stopper 13 can also adjust the inhalation resistance, decrease the probability of the condensates generated after the aerosol condensation flowing out of the aerosol generating article, and improve the user's experience feeling.

The specific ingredient of the aerosol generating substrate is not limited herein. Exemplarily, the aerosol generating substrate may include a plant ingredient, an auxiliary ingredient, an aerosol former ingredient, a binder ingredient, etc.

In some embodiments, the plant ingredient is one or more or a combination of several kinds of powder formed by performing crushing treatment on tobacco raw materials, tobacco fragments, tobacco stems, tobacco powder, fragrant plants, etc. The plant ingredient is the core source of the fragrance of the article. Endogenous substances in the plant ingredient, such as nicotine, enter the human bloodstream through atomization, which promotes the pituitary gland to produce dopamine, thus achieving physiological satisfaction.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary ingredient may be one or more or a combination of several materials of an inorganic filler, a lubricating agent and an emulsifying agent. The inorganic filler includes one or more or a combination of several materials of heavy calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, zeolite, attapulgite, talcum powder and diatomite. The inorganic filler may provide a skeleton supporting effect for the plant component, at the same time, the inorganic filler also has micro holes, and the wall material porosity after the plant ingredient is formed may be improved, so that the aerosol release rate may be improved.

The lubricating agent includes one or more or a combination of several materials of candelilla wax, Brazil wax, shell-lac, helianthus annuus wax, rice bran, beeswax, stearic acid and palmic acid. The lubricating agent may increase the mobility of granules, decrease the friction among the granules, enable the integral granule distribution density to be uniform, reduce the pressure required for mold forming, and reduce the mold abrasion.

The emulsifying agent includes one or more or a combination of several materials of polyglycerol fatty acid ester, Tween-80 and polyvinyl alcohol. The emulsifying agent (also referred to as a surfactant) can reduce the interfacial tension between water-soluble and water-insoluble components in the mixed system, and further form a robust film on a droplet surface or form a double electric layer on the droplet surface due to the charge(s) given by the emulsifier, which can prevent the droplet coalescence and maintain a uniform emulsion. Emulsification and homogenization of two immiscible components can improve the consistency of article quality.

The aerosol former ingredient has a function of generating a great amount of steam when being heated, so that the aerosol volume of the smoke generating article is improved. In one embodiment, the aerosol former may include one or a combination of several materials of monohydric alcohol (such as menthol); polyhydric alcohol (such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerol); ester of polyhydric alcohol (such as gylcerol monoacetate, diacetin, or glyceryl triacetate); monocarboxylic acid; and polybasic carboxylic acid (such as lauric acid, and myristic acid) or aliphatic ester of polybasic carboxylic acid (such as dimethyl dodecanedioate, dimethyl tetradecanedioate, erythritol, 1,3-butanediol, tetraethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl laurate, Triactin, meso-erythritol, a diacetin mixture, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, ethyl vanillate, glycerin tributyrate, and lauryl acetate).

In some embodiments, the binder ingredient is extracted from natural plants, and is non-ionized modified viscous polysaccharide including one or a combination of several materials of tamarind polysaccharide, Pullulan, algal polysaccharide, locust bean gum, guar gum, and xyloglucan. The binder is in close contact with the interface of the ingredient material of the article by wetting, resulting in intermolecular attraction, thereby playing the role of binding the powder, liquid, etc. of the ingredient material. At the same time, the natural plants may be selected. In addition, the extraction and non-ionization of the binder can prevent the release of harmful substances such as methanol, formaldehyde, and acrolein caused by colloid modification, which can improve the safety of articles.

In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, the functional segment 12 is provided with an air inlet channel 12a and an air outlet channel 12b, one end of the air inlet channel 12a is connected to the first air inlet 10a, and the other end of the air inlet channel 12a is connected to the air outlet channel 12b. The air outlet channel 12b directs the aerosol to flow out of the aerosol generating article 1.

Specifically, when the negative pressure is generated by inhalation, the air from the external environment enters the air inlet channel 12a through the first air inlet 10a, the air inlet channel 12a guides the air from the external environment to the substrate segment 11. After the air from the external environment carries the aerosol generated by atomization of the substrate segment 11, the carried aerosol flows out of the aerosol generating article 1 under the guidance of the air outlet channel 12a, for inhalation by the user. On the one hand, the functional segment 12 can guide the air from the external environment to the substrate segment 11; and on the other hand, the functional segment 12 can direct the aerosol to flow out of the aerosol generating article 1 for inhalation by the user, and thus, the structure of the aerosol generating article 1 can be more compact and reliable.

In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 7 to 12, the substrate segment 11 is provided with at least one airway channel 11a, and the airway channel 11a passes at least through one end of the substrate segment 11 approximate to the functional segment 12 along the length direction.

In such way, the aerosol generated by the heating and atomization of the substrate segment 11 can be directly released from the airway channel 11a and flow out towards the air outlet channel 12b; and thus, the aerosol has sufficient release space to improve the extraction rate of the aerosol.

It should be noted that the airway channel 11a passing at least through one end of the substrate segment 11 approximate to the functional segment 12 along the length direction includes a variety of cases.

In a first case, the airway channel 11a only passes through one end of the substrate segment 11 approximate to the functional segment 12, that is, the end of the airway channel 11a approximate to the functional segment 12 is open, and the end away from the functional segment 12 is closed, Thus, the airway channel 11a is formed as a blind hole.

In a second case, the airway channel 11a passes through both ends of the substrate segment 11 along the length direction, that is, the end of the airway channel 11a approximate to the functional segment 12 is open, and the end away from the functional segment 12 is also open.

The number of the airway channels 11a is not limited. There may be one airway channel 11a, or two or more airway channels 11a.

It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the length direction does not specifically indicate that the direction in which the profile contour of the substrate segment 11 is the longest. The arrangement direction and length direction of the stopper 13 and the functional segment 12 are consistent. The direction in which the aerosol generating article 1 is inserted into the aerosol generating device and the direction in which the aerosol generating article 1 is removed from the aerosol generating device are both parallel to the length direction. The dimension of the substrate segment 11 along the length direction may be longer than, shorter than, or the same as dimensions of the substrate segment 11 along other directions.

Exemplarily, in some examples, when the profile contour of the substrate segment 11 is cylindrical, the length direction is the axial direction of the substrate segment 11. It should be noted that, even when the axial dimension of the substrate segment 11 is smaller than the diameter of the substrate segment 11, the length direction of the substrate segment 11 remains the axial direction.

In some other examples, when the profile contour of the substrate segment 11 is a cuboid, the length direction is still the direction defined above, that is, the arrangement direction of the stopper 13 and the functional segment 12. Alternatively, the direction in which the aerosol generating article 1 is taken and placed, and the length direction of the substrate segment 11 may be any direction of the length, width, and height of the cuboid.

It can be understood that micro holes are formed in the substrate segment 11, and the micro holes are connected with each other to form micro airways. A part of the micro holes are connected with the airway channels 11a, and another part of the micro airways directly extend through the air inlet end and the air outlet end of the substrate segment 11. In such way, the aerosol can be discharged from the substrate segment 11 in various manners. For example, the aerosol generated by heating the substrate segment 11 may directly enter the airway channel 11a, and further be carried by the air from the external environment to be discharged. Alternatively, the air from the external environment may directly enter the micro airway, and further carry and discharge the aerosol in the micro airway. Alternatively, the aerosol may enter the airway channel 11a through the micro airway.

It can be understood that the connection between the micro holes may be that: some of the micro holes are connected with each other and some of the micro holes are not connected with each other; or, all of the micro holes are connected with each other. For example, in the embodiment in which the substrate segment 11 is a combination of particles, the gaps between the particles constitute the micro holes, where the dimension of the micro holes is determined by the gaps between the particles of the substrate segment 11.

It should be noted that the airway channel 11a is a hole in a macroscopic sense and can be recognized by the naked eyes; and the micro hole is a hole in a microscopic sense and cannot be recognized by the naked eyes.

The airway channel 11a and the micro hole can increase the surface area of the substrate segment 11, which can facilitate heat transfer, and improve heating efficiency. The aerosol generating substrate in the substrate segment 11 is heated to release the aerosol, and the aerosol is transported to the functional segment 12 under the action of the negative pressure generated by the user's inhalation. The airway channel 11a and the micro hole can reduce the resistance to draw of the user's inhalation, improve the user's experience feeling, and also reduce the adverse effects of the condensed aerosol remaining in the substrate segment 11 and affecting the airflow.

In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 to 12, the first wrapping segment 101 is provided with a first air inlet 10a, and the first air inlet 10a extends through a sidewall of the first wrapping segment 101.

In the embodiment, the first air inlet 10a is provided by processing the first wrapping segment 101. The air from the external environment enters the air inlet channel 12a of the functional segment 12 from the side of the first wrapping segment 101, so as to facilitate the aerosol extraction.

There may be one first air inlet 10a, or two or more first air inlets 10a.

It should be noted that, if the number of the first air inlets is too large, the amount of air inflow will be excessive, and the inhalation resistance will be small, resulting in a high content of aerosol to be inhaled; and if the number of the first air inlets is too small, the amount of air inflow will be too small, and the inhalation resistance will be large, resulting in a low content of aerosol to be inhaled, which affects the user's experience feeling.

In some embodiments, there may be the first air inlets 10a with the number of 4 to 30, for example, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 17, 20, 25, 28, 30, etc.

In the embodiment, the number of the first air inlets 10a is appropriate, the number of the first air inlets 10a is neither too large nor too small, and the inhalation resistance is appropriate, so that the content of the aerosol to be inhaled by the user is appropriate. Thus, the user's experience feeling can be improved.

In other embodiments, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the circumferential surface of the functional segment 12 is provided with a groove 12c, and the groove 12c extends at least through the end of the functional segment 12 approximate to the substrate segment 11. The end of the functional segment 12 away from the substrate segment 11 penetrates through the first wrapping segment 101, the gap between the end of the first wrapping segment 101 and the functional segment 12 defines the first air inlet 10a, and the inner wall of the first wrapping segment 101 and the groove wall of the groove 12c define the air inlet channel 12a.

In the embodiment, the first air inlet 10a is defined by the engagement gap between the first wrapping segment 101 and the functional segment 12, and the additional processing of the first wrapping segment 101 is eliminated. As such, the manufacturing requirement of the wrapping layer 10 can be reduced, and the processing procedure of the aerosol generating article 1 can be simplified. The air from the external environment enters from the gap between the end of the first wrapping segment 101 and the functional segment 12, to direct the aerosol to flow out of the air outlet channel 12b.

It can be understood that, in the embodiment, the end of the functional segment 12 away from the substrate segment 11 penetrates through the wrapping layer 10 and is exposed outside the wrapping layer 10. During the inhalation, the user can directly hold the portion of the functional segment 12 exposed outside the wrapping layer 10 in the user's mouth, to inhale the aerosol. Thus, the inhalation of the aerosol is more convenient, and the user's experience feeling is better.

Of course, in some examples, the first air inlet 10a is provided at the position of the first wrapping segment 101 corresponding to the groove 12c. In the embodiment, the first wrapping segment 101 is wrapped on the entire circumferential outer surface of the functional segment 12, and the first air inlet 10a may extend through the sidewall of the first wrapping segment 101 corresponding to the groove 12c. The air from the external environment may enter the groove 12c through the first air inlet 10a and then enter the substrate segment 11, to carry the aerosol to flow out of the aerosol generating article 1, for inhalation by the user.

It can be understood that, in the embodiment, the groove 12c extending at least through the end of the functional segment 12 approximate to the substrate segment 11 may be that: the groove 12c extends through only the end of the functional segment 12 approximate to the substrate segment 11; or, the groove 12c extends through both the end of the functional segment 12 approximate to the substrate segment 11 and the end of the functional segment away from the substrate segment 11, that is, the groove 12c extends both ends of the functional segment 12 along the length direction.

Referring to FIG. 5, the groove 12c at least partially overlaps with the airway channel 11a. As such, the air from the external environment can quickly flow into the airway channel 11a after entering through the first air inlet 10a, which is conductive to improving the efficiency of the aerosol extraction.

In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the functional segment 12 is provided with one or more central airways 12d, the one or more central airways 12d extend through the functional segment 12 along the length direction, and the central airway 12d at least partially overlaps with the airway channel 11a. That is, the central airway 12d is at least partially abutted against the airway channel 11a, so that the aerosol can be quickly extracted. Thus, the efficiency of the aerosol extraction can be enhanced, and the user's experience feeling can be also improved.

In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 6 to 12, the functional segment 12 is provided with a hollow tubular structure with an inner wall surface 12f and an outer wall surface 12e. The inner wall surface 12f defines a hollow space 12g, the sidewall of the functional segment 12 is provided with a second air inlet 12h, the second air inlet 12h extends at least through the outer wall surface 12e, and the second air inlet 12h is abutted against the first air inlet 10a.

That is, after passing through the first air inlet 10a, the air from the external environment may directly enter the functional segment 12 through the second air inlet 12h, extract the aerosol, and drive the aerosol to flow out of the hollow space 12g. The hollow space 12g can extend the flow path and the flow area of the aerosol, to slow down the flow rate of the aerosol, thereby achieving the cooling effect, and making the use temperature of the aerosol more suitable.

The second air inlet 12h extends at least through the outer wall surface 12e. The second air inlet 12h may extend only the outer wall surface 12e, or may extend both the outer wall surface 12e and the inner wall surface 12f.

In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 8, the structure between the inner wall surface 12f and the outer wall surface 12e is solid, and the second air inlet 12h extends through the inner wall surface 12f and the outer wall surface 12e.

It should be noted that the solid structure may be a solid acetate fiber structure, that is, the structure between the inner wall surface 12f and the outer wall surface 12e of the functional segment 12 is a structure filled with acetate fiber tows. At this time, the functional segment 12 is a hollow acetate fiber structure, and there are gaps between the acetate fiber tows to form the airflow channels. The air from the external environment may enter the hollow space 12g through the second air inlet 12h and move towards the substrate segment 11 to carry the aerosol out from the functional segment 12. The air from the external environment may also carry the aerosol in the airflow channel through the second air inlet 12h, to directly flow out from the hollow space 12g to the functional segment 12.

The solid structure may also be a tubular structure, such as a paper tube or an aluminum foil tube in which no airflow channel is formed inside. That is, the functional segment 12 is a hollow paper tube structure or a hollow aluminum foil paper tube structure. The air from the external environment enters the hollow space 12g through the second air inlet 12h, moves towards the substrate segment 11, and further carries the aerosol to flow to the functional segment 12. The hollow paper tube structure and the hollow aluminum foil paper tube structure are lightweight, which is convenient to reduce the overall weight of the aerosol generating article 1, and the temperature of the aerosol can be reduced by using the hollow region thereof. Moreover, the hollow paper tube structure and the hollow aluminum foil tube structure have good heat resistance, are not prone to deformation when heated, and can still maintain the shape after heat conduction, which can enhance the structural stability of the aerosol generating article 1. For example, referring to FIG. 8, the functional segment 12 is the hollow paper tube structure.

Of course, the functional segment 12 may be a hollow silica gel structure, a hollow polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET) structure, or the like, which is not limited herein.

In the embodiment, the second air inlet 12h extends through both the outer wall surface 12e and the inner wall surface 12f. The air from the external environment enters through the first air inlet 10a and the second air inlet 12h and further extracts the aerosol to flow out of the hollow space 12g.

It can be understood that the acetate fiber refers to acetate fiber, also known as cellulose acetate or cellulose acetate ester. The acetate fiber is a chemically modified macromolecular compound obtained by esterifying hydroxyl groups in cellulose molecules with acetic acid, including diacetate fiber and triacetate fiber, which have good acid and alkali resistance and organic solvent resistance.

In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 9, a groove channel 12i is provided between the inner wall surface 12f and the outer wall surface 12e, the groove channel 12i extends at least through an end of the functional segment 12 along the length direction, and the second air inlet 12h is connected to the groove channel 12i.

It can be understood that, in the embodiment, the functional segment 12 may be a hollow corrugated tube structure, a porous structure, or the like. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the functional segment 12 is the hollow corrugated tube structure, and the cross-section of the region between the inner wall and the outer wall of the hollow corrugated tube is substantially wavy.

The manner of connecting the second air inlet 12h and the groove channel 12i is not limited.

For example, in some embodiments, referring to FIG. 9, the second air inlet 12h only passes through the outer wall surface 12e, that is, the first air inlet 12h does not pass through the inner wall surface 12f. The air from the external environment enters the groove channel 12i through the first air inlet 10a and the second air inlet 12h, to enter the substrate segment 11, and further extract the aerosol to flow out of the hollow space 12g. In the embodiment, there is only one airflow channel for the air from the external environment for extracting the aerosol, which facilitates the consistency of aerosol extraction and also makes it convenient to cool the aerosol.

In some other embodiments, referring to FIG. 7, the second air inlet 12h passes through the groove channel 12i and further extends through the inner wall surface 12f.

In the embodiment, the second air inlet 12h passes through both the outer wall surface 12e and the inner wall surface 12f. At this time, the air from the external environment can enter the hollow space 12g through the first air inlet 10a and the second air inlet 12h to extract the aerosol; or, the air from the external environment can enter the groove channel 12i through the first air inlet 10a and the second air inlet 12h to extract the aerosol; and then flow out from the air outlet channel 12b. In other words, in the embodiment, the air from the external environment can have two airflow channels. Thus, more aerosols can be extracted per unit of time, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of the aerosol extraction.

The number of the second air inlets 12h is not limited. There may be one second air inlets 12h, or two or more second air inlets 12h.

In some examples, the fragrant substance is provided in the functional segment 12, which can enrich the flavor of the aerosol and also improve the user's experience feeling.

In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 3, the functional segment 12 and the stopper 13 has the same structures, and the functional segment 12 and the stopper 13 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the substrate segment 11. In such way, the user does not need to distinguish between the functional segment 12 and the stopper 13 when using the aerosol generating article 1. That is, it is possible to form an installation engagement with the heating component, thereby increasing the convenience of using the aerosol generating article 1. In addition, the functional segment 12 and the stopper 13 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the substrate segment 11, thereby improving the appearance and aesthetics of the aerosol generating article 1.

The specific structure of the functional segment 12 is not limited.

Exemplarily, in some examples, referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the functional segment 12 is a single-segment structure, and the single-segment structure includes one of a cooling segment 121, a supporting segment 122, or a filtering segment 123. That is, the functional segment 12 may include only the cooling segment 121; the functional segment 12 may include only the supporting segment 122; or, the functional segment 12 may include only the filtering segment 123.

In some other examples, referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 11 and 12, the functional segment 12 is a multi-segment combined structure, and the multi-segment combined structure includes at least two of the cooling segment 121, the supporting segment 122, and the filtering segment 123. That is, the functional segment 12 may include two of the cooling segment 121, the supporting segment 122, and the filtering segment 123; or, the functional segment 12 may also include three of the cooling segment 121, the supporting segment 122, and the filtering segment 123.

For example, in some embodiments, referring to FIG. 9, the functional segment 12 includes the cooling segment 121 and the filtering segment 123. The filtering segment 123 is disposed at the end of the cooling segment 121 away from the substrate segment 11, and the air inlet channel 12a is disposed in the cooling segment 121. The aerosol passes through the cooling segment 121 and the filtering segment 123 to flow out of the aerosol generating article 1. The cooling segment 121 reduces the temperature of the aerosol, making the use temperature of the aerosol more suitable. The filtering segment 123 filters out impurities or harmful substances carried in the aerosol, thereby enhancing the user's experience feeling.

In some other embodiments, the functional segment 12 includes the cooling segment 121, the supporting segment 122, and the filtering segment 123. The cooling segment 121 and the supporting segment 122 are disposed between the substrate segment 11 and the filtering segment 123.

The cooling segment 121 may be provided between the supporting segment 122 and the filtering segment 123, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, that is, the aerosol passes through the supporting segment 122, the cooling segment 121 and the filtering segment 123, to flow out of the aerosol generating article 1. The supporting segment 122 connects the substrate segment 11 and the cooling segment 121 that are located at both sides of the supporting segment 122, and can assist in cooling. The cooling segment 121 reduces the temperature of the aerosol, and the filtering segment 123 filters the impurities or large particles carried in the aerosol, thereby improving the user's experience feeling.

The cooling segment 121 may also be provided between the substrate segment 11 and the supporting segment 122. That is, the aerosol passes through the cooling segment 121, the supporting segment 122 and the filtering segment 123, to flow out of the aerosol generating article 1. The cooling segment 121 reduces the temperature of the aerosol. The supporting segment 122 connects the cooling segment 121 and the filtering segment 123 that are located at both sides of the supporting segment 122, and can assist in cooling. The filtering segment 123 filters the impurities or large particles carried in the aerosol, thereby improving the user's experience feeling.

The structures of the cooling segment 121, the supporting segment 122, and the filtering segment 123 are not limited.

The cooling segment 121 may be a hollow tubular structure, for example, a hollow acetate fiber structure, a hollow aluminum foil paper tube structure, a hollow silica gel structure, a hollow polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET) structure, or the like.

The supporting segment 122 may be a hollow tubular structure, a hollow acetate fiber structure, a hollow aluminum foil paper tube structure, a hollow silica gel structure, a hollow polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET) structure, or the like.

The filtering segment 123 may be a solid acetate fiber structure. On the one hand, the filtering segment 123 can filter the impurities or harmful substances contained in the aerosol, adsorb the condensates or large particle droplets formed by condensation of the aerosol, to keep the aerosol dry and increase the user's experience feeling. On the other hand, the filtering segment 123 can also adjust the inhalation resistance to make the amount of the aerosol generated per unit of time more reasonable.

In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 10, the substrate segment 11 and the functional segment 12 are spaced apart to form a first cavity 101a. The first cavity 101a has a relatively large space, which can increase the contact area with the aerosol, thereby reducing the temperature of the aerosol, decreasing the probability of aerosol deposition on the contact surface between the functional segment 12 and the substrate segment 11, improving the extraction rate of the aerosol, as well as facilitating the storage of the aerosol.

It can be understood that the first air inlet 10a may extend through the portion of the first wrapping segment 101 corresponding to the first cavity 101a, or may extend through the portion of the first wrapping segment 101 corresponding to the functional segment 12. For example, referring to FIG. 10, the first air inlet 10a may extend through the portion of the first wrapping segment 101 corresponding to the first cavity 101a.

In some embodiments, at least two of the multi-segment combined structures are spaced apart and form the second cavity 101b. In such way, on the one hand, it is convenient for the air from the external environment to enter, so as to extract the aerosol and reduce the probability of aerosol deposition on the contact surfaces of two adjacent combined structures On the other hand, it can also reduce the temperature of the aerosol, so that the use temperature of the aerosol is more suitable.

It can be understood that the first air inlet 10a may extend through the portion of the first wrapping segment 101 corresponding to the second cavity 101b, and the first air inlet 10a may also extend through the portion of the first wrapping segment 101 corresponding to the functional segment 12.

It can be understood that at least two combined structures being spaced apart and form the second cavity 101b, includes a variety of cases.

In a first case, the cooling segment 121 and the supporting segment 122 are spaced apart and form the second cavity 101b.

In a second case, the cooling segment 121 and the filtering segment 123 are spaced apart and form the second cavity 101b.

In a third case, the supporting segment 122 and the filtering segment 123 are spaced apart and form the second cavity 101b.

For example, referring to FIG. 12, the functional segment 12 includes the cooling segment 121, the supporting segment 122, and the filtering segment 123. The cooling segment 121 and the filtering segment 123 are spaced apart to form the second cavity 101b, and the second cavity 101b has a relatively large space, which can increase the contact area with the aerosol, so as to reduce the temperature of the aerosol, and also decrease the probability of aerosol deposition on the contact surface between the cooling segment 121 and the filtering segment 123. Thus, the extraction rate of the aerosol can be enhanced, and the storage of the aerosol can be also facilitated.

It can be understood that the first wrapping segment 101 may have only the first cavity 101a, may have only the second cavity 101b, or may have both the first cavity 101a and the second cavity 101b.

Of course, in some other embodiments, referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 7 to 9, both ends of the substrate segment 11 along the length direction are in contact with the functional segment 12 and the stopper 13, respectively. That is, there is no cavity between the substrate segment 11 and the functional segment 12, and there is no cavity between the substrate segment 11 and the stopper 13 respectively. Both ends of the substrate segment 11 along the length direction can be abutted against the functional segment 12 and the stopper 13, respectively. Thus, it is convenient to increase the structural stability of the substrate segment 11, reduce the difficulty of abutting the substrate segment 11, the functional segment 12 and the stopper 13, as well as facilitate the assembly.

The specific structure of the stopper 13 is not limited.

In some examples, the stopper 13 is one of the following: a membrane structure with a gas permeability function, a mesh structure, a solid acetate fiber structure, a hollow tubular structure, a structure formed by disposing a separator within a hollow tubular structure, or a porous structure by extrusion molding.

When the stopper 13 is the membrane structure with the permeability function, referring to FIG. 7, the membrane structure is provided with many micro holes. On the one hand, it can decrease the probability of the substrate segment 11 falling out from the wrapping layer 10 after heating, adsorb the condensates formed by the condensation of the aerosol, and decrease the probability of the condensates falling out from the wrapping layer 10 and contaminating the aerosol generating device. On the other hand, the dimension of the aerosol generating article 1 along the length direction can be reduced to enable the structure of the aerosol generating article 1 to be more compact; or, the length of the substrate segment 11 can be increased without changing the length of the aerosol generating article 1, thereby increasing the aerosol content.

It can be understood that the micro hole is a hole in a microscopic sense, and cannot be directly recognized by the naked eyes.

When the stopper 13 is the mesh structure, referring to FIG. 11, the dimension of the stopper 13 along the length direction is very small, and the stopper 13 may be composed by several crisscrossing filamentous structures interwoven. On the basis of realizing the abutting engagement between the stopper 13 and the substrate segment 11 that is heated and reduced, the overall dimension of the reduced aerosol generating article 1 can be effectively reduced, so that the structure is more compact.

When the stopper 13 is the solid acetate fiber structure, referring to FIG. 9, on the one hand, it can adsorb the condensates formed by the condensation of the aerosol, and decrease the probability of the condensates being released from the aerosol generating article 1 and causing contamination to the aerosol generating device, to facilitate the cleaning of the aerosol generating device. On the other hand, it can increase the inhalation resistance, to enable the amount of the aerosol generated per unit of time to be more reasonable and further enhance the user's experience feeling.

When the stopper 13 is the hollow tubular structure, referring to FIG. 3, on the one hand, the stopper 13 can reduce the probability of the substrate segment 11 coming out of the wrapping layer 10 after heating and shrinking; and on the other hand, due to the hollow structure, the stopper 13 is beneficial for the substrate segment 11 to be sufficiently heated and facilitate the extraction of the aerosol.

The hollow tubular structure may be a hollow paper tube, a hollow aluminum foil paper tube, a hollow acetate fiber structure, a hollow polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET) structure, a hollow corrugated structure, a hollow silica gel structure, or the like.

When the stopper 13 is the structure formed by disposing the separator within the hollow tubular structure, the separator can further enhance the stopping capacity of the stopper 13 and provide sufficient support for the substrate segment 11.

When the stopper 13 is the porous structure by extrusion molding, referring to FIG. 10, the aerosol condensates can also be absorbed by the porous structure, thereby increasing the stopping reliability of the stopper 13. In some examples, when the stopper 13 is the porous structure by extrusion molding, the porous structure is abutted against the airway channel 11a, which facilitates the heating of the substrate segment 11 and also facilitates the extraction of aerosol.

Of course, in some other embodiments, the stopper 13 may be a porous structure by injection molding or a porous structure by die casting.

In some examples, the stopper 13 may further include an aerosol generating substrate, which can also participate in the heating process, provide the aerosol, and increase the aerosol content while preventing the substrate segment 11 from escaping from the wrapping layer 10 after being deformed by heat.

The molding manner of the stopper 13 is not limited. For example, the stopper 13 may be an integrated molded structure, the molding manner is simple, and the molding speed is fast.

The materials of the cooling segment 121, the supporting segment 122, and the filtering segment 123 are not limited. For example, the materials of the cooling segment 121, the supporting segment 122, and the filtering segment 123 include, but are not limited to, one or more or a combination of materials such as: polyethylene (PE), Polylactic acid (PLA, also referred to as polylactide), Poly (butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT), Polypropylene (PP), acetate fiber, and propylene fiber.

It can be understood that the materials of the supporting segment 122, the cooling segment 121, and the filtering segment 123 may be the same or different.

In some embodiments, the stopper 13, the substrate segment 11 and the functional segment 12 may have the same cross-sections and the same cross-sectional dimensions. In such way, the installation engagement between the stopper 13, the substrate segment 11 and the functional segment 12 can be facilitated, the requirement on the dimension of the wrapping layer 10 can be reduced, and the installation reliability of the aerosol generating article 1 can be increased.

The molding manner of the stopper 13 and the functional segment 12 is not limited. The stopper 13 and the functional segment 12 may be integrally formed by extrusion molding, injection molding, die casting, or the like.

The cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating article 1 is not limited. In some examples, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating article 1 is substantially circular, i.e., the overcall structure of the aerosol generating article 1 is substantially columnar. In some other examples, the cross-section of the aerosol generating article 1 is substantially rectangular, i.e. the overcall structure of the aerosol generating article 1 is substantially rectangular cylindrical.

In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 6 to 12, the functional segment 12, the substrate segment 11, and the stopper 13 are cylinders with the same outer diameter and arranged coaxially. The length direction is the axial direction of the functional segment 12, the substrate segment 11 and the stopper 13.

The functional segment 12, the substrate segment 11, and the stopper 13 are abutted along the axial direction, and the engagement between respective segments is simple. Thus, the difficulty of wrapping the wrapping layer 10 on the outside of the respective segments can be reduced, and the manufacturing difficulty the aerosol generating article 1 can be also reduced.

The following is a brief description of the airflow mode in conjunction with the nine embodiments of the drawings.

First Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the functional segment 12 is the single-segment structure, and the functional segment 12 is provided with the hollow space 12g. The first air inlet 10a extends through the sidewall of the first wrapping segment 101, and the second air inlet 12a extends through the inner wall surface 12f and the outer wall surface 12e of the functional segment 12. The air from the external environment can enter the hollow space 12g through the first air inlet 10a and the second air inlet 12a, and further enter the interior of the substrate segment 11 for diffusion.

The substrate segment 11 is internally provided with micro holes, and the micro holes are at least partially connected with each other as well as connected to the airway channel 11a. The aerosol generated by the portion of the substrate segment 11 defining the airway channel 11a (i.e., the portion of the substrate segment 11 that is exposed to the airway channel 11a) directly enters the airway channel 11a, and the aerosol generated by other portions of the substrate segment 11 (i.e., the portion of the substrate segment 11 that is not exposed to the airway channel 11a) can be accumulated into the airway channel 11a through the micro holes. Thus, during the inhalation process, after entering from the second air inlet 12a through the hollow space 12g, the air may carry the aerosol accumulated in the airway channel 11a to pass through the hollow space 12g and flow out of the aerosol generating article 1 to the user' mouth.

Second Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 3, the functional segment 12 is the single-segment structure. The structure of the functional segment 12 is the same as the structure of the stopper 13, the inner wall surface 12f of the functional segment 12 defines a hollow space 12g, the first air inlet 10a extends through the sidewall of the first wrapping segment 101, and the second air inlet 12a extends through the outer wall surface 12e and the inner wall surface 12f of the functional segment 12. The air from the external environment can enter the hollow space 12g through the first air inlet 10a and the second air inlet 12a to enter the interior of the substrate segment 11 for diffusion.

The substrate segment 11 is internally provided with micro holes, and the micro holes are at least partially connected with each other as well as connected to the airway channel 11a. The aerosol generated by the portion of the substrate segment 11 defining the airway channel 11a (i.e., the portion of the substrate segment 11 that is exposed to the airway channel 11a) directly enters the airway channel 11a, and the aerosol generated by other portions of the substrate segment 11 (i.e., the portion of the substrate segment 11 that is not exposed to the airway channel 11a) can be accumulated into the airway channel 11a through the micro holes. Thus, during the inhalation process, after entering from the second air inlet 12a through the hollow space 12g, the air may carry the aerosol accumulated in the airway channel 11a to pass through the hollow space 12g and flow out of the aerosol generating article 1 to the user' mouth.

Third Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the functional segment 12 is the single-segment structure. The circumferential outer surface of the functional segment 12 provided with the groove 12c, and the inner wall surface 12f of the functional segment 12 defines the hollow space 12g. The gap between the end of the first wrapping segment 101 and the functional segment 12 defines the first air inlet 10a, and at least part of the groove 12c overlaps with the airway channel 11a. The air from the external environment can enter the groove 12c through the first air inlet 10a, and further enter the interior of the substrate segment 11 for diffusion.

The substrate segment 11 is internally provided with micro holes, and the micro holes are at least partially connected with each other as well as connected to the airway channel 11a. The aerosol generated by the portion of the substrate segment 11 defining the airway channel 11a (i.e., the portion of the substrate segment 11 that is exposed to the airway channel 11a) directly enters the airway channel 11a, and the aerosol generated by other portions of the substrate segment 11 (i.e., the portion of the substrate segment 11 that is not exposed to the airway channel 11a) can be accumulated into the airway channel 11a through the micro holes. Thus, during the inhalation process, after entering from the first air inlet 10a through the groove 12c, the air may carry the aerosol accumulated in the airway channel 11a to pass through the hollow space 12g and flow out of the aerosol generating article 1 to the user' mouth.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the functional segment 12 is the single-segment structure. The inner wall surface 12f of the functional segment 12 defines the hollow space 12g. The first air inlet 10a extends through the sidewall of the first wrapping segment 101, the groove channel 12i is provided between the inner wall surface 12f and the outer wall surface 12e, and the second air inlet 12a extends through the inner wall and outer wall of the functional segment 12. At this time, the air from the external environment has two paths to enter the substrate segment 11.

In the first path, the air from the external environment can enter the groove channel 12i through the second air inlet 12a, and further enter the interior of the substrate segment 11 through the groove channel 12i for diffusion.

In the second path, the air from the external environment can enter the hollow space 12g through the second air inlet 12a, and further enter the interior of the substrate segment 11 through the hollow space 12g for diffusion.

The substrate segment 11 is internally provided with micro holes, and the micro holes are at least partially connected with each other as well as connected to the airway channel 11a. The aerosol generated by the portion of the substrate segment 11 defining the airway channel 11a (i.e., the portion of the substrate segment 11 that is exposed to the airway channel 11a) directly enters the airway channel 11a, and the aerosol generated by other portions of the substrate segment 11 (i.e., the portion of the substrate segment 11 that is not exposed to the airway channel 11a) can be accumulated into the airway channel 11a through the micro holes. Thus, during the inhalation process, after entering the substrate segment 11 from the aforementioned two paths, the air can carry the accumulated aerosol to pass through the hollow space 12g and flow out of the aerosol generating article 1 to the user' mouth.

Fifth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 8, the functional segment 12 is the multi-segment combined structure. The functional segment 12 includes the cooling segment 121 and the filtering segment 123. The second air inlet 12a is provided in the cooling segment 121. The air from the external environment can enter the hollow space 12g through the second air inlet 12a, and further enter the interior of the substrate segment 11 for diffusion. After entering the substrate segment 11, the air can carry the accumulated aerosol to pass through the cooling segment 121 and the filtering segment 123 and flow out of the aerosol generating article 1 to the user' mouth.

Sixth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 9, the functional segment 12 is the multi-segment combined structure. The functional segment 12 includes the cooling segment 121 and the filtering segment 123. The second air inlet 12a is provided in the cooling segment 121. The air from the external environment can enter the groove channel 12i through the second air inlet 12a, and further enter the interior of the substrate segment 11 for diffusion. After entering the substrate segment 11, the air can carry the accumulated aerosol to pass through the cooling segment 121 and the filtering segment 123 and flow out of the aerosol generating article 1 to the user' mouth.

Seventh Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 10, the functional segment 12 is the single-segment structure. The inner wall surface 12f of the functional segment 12 defines the hollow space 12g. The functional segment 12 and the substrate segment 11 are spaced apart to form the first cavity 101a, and the first air inlet 10a extends through the sidewall of the first wrapping segment 101 corresponding to the first cavity 101a. The air from the external environment can enter the first cavity 101a through the first air inlet 12a, and further diffuse in the interior of the substrate segment 11.

The substrate segment 11 is internally provided with micro holes, and the micro holes are at least partially connected with each other as well as connected to the airway channel 11a. The aerosol generated by the portion of the substrate segment 11 defining the airway channel 11a (i.e., the portion of the substrate segment 11 that is exposed to the airway channel 11a) directly enters the airway channel 11a, and the aerosol generated by other portions of the substrate segment 11 (i.e., the portion of the substrate segment 11 that is not exposed to the airway channel 11a) can be accumulated into the airway channel 11a through the micro holes. Thus, during the inhalation process, after entering the substrate segment 11 from the first air inlet 12a through the first cavity 101a, the air may carry the accumulated aerosol to pass through the first cavity 101a and the hollow space 12g, and flow out of the aerosol generating article 1 to the user' mouth.

Eighth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 11, the functional segment 12 is the multi-segment combined structure. The functional segment includes the cooling segment 121, the supporting segment 122 and the filtering segment 123. The two ends of the cooling segment 121 are in contact with the supporting segment 122 and the filtering segment 123 along the length direction, respectively. The second air inlet 12a is provided in the cooling segment 121. The air from the external environment may enter the interior of the substrate segment 11 through the second air inlet 12a for diffusion. After entering the substrate segment 11, the air may carry the accumulated aerosol to pass through the supporting segment 122, the cooling segment 121 and the filtering segment 123, and flow out of the aerosol generating article 1 to the user' mouth.

Ninth Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 12, the functional segment 12 is the multi-segment combined structure. The functional segment 12 includes the cooling segment 121, the supporting segment 122 and the filtering segment 123. The cooling segment 121 is provided between the supporting segment 122 and the filtering segment 123. The supporting segment 122 and the filtering segment 123 are spaced apart to form the second cavity 101b. The second air inlet 12a is provided in the cooling segment 121. The air from the external environment may enter the interior of the substrate segment 11 through the second air inlet 12a for diffusion. After entering the substrate segment 11, the air may carry the accumulated aerosol to pass through the supporting segment 122, the cooling segment 121, the second cavity 101b and the filtering segment 123, and flow out of the aerosol generating article 1 to the user' mouth.

In the description of the present disclosure, a description with reference to the terms “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “example”, “specific example” and “some examples” or the like means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the present disclosure, the illustrative expression of the above terms is not necessarily directed to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can combine different embodiments or examples described in the present disclosure and features of different embodiments or examples without contradicting each other.

The foregoing is intended to illustrate merely preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made to the present disclosure. Any modification, equivalent substitution, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present disclosure shall be included within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.