Patent Application
20200170298
One or more embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device in which a container and a cigarette move in a direction opposite to a direction in which the cigarette is extracted before the cigarette is separated from the heater, so that the cigarette is conveniently separated from the heater and residue is discharged together with the cigarette to the outside of the aerosol generating device.
Recently, demand has increased for a method of generating an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in a cigarette. Thus, research into a heated cigarette or a heated aerosol generating device has been actively conducted.
An aerosol generating device may include a liquid nicotine vaporizer for vaporizing tobacco in a liquid state or an aerosol generating device for generating smoking gas by heating and fumigating a cigarette.
When an aerosol generating device including a heater for heating a cigarette by using electricity is used, the cigarette, which is heated by the heater and generates smoking gas, may be separated from the aerosol generating device and discarded, and a new cigarette may be inserted into the aerosol generating device.
Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1667124 relates to an aerosol generating device for generating smoking gas by heating a cigarette and describes a structure of a holder for supporting insertion of a cigarette into the aerosol generating device or removal of a cigarette from the aerosol generating device.
When a user uses an aerosol generating device having this structure, the user, for smoking, inserts the cigarette into the holder extracted to the outside of the aerosol generating device and pushes the holder and the cigarette into the aerosol generating device, and after smoking, pulls the holder to the outside of the aerosol generating device and then removes the cigarette from the holder.
In the aerosol generating device using the holder having this structure, the holder only guides the insertion and the separation of the cigarette. Thus, because residue generated from the cigarette heated during smoking remains in the inner space and in components of the aerosol generating device, such as the heater, etc., it is difficult to keep the aerosol generating device clean.
When the user removes the cigarette from the aerosol generating device, the user holds, in his or her hand, the cigarette inserted into the holder and pulls the cigarette out of the holder to remove the cigarette. However, tobacco materials remaining on contacting surfaces of the cigarette and the heater are not removed during the removal of the cigarette, and remain in the heater. The tobacco materials generated from the cigarette are attached to the contacting surfaces between the cigarette and the heater, and the tobacco materials attached to the heater are compressed by heat of the heater and thus more strongly adhere to the heater. Thus, as the time during which the aerosol generating device is used increases, the cleanliness of the heater and the inner space of the aerosol generating device may decrease.
Provided are a method and device for generating an aerosol. Also, provided is a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method above on a computer. Embodiments are not limited to the technical objectives described above and may include other technical objectives.
Provided is an aerosol generating device for allowing convenient removal of a cigarette.
Provided is an aerosol generating device capable of removing a material attached to a heater.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device including: a case; a container mounted inside the case to be movable in a longitudinal direction of the case and having an accommodating space configured to accommodate a cigarette; a heater disposed inside the case such that a front end thereof is inserted into the accommodating space of the container, the heater being configured to heat the cigarette when electricity is applied thereto; and an elastic support portion configured to elastically support the container with respect to the case.
The case may include a guide space configured to guide the container to move linearly.
The container may further have a through-hole through which the front end of the heater passes.
A size of the through-hole may correspond to a thickness of the front end of the heater, and while the container moves, the through-hole may contact the heater and thus scrapes a material attached to a surface of the heater.
The aerosol generating device may further include, on a surface of the front end of the heater, a coating layer including a wear-resistant material.
A size of the through-hole may be greater than a size of the front end of the heater such that an inner surface of the through-hole may be spaced apart from the front end of the heater.
The aerosol generating device may further include a fixing portion coupled to a rear end of the heater and configured to fix a position of the heater with respect to the case, wherein the elastic support portion is disposed between the fixing portion and the container.
The container may further have an expansion portion in which an inner diameter of an end of the container extends outwards, and the case may have an insertion portion inserted between an inner wall surface of the expansion portion of the container and an outer circumferential surface of the cigarette and extending linearly in a direction in which the container moves.
The container may further have a stepped portion formed on an outer surface of the expansion portion, the outer surface facing toward the fixing portion, and the elastic support portion may be disposed between the stepped portion and the fixing portion.
The aerosol generating device may further include a stopper disposed between the container and the case and configured to apply resistance in a direction opposite to a direction in which the container moves.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system including: a holder configured to heat a cigarette to generate an aerosol; and a cradle having an inner space into which the holder is inserted, wherein the holder is inserted into the inner space of the cradle and then is tilted to generate the aerosol.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a cigarette inserted into a holder, the cigarette including: a tobacco load including a plurality of tobacco strands; a first filter segment including a hollow; a cooling structure configured to cool a generated aerosol; and a second filter segment.
According to the one or more of the embodiments, in an aerosol generating device, before a cigarette is separated, the cigarette and a container may move in a direction opposite to a direction in which the cigarette is extracted from a heater, and thus, contact surfaces of the cigarette and the heater may be easily separated from each other.
Also, while the container and the cigarette move, the heater may remain in a fixed state. Also, due to movement of the container and the cigarette to a press position and back to an initial position, residues attached to a surface of the heater may be separated from the heater, and thus, the residues may be easily discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device.
The terms used in the embodiments are selected from among common terms that are currently widely used in consideration of their function in the disclosure. However, the terms may be different according to an intention of one of ordinary skill in the art, a precedent, or the advent of new technology. In addition, in certain cases, a term which is not commonly used may be selected. In such a case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail at the corresponding part in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.
In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “-er,” “-or,” and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail by referring to the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosure may be realized in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.
The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in
The case 10 may form an exterior shape of the aerosol generating device and may accommodate and protect various components in an inner space 10v formed inside the case 10. The case 10 may have a hollow cylindrical shape and may have, at a front end thereof, an opening 10i which is open to the outside and through which the cigarette 7 may be inserted. The case 10 may be formed by including a plastic material not transferring electricity and heat or a metal material having a surface coated with a plastic material.
The container 20 may be mounted in the case 10 to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the case 10. The cigarette 7 may be formed to have a cylindrical shape and the container 20 and the case 10 may extend in a longitudinal direction of the cigarette 7 to correspond to the shape of the cigarette 7.
The container 20 may be formed to have a cylindrical shape which is empty inside and may have, at a front end and a rear end thereof, respectively, an opening through which the cigarette 7 is inserted and a through-hole 20r through which the front end 31 of the heater 30 passes. Also, the container 20 may have the accommodating space 20v configured to accommodate the cigarette 7.
While the container 20 is accommodated in the case 10, the container 20 may accommodate and support the cigarette 7 and may move in the longitudinal direction of the case 10 together with the cigarette 7. Thus, the container 20 may not be detached outwards from the case 10.
The heater 30 configured to heat the cigarette 7 may be disposed in the case 10. The front end 31 of the heater 30 may be inserted into the container 20 through the through-hole 20r of the container 20 and when the cigarette 7 is accommodated in the container 20, the front end 31 of the heater 30 may be inserted into a rear end of the cigarette 7.
A size of the through-hole 20r of the container 20 may correspond to a thickness of the front end 31 of the heater 30. For example, when the front end 31 of the heater 30 has a circular cross-section, the through-hole 20r may also have a circular cross-section and an inner diameter of the through-hole 20r may correspond to an outer diameter of the front end 31 of the heater 30. Thus, an inner surface of the through-hole 20r may keep contacting an outer surface of the front end 31 of the heater 30.
Thus, while the container 20 moves, the through-hole 20r may rake up a material attached to the outer surface of the front end 31 of the heater 30. Because the through-hole 20r of the container 20 and the front end 31 of the heater 30, the through-hole 20r and the front end 31 contacting each other, repeatedly relatively move with respect to each other, a coating layer including a wear-resistant material may be formed on the surface of the front end 31 of the heater 30. For example, the coating layer may include a material, such as metal, an alloy, ceramics, plastic, glass, etc.
Embodiments are not limited to the structure in which the inner surface of the through-hole 20r contacts the outer surface of the front end 31 of the heater 30 as described above. For example, the size of the through-hole 20r may be greater than the size of the front end 31 of the heater 30, and thus, the inner surface of the through-hole 20r may be apart from the outer surface of the front end 31 of the heater 30.
A rear end 32 of the heater 30 may be electrically connected to an electricity supply device 72 disposed at a rear end of the case 10, via an electric wire 71. A base 19 surrounding the electricity supply device 72 may be connected to the rear end of the case 10. When electricity of the electricity supply device 72 is supplied to the heater 30 in a state in which the cigarette 7 is inserted into the front end 31 of the heater 30, the heater 30 may be heated, and thus, the cigarette 7 may be heated.
The case 10 may include a fixing portion 50 coupled to the rear end 32 of the heater 30 and fixing a position of the heater 30 with respect to the case 10. The fixing portion 50 may have an open upper end and a hollow cylindrical shape, and may have a space 50v inside for accommodating the container 20. The fixing portion 50 may have, at a rear end thereof, a cavity 50r into which the front end 31 of the heater 30 is inserted.
The front end 31 of the heater 30 may pass through the cavity 50r of the fixing portion 50. The heater 30 may have, at the outer surface thereof, a flange 30p that projects. Because the flange 30p is fixed to the fixing portion 50, the position of the heater 30 with respect to the case 10 may be fixed.
The elastic support portion 40 may be disposed between the fixing portion 50 and the container 20 and may elastically support the container 20 with respect to the case 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic support portion 40 is realized as a cylindrical compressed coil spring. However, embodiments are not limited to this example of the elastic support portion 40. For example, the elastic support portion 40 may also be realized as a compressed cylinder using liquid or gas, rubber, etc.
The container 20 may include, at an end thereof, an expansion portion 20f extending to the outside. An inner diameter of the expansion portion 20f may be greater than an outer diameter of the cigarette 7. The case 10 may include an insertion portion 10s inserted between an inner wall surface 20w of the expansion portion 20f of the container 20 and an outer circumferential surface of the cigarette 7 and linearly extending in a direction in which the container 20 moves. That is, in a state in which the expansion portion 20f of the container 20 is inserted into a guide space 10g formed between the expansion portion 20f of the case 10 and the inner wall surface 20w of the case 10, the container 20 may linearly move in the longitudinal direction of the case 10.
The container 20 may include a stepped portion 29 formed at an outer surface of the expansion portion 20f, the surface facing toward the fixing portion 50. An end 40f of the elastic support portion 40 may be supported by the stepped portion 29 of the container 20 and the other end 40r of the elastic support portion 40 may be supported by the fixing portion 50.
After a user uses the aerosol generating device, the user may have to remove the cigarette 7 from the aerosol generating device.
Tobacco materials (residues) generated from the cigarette 7 while the cigarette 7 is heated by the heater 30 may be condensed and attached to contact surfaces of the heater 30 and the cigarette 7. While the cigarette 7 and the container 20 are pressed and linearly move to the press position as illustrated in
When the user does not press and releases the cigarette 7 and the container 20 in the state illustrated in
According to the conventional aerosol generating device, when a cigarette is removed from the aerosol generating device, a user may simply withdraw the cigarette from the aerosol generating device, and thus, tobacco materials between the cigarette and a heater may frequently be attached to the heater.
However, according to the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment described above, before the cigarette 7 is removed from the aerosol generating device, the cigarette 7 and the container 20 may first be shifted to the press position, that is, the position to which the container 20 moves downwards to completely press the elastic support portion 40, as illustrated in
While the container 20 and the cigarette 7 move to the press position, the heater 30 may remain in the fixed state so that the position of the heater 30 with respect to the case 10 is not changed. Thus, the contact surfaces between the heater 30 and the cigarette 7, the contact surfaces solidly contacting each other due to the tobacco materials, may be easily separated from each other.
Also, the tobacco materials stuck on the surface of the heater 30 may be removed from the heater 30 by the movement of the container 20 and the cigarette 7 to the press position as illustrated in
After the heater 30 is separated from the cigarette 7 through the operation described above, the user may hold the cigarette 7 and remove the cigarette 7 from the aerosol generating device. Thus, the residues stuck on the cigarette 7 may be easily discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device, together with the cigarette 7.
When the elastic support portion 40 supporting the container 20 is not provided, the user may not know whether the cigarette 7 is completely inserted into the container 20, and thus, the user may forcibly keep pressing the cigarette 7.
However, according to the aerosol generating device according to the embodiment described above, while the user presses the cigarette 7, the elastic support portion 40 may apply a resistance force to the container 20 moving along the case 10. Thus, the user may feel a sense of the resistance transferred from the container 20 and the cigarette 7, and thus, may identify that the cigarette 7 is completely inserted into the container 20.
When the user releases the cigarette 7 after pressing the container 20 and the cigarette 7, the cigarette 7 and the container 20 may linearly move upwards to move back to their initial positions as illustrated in
The aerosol generating device according to the embodiment illustrated in
The case 110 may form an exterior shape of the aerosol generating device and may accommodate and protect various components in an inner space 110v formed inside the case 110. The case 10 may have a hollow cylindrical shape and may have, at a front end thereof, an opening 110i which is open to the outside and through which the cigarette 7 may be inserted. The case 110 may be formed by including a plastic material not transferring electricity and heat or a metal material having a surface coated with a plastic material.
The container 120 may be mounted in the case 110 to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the case 110. The cigarette 7 may be formed to have a cylindrical shape and the container 120 and the case 110 may extend in a longitudinal direction of the cigarette 7 to correspond to the shape of the cigarette 7.
The container 120 may be formed to have a cylindrical shape which is empty inside and may have, at a front end and a rear end thereof, respectively, an opening through which the cigarette 7 is inserted and a through-hole 120r through which the front end 13 lof the heater 130 passes. Also, the container 120 may have the accommodating space 120v configured to accommodate the cigarette 7.
While the container 120 is accommodated in the case 110, the container 120 may accommodate and support the cigarette 7 and may move in the longitudinal direction of the case 110 together with the cigarette 7. Thus, the container 120 is not detached outwards from the case 110.
The heater 130 configured to heat the cigarette 7 may be disposed in the case 110. The front end 131 of the heater 130 may be inserted into the container 120 through the through-hole 120r of the container 120 and when the cigarette 7 is accommodated in the container 120, the front end 131 of the heater 130 may be inserted into a rear end of the cigarette 7.
A rear end 132 of the heater 130 may be electrically connected to the electricity supply device 72 disposed at a rear end of the case 110, via the electric wire 71. When electricity of the electricity supply device 72 is supplied to the heater 130 in a state in which the cigarette 7 is inserted into the front end 131 of the heater 130, the heater 130 may be heated, and thus, the cigarette 7 may be heated.
The case 110 may include a fixing portion 150 coupled to the rear end 132 of the heater 130 and fixing a position of the heater 130 with respect to the case 110. The fixing portion 150 may have an open upper end and a hollow cylindrical shape, and may have a space 150v inside for accommodating the container 120. The fixing portion 150 may have, at a rear end thereof, a cavity 150r into which the front end 131 of the heater 130 is inserted.
The front end 131 of the heater 130 may pass through the cavity 150r of the fixing portion 150. The heater 130 may have, at an outer surface thereof, a flange that projects. Because the flange is fixed to the fixing portion 150, the position of the heater 130 with respect to the case 110 may be fixed.
The elastic support portion 140 may be disposed between the fixing portion 150 and the container 120 and may elastically support the container 120 with respect to the case 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic support portion 140 is realized as a compressed coil spring having a cone- or ladder-shaped cross-section. However, embodiments are not limited to this example of the elastic support portion 140. For example, the elastic support portion 140 may also be realized as a compressed cylinder using liquid or gas, rubber, etc.
The container 120 may include, at an end thereof, an expansion portion 120f extending to the outside. An inner diameter of the expansion portion 120f may be greater than an outer diameter of the cigarette 7. The case 110 may include an insertion portion 110s inserted between an inner wall surface 120w of the expansion portion 120f of the container 120 and an outer circumferential surface of the cigarette 7 and linearly extending in a direction in which the container 120 moves. That is, in a state in which the expansion portion 120f of the container 120 is inserted into a guide space 110g formed between the expansion portion 120f of the case 110 and the inner wall surface 120w of the case 110, the container 120 may linearly move in the longitudinal direction of the case 110.
An end 140f of the elastic support portion 140 may be supported by a lower surface of the container 120 and the other end 140r of the elastic support portion 140 may be supported by the fixing portion 150.
The aerosol generating device may include a stopper disposed between the container 120 and the case 110 and applying resistance in a direction opposite to a direction in which the container 120 moves. The stopper may include a moving projection 129t projecting from an outer surface of the container 120, and fixing projections 119t projecting from an inner surface of the case 110.
When a user presses the container 120 downwards, the moving projection 129t of the container 120 may move downwards together with the container 120, thereby approaching the fixing projections 119t, as illustrated in
When the user keeps pressing the container 120, the moving projection 129t of the container 120 may be inserted between the fixing projections 119t of the case 110, as illustrated in
When sizes of the moving projection 129t and the fixing projection 119t are large and a force by which the two fixing projections 119t fix the moving projection 129t is greater than the pressing force of the elastic support portion 140, the stopper may keep the container 120 at a press position illustrated in
When sizes of the moving projection 129t and the fixing projection 119t are large and a force by which the two fixing projections 119t fix the moving projection 129t is less than the pressing force of the elastic support portion 140, the stopper may not keep the container 120 at the press position illustrated in
According to the embodiment described above, two fixing projections 119t are illustrated. However, embodiments are not limited to this number, the shape, or the size of the fixing projections 119t. For example, only one fixing projection 119t may be mounted, but the moving projection 129t and the fixing projection 119t may be formed to be sufficiently large so that the moving projection 129t may not pass through the fixing projection 119t. In this case, the moving projection 129t and the fixing projection 119t may restrict a linear movement of the container 120 such that the container 120 may not move beyond the press position.
Embodiments illustrated in
In
Referring to
When a cigarette is inserted into the holder 1, the holder 1 heats the heater 130. The temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette is raised by the heated heater 130, and thus aerosol is generated. The generated aerosol is delivered to a user through a cigarette filter. However, even when a cigarette is not inserted into the holder 1, the holder 1 may heat the heater 130.
The casing 140 may be detached from the holder 1. For example, when a user rotates the casing 140 clockwise or counterclockwise, the casing 140 may be detached from the holder 1.
The diameter of a hole formed by a terminal end 141 of the casing 140 may be smaller than the diameter of a space formed by the casing 140 and the heater 130. In this case, the hole may serve as a guide for a cigarette inserted into the holder 1.
The battery 110 supplies power used for the holder 1 to operate. For example, the battery 110 may supply power for heating the heater 130 and supply power for operating the control unit 120. In addition, the battery 110 may supply power for operating a display, a sensor, a motor, and the like installed in the holder 1.
The battery 110 may be a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, but is not limited to the example described above. For example, the battery 110 may be a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery, a lithium titanate battery, etc.
Also, the battery 110 may have a cylindrical shape having a diameter of 10 mm and a length of 37 mm, but is not limited thereto. The capacity of the battery 110 may be 120 mAh or more, and the battery 110 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, when the battery 110 is rechargeable, the charging rate (C-rate) of the battery 110 may be 10 C and the discharging rate (C-rate) may be 16 C to 20 C. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Also, for stable use, the battery 110 may be manufactured, such that 80% or more of the total capacity may be ensured even when charging/discharging are performed 8000 times.
Here, it may be determined whether the battery 110 is fully charged or completely discharged based on a level of power stored in the battery 110 as compared to the entire capacity of the battery 110. For example, when power stored in the battery 110 is equal to or more than 95% of the total capacity, it may be determined that the battery 110 is fully charged. Furthermore, when power stored in the battery 110 is 10% or less of the total capacity, it may be determined that the battery 110 is completely discharged. However, the criteria for determining whether the battery 110 is fully charged or completely discharged are not limited to the above examples.
The heater 130 is heated by power supplied from the battery 110. When a cigarette is inserted into the holder 1, the heater 130 is located inside the cigarette. Therefore, the heated heater 130 may raise the temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette.
The shape of the heater 130 may be a combination of a cylinderical shape and a conical shape. For example, the heater 130 may have a diameter of 2 mm, a length of 23 mm, and a cylindrical shape. Also, end 131 of heater 130 may be processed to have an acute angle edge. But, the embodiments are not limited to these features. In other words, the heater 130 may have any shape as long as the heater 130 may be inserted into the cigarette. In addition, only a portion of the heater 130 may be heated. For example, if the heater 130 has a length of 23 mm, only a part of the heater 130, 12 mm distanced from the end 131, is heated, while other part of the heater 130 is not heated.
The heater 130 may be an electrical resistive heater. For example, the heater 130 includes an electrically conductive track, and the heater 130 may be heated as a current flows through the electrically conductive track.
For stable use, the heater 130 may be supplied with power according to the specifications of 3.2 V, 2.4 A, and 8 W, but is not limited thereto. For example, when power is supplied to the heater 130, the surface temperature of the heater 130 may rise to 400° C. or higher. The surface temperature of the heater 130 may rise to about 350° C. before 15 seconds after the power supply to the heater 130 starts.
The holder 1 may have a special temperature sensor. Alternatively, the holder 1 may not be provided with a temperature sensing sensor, and the heater 130 may serve as a temperature sensing sensor. For example, the heater 130 may further include a second electrically conductive track for sensing temperature in addition to a first electrically conductive track for sensing heating temperature.
For example, when a voltage applied to the second electrically conductive track and a current flowing through the second electrically conductive track are measured, a resistance R may be determined. At this time, a temperature T of the second electrically conductive track may be determined by Equation 1 below.
R=R
0{1+α(T−T0)} [Equation 1]
In Equation 1, R denotes a current resistance value of the second electrically conductive track, Ro denotes a resistance value at a temperature To (e.g., 0° C.), and a denotes a resistance temperature coefficicent of the second electrically conductive track. Since conductive materials (e.g., metals) have inherent resistance temperature coefficients, a may be determined in advance according to a conductive material constituting the second electrically conductive track. Therefore, when the resistance R of the second electrically conductive track is determined, the temperature T of the second electrically conductive track may be calculated according to Equation 1.
The heater 130 may include at least one electrically conductive track (a first electrically conductive track and a second electrically conductive track). For example, the heater 130 may include, but is not limited to, two first electrically conductive tracks and one or two second electrically conductive tracks.
An electrically conductive track includes an electrical resistive material. For example, an electrically conductive track may include a metal. In another example, an electrically conductive track may include an electrically conductive ceramic material, a carbon, a metal alloy, or a composite of a ceramic material and a metal.
In addition, the holder 1 may include both an electrically conductive track, which serves as temperature sensing sensors, and a temperature sensing sensor.
The control unit 120 controls the overall operation of the holder 1. Specifically, the control unit 120 controls not only operations of the battery 110 and the heater 130, but also operations of other components included in the holder 1. The control unit 120 may also check the status of each of the components of the holder 1 and determine whether the holder 1 is in an operable state.
The control unit 120 includes at least one processor. A processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be implemented in other forms of hardware.
For example, the control unit 120 may control the operation of the heater 130. The control unit 120 may control an amount of power supplied to the heater 130 and a time for supplying the power, such that the heater 130 may be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at a proper temperature. The control unit 120 may also check the status of the battery 110 (e.g., the remaining amount of the battery 110) and generate a notification signal as occasions demand.
Also, the control unit 120 may check the presence or absence of a user's puff, check the strength of the puff, and count the number of puffs. Also, the control unit 120 may continuously check the time during which the holder 1 is operating. The control unit 120 may also check whether a cradle 2 to be described below is coupled with the holder 1 and control the operation of the holder 1 based on whether the cradle 2 is coupled with or separated from and the holder 1.
Meanwhile, the holder 1 may further include general-purpose components other than the battery 110, the control unit 120, and the heater 130.
For example, the holder 1 may include a display capable of outputting visual information or a motor for outputting tactile information. For example, when a display is included in the holder 1, the control unit 120 may provide a user information about the state of the holder 1 (e.g., availability of the holder, etc.), information about the heater 130 (e.g., start of preheating, progress of preheating, completion of preheating, etc.), information about the battery 110 (e.g., remaining power of the battery 110, availability, etc.), information about resetting of the holder 1 (e.g., reset timing, reset progress, reset completion, etc.), information about cleaning of the holder 1 (e.g., cleaning timing, cleaning progress, cleaning completion, etc.), information about charging of the holder 1 (e.g., need of charging, charging progress, charging completed, etc.), information about puff (e.g., the number of puffs, notification of expected completion of puffs, etc.), or information about safety (e.g., time of use, etc.) via the display. In another example, when a motor is included in the holder 1, the control unit 120 may transmit the above-described information to a user by generating a vibration signal by using the motor.
The holder 1 may also include a terminal coupled with at least one input device (e.g., a button) and/or the cradle 2 through which a user may control the function of the holder 1. For example, a user may perform various functions by using the input device of the holder 1. By adjusting the number of times a user presses the input device (e.g., once, twice, etc.) or the time during which the input device is being pressed (e.g., 0.1 second, 0.2 second, etc.), a desired function from among a plurality of functions of the holder 1 may be executed. As a user manipulates the input device, the holder 1 may perform a function of preheating the heater 130, a function of regulating the temperature of the heater 130, a function of cleaning the space in which a cigarette is inserted, a function of checking whether the battery 110 is in an operable state, a function of displaying the remaining power (available power) of the battery 110, a function of resetting the holder 1, etc. However, the functions of the holder 1 are not limited to the examples described above.
The holder 1 may also include a puff detecting sensor, a temperature sensing sensor, and/or a cigarette insertion detecting sensor. For example, the puff detecting sensor may be implemented by a conventional pressure sensor, and cigarette insertion detecting sensor may be implemented by a general capacitance sensor or electric resistive sensor. Also, the holder 1 may be fabricated to have a structure in which the outside air may flow in/out even in the state where the cigarette is inserted.
In
The battery 210 provides power used to operate the cradle 2. In addition, the battery 210 may supply power for charging the battery 110 of the holder 1. For example, when the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 and the terminal 170 of the holder 1 is coupled with the terminal 260 of the cradle 2, the battery 210 of the cradle 2 may supply power to the battery 110 of the holder 1.
Also, when the holder 1 is coupled with the cradle 2, the battery 210 may supply power used for the holder 1 to operate. For example, when the terminal 170 of the holder 1 is coupled with the terminal 260 of the cradle 2, the holder 1 may operate by using power supplied by the battery 210 of the cradle 2 regardless of whether the battery 110 of the holder 1 is discharged or not.
The examples of type of battery 210 may be the same as the battery 110 shown in
The control unit 220 generally controls the overall operation of the cradle 2. The control unit 220 may control the overall operation of all the configurations of the cradle 2. The control unit 220 may also determine whether the holder 1 is coupled with the cradle 2 and control the operation of the cradle 2 according to coupling or separation of the cradle 2 and the holder 1.
For example, when the holder 1 is coupled with the cradle 2, the control unit 220 may supply power of the battery 210 to the holder 1, thereby charging the battery 110 or heating the heater 130. Therefore, even when remaining power of the battery 110 is low, a user may continuously smoke by coupling the holder 1 with the cradle 2.
The control unit 120 includes at least one processor. A processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or may be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be implemented in other forms of hardware.
Meanwhile, the cradle 2 may further include general-purpose components other than the battery 210 and the control unit 220. For example, cradle 2 may include a display capable of outputting visual information. For example, when the cradle 2 includes a display, the control unit 220 generates a signal to be displayed on the display, thereby informing a user information regarding the battery 210 (e.g., the remaining power of the battery 210, availability of the battery 210, etc.), information regarding resetting of the cradle 2 (e.g., reset timing, reset progress, reset completion, etc.), information regarding cleaining of the holder 1 (e.g., cleaning timing, cleaning necessity, cleaining progress, cleaining completion, etc.), information regarding charging of the cradle 2 (e.g., charging necessity, charging progress, charging completion, etc.).
The cradle 2 may also include at least one input device (e.g., a button) for a user to control the function of the cradle 2, a terminal 260 to be coupled with the holder 1, and/or an interface for charging the battery 210 (e.g., an USB port, etc.).
For example, a user may perform various functions by using the input device of the cradle 2. By controlling the number of times that a user presses the input device or a period of time for which the input device is pressed, a desired function from among the plurality of functions of the cradle 2 may be executed. As a user manipulates the input device, the cradle 2 may perform a function of preheating the heater 130, a function of regulating the temperature of the heater 130, a function of cleaning the space in which a cigarette is inserted, a function of checking whether the cradle 2 is in an operable state, a function of displaying the remaining power (available power) of the battery 210 of the cradle 2, a function of resetting the cradle 2, etc. However, the functions of the cradle 2 are not limited to the examples described above.
As above explained along with
The cradle 2 may include at least one attaching member 271 and/or 272 to increase attachment strength with the holder 1. Also, at least one attaching member 181 may be included in the holder 1 as well. Here, attaching members 181, 271, and 272 may be magnets, but are not limited thereto. In
The holder 1 may include the attaching member 181 at a first position and the cradle 2 may include the attaching members 271 and 272 at a second position and a third position, respectively. In this case, the first position and the third position may be positions facing each other when the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2.
Since the attaching members 181, 271, and 272 are included in the holder 1 and the cradle 2, the holder 1 and the cradle 2 may be fastened to each other more strongly even when the holder 1 is inserted into one side surface of the cradle 2. In other words, as the holder 1 and the cradle 2 further include the attaching members 181, 271, and 272 in addition to the terminals 170 and 260, the holder 1 and the cradle 2 may be fastened to each other more strongly. Therefore, even when there is no separate component (e.g., a lid) in the cradle 2, the inserted holder 1 may not be easily separated from the cradle 2.
Also, when the control unit 220 also determines that the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2 through the terminals 170 and 260 and/or the attaching members 181, 271, and 272, the control unit 220 may charge the battery 110 of the holder 1 by using power of the battery 210.
If the holder 1 is fully tilted inside the cradle 2 as shown in
If the holder 1 is tilted as shown in
Also, even when the holder 1 is tilted, the terminal 170 of the holder 1 and the terminal 260 of the cradle 2 are coupled with each other. Therefore, the heater 130 of the holder 1 may be heated by power supplied by the battery 210 of the cradle 2. Therefore, the holder 1 may generate aerosol by using the battery 210 of the cradle 2 even when the remaining power of the battery 110 of the holder 1 is low or the battery 110 of the holder 1 is completely discharged.
Also, when it is determined that the holder 1 titled through the terminals 170 and 260 and/or the attaching members 181, 271, and 272, the control unit 220 may heat the heater 130 of the holder 1 or charge the battery 110 by using power of the battery 210.
A method for generating aerosols shown in
In operation 810, the holder 1 determines whether it is inserted in the cradle 2. For example, the control unit 120 may determine whether the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 based on whether the terminals 170 and 260 of the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are connected to each other and/or whether the attaching members 181, 271, and 272 are operating.
When the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2, the method proceeds to operation 820. When the holder 1 is separated from the cradle 2, the method proceeds to operation 830.
In operation 820, the cradle 2 determines whether the holder 1 is tilted. For example, the control unit 220 may determine whether the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 based on whether the terminals 170 and 260 of the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are connected to each other and/or whether attaching members 182, 273, and 274 are operating.
Although it is described that the cradle 2 determines whether the holder 1 is tilted in operation 820, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other words, the control unit 120 of the holder 1 may determine whether the holder 1 is tilted.
When the holder 1 is tilted, the method proceeds to operation 840. When the holder 1 is not tilted (i.e., the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2), the method proceeds to operation 870.
In operation 830, the holder 1 determines whether conditions of using the holder 1 are satisfied. For example, the control unit 120 may determine whether the conditions for using the holder 1 are satisfied by checking whether the remaining power of the battery 110 and whether other components of the holder 1 may be normally operated.
When the conditions for using the holder 1 are satisfied, the method proceeds to operation 840. Otherwise, the method is terminated.
In operation 840, the holder 1 informs a user that the holder 1 is ready to be used. For example, the control unit 120 may output an image indicating that the holder 1 is ready to be used on the display of the holder 1 or may control the motor of the holder 1 to generate a vibration signal.
In operation 850, the heater 130 is heated. For example, when the holder 1 is separated from the cradle 2, the heater 130 may be heated by power of the battery 110 of the holder 1. In another example, when the holder 1 is tilted, the heater 130 may be heated by power of the battery 210 of the cradle 2.
The control unit 120 of the holder 1 or the control unit 220 of the cradle 2 may check the temperature of the heater 130 in real time and control an amount of power supplied to the heater 130 and a time for supplying the power to the heater 130. For example, the control unit 120 or 220 may check the temperature of the heater 130 in real time through a temperature sensor included in the holder 1 or an electrically conductive track of the heater 130.
In operation 860, the holder 1 performs an aerosol generation mechanism. For example, the control unit 120, 220 may check the temperature of the heater 130, which changes as a user performs puffs, and adjust an amount of power supplied to the heater 130 or stop supplying power to the heater 130. Also, the control unit 120 or 220 may count the number of puffs of the user and output information indicating that the holder 1 needs to be cleaned when the number of puffs reaches a certain number of times (e.g., 1500).
In operation 870, the cradle 2 performs charging of the holder 1. For example, the control unit 220 may charge the holder 1 by supplying power of the battery 210 of the cradle 2 to the battery 110 of the holder 1.
Meanwhile, the control unit 120 or 220 may stop the operation of the holder 1 according to the number of puffs of the user or the operation time of the holder 1. Hereinafter, an example in which the control unit 120 or 220 stops the operation of the holder 1 will be described with reference to
A method for generating aerosols shown in
In operation 910, the control unit 120 or 220 determines whether a user puffed. For example, the control unit 120 or 220 may determine whether the user puffed through the puff detecting sensor included in the holder 1.
In operation 920, aerosol is generated according to the puff of the user. The control unit 120 or 220 may adjust power supplied to the heater 130 according to the puff of the user and the temperature of the heater 130, as described above with reference to
In operation 930, the control unit 120 or 220 determines whether the number of puffs of the user is equal to or greater than a puff limit number. For example, assuming that the puff limit number is set to 14, the control unit 120 or 220 determines whether the number of counted puffs is 14 or more.
On the other hand, when the number of puffs of the user is close to the puff limit number (e.g., when the number of puffs of the user is 12), the control unit 120 or 220 may output a warning signal through a display or a vibration motor.
When the number of puffs of the user is equal to or greater than the puff limit number, the method proceeds to operation 950. When the number of puffs of the user is less than the puff limit number, the method proceeds to operation 940.
In operation 940, the control unit 120 or 220 determines whether the operation time of the holder 1 is equal to or greater than an operation limit time. Here, the operation time of the holder 1 refers to accumulated time from a time point aw thich the holder 1 started its operation to a current time point. For example, assuming that the operation limit time is set to 10 minutes, the control unit 120 or 220 determines whether the holder 1 is operating for 10 minutes or longer.
On the other hand, when the operation time of the holder 1 is close to the operation limit time (e.g., when the holder 1 is operating for 8 minutes), the control unit 120 or 220 may output a warning signal through a display or a vibration motor.
When the holder 1 is operating for the operation limit time or longer, the method proceeds to operation 950. When the operation time of the holder 1 is less than the operation limit time, the method proceeds to operation 920.
In operation 950, the control unit 120 or 220 forcibly terminates the operation of the holder 1. In other words, the control unit 120 or 220 terminates the aerosol generation mechanism of the holder 1. For example, the control unit 120 or 220 may forcibly terminate the operation of the holder 1 by interrupting the power supplied to the heater 130.
The flowchart shown in
Although not shown in
In operation 1010, the control unit 220 of the cradle 2 determines whether the button 240 is pressed. When the button 240 is pressed, the method proceeds to operation 1020. When the button 240 is not pressed, the method proceeds to operation 1030.
In operation 1020, the cradle 2 indicates the status of the battery 210. For example, the control unit 220 may output information regarding the current state of the battery 210 (e.g., remaining power, etc.) on the display 250.
In operation 1030, the control unit 220 of the cradle 2 determines whether a cable is connected to the cradle 2. For example, the control unit 220 determines whether a cable is connected to an interface (e.g., a USB port, etc.) included in the cradle 2. When a cable is connected to the cradle 2, the method proceeds to operation 1040. Otherwise, the method is terminated.
In operation 1040, the cradle 2 performs a charging operation. For example, the cradle 2 charges the battery 210 by using power supplied through a connected cable.
As described above with reference to
Hereinafter, an example of a cigarette that may be inserted into the holder 1 will be described with reference to
Referring to
The cigarette 3 may be similar to a typical burning cigarette. For example, the cigarette 3 may include a first portion 310 containing an aerosol generating material and a second portion 320 including a filter and the like. Meanwhile, the cigarette 3 according to one embodiment may also include an aerosol generating material in the second portion 320. For example, an aerosol generating material in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion 320.
The entire first portion 310 may be inserted into the holder 1 and the second portion 320 may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion 310 may be inserted into the holder 1 or the entire first portion 310 and a portion the second portion 320 may be inserted into the holder 1.
A user may inhale the aerosol while holding the second portion 320 by his/her lips. At this time, the aerosol is mixed with the outside air and is delivered to a user's mouth. As shown in
Referring to
Meanwhile, referring to
But, the features of cigarette 3 shown in
The tobacco rod 310 includes an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The tobacco rod 310 may have a length ranged between 7 mm to 15 mm, preferably about 12 mm. Also, the tobacco rod 310 may have a diameter ranged between 7 mm to 9 mm, preferably about 7.9 mm. The length and diameter of tobacco rod 310 are not limited to the above range.
Also, the tobacco rod 310 may include other additive materials like a flavoring agent, a wetting agent, and/or acetate compound. For example, the flavoring agent may include licorice, sucrose, fructose syrup, isosweet, cocoa, lavender, cinnamon, cardamom, celery, fenugreek, cascara, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, mint oil, cinnamon, keragene, cognac, jasmine, chamomile, menthol, cinnamon, ylang ylang, salvia, spearmint, ginger, coriander, coffee, etc. In addition, the wetting agent may include glycerin or propylene glycol.
For example, the tobacco rod 310 may be filled with cut tobacco leaves. Here, cut tobacco leaves may be formed by fine-cutting a tobacco sheet.
For a large wide tobacco sheet to be filled within the tobacco rod 310 having a narrow space, a special operation for facilitating folding of the tobacco sheet is further needed. Therefore, it is easier to fill the tobacco rod 310 with cut tobacco leaves compared to filling the tobacco rod 310 with a tobacco sheet, and thus the productivity and the efficiency of the process for producing the tobacco rod 310 may be improved.
In another example, the tobacco rod 310 may be filled with a plurality of cigarette strands formed by fine-cutting a tobacco sheet. For example, the tobacco rod 310 may be formed by combining a plurality of tobacco strands in the same direction (parallel to one another) or randomly. One tobacco strand may be formed into a cuboid shape with 1 mm width, 12 mm depth, and 0.1 mm height, but not limited thereto.
The tobacco rod 310 filled with tobacco strands may generate much more aerosol than tobacco rod 310 filled with tobacco sheet. By filling the tobacco rod with tobacco strands, wider surface area can be secured compared to using tobacco sheet. A wider surface area indicates that an aerosol generating material has a greater chance of contacting the outside air. Therefore, when the tobacco rod 310 is filled with tobacco strands, the tobacco rod can generate much more aerosol compared to when being filled with tobacco sheet.
Also, when the cigarette 3 is being disengaged from the holder 1, the tobacco rod 310 filled with tobacco strands can be easily pulled out compared to when being filled with tobacco sheet. Compared to tobacco sheet, the tobacco strands experience weaker friction when in contact with the heater 130. Therefore, when the tobacco rod 310 is filled with tobacco strands, the tobacco rod can be more easily removed from the holder 1 compared to when being filled with tobacco sheet.
The tobacco sheet can be formed by pulverizing raw tobacco material into a slurry and drying the slurry. For example, the slurry may contain 15% to 30% aerosol generating material. The raw tobacco material may be tobacco leaf fragments, tobacco stems, and/or fine tobacco powders formed during treatment of tobacco. The tobacco sheet may also include other additives like wood cellulose fibers.
The first filter segment 321 may be a cellulose acetate filter. For example, the first filter segment 321 may have a tubular structure including a hollowness therein. The length of the first filter segment 321 may be any suitable length within the range from 7 mm to 15 mm, preferably about 7 mm, but is not limited thereto. The length of the first filter segment 321 may be smaller than about 7 mm, but the first filter segment preferably should have enough length so that function of at least one of components (such as, cooling element, capsule, acetate filter) may not be damaged. The length of the first filter segment 321 is not limited to the above ranges. Meanwhile, the length of the first filter segment 321 may extended so that whole length of the cigarette 3 can be adjusted based on the length of the first filter segment 321.
The second filter segment 323 may also be a cellulose acetate filter. For example, the second filter segment 323 may be fabricated as a recess filter with a hollow cavity, but is not limited thereto. The length of the second filter segment 323 may be within the range from 5 mm to 15 mm, preferably about 12 mm. The length of the second filter segment 323 is not limited to above range.
Also, the second filter segment 323 may include at least one capsule 324. Here, the capsule 324 may have a structure in which a content liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule 324 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape. The capsule 324 may have a diameter equal to or greater than 2 mm, preferably ranged between 2-4 mm.
A material forming a surface of the capsule 324 may be starch and/or gellant. For example, the gallant may include gelatin, or a gum. Also, a gelling agent may be further used as a material for forming the film of the capsule 324. Here, gelling agent may include, for example, a calcium chloride. Furthermore, a plasticizer may be further used as a material for forming the film of the capsule 324. As the plasticizer, glycerin and/or sorbitol may be used. Furthermore, a coloring agent may be further used as a material for forming the film of the capsule 324.
For example, as a flavoring material included in the content liquid of the capsule 324, menthol, plant essential oil, and the like may be used. As a solvent of the flavoring material included in the content liquid, for example, a medium chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT) may be used. Also, the content liquid may include other additives like a figment, an emulsifying agent, a thickening agent, etc.
The cooling structure 322 cools aerosol generated as the heater 130 heats the tobacco rod 310. Therefore, a user may inhale aerosol cooled to a suitable temperature. The length of the cooling structure 322 may be ranged between about 10 mm to 20 mm, preferably about 14 mm. The length of the cooling structure 322 is not limited to the above range.
For example, the cooling structure 322 may be formed by polylactic acid. The cooling structure 322 may be fabricated into various shapes in order to increase a surface area per unit area, namely, a surface area contacting with aerosol. Hereinafter, Various examples of the cooling structure 322 will be explained referring to
The tobacco rod 310 and the first filter segment 321 are packed by a first wrapper 331. For example, the first wrapper 331 may be made of an oil-resistant paper sheet.
The cooling structure 322 and the second filter segment 323 are packed by a second wrapper 332. Also, a whole part of cigarette 3 is packaged again by a third wrapper 333. For example, the second wrapper 332 and the third wrapper 333 may be fabricated using a general filter wrapping paper. Alternatively, the second wrapper 332 may be a hard wrapping paper or PLA scented paper. Also, the second wrapper 332 may package a part of the second filter segment 323, and additionally package other part of the second filter segment 323 and the cooling structure 322.
Referring to
The fourth wrapper 334 may be formed by depositing or coating a predetermined material on one surface or both surfaces of wrapping paper. Here, an example of the predetermined material may be, but is not limited to, silicon. Silicon exhibits characteristics like heat resistance with little change due to the temperature, oxidation resistance, resistances to various chemicals, water repellency, electrical insulation, etc. However, any material other than silicon may be applied to (or coated on) the fourth wrapper 334.
Meanwhile, although
The fourth wrapper 334 may prevent the cigarette 3 from being burned. For example, when the tobacco rod 310 is heated by the heater 130, there is a possibility that the cigarette 3 is burned. In detail, when the temperature is raised to a temperature above the ignition point of any one of materials included in the tobacco rod 310, the cigarette 3 may be burned. Even in this case, since the fourth wrapper 334 includes a non-combustible material, the burning of the cigarette 3 may be prevented.
Furthermore, the fourth wrapper 334 may prevent the holder 1 from being contaminated by substances formed by the cigarette 3. Through puffs of a user, liquid substances may be formed in the cigarette 3. For example, as the aerosol formed by the cigarette 3 is cooled by the outside air, liquid materials (e.g., moisture, etc.) may be formed. As the fourth wrapper 334 wraps the tobacco rod 310 and/or the first filter segment 321, the liquid materials formed in the cigarette 3 may be prevented from being leaked out of the cigarette 3. Accordingly, the casing 140 of the holder 1 and the like may be prevented from being contaminated by the liquid materials formed by the cigarette 3.
For example, the cooling structure illustrated in
For example, when the cooling structure is manufactured by charging a film (sheet), the film (sheet) may be broken due to external shocks. In this case, the effect of the cooling structure of cooling an aerosol may be reduced.
As another example, when the cooling structure is manufactured by using extrusion molding, etc., a process, such as cutting of the structure, or the like, is added, and thus, the process efficiency may be reduced. Also, there may be a limit for manufacturing the cooling structure to have various forms.
According to an embodiment, when the cooling structure is manufactured (for example, fabricated) by using polylactic acid fibers, the danger of deformation or loss of functions of the cooling structure due to external shocks may be reduced. Also, cooling structures having various forms may be manufactured by changing ways of combining the fibers.
Also, when the cooling structure is manufactured by using the fibers, a surface area contacting an aerosol may be increased. Thus, the aerosol cooling effect of the cooling structure may further be improved.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The first cross-section 1351 may border on a first filter segment 321 and may include a gap through which the aerosol is introduced. The second cross-section 1352 may border on a second filter segment 323 and may include a gap through which the aerosol is discharged. For example, the first cross-section 1351 and the second cross-section 1352 may have a uniform gap having a uniform diameter. However, the diameter of the gap or the number of gaps included in the first cross-section 1351 and the second cross-section 1352 are not limited thereto.
In addition, the cooling structure 1350 may further include, between the first and second cross-sections 1351 and 1352, a third cross-section 1353 including a plurality of gaps. For example, diameters of the plurality of gaps included in the third cross-section 1353 may be less than the diameters of the gaps included in the first cross-section 1351 and the second cross-section 1352. Also, the number of gaps included in the third cross-section 1353 may be greater than the number of gaps included in the first cross-section 1351 and the second cross-section 1352.
Referring to
As described above, the holder may heat the cigarette to generate the aerosol. Also, the holder may independently generate the aerosol or may generate the aerosol in a state in which the holder is inserted into a cradle and tilted. In particular, when the holder is tilted, the heater may be heated by using power of a battery of the cradle.
The described method may be implemented by a general-purpose digital computer operating the program by using a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program to be executed on a computer. Also, the structure of the data used in the described method may be recorded in the computer-readable recording medium by using various devices. The computer-readable recording medium may include a storage medium, such as a magnetic storage medium (for example, ROM, RAM, USB, floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), or an optical reading medium (for example, CD-ROM, DVD, etc.).
One of ordinary skill in the art should understand that embodiments of the disclosure may be realized in modified forms in a scope within the intrinsic concept of the description. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description of the disclosure but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the disclosure.
Embodiments may be applied to a heated cigarette, a heated aerosol generating device, etc.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2017-0046938 | Apr 2017 | KR | national |
| 10-2017-0077586 | Jun 2017 | KR | national |
| 10-20170084390 | Jul 2017 | KR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2018/004178 | 4/10/2018 | WO | 00 |
