Aerosol generation system of preheating heater

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/KR2018/004130 filed Apr. 9, 2018, claiming priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0046938 filed Apr. 11, 2017, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0077586 filed Jun. 19, 2017, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0084385 filed Jul. 3, 2017.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to an aerosol generation system for advance preheating of a heater.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, there has been increasing demand for alternative ways of overcoming the disadvantages of common cigarettes. For example, demand has been increasing for a method of generating aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in a cigarette, not a method of generating aerosol by burning the cigarette.

When an electronic tobacco device including a heater that heats a cigarette by using electricity is used, it takes time to increase the temperature of the heater to a predetermined level. Also, cigarette tar of a previously used cigarette may stain the heater and may interfere with insertion of a new cigarette.

Accordingly, research into a heating-type cigarette or a heating-type aerosol generator has been actively conducted.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Solution to Problem

Provided is an aerosol generating system including: a holder configured to generate aerosol by heating a cigarette; and a cradle having an inner space into which the holder is inserted, wherein the holder is electrically connected to the cradle and is moveable in the inner space of the cradle, and the aerosol generating system further includes: a controller; and a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating material, wherein the controller predicts insertion of the cigarette into the holder, and preheats the heater in advance based on a result of the prediction.

Advantageous Effects of Disclosure

The disclosure provides an aerosol generating system including a holder that generates aerosol by heating a cigarette, and a cradle having an inner space into which the holder is inserted.

The aerosol generating system according to the disclosure may predict insertion of a cigarette into the holder and may preheat a heater in advance based on a prediction result. Since the heater of the holder is preheated in advance, a temperature of the heater may reach a predetermined temperature when a user starts inhaling. Since the heater, the temperature of which has reached a predetermined temperature, is used, a sufficient amount of aerosol may be generated. In addition, cigarette tar attached to the heater may be flexible, and it is easy to insert the cigarette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of preheating a heater in advance in an aerosol generating system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which a holder is tilted while coupled to a cradle.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of separating a holder from a cradle.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are graphs showing temperature variation of a heater according to advance preheating or preheating.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a holder including an input device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of inserting a cigarette into a holder.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol generating apparatus.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing various views of an example of a holder.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a cradle.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing various views of an example of a cradle.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which a holder is inserted into a cradle.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which a holder is tilted while inserted into a cradle.

FIGS. 13A to 13B are diagrams showing examples in which a holder is inserted into a cradle.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for describing an example of operation of a holder and a cradle.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for describing another of operation of a holder.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for describing an example of operation of a cradle.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example in which a cigarette is inserted into a holder.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are block diagrams showing examples of a cigarette.

FIGS. 19A to 19F are diagrams showing examples of a cooling structure of a cigarette.

BEST MODE

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system including: a holder configured to generate aerosol by heating a cigarette; and a cradle having an inner space into which the holder is inserted, wherein the holder is electrically connected to the cradle and is moveable in the inner space of the cradle, and the aerosol generating system further includes: a controller; and a heater configured to heat an aerosol generating material, wherein the controller predicts insertion of the cigarette into the holder, and preheats the heater in advance based on a result of the prediction.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of generating aerosol by heating a cigarette in an aerosol generating system, the method including: predicting whether the cigarette is inserted into a holder; and preheating a heater of the holder in advance based on a result of the prediction.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for performing the above method on a computer.

MODE OF DISCLOSURE

With respect to the terms in the various embodiments of the present disclosure, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms may be changed according to intention, a judicial precedent, appearance of a new technology, and the like. 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, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of preheating a heater in advance in an aerosol generating system.

In the disclosure, an advance preheating of the heater may denote a process prior to a preheating of the heater. For example, the advance preheating of the heater may denote a process of increasing a temperature of the heater under a prediction that the cigarette is to be inserted into a holder 1 before the cigarette is actually inserted into the holder 1. In detail, when the holder 1 is tilted in an inner space of a cradle 2, when the holder 2 is separated from the inner space of the cradle 2, when a user operates an input device included in the holder 1, or before the cigarette is in contact with a side portion of the heater after insertion of the cigarette into the holder 1 is sensed, the heater of the holder 1 may be preheated in advance. The heater may be preheated in advance for a predetermined time period within a predetermined temperature range. However, the advance preheating of the heater is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating system may predict whether the cigarette is inserted into the holder in operation 110. In addition, the aerosol generating system may include the holder 1 and/or the cradle 2, and for convenience of description, it is assumed that the cradle 2 performs operations below.

In an embodiment, after the holder 1 is inserted into an inner space 230 of the cradle 2, the cradle 2 may sense a variation in a location of the holder 1. Also, the cradle 2 may predict whether the cigarette is inserted into the holder 1 based on the sensed variation in the location of the holder 1.

In detail, the cradle 2 may sense tilting of the holder 1 after the holder 1 is inserted into the inner space 230 of the cradle 2, in order to sense the variation in the location of the holder 1. Also, the cradle 2 may sense separating of the holder 1 from the inner space 230 of the cradle 2, in order to sense the variation in the location of the holder 1.

In operation 110, the operation of the cradle 2 for sensing the variation in the location of the holder 1 may be performed by the holder 1.

In operation 120, the aerosol generating system may preheat the heater of the holder 1 in advance, based on a prediction result in operation 110.

In an embodiment, after the holder 1 is inserted into the inner space 230 of the cradle 2, the holder 1 or the cradle 2 senses that the location of the holder 1 is changed by a predetermined threshold value or greater and predicts that the cigarette is to be inserted into the holder 1, and then, the heater of the holder 1 may be preheated in advance.

In detail, in a state in which the holder 1 is coupled to the cradle 2, the cradle 2 senses that the holder 1 is tilted at a predetermined threshold angle or greater and predicts that the cigarette is to be inserted into the holder 1, and the heater of the holder 1 may be preheated in advance. Also, the cradle 2 may predict that the cigarette is to be inserted into the holder 1 by sensing the separation of the holder 1 from the cradle 2, and then, the heater of the holder 1 may be preheated in advance.

In addition, in operation 120, the operation of the cradle 2 for preheating the heater of the holder 1 in advance may be performed by the holder 1.

In another embodiment, the holder 1 may include at least one input device that may control functions of the holder 1. The holder 1 may predict whether the cigarette is to be inserted into the holder 1 by using the at least one input device. Also, when the holder 1 receives an input through the at least one input device, the heater of the holder 1 may be preheated in advance.

In another embodiment, the holder 1 may include a cigarette insertion sensor. The holder 1 senses that the cigarette is inserted into the holder 1 by using the cigarette insertion sensor, and may preheat the heater of the holder 1 in advance before the cigarette is in contact with the side portion of the heater.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example, in which a holder is tilted in a state of being coupled to a cradle.

Referring to FIG. 2, the holder 1 may include an attaching member 182 at a first position and the cradle 2 may include attaching members 273 and 274 at a second position and a third position. 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.

Also, the holder 1 may include a terminal 170 and the cradle 2 may include a terminal 260. When the terminal 170 of the holder 1 is in contact with the terminal 260 of the cradle 2, the holder 1 is coupled to and electrically connected to the cradle 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the holder 1 is tilted in the cradle 2. Here, the term ‘tilting’ indicates that the holder 1 is inclined at a certain angle in a state while the holder 1 is being inserted into the cradle 2. For example, the range of the tilting angle θ may be greater than 0° and not greater than 180° and may preferably be not less than 10° and not greater than 90°.

The cradle 2 may sense that the holder 1 is tilted in the cradle 2.

In an embodiment, in a state in which the holder 1 is partially or entirely included (or inserted) in the inner space 230 of the cradle 2, a sensor of the cradle 2 may measure the tilting angle θ indicating a tilted degree of the holder 1 to sense the tilting of the holder 1. In addition, that the holder 1 is included in the inner space 230 of the cradle 2 may denote a state in which the terminal 170 of the holder 1 is in contact with the terminal 260 of the cradle 2, but is not limited thereto.

Also, the sensor of the cradle 2 may sense that the holder 1 is tilted by measuring a time during which the holder 1 is separated from the attaching member 273 at the second position in a state in which the attaching member 182 at the first position and the attaching member 274 at the third position are coupled to each other. However, a method of sensing the tilting of the holder 1 is not limited to the above examples.

The tilting of the holder 1 in the cradle 2 may be sensed by a sensor (not shown) of the holder 1.

When the tilting of the holder 1 in the cradle 2 is sensed, the cradle 2 may predict the insertion of the cigarette into the holder 1.

In an embodiment, when a controller 220 of the cradle 2 determines that the tilting angle θ of the holder 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle in a state in which the holder 1 is included in the inner space 230 of the cradle 2, the insertion of the cigarette into the holder 1 may be predicted. For example, the controller 220 of the cradle 2 may predict the insertion of the cigarette into the holder 1 by determining that the tilting angle θ of the holder 1 is equal to or greater than 5°, 10°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, or 75°.

In addition, in a state in which the attaching member 182 at the first position and the attaching member 274 at the third position are coupled to each other, the controller 220 of the cradle 2 may determine that the holder 1 is separated from the attaching member 273 at the second position for a predetermined time period or longer, and then, may predict the insertion of the cigarette into the holder 1. For example, when the controller 220 of the cradle 2 determines that the holder 1 is separated from the attaching member 273 at the second position for 0.2 sec., 0.5 sec., 1 sec., 1.5 sec., or longer, the insertion of the cigarette into the holder 1 may be predicted.

The operation of predicting the insertion of the cigarette into the holder 1 may be performed by a controller 120 of the holder 1.

Since the insertion of the cigarette into the holder 1 may be predicted, the heater of the holder 1 may be preheated in advance.

In an embodiment, a battery 210 of the cradle 2 may be used to preheat the heater of the holder 1 in advance. Even when the holder 1 is tilted in the cradle 2, since the terminal 170 of the holder 1 and the terminal 260 of the cradle 2 are in contact with each other, the battery 210 of the cradle 2 may be used to preheat the heater of the holder 1 in advance. Also, a battery 110 of the holder 1 may be used to preheat the heater of the holder 1 in advance.

For example, the heater of the holder 1 may be preheated in advance by the electric power supplied by the battery 210 of the cradle 2. Also, the battery 110 of the holder 1 may be charged by the electric power supplied from the battery 210 of the cradle 2, and then, the heater of the holder 1 may be preheated in advance by the electric power supplied by the battery 110 of the holder 1. In addition, the battery 210 of the cradle 2 supplies electric power to the heater of the holder 1 for the advance preheating, and supplied electric power to the battery 110 of the holder 1 for charging the battery 110. The controller 220 of the cradle 2 or the controller 120 of the holder 1 may use the battery 110 of the holder 1 to preheat the heater of the holder 1 in advance. However, the method of using the battery 210 of the cradle 2 and the battery 110 of the holder 1 for preheating the heater of the holder 1 in advance is not limited to the above example.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of separating a holder from a cradle.

Referring to FIG. 3, a process of separating the holder 1 from the cradle 2 is shown. In an embodiment, the holder 1 may be tilted in the cradle 2 and then separated from the cradle 2. Alternatively, the holder 1 may be popped-up and separated from the cradle 2 by an input device in the holder 1 or the cradle 2, without being tilted in the cradle 2.

Descriptions provided above with reference to FIG. 2 are also applied to FIG. 3 even when being omitted.

The cradle 2 may sense separation of the holder 1 from the cradle 2.

In an embodiment, in a state in which the holder 1 is included in the inner space 230 of the cradle 2, the sensor of the cradle 2 measures the tilting angle θ indicating a tilted degree of the holder 1 to sense the holder 1 separating from the cradle 2. Also, the sensor may measure a time period taken for the attaching member 182 at the first position and the attaching member 274 at the third position that are coupled to each other to be separated from each other, and thus may sense the holder 1 separating from the cradle 2. However, a method of sensing the holder 1 separating from the cradle 2 is not limited to the above examples.

In addition, separation of the holder 1 from the cradle 2 may be sensed by a sensor (not shown) of the holder 1.

When the separation of the holder 1 from the cradle 2 is sensed, the cradle 2 may predict the insertion of the cigarette into the holder 1.

In an embodiment, the controller 220 of the cradle 2 may determine that the holder 1 is separated from the inside of the cradle 2 by determining whether the tilting angle θ of the holder 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle, and then may predict insertion of the cigarette into the holder 1. For example, the controller 220 of the cradle 2 may determine that the holder 1 is separated from the inside of the cradle 2 by determining whether the tilting angle θ of the holder 1 is equal to or greater than 5°, 10°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, or 80°.

Also, the controller 220 of the cradle 2 may predict that the cigarette is to be inserted into the holder 1 by determining that the attaching member 182 at the first position and the attaching member 274 at the third position are separated from each other for a predetermined time period (e.g., 0.3 sec., 0.5 sec., etc.) For example, the controller 220 may predict that the cigarette is to be inserted into the holder 1 by determining whether the attaching member 182 at the first position and the attaching member 274 at the third position are separated from each other for 1 sec., 1.5 sec., or longer.

The operation of predicting the insertion of the cigarette into the holder 1 may be performed by a controller 120 of the holder 1.

Since the insertion of the cigarette into the holder 1 may be predicted, the heater of the holder 1 may be preheated in advance.

In an embodiment, the battery 110 of the holder 1 may be used to preheat the heater of the holder 1 in advance. For example, the heater of the holder 1 may be preheated in advance by the electric power supplied by the battery 110 of the holder 1.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are graphs showing a temperature variation of a heater according to advance preheating or pre-heating.

FIG. 4A shows an exemplary graph showing a heater temperature according to time, when the heater of the holder 1 is preheated without advance preheating. In an embodiment, when the input device of the holder 1 is operated after the cigarette is inserted into the holder 1, a user input is received and the heater of the holder 1 may be preheated.

Referring to FIG. 4A, T0 denotes a heater temperature (e.g., 15° C., 20° C., 25° C., etc.) at room temperature before preheating the heater. Also, T2 denotes a desirable heater temperature (e.g., 400° C., 500° C., 600° C., etc.) at a time when a user starts puffing (s12).

The heater of the holder 1 may be preheated from s11 to s12. The preheating time (s11 to s12) may be 0.5 sec., 1 sec., 1.5 sec., 2 sec., etc. A controller of the holder 1 may control the heater temperature in such a manner as ON/OFF control, proportional control, integral control, differential control, PID control, etc. According to the ON/OFF control method, operations may be performed simply, but overshoot and hunting may occur. According to the proportional control method, overshoot and hunting less occur, but it may take a long time period to stabilize.

For example, when the heater temperature is controlled by the proportional control method and there is not a sufficient time period (s11 to s12) to preheat the heater, a heater temperature T1 at the time when the user starts puffing (s12) may be lower than T2.

FIG. 4B shows an exemplary graph showing a heater temperature according to time, when the heater of the holder 1 is preheated after the advance preheating.

Referring to FIG. 4B, T0 denotes a heater temperature (e.g., 15° C., 20° C., 25° C., etc.) at room temperature before preheating the heater. Also, T2 denotes a desirable heater temperature (e.g., 400° C., 500° C., 600° C., etc.) at a time when a user starts puffing (s12).

The heater of the holder 1 is preheated in advance from s21 to s22, and the heater temperature may reach Tx. The controller of the holder 1 may preheat the heater in advance to a preset temperature Tx. For example, the controller of the holder 1 may preheat the heater in advance within a range of 100° C. to 350° C. Also, the controller of the holder 1 may preheat the heater in advance for a preset time period (s21 to s22). For example, the controller of the holder 1 may preheat the heater in advance for 1 to 3 sec.

The heater of the holder 1 is preheated in advance from s21 to s22, and then may be preheated from s22 to s23. Even when there is not a sufficient time period (s22 to s23) for preheating the heater, the heater temperature may reach T2 at the time (s23) when the user starts puffing. Since the heater of the holder 1 is preheated in advance, the heater temperature may reach T2 at the time (s23) when the user starts puffing, and accordingly, a sufficient amount of aerosol may be generated. Also, since the heater of the holder 1 is preheated in advance, cigarette tar, etc. attached to the heater may become soft and it may be easy to insert the cigarette.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a holder including an input device.

Referring to FIG. 5, the holder 1 may include at least one input device 501 (e.g., a button) through which the user may control functions of the holder 1.

For example, a user may perform various functions by using the input device 501 of the holder 1. By adjusting the number of times a user presses the input device 501 (e.g., once, twice, etc.) or the time during which the input device 501 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.

In an embodiment, when the user operates the input device 501, the holder 1 may perform a function of advance preheating the heater. For example, when the user presses the input device 501 for 1 to 2 sec., the holder 1 may preheat the heater in advance for a predetermined time period (e.g., 1 to 3 sec.) at a predetermined temperature (e.g., a range from 100° C. to 350° C.).

In addition, in an embodiment, the input device may be included in the cradle 2, and in a state in which the holder 1 and the cradle 2 are electrically connected to each other, the heater of the holder 1 may be preheated in advance by using the input device of the cradle 2.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of inserting a cigarette into a holder.

Referring to FIG. 6, the cigarette 3 may be inserted into the holder 1 through the terminal end 141 of the casing 140. When the cigarette 3 is inserted into the holder 1, the heater 130 is located inside the cigarette 3. Therefore, the heated heater 130 heats the aerosol generating material of the cigarette 3, thereby generating aerosol.

The holder 1 may include a cigarette insertion detecting sensor. The cigarette insertion detecting sensor may be implemented by a common capacitive sensor or a resistance sensor. In an embodiment, the cigarette insertion detecting sensor may sense whether the cigarette 3 is inserted from a position a of the holder 1. Also, the cigarette insertion detecting sensor may sense whether the cigarette 3 inserted in the holder 1 is in contact with a side of the heater 130 at a position b or a position c.

The holder 1 senses that the cigarette 3 is inserted from the position a of the holder 1 by using the cigarette insertion detecting sensor, and then, the controller 120 of the holder 1 may supply electric power of the battery 110 to the heater 130 to preheat the heater 130 in advance until the cigarette 3 touching the heater 130 at the position b or position c is sensed.

In addition, embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 19 below show modified examples of an aerosol generating system that may be applied to the aerosol generating system according to the embodiments illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 above.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an aerosol generating apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 7, the holder 1 includes the battery 110, the controller 120, and the heater 130. The holder 1 also includes an inner space formed by a casing 140. A cigarette may be inserted into the inner space of the holder 1.

Only components associated with the present embodiment are shown in the holder 1 shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that general components other than the components shown in FIG. 7 may be further included in the holder 1.

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 controller 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 cylindrical shape and a conical shape. For example, the heater 130 may have a cylindrical shape having a diameter of about 2 mm and a length of about 23 mm, and a terminal end 131 of the heater 130 may have an acute angle, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. 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, assuming that the length of the heater 130 is 23 mm, only 12 mm from the terminal end 131 of the heater 130 may be heated, and the remaining portion of the heater 130 may not be heated.

The heater 130 may be an electro-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 be provided with a separate 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 temperature sensing in addition to the first electrically conductive track for generating heat.

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=R₀(1+α(T−T₀)) [Equation 1]

In Equation 1, R denotes a current resistance value of the second electrically conductive track, R₀denotes a resistance value at a temperature T₀(e.g., 0° C.), and α denotes a resistance temperature coefficient of the second electrically conductive track. Since conductive materials (e.g., metals) have inherent resistance temperature coefficients, α 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 electro-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 a temperature sensing sensor, and a temperature sensing sensor.

The controller 120 controls the overall operation of the holder 1. Specifically, the controller 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 controller 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 controller 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 controller 120 may control the operation of the heater 130. The controller 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 controller 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 controller 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 controller 120 may continuously check the time during which the holder 1 is operating. The controller 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 controller 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 controller 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 controller 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 sec., 0.2 sec., 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 using a general pressure sensor, and the cigarette insertion detecting sensor may include a general capacitive sensor or a resistance 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.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing various views of an example of a holder.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of the holder 1 viewed in a first direction. As shown in FIG. 8A, the holder 1 may be fabricated to have a cylindrical shape, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The casing 140 of the holder 1 may be separated by an action of a user and a cigarette may be inserted into a terminal end 141 of the casing 140. The holder 1 may also include a button 150 for a user to control the holder 1 and a display 160 for outputting an image.

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of the holder 1 viewed in a second direction. The holder 1 may include a terminal 170 coupled with the cradle 2. As the terminal 170 of the holder 1 is coupled with a terminal 260 of the cradle 2, the battery 110 of the holder 1 may be charged by power supplied by a battery 210 of the cradle 2. Also, the holder 1 may be operated by power supplied from the battery 210 of the cradle 2 through the terminal 170 and the terminal 260 and a communication (transmission/reception of signals) may be performed between the holder 1 and the cradle 2 through the terminal 170 and the terminal 260. For example, the terminal 170 may include four micro pins, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a cradle.

Referring to FIG. 9, the cradle 2 includes the battery 210 and a controller 220. The cradle 2 also includes an inner space 230 into which the holder 1 may be inserted. For example, the inner space 230 may be formed on one side of the cradle 2. Therefore, the holder 1 may be inserted and fixed in the cradle 2 even when the cradle 2 does not include a separate lid.

Only components of the cradle 2 related to the present embodiment are shown in FIG. 9. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that general-purpose components other than the components shown in FIG. 9 may be further included in the cradle 2.

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.

Examples of the battery 210 may be the same as those of the battery 110 described above with reference to FIG. 7. The capacity of the battery 210 may be greater than the capacity of the battery 110. For example, the capacity of the battery 210 may be, but is not limited to, 3000 mAh or greater.

The controller 220 generally controls the overall operation of the cradle 2. The controller 220 may control the overall operation of all the configurations of the cradle 2. The controller 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 controller 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 controller 220 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 controller 220. For example, cradle 2 may include a display capable of outputting visual information. For example, when the cradle 2 includes a display, the controller 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 cleaning of the holder 1 (e.g., cleaning timing, cleaning necessity, cleaning progress, cleaning 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.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing various views of an example of a cradle.

FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of the cradle 2 viewed in a first direction. The inner space 230 into which the holder 1 may be inserted may be formed on one side of the cradle 2. Also, the holder 1 may be inserted and fixed in the cradle 2 even when the cradle 2 does not include a separate fixing unit like a lid. The cradle 2 may also include a button 240 for a user to control the cradle 2 and a display 250 for outputting an image.

FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of the cradle 2 viewed in a second direction. The cradle 2 may include a terminal 260 to be coupled with the inserted holder 1. The battery 110 of the holder 1 may be charged by power supplied by the battery 210 of the cradle 2 as the terminal 260 is coupled with the terminal 170 of the holder 1. Also, the holder 1 may be operated by power supplied from the battery 210 of the cradle 2 through the terminal 170 and the terminal 260 and transmission/reception of signals may be performed between the holder 1 and the cradle 2 through the terminal 170 and the terminal 260. For example, the terminal 260 may include four micro pins, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The holder 1 may be inserted into the inner space 230 of the cradle 2, as described above with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10B. The holder 1 may be completely inserted into the cradle 2 or may be tilted while being inserted into the cradle 2. Hereinafter, examples in which the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13B.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which a holder is inserted into a cradle.

Referring to FIG. 11, an example in which the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2 is shown. Since the space 230 into which the holder 1 is to be inserted is present on one side surface of the cradle 2, the inserted holder 1 may not be exposed to the outside by the other side surfaces of the cradle 2. Therefore, the cradle 2 may not include another component (e.g., a lid) for not exposing the holder 1 to the outside.

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. Although FIG. 11 shows that the holder 1 includes one attaching member 181 and the cradle 2 includes two attaching members 271 and 272 for convenience of explanation, the number of the attaching members 181, 271, and 272 is not limited thereto.

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 attached 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 attached 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 controller 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 controller 220 may charge the battery 110 of the holder 1 by using power of the battery 210.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which a holder is tilted while inserted into a cradle.

Referring to FIG. 12, the holder 1 is tilted in the cradle 2. Here, the term ‘tilting’ indicates that the holder 1 is inclined at a certain angle in a state while the holder 1 is being inserted into the cradle 2.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2, a user may not smoke. In other words, once the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2, a cigarette may not be inserted into the holder 1. Therefore, when the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2, a user may not smoke.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the holder 1 is tilted, the terminal end 141 of the holder 1 is exposed to the outside. Therefore, the user may insert a cigarette into the terminal end 141 and smoke generated aerosol. A sufficient tilting angle θ may be secured to prevent a cigarette from being bent or damaged when the cigarette is inserted into the terminal end 141 of the holder 1. For example, the holder 1 may be tilted at an angle at which an entire cigarette insertion hole in the terminal end 141 may be exposed to outside. For example, the range of the tilting angle θ may be greater than 0° and not greater than 180° and may preferably be not less than 10° and not greater than 90°. More preferably, the range of the tilting angle θ may be from 10° to 20°, from 10° to 30°, from 10° to 40°, from 10° to 50°, or from 10° to 60°.

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.

FIG. 12 shows an example in which the holder 1 includes one attaching member 182 and the cradle 2 includes two attaching members 273 and 274. For example, the respective positions of the attaching members 182, 273, and 274 are as described above with reference to FIG. 11. Assuming that the attaching members 182, 273, and 274 are magnets, the magnetic strength of the attaching member 274 may be greater than the magnetic strength of the attaching member 273. Therefore, the holder 1 may not be completely separated from the cradle 2 due to the attaching member 182 and the attaching member 274 even when the holder 1 is tilted.

Also, when it is determined that the holder 1 is titled through the terminals 170 and 260 and/or the attaching members 181, 271, and 272, the controller 220 may heat the heater 130 of the holder 1 or charge the battery 110 by using power of the battery 210.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples in which a holder is inserted into a cradle.

FIG. 13A shows an example in which the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2. The cradle 2 may be fabricated to provide the sufficient inner space 230 of the cradle 2 to minimize the contact of a user with the holder 1 when the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2. When the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2, the controller 220 supplies power of the battery 210 to the holder 1, such that the battery 110 of the holder 1 is charged.

FIG. 13B shows an example in which the holder 1 is tilted while being inserted into the cradle 2. When the holder 1 is tilted, the controller 220 supplies power of the battery 210 to the holder 1, such that the battery 110 of the holder 1 is charged or the heater 130 of the holder 1 is heated.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for describing an example in which a holder and a cradle operates.

A method for generating aerosols shown in FIG. 14 includes operations that are performed in a time-series manner by the holder 1 shown in FIG. 7 or the cradle 2 shown in FIG. 9. Therefore, it will be understood that the descriptions given above with respect to the holder 1 shown in FIG. 7 and the cradle 2 shown in FIG. 9 also apply to the method of FIG. 14, even when the descriptions are omitted below.

In operation 1410, the holder 1 determines whether it is inserted in the cradle 2. For example, the controller 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 1420. When the holder 1 is separated from the cradle 2, the method proceeds to operation 1430.

In operation 1420, the cradle 2 determines whether the holder 1 is tilted. For example, the controller 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 1420, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other words, the controller 120 of the holder 1 may determine whether the holder 1 is tilted.

When the holder 1 is tilted, the method proceeds to operation 1440. When the holder 1 is not tilted (i.e., the holder 1 is completely inserted into the cradle 2), the method proceeds to operation 1470.

In operation 1430, the holder 1 determines whether conditions of using the holder 1 are satisfied. For example, the controller 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 1440. Otherwise, the method is terminated.

In operation 1440, the holder 1 informs a user that the holder 1 is ready to be used. For example, the controller 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 1450, 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 controller 120 of the holder 1 or the controller 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 controller 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 1460, the holder 1 performs an aerosol generation mechanism. For example, the controller 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 controller 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 1470, the cradle 2 performs charging of the holder 1. For example, the controller 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 controller 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 controller 120 or 220 stops the operation of the holder 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 15.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for describing another example of operations of a holder.

A method for generating aerosols shown in FIG. 15 includes operations that are performed in a time-series manner by the holder 1 shown in FIG. 7 and the cradle 2 shown in FIG. 9. Therefore, it will be understood that the descriptions given above with respect to the holder 1 shown in FIG. 7 or the cradle 2 shown in FIG. 9 also apply to the method of FIG. 15, even when the descriptions are omitted below.

In operation 1510, the controller 120 or 220 determines whether a user puffed. For example, the controller 120 or 220 may determine whether the user puffed through the puff detecting sensor included in the holder 1.

In operation 1520, aerosol is generated according to the puff of the user. The controller 120 or 220 may adjust power supplied to the heater 130 according to the puff of the user the temperature of the heater 130, as described above with reference to FIG. 14. Also, the controller 120 or 220 counts the number of puffs of the user.

In operation 1530, the controller 120 or 220 determines whether the number of puffs of the user equal to or greater than a puff limit number. For example, assuming that the puff limit number is set to 14, the controller 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 controller 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 1550. When the number of puffs of the user is less than the puff limit number, the method proceeds to operation 1540.

In operation 1540, the controller 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 at which 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 controller 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 controller 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 1550. When the operation time of the holder 1 is less than the operation limit time, the method proceeds to operation 1520.

In operation 1550, the controller 120 or 220 forcibly terminates the operation of the holder 1. In other words, the controller 120 or 220 terminates the aerosol generation mechanism of the holder 1. For example, the controller 120 or 220 may forcibly terminate the operation of the holder 1 by interrupting the power supplied to the heater 130.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for describing an example of operations of a cradle.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 16 includes operations that are performed in a time-series manner by the cradle 2 shown in FIG. 9. Therefore, it will be understood that the descriptions given above with respect to the cradle 2 shown in FIG. 9 also apply to the method of FIG. 16, even when the descriptions are omitted below.

Although not shown in FIG. 16, the operation of the cradle 2 to be described below may be performed regardless of whether the holder 1 is inserted into the cradle 2.

In operation 1610, the controller 220 of the cradle 2 determines whether the button 240 is pressed. When the button 240 is pressed, the method proceeds to operation 1620. When the button 240 is not pressed, the method proceeds to operation 1630.

In operation 1620, the cradle 2 indicates the status of the battery 210. For example, the controller 220 may output information regarding the current state of the battery 210 (e.g., remaining power, etc.) on the display 250.

In operation 1630, the controller 220 of the cradle 2 determines whether a cable is connected to the cradle 2. For example, the controller 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 1640. Otherwise, the method is terminated.

In operation 1640, 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 FIG. 7, a cigarette may be inserted into the holder 1. The cigarette includes an aerosol generating material and aerosol is generated by the heated heater 130.

Hereinafter, examples of a cigarette that may be inserted into the holder 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19F.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example in which a cigarette is inserted into a holder.

Referring to FIG. 17, the cigarette 3 may be inserted into the holder 1 through the terminal end 141 of the casing 140. When the cigarette 3 is inserted into the holder 1, the heater 130 is located inside the cigarette 3. Therefore, the heated heater 130 heats the aerosol generating material of the cigarette 3, thereby generating aerosol.

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 of 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. Here, the aerosol is mixed with external air and delivered to the mouth of the user. As shown in FIG. 17, the external air may be introduced through at least one hole in a surface of the cigarette 3 (1110), or through at least one air passage formed in the holder 1 (1120). For example, the air passage formed in the holder 1 may be configured to be open/closed by the user.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are block diagrams showing examples of a cigarette.

Referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B, the cigarette 3 includes a tobacco portion 310, a first filter segment 321, a cooling structure 322, and a second filter segment 323. The first portion 310 described above with reference to FIG. 17 includes the tobacco portion 310 and a second portion 320 includes the first filter segment 321, the cooling structure 322, and the second filter segment 323.

When FIG. 18A is compared with FIG. 18B, the cigarette 3 shown in FIG. 18B may further include a fourth wrapper 334 as compared with the cigarette 3 of FIG. 18A.

The structures of the cigarette 3 shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B are merely examples, and some of the components may be omitted. For example, the cigarette 3 may not include one or more of the first filter segment 321, the cooling structure 322, and the second filter segment 323.

The tobacco portion 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 portion 310 may have a length of about 7 mm to 15 mm, preferably, about 12 mm. Also, the tobacco portion 310 may have a diameter of 7 mm to 9 mm, preferably, about 7.9 mm. The length and diameter of the tobacco portion 310 are not limited to the above numerical ranges.

In addition, the tobacco portion 310 may include other additive materials like a flavoring agent, a wetting agent, and/or an 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 glycerine or propylene glycol.

For example, the tobacco portion 310 may be filled with cut tobacco leaves. Here, cut tobacco leaves may be formed by fine-grinding a tobacco sheet.

For a large wide tobacco sheet to be filled within the tobacco portion 310 having a narrow space, an operation for facilitating folding of the tobacco sheet is further needed. Therefore, it is easier to fill the tobacco portion 310 with cut tobacco leaves compared to filling the tobacco portion 310 with a tobacco sheet, and thus the productivity and the efficiency of the process for producing the tobacco portion 310 may be improved.

In another example, the tobacco portion 310 may be filled with a plurality of cigarette strands formed by fine-cutting a tobacco sheet. For example, the tobacco portion 310 may be formed by combining a plurality of tobacco strands in the same direction (parallel to one another) or randomly. Each of the tobacco strands may be fabricated to have a cuboidal shape having the horizontal length of 1 mm, the vertical length of 12 mm, and the thickness (height) of 0.1 mm, but is not limited thereto.

Compared to the tobacco portion 310 filled with a cigarette sheet, the tobacco portion 310 filled with tobacco strands may generate a greater amount of aerosol. In the case of filling the same space, compared to a tobacco sheet, tobacco strands ensure a wider surface area. A wider surface area indicates that an aerosol generating material has a greater chance of contacting the outside air. Therefore, when the tobacco portion 310 is filled with tobacco strands, more aerosol may be generated as compared to the tobacco portion 310 filled with a tobacco sheet.

Furthermore, when the cigarette 3 is separated from the holder 1, the tobacco portion 310 filled with tobacco strands may be separated more easily than the tobacco portion 310 filled with a tobacco sheet. Compared with the tobacco sheet, less frictional force is generated when the tobacco strands are in contact with the heater 130. In other words, when the tobacco portion 310 is filled with tobacco strands, the tobacco portion 310 may be more easily separated from the holder 1 than the tobacco portion 310 filled with a tobacco sheet.

The tobacco sheet may be obtained by grinding a raw tobacco material as a slurry and drying the slurry. For example, the slurry may include the aerosol generating material by 15% to 30%. The raw tobacco material may be tobacco leaf fragments, tobacco stems, fine tobacco powders formed during treatment of tobacco, and/or main leaf blade strips of the tobacco leaves. 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 hollow therein. The first filter segment 321 may have a length of about 7 mm to about 15 mm, for example, preferably 7 mm. The first filter segment 321 may have a length less than about 7 mm, but may have a length that may interfere with performances of at least one cigarette element (e.g., cooling element, capsule, acetate filter, etc.). The length of the first filter segment 321 is not limited to the above stated numerical range. In addition, the length of the first filter segment 321 may expand, and a total length of the cigarette 3 may be adjusted according to 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 having a hollow therein, but is not limited thereto. The second filter segment 323 may have a length of about 5 mm to about 15 mm, preferably, about 12 mm. The length of the second filter segment 323 is not limited to the above stated numerical 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 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, 2 to 4 mm.

A film of the capsule 324 may include starch and/or a gelling agent. For example, gellan gum or gelatin may be used as the gelling agent. Also, a gelation aid may be further used to form the film of the capsule 324. Here, as the gelation aid, for example, calcium chloride may be used. Furthermore, a plasticizer may be further used as a material for forming the film of the capsule 324. As the plasticizer, glycerine 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 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 liquid, for example, a medium chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT) may be used. Also, the 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 portion 310. Therefore, a user may inhale aerosol cooled to a suitable temperature. The cooling structure 322 may have a length of about 10 mm to about 20 mm, preferably, about 14 mm. The length of the cooling structure 322 is not limited to the above stated numerical range.

For example, the cooling structure 322 may include polylactic acid. The cooling structure 322 may be manufactured in various shapes in order to increase a surface area per unit area (that is, a surface area contacting the aerosol). Various examples of the cooling structure 322 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 19A to 19F.

The tobacco portion 310 and the first filter segment 321 may be wrapped by the first wrapper 331. For example, the first wrapper 331 may include a paper-based packaging material having an oil resistance.

The cooling structure 322 and the second filter segment 323 may be packaged by a second wrapper 332. Also, the cigarette 3 as a whole may be re-packaged by a third wrapper 333. For example, the second wrapper 332 and the third wrapper 333 may include a general paper-based packaging material. Optionally, the second wrapper 332 may be oil resistant hard wrap or PLA flavored paper. Also, the second wrapper 332 packages a portion of the second filter segment 323, and may additionally package the second filter segment 323 and the cooling structure 322.

Referring to FIG. 18B, the cigarette 3 may include a fourth wrapper 334. At least one of the tobacco portion 310 and the first filter segment 321 may be wrapped by the fourth wrapper 334. In other words, only the tobacco portion 310 may be wrapped by the fourth wrapper 334, and the tobacco portion 310 and the first filter segment 321 may be wrapped by the fourth wrapper 334. For example, the fourth wrapper 334 may include a paper-based packaging material.

The fourth wrapper 334 may be manufactured by applying (or coating) a predetermined material onto a surface or opposite surfaces of the paper-based packaging material. 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, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency, electrical insulation, etc. However, other materials than the silicon may be applied (or coated) onto the fourth wrapper 334, provided that the materials have the above mentioned characteristics.

In addition, FIG. 18B shows that the cigarette 3 includes both the first wrapper 331 and the fourth wrapper 334, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. That is, the cigarette 3 may include only one of the first wrapper 331 and the fourth wrapper 334.

The fourth wrapper 334 may prevent the cigarette 3 from burning. For example, when the tobacco portion 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 portion 310, the cigarette 3 may be burned. In this case, since the fourth wrapper 334 includes a non-combustible material, burning of the cigarette 3 may be prevented.

Also, the fourth wrapper 334 may prevent the holder 1 from being contaminated by materials generated from 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. Since the fourth wrapper 334 wraps the tobacco portion 310 and/or the first filter segment 321, liquid materials generated in the cigarette 3 may be prevented from leaking to an outer portion 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.

FIGS. 19A to 19F are diagrams showing examples of a cooling structure of a cigarette.

For example, the cooling structure shown in FIGS. 19A to 19F may be manufactured by using fibers produced from pure polylactic acid.

As an example, when the cooling structure is manufactured by filling films (sheets), the film (sheet) may break due to external shock. In this case, the aerosol cooling effect of the cooling structure is decreased.

In another example, when a cooling structure is manufactured through extrusion molding or the like, the efficiency of the process is lowered due to the addition of operations like cutting of a structure. Also, there are limits in manufacturing a cooling structure in various shapes.

As the cooling structure according to an embodiment is fabricated by using polylactic acid fibers (e.g., weaving), the risk of the cooling structure being deformed or losing function by an external impact may be reduced. Also, by changing the way of combining the fibers, the cooling structure having various shapes may be fabricated.

Also, since the cooling structure is fabricated by using the fibers, a surface area contacting the aerosol may be increased. Therefore, the aerosol cooling effect of the cooling structure may be further improved.

Referring to FIG. 19A, a cooling structure 1910 may have a cylindrical shape, and a cross-section of the cooling structure 1910 may include at least one air passage 1911.

Referring to FIG. 19B, a cooling structure 1920 may be fabricated as a structure, in which a plurality of fibers are tangled with one another. Here, the aerosol may flow among the fibers, vortex may be formed depending on a shape of the cooling structure 1920. The vortex expands an area of contact of the aerosol in the cooling structure 1920 and increases the time that the aerosol stays in the cooling structure 1920. Therefore, heated aerosol may be effectively cooled.

Referring to FIG. 19C, a cooling structure 1930 may be fabricated as a structure, in which a plurality of bundles 1931 are gathered.

Referring to FIG. 19D, a cooling structure 1940 may be filled with granules formed of polylactic acid, cut leaves, or charcoal. Also, the granules may be fabricated by using a mixture of polylactic acid, cut leaves, and charcoal. On the other hand, the granules may further include an element capable of increasing the aerosol cooling effect other than polylactic acid, the cut leaves, and/or charcoal.

Referring to FIG. 19E, a cooling structure 1950 may have a first cross-section 1951 and a second cross-section 1952.

The first cross-section 1951 may bound on the first filter segment 321 and may include an opening, through which the aerosol is introduced. The second cross-section 1952 may bound on the second filter segment 323 and may include an opening, through which the aerosol may be discharged. For example, each of the first cross-section 1951 and the second cross-section 1952 may include a single opening having the same diameter, but the diameters and the numbers of the openings included in the first cross-section 1951 and the second cross-section 1952 are not limited thereto.

In addition, the cooling structure 1950 may include a third cross-section 1953 having a plurality of openings, between the first cross-section 1951 and the second cross-section 1952. For example, the diameters of the plurality of openings included in the third cross-section 1953 may be smaller than the diameters of the gaps included in the first cross-section 1951 and the second cross-section 1952. Also, the number of openings included in the third cross-section 1953 may be greater than the number of openings included in the first cross-section 1951 and the second cross-section 1952.

Referring to FIG. 19F, a cooling structure 1960 may include a first cross-section 1961 that borders on the first filter segment 321 and a second cross-section 1962 that borders on the second filter segment 323. Also, the cooling structure 1960 may include one or more tubular elements 1963. For example, the tubular element 1963 may penetrate through the first cross-section 1961 and the second cross-section 1962. Also, the tubular element 1963 may be packaged with a microporous packaging material and may be filled with a filler material (e.g., the granules described above with reference to FIG. 19D) that may increase the aerosol cooling effect.

As described above, the holder may generate aerosol by heating the cigarette. Also, aerosol may be generated independently by the holder or even when the holder is inserted into the cradle and is tilted. Particularly, when the holder is tilted, the heater may be heated by power of a battery of the cradle.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be written as computer programs and can be implemented in general-use digital computers that execute the programs using a computer readable recording medium. In addition, the structure of the data used in the above-described method may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium through various means. Examples of the computer readable recording medium include magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, RAM, USB drives, floppy disks, hard disks, etc.), optical recording media (e.g., CD-ROMs, or DVDs), etc.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered from an illustrative point of view, not from a restrictive point of view. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating system comprising: a holder configured to generate aerosol by heating a cigarette;a cradle having an inner space for accommodating the holder, wherein the holder is moveable in the inner space of the cradle;at least one sensor configured to sense variation in a position of the holder in the inner space of the cradle; anda controller configured to make a prediction about insertion of the cigarette into the holder based on sensing of the sensor, and start first preheating of a heater of the holder before the cigarette is inserted in the holder based on a result of the prediction, and start second preheating of the heater of the holder after the cigarette is completely inserted in the holder,wherein the first preheating and the second preheating have different target temperature profiles.
2. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the sensor senses separation of the holder from the inner space of the cradle, and the controller is configured to start the first preheating based on the separation of the holder from the inner space of the cradle.
3. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, further comprising a power supply device,wherein the controller is configured to start the first preheating by using power supplied from the power supply device.
4. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, further comprising a power supply device disposed in the cradle, wherein the controller is configured to start the first preheating by using power supplied from the power supply device.
5. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the first preheating within a preset temperature range.
6. The aerosol generating system of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to control the first preheating within a range of 100° C. to 350° C.
7. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the first preheating to heat the heater for a preset time period.
8. The aerosol generating system of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to control the first preheating to heat the heater for 1 to 3 seconds.
9. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises at least one input device for controlling functions of the holder, andthe controller is configured to start the first preheating in response to receiving an input through the at least one input device.
10. An aerosol generating system comprising: a holder configured to generate aerosol by heating a cigarette;a cradle having an inner space for accommodating the holder, wherein the holder is moveable in the inner space of the cradle;a controller configured to make a prediction about insertion of the cigarette into the holder, and start preheating a heater of the holder before the cigarette is inserted in the holder, based on a result of the prediction; anda sensor configured to sense whether the cigarette is inserted into the holder,wherein the controller preheats the heater until the cigarette contacts a predetermined portion of the heater based on a sensing result of the sensor.
11. A method of generating aerosol by heating a cigarette in an aerosol generating system, the method comprising: making a prediction about insertion of the cigarette into a holder based on variation in a position of the holder that is accommodated in an inner space of a cradle;starting first preheating of a heater of the holder before the cigarette is inserted in the holder based on a result of the prediction, andstarting second preheating of the heater of the holder after the cigarette is completely inserted in the holder,wherein the first preheating and the second preheating have different target temperature profiles.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the making the prediction comprises: sensing variation in a position of the holder after the holder is inserted into an inner space of a cradle; andpredicting the insertion of the cigarette into the holder based on a result of the sensing.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the sensing of the variation in the position of the holder comprises sensing tilting of the holder after the holder is inserted into the inner space of the cradle.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the sensing of the variation in the position of the holder comprises sensing separation of the holder from the inner space of the cradle.
15. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for performing the method of claim 11 on a computer.

Priority Claims (3)

Number	Date	Country	Kind
10-2017-0046938	Apr 2017	KR	national
10-2017-0077586	Jun 2017	KR	national
10-2017-0084385	Jul 2017	KR	national

PCT Information

Filing Document	Filing Date	Country	Kind
PCT/KR2018/004130	4/9/2018	WO

Publishing Document	Publishing Date	Country	Kind
WO2018/190590	10/18/2018	WO	A

US Referenced Citations (217)

Number	Name	Date	Kind
2638904	Mitchell	May 1953	A
4585014	Fry	Apr 1986	A
4637407	Bonanno et al.	Jan 1987	A
5144962	Counts et al.	Sep 1992	A
5240012	Ehrman et al.	Aug 1993	A
5249586	Morgan et al.	Oct 1993	A
5369723	Counts et al.	Nov 1994	A
5388594	Counts et al.	Feb 1995	A
5465738	Rowland	Nov 1995	A
5479948	Counts et al.	Jan 1996	A
5499636	Baggett, Jr. et al.	Mar 1996	A
5567286	Pal et al.	Oct 1996	A
5591368	Fleischhauer et al.	Jan 1997	A
5666977	Higgins et al.	Sep 1997	A
5666978	Counts et al.	Sep 1997	A
5878752	Adams et al.	Mar 1999	A
5967148	Harris et al.	Oct 1999	A
6040560	Fleischhauer	Mar 2000	A
6053176	Adams et al.	Apr 2000	A
6418938	Fleischhauer et al.	Jul 2002	B1
6532965	Abhulimen et al.	Mar 2003	B1
6615840	Fournier et al.	Sep 2003	B1
6810883	Felter et al.	Nov 2004	B2
7861726	Lukasavitz	Jan 2011	B1
8375959	Dittrich et al.	Feb 2013	B2
8419085	Kim et al.	Apr 2013	B2
8464726	Sebastian et al.	Jun 2013	B2
8752545	Buchberger	Jun 2014	B2
8851081	Fernando et al.	Oct 2014	B2
8973587	Liu	Mar 2015	B2
9078472	Liu	Jul 2015	B2
9078473	Worm et al.	Jul 2015	B2
9115471	Zitturi et al.	Aug 2015	B2
9220304	Greim	Dec 2015	B2
9271528	Liu	Mar 2016	B2
9301548	Liu	Apr 2016	B2
9320299	Hearn et al.	Apr 2016	B2
9423152	Ampolini et al.	Aug 2016	B2
9427023	Liu	Aug 2016	B2
9439453	Conner et al.	Sep 2016	B2
9497991	Besso et al.	Nov 2016	B2
9499332	Fernando et al.	Nov 2016	B2
9504279	Chen	Nov 2016	B2
9516899	Plojoux et al.	Dec 2016	B2
9532603	Plojoux et al.	Jan 2017	B2
9560883	Hawes	Feb 2017	B2
9603388	Fernando et al.	Mar 2017	B2
9655383	Holzherr et al.	May 2017	B2
9693587	Plojoux et al.	Jul 2017	B2
9723871	Xiang	Aug 2017	B2
9795166	Liu	Oct 2017	B2
9814263	Cochand et al.	Nov 2017	B2
9854841	Ampolini et al.	Jan 2018	B2
9854845	Plojoux et al.	Jan 2018	B2
9894934	Li et al.	Feb 2018	B2
9903071	Kominami	Feb 2018	B2
9912955	Song et al.	Mar 2018	B2
9918494	Mironov et al.	Mar 2018	B2
9955724	Lord	May 2018	B2
9986760	Macko et al.	Jun 2018	B2
9999247	Ruscio et al.	Jun 2018	B2
10015990	Mironov	Jul 2018	B2
10031183	Novak, III et al.	Jul 2018	B2
10070667	Lord et al.	Sep 2018	B2
10104911	Thorens et al.	Oct 2018	B2
10130780	Talon	Nov 2018	B2
10136673	Mironov	Nov 2018	B2
10159283	Mironov	Dec 2018	B2
10194697	Fernando et al.	Feb 2019	B2
10299513	Perez et al.	May 2019	B2
10368584	Fernando et al.	Aug 2019	B2
10439419	Bernauer et al.	Oct 2019	B2
10440987	Zeng et al.	Oct 2019	B2
10448670	Talon et al.	Oct 2019	B2
10492542	Worm et al.	Dec 2019	B1
10548350	Greim et al.	Feb 2020	B2
10555553	Binassi et al.	Feb 2020	B2
10555555	Fernando et al.	Feb 2020	B2
10588351	Ricketts	Mar 2020	B2
10617149	Malgat et al.	Apr 2020	B2
10645971	Zitzke	May 2020	B2
10668058	Rose et al.	Jun 2020	B2
10716329	Matsumoto et al.	Jul 2020	B2
10757975	Batista et al.	Sep 2020	B2
10813174	Schneider et al.	Oct 2020	B2
10881143	Suzuki et al.	Jan 2021	B2
11039642	Zuber et al.	Jun 2021	B2
11147316	Farine et al.	Oct 2021	B2
11445576	Zinovik et al.	Sep 2022	B2
11627759	Han et al.	Apr 2023	B2
20040261802	Griffin et al.	Dec 2004	A1
20050045198	Larson et al.	Mar 2005	A1
20050172976	Newman et al.	Aug 2005	A1
20060030214	Katou et al.	Feb 2006	A1
20080001052	Kalous et al.	Jan 2008	A1
20090283103	Nielsen et al.	Nov 2009	A1
20100001538	Kim et al.	Jan 2010	A1
20100024834	Oglesby et al.	Feb 2010	A1
20100242977	Tarora et al.	Sep 2010	A1
20100307518	Wang	Dec 2010	A1
20110126848	Zuber et al.	Jun 2011	A1
20110155151	Newman et al.	Jun 2011	A1
20110209717	Han	Sep 2011	A1
20110226236	Buchberger	Sep 2011	A1
20110265806	Alarcon et al.	Nov 2011	A1
20110290248	Schennum	Dec 2011	A1
20110290269	Shimizu	Dec 2011	A1
20120006343	Renaud et al.	Jan 2012	A1
20120048266	Alelov	Mar 2012	A1
20120227753	Newton	Sep 2012	A1
20120247494	Oglesby et al.	Oct 2012	A1
20120325232	Yokogawa et al.	Dec 2012	A1
20130014772	Liu	Jan 2013	A1
20130037041	Worm et al.	Feb 2013	A1
20130074857	Buchberger	Mar 2013	A1
20130213419	Tucker et al.	Aug 2013	A1
20130233329	Sebastian et al.	Sep 2013	A1
20130284192	Peleg et al.	Oct 2013	A1
20130319439	Gorelick et al.	Dec 2013	A1
20130319999	Plojoux et al.	Dec 2013	A1
20130340775	Juster et al.	Dec 2013	A1
20140014125	Fernando et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140020698	Fiebelkorn	Jan 2014	A1
20140096782	Ampolini et al.	Apr 2014	A1
20140101960	Kida et al.	Apr 2014	A1
20140116455	Youn	May 2014	A1
20140246035	Minskoff et al.	Sep 2014	A1
20140278250	Smith	Sep 2014	A1
20140299137	Kieckbusch et al.	Oct 2014	A1
20140301721	Ruscio et al.	Oct 2014	A1
20140305448	Zuber et al.	Oct 2014	A1
20140318559	Thorens et al.	Oct 2014	A1
20140345633	Talon et al.	Nov 2014	A1
20140345634	Zuber et al.	Nov 2014	A1
20140363145	Plojoux et al.	Dec 2014	A1
20140366898	Monsees	Dec 2014	A1
20150007838	Fernando et al.	Jan 2015	A1
20150013696	Plojoux et al.	Jan 2015	A1
20150020832	Greim et al.	Jan 2015	A1
20150024355	Ghofrani et al.	Jan 2015	A1
20150027474	Zuber et al.	Jan 2015	A1
20150059996	Zitturi et al.	Mar 2015	A1
20150100441	Alarcon et al.	Apr 2015	A1
20150136124	Aronie et al.	May 2015	A1
20150136154	Mitrev et al.	May 2015	A1
20150189910	Sebastian et al.	Jul 2015	A1
20150201676	Shin	Jul 2015	A1
20150208725	Tsai	Jul 2015	A1
20150208730	Li et al.	Jul 2015	A1
20150245654	Memari et al.	Sep 2015	A1
20150245666	Memari et al.	Sep 2015	A1
20150245668	Memari	Sep 2015	A1
20150257445	Henry, Jr. et al.	Sep 2015	A1
20150272211	Chung	Oct 2015	A1
20150296878	Mucalo et al.	Oct 2015	A1
20150359259	Conner et al.	Dec 2015	A1
20160150824	Memari et al.	Jun 2016	A1
20160205998	Matsumoto et al.	Jul 2016	A1
20160213066	Zitzke et al.	Jul 2016	A1
20160235121	Rogan et al.	Aug 2016	A1
20160270437	Nappi	Sep 2016	A1
20160286861	Liu	Oct 2016	A1
20160302488	Fernando et al.	Oct 2016	A1
20160031032	Malgat et al.	Nov 2016	A1
20160331032	Malgat et al.	Nov 2016	A1
20160345629	Mironov	Dec 2016	A1
20160366933	Liu	Dec 2016	A1
20160366937	Liu	Dec 2016	A1
20160366946	Murison et al.	Dec 2016	A1
20160374402	Fernando et al.	Dec 2016	A1
20170006916	Liu	Jan 2017	A1
20170006919	Liu	Jan 2017	A1
20170027229	Cameron	Feb 2017	A1
20170027234	Farine et al.	Feb 2017	A1
20170042243	Plojoux et al.	Feb 2017	A1
20170042251	Yamada et al.	Feb 2017	A1
20170042252	Takeuchi et al.	Feb 2017	A1
20170055580	Blandino et al.	Mar 2017	A1
20170065002	Fernando et al.	Mar 2017	A1
20170071251	Goch	Mar 2017	A1
20170071259	Yamada et al.	Mar 2017	A1
20170095006	Egoyants et al.	Apr 2017	A1
20170150757	Worm et al.	Jun 2017	A1
20170164659	Schneider et al.	Jun 2017	A1
20170172214	Li et al.	Jun 2017	A1
20170172215	Li et al.	Jun 2017	A1
20170188634	Plojoux et al.	Jul 2017	A1
20170238596	Matsumoto et al.	Aug 2017	A1
20170295844	Thevenaz et al.	Oct 2017	A1
20180153216	Wong et al.	Jun 2018	A1
20180177234	Lee	Jun 2018	A1
20180206556	Thorens et al.	Jul 2018	A1
20180235283	Zuber et al.	Aug 2018	A1
20180280653	Buchberger	Oct 2018	A1
20190014826	Thorens et al.	Jan 2019	A1
20190075849	Hawes	Mar 2019	A1
20190116633	Qiu	Apr 2019	A1
20190297937	Guyard et al.	Oct 2019	A1
20190320719	Liu et al.	Oct 2019	A1
20190364975	Fernando et al.	Dec 2019	A1
20200006950	Holzherr	Jan 2020	A1
20200008475	Lai et al.	Jan 2020	A1
20200008480	Batista	Jan 2020	A1
20200120983	Chen	Apr 2020	A1
20200154765	Lee et al.	May 2020	A1
20200232766	Flick	Jul 2020	A1
20200305508	Talon	Oct 2020	A1
20200352224	Plojoux et al.	Nov 2020	A1
20200352231	Han et al.	Nov 2020	A1
20200359681	Han et al.	Nov 2020	A1
20200359682	Han et al.	Nov 2020	A1
20200413495	Schneider et al.	Dec 2020	A1
20210000182	Ruscio et al.	Jan 2021	A1
20210077752	Buchberger	Mar 2021	A1
20210120875	Mironov	Apr 2021	A1
20220087309	Han et al.	Mar 2022	A1
20220117293	Zuber et al.	Apr 2022	A1

Foreign Referenced Citations (373)

Number	Date	Country
2973143	Aug 2016	CA
2975654	Aug 2016	CA
310239	Dec 1955	CH
2146758	Nov 1993	CN
1102964	May 1995	CN
1122213	May 1996	CN
1190335	Aug 1998	CN
1209731	Mar 1999	CN
1205388	Jun 2005	CN
1212785	Aug 2005	CN
2857109	Jan 2007	CN
1973706	Jun 2007	CN
101043827	Sep 2007	CN
101444335	Jun 2009	CN
201467999	May 2010	CN
201491717	Jun 2010	CN
101896082	Nov 2010	CN
101940369	Jan 2011	CN
102006790	Apr 2011	CN
102109393	Jun 2011	CN
102216526	Oct 2011	CN
102326869	Jan 2012	CN
102438470	May 2012	CN
102481021	May 2012	CN
202407082	Sep 2012	CN
102762118	Oct 2012	CN
102821632	Dec 2012	CN
102934843	Feb 2013	CN
202774134	Mar 2013	CN
103096741	May 2013	CN
103281920	Sep 2013	CN
103338665	Oct 2013	CN
103501644	Jan 2014	CN
103622162	Mar 2014	CN
203457802	Mar 2014	CN
103717802	Apr 2014	CN
103717803	Apr 2014	CN
203563687	Apr 2014	CN
203575658	May 2014	CN
103859606	Jun 2014	CN
203633505	Jun 2014	CN
203646503	Jun 2014	CN
103929988	Jul 2014	CN
103929989	Jul 2014	CN
203689071	Jul 2014	CN
203692545	Jul 2014	CN
103974638	Aug 2014	CN
103974640	Aug 2014	CN
103987286	Aug 2014	CN
103997921	Aug 2014	CN
103997922	Aug 2014	CN
203789137	Aug 2014	CN
104023568	Sep 2014	CN
104023574	Sep 2014	CN
104039183	Sep 2014	CN
203814592	Sep 2014	CN
104095295	Oct 2014	CN
104106842	Oct 2014	CN
104135882	Nov 2014	CN
203943078	Nov 2014	CN
104203015	Dec 2014	CN
204070570	Jan 2015	CN
2041 46338	Feb 2015	CN
102811634	Mar 2015	CN
104382237	Mar 2015	CN
104470387	Mar 2015	CN
104489933	Apr 2015	CN
104544559	Apr 2015	CN
204317494	May 2015	CN
204317504	May 2015	CN
205197003	May 2015	CN
104754964	Jul 2015	CN
104770878	Jul 2015	CN
104799438	Jul 2015	CN
104812260	Jul 2015	CN
204444239	Jul 2015	CN
104839886	Aug 2015	CN
104869854	Aug 2015	CN
104886775	Sep 2015	CN
104902767	Sep 2015	CN
204763414	Nov 2015	CN
105163610	Dec 2015	CN
105208882	Dec 2015	CN
105208884	Dec 2015	CN
105341993	Feb 2016	CN
105357994	Feb 2016	CN
205018293	Feb 2016	CN
105361250	Mar 2016	CN
105453598	Mar 2016	CN
205072064	Mar 2016	CN
205180371	Apr 2016	CN
105722416	Jun 2016	CN
205337598	Jun 2016	CN
105747281	Jul 2016	CN
105789506	Jul 2016	CN
105831812	Aug 2016	CN
105848503	Aug 2016	CN
105852223	Aug 2016	CN
105876869	Aug 2016	CN
205456048	Aug 2016	CN
205512358	Aug 2016	CN
105939625	Sep 2016	CN
205597118	Sep 2016	CN
106037014	Oct 2016	CN
205648910	Oct 2016	CN
205658366	Oct 2016	CN
104135881	Nov 2016	CN
106102492	Nov 2016	CN
106132217	Nov 2016	CN
106136332	Nov 2016	CN
106163307	Nov 2016	CN
205728067	Nov 2016	CN
106174699	Dec 2016	CN
106231934	Dec 2016	CN
106255430	Dec 2016	CN
205831062	Dec 2016	CN
205884659	Jan 2017	CN
106376975	Feb 2017	CN
106413439	Feb 2017	CN
106413444	Feb 2017	CN
106455708	Feb 2017	CN
106455714	Feb 2017	CN
106455716	Feb 2017	CN
106473233	Mar 2017	CN
106535680	Mar 2017	CN
206025202	Mar 2017	CN
206097720	Apr 2017	CN
206197012	May 2017	CN
106858726	Jun 2017	CN
106901404	Jun 2017	CN
206312988	Jul 2017	CN
107080292	Aug 2017	CN
206443202	Aug 2017	CN
206472849	Sep 2017	CN
207220157	Apr 2018	CN
105342011	Jun 2018	CN
207836767	Sep 2018	CN
208192123	Dec 2018	CN
208192126	Dec 2018	CN
110494053	May 2022	CN
3302518	Jul 1984	DE
20 2014 004 361	Oct 2015	DE
012169	Aug 2009	EA
026076	Feb 2017	EA
1119267	Jul 2004	EP
1 964 482	Sep 2008	EP
2 110 033	Oct 2009	EP
2113178	Nov 2009	EP
2 201 850	Jun 2010	EP
2253233	Nov 2010	EP
2316286	May 2011	EP
2022349	Jul 2014	EP
2 875 740	May 2015	EP
2 531 053	Sep 2015	EP
2921065	Sep 2015	EP
2 740 370	Apr 2016	EP
3 082 483	Oct 2016	EP
3 098 738	Nov 2016	EP
2 432 339	Mar 2017	EP
3 179 828	Jun 2017	EP
3 632 237	Apr 2020	EP
3 632 239	Apr 2020	EP
3 275 319	Aug 2020	EP
3727055	Oct 2020	EP
2542018	Mar 2017	GB
201605104	Nov 2017	GB
2-190178	Jul 1990	JP
3-232481	Oct 1991	JP
6-209756	Aug 1994	JP
7-184627	Jul 1995	JP
11-40122	Feb 1999	JP
11-164679	Jun 1999	JP
3645921	May 2005	JP
2006-92831	Apr 2006	JP
2006-320286	Nov 2006	JP
4278306	Jun 2009	JP
2010-178730	Aug 2010	JP
2010-526553	Aug 2010	JP
2011-87569	May 2011	JP
2011-518567	Jun 2011	JP
4739433	Aug 2011	JP
2012-506263	Mar 2012	JP
2012-527222	Nov 2012	JP
2013-519384	May 2013	JP
2014-500017	Jan 2014	JP
2014-79229	May 2014	JP
2014-511175	May 2014	JP
2014-521419	Aug 2014	JP
2014-525237	Sep 2014	JP
2014-533513	Dec 2014	JP
2014-534813	Dec 2014	JP
2015-503335	Feb 2015	JP
2015-503916	Feb 2015	JP
2015-504669	Feb 2015	JP
2015-506170	Mar 2015	JP
2015-507477	Mar 2015	JP
2015-508996	Mar 2015	JP
2015-524261	Aug 2015	JP
2015-156806	Sep 2015	JP
2015-180214	Oct 2015	JP
2015-529458	Oct 2015	JP
2015-204833	Nov 2015	JP
2016-528910	Sep 2016	JP
3207506	Nov 2016	JP
2016-538848	Dec 2016	JP
2017-501682	Jan 2017	JP
2017-46700	Mar 2017	JP
2017-51189	Mar 2017	JP
2017-70297	Apr 2017	JP
2017-514463	Jun 2017	JP
2021-153586	Oct 2021	JP
1999-007914	Jan 1999	KR
10-0304044	Nov 2001	KR
10-0636287	Oct 2006	KR
10-0806461	Feb 2008	KR
20-2009-0008911	Sep 2009	KR
10-0965099	Jun 2010	KR
10-1001077	Dec 2010	KR
10-2011-0096548	Aug 2011	KR
20-2011-0009632	Oct 2011	KR
10-1098112	Dec 2011	KR
10-2012-0027029	Mar 2012	KR
10-2012-0080285	Jul 2012	KR
10-2012-0101637	Sep 2012	KR
10-1184499	Sep 2012	KR
10-2012-0109634	Oct 2012	KR
10-2012-0114333	Oct 2012	KR
10-2012-0121314	Nov 2012	KR
10-2013-0027909	Mar 2013	KR
20-0466757	May 2013	KR
10-2013-0081238	Jul 2013	KR
20-0469513	Oct 2013	KR
10-2013-0139296	Dec 2013	KR
10-2014-0015774	Feb 2014	KR
10-1383577	Apr 2014	KR
10-2014-0068203	Jun 2014	KR
10-2014-0092312	Jul 2014	KR
10-2014-0114554	Sep 2014	KR
10-2014-0116055	Oct 2014	KR
10-2014-0118983	Oct 2014	KR
10-2014-0119072	Oct 2014	KR
10-2014-0135774	Nov 2014	KR
20-2014-0006242	Dec 2014	KR
10-2015-0030409	Mar 2015	KR
10-2015-0033617	Apr 2015	KR
10-2015-0058569	May 2015	KR
10-1516304	May 2015	KR
10-1523088	May 2015	KR
10-1523088	May 2015	KR
10-2015-0099704	Sep 2015	KR
10-2015-0099771	Sep 2015	KR
10-2016-0009678	Jan 2016	KR
10-2016-0012110	Feb 2016	KR
10-2016-0012329	Feb 2016	KR
10-2016-0015144	Feb 2016	KR
10-2016-0040643	Apr 2016	KR
10-1609715	Apr 2016	KR
10-2016-0052607	May 2016	KR
10-2016-0060006	May 2016	KR
10-1619032	May 2016	KR
20-2016-0001476	May 2016	KR
10-2016-0088163	Jul 2016	KR
10-2016-0094938	Aug 2016	KR
10-2016-0096744	Aug 2016	KR
10-2016-0108855	Sep 2016	KR
10-2016-0110670	Sep 2016	KR
10-1656061	Sep 2016	KR
10-2016-0114743	Oct 2016	KR
10-2016-0124091	Oct 2016	KR
10-1667124	Oct 2016	KR
10-1668175	Oct 2016	KR
10-2016-0129024	Nov 2016	KR
10-2016-0131035	Nov 2016	KR
10-2016-0133665	Nov 2016	KR
10-2016-0137627	Nov 2016	KR
10-1679489	Nov 2016	KR
10-2016-0140608	Dec 2016	KR
10-2016-0142896	Dec 2016	KR
10-2016-0147253	Dec 2016	KR
10-1690389	Dec 2016	KR
10-2017-0006282	Jan 2017	KR
10-2017-0007262	Jan 2017	KR
10-2017-0044158	Apr 2017	KR
10-2017-0071486	Jun 2017	KR
10-2017-0074898	Jun 2017	KR
10-1740160	Jun 2017	KR
10-2017-0119664	Oct 2017	KR
10-2018-0070457	Jun 2018	KR
2302806	Jul 2007	RU
2425608	Aug 2011	RU
2 531 890	Oct 2014	RU
2564600	Oct 2015	RU
2014 125 232	Dec 2015	RU
2581999	Apr 2016	RU
2589437	Jul 2016	RU
2594557	Aug 2016	RU
2595593	Aug 2016	RU
2 602 053	Nov 2016	RU
2 602 962	Nov 2016	RU
2 603 559	Nov 2016	RU
2604012	Dec 2016	RU
104628	Feb 2014	UA
112169	Aug 2016	UA
9406314	Mar 1994	WO
9533246	Dec 1995	WO
9823171	Jun 1998	WO
0027232	May 2000	WO
2010133342	Nov 2010	WO
2011028372	Mar 2011	WO
2011050964	May 2011	WO
2011095781	Aug 2011	WO
2012072264	Jun 2012	WO
2012123702	Sep 2012	WO
2012126721	Sep 2012	WO
2013021863	Feb 2013	WO
2013034458	Mar 2013	WO
2013060743	May 2013	WO
2013076098	May 2013	WO
2013093695	Jun 2013	WO
2013098395	Jul 2013	WO
2013098396	Jul 2013	WO
2013098397	Jul 2013	WO
2013098398	Jul 2013	WO
2013098409	Jul 2013	WO
2013102609	Jul 2013	WO
2013102612	Jul 2013	WO
2013120565	Aug 2013	WO
2013126777	Aug 2013	WO
2013137084	Sep 2013	WO
2013171217	Nov 2013	WO
2013190036	Dec 2013	WO
2014029880	Feb 2014	WO
2014075369	May 2014	WO
2014102092	Jul 2014	WO
2015046386	Apr 2015	WO
2015088744	Jun 2015	WO
2015117704	Aug 2015	WO
2015128665	Sep 2015	WO
2015155289	Oct 2015	WO
2015165813	Nov 2015	WO
2015174657	Nov 2015	WO
2015177044	Nov 2015	WO
2015197627	Dec 2015	WO
2016012811	Jan 2016	WO
2016055653	Apr 2016	WO
2016059073	Apr 2016	WO
2016075028	May 2016	WO
2016076147	May 2016	WO
2016107766	Jul 2016	WO
2016124550	Aug 2016	WO
2016124552	Aug 2016	WO
2016150019	Sep 2016	WO
2016156103	Oct 2016	WO
2016-156121	Oct 2016	WO
2016156219	Oct 2016	WO
2016159013	Oct 2016	WO
2016166064	Oct 2016	WO
2016178377	Nov 2016	WO
2016187803	Dec 2016	WO
2017029088	Feb 2017	WO
2017029089	Feb 2017	WO
2017037457	Mar 2017	WO
2017042297	Mar 2017	WO
2017075759	May 2017	WO
2017-075975	May 2017	WO
2017139963	Aug 2017	WO
2018050449	Mar 2018	WO
2018189195	Oct 2018	WO
2019-014991	Jan 2019	WO
2019020826	Jan 2019	WO
2019030172	Feb 2019	WO
2019095268	May 2019	WO
2019-121808	Jun 2019	WO

Non-Patent Literature Citations (163)

Entry
US 11,089,812 B2, 08/2021, Zuber et al. (withdrawn)
Extended European Search Report issued Dec. 11, 2020 in European Application No. 20188967.2.
Extended European Search Report issued Jan. 15, 2021 in European Application No. 20188949.0.
Extended European Search Report issued Dec. 16, 2020 in European Application No. 20188985.4.
Office Action issued Dec. 30, 2020 in Russian Application No. 2020124651.
Office Action issued Dec. 28, 2020 in Russian Application No. 2020124652.
Office Action issued Dec. 11, 2020 in Russian Application No. 2020124653.
Office Action issued Jan. 22, 2021 in Russian Application No. 2020124657.
Office Action issued Jan. 22, 2021 in Russian Application No. 2020124658.
Extended European Search Report issued Dec. 18, 2020 in European Application No. 18775504.6.
Office Action issued Jan. 19, 2021 in Japanese Application No. 2019-553569.
Extended European Search Report issued Jan. 14, 2021 in European Application No. 18784738.9.
Extended European Search Report issued Dec. 10, 2020 in European Application No. 20188932.6.
Office Action issued Jan. 12, 2021 in Japanese Application No. 2019-555201.
Office Action issued Jan. 12, 2021 in Japanese Application No. 2019-555169.
Office Action issued Jan. 5, 2021 in Japanese Application No. 2019-558557.
Extended European Search Report issued Nov. 19, 2020 in European Application No. 20188792.4.
Office Action issued Dec. 1, 2020 in Japanese Application No. 2020-501188.
Extended European Search Report issued Dec. 18, 2020 in European Application No. 20188926.8.
Office Action issued Jan. 19, 2021 in Japanese Application No. 2020-501514.
Office Action issued Sep. 24, 2020 in Korean Application No. 10-2018-0012456.
Office Action issued May 28, 2020 in Korean Application No. 10-2017-0147605.
International Search Report issued Jul. 24, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/003691.
Office Action issued Jul. 2, 2019 in Korean Application No. 10-2019-0018815.
Office Action issued Jul. 3, 2019 in Korean Application No. 10-2019-0017391.
International Search Report issued Oct. 29, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/004181.
International Search Report issued Sep. 6, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/004179.
International Search Report issued Nov. 6, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/004178.
International Search Report issued Sep. 6, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/004176.
International Search Report issued Sep. 7, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/004172.
International Search Report issued Sep. 7, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/004171.
International Search Report issued Nov. 6, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/004130.
International Search Report issued Nov. 6, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/004129.
International Search Report issued Nov. 14, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/004118.
International Search Report issued May 29, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2017/012486.
Office Action issued Dec. 11, 2019 in Korean Application No. 10-2018-0010836.
Office Action issued Dec. 11, 2019 in Korean Application No. 10-2018-0010841.
Office Action issued Dec. 19, 2019 in Korean Application No. 10-2018-0090910.
Office Action issued Jan. 3, 2020 in Korean Application No. 10-2018-0012456.
Office Action issued Jan. 3, 2020 in Korean Application No. 10-2017-0084389.
Office Action issued Jan. 3, 2020 in Korean Application No. 10-2017-0084386.
Office Action issued Jan. 3, 2020 in Korean Application No. 10-2018-0018693.
Office Action issued Jan. 8, 2020 in Korean Application No. 10-2017-0128293.
Office Action issued Jan. 8, 2020 in Korean Application No. 10-2017-0119664.
Office Action issued Jan. 16, 2020 in Korean Application No. 10-2017-0084388.
Office Action issued Jan. 16, 2020 in Korean Application No. 10-2017-0084387.
Office Action issued Feb. 11, 2020 in Korean Application No. 10-2018-0010834.
Office Action issued Feb. 11, 2020 in Korean Application No. 10-2018-0010835.
Office Action issued Feb. 13, 2020 in Korean Application No. 10-2018-0010837.
Office Action issued Feb. 18, 2020 in Russian Application No. 2019121813.
Extended European Search Report issued Jan. 14, 2021 in European Application No. 18783776.0.
Extended European Search Report issued Jan. 25, 2021 in European Application No. 18785166.2.
Extended European Search Report issued Jan. 29, 2021 in European Application No. 18784464.2.
Extended European Search Report issued Mar. 15, 2021 in European Application No. 18785061.5.
Extended European Search Report issued Mar. 19, 2021 in European Application No. 18784164.8.
Extended European Search Report issued Mar. 24, 2021 in European Application No. 18784268.7.
Extended European Search Report issued Mar. 25, 2021 in European Application No. 18784370.1.
Extended European Search Report issued Mar. 25, 2021 in European Application No. 18784841.1.
Office Action issued Feb. 24, 2021 in Japanese Application No. 2019-555168.
Office Action issued Feb. 24, 2021 in Japanese Application No. 2019-555203.
Office Action issued Feb. 24, 2021 in Japanese Application No. 2019-555204.
Office Action issued Feb. 4, 2021 in Russian Application No. 2020124609.
Office Action issued Feb. 9, 2021 in Japanese Application No. 2019-555184.
Office Action issued Jan. 26, 2021 in Japanese Application No. 2020-501521.
Office Action issued Mar. 2, 2021 in Japanese Application No. 2019-555170.
Office Action issued Mar. 2, 2021 in Japanese Application No. 2019-555182.
Office Action issued Mar. 30, 2021 in Japanese Application No. 2020-501377.
Office Action issued Jan. 19, 2021 in Indonesian Application No. P00201906007.
Office Action issued Nov. 14, 2019 in Korean Application No. 10-2017-0084385.
Office Action issued Nov. 14, 2019 in Korean Application No. 10-2017-0147605.
Office Action dated Aug. 7, 2019 for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0067035, and its English translation provided by Applicants foreign counsel.
Office Action dated Jun. 27, 2019 for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0063759, and its English translation provided by Applicants foreign counsel.
Office Action dated Jul. 2, 2019 for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0018815, and its English translation provided by Applicants foreign counsel.
Office Action dated Jul. 3, 2019 for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0017391, and its English translation provided by Applicants foreign counsel.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability (Chapter I) issued on Jun. 18, 2019 for PCT/KR2017/012486 and its English translation from WIPO.
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for PCT/KR2017/012486 mailed May 29, 2018 and its English translation by Google Translate (now published as WO 2018/110834).
Partial supplementary European search report issued Aug. 3, 2020 in Application No. 17880867.1.
Extended European search report issued Nov. 4, 2020 by the European Patent Office in Application No. 17880867.1.
Office Action issued Oct. 29, 2020 by the Korean Patent Office in Application No. 10-2018-0010837.
Office Action issued Nov. 4, 2020 by the Japanese Patent Office in Application No. 2019-554453.
Office Action issued Nov. 4, 2020 by the Japanese Patent Office in Application No. 2020-128346.
Decision on Grant issued Nov. 26, 2020 by the Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property Patent Application No. 2020124607.
Office Action issued Nov. 26, 2020 by Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property Office Patent Application No. 2020124609.
Decision on Grant issued Oct. 26, 2020 by Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property in Application No. 2020124610.
Office Action issued Jun. 29, 2020 by the Korean Patent Office in Application No. 10-2018-0010836.
Office Action issued Jul. 22, 2021 in Korean Application No. 10-2021-0051359.
Extended European Search Report issued Apr. 1, 2021 in European Application No. 18805933.1.
Extended European Search Report issued Jul. 1, 2021 in European Application No. 18854661.8.
Extended European Search Report issued Jun. 14, 2021 in European Application No. 18842951.8.
Extended European Search Report issued Jun. 16, 2021 in European Application No. 18853434.1.
International Search Report dated Aug. 29, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/005945.
International Search Report dated Dec. 4, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/006747.
International Search Report dated Feb. 28, 2019 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/009100.
International Search Report dated Nov. 26, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/009094.
International Search Report dated Nov. 30, 2018 in International Application No. PCT/KR2018/006702.
Office Action issued Apr. 25, 2019 in Korean Application No. 10-2019-0033784.
Office Action issued Apr. 4, 2019 in Korean Application No. 10-2019-0019194.
Office Action issued Apr. 4, 2019 in Korean Application No. 10-2019-0019195.
Office Action issued Apr. 5, 2019 in Korean Application No. 10-2019-0027638.
Office Action issued Apr. 9, 2021 in Korean Application No. 10-2020-0116256.
Office Action issued Jun. 10, 2021 in Russian Application No. 2020124657.
Office Action issued Jun. 10, 2021 in Russian Application No. 2020124658.
Office Action issued Jun. 29, 2021 in Chinese Application No. 201880022072.2.
Office Action issued May 5, 2021 in Canadian Application No. 3,047,236.
Extended European Search Report issued Oct. 27, 2021 in European Application No. 18844735.3.
Office Action issued Oct. 28, 2021 in Chinese Application No. 201880046418.2.
Office Action issued Sep. 24, 2021 in Chinese Application No. 201880024010.5.
Office Action issued Sep. 29, 2021 in Chinese Application No. 201880024276.X.
Office Action issued Sep. 29, 2021 in Chinese Application No. 201880024311.8.
Office Action issued Nov. 25, 2021 in Chinese Application No. 201880047174.X.
Office Action issued Dec. 1, 2021 in Chinese Application No. 201880046367.3.
Office Action dated Jul. 27, 2021 in Chinese Patent Application No. 201780084891.5.
Office Action dated Aug. 16, 2021 in Chinese Patent Application No. 201880024006.9.
Office Action dated Aug. 26, 2021 in Chinese Patent Application No. 201880024107.6.
Office Action dated Aug. 4, 2021 in Chinese Patent Application No. 201880024289.7.
Office Action dated Jul. 26, 2021 in Chinese Patent Application No. 201880024059.0.
Office Action dated Jul. 16, 2021 in Chinese Patent Application No. 201880024367.3.
Office Action dated Jul. 19, 2021 Chinese Patent Application No. 201880024070.7.
Office Action dated Sep. 17, 2021 in Chinese Patent Application No. 201880030699.2.
Office Action dated Sep. 20, 2022 from the Japanese Patent Office in JP Application No. 2021-174035.
Office Action dated Oct. 24, 2022 from the Ukrainian Patent Office in UA Application No. a202004868.
Office Action dated Oct. 27, 2022 from the Ukrainian Patent Office in UA Application No. a202004869.
Office Action dated Nov. 2, 2022 from the China National Intellectual Property Administration in CN Application No. 201880050526.7.
Office Action dated Nov. 22, 2022 from the China National Intellectual Property Administration in CN Application No. 202010762996.5.
Office Action dated Jan. 10, 2023, issued in Chinese Application No. 202010760990.4.
Office Action dated Jan. 3, 2023, issued in Chinese Application No. 202010760979.8.
Office Action dated Jan. 28, 2023, issued in Chinese Application No. 202010763214.X.
Office Action dated Jan. 10, 2023, issued in Japanese Application No. 2021-177649.
Office Action dated Dec. 30, 2022, issued in Chinese Application No. 202010756239.7.
Office Action dated Dec. 13, 2022, issued in Japanese Application No. 2021-165298.
Office Action dated Jun. 28, 2022, issued in Japanese Application No. 2021-075028.
Office Action dated May 29, 2022, issued in Philippines Application No. 1/2019/501361.
Office Action dated May 30, 2022, issued in Canadian Application No. 3,080,145.
Office Action dated Aug. 12, 2022, issued in Chinese Application No. 201880024059.0.
Communication dated Mar. 14, 2022 from the Chinese Patent Office in Chinese Application No. 201880024059.0.
Communication dated Feb. 28, 2022 from the Chinese Patent Office in Chinese Application No. 201880050526.7.
Office Action issued Jun. 1, 2023 in Korean Application No. 10-2022-0148790.
Office Action issued Jul. 12, 2023 in Ukrainian Application No. a 2021 04884.
Office Action issued May 9, 2023 in Japanese Application No. 2022-086448.
Communication issued Jul. 10, 2023 in European Application No. 18 785 166.2.
Office Action issued Jul. 31, 2023 in Chinese Application No. 201880050526.7.
Office Action issued Apr. 12, 2024 in Chinese Application No. 201721768740.5.
Office Action issued Feb. 2, 2024 in Chinese Application No. 202010760990.4.
Office Action issued Apr. 23, 2024 in Japanese Application No. 2023-021861.
Office Action issued Mar. 18, 2024 in Ukrainian Application No. a 2021 05048.
Office Action issued Apr. 23, 2024 in Japanese Application No. 2023-006805.
European Office Action issued Dec. 6, 2023 in Application No. 20188985.4.
Ukrainian Office Action issued Dec. 21, 2023 in Application No. a202105048.
European Office Action issued Nov. 3, 2023 in Application No. 18775504.6.
Chinese Office Action issued Dec. 27, 2023 in Application No. 202010763214.X.
Notice of Acceptance of Invalidation Request issued Nov. 3, 2022 in Chinese Application No. 201880024276.X.
Decision to Refuse issued Dec. 1, 2023 in Chinese Application No. 201880050526.7.
Notice of Acceptance of Invalidation Request issued Jan. 30, 2024 in Chinese Application No. 201721768336.8.
Chinese Office Action issued Jan. 30, 2024 in Application No. 201721768739.2.
Chinese Office Action dated Jul. 23, 2024 in Application No. 202211609705.4.
Communication dated May 21, 2024 in European Application No. 17 880 867.1.
Filipino Office Action dated Jun. 20, 2024 in Application No. 1/2020/551224.
Filipino Office Action dated Jul. 17, 2024 in Application No. 1/2019/502406.
Communication issued Oct. 22, 2024 in Japanese Application No. 2023-021861.
Communication of a notice of opposition issued in the European Patent Office on Jan. 9, 2025 in corresponding EP Patent Application No. 18805933.1.
First Office Action issued in the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China on Jan. 23, 2025 in corresponding CN Patent Application No. 202210724458.6, English Translation.
First Office Action issued in the China National Intellectual Property Administration on Mar. 21, 2025 in corresponding CN Patent Application No. 202211563176.9, English Translation.
Decision of Refusal issued in the Japanese Patent Office on Mar. 25, 2025 in corresponding JP Patent Application No. 2023-021861, English Translation.

Related Publications (1)

	Number	Date	Country
	20200154772 A1	May 2020	US

Aerosol generation system of preheating heater

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Term Extension

Abstract