Patent Application
20250160385
The following description relates to a system for manufacturing an aerosol generating medium, a method of manufacturing an aerosol generating article, an aerosol generating article, and an aerosol generating system.
Recently, demands for alternative articles to overcome disadvantages of general cigarettes have increased. For example, there is an increasing demand for a device (e.g., a cigarette-type electronic cigarette) that generates an aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette stick. Accordingly, research on an electrically heated aerosol generating device and a cigarette stick (or an aerosol generating article) applied thereto is being actively conducted. For example, KR Patent Application Publication No. 10-2017-0132823 discloses a non-combustion-type flavor inhaler, a flavor inhalation component source unit, and an atomizing unit.
Embodiments provide a system for manufacturing an aerosol generating medium, which may manufacture an aerosol generating medium from low-cost raw materials, an aerosol generating article manufactured through this, and an aerosol generating system.
Embodiments provide a system for manufacturing an aerosol generating medium, which may improve an aerosol generating medium within a relatively short time, an aerosol generating article manufactured through this, and an aerosol generating system.
Embodiments provide an aerosol generating system that does not heat an aerosol generating article.
According to various embodiments, a system for manufacturing an aerosol generating medium includes a chamber configured to form a manufacturing space, a medium raw material portion disposed in the manufacturing space, a heater configured to heat the medium raw material portion to release a transfer material from the medium raw material portion, a circulator configured to circulate the transfer material, and a transfer portion transferred to the transfer material.
The chamber may be configured to seal the manufacturing space so that the transfer material is not released to an outside of the manufacturing space.
The system may further include a storage having a storage space for storing the transfer portion.
One surface of the storage may be open so that the storage space communicates with the manufacturing space.
The storage may include a plastic material.
The medium raw material portion may be pH treated.
The heater may heat the medium raw material portion to a temperature greater than or equal to 40 degrees and less than or equal to 50 degrees, and the transfer material may be free nicotine.
The medium raw material portion may include at least one component of calcium carbonate (K2CO3), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), or calcium oxide (CaO).
The transfer portion may include an acetate component.
The transfer portion may include a lyocell component.
According to various embodiments, a method of manufacturing an aerosol generating article includes providing a medium raw material portion to a chamber forming a manufacturing space, heating the medium raw material portion to release a transfer material from the medium raw material portion, circulating the transfer material, transferring the transfer material to a transfer portion, and processing the transfer portion.
The processing may include cutting the transfer portion transferred by the transfer material.
The processing may further include coupling a flavored filter to the cut transfer portion.
According to various embodiments, an aerosol generating article may be manufactured according to the method of manufacturing an aerosol generating article described above.
According to various embodiments, an aerosol generating system may include the aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device may generate an aerosol from a liquid composition and may include a vaporizer configured to release the generated aerosol towards the aerosol generating article.
According to an embodiment, a system for manufacturing an aerosol generating medium may simplify the manufacturing of an aerosol generating article.
According to an embodiment, a system for manufacturing an aerosol generating medium may reduce the manufacturing cost of an aerosol generating article.
According to an embodiment, a system for manufacturing an aerosol generating medium may stably manage the quality of an aerosol generating article.
According to an embodiment, an aerosol generating system may ensure safety.
According to an embodiment, the effects of a system for manufacturing an aerosol-generating medium, a method manufacturing an aerosol-generating article, an aerosol-generating article, and an aerosol-generating medium system are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other unmentioned effects can be clearly understood from the following description by one of ordinary skill in the art.
The accompanying drawings illustrate desired embodiments of the present disclosure and are provided together with the detailed description for better understanding of the technical idea of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth in the drawings.
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, various alterations and modifications may be made to the embodiments. Here, the embodiments are not meant to be limited by the descriptions of the present disclosure. The embodiments should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and replacements within the idea and the technical scope of the disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises/comprising” and/or “includes/including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, are to be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and are not to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
When describing the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to like components and a repeated description related thereto will be omitted. In the description of example embodiments, detailed description of well-known related structures or functions will be omitted when it is deemed that such description will cause ambiguous interpretation of the present disclosure.
Also, in the description of the components, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein when describing components of the present disclosure. These terms are used only for the purpose of discriminating one constituent element from another constituent element, and the nature, the sequences, or the orders of the constituent elements are not limited by the terms. When one constituent element is described as being “connected”, “coupled”, or “attached” to another constituent element, it should be understood that one constituent element can be connected or attached directly to another constituent element, and an intervening constituent element can also be “connected”, “coupled”, or “attached” to the constituent elements.
The same name may be used to describe an element included in the example embodiments described above and an element having a common function. Unless otherwise mentioned, the descriptions of the examples may be applicable to the following examples and thus, duplicated descriptions will be omitted for conciseness.
Referring to
In an embodiment, the chamber 11 may form a manufacturing space 111 to manufacture the aerosol generating article 31. The medium raw material portion 12, the heater 13, the circulator 14, the transfer portion 15, and the storage 16 may be disposed in the manufacturing space 111. In an embodiment, the chamber 11 may seal the manufacturing space 111 so that a transfer material to be described below is not released to the outside of the manufacturing space 111. For example, an openable cover may be formed on one side of the chamber 11. In this structure, in a process of transferring a transfer material to the transfer portion 15, the cover may be closed so that the manufacturing space 111 may be sealed, and when the transfer is finished, the cover may be opened and the transfer portion 15 may be taken out of the manufacturing space 111.
In an embodiment, the medium raw material portion 12 may be disposed in the manufacturing space 111. In an embodiment, a transfer material may be released from the medium raw material portion 12 as the medium raw material portion 12 is heated.
In an embodiment, the medium raw material portion 12 may include a material containing nicotine. For example, the medium raw material portion 12 may include at least one of reconstituted tobacco sheets, wet granules, and leaf tobacco. However, this is an example, and the material of the medium raw material portion 12 is not limited thereto. For example, the medium raw material portion 12 may include by-products such as fine powder or leaf powder. In such an embodiment, a transfer material released from the medium raw material portion 12 may be free nicotine.
In an embodiment, the medium raw material portion 12 may be chemically treated. For example, the medium raw material portion 12 may be pH treated to have basicity. For example, the medium raw material portion 12 may be treated to include at least one component of calcium carbonate (K2CO3), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), or calcium oxide (CaO). Accordingly, a large amount of free nicotine may be released even when the medium raw material portion 12 is heated to a relatively low temperature. However, this is an example, and the chemical treatment method of the medium raw material portion 12 is not limited thereto. The chemical treatment method may be changed by considering the temperature to which the medium raw material portion 12 is heated, the target release amount of free nicotine, and the like.
In an embodiment, the heater 13 may heat the medium raw material portion 12 to release a transfer material from the medium raw material portion 12. For example, free nicotine may be released from the medium raw material portion 12 as the heater 13 heats the medium raw material portion 12. For example, the heater 13 may heat the medium raw material portion 12 to a temperature greater than or equal to 40 degrees and less than or equal to 50 degrees. However, this is an example, and the temperature to which the heater 13 heats the medium raw material portion 12 is not limited thereto.
For example, the heater 13 may be disposed under the medium raw material portion 12. In this structure, in a process in which free nicotine released from the medium raw material portion 12 moves upwardly of the manufacturing space 111, the movement of free nicotine may not be interrupted. However, this is an example, and when the heater 13 heats the medium raw material portion 12, the disposition of the heater 13 is not limited thereto. For example, the heater 13 may heat the medium raw material portion 12 disposed in the manufacturing space 111 outside the chamber 11.
In an embodiment, the circulator 14 may circulate a transfer material. For example, the circulator 14 may circulate free nicotine in the manufacturing space 111 so that the free nicotine is efficiently transferred to the transfer portion 15. For example, the circulator 14 may include a fan and a transfer material may be circulated through the rotation of the fan. However, this is an example, and the method in which the circulator 14 circulates a transfer material is not limited thereto.
For example, the circulator 14 may be disposed above the transfer portion 15. Accordingly, free nicotine that is released from the medium raw material portion 12, passing through the transfer portion 15, and moved upwardly of the manufacturing space 111 may be moved in the lower direction of the manufacturing space 111 to face the transfer portion 15 again. In another example, the circulator 14 may be disposed in plurality with the transfer portion 15 interposed therebetween. In this structure, the circulator 14 disposed under the transfer portion 15 may move free nicotine in the upper direction of the manufacturing space 111 to face the transfer portion 15. In addition, the circulator 14 disposed above the transfer portion 15 may move free nicotine in the lower direction of the manufacturing space 111 to face the transfer portion 15.
In an embodiment, the transfer portion 15 may be transferred to a transfer material. For example, free nicotine released from the medium raw material portion 12 may be transferred to the transfer portion 15 in a process of being circulated by the circulator 14. For example, the transfer portion 15 may include an acetate component. However, this is an example, and the component of the transfer portion 15 is not limited thereto. For example, the transfer portion 15 may include a lyocell component having high biodegradability. Due to this, the aerosol generating article 31 may be manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner.
For example, the transfer portion 15 may be disposed above the medium raw material portion 12. In this structure, free nicotine released from the medium raw material portion 12 may move upwardly of the medium raw material portion 12 and transfer the transfer portion 15. However, this is an example, and when the transfer portion 15 is efficiently transferred to a transfer material, the disposition of the transfer portion 15 is not limited thereto.
In an embodiment, the storage 16 may form a storage space 161 to store the transfer portion 15. In this structure, the transfer portion 15 may be disposed in the manufacturing space 111 in a state of being stored in the storage 16. For example, the storage 16 may include a plastic material. Accordingly, a phenomenon in which nicotine is re-released from the transfer portion 15 that is transferred to free nicotine may be reduced.
In an embodiment, one side of the storage 16 may be open so that the storage space 161 communicates with the manufacturing space 111. For example, the upper surface of the storage 16 may be open. For example, a plurality of perforations may be formed in the lower surface of the storage 16. In this structure, free nicotine circulated in the manufacturing space 111 may contact the transfer portion 15. However, this is an example, and when the storage 16 does not prevent the transfer portion 15 from transferring from nicotine, the structure of the storage 16 is not limited thereto.
In an embodiment, the heater 13 may heat the medium raw material portion 12 to a temperature greater than or equal to 40 degrees and less than or equal to 50 degrees. When free nicotine is released from the medium raw material portion 12, the released free nicotine may be circulated in the manufacturing space 111 by the circulator 14. The free nicotine may transfer the transfer portion 15 due to contact with the transfer portion 15 while circulating in the manufacturing space 111. For example, the transfer portion 15 may be exposed to free nicotine for a period greater than or equal to 2 days and less than or equal to 3 days.
When a transfer material (e.g., free nicotine) is sufficiently transferred to the transfer portion 15, the transfer portion 15 may be taken out of the chamber 11. The transfer portion 15 may be manufactured as the aerosol generating article 31 through additional processing. Detailed descriptions of the processing are described below.
Referring to
In describing the method 2 of manufacturing an aerosol generating article with reference to
In an embodiment, operation 21 of providing the medium raw material portion may be providing a medium raw material portion (e.g., the medium raw material portion 12 of
In an embodiment, operation 22 of heating may be heating the medium raw material portion 12 to release a transfer material from the medium raw material portion 12. For example, the transfer material may be free nicotine. For example, operation 22 of heating may be heating the medium raw material portion 12 to a temperature greater than or equal to 40 degrees and less than or equal to 50 degrees.
In an embodiment, operation 23 of circulating may be circulating a transfer material. The transfer material circulated in operation 23 of circulating may transfer a transfer portion.
In an embodiment, operation of 24 transferring may be transferring a transfer material to the transfer portion. For example, the transfer portion may include an acetate component. For example, the transfer portion may include a lyocell component.
In an embodiment, operation 25 of processing may be processing the transfer portion. In an embodiment, operation 25 of processing may include operation 251 of cutting and operation 252 of filter-coupling.
In an embodiment, operation 251 of cutting may be cutting the transfer portion transferred by a transfer material. Operation 251 of cutting may be cutting the transfer portion transferred by free nicotine to satisfy to a designated shape.
In an embodiment, operation 252 of filter-coupling may be coupling a filter to the cut transfer portion and the filter may be a flavored filter. For example, operation 252 of filter-coupling may be coupling a filter onto which flavoring liquid is sprayed. For example, operation 252 of filter-coupling may be inserting a separate fiber applied with the flavoring liquid into the filter. In addition, operation 252 of filter-coupling may be inserting at least one capsule into the filter. Here, the capsule may generate flavor. For example, the capsule may have a structure in which liquid containing fragrance is coated with a film. The capsule may have a spherical or cylindrical shape but is not limited thereto.
In another example, operation 252 of filter-coupling may be omitted from the method 2 of manufacturing an aerosol generating article. For example, after operation 251 of cutting, the cut transfer portion may be vacuum-packed in an aluminum bag in the form of a cigarette filter (e.g., a filter tip) without undergoing operation 252 of filter-coupling. Here, the cut transfer portion may be applied to an aerosol generating device (e.g., an aerosol generating device 32 of
In this structure, the aerosol generating article 31 may not finally include the medium raw material portion 12. Accordingly, according to an embodiment, the quality of the aerosol generating article 31 may be stable and the manufacturing method may be simplified. In addition, since the medium raw material portion 12 only releases a transfer material, the medium raw material portion 12 may be formed of a low-cost material. For example, the medium raw material portion 12 may be formed of by-products or cheap tobacco leaves that release free nicotine.
Referring to
In describing the aerosol generating system 3 with reference to
In an embodiment, the aerosol generating article 31 may include the medium segment 311, a filter segment 312, and a wrapper 313.
In an embodiment, the medium segment 311 may be the cut transfer portion 15 in operation 251 of cutting described with reference to
In another example, the filter segment 312 may be omitted from the aerosol generating article 31. For example, only the medium segment 311 may be vacuum-packed in an aluminum bag in the form of a cigarette filter (e.g., a filter tip). Here, the medium segment 311 in which the filter segment 312 is omitted may be applied to an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 32 of
In an embodiment, the wrapper 313 may wrap the medium segment 311 and the filter segment 312. In an embodiment, the wrapper 313 may have at least one hole through which external air flows into or internal gas flows out. In an embodiment, the wrapper 313 may be formed with polylactic acid (PLA) laminated paper. Here, the PLA laminated paper may refer to three-ply paper including a paper layer, a PLA layer, and a paper layer. For example, the thickness of the wrapper 313 may be in a range of 100 micrometers (μm) to 120 μm. In addition, the basis weight of the wrapper 313 may be in a range of 80 g/m2 to 100 g/m2.
Referring to
In the aerosol generating device 32 shown in
In an embodiment, the battery 321 may supply power to be used to operate the aerosol generating device 32. The battery 321 may supply power required to operate a display, a sensor, a motor, and the like installed in the aerosol generating device 32.
In an embodiment, the battery 321 may be a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery 321 but is not limited to the example described above. For example, the battery 321 may correspond to a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery 321, a lithium titanate battery 321, a lithium-ion battery 321, and the like.
For example, the battery 321 may have a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 10 millimeters (mm) and a length of 37 mm but is not limited thereto. For example, the capacity of the battery 321 may be in a range of 120 milliampere hours (mAh) to 250 mAh but is not limited thereto. In addition, the battery 321 may be a rechargeable battery 321 or a disposable battery 321. For example, when the battery 321 is rechargeable, the charge rate (C-rate) of the battery 321 may be 10C and the discharge rate (C-rate) may be 10C to 20C but are not limited thereto. In addition, for static use, the battery 321 may be manufactured such that 80% or more of the total capacity is secured even when charging/discharging proceeds to 2000 times.
In an embodiment, the controller 322 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 32. Specifically, the controller 322 may control operations of other components in the aerosol generating device 32, in addition to the battery 321 and the vaporizer 323. In addition, the controller 322 may determine a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 32 and determine whether the aerosol generating device 32 is in an operable state.
In an embodiment, the controller 322 may include at least one processor. The 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 328 in which a program executable by the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains that the processor may be implemented in other types of hardware.
In an embodiment, the vaporizer 323 may generate an aerosol and may release the generated aerosol towards the inserted aerosol generating article 31 so that the generated aerosol passes through the aerosol generating article 31 inserted into the elongated cavity 324. Accordingly, tobacco flavor may be added to the aerosol passing through the aerosol generating article 31, and a user may inhale the aerosol flavored with tobacco by inhaling one end of the aerosol generating article 31 with their mouth. According to an embodiment, the vaporizer 323 may be referred to as a cartomizer or atomizer. According to an embodiment, the vaporizer 323 may be coupled to the aerosol generating device 32 in a replaceable manner.
In an embodiment, the elongated cavity 324 may include the aerosol generating article 31.
The aerosol generating device 32 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 321, the controller 322, the vaporizer 323, and the elongated cavity 324. For example, the aerosol generating device 32 may include a sensing unit 325, an output unit 326, a user input unit 327, the memory 328, and a communication unit 329.
The sensing unit 325 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 32 or a state around the aerosol generating device 32 and transmit sensed information to the controller 322. Based on the sensed information, the controller 322 may control the aerosol generating device 32 to perform various functions such as restrictions on smoking, determining whether the aerosol generating article 31 (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, etc.) is inserted, and displaying notifications.
The sensing unit 325 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 3251, an insertion detection sensor 3252, or a puff sensor 3253 but is not limited thereto.
The temperature sensor 3251 may measure the temperature of the aerosol generating article 31. The temperature sensor 3251 may be disposed around the battery 321 to monitor the temperature of the battery 321.
The insertion detection sensor 3252 may sense whether the aerosol generating article 31 is inserted and/or removed. For example, the insertion detection sensor 3252 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor and may sense a signal change by the insertion and/or removal of the aerosol generating article 31.
The puff sensor 3253 may sense a puff from the user based on various physical changes of an airflow path 3234 or an airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 3253 may sense the puff from the user based on one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.
The sensing unit 325 may further include at least one of a temperature/humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, or a red, green, blue (RGB) sensor (an illuminance sensor), in addition to the sensors described above. A function of each sensor may be intuitively inferable from its name by one of ordinary skill in the art, and thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted herein.
The output unit 326 may output information about a state of the aerosol generating device 32 and provide the information to the user. The output unit 326 may include at least one of a display 3261, a haptic portion 3262, or a sound output portion 3263 but is not limited thereto. When the display 3261 and a touchpad are layered to form a touch screen, the display 3261 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.
The display 3261 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 32 to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 32 may refer to a variety of information such as a charging/discharging state of the battery 321 of the aerosol generating device 32, an insertion/removal state of the aerosol generating article 31, or a state (e.g., an abnormal article sensed) in which use of the aerosol generating device 32 is limited. and the display 3261 may externally output the information. The display 3261 may be, for example, a liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel, an organic light-emitting display (OLED) panel, and the like. In addition, the display 3261 may be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) element.
The haptic portion 3262 may tactually provide information about the aerosol generating device 32 to the user by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. For example, the haptic portion 3262 may include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.
The sound output portion 3263 may audibly provide the information about the aerosol generating device 32 to the user. For example, the sound output portion 3263 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and externally output the sound signal.
The user input unit 327 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 327 may include a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (a contact capacitive type, a pressure resistive film type, an infrared sensing type, a surface ultrasonic conduction type, an integral tension measurement type, a piezo effect method, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like but is not limited thereto. In addition, although not shown in
The memory 328, which is hardware for storing various pieces of data processed by the aerosol generating device 32, may store data processed by the controller 322 and data to be processed thereby. The memory 328 may include at least one type of storage medium of a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., an SD or XD memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. The memory 328 may store data about the operating time of the aerosol generating device 32, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and a smoking pattern of the user.
The communication unit 329 may include at least one component to communicate with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 329 may include a short-range communication unit 3291 and a wireless communication unit 3292.
The short-range communication unit 3291 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field wireless communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a ZigBee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, and the like but is not limited thereto.
The wireless communication unit 3292 may include a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or a wide-area network (WAN)) communication unit, and the like but is not limited thereto. The wireless communication unit 3292 may identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 32 in a communication network using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)).
In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 32 may include at least one input device (e.g., a button) in which a function of the aerosol generating device 32 is controlled by the user and/or a terminal coupled with a cradle. For example, the user may execute various functions using the input device of the aerosol generating device 32. By adjusting the number of times (e.g., once, twice, etc.) the user presses the input device or the time (e.g., 0.1 second, 0.2 second, etc.,) the user presses the input device, the desired function may be executed among a plurality of functions of the aerosol generating device 32. As the user operates the input device, a function of cleaning a space into which the aerosol generating article 31 is inserted, a function of determining whether the aerosol generating device 32 is in an operable state, a function of displaying the remaining amount (the available power) of the battery 321, a reset function of the aerosol generating device 32, and the like may be performed. However, the function of the aerosol generating device 32 is not limited to the examples described above.
In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 32 may include a puff detection sensor, a temperature detection sensor, and/or an insertion detection sensor 3252 of the aerosol generating article 31. In addition, the aerosol generating device 32 may be manufactured to have a structure in which external air may flow into/out even when the aerosol generating product 31 is inserted.
According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 32 may include the vaporizer 323 and the elongated cavity 324 disposed in series, as shown in
Referring to
In an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 32 may not include a separate heater that heats the aerosol generating article 31. Since the medium segment 311 includes a transfer portion transferred to a transfer material, even when the aerosol generating article 31 is not heated, the transfer material may be inhaled by the user only by passing the aerosol. For example, as the aerosol passes through the medium segment 311, free nicotine may be released from the medium segment 311 and may be inhaled by the user.
Referring to
In an embodiment, the liquid storage 3231 may store a liquid composition in which an aerosol may be generate when heated. According to an embodiment, the liquid composition may be liquid containing a tobacco-containing material containing a volatile tobacco flavor component, and according to another embodiment, the liquid composition may be liquid containing a non-tobacco material. In addition, the liquid composition may store liquid in a capacity of 0.1 milliliters (mL) to 2.0 mL but is not limited thereto. In addition, the liquid storage 3231 may be exchangeably coupled in the vaporizer 323.
The liquid composition may include, for example, water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, fragrance, a flavoring agent, or a vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include, for example, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavor ingredients, and the like. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The flavoring agent may include ingredients that provide a user with a variety of flavors or scents. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, or vitamin E but is not limited thereto. The liquid composition may also include an aerosol former such as glycerin and propylene glycol.
In an embodiment, the liquid transfer means 3232 may transfer the liquid composition of the liquid storage 3231 to the heating element 3233. According to an embodiment, the liquid transfer means 3232 may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic and the liquid composition of the liquid storage 3231 may be transferred to the heating element 3233 using a capillary phenomenon.
In an embodiment, the heating element 3233 may be an element for heating the liquid composition transferred by the liquid transfer means 3232 and may be a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, and the like. In addition, the heating element 3233 may include a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire and may be disposed in a structure wound around the liquid transfer means 3232. The heating element 3233 may be heated as a current is supplied and may transfer the heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element 3233, and may heat the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol may be generated.
In an embodiment, the airflow path 3234 may be disposed such that the generated aerosol is released towards the inserted aerosol generating article 31. That is, the aerosol generated by the heating element 3233 may be released through the airflow path 3234.
In an embodiment, the controller 322 may control the temperature of the heating element 3233 by controlling a current supplied to the heating element 3233. Accordingly, the controller 322 may control the amount of aerosol generated from the liquid composition by controlling the current supplied to the heating element 3233. In addition, the controller 322 may control the supply of current to the heating element 3233 for a predetermined time when a puff of the user is sensed. For example, the controller 322 may control a current to be supplied to the heating element 3233 for 1 to 5 seconds from when a puff of the user is sensed.
In an embodiment, the controller 322 may control the amount of aerosol released from the vaporizer 323 by controlling an open/closed state of the airflow path 3234. Specifically, the controller 322 may increase the size of the air gap of the airflow path 3234 and increase the amount of aerosol released from the vaporizer 323, and may decrease the size of the air gap of the airflow path 3234 and may decrease the amount of aerosol released from the vaporizer 323. For example, the controller 322 may control the air gap of the airflow path 3234 using a dial method.
In an embodiment, when the amount of the liquid composition in the liquid storage 3231 is less than a predetermined amount, the controller 322 may notify the user of information that the liquid composition is insufficient through a vibration motor or a display.
The descriptions of the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and equivalents may be made thereto. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should be defined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims will be construed as being included in the scope of protection defined by the claims.
The features and aspects of any embodiment(s) described above may be combined with features and aspects of any other embodiment(s) without resulting in apparent technical conflicts.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2022-0076684 | Jun 2022 | KR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2023/002894 | 3/3/2023 | WO |
