U.S. patent application number 17/617988 was filed with the patent office on 2022-08-18 for aerosol-generating article including tobacco sheet and aerosol-generating system using the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to KT&G CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is KT&G CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Eun Mi JEOUNG, Sun Hwan JUNG, Sung Jong KI, Young Joong KIM, John Tae LEE, In Su PARK.
Application Number | 20220256914 17/617988 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220256914 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Young Joong ; et
al. |
August 18, 2022 |
AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE INCLUDING TOBACCO SHEET AND
AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEM USING THE SAME
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article
including a first portion including an aerosol-generating material;
a second portion including a tobacco material in a form of a
tobacco sheet; a third portion configured to cool airflow which has
passed through the first portion and the second portion; and a
fourth portion including a filter material, wherein the first
portion, the second portion, the third portion, and the fourth
portion are sequentially arranged in a length direction of the
aerosol-generating article.
Inventors: |
KIM; Young Joong; (Daejeon,
KR) ; KI; Sung Jong; (Daejeon, KR) ; PARK; In
Su; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE; John Tae; (Daejeon,
KR) ; JUNG; Sun Hwan; (Daejeon, KR) ; JEOUNG;
Eun Mi; (Daejeon, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KT&G CORPORATION |
Daejeon |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
KT&G CORPORATION
Daejeon
KR
|
Appl. No.: |
17/617988 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
December 7, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2020/017752 |
371 Date: |
December 10, 2021 |
International
Class: |
A24D 1/20 20060101
A24D001/20; A24B 3/14 20060101 A24B003/14; A24D 3/17 20060101
A24D003/17; A24F 40/20 20060101 A24F040/20; A24B 15/12 20060101
A24B015/12; A24B 15/167 20060101 A24B015/167 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 10, 2019 |
KR |
10-2019-0164150 |
Claims
1. An aerosol-generating article comprising: a first portion
including an aerosol-generating material; a second portion
including a tobacco material in a form of a tobacco sheet; a third
portion configured to cool airflow which has passed through the
first portion and the second portion; and a fourth portion
including a filter material, wherein the first portion, the second
portion, the third portion, and the fourth portion are sequentially
arranged in a length direction of the aerosol-generating
article.
2. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the tobacco
sheet has a rectangular shape, and a ratio of a vertical length to
a horizontal length of the tobacco sheet is 10:1 to 30:1.
3. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the tobacco
sheet is corrugated or folded.
4. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the tobacco
sheet has a length of 180 mm or more in one direction.
5. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the second
portion includes a plurality of tobacco sheets.
6. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the tobacco
sheet includes 75 to 85 parts by weight of tobacco leaves, 5 to 20
parts by weight of a moisturizer, 3 to 10 parts by weight of pulp,
and 3 to 10 parts by weight of a viscosity agent, based on a total
of 100 parts by weight.
7. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the
aerosol-generating article has an inhalation resistance of 20 to 60
mm H.sub.2O.
8. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein a cross
section taken perpendicular to the length direction has at least
one closed curve formed by the tobacco sheet.
9. An aerosol generating system comprising: the aerosol-generating
article of claim 1; and an aerosol-generating device configured to
heat at least one of the first portion and the second portion of
the aerosol-generating article.
10. The aerosol generating system of claim 9, wherein the second
portion includes a tobacco sheet in a folded form, and the
aerosol-generating device generates an aerosol by heating at least
part of the first portion and at least part of the second portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating
article including a tobacco sheet, and an aerosol-generating system
using the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Recently, the demand for alternatives to general aerosol
generating article has increased. For example, there is increasing
demand for an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol
by heating an aerosol generating material in aerosol generating
article, rather than by combusting an aerosol generating article.
Accordingly, studies on a heating-type aerosol generating article
or a heating-type aerosol generating device have been actively
conducted.
[0003] Reconstituted tobacco including tobacco leaves, fine tobacco
powder, leaf veins, stems, etc. may be used for a heated
aerosol-generating article. Conventionally, the reconstituted
tobacco in the form of strands or cut tobacco undergoes a cutting
process, so fiber bonds inside the reconstituted tobacco are
broken. Thus, heat is discontinuously transferred between the cut
tobacco pieces, resulting in heat loss.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Solution
[0004] The aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment
may solve the problems of the prior art described above.
[0005] However, the technical problem is not limited to the above,
and other technical problems may be inferred from the following
examples
Advantageous Effects
[0006] In the aerosol-generating article according to an
embodiment, since a second portion includes a tobacco sheet whose
length is continuously extended, heat transfer may be effectively
performed within the tobacco sheet. Accordingly, a user can feel an
excellent smoking feeling with respect to the aerosol-generating
article according to the present disclosure.
[0007] In addition, in the aerosol-generating article according to
the embodiment, since the second portion includes a tobacco
material in the form of a rolled sheet instead of cut tobacco
pieces, an airflow passage may be stably secured. As a result, the
aerosol-generating article may have a relatively low inhalation
resistance.
[0008] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to
those described above, and may include all effects that may be
inferred from the configuration described later.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a view in which an aerosol-generating article is
inserted into an aerosol-generating device according to an
embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a view in which an aerosol-generating article is
inserted into an aerosol-generating device according to another
embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a view in which an aerosol-generating article is
inserted into an aerosol-generating device according to another
embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing the configuration of
an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a view showing the configuration of a first
portion and a second portion of an aerosol-generating article
according to an embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a view showing a cross-section of a second portion
of an aerosol-generating article according to an embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating how heat is transferred
when a second portion of an aerosol-generating article includes cut
tobacco, according to an embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating how heat is transferred
when a second portion of an aerosol-generating article includes one
continuous tobacco sheet, according to an embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating air flow in an
aerosol-generating article including cut tobacco, according to an
embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating air flow in an
aerosol-generating article including one continuous sheet of
tobacco, according to an embodiment.
BEST MODE
[0019] A first aspect of the present disclosure may provide an
aerosol-generating article including: a first portion including an
aerosol-generating material; a second portion including a tobacco
material in a form of a tobacco sheet; a third portion configured
to cool airflow which has passed through the first portion and the
second portion; and a fourth portion including a filter material,
wherein the first portion, the second portion, the third portion,
and the fourth portion are sequentially arranged in a length
direction of the aerosol-generating article.
[0020] In embodiments, the tobacco sheet may have a rectangular
shape, and a ratio of a vertical length to a horizontal length of
the tobacco sheet may be 10:1 to 30:1.
[0021] In embodiments, the tobacco sheet may have a corrugated from
or may be folded one or more times.
[0022] In embodiments, the tobacco sheet may have a length of 180
mm or more in one direction.
[0023] In embodiments, the second portion may include a plurality
of tobacco sheets.
[0024] In embodiments, the tobacco sheet may include 75 to 85 parts
by weight of tobacco leaves, 5 to 20 parts by weight of a
moisturizer, 3 to 10 parts by weight of pulp, and 3 to 10 parts by
weight of a viscosity agent, based on a total of 100 parts by
weight.
[0025] In embodiments, the aerosol-generating article may have an
inhalation resistance of 20 to 60 mm H.sub.2O.
[0026] In embodiments, the cross section taken perpendicular to a
length direction of the second portion may have at least one closed
curve formed by the tobacco sheet,
[0027] A second aspect of the present disclosure may provide an
aerosol generating system including: the aerosol-generating article
according to the first aspect; and an aerosol-generating device
configured to heat at least one of the first portion and the second
portion of the aerosol-generating article.
[0028] In embodiments, the second portion may include one tobacco
sheet in a folded form, and the aerosol-generating device generates
an aerosol by heating at least part of the first portion and part
of the second portion.
[0029] The means for solving the problem is not limited to the
above, and may include all matters that may be inferred by a person
skilled in the art throughout the present specification.
MODE FOR INVENTION
[0030] With respect to the terms in the various embodiments, 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 can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence,
the appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in
certain cases, a term which is not commonly used can be selected.
In such a case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail
at the corresponding portion 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.
[0031] 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/or operation
and can be implemented by hardware components or software
components and combinations thereof.
[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so
that those of ordinary skill in the art may easily implement the
embodiments. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in
various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments
described herein.
[0033] Throughout the specification, "A and/or B" means at least
one of A and B.
[0034] As used herein, expressions such as "at least one of," when
preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements
and do not modify the individual elements of the list. For example,
the expression, "at least one of a, b, and c," should be understood
as including only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c,
both b and c, or all of a, b, and c.
[0035] It will be understood that when an element or layer is
referred to as being "over," "above," "on," "connected to" or
"coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly over,
above, on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or
intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an
element is referred to as being "directly over," "directly above,"
"directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to"
another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or
layers present. Like numerals refer to like elements
throughout.
[0036] Throughout the specification, "on" means that a member is
placed on one surface of another member, and includes all cases
where a member is placed in contact with or without contact with
another member.
[0037] Throughout the specification, "a length direction of an
aerosol-generating article" means a direction in which the aerosol
generated inside the aerosol-generating article moves or a
direction in which the aerosol-generating article is inserted into
a device.
[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0039] FIGS. 1 through 3 are diagrams showing examples in which an
aerosol generating article 20000 is inserted into an aerosol
generating device 10000.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 10000 may
include a battery 11000, a controller 12000, and a heater 13000.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the aerosol generating device 10000 may
further include a vaporizer 14000. Also, the aerosol generating
article 20000 may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol
generating device 10000.
[0041] FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate some components of the aerosol
generating device 10000, which are related to the embodiments.
Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art that other components may be further included in the aerosol
generating device 10000, in addition to the components illustrated
in FIGS. 1 through 3.
[0042] Also, FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate that the aerosol
generating device 10000 includes the heater 13000. However, the
heater 13000 may be omitted according to embodiments.
[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates that the battery 11000, the controller
12000, and the heater 130000 are arranged in series. Also, FIG. 2
illustrates that the battery 11000, the controller 12000, the
vaporizer 14000, and the heater 13000 are arranged in series. Also,
FIG. 3 illustrates that the vaporizer 14000 and the heater 13000
are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the
aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to the structures
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. In other words, according to the
design of the aerosol generating device 10000, the battery 11000,
the controller 12000, the heater 13000, and the vaporizer 14000 may
be differently arranged.
[0044] When the aerosol generating article 20000 is inserted into
the aerosol generating device 10000, the aerosol generating device
10000 may operate the heater 13000 and/or the vaporizer 14000 to
generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating article 20000
and/or the vaporizer 14000. The aerosol generated by the heater
13000 and/or the vaporizer 14000 is delivered to a user by passing
through the aerosol generating article 20000.
[0045] As necessary, even when the aerosol generating article 20000
is not inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, the
aerosol generating device 10000 may heat the heater 13000.
[0046] The battery 11000 may supply power to be used for the
aerosol generating device 10000 to operate. For example, the
battery 11000 may supply power to heat the heater 13000 or the
vaporizer 14000, and may supply power for operating the controller
12000. Also, the battery 11000 may supply power for operations of a
display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol generating
device 10000.
[0047] The controller 12000 may generally control operations of the
aerosol generating device 10000. In detail, the controller 12000
may control not only operations of the battery 11000, the heater
13000, and the vaporizer 14000, but also operations of other
components included in the aerosol generating device 10000. Also,
the controller 12000 may check a state of each of the components of
the aerosol generating device 10000 to determine whether or not the
aerosol generating device 10000 is able to operate.
[0048] The controller 12000 may include at least one processor. A
processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic
gates or can 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 processor can be implemented in other
forms of hardware.
[0049] The heater 13000 may be heated by the power supplied from
the battery 11000. For example, when the aerosol generating article
20000 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, the
heater 13000 may be located outside the aerosol generating article
20000. Thus, the heated heater 13000 may increase a temperature of
an aerosol generating material in the cigarette 20000.
[0050] The heater 13000 may include an electro-resistive heater.
For example, the heater 13000 may include an electrically
conductive track, and the heater 13000 may be heated when currents
flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater
13000 is not limited to the example described above and may include
all heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the
desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device
10000 or may be set as a temperature desired by a user.
[0051] As another example, the heater 13000 may include an
induction heater. In detail, the heater 13000 may include an
electrically conductive coil for heating aerosol generating article
in an induction heating method, and the aerosol generating article
may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction
heater.
[0052] For example, the heater 13000 may include a tube-type
heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type
heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the
inside or the outside of the aerosol generating article 20000,
according to the shape of the heating element.
[0053] Also, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a
plurality of heaters 13000. Here, the plurality of heaters 13000
may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 20000 or may be
arranged outside the aerosol generating article 20000. Also, some
of the plurality of heaters 13000 may be inserted into the aerosol
generating article 20000 and the others may be arranged outside the
aerosol generating article 20000. In addition, the shape of the
heater 13000 is not limited to the shapes illustrated in FIGS. 1
through 3 and may include various shapes.
[0054] The vaporizer 14000 may generate an aerosol by heating a
liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the
aerosol generating article 20000 to be delivered to a user. In
other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer 14000 may move
along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device 10000
and the air flow passage may be configured such that the aerosol
generated via the vaporizer 14000 passes through the cigarette
20000 to be delivered to the user.
[0055] For example, the vaporizer 14000 may include a liquid
storage, a liquid delivery element, and a heating element, but it
is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage, the liquid
delivery element, and the heating element may be included in the
aerosol generating device 10000 as independent modules.
[0056] The liquid storage may store a liquid composition. For
example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a
tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor
component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid
storage may be formed to be attached/detached to/from the vaporizer
14000 or may be formed integrally with the vaporizer 14000.
[0057] For example, the liquid composition may include water, a
solvent, ethanol, plant extract, spices, flavorings, or a vitamin
mixture. The spices may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil,
and various fruit-flavored ingredients, but are not limited
thereto. The flavorings may include ingredients capable of
providing various flavors or tastes to a user. Vitamin mixtures may
be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C,
and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the liquid
composition may include an aerosol forming substance, such as
glycerin and propylene glycol.
[0058] The liquid delivery element may deliver the liquid
composition of the liquid storage to the heating element. For
example, the liquid delivery element may be a wick such as cotton
fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not
limited thereto.
[0059] The heating element is an element for heating the liquid
composition delivered by the liquid delivery element. For example,
the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate,
a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In
addition, the heating element may include a conductive filament
such as nichrome wire and may be positioned as being wound around
the liquid delivery element. The heating element may be heated by a
current supply and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in
contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid
composition. As a result, aerosol may be generated.
[0060] For example, the vaporizer 14000 may be referred to as a
cartomizer or an atomizer, but it is not limited thereto.
[0061] The aerosol generating device 10000 may further include
general-purpose components in addition to the battery 11000, the
controller 12000, the heater 13000, and the vaporizer 14000. For
example, the aerosol generating device 10000 may include a display
capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for
outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device
10000 may include at least one sensor (e.g., a puff detecting
sensor, a temperature detecting sensor, a cigarette insertion
detecting sensor, etc.). Also, the aerosol generating device 10000
may be formed as a structure where, even when the cigarette 20000
is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, external air
may be introduced or internal air may be discharged.
[0062] Although not illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the aerosol
generating device 10000 and an additional cradle may form together
a system. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery
11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000. Alternatively, the
heater 13000 may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol
generating device 10000 are coupled to each other.
[0063] As an example, the external air may be introduced through at
least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device
10000. For example, opening and closing of the air passage formed
in the aerosol generating device 10000 and/or the size of the air
passage may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount and
quality of smoke (e.g., aerosols) may be adjusted by the user. As
another example, the external air may be introduced into the
aerosol-generating article 20000 through at least one hole formed
on the surface of the aerosol-generating article 20000.
[0064] FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing the configuration of
an aerosol-generating article 20000 according to an embodiment.
[0065] According to an embodiment, the aerosol-generating article
20000 may include a first portion 21000, a second portion 22000, a
third portion 23000, and a fourth portion 24000, which are serially
arranged in the length direction of the aerosol-generating article
20000. As an example, the first portion 21000 may include an
aerosol-generating material, and the second portion 22000 may
include a tobacco material. The third portion 23000 may cool
airflow that has passed through the first portion 21000 and the
second portion 22000, and the fourth portion 24000 may include a
filter material.
[0066] In an embodiment, the first portion 21000, the second
portion 22000, the third portion 23000, and the fourth portion
24000 may be arranged sequentially in the length direction of the
aerosol-generating article 20000. Accordingly, the aerosol
generated in at least one of the first portion 21000 and the second
portion 22000 may form airflow passing through the first portion
21000, the second portion 22000, the third portion 23000, and the
fourth portion 24000 sequentially. Accordingly, the user may inhale
the aerosol from the fourth portion 24000.
[0067] In an embodiment, the first portion 21000 may have a length
of about 8 to about 12 mm, and the second portion 22000 may have a
length of about 12 to about 14 mm. However, embodiments are not
necessarily limited thereto, and the length of the first portion
21000 and the second portion 22000 may be appropriately adjusted
within a range that may be easily changed by a person skilled in
the art.
[0068] In detail, the first portion 21000 may include an
aerosol-generating material. Here, examples of the
aerosol-generating material may include, but are not limited to,
glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol,
diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and
oleyl alcohol.
[0069] The second portion 22000 may include a tobacco material. In
the case of a general combustion type cigarette or a heating type
cigarette, for example, cut tobacco may be used as a tobacco
material. However, in the present disclosure, the second portion
22000 may include a tobacco sheet continuously extending in length.
Details of the second portion 22000 will be described with
reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 below.
[0070] The third portion 23000 may cool airflow that has passed
through the first portion 21000 and the second portion 22000. The
third portion 23000 may be made of a polymer material or a
biodegradable polymer material, and may have a cooling function.
For example, the third portion 23000 may be made of polylactic acid
(PLA) fibers, but is not limited thereto. Also, the third portion
23000 may be made of a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality
of holes. However, the third portion 23000 is not limited to the
above-described examples, and a material for cooling the aerosol
may correspond to this without limitation. For example, the third
portion 23000 may be a tube filter or a paper pipe including a
hollow.
[0071] The fourth portion 24000 may include a filter material. For
example, the fourth portion 24000 may be a cellulose acetate
filter. However, there is no limitation on the shape of the fourth
part 24000. For example, the fourth portion 24000 may be a
cylindrical type rod or a tube type rod including a hollow inside.
Further, the fourth portion 24000 may be a recess type rod. If the
fourth portion 24000 is composed of a plurality of segments, at
least one of the plurality of segments may be manufactured in a
different shape.
[0072] The fourth portion 24000 may be manufactured to generate
flavor. As an example, the fragrance liquid may be sprayed on the
fourth portion 24000, or a separate fiber coated with the fragrance
liquid may be inserted into the fourth portion 24000.
[0073] The aerosol-generating article 20000 may include a wrapper
25000 surrounding at least a portion of the first portion 21000 to
the fourth portion 24000. In addition, the aerosol-generating
article 20000 may include a wrapper 25000 surrounding all of the
first portion 21000 to the fourth portion 24000. The wrapper 25000
may be located at the outermost portion of the aerosol-generating
article 20000, and at least one hole through which external air is
introduced or internal gas is discharged may be formed in the
wrapper 25000. The wrapper 25000 may be a single wrapper or a
combination of a plurality of wrappers.
[0074] As an example, the first portion 21000 of the
aerosol-generating article 20000 may include a crimped corrugated
sheet containing an aerosol-generating material, the second portion
22000 may include a tobacco sheet including a tobacco material and
continuously extending in length, the third portion 23000 may
include a cooling unit, and the fourth portion 24000 may include a
filter material. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.
[0075] The first portion 21000 and the second portion 22000 of the
aerosol-generating article 20000 may be inserted into the interior
of the aerosol-generating device 10000, and the third portion 23000
and the fourth portion 24000 of the aerosol-generating article
20000 may be exposed to the outside of the aerosol-generating
device 10000. In addition, the first portion 21000 and a part of
the second portion 22000 may be inserted into the interior of the
aerosol-generating device 10000. A user may inhale the aerosol
while the fourth portion 24000 is put into the mouth. In this case,
the aerosol may be generated when external air passes through the
first and second portions, and the generated aerosol may delivered
to the user's mouth through the third and fourth portions.
[0076] Hereinafter, the second portion 22000 of the
aerosol-generating article 20000 will be described in detail with
reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0077] FIG. 5 is a view showing the configuration of a first
portion 21000 and a second portion 22000 of the aerosol-generating
article 20000 according to an embodiment. The first portion 21000
may include an aerosol-generating material.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 5, the second portion 22000 may include a
tobacco sheet. The tobacco sheet may have a rectangular shape in a
fully unfolded state. For example, the tobacco sheet may have a
rectangular or square shape. However, the present invention is not
necessarily limited thereto, and the shape of the tobacco sheet may
be changed as necessary.
[0079] In an embodiment, the ratio of a vertical length to a
horizontal length of the tobacco sheet may be about 10:1 to about
30:1. For example, the ratio of the vertical length to the
horizontal length of the tobacco sheet may be about 18:1, about
19:1, about 20:1, about 21:1, about 22:1, about 23:1, or about
24:1. As such, the inhalation resistance of the aerosol-generating
article 20000 according to the embodiment may be relatively low,
and the thermal conductivity of the aerosol-generating article
20000 may be improved. Accordingly, the user may feel an excellent
smoking feeling with respect to the aerosol-generating article
20000.
[0080] In an embodiment, the tobacco sheet may have a length of
about 180 mm or more in one direction. For example, the tobacco
sheet may have a length of about 190 mm to about 240 mm in one
direction. Here, the length of the tobacco sheet in one direction
may be a horizontal length, a vertical length, or a diagonal
length. Preferably, the length of the tobacco sheet in one
direction may be the horizontal length of the tobacco sheet. For
example, the size of the tobacco sheet may be 230 mm.times.12 mm.
As another example, the size of the tobacco sheet may be 190
mm.times.8 mm, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In a case
where the length of the tobacco sheet in one direction is about 180
mm or more, a thermal conductivity of the aerosol-generating
article 20000 may be improved. Accordingly, a user may feel an
excellent smoking feeling with respect to the aerosol-generating
article 20000.
[0081] In an embodiment, the second portion 22000 may include one
or two tobacco sheets. For example, the second portion 22000 may
include one sheet of tobacco having a size of 230 mm.times.12 mm or
190 mm.times.8 mm. As another example, the second portion 22000 may
include two tobacco sheets produced by cutting a tobacco sheet
having a size of 230 mm.times.12 mm or 190 mm.times.8 mm once. In
an embodiment, when the second portion 22000 includes one tobacco
sheet having a size of 230 mm.times.12 mm or 190 mm.times.8 mm,
compared with the case of including the cut tobacco, the inhalation
resistance of the aerosol-generating article 20000 may be
relatively lowered, and the thermal conductivity of the
aerosol-generating article 20000 may be improved. As a result, a
user may feel an excellent smoking feeling with respect to the
aerosol-generating article 20000.
[0082] In an embodiment, the tobacco sheet may include 75 to 85
parts by weight of tobacco leaves, 5 to 20 parts by weight of a
moisturizer, 3 to 10 parts by weight of pulp, and 3 to 10 parts by
weight of a viscosity agent, based on a total of 100 parts by
weight. In detail, the tobacco sheet may be a reconstituted tobacco
containing the components of the weight ratio described above.
[0083] In an embodiment, the tobacco sheet may have a corrugated
form or may be folded one or more times. Referring to FIG. 5, it
may be seen that the second portion 22000 includes a tobacco sheet
in a form that is wrinkled or folded one or more times. Since the
length of the tobacco sheet in one direction is about 180 mm or
more, it may be difficult for the tobacco sheet to be contained in
the second portion 22000 in a completely unfolded form.
Accordingly, the tobacco sheet may be included in the second
portion 22000 in a corrugated form or a folded form with one or
more folds. Hereinafter, the tobacco sheet 22000 will be described
in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.
[0084] FIG. 6 is a view showing a cross-section of a second portion
22000 of the aerosol-generating article 20000 according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0085] The outermost portion of the second portion 22000 may be a
wrapper 25000. Inside the wrapper 25000, the tobacco sheet 100
described above may be included in a corrugated form or a folded
form. Referring to FIG. 6, the tobacco sheet 100 may be included in
a folded form with 8 or more folds. However, embodiments are not
limited thereto. When the tobacco sheet 100 is placed in the second
portion 22000 in this manner, airflow may pass through the second
portion 22000 with relatively low resistance. Accordingly, the
aerosol-generating article 20000 may have a relatively low
inhalation resistance.
[0086] In an embodiment, a cross section taken perpendicular to a
length direction of the second portion 22000 may have at least one
closed curve formed by the tobacco sheet. Although not shown in
FIG. 6, when the tobacco sheet 100 has a corrugated form or is
folded one or more times, at least one closed curve may be formed
by two portions contacting each other. A continuous airflow may be
formed in the closed curves formed by the tobacco sheet 100, and
accordingly, the airflow may pass through the second portion 22000
with relatively low resistance. Thus, the aerosol-generating
article 20000 may have a relatively low inhalation resistance.
[0087] In an embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 20000 may
have an inhalation resistance of about 20 to about 60 mm H.sub.2O.
The inhalation resistance of about 20 to about 60 mm H.sub.2O is
deemed a relatively low value in the art, which allows a user to
smoothly inhale the aerosol. As a result, a user may feel an
excellent smoking feeling with respect to the aerosol-generating
article 20000.
[0088] FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating how heat is transferred in
cut tobacco, according to an embodiment.
[0089] FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating how heat is transferred in
a continuous tobacco sheet, according to an embodiment.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 7A, when the aerosol-generating article
includes a tobacco material in the form of cut tobacco, it can be
seen that heat transferred from the wrapper is discontinuously
transferred between the tobacco materials. In contrast, referring
to FIG. 7B, when the second portion 22000 of the aerosol-generating
article includes a tobacco material in the form of a tobacco sheet,
it may be seen that the heat transferred from the wrapper 25000 is
continuously transferred within the tobacco sheet 200. As a result,
the tobacco sheet 200 may be effectively heated, and a user may
feel an excellent smoking feeling with respect to the
aerosol-generating article 20000.
[0091] FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating air flow in cut
tobacco.
[0092] FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating air flow in one continuous
tobacco sheet.
[0093] Referring to FIG. 8A, when the aerosol-generating article
includes a tobacco material in the form of cut tobacco pieces, it
may be seen that the aerosol generated by heating forms a congested
airflow between the cut tobacco pieces.
[0094] In contrast, referring to FIG. 8B, the second portion 22000
of the aerosol-generating article according to the embodiment
includes one tobacco sheet 300, and the aerosol forms a straight
airflow beside the tobacco sheet 300. Thus, the airflow may pass
through the second portion 22000 with relatively low resistance,
compared to FIG. 8A. Thus, the aerosol-generating article 20000 may
have relatively low inhalation resistance, and a user may feel an
excellent smoking feeling with respect to the aerosol-generating
article 20000.
[0095] According to an embodiment, an aerosol-generating system may
include the above-described aerosol-generating article 20000 and an
aerosol-generating device (not shown) which heats at least one of
the first portion 21000 and the second portion 22000 of the
aerosol-generating article 20000.
[0096] The features described above with respect to the generating
article 20000 may be applied to the aerosol generating article
included in the aerosol-generating system.
[0097] In an embodiment, the second portion 22000 may include a
tobacco sheet that is folded one or more times, and the
aerosol-generating device may generate an aerosol by heating at
least a portion of the first portion 21000 and at least a portion
of the second portion 22000.
[0098] At least one of the components, elements, modules or units
(collectively "components" in this paragraph) represented by a
block in the drawings, such as the controller 12000 in FIGS. 1-3,
may be embodied as various numbers of hardware, software and/or
firmware structures that execute respective functions described
above, according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, at least
one of these components may use a direct circuit structure, such as
a memory, a processor, a logic circuit, a look-up table, etc. that
may execute the respective functions through controls of one or
more microprocessors or other control apparatuses. Also, at least
one of these components may be specifically embodied by a module, a
program, or a part of code, which contains one or more executable
instructions for performing specified logic functions, and executed
by one or more microprocessors or other control apparatuses.
Further, at least one of these components may include or may be
implemented by a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU)
that performs the respective functions, a microprocessor, or the
like. Two or more of these components may be combined into one
single component which performs all operations or functions of the
combined two or more components. Also, at least part of functions
of at least one of these components may be performed by another of
these components. Further, although a bus is not illustrated in the
above block diagrams, communication between the components may be
performed through the bus. Functional aspects of the above
exemplary embodiments may be implemented in algorithms that execute
on one or more processors.
[0099] Furthermore, the components represented by a block or
processing steps may employ any number of related art techniques
for electronics configuration, signal processing and/or control,
data processing and the like.
[0100] 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 thereof may be
made. 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.
* * * * *