WO2025155077A1 - Smoking article comprising lyocell tow - Google Patents

Abstract

A smoking article is provided. The smoking article includes a first portion including an aerosol-generating substrate impregnated with an aerosol-generating element, a second portion including a medium substrate and a lyocell tow including a plurality of lyocell fibers, a third portion including a cooling element, and a fourth portion including a filter element, wherein the first portion, the second portion, the third portion, and the fourth portion are sequentially aligned along the longitudinal direction of the smoking article.

Description

Smoking articles containing lyocell tow

The present invention relates to a smoking article, which comprises lyocell tow in a second portion including a tobacco element (hereinafter referred to as a "medium substrate"), thereby improving the fixation rate of the tobacco element and preventing or minimizing deformation of the medium portion due to heat applied to heat the smoking article, thereby providing a user with a more improved smoking experience.

Modern smoking alternative devices and related technologies adopt a structure that uses various media to effectively transfer tobacco ingredients. In general, the device heats the stick to a high temperature of about 150 to 300 degrees (℃), and this heat is transferred to the media, so that the tobacco ingredients such as nicotine are smoothly transferred as the temperature of the media increases.

In particular, ingredients such as glycerin play an important role in providing smokers with a sense of satisfaction from smoking by generating aerosol. However, when the heating temperature of the device is set below the boiling point of glycerin, aerosol does not occur smoothly, which has the disadvantage of deteriorating the smoking experience.

To solve such problems, conventional technologies have been developed to contain a moisturizing agent in the medium or to use a plate-shaped leaf as the medium. In particular, a method of cutting a plate-shaped leaf containing a moisturizing agent into a long length to form a medium or inserting a plate-shaped leaf manufactured in a sheet form has been used. Although this method has provided a certain level of performance improvement, the following problems still exist.

First, in the process of cutting the plate-shaped leaf and inserting it into the medium, there were cases where some of the cut plate-shaped leaf moved into the internal structures of the device, such as the paper tube or the factor tube, and caused contamination. This became a factor that contaminated the internal structure of the device or interfered with the adhesion of the tobacco stick.

Second, when using only a single sheet material, it was difficult to include additional ingredients such as activated carbon and nicotine liquid during the manufacturing process. Although these additional ingredients are useful for increasing the transfer efficiency of tobacco ingredients, their application was limited in the sheet-based medium structure.

To improve these problems, a method utilizing a folding-type paper base was proposed. The method of configuring the medium by including components such as activated carbon, nicotine salt, and granules in the folding paper base provided flexibility for including various components. However, this method also had some limitations. The folding structure did not structurally bind the components tightly, so the loss rate (dropout rate) of the components was high during the manufacturing process, and the smell (paper smell) and off-odor (external smell) generated from the paper base deteriorated the user's smoking experience.

In addition, in the prior art, there have been attempts to stably fix substances such as activated carbon, nicotine salt, and granules by applying a dual composite filter (e.g., an activated carbon acetyl filter (i.e., an activated carbon cellulose acetate filter) and an acetyl filter (i.e., a cellulose acetate filter)) or a single filter to the medium portion. The activated carbon acetyl filter is suitable for effectively fixing components structurally, but the cellulose acetate tow constituting it has a disadvantage of melting at high temperatures, making it difficult to use in a high-temperature environment.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a smoking article in which a second part including a tobacco element (medium substrate) includes lyocell tow, thereby improving the settling rate of the tobacco element and preventing or minimizing deformation of the second part due to heat applied to heat the smoking article, thereby providing a user with a more improved smoking experience.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

According to one aspect of the present application for solving the above problem, a smoking article comprises a first part comprising an aerosol generating substrate impregnated with an aerosol generating element, a second part comprising a lyocell tow comprising a plurality of lyocell fibers and a medium substrate, a third part comprising a cooling element, and a fourth part comprising a filter element, wherein the first part, the second part, the third part, and the fourth part are aligned in sequence along a longitudinal direction of the smoking article.

In some embodiments, the medium substrate may be filled in a dispersed form within the lyocell tow. This means that the lyocell tow may include the medium substrate in a dispersed form.

In some embodiments, the medium substrate can be positioned in the space between the plurality of lyocell fibers.

In some embodiments, the medium substrate comprises tobacco material, wherein the tobacco material may comprise at least one of tobacco particles, tobacco sheets, tobacco beads, tobacco granules, and tobacco powder.

The above medium substrate may include a plurality of tobacco granules in the form of granules containing tobacco material.

The aerosol generating element may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol and oleyl alcohol.

In another aspect of the present application, a system comprising the smoking article described above and an aerosol generating device applying the same is provided.

According to a smoking article according to one embodiment, by including lyocell tow in a second portion including a tobacco element (medium substrate), the settling rate of the tobacco element is improved, and deformation of the second portion due to heat applied to heat the smoking article is prevented or minimized, thereby providing a user with a more improved smoking experience.

The effects according to the technical idea of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

Figures 1 to 4 are drawings illustrating examples of aerosol generating articles inserted into an aerosol generating device.

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a smoking article according to one embodiment.

Figure 6 is a photograph of the filters of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 taken before and after heating to compare the heat resistance characteristics of the filters of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1.

FIG. 7 is a photograph of the second part of Example 2 and the second part of Comparative Example 2. FIG. 7(a) is a photograph of the second part of Comparative Example 1 and Example 1 before the experiment (before smoking), and FIG. 7(b) is a photograph of the second part of Comparative Example 1 and Example 1 after the experiment (after smoking).

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present disclosure and the methods for achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the technical idea of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments but may be implemented in various different forms, and the following embodiments are provided only to make the technical idea of the present disclosure complete and to fully inform a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs of the scope of the present disclosure, and the technical idea of the present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims.

When adding reference signs to components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same signs as much as possible even if they are shown on different drawings. In addition, when describing the present disclosure, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description is omitted.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification can be used in the meaning that can be commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. In addition, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be ideally or excessively interpreted unless explicitly specifically defined. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing embodiments and is not intended to limit this disclosure. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated in the phrase.

Also, in describing components of the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components, and the nature, order, or sequence of the components are not limited by the terms. When it is described that a component is "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but another component may also be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" between each component.

As used herein, the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations and/or elements.

First, let us clarify some terms used in this specification.

As used herein, a "smoking article" may mean any smokeable product or any product capable of providing a smoking experience, whether based on tobacco, a tobacco derivative, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or a tobacco substitute. For example, smoking articles may include smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos.

In this specification, “smoking material” may mean any type of material that can be used in a smoking article.

In this specification, the term “user” may be used interchangeably with “consumer.”

In this specification, “upstream” or “upstream direction” may mean a direction away from the smoker’s mouth, and “downstream” or “downstream direction” may mean a direction approaching the smoker’s mouth.

In this specification, "longitudinal direction" may mean a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of a smoking article. The "longitudinal axis" of a smoking article may mean an imaginary line extending along the main longitudinal direction of the smoking article. This axis typically runs from one end of the smoking article (e.g., the mouthpiece or filter end) to the opposite end (e.g., the combustion or heat source end).

As used herein, “lyocell filter” refers to a filter comprising or consisting of lyocell tow.

As used herein, “Lyocell tow” means a bundle comprising or consisting of a plurality of Lyocell fibers. In some embodiments, Lyocell tow may mean a bundle formed by cross-linking adjacent Lyocell fibers.

In this specification, “Lyocell fiber” may mean a fiber made from lyocell cellulose. In particular, the lyocell fiber may be a fiber made from cellulose derived from or mainly derived from wood pulp, particularly a semi-synthetic fiber.

In this specification, the term “non-circular cross-section” is defined as a cross-section whose shape is not circular but includes a plurality of protrusions. For example, a cross-section having a shape in which a plurality of protrusions branch and/or extend from the center and/or the center of the cross-section may be referred to as a non-circular cross-section. Here, “protrusion” may mean a distinct and extended segment or arm extending outward from the central core or bonding point of the Lyocell fiber cross-section.

In some embodiments, the lyocell fibers may have a Y-shaped cross-section having three protrusions branching and/or extending from the center and/or the center of the cross-section, a cruciform cross-section having four protrusions, and/or a star-shaped cross-section having five or more protrusions, but are not limited thereto, or may have an O-shaped cross-section.

In some embodiments, the lyocell fibers may include three or more protrusions branching and/or extending from the center and/or the center of the cross-section.

*In some embodiments, the lyocell fibers included in the lyocell tow may have a Y-shaped cross-section for use in cigarette filters.

In this specification, “hollow” may mean a channel extending along the longitudinal direction.

In this specification, "consisting of" an element may mean including or consisting of that element.

In this specification, a “tubular (tubular) type rod” as a filter rod may refer to a filter rod including a hollow space inside, whereas a filter rod not including a hollow space inside may be referred to as a “cylindrical (cylindrical) type rod.”

In this specification, a “recess-type rod” as a filter rod may refer to a filter rod having one or more pores.

In the present specification, a wrapper (e.g., a roll) may surround at least a portion of the periphery surface of the longitudinal axis of each portion (part) and/or structure of the smoking article.

As used herein, “basis weight” refers to the mass per unit area of the paper and/or wrapper. The basis weight of the paper and/or wrapper can be determined by measuring the mass and area of the paper and/or wrapper and dividing the mass of the paper and/or wrapper by the area. The unit of basis weight can be gsm (grams per square meter), i.e. g/m ² .

In this specification, the “single fiber” of lyocell tow or cellulose acetate tow means the fiber size of a single monofilament strand separated from a multifilament of lyocell fibers or cellulose acetate fibers constituting the lyocell tow or cellulose acetate tow.

In this specification, the “total fineness” of lyocell tow or cellulose acetate tow means the fineness of the multifilaments of lyocell fibers or cellulose acetate fibers constituting the lyocell tow or cellulose acetate tow.

A filter of a smoking article according to one aspect of the present invention can capture at least a portion of a smoke component generated when the smoking article is smoked. In some embodiments, the filter of the smoking article can capture particulate matter (Total Particulate Matter (TPM)) including at least a portion of at least one of nicotine (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as “Nic”), tar, propylene glycol (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as “PG”), and glycerin (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as “Gly”) included in the smoke component generated when the smoking article is smoked.

In this specification, “aspiration resistance” means the static pressure difference between two ends of a sample when an airflow passes through the sample. In this specification, “PDC” means a value of aspiration resistance measured when the medium portion is open, the perforations of the filter portion are blocked, and the inflow of outside air is blocked, and “PDO” means a value of aspiration resistance measured when the medium portion is open, the perforations of the filter portion are not blocked, and the inflow of outside air is allowed. For example, the aspiration resistance can be measured using the method specified in ISO standard 6565:2015. According to ISO standard 6565:2015, the aspiration resistance can mean the static pressure difference between two ends of a sample when it passes through an airflow under normal conditions (22±2℃, 60±5% relative humidity) with a volume flow rate of 17.5 mm/s at the discharge end.

In this specification, organic acid is a general term for organic compounds that are acidic.

In some embodiments, room temperature may mean 20 ° C. to 25 ° C.

In this specification, if no separate physical quantity is indicated, component % and component ratio mean weight % of component and weight ratio of component, respectively.

As used herein, “puff” means the act of inhaling or drawing air through a smoking article to produce and inhale smoke or vapor. “Puff count” may mean the total number of inhalations or draws during use of the smoking article. Alternatively, or in addition, the puff count may represent the maximum number of inhalations or draws that the smoking article can provide before being completely consumed or ceasing to function.

In this specification, the HC (Health Canada) conditions may be conditions in which the puff volume per puff is 55 ml, the puff frequency is every 30 seconds, and the puff duration is 2 seconds. In particular, the HC conditions may be a state in which the perforation portion of the filter is blocked. The number of puffs measured under the HC conditions may be a condition in which 9 puffs are taken.

In this specification, the "ventilation rate (hereinafter may be abbreviated as "Vent")" of a smoking article may be defined as the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the total volumetric flow rate (e.g., ml/s) of air entering the smoking article without burning or heating through the front area, i.e., the longitudinal upstream end, of the smoking article to the total volumetric flow rate (e.g., ml/s) of air at the outlet, i.e., the longitudinal downstream end, of the smoking article. For example, the air dilution rate may be measured according to ISO 9512:2019. For example, the total volumetric flow rate of air entering the smoking article without burning or heating through the front area of the smoking article may be the total volumetric flow rate of air entering in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the smoking article. For example, the total volumetric flow rate of air entering the smoking article without burning or heating through the front area of the smoking article may be the total volumetric flow rate of air entering the smoking article through the wrapper.

The content of components in the total particulate matter (TPM) of the captured smoke can be analyzed by GC/MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). For example, in the case of tar or nicotine, the Cambridge filter (Cambridge Felter Pad (CFP)) containing the smoke components is immersed in IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) for a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes to 16 hours), and in the case of PG and Gly, the Cambridge filter (Cambridge Felter Pad (CFP)) containing the smoke components is immersed in methanol for a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours to 16 hours), treated with a shaker device, and passed through a PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) syringe filter to remove impurities, and then the content of components included in the total particulate matter (TPM) of the captured smoke can be measured using GC/MS equipment. The soaking time may be 20 minutes or more, particularly for tar or nicotine, and 2 hours or more for PG and Gly.

The above GC/MS may be, for example, a measuring device from Agilent.

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

Throughout this specification, “tobacco element” means an element comprising tobacco material.

Throughout this specification, “tobacco material” means any form of material containing components derived from tobacco leaves.

Throughout this specification, the term "cooling element" means an element that cools a substance. For example, the cooling element may cool an aerosol generated from an aerosol generating element or a tobacco element.

Throughout this specification, "filter element" means an element comprising a filtering material. For example, the filter element may comprise a plurality of fiber strands.

Figures 1 to 4 are drawings illustrating examples of aerosol generating articles inserted into an aerosol generating device.

First, an aerosol generating device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device (100) includes a battery (110), a control unit (120), and a heater (130). Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the aerosol generating device (100) further includes a vaporizer (140). In particular, a smoking article (200) can be inserted into the internal space of the aerosol generating device (100).

The aerosol generating device (100) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrates components related to the present embodiment. Accordingly, a person having ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment will understand that, in addition to the components illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, other general-purpose components may be further included in the aerosol generating device (100).

Also, although FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate that the aerosol generating device (100) includes a heater (130), the heater (130) may be omitted if desired. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device (100) does not include a heater. In some embodiments, the battery (110), the control unit (120), and the vaporizer (140) are arranged sequentially, i.e., in a row, along the length of the smoking article (200).

In FIG. 1, a battery (110), a control unit (120), and a heater (130) are illustrated as being arranged in a row. In some embodiments, the battery (110), the control unit (120), and the heater (130) are arranged sequentially along the longitudinal direction of the smoking article (200). In addition, FIG. 2 illustrates that the battery (110), the control unit (120), the vaporizer (140), and the heater (130) are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the smoking article (200). In addition, FIG. 3 illustrates that the vaporizer (140) and the heater (130) are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device (100) is not limited to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. In other words, depending on the design of the aerosol generating device (100), the arrangement of the battery (110), the control unit (120), the heater (130), and the vaporizer (140) may be changed.

When a smoking article (200) is inserted into an aerosol generating device (100), the aerosol generating device (100) can operate a heater (130) and/or a vaporizer (140) to generate an aerosol from the smoking article (200) and/or the vaporizer (140). The aerosol generated by the heater (130) and/or the vaporizer (140) passes through the smoking article (200) and is delivered to the user.

If desired, the aerosol generating device (100) can heat the heater (130) even when the smoking article (200) is not inserted into the aerosol generating device (100).

The battery (110) supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device (100). For example, the battery (110) can supply power so that the heater (130) and/or the vaporizer (140) can be heated, and can supply power required for the control unit (120) to operate. In particular, the battery (110) can supply power required for the display, sensor, motor, etc. installed in the aerosol generating device (100) to operate.

The control unit (120) controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device (100). In particular, the control unit (120) controls the operation of the battery (110), the heater (130), and the vaporizer (140) as well as other components included in the aerosol generating device (100). In particular, the control unit (120) can check the status of each of the components of the aerosol generating device (100) to determine whether the aerosol generating device (100) is in an operable state.

The control unit (120) includes 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 storing a program that can be executed by the microprocessor. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the present embodiment pertains that the processor may be implemented as other types of hardware.

The heater (130) can be heated by power supplied from the battery (110). For example, when the smoking article (200) is inserted into the aerosol generating device (100), the heater (130) can be located outside the smoking article (200). Accordingly, the heated heater (130) can increase the temperature of the aerosol generating material within the smoking article (200).

The heater (130) may be an electrical resistance heater. For example, the heater (130) may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater (130) may be heated as current flows through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater (130) is not limited to the above-described example, and may be applied without limitation as long as it can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device (100), or may be set to a desired temperature by the user.

Meanwhile, as another example, the heater (130) may be an induction heating heater. In particular, the heater (130) may include an electrically conductive coil for inductively heating the aerosol generating article, and the aerosol generating article may include a susceptor that can be heated by the induction heating heater.

For example, the heater (130) may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, and/or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the interior and/or exterior of the smoking article (200) depending on the shape of the heating element.

In particular, a plurality of heaters (130) may be arranged in the aerosol generating device (100). At this time, the plurality of heaters (130) may be arranged to be inserted into the interior of the smoking article (200) or may be arranged on the exterior of the smoking article (200). In particular, some of the plurality of heaters (130) may be arranged to be inserted into the interior of the smoking article (200), and the rest may be arranged on the exterior of the smoking article (200). In some embodiments, the heater (130) may heat the interior and the exterior of the smoking article (200). In addition, the shape of the heater (130) is not limited to the shape illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, and may be manufactured in various shapes. In some embodiments, the heater (130) may include an electrical resistance heater and an induction heating heater.

The vaporizer (140) can heat the liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol can pass through the smoking article (200) and be delivered to the user. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer (140) can travel along the airflow passage of the aerosol generating device (100), and the airflow passage can be configured so that the aerosol generated by the vaporizer (140) can pass through the smoking article (200) and be delivered to the user.

For example, the vaporizer (140) may include, but is not limited to, a liquid reservoir, a liquid delivery means, and a heating element. For example, the liquid reservoir, the liquid delivery means, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device (100) as independent modules.

The liquid reservoir can store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition can be a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavoring component, or alternatively, or in addition, a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material. The liquid reservoir can be constructed to be detachable from/attachable to the vaporizer (140), or can be constructed integrally with the vaporizer (140).

For example, the liquid composition can include water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a flavor, a flavoring agent, and/or a vitamin mixture. The flavoring agent can include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and/or various fruit-flavored ingredients. The flavoring agent can include ingredients that can provide a variety of flavors and/or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture can include, but is not limited to, a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E. In particular, the liquid composition can include an aerosol former, such as glycerin and/or propylene glycol.

The liquid transfer means can transfer the liquid composition from the liquid reservoir to the heating element. For example, the liquid transfer means can be, but is not limited to, a wick such as cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, and/or porous ceramics.

The heating element is an element for heating a liquid composition delivered by a liquid delivery means. For example, the heating element may include, but is not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, and/or a ceramic heater. In particular, the heating element may be composed of a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire, and may be arranged in a structure that is wound around the liquid delivery means. The heating element may be heated by supplying current, and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol may be generated.

For example, the vaporizer (140) may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device (100) may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery (110), the control unit (120), the heater (130), and the vaporizer (140). For example, the aerosol generating device (100) may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. In particular, the aerosol generating device (100) may include at least one sensor (a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, and/or an aerosol generating article insertion detection sensor, etc.). In particular, the aerosol generating device (100) may be manufactured with a structure in which external air may be introduced or internal gas may be discharged even when the smoking article (200) is inserted.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the aerosol generating device (100) may also be configured as a system with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery (110) of the aerosol generating device (100). Alternatively, or in addition, the heater (130) may be heated while the cradle and the aerosol generating device (100) are combined.

The smoking article (200) may be similar to a typical combustible cigarette. For example, the smoking article (200) may be divided into a first portion containing an aerosol generating material and a second portion containing a filter or the like. Optionally, the second portion of the smoking article (200) may also contain an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material in the form of granules and/or capsules may be inserted into the first portion and optionally the second portion.

The entire first part may be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating device (100), and the second part may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first part may be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating device (100), or the entire first part and a part of the second part may be inserted. The user may inhale the aerosol while holding the second part in his mouth. At this time, the aerosol is generated as the outside air passes through the first part, and the generated aerosol passes through the second part and is delivered to the user's mouth.

In some embodiments, outside air may be introduced through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device (100). For example, the opening and closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device (100) and/or the size of the air passage may be controlled by the user. Accordingly, the amount of vapor, the smoking sensation, etc. may be controlled by the user. As another example, outside air may be introduced into the interior of the smoking article (200) through at least one hole formed in the surface of the smoking article (200).

Next, referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an aerosol generating device using an induction heating method.

Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating device (100) includes a battery (110), a control unit (120), a coil (C), and a susceptor (S). In particular, at least a part of a smoking article (200) can be accommodated in the cavity (V) of the aerosol generating device (100). The smoking article (200), the battery (110), and the control unit (120) of FIG. 4 can be any of the smoking article (200), the battery (110), and the control unit (120) of FIGS. 1 to 3. In particular, the coil (C) and the susceptor (S) can be included in the heater (130). Therefore, redundant descriptions are omitted.

The aerosol generating device (100) illustrated in FIG. 4 illustrates components related to the present embodiment. Accordingly, a person having ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment will understand that, in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 4, other general components may be further included in the aerosol generating device (100).

The coil (C) may be positioned around the cavity (V). In Fig. 4, the coil (C) is illustrated as being positioned to surround the cavity (V), but is not limited thereto.

When a smoking article (200) is accommodated in the cavity (V) of the aerosol generating device (100), the aerosol generating device (100) can supply power to the coil (C) so that the coil (C) generates a magnetic field. As the magnetic field generated by the coil (C) penetrates the susceptor (S), the susceptor (S) can be heated.

This induction heating phenomenon is a well-known phenomenon explained by Faraday's Law of Induction. In particular, when the magnetic induction within the susceptor (S) changes, an electric field is generated within the susceptor (S), causing eddy currents to flow within the susceptor (S). The eddy currents generate heat proportional to the current density and conductor resistance within the susceptor (S).

The susceptor (S) is heated by an eddy current, and an aerosol generating substance within a smoking article (200) may generate an aerosol as it is heated by the heated susceptor (S). The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substance passes through the smoking article (200) and is delivered to the user.

The battery (110) can supply power to the coil (C) to generate a magnetic field. The control unit (120) can be electrically connected to the coil (C).

The coil (C) may be an electrically conductive coil that generates a magnetic field by power supplied from the battery (110). The coil (C) may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the cavity (V). The magnetic field generated by the coil (C) may be applied to a susceptor (S) arranged at an inner end of the cavity (V).

The susceptor (S) is heated as a magnetic field generated from the coil (C) passes through it, and may include a metal and/or carbon. For example, the susceptor (S) may include at least one of ferrite, a ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum.

The susceptor (S) may include at least one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, a nickel alloy, a metal film, a ceramic such as zirconia, a transition metal such as nickel (Ni) or cobalt (Co), and a metalloid such as boron (B) or phosphorus (P). However, the susceptor (S) is not limited to the examples described above, and may be any material that can be heated to a desired temperature when a magnetic field is applied. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device (100), or may be set to a desired temperature by the user.

When a smoking article (200) is accommodated in the cavity (V) of the aerosol generating device (100), the susceptor (S) may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the smoking article (200). Accordingly, the heated susceptor (S) may increase the temperature of the aerosol generating material within the smoking article (200).

Although FIG. 4 illustrates that the susceptor (S) is positioned to surround at least a portion of the aerosol generating article, it is not limited thereto. For example, the susceptor (S) may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, and/or a rod-shaped heating element, and depending on the shape of the heating element, may heat the interior and/or exterior of the smoking article (200).

In particular, a plurality of susceptors (S) may be arranged in the aerosol generating device (100). At this time, the plurality of susceptors (S) may be arranged to be inserted into the outside of the smoking article (200) or may be arranged to be inserted into the inside. In particular, some of the plurality of susceptors (S) may be arranged to be inserted into the inside of the smoking article (200), and the rest may be arranged to be inserted into the outside of the smoking article (200). In addition, the shape of the susceptor (S) is not limited to the shape illustrated in FIG. 4, and may be manufactured in various shapes.

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a smoking article according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, a smoking article (200) may include a first portion (210), a second portion (220), a third portion (230), and a fourth portion (240). In particular, the first portion (210), the second portion (220), the third portion (230), and the fourth portion (240) may each include an aerosol generating element, a medium substrate (tobacco element), a cooling element, and a filter element. In some embodiments, the first portion (210) may include an aerosol generating material, the second portion (220) may include tobacco material and optionally one or more humectants, the third portion (230) may cool an airflow passing through the first portion (210) and the second portion (220), and the fourth portion (240) may include a filter material. Meanwhile, in order to emphasize the function of the third part (230) and the fourth part (240) as filters, the third part (230) may be referred to as a cooling structure (230) and the fourth part (240) may be referred to as a mouthpiece part (240).

Referring to FIG. 5, the first part (210), the second part (220), the third part (230), and the fourth part (240) can be arranged in order based on the longitudinal direction of the smoking article (200). Here, the longitudinal direction of the smoking article (200) can be a direction in which the length of the smoking article (200) extends. For example, the longitudinal direction of the smoking article (200) can be a direction from the first part (210) toward the fourth part (240). Accordingly, the aerosol generated from at least one of the first part (210) and the second part (220) can form an airflow by passing through the first part (210), the second part (220), the third part (230), and the fourth part (240) in order, and thus, the smoker can inhale the aerosol from the fourth part (240).

The first portion (210) may include an aerosol generating element. In particular, it may contain at least one other additive substance, such as a flavoring agent, a humectant and/or an organic acid, and may contain a flavoring liquid including menthol and/or a humectant. Here, the aerosol generating element may include, for example, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol and oleyl alcohol. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples described above, and the present disclosure may include various kinds of aerosol generating elements widely known in the art.

The first portion (210) may include an aerosol generating substrate impregnated with an aerosol generating element. An example of the aerosol generating substrate may include a crimped sheet, and the aerosol generating element may be included in the first portion (210) in a state impregnated in the crimped sheet. In particular, at least one other additive substance, such as a flavorant, a humectant, and/or an organic acid, and/or a flavoring agent may be included in the first portion (210) in a state absorbed into the crimped sheet.

The crimped sheet may be a sheet composed of a polymer material. For example, the polymer material may include at least one of paper, cellulose acetate (hereinafter, abbreviated as "CA"), and polylactic acid. For example, the crimped sheet may be a paper sheet that does not generate an off-flavor due to heat even when heated to a high temperature. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The first portion (210) may extend from about 7 to about 20 mm from the end of the smoking article (200), and the second portion (220) may extend from about 7 to about 20 mm from the end of the first portion (210). However, the lengths are not necessarily limited to these numerical ranges, and the lengths by which each of the first portion (210) and the second portion (220) extends may be appropriately adjusted within a range that can be easily changed by a person skilled in the art. For example, the length of the first portion (210) may be about 10 mm, and the length of the second portion may be about 12 mm, but are not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the second portion (220) may include a lyocell tow comprising a plurality of lyocell fibers and a plurality of medium substrates (or tobacco elements) filled inside the lyocell tow. In particular, the second portion (220) may include a lyocell filter composed of lyocell tow, and a medium substrate inserted so as to be uniformly and/or randomly distributed along the interior of the lyocell filter in all or part of the area of the lyocell filter. In the present specification, the medium substrate may include a tobacco element.

The lyocell fiber included in the second portion (220) in the present invention may be an environmentally friendly fiber made of cellulose extracted from wood pulp. The lyocell tow may mean a bundle formed by cross-linking adjacent lyocell fibers.

In some embodiments, the lyocell fibers may have a non-circular cross-section. A non-circular cross-section is defined as a cross-section whose shape is not circular but includes a plurality of protrusions. For example, a cross-section having a shape in which a plurality of protrusions extend from a center may be referred to as a non-circular cross-section.

In some embodiments, the lyocell fibers may have a Y-shaped cross-section with three protrusions branching from the center, a cruciform cross-section with four protrusions, and/or a star-shaped cross-section with five or more protrusions, but are not limited thereto, and may have an O-shaped cross-section.

The second part (220) filled with the medium described in the lyocell tow can be filled so that the medium substrate is inserted into the lyocell tow during manufacturing. A plurality of lyocell fibers constituting the lyocell tow can have spaces between the lyocell fibers, and the medium substrate can be settled in the spaces between the lyocell fibers. That is, the medium substrate can be filled in a dispersed form inside the lyocell tow. Accordingly, the medium substrate can be filled inside the lyocell filter so as to not leak out to the outside in a form wrapped by the lyocell filter by being located in the spaces between the plurality of lyocell fibers included in the lyocell tow and settled inside the lyocell tow.

In some embodiments, the tobacco substrate may be a particular form of tobacco material. For example, the tobacco substrate may take the form of tobacco cut filler, tobacco particles, tobacco sheets, tobacco beads, tobacco granules, tobacco powder, and/or tobacco extract. In particular, the tobacco material may include, for example, one or more of tobacco leaves, tobacco veins, expanded tobacco, cut cut filler, sheet-shaped cut filler, and reconstituted tobacco.

During the manufacturing process of the second part (220), the tow constituting the filter is spread out, and a medium substrate is injected into the inside and/or onto the tow, for example, by a method such as free fall, and the tow into which the medium substrate is injected is wrapped or rolled to form a predetermined shape such as a cylinder, thereby manufacturing the second part (220). Accordingly, the medium substrate can be inserted and filled so as to be randomly and/or uniformly distributed along the entire area or a portion of the lyocell tow. In other words, the medium substrate can be filled in a dispersed form inside the lyocell tow, positioned in the space between the lyocell fibers constituting the lyocell tow.

Since the tow for filling the medium substrate in the second portion (220) according to the present invention is composed of lyocell tow including a plurality of lyocell fibers having spaces inside, the fixation rate of the medium substrate is improved without a separate adhesive additive compared to cellulose acetate plasticized by a plasticizer, so that the efficiency of the manufacturing process and the retention of the medium substrate can be improved.

In particular, since the tow for filling the medium substrate in the second portion (220) is composed of lyocell tow including a plurality of lyocell fibers having spaces inside, in the case of paper, the phenomenon of the medium substrate being bounced off the paper surface when the medium substrate is inserted due to the grain of the paper is prevented, so that the efficiency of the manufacturing process can be improved.

The second portion (220) may further include, for example, at least one of aerosol generating substances such as glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto. In particular, the second portion (220) may further contain other additives such as a flavoring agent, a humectant, and/or an organic acid. In particular, a flavoring liquid including menthol and/or a moisturizer may be added to the second portion (220). In particular, the flavoring liquid including menthol and/or a moisturizer may be added by being sprayed onto the second portion (220).

The third portion (230) can cool the airflow passing through the first portion (210) and the second portion (220). The third portion (230) can be made of a polymer material, a biodegradable polymer material, and/or a tube filter and can have a cooling function. For example, the third portion (230) can be a tube filter and/or a tube made of polylactic acid (PLA) fibers, cellulose acetate fibers, and/or lyocell fibers and including a hollow portion. The hollow portion can extend along the longitudinal direction of the third portion (230).

The length and/or diameter of the third portion (230) may be determined in various ways depending on the shape of the smoking article (200). For example, the length of the third portion (230) may be appropriately employed within a range of 7 mm to 20 mm. Preferably, the length of the third portion (230) may be about 12 mm, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the third portion (230) may be in the range of about 5 mm to 10 mm, preferably 6 mm to 8 mm, more preferably 6.2 mm to 7.8 mm, more preferably 6.4 mm to 7.6 mm, more preferably 6.6 mm to 7.4 mm, more preferably 6.8 mm to 7.2 mm, more preferably 7 mm. The inner diameter (i.e., diameter of the hollow) of the third portion (230) may be smaller than the outer diameter and may have an appropriate value within the range of about 2 mm to 5.5 mm, preferably 2.1 mm to 5 mm, more preferably 2.2 mm to 4.5 mm, more preferably 2.5 mm to 4 mm, but is not limited thereto. Preferably, the inner diameter of the third portion (230) may be 3.7 mm to 3.9 mm, or more preferably 3.8 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The fourth part (240) may include a filter element. For example, the fourth part (240) may be a cellulose acetate filter and/or a lyocell filter. Meanwhile, there is no limitation on the shape of the fourth part (240). For example, the fourth part (240) may be a cylindrical rod or a tube-shaped rod having a hollow portion therein. In addition, the fourth part (240) may be a recessed rod. If the fourth part (240) is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may be manufactured to have a different shape from the other segments. The length of the fourth part (240) may be appropriately employed within a range of 7 mm to 20 mm. Preferably, the length of the fourth part (240) may be about 14 mm, but is not limited thereto.

The fourth portion (240) may be fabricated to produce a flavor. In some embodiments, a flavoring agent may be sprayed into the fourth portion (240), or alternatively, or in addition, a separate fiber coated with a flavoring agent may be inserted into the interior of the fourth portion (240).

The smoking article (200) may include a wrapper (250) surrounding at least a portion of the first portion (210) to the fourth portion (240). In particular, the smoking article (200) may include a wrapper (250) surrounding all of the first portion (210) to the fourth portion (240). The wrapper (250) may be positioned at the outermost portion of the smoking article (200), and the wrapper (250) may be a single wrapper, but may also be a combination of multiple wrappers.

In some embodiments, the first portion (210) of the smoking article (200) may comprise a crimped, pleated sheet containing an aerosol generating material, the second portion (220) may comprise a lyocell tow comprising a plurality of lyocell fibers and a medium substrate filled within the lyocell tow, the third portion (230) may be comprised of a tube, and the fourth portion (240) may comprise cellulose acetate (CA) fibers, although the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

Below, the composition of the present invention and the effects thereof will be described in more detail through examples and comparative examples. However, these examples are intended to explain the present invention more specifically, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Example 1 and Comparative Example 1

A lyocell filter was manufactured using lyocell tow having a single fineness of 3.33 dtex (mono denier of 3.0) and a total fineness of 3,889 tex (total denier of 35,000) under the conditions shown in Example 1 in Table 1, and a cellulose acetate filter was manufactured by adding a plasticizer to cellulose acetate tow having a single fineness of 3.00 dtex (mono denier of 2.7) and a total fineness of 3,889 tex (total denier of 35,000) under the conditions shown in Comparative Example 1 in Table 1.

division Weight (mg) Circumference (mm) Suction resistance ( _mmH20 ) Example 1 570 21.96 350 Comparative Example 1 540 21.94 387

Experimental Example 1. Evaluation of heat resistance according to filter material

In order to evaluate the heat resistance according to the filter material, the filters of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were heated to 250°C or higher by an external heating method under internal conditions of an internal temperature of about 22±2°C and an internal relative humidity of about 60±5%, and the filters before heating were photographed and shown in FIG. 6(a) and the filters after heating were photographed and shown in FIG. 6(b).

In Fig. 6(a), the left side is the filter of Comparative Example 1 before heating, and the right side is the filter of Example 1 before heating; in Fig. 6(b), the left side is the filter of Comparative Example 1 after heating, and the right side is the filter of Example 1 after heating.

Referring to Fig. 6, it can be confirmed that the shape of the cellulose acetate filter before and after heating is significantly different, and that it melts due to heat after heating and does not retain its actual shape. On the other hand, it can be confirmed that the shape of the lyocell filter before and after heating is substantially similar to the shape after heating, although some soot is generated after heating. From this, it can be confirmed that cellulose acetate is a fiber with an amorphous structure and completely melts due to its weak heat-related characteristic, but lyocell has strong heat-resistant characteristics.

Example 2 and Comparative Example 2

Tobacco granules were filled into lyocell tow having a single fineness of 3.33 dtex (mono denier of 3.0) and a total fineness of 3,889 tex (total denier of 35,000) and then wrapped with a paper wrapper to produce a tobacco granule and lyocell filter having a length of 84 mm under the conditions shown in Example 2 of Table 2, and a plasticizer was added to cellulose acetate tow having a single fineness of 3.00 dtex (mono denier of 2.7) and a total fineness of 3,889 tex (total denier of 35,000) and then wrapped with a paper wrapper to produce a cellulose acetate filter having a length of 84 mm under the conditions shown in Comparative Example 2 of Table 2. The wrapper used in the production of the filter used paper having a basis weight of 75 gsm.

division Weight (mg) Circumference (mm) Epicenter (%) Suction resistance ( _mmH20 ) Example 2 900.7 23.86 93.35 518.4 Comparative Example 2 901.5 21.96 91.70 576.4

Experimental Example 2. Evaluation of physical properties according to filter material filled with medium substrate

Next, the lyocell filter of Example 2 and the cellulose acetate filter of Comparative Example 2 were cut to a length of 12 mm to manufacture a smoking article (200) as shown in FIG. 5. In particular, a heated cigarette (as a smoking article) having a first part having a length of 10 mm and composed of paper including an aerosol generating element, a second part having a length of 12 mm and composed of Example 2 or Comparative Example 2, a third part having a length of 12 mm and composed of cellulose acetate having an inner diameter of 3.8 mm, and a fourth part having a length of 14 mm and composed of cellulose acetate was manufactured, and the physical properties of the smoking article were measured, which are shown in Table 3 below.

Unless otherwise specified herein, PDC may refer to a value of suction resistance measured while the second part is open, a perforation formed in any one of the first, third, and fourth parts is blocked, and the inflow of external air is blocked, and PDO may refer to a value of suction resistance measured while the second part is open, a perforation formed in any one of the first, third, and fourth parts is not blocked, and the inflow of external air is allowed.

division Weight (mg) Circumference (mm) Vent(%) PDO ( _mmH20 ) PDC ( _mmH20 ) Smoking article of Example 2 590.5 22.734 81.60 55.1 163.1 Smoking article of comparative example 2 585.7 22.699 77.61 53.5 140.0

(In the above Table 3, Vent means ventilation rate (VR).) Referring to Table 3, the smoking articles each composed of lyocell tow and cellulose acetate tow as the material of the filter constituting the second part exhibit similar physical characteristics, and the weight of the filter in Table 2 and the weight of the smoking article in Table 3 are similar, confirming that the degree of heat absorption by weight is similar from the perspective of heat resistance.

Experimental Example 3. Evaluation of heat resistance characteristics according to filter material filled with medium substrate

In order to analyze the material deformation caused by heat generated when the second part of the smoking article is heated according to the filter material filled with tobacco granules, the second part of the smoking article according to Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 was heated at a heating temperature of 190°C to 280°C (for example, 250°C) in a smoking room having an internal temperature of about 22±2°C and an internal relative humidity of about 60±5% (in particular, a temperature of about 21.9°C and a relative humidity of 64.3%) by an external heating method, and then the second part was disassembled before and after heating, and photographs are shown in FIG. 7.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 7, FIG. 7(a) is a photograph of the disassembled second parts of Comparative Example 2 and Example 2 before heating, wherein the left side of FIG. 7(a) is the second part of Comparative Example 2 before heating, and the right side of FIG. 7(a) is the second part of Example 2 after heating. In addition, in FIG. 7, FIG. 7(b) is a photograph of the disassembled second parts of Comparative Example 2 and Example 2 after heating, wherein the left side of FIG. 7(b) is the second part of Comparative Example 2 before heating, and the right side of FIG. 7(b) is the second part of Example 2 after heating.

Referring to FIG. 7(a) in FIG. 7, it can be confirmed that the appearance of the second part including cellulose acetate of Comparative Example 2 before heating and the second part including lyocell of Example 2 are substantially the same.

Referring to FIG. 7(b) in FIG. 7, it can be confirmed that after heating (i.e., after heating to a temperature of 190° C. to 280° C.), the second part of Comparative Example 2 experienced significant shrinkage due to melting and fixation of the cellulose acetate tow. It can be confirmed that the cellulose acetate material shrank and melted due to the heat applied to the second part during heating.

On the other hand, referring to (b) of Fig. 7, it can be confirmed that in the case of Example 2, after heating (i.e., after heating to a temperature of 190°C to 280°C), soot due to heat is generated, but it maintains a form generally similar to before heating. In addition, it can be confirmed that the tobacco granules filled in the tow are condensed inside the comparative example 2 (left) composed of cellulose acetate tow, but are dispersed throughout the entire area of the lyocell tow in Example 2 (right).

Meanwhile, since the second part is filled with a medium substrate of lyocell tow instead of cellulose acetate tow, the shape of the second part can be maintained due to the excellent heat resistance of the lyocell tow even when the second part is heated with a heater, so that the transfer of smoking cessation components can be uniform, and the problem of the smoking article being broken or having its appearance quality deteriorated can be prevented.

Experimental Example 4. Analysis of smoke components according to filter material filled with medium substrate

In order to compare the smoke components according to the material of the filter constituting the second part while filling the medium substrate, the smoking articles of Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 were heated at a heating temperature of 190°C to 280°C in the second part by an external heating method, and the total particulate matter (TPM), nicotine component, moisture content, etc. were measured, which are shown in Table 4 below.

In particular, the experiment was conducted in a smoking room (in particular, the temperature was about 21.9°C, the relative humidity was 64.3%) with an internal temperature of about 22±2°C and an internal relative humidity of about 60±5%, targeting smoking articles according to Example 2 and Comparative Example 2, and the smoking conditions were HC conditions (Puff volume: 55 ml / Puff frequency: 30 s / Puff duration: 2 s / Number of puffs: 9 puffs), and the generated smoke was captured and analyzed by a Cambridge filter (i.e., Cambridge Filter Pad (CFP)). The total particulate matter (TPM) is a value obtained by measuring the change in the weight of the Cambridge filter before smoking and the weight of the Cambridge filter after smoking using the smoking device, and for the remaining components, the captured smoke was analyzed by GC (Gas Choromatography).

division TPM(mg) Tar(mg) Nic(mg) PG(mg) Gly(mg) Moisture (mg) Example 2 28.73 15.06 0.61 0.05 5.93 13.06 Comparative Example 2 Cellulose acetate tow melting (melting) not analyzable

Referring to Table 4 above, when the filter constituting the second part including the medium substrate is cellulose acetate tow, the cellulose acetate tow melts (dissolves) and smoke components cannot be measured. That is, it can be confirmed that when the existing cellulose acetate tow is applied, quality issues of the smoking article such as heating temperature and shape collapse of the second part occur.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will understand that the present disclosure can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical ideas or essential features thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary and not restrictive in all respects. The protection scope of the present disclosure should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the technical ideas defined by the present disclosure.

Claims (8)

In smoking items, A first part comprising an aerosol generating substrate impregnated with an aerosol generating element; A second portion comprising a lyocell tow comprising a plurality of lyocell fibers and a medium substrate; a third part comprising a cooling element; and Including a fourth part including a filter element, The first part, the second part, the third part, and the fourth part are arranged in order along the length direction of the smoking article. Smoking items. In the first paragraph, The above medium material is filled in a dispersed form within the lyocell tow. Smoking items. In the first paragraph, The above medium substrate is located in the space between the plurality of lyocell fibers. Smoking items. In the first paragraph, The above medium contains tobacco material, The above tobacco material comprises at least one of tobacco particles, tobacco sheets, tobacco beads, tobacco granules and tobacco powder. Smoking items. In the first paragraph, The above medium comprises a plurality of tobacco granules in the form of granules containing tobacco material. Smoking items. In the first paragraph, The aerosol generating element comprises at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol and oleyl alcohol. Smoking items. In the first paragraph, The third part comprises at least one of a tube filter or a tube comprising hollow portions and composed of cellulose acetate fibers or lyocell fibers. Smoking items. In the first paragraph, The fourth portion comprises at least one of a cellulose acetate filter and a lyocell filter. Smoking items.