WO2025210814A1 - Flavor inhalation article - Google Patents

Abstract

A flavor inhalation article 1 comprises: a flavor source 10 that generates an aerosol by being heated by a heat source; a flow path forming body 20 that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows; and an exterior body 60 that accommodates the flow path forming body 20. The flow path forming body 20 forms a flow path so that the aerosol flows helically in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

Description

Flavor suction article

This disclosure relates to a flavor inhalation article.

The non-combustion heating stick described in Patent Document 1 comprises a tobacco portion having an aerosol source containing tobacco, a cooling portion that generates aerosol by cooling the vapor generated when the tobacco portion is heated by a heating element, and a filter portion that allows the aerosol to pass through.

WO2023/084770

In the non-combustion heating type stick described in Patent Document 1, the tobacco section, cooling section, and filter section each have one function and are arranged in series along the longitudinal direction of the stick, which makes the stick larger in size along the longitudinal direction.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a flavor inhalation article or the like that is small in size in the longitudinal direction.

With this objective in mind, the present disclosure provides a flavor inhalation article comprising: a flavor source that is heated by a heat source to generate an aerosol; a flow path former that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows; and an exterior body that houses the flow path former, wherein the flow path former forms the flow path so that the aerosol flows spirally in a direction that intersects the longitudinal direction.
Here, the outer casing may have a cylindrical portion whose center line direction is the longitudinal direction, and the flow path forming body may be formed to flow the aerosol from the center of the cylindrical portion toward the outer periphery.
The outer casing may also have a first blocking portion that blocks one end of the cylindrical portion in the longitudinal direction and has an inlet hole in the center through which air flows, and a second blocking portion that blocks the other end of the cylindrical portion in the longitudinal direction.
The cylindrical portion may have a discharge hole formed in an outer periphery at a position corresponding to the flow path, for discharging the aerosol to the outside.
The second blocking portion may have a discharge hole formed in a portion corresponding to the flow path for discharging the aerosol to the outside.
The flavor source may be a plant-derived raw material sheet, and the flow path forming member may form the flow path in the plant-derived raw material sheet.
The flavor source may be a plant-derived raw material sheet, the flow path forming body may be a sheet of paper, and the flavor source and the flow path forming body may be laminated.
The flow path forming body may have a protrusion that protrudes from the surface.
The protrusions may also be calcium carbonate.
The heating source may be a susceptor arranged in the center of the flow path forming body, and heat may be generated by an electromagnetic induction source consisting of a coiled conductor arranged around the outer casing, which generates a magnetic field.
The air permeability of the flow path forming body may be 0 to 35,000 Coresta units.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a flavor inhalation article that is small in longitudinal dimension.

1 is a perspective view showing an example of a flavor inhalation article according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting the flavor inhalation article according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the inside of the exterior body of the flavor inhalation article according to the first embodiment. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a susceptor. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a suction device. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a flow path of an aerosol in a flavor inhalation article. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a modified example of an exterior body. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a first modified example of a susceptor. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a second modified example of a susceptor. FIG. 10 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting the flavor inhalation article according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a modified flavor inhalation article according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a general configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to a fourth embodiment and an inhalation device using the flavor inhalation article. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the general configuration of an inhalation device that uses a flavor inhalation article according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a general configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a general configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a general configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to an eighth embodiment.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the inside of the exterior body 60 of the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section taken along the line IV-IV in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of the susceptor 50. As shown in FIG.
The flavor inhalation article 1 comprises a flavor source 10 that is heated by a heat source to generate an aerosol, a flow path forming body 20 that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows, a susceptor 50, and an outer casing 60 that houses the flavor source 10, the flow path forming body 20, and the susceptor 50.

The flavor inhalation article 1 is cylindrical and is molded so that the center line direction of the cylinder is the longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, the left and right sides of FIG. 1 in the longitudinal direction may be referred to as the "first side" and the "second side", respectively. Furthermore, the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction (e.g., the perpendicular direction) may be referred to as the "radial direction". In the radial direction, the side on the center line CL side may be simply referred to as the "inner side", and the side away from the center line CL may be simply referred to as the "outer side".

(Flavor source 10)
The flavor source 10 can be, for example, a plant-based raw material sheet or an extrusion molded body formed into a sheet using plant-based raw materials such as tobacco plants such as tobacco leaves or non-tobacco plants using known methods such as papermaking, slurrying, rolling, or extraction.

In the case of papermaking, it can be produced using a method including the following steps: 1) For example, dried tobacco leaves are coarsely crushed and extracted with water to separate the water extract and residue. 2) The water extract is dried under reduced pressure and concentrated. 3) Pulp is added to the residue, which is then turned into fibers in a refiner and made into paper. 4) The concentrated water extract is added to the paper-made sheet and dried to produce a plant-based raw material sheet.

In the case of the slurry method, tobacco can be produced by a method including the following steps: 1) mixing water, pulp, a binder, and crushed tobacco leaves; 2) spreading (casting) the mixture thinly and drying it; in this case, a step of irradiating the slurry of water, pulp, a binder, and crushed tobacco leaves with ultraviolet light or X-rays to remove some of the components such as nitrosamines may be added.
In the rolling method, a mixture of water, pulp, binder, and crushed tobacco leaves is rolled out under pressure and dried.

Extraction methods can be carried out in a known manner, but examples include the following: 1) a method in which tobacco raw materials are subjected to extraction using a medium to obtain a tobacco extract; 2) a method in which a medium is added to tobacco raw materials and heated, and the generated vapor is collected; and 3) a method in which the medium is heated to form vapor and passed through the tobacco raw materials, and the vapor is collected after passing through the tobacco raw materials. Examples of the medium include water, hydrophilic organic solvents such as alcohol, and combinations of these, but the medium is preferably water or contains water. In method 1), it is preferable to use water as the medium from the perspective of workability, etc. Furthermore, in methods 2) and 3), it is preferable to use an alcohol such as glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, or ethanol as the medium from the perspective of work efficiency.

Flavor source 10 may also be a nonwoven plant-derived raw material sheet manufactured by a method including the following steps: 1) Mixing powdered or granular material, such as tobacco leaves, with a binder. 2) Sandwiching the mixture between nonwoven fabrics. 3) Forming the laminate into a fixed shape by heat welding to obtain a nonwoven plant-derived raw material sheet.

The type of tobacco used as tobacco leaves of tobacco plants is not particularly limited. Examples include flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, oriental tobacco, native tobacco, other Nicotiana tabacum varieties, Nicotiana rustica varieties, and mixtures thereof. Mixtures can be used by appropriately blending varieties to achieve the desired flavor.
The type of non-tobacco plant is not particularly limited, and examples of non-tobacco plants include mint and herbs.
The plant material may also be a mixture of tobacco and non-tobacco plants.

The composition of flavor source 10 is not particularly limited. For example, the content of plant-derived ingredients is preferably 50% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less relative to the total mass of flavor source 10. Flavor source 10 may also contain a binder, and examples of such binders include guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, and sodium salts of carboxymethyl cellulose. The amount of binder is preferably 1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less relative to the total mass of flavor source 10. Flavor source 10 may further contain other additives. Examples of additives include fillers such as pulp.

Polyols such as glycerin, propylene glycol, and 1,3-butanediol may be added to the flavor source 10. The amount added to the flavor source 10 is preferably 5% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, and more preferably 15% by mass or more and 25% by mass or less, based on the dry mass of the flavor source 10.

The flavor source 10 may be a laminate of multiple plant-based ingredient sheets. Two or more plant-based ingredient sheets may all have the same composition or physical properties, or some or all of the plant-based ingredient sheets may have different compositions or physical properties. The thickness of each plant-based ingredient sheet may be the same or different. There are no restrictions on the thickness of each plant-based ingredient sheet, but in terms of the balance between heat transfer efficiency and strength, a thickness of 100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less is preferred, and a thickness of 120 μm or more and 600 μm or less is more preferred.

The flavor source 10 may also contain a flavoring. The type of flavoring is not particularly limited, and menthol is particularly preferred from the viewpoint of imparting a good flavor. The flavoring may be used alone or in combination of two or more types. When the inhalation device 100 (described later) in which the flavor inhalation article 1 is used is a medical inhaler, the flavor source 10 may also contain a medicine to be inhaled by the patient.
The flavor source 10 may also be a porous carrier such as paper carrying a flavoring.

(Flow path forming body 20)
The flow path forming body 20 has a sheet of paper 21 and a plurality of protrusions 22 protruding from the surface of the paper 21. The protrusions 22 are formed from a material with high thermal conductivity, such as calcium carbonate. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of protrusions 22 can be formed across the entire surface of the paper 21. When a plurality of protrusions 22 arranged in the longitudinal direction so that their circumferential positions are the same are considered to be in the same row, the plurality of protrusions 22 are arranged such that the longitudinal positions of the protrusions 22 in adjacent rows are not the same, as shown in FIG. 2. However, the plurality of protrusions 22 may be formed in a partial region in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the longitudinal positions of the plurality of protrusions 22 in adjacent rows may be the same.

In the flavor inhalation article 1, a plant-based ingredient sheet, which is the flavor source 10, and paper 21, which is the flow path forming body 20, are laminated together to form a laminate 25 that contains the flavor source that generates the aerosol and forms a flow path through which the generated aerosol flows.

(Laminate 25)
The laminate 25 is formed into a spiral shape with one end facing the center line CL and extending outward. For example, the laminate 25 is formed into a spiral shape by winding square or rectangular plant-derived raw material sheets and paper 21 together. A susceptor 50 is disposed inside an inner end 26, which is one end of the laminate 25. An outer end 27, which is the other end of the laminate 25, is disposed so as to contact the inner circumferential surface of a tubular portion 70 (described later) of the exterior body 60.

The laminate 25 is formed by stacking the flavor source 10 and the flow path forming body 20 so that the flavor source 10 is on the inner surface, which is the surface facing the susceptor 50. A protrusion 22 is provided on the outer surface of the flow path forming body 20, which is the surface opposite the flavor source 10. The tip of the protrusion 22 comes into contact with the flavor source 10 in the laminate 25 located outside the flow path forming body 20 on which the protrusion 22 is provided, thereby preventing contact between the paper 21 of the flow path forming body 20 and the flavor source 10 that are radially opposed, and forming a gap 28 between the laminates 25 that are radially opposed.

Note that the laminate 25 is not limited to being formed into a spiral shape by winding the plant-derived raw material sheet and the paper 21 together. For example, the laminate 25 may be formed into a spiral shape by punching a cylindrical block in the longitudinal direction, or the like. The laminate 25 may also be formed by stacking a cylindrical block of plant-derived raw material sheet formed into a spiral shape by punching a cylindrical block of paper 21 in the longitudinal direction, or the like, together.

(Susceptor 50)
The susceptor 50 is cylindrical and is arranged so that the direction of the center line of the cylinder is the same as the center line CL. Preferably, the susceptor 50 is arranged so that the center line coincides with the center line CL. The longitudinal size of the susceptor 50 is equal to or smaller than the longitudinal size of the laminate 25. The susceptor 50 is arranged so that a portion of its outer circumferential surface contacts the flavor source 10 of the laminate 25. The susceptor 50 may be bonded to the flavor source 10 with an adhesive or the like.

A plurality of through holes 51 are formed in the susceptor 50 to allow communication between the inside and outside. The plurality of through holes 51 are formed to be aligned in a row from the first end to the second end in the center line direction. The plurality of through holes 51 may or may not be spaced equally apart.
The susceptor 50 is made of a magnetic material, such as iron or ferritic stainless steel.

(Exterior body 60)
The exterior body 60 has a cylindrical portion 70 that covers the outer periphery of the laminate 25. The exterior body 60 also has a first closing portion 80 that closes the opening on the first side of the cylindrical portion 70 and covers the portion of the laminate 25 on the first side, and a second closing portion 90 that closes the opening on the second side of the cylindrical portion 70 and covers the portion of the laminate 25 on the second side.

The tubular portion 70 is cylindrical and houses the laminate 25 and susceptor 50 inside. The longitudinal size of the tubular portion 70 is the same as the longitudinal size of the laminate 25. The center line of the tubular portion 70 defines the center line CL of the flavor inhalation article 1.

The first blocking portion 80 is disk-shaped. A central hole 81 is formed in the center of the first blocking portion 80, which is a through-hole that allows communication between the inside and outside of the outer casing 60. The central hole 81 is circular and is formed in a position facing the susceptor 50. The diameter of the central hole 81 is equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the susceptor 50, and air that passes through the central hole 81 enters the interior of the susceptor 50.

The second blocking portion 90 is disk-shaped. An outer end hole 91, which is a through hole that allows communication between the inside and outside of the outer casing 60, is formed in the outer portion of the second blocking portion 90. The outer end hole 91 is formed in a position corresponding to the outer end 27 of the stack 25. The outer end hole 91 is circular, and the diameter of the outer end hole 91 can be, for example, greater than or equal to the diameter of the central hole 81. The fluid that passes through the outer end hole 91 exits the susceptor 50. The shape of the outer end hole 91 is not particularly limited, and may be elliptical or rectangular.

The exterior body 60 may be formed using a heat-resistant resin material, cardboard, or the like. The cylindrical portion 70, first blocking portion 80, and second blocking portion 90 may be formed using different materials, or may be formed using the same material. The cylindrical portion 70 and first blocking portion 80, and the cylindrical portion 70 and second blocking portion 90 may be joined by adhesion, welding, or the like.

The cylindrical portion 70 can be integrally molded using a resin material, for example, by injection molding, or can be integrally molded by rolling up a sheet of cardboard. When rolling up a sheet of cardboard, for example, both ends of the cardboard can be overlapped and glued together to form a cylindrical shape. When the cylindrical portion 70 is integrally molded, the laminate 25 and susceptor 50 can be inserted through the opening on the first or second side of the cylindrical portion 70, and then the first blocking portion 80 and second blocking portion 90 can be joined to the cylindrical portion 70 to manufacture the flavor inhalation article 1.

The cylindrical portion 70, the first blocking portion 80, and the second blocking portion 90 may be molded by pulp molding, for example, pulp injection. The cylindrical portion 70 and the first blocking portion 80 or the second blocking portion 90 may also be molded integrally. For example, if the cylindrical portion 70 and the first blocking portion 80 are molded integrally, the flavor inhalation article 1 can be manufactured by inserting the laminate 25 and the susceptor 50 from the second side opening of the cylindrical portion 70, and then joining the second blocking portion 90 to the cylindrical portion 70.

Pulp mold refers to a molded product obtained by molding or shaping a pulp slurry. Here, pulp mold may refer to a molded product obtained by molding a slurry containing the residue (tobacco extract residue) remaining after obtaining tobacco extract. In this case, the tobacco extract residue contains tobacco-derived fibers. The slurry for pulp mold preferably contains a medium, tobacco extract residue, a fibrous reinforcing material, and a binder. The slurry for pulp mold may also contain a filler.

Although there are no limitations on the fibrous reinforcing material, non-wood fiber is preferred. Non-wood fiber is fiber not derived from wood, and may be tobacco fiber or any fiber other than tobacco fiber. From the perspective of imparting strength, dietary fiber is preferred as the non-wood fiber. Dietary fiber is a food component that is not digested by human digestive enzymes, and is more preferably insoluble dietary fiber that does not dissolve in water. Dietary fiber may be porous, i.e., spongy. From the perspective of ease of availability, the fiber is preferably citrus fiber. Citrus fiber is a fiber made primarily from the albedo of citrus fruits. Dietary fiber may also be short fibers or columnar particles with a small aspect ratio. Citrus fiber is particularly preferred because it can impart strength to smoking article materials with a small amount used. In one embodiment, the content of the fibrous reinforcing material in the smoking article material is 10 to 30% by weight.

The binder is not limited, but examples include starch, carboxyalkyl cellulose, guar gum, etc. Among these, starch is preferred as a binder from the standpoint of availability. In one embodiment, the binder content in the smoking article material is 5 to 30% by weight.

The slurry for pulp molding contains inorganic materials used in fillers and paper, such as calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, and kaolin, with calcium carbonate being preferred from the perspective of enhancing flavor and whiteness. Therefore, fillers are useful when turning smoking article materials into nonwoven fabrics such as paper. In one embodiment, the filler content in the smoking article material is 10% by weight or more but less than 60% by weight.

The medium is preferably water. There are no limitations on the solids concentration in the slurry, but it is preferably 0.5 to 10% by weight, and more preferably 1 to 5% by weight. Furthermore, the slurry for pulp molding may also contain a water resistance improver, as described below, and, if necessary, known water repellents, sizing agents, etc.

Molding can be carried out in a known manner. For example, the slurry can be filled into a female mold, and then compressed and dehydrated using a male mold to form the desired shape. Specifically, the slurry is filled into a female mold, and then pressed and removed using the male mold. The female mold may be made of mesh. The pulp mold obtained in this manner may then be heated, coated with a coating agent, or otherwise processed.

Alternatively, pulp molding may be pulp injection molding. Pulp injection molding comprises the following steps: 1) The tobacco extract residue is mixed with a binder (preferably starch) and then pellets are produced. 2) The pellets are mixed with water to form a pulp slurry, which is then injected into a mold. 3) At the same time as injection molding, heat is applied to the pulp slurry to remove moisture within the mold and dry it.

The laminate 25 and the exterior body 60 may be joined with an adhesive or the like. For example, the outer end 27 of the laminate 25 may be joined to the inner surface of the tubular portion 70. Also, the first end of the laminate 25 may be joined to the first closing portion 80 of the exterior body 60. Also, the second end of the laminate 25 may be joined to the second closing portion 90 of the exterior body 60.

(Usage of flavor inhalation article 1)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the general configuration of the suction device 100. As shown in FIG.
The flavor inhalation article 1 is used in a non-combustion heating type inhalation device 100 .
The inhalation device 100 generates an aerosol by heating the flavor inhalation article 1 by induction heating (IH (Induction Heating)).
The inhalation device 100 includes a power supply unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a storage unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, an electromagnetic induction source 130, a holding unit 140, and a mouthpiece 150. In the inhalation device 100, a user inhales with the flavor inhalation article 1 held in the holding unit 140. Each component will be described below in order.

The power supply unit 111 stores power. The power supply unit 111 supplies power to each component of the suction device 100. The power supply unit 111 may be configured, for example, as a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. The power supply unit 111 may be charged by connecting to an external power source via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. The power supply unit 111 may also be charged using wireless power transmission technology while not connected to a power-transmitting device. Alternatively, the power supply unit 111 may be removable from the suction device 100 and may be replaceable with a new power supply unit 111.

The sensor unit 112 detects various types of information related to the suction device 100. The sensor unit 112 then outputs the detected information to the control unit 116. As one example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor. When the sensor unit 112 detects a numerical value associated with the user's inhalation, it outputs information indicating that the user has performed inhalation to the control unit 116. As another example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with an input device such as a button or switch that accepts information input from the user. In particular, the sensor unit 112 may include a button that instructs the start/stop of aerosol generation. The sensor unit 112 then outputs the information input by the user to the control unit 116. As another example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the susceptor 50. Such a temperature sensor detects the temperature of the susceptor 50 based on, for example, the electrical resistance value of the electromagnetic induction source 130. The sensor unit 112 may detect the temperature of the flavor inhalation article 1 held by the holding unit 140 based on the temperature of the susceptor 50.

The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. As an example, the notification unit 113 is configured with a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In this case, the notification unit 113 emits light in different light-emitting patterns when the power supply unit 111 needs to be charged, when the power supply unit 111 is charging, or when an abnormality has occurred in the inhalation device 100. The light-emitting pattern here is a concept that includes color and the timing of turning on/off. The notification unit 113 may be configured with a display device that displays images, a sound output device that outputs sound, a vibration device that vibrates, etc., in addition to or instead of the light-emitting device. The notification unit 113 may also notify the user of information indicating that inhalation is now possible. The information indicating that inhalation is now possible is notified when the temperature of the flavor inhalation article 1, which has been heated by electromagnetic induction, reaches a predetermined temperature.

The memory unit 114 stores various information for the operation of the suction device 100. The memory unit 114 is configured, for example, from a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory. One example of information stored in the memory unit 114 is information about the OS (Operating System) of the suction device 100, such as the control details of various components by the control unit 116. Another example of information stored in the memory unit 114 is information about suction by the user, such as the number of suctions, the time of suction, and the cumulative suction time.

The communication unit 115 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the suction device 100 and other devices. The communication unit 115 performs communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. Such communication standards may include, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). As one example, the communication unit 115 transmits information about the user's suction to a smartphone in order to display the information about the user's suction on the smartphone. As another example, the communication unit 115 receives new OS information from a server in order to update the OS information stored in the memory unit 114.

The control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and control device, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116 is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. The control unit 116 may also include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the programs and calculation parameters used, as well as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores parameters that change as needed. The suction device 100 performs various processes based on the control of the control unit 116. Examples of processes controlled by the control unit 116 include power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the other components, charging of the power supply unit 111, detection of information by the sensor unit 112, notification of information by the notification unit 113, storage and retrieval of information by the memory unit 114, and transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 115. Other processes performed by the suction device 100, such as input of information to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 116.

The holding portion 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the flavor inhalation article 1 while accommodating the flavor inhalation article 1 in the internal space 141. The holding portion 140 has an opening 142 that connects the internal space 141 to the outside and holds the flavor inhalation article 1 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142. For example, the holding portion 140 is a cylindrical body with a bottom 143 as its bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141. The holding portion 140 is configured so that the inner two-sided width is smaller than the two-sided width of the flavor inhalation article 1 in at least a portion of the center line direction of the cylindrical body, and can hold the flavor inhalation article 1 by compressing the flavor inhalation article 1 inserted into the internal space 141 from the outside. An air inlet, which is the entrance for air into the flavor inhalation article 1, is located, for example, in the bottom 143. On the other hand, an air outlet, which is the exit for air from this flow path, is the opening 142.

The electromagnetic induction source 130 heats the susceptor 50 through electromagnetic induction. The electromagnetic induction source 130 is, for example, composed of a coiled conductor and is arranged so that it wraps around the outer periphery of the holding unit 140. When AC current is supplied to the electromagnetic induction source 130 from the power supply unit 111, it generates a magnetic field. The electromagnetic induction source 130 is arranged in a position where the internal space 141 of the holding unit 140 overlaps with the generated magnetic field. Therefore, when a magnetic field is generated while the flavor inhalation article 1 is held in the holding unit 140, eddy currents are generated in the susceptor 50, generating Joule heat. This Joule heat then heats and atomizes the flavor source 10 of the flavor inhalation article 1, generating an aerosol. As an example, when a predetermined user input is detected by the sensor unit 112, power may be supplied and an aerosol may be generated. When the temperature of the flavor inhalation article 1, which has been induction-heated by the susceptor 50 and the electromagnetic induction source 130, reaches a predetermined temperature, the user can inhale it. Thereafter, if the sensor unit 112 detects that a predetermined user input has been made, power supply may be stopped. As another example, power may be supplied and aerosol may be generated during the period in which the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has inhaled.

Mouthpiece 150 is a member that is held in the mouth by the user when inhaling. Mouthpiece 150 has air outlet holes 151. By holding mouthpiece 150 in the mouth and inhaling, the user can take the aerosol into the oral cavity.
The mouthpiece 150 may have a hole formed upstream of the air outlet hole 151, which connects the outside and the inside of the mouthpiece 150. By forming a hole in the mouthpiece 150, when a user inhales the flavor inhalation article 1, air flows from the outside into the inside of the mouthpiece 150 through the hole. The air that has flowed into the inside of the mouthpiece 150 flows along the inner wall surface of the mouthpiece 150, which forms a flow path in the mouthpiece 150 through which the aerosol supplied from the flavor inhalation article 1 flows, thereby preventing the aerosol from adhering to the inner wall surface.

(Actions of flavor inhalation article 1 and inhalation device 100)
In the inhalation device 100, a user inserts the flavor inhalation article 1 into the internal space 141 of the holding unit 140, which is inside the electromagnetic induction source 130, from the first blocking unit 80 side, and uses the electromagnetic induction source 130 to inductively heat the flavor inhalation article 1, thereby enabling the aerosol to be inhaled. More specifically, when a user inhales, the flavor source 10 contained in the flavor inhalation article 1 is heated, and the vapor generated is liquefied by contact with air flowing in through gaps in the device housing, for example, as a result of a decrease in temperature, thereby generating an aerosol. The air flowing in through gaps in the device housing flows in through an air inlet hole formed in the bottom 143 and flows into the exterior body 60 through the central hole 81 of the first blocking unit 80. The aerosol then flows out of the exterior body 60, passes through the opening 142 of the holding unit 140, and the mouthpiece 150, and enters the user's oral cavity.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a flow path R of the aerosol in the flavor inhalation article 1. Fig. 7 is an example of a diagram showing the inside of the flavor inhalation article 1 as viewed in the longitudinal direction from the first side.
In the flavor inhalation article 1, first, steam mainly generated from the flavor source 10 near the susceptor 50 flows into the susceptor 50 through the central hole 81 (see FIG. 2 ) of the first blocking portion 80 and comes into contact with air flowing out of the susceptor 50 through the through-holes 51 to generate an aerosol, which flows outward along the shape of the laminate 25. As a result, the aerosol flows spirally from the inside to the outside in the radial direction, which is a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, when the aerosol flows spirally from the inside to the outside in the radial direction, the aerosol flows through the gaps formed between adjacent protruding portions 22. Then, the aerosol that reaches the outer end 27 of the laminate 25 flows out of the flavor inhalation article 1 through the outer end hole 91 (see FIG. 2 ) formed in the second blocking portion 90.

As described above, in the flavor inhalation article 1, the aerosol advances spirally from the inside to the outside in the radial direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and flows out of the flavor inhalation article 1 through the outer end hole 91 formed in the second blocking portion 90.
Thus, according to the flavor inhalation article 1, the flow path length can be increased compared to a configuration in which the aerosol simply flows toward the second side in the longitudinal direction and then flows out to the outside (hereinafter, this may be referred to as a "comparative configuration"). Therefore, according to the flavor inhalation article 1, the aerosol is cooled more before flowing out of the flavor inhalation article 1 compared to the comparative configuration. Therefore, for example, there is no need to provide a member for cooling the fluid flowing out of the flavor inhalation article 1 downstream of the flavor inhalation article 1. As a result, the longitudinal size of the flavor inhalation article 1 can be made smaller than, for example, a configuration in which a member for cooling the aerosol is provided downstream of the flavor inhalation article 1.

Furthermore, in the flavor inhalation article 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the multiple protrusions 22 are arranged so that the longitudinal positions of the protrusions 22 in adjacent rows are not the same. Therefore, aerosol that passes through the gaps between adjacent protrusions 22 in the same row flows outward while colliding with the protrusions 22 in the adjacent rows. Therefore, with the flavor inhalation article 1, it is possible to increase the length of the flow path R compared to, for example, a configuration in which the longitudinal positions of the protrusions 22 in adjacent rows are the same. Furthermore, with the flavor inhalation article 1, the length and flow path resistance of the flow path R can be changed by changing the number and arrangement of the multiple protrusions 22.

In the flavor inhalation article 1, as the aerosol flows through the flow path R, heat from the upstream side is transferred to the laminate 25 on the downstream side. In addition, the aerosol generated on the upstream side of the flow path R is sorbed by the laminate 25 located on the downstream side. As a result, high aerosol delivery can be achieved in the latter half of one session, when the laminate 25 located on the downstream side reaches a high temperature.

Here, the flavor inhalation article 1 can be exemplified as having an aspect ratio defined by mathematical formula (1) of 1 or more and 3 or less.
Aspect ratio=h/w (1)
In the formula (1), h is the size of the flavor inhalation article 1 in the longitudinal direction, and w is the diameter of the flavor inhalation article 1 .

The longitudinal size h of the flavor inhalation article 1 can be, for example, 8 mm or more and 20 mm or less. The longitudinal size h is preferably 15 mm or less, and more preferably 10 mm or less, because this allows the flavor inhalation article 1 to be made compact.
The diameter w of the flavor inhalation article 1 can be, for example, 6 mm or more and 20 mm or less. The diameter w is preferably 15 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or less, and even more preferably 8 mm or less. From the viewpoint of cooling performance, a larger diameter w is preferable, but from the viewpoint of making the flavor inhalation article 1 compact, a smaller diameter w is preferable.

The airflow resistance of the flavor inhalation article 1 can be, for example, 150 mmH ₂ O or less, preferably 100 mmH ₂ O or less, more preferably 80 mmH ₂ O or less, and even more preferably 60 mmH ₂ O or less. The airflow resistance of the flavor inhalation article 1 can be, for example, 8 mmH ₂ O or more, preferably 10 mmH ₂ O or more, and more preferably 12 mmH ₂ O or more.
The airflow resistance of the flavor inhalation article 1 is measured in accordance with the ISO standard method (ISO 6565) using, for example, a filter airflow resistance measuring device manufactured by Cerulean Co., Ltd. The airflow resistance of the flavor inhalation article 1 refers to the air pressure difference between the first side and the second side when air is allowed to flow at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 cc/sec) from the first side to the second side in a state in which no air permeates the side surfaces of the flavor inhalation article 1. The unit is generally expressed in _mmH2O .

The air permeability of the laminate 25 can be, for example, 0 Coresta units or more and 35,000 Coresta units or less, and preferably more than 0 Coresta units and 10,000 Coresta units or less. In order to allow the aerosol to flow more easily through the flow path R, the air permeability of the laminate 25 may be 0 Coresta units or more and 100 Coresta units or less. Here, "air permeability" is a value measured in accordance with ISO 2965:2009, and is expressed as the flow rate (cm ³ ) of gas passing through an area of 1 cm ² per minute when the differential pressure between both sides of the paper is 1 kPa. 1 Coresta unit (1 Coresta unit, 1 C.U.) is cm ³ /(min·cm ² ) at 1 kPa.
The packing ratio of the laminate 25 can be, for example, 10 to 60%, and more preferably 15 to 40%. The packing ratio of the laminate 25 here is the ratio of the thickness of the laminate 25 to the radial size W of the flow path R (in other words, the width of the flow path R) (thickness of the laminate 25/radial size W of the flow path R). The thickness of the laminate 25 is the sum of the thickness of the plant-derived ingredient sheet, which is the flavor source 10, and the thickness of the paper 21, and does not include the protruding amount of the protrusions 22.
The packing density of the laminate 25 can be, for example, 0.15 to 0.3 g/cm ^3. The packing density of the laminate 25 referred to here is the ratio of the weight of the laminate 25 to the internal volume of the exterior body 60 (weight of the laminate 25/internal volume of the exterior body 60). The weight of the laminate 25 is the total weight of the flavor source 10 and the paper 21, and does not include the weight of the protrusions 22.

As described above, the flavor inhalation article 1 comprises a flavor source 10 that generates an aerosol when heated by a susceptor 50 (an example of a heating source), a flow path forming body 20 that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows, and an exterior body 60 that houses the flow path forming body 20. The flow path forming body 20 forms a flow path that causes the aerosol to flow spirally in a direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction.

With the flavor inhalation article 1 configured as described above, the length of the flow path within the exterior body 60 can be increased compared to a configuration in which the aerosol simply flows toward the second longitudinal side and then flows out to the outside. Therefore, there is no need to provide a member for cooling the fluid downstream of the flavor inhalation article 1, for example. As a result, the longitudinal size of the flavor inhalation article 1 can be made smaller than a configuration in which a member for cooling is provided downstream of the flavor inhalation article 1, for example. The length of the flow path R, which is the circumferential length from the outer opening of the through-hole 51 of the susceptor 50 arranged inside the laminate 25 to the outer end 27 of the laminate 25, can be, for example, 30 to 300 mm, preferably 40 to 260 mm, and more preferably 43 to 254 mm. By setting the length of the flow path R within the above range, it is possible to suppress an increase in the airflow resistance of the flavor inhalation article 1 while ensuring sufficient aerosol delivery.

Here, the exterior body 60 has a cylindrical tubular portion 70 (an example of a cylindrical portion) whose longitudinal direction is in the center line direction, and the flow path forming body 20 is formed to allow the aerosol to flow from the center of the tubular portion 70 toward the outer periphery. This makes it possible to reliably lengthen the flow path within the exterior body 60.

The exterior body 60 has a first blocking portion 80 that blocks one longitudinal end (e.g., the first end) of the tubular portion 70 and has a central hole 81 (an example of an inlet hole) formed in the center through which air flows, and a second blocking portion 90 that blocks the other longitudinal end (e.g., the second end) of the tubular portion 70.

In the flavor inhalation article 1, the second blocking portion 90 has an outer end hole 91 (an example of an exhaust hole) formed in a portion corresponding to the outer end 27 of the laminate 25, which is the final end of the flow path R. This makes it possible to exhaust the aerosol to the outside from the outer periphery, which is far away in the radial direction from the central hole 81 through which air flows in, thereby making it possible to reliably lengthen the flow path within the exterior body 60.

In the flavor inhalation article 1, the flavor source 10 is a plant-based raw material sheet, the flow path forming body 20 is a sheet of paper 21, and the flavor source 10 and the flow path forming body 20 are laminated. Therefore, even when the flavor source 10 is heated and an aerosol is generated, the flavor source 10 is prevented from shrinking. As a result, the flow path through which the aerosol flows can be maintained with high accuracy from the early to late stages of heating.

The flow path forming body 20 has protrusions 22 protruding from its surface. This forms gaps 28 between radially opposing laminates 25, ensuring a flow path R for the aerosol. The radial size W of the flow path R (in other words, the width of the flow path R) may be 0.3 to 1.5 mm, and preferably 0.35 to 0.97 mm. Since the radial size W of the flow path R is determined by the amount of protrusion 22 protruding from the surface of the paper 21, the amount of protrusion 22 protruding (in other words, the height of the protrusion 22) may be 0.3 to 1.5 mm, and preferably 0.35 to 0.97 mm. By setting the radial size W of the flow path R (width of the flow path R) within the above range, it is possible to ensure a filling amount of the laminate 25 sufficient to deliver aerosol throughout one session while suppressing an increase in the airflow resistance of the flavor inhalation article 1.

In the flavor inhalation article 1, the heat source is the susceptor 50 located in the center of the flow path forming body 20, and heat is generated by the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic induction source 130, which is composed of a coiled conductor arranged around the outer casing 60. The flavor source 10 and the flow path forming body 20 are stacked in the laminate 25 so that the surface facing the susceptor 50 faces the flavor source 10, making it possible to heat the flavor source 10 with high accuracy.

The protrusions 22 of the flow path forming body 20 can be, for example, calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate has high thermal conductivity, so the heat generated by the susceptor 50 is easily conducted to the outer portions of the laminate 25. As a result, the flavor sources 10 of the laminate 25 located in the outer portions are more likely to generate steam.

The laminate 25 may be subjected to a surface treatment such as creping or embossing. Alternatively, the flavor source 10 or the flow path forming body 20 in the laminate 25 may be subjected to a surface treatment such as creping or embossing. This allows the protrusions 22 to be formed by surface treatment without forming the protrusions 22 out of a material with high thermal conductivity such as calcium carbonate, and also increases the area over which the flavor source 10 is atomized.
Furthermore, the flow path forming body 20 of the laminate 25 may be formed in a spiral shape using a heat-resistant resin material instead of the paper 21. When the flow path forming body 20 is formed in a spiral shape using a resin material, it is not necessary to provide the protrusion 22 on the flow path forming body 20.
Furthermore, when the flow path forming body 20 is paper 21, instead of using the protrusion 22 to form a gap 28 between radially opposing laminates 25, the gap 28 may be formed by forming a groove into which the longitudinal end of the laminate 25 fits on the surface of at least one of the first blocking portion 80 and the second blocking portion 90 facing the laminate 25.
Furthermore, in the flavor inhalation article 1, when viewed in the longitudinal direction, the laminate 25 has a counterclockwise spiral shape, but may have a clockwise spiral shape.

(Modifications of the exterior body 60)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a modified example of the exterior body 60. In FIG.
As shown in Figure 8, tubular portion 270, which is a modified example of tubular portion 70, has a cylindrical first tubular portion 271 that covers the outer periphery of stack 25, and a cylindrical second tubular portion 272 that covers the periphery of first tubular portion 271.
The first cylindrical portion 271 is a member corresponding to the cylindrical portion 70, and houses the stack 25 therein. The first cylindrical portion 271 has a plurality of outer end holes 275 (seven in FIG. 8 ) formed in the longitudinal direction at positions corresponding to the outer end 27 of the stack 25, which are discharge holes for discharging the aerosol.
The second cylindrical portion 272 is provided with a plurality of support portions 276 (four in FIG. 8 ) in the circumferential direction, which protrude inward from the inner circumferential surface and support the first cylindrical portion 271 at their tip ends. The support portions 276 protrude inward to form a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 271 and the inner circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion 272, and define an annular gap between the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 271 and the inner circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion 272 in the circumferential direction.
The longitudinal size of the first tubular portion 271 and the second tubular portion 272 is the same as the longitudinal size of the laminate 25, and the first side opening of the first tubular portion 271 and the second tubular portion 272 is blocked by the first blocking portion 80, and the second side opening is blocked by the second blocking portion 90.
The outer end hole 91 of the second blocking portion 90 is formed in a position within the annular gap defined by the support portion 276, corresponding to the annular gap from which the aerosol is discharged from the outer end hole 275. The outer end hole 91 discharges the aerosol from the inside to the outside of the cylindrical portion 270. The shape of the outer end hole 91 is not particularly limited. For example, it may be arc-shaped, as shown in FIG. 8 .
Thus, even in a configuration in which outer end hole 275 for discharging aerosol to the outside is formed in a portion of the outer periphery of first cylindrical portion 271 corresponding to flow path R, it is possible to increase the length of flow path R compared to the comparative configuration. Furthermore, because second cylindrical portion 272 is provided on the outside of first cylindrical portion 271 in which outer end hole 275 is formed, the aerosol discharged from outer end hole 275 is guided by second cylindrical portion 272 to the mouthpiece 150 side without coming into contact with the inner surface that forms internal space 141 of inhalation device 100. This prevents the inner surface that forms internal space 141 of inhalation device 100 from becoming dirty.

(Modification of susceptor 50)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a first modified example of the susceptor 50. As shown in FIG.
The means for communicating the inside and outside of the susceptor 50 is not limited to the through-hole 51 (see FIG. 5 ). As shown in FIG. 9 , a notch 52 may be formed in a portion of the circumference of the cylindrical susceptor 50 over the entire longitudinal length. Furthermore, the notch formed in a portion of the circumference does not have to be formed over the entire longitudinal length as shown in FIG. 9 , but may be formed in a portion of the longitudinal length. For example, a notch may be formed at each of both longitudinal end portions of the susceptor 50, but not in the central portion. Alternatively, a notch may be formed in the longitudinal central portion of the susceptor 50, but not in both longitudinal end portions.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a second modified example of the susceptor 50. In FIG.
A susceptor 250, which is a second modified example of the susceptor 50, is stacked in the stack 25. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the susceptor 250 is sheet-shaped and stacked inside the flavor source 10 in the stack 25. Although not shown, the susceptor 250 may also be sheet-shaped and stacked outside the flow path forming body 20 in the stack 25.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 11 is an example of an exploded view of components constituting the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment.
The flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment is different from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in the flavor source 10 and the flow path forming body 20. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same components in the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, the flavor source 10 and the flow path forming body 20 form the laminate 25, but in the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment, the plant-derived raw material sheet 225 functions as the flavor source 10 and flow path forming body 20 according to the first embodiment. In other words, the plant-derived raw material sheet 225 is the same as the plant-derived raw material sheet that forms the flavor source 10 according to the first embodiment, and the plant-derived raw material sheet 225 also functions as the flow path forming body that forms the flow path through which the aerosol flows. In other words, in the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, the flavor source 10 and the flow path forming body 20 are formed by two layers, a plant-derived raw material sheet and a sheet of paper, but in the flavor inhalation article 2, the plant-derived raw material sheet 225 is a single layer that forms the flavor source and the flow path forming body. The plant-derived raw material sheet 225 may be the same thickness as the plant-derived raw material sheet that forms the flavor source 10 according to the first embodiment, or it may be the same thickness as the laminate 25 according to the first embodiment.

The plant ingredient sheet 225 has multiple protrusions 222 protruding from its outer surface. The protrusions 222 are made of a highly thermally conductive material such as calcium carbonate. As shown in FIG. 11, the multiple protrusions 222 are formed across the entire surface of the plant ingredient sheet 225. The tips of the protrusions 222 come into contact with plant ingredient sheets 225 located outside the plant ingredient sheet 225 on which the protrusions 222 are provided, thereby preventing contact between radially opposing plant ingredient sheets 225 and forming gaps 28 between the radially opposing plant ingredient sheets 225.

The air permeability of the plant-based ingredient sheet 225 can be, for example, from 0 Coresta units to 35,000 Coresta units, and is preferably from more than 0 Coresta units to 10,000 Coresta units. To allow the aerosol to flow more easily through the flow path R, the air permeability of the plant-based ingredient sheet 225 may be from 0 Coresta units to 100 Coresta units.
The packing ratio of the plant raw material sheet 225 can be, for example, 10 to 40%, and preferably 13 to 36%. The packing ratio of the plant raw material sheet 225 here refers to the ratio of the thickness of the plant raw material sheet 225 to the radial size W of the flow channel R (in other words, the width of the flow channel R) (thickness of the plant raw material sheet 225/radial size W of the flow channel R). The thickness of the plant raw material sheet 225 does not include the protrusion amount of the protrusion 222.
The packing density of the plant raw material sheet 225 can be, for example, 0.03 to 0.3 g/ ^cm3 , and preferably 0.046 to 0.22 g/ ^cm3 . The packing density of the plant raw material sheet 225 here refers to the ratio of the weight of the plant raw material sheet 225 to the internal volume of the outer casing 60 (weight of the plant raw material sheet 225 / internal volume of the outer casing 60). The weight of the plant raw material sheet 225 does not include the weight of the protrusions 222.

As described above, the flavor inhalation article 2 comprises a flavor source that generates an aerosol when heated by a susceptor (an example of a heat source), a plant-derived ingredient sheet 225 (an example of a flow path former) that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows, and an exterior body 60 that houses the plant-derived ingredient sheet 225. The plant-derived ingredient sheet 225 forms a flow path R that allows the aerosol to flow spirally in a direction that intersects the longitudinal direction.

In the flavor inhalation article 2, the plant ingredient sheet 225 is a flavor source, and functions as a flow path forming body that forms a flow path.
In the flavor inhalation article 2 configured as described above, as with the flavor inhalation article 1, the longitudinal size of the flavor inhalation article 2 can be made smaller than, for example, a configuration in which a cooling member is provided downstream of the flavor inhalation article 2.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article 3 according to the third embodiment.
The flavor inhalation article 3 according to the third embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in that a susceptor 50 is provided at the outer end 27 of the laminate 25, and an exterior body 360 equivalent to the exterior body 60 is included. Differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same components in the first and third embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

More specifically, in the flavor inhalation article 3, the susceptor 50 is positioned so as to contact the inner surface of the outer end 27 of the laminate 25, and is not positioned inside the inner end 26 of the laminate 25.

The exterior body 360 has a cylindrical portion 70 , a first closing portion 380 corresponding to the first closing portion 80 , and a second closing portion 390 corresponding to the second closing portion 90 .
The first blocking portion 380 has an outer end hole 381 , which is a through hole that allows communication between the inside and outside of the exterior body 360 , formed in the outer periphery at a position corresponding to the susceptor 50 .
The second blocking portion 390 has a central hole 391 formed in the center thereof, which is a through-hole that allows communication between the inside and outside of the exterior body 360. The central hole 391 is formed at a position corresponding to the inside of the inner end portion 26 of the laminate 25. The shape of the central hole 391 is not particularly limited. Examples of the central hole 391 include a circle, an ellipse, and a rectangle.

(Actions of the flavor inhalation article 3 and the inhalation device 100)
A user can insert the flavor inhalation article 3 into the internal space 141 of the holding portion 140 and induce heating using the electromagnetic induction source 130 to bring the aerosol into an inhalable state. More specifically, the steam mainly generated from the flavor source 10 near the susceptor 50 comes into contact with air flowing in from the outer end hole 381 of the first blocking portion 380, causing a decrease in temperature, thereby generating an aerosol, which flows inward along the shape of the laminate 25. The aerosol that flows inward along the shape of the laminate 25 passes through the inside of the inner end 26 of the laminate 25 and the central hole 391 of the exterior body 360, and flows out of the flavor inhalation article 3.

As described above, in the flavor inhalation article 3, the length of the flow path within the exterior body 360 can be made longer compared to a configuration in which the aerosol simply flows toward the second side in the longitudinal direction and then flows out to the outside, so there is no need to provide a member for cooling the aerosol downstream of the flavor inhalation article 3, for example. As a result, the longitudinal size of the flavor inhalation article 3 can be made smaller than in a configuration in which a member for cooling is provided downstream of the flavor inhalation article 3, for example.

(Modification of flavor inhalation article 3)
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a modified flavor inhalation article 3 according to the third embodiment.
In the modified flavor inhalation article 3, a cylindrical susceptor 350 is disposed inside the tubular portion 70 of the exterior body 360, instead of the susceptor 50. The outer end portion 27 of the laminate 25 is formed so that the inner portion of the flavor source 10 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the flow path forming body 20 located inside the outer end portion 27. An outer end hole 381 formed in the first blocking portion 380 is formed in the vicinity of the outer end portion 27 of the laminate 25, at a position corresponding to the gap between the flavor source 10 and the flow path forming body 20.

In the modified flavor inhalation article 3 configured as described above, the steam generated primarily from the flavor source 10 at the outermost periphery, located near the susceptor 350, comes into contact with air flowing in through the outer end hole 381 of the first blocking portion 380, causing a drop in temperature, generating an aerosol, which flows inward along the shape of the laminate 25. The aerosol that flows inward along the shape of the laminate 25 passes through the inside of the inner end 26 of the laminate 25 and the central hole 391 of the exterior body 360, and flows out of the modified flavor inhalation article 3. As a result, the longitudinal size of the modified flavor inhalation article 3 can be made smaller than, for example, a configuration in which a cooling member is provided downstream of the modified flavor inhalation article 3.

The location where the cylindrical susceptor 350 is disposed is not limited to the inside of the cylindrical portion 70 of the outer casing 360. The susceptor 350 may be disposed outside the cylindrical portion 70 of the outer casing 360.
When the susceptor 350 is disposed outside the cylindrical portion 70 of the exterior body 360, the susceptor 350 may be provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 70 of the exterior body 360. By providing the susceptor 350 on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 70, it is possible to suppress a decrease in smoking quality caused by scorching due to adhesion of tar components to the laminate 25, compared to a configuration in which the susceptor 350 is provided inside the cylindrical portion 70.

When the susceptor 350 is disposed on the outside of the cylindrical portion 70 of the outer casing 360, the susceptor 350 can be provided on the inner periphery of the holding portion 140 of the inhalation device 100, for example. Even when the susceptor 350 is provided on the inhalation device 100, it is possible to prevent a decrease in smoking quality due to scorching caused by adhesion of tar components to the laminate 25, compared to a configuration in which the susceptor 350 is provided on the inside of the cylindrical portion 70. Furthermore, by providing the susceptor 350 on the inhalation device 100, it is possible to reduce the amount of susceptor 350 that is discarded after inhalation, compared to a configuration in which the susceptor 350 is provided on the flavor inhalation article 1, which is also preferable from the perspective of sustainability.

Fourth Embodiment
FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the general configuration of the flavor inhalation article 4 according to the fourth embodiment and an inhalation device 400 that uses the flavor inhalation article 4.
The flavor inhalation article 4 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in that it does not have a susceptor 50. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same components in the first and fourth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The flavor inhalation article 4 according to the fourth embodiment is not a device that generates aerosol by using an electromagnetic induction source 130 to heat the susceptor 50 through electromagnetic induction, as in the inhalation device 100, but is used in an inhalation device 400 that has a self-heating heating unit 421 inside the holding unit 140. More specifically, the inhalation device 400 has a blade-shaped heating unit 421 that is arranged so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140 into the internal space 141 of the holding unit 140 and is made of any material, such as metal or polyimide. The flavor inhalation article 4 is attached to the inhalation device 400 so that the heating unit 421 is inserted inside the inner end 26 of the laminate 25. When power is supplied from the power supply unit 111 and the heating unit 421 generates heat, the flavor source 10 contained in the flavor inhalation article 4 is heated from the inside and atomized, generating an aerosol.

The opening area of the central hole 81 of the first blocking section 80 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the heating section 421 cut at a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the air flowing into the outer casing 60 through the central hole 81 flows into a gap formed outside the heating section 421 and inside the flavor source 10 in the laminate 25.
Alternatively, the heating section 421 may be cylindrical with a hollow interior and formed with radial through-holes that communicate between the interior and exterior, and air that flows into the exterior body 60 via the central hole 81 of the first closing section 80 may flow through the interior of the heating section 421 and the through-holes to the inside of the laminate 25. In such an embodiment, the opening area of the central hole 81 of the first closing section 80 is preferably smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inside of the heating section 421 cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

In addition, the plant-derived ingredient sheet 225 according to the second embodiment may be applied instead of the laminate 25 in the flavor inhalation article 4.

Fifth Embodiment
FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the general configuration of an inhalation device 500 that uses the flavor inhalation article 5 according to the fifth embodiment.
The flavor inhalation article 5 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 3 according to the third embodiment in that it does not have a susceptor 50. The differences from the third embodiment will be described below. The same components in the third and fifth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The flavor inhalation article 5 according to the fifth embodiment is not a type of device that generates aerosol by using an electromagnetic induction source 130 to heat a susceptor 50 through electromagnetic induction, as in the inhalation device 100, but is used in an inhalation device 500 that has a self-heating heating unit 521 on the outside of the holding unit 140. More specifically, the inhalation device 500 has a heating unit 521 that is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the holding unit 140 and is made of a film-like material such as metal or polyimide. When power is supplied from the power supply unit 111 and the heating unit 521 generates heat, the flavor source 10 contained in the flavor inhalation article 5 is heated and atomized, generating an aerosol.

The flavor inhalation article 5 according to the fifth embodiment may have a plant-derived ingredient sheet 225 instead of the laminate 25, similar to the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment.

Sixth Embodiment
FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the general configuration of a flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment.
The flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment has, in addition to the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, a filter section 600 on the second side in the longitudinal direction of the flavor inhalation article 1, and also has tipping paper 650 that integrates the flavor inhalation article 1 and the filter section 600. Differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same components in the first and sixth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[Filter section 600]
The filter unit 600 has a filter 610 through which the aerosol passes, and a wrapping paper 620 that is located between the filter 610 and tipping paper 650 and wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the filter 610. The filter unit 600 is wound up integrally with the flavor inhalation article 1 using the tipping paper 650. The wrapping paper 620 may not be provided.

The filter 610 has functions such as reducing nicotine and tar, as well as reducing unpleasant sensations such as irritation. Furthermore, the filter 610 may contain additives such as known flavorings like menthol, adsorbents, granular activated carbon, and flavor retention agents. The filter 610 may be a plain filter including a single filter segment, or a multi-segment filter including multiple filter segments, such as a dual filter or triple filter.
The filter 610 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape using a filler such as acetate, charcoal, cellulose fiber, nonwoven fabric, pulp paper, etc. Alternatively, a paper filter filled with pulp paper in sheet form may be used.

The wrapping paper 620 may have any configuration and may include one or more rows of seams containing adhesive. The adhesive may include a hot melt adhesive, and the hot melt adhesive may further include polyvinyl alcohol. The adhesive may also include a vinyl acetate adhesive. When the filter unit 600 is made up of two or more components, the wrapping paper 620 is preferably formed by wrapping each of these two or more components together with another wrapping paper.
The material of the wrapper 620 is not particularly limited, and known materials can be used, and may contain fillers such as calcium carbonate.
Furthermore, the wrapper 620 may be coated or uncoated, but is preferably coated with a desired material from the standpoint of imparting functions other than strength and structural rigidity.

The shape of the paper roll 620 can be, for example, a square or a rectangle.
When wrapping the filter 610 with the wrapping paper 620, for example, an end of the wrapping paper 620 and an end of the wrapping paper 620 on the opposite side are overlapped by about 2 mm in the circumferential direction and glued together to form a cylindrical paper tube shape, inside which the filter 610 is packed. The size of the wrapping paper 620 can be determined depending on the size of the filter part 600.

[Tipping Paper 650]
The tipping paper 650 is wrapped around the outer circumferential surfaces of the flavor inhalation article 1 and the filter portion 600 .
The shape of the tipping paper 650 is not particularly limited and can be, for example, square or rectangular.
The basis weight of the tipping paper 650 is not particularly limited, but is usually 32 gsm or more and 60 gsm or less, preferably 33 gsm or more and 55 gsm or less, and more preferably 34 gsm or more and 53 gsm or less.
The air permeability of the tipping paper 650 is not particularly limited, but is usually from 0 to 35,000 Coresta units, and preferably from 0 to 10,000 Coresta units. Here, "air permeability" is a value measured in accordance with ISO 2965:2009, and is expressed as the flow rate (cm ³ ) of gas passing through an area of 1 cm ² per minute when the differential pressure between both sides of the paper is 1 kPa. 1 Coresta unit (1 Coresta unit, 1 C.U.) is cm ³ /(min·cm ² ) under 1 kPa.

The composition of the tipping paper 650 is not particularly limited and can be a common embodiment, for example, one containing pulp as the main component. The pulp may be made from wood pulp such as softwood pulp or hardwood pulp, or may be made by mixing non-wood pulp commonly used in cigarette papers for tobacco products, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, or esparto. These pulps may be used alone or in any combination of two or more types in any ratio.
Pulp types that can be used include chemical pulp produced by kraft cooking, acidic, neutral, or alkaline sulfite cooking, soda cooking, etc., ground pulp, chemi-ground pulp, thermomechanical pulp, etc. The tipping paper 650 may be produced by the above-mentioned production method or may be a commercially available product.

In addition to the materials mentioned above, the tipping paper 650 may contain fillers, such as metal carbonates such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, metal oxides such as titanium oxide, titanium dioxide and aluminum oxide, metal sulfates such as barium sulfate and calcium sulfate, metal sulfides such as zinc sulfide, quartz, kaolin, talc, diatomaceous earth, gypsum, etc., and it is particularly preferable that the tipping paper 650 contain calcium carbonate in order to improve whiteness and opacity and increase the heating rate. These fillers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

In addition to the materials and fillers mentioned above, the tipping paper 650 may contain various auxiliary agents. For example, it may contain a water resistance improver to enhance water resistance. Water resistance improvers include wet strength agents (WS agents) and sizing agents. Examples of wet strength agents include urea formaldehyde resin, melamine formaldehyde resin, and polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE). Examples of sizing agents include rosin soap, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), and highly saponified polyvinyl alcohol with a saponification degree of 90% or more.

A coating agent may be added to at least one of the two surfaces, the front and back surfaces, of the tipping paper 650. There are no particular limitations on the coating agent, but a coating agent that can form a film on the surface and reduce liquid permeability is preferred.
A portion of the outer surface of the tipping paper 650 may be coated with a lip release material. The lip release material refers to a material configured to help the lip and the tipping paper 650 to easily separate without substantial sticking when the user holds the filter portion 600 of the flavor inhalation article 6 in their mouth. The lip release material may include, for example, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, etc. For example, the outer surface of the tipping paper 650 may be coated with the lip release material by applying an ethyl cellulose-based or methyl cellulose-based ink to the outer surface of the tipping paper 650.

The flavor inhalation article 6 has the filter portion 600, so that the user can inhale the aerosol by holding the filter portion 600 in their mouth. Therefore, the inhalation device 100 does not need to include the mouthpiece 150.
Furthermore, in the flavor inhalation article 6, the flow path length can be made longer compared to the comparative configuration, so the aerosol can be cooled more effectively, and even if a filter section 600 is provided, the longitudinal size of the filter section 600 can be made smaller.

The means for integrating the flavor inhalation article 1 and the filter portion 600 is not limited to the tipping paper 650. The flavor inhalation article 1 and the filter portion 600 may be joined together by, for example, an adhesive.
Furthermore, the flavor suction article 2 according to the second embodiment to the flavor suction article 5 according to the fifth embodiment may have the filter portion 600 and the tip paper 650 .
Seventh Embodiment
FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a general configuration of a flavor inhalation article 7 according to the seventh embodiment.
The flavor inhalation article 7 according to the seventh embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment in that it has a cylindrical tubular portion 730 between the flavor inhalation article 1 and the filter portion 600, and that tipping paper 650 integrates the flavor inhalation article 1, the filter portion 600, and the tubular portion 730. The differences from the sixth embodiment will be described below. The same components in the sixth and seventh embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[Cylindrical portion 730]
The cylindrical portion 730 is disposed adjacent to the flavor inhalation article 1 and the filter portion 600, and is formed so that a cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof is hollow (hollow) by wrapping the sheet 731 around the cylindrical portion 730. The cylindrical portion 730 cools the aerosol flowing out from the flavor inhalation article 1.
The cross section of the cylindrical portion 730 is substantially circular, and its area can be changed appropriately according to the size of the product, but it is preferable that it is approximately the same as the cross section area of the filter 610.
The longitudinal size of the cylindrical portion 730 can be changed appropriately depending on the size of the product, but is typically 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more, and more preferably 15 mm or more. The longitudinal size of the cylindrical portion 730 is typically 35 mm or less, preferably 30 mm or less, and more preferably 25 mm or less. The longitudinal size of the cylindrical portion 730 preferably satisfies any combination of the above-mentioned lower and upper limits. By setting the longitudinal size of the cylindrical portion 730 to be equal to or greater than the above-mentioned lower limit, a sufficient cooling effect can be ensured to obtain a good flavor, while by setting it to be equal to or less than the above-mentioned upper limit, loss of the generated steam and aerosol due to adhesion to the sheet 731 can be suppressed.

For example, the cylindrical portion 730 is a paper tube formed by winding a sheet 731 made of paper. Alternatively, the cylindrical portion 730 may be a paper tube formed by stacking multiple sheets 731 containing at least paper. By stacking multiple sheets 731, the strength of the cylindrical portion 730 can be maintained even if the basis weight of each sheet 731 is small.

The thickness of sheet 731 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, 50 μm to 500 μm, or 100 μm to 250 μm. The material of sheet 731 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a material whose main component is pulp, or a material whose main component is any of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, cellulose acetate, and aluminum foil, or any combination thereof.
Although the cylindrical portion 730 is formed by rolling the sheet 731, the configuration is not limited to this as long as the cross section is hollow. For example, the cylindrical portion 730 may be formed from a tube made of synthetic resin or the like that already has a hollow cross section.

The cylindrical portion 730 may be provided with a plurality of through-holes 732 (also referred to as "ventilation filters (Vf)" in the present technical field) in its circumferential direction. The through-holes 732 are holes that penetrate the sheet 731. Examples of the hole shapes include polygons, rounded polygons, circles, and ellipses. The through-holes 732 are present in an area through which air can flow in from outside the flavor inhalation article 7; in other words, in an area that protrudes from the opening 142 when the flavor inhalation article 7 is held in the holding portion 140 of the inhalation device 100.

The presence of the through holes 732 makes it possible to adjust the concentration of the inhaled flavor components and aerosol. Furthermore, the presence of multiple through holes 732 allows air to flow into the interior of the tubular portion 730 from the outside during inhalation, lowering the temperature of the steam and air flowing in from the flavor inhalation article 1. Furthermore, by positioning the through holes 732 in the tubular portion 730 within an area 4 mm or more from the boundary between the tubular portion 730 and the filter portion 600 toward the tubular portion 730 (first side), not only is the cooling capacity improved, but the retention of the substance (product) generated by heating within the tubular portion 730 is suppressed, improving the amount of product delivered.

Furthermore, when the flavor inhalation article 7 is configured such that the flavor inhalation article 1, the tubular portion 730, and the filter portion 600 are wrapped with tipping paper 650, it is preferable that the tipping paper 650 has an air hole formed directly above the through-hole 732 formed in the tubular portion 730. When producing such a flavor inhalation article 7, it is possible to prepare and wrap tipping paper 650 with an air hole that overlaps with the through-hole 732, but from the perspective of ease of production, it is preferable to produce a flavor inhalation article 7 that does not have a through-hole 732, and then drill a hole that passes through both the tubular portion 730 and the tipping paper 650 at the same time.

The through-holes 732 are provided so that the air inflow rate from the through-holes 732 when an automatic smoking machine inhales at 17.5 ml/sec is 10% by volume or more and 90% by volume or less. This "air inflow rate" is the volumetric rate of air inflowing from the through-hole 732 when the rate of air inhaled from the mouthpiece end is taken as 100% by volume. The air inflow rate is preferably 50% by volume or more and 80% by volume or less, and more preferably 55% by volume or more and 75% by volume or less.
The air inflow ratio can be measured using a winding quality measuring device (SODIMAX D74/SODIM manufactured by S.A.S.) by a method in accordance with ISO9512.

Flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment to flavor inhalation article 5 according to the fifth embodiment may also have a filter portion 600, tipping paper 650, and tubular portion 730.

Eighth Embodiment
FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a general configuration of a flavor inhalation article 8 according to the eighth embodiment.
The flavor inhalation article 8 according to the eighth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 7 according to the seventh embodiment in that it has a tip portion 840 arranged on the first side of the flavor inhalation article 7, and that the tip paper 650 integrates the flavor inhalation article 7 with the tip portion 840. The differences from the seventh embodiment will be described below. The same components in the seventh and eighth embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The tip portion 840 is a solid member that prevents smoke from leaking from the end face on the first side of the flavor inhalation article 7. The cross section of the tip portion 840 is substantially circular, and can be exemplified as having the same shape as the end portion on the first side of the flavor inhalation article 7. The tip portion 840 can be exemplified as a filter formed from a filler such as cellulose acetate fiber, nonwoven fabric, or pulp paper in a cylindrical shape, or a paper filter filled with sheet-like pulp paper.

The tip portion 840 may have the function of guiding air that has flowed in through an air inlet hole provided in the bottom portion 143 of the holding portion 140 of the inhalation device 100 only to a position corresponding to the inside of the inner end portion 26 of the laminate 25. If the tip portion 840 has this function, the flavor inhalation article 8 does not need to be equipped with the first blocking portion 80.

Flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment to flavor inhalation article 5 according to the fifth embodiment may each have a filter portion 600, tipping paper 650, a cylindrical portion 730, and a tip portion 840.

<Summary>
The present disclosure includes the following configurations.
(1) A flavor inhalation article comprising: a flavor source that is heated by a heat source to generate an aerosol; a flow path former that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows; and an exterior body that houses the flow path former, wherein the flow path former forms the flow path so that the aerosol flows spirally in a direction that intersects the longitudinal direction.
(2) The flavor inhalation article described in (1), wherein the outer casing has a cylindrical portion whose center line direction is the longitudinal direction, and the flow path forming body is formed to flow the aerosol from the center of the cylindrical portion toward the outer periphery. (3) The flavor inhalation article described in (2), wherein the outer casing has a first blocking portion that blocks one end of the cylindrical portion in the longitudinal direction and has an inlet hole formed in the center through which air flows, and a second blocking portion that blocks the other end of the cylindrical portion in the longitudinal direction.
(4) A flavor inhalation article as described in (3), wherein the cylindrical portion has an exhaust hole formed in the outer periphery at a position corresponding to the flow path for exhausting the aerosol to the outside.
(5) A flavor inhalation article according to (3), wherein the second blocking portion has a discharge hole formed in a position corresponding to the flow path for discharging the aerosol to the outside.
(6) A flavor inhalation article described in any one of (1) to (5), wherein the flavor source is a plant-derived raw material sheet, and the flow path forming body forms the flow path in the plant-derived raw material sheet.
(7) A flavor inhalation article described in any one of (1) to (5), wherein the flavor source is a plant-based raw material sheet, the flow path forming body is a sheet of paper, and the flavor source and the flow path forming body are laminated.
(8) A flavor inhalation article according to (6) or (7), wherein the flow path forming body has a protrusion protruding from the surface.
(9) The flavor inhalation article according to (8), wherein the protrusion is calcium carbonate.
(10) A flavor inhalation article described in any one of (1) to (9), wherein the heating source is a susceptor arranged in the center of the flow path forming body, and an electromagnetic induction source consisting of a coiled conductor arranged around the outer casing generates a magnetic field to generate heat.
(11) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the air permeability of the flow path forming body is 0 to 35,000 Coresta units.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8...Flavor inhalation article, 10...Flavor source, 20...Flow path forming body, 25...Laminate, 50...Susceptor, 60...Outer body, 70...Cylindrical portion, 80, 380...First closing portion, 81, 391...Central hole, 90, 390...Second closing portion, 91, 381...Outer end hole, 100, 400, 500...Suction device, 130...Electromagnetic induction source, 225...Plant-based raw material sheet

Claims (11)

a flavor source that is heated by a heating source to generate an aerosol;
a flow path forming member that forms a flow path through which the aerosol flows;
an exterior body that houses the flow path forming body;
Equipped with
the flow path forming member forms the flow path so that the aerosol flows spirally in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.
Flavor suction article. The exterior body has a cylindrical portion whose center line direction is the longitudinal direction,
The flow path formation member is formed to allow the aerosol to flow from the center portion of the cylindrical portion toward the outer periphery thereof.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1 . The exterior body has a first closing portion that closes one end of the cylindrical portion in the longitudinal direction and has an inlet hole formed in the center through which air flows in, and a second closing portion that closes the other end of the cylindrical portion in the longitudinal direction.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 2 . The cylindrical portion has a discharge hole formed in an outer circumferential portion at a position corresponding to the flow path, for discharging the aerosol to the outside.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 3 . The second blocking portion has a discharge hole formed in a portion corresponding to the flow path, through which the aerosol is discharged to the outside.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 3 . The flavor source is a plant-based raw material sheet,
The flow path forming member forms the flow path in the plant raw material sheet.
The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The flavor source is a plant-based raw material sheet,
the flow path forming body is a sheet of paper,
The flavor source and the flow path forming body are stacked.
The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The flow path forming body has a protrusion protruding from a surface thereof.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 6 or 7. The protrusions are calcium carbonate.
The flavor inhalation article according to claim 8. the heat source is a susceptor disposed in the center of the flow path forming body, and an electromagnetic induction source constituted by a coiled conductor disposed around the exterior body generates a magnetic field to generate heat;
The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The air permeability of the flow path forming body is 0 to 35,000 Coresta units.
The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 10.