Patent Description:
Recently, the demand for alternatives to traditional cigarettes has increased. For example, there is growing demand for an aerosol generating device which generates the aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material without combustion. Accordingly, researches on a heating-type aerosol generating device have been actively conducted. <CIT> relates to a heated aerosol-generating article comprising a rod of aerosol-generating substrate, wherein the rod of aerosol-generating substrate comprises:a first plug of homogenised tobacco material; and a second plug of homogenised tobacco material. The first plug and the second plug are coaxially aligned, the first plug being provided downstream of the second plug, and the first plug and the second plug differ from each other in at least one property of the homogenised tobacco material such that upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate, the first plug releases aerosol after a shorter time than the second plug. <CIT> relates to an integrally-formed heat-not-burn smoking article, wherein the smoking article comprises a lip-proximal end and a lip-distal end, and the smoking article is formed by integrally filling a piece of forming paper having a constant thickness, from the lip-distal end to the lip-proximal end, with four or more different unit sections comprising a filter unit, a gel cooling aroma-carrying unit, a hollow special particle unit, a hollow supporting unit, a cavity unit, a blocking sheet unit and a smoking unit. <CIT> relates to a heated aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device comprising a plurality of components including an aerosol-forming substrate assembled within a wrapper to form a rod having a mouth end and a distal end upstream from the mouth end. A rigid hollow tube is disposed upstream from the aerosol-forming substrate within the wrapper. A pierceable film, for example a pierceable polymer film or metallic film, spans one end of the rigid hollow tube. The rigid hollow tube is substantially non-flammable and acts to lower the risk of the aerosol-forming substrate being ignited if a flame is held to the distal end of the article.

There is a need for an aerosol-generating article capable of providing an abundant aerosol-generating amount and nicotine delivery amount.

The problems to be solved through the embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

An embodiment provides an aerosol-generating article including: a first portion including a plurality of crimped pieces of paper impregnated with an aerosol-generating element; a second portion including a tobacco element; a third portion including a cooling element; and a fourth portion including a filter element, wherein the first portion, the second portion, the third portion, and the fourth portion are sequentially arranged along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article.

Other embodiments provide an aerosol generating system including: an aerosol-generating article; and an aerosol generating device including an accommodating space to accommodate the aerosol-generating article, a heating element to heat the aerosol-generating article, and a battery to supply power to the heating element. The means for solving the problem are not limited to the above, and may include all matters that may be inferred by a person skilled in the art through the present specification.

According to the aerosol-generating article according to the embodiments, the target temperature may be quickly reached, the user may be provided with an abundant aerosol-generation amount and nicotine delivery amount uniformly for the duration of smoking, and the roundness and hardness of the aerosol-generating article may be improved, thereby improving user convenience.

The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the above, and may include all effects that may be inferred from the description provided below.

One embodiment provide an aerosol-generating article including: a first portion including a plurality of crimped pieces of paper impregnated with an aerosol-generating element; a second portion including a tobacco element; a third portion including a cooling element; and a fourth portion including a filter element, wherein the first portion, the second portion, the third portion, and the fourth portion are sequentially arranged along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article.

In addition, the plurality of crimped paper pieces each may have an average length of about <NUM> to about <NUM> in one direction.

In addition, the piece of paper may have a thickness of about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

In addition, the piece of paper may have a basis weight of <NUM>/m<NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>.

In addition, the first portion may include <NUM>/mm to <NUM>/mm of the plurality of crimped paper pieces based on the length of the first portion.

In addition, the aerosol-generating element may include <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of glycerin and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of propylene glycol, with respect to the total weight of the aerosol-generating element.

In addition, the aerosol-generating article may include <NUM>/mm to <NUM>/mm of the aerosol-generating element, based on the length of the aerosol-generating article.

In addition, a horizontal cross section of the first portion may have a hardness of <NUM> % or more, and a roundness of <NUM> % or more.

Other embodiments provide an aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating system including: an aerosol-generating article; and an aerosol generating device including an accommodating space to accommodate the aerosol-generating article, a heating element to heat the aerosol-generating article, and a battery that supplies power to the heating element.

In addition, the heating element may be arranged to surround the accommodating space.

In addition, the aerosol generating device may heat at least a portion of the first portion and at least a portion of the second portion.

With respect to the terms used to describe in the various embodiments, the general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of a new technology, and the like.

Also, as used herein, terms including an ordinal number such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

Throughout the specification, "aerosol-generating article" means an article used for smoking. For example, the aerosol-generating article may be a general combustion cigarette used by being ignited and combusted, or may be a heated cigarette used by being heated by an aerosol generating device. As another example, the aerosol-generating article may be an article that is used in such a way that the liquid contained in the cartridge is heated.

Throughout the specification, "longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article" means the lengthwise direction of the aerosol-generating article extends or the direction in which the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the aerosol generating device.

Throughout the specification, the "tobacco element" may refer to a substance including tobacco.

Throughout the specification, the "tobacco material" means any form of material derived from tobacco leaves.

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

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

<FIG> are diagrams showing examples in which an aerosol-generating article is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a battery <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a heater <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include a vaporizer <NUM>. Also, the aerosol-generating article <NUM> may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

Also, <FIG> illustrate that the aerosol generating device <NUM> includes the heater <NUM>. However, as necessary, the heater <NUM> may be omitted.

When the aerosol-generating article <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> and/ or the vaporizer <NUM> to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating article <NUM> and/or the vaporizer <NUM>. The aerosol generated by the heater <NUM> and/or the vaporizer <NUM> is delivered to a user by passing through the aerosol-generating article <NUM>.

As necessary, even when the aerosol-generating article <NUM> is not inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may heat the heater <NUM>.

For example, when the cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the heater <NUM> may be located outside the cigarette. Thus, the heated heater <NUM> may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

For example, the heater <NUM> may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the aerosol-generating article <NUM>, according to the shape of the heating element.

Here, the plurality of heaters <NUM> may be inserted into the aerosol-generating article <NUM> or may be arranged outside the aerosol-generating article <NUM>. Also, some of the plurality of heaters <NUM> may be inserted into the aerosol-generating article <NUM> and the others may be arranged outside the aerosol-generating article <NUM>.

The vaporizer <NUM> may generate aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the aerosol-generating article <NUM> to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the vaporizer <NUM> may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device <NUM> and the air flow passage may be configured such that the aerosol generated via the vaporizer <NUM> passes through the cigarette to be delivered to the user.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, and the vaporizer <NUM>. For example, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may include at least one sensor (e.g., a puff detecting sensor, a temperature detecting sensor, a cigarette insertion detecting sensor, etc.). Also, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be formed as a structure that, even when the aerosol-generating article <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, may introduce external air or discharge internal air.

The aerosol-generating article <NUM> may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the aerosol-generating article <NUM> may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the aerosol-generating article <NUM> may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. For example, opening and closing of the air passage and/or a size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount of smoke and a smoking impression may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the aerosol-generating article <NUM> through at least one hole formed in a surface of the aerosol-generating article <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view showing an example of an aerosol generating device using an induction heating method.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> includes a battery <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a coil C and a susceptor S. Further, at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article <NUM> may be accommodated in a cavity V of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The aerosol-generating article <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> of <FIG> may respectively correspond to the aerosol-generating article <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> of <FIG>. Also, the coil C and the susceptor S may be included in the heater <NUM>. Therefore, the repetitive descriptions are omitted below.

<FIG> only shows certain components of the aerosol generating device <NUM> which are particularly related to the present embodiment. Therefore, it may be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that other general-purpose components other than those shown in <FIG> may be further included in the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

The coil C may be positioned close to the cavity V. <FIG> shows that the coil C surrounds the cavity V, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

Once the aerosol-generating article <NUM> is received in the cavity V of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may supply power to the coil C so that the coil C generates a magnetic field. As a magnetic field generated by the coil C passes through the susceptor S, the susceptor S may be heated.

This induction heating phenomenon is well known and may be explained by Faraday's Law of induction. In detail, when the magnetic induction in the susceptor S changes, an electric field is generated in the susceptor S and thus an eddy current flows in the susceptor S. Eddy currents generate heat in the susceptor S that is proportional to the current density and conductor resistance.

As the susceptor S is heated by the eddy current, the aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating article <NUM> is heated by the heated susceptor S, and an aerosol may be generated. The aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material passes through the aerosol-generating article <NUM> and is delivered to the user.

The battery <NUM> may supply power to the coil C to generate a magnetic field. The controller <NUM> may be electrically connected to the coil C.

The coil C may be an electrically conductive coil that generates a magnetic field by power supplied from the battery <NUM>. The coil C may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the cavity V. The magnetic field generated by the coil C may be applied to the susceptor S disposed in the cavity V.

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

The susceptor S may include at least one of a ceramic (e.g., graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, nickel alloy, metal film, or zirconia), a transition metal (e.g., nickel (Ni) or cobalt (Co)), and a metalloid (e.g., boron (B) or phosphorus (P)). However, the susceptor S is not limited to the above-described example, and other materials capable of being heated to a desired temperature may be used without limitation. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device <NUM>, or may be set by the user.

The susceptor S may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article <NUM> which is placed in the cavity V of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. Thus, the heated susceptor S may raise the temperature of the aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating article <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the susceptor S is disposed to surround at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article, but the shape and the arrangement of the susceptor S are not limited thereto. For example, the susceptor S may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the interior or exterior of the aerosol-generating article <NUM> depending on the shape of the heating element.

In addition, a plurality of susceptors S may be disposed in the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In this case, the plurality of susceptors S may be disposed on the outside of the aerosol-generating article <NUM>, or may be disposed to be inserted into the aerosol-generating article <NUM>. In addition, some of the plurality of susceptors S may be disposed to be inserted into the aerosol-generating article <NUM>, and the rest may be disposed outside the aerosol-generating article <NUM>. The shape of the susceptor S is not limited to the shape shown in <FIG>, and may be manufactured in various shapes.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating the structure of an aerosol-generating article <NUM> according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an aerosol-generating article <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM>, a second portion <NUM>, a third portion <NUM>, and a fourth portion <NUM>. In detail, the first portion <NUM>, the second portion <NUM>, the third portion <NUM>, and the fourth portion <NUM> may respectively include an aerosol-generating element (i.e., aerosol-generating material), a tobacco element, a cooling element, and a filter element. As an example, the first portion <NUM> may include an aerosol-generating material, the second portion <NUM> may include a tobacco material and a moisturizer, the third portion <NUM> may cool the airflow passing through the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>, and the fourth portion <NUM> may include a filter material.

Referring to <FIG>, the first portion <NUM>, the second portion <NUM>, the third portion <NUM>, and the fourth portion <NUM> may be sequentially arranged along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article <NUM>. Here, the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article <NUM> may be a lengthwise direction of the aerosol-generating article <NUM>. For example, the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article <NUM> may be a direction from the first portion <NUM> toward the fourth portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the aerosol generated in at least one of the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may pass sequentially through the first portion <NUM>, the second portion <NUM>, the third portion <NUM>, and the fourth portion <NUM> to form an airflow, and thus the smoker may inhale the aerosol from the fourth portion <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> may include an aerosol-generating element. It may also contain other additive substances such as flavoring agents, wetting agents and/or organic acids, and may contain flavoring agents such as menthol or moisturizer. Here, the aerosol-generating element may include, for example, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described examples, and the first portion <NUM> may include various types of aerosol-generating elements widely known in the art.

The first portion <NUM> may include a crimped sheet, and the aerosol-generating element may be included in the crimped sheet. In addition, flavoring agents, wetting agents and/or other additive substances such as organic acids, and flavoring agents may be included in the crimped sheet.

The crimped sheet may be a sheet made of a polymer material. For example, the polymer material may include at least one of paper, cellulose acetate, lyocell, and polylactic acid. For example, the crimped sheet may be a paper sheet in which off-flavor due to heat is not generated even when heated to a high temperature. However, the crimped sheet is not limited thereto.

The first portion <NUM> may have a length of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and the second portion <NUM> may have a length of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. However, it is not necessarily limited to these numerical ranges, and the lengths of the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> extend may vary according to embodiments.

The second portion <NUM> may include a tobacco element. The tobacco element may be a specific type of tobacco material. For example, the tobacco element may be in the form of tobacco cut filler, tobacco particles, tobacco sheets, tobacco beads, tobacco granules, tobacco powder, or tobacco extract. In addition, the tobacco material may include, for example, one or more of tobacco leaves, tobacco ribs, expanded tobacco, cut filler, leaf cut filler, and reconstituted tobacco.

The third portion <NUM> may cool the airflow passing through the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>. The third portion <NUM> may be made of a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material, and may have a cooling function. For example, the third portion <NUM> may be made of polylactic acid (PLA) fiber, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the third part <NUM> may be made of a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the third portion <NUM> is not limited to the above-described example, and other materials capable of cooling the aerosol may be used without limitation. For example, the third portion <NUM> may be a tube filter or a paper tube filter including a hollow.

The fourth portion <NUM> may include a filter material. For example, the fourth portion <NUM> may be a cellulose acetate filter. The shape of the fourth portion <NUM> is not limited. For example, the fourth portion <NUM> may be a cylindrical rod, or a tubular rod including a hollow therein. Also, the fourth part <NUM> may be a recess type rod. In a case where the fourth part <NUM> includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.

The fourth portion <NUM> may be produced to generate flavor. For example, the flavoring liquid may be injected into the fourth portion <NUM>. As another example, fibers to which the flavoring liquid is applied may be inserted into the fourth portion <NUM>.

The aerosol-generating article <NUM> may include a first wrapper <NUM> surrounding at least a portion of the first portion <NUM> to the fourth portion <NUM>. The first wrapper <NUM> may be positioned on the outermost side of the aerosol-generating article <NUM>. The first wrapper <NUM> may be a single wrapper or a combination of a plurality of wrappers.

In addition, the aerosol-generating article <NUM> may further include a second wrapper <NUM> that is wrapped around the periphery of the first wrapper <NUM>. In other words, at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article <NUM> may be double-wrapped by the first wrapper <NUM> and the second wrapper <NUM>. For example, the second wrapper <NUM> may be wrapped around at least a portion of the third portion <NUM> and the fourth portion <NUM> which are wrapped by the first wrapper <NUM>.

As an example, the first portion <NUM> of the aerosol-generating article <NUM> may include a crimped pleated sheet including an aerosol-generating material, the second portion <NUM> may include leaf cut filler as tobacco material and glycerin as a humectant, the third portion <NUM> may include a tube, and the fourth portion <NUM> may include cellulose acetate (CA) fibers, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an aerosol-generating article <NUM> according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an aerosol-generating article <NUM> according to another embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol-generating article <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM> including an aerosol-generating element, a second portion <NUM> including a tobacco element, a third portion <NUM> including a cooling element, and a fourth portion <NUM> including a filter element. The first portion <NUM>, the second portion <NUM>, the third portion <NUM>, and the fourth portion <NUM> are sequentially arranged along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article <NUM>. With respect to the first portion <NUM>, the second portion <NUM>, the third portion <NUM>, and the fourth portion <NUM>, the descriptions provided above with reference to <FIG> may be equally applied.

Hereinafter, the first portion <NUM> of the aerosol-generating article <NUM> will be described in more detail.

The first portion <NUM> may include a plurality of crimped pieces of paper <NUM>, which serve as an aerosol-generating element absorber for containing an aerosol-generating element. The plurality of crimped paper pieces <NUM> may be randomly arranged in the first portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG> or may be aligned in a predetermined direction in the first portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

A plurality of crimped paper pieces <NUM> may be obtained by chopping the crimped paper sheet impregnated with the aerosol-generating element which is described above with reference to <FIG>. The plurality of pieces of paper <NUM> may include a larger amount of aerosol-generating element as compared to a single sheet of paper. In addition, because a plurality of crimped paper pieces <NUM> are randomly scattered in the first portion <NUM>, the airflow may be dispersed in various directions inside the first portion <NUM> when the user inhales, which causes the aerosol to be generated throughout the first portion <NUM>. As a result, a greater amount of aerosol may be provided to the user.

In addition, because the area of the individual aerosol-generating element absorber is reduced compared to the case of a single sheet of paper, the plurality of crimped paper pieces <NUM> may be more sensitive to the heat supplied by the heating element of the aerosol-generating device. Therefore, the first portion <NUM> including a plurality of crimped paper pieces <NUM> may reach the target temperature faster than the first portion <NUM> including a single paper sheet, and may uniformly supply an abundant amount of aerosol to the user even in the early stage of smoking.

In addition, because a larger amount of the absorber may be put into the first portion <NUM> at a high density, a roundness and a hardness of the first portion <NUM> are improved, thereby improving user convenience.

The roundness refers to the degree to which the cross-section of the first portion <NUM> is round, and may be measured through a known technique. For example, the roundness thereof may be measured with a comparator or the like while rotating the first portion <NUM>, and an error of the radius may be obtained by movement of a measurer.

The hardness is a physical property related to elasticity and restoration of the first portion <NUM>, and refers to the degree to which the first portion <NUM> resists pressure applied in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In order for the user to easily use the aerosol-generating article, a certain level of hardness is required to maintain the shape of the aerosol-generating article.

The shape and the size of the plurality of crimped paper pieces <NUM> are not limited. For example, the plurality of crimped paper pieces <NUM> may have an average length of <NUM> to <NUM> in one direction. For example, the plurality of crimped paper pieces <NUM> may have a rectangular shape, and the long side of the rectangle may have an average length of <NUM> to <NUM>. When the plurality of crimped paper pieces <NUM> have an average length in the above range, the airflow generated in the first portion <NUM> may be appropriately dispersed, so that the amount of aerosol generation may be improved. Otherwise, if the plurality of crimped paper pieces <NUM> have an excessively long average length, the initial temperature rise of the first portion <NUM> may be slow, and as a result, the initial amount of aerosol generation may be reduced. In order to improve the amount of aerosol generation, the plurality of crimped paper pieces <NUM> may have an average length of <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably, an average length of <NUM> to <NUM> in one direction.

The thickness of the piece of paper <NUM> affects the roundness and the hardness of the first portion <NUM>. In this regard, the paper piece <NUM> may have a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM> to have improved roundness and hardness. In order to improve the roundness and hardness of the first portion <NUM>, the paper piece <NUM> may have a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>.

Also, the piece of paper <NUM> may have a basis weight of about <NUM>/m<NUM> to about <NUM>/m<NUM>. If the basis weight of the paper piece <NUM> is less than the above range, the amount of aerosol generation may be reduced because of the small amount of aerosol-generating element impregnated in the paper piece <NUM>. On the other hand, if the basis weight of the paper piece <NUM> exceeds the above range, it may be difficult to supply an abundant amount of aerosol at the beginning of smoking because the temperature rise by the heating element is slow. In order to generate an aerosol sufficiently and uniformly during smoking, the paper piece <NUM> may preferably have a basis weight of <NUM>/m<NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>, and more preferably have a basis weight of <NUM>/m<NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>.

The weight of a plurality of crimped paper pieces <NUM> included in the first portion <NUM> may be <NUM>/mm to <NUM>/mm based on the length of the first portion <NUM>. The weight of the plurality of crimped paper pieces <NUM> included in the first portion <NUM> affects the amount of aerosol generation and the draw resistance. In terms of providing an abundant amount of aerosol and preventing an excessive draw resistance increase, the plurality of crimped pieces of paper <NUM> may be included in the range of <NUM>/ mm to <NUM>/mm based on the length of the first portion <NUM>, and more preferably in the range of <NUM>/mm to <NUM>/mm.

The aerosol-generating element may include <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of glycerin and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of propylene glycol, with respect to the total weight of the aerosol-generating element.

In general, an aerosol-generating element includes a separate additive or moisture in order to increase the amount of the aerosol-generating element absorbed by the absorber. On the other hand, the paper pieces <NUM> according to the embodiments have a larger surface area compared to the case of a single sheet of paper, and thus a high absorption rate can be maintained even without additional moisture or additives.

In other embodiments, the aerosol-generating element may include <NUM> wt% or more of glycerin, more preferably <NUM> wt% or more of glycerin.

The glycerin and propylene glycol in the aerosol-generating element affects the amount of aerosol generation and the amount of nicotine delivery. Propylene glycol has a viscosity of <NUM> Pals and a boiling point of <NUM>, and glycerin has a viscosity of <NUM> Pals and a boiling point of <NUM>. As the amount of propylene glycol having a relatively low viscosity and boiling point increases, the rate of temperature increase due to heating increases, and the amount of aerosol generated at the beginning of smoking tends to increase. On the other hand, as the glycerin content increases, the amount of aerosol generated at the beginning of smoking may decrease because the rate of temperature increase due to heating is slow. However, the amount of nicotine delivery increases due to high viscosity and boiling point, and thus the taste may be improved.

As described above, the aerosol-generating article according to the embodiments has a small area of the individual aerosol-generating element absorber, and thus the temperature may rise quickly by heating. Therefore, even with a smaller amount of propylene glycol in the aerosol-generating element, a high temperature rise rate may be maintained, and a large amount of aerosol may be provided even at the beginning of smoking.

An abundant amount of aerosol may be generated and nicotine may be sufficiently delivered when the weight of the aerosol-generating element included in the aerosol-generating article may be <NUM>/mm to <NUM>/mm based on the length of the aerosol-generating article. In a case where the amount of the aerosol-generating element is below the above range, the amount of aerosol generation or the amount of nicotine transfer may be drastically reduced. In a case where the amount of the aerosol-generating element exceeds the above range, leakage of the aerosol-generating element may occur.

In embodiments, the horizontal cross section (i.e., a cross section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article) of the first portion <NUM> may have a hardness of <NUM> % or more and a roundness of <NUM> % or more. In the case of a single sheet of paper as an absorber, when the packing density of the absorber in the first portion <NUM> is increased to a certain level or more, hardness is improved but roundness is reduced. On the other hand, in the embodiments, because a plurality of small-sized paper pieces <NUM> are filled, excellent roundness may be maintained even if the packing density of the absorber is increased, compared to the case where a single paper sheet is used as an absorber.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a case in which the aerosol-generating article <NUM> of <FIG> is inserted into the aerosol-generating device <NUM> according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol-generating system may include the aerosol-generating device <NUM> and the aerosol-generating article <NUM>. The aerosol-generating device <NUM> may include an accommodating space <NUM> for accommodating the aerosol-generating article <NUM>, a heating element <NUM> for heating the aerosol-generating article <NUM>, and a battery (not shown) for supplying power to the heating element <NUM>. The aerosol-generating article <NUM> may correspond to the above-described embodiments.

The heating element <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape arranged to surround the accommodating space <NUM>. When the aerosol-generating article <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol-generating device <NUM>, the heating element <NUM> may heat at least a portion of the first portion <NUM> and at least a portion of the second portion <NUM> of the aerosol-generating article <NUM>.

The aerosol generating device <NUM> may further include a controller (not shown). The controller may control the temperature at which the heating element <NUM> heats the aerosol-generating article <NUM> based on a pre-entered temperature profile.

When the heating element <NUM> is actuated, the aerosol-generating element included in the first portion <NUM> and the tobacco element included in the second portion <NUM> may be heated. The generated aerosol may pass through the third portion <NUM> and the fourth portion <NUM> and flow toward the outside of the aerosol-generating article <NUM>.

An aerosol-generating article was prepared in the same form as in the embodiment shown in <FIG>. The base paper having the physical properties of table <NUM> below was crimped (by forming a sheath), cut into pieces each having a square shape with a side length of about <NUM>, and impregnated with an aerosol generating element. An aerosol-generating article was prepared by filling the first portion with the paper pieces of <NUM>/mm based on the length of the first portion.

The aerosol-generating element used includes <NUM> wt% of glycerin, based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating element, and <NUM>/mm was used based on the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article. Example <NUM>. Preparation of an aerosol-generating article including a plurality of pieces of paper (glycerin <NUM> wt%, propylene glycol <NUM> wt%).

An aerosol-generating article was prepared in the same manner as in Example <NUM>, except that an aerosol-generating element including <NUM> wt% of glycerin and <NUM> wt% of propylene glycol based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating element was used.

Comparative example. Preparation of an aerosol-generating article including a single base paper.

An aerosol-generating article was prepared in the same manner as in Example <NUM>, except that the base paper of Table <NUM> is used without cutting. A base paper having a size of <NUM> x <NUM> was rolled and put into the first portion. In the same manner as in Example <NUM>, the base paper was included at <NUM>/mm based on the length of the first portion.

The aerosol-generating articles of example <NUM> and comparative example were put into an external heating type aerosol-generating article and heated to a target temperature of <NUM>, and the temperature of the first portion of each aerosol-generating article was measured over time and compared. <FIG> is a graph showing results of measuring an change in temperature over time of a first portion of the aerosol-generating article of example <NUM> and comparative example.

Referring to <FIG>, the temperature of the first portion of the aerosol-generating article of example <NUM> is rapidly increased compared to the first portion of the aerosol-generating article of comparative example, and the target temperature is maintained uniformly within the measurement time.

In addition, the aerosol generated during <NUM> puffs is collected, and the components of the collected aerosol are analyzed. Table <NUM> below shows the component analysis results of the collected aerosol.

As shown in Table <NUM>, the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating article of example <NUM> included more glycerin than the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating article of the comparative example. Thus, it may be seen that an aerosol-generating article including a plurality of crimped pieces of paper in a first portion may provide a greater amount of aerosol uniformly over the duration of smoking as compared to an aerosol-generating article including a single sheet of paper in a first portion. Experimental example <NUM>. Roundness and hardness measurement.

The roundness and hardness of the first portion of the aerosol-generating article of example <NUM> and comparative example were measured, and the results are shown in Table <NUM> below.

As shown in Table <NUM>, it is confirmed that the aerosol-generating article of example <NUM> has higher roundness and hardness than the aerosol-generating article of comparative example. Experimental example <NUM>. Analysis of the amount of nicotine delivery depending on the composition and content of aerosol generating element.

For the analysis of the amount of nicotine transfer according to the composition of the aerosol-generating element, the aerosol-generating articles of examples <NUM> to <NUM> were put into an external heating type aerosol-generating device. Then, the aerosols generated during <NUM> puffs were collected, and the components were analyzed. Table <NUM> below shows the component analysis results of the collected aerosol.

As shown in Table <NUM>, it is confirmed that the amount of nicotine delivery increased as the amount of glycerin included in the aerosol-generating element increased. Given that the smoking taste felt by the user is improved as the amount of nicotine delivery increases, it was confirmed that the smoking taste was improved as the ratio of glycerin included in the aerosol-generating element increases. In addition, an aerosol-generating article was prepared by changing the aerosol-generating element content in order to analyze the amount of nicotine delivery depending on the aerosol-generating element content. The aerosol-generating article was prepared in the same manner as in example <NUM> except that the aerosol-generating element was included at <NUM>/mm or <NUM>/mm based on the length of the aerosol-generating article. After the prepared aerosol-generating article was put into an external heating type aerosol-generating device, the aerosol generated during <NUM> puffs was collected, and the nicotine content of the collected aerosol was analyzed. Table <NUM> below shows the results of analysis of the nicotine content of the collected aerosol.

Claim 1:
An aerosol-generating article (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a first portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a plurality of crimped pieces of paper (<NUM>) impregnated with an aerosol-generating element;
a second portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a tobacco element;
a third portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a cooling element; and
a fourth portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a filter element,
wherein the first portion (<NUM>, <NUM>), the second portion (<NUM>, <NUM>), the third portion (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the fourth portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) are sequentially arranged along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article (<NUM>, <NUM>).