Patent Description:
Recently, there is a growing demand for alternative methods for resolving problems of common cigarettes. For example, there is growing demand for a method of generating aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in a cigarette instead of combusting the cigarette to generate aerosol. Therefore, research on heating-type cigarettes or heating-type aerosol generating apparatuses is actively being carried out.

<CIT> relates to an e-vaping cartridge that includes an inner tube defining a channel. A heater is positioned near a first end of the channel, and a hydrogel is located near a second end of the channel. The hydrogel includes a flavorant that releases flavors and/or aromas to the vapor as the vapor passes the hydrogel.

<CIT> relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising: an electrical power supply; an electrical heater connected to the electrical power supply; and a substrate container comprising a blind cavity containing an aerosol-forming substrate in the form of a gel that is solid at room temperature; wherein the electrical heater is external to the substrate container and is configured to heat the substrate container without contacting the aerosol-forming substrate to generate a vapour from the aerosol-forming substrate.

<CIT> relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising: a device comprising a power supply and an electrical heater connected to the power supply; and a substrate cartridge containing an aerosol-forming substrate in the form of a thermoreversible gel that is solid at room temperature; wherein the substrate cartridge is configured to be inserted into or connected to the device prior to use and removed or disconnected from the device after use.

<CIT> relates to a cartridge for an aerosol-generating system, the cartridge comprising: a first chamber having a first chamber housing and a second chamber separate to the first chamber and having a second chamber housing, wherein the first chamber contains an aerosol-forming substrate in the form of a gel, and wherein the second chamber contains a source of a compound for inhalation, wherein the first and second chamber housings are separate or separable from one another.

<CIT> relates to a method for manufacturing a fragrance capsule of tobacco according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a membrane manufacturing step for manufacturing a membrane of a fragrance capsule by a membrane manufacturing part which manufactures a membrane; a capsule manufacturing step for manufacturing the fragrance capsule using an apparatus for manufacturing a capsule with the membrane manufactured during the membrane manufacturing step and a fragrance liquid to be held in the membrane; and a curing step for curing the fragrance capsule.

<CIT> relates to a finger-squeezed fragile soft capsule, in particular to a soft capsule capable of rupturing a capsule material under pressure exerted by a smoker's finger to release a core material, a preparation method thereof and use thereof.

<CIT> relates to a cartridge for an aerosol-generating system, the cartridge comprising a container defining a cartridge cavity, a susceptor material positioned within the cartridge cavity, and an aerosol-forming substrate. The susceptor material defines a plurality of interconnected interstices and the aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of a gel that is solid at room temperature, wherein the gel is positioned within the plurality of interconnected interstices.

<CIT> relates to a smoking article that includes a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette.

One or more embodiments include an article for generating aerosols, a cigarette comprising the aerosol-generating article, and a cartridge comprising an accommodating portion accommodating the aerosol-generating article. Technical problems to be solved are not limited to the technical problems as described above, and other technical problems may exist.

The aerosol-generating article comprises <NUM> wt% of agar, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of glycerin, and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of water, maintains the shape of a bead by itself at room temperature, and generates aerosol by being heated by an electric heater included in an aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating article may further include alginate.

The aerosol-generating article may include <NUM> wt% of agar, <NUM> wt% of glycerin, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of alginate, and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of water.

The heater may be inserted into a cigarette or a cartridge including the aerosol-generating article and heat the aerosol-generating article.

The heater may heat the aerosol-generating article outside of a cigarette or a cartridge including the aerosol-generating article.

The heater may generate the aerosol by heating a material generated by liquefying the aerosol-generating article.

According to one or more embodiments, a cigarette may include the aerosol-generating article described above and at least one filter.

According to one or more embodiments, a cartridge may include an accommodating portion, which is configured to accommodate the aerosol-generating article as described above, and at least one heater.

The aerosol-generating article is
in the form of a bead. For example, the aerosol-generating article may be fabricated in the form of a sphere having a predetermined diameter. Alternatively, the aerosol-generating article may be fabricated in an oval shape, a droplet shape, etc. Also, the aerosol-generating article may be fabricated in various sizes.

The aerosol-generating article comprises <NUM> wt% of agar, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of glycerin, and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of water, maintains the shape of a bead by itself at room temperature, and generates aerosol when heated by an electric heater included in an aerosol-generating device.

With respect to the terms in the various embodiments of the present disclosure, 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 may be changed according to intention, a judicial precedent, appearance of a new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, in which case the meaning will be described in detail in the description of one or more embodiments. Therefore, the terms used in one or more embodiments should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the general contents of one or more embodiments, rather than simply the names of the terms.

The aerosol-generating article is in the form of a bead. For example, the aerosol-generating article may be fabricated in the form of a sphere having a predetermined diameter. Alternatively, the aerosol-generating article may be fabricated in an oval shape, a droplet shape, etc. Also, the aerosol-generating article may be fabricated in various sizes.

The aerosol-generating article retains the shape of a bead at the room temperature by itself. In detail, the aerosol-generating article retains the shape of a bead until being liquefied or vaporized by a heater, which will be described below. In other words, the aerosol-generating article does not include a separate outer membrane (outer shell) to retain the shape of a bead and naturally has the shape of the bead as materials to be described below are mixed and dried. Therefore, no residue remains after the aerosol-generating article is liquefied or vaporized. Hereinafter, the aerosol-generating article will be referred to as a 'bead'.

The bead is fabricated by combining <NUM> wt% of agar, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of glycerin, and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of water with respect to the total weight of the bead. In particular, when a bead was fabricated by combining <NUM> wt% of agar, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of glycerin, and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of water, the bead exhibited excellent moldability.

For example, a bead may be fabricated by combining <NUM> wt% of agar, <NUM> wt% of glycerin, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of alginate, and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of water with respect to the total weight of the bead. In particular, when a bead was fabricated by combining <NUM> wt% of agar, <NUM> wt% of glycerin, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of alginate, and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of water, the bead exhibited excellent moldability.

Also, a bead may be fabricated by combining <NUM> wt% of agar, <NUM> wt% of glycerin, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of alginate, and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of water with respect to the total weight of the bead. In particular, when a bead was fabricated by combining <NUM> wt% of agar, <NUM> wt% of glycerin, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of alginate, and about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% of water, the bead exhibited excellent moldability.

Also, the components of a bead are not limited to agar, glycerin, water, and alginate described above. For example, a bead may further include propylene glycol, nicotine, a flavoring agent, etc. For example, a bead may further include <NUM> wt% of nicotine. When nicotine is further included in a bead, the phenomenon of unnecessary leakage from an aerosol-generating device as the bead is heated by a heater may be prevented.

Meanwhile, the components of a bead are not limited to the above-described substances, and various other substances constituting a cigarette may also be included.

The surface of a bead may be coated with a predetermined material. For example, to prevent loss of moisture and the like included in a bead, the surface of the bead may be coated with a predetermined material. For example, the surface of a bead may be coated with tobacco powder, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

In addition, a drying operation may be included in operations for fabricating a bead. For example, during fabrication of a bead, a molded bead may be dried by being exposed to hot air, and the hardness of the bead may be improved as the bead is dried.

For example, the hardness of a dried bead may be within the range of <NUM> to <NUM>. Here, the hardness refers to the degree of resistance against crushing (that is, deformation of the appearance) of the bead due to external force applied to the bead. The hardness is a relative value. The larger the number of the hardness is, the stronger the hardness becomes (that is, more external force is needed to deform a bead). The hardness of beads was derived through evaluations with <NUM> people, and the degrees of maintaining the appearance when beads were pressed by hand were quantified in steps from <NUM> to <NUM>.

For example, a bead formed with the composition ratio of <NUM> wt% of agar, <NUM> wt% of glycerin, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of alginate, and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of water may exhibit hardness from about <NUM> to about <NUM> after being dried. Also, a bead formed with the composition ratio of <NUM> wt% of agar, <NUM> wt% of glycerin, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of alginate, and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of alginate may exhibit hardness from about <NUM> to about <NUM> as being dried.

A bead may be included in a cigarette and/or accommodated in a cartridge. For example, a cigarette or a cartridge including a bead may be heated by an electric heater to generate aerosol. Also, a bead may or may not include nicotine.

Hereinafter, examples in which beads are used will be described with reference to <FIG>. Even when omitted below, the descriptions given above in relation to beads may be applied to beads to be described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a drawing showing an example of a cigarette including beads.

Referring to <FIG>, a cigarette <NUM> includes a front-end plug <NUM>, a bead accommodating portion <NUM>, a tobacco accommodating portion <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>. Meanwhile, although not shown in <FIG>, the cigarette <NUM> may be packaged by at least one wrapper.

The front-end plug <NUM> may include cellulose acetate. For example, the front-end plug <NUM> may be fabricated by molding a cellulose acetate tow by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin, etc.) thereto. Alternatively, the front-end plug <NUM> may include other material such as cotton. Therefore, the front-end plug <NUM> may also serve as a wick that absorbs a liquid produced as a bead melts.

The bead accommodating portion <NUM> includes at least one bead as described above. Here, the bead may not include nicotine, but is not limited thereto. When a plurality of beads are accommodated in the bead accommodating portion <NUM>, the plurality of beads may be arranged regularly or irregularly.

The tobacco accommodating portion <NUM> includes an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol.

In addition, the tobacco accommodating portion <NUM> may include other additive materials like a flavoring agent, a wetting agent, and/or an organic acid. For example, the flavoring agent may include licorice, sucrose, fructose syrup, isosweet, cocoa, lavender, cinnamon, cardamom, celery, fenugreek, cascara, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, mint oil, cinnamon, keragene, cognac, jasmine, chamomile, menthol, cinnamon, ylang, salvia, spearmint, ginger, coriander, coffee, etc. In addition, the wetting agent may include glycerin or propylene glycol.

For example, the tobacco accommodating portion <NUM> may be filled with cut tobacco leaves. Here, cut tobacco leaves may be formed by fine-cutting a tobacco sheet.

In another example, the tobacco accommodating portion <NUM> may be filled with a plurality of cigarette strands formed by fine-cutting a tobacco sheet. For example, the tobacco accommodating portion <NUM> may be formed by combining a plurality of tobacco strands in the same direction (parallel to one another) or randomly. In detail, the tobacco accommodating portion <NUM> may be formed by combining a plurality of tobacco strands, and a plurality of vertical channels through which aerosol may pass may be formed. At this time, depending on the sizes and arrangements of the tobacco strands, the vertical channels may be uniform or non-uniform.

For example, tobacco strands may be formed through the following operations. First, a raw tobacco material is pulverized to form a slurry in which an aerosol generating material (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.), a flavoring liquid, a binder (e.g., guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), etc.), and water are mixed, and then a sheet is formed by using the slurry. When forming the slurry, natural pulp or cellulose may be added to modify the physical properties of tobacco strands, and one or more binders may be mixed and used. Next, after drying the sheet, tobacco strands may be formed by fold-cutting or fine-cutting the dried sheet.

The raw tobacco material may be tobacco leaf fragments, tobacco stems, and/or fine tobacco powders formed during treatment of tobacco. The tobacco sheet may also include other additives like wood cellulose fibers.

The slurry may contain <NUM>% to <NUM>% of aerosol generating material, and <NUM>% to <NUM>% of aerosol generating material may remain in completed tobacco strands. Preferably, <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the aerosol generating material may remain in the completed tobacco strands.

Also, a flavoring agent such as menthol or a moisturizing agent may be added to the tobacco accommodating portion <NUM>.

The filter <NUM> may include cellulose acetate. For example, the filter <NUM> may be fabricated as a recess filter, but is not limited thereto. The length of the filter <NUM> may be appropriately selected within the range of <NUM> to <NUM>. For example, the length of the filter <NUM> may be about <NUM>, but is not limited thereto.

During a process of fabricating the filter <NUM>, the filter <NUM> may be fabricated to emit a flavor by spraying a flavoring solution to the filter <NUM>. Alternatively, separate fibers coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter <NUM>. Aerosols generated by the bead accommodating portion <NUM> and tobacco accommodating portion <NUM> are delivered to a user through the filter <NUM>. Therefore, when a flavoring material is added to the filter <NUM>, the persistence of a flavor delivered to the user may be enhanced.

Also, the filter <NUM> may include at least one capsule. Here, the capsule may have a structure in which a content liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule may have a spherical or cylindrical shape.

The outer film (outer cover) of the capsule may be fabricated by using a material including agar, pectin, sodium alginate, carrageenan, gelatin, or a gum like guar gum. Furthermore, a hardening agent may be further used as a material for forming the film of the capsule <NUM>. Here, as the gelling agent, for example, a calcium chloride group may be used. Furthermore, a plasticizer may be further used as a material for forming the film of the capsule. As the plasticizer, glycerin and/or sorbitol may be used. Furthermore, a coloring agent may be further used as a material for forming the film of the capsule <NUM>.

For example, as a flavoring material included in the content liquid of the capsule <NUM>, menthol, plant essential oil, and the like may be used. As a solvent of the flavoring material included in the content liquid, for example, a medium chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT) may be used. Also, the content liquid may include other additives like a figment, an emulsifying agent, a thickening agent, etc..

<FIG> is a drawing showing another example of a cigarette including beads.

Referring to <FIG>, a cigarette <NUM> includes a front-end plug <NUM>, a bead accommodating portion <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>. Here, the front-end plug <NUM> and the filter <NUM> are the same as those described above with reference to <FIG>. Therefore, descriptions of the front-end plug <NUM> and the filter <NUM> will be omitted below.

The bead accommodating portion <NUM> includes at least one bead as described above. Here, the bead may be a bead that includes nicotine, but is not limited thereto. When a plurality of beads are accommodated in the bead accommodating portion <NUM>, the plurality of beads may be arranged regularly or irregularly.

Referring to <FIG>, a cigarette <NUM> includes a front-end plug <NUM>, a bead accommodating portion <NUM>, a tobacco accommodating portion <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>. Here, the front-end plug <NUM>, the tobacco accommodating portion <NUM>, and the filter <NUM> are the same as those described above with reference to <FIG>. Therefore, descriptions of the front-end plug <NUM>, the tobacco accommodating portion <NUM>, and the filter <NUM> will be omitted below.

The bead accommodating portion <NUM> includes at least one bead as described above. Here, bead may be a bead that does not include nicotine, but is not limited thereto.

The bead accommodating portion <NUM> may further include a carrier <NUM>. For example, the carrier <NUM> may be included in the bead accommodating portion <NUM> for the purpose of fixing beads or absorbing liquid discharged from the beads. However, the functions of the carrier <NUM> are not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, <FIG> shows that the carrier <NUM> is rectangular, but the shape of the carrier <NUM> is not limited thereto. In other words, as long as the carrier <NUM> is capable of fixing the beads and/or absorbing liquid discharged from the beads, the shape (or structure) of the carrier <NUM> is not limited. For example, the carrier <NUM> may be formed in a matrix shape or a honeycomb shape.

The bead accommodating portion <NUM> includes at least one bead as described above. Here, the bead may be a bead that includes nicotine, but is not limited thereto.

The bead accommodating portion <NUM> may further include a carrier <NUM>. Here, the carrier <NUM> is the same as that described above with reference to <FIG>. Therefore, description of the carrier <NUM> will be omitted below.

Referring to <FIG>, a cigarette <NUM> includes a front-end plug <NUM>, a bead accommodating portion <NUM>, a tobacco accommodating portion <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>. Here, the bead accommodating portion <NUM>, the tobacco accommodating portion <NUM>, and the filter <NUM> are the same as those described above with reference to <FIG>. Therefore, descriptions of the bead accommodating portion <NUM>, the tobacco accommodating portion <NUM>, and the filter <NUM> will be omitted below.

The front-end plug <NUM> may include a porous ceramic material. Also, the front-end plug <NUM> may include cellulose acetate, as described above with reference to <FIG>.

The front-end plug <NUM> may include a cavity <NUM>. For example, the front-end plug <NUM> may be fabricated in the form of a tube. Here, the cavity <NUM> may become a path through which a heater may be inserted into the cigarette <NUM>. The cross-sectional shape of the cavity <NUM> may vary.

Referring to <FIG>, a cigarette <NUM> includes a tobacco accommodating portion <NUM>, a cavity structure <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>. Here, the tobacco accommodating portion <NUM> and the filter <NUM> are the same as those described above with reference to <FIG>. Therefore, descriptions of the tobacco accommodating portion <NUM> and the filter <NUM> will be omitted below.

The cavity structure <NUM> may include cellulose acetate. For example, the cavity structure <NUM> may be fabricated by molding a cellulose acetate tow by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin, etc.) thereto. Also, a cavity <NUM> included in the cavity structure <NUM> may be filled with at least one bead.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of heating a cigarette including beads.

A cigarette <NUM> of <FIG> is the same as the cigarette <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the cigarette <NUM> may be any one of cigarettes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

A heater <NUM> may be arranged to heat an entire bead accommodating portion and an entire tobacco accommodating portion of the cigarette <NUM>. For example, the heater <NUM> may be a cylindrical heater surrounding the bead accommodating portion and the tobacco accommodating portion, but is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a diagram showing another example of heating a cigarette including beads.

A heater <NUM> may be arranged to heat an entire bead accommodating portion and a portion of a tobacco accommodating portion of the cigarette <NUM>. For example, the heater <NUM> may be a cylindrical heater, but is not limited thereto.

A heater <NUM> may be arranged to heat a bead accommodating portion of the cigarette <NUM>. For example, the heater <NUM> may be a cylindrical heater, but is not limited thereto.

A first heater <NUM> may be arranged to heat an entire bead accommodating portion and an entire tobacco accommodating portion of the cigarette <NUM>. For example, the first heater <NUM> may be a cylindrical heater, but is not limited thereto. Meanwhile, although not shown in <FIG>, the first heater <NUM> may be arranged to heat the entire bead accommodating portion and a portion of the tobacco accommodating portion.

Also, a second heater <NUM> may be arranged to heat a front-end plug of the cigarette <NUM>. At this time, the front-end plug may serve as a wick for liquids.

The first heater <NUM> and the second heater <NUM> may be controlled to be heated to different temperatures, respectively. For example, at least one of the first heater <NUM> and the second heater <NUM> may sequentially melt beads included in the bead accommodating portion. Therefore, aerosol may be continuously generated during user's smoking.

For example, aerosol generated from a bead may be moved in the direction indicated in <FIG> by the arrow and inhaled by a user. In another example, aerosol generated from a bead may be moved through a flow path formed along a side surface of the cigarette <NUM> and inhaled by a user.

A cigarette <NUM> of <FIG> is the same as the cigarette <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the cigarette <NUM> may be any one of cigarettes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

A first heater <NUM> may be arranged to heat a tobacco accommodating portion of the cigarette <NUM>. For example, the first heater <NUM> may be a cylindrical heater, but is not limited thereto.

Also, a second heater <NUM> may be arranged to heat a bead accommodating portion of the cigarette <NUM>. For example, the second heater <NUM> may be inserted into the bead accommodating portion through a front-end plug. Therefore, beads in the bead accommodating portion may be heated. The second heater <NUM> may be fabricated in various shapes, e.g., a blade-like shape, a needle-like shape, etc..

The first heater <NUM> and the second heater <NUM> may be controlled to be heated to different temperatures, respectively. For example, at least one of the first heater <NUM> and the second heater <NUM> may sequentially melt beads included in the bead accommodating portion. Therefore, aerosols may be continuously generated during user's smoking.

For example, an aerosol generated from a bead may be moved in the direction indicated in <FIG> by the arrow and inhaled by a user. In another example, an aerosol generated from a bead may be moved through a flow path (not shown) formed along a side surface of the cigarette <NUM> and inhaled by a user.

A heater <NUM> may be arranged to heat a tobacco accommodating portion of the cigarette <NUM>. For example, the heater <NUM> may be inserted into the tobacco accommodating portion. The heater <NUM> may be fabricated in various shapes, e.g., a blade-like shape, a needle-like shape, etc..

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of heating a cartridge including beads.

<FIG> shows an example of a cartridge <NUM> including beads. A heater <NUM> may be arranged to heat the exterior and/or the interior of the cartridge <NUM>. For example, the heater <NUM> may include a piercing element, and beads in the cartridge <NUM> may be heated as the piercing element is inserted into the cartridge <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing another example of heating a cartridge including beads.

Referring to <FIG>, a cartridge <NUM> includes a bead accommodating portion <NUM> and a heater <NUM>. However, other components may be further included in the cartridge <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> may be provided as a device independent of the cartridge <NUM>.

For example, the bead accommodating portion <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> may be replaceable. In detail, the bead accommodating portion <NUM> may be attached to and detached from the cartridge <NUM> or a device in which the cartridge <NUM> is accommodated. Therefore, the bead accommodating portion <NUM> may be replaced separately from the heater <NUM>. Meanwhile, the heater <NUM> may be fixed to the cartridge <NUM> or the device in which the cartridge <NUM> is accommodated.

Also, both the bead accommodating portion <NUM> and the heater <NUM> may be fixed to the cartridge <NUM> or the device in which the cartridge <NUM> is accommodated. In this case, as needed, a user may directly supply at least one bead into the bead accommodating portion <NUM>.

The bead accommodating portion <NUM> includes at least one bead as described above. Here, the bead may include nicotine, but is not limited thereto. When a plurality of beads are accommodated in the bead accommodating portion <NUM>, the plurality of beads may be arranged regularly or irregularly. Also, a carrier may be further included in the bead accommodating portion <NUM>. Here, the carrier is the same as that described above with reference to <FIG>. Therefore, detailed description of the carrier will be omitted below.

The heater <NUM> may include a coil for heating and a wick, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the heater <NUM> may be a plate-like heater or a mesh-like heater, but is not limited thereto.

For example, the wick may include cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto. Also, the heater <NUM> may be a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, or a ceramic heater, but is not limited thereto. Also, a heating element may include a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire.

The bead accommodating portion <NUM> is the same as the bead accommodating portion <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. Therefore, description of the bead accommodating portion <NUM> will be omitted below.

The heater <NUM> may be provided to heat the entirety or a portion of the bead accommodating portion <NUM>. For example, the heater <NUM> may be a cylindrical heater surrounding the entire or a portion of the bead accommodating portion, but is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, in addition to the examples shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, other examples of heating a cartridge may be employed. Also, an aerosol may be generated by combining the examples shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. For example, beads may be liquefied by the heater <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and aerosol may be generated from a liquefied material by the heater <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of a cartridge including beads and a cigarette.

Referring to <FIG>, a device <NUM> includes a cartridge <NUM> and a cigarette <NUM>. Here, the cartridge <NUM> is the same as the cartridge <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. Therefore, description of the cartridge <NUM> will be omitted below.

The aerosol generated from the cartridge <NUM> is discharged to the outside through the cigarette <NUM>, and a user may inhale the aerosol discharged to the outside. Here, the cigarette <NUM> may be heated by a separate heater, but is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a diagram showing another example of a cartridge including beads and a cigarette.

Referring to <FIG>, a device <NUM> includes a cartridge <NUM> and a cigarette <NUM>. Here, the cartridge <NUM> is the same as the cartridge <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. Therefore, hereinafter, description of the cartridge <NUM> is omitted.

An aerosol generated from the cartridge <NUM> is discharged to the outside through the cigarette <NUM>, and a user may inhale the aerosol discharged to the outside. Here, the cigarette <NUM> may be heated by a separate heater, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to <FIG>, an aerosol generating device <NUM> includes a battery <NUM>, a controller <NUM> and a heater <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an aerosol generating device <NUM> further includes a cartridge <NUM>. Also, a cigarette <NUM> may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. Here, the cigarette <NUM> may be a cigarette described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> only illustrate components of the aerosol generating device <NUM> which are related to the present embodiment. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components may be further included in the aerosol generating device <NUM>, in addition to the components illustrated in <FIG>.

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

<FIG> illustrates that the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the cartridge <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> are arranged in series. Also, <FIG> illustrates that the cartridge <NUM> and the heater <NUM> are arranged in parallel. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the cartridge <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> may be differently arranged.

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

If necessary, even when the cigarette <NUM> is not inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> may heat the heater <NUM>.

For example, the battery <NUM> may supply power to heat the heater <NUM> or the cartridge <NUM> and may supply power for operating the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may control overall operations of the aerosol generating device <NUM>. In detail, the controller <NUM> may control not only operations of the battery <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, and the cartridge <NUM>, but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device <NUM>.

Thus, the heated heater <NUM> may increase a temperature of at least one material including beads in the cigarette <NUM>.

However, the heater <NUM> is not limited to the example described above and may include any other heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device <NUM> or may be manually set by a user.

In detail, the heater <NUM> may include an electrically conductive coil for heating a cigarette by an induction heating method, and the cigarette may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater.

Also, some of the plurality of heaters <NUM> may be inserted into the cigarette <NUM>, and the others may be arranged outside the cigarette <NUM>.

The cartridge <NUM> may generate aerosol by heating at least one bead and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette <NUM> to be delivered to a user. In other words, the aerosol generated via the cartridge <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 cartridge <NUM> passes through the cigarette <NUM> to be delivered to the user. Here, the cartridge <NUM> is as described with reference to <FIG>.

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 cartridge <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 (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 where, even when the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged.

Also, the heater <NUM> may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device <NUM> are coupled to each other.

The cigarette <NUM> may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the cigarette <NUM> may be divided into a first portion including at least one bead and a second portion including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette <NUM> may also include an aerosol generating material.

Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. Alternatively, a portion of the first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>. The user may puff aerosol while holding the second portion by the mouth.

Claim 1:
An aerosol-generating article comprising:
<NUM> wt% of agar;
<NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of glycerin; and
<NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of water,
wherein the aerosol-generating article maintains a shape of a bead by itself at room temperature, and
wherein aerosol is generated from the aerosol-generating article being heated by an electric heater (<NUM>) included in an aerosol-generating device (<NUM>).