Patent Description:
Research on technology for adding a flavor to an aerosol provided from a cigarette is underway. For example, a transfer jet nozzle system (TJNS) filter in which a flavoring is sprayed has been employed in cigarette manufacturing.

Even if a flavoring liquid is added to each component constituting a cigarette such as a medium portion and/or a filter to increase flavor during smoking, there exists a limit to the amount of flavoring liquid due to a manufacturing process. In addition, as time elapses, the flavoring liquid (e.g., menthol) applied in the filter is transferred to an adjacent unflavored structure, resulting in a problem that the amount of menthol transfer rapidly decreases during smoking. Moreover, if design of a cooling structure or a cigarette including the same is only focused on increasing the amount of menthol transfer, thermal deformation of a cellulose acetate filter or the like may occur, causing a problem that the amount of atomization or the amount of nicotine transfer is rapidly reduced.

Examples of smoking articles comprising cooling structures can be found in documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cooling structure and a smoking article including the same which are capable of maximizing a smoking taste by increasing the amount of menthol transfer, the amount of nicotine transfer, and the amount of atomization during smoking.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a smoking article may include: a smoking material portion; a cooling structure made of a paper material, having a tube shape, and located downstream of the smoking material portion; a mouthpiece portion located downstream of the cooling structure; and a wrapper surrounding the smoking material portion, the cooling structure, and the mouthpiece portion, wherein the cooling structure includes a body portion having a tube shape and made of a paper material, and a plurality of perforations arranged in a circumferential direction of the body portion such that the inside and outside of the body portion are in fluid communication with each other.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a cooling structure, which is located downstream of a smoking material portion provided in a smoking article and upstream of a mouthpiece portion provided in the smoking article, includes a body portion that has a tube shape having a hollow therein and is made of a paper material; and a plurality of perforations that are arranged in a circumferential direction of the body portion such that the inside and outside of the body portion are in fluid communication with each other.

The cooling structure of a smoking article according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may secure rigidity and airtightness of the cooling structure required in a subsequent process, and at the same time may prevent contamination of a paper tube from the outside and separation of a spiral layer, and uniformity and flatness of the structure may be ensured.

The smoking article may minimize the loss of flavor such as menthol during a storage period between manufacture and use of a cigarette, maximize a cooling effect of mainstream smoke when smoking a cigarette to reduce heat deformation of a mouthpiece filter, and efficiently increase the amount of atomization, nicotine transfer amount, and menthol transfer amount compared to other cigarettes to which the same amount of menthol-flavored liquid is added, thereby increasing a smoker's satisfaction.

According to one or more embodiments, a smoking article may include a smoking material portion; a cooling structure made of a paper material, having a tube shape, and located downstream of the smoking material portion; a mouthpiece portion located downstream of the cooling structure; and a wrapper surrounding the smoking material portion, the cooling structure, and the mouthpiece portion, wherein the cooling structure comprises a plurality of perforations arranged in a circumferential direction of the cooling structure such that an outside and an inside of the cooling structure are in fluid communication with each other.

The smoking article including the cooling structure may further include a support structure arranged between the smoking material portion and the cooling structure, having a tube shape, made of cellulose acetate, and flavored with a flavoring substance.

An inner diameter of the cooling structure may be larger than an inner diameter of the flavored tube filter.

The inner diameter of the cooling structure may be <NUM> times to <NUM> times larger than the inner diameter of the support structure.

A length of the support structure in an axial direction may be <NUM> to <NUM>, a length of the cooling structure in the axial direction may be <NUM> to <NUM>, and a length of the mouthpiece portion in the axial direction may be <NUM> to <NUM>.

The plurality of perforations may be formed away from a downstream end of the cooling structure by <NUM> to <NUM> in an upstream direction, and away from a downstream end of the smoking article by <NUM> to <NUM> in an upstream direction.

The support structure may contain <NUM> to <NUM> of a flavoring substance.

An air dilution rate of the cooling structure may be <NUM> % to <NUM> %.

According to the invention, a cooling structure is located downstream of a smoking material portion provided in a smoking article and upstream of a mouthpiece portion provided in the smoking article and includes a body portion having a tube shape and made of a paper material; and a plurality of perforations arranged in a circumferential direction of the body portion such that an inside and an outside of the body portion are in fluid communication with each other.

An inner diameter of the cooling structure may be <NUM> % to <NUM> % of an outer diameter of the cooling structure, and a roundness of the cooling structure may be <NUM> % to <NUM> %.

A total surface area of the cooling structure may be <NUM> mm2 to <NUM> mm2, and a basis weight of the cooling structure may be <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm.

According to the invention, the body portion is formed by an inner layer paper spiral layer, an intermediate layer paper spiral layer, and an outer layer paper spiral layer, which are sequentially stacked.

Here, the inner layer paper spiral layer may be formed of paper having a basis weight of <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm and a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>, the intermediate layer paper spiral layer may be formed of paper having a basis weight of <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm and a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>, and the outer layer paper spiral layer may be formed of paper having a basis weight of <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm and a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>.

In addition, the inner layer paper spiral layer and the intermediate layer paper spiral layer may be attached to each other by an adhesive, the intermediate layer paper spiral layer and the outer layer paper spiral layer may be attached to each other by the adhesive, and the adhesive may be ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) containing solids of <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%, and having a viscosity of <NUM>,<NUM> cps to <NUM>,<NUM> cps and a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>.

A downstream end of a first inner layer paper surface forming the inner layer paper spiral layer and an upstream end of a second inner layer paper surface adjacent to the first inner layer paper surface may be separated from each other by <NUM> to <NUM>, a downstream end of a first intermediate layer paper surface forming the intermediate layer paper spiral layer and an upstream end of a second intermediate layer paper surface adjacent to the first intermediate layer paper surface may be separated from each other by <NUM> to <NUM>, and a downstream end of a first outer layer paper surface forming the outer layer paper spiral layer and an upstream end of a second outer layer paper surface adjacent to the first outer layer paper surface may overlap with each other by <NUM> to <NUM>.

An angle between an axial line of the smoking article and a line defining the downstream end of the first inner layer paper surface, the downstream end of the first intermediate layer paper surface, and the downstream end of the first outer layer paper surface may be <NUM> ° to <NUM> °.

The downstream end of the first intermediate layer paper surface may be shifted from the downstream end of the first inner layer paper surface by <NUM> to <NUM> in an axial direction of the smoking article, and the downstream end of the first outer layer paper surface may be shifted from the downstream end of the first intermediate layer paper surface by <NUM> to <NUM> in the axial direction of the smoking article.

Advantages and features, and a method of achieving the same will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings.

Throughout the specification, a "smoking article" may refer to any types of articles that may generate an aerosol, such as cigarettes and cigars. The smoking article may include an aerosol generating material or an aerosol forming substrate. In addition, the smoking article may include a solid material based on tobacco raw materials, such as reconstituted tobacco, cut filler, and the like. The smoking material may include volatile compounds.

In addition, throughout the specification, 'upstream' or an 'upstream direction' refers to a direction away from the mouth of a user smoking a smoking article, and 'downstream' or a 'downstream direction' refers to a direction closer to the mouth of a user smoking a smoking article. For example, in a smoking article <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a smoking material portion <NUM> is located upstream or in an upstream direction of filters <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

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

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

Also, <FIG> illustrate that the aerosol generating device <NUM> includes the heater <NUM>. However, the heater <NUM> may be omitted according to embodiments.

<FIG> illustrates that the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> are arranged in series, and also <FIG> illustrates that the battery <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, the vaporizer <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> are arranged in series. <FIG> illustrates that the vaporizer <NUM> and the heater <NUM> are arranged in parallel.

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 vaporizer <NUM> to generate an aerosol from the cigarette <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 cigarette <NUM>. According to necessity, 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, when the cigarette <NUM> is inserted into the aerosol generating device <NUM>, the heater <NUM> may be inserted into a partial area inside the cigarette <NUM>, and the heated heater <NUM> may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette <NUM>.

In detail, the heater <NUM> may include an electrically conductive coil for heating a cigarette <NUM> in an induction heating method, and the cigarette <NUM> may include a susceptor (not shown) which may be heated by the induction heater.

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 (not shown), and may heat the inside or the outside of the cigarette <NUM>, according to the shape of the heating element.

In addition, the heater <NUM> is not limited to the shapes illustrated in <FIG>, and may have various shapes.

The vaporizer <NUM> may generate an aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette <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 <NUM> 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 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.

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, the aerosol generating device <NUM> and an additional cradle (not shown) may form together a system.

The cigarette <NUM> may be similar as a general combustive cigarette. For example, the cigarette <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 cigarette <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, the opening and closing 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 cigarette <NUM> through at least one hole formed in a surface of the cigarette <NUM>.

The cigarette <NUM> may have the same structure as the smoking article <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

In the present specification, it is assumed that a cooling structure <NUM> according to one or more embodiments is applied to the smoking article <NUM> used together with the aerosol generating device <NUM> (i.e., an electronic cigarette device). However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the cooling structure <NUM> according to one or more embodiments may also be applied to a combustion-type cigarette.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a smoking article including a cooling structure according to some embodiments, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the smoking article in a central axis direction.

Referring to <FIG>, the smoking article <NUM> may include a smoking material portion <NUM>, a support structure <NUM>, the cooling structure <NUM>, a mouthpiece portion <NUM>, and a wrapper <NUM>.

Although not shown, at least one of the smoking material portion <NUM>, the support structure <NUM>, the cooling structure <NUM>, and the mouthpiece portion <NUM> may be individually packaged by a separate wrapper and then packaged again by the wrapper <NUM>. For example, the smoking material portion <NUM> may be packaged by a smoking material wrapper (not shown), and at least one of the support structure <NUM>, the cooling structure <NUM>, and the mouthpiece portion <NUM> may be packaged by a filter wrapper (not shown).

A diameter of the smoking article <NUM> may be within a range of approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>, and a length of the smoking article <NUM> may be approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, a length of the smoking material portion <NUM> may be about <NUM> to about <NUM> (for example, <NUM>), a length of the support structure <NUM> may be about <NUM> to about <NUM> (for example, <NUM>), a length of the cooling structure <NUM> may be about <NUM> to about <NUM> (for example, <NUM>), and a length of the mouthpiece portion <NUM> may be about <NUM> to about <NUM> (for example, <NUM>). However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The smoking material portion <NUM> includes an aerosol generating material that generates an aerosol when heated. 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 smoking material portion <NUM> may contain other additives such as flavoring agents, wetting agents, and/or organic acids. For example, the flavoring agents may include licorice, sucrose, fructose syrup, isosweet, cocoa, lavender, cinnamon, cardamom, celery, fenugreek, cascarilla, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, Vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, mint oil, cinnamon, caraway, cognac, jasmine, chamomile, menthol, cinnamon, ylang-ylang, sage, spearmint, ginger, cilantro, coffee, or the like. The wetting agents may include glycerin, propylene glycol, or the like.

According to some embodiments, the smoking material portion <NUM> may be filled with a reconstituted tobacco sheet. According to some other embodiments, the smoking material portion <NUM> may also be filled with a plurality of tobacco strands which are generated by shredding a reconstituted tobacco sheet. The tobacco strands may be arranged in the same direction (i.e., parallel to each other) or randomly.

For example, a reconstituted tobacco sheet may be manufactured by the following process. First, tobacco raw materials are pulverized to produce a slurry in which an aerosol generating material (for example, glycerin, propylene glycol, etc.), flavoring liquids, binders (for example, guar gum, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), etc.), water, and the like are mixed. When making a slurry, natural pulp or cellulose may be added, and one or more binders may be mixed together. A reconstituted tobacco sheet is formed using the slurry. Tobacco strands may be generated by cutting or shredding a dried reconstituted tobacco sheet.

Tobacco raw materials may include tobacco leaf pieces, tobacco stems and/or tobacco fines generated during tobacco processing. In addition, other additives such as wood cellulose fibers may be contained in the reconstituted tobacco sheet.

Approximately <NUM> % to approximately <NUM> % of the aerosol generating material may be added to the slurry, and approximately <NUM> % to approximately <NUM> % of the aerosol generating material may remain in the reconstituted tobacco sheet. It is desirable that approximately <NUM> % to approximately <NUM> % of the aerosol generating material remain in the reconstituted tobacco sheet. In addition, before a process in which the smoking material portion <NUM> is wrapped by a smoking material wrapper, a flavoring liquid such as menthol, a moisturizer, or the like may be sprayed onto the center of the smoking material portion <NUM> to be added.

The support structure <NUM> may be a tube-shaped structure including a hollow <NUM> therein. An outer diameter of the support structure <NUM> may be about <NUM> to about <NUM>, for example about <NUM>. A diameter of the hollow <NUM> included in the support structure <NUM> may be within a range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. It is desirable that the diameter of the hollow <NUM> be about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, or the like. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The hardness of the support structure <NUM> may be adjusted during a manufacturing process of the support structure <NUM> by regulating the content of a plasticizer.

In addition, the support structure <NUM> may be manufactured by inserting a structure such as a film or tube of the same or different material into the hollow <NUM>.

The support structure <NUM> may be manufactured using cellulose acetate. Therefore, when the heater <NUM> is inserted into the cigarette <NUM>, an internal material of the smoking material portion <NUM> may be prevented from being pushed back (i.e., in a downstream direction), and a cooling effect of an aerosol may also be generated.

The support structure <NUM> according to some embodiments may be a flavored tube filter made of cellulose acetate, to which a flavoring substance such as menthol is applied. For example, the flavored tube filter may be flavored with about <NUM> to about <NUM> (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>) of a flavoring liquid containing <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of menthol and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of propylene glycol (PG).

According to some embodiments, the support structure <NUM> may be a tube filter moisturized with glycerin and/or PG.

The cooling structure <NUM> may serve as a cooling member for cooling the aerosol generated by the heater <NUM>, described with reference to <FIG>, heating the smoking material portion <NUM>. Accordingly, a user may inhale the aerosol cooled to an appropriate temperature.

The cooling structure <NUM> according to one or more embodiments may include a paper tube (i.e., tube-shaped structure made of paper) having a hollow <NUM> therein to maximize the cooling effect and to help the flavoring ingredients of the support structure <NUM> permeate into the mainstream smoke (e.g., a mixture of air and aerosols).

More specifically, when an inner diameter of the cooling structure <NUM> is larger than an inner diameter of the support structure <NUM>, the mainstream smoke flowing from the hollow <NUM> of the support structure <NUM> to the hollow <NUM> of the cooling structure <NUM> is diffused, and the movement of the diffused mainstream smoke toward the downstream direction of the smoking article <NUM> slows down. Therefore, a contact area and contact time between the mainstream smoke and air flowing from the outside into the cooling structure <NUM> through perforations <NUM> are increased, and a cooling effect of the mainstream smoke generated accordingly may be improved. Here, when a paper tube having an inner diameter which is about <NUM> % to about <NUM> % of an outer diameter is used as the cooling structure <NUM>, the difference between an inner diameter of the support structure <NUM> and the inner diameter of the cooling structure <NUM> may maximize a diffusion effect of the mainstream smoke and the cooling effect of the mainstream smoke.

According to some embodiments, in order to maximize the cooling effect and increase the amount of atomization and the transfer amount of nicotine, the inner diameter of the cooling structure <NUM> may be <NUM> times to <NUM> times larger than the inner diameter of the support structure <NUM>. For example, when the inner diameter of the support structure <NUM> is <NUM>, the inner diameter of the cooling structure <NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM>. It is desirable that the inner diameter of the cooling structure <NUM> be <NUM> to <NUM>, and it is most desirable that the inner diameter of the cooling structure <NUM> be <NUM> to <NUM>.

If the cooling structure is only designed to maximize the cooling efficiency, adequate rigidity may not be obtained, which makes it difficult to manufacture and assemble the cooling structure. Also, the usability of a cigarette including such cooling structure may also be reduced.

Therefore, the cooling structure <NUM> according to one or more embodiments may have the specifications according to Table <NUM> below to maximize the cooling efficiency, secure process workability and product usability, and minimize the transition of the flavoring ingredients between segments adjacent to the cooling structure <NUM> such as the support structure <NUM> and a mouth filter <NUM>.

A plurality of perforations <NUM>, which penetrate the wrapper <NUM>, may be formed in the cooling structure <NUM> by an on-line perforation method. During smoking, air from the outside may flow into the hollow <NUM> of the cooling structure <NUM> through the plurality of perforations <NUM>, dilute the mainstream smoke, and move to a mouthpiece <NUM>.

The plurality of perforations <NUM> serve to lower a surface temperature of the mouthpiece and a temperature of the mainstream smoke delivered to a smoker during smoking.

An air dilution rate of the cooling structure <NUM> may vary depending on the formation conditions of the plurality of perforations <NUM> (for example, a perforation method, and number, size, and the like of the perforations), and an appropriate air dilution rate may vary depending on the structure and characteristics of the smoking article <NUM>. More specifically, as the air dilution rate increases (for example, as the number of perforations increases), the surface temperature and the temperature of the mainstream smoke may be lowered. However, if the air dilution rate exceeds an appropriate value, the atomization transfer amount (i.e., an amount of air and aerosols transferred through the cooling structure <NUM>) during smoking may decrease.

Therefore, according to one or more embodiments, in order to maintain the surface temperature and the mainstream smoke temperature at an appropriate level, while increasing the glycerin transfer amount, the nicotine transfer amount, and the atomization amount for each puff during smoking, the plurality of perforations <NUM> may be formed such that the air dilution rate of the cooling structure <NUM> is about <NUM> % to <NUM> %, preferably <NUM> % to <NUM> %, and most preferably <NUM> % to <NUM>%. Here, the air dilution rate may refer to a ratio of a volume of external air introduced through the cooling structure <NUM> to a total volume of the mainstream smoke mixed with the introduced external air in the cooling structure <NUM>. The cooling structure <NUM> according to one or more embodiments has a structure in which a plurality of paper layers are spirally stacked as will be described later, and thus the air dilution rate of the non-perforated cooling structure <NUM> may be practically <NUM>%.

The plurality of perforations <NUM> are separated L1 from a downstream end of the cooling structure <NUM> by <NUM> to <NUM> (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>) in an upstream direction, and separated L2 from a downstream end of the smoking article <NUM> by <NUM> to <NUM> (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>) in an upstream direction. Since the plurality of perforations <NUM> are formed at the above positions, it is possible to prevent perforation interference by the aerosol generating device <NUM> or by the smoker's lips during smoking. Also, it is also possible to alleviate a phenomenon that the acetate filter of the mouthpiece portion is unevenly melted, by smoothing the air flow in the hollow <NUM> of the cooling structure <NUM> during smoking.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of perforations <NUM> may include <NUM> to <NUM> holes. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

A more detailed description of the cooling structure <NUM> will be provided later with reference to <FIG>.

The mouthpiece portion <NUM> may serve as a filter that finally delivers the aerosol delivered from the upstream to the user at a downstream end of the smoking article <NUM>. According to some embodiments, the mouthpiece portion <NUM> may include a cellulose acetate filter. Although not illustrated, the mouthpiece portion <NUM> may be made of a recess filter.

Although not illustrated, the mouthpiece portion <NUM> may include at least one capsule (not shown). The capsule may be, for example, a spherical or cylindrical capsule wrapping a content liquid containing a spice with a film.

A material forming the film of the capsule may include starch and/or a gelling agent. For example, gellan gum or gelatin may be used as the gelling agent. In addition, a gelling aid may further be used as a material for forming the film of the capsule. Here, calcium chloride may be used as the gelling aid. Moreover, a plasticizer may further be used as a material for forming the film of the capsule. Here, glycerin and/or sorbitol may be used as the plasticizer. Further, a colorant may further be used as a material for forming the film of the capsule.

The content liquid of the capsule may include a spice such as menthol and essential oils of plants. According to some embodiments, medium chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCTG) may be used as a solvent for the spice contained in the content liquid of the capsule. In addition, the content liquid may contain other additives such as a colorant, an emulsifier, a thickener, and the like.

According to some embodiments, the mouthpiece portion <NUM> may include a transfer jet nozzle system (TINS) filter on which a flavoring liquid is sprayed. Alternatively, a separate fiber to which a flavoring liquid is applied may be inserted into the mouthpiece portion <NUM>.

The wrapper <NUM> may include a porous wrapper or a non-porous wrapper. As an example, a thickness of the wrapper <NUM> may be about <NUM> to about <NUM> and a porosity of the wrapper <NUM> may be about <NUM> CU to about <NUM> CU. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

As aforementioned, at least one of the smoking material portion <NUM>, the support structure <NUM>, the cooling structure <NUM>, and the mouthpiece portion <NUM> may be individually packaged by a separate wrapper before being wrapped by the wrapper <NUM>. As an example, the smoking material portion <NUM> may be packaged by a smoking material wrapper (not shown) and the support structure <NUM>, the cooling structure <NUM>, and the mouthpiece portion <NUM> may be packaged by a first filter wrapper (not shown), a second filter wrapper (not shown), and a third filter wrapper (not shown), respectively. However, the manner of packaging the smoking article <NUM> and its portions are not limited thereto.

According to some embodiments, the wrappers may have different physical properties depending on their corresponding areas of the smoking article <NUM>.

As an example, a thickness of the smoking material wrapper wrapping the smoking material portion <NUM> may be about <NUM> and a porosity of the same may be about <NUM> CU. Also, a thickness of the first filter wrapper wrapping the support structure <NUM> may be about <NUM> and a porosity of the same may be about <NUM> CU. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. In addition, an aluminum foil may be further arranged on an inner surface of the smoking material wrapper and/or the first filter wrapper.

The second filter wrapper wrapping the cooling structure <NUM> and the third filter wrapper wrapping the mouthpiece portion <NUM> may be made of hard wrappers. For example, a thickness of the second filter wrapper may be about <NUM> and a porosity of the same may be about <NUM> CU, and a thickness of the third filter wrapper may be about <NUM> and a porosity of the same may be about <NUM> CU. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

According to some embodiments, a certain material may be added into the wrapper <NUM>. Here, silicon may an example of the certain material. Silicon has properties such as heat resistance, oxidation resistance, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency, electrical insulation, or the like. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and any material having the above-described properties may be applied (or coated) to the wrapper <NUM>.

The wrapper <NUM> may prevent the smoking article <NUM> from burning. For example, when the smoking material portion <NUM> is heated by the heater described with reference to <FIG>, the smoking article <NUM> may be burned. More specifically, when temperature rises above the ignition point of any one of the substances included in the smoking material portion <NUM>, the smoking article <NUM> may be burned. However, since the wrapper <NUM> includes a non-combustible material, the smoking article <NUM> may be prevented from burning.

The wrapper <NUM> may also prevent a holder of the aerosol generating device <NUM> (see <FIG>) from being contaminated by substances (e.g., liquids) generated from the smoking article <NUM>. Liquids may be generated from the smoking article <NUM> by the user's puff. For example, when the aerosol generated from the smoking article <NUM> is cooled by air from the outside, liquids (for example, moisture, etc.) may be generated.

As the wrapper <NUM> packages the smoking material portion <NUM> and/or the other portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the liquid substances generated from the smoking article <NUM> may be prevented from leaking out. Therefore, the inside of the holder of the aerosol generating device <NUM> may be prevented from being contaminated by the liquid substances generated from the smoking article <NUM>.

Although not shown, the smoking article <NUM> may further include a front filter segment that contacts the smoking material portion <NUM> at an upstream side of the smoking material portion <NUM>.

The front filter segment may prevent the smoking material portion <NUM> from falling out of the smoking article <NUM> and also prevent the aerosol liquefied from the smoking material portion <NUM> during smoking from flowing into the aerosol generating device <NUM> (see <FIG> ). In addition, since the front filter segment includes an aerosol channel, the aerosol flowing into an upstream end of the front filter segment may easily move to a downstream end of the front filter segment. Thus, the user may easily inhale the aerosol.

According to some embodiments, the front filter segment may be made of cellulose acetate.

The aerosol channel may be located in the center of the front filter segment. For example, the center of the aerosol channel may coincide with the center of the front filter segment. A cross-sectional shape of the aerosol channel may be in various shapes, such as a circular shape, a trilobal shape, or the like.

<FIG> are diagrams illustrating a layer structure of a cooling structure according to the invention. In <FIG>, the cooling structure <NUM> is simplified and rather exaggerated for clarity of description. For example, in order to precisely describe the positional relationship of spiral layers 130a, 130b, and 130c on a body portion of the cooling structure <NUM>, a length of the cooling structure <NUM> in an axial direction is illustrated as relatively longer and a diameter of the cooling structure <NUM> is illustrated as relatively shorter. In addition, only the body portion is illustrated excluding the plurality of perforations <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the body portion has the inner layer paper spiral layer 130a, the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b, and the outer layer paper spiral layer 130c which are sequentially stacked. The inner layer paper and an intermediate layer paper may be attached to each other by an adhesive. Also, the intermediate layer paper and an outer layer paper may be attached to each other by an adhesive. Considering a process of cutting an elongated rod formed by spiral layers into the individual cooling structure <NUM> having a roundness of about <NUM> % to about <NUM> %, and for the cooling structure <NUM> to effectively performs a cooling function after being coupled to the smoking article <NUM>, the adhesive may be ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) containing solids of <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%(preferably, <NUM> % to <NUM> wt%), a viscosity of <NUM>,<NUM> cps to <NUM>,<NUM> cps (preferably <NUM>,<NUM> cps to <NUM>,<NUM> cps), and a pH of <NUM> to <NUM>. Hereinafter, each layer will be described with reference to a separate drawing.

Referring to <FIG>, an innermost layer of the body portion of the cooling structure <NUM> is the inner layer paper spiral layer 130a formed of inner layer paper.

A width 130aL (i.e., a dimension in an axial direction S of the cooling structure <NUM>) of the inner layer paper constituting the inner layer paper spiral layer 130a may be about <NUM> to about <NUM> (for example, about <NUM>). However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

A downstream end of a first inner layer paper surface 130a1 constituting the inner layer paper spiral layer 130a and an upstream end of a second inner layer paper surface 130a2 adjacent to the first inner layer paper surface 130a1 are practically parallel to each other such that a boundary line 130as is formed between them. An angle 130ag formed between the boundary line 130as and the axial direction S of the cooling structure <NUM> may be about <NUM> ° to <NUM> °.

To secure flatness of the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b and of the outer layer paper spiral layer 130c to be stacked on the inner layer paper spiral layer 130a and airtightness of the body portion, adjacent inner layer paper surfaces (e.g., a downstream end of the first inner layer paper surface 130a1 and an upstream end of the second inner layer paper surface 130a2) of the inner layer paper spiral layer 130a do not overlap with each other. For example, adjacent inner layer paper surfaces may be in contact with each other without overlapping, or may be separated from each other by <NUM> to <NUM> (preferably, more than <NUM> and <NUM> or less).

According to some embodiments, in order to form a uniform spiral structure, the inner layer paper may have a basis weight of <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm and a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b is formed on the inner layer paper spiral layer 130a of the cooling structure <NUM>. In <FIG>, the boundary line 130as of the inner layer paper spiral layer 130a is illustrated as a dotted line, and a boundary line 130bs of the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b is illustrated as a solid line.

A width 130bL (i.e., a dimension in the axial direction S of the cooling structure <NUM>) of the intermediate layer paper constituting the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b may be about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., about <NUM>). However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

A downstream end of a first intermediate layer paper surface 130b1 constituting the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b and an upstream end of a second intermediate layer paper surface 130b2 adjacent to the first intermediate layer paper surface 130b1 are practically parallel to each other such that the boundary line 130bs may be formed between them. An angle 130bg formed between the boundary line 130bs and the axial direction S of the cooling structure <NUM> may be about <NUM> ° to <NUM> °.

Considering flatness of the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b and of the outer layer paper spiral layer 130c to be stacked on the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b and airtightness of the body portion, adjacent intermediate layer paper surfaces (e.g., a downstream end of the first intermediate layer paper surface 130b1 and an upstream end of the second intermediate layer paper surface 130b2) do not overlap with each other and may be in contact with each other, or may be separated from each other by <NUM> to <NUM> (preferably, more than <NUM> and <NUM> or less). The boundary line 130bs of the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b may be apart from the boundary 130as of the inner layer paper spiral layer 130a by the distance sh1 in an axial direction S of the cooling structure <NUM>. For example, the distance sh1 may be <NUM> to <NUM>. That is, the downstream end of the first intermediate layer paper surface 130b1 may be apart from the downstream end of the first inner layer paper surface 130a1 by <NUM> to <NUM> in the axial direction of the smoking article.

According to some embodiments, in order to secure rigidity and airtightness of the cooling structure <NUM>, the intermediate layer paper may have a basis weight of <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm (preferably, <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm) and a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM> (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, the outer layer paper spiral layer 130c is formed on the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b of the cooling structure <NUM>. In <FIG>, the boundary line 130bs of the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b is illustrated as a dotted line, and a boundary line 130cs of the outer layer paper spiral layer 130c is illustrated as a solid line.

A width 130cL (a dimension in the axial direction S of the cooling structure <NUM>) of the outer paper constituting the outer layer paper spiral layer 130c may be about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., about <NUM>). However, embodiments not limited thereto.

A downstream end of a first outer layer paper surface 130c1 constituting the outer layer paper spiral layer 130c and an upstream end of a second outer layer paper surface 130c2 adjacent to the first outer layer paper surface 130c1 are practically in parallel to each other such that the boundary line 130cs is formed between them. An angle 130cg formed between the boundary line 130cs and the axial direction S of the cooling structure <NUM> may be about <NUM> ° to <NUM> ° (preferably, <NUM> ° to <NUM> °).

In order to prevent contamination of the outside of a paper tube of the outer layer paper spiral layer 130c and separation of the spiral layer during a cigarette manufacturing process while securing flatness of the surface, adjacent outer layer paper surfaces (for example, a downstream end of the first outer layer paper surface 130c1 and an upstream end of the second outer layer paper surface 130c2) constituting the outer layer paper spiral layer 130c may overlap with each other by <NUM> to <NUM> (preferably, more than <NUM> and <NUM> or less) or may be in contact with each other without overlapping. The boundary line 130cs of the outer layer paper spiral layer 130c may be apart from the boundary line 130bs of the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b by the distance sh2 in an axial direction S of the cooling structure <NUM>. For example, the distance sh2 may be <NUM> to <NUM> (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>). That is, the downstream end of the first outer layer paper surface 130c1 may be apart from the downstream end of the first intermediate layer paper surface 130b1 by <NUM> to <NUM> (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>) in the axial direction of the smoking article.

According to some embodiments, as the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b is shifted with respect to the inner layer paper spiral layer 130a and the outer layer paper spiral layer 130c is shifted with respect to the intermediate layer paper spiral layer 130b, the outer layer paper spiral layer 130c may have a spiral structure practically overlapping with the inner layer paper spiral layer 130a. That is, the outer layer paper spiral layer 130c may not be shifted with respect to the inner layer paper spiral layer 130a.

According to some embodiments, in order to form rigidity and airtightness of the cooling structure, the outer layer may have a basis weight of <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm (preferably, <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm) and a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM> (preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>).

As the body portion of the cooling structure <NUM> is formed with the physical properties and a coupling structure for each paper layer as described above, the cooling structure <NUM> may secure rigidity and airtightness of the cooling structure required in a subsequent process, and at the same time, may prevent contamination of the outside of the paper tube and separation of the spiral layer, and further may secure uniformity and flatness of the cooling structure.

Hereinafter, configuration of one or more embodiments and effects thereof will be described in greater detail through embodiments and comparative examples. However, the embodiments are mere examples, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below.

Similar to the smoking article <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a heating-type cigarette having a structure with a smoking material portion, a support structure, a cooling structure, and a mouthpiece portion was manufactured. A cellulose acetate (CA) tube filter having an inner diameter of <NUM> that was not flavored was used as the support structure, and a CA tube filter having an inner diameter of <NUM> that was not flavored was used as the cooling structure. A TINS filter, in which a menthol-flavored liquid of about <NUM> was applied, was used for the mouthpiece portion.

Except that a CA filter, in which a menthol-flavored liquid of about <NUM> was applied, was used for the support structure, a heating-type cigarette identical with that of Comparative Example <NUM> was manufactured.

Except that the cooling structure was made of a woven polylactic acid (PLA) fabric, a heating-type cigarette identical with that of Comparative Example <NUM> was manufactured.

Except that the cooling structure was formed with a non-perforated (i.e., air dilution rate of <NUM> %) paper tube, a heating-type cigarette identical with that of Comparative Example <NUM> was manufactured. More specifically, a paper tube having a weight of about <NUM>, a length of about <NUM>, a thickness of about <NUM>, a total surface area of about <NUM><NUM>, and a roundness of about <NUM> % was used.

Except that the cooling structure was formed with a perforated paper tube having an air dilution rate of <NUM> %, a heating-type cigarette identical with that of Embodiment <NUM> was manufactured.

Table <NUM> shows structures of the cigarettes according to Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>. Except for Comparative Example <NUM> in which a non-flavored CA tube filter was used as the support structure, a total amount of menthol-flavored liquid that was added to the cigarettes of Comparative Examples and Embodiments is practically the same.

In order to confirm a transfer pattern of menthol during storage of the cigarettes, the menthol content of each segment was analyzed according to the storage time, and the results are presented in Table <NUM>. Analysis results of Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> were excluded from Table <NUM>, because there was no significant difference due to the presence or absence of perforations and the air dilution rate in a menthol transfer pattern analysis. In addition, Comparative Example <NUM>, which had much less absolute menthol content than other Embodiments and Comparative Examples, was excluded from the present experiment.

As shown in Table <NUM>, although the same amount of menthol-flavored liquid for each embodiment was added to the support structure and the mouthpiece portion (i.e., acetate tube) of each of the cigarettes, it may be identified that menthol distribution differs depending on the storage time of the cigarette after manufacture. Accordingly, it may be identified that the menthol transfer pattern in the cigarettes differs depending on the cooling structure to which the menthol-flavored liquid was not added.

More specifically, in the case of Comparative Example <NUM>, it may be identified that a significant amount of menthol initially contained in the support structure and the acetate tube is transferred to the cooling structure as the storage time elapses after manufacture, and accordingly, the menthol content of the medium portion (i.e., smoking material portion <NUM>) and the acetate tube is relatively low compared to Comparative Example <NUM> or Embodiment <NUM>.

On the other hand, in the case of Comparative Example <NUM>, the menthol transfer amount toward the cooling structure is less than that of Comparative Example <NUM>, but a larger amount of menthol is transferred to the cooling structure than in Embodiment <NUM>, and this tendency became more apparent as the storage time increased. In addition, in the case of Comparative Example <NUM>, since the menthol transfer amount toward other segments (wrappers) was large, an actual menthol transfer amount within the mainstream smoke was expected to be less than that of Embodiment <NUM> because of loss of flavors due to the state of storage.

In the case of Embodiment <NUM>, as the storage time increased, the menthol content of the medium portion and the support structure increased remarkably, and it may be identified that the menthol transfer to the cooling structure was substantially insignificant. From the above results, it is predicted that the menthol transfer amount will be greater during smoking in Embodiment <NUM> than in Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM>.

In order to analyze components of smoke of the cigarettes of Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM>, and Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>, components of the mainstream smoke of cigarettes stored for <NUM> weeks after manufacture were analyzed. Smoke collection for the component analysis was conducted repeatedly based on three times for each sample and <NUM> puffs for each time, and the results of the component analysis based on an average value for three collections are shown in Table <NUM>. The cigarettes were tested according to Health Canada (HC) smoking conditions using an automatic smoking device in a smoking room with a temperature of approximately <NUM> and a humidity of approximately <NUM> %.

As shown in Table <NUM>, PG and moisture amounts did not show a significant difference between the Examples (except for Example <NUM>), but nicotine, glycerin and menthol transfer amounts varied depending on an application direction and an air dilution rate of the cooling structure.

More specifically, in Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> in which a paper tube was applied as the cooling structure, glycerin and menthol transfer amounts overall increased compared to Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM>. On the other hand, it may be identified that in Embodiment <NUM>, in which a non-perforated paper tube was applied, the glycerin transfer amount was relatively reduced due to rather excessive thermal deformation of the acetate tube compared to other examples. On the other hand, in Embodiment <NUM>, due to the large amount of air introduced in the paper tube, nicotine, PG, glycerin, and menthol transfer amounts significantly decreased.

It may be identified that in Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> in which the cooling structure has an air dilution rate of <NUM> % to <NUM> % according to the perforations, nicotine and glycerin transfer amounts remarkably increased compared to other Embodiments, which is due to the minimizing of the thermal deformation of the acetate tube and the dilution of an appropriate amount of air introduced from the outside.

To analyze the amount of atomization and the transfer amount of smoke components according to puffs, the amount of atomization and the smoke components of the mainstream smoke of the cigarettes according to Comparative Example <NUM> and Embodiment <NUM> were analyzed, and the analysis results of the transfer amount for each component are shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a graph showing nicotine content in smoke for each puff, <FIG> is a graph showing glycerin content in smoke for each puff, and <FIG> is a graph showing menthol content in smoke for each puff.

Referring to <FIG>, it may be identified that a nicotine transfer amount, a glycerin transfer amount, and a menthol transfer amount are all higher in Embodiment <NUM> than in Comparative Example <NUM>. In both Embodiment <NUM> and Comparative Example <NUM>, as the puff order increased, the nicotine transfer amount and the glycerin transfer amount increased. However, as the nicotine transfer amount and the glycerin transfer amount rapidly increase from an initial puff in Embodiment <NUM> compared to Comparative Example <NUM>, Embodiment <NUM> is expected to be more advantageous than Comparative Example <NUM> in terms of persistence of smoking taste and the atomization amount. Accordingly, Embodiment <NUM> is also expected to have advantage in alleviating burnt taste or irritation in later puffs over Comparative Example <NUM>.

In addition, in both Embodiment <NUM> and Comparative Example <NUM>, the menthol amount increased from the initial <NUM> to <NUM> puffs and then decreased in subsequent puffs. Still, in the case of Embodiment <NUM>, the menthol transfer amount increased relatively rapidly from the first puff, and there was no significant difference in the reduction rate in later puffs compared with Comparative Example <NUM>. Therefore, it may be identified that Embodiment <NUM> also has advantage in terms of persistence of menthol during smoking over Comparative Example <NUM>.

In order to evaluate heat on cigarette surface and in mainstream smoke, surface temperatures and mainstream smoke temperatures of cigarettes stored for <NUM> weeks after manufacture were analyzed according to Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM> and Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>, and the analysis results are shown in Table <NUM>. Each of the surface temperatures and the mainstream smoke temperatures represents an average value of a maximum temperature measured for each puff, based on <NUM> times for each sample.

Referring to Table <NUM>, in the case of Embodiment <NUM> in which a non-perforated paper tube was applied, the surface temperature was rather higher than that of Comparative Example <NUM>, and similar to that of Comparative Example <NUM>, and the mainstream smoke temperature was identical or similar to that of Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM>. On the other hand, in the case of Embodiment <NUM>, unlike Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM>, heat was diffused to the entire cross section, so that the centralized melting of the mouthpiece was greatly alleviated.

In Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> in which a perforated paper tube was applied, a significant drop in the surface temperature and the mainstream smoke temperature was observed compared to Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM>, and the temperature linearly decreased as the air dilution rate increased. It was identified that in Embodiments <NUM> in which a paper tube having the highest air dilution rate was applied, a cooling effect was the most excellent, but there were issues such as lack of draw resistance and a drop in the intensity of smoking taste, which were not observed in Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>.

In order to analyze the smoking feeling of the Comparative Examples and the Embodiments, the amount of atomization, draw resistance, heat of mainstream smoke and cigarette surface heat sensation, the intensity of smoking taste, irritation, different taste of the cigarettes, and overall smoking feeling was rated according to Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM>, and Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> in which only configuration of the cooling structure was changed. The results are shown in Table <NUM>. The evaluation was conducted by <NUM> evaluation panel members with cigarettes stored for two weeks after manufacture, based on a rating scale of <NUM> to <NUM>.

Referring to Table <NUM>, it may be identified that in both Examples <NUM> to <NUM> in which a perforated paper tube was applied, the atomization amount and the persistence of the atomization amount are remarkably excellent, and the overall smoking feeling also showed an excellent figure showing a significant difference compared to Comparative Examples in which a CA tube or PLA was applied. In particular, in the case of Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM>, it was identified that the intensity of the smoking taste was also the highest of all, and different taste was also reduced.

Claim 1:
A cooling structure (<NUM>) located downstream of a smoking material portion (<NUM>) and upstream of a mouthpiece portion (<NUM>) in a smoking article (<NUM>), the cooling structure (<NUM>) comprising:
a body portion having a tube shape and made of a paper material; and a plurality of perforations (<NUM>) arranged in a circumferential direction of the body portion such that an inside and an outside of the body portion are in fluid communication with each other,
characterised in that:
the body portion is formed by an inner layer paper spiral layer (130a), an intermediate layer paper spiral layer (130b), and an outer layer paper spiral layer (130c), which are sequentially stacked,
wherein a downstream end of a first inner layer paper surface (130a1) constituting the inner layer paper spiral layer (130a) and an upstream end of a second inner layer paper surface (130a2) adjacent to the first inner layer paper surface (130a1) do not overlap with each other,
a downstream end of a first intermediate layer paper surface (130b1) constituting the intermediate layer paper spiral layer (130b) and an upstream end of a second intermediate layer paper surface (130b2) adjacent to the first intermediate layer paper (130b1) surface do not overlap with each other, and
a downstream end of a first outer layer paper surface (130c1) constituting the outer layer paper spiral layer (130c) and an upstream end of a second outer layer paper surface (130c2) adjacent to the first outer layer paper surface (130c1) do not overlap with each other.