Patent Description:
Conventionally, there have been known flavor inhalers for inhaling a flavor or the like without burning a material. The flavor inhalers include, for example, a chamber that contains a flavor generation article, a heater that heats the flavor generation article contained in the chamber, and a heat insulation member that suppresses transfer of the heat of the heater to a housing (for example, refer to <CIT>). In <CIT>, a top and a base hold the heat insulation member and a sleeve so as to sandwich them axially.

<CIT> is related to a flavor inhaler having a housing with a heating element contained therein, which is configured to contain a consumable. Further, an inner wall surrounds the heating element. Further, a holding unit is provided holding the inner wall movably in an axial direction of the inner wall or a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Similar flavor inhalers are derivable from <CIT> and <CIT>.

A member disposed near the heater may expand due to the heat of the heater. Therefore, if such a member is completely fixed, the member may be, for example, buckled when the fixed member expands thermally. Further, if a member made from a fragile material such as an aerogel sheet is completely fixed to the housing, this member may also be broken when an impact is applied to the flavor inhaler from outside, due to a failure to buffer this impact and transmission of the impact to the member itself.

One of objects of the present invention is to prevent a member constituting a flavor inhaler from being broken.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a flavor inhaler as defined in the present claim <NUM>.

According to a first aspect, a flavor inhaler is provided. This flavor inhaler includes a housing, a containing unit contained in the housing and configured to contain a consumable, a tubular unit surrounding the containing unit, and a holding unit holding the tubular unit movably in an axial direction of the tubular unit or a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

According to the first aspect, the tubular unit is held by the holding unit movably in the axial direction or the first direction. In other words, the tubular unit is not completely fixed and the flavor inhaler includes a space for allowing the tubular unit to move, and therefore the tubular unit can thermally expand in this space and can be prevented from being buckled. Further, even if an impact is applied to the flavor inhaler from outside, the tubular unit can buffer the impact by moving and can be prevented from being broken. In the present specification, the tubular unit can be a tubular member having any shape such as a cylindrical shape or a square tubular shape. Further, "holding" in the present specification means restricting a movement of a target in such a manner that the target is placed within a predetermined region, and is not limited to physically gripping or holding the target.

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the holding unit includes a first restriction unit configured to restrict a movement of the tubular unit in the first direction.

According to the second aspect, while the tubular unit is movable in the first direction, the first restriction unit can restrict the movement of the tubular unit in the first direction. Therefore, the tubular unit can be prevented from unlimitedly moving in the first direction, thereby being prevented from colliding with another member (for example, the housing or the containing unit).

According to a third aspect, in the second aspect, the first restriction unit is configured to restrict a movement in a second direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the first direction.

According to the third aspect, the first restriction unit restricts the movements of the tubular unit in the first direction and the second direction. Therefore, the tubular unit can be prevented from unlimitedly moving in the first direction and the second direction, thereby being prevented from colliding with another member (for example, the housing or the containing unit).

According to a fourth aspect, in the second or third aspect, the first restriction unit includes an inner first restriction unit located inside the tubular unit.

According to the fourth aspect, while the tubular unit is movable in the first direction, the inner first restriction unit can restrict the movement of the tubular unit in the first direction. This eliminates the necessity of providing a member for restricting the movement of the tubular unit in the first direction outside the tubular unit and can omit a space therefor, and therefore can curb an increase in the size of the flavor inhaler.

According to a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the flavor inhaler satisfies D1 > D2, assuming that D1 represents an inner diameter of the tubular unit and D2 represents a diameter of an imaginary circle circumscribed around the inner first restriction unit as viewed from the axial direction of the tubular unit.

According to the fifth aspect, a space is created between the inner first restriction unit and the tubular unit when the inner first restriction unit is disposed inside the tubular unit. As a result, while the tubular unit is movable in the first direction, the movement of the tubular unit in the first direction can be restricted by the inner first restriction unit. In the present specification, the inner diameter of the tubular unit in a case where the tubular unit has a shape different from a cylindrical shape such as a square tubular shape refers to a diameter of an imaginary circle inscribed in the inner surface of the tubular unit.

According to a sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, a difference between D1 and D2 is <NUM> or smaller.

According to the sixth aspect, the inner first restriction unit can be substantially loosely fitted inside the tubular unit. Due to that, a space required for the movement of the tubular unit can be reduced while the tubular unit is movable in the first direction. As a result, the flavor inhaler can curb an increase in the size thereof. Further, because being able to reduce the range where the tubular unit is movable, the flavor inhaler prevents the position of the tubular unit from being largely misaligned from the designed layout position thereof in the flavor inhaler, thereby preventing the performance of the flavor inhaler from deviating from the designed performance. Further, the tubular unit is prevented from being damaged due to a large swing of the tubular unit.

According to a seventh aspect, in the fifth or sixth aspect, the inner first restriction unit includes at least two protrusion portions protruding in the first direction. The imaginary circle is circumscribed around the at least two protrusion portions.

According to the seventh aspect, the protrusion portions of the inner first restriction unit are circumscribed by the imaginary circle, and therefore these protrusion portions can contact the inner surface of the tubular unit. In other words, the inner first restriction unit does not contact the inner surface of the tubular unit throughout the entire circumference thereof. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the inner first restriction unit contacts the inner surface of the tubular unit throughout the entire circumference thereof, the flavor inhaler can suppress transfer of the heat of the inner first restriction unit to the tubular unit. Accordingly, especially in the case where the containing unit is heated, the flavor inhaler suppresses transfer of the heat to the tubular unit from the inner first restriction unit located closer to the containing unit than the tubular unit is, thereby suppressing dissipation of the heat of the containing unit to outside as a result thereof.

According to an eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, the protrusion portions include top portions shaped so as to conform with an inner surface of the tubular unit as viewed from the axial direction, respectively. The imaginary circle is circumscribed around the top portions. The flavor inhaler satisfies L1 > L2, assuming that L1 represents a circumferential length of the inner surface of the tubular unit and L2 represents a sum of lengths of portions of the top portions that are circumscribed by the imaginary circle.

According to the eighth aspect, the inner first restriction unit does not contact the inner surface of the tubular unit throughout the entire circumference thereof. Therefore, compared to the configuration in which the inner first restriction unit contacts the inner surface of the tubular unit throughout the entire circumference thereof, the flavor inhaler can suppress transfer of the heat of the inner first restriction unit to the tubular unit. Accordingly, especially in the case where the containing unit is heated, the flavor inhaler suppresses transfer of the heat to the tubular unit from the inner first restriction unit located closer to the containing unit than the tubular unit is, thereby suppressing dissipation of the heat of the containing unit to outside as a result thereof.

According to a ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, L1 and L2 satisfy L2 < <NUM> × L1.

According to the ninth aspect, the inner first restriction unit can contact the inner surface of the tubular unit over a further smaller area. As a result, the flavor inhaler can suppress transfer of the heat of the inner first restriction unit to the tubular unit. Accordingly, especially in the case where the containing unit is heated, the flavor inhaler further suppresses transfer of the heat to the tubular unit from the inner first restriction unit located closer to the containing unit than the tubular unit is, thereby further suppressing dissipation of the heat of the containing unit to outside as a result thereof.

According to a tenth aspect, in any of the fourth to sixth aspects, the inner first restriction unit includes an annular portion located between the containing unit and the tubular unit.

According to the tenth aspect, in a case where the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the tubular unit is annular similar to the annular portion, the annular portion can contact the inner surface of the tubular unit over a relatively wide area. Therefore, when the tubular unit contacts the annular portion, an impact applied from the annular portion to the tubular unit at this time is distributed, and the tubular unit can be prevented from being broken.

According to the eleventh aspect, in the tenth aspect, the annular portion has an outer peripheral surface that faces an inner surface of the tubular unit. The outer peripheral surface has such a tapering surface that an outer diameter is reducing as the outer peripheral surface extends toward a center of the tubular unit in the axial direction.

According to the eleventh aspect, insertion of the annular portion into the tubular unit can be facilitated when the annular portion is placed into the tubular unit.

According to a twelfth aspect, in any of the second to eleventh aspects, the first restriction unit includes an outer first restriction unit located outside the tubular unit.

According to the twelfth aspect, the outer first restriction unit is located outside the tubular unit, and therefore the tubular unit can move in the first direction and the outer first restriction unit can also restrict the movement of the tubular unit in the first direction even without a member for restricting the movement of the tubular unit provided inside the tubular unit. As a result, especially in the case where the containing unit is heated, due to the absence of a member for restricting the movement of the tubular unit at a position closer to the containing unit than the tubular unit is, the flavor inhaler suppresses transfer of the heat to the tubular unit and therefore can suppress dissipation of the heat of the containing unit to outside. In the case where the first restriction unit includes the inner first restriction unit and the outer first restriction unit, the movement of the tubular unit in the first direction can be restricted by both the inner first restriction unit and the outer first restriction unit. More specifically, when the tubular unit moves in the first direction, both the inner first restriction unit and the outer first restriction unit can contact the tubular unit and restrict the movement of the tubular unit at the same time, and therefore an impact when the first restriction unit contacts the tubular unit is divided and the tubular unit can be prevented from being broken.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in the twelfth aspect according to any of the fourth to eleventh aspects, the inner first restriction unit and the outer first restriction unit are disposed at positions overlapping each other in the axial direction.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the movement of the tubular unit in the first direction can be restricted at the same axial position by both the inner first restriction unit and the outer first restriction unit. Therefore, when the first restriction unit contacts the tubular unit, an impact at this time is divided at the same axial position, and the tubular unit can be prevented from being broken.

According to a fourteenth aspect, in the thirteenth aspect, a space in the first direction is formed between the inner first restriction unit and the outer first restriction unit. The tubular unit is contained in the space.

According to the fourteenth aspect, the tubular unit is located in the space in the first direction, and can be held movably in the first direction in this space. In other words, the tubular unit is sandwiched without being fixed by the inner first restriction unit and the outer first restriction unit.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in any of the second to fourteenth aspects, the tubular unit includes a first end portion, and a second end portion opposite from the first end portion. The first restriction unit is disposed inside or outside at least one of the first end portion or the second end portion of the tubular unit in the first direction.

According to a sixteenth aspect, in the fifteenth aspect, the first restriction unit is disposed inside or outside both the first end portion and the second end portion of the tubular unit in the first direction.

According to the sixteenth aspect, the movement in the first direction can be restricted at two portions, the first end portion and the second end portion of the tubular unit, and therefore the tubular unit can be prevented from unlimitedly moving in the first direction at the both end portions of the tubular unit, thereby being further reliably prevented from colliding with another member (for example, the housing or the contained unit). Further, when the first restriction unit contacts the tubular unit, an impact at this time is divided to the both end portions, and the tubular unit can be prevented from being broken.

According to a seventeenth aspect, in any of the first to sixteenth aspects, the tubular unit includes a base portion and a heat insulation layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the base portion.

According to the seventeenth aspect, the base portion and the heat insulation layer can be prevented from being broken. Especially in the case where the heat insulation layer is made from a fragile material such as an aerogel sheet, the heat insulation layer is supported by the base portion, and the base portion can be held in such a manner that the holding unit is kept out of contact with the heat insulation layer.

According to an eighteenth aspect, in the seventeenth aspect according to the fourteenth aspect, the base portion includes a protrusion portion on one end of the tubular unit. The protrusion portion protrudes from the heat insulation layer in the axial direction. The protrusion portion is contained in the space.

According to the eighteenth aspect, a movement of the base portion constituting the tubular unit in the first direction is restricted by the inner first restriction unit and the outer first restriction unit. Therefore, the tubular unit can be prevented from being broken by making the base portion from, for example, a material having predetermined strength, such as resin such as PEEK.

According to a nineteenth aspect, in the seventeenth aspect according to any of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, the outer first restriction unit is out of contact with the heat insulation layer.

According to the nineteenth aspect, no impact is directly applied from the outer first restriction unit to the heat insulation layer, and therefore the heat insulation layer can be prevented from being broken even when the heat insulation layer is made from a fragile material such as an aerogel sheet.

According to a twentieth, obligatory aspect, the containing unit includes a tubular sidewall portion. The sidewall portion includes a contact portion in contact with the consumable when the consumable is contained in the containing unit, and a separation portion located circumferentially adjacent to the contact portion and spaced apart from the consumable. An air flow path in communication with an end surface of the consumable in the containing unit and an opening of the containing unit is formed between the separation portion and the consumable when the consumable is contained in the containing unit.

According to the twentieth aspect, air supplied from the opening of the containing unit can reach inside a user's mouth via the air flow path and the end surface of the consumable, which eliminates the necessity of providing the flavor inhaler with an additional flow path for introducing the air to supply to the consumable, thereby contributing to simplification of the structure of the flavor inhaler.

According to a twenty-first aspect, any of the first to twentieth aspects includes a heating unit disposed on an outer periphery of the containing unit and configured to heat the consumable contained in the containing unit.

In the case where the consumable contained in the containing unit is heated, the tubular unit surrounding the contained unit may expand due to the heat of the heating unit. According to the twenty-first aspect, even when the tubular unit expands due to the heat from the heating unit, the tubular unit can expand in the space in which the tubular unit is movable, and can be prevented from being subjected to a stress.

According to a twenty-second aspect, in any of the first to twenty-first aspects, the holding unit includes a second restriction unit configured to restrict a movement of the tubular unit in the axial direction, and is configured to hold the tubular unit movably in the axial direction.

According to the twenty-second aspect, while the tubular unit is movable in the axial direction, the movement thereof in the axial direction can be restricted by the second restriction unit. Therefore, the tubular unit can be prevented from unlimitedly moving in the axial direction, thereby being prevented from colliding with another member (for example, the housing or the contained unit).

In the following description, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings that will be described below, identical or corresponding components will be indicated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

<FIG> is a schematic front view of a flavor inhaler <NUM> according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic top view of the flavor inhaler <NUM> according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic bottom view of the flavor inhaler <NUM> according to the present embodiment. In the drawings that will be described in the present specification, an X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate system may be set for convenience of the description. In this coordinate system, a Z axis extends vertically upward. An X-Y plane is laid so as to cut across the flavor inhaler <NUM> horizontally. A Y axis is disposed so as to extend from the front side to the back side of the flavor inhaler <NUM>. The Z axis can also be said to be an insertion direction of a consumable contained in a chamber <NUM> of an atomization unit <NUM>, which will be described below, or an axial direction of a tubular heat insulation unit. Further, the X axis can also be said to be a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and the Y axis can also be said to be a second direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the first direction. Further, the X-axis direction can also be said to be a device longitudinal direction in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the consumable or a direction in which a heating unit and a power source unit are lined up. The Y-axis direction can also be said to be a device lateral direction in the plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the consumable.

The flavor inhaler <NUM> according to the present embodiment is configured to, for example, generate an aerosol that contains a flavor by heating a stick-type consumable provided with a flavor source including an aerosol source.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the flavor inhaler <NUM> includes an outer housing <NUM> (corresponding to one example of a housing), a slide cover <NUM>, and a switch unit <NUM>. The outer housing <NUM> constitutes the outermost housing of the flavor inhaler <NUM>, and is sized so as to be contained inside a user's hand. When the user uses the flavor inhaler <NUM>, the user can inhale the aerosol while holding the flavor inhaler <NUM> with his/her hand. The outer housing <NUM> may be constructed by assembling a plurality of members. The outer housing <NUM> can be made from resin such as PEEK (polyetheretherketone).

The outer housing <NUM> includes a not-illustrated opening for receiving the consumable, and the slide cover <NUM> is slidably attached to the outer housing <NUM> so as to close this opening. More specifically, the slide cover <NUM> is configured movably along the outer surface of the outer housing <NUM> between a closing position (the position illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>), at which the slide cover <NUM> closes the above-described opening of the outer housing <NUM>, and an opening position, at which the slide cover <NUM> opens the above-described opening. For example, the user can move the slide cover <NUM> to the closing position and the opening position by operating the slide cover <NUM> manually. Due to that, the side cover <NUM> can permit or restrict access of the consumable to inside the flavor inhaler <NUM>.

The switch unit <NUM> is used to switch on and off the actuation of the flavor inhaler <NUM>. For example, the user can cause power to be supplied from a not-illustrated power source to the not-illustrated heating unit and the heating unit to heat the consumable without burning it by operating the switch unit <NUM> in a state that the consumable is inserted in the flavor inhaler <NUM>. The switch unit <NUM> may be a switch provided outside the outer housing <NUM> or may be a switch located inside the outer housing <NUM>. In the case where the switch is located inside the outer housing <NUM>, the switch is indirectly pressed by pressing of the switch unit <NUM> on the surface of the outer housing <NUM>. The present embodiment will be described citing the example in which the switch of the switch unit <NUM> is located inside the outer housing <NUM>.

The flavor inhaler <NUM> may further include a not-illustrated terminal. The terminal can be an interface that connects the flavor inhaler <NUM> to, for example, an external power source. In a case where the power source provided to the flavor inhaler <NUM> is a rechargeable battery, the external power source can supply a current to the power source to recharge the power source by being connected to the terminal. Further, the flavor inhaler <NUM> can be configured in such a manner that data relating to the actuation of the flavor inhaler <NUM> can be transmitted to an external apparatus by connecting a data transmission cable to the terminal.

Next, the consumable used in the flavor inhaler <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described. <FIG> is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the consumable <NUM>. In the present embodiment, a smoking system can be constituted by the flavor inhaler <NUM> and the consumable <NUM>. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the consumable <NUM> includes a smokable substance <NUM>, a tubular member <NUM>, a hollow filter unit <NUM>, and a filter unit <NUM>. The smokable substance <NUM> is wrapped with first rolling paper <NUM>. The tubular member <NUM>, the hollow filter unit <NUM>, and the filter unit <NUM> are wrapped with second rolling paper <NUM> different from the first rolling paper <NUM>. The second rolling paper <NUM> is also wrapped around a part of the first rolling paper <NUM> wrapped around the smokable substance <NUM>. As a result, the tubular member <NUM>, the hollow filter unit <NUM>, and the filter unit <NUM>, and the smokable substance <NUM> are joined with each other. However, the second rolling paper <NUM> may be omitted, and the tubular member <NUM>, the hollow filter unit <NUM>, and the filter unit <NUM>, and the smokable substance <NUM> may be joined with each other using the first rolling paper <NUM>. A lip release agent <NUM>, which is used to make it difficult for the user's lip to stick to the second rolling paper <NUM>, is applied to the outer surface near the end portion of the second rolling paper <NUM> on the filter unit <NUM> side. A portion of the consumable <NUM> to which the lip release agent <NUM> is applied functions as a mouthpiece of the consumable <NUM>.

The smokable substance <NUM> can include the flavor source such as tobacco and the aerosol source. Further, the first rolling paper <NUM> wrapped around the smokable substance <NUM> can be a breathable sheet member. The tubular member <NUM> can be a paper tube or a hollow filter. The consumable <NUM> includes the smokable substance <NUM>, the tubular member <NUM>, the hollow filter unit <NUM>, and the filter unit <NUM> in the illustrated example, but the configuration of the consumable <NUM> is not limited thereto. For example, the hollow filter unit <NUM> may be omitted, and the tubular member <NUM> and the filter unit <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to each other.

Next, the inner structure of the flavor inhaler <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler <NUM> as viewed from arrows <NUM>-<NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, an inner housing <NUM> (corresponding to one example of a housing) is provided inside the outer housing <NUM> of the flavor inhaler <NUM>. The inner housing <NUM> is made from, for example, resin, and, especially, can be made from polycarbonate (PC), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (polyetheretherketone), a polymer alloy containing a plurality of kinds of polymers, or the like, or metal such as aluminum. The inner housing <NUM> is preferably made from PEEK from viewpoints of heat resistance and strength. However, the material of the inner housing <NUM> is not especially limited. A power source unit <NUM> and the atomization unit <NUM> are provided in an inner space of the inner housing <NUM>. Further, the outer housing <NUM> is made from, for example, resin, and, especially, can be made from polycarbonate (PC), ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) resin, PEEK (polyetheretherketone), a polymer alloy containing a plurality of kinds of polymers, or the like, or metal such as aluminum.

The power source unit <NUM> includes a power source <NUM>. The power source <NUM> can be, for example, a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The power source <NUM> is electrically connected to the atomization unit <NUM>. Due to that, the power source <NUM> can supply power to the atomization unit <NUM> so as to appropriately heat the consumable <NUM>.

As illustrated, the atomization unit <NUM> includes a chamber <NUM> (corresponding to one example of a containing unit) extending in the insertion direction of the consumable <NUM> (the Z-axis direction), the heating unit <NUM> surrounding a part of the chamber <NUM>, a heat insulation unit <NUM> (corresponding to one example of a tubular unit), and a substantially tubular insertion guide member <NUM>. The chamber <NUM> is configured to contain the consumable <NUM>. The heating unit <NUM> is configured to heat the consumable <NUM> contained in the chamber <NUM> in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the chamber <NUM>. As illustrated, a bottom member <NUM> may be provided on the bottom portion of the chamber <NUM>. The bottom member <NUM> can function as a stopper that positions the consumable <NUM> inserted in the chamber <NUM>. The bottom member <NUM> has a recess/protrusion on a surface with which the consumable <NUM> is in abutment, and can define a space capable of supplying air to the surface with which the consumable <NUM> is in abutment. The bottom member <NUM> can be made from, for example, a resin material such as PEEK, metal, glass, or ceramic, but is not especially limited thereto. Further, the material for making the bottom member <NUM> may be a low thermally conductive member compared to the material for making the chamber <NUM>. In a case where the bottom member <NUM> is joined with a bottom portion <NUM> of the chamber <NUM> (refer to Fig. 6B), an adhesive that can be made from a resin material such as epoxy resin or an inorganic material can be used therefor. The details of the chamber <NUM> and the heating unit <NUM> will be described below.

The heat insulation unit <NUM> is generally substantially tubular, and is disposed so as to surround the chamber <NUM>. The heat insulation unit <NUM> can include, for example, an aerogel sheet. The insertion guide member <NUM> is made from a resin material such as PEEK, PC, or ABS, and is provided between the slide cover <NUM> located at the closing position and the chamber <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the insertion guide member <NUM> can contact the chamber <NUM>, and therefore the insertion guide member <NUM> is preferably made from PEEK from a viewpoint of heat resistance. When the slide cover <NUM> is located at the opening position, the insertion guide member <NUM> is in communication with outside the flavor inhaler <NUM>, and guides insertion of the consumable <NUM> into the chamber <NUM> in reaction to insertion of the consumable <NUM> into the insertion guide member <NUM>.

Next, the structure of the chamber <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a perspective view of the chamber <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the chamber <NUM> as viewed from arrows 4B-4B illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the chamber <NUM> as viewed from arrows 5A-5A illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the chamber <NUM> as viewed from arrows 5B-5B illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the chamber <NUM> and the heating unit <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the chamber <NUM> can be a tubular member including an opening <NUM> via which the consumable <NUM> is inserted, and a tubular sidewall portion <NUM> containing the consumable <NUM>. The chamber <NUM> is preferably made from a material heat-resisting and having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, and can be made from, for example, metal such as stainless steel, resin such as PEEK, glass, or ceramic.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the sidewall portion <NUM> includes a contact portion <NUM> and a separation portion <NUM>. When the consumable <NUM> is placed at a desired position in the chamber <NUM>, the contact portion <NUM> contacts or presses a part of the consumable <NUM>, and the separation portion <NUM> is spaced apart from the consumable <NUM>. The "desired position in the chamber <NUM>" in the present specification refers to a position at which the consumable <NUM> is appropriately heated or a position of the consumable <NUM> when the user smokes. The contact portion <NUM> has an inner surface 62a and an outer surface 62b. The separation portion <NUM> has an inner surface 66a and an outer surface 66b. As illustrated in <FIG>, the heating unit <NUM> is disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion <NUM>. Preferably, the heating unit <NUM> is disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion <NUM> without a space created therebetween. The heating unit <NUM> may include an adhesion layer. In this case, preferably, the heating unit <NUM> including the adhesion layer is disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion <NUM> without a space created therebetween.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the outer surface 62b of the contact portion <NUM> is a flat surface. Since the outer surface 62b of the contact portion <NUM> is a flat surface, a band-shaped electrode <NUM> can be prevented from being deflected when the band-shaped electrode <NUM> is connected to the heating unit <NUM> disposed on the outer surface 62b of the contact portion <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the inner surface 62a of the contact portion <NUM> is a flat surface. Further, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the contact portion <NUM> has an even thickness.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the chamber <NUM> includes two contact portions <NUM> in the circumferential direction of the chamber <NUM>, and the two contact portions <NUM> are located opposite from each other so as to extend in parallel with each other. Preferably, the distance between the inner surfaces 62a of the two contact portions <NUM> is at least partially shorter than the width of a portion of the consumable <NUM> inserted in the chamber <NUM> that is disposed between the contact portions <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the inner surface 66a of the separation portion <NUM> can have a generally circular arc-shaped cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the chamber <NUM> (the Z-axis direction). Further, the separation portion <NUM> is disposed so as to be located circumferentially adjacent to the contact portion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the chamber <NUM> can include a hole 56a on the bottom portion <NUM> thereof so as to allow the bottom member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> to be disposed inside the chamber <NUM> while extending through the bottom portion <NUM>. The bottom member <NUM> can be fixed inside the bottom portion <NUM> of the chamber <NUM> using an adhesive or the like. The bottom member <NUM> provided on the bottom portion <NUM> can support a part of the consumable <NUM> inserted in the chamber <NUM> in such a manner that the end surface of the consumable <NUM> is at least partially exposed. Further, the bottom portion <NUM> can support a part of the consumable <NUM> in such a manner that the exposed end surface of the consumable <NUM> is in communication with a space <NUM> (refer to <FIG>), which will be described below.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, preferably, the chamber <NUM> includes a tubular portion <NUM> between the opening <NUM> and the sidewall portion <NUM>. A space can be formed between the tubular portion <NUM> and the consumable <NUM> in the state that the consumable <NUM> is positioned at the desired position in the chamber <NUM>. Further, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, preferably, the chamber <NUM> includes a first guide portion <NUM> having a tapering surface 58a connecting the inner surface of the tubular portion <NUM> and the inner surface 62a of the contact portion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the heating unit <NUM> includes a heating element <NUM>. The heating element <NUM> may be, for example, a heating track. Preferably, the heating element <NUM> is disposed so as to heat the contact portion <NUM> without contacting the separation portion <NUM> of the chamber <NUM>. In other words, preferably, the heating element <NUM> is disposed only on the outer surface of the contact portion <NUM>. The heating element <NUM> may have a difference in heating capability between a portion that heats the separation portion <NUM> of the chamber <NUM> and a portion that heats the contact portion <NUM>. More specifically, the heating element <NUM> may be configured to heat the contact portion <NUM> to a higher temperature than the separation portion <NUM>. For example, the layout density of the heating track in the heating element <NUM> can be adjusted on the contact portion <NUM> and the separation portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the heating element <NUM> may be wrapped around the outer periphery of the chamber <NUM> while keeping a substantially constant heating capability throughout the entire circumference of the chamber <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, preferably, the heating unit <NUM> includes an electric insulation member <NUM> covering at least one surface of the heating element <NUM>, in addition to the heating element <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the electric insulation member <NUM> is disposed so as to cover the both surfaces of the heating element <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrated in <FIG> in the state that the consumable <NUM> is placed at the desired position in the chamber <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the consumable <NUM> is placed at the desired position in the chamber <NUM>, the consumable <NUM> can be pressed in contact with the contact portions <NUM> of the chamber <NUM>. On the other hand, the space <NUM> is formed between the consumable <NUM> and each of the separation portions <NUM>. The space <NUM> can be in communication with the opening <NUM> of the chamber <NUM> and the end surface of the consumable <NUM> positioned in the chamber <NUM>. Due to that, air introduced via the opening <NUM> of the chamber <NUM> can flow into the consumable <NUM> by passing through the space <NUM>. In other words, an air flow path (the space <NUM>) is formed between the consumable <NUM> and the separation portion <NUM>.

Next, how the heat insulation unit <NUM> is held according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. If the heat insulation unit <NUM> surrounding the chamber <NUM> is completely fixed to the inner housing <NUM> or the outer housing <NUM>, the heat insulation unit <NUM> may be broken when an impact is applied to the flavor inhaler <NUM> from outside, due to a failure to buffer this impact. Further, if the heat insulation unit <NUM> expands due to the heat of the chamber <NUM> (or the heating unit <NUM>), the fixed heat insulation unit may also be buckled due to the thermal expansion. In light thereof, in the present embodiment, the flavor inhaler <NUM> includes a first holding unit <NUM> and a second holding unit <NUM> (each corresponds to one example of a holding unit), which hold the heat insulation unit <NUM> movably in the axial direction of the chamber <NUM> or the first direction perpendicular to this axial direction (for example, the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction). The first holding unit <NUM> and the second holding unit <NUM> will be described citing an example in which they hold the heat insulation unit <NUM> movably in the axial direction of the chamber <NUM> and the first direction in the present specification, but are not limited thereto and may hold the heat insulation unit <NUM> movably only in the axial direction or movably only in the first direction. Further, the first holding unit <NUM> and the second holding unit <NUM> can be made from, for example, elastomer such as silicone rubber.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first holding unit <NUM> holds a first end portion 39a of the heat insulation unit <NUM> on the terminal side (the Z-axis negative direction side) movably in the axial direction of the chamber <NUM> or the first direction. The second holding unit <NUM> holds a second end portion 39b of the heat insulation unit <NUM> on the slide cover <NUM> side (the Z-axis positive direction side) movably in the axial direction of the chamber <NUM> or the first direction. In other words, in the present embodiment, the heat insulation unit <NUM> is not completely fixed, and the flavor inhaler <NUM> includes a space for allowing the heat insulation unit <NUM> to move. Therefore, even if the heat insulation unit <NUM> expands due to the heat from the heating unit <NUM>, the heat insulation unit <NUM> can expand in this space and therefore can be prevented from being buckled. Further, even if an impact is applied to the flavor inhaler <NUM> from outside, the heat insulation unit <NUM> can buffer the impact by moving and can be prevented from being broken.

<FIG> is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first holding unit <NUM>. As illustrated, the bottom member <NUM> provided inside the bottom portion <NUM> of the chamber <NUM> includes a shaft portion 36a protruding out of the chamber <NUM> via the hole 56a of the chamber <NUM>. The flavor inhaler <NUM> includes a substantially tubular bottom member cap <NUM> that receives the shaft portion 36a of the bottom member <NUM>. The bottom member cap <NUM> includes a flange portion 72a on one end thereof on the chamber <NUM> side.

The heat insulation unit <NUM> includes a support member 32a (corresponding to one example of a base portion) and a heat insulation layer 32b provided on the outer peripheral side of the support member 32a. Now, the outer peripheral side of the support member 32a refers to an opposite side from one side of the support member 32a that faces the chamber <NUM>. The support member 32a is, for example, substantially tubular, and is disposed so as to surround the chamber <NUM>. The support member 32a can be made from resin such as PEEK, metal such as stainless steel, paper, glass, or the like. The support member 32a is not limited thereto, and can be made from any material capable of being tubularly shaped. The heat insulation layer 32b can be, for example, an aerogel sheet. In the present embodiment, the heat insulation layer 32b can be fixed to the outer surface of the support member 32a using an adhesive or the like. Further, the heat insulation layer 32b can be glued or fixed to the outer surface of the support member 32a via a PI (polyimide) substrate including silicon adhesion layers on the both sides thereof. The heat insulation unit <NUM> may further include a heat shrinkable tube 32c disposed on the outer surface of the heat insulation layer 32b. The shrinkable tube 32c can be made from, for example, thermoplastic resin such as PFA or FEP. The present embodiment employs the heat shrinkable tube 32c for the purpose of keeping the heat insulation layer 32b in a state in contact with the support member 32a, but can employ any member capable of serving a similar purpose without being limited thereto. For example, an elastic tube can be employed instead of the heat shrinkable tube 32c. A heat-resisting tape (for example, a PI tape) or a coating agent (for example, varnish) can be used as the elastic tube. As illustrated, in the present embodiment, the support member 32a may include a protrusion portion <NUM> axially protruding from the heat insulation layer 32b on one end of the heat insulation unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the heat insulation unit <NUM> taken along the X-Y plane. As illustrated in <FIG>, the support member 32a, the heat insulation layer 32b, and the heat shrinkable tube 32c constituting the heat insulation unit <NUM> are generally annular. The support member 32a has an inner diameter D1 and an outer diameter D4. Further, the support member 32a has a circumferential length L1' of the inner surface thereof. As illustrated, the heat insulation unit <NUM> is cylindrical in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto and may have any shape such as a square tubular shape.

Referring to <FIG>, the first holding unit <NUM> includes a ring <NUM> (corresponding to one example of a first restriction unit and an inner first restriction unit) and a heater cushion <NUM> (corresponding to one example of the first restriction unit and an outer first restriction unit). The ring <NUM> is located at a position axially overlapping the support member 32a of the heat insulation unit <NUM> and inside the support member 32a in the first direction. At least a part of the heater cushion <NUM>, more specifically, a circumferential wall portion <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is located at a position axially overlapping the support member 32a of the heat insulation unit <NUM> and outside the support member 32a in the first direction. The ring <NUM> and the heater cushion <NUM> hold the heat insulation unit <NUM> movably in the first direction while restricting a movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> in the first direction by sandwiching the heat insulation unit <NUM> with a space created from the heat insulation unit <NUM>. Therefore, the first holding unit <NUM> can prevent the heat insulation unit <NUM> from unlimitedly moving in the first direction, thereby preventing a collision between the heat insulation unit <NUM> and another member (for example, the inner housing <NUM> or the chamber <NUM>).

Next, the details of the ring <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a plan view of the ring <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the ring <NUM> includes an opening 80a in which the bottom member cap <NUM> is inserted, and can be fixed by being sandwiched between the flange portion 72a of the bottom member cap <NUM> and the heater cushion <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the ring <NUM> includes a ring main body <NUM>, which defines the opening 80a, at least two (three in the illustrated example) protrusion portion <NUM>, protrusion portion <NUM>, and protrusion portion <NUM>, which protrude from the ring main body <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the chamber <NUM>. The protrusion portion <NUM> and the protrusion portion <NUM> are provided at positions of -<NUM> ° and +<NUM>°, respectively, from the protrusion portion <NUM> in the circumferential direction with respect to the center of the opening 80a of the ring <NUM> in the plan view illustrated in <FIG>. Further, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the ring <NUM> includes a cutout portion <NUM> for forming a space in which the electrode <NUM> of the heating unit <NUM> extends. The provision of the cutout portion <NUM> to the ring <NUM> allows the electrode <NUM> of the heating unit <NUM> to extend substantially in parallel with the axial direction.

The protrusion portion <NUM>, the protrusion portion <NUM>, and the protrusion portion <NUM> include a top portion 82a, a top portion 83a, and a top portion 84a shaped so as to conform with the inner surface of the support member 32a of the heat insulation unit <NUM> as viewed from the axial direction, i.e., in the plane illustrated in <FIG>, respectively. Further, a diameter of an imaginary circle circumscribed around the protrusion portion <NUM>, the protrusion portion <NUM>, and the protrusion portion <NUM> of the ring <NUM> is a diameter D21 as viewed from the axial direction, i.e., in the plane illustrated in <FIG>. In other words, this imaginary circle is circumscribed around the top portion 82a, the top portion 83a, and the top portion 84a.

Now, in the present embodiment, the diameter D21 of the imaginary circle circumscribed around the ring <NUM> is preferably smaller than the inner diameter D1 of the support member 32a of the heat insulation unit <NUM> (i.e., D1 > D21 is preferable). In other words, a space is created between the ring <NUM> and the heat insulation unit <NUM> when the ring <NUM> is disposed inside the heat insulation unit <NUM>. As a result, while the heat insulation unit <NUM> is movable in the first direction, the heat insulation unit <NUM> contacts the ring <NUM> by moving in the first direction and the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> in the first direction can be restricted by the ring <NUM>.

Further, in the present embodiment, the protrusion portion <NUM>, the protrusion portion <NUM>, and the protrusion portion <NUM> of the ring <NUM> are circumscribed by the imaginary circle, and therefore these protrusion portion <NUM>, protrusion portion <NUM>, and protrusion portion <NUM> can contact the inner surface of the heat insulation unit <NUM> when the heat insulation unit <NUM> moves in the first direction. In other words, the ring <NUM> does not contact the inner surface of the heat insulation unit <NUM> throughout the entire circumference thereof. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the ring <NUM> contacts the inner surface of the heat insulation unit <NUM> throughout the entire circumference thereof, the present embodiment can suppress transfer of the heat of the ring <NUM> to the heat insulation unit <NUM>. Accordingly, especially in the case where the chamber <NUM> is heated, the present embodiment suppresses transfer of the heat to the heat insulation unit <NUM> from the ring <NUM> located closer to the chamber <NUM> than the heat insulation unit <NUM> is, thereby suppressing dissipation of the heat of the chamber <NUM> to outside as a result thereof.

Preferably, the difference between the inner diameter D1 and the diameter D21 is <NUM> or smaller. Due to that, the present embodiment allows the ring <NUM> to be substantially loosely fitted inside the heat insulation unit <NUM>, and therefore can reduce the space required for the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> while the heat insulation unit <NUM> is movable in the first direction. As a result, the present embodiment can curb an increase in the size of the flavor inhaler <NUM>. Further, because being able to reduce the range where the heat insulation unit <NUM> is movable, the present embodiment prevents the position of the heat insulation unit <NUM> from being largely misaligned from the designed layout position thereof in the flavor inhaler <NUM>, thereby preventing the performance of the flavor inhaler <NUM> from deviating from the designed performance.

Assuming that a length L2 refers to the sum of the circumferential lengths of the top portion 82a, the top portion 83a, and the top portion 84a of the ring <NUM> (the lengths of portions thereof circumscribed by the imaginary circle of the ring <NUM>), the length L2 is preferably smaller than the circumferential length L1'(refer to <FIG>) of the inner surface of the support member 32a of the heat insulation unit <NUM> (i.e., L1' > L2 is preferable). In other words, the ring <NUM> preferably does not contact the inner surface of the heat insulation unit <NUM> throughout the entire circumference thereof. In this case, compared to the configuration in which the ring <NUM> contacts the inner surface of the heat insulation unit <NUM> throughout the entire circumference thereof, the present embodiment can suppress transfer of the heat of the ring <NUM> to the heat insulation unit <NUM>.

Further, assuming that a length L1 refers to the circumferential length of the imaginary circle circumscribed around the ring <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the length L1 is preferably larger than the length L2, which is the sum of the circumferential lengths of the top portion 82a, the top portion 83a, and the top portion 84a of the ring <NUM> (the lengths of the portions thereof circumscribed by the imaginary circle of the ring <NUM>), (i.e., L1 > L2 is preferable). This case leads to a reduction in the length of a portion along which the ring <NUM> is in proximity to the heat insulation unit <NUM> compared to a configuration in which the outer periphery of the ring <NUM> is circular in the planar view illustrated in <FIG>, and therefore can suppress transfer of the heat of the ring <NUM> to the heat insulation unit <NUM>. Accordingly, especially in the case where the chamber <NUM> is heated, the present embodiment suppresses transfer of the heat to the heat insulation unit <NUM> from the ring <NUM> located closer to the chamber <NUM> than the heat insulation unit <NUM> is, thereby suppressing dissipation of the heat of the chamber <NUM> to outside as a result thereof.

Further preferably, the length L1 and the length L2 satisfy L1 < <NUM> × L2. This configuration can further reduce the length of the portion along which the ring <NUM> is in proximity to the inner surface of the heat insulation unit <NUM>. As a result, the present embodiment can further suppress the transfer of the heat of the ring <NUM> to the heat insulation unit <NUM>. Further, most preferably, the length L1 and the length L2 satisfy <NUM> × L2 < L1 < <NUM> × L2. If the length L1 is <NUM> × L2 or shorter, the ring <NUM> may be deformed and bring the axes (the central axes) of the chamber <NUM> and the heat insulation unit <NUM> out of alignment with each other. The length L1 equal to <NUM> × L2 and shorter than <NUM> × L2 allows the axial positions of the chamber <NUM> and the heat insulation unit <NUM> to be appropriately maintained while a heat leak can be further efficiently suppressed.

The ring <NUM> can restrict the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> in the first direction since the heat insulation unit <NUM> contacts the protrusion portion <NUM> when moving in the arbitrary first direction. Further, the ring <NUM> preferably restricts a movement in the second direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the first direction. More specifically, preferably, the ring <NUM> includes the protrusion portion <NUM> or the protrusion portion <NUM>, and the protrusion portion <NUM> or the protrusion portion <NUM> contacts the heat insulation unit <NUM> to also restrict the movement in the second direction when the heat insulation unit <NUM> moves in the second direction perpendicular to the axial direction and this arbitrary first direction. Due to that, the present embodiment can prevent the heat insulation unit <NUM> from unlimitedly moving in the first direction and the second direction, thereby preventing a collision between the heat insulation unit <NUM> and another member (for example, the inner housing <NUM> or the chamber <NUM>).

Further, since the ring <NUM> is located inside the heat insulation unit <NUM>, the present embodiment can omit a space for providing a member for restricting the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> (for example, the heater cushion <NUM>) outside the heat insulation unit <NUM>, thereby curbing an increase in the size of the flavor inhaler <NUM>.

Next, the heater cushion <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a plan view of the heater cushion <NUM>. The heater cushion <NUM> can be made of an elastic member such as rubber. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the heater cushion <NUM> includes a central recessed portion 74a, an annular protrusion portion 74b, a flat portion 74c, and the circumferential wall portion <NUM>. The central recessed portion 74a is configured to contain and support one end of the bottom member cap <NUM>. The annular protrusion portion 74b defines the central recessed portion 74a, and axially sandwiches the ring <NUM> together with the flange portion 72a of the bottom member cap <NUM>.

The flat portion 74c extends from the annular protrusion portion 74b outward in the first direction while being spaced apart from the ring <NUM>. The circumferential wall portion <NUM> extends from the outermost periphery of the flat portion 74c in the Z-axis positive direction, and is located on the outer peripheral side of the protrusion portion <NUM> of the support member 32a. As illustrated in <FIG>, a diameter of an imaginary circle circumscribed around the inner surface of the circumferential wall portion <NUM> of the heater cushion <NUM> as viewed from the axial direction is a diameter D3. In the present embodiment, this diameter D3 is preferably larger than the outer diameter D4 of the support member 32a of the heat insulation unit <NUM> (i.e., D3 > D4 is preferable). In other words, a space is created between the support member 32a and the circumferential wall portion <NUM> when the support member 32a of the heat insulation unit <NUM> is disposed inside the circumferential wall portion <NUM> of the heater cushion <NUM>. As a result, while the heat insulation unit <NUM> is movable in the first direction, the heat insulation unit <NUM> contacts the circumferential wall portion <NUM> by moving in the first direction and the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> in the first direction can be restricted by the heater cushion <NUM>.

Preferably, the difference between the diameter D3 and the outer diameter D4 is <NUM> or smaller. Due to that, the present embodiment allows the support member 32a to be substantially loosely fitted inside the circumferential wall portion <NUM>, and therefore can reduce a space required for the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> while the heat insulation unit <NUM> is movable in the first direction. As a result, the present embodiment can curb an increase in the size of the flavor inhaler <NUM>. Further, because being able to reduce the range where the heat insulation unit <NUM> is movable, the present embodiment prevents the position of the heat insulation unit <NUM> from being largely misaligned from the designed layout position thereof in the flavor inhaler <NUM>, thereby preventing the performance of the flavor inhaler <NUM> from deviating from the designed performance.

Due to the circumferential wall portion <NUM> of the heater cushion <NUM> located outside the heat insulation unit <NUM>, the heat insulation unit <NUM> can move in the first direction and the circumferential wall portion <NUM> can also restrict the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> in the first direction even without a member for restricting the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> (for example, the ring <NUM>) provided inside the heat insulation unit <NUM>. Especially in the case where the chamber <NUM> is heated, a member for restricting the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> (for example, the ring <NUM>) does not have to be provided at a position closer to the chamber <NUM> than the heat insulation unit <NUM> is. Therefore, the present embodiment suppresses transfer of the heat to the heat insulation unit <NUM> via this member, thereby suppressing dissipation of the heat of the chamber <NUM> to outside as a result thereof.

Further, in the case where the ring <NUM> and the heater cushion <NUM> are provided like the present embodiment, the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> in the first direction can be restricted by both the ring <NUM> and the heater cushion <NUM>. More specifically, when the heat insulation unit <NUM> moves in the first direction, both the ring <NUM> and the heater cushion <NUM> contact the heat insulation unit <NUM> at the same time and can restrict the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM>. Therefore, when the ring <NUM> and the heater cushion <NUM> contact the heat insulation unit <NUM>, an impact at this time is divided and the heat insulation unit <NUM> can be prevented from being broken. The flavor inhaler <NUM> includes the ring <NUM> and the circumferential wall portion <NUM> of the heater cushion <NUM> in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto and may be configured to include only any one of them.

Further, preferably, the ring <NUM> and the circumferential wall portion <NUM> of the heater cushion <NUM> are disposed at axially overlapping positions as illustrated in <FIG>. Due to that, the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> in the first direction can be restricted at the same axial position by both the ring <NUM> and the heater cushion <NUM>. Therefore, when the ring <NUM> and the heater cushion <NUM> contact the heat insulation unit <NUM>, an impact at this time is divided at the same axial position, and the heat insulation unit <NUM> can be prevented from being broken.

Since the diameter D21 of the ring <NUM> is smaller than the diameter D3 of the imaginary circle of the circumferential wall portion <NUM>, a space S1 in the first direction is formed between the ring <NUM> and the circumferential wall portion <NUM> of the heater cushion <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The protrusion portion <NUM> of the support member 32a is contained in this space S1. Therefore, the protrusion portion <NUM> of the support member 32a can be held in this space S1 movably in the first direction. In other words, the protrusion portion <NUM> of the support member 32a is sandwiched by the ring <NUM> and the circumferential wall portion <NUM> without being fixed thereto. Therefore, the heat insulation unit <NUM> can be prevented from being broken by making the support member 32a from, for example, a material having predetermined strength, such as resin such as PEEK.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the circumferential wall portion <NUM> is positioned so as to be out of contact with the heat insulation layer 32b of the heat insulation unit <NUM>. Due to that, no impact is directly applied from the circumferential wall portion <NUM> to the heat insulation layer 32b, and therefore the heat insulation layer 32b can be prevented from being broken even when the heat insulation layer 32b is made from a fragile material such as an aerogel sheet.

The heater cushion <NUM> may include an end surface support portion <NUM> that can contact the end surface of the protrusion portion <NUM> of the support member 32a. As will be described below, the end surface support portion <NUM> of the heater cushion <NUM> can hold the heat insulation unit <NUM> axially movably in cooperation with a gasket <NUM> of the second holding unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the second holding unit <NUM>. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion A illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second holding unit <NUM> includes the gasket <NUM> disposed around the tubular portion <NUM> of the chamber <NUM> in the present embodiment. The gasket <NUM> includes an annular portion <NUM>, which is disposed between the chamber <NUM> and the heat insulation unit <NUM> as viewed from the axial direction (the Z-axis direction), and a flange portion 90a, which has a larger outer diameter than the annular portion <NUM>. Then, "between the chamber <NUM> and the heat insulation unit <NUM>" means a space in the first direction between the chamber <NUM> and the heat insulation unit <NUM>, and "disposed between the chamber <NUM> and the heat insulation unit <NUM>" means being located so as to overlap the chamber <NUM> and the heat insulation unit <NUM> in the axial direction (the Z-axis direction) and sandwiched between the chamber <NUM> and the heat insulation unit <NUM>. The annular portion <NUM> has an outer peripheral surface 92a that faces the inner surface of the heat insulation unit <NUM>, i.e., the inner surface of the support member 32a.

<FIG> is a plan view of the gasket <NUM> as viewed from the annular portion <NUM> side. Assume that a diameter D22 refers to a diameter of an imaginary circle circumscribed around the outer peripheral surface 92a of the annular portion <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Now, in the present embodiment, this diameter D22 is preferably smaller than the inner diameter D1 (refer to <FIG>) of the support member 32a of the heat insulation unit <NUM> (i.e., D1 > D22 is preferable). In other words, a space is created between the annular portion <NUM> and the heat insulation unit <NUM> when the annular portion <NUM> is disposed inside the heat insulation unit <NUM>. As a result, while the heat insulation unit <NUM> is movable in the first direction, the heat insulation unit <NUM> contacts the outer peripheral surface 92a of the annular portion <NUM> by moving in the first direction and the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> in the first direction can be restricted by the annular portion <NUM>. Further, in the case where the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the heat insulation unit <NUM> is annular similar to the annular portion <NUM> like the present embodiment, the annular portion <NUM> can contact the inner surface of the heat insulation unit <NUM> over a relatively wide area. Therefore, when the heat insulation unit <NUM> contacts the annular portion <NUM>, an impact applied from the annular portion <NUM> to the heat insulation unit <NUM> at this time is distributed, and the heat insulation unit <NUM> can be prevented from being broken.

Preferably, the difference between the inner diameter D1 and the diameter D22 is <NUM> or smaller. Due to that, the present embodiment allows the annular portion <NUM> of the gasket <NUM> to be substantially loosely fitted inside the heat insulation unit <NUM>, and therefore can reduce a space required for the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> while the heat insulation unit <NUM> is movable in the first direction. As a result, the present embodiment can curb an increase in the size of the flavor inhaler <NUM>. Further, because being able to reduce the range where the heat insulation unit <NUM> is movable, the present embodiment prevents the position of the heat insulation unit <NUM> from being largely misaligned from the designed layout position thereof in the flavor inhaler <NUM>, thereby preventing the performance of the flavor inhaler <NUM> from deviating from the designed performance.

Further, preferably, the outer peripheral surface 92a of the annular portion <NUM> includes such a tapering surface 92a that an outer diameter thereof is reducing as the outer peripheral surface 92a extends toward the central portion of the chamber <NUM> in the axial direction as illustrated in <FIG>. This can facilitate insertion of the annular potion <NUM> into the heat insulation unit <NUM> when the annular portion <NUM> is disposed inside the heat insulation unit <NUM>.

Further, in the present embodiment, the flange portion 90a of the gasket <NUM> can contact the end surface of the support member 32a of the heat insulation unit <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the support member 32a protrudes toward the flange portion 90a slightly beyond the heat insulation layer 32b. Therefore, the present embodiment is configured in such a manner that the flange portion 90a is kept out of contact with the heat insulation layer 32b when the flange portion 90a contacts the support member 32a. This flange portion 90a of the gasket <NUM> and the end surface support portion <NUM> of the heater cushion <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> can hold the heat insulation unit <NUM> axially movably and restrict an axial movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM>. More specifically, the gasket <NUM> and the heater cushion <NUM> are positioned in such a manner that an axial distance L3 between the flange portion 90a and the end surface support portion <NUM> of the heater cushion <NUM> exceeds an axial length L4 of the support member 32a of the heat insulation unit <NUM>. In other words, the distance L3 > the length L4 can be established in the present embodiment. In the state illustrated in <FIG>, the support member 32a is supported in contact with the end surface support portion <NUM> of the heater cushion <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and therefore a slight space is formed between the support member 32a and the flange portion 90a. Accordingly, the heat insulation unit <NUM> can axially move between the flange portion 90a of the gasket <NUM> and the end surface support portion <NUM> of the heater cushion <NUM>. Further, the axial movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> is restricted by the flange portion 90a and the end surface support portion <NUM>. Due to that, the present embodiment can prevent the heat insulation unit <NUM> from unlimitedly axially moving, thereby preventing a collision between the heat insulation unit <NUM> and another member (for example, the inner housing <NUM> or the chamber <NUM>).

On the other hand, the gasket <NUM> and the heater cushion <NUM> may be positioned in such a manner that the axial distance between the flange portion 90a and the end surface support portion <NUM> of the heater cushion <NUM> substantially matches the axial length of the support member 32a of the heat insulation unit <NUM>. In this case, the both ends of the support member 32a of the heat insulation unit <NUM> contact both the flange portion 90a and the end surface support portion <NUM>, respectively. Even in this case, the heat insulation unit <NUM> is movable in the first direction although a frictional force is applied from the flange portion 90a and the end surface support portion <NUM> to the support member 32a.

In the present embodiment, the ring <NUM> is disposed inside the first end portion 39a of the heat insulation unit <NUM> and the circumferential wall portion <NUM> of the heater cushion <NUM> is disposed outside the first end portion 39a, and the gasket <NUM> is disposed inside the second end portion 39b of the heat insulation unit <NUM>. Due to that, the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> in the first direction can be restricted at two portions, the first end portion 39a and the second end portion 39b of the heat insulation unit <NUM>. Therefore, the present embodiment can prevent the heat insulation unit <NUM> from unlimitedly moving in the first direction at the both end portions of the heat insulation unit <NUM>, thereby further reliably preventing a collision between the heat insulation unit <NUM> and another member (for example, the inner housing <NUM> or the chamber <NUM>). Further, when the ring <NUM>, the heater cushion <NUM>, or the gasket <NUM> contacts the heat insulation unit <NUM>, an impact at this time is divided to the both end portions, and the heat insulation unit <NUM> can be prevented from being broken. However, without being limited thereto, a member for restricting the movement of the heat insulation unit <NUM> in the first direction may be provided on at least one of the inner side or the outer side of only any one of the first end portion 39a and the second end portion 39b of the heat insulation unit <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A flavor inhaler comprising:
a housing (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a containing unit (<NUM>) contained in the housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) and configured to contain a consumable (<NUM>);
a tubular unit (<NUM>) surrounding the containing unit (<NUM>); and
a holding unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) holding the tubular unit (<NUM>) movably in an axial direction of the tubular unit (<NUM>) or a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction,
wherein the containing unit (<NUM>) includes a tubular sidewall portion (<NUM>),
wherein the sidewall portion (<NUM>) includes a contact portion (<NUM>) in contact with the consumable (<NUM>) when the consumable (<NUM>) is contained in the containing unit (<NUM>), characterized in that
the sidewall portion (<NUM>) further comprises
a separation portion (<NUM>) located circumferentially adjacent to the contact portion (<NUM>) and spaced apart from the consumable (<NUM>), and
wherein an air flow path in communication with an end surface of the consumable (<NUM>) in the containing unit (<NUM>) and an opening of the containing unit (<NUM>) is formed between the separation portion (<NUM>) and the consumable (<NUM>) when the consumable (<NUM>) is contained in the containing unit (<NUM>).