Patent Description:
Flavor inhalation devices for inhaling flavors or the like without burning material have conventionally been known. Known as such flavor inhalation devices include, for example, a smoking material heating device that forms aerosol by heating smoking material consisting of tobacco that contains volatile components (see <CIT>). The smoking material heating device described in <CIT> includes a hollow cylinder-like heater.

<CIT> is related to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

An object of the invention is to provide a heating assembly and a flavor inhalation device which provide improved heating.

One embodiment of the invention provides a heating assembly comprising a first cylindrical member provided in one end with a first opening, in which a flavor generating article can be inserted, and in the other end with a second opening that forms an air inlet; a heating member; and heat insulating material. The heating assembly further comprises a second cylindrical member disposed to enclose the first cylindrical member. A sealed region is provided between the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member. The heating member and the heat insulating member are accommodated in the sealed region.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a flavor inhalation device comprising the aforementioned heating assembly.

Embodiments of the invention will be discussed with reference to the attached drawings. Regarding the drawings discussed below, the same or equivalent constituent elements will be provided with the same reference marks, and overlapping discussion will be omitted.

<FIG> is a perspective overall view of a flavor inhalation device according to the embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective overall view of the flavor inhalation device according to the embodiment which holds a smoking article. A flavor inhalation device <NUM> according to the present embodiment is configured to generate aerosol containing a flavor, for example, by heating a smoking article <NUM> (which is an example of a flavor generating article) having a flavor source (which is an example of flavor generating base material) that includes an aerosol source.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the flavor inhalation device <NUM> includes a top housing 11A, a bottom housing 11B, a cover <NUM>, a switch <NUM>, and a lid portion <NUM>. The top housing 11A and the bottom housing 11B are connected together to form a housing <NUM> (second housing) located on an outermost side of the flavor inhalation device <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is of such a size as to fit in a user's hand. When using the flavor inhalation device <NUM>, the user can hold the flavor inhalation device <NUM> in his/her hand and inhale the flavor.

The top housing 11A has an opening, not shown. The cover <NUM> is coupled to the top housing 11A to close the opening. As illustrated in <FIG>, the cover <NUM> has an opening 12a into which the smoking article <NUM> can be inserted. The lid portion <NUM> is configured to open/close the opening 12a of the cover <NUM>. To be specific, the lid portion <NUM> is attached to the cover <NUM> and configured to be movable between a first position for closing the opening 12a and a second position for opening the opening 12a along a surface of the cover <NUM>. The lid portion <NUM> thus can allow or restrict access of the smoking article <NUM> to the inside of the flavor inhalation device <NUM> (an opening of an outer fin <NUM> or an opening of a top cap <NUM>, which will be discussed later).

The switch <NUM> is used to switch on and off the activation of the flavor inhalation device <NUM>. For example, if the user operates the switch <NUM> with the smoking article <NUM> inserted in the opening 12a as illustrated in <FIG>, electric power is supplied from a power source, not shown, to a heating member, not shown, which makes it possible to heat the smoking article <NUM> without burning the smoking article <NUM>. The heating of the smoking article <NUM> causes aerosol to evaporate from the aerosol source included in the smoking article <NUM>, and the flavor of the flavor source is taken into the aerosol. The user can inhale the aerosol containing the flavor by sucking a portion (which is illustrated in <FIG>) of the smoking article <NUM> which protrudes from the flavor inhalation device <NUM>. In the present specification, a longitudinal direction of the flavor inhalation device <NUM> is a direction in which the smoking article <NUM> is inserted in the opening 12a.

The following discussion explains a configuration of the smoking article <NUM> used in the flavor inhalation device <NUM> according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the smoking article <NUM>. According to an embodiment shown in <FIG>, the smoking article <NUM> includes a base material portion 110A including filling <NUM> (which is an example of flavor generating base material) and first wrapping paper <NUM> that wraps the filling <NUM>, and a mouthpiece portion 110B that forms an opposite end portion from the base material portion 110A. The base material portion 110A and the mouthpiece portion 110B are joined together using second wrapping paper <NUM> that is separate from the first wrapping paper <NUM>. It is possible, however, to use the first wrapping paper <NUM>, instead of the second wrapping paper <NUM>, to join the base material portion 110A and the mouthpiece portion 110B.

The mouthpiece portion 110B in <FIG> includes a paper tube portion <NUM>, a filter portion <NUM>, and a hollow segment portion <NUM> disposed between the paper tube portion <NUM> and the filter portion <NUM>. The hollow segment portion <NUM> comprises, for example, a filling layer including one or more hollow channels, and a plug wrapper that covers the filling layer. The filling layer has a high fiber filling density. During inhalation, therefore, air and aerosol flow only through the hollow channel and hardly flow in the filling layer. If it is desired to repress a decrease in aerosol component which is caused by filtration of the filter portion <NUM> in the smoking article <NUM>, the filter portion <NUM> is reduced in length, and the reduced amount is replaced with the hollow segment portion <NUM>, which is effective to increase a delivery amount of the aerosol.

The mouthpiece portion 110B in <FIG> comprises three segments. According to the present embodiment, however, the mouthpiece portion 110B may comprise one or two segments or may comprise four or more segments. For example, it is possible to omit the hollow segment portion <NUM> and arrange the paper tube portion <NUM> and the filter portion <NUM> adjacently to each other to form the mouthpiece portion 110B.

According to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the smoking article <NUM> preferably has a longitudinal length ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and still more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>. The smoking article <NUM> preferably has a circumference ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and still more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. The smoking article <NUM> may include the base material portion 110A having a length of <NUM>, the first wrapping paper <NUM> having a length of <NUM>, the hollow segment portion <NUM> having a length of <NUM>, and the filter portion <NUM> having a length of <NUM>. However, the length of each of the aforementioned segments may be properly changed according to manufacturing suitability, quality requirement, and the like.

According to the present embodiment, the filling <NUM> of the smoking article <NUM> may contain an aerosol source that is heated at predetermined temperature and generates aerosol. The aerosol source may be of any kind. Materials extracted from various natural products and/or constituents thereof may be selected depending on an intended use. Examples of the aerosol source include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol, and composites thereof. Contained amount of the aerosol source in the filling <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as the aerosol source sufficiently generates aerosol. From a perspective of provision of a good smoking flavor, the contained amount of the aerosol source is generally <NUM>% by weight or more, preferably <NUM>% by weight or more, and generally <NUM>% by weight or less, preferably <NUM>% by weight or less.

The filling <NUM> of the smoking article <NUM> according to the present embodiment may contain shred tobacco as a flavor source. The shred tobacco may be made of any material, and publicly-known materials including laminae and stems may be used. If the smoking article <NUM> is <NUM> in circumference and <NUM> in length, the contained amount of the filling <NUM> in the smoking article <NUM> ranges, for example, from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>. The filling <NUM> has a moisture content, for example, ranging from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight, preferably from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight. The foregoing moisture content prevents a stain on wrapping paper and improves a winding suitability in manufacture of the base material portion 110A. There is no particular limitation in size and preparation method of the shred tobacco used as the filling <NUM>. For example, dried tobacco leaves may be used, which are shredded into pieces each having a width ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. It is also possible to use dried tobacco leaves that are pulverized to have an average particle diameter ranging from about <NUM> to about <NUM> to be uniformed, processed into a sheet, and shredded into pieces each having a width ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. The leaves processed into a sheet may be gathered, instead of being shredded, to be used as the filling <NUM>. The filling <NUM> may contain one or more aroma chemicals. The aroma chemicals may be of any kind. From a perspective of provision of a good smoking flavor, however, menthol is preferable.

According to the present embodiment, the first wrapping paper <NUM> and the second wrapping paper <NUM> of the smoking article <NUM> can be made of base paper having a basis weight ranging, for example, from <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm, preferably from <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm. The first wrapping paper <NUM> and the second wrapping paper <NUM> are not particularly limited in thickness. From a perspective of rigidity, air permeability, and ease of preparation in paper manufacturing, however, the first wrapping paper <NUM> and the second wrapping paper <NUM> have a thickness ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to the present embodiment, the first wrapping paper <NUM> and the second wrapping paper <NUM> of the smoking article <NUM> may contain loading material. Contained amount of the loading material may fall in a range from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight relative to total weight of the first wrapping paper <NUM> and the second wrapping paper <NUM>, and preferably from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight. According to the present embodiment, the contained amount of the loading material preferably ranges from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight relative to the preferable basis weight range (from <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm). As the loading material, for example, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, kaolin or the like may be used. Paper containing such loading materials provides white light color that is preferable from a perspective of external appearance of wrapping paper of the smoking article <NUM>, and can maintain whiteness on a permanent basis. If the wrapping paper contains a large amount of such loading materials, for example, whiteness percentage of the wrapping paper in conformity with the ISO International Standards can be maintained at <NUM>% or more. Considering a utilitarian purpose of the first wrapping paper <NUM> and the second wrapping paper <NUM> as wrapping paper for the smoking article <NUM>, the first wrapping paper <NUM> and the second wrapping paper <NUM> preferably have a tensile strength of <NUM> N/<NUM> or higher. The tensile strength can be increased by reducing the contained amount of the loading material. More specifically, the tensile strength can be increased by reducing the contained amount of the loading material less than the upper limit of the contained amount of the loading material with respect to each of the basis weight ranges mentioned above.

The following discussion explains an internal structure of the flavor inhalation device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view as viewed in a direction of arrow <NUM>-<NUM> shown in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the flavor inhalation device <NUM> includes a power source portion <NUM>, a circuit portion <NUM>, and a heating portion <NUM> in an interior space of the housing <NUM>. The circuit portion <NUM> includes a first circuit board <NUM> and a second circuit board <NUM> that is electrically connected to the first circuit board <NUM>. The first circuit board <NUM> is disposed, for example, so as to extend in the longitudinal direction as illustrated in the figure. The power source portion <NUM> and the heating portion <NUM> are thus separated by the first circuit board <NUM>. This represses transmission of the heat generated in the heating portion <NUM> to the power source portion <NUM>.

The second circuit board <NUM> is disposed between the power source portion <NUM> and the switch <NUM> and extends in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the first circuit board <NUM>. The switch <NUM> is disposed adjacently to the second circuit board <NUM>. When the user presses down the switch <NUM>, the switch <NUM> can partially contact the second circuit board <NUM>.

The first circuit board <NUM> and the second circuit board <NUM> include, for example, a microprocessor or the like and are capable of controlling power supply from the power source portion <NUM> to the heating portion <NUM>. This allows the first circuit board <NUM> and the second circuit board <NUM> to control the heating of the smoking article <NUM> which is carried out by the heating portion <NUM>.

The power source portion <NUM> includes a power source <NUM> that is electrically connected to the first circuit board <NUM> and the second circuit board <NUM>. The power source <NUM> may be, for example, a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. The power source <NUM> is electrically connected to the heating portion <NUM> through at least either one of the first circuit board <NUM> and the second circuit board <NUM>. This allows the power source <NUM> to supply power to the heating portion <NUM> so as to properly heat the smoking article <NUM>. As illustrated in the figure, the power source <NUM> is disposed adjacently to the heating assembly <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the heating portion <NUM>. This makes it possible to repress an increase of the longitudinal length of the flavor inhalation device <NUM> even if the power source <NUM> is increased in size.

The flavor inhalation device <NUM> further includes a terminal <NUM> that is connectable to an external power source. The terminal <NUM> may be connected, for example, to a cable of a micro USB or the like. If the power source <NUM> is a rechargeable battery, the power source <NUM> can be charged by connecting the external power source to the terminal <NUM> to apply current from the external power source to the power source <NUM>. It is also possible to connect a data transmission cable of a micro USB or the like to the terminal <NUM> so that data associated to activation of the flavor inhalation device <NUM> and the like may be sent to an external device.

The heating portion <NUM> includes a heating assembly <NUM> extending in the longitudinal direction as illustrated in the figure. The heating assembly <NUM> comprises a plurality of cylindrical members and forms a cylindrical body as a whole. The heating assembly <NUM> is configured to be capable of accommodating part of the smoking article <NUM> inside. The heating assembly <NUM> has a function of defining a channel for air to be supplied to the smoking article <NUM> and a function of heating the smoking article <NUM> from an outer periphery thereof.

The bottom housing 11B is provided with a vent hole <NUM> (which is an example of an air inlet) that allows air to enter the heating assembly <NUM>. More specifically, the vent hole <NUM> is in fluid communication with one end portion (end portion on the left side in <FIG>) of the heating assembly <NUM>. The flavor inhalation device <NUM> includes an attachable/detachable cap <NUM> at the vent hole <NUM>. The cap <NUM> is configured to, even in a position attached to the vent hole <NUM>, allow air to enter the heating assembly <NUM> though the vent hole <NUM>. The cap <NUM> may include, for example, a through hole, a notch or the like, not shown. Since the cap <NUM> is attached to the vent hole <NUM>, a substance produced from the smoking article <NUM> inserted in the heating assembly <NUM> is prevented from falling outside the housing <NUM> through the vent hole <NUM>.

The other end portion (end portion on the right side in <FIG>) of the heating assembly <NUM> is in fluid communication with the opening 12a (which is an example of an air outlet) illustrated in <FIG>. A substantially cylindrical outer fin <NUM> is provided between the cover <NUM> with the opening 12a and the other end portion of the heating assembly <NUM>. The outer fin <NUM> is engaged with a downstream end of the top cap <NUM> mentioned later. When the smoking article <NUM> is inserted from the opening 12a of the cover <NUM> into the flavor inhalation device <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the smoking article <NUM> passes through the outer fin <NUM>, and at least the filling <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the smoking article <NUM> is disposed inside the heating assembly <NUM>. In other words, the outer fin <NUM> forms a part of an opening portion for accommodating the smoking article <NUM>. The outer fin <NUM> is preferably formed so that an opening located close to the cover <NUM> (right side on <FIG>) is larger than an opening located close to the heating assembly <NUM> (left side on <FIG>). This facilitates the insertion of the smoking article <NUM> from the opening 12a into the outer fin <NUM>. When the smoking article <NUM> is not inserted inside the heating assembly <NUM>, the user can clean the inside of the heating assembly <NUM> by inserting a tool such as a brush from the opening 12a into the heating assembly <NUM>. The cleaning tool can be inserted from the one end portion (end portion on the left side in <FIG>) of the heating assembly <NUM>. In such a case, the cap <NUM> is removed from the vent hole <NUM> of the flavor inhalation device <NUM>.

If the user inhales from a portion of the smoking article <NUM> which protrudes from the flavor inhalation device <NUM>, that is, the filter portion <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, with the smoking article <NUM> inserted from the opening 12a in the flavor inhalation device <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, air enters from the vent hole <NUM> into the heating assembly <NUM>. After entering in the heating assembly <NUM>, the air passes through the heating assembly <NUM> and reaches into the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the smoking article <NUM>. Accordingly, an end of the heating assembly <NUM> which is close to the vent hole <NUM> is an upstream side, whereas an end of the heating assembly <NUM> which is close to the opening 12a (an end close to the outer fin <NUM>) is a downstream side.

A configuration of the heating assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> will be now discussed. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the heating assembly <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view of the heating assembly <NUM>. The heating assembly <NUM> includes an inner tube <NUM> (which is an example of a first cylindrical member), a heating member <NUM>, aerogel <NUM> (which is an example of heat insulating material), and an outer tube <NUM> (which is an example of a second cylindrical member). The inner tube <NUM> is provided with a first opening 42a at one end in which the smoking article <NUM> can be inserted, and further provided with a second opening 42b at the other end which forms an air inlet. According to the present embodiment, the inner tube <NUM> has a cylindrical shape and is configured to come into contact with at least a part of the smoking article <NUM> inserted from the first opening 42a. The second opening 42b is located upstream of an air flow, and the first opening 42a is located downstream of the air flow.

The outer tube <NUM> is so disposed as to enclose the inner tube <NUM>, which forms a predetermined space between the inner tube <NUM> and the outer tube <NUM>. The heating member <NUM> may be a flexible film heater that is fabricated, for example, by sandwiching a heat-generating resistive element with two PI (polyimide) films or other like films. The heating member <NUM> is so disposed as to abut against the inner tube <NUM>. To be more specific, in an example illustrated in the figure, the heating member <NUM> is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the inner tube <NUM>, and an inner surface of the heating member <NUM> contacts an outer surface of the inner tube <NUM>. Since the heating member <NUM> is disposed along the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube <NUM>, the heating member <NUM> is deformed into a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole.

The heating assembly <NUM> further includes a first ring-like member <NUM> that circumferentially extends between a downstream end portion of the inner tube <NUM> (end portion on the first opening 42a side) and a downstream end portion of the outer tube <NUM> (end portion close to the first opening 42a of the inner tube <NUM>). The heating assembly <NUM> includes a second ring-like member <NUM> that circumferentially extends between an upstream end portion of the inner tube <NUM> (end portion on the second opening 42b side) and an upstream end portion of the outer tube <NUM> (end portion close to the second opening 42b of the inner tube <NUM>). The first ring-like member <NUM> is tightly connected to the downstream end portion of the inner tube <NUM> via a top cap <NUM> and a heat shrinkable tube <NUM> which will be discussed later. The second ring-like member <NUM> is tightly connected to the upstream end portion of the inner tube <NUM> via a bottom cap <NUM> and the heat shrinkable tube <NUM> which will be discussed later. The first ring-like member <NUM> and the second ring-like member are tightly connected to the outer tube <NUM>. A sealed region <NUM> is thus provided between the inner tube <NUM> and the outer tube <NUM>. The sealed region <NUM> accommodates the heating member <NUM> and the aerogel <NUM>.

Disposed between the heating member <NUM> and the aerogel <NUM> is the heat shrinkable tube <NUM>. The heat shrinkable tube <NUM> has a cylindrical shape and keeps the heating member <NUM> in contact with the inner tube <NUM>. More specifically, the heat shrinkable tube <NUM> is thermally shrunk by being applied with heat while disposed in an outer peripheral side of the heating member <NUM>. The heat shrinkable tube <NUM> thus applies stress to the heating member <NUM> so as to press the heating member <NUM> against the inner tube <NUM>. The heat shrinkable tube <NUM> may be made of thermoplastic resin, such as perfluoroalkoxy fluoroplastics (PFA). According to the present embodiment, the heat shrinkable tube <NUM> is employed for the purpose of maintaining a state where the heating member <NUM> is in contact with the inner tube <NUM>. Instead of the heat shrinkable tube <NUM>, however, any member that achieves the same purpose may be employed. For example, an elastic tube or the like, instead of the heat shrinkable tube <NUM>, is employable.

The inner tube <NUM> is preferably made of metal material, such as SUS, which has a high heat conductivity. This facilitates transmission of heat of the heating member <NUM> to the entire inner tube <NUM>, allowing the inner tube <NUM> to fulfill a function as heating means. The outer tube <NUM> may be made, for example, of the same metal material as the inner tube <NUM>. Since the aerogel <NUM> is disposed between the heating member <NUM> and the outer tube <NUM>, the heat generated from the heating member <NUM> is difficult to transmit to the outer tube <NUM>. According to the present embodiment, the aerogel <NUM> is employed to insulate the heat generated from the heating member <NUM>. The aerogel <NUM> may be made of aerogel materials of various kinds including silica aerogel, carbon aerogel, alumina aerogel, and the like. Instead of aerogel, other insulating materials also may be used. Such insulating materials include, for example, fiber-based heat insulating material, such as glass wool and rock wool, foam-based heat insulating material, such as urethane foam and phenol foam. It is also possible to vacuumize the sealed region <NUM> to form a vacuum insulating space. If the aerogel <NUM> is used as heat insulating material, the aerogel <NUM> preferably occupies a cubic volume ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of capacity of the sealed region <NUM>. This represses air bubble incorporation in the sealed region <NUM> and thus prevents the transmission of heat of the heating member <NUM>, the inner tube <NUM> and the like to the outer tube <NUM> through air bubbles. If incorporated in the sealed region <NUM>, air bubbles freely move depending on a position of the heating assembly <NUM> and might transmit the heat.

The heating assembly <NUM> further includes the top cap <NUM> and the bottom cap <NUM>. The top cap <NUM> and the bottom cap <NUM> may be made, for example, of resin material. The top cap <NUM> is a cylindrical member having an interior space in communication with the first opening 42a of the inner tube <NUM>. The top cap <NUM> is so configured that the smoking article <NUM> can be inserted therein. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the top cap <NUM> is connected to the downstream end of the inner tube <NUM> (end portion on the first opening 42a side). The top cap <NUM> is provided with one or more convex portions 48a in an inner peripheral surface thereof. The convex portions 48a are circumferentially spaced at regular intervals. The present embodiment includes four convex portions 48a that are provided in the inner peripheral surface of the top cap <NUM>. The convex portions 48a provide frictional resistance to the smoking article <NUM> inserted in the top cap <NUM> to engage the smoking article <NUM>. The convex portions 48a thus repress an accidental slip of the smoking article <NUM> from the flavor inhalation device <NUM>.

The bottom cap <NUM> is an elongated cylindrical member that includes a downstream end 50a connected to the upstream end (second opening 42b-side end portion) of the inner tube <NUM> and an upstream end 50b on an opposite side from the downstream end 50a. The bottom cap <NUM> forms an inner channel that introduces air toward the second opening 42b of the inner tube <NUM>. The upstream end 50b (end portion on a lower side in the figure) of the bottom cap <NUM> is disposed closely or adjacently to the vent hole <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. Air from the vent hole <NUM> may flow from the upstream end 50b to the downstream end 50a of the bottom cap <NUM>, pass through the inner tube <NUM> and the top cap <NUM>, and reach into the user's mouth. In other words, the bottom cap <NUM>, the inner tube <NUM>, and the top cap <NUM> form an air channel <NUM> that brings the vent hole <NUM> and the opening 12a of the cover <NUM> into airy communication with each other.

A connecting part between the heating assembly <NUM> and the outer fin <NUM> will be now discussed in detail. <FIG> is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connecting part between the heating assembly <NUM> and the outer fin <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, a hollow rubber material <NUM> is provided in a connecting part between the outer fin <NUM> and the top cap <NUM>. To be specific, the upstream end (first opening 42a-side end portion) of the outer fin <NUM> encloses at least a partial outer periphery of the top cap <NUM>, or more specifically, an outer periphery of a downstream end of the top cap <NUM>. The upstream end of the outer fin <NUM> has an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the downstream end of the inner tube <NUM> to accommodate the downstream end of the top cap <NUM>. The outer fin <NUM> includes an accommodating portion 17a for accommodating the rubber material <NUM>. Specifically, a predetermined space is formed between the accommodating portion 17a of the outer fin <NUM> and an outer surface of the top cap <NUM>. The rubber material <NUM> has a ring-like shape and circumferentially extends between an outer peripheral surface of the top cap <NUM> and an inner peripheral surface of the outer fin <NUM>. The space between the top cap <NUM> and the outer fin <NUM> is thus sealed. The rubber material <NUM> may have a solid structure, instead of the hollow structure.

The following discussion explains relative positional relationship of the inner tube <NUM>, the heating member <NUM>, the aerogel <NUM>, the outer tube <NUM>, the top cap <NUM>, the bottom cap <NUM>, and the heat shrinkable tube <NUM>. <FIG> is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the heating assembly <NUM>. <FIG> is a view for explaining the relative positional relationship of constituent elements of the heating assembly <NUM>, so that concrete shapes, dimensions, and the like of the constituent elements may differ from actuality. In <FIG>, the upstream side (lower side on the figure) of the bottom cap <NUM> is omitted.

As illustrated, the upstream end (end portion on a side close to the first opening 42a) of the top cap <NUM> encloses an outer periphery of the downstream end (first opening 42a-side end portion) of the inner tube <NUM>. In other words, the upstream end of the top cap <NUM> has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the downstream end of the inner tube <NUM> to accommodate the downstream end of the inner tube <NUM>. A connecting part of an inner surface of the top cap <NUM> and a connecting part of an outer surface of the inner tube <NUM> are sealed together, for example, with adhesive or the like. The connecting parts are thus configured to keep gas or aerosol from passing through space between the top cap <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM>. The downstream end (first opening 42a-side end portion) of the heat shrinkable tube <NUM> encloses an outer periphery of an upstream end of the top cap <NUM>. The heat shrinkable tube <NUM> is in tight contact with the upstream end of the top cap <NUM>. As mentioned, the heating assembly <NUM> includes axially overlapping regions between the top cap <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM> and between the top cap <NUM> and the heat shrinkable tube <NUM>. The overlapping regions are in tight contact with each other or sealed together. This improves sealability between the top cap <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM> and between the top cap <NUM> and the heat shrinkable tube <NUM>.

The downstream end 50a (end portion on a side close to the second opening 42b) of the bottom cap <NUM> encloses an outer periphery of the upstream end (second opening 42b-side end portion) of the inner tube <NUM>. That is, the downstream end 50a of the bottom cap <NUM> has an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the upstream end of the inner tube <NUM> to accommodate the upstream end of the inner tube <NUM>. A connecting part of the inner surface of the bottom cap <NUM> and a connecting part of the outer surface of the inner tube <NUM> are bonded together, for example, with adhesive. The connecting parts are configured to keep gas or aerosol from passing through space between the bottom cap <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM>. The upstream end (second opening 42b-side end portion) of the heat shrinkable tube <NUM> encloses an outer periphery of the downstream end 50a of the bottom cap <NUM>. The heat shrinkable tube <NUM> is in tight contact with the downstream end 50a of the bottom cap <NUM>. As mentioned, the heating assembly <NUM> includes axially overlapping regions between the bottom cap <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM> and between the bottom cap <NUM> and the heat shrinkable tube <NUM>. The overlapping regions are in tight contact with each other or sealed together. This improves sealability between the bottom cap <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM> and between the bottom cap <NUM> and the heat shrinkable tube <NUM>.

As illustrated, the top cap <NUM>, the inner tube <NUM>, and the bottom cap <NUM> are arranged in an axial direction, and every two adjacent elements are airtightly connected to form a tubular assembly having a sealed structure. A joint portion between the top cap <NUM> and an inner tube cap and a joint portion between the inner tube <NUM> and the bottom cap <NUM> in the tubular assembly may have a sealed structure that bears a negative pressure in a range from <NUM> kPa to <NUM> kPa based on atmospheric air pressure. Especially, each of the joint portions preferably has a sealed structure that bears a negative pressure in a range from <NUM> kPa to <NUM> kPa. It is preferable that each of the joint portions typically should have a negative pressure of <NUM> kPa.

Whether each of the joint portions has the desired sealed structure can tested, for example, by the following method. First, the opening of either the top cap <NUM> or the bottom cap <NUM> is closed, and air is pumped from the opening of the other cap using a vacuum pump to create negative pressure in the tubular assembly. The pumping is suspended at a time point when the negative pressure in the tubular assembly reaches a desired value (<NUM> kPa, for example). The tubular assembly is then left standing for a predetermined amount of time, and thereafter, a pressure change in the tubular assembly is measured. If the pressure change at the time of this measurement is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, it is judged that each of the joint portions has desired sealability. Duration in which the tubular assembly is left standing after the suspension of the pumping is <NUM> seconds, for example, and the threshold value of the pressure change is <NUM> kPa.

The bottom cap <NUM> includes a small diameter portion 50c having a smaller inner diameter than the inner tube <NUM>. A portion of the bottom cap <NUM> which encloses the outer periphery of the upstream end of the inner tube <NUM> and the small diameter portion 50c form an engaging portion 50d having a stepped shape. In other words, the engaging portion 50d is a surface substantially orthogonal to an axial direction of the inner tube <NUM>. As illustrated, the upstream end of the inner tube <NUM> is disposed to abut against the engaging portion 50d. The small diameter portion 50c is designed to have a diameter of such size that a tip end portion of the smoking article <NUM> abuts against the engaging portion 50d when the smoking article <NUM> is inserted from the first opening 42a. The smoking article <NUM> thus can be positioned.

As illustrated, the downstream end (first opening 42a-side end portion) and the upstream end (second opening 42b-side end portion) of the inner tube <NUM> are configured to protrude outside the outer tube <NUM>. As illustrated, the heating member <NUM> is disposed to fit between the upstream and downstream ends of the outer tube <NUM> in the axial direction. In other words, the heating member <NUM> is configured so as not to contact the upstream end of the inner tube <NUM> which protrudes outside the outer tube <NUM>. This makes the upstream end of the inner tube <NUM> lower in temperature than an axially central portion of the inner tube <NUM>. Consequently, it is possible to repress the heating of the tip end portion of the smoking article <NUM> in a state where the smoking article <NUM> is inserted from the first opening 42a to abut against the engaging portion 50d. Aerosol is thus prevented from being unintentionally generated from the tip end of the smoking article. The tip end portion of the smoking article <NUM> has relatively low temperature, which stimulates condensation and collection of aerosol in the tip end portion of the smoking article <NUM>. This makes it possible to prevent the aerosol generated on the downstream side from flowing back through the air channel <NUM>.

The heat shrinkable tube <NUM> is substantially equal in axial length to the inner tube <NUM>. The heat shrinkable tube <NUM> is longer than the heating member <NUM> in the axial direction, and the heating member <NUM> is located between the upstream and downstream ends of the heat shrinkable tube <NUM>. The heat shrinkable tube <NUM> thus can cover the entire heating member <NUM> and cause the heating member <NUM> to uniformly contact the inner tube <NUM>. The aerogel <NUM> axially extends at least between the upstream end and a downstream end of the heating member <NUM>. This makes it possible to efficiently insulate the heat generated from the heating member <NUM>.

The upstream end (end portion on a side close to the first opening 42a) of the top cap <NUM> is located upstream (lower side on the figure) from the downstream end (end portion on a side close to the first opening 42a) of the outer tube <NUM>. The downstream end 50a of the bottom cap <NUM> is located outside the outer tube <NUM>. The upstream end (end portion on a side close to the second opening 42b) of the heat shrinkable tube <NUM> protrudes outside the outer tube <NUM> and encloses the outer periphery of the bottom cap <NUM> as described above.

The first ring-like member <NUM> and the second ring-like member <NUM> are in substantial contact with the inner tube <NUM> and the outer tube <NUM>. If the first ring-like member <NUM> and the second ring-like member <NUM> are made of material having a high heat conductivity, therefore, much of the heat of the inner tube <NUM> might be transmitted through the first ring-like member <NUM> and the second ring-like member <NUM> to the outer tube <NUM>. According to the present embodiment, the first ring-like member <NUM> and the second ring-like member <NUM> may be made of material having a lower heat conductivity than the inner tube <NUM> and the outer tube <NUM>. More specifically, the first ring-like member <NUM> and the second ring-like member <NUM> may be made, for example, of resin, such as UV-curing resin or ultraviolet-curing resin. This represses the heat transmission from the inner tube <NUM> to the outer tube <NUM>.

The heating assembly <NUM> includes a heater tail portion <NUM> that electrically connects the heating member <NUM> to the circuit portion <NUM> (which is an example of a control portion) illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, at least a part of the heater tail portion <NUM> extends along the outer surface of the inner tube <NUM> and an outer surface of the bottom cap <NUM> to protrude outside the sealed region <NUM>.

The inner diameter of the bottom cap <NUM> may be fixed from the downstream end 50a to the upstream end 50b. The bottom cap <NUM> may have a tapered inner surface, and the inner diameter of the bottom cap <NUM> accordingly may be increased from the downstream end 50a toward the upstream end 50b. A ratio of Dc to Dmax (Dc/Dmax) ranges, for example, from <NUM> to <NUM>, where a largest inner diameter of the bottom cap <NUM> is Dmax, and the inner diameter of the inner tube <NUM> is Dc. The ratio of Dc to Dmax preferably ranges from <NUM> to <NUM> and is typically <NUM>. Therefore, if the inner diameter Dc of the inner tube <NUM> is <NUM>, a largest diameter Dmax of the bottom cap <NUM> ranges, for example, from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and is typically <NUM>. When the smoking article <NUM> has a diameter close to the inner diameter of the inner tube <NUM>, if the largest diameter of the bottom cap <NUM> and the largest inner diameter of the inner tube <NUM> fall in the aforementioned ranges, the tip end portion of the smoking article <NUM> is reliably held by the engaging portion 50d of the bottom cap <NUM>, and the air channel <NUM> is sufficiently secured at the same time. The diameter of the bottom cap <NUM> here includes the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 50c except for an inner diameter of a portion of the bottom cap <NUM> which encloses the inner tube <NUM>.

The following discussion explains positional relationship between the smoking article <NUM> and the heating assembly <NUM> in a state where the smoking article <NUM> is inserted in the flavor inhalation device <NUM>. <FIG> schematically shows axial positional relationship between the base material portion 110A of the smoking article <NUM> on one hand and the heating member <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM> of the flavor inhalation device <NUM> on the other hand in the flavor inhalation device <NUM> of the present embodiment. The axis here means a central axis of the first opening 42a in the flavor inhalation device <NUM>. When the smoking article <NUM> is inserted in the first opening 42a, the axis and a central axis of the smoking article <NUM> partially overlap each other.

If axial length of the heating member <NUM> is D0, and axial length of the base material portion 110A of the smoking article <NUM> is L0, the length D0 may be reduced to be shorter than the length L0 (D0<L0). A ratio of the length D0 to the length L0 (D0/L0) may range <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and may be typically <NUM>. When the length L0 of the base material portion 110A is <NUM>, therefore, the length D0 of the heating member <NUM> ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and may be typically <NUM>. If the ratio of the length D0 to the length L0 (D0/L0) is set in the aforementioned range, a desired aerosol creation amount can be achieved, and at the same time, the heating member <NUM> can be reduced in size in a length direction.

Referring to <FIG>, an upstream end of the base material portion 110A may protrude upstream further than an upstream end of the heating member <NUM> by length D1. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" respectively correspond to the upstream and downstream of an air flow passing through the air channel <NUM> in response to the user's inhaling action (see <FIG>). A protruding portion of the base material portion 110A which protrudes from the heating member <NUM> does not include the heating member <NUM> on a radially outer side thereof, so that the protruding portion can have inner temperature slightly lower than other portions of the base material portion 110A. This represses aerosol creation at the upstream end of the base material portion 110A and in the vicinity thereof. It is then possible to prevent the aerosol generated at the upstream end of the base material portion 110A and in the vicinity thereof from being condensed in the air channel or flowing backward through the air channel to leak outside the device. A ratio of protrusion length D1 to entire length L0 of the base material portion 110A (D1/L0) ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and may be typically <NUM>. If the entire length L0 of the base material portion 110A is <NUM>, therefore, the protrusion length D1 ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and may be typically <NUM>. The protrusion length D1 here may also be referred to as an axial distance between the upstream end of the heating member <NUM> and the upstream end of the inner tube <NUM>. If the ratio of the protrusion length D1 to the length L0 (D1/L0) is set in the aforementioned range, it is possible to repress aerosol creation at the upstream end of the base material portion 110A and in the vicinity thereof, and at the same time, achieve sufficient aerosol creation in the other portions of the base material portion 110A.

Referring to <FIG>, the downstream end of the heating member <NUM> may protrude downstream further than the downstream end of the base material portion 110A by length D2. This makes it possible to sufficiently heat the downstream end of the base material portion 110A and a portion in the vicinity thereof, which prevents a deficiency of aerosol creation amount and generation of aerosol condensation at the downstream end of the base material portion 110A and the portion in the vicinity thereof. A ratio of protrusion length D2 of the heating member <NUM> to the length L0 of the base material portion 110A (D2/L0) ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and may be typically <NUM>. Therefore, if the length L0 of the base material portion 110A is <NUM>, the protrusion length D2 of the heating member <NUM> may range from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and may be typically <NUM>. If the ratio of the protrusion length D2 to the length L0 (D2/L0) is set in the aforementioned range, it is possible to achieve sufficient aerosol creation at the downstream end of the base material portion 110A and in the vicinity thereof, and at the same time, repress an increase in size of the heating member <NUM> in the length direction.

An axial position of the upstream end of the inner tube <NUM> and an axial position of the upstream end of the base material portion 110A may more or less coincide with each other. Like the downstream end of the heating member <NUM>, the downstream end of the inner tube <NUM> may protrude downstream further than the downstream end of the base material portion 110A by length D3. This makes it possible to heat the upstream end of the paper tube portion <NUM> and a portion in the vicinity thereof as well as the downstream end of the base material portion 110A and the portion in the vicinity thereof. This prevents the aerosol generated from the base material portion 110A from being excessively cooled and condensed at the upstream end of the paper tube portion <NUM> and in the vicinity thereof. A ratio of protrusion length D3 of the inner tube <NUM> to the protrusion length D2 of the heating member <NUM> (D3/D2) ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and may be typically <NUM>. Therefore, if the protrusion length D2 of the heating member <NUM> is <NUM>, the protrusion length D3 of the inner tube <NUM> ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and may be typically <NUM>. If the ratio of the protrusion length D3 to the protrusion length D2 (D3/D2) is set in the aforementioned range, it is possible to prevent the aerosol from being condensed at the upstream end of the paper tube portion <NUM> and in the vicinity thereof, and at the same time, repress an increase in size of the heating member <NUM> in the length direction.

The embodiments according to the invention have been discussed. The invention, however, does not necessarily have to be made according to the above-described embodiments. The invention may be modified in various ways in a scope of the claims and the technical ideas discussed in the specification and drawings. Any shape and material that provide the operation and advantageous effects of the invention are in the scope of technical ideas of the invention even if there is no direct reference to such a shape and material in the specification and drawings.

Several embodiments disclosed in the present specification are described below.

According to a first embodiment, a heating assembly is provided, which comprises a first cylindrical member provided in one end with a first opening, in which a flavor generating article can be inserted, and in the other end with a second opening that forms an air inlet; a heating member; and heat insulating material. The heating assembly further comprises a second cylindrical member disposed to enclose the first cylindrical member. A sealed region is provided between the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member. The heating member and the heat insulating material are accommodated in the sealed region.

According to a second embodiment, in the heating assembly of the first embodiment, the heating member abuts against the first cylindrical member, and the first cylindrical member is made of metal material.

According to a third embodiment, in the heating assembly of the first or second embodiment, the heating member is provided in an outer peripheral side of the first cylindrical member. First resin material is provided between the heating member and the heat insulating material. The first resin material applies stress to the heating member so as to press the heating member against the first cylindrical member.

According to a fourth embodiment, in the heating assembly of the third embodiment, the first resin material is thermally shrunk and thus applies stress to the heating member so as to press the heating member against the first cylindrical member.

According to a fifth embodiment, in the heating assembly of the third or fourth embodiment, an upstream end of the first resin material which is close to the second opening protrudes outside the second cylindrical member.

According to a sixth embodiment, in the heating assembly of the fifth embodiment, the heating assembly comprises a third cylindrical member including an interior space, in which the flavor generating article can be inserted, the interior space being in communication with the first opening of the first cylindrical member. The third cylindrical member is connected to a downstream end of the first cylindrical member which is located on the first opening side. A downstream end of the first resin material which is close to the first opening, encloses an outer periphery of an upstream end of the third cylindrical member which is connected to the first opening.

According to a seventh embodiment, in the heating assembly of the sixth embodiment, the upstream end of the third cylindrical member encloses an outer periphery of the downstream end of the first cylindrical member.

According to an eighth embodiment, in the heating assembly of any one of the third to seventh embodiments, the first resin material is substantially equal in axial length to the first cylindrical member.

According to a ninth embodiment, in the heating assembly of any one of the third to eighth embodiments, the first resin material is longer than the heating member in an axial direction, and the heating member is located between an upstream end of the first resin material which is close to the second opening and a downstream end of the first resin material which is close to the first opening.

According to a tenth embodiment, in the heating assembly of any one of the thirst to ninth embodiments, the heating assembly comprises a fourth cylindrical member connected to an upstream end of the first cylindrical member which is located on the second opening side, and forms an inner channel that introduces air toward the second opening of the first cylindrical member. An upstream end of the first resin material which is close to the second opening, encloses an outer periphery of the fourth cylindrical member.

According to an 11th embodiment, in the heating assembly of the tenth embodiment, a downstream end of the fourth cylindrical member which is close to the second opening encloses an outer periphery of the upstream end of the first cylindrical member.

According to a 12th embodiment, in the heating assembly of any one of the first to 11th embodiments, the upstream end of the first cylindrical member which is located on the second opening side and the downstream end of the first cylindrical member which is located on the first opening side protrude outside the second cylindrical member. The heating member fits between the upstream end of the second cylindrical member which is close to the second opening and the downstream end of the second cylindrical member which is close to the first opening in an axial direction.

According to a 13th embodiment, in the heating assembly of any one of the first to 12th embodiments, the heat insulating material axially extends at least between the upstream end of the heating member which is close to the second opening and the downstream end of the heating member which is close to the first opening.

According to a 14th embodiment, in the heating assembly of any one of the first to 13th embodiments, the heating assembly comprises a ring-like member extending in a circumferential direction between an end portion of the first cylindrical member which is located on the first opening side and an end portion of the second cylindrical member which is close to the first opening, and between an end portion of the first cylindrical member which is located on the second opening side and an end portion of the second cylindrical member which is close to the second opening.

According to a 15th embodiment, in the heating assembly of the 14th embodiment, the ring-like member is made of material having a lower heat conductivity than the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member.

According to a 16th embodiment, in the heating assembly of any one of the first to 15th embodiments, the heat insulating material includes aerogel.

According to a 17th embodiment, in the heating assembly of the 16th embodiment, a cubic volume of the heat insulating material ranges from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of capacity of the sealed region.

According to an 18th embodiment, in the heating assembly of any one of the first to 17th embodiments, the heating assembly includes a heater tail portion that electrically connects the heating member to a control portion. At least a part of the heater tail portion extends along the outer surface of the first cylindrical member to protrude outside the sealed region.

According to a 19th embodiment, in the heating assembly of any one of the first to 18th embodiments, the heating member is so configured to heat the flavor generating article. D0/L0 ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, where L0 is axial length of flavor generating base material of the flavor generating article, and D0 is axial length of the heating member.

According to a 20th embodiment, in the heating assembly of the 19th embodiment, D0/L0 ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to a 21st embodiment, in the heating assembly of any one of the first to 20th embodiments, the heating member is configured to heat the flavor generating article. D1/L0 ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, where L0 is axial length of flavor generating base material of the flavor generating article, and D1 is an axial distance between an upstream end of the heating member and an upstream end of the first cylindrical member.

According to a 22nd embodiment, in the heating assembly of the 21st embodiment, D1/L0 ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to a 23rd embodiment, in the heating assembly of any one of the first to 22nd embodiments, in a state where the flavor generating article is accommodated inside the first cylindrical member so that an upstream end of the flavor generating article and an upstream end of the first cylindrical member coincide with each other in an axial direction, a downstream end of the heating member is located downstream from a downstream end of flavor generating base material of the flavor generating article. D2/L1 ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, where D2 is an axial distance between the downstream end of the heating member and the downstream end of the flavor generating base material of the flavor generating article, and L1 is axial length of the flavor generating base material of the flavor generating article.

According to a 24th embodiment, in the heating assembly of the 23rd embodiment, D2/L1 ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to a 25th embodiment, in the heating assembly of any one of the first to 23rd embodiments, in a state where the flavor generating article is accommodated inside the first cylindrical member so that an upstream end of the flavor generating article and an upstream end of the first cylindrical member coincide with each other in an axial direction, a downstream end of the heating member and a downstream end of the first cylindrical member are located downstream from a downstream end of a flavor generating base material of the flavor generating article, and the downstream end of the first cylindrical member is located downstream from the downstream end of the heating member. D3/D2 ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, where D2 is an axial distance between the downstream end of the heating member and the downstream end of the flavor generating base material of the flavor generating article, and D3 is an axial distance between the downstream end of the first cylindrical member and the downstream end of the flavor generating base material of the flavor generating article.

According to a 26th embodiment, in the heating assembly of the 25th embodiment, D3/D2 ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to a 27th embodiment, a flavor inhalation device is provided, which comprises the heating assembly of any one of the first to 26th embodiments.

According to a 28th embodiment, a flavor inhalation device is provided, which comprises an air channel for providing airy communication between an air inlet and an air outlet. The air channel comprises a first hollow tube that forms a part of an opening portion for receiving a flavor source from outside; a second hollow tube that forms a part of a heating assembly; and a third hollow tube comprising an engaging portion for positioning the flavor source. The third hollow tube, the second hollow tube, and the first hollow tube are arranged in the order named in a direction from the air inlet toward the air outlet. The first hollow tube and the second hollow tube have an overlapping region in a longitudinal direction, and the second hollow tube and the third hollow tube have an overlapping region in a longitudinal direction. The overlapping regions are both sealed.

According to a 29th embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of the 28th embodiment, the second hollow tube has a cylindrical shape.

According to a 30th embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of the 28th or 29th embodiment, the second hollow tube is configured to accommodate the flavor source inside and contact at least a part of the flavor source.

According to a 31st embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 28th to 30th embodiments, the first hollow tube includes an accommodating portion in the overlapping region, the accommodating portion being capable of accommodating a downstream end of the second hollow tube and having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of a downstream end of the second hollow tube.

According to a 32nd embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 28th to 31st embodiments, the third hollow tube includes an accommodating portion in the overlapping region, the accommodating portion being capable of accommodating an upstream end of the second hollow tube and having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of an upstream end of the second hollow tube.

According to a 33rd embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 28th to 32nd embodiments, the third hollow tube includes a first flavor source engaging portion in a region other than the overlapping region, the first flavor source engaging portion having an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the second hollow tube.

According to a 34th embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 28th to 33rd embodiments, the flavor inhalation device includes a fourth hollow tube disposed to enclose the second hollow tube. An upstream end of the fourth hollow tube encloses a downstream end of the third hollow tube, and or alternatively, a downstream end of the fourth hollow tube encloses an upstream end of the first hollow tube.

According to a 35th embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 28th to 34th embodiments, a contact portion in the overlapping region between an inner surface of the first hollow tube and an outer surface of the second hollow tube is joined together with adhesive.

According to a 36th embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 28th to 35th embodiments, a contact portion in the overlapping region between an outer surface of the second hollow tube and an inner surface of the third hollow tube are joined together with adhesive.

According to a 37th embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 28th to 36th embodiments, the flavor inhalation device includes a housing configured to accommodate at least a part of each of the first hollow tube, the second hollow tube, and the third hollow tube. The housing includes an inlet in communication with inside of the third hollow tube. An end portion of the third hollow tube, other than the end portion including the overlapping region with the second hollow tube, is disposed adjacently to the inlet of the housing.

According to a 38th embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 28th to 37th embodiments, the first hollow tube is provided on an inner surface with a second flavor source engaging portion for engaging the flavor source.

According to a 39th embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 28th to 38th embodiments, the second hollow tube is made of metal material, and the first hollow tube and the third hollow tube are made of resin material.

According to a 40th embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 28th to 39th embodiments, the flavor inhalation device includes a sleeve member provided with an opening. The sleeve member forms a part of the opening portion.

According to a 41st embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of the 40th embodiment, an end portion of the first hollow tube, other than the end portion including the overlapping region with the second hollow tube, is engaged with the sleeve member.

According to a 42nd embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of the 41st embodiment, a hollow rubber material is provided to an engaging end portion of the sleeve member and of the first hollow tube.

According to a 43rd embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of the 42nd embodiment, the sleeve member includes an accommodating portion for accommodating the rubber material.

According to a 44th embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 40th to 43rd embodiments, the sleeve member has an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the first hollow tube. The sleeve member encloses at least a part of the first hollow tube.

According to a 45th embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 40th to 44th embodiments, the flavor inhalation device includes a movable lid member for allowing or restricting access of the flavor source to the opening of the sleeve member or an inner wall portion of the first hollow tube.

According to a 46th embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 28th to 45th embodiments, the second hollow tube defines a part of a space accommodating a heating member for heating the flavor source.

According to a 47th embodiment, in the flavor inhalation device of any one of the 28th to 46th embodiments, Sc/Smax ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, where Smax is a largest inner diameter of the third hollow tube, and Sc is a largest outer diameter of the flavor source.

Claim 1:
A heating assembly (<NUM>) comprising a first cylindrical member (<NUM>) provided in one end with a first opening (42a), in which a flavor generating article (<NUM>) can be inserted, and in the other end with a second opening (42b) that forms an air inlet; a heating member (<NUM>); and heat insulating material (<NUM>),
the heating assembly (<NUM>) further comprising a second cylindrical member (<NUM>) disposed to enclose the first cylindrical member (<NUM>),
characterized in that a sealed region (<NUM>) is provided between the first cylindrical member (<NUM>) and the second cylindrical member (<NUM>), and the heating member (<NUM>) and the heat insulating material (<NUM>) are accommodated in the sealed region (<NUM>).