Patent ID: 12245628

BEST MODE

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a cigarette in which an aerosol is generated from a medium in a medium portion through heating, the cigarette including a medium portion wrapper surrounding the medium portion, and an outer shell collectively surrounding the medium portion, which is surrounded by the medium portion wrapper, and components except the medium portion, wherein the medium portion wrapper includes laminated paper in which paper and metal having a preset thickness and thermal conductivity are laminated.

The thickness may be an arbitrarily determined value from about 6.3 μm to about 30 μm.

The metal may include aluminum.

The thickness may be an arbitrarily determined value from about 6 μm to about 30 μm.

The metal may include copper.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a cigarette in which an aerosol is generated from a medium in a medium portion through heating, the cigarette including a medium portion wrapper surrounding the medium portion, and an outer shell collectively surrounding the medium portion, which is surrounded by the medium portion wrapper, and components except the medium portion, wherein the medium portion wrapper includes paper internally containing Activated Carbon Fiber (ACF).

The paper may internally contain the ACF at an arbitrarily determined ratio of about 25% to about 50%.

The paper may have a porosity value set in advance by containing the ACF internally.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device includes an external heating-type aerosol generating device for generating aerosols by using any one of the above cigarettes.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a cigarette in which aerosols are generated from an aerosol base portion, an aerosol generating base material in a medium portion, and the medium portion through heating, the cigarette including a base-part wrapper surrounding the aerosol base portion, a medium portion wrapper surrounding the medium portion, and an outer shell collectively surrounding the aerosol base portion and the medium portion, which are respectively surrounded by the base part wrapper and the medium portion wrapper, and other components, wherein the base part wrapper and the medium portion wrapper each include laminated paper in which paper and metal having a preset thickness and heat conductivity are laminated.

The thickness may be an arbitrarily determined value from about 6.3 μm to about 30 μm.

The metal may include aluminum.

The thickness may be an arbitrarily determined value from about 6 μm to about 30 μm.

The metal may include copper.

According to a selective embodiment, there is provided a cigarette in which aerosols are generated from an aerosol base portion, an aerosol generating base material in a medium portion, and the medium portion through heating, the cigarette including a base-part wrapper surrounding the aerosol base portion, a medium portion wrapper surrounding the medium portion, and an outer shell collectively surrounding the aerosol base portion and the medium portion, which are respectively surrounded by the base part wrapper and the medium portion wrapper, and other components, wherein the base part wrapper and the medium portion wrapper each include laminated paper internally containing ACF.

The paper may internally contain the ACF at an arbitrarily determined ratio from about 25% to about 50%.

The paper may have a porosity value that is set in advance by containing the ACF internally.

Examples of an external heating-type aerosol generating device include an external heating-type aerosol generating device for generating aerosols by using the above cigarette. The external heating-type aerosol generating device is characterized in that, when the cigarette is coupled to a heater, an aerosol base portion of the cigarette is heated by the heater to indirectly increase a temperature of a medium included in the medium portion.

MODE OF DISCLOSURE

With respect to the terms used to describe the various embodiments, general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of new technology, and the like. There are terms discretionally selected by an applicant on particular occasions. These terms will be explained in detail in relevant description. Therefore, terms used herein are not just names but should be defined based on the meaning of the terms and the whole content of the present disclosure.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and/or operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

The attached drawings for illustrating one or more embodiments are referred to in order to gain a sufficient understanding, the merits thereof, and the objectives accomplished by the implementation. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS.1and2are diagrams showing examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, an aerosol generating device10includes a battery120, a controller110, a heater130and a vaporizer180. A cigarette200may be inserted into an internal space of the aerosol generating device10.

The elements related to the embodiment are illustrated in the aerosol generating device10ofFIGS.1to2. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that other universal elements than the elements shown inFIGS.1to2may be further included in the aerosol generating device10.

In addition, although it is shown that the heater130is included in the aerosol generating device10inFIGS.1and2, the heater130may be omitted if necessary.

InFIG.1, the battery120, the controller110, the heater130and the vaporizer180are arranged in a row. Also,FIG.2shows that the vaporizer180and the heater130are arranged in parallel with each other. However, an internal structure of the aerosol generating device10is not limited to the examples shown inFIG.1or2. That is, according to a design of the aerosol generating device10, arrangement of the battery120, the controller110, the heater130, and the vaporizer180may be changed.

When the cigarette200is inserted into the aerosol generating device10, the aerosol generating device10operates the heater130and/or the vaporizer180to generate aerosol from the cigarette200and/or the vaporizer180. The aerosol generated by the vaporizer180may be transferred to a user via the cigarette200. The vaporizer180will be described in more detail below.

The battery120supplies the electric power used to operate the aerosol generating device10. For example, the battery120may supply power for heating the heater130or the vaporizer180and supply power for operating the controller110. In addition, the battery120may supply power for operating a display, a sensor, a motor, and the like installed in the aerosol generating device10.

The controller110controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device10. In detail, the controller110may control operations of other elements included in the aerosol generating device10, as well as the battery120, the heater130, and the vaporizer180. Also, the controller110may check the status of each component in the aerosol generating device10to determine whether the aerosol generating device10is in an operable state.

The controller110includes at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The heater130may be heated by the electric power supplied from the battery120. For example, when the cigarette is inserted in the aerosol generating device10, the heater130may be located outside the cigarette. Therefore, the heated heater130may raise the temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

The heater130may be an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater130includes an electrically conductive track, and the heater130may be heated as a current flows through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater130is not limited to the above example, and any type of heater may be used provided that the heater is heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be set in advance on the aerosol generating device10, or may be set by a user.

In addition, in another example, the heater130may include an induction heating type heater. In detail, the heater130may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the cigarette in an induction heating method, and the cigarette may include a susceptor that may be heated by the induction heating type heater.

In theFIGS.1and2, the heater130is shown to be disposed outside the cigarette200, but is not limited thereto. For example, the heater130may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element. And the inside or outside of the cigarette200is can be heated by the heating element.

Also, there may be a plurality of heaters130in the aerosol generating device10. Here, the plurality of heaters130may be arranged to be inserted into the cigarette200or on the outside of the cigarette200. Also, some of the plurality of heaters130may be arranged to be inserted into the cigarette200and the other may be arranged on the outside of the cigarette200. In addition, the shape of the heater130is not limited to the example shown inFIGS.1and2, but may be manufactured in various shapes.

The vaporizer180may generate aerosol by heating a liquid composition and the generated aerosol may be delivered to the user after passing through the cigarette200. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer180may move along an air flow passage of the aerosol generating device10, and the air flow passage may be configured for the aerosol generated by the vaporizer180to be delivered to the user through the cigarette.

For example, the vaporizer180may include a liquid storage unit, a liquid delivering unit, and a heating element, but is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage unit, the liquid delivering unit, and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device10as independent modules.

The liquid storage may store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage unit may be attached to/detached from the vaporizer180or may be integrally manufactured with the vaporizer180.

For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, flavorings, flavoring agents, or vitamin mixtures. The flavoring may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavoring ingredients, etc. The flavoring agent may include components that may provide the user with various flavors or tastes. Vitamin mixtures may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but are not limited thereto. Also, the liquid composition may include an aerosol former such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid delivery element may deliver the liquid composition of the liquid storage to the heating element. For example, the liquid delivery element may be a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic, but is not limited thereto.

The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivering unit. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal hot plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the heating element may include a conductive filament such as nichrome wire and may be positioned as being wound around the liquid delivery element. The heating element may be heated by a current supply and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. As a result, aerosol may be generated.

For example, the vaporizer180may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but is not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device10may further include universal elements, in addition to the battery120, the controller110, the heater130, and the vaporizer180. For example, the aerosol generating device10may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. In addition, the aerosol generating device10may include at least one sensor (a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, a cigarette insertion sensor, etc.) Also, the aerosol generating device10may be manufactured to have a structure, in which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged even in a state where the cigarette200is inserted.

Although not shown inFIGS.1and2, the aerosol generating device10may configure a system with an additional cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery120of the aerosol generating device10. Alternatively, the heater130may be heated in a state in which the cradle and the aerosol generating device10are coupled to each other.

The cigarette200may be similar to a typical burning cigarette. For example, the cigarette200may include a first portion containing an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter and the like. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette200may also include the aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

The entire first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device10and the second portion may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device10or the entire first portion and a portion of the second portion may be inserted into the aerosol generating device10. The user may puff aerosol while holding the second portion by the mouth of the user. At this time, the aerosol is generated by as the outside air passes through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered to a user's mouth.

For example, the outside air may be introduced through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device10. For example, the opening and closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device10and/or the size of the air passage may be adjusted by a user. Accordingly, the amount of smoke and a smoking impression may be adjusted by the user. In another example, the outside air may be introduced into the cigarette200through at least one hole formed in a surface of the cigarette200.

FIG.3is a diagram showing another example in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

Compared with the aerosol generating device described with reference toFIGS.1and2, the aerosol generating device10ofFIG.3does not include the vaporizer180. Because a dual-medium cigarette300, which is inserted into the aerosol generating device10ofFIG.3, includes an element functioning as the vaporizer180, the aerosol generating device10ofFIG.3does not include the vaporizer180unlike the aerosol generating device ofFIGS.1and2.

When the dual-medium cigarette300is inserted, the aerosol generating device10ofFIG.3externally heats the dual-medium cigarette300to general therefrom aerosols inhalable by the user. The dual-medium cigarette300will be described in detail with reference toFIG.6.

Hereinafter, an example of a cigarette200is described with reference toFIG.4.

FIG.4is a drawing illustrating an example of a cigarette.

Referring toFIG.4, the cigarette200includes a tobacco rod210and a filter rod220. The first portion described above with reference toFIGS.1to2include the tobacco rod210and the second portion includes the filter rod220.

InFIG.4, the filter rod220is shown as a single segment, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod220may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod220may include a first segment for cooling down the aerosol and a second segment for filtering a predetermined component included in the aerosol. Also, if necessary, the filter rod220may further include at least one segment performing another function.

The cigarette200may be packaged by at least one wrapper240. The wrapper240may include at least one hole through which the outside air is introduced or inside air is discharged. For example, the cigarette200may be packaged by one wrapper240. In another example, the cigarette200may be packaged by two or more wrappers240. For example, the tobacco rod210may be packaged by a first wrapper and the filter rod220may be packaged by a second wrapper. In addition, the tobacco rod210and the filter rod220are respectively packaged by single wrappers, and then, the cigarette200may be entirely re-packaged by a third wrapper. When each of the tobacco rod210and the filter rod220includes a plurality of segments, each of the segments may be packaged by a single wrapper. In addition, the cigarette200, in which the segments respectively packaged by the single wrappers are coupled to one another, may be re-packaged by another wrapper.

The tobacco rod210includes an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but it is not limited thereto. In addition, the tobacco rod210may include other additive materials like a flavoring agent, a wetting agent, and/or an organic acid. Also, a flavoring liquid such as menthol, humectant, etc. may be added to the tobacco rod210by being sprayed to the tobacco rod210.

The tobacco rod210may be manufactured variously. For example, the tobacco rod210may be fabricated as a sheet or a strand. Also, the tobacco rod210may be fabricated by tobacco leaves that are obtained by fine-cutting a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod210may be surrounded by a heat conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil. For example, the heat conducting material surrounding the tobacco rod210may improve a thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod by evenly dispersing the heat transferred to the tobacco rod210, and thus, improving tobacco taste. Also, the heat conducting material surrounding the tobacco rod210may function as a susceptor that is heated by an inducting heating-type heater. Although not shown in the drawings, the tobacco rod210may further include a susceptor, in addition to the heat conducting material surrounding the outside thereof.

The filter rod220may be a cellulose acetate filter. In addition, the filter rod220is not limited to a particular shape. For example, the filter rod220may be a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod including a cavity therein. Also, the filter rod220may be a recess type rod. When the filter rod220includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape from the others.

The filter rod220may be manufactured to generate flavor. For example, a flavoring liquid may be sprayed to the filter rod220or separate fibers on which the flavoring liquid is applied may be inserted in the filter rod220.

Also, the filter rod220may include at least one capsule230. Here, the capsule230may generate flavor or may generate aerosol. For example, the capsule230may have a structure, in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. The capsule230may have a circular or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

When the filter rod220includes a segment for cooling down the aerosol, the cooling segment may include a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment may include pure polylactic acid alone, but the material for forming the cooling segment is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the cooling segment may include a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above examples, and may include any material provided that a function of cooling down the aerosol is implemented.

Although not shown inFIG.4, the cigarette200according to the embodiment may further include a front-end filter. The front-end filter is at a side facing the filter rod220, in the tobacco rod210. The front-end filter may prevent the tobacco rod210from escaping to the outside and may prevent the liquefied aerosol from flowing to the aerosol generating device10(seeFIGS.1to2) from the tobacco rod210during smoking.

FIG.5is a view illustrating another example of a cigarette.

Referring toFIG.5, it can be seen that the cigarette200has a form in which a cross tube205, the tobacco rod210, a tube220a, and a filter220bare wrapped by the final wrapper240. InFIG.5, the wrapper includes individual wrappers that are individually wrapped around the cross tube205, the tobacco rod210, the tube220a, and the filter220b, and a final wrapper that is collectively wrapped around the cross tube205, the tobacco rod210, the tube220a, and the filter220b.

The first portion described above with reference toFIGS.1and2includes the cross tube205and the tobacco rod210, and the second portion includes the filter rod220. For the sake of convenient description, the following description will be made with reference toFIGS.1and2, and description overlapping with the description made with reference toFIG.4will be omitted.

The cross tube205refers to a cross-shaped tube connected to the tobacco rod210.

When the cigarette200is inserted into the aerosol generating device, the cross tube205is a portion sensed by a cigarette detection sensor together with the cigarette rod210, and is wrapped with the same copper laminated wrapper as the cigarette rod210. The cigarette detection sensor can determine by detecting a copper laminated wrapper whether a cigarette inserted into an aerosol generating device is a type of cigarette used by the device. The copper laminated wrapper will be described later with reference toFIGS.7to9.

The tobacco rod210includes an aerosol generating substrate that generates an aerosol by being heated by the heater130of the aerosol generation device10.

The tube220aperforms a function of transferring an aerosol generated when an aerosol generating substrate of the tobacco rod210is heated by receiving the sufficient amount of energy from the heater130to the filter220b. The tube220ais manufactured in a manner in which triacetin (TA) which a plasticizer is added to a cellulose acetate tow by more than a certain amount to form a circle, and not only is different in shape but also has a difference in arrangement in that the tobacco rod210and the filter220bare connected to each other, as compared with the cross tube205.

When the aerosol generated by the tobacco rod210is transferred through the tube220a, the filter220bperforms a function of allowing a user to puff the aerosol filtered by the filter220bby passing the aerosol therethrough. The filter220bmay include a cellulose acetate filter manufactured based on a cellulose acetate tow.

The final wrapper240is paper that is wrapped around the cross tube205, the tobacco rod210, the tube220a, and the filter220b, and may include all of a cross tube wrapper240b, a tobacco rod wrapper240c, a tube wrapper240d, and a filter wrapper240e.

InFIG.5, the cross tube wrapper240bis wrapped by an aluminum wrapper, the tube220ais wrapped by an MFW or 24K wrapper, and the filter220bis wrapped by an oil-resistant hard wrapper or a lamination of a poly lactic acid (PLA) material. The tobacco rod wrapper240cand the final wrapper240will be described in more detail below.

The tobacco rod wrapper240cis wrapped around the tobacco rod210and may be coated with a thermal conductivity enhancement material to maximize efficiency of thermal energy transferred by the heater130. For example, the tobacco rod wrapper240cmay be manufactured in a manner in which a general wrapper or heterotype base paper is coated with at least one of silver foil (Ag), aluminum foil (Al), copper foil (Cu), carbon paper, filler, ceramic (AlN, Al2O3), silicon carbide, sodium citrate (Na citrate), potassium citrate (K citrate), aramid fiber, nano cellulose, mineral paper, glassine paper, single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT). A general wrapper refers to a wrapper applied to widely known cigarettes and refers to a porous wrapper made of a proven material that has both paper manufacturing workability and a thermal conductivity exceeding a certain value through a water paper test.

In addition, in the present disclosure, the final wrapper240may be manufactured in a manner in which an MFW (a kind of steriled paper) base paper is coated with at least one of filler, ceramic, silicon carbide, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, aramid fiber, nano cellulose, and SWNT among various materials coating the tobacco rod wrapper240c.

The heater130included in the externally heated aerosol generation device10described inFIGS.1and2is a target controlled by the controller110, and heats the aerosol generating substrate included in the tobacco rod210to generate an aerosol, and at this time, thermal energy transferred to the tobacco rod210is composed of a ratio of 75% by radiant heat, 15% by convective heat, and 10% by conductive heat. The ratio between the radiant heat, the convective heat, and the conductive heat constituting the thermal energy transferred to the tobacco rod210may be different depending on the embodiment.

In the present disclosure, in order to overcome the difficulty in quickly generating an aerosol because thermal energy may not be transferred with the heater130in direct contact with an aerosol generating substrate, the tobacco rod wrapper240cand the final wrapper240are coated with a thermal conductivity enhancement material to prompt an efficient transfer of the thermal energy to the aerosol generating substrate of the tobacco rod210, and thus, a sufficient amount of aerosol may be provided to a user even during an initial puff before the heater130is sufficiently heated.

Depending on the embodiment, only one of the tobacco rod wrapper240cand the final wrapper240may also be coated with a thermal conductivity enhancement material, and the present disclosure may also be implemented in a manner in which the tobacco rod wrapper240cor the final wrapper240is coated with organic metal, inorganic metal, fiber, or polymer material which has a thermal conductivity of a preset value, as well as the above-described examples.

Hereinafter, the processing of manufacturing the tobacco rod wrapper240cand the final wrapper240, and physical properties of the tobacco rod wrapper240cand the final wrapper240will be described.

The tobacco rod wrapper240cmay be manufactured in a method of coating the above-described thermal conductivity-enhancing material on a general wrapper or release base paper and slitting the same. As an example of a method of coating the thermal conductivity-enhancing material on the general wrapper or release base paper, a pearl coating method may be used. Also, as an example of a slitting method, a slitting width may be about 24.5 mm, and according to an embodiment, the slitting width may differ.

As an example of manufacturing the tobacco rod wrapper240c, a base wrapper of the tobacco rod wrapper240cmay include a general wrapper on which calendaring is performed.

TABLE 126.5 gsmGENERAL WRAPPERCLASSI-BASEAFTERFICATIONUNITPAPERCALENDARINGREMARKBASIS WEIGHTg/m226.526.4THICKNESSμm45.134.523.5%REDUCTIONDensityg/cm30.590.77Bulkcm3/g1.701.31TENSILEkgf/15 mm5.815.67STRENGTH(MD)SMOOTHNESSsec28200(SS)SMOOTHNESS8150(RS)Stiffnesscm31615

Table 1 shows an example of physical properties of a general wrapper before a thermal conductivity-enhancing material was pearl-coated. Referring to Table 1, a general wrapper before the thermal conductivity-enhancing material was pearl-coated had a 23.5% decrease in thickness compared to base paper after calendaring, and other physical properties were also changed. The tobacco rod wrapper240cmay be manufactured by pearl-coating the thermal conductivity-enhancing material on the general wrapper on which the calendaring is completed. As a selective embodiment, the tobacco rod wrapper240cmay be manufactured by coating and calendaring the thermal conductivity-enhancing material on any one of the general wrapper, the release base paper, and MFW base paper. According to the present selective embodiment, to increase a transfer rate of the heat energy of an aerosol generating substrate of the cigarette200, calendaring is performed on a wrapper, on which the thermal conductivity-enhancing material is coated first, instead of a wrapper on which calendaring is performed.

TABLE 226.5 gsm GENERAL35 gsm RELEASE60 gsm MFWWRAPPERBASE PAPERBASE PAPERCLASSIFICATIONUNITBASE PAPERFINALBASE PAPERFINALBASE PAPERFINALBASIS WEIGHTg/m226.827.635.235.960.561.6COATING2.241.991.98AMOUNTTHICKNESSμm4534.24338.368.769.2Densityg/cm30.60.810.820.940.880.89Bulkcm3/g1.681.241.221.071.141.12TENSILEkgf/15 mm6.235.727.557.69.69.85STRENGTH(MD)TENSILE1.081.321.91.922.582.59STRENGTH(CD)SMOOTHNESSsec25145100225260150(SS)SMOOTHNESS8110801757540(RS)Stiffnesscm3—16—26.9—66.4

Table 2 shows the comparison of physical properties before and after potassium citrate, a thermal conductivity-enhancing material, was coated on various wrappers. Referring to Table 2, depending on a material of a base wrapper, the tensile strength, the smoothness, and the stiffness of the tobacco rod wrapper240cwere changed at a ratio equal to or greater than a preset ratio by differently applying the coating amount from about 1.98% to about 2.24%. Here, the preset ratio indicates a ratio value calculated by experimental and mathematical calculations to increase the heat energy transferred to the aerosol generating substrate by a preset value or more.

TABLE 326.5 gsm GENERAL35 gsm RELEASE60 gsm MFWWRAPPERBASE PAPERBASE PAPERCLASSIFICATIONUNITBASE PAPERFINALBASE PAPERFINALBASE PAPERFINALBASIS WEIGHTg/m226.627.234.735.660.261.2COATING1.882.311.83AMOUNTTHICKNESSμm44.732.242.83867.469.2Densityg/cm30.60.840.810.940.890.88Bulkcm3/g1.681.181.231.071.121.13TENSILEkgf/15 mm6.145.637.927.889.889.79STRENGTH(MD)TENSILE1.321.271.841.582.712.62STRENGTH(CD)SMOOTHNESSsec30170150265280160(SS)SMOOTHNESS10135701658040(RS)Stiffnesscm3—16.4—27.4—63.3

Table 3 shows the comparison of physical properties before and after sodium citrate, which is a thermal conductivity-enhancing material, was coated on various wrappers. Referring to Table 3, depending on a material of a base wrapper, the tensile strength, the smoothness, and the stiffness of the tobacco rod wrapper240cwere changed at a ratio equal to or greater than a preset ratio by differently applying the coating amount from about 1.83% to about 2.31%. Here, the preset ratio indicates a ratio value calculated by experimental and mathematical calculations to increase the heat energy transferred to the aerosol generating substrate by a preset value or more.

As shown in Tables 2 and 3, the wrapper coated with potassium citrate or sodium citrate may be manufactured as the tobacco rod wrapper240cthrough calendaring. Also, potassium citrate and sodium citrate described with reference to Tables 2 and 3 are examples of thermal conductivity-enhancing materials, and according to an embodiment, other thermal conductivity-enhancing materials, other than potassium citrate and sodium citrate, may be used.

TABLE 4HEAT OFSMOKINGAMOUNTHEAT INMAINSTREAMTASTEITEMOF SMOKEMOUTHSMOKESTRENGTHSTIMULATIONFLAVORGENERAL4.53.73.62.83.03.1WRAPPER(CONTROL)GENERAL4.83.73.83.13.23.5WRAPPER(Na)GENERAL4.93.83.83.13.33.4WRAPPER(K)RELEASE BASE4.83.73.83.03.23.3PAPER (Na)RELEASE BASE4.83.73.63.13.23.4PAPER (K)GENERAL4.93.73.63.03.03.4WRAPPER(PEARL-COATED)

Table 4 shows numerical results of indices, for example, the amount of smoke, flavors, and the like, which are directly associated with a smoking sensation when the aerosol generating device was operated using tobacco to which the tobacco rod wrapper240ccoated with the thermal conductivity-enhancing materials in Tables 1 to 3 was applied. To check how well the heat energy is transferred to the aerosol generating substrate included in a tobacco rod, the thermal conductivity-enhancing material was applied only to the tobacco rod wrapper240c, and a thin paper inner was collectively applied to a final wrapper240. In Table 4, a general wrapper (a control) means a general wrapper, to which no thermal conductivity-enhancing material is not applied, and is an experimental group for confirming the effectiveness of the present disclosure. In Table 4, a general wrapper Na and a general wrapper K are general wrappers coated with 2% of sodium citrate and potassium citrate, respectively, and release base paper Na and release base paper K are release base paper coated with 2% of sodium citrate and potassium citrate, respectively. A general wrapper (pearl-coated) indicates an experimental group in which a specific thermal conductivity-enhancing material except potassium citrate and sodium citrate is applied to the general wrapper in a pearl-coating manner.

In general, according to Table 4, compared to the general wrapper (the control), an experimental group to which the thermal conductivity-enhancing material was applied showed little difference in the feeling of heat in the mouth, but had better results in terms of the amount of smoke, smoking taste strength, and flavor. Each result is relatively calculated by setting a maximum of nine points as a reference score. As described above, according to an embodiment, the transfer rate of the heat energy of the heater130supplied to the aerosol generating substrate is increased by applying the thermal conductivity-enhancing material to the tobacco rod wrapper240c, and thus, a sufficient amount of smoke and a satisfactory smoking sensation may be provided to the user using the external heating-type aerosol generating device.

The result according to Table 4 is a result of applying the thermal conductivity-enhancing material only to the tobacco rod wrapper240c, and according to an embodiment, the thermal conductivity-enhancing material may be applied only to the final wrapper240.

TABLE 5HEAT OFSMOKINGAMOUNTHEAT INMAINSTREAMTASTEITEMOF SMOKEMOUTHSMOKESTRENGTHSTIMULATIONFLAVORMFW4.53.63.63.13.03.6(CONTROL)MFW4.73.73.73.33.13.8(Na)MFW4.83.73.73.43.13.7(K)

Table 5 numerically shows an increase in the smoking sensation of the user and the amount of smoke of the aerosol generated through the aerosol generating device when the thermal conductivity-enhancing material was applied only to the tobacco rod wrapper240c. Referring to Table 5, the thermal conductivity-enhancing material was applied only to the final wrapper240to identify how well the heat energy is transferred to the aerosol generating substrate included in the tobacco rod, and a general porous wrapper was used as the tobacco rod wrapper240c. In Table 5, MFW (a control) indicates MFW base paper to which no thermal conductivity-enhancing material is applied, and is an experimental group for confirming the effectiveness of the present disclosure. In Table 5, MFW (Na) and MFW (K) indicate MFW base paper coated with 2% of sodium citrate and potassium citrate, respectively.

According to Table 5, compared to the control, the final wrapper240, to which the thermal conductivity-enhancing material was applied, showed little difference in the feeling of heat in the mouth, but had better results in terms of the amount of smoke, smoking taste strength, and flavor. As shown in Table 4, Table 5 shows results that are relatively calculated by setting a maximum of nine points as a reference score. As described above, according to an embodiment, the transfer rate of the heat energy of the heater130supplied to the aerosol generating substrate is increased by applying the thermal conductivity-enhancing material to the final wrapper240, and thus, a sufficient amount of smoke and a satisfactory smoking sensation may be provided to the user using the external heating-type aerosol generating device.

FIG.6is a diagram showing an example of a dual-medium cigarette used in the aerosol generating device ofFIG.3.

InFIG.6, the term “dual-medium cigarette” is used not only to distinguish the term from the cigarette described with reference toFIGS.4and5but to describe the present disclosure concisely. According to an embodiment, the same term may be used for both a dual-medium cigarette and a general cigarette.

Referring toFIG.6, the dual-medium cigarette300may have a configuration in which an aerosol base portion310, a medium portion320, a cooling portion330, and a filter340are surrounded by a final wrapper350. InFIG.6, the final wrapper350denotes individual wrappers respectively surrounding the aerosol base portion310, the medium portion320, and the filter340, and an outer shell surrounding the aerosol base portion310, the medium portion320, and the filter340, which are respectively surrounded by the individual wrappers, in one.

The aerosol base portion310may be a portion shaped in a preset form by containing a moisturizer in pulp-based paper. A moisturizer (a base material) included in the aerosol base portion310includes propylene glycol and glycerin. The moisturizer of the aerosol base portion310includes propylene glycol and glycerin having a certain weight ratio relative to a weight of base paper. When the dual-medium cigarette300is inserted into the aerosol generating device10ofFIG.3, the aerosol base portion310may be closest to the heater130of the external heating type, and when the dual-medium cigarette300is heated by the heater130to a temperature equal to or greater than a certain temperature, vapor containing the moisturizer is generated.

The medium portion320may include at least one of a sheet, a strand, or pipe tobacco formed of tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet and generate nicotine to provide a smoking experience to the user. Although the dual-medium cigarette300is inserted into the aerosol generating device10ofFIG.3, the medium portion320may not be directly heated by the heater130and may be indirectly heated by a medium portion wrapper (or a final wrapper) surrounding the aerosol base portion310and the medium portion320through conduction, convection, and radiation. According to an embodiment, in consideration of characteristics in which a temperature that a medium in the medium portion320has to reach is lower than temperatures that moisturizers in the aerosol base portion310have to reach, the aerosol base portion310is heated by the external heating-type heater130, and then the temperature of the medium portion320is indirectly increased. When the temperature of the medium in the medium portion320is increased to be equal to or greater than a certain temperature, nicotine vapor is generated from the medium portion320.

According to an embodiment, when the dual-medium cigarette300is inserted into the aerosol generating device10ofFIG.3, part of the medium portion320may face the heater130and heated by the same.

The cooling portion330may be formed as a tube filter including a plasticizer having a certain weight, and moisturizer vapor and nicotine vapor generated from the aerosol base portion310and the medium portion320are mixed, aerosolized, and cooled by passing through the cooling portion330. Unlike the aerosol base portion310, the medium portion320, and the filter340, the cooling portion330is not surrounded by an individual wrapper.

The filter340may include a cellulose acetate filter, and shapes of the filter340are not limited. The filter340may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. When the filter340includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape. The filter340may be formed to generate flavors. For example, a flavoring liquid may be injected onto the filter340, or an additional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter340.

Also, the filter340may include at least one capsule. The capsule may generate a flavor. For example, the capsule may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film and may have a spherical or cylindrical shape. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

The final wrapper350indicates an outer shell surrounding in one the aerosol base portion310, the medium portion320, and the filter340, which are respectively surrounded by the individual wrappers, and the final wrapper350may include the same material as a medium portion wrapper described below.

Hereinafter, as an individual wrapper wrapping the medium portion320, the medium portion wrapper is described in detail.

TABLE 6HEATCONDUCTIVITYMANU-APTERFACTURINGANALYSISNOMETHODSAMPLE NAME(W/mK)1INTERNALGENERAL WRAPPING0.0499ADDITIONPAPER2SIC (0.5~1.4 μm) 10%0.0591internally added3SIC (2~10 μm) 10%0.0469internally added4SIC (2~10 μm) 15%0.0409internally added5SIC (2~10 μm) 20%0.0395internally added6SIC (2~10 μm) 30%0.045internally added7SIC (2~10 μm) 40%0.042internally added8AIN 10% internally added0.03349Fe 10% internally added0.052610Cu 10% internally added0.0505(POOR DISPERSION)11Al 10% internally added (POOR DISPERSION)0.046112ACF1.1413CNT 0.5%0.03614CNT 0.1%0.04415CNT 2.0%0.04316ACF 25% POROSITY 41.36217ACF 25% POROSITY 51.77318ACF 25% GENERAL 11.53619ACF 25% GENERAL 21.24220ACF 25% GENERAL 31.22121CIGARETTE-Fe2O31.22PAPER22LAMINATEDAl 6.3 μm2823PAPERAl 12 μm4224Al 20 μm55.425Al 30 μm64.326Cu 6 μm8127Cu 10 μm125.528Cu 20 μm189.9

Table 6 shows data regarding thermal conductivity changing according to manufacturing methods or characteristics of the medium portion wrapper.

In detail, the data according to Table 6 includes results obtained as Korea Carbon Industry Promotion Agency measures the heat conductivity by forming hand-made paper in different manners and using different materials. Referring to Table 6, when a medium portion wrapper is formed in an internal addition manner, the heat conductivity of the medium portion wrapper is significantly lower than the heat conductivity of the medium portion wrapper formed in a lamination manner.

In order to add metal to paper internally, metal powder has to float on the water along with the pulp. However, because the metal powder is not distributed well in water because of the high specific gravity of metal, the metal powder and pulp are separated into layers, and thus, the addition may not be properly performed at a ratio of 50% or greater. Also, even if the metal powder is successfully added to the paper, it is not possible to add the metal powder internally at more than 50% relative to a weight of a general wrapper (wrapping paper), and a 50% addition rate is not enough to effectively produce phonon vibration, which is a heat-conductive mechanism, in the medium portion wrapper, and thus, no significant level of heat conductivity is detected regardless of the type of metal added to the paper.

Referring to Table 6, when Activated Carbon Fibers (ACFs) are added to paper internally, ACFs are twisted in many areas, and thus, the heat conductivity greatly increases despite an addition ratio. When metal and paper are laminated, the heat conductivity of the medium portion wrapper is relatively great in any one of the aforementioned methods. Also, the greater the thickness of the same metal is, and the greater the heat conductivity of metal having the same thickness is, the greater the efficiency of the heat transferred to the medium portion320becomes. As shown in Table 6, when a medium portion wrapper is formed by laminating copper having a thickness of about 20 um, the above medium portion wrapper has much greater heat conductivity than medium portion wrappers differently manufactured. The wrapper formed in the lamination manner surrounds a subject so that the inside may be exposed to a metal portion and the outside may be exposed to a paper portion.

Also, referring toFIG.6, although ACFs are added to paper at identical ratios, when a porosity value of the ACF is greater, the heat conductivity of the ACF is greater as well. Here, the unit of the porosity value may be percent (%) when the porosity value is in a percent ratio and may be a micrometer (μm) when the porosity value is a porosity diameter.

The present disclosure is designed based on the result shown in Table 6. According to an embodiment, the efficiency of heat transferred to the medium portion320may be increased by using the medium portion wrapper in which metal having a preset thickness and heat conductivity and paper are laminated. According to an embodiment, by using the wrapper, which is formed by laminating the paper with the metal, as the medium portion wrapper, the heat energy of the heater may be effectively transferred to the medium portion320, and a sufficient amount of smoke may be provided to the user in initial puffs.

According to another embodiment, the wrapper of the aerosol base portion310may include the same material as the medium portion wrapper described above. That is, the wrapper surrounding the aerosol base portion310may include paper laminated with metal having a preset thickness and thermal conductivity. According to the present embodiment, the efficiency of the heat energy of the heater that is transferred to the aerosol base portion310is also increased in addition to the increase in the efficiency of the heat energy to the medium portion320, and thus, the aerosol generating device may generate an aerosol capable of providing a uniform and satisfactory smoking sensation to the user even though the temperature of the heater is recklessly increased and not maintained for a long time.

FIG.7shows a result of comparing a temperature increase curve of an existing cigarette to a temperature increase curve of a dual-medium cigarette.

In more detail,FIG.7includes four graphs in total, and hereinafter, four graphs will be paired when interpreted.FIG.7is described with reference toFIG.6.

First of all, referring toFIG.7, when the aerosol base portion310and the medium portion320are general wrappers, the temperature of the aerosol base portion310is the highest (about 230 degrees Celsius), and the temperature of the medium portion320is the lowest (about 140 degrees Celsius at maximum).

Referring toFIG.7, when the aerosol base portion310and the medium portion320are double aluminum foil wrappers, the temperature of the aerosol base portion310is about 200 degrees Celsius, and the temperature of the medium portion320is higher than the temperature of the medium portion320when the medium portion320is the general wrapper. Here, the double aluminum foil wrapper is formed in a lamination manner, and a main component of the laminated paper is aluminum.

FIG.7shows that, when the dual-medium cigarette300is first heated as the aerosol base portion310receives the heat energy from the external heating-type heater130, secondly, under influence of the first heating, the medium portion320is heated to generate an aerosol. When the double aluminum foil wrappers are applied to the aerosol base portion310and the medium portion320, the aerosol base portion310is sufficiently heated with much less heat energy from the heater130than when the general wrappers are applied, and heats the medium portion320to generate aerosols. InFIG.7, a temperature deviation when the double aluminum foil wrappers are applied to the aerosol base portion310and the medium portion320is much less than a temperature deviation when the general wrappers are applied to the aerosol base portion310and the medium portion320.
[Equation 1]
|A−B|<|A*−B*|

Equation 1 shows the results ofFIG.7as a mathematical statement. In Equation 1, A indicates the temperature of the aerosol base portion310that is the double aluminum foil wrapper in a state in which the heater of the aerosol generating device is preheated sufficiently enough to generate an aerosol and is stabilized, B indicates the temperature of the medium portion320in the same state, and A* and B* respectively indicate the temperatures of the aerosol base portion310and the medium portion320that are general wrappers.

FIG.8is a diagram of an example of a temperature change curve of a dual-medium cigarette when the present disclosure is applied.

FIG.8collectively shows temperature changes of the aerosol base portion310and the medium portion320when the temperatures of the aerosol base portion310and the medium portion320that heat the dual-medium cigarette300are 260 degrees Celsius and 220 degrees Celsius. Referring toFIG.8, as the efficiency of heat energy transferred to the aerosol base portion310and the medium portion320is maximized, the temperature of the aerosol base portion310repeatedly increases and decreases to a temperature close to the temperature of the heater130(260 or 220 degrees). As the temperature of the aerosol base portion310is changed, the temperature of the medium portion320is also changed.

FIG.9is a diagram of another example of a temperature change curve of a dual-medium cigarette when the present disclosure is applied.

In more detail,FIG.9visually shows results when the wrappers of the aerosol base portion310and the medium portion320in the dual-medium cigarette300are silver foil (silver and paper are laminated) and copper foil (copper and paper are laminated). Referring toFIG.9, the greater the thickness of the same silver foil is, and the greater the heat conductivity is regardless of the thickness, a time taken to reach a target temperature (180 degrees Celsius) of the medium portion320is reduced.

When aluminum or copper described with reference to Table 6 is used as the wrappers of the aerosol base portion310and the medium portion320instead of silver or copper described with reference toFIG.9, a time taken to reach the target temperature of the medium portion320may be shorter. Table 7 shows a summary of results when aluminum and copper have different thicknesses.

TABLE 7LAMINATED METALTIME TAKEN TO REACH 180° C.MEDIUMAI 6.3 μm131 SECONDSPORTIONAI 12 μm104 SECONDSAI 20 μm100 SECONDSAI 10 μm80 SECONDS

Table 7 shows a result including 40 seconds of a preheating time of the heater. Referring to Table 7, when copper is selected as metal laminated with the wrapper, a time taken to reach a target temperature of the medium portion320is the shortest, and it is expected that the time continues to decrease when a thickness of copper is increased by more than 10 μm.

TABLE 8ITEMTPMNicoPGGlyMOISTUREAl 6.3 ummg/stick35.380.582.352.714.1CV (%)4.1413.922.6277.9Al 12 ummg/stick37.550.713.464.8915.04CV (%)2.7514.421.7338.2Al 20 ummg/stick40.610.713.464.8917.1CV (%)4.7214.421.7338.2Cu 10 ummg/stick42.410.812.793.7917.7CV (%)2.76.15.313.53.4

Table 8 shows a result of analyzing components of an aerosol generated when the present disclosure is applied to the dual-medium cigarette300. Referring to Table 8, as an aluminum thickness increases in the medium portion320, total particulate matters (TPMs) tend to increase, and in the case of copper laminated paper, although a thickness of the copper laminated paper is less than that of aluminum laminated paper, the copper laminated paper has a greater TPM value.

During the initial preheating, a time, which is taken for the medium portion320to reach 100 degrees Celsius when an aluminum laminated wrapper is used, is longer than a time when a copper laminated wrapper is used, and thus, a transition amount of propylene glycol (PG) and glycerin (Gly) by the initial heat transfer is greater when the aluminum laminated wrapper is used. However, a time, which is taken for an end portion of the medium portion320to reach 180 degrees Celsius when the copper laminated wrapper is used, is significantly shorter than a time taken when using the aluminum laminated wrapper because of excellent horizontal heat transfer, and the transition amount of TPM, nicotine, and moisture is great accordingly. In general, Table 8 shows that the copper laminated wrapper is more effective than the aluminum laminated wrapper in terms of an increase in atomization.

According to one or more embodiments, in initial puffs, an aerosol generating a sufficient amount of smoke may be provided to the user using the aerosol generating device.

Also, when the user smokes by using the external heating-type aerosol generating device, the heat energy of the heater is sufficiently transferred to the aerosol generating substrate, and thus, the user may feel more satisfied than when using an existing external heating-type aerosol generating device.

The specific implementations described in the present disclosure are example embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. For brevity of the specification, descriptions of existing electronic configurations, control systems, software, and other functional aspects of the systems may be omitted. Connections of lines or connection members between components illustrated in the drawings illustratively show functional connections and/or physical or circuit connections and may be represented as alternative or additional various functional connections, physical connections, or circuit connections in an actual device. Unless specifically mentioned, such as “essential”, “importantly”, etc., the components may not be necessary components for application of the present disclosure.

As used herein (in particular, in claims), use of the term “the” and similar indication terms may correspond to both singular and plural. When a range is described in the present disclosure, the present disclosure may include the invention to which individual values belonging to the range are applied (unless contrary description), and each individual value constituting the range is the same as being described in the detailed description of the disclosure. Unless there is an explicit description of the order of the steps constituting the method according to the present disclosure or a contrary description, the steps may be performed in an appropriate order. The present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the description order of the steps. The use of all examples or example terms (for example, etc.) is merely for describing the present disclosure in detail, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the examples or the example terms unless the examples or the example terms are limited by claims. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications, combinations, and changes may be made according to the design conditions and factors within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure may be used in manufacturing next-generation electronic cigarette devices and cigarettes used in the devices.