KR20240068694A - Flavor aspirator, flavor aspiration system and method of modifying consumer goods - Google Patents

Abstract

A flavor aspirator is provided. This flavor aspirator has a receiving portion for accommodating at least a portion of the consumer product, and a heating portion that is inserted into the consumer product accommodated in the accommodating portion and heats the consumer product from the inside, wherein the heating portion heats the external shape of the consumer product inserted in the accommodating portion. Transform it according to the shape of the wealth.

Description

Flavor aspirator, flavor aspiration system and method of modifying consumer goods

The present invention relates to flavor inhalers, flavor inhalation systems and methods of modifying consumer products.

Conventionally, a flavor aspirator is known for sucking in flavor and the like without burning the material. As such a flavor inhaler, for example, one equipped with an internal heating element that heats the inserted consumer product from the inside is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 6000451 Specification

In the flavor inhaler as disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the tobacco density of the consumer product is reduced in order to easily insert the consumer product into the heater, the thermal contact between the heater and the consumer product will decrease, and the amount of aerosol generated may be reduced. There is. One of the purposes of the present invention is to provide a flavor aspirator and a flavor aspiration system capable of achieving both ease of insertion of a consumer product and thermal contact between a heater and a consumer product, and a method of deforming a consumer product.

In a first aspect of the present invention, a flavor aspirator is provided. This flavor aspirator has a receiving portion that accommodates at least a portion of the consumer product, and a heating portion that is inserted into the consumer product accommodated in the receiving portion and heats the consumer product from the inside. The heating portion determines the external shape of the consumer product inserted in the receiving portion, and the heating portion Transform it according to its shape.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the external shape of the consumer product inserted into the receiving unit is transformed by the heating unit to follow the shape of the heating unit. Therefore, the consumer product can be brought into close contact with the heating unit, and the heat transfer efficiency from the heating unit to the consumer product can be improved.

In the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the heating unit transforms the external shape of the consumer product inserted into the storage unit into an oval cross-sectional shape, and the major axis of the consumer product after being accommodated in the storage unit is changed to the storage unit. It is longer than the diameter of the consumer product before being accommodated, and the minor diameter of the consumer product after being accommodated in the accommodating portion is shorter than the diameter of the consumer product before being accommodated in the accommodating portion.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the outer shape of the consumer product inserted into the accommodation unit by the heating unit is transformed into an oval cross-sectional shape, thereby shortening the distance in the short direction of the accommodation unit occupied by the consumer product. Therefore, the receiving portion can be thinned. Additionally, by changing the outer shape of the consumer product into which the heating unit is inserted into the receiving unit into an elliptical cross-sectional shape, the contact area between the heating unit and the consumer product can be increased. Therefore, heat transfer efficiency from the heating unit to the consumer product can be improved.

In the third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the heating portion is plate-shaped.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the heating portion is flat, the contact area between the heating portion and the consumer product can be increased. Therefore, heat transfer efficiency from the heating unit to the consumer product can be improved.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the heating unit is configured such that the maximum width of the heating unit is larger than 30% of the long diameter of the consumer product after being accommodated in the storage unit.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by making the maximum width of the heating section larger than 30% of the long diameter of the consumer product after being accommodated in the receiving portion, the consumer product inserted into the receiving portion is deformed into a flat shape so that the consumer product can be brought into closer contact with the heating portion. You can.

In the fifth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to fourth aspects, the heating portion has a circumferential length in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion from the opening side of the accommodating portion to the side opposite to the opening. It is constructed to lengthen toward.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the circumferential length of the heating portion is increased from the opening side of the accommodating portion toward the side opposite to the opening, so that the length at which the consumer product is in contact with the heating portion is increased from the opening side toward the side opposite to the opening. Because of this, it is possible to prevent consumer goods from falling off.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to fifth aspects, an urging portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating portion and urges the consumer material inserted into the accommodating portion toward the heating portion.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the consumer product inserted into the receiving portion is urged toward the heating unit by the urging portion, so that the consumer product can be brought into close contact with the heating unit, and the heat transfer efficiency from the heating unit to the consumer product can be improved. there is.

In the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, the auxiliary part protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating part toward the heating part, and protrudes at a position where the circumferential length of the heating part in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the accommodating part is maximized. It is configured to maximize the distance.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the protruding distance of the supporting detail is maximized at the position where the circumferential length of the heating portion in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the receiving portion is maximized, so that the consumer product can be brought into closer contact with the heating portion. , the heat transfer efficiency from the heating unit to the consumer product can be further improved.

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to seventh aspects, the end of the heating portion on the opening side of the housing portion has a sharp shape.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the end portion on the opening side of the receiving portion of the heating portion has a sharp shape, so that the heating portion can be easily inserted into a consumer product.

In a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to eighth aspects, a guide portion is further provided that forms an opening in the accommodating portion and changes the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product inserted into the accommodating portion to correspond to the shape of the heating portion. do.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product inserted into the accommodation unit is transformed by the guide unit to correspond to the shape of the heating unit, so that even when there is a deviation in the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product inserted into the accommodation unit, The guide portion can transform the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product into a desired shape corresponding to the shape of the heating portion.

In the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, the end on the opening side of the accommodating part of the heating unit is configured to protrude toward the opening side more than the end on the opposite side to the opening of the guide part.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the end of the receiving portion of the heating portion on the opening side protrudes more toward the opening than the end opposite to the opening of the guide portion, thereby ensuring that the consumer product inserted into the opening is not deformed by the heating portion. can be initiated.

In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to tenth aspects, the heating unit has a heating element that generates heat and at least two gases interposing the heating elements.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, by sandwiching the heating element between at least two bases, the base can support the heating element. Additionally, when the heating element is a heat generating element and the base is a conductive plate, the heat generating element can be supported by the conductive plate and the conductive plate can also serve as an electrode.

In the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect, the heating unit is a PTC heater.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, by using a PTC heater, consumer goods can be efficiently heated without using a control device or the like.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a flavor aspiration system is provided. This flavor aspiration system includes a consumer product and a flavor aspirator according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the external shape of the consumer product inserted into the receiving unit is transformed by the heating unit to follow the shape of the heating unit. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a flavor aspiration system having a flavor aspirator that can bring the consumer product into close contact with the heating unit and improve the heat transfer efficiency from the heating unit to the consumer product.

In the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, the consumer product includes an inserted portion into which a heating portion that heats the consumer product from the inside is inserted, and the inserted portion includes an annular sheet arranged to surround the inserted heating portion.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the inserted portion includes an annular sheet arranged to surround the inserted heating portion, so that when the heating portion is inserted into the consumer product, the shape of the consumer product can be easily modified.

In a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a method of modifying a consumer product to be inserted into a flavor inhaler is provided. The flavor aspirator has a receiving portion that accommodates at least a portion of the consumer product, and a heating portion that heats the consumer product from the inside. This method includes a process of modifying the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product inserted into the receiving portion by a guide portion provided in the receiving portion, and modifying the shape of the consumer product inserted into the receiving portion by a heating portion according to the shape of the heating portion. It includes a step of urging the consumer product inserted into the accommodating portion toward the heating portion by means of a urging portion provided in the accommodating portion.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product is modified by the guide portion, the shape of the consumer product is modified by the heating portion to follow the shape of the heating portion, and the consumer material is forced toward the heating portion by the urging portion, thereby receiving the consumer material. By deforming the consumer product inserted into the unit into a flat shape, the consumer product can be brought into close contact with the heating unit. Therefore, heat transfer efficiency from the heating unit to the consumer product can be improved.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing the main portion of a flavor aspirator according to an embodiment of the present invention in the width direction of the heater.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the flavor aspirator according to one embodiment of the present invention with respect to the thickness direction of the heater.
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the heater shown in Figure 1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the heater shown in FIG. 1.
Figure 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a consumer product according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the tobacco portion orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the consumer product shown in FIG. 5.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a consumer product is accommodated in a flavor aspirator.
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a consumer product is accommodated in a flavor aspirator.
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a consumer product is accommodated in a flavor aspirator.
Figure 10 is another cross-sectional view showing a state in which a consumer product is accommodated in a flavor aspirator.
Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the retaining ribs in the width direction of the heater.
Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the retaining ribs in the width direction of the heater.
Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the retaining ribs in the thickness direction of the heater.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiment of this invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, identical or equivalent components are given the same reference numerals and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, in the following embodiments, the consumer product is explained using a cigarette stick as an example, but the consumer product is not limited to cigarettes as long as it generates flavor by heating.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the main portion of the flavor aspirator 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention with respect to the width direction of the heater 120. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the main portion of the flavor aspirator 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention with respect to the thickness direction of the heater 120.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the flavor aspirator 100 includes a housing (receiving part) 110 and a heater (heating part) 120. The housing 110 includes an opening 10 at one end and accommodates at least a portion of the consumer product 200 (described later) inserted into the opening 10 through the opening 10. The housing 110 is, for example, made of resin, in particular polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or a polymer alloy containing multiple types of polymers, or metal such as aluminum. can be formed. Here, the housing 110 is configured so that the cross-sectional area in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 is smallest near the opening 10.

Additionally, the housing 110 includes a regular guide (guide portion) 20 and a retaining rib (detail portion) 30. The shaping guide 20 forms an opening 10 and changes the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 to correspond to the shape of the heater 120. The retaining rib 30 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 110 and biases the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 toward the heater 120 to change the shape of the consumer product 200. The detailed structure of the shaping guide 20 and the retaining rib 30 and the function of deforming the consumer product 200 will be described later.

Additionally, an intake hole (not shown) is provided on the side opposite to the opening 10 of the housing 110, that is, at the bottom of the housing 110. Air is supplied to the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 through this intake hole, thereby forming a bottom flow type flavor aspirator 100. The intake hole may be provided in a member constituting the bottom of the housing 110 and communicate with the consumer product 200 through the inside of the member. By providing an intake hole on the side opposite to the opening 10 of the housing 110, the configuration near the opening 10 of the housing 110 can be simplified. In addition, convection can be suppressed from occurring in the air layer 40 (described later), and the thermal insulation performance of the air layer 40 can be maintained.

The heater 120 is a flat positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater that is inserted into the consumer product 200 accommodated in the housing 110 and heats the consumer product 200 from the inside. Additionally, the heater 120 changes the external shape of the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 according to the shape of the heater 120. The function of the heater 120 to transform the consumer product 200 will be described later. Here, the shaping guide 20, retaining rib 30, and heater 120 change the shape of the consumer product 200 after being accommodated in the housing 110 to that of the consumer product 200 before being accommodated in the housing 110. It is transformed from shape.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the heater shown in Figure 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the heater shown in FIG. 1. 3 and 4, the heater 120 includes a PTC element (heating element) 121, at least two metal plates 122, and a holding member 123. The PTC element 121 is sandwiched between both sides by the metal plate 122 and bonded using, for example, a conductive adhesive paste. As the conductive adhesive paste, for example, a so-called anisotropic conductive adhesive in which conductive particles are uniformly dispersed in an epoxy-based adhesive can be used.

The metal plate 122 may be made of a nickel (Ni)-containing iron alloy with a low thermal expansion coefficient, such as Inver (registered trademark). According to this, the metal plate 122 can prevent the adhesive between the PTC elements 121 from peeling due to thermal expansion when the PTC elements 121 generate heat. Additionally, by sandwiching the PTC element 121 between at least two metal plates 122, the metal plate 122 can support the PTC element 121 and also serve as an electrode.

The holding member 123 is coupled to the housing 110 when attaching the heater 120 to the housing 110 . The holding portion 123 may be made of engineering plastic. Engineering plastics have high heat resistance and mechanical strength, and can be inexpensively formed into desired shapes through injection molding or the like, so they are suitably used as structural members. For example, the holding portion 123 may be made of PEEK, a type of engineering plastic. PEEK is a thermoplastic resin that has very high heat resistance and high dimensional stability. Therefore, when the holding member 123 is made of PEEK, the holding member 123 can further reduce the influence of the heat generated by the heater 120.

A PTC heater is a heater using a resistive material that has the characteristic (PTC characteristic) that when a certain temperature (referred to as Curie temperature) is reached, the electrical resistance increases rapidly and electricity stops flowing. By utilizing PTC characteristics, the PTC heater can maintain the temperature below a certain temperature without using a control device or the like. The heater 120 may be a PTC heater using barium titanate (BaTiO ₃ ), which has PTC characteristics, as a resistor. In this case, the heater 120 can set the Curie temperature of barium titanate to 350°C, so it can heat the consumer product 200 to a temperature below 350°C.

Figure 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a consumer product 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the tobacco portion 210 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the consumer product 200 shown in FIG. 5. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the consumer product 200 includes a tobacco portion (inserted portion) 210 and a paper tube 220. The tobacco portion 210 includes a through hole 211 in the center into which the heater 120 is inserted. In addition, the tobacco portion 210 includes a two-layer flavor release layer (annular sheet) 212 and an elastic deformation layer (annular sheet) 213 arranged to surround the inserted heater 120. A wrapper 214 is recommended around the outer periphery of the elastic deformation layer 213.

The flavor release layer 212 is composed of, for example, a tobacco sheet and a non-tobacco sheet disposed on the outer periphery of the tobacco sheet and carrying glycerin, and is heated by the heater 120 to release volatile compounds containing flavor. . Additionally, the flavor release layer 212 may include only one of a tobacco sheet and a non-cigarette sheet. The elastic deformation layer 213 is made of, for example, a non-woven fabric sheet, a corgate sheet, a non-tobacco sheet, etc., and is elastically deformable in its thickness direction (i.e., in the radial direction of the cylindrical elastic deformation layer 213). The elastic deformation layer 213 contributes to deforming the consumer product 200 along the shape of the heater 120 when the heater 120 is inserted.

For this reason, when the heater 120 is inserted into the through hole 211, the elastic deformation layer 213 elastically deforms in the thickness direction with respect to the heater 120, making it easy to contact or approach the heater 120. Accordingly, the flavor release layer 212 can be brought into closer contact with or closer to the heater 120, and the consumer product 200 can be heated efficiently.

The paper tube 220 cools the volatile compounds released from the flavor release layer 212. The tobacco portion 210 includes a flavor release layer 212 and an elastic deformation layer 213 arranged to surround the inserted heater 120, so that when the heater 120 is inserted into the consumer product 200, the consumer product 200 The shape of (200) can be easily modified. Additionally, the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product 200 may be circular or oval.

Here, the non-tobacco sheet may contain a flavor generating base material. The flavor generating base material is a material that imparts a flavor, and is preferably a tobacco material. The flavor-generating substrate may also include fragrance. A fragrance is a substance that provides scent or flavor. The fragrance may be a natural fragrance or a synthetic fragrance. As the fragrance, one type of fragrance may be used, or a mixture of multiple types of fragrance may be used. Additionally, as the fragrance, any fragrance that is commonly used can be used, for example, essential oil, natural fragrance, synthetic fragrance, etc. Additionally, it may be liquid or solid, and its properties do not matter. Additionally, the flavor-generating base material may contain a refreshing agent or flavoring agent.

Additionally, the tobacco sheet may contain, for example, tobacco or polyhydric alcohol. Polyhydric alcohols can be used in tobacco sheets individually or in combination of two or more types. In addition, polyhydric alcohol may also be added to the elastic deformation layer 213 described above. A tobacco sheet can be formed into a sheet by mixing powdered tobacco and polyhydric alcohol with a binder.

Next, when the consumer product 200 is accommodated in the flavor aspirator 100, that is, when the consumer product 200 is inserted from one end of the housing 110 toward the other end, the consumer product 200, the housing 110, and the heater The relationship with (120) is explained. 7 to 9 are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the consumer product 200 is accommodated in the flavor aspirator 100. Here, the consumer product 200 is applied to the flavor aspirator 100, thereby forming a flavor aspiration system. 7 to 9 show the flavor release layer 212 and the elastic deformation layer 213 of the consumer product 200 as one annular sheet 215.

FIG. 7 shows the state when the consumer material 200 passes through the shaping guide 20, a cross section in the width direction of the heater 120, and the housing 110 at the inlet portion 22 of the shaping guide 20. ) is shown for a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Figure 8 shows the state when the consumer product 200 passes through the retaining rib 30, showing a cross section in the width direction of the heater 120 and the housing at the middle portion and the other end of the retaining rib 30. It represents a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of (110). FIG. 9 shows a cross section in the width direction of the heater 120, showing the state in which the consumer product 200 is accommodated in a predetermined accommodating position of the housing 110, and a view of the housing 110 near the other end of the heater 120. It represents a cross section perpendicular to the long direction of .

As shown in FIG. 7 , the shaping guide 20 includes a tapered portion 21, an inlet portion 22, and a contact portion 23. The tapered portion 21 is configured to expand toward one end of the housing 110 and guides the insertion of the consumer product 200 into the flavor aspirator 100. That is, the consumer product 200 is guided to the tip position of the heater 120 by the shaping guide 20, and the consumer product 200 can be reliably inserted into the heater 120. Specifically, the shaping guide 20 has a tapered shape expanded toward the outside of the housing 110 to guide the insertion of the consumer product 200, so that the consumer product 200 can be easily inserted into the housing 110. It is acceptable.

The inlet portion 22 is provided at the end of the housing 110 and has an elliptical cross-section, and the long diameter is longer than the long diameter of the consumer product 200 after being accommodated in the housing 110, and the minor diameter is larger than the major diameter of the consumer product 200 before being accommodated in the housing 110 ( 200) and is configured to have a length that is almost the same as the diameter. Here, since the terminal end of the shaping guide 20 has an oval cross-section, as the consumer goods 200 are inserted, the cross-sectional shape of the consumer goods 200 is transformed into an oval shape along the shape of the shaping guide 20. You can do it. In addition, since the minor diameter of the entrance portion 22 is approximately the same length as the diameter of the consumer product 200 before being accommodated in the housing 110, shaking of the consumer product 200 in the direction of the minor diameter of the shaping guide 20 can be suppressed. You can. Additionally, even if there is a variation in the cross-sectional size of the consumer product 200, it can be shaped into a constant shape using the shaping guide 20, and the consumer product 200 can be smoothly mounted on the housing 110.

Additionally, the heater 120 and the inlet portion 22 are configured so that the width direction of the heater 120 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the inlet portion 22. Accordingly, the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 can be transformed according to the shape of the heater 120. Accordingly, the consumer product 200 can be brought into close contact with the heater 120, and heat transfer efficiency from the heater 120 to the consumer product 200 can be improved.

Additionally, the contact portion 23 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 110, has an oval cross-section, and is configured so that the minimum inner peripheral length is less than or equal to the outer peripheral length of the consumer product 200. Due to this, when the consumer product 200 passes through the shaping guide 20, the entire circumference of the consumer product 200 is in contact with the contact portion 23, so that the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product 200 is changed to the contact portion 23. It can be transformed more reliably according to the shape of . Therefore, even if there is a deviation in the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product 200, the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product 200 is transformed into a desired shape using the shaping guide 20, and the consumer product 200 is smoothly inserted into the housing 110. can do. Additionally, since the entire circumference of the consumer product 200 is in contact with the contact portion 23, the consumer product 200 can be prevented from falling off.

Here, the contact portion 23 is configured to make point contact with the consumer product 200 accommodated in the housing 110 in a cross section along the long axis of the housing 110. Since the contact portion 23 is in point contact with the consumer product 200, heat transfer from the consumer product 200 to the housing 110 is suppressed, and thus the thermal insulation performance of the flavor inhaler 100 can be improved.

The heater 120 has a pointed shape with a sharp tip. Accordingly, the heater 120 can be easily inserted into the consumer product 200. Additionally, the end of the heater 120 on the opening 10 side protrudes more toward the opening 10 than the end of the shaping guide 20 on the opposite side to the opening 10. Specifically, the end of the heater 120 on the opening 10 side protrudes slightly toward one end of the housing 110 rather than the contact portion 23 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110. Due to this, at the same time as the consumer product 200 passes through the shaping guide 20, the end on the opening 10 side of the heater 120 is inserted into the through hole 211 of the consumer product 200, so the heater 120 ), the transformation of the consumer product 200 can be reliably initiated.

Here, the maximum width of the heater 120 with respect to the long diameter of the contact portion 23 of the shaping guide 20 is configured to be large compared to a conventional flavor inhaler having an insertion type heater. For example, the long diameter of the contact portion 23 is 7 mm, and the maximum width of the heater 120 is 6 mm. Additionally, the heater 120 is configured so that the maximum width of the heater 120 is greater than 30%, and preferably greater than 40%, of the major diameter of the consumer product 200 after being accommodated in the housing 110. Due to these, the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 can be transformed into a flat shape, allowing the consumer product 200 to be brought into closer contact with the heater 120.

As shown in FIG. 8, the heater 120 has a pointed shape and is configured to widen toward the other end. As a result, as the consumer product 200 is inserted through the shaping guide 20, the external shape of the consumer product 200 is deformed to follow the shape of the heater 120. Specifically, the consumer product 200 expands in the width direction of the heater 120 . Because of this, the consumer product 200 can be brought into close contact with the heater 120, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency from the heater 120 to the consumer product 200. Additionally, by the heater 120 expanding the consumer product 200, it is possible to prevent the consumer product 200 from falling off.

Specifically, the heater 120 has a flat shape and changes the external shape of the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 into an oval cross-sectional shape. At this time, the major diameter of the consumer product 200 after being accommodated in the housing 110 is longer than the diameter of the consumer product 200 before being accommodated in the housing 110, and the minor diameter of the consumer product 200 after being accommodated in the housing 110 is longer than the diameter of the consumer product 200 before being accommodated in the housing 110. It is shorter than the diameter of the consumer product 200 before being accommodated in 110. As the heater 120 changes the outer shape of the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 into an oval cross-sectional shape, the distance in the short direction of the housing 110 occupied by the consumer product 200 is shortened. Therefore, the housing 110 can be thinned. Additionally, by changing the outer shape of the consumer product 200 into which the heater 120 is inserted into the housing 110 into an oval cross-sectional shape, the contact area between the heater 120 and the consumer product 200 can be increased. Accordingly, heat transfer efficiency from the heater 120 to the consumer product 200 can be improved.

In addition, the heater 120 has a circumferential length in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110, gradually moving from the opening 10 side to the side opposite to the opening 10, that is, from one end side to the other end side. It is designed to be long. As the circumferential length of the heater 120 gradually increases from one end to the other end, the length of contact of the consumer product with the heating unit gradually increases from the one end side to the other end, thereby preventing the consumer product from falling off.

The retaining rib 30 is provided to protrude toward the heater 120 from the inner peripheral surface of the housing 110 along the thickness direction of the heater 120, and is composed of a pair of tapered surfaces opposing each other (Figure 2). Additionally, the retaining ribs 30 are not limited to this configuration, and at least one retaining rib 30 may be provided at opposing positions. Additionally, the retaining rib 30 is arranged to overlap an area where the width of the heater 120 gradually widens in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110. Additionally, the shape of the retaining rib 30 can be selected from any of the protruding shapes.

Here, the retaining rib 30 is configured to gradually increase the protruding distance toward the other end of the housing 110, and is positioned at a position where the width of the heater 120 is maximized, that is, perpendicular to the long direction of the housing 110. It may be configured so that the protruding distance is maximized at a position where the circumferential length in the cross section is maximized. At this time, the length between the tapered surfaces of the retaining ribs 30 is configured to be smaller than the diameter of the consumer product 200 before being inserted into the housing 110. In addition, the other end of the retaining rib 30 has a fall-off prevention shape formed in a cliff shape that is substantially orthogonal to the inner peripheral surface of the housing 110, and the retaining rib ( 30) is configured so as not to overlap the PTC element 121 of the heater 120.

Due to this, when the consumer product 200 passes through the retaining rib 30, the retaining rib 30 moves the consumer product 200 expanded in the width direction of the heater 120 in the thickness direction of the heater 120. By pressing, the consumer product 200 is deformed into a flat shape. Here, in the middle portion of the retaining rib 30, as the width of the heater 120 increases, the protruding distance of the retaining rib 30 increases, and the consumer product 200 is gradually deformed into a flat shape.

In contrast, at the other end of the retaining rib 30, both the width of the heater 120 and the protruding distance of the retaining rib 30 are maximized, and the shape of the consumer product 200 is that of the heater 120. It has a final shape that is closely attached to the. Accordingly, the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 is biased toward the heater 120 by the retaining rib 30, so that the consumer product 200 can be brought into closer contact with the heater 120, causing the heater ( The heat transfer efficiency from 120) to the consumer product 200 can be further improved. Additionally, by the retaining rib 30 supporting the consumer product 200, it is possible to prevent the consumer product 200 from falling off.

In addition, with respect to the consumer product 200 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the radial length from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the tobacco portion 210 in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the consumer product 200 is equal to that of the heater 120. It may be configured to be larger than the shortest distance with the retaining rib 30. According to this, the consumer product 200 can be reliably biased to the heater 120 by the retaining rib 30, and the heat transfer efficiency from the heater 120 to the consumer product 200 can be further improved.

In this way, by providing the retaining rib 30 along the thickness direction of the heater 120, the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 is deformed into a flat shape, so that the consumer product 200 is attached to the heater 120. It can be adhered more closely. Additionally, by providing at least one retaining rib 30 at a position facing each other, the consumer goods 200 inserted into the housing 110 can be biased toward the heater 120 from opposite directions. Additionally, by making the length between the tapered surfaces of the retaining ribs 30 smaller than the diameter of the consumer product 200, the consumer product 200 can be brought into closer contact with the heater 120, thereby allowing the consumer product 200 to be removed from the heater 120. The heat transfer efficiency of the furnace can be further improved.

Additionally, by gradually increasing the protruding distance of the retaining rib 30 toward the other end of the housing 110, the consumer product 200 can be gradually deformed, and smooth deformation can be achieved. In addition, by forming the other end of the retaining rib 30 into a pull-out prevention shape, even when a force is applied in the direction of pulling out the consumer product 200, resistance due to the pull-out prevention shape is generated, so that the consumer product 200 ) can be prevented from falling out. In addition, by preventing the retaining rib 30 from overlapping with the PTC element 121 of the heater 120 in the longitudinal direction of the housing 110, heat generated from the PTC element 121 is prevented from flowing through the retaining rib 30. ) can be prevented from escaping into the housing 110.

As shown in FIG. 9 , when the consumer product 200 is accommodated in a predetermined accommodation position of the housing 110, the shape of the consumer product 200 maintains the final shape shown in FIG. 8 . Here, an accommodating space 50 in which the consumer product 200 deformed by the heater 120 is accommodated is formed inside the housing 110 . Additionally, an air layer 40 is formed between the accommodation space 50 and the housing 110 over the entire circumference of the consumer product 200. Since the air layer 40 has a low thermal conductivity, it can insulate the space between the consumer product 200 (accommodation space 50) and the housing 110, thereby reducing the energy required to heat the consumer product 200. . Additionally, the contact portion 23 is in contact with the consumer product 200 over the entire outer circumference of the consumer product 200, and seals the air layer 40. For this reason, convection of air in the air layer 40 is suppressed.

Here, the housing 110 is configured so that the cross-sectional area in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 is smallest near the opening 10. As a result, it is possible to suppress convection from occurring in the air layer 40 due to the inflow and outflow of air near the opening 10, and the insulation performance of the flavor inhaler 100 can be further improved. Additionally, the housing 110 is configured so that the cross-sectional area ratio between the air layer 40 and the consumer product 200 is 5:1 to 1:1 at the location where the cross-sectional area in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 is largest. Consists of. Because of this, the air layer 40 can exhibit sufficient thermal insulation performance.

In this way, the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product 200 is modified by the shaping guide 20, the shape of the consumer product 200 is modified according to the shape of the heater 120 by the heater 120, and the retaining rib 30 By urging the consumer product 200 toward the heater 120 by ), the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 is deformed into a flat shape, and the consumer product 200 can be brought into close contact with the heater 120. Accordingly, heat transfer efficiency from the heater 120 to the consumer product 200 can be improved.

According to the flavor aspirator 100 configured as above, the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 is transformed by the shaping guide 20 to correspond to the shape of the heater 120. Therefore, even if there is a deviation in the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110, the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product 200 is changed to a desired shape corresponding to the shape of the heater 120 using the shaping guide 20. It can be transformed.

In addition, according to the flavor aspirator 100 configured as described above, the outer shape of the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 is transformed by the heater 120 according to the shape of the heater 120. Accordingly, the consumer product 200 can be brought into close contact with the heater 120, and heat transfer efficiency from the heater 120 to the consumer product 200 can be improved.

In addition, the shape of the consumer product 200 after being accommodated in the housing 110 is changed to that of the consumer product 200 before being accommodated in the housing 110 by the shaping guide 20, the retaining rib 30, and the heater 120. Even in the case of deformation from the shape, an air layer 40 is formed between the housing 110 and the housing space 50 in which the deformed consumer product 200 is accommodated. Therefore, the insulation performance of the flavor inhaler 100 can be improved by the air layer 40 with low thermal conductivity.

In addition, when the consumer product 200 is accommodated in the housing 110, the contact portion 23 is an air layer formed between the housing 110 and the housing space 50 in which the deformed consumer product 200 is accommodated ( By sealing 40), convection of air in the air layer 40 can be suppressed, and excellent thermal insulation performance can be realized. Additionally, by providing the contact portion 23 near the opening 10, the volume of the sealed air layer 40 can be increased, and thus the thermal insulation performance of the flavor aspirator 100 can be improved.

In addition, by inserting the heater 120 into the consumer product 200 and heating the consumer product 200 from the inside, the heater 120, which is a heat source, does not contact the air layer 40, thereby improving the thermal insulation performance of the flavor inhaler 100. can be further improved. In addition, by forming the air layer 40 around the entire outer circumference of the consumer product 200, the insulation performance of the flavor aspirator 100 can be further improved.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the case where the heater 120 is a PTC heater has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the heater may be a flexible polyimide heater constructed by sandwiching a heat generating resistor (heating element) such as stainless steel between two sheets of film (base) such as PI (polyimide). Additionally, the heater may be a fin heater whose cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 has an elliptical shape. When such a pin heater is used, when the consumer product 200 is inserted, the distance in the short direction of the housing 110 occupied by the consumer product 200 becomes shorter than when a pin heater with a circular cross section having the same cross-sectional area is used. Therefore, the housing 110 can be thinned. Additionally, by providing a retaining rib 30 along the minor diameter of the pin heater, the consumer product 200 inserted into the housing 110 can be deformed into a flat shape, allowing the consumer product 200 to be brought into closer contact with the heater.

In addition, in the above embodiment, it has been explained that an intake hole is provided on the side opposite to the opening 10 of the housing 110, that is, at the bottom of the housing 110. However, this is not limited to this, and the intake hole communicates directly with the air layer 40. The ball may be provided in the opening 10 of the housing 110 or in the housing 110. Additionally, when providing an intake hole in the housing 110, the intake hole 111 may be provided near the end of the other end of the housing 110, as shown in FIG. 10. Even in this case, since the air layer 40 is sealed by the contact portion 23, convection can be suppressed from occurring in the air layer 40 near the contact portion 23, preventing a decrease in thermal insulation efficiency, Air can be introduced while maintaining the size of the flavor aspirator 100.

In addition, in the above embodiment, it has been explained that the retaining rib 30 is composed of a pair of tapered surfaces opposing each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views showing the arrangement of the retaining ribs 30 in the width direction of the heater 120. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the retaining rib 30 with respect to the thickness direction of the heater 120.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the retaining ribs 30 are arranged alternately with respect to the longitudinal direction of the housing 110 . By arranging the retaining ribs 30 in this way, the frictional force applied to the surface of the consumer product 200 when the consumer product 200 is inserted is reduced compared to the case where the retaining ribs 30 are disposed at positions facing each other. It can be weakened.

As shown in FIG. 12, in addition to the position shown in FIG. 2, the retaining ribs 30 are arranged to face each other near the other end side of the heater 120 along the thickness direction of the heater 120. . Additionally, as shown in FIG. 13 , the retaining ribs 30 are arranged to face each other near the other end of the heater 120 along the width direction of the heater 120 . In this way, by disposing the retaining rib 30 near the other end of the heater 120, the tip of the consumer product 200 can be reliably brought into close contact with the heater 120, thereby preventing the consumer product (200) from the heater 120. 200) can improve heat transfer efficiency.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and equivalents thereof are included in the present invention. In addition, within the scope of solving at least part of the above-mentioned problem, or within the scope of exhibiting at least part of the effect, each component described in the claims and specification can be combined or omitted.

10: opening
20: Orthopedic guide
21: Taper part
22: entrance part
23: contact part
30: retaining rib
40: air layer
50: Accommodation space
100: Flavor aspirator
110: housing
111: intake hole
120: heater
121: PTC element
122: metal plate
123: Absence of holding support
200: Consumer goods
210: Tobacco department
211: Through hole
212: Flavor release layer
213: Elastic deformation layer
214: Rapper
215: Phantom sheet
220: Paper tube

Claims (15)

As a flavor aspirator,
a receiving portion that accommodates at least a portion of the consumer goods;
It is inserted into the consumer product accommodated in the receiving portion and includes a heating unit that heats the consumer product from the inside,
The heating unit changes the external shape of the consumer product inserted into the receiving unit according to the shape of the heating unit,
Flavor aspirator. According to paragraph 1,
The heating unit transforms the outer shape of the consumer product inserted into the accommodation unit into an oval cross-sectional shape, and the major diameter of the consumer product after being accommodated in the accommodation unit is longer than the diameter of the consumer product before being accommodated in the accommodation unit. The minor diameter of the consumer product after being accommodated in the accommodating portion is shorter than the diameter of the consumer product before being accommodated in the accommodating portion.
Flavor aspirator. According to claim 1 or 2,
The heating unit is a flat surface,
Flavor aspirator. According to paragraph 3,
The heating unit is configured such that the maximum width of the heating unit is greater than 30% of the long diameter of the consumer product after being accommodated in the storage unit.
Flavor aspirator. According to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The heating unit is configured such that a circumferential length in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the accommodating part becomes longer from the opening side of the accommodating part toward a side opposite to the opening,
Flavor aspirator. According to any one of claims 1 to 5,
It is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating part, and further comprises a urging part for urging the consumer product inserted into the accommodating part toward the heating part,
Flavor aspirator. According to clause 6,
The auxiliary part protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating part toward the heating part, and is configured so that the protruding distance is maximized at a position where the circumferential length of the heating part in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the accommodating part is maximized. ,
Flavor aspirator. According to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The heating unit has an end on the opening side of the receiving unit having a sharp shape,
Flavor aspirator. According to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Further comprising a guide part that forms the opening of the receiving unit and changes the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product inserted into the receiving unit to correspond to the shape of the heating unit,
Flavor aspirator. According to clause 9,
The end of the heating unit on the opening side of the accommodating part is configured to protrude toward the opening more than the end of the guide part on the opposite side to the opening.
Flavor aspirator. According to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The heating unit,
A heating element that generates heat,
Having at least two gases sandwiching the heating element,
Flavor aspirator. According to clause 11,
The heating unit is a PTC heater,
Flavor aspirator. As a flavor aspiration system,
consumer goods,
Comprising the flavor aspirator according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
Flavor aspiration system. According to clause 13,
The consumer product includes an inserted portion into which a heating portion that heats the consumer product from the inside is inserted,
The inserted portion includes an annular sheet arranged to surround the inserted heating portion,
Flavor aspiration system. A method of modifying a consumer product inserted into a flavor inhaler, comprising:
The flavor aspirator includes a receiving portion that accommodates at least a portion of the consumer product, and a heating portion that heats the consumer product from the inside,
A step of modifying the cross-sectional shape of the consumer product inserted into the accommodating portion by a guide portion provided in the accommodating portion;
A process of modifying the shape of the consumer product inserted into the receiving unit by the heating unit to follow the shape of the heating unit;
Comprising a step of urging the consumer product inserted into the accommodating portion toward the heating portion by a urging portion provided in the accommodating portion,
Methods of transformation of consumer goods.