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DESCRIPTION JPH1189551

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a
flavor generating apparatus for inhaling flavor and enjoying simulated smoking, and more
specifically, to generate a flavor to be suctioned by heating a liquid without burning. The present
invention relates to a flavor generation device.

[0002]
2. Description of the Related Art Flavor generators for heating and evaporating a flavor material
to enjoy the flavor are already known, and various types of flavor generators have been
proposed.

[0003]

For example, JP-A-3-232481 discloses a typical concept of a conventional pseudo smoking

article.

In this flavor generation device, for example, a rod-shaped solid flavor generation source is used,
and the solid material is heated by a heating element to generate a suction target such as flavor.
In this type of apparatus, when the solid raw material is continuously heated, the waste of the
raw material is increased. Conversely, when the solid raw material is heated after being sucked
by the user, the solid raw material is heated. There is a large time lag between the onset of

23-12-2019 1
inhalation (1 puff) and the generation of flavor.

[0004]

As an example of a flavor generating device for addressing the above-mentioned problem,

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-277265 discloses a flavor delivery article having a
solid material divided into a number of portions. In this flavor generation device, each part of the
solid raw material is heated in turn for each puff of the user, and a suction target such as flavor is
generated. In this apparatus, the solid raw material and the heating element constitute an
integral flavor generating medium. Therefore, after the consumption of the raw material, it is
necessary to replace or discard the heating element together with the raw material, which is
economically and environmentally inconvenient.

[0005]

U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,931 discloses a simulated smoking article using a pressurized aerosol
container. In this simulated smoking article, the user swings the blade in by a suction operation,
mechanically opens the outlet of the container, and releases the aerosol. The publication also
discloses, as a modification, an article in which a heating element for warming an aerosol cooled
by heat of vaporization is provided at an outlet of a container. In these simulated smoking
articles, the aerosol in a pressurized state is confined in the container by a valve that opens and
closes by a user's suction operation, so that once the valve is opened, a large amount of the
aerosol leaks out. That is, in this prior art article, it is not possible to continuously release an
appropriate amount of aerosol for one puff, but rather, in a few suction operations, all of the
pressurized aerosol is released. There is a possibility that it will be.

[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-
mentioned problems, and can be driven with low energy, is less likely to waste flavor materials,
and produces one puff and flavor of a user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a
flavor generating device that can easily adjust the timing of the flavor generation.

[0007]
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flavor generating device that can be
reduced in size and weight.

23-12-2019 2
[0008]
According to the present invention, there are provided an air intake for taking in air into the
inside and a suction opening for allowing a user to inhale flavor, and the intake and the intake
are provided. A chamber defining a gas flow path between the suction port and a liquid container
maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure for storing a liquid containing a flavorant; a
first end in fluid communication with the liquid; And a second end in fluid communication with
the gas flow path, and a liquid flow path for withdrawing the liquid from the liquid container to
the second end by capillary force; and a second end of the liquid flow path. 2. A flavor generator
comprising a heater disposed at one end of the second container and for gasifying the liquid
discharged from the liquid container by heating the liquid container is provided.

[0009]

In the flavor generation device according to the present invention, the liquid containing the
flavor substance (liquid flavor generation source) is transported from the liquid container
through the liquid flow channel by capillary force, and furthermore, the preceding liquid flavor is
generated at the outlet end of the liquid flow channel. When the source is gasified, the
subsequent liquid flavor source is automatically supplied to the outlet end of the liquid flow path
by capillary force.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a flavor generating device
that can be driven with low energy as a whole, does not waste a flavor generation source, and
easily matches the timing of generation of a flavor with one puff of a user. It becomes.

In particular, by controlling the heater based on a signal from a sensor that detects a user's
suction operation, it is possible to always provide a stable flavor.

[0010]
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One feature of the present invention is that
the transfer of a liquid flavor source from a liquid container containing the liquid flavor source to
a heater portion is performed by capillary force.

[0011]

23-12-2019 3
In the present invention, the liquid flow path where the liquid flavor source is transported by
capillary force is filled by the inside of at least one capillary, by the gap between at least two
parallel plates, or inside the at least one enclosure. It can be constituted by a communicating void
structure.

The communicating gap structure has a gap, through which the liquid can rise from the inlet end
of the flow passage that is in fluid communication with the liquid flavor generation source
contained in the liquid container by capillary force from the inlet end to the outlet end of the
flow passage. And typical examples thereof include an open-cell foam structure, a fiber bundle
structure, and the like, but are not limited thereto.

[0012]

The vertical height from the liquid level of the liquid flavor source to the outlet end of the liquid
flow path is a height within a range in which the liquid flavor source can be raised by capillary
force. It is determined by the physical properties of the source and the width of the liquid flow
path (the diameter of a capillary tube, the width of the gap of a parallel plate, etc.).

Even when the flow path is inclined, this height does not correspond to the length of the flow
path but to the vertical length from the liquid level of the liquid flavor generation source to the
outlet end of the flow path.

[0013]
The height h can be obtained by the following equation.

[0014]
h = 2γ cos θ / dρg (1) where γ is the surface tension of the liquid flavor generation source, θ
is the contact angle between the liquid flavor generation source and the substance constituting
the flow path, d is the width of the flow path, ρ Is the density of the liquid flavor source, and g is
the acceleration of gravity.

[0015]

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When the liquid flow path is defined by the communication gap structure, the above expression
(1) is not directly applied to the calculation of the height h.

In that case, equation (1) can be applied using the average diameter of the voids in the
communicating void structure as d.

[0016]

In addition, since the liquid level of the liquid flavor source is reduced by vaporization (including
gasification by heating) of the liquid flavor source, this height is determined in consideration of
the lowest possible liquid level of the liquid flavor source. It is desirable to do.

Further, it is preferable that the inlet end of the liquid flow path is positioned so as to reach the
lowest surface of the liquid container or its vicinity so as to be able to contact the lowest liquid
surface.

[0017]

In the present invention, since the liquid flavor generating source is raised from the liquid
container to the outlet end of the flow channel using the capillary force as described above, the
liquid level of the liquid flavor generating source in the liquid container is substantially It is
preferably under atmospheric pressure. The inside of the liquid container can be kept at
atmospheric pressure by forming a through-hole, for example, a needle hole, at the top of the
container, which communicates with the atmosphere outside the container which is usually
under atmospheric pressure.

[0018]
Now, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the
drawings.

[0019]

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FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a flavor generating device according to a first embodiment
of the present invention.

In the flavor generation device 10, the liquid flow path is defined by a capillary.

[0020]

As shown in FIG. 1, the flavor generation device 10 has a casing 12 formed of a material such as
plastic, metal, ceramics, and wood. The inside of the casing 12 is partitioned by a partition 13
into an upper chamber 121 and a lower chamber 122. As will be described later, the upper
chamber 121 is used as a gas flow path 20 for forming a gas flow of a flavor to be sucked by a
user, and the lower chamber 122 is used for housing the liquid container 32, the power supply
44, and the control circuit 46. Used as storage space.

[0021]

On one side of the upper chamber 121 of the casing 12, a hollow cylindrical suction port holder
14 is provided. A mouthpiece 16 having a suction port 22 for a user to suction flavor can be
detachably inserted into the holder 14. The mouthpiece 16 is for the user to hold directly in the
mouth, and is formed of a material such as plastic or wood. Instead of the mouthpiece 16, a filter
such as a filter for tobacco may be inserted into the holder 14 for use.

[0022]

On the other side of the upper chamber 121, an air intake 18 for taking air into the upper
chamber 121 is formed. A gas flow path 20 is defined in the upper chamber 121, that is, in the
casing 12, between the air intake port 18 and the suction port 22. The air intake 18 can be set to
have an opening area corresponding to a predetermined air intake. Around the air inlet 18, the
casing 12 can also be provided with an air flow adjusting ring (not shown) having a plurality of
openings, which are well known per se. In this case, by adjusting the position of the adjustment
ring with respect to the air intake 18, the amount of air flowing into the gas flow path 20 can be
adjusted.

23-12-2019 6
[0023]

A throttle plate 24 having a throttle hole 24a at the center is provided in the gas flow path 20 in
proximity to the air intake port 18. The throttle hole 24a of the throttle plate 24 serves to
regulate the air from the air intake 18 so as to selectively flow toward the outlet end 36b of the
capillary tube 36 described later.

[0024]

A space between the outlet end portion 36 b of the capillary tube 36 and the suction port 22 can
function as a cooling chamber 21 that forms a part of the gas flow path 20. An outside air
introduction hole 26 is formed in the ceiling of the upper chamber 121 corresponding to the
cooling chamber 21. The gas containing the flavor heated by the heater 42 is mixed with the
outside air in the cooling chamber 21 and cooled, and reaches the suction port 22. The outside
air introduction hole 26 can be set to have an opening area corresponding to a predetermined
outside air introduction amount. As shown in FIG. 1, an adjustment shutter 28 having a plurality
of openings (not shown) may be provided in the casing 12 around the outside air introduction
hole 26. In this case, by adjusting the position of the adjustment shutter 28 with respect to the
outside air introduction hole 26, the amount of outside air flowing into the cooling chamber 21
can be adjusted.

[0025]

Further, a filter (not shown) may be provided between the cooling chamber 21 and the suction
port 22 so as to cover the suction port 22 in the gas flow path 20. By arranging the filter, the
pressure loss can be adjusted so as to make it easy to absorb. The filter can be formed from
ordinary tobacco filter materials made of cellulose acetate, pulp and the like.

[0026]

In the lower chamber 122 of the casing 12, a container 32 for accommodating a liquid flavor
generation source is accommodated. The liquid container 32 stores a liquid flavor generation

23-12-2019 7
source 34 in an amount corresponding to the discharge amount for a plurality of puffs of the
user. The liquid flavor source 34 contains at least a flavor substance. However, the liquid flavor
source 34 may include a substance that produces an aerosol when heated to add smoke to the
flavor. As a substance that generates an aerosol, alcohols, sugars, water, or a mixture of two or
more of these can be used. The alcohols used here are, for example, glycerin, propylene glycol,
and mixtures thereof.

[0027]

That is, the liquid flavor generation source 34 can include an extracted substance from various
natural products and / or a component thereof depending on the use. For example, when the
flavor generating device of the present invention is used as a simulated smoking article, tobacco
components such as a tobacco extract component and a tobacco smoke condensate component
can be contained in the liquid flavor generation source 34.

[0028]

In the liquid container 32, a capillary tube 36 for transporting the liquid flavor generating source
34 by capillary force is inserted. The capillary 36 constitutes a liquid flow path 37 for the liquid
flavor source 34 therein, and the lower end 36 a of the capillary 36 extends to near the bottom
of the liquid container 32.

[0029]
In consideration of the liquid flavor source 34 described above, the inner diameter of the
capillary 36 is set to 0.01 mm to 3 mm, preferably 0.05 mm to 1 mm, and more preferably 0.1
mm to 0.8 mm.

[0030]

To further ensure that the liquid is transported by capillary force, the liquid container 32 has an
opening 33 that communicates with the atmosphere to maintain its interior at atmospheric
pressure.

23-12-2019 8
The opening 33 is provided at the highest position of the container 32 during normal use of the
apparatus of the present invention, and is sufficiently provided that the liquid flavor generating
source 34 does not leak from the apparatus even if the apparatus is overturned. Preferably have
a small diameter. For example, such an opening 33 can be a needle hole drilled in the container
32.

[0031]

The upper end of the capillary tube 36, that is, the outlet end 36b of the liquid flavor source,
protrudes into the upper chamber 121 of the casing 12 somewhat downstream of the throttle
plate 24, where a heater for gasifying the liquid flavor source 34 is provided. 42 are provided. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the heater 42 is connected to the capillary 36 and is formed of
a tubular body having the same inner diameter as the capillary 36, and thus the outlet end 36b
of the liquid flow path 37 is formed by the heater 42 itself.

[0032]

The heater 42 is supplied with power from a power supply 44 that is detachably provided in the
lower chamber 122 of the casing 12. The power supply 44 preferably comprises a DC power
supply, for example, a commercially available primary battery (dry battery), a secondary battery
(rechargeable battery), or the like. However, the power supply 44 can be an AC power supply.
Further, the power supply 44 can be mounted outside the casing 12 or separately provided and
connected to the casing 12 by wiring.

[0033]

The heater 42 and the power supply 44 are driven and controlled by a control circuit 46 fixed in
the lower chamber 122. Connected to the control circuit 46 are a heater switch 48 for forcibly
turning on the heater and a sensor 52 for detecting a suction operation of the user. A power
switch 50 for turning on / off the power supply 44 is connected to the power supply 44.

[0034]
The heater switch 48 and the power switch 50 are both disposed on the outer surface of the
lower chamber 122 of the casing 12.

23-12-2019 9
[0035]

When the device is not in use, the device can be forcibly stopped by manually switching the
switch 50 to the off state.

Needless to say, when using the present apparatus, first, the power switch 50 is turned on.
Further, when the power switch 44 is turned on after the power switch 44 is turned on, the
heater switch 48 can forcibly start the heater 42 independently of the detection of the suction
operation by the sensor 52 described later. That is, after the power source 44 is driven, the
heater switch 48 is switched to the ON state, so that the heater 42 can be kept heated. When
detecting the ON state of the heater switch 48, the control circuit 46 stops the operation of the
sensor 52.

[0036]
Each of the heater switch 48 and the power switch 50 may have the same mechanism as a
general small push-down switch such as a micro limit switch having an electric contact.

[0037]

A sensor 52 for detecting a user's suction operation is provided in the upper chamber 121 of the
casing 12 so as to be located between the diaphragm plate 24 and the heater 42.

As the sensor 52, a general pressure-sensitive sensor that detects a pressure change in the
chamber 121 due to a user's suction as a change in electric resistance, a change in electric
capacity, a piezoelectric electromotive force, or the like, or a swing that detects an airflow in the
chamber 121. A blade type sensor or the like can be used.

[0038]

The control circuit 46 is used to gasify the liquid flavor source 34 at the outlet end 36b of the
capillary tube in accordance with a user's suction operation based on a signal from the heater

23-12-2019 10
switch 48 or based on a signal from the sensor 52. The heater 42 is started. The mode of signal
processing and control in the control circuit 46 can be, for example, known analog control, two-
position control, or a combination thereof.

[0039]

The liquid container 32 is provided with a liquid amount sensor 54 for detecting the remaining
amount of the liquid flavor generating source 34. The sensor 54 may be a contact-type sensor
that detects a change in the conductivity of the liquid container 32 due to a change in the
remaining amount of the liquid flavor generating source 34. In order to inform the user that the
remaining amount of the liquid flavor generating source 34 in the liquid container 32 is low, an
electric display means, for example, a lamp 56 composed of a light emitting diode is provided on
the outer surface of the lower chamber 122 of the casing 12. It is arranged. The liquid level
sensor 54 and the lamp 56 are connected to the control circuit 46 and operated under the
control of the control circuit 46.

[0040]

Based on the signal from the sensor 54, the user can be notified that the amount of the liquid
flavor generating source 34 is small, so that not only the lamp 56 is turned on but also the
electric lock can be applied so that the suction operation cannot be started. . The sensor 54 may
be a non-contact type sensor that detects a change in the remaining amount of the liquid flavor
generating source 34 as, for example, a change in the reflectance of an ultrasonic wave.

[0041]

The liquid container 32 is provided with an injection port 58 for replenishing the liquid flavor
source 34. The end of the injection port 58 is exposed to the outside of the casing 12, from
which the liquid flavor source can be injected and supplied to the liquid container 32. Typically, a
removable cap 59 is provided on the exposed end of the injection port. As described above, the
liquid container 32 has a capacity to store the liquid flavor generation source 34 in an amount
corresponding to the discharge amount for a plurality of puffs of the user. However, since the
liquid flavor source can be replenished as described above, the present flavor generator can be
used more continuously without replacing the liquid container 32.

23-12-2019 11
[0042]

In order to check the remaining amount in the liquid container 32 in place of the liquid amount
sensor 54, a transparent viewing window (not shown) may be provided in a portion of the side
wall of the casing 12 corresponding to the liquid container 32. it can. In this case, the liquid
container 32 itself needs to be formed from a transparent or translucent container. Thereby, the
remaining amount of the liquid flavor generating source 34 in the liquid container 32 can be
monitored through the viewing window, and the timing of replenishment of the liquid flavor
generating source can be known. As a mechanism for monitoring the remaining amount in the
liquid container 32, a method of optically detecting the remaining amount using a prism can be
used.

[0043]

Next, one mode of operation of the flavor generation device 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
In this embodiment, the heater switch 48 is kept off.

[0044]

When the user uses the flavor generation device 10 shown in FIG. 1 to taste, the user first turns
on the power switch 50, holds the mouthpiece 16, and performs a suction operation from the
suction port 22. With this operation, a suction operation signal is sent from the sensor 52 to the
control circuit 46, and accordingly, power is supplied from the power supply 44 to the heater 42
under the control of the control circuit 46, and the heater 42 is turned on.

[0045]

At this time, the liquid flavor generating source 34 has already been fed into the outlet end
portion 36b of the capillary tube 36 by capillary force, and is in the state shown in FIG. 2A. In
this state, when the heater 42 is turned on, the liquid flavor generating source 34 in the outlet
end 36b is instantaneously gasified by the heat of the heater 42 as shown in FIG. Supplied within.
When the liquid flavor generating source 34 in the outlet end portion 36b is gasified by the
heater 42, a new liquid flavor generating source 34 is discharged from the liquid container 32 to

23-12-2019 12
the outlet of the capillary 36 by the capillary force as shown in FIG. It is sent to the end 36b. In
this manner, the supply and gasification of the liquid flavor generation source 34 at the outlet
end 36b of the capillary tube 36 are repeated.

[0046]

The gasified liquid flavor generating source is mixed with the main suction air guided through
the throttle hole 24a from the air intake port 18 and led to the vicinity of the outlet end portion
36b of the capillary tube 36 in accordance with the suction operation of the user. , To the suction
port 22. If necessary, the amount of air introduced from the outside air introduction hole 26 can
be changed by adjusting the adjustment shutter 28 during suction. As a result, it is possible to
change the taste of the air including the flavor reaching the suction port 22 and perform the
taste according to the user's taste of the suction sensation.

[0047]
3 to 5 are perspective views showing modified examples of a mechanism for supplying and
gasifying the liquid flavor generating source 34, respectively.

[0048]
In the structure shown in FIG. 3, a ring-shaped heater 72 is arranged so as to cover the outlet end
122 of the capillary tube 36.

[0049]
In the structure shown in FIG. 4, the rod-shaped heater 74 is inserted and arranged in the outlet
end 122 of the capillary tube 36.

[0050]

In the structure shown in FIG. 5, the plate-shaped heater 76 is inserted and arranged in the outlet
end 122 of the capillary tube 36.

Either of these structures can provide the operation as described with reference to the first
embodiment shown in FIG.

23-12-2019 13
[0051]
FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing still another modified example of the mechanism for
supplying and gasifying the liquid flavor generation source 34, respectively.

[0052]
In the structure shown in FIG. 6, three capillaries 36 are connected to the liquid container 32,
and the rod-shaped heater 74 shown in FIG. 4 is inserted into the outlet end 122 of each
capillary 36.

[0053]

In the structure shown in FIG. 7, three capillary tubes 36 are connected to the liquid container
32, and a heater frame 92 is attached to the outlet end 36b of the capillary tube 36.

The heater frame 92 has a plate-like heater 76 shown in FIG. 5 corresponding to the three outlet
ends 36b.

Further, an air passage hole 94 is formed in the heater frame 92 so as to be located between the
capillaries 36 and along the longitudinal direction of the capillaries 36.

Also in this structure, it is possible to sufficiently mix the air and the flavor gas.

[0054]

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a flavor generating device according to another

embodiment of the present invention in which a liquid flow path is formed by a gap between two
parallel flat plates.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing a cross section taken along line IX-IX in FIG. FIG. 10 is a
perspective view showing a liquid flow path and a heater portion together with a liquid container

23-12-2019 14
in the apparatus shown in FIG. 8 to 10, parts common to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same
reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0055]

In the flavor generation device 100 shown in FIG. 8, the upper chamber 121 and the lower
chamber 122 in the device of FIG. 1 are not configured by partitioning one casing 12 by the
partition wall 13, but each have separate chambers. Make up. The lower chamber 122 has an
inclined upper surface, and a cylindrical upper chamber 121 having one end (lower end) closed
as a whole is attached along the inclined upper surface with a corresponding inclination. The
lower chamber 122 is partitioned by a partition 131 into an upper sub-chamber 122a that
houses the control circuit 46 and a lower sub-chamber 122b that houses the power supply 44. In
the device shown in FIG. 8, the electrical wiring is not shown in FIG. 8, as it is essentially the
same as in the device of FIG.

[0056]

On the closed end (lower end) surface of the upper chamber 121, an air intake 18 similar to that
shown in FIG. 1 is provided. Further, a cylindrical mouthpiece 161 can be directly detachably
attached to the other end (upper end) opening of the upper chamber 121 without using a holder.
The mouthpiece 161 has a projection 161a around the periphery that engages with the end face
of the upper chamber 121 to stop the insertion progress into the upper chamber 121 halfway.
Further, a mouthpiece sensor 101 for detecting that the mouthpiece 161 has been sufficiently
inserted into the upper chamber 121 is provided on the upper wall of the upper chamber 121.
Such a position detection sensor 101 is known per se. The filter 102 can be inserted into the
mouthpiece 161 from the position corresponding to the protrusion 161a to the tip, that is, into
the suction port.

[0057]

Also, in the upper chamber 121, a liquid flavor generating source 34 is housed near the air
intake port 18, and has a small exchangeable liquid having an opening (not shown) similar to the
opening 33 in FIG. The container 32 is provided so as not to block the air intake 18. A liquid flow
path 371 for the liquid flavor source 34 is provided in fluid communication with the liquid flavor
source in the liquid container 32. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 8, the liquid flow path 371 is

23-12-2019 15
defined between two spaced apart parallel flat plates 361 and 362. The tip of the liquid flow path
371 (the outlet end of the liquid flavor generation source) is heated by two plate-like electric
heaters 421 and 422 connected to the flat plates 361 and 362, respectively.

[0058]

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the two flat plates 361 and 362 are spaced apart and parallel to
each other with a gap such that a capillary force acts between them. The interval is preferably
0.01 mm to 2.0 mm. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the flat plate heaters 421 and 422
have the same thickness as the flat plates 361 and 362, respectively, and are spaced apart from
each other at the same interval. Accordingly, in this case, the outlet end of the liquid flow path
371 is constituted by the heaters 421 and 422.

[0059]
Needless to say, in the present invention, the liquid flow path defined by the parallel flat plate has
a sealing material (not shown) such as a plastic film or a metal foil on the side surface so that the
liquid flavor generation source does not leak or evaporate from the side surface. ) Is hermetically
sealed.

[0060]

Returning to FIG. 8, around a portion of the flat plate constituting the liquid flow path 371
including the heater, which protrudes from the container 32, is a flange 103 a which engages
with the inner peripheral wall of the upper chamber 121 until reaching the tip. A tubular body
103 at the end is provided with a predetermined gap from the flat plate.

As shown in FIG. 9, the tubular body 103 may be rectangular in cross section, and defines an air
flow passage 104 between the tubular body 103 and the flat plate. The air flow path (air guide
path) 104 guides air taken in by an air suction operation from an air intake port 18 formed in
the closed end face of the upper chamber 121 along the air flow path, and at the outlet end of
the liquid flow path. The air is caused to flow in the direction of the mouth so as to surround the
vaporized flavor generation source. As a result, the vaporized flavor source is prevented from
condensing and adhering to the inner wall of the upper chamber 121, and even if at all, it is
condensed and adhered to the inner wall of the mouthpiece 161 in a small amount. A flavor
source that has been effectively consumed and attached by cleaning or replacing the mouthpiece

23-12-2019 16
can be removed from the apparatus. In addition, by providing the air guide path 104 for
intensively (selectively) directing the air to the vaporized flavor generation source at the outlet
end of the liquid flow path, the flavor generation source includes the aerosol generating
substance. In this case, the flavor generation source vaporized by the air flow passing through
the air guide path 104 is efficiently mixed with the air and cooled by the air at the same time, so
that the aerosol generation efficiency is further improved.

[0061]

Note that an air flow rate adjustment dial 105 can be provided downstream of the cylindrical
body 103 and upstream of the liquid container 32. With this air flow adjusting dial 105, the
aspirator can select his / her favorite air flow and thereby set his / her favorite suction
resistance. Further, the flavor generating device of the present invention may be provided with a
display mechanism 106 connected to the control circuit 46 and indicating the remaining amount
of the power supply 44, as shown in FIG.

[0062]

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the mechanism of FIG. 10 for
supplying and gasifying a liquid flavor generation source. In FIG. 11, flat heaters 423 and 424
are provided in opposing surface portions of flat plates 361 and 362 that define liquid flow path
371.

[0063]

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another modification of the mechanism for supplying and
gasifying the liquid flavor generation source in the flavor generation device of the present
invention, and FIG. 13 is taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. FIG. The mechanism shown in FIG. 12 is
a diagram that constitutes a liquid flow path 371 that penetrates the peripheral wall from below
with respect to the upper chamber 121 and whose lower part is fluidly connected to the liquid
flavor generation source in the liquid container 32. 10, two parallel flat plates 361 and 362 and
two flat heaters 421 and 422 protrude into the upper chamber 121. One end of the upper
chamber is closed, and an air flow path 201 communicating with atmospheric air outside the
upper chamber 121 is formed in the closed wall. As shown in FIG. 13, the air flow path 201 is
formed along the outer peripheral edge of the heaters 421 and 422, and has a horizontally long

23-12-2019 17
upper flow path whose lateral length is slightly larger than the width of the flat plate 361 or 362.
201a and side flow paths 201b and 201c communicating therewith and extending from both
ends to the height of the lower ends of the heaters 421 and 422. With this flow path 201, an
effect similar to that of the air flow path 104 shown in FIG. 8 or 9 can be obtained.

[0064]

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the liquid flow path for the
liquid flavor generation source in the flavor generation device of the present invention. In this
case, the liquid flow path 372 is constituted by the communication gap structure 302 filled in the
enclosure 301 extending as described above. The enclosure 301 may be provided by a tube or
two flat plates spaced apart from each other and sealed on the sides. In this case, the heater (not
shown) can be arranged as shown in FIGS. 1, 10, and 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the
communication gap structure 302 can be made to protrude from the end of the enclosure 301,
and in that case, the heater 425 can be arranged at the protruding tip of the communication gap
structure.

[0065]

As described above, in order to facilitate understanding of the contents, the features of each part
of the present invention have been described as being divided into some embodiments and
modified examples, but these features can be appropriately combined according to the purpose.
Will be obvious to those skilled in the art. That is, the present invention can be implemented in
various modes other than the illustrated embodiment within the scope of the idea.

[0066]
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a flavor generating apparatus which
can be driven with low energy, is less likely to waste flavor materials, and can easily match the
timing of generation of flavor with one puff of the user. .

[0067]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0068]

23-12-2019 18
1 is a schematic diagram showing a flavor generating device according to an embodiment of the
present invention.

[0069]
2 is a diagram for explaining a flavor generation process in the flavor generation device of FIG.

[0070]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a mechanism for supplying and
gasifying a liquid flavor generation source.

[0071]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another modification of the mechanism for supplying and
gasifying the liquid flavor generation source.

[0072]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing still another modification of the mechanism for supplying
and gasifying the liquid flavor generation source.

[0073]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing still another modified example of the mechanism for
supplying and gasifying the liquid flavor generation source.

[0074]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing still another modified example of the mechanism for
supplying and gasifying the liquid flavor generation source.

[0075]
8 is a schematic diagram showing a flavor generating device according to another embodiment of
the present invention.

[0076]
9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG.

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[0077]
10 is a perspective view showing a mechanism for supplying and gasifying a liquid flavor
generation source in the flavor generation device shown in FIG.

[0078]
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a mechanism for supplying and
gasifying a liquid flavor generation source in the flavor generation device of the present
invention.

[0079]
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing still another modified example of a mechanism for
supplying and gasifying a liquid flavor generation source in the flavor generation device of the
present invention.

[0080]
13 is a sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG.

[0081]
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the liquid flow path for the
liquid flavor generation source in the flavor generation device of the present invention.

[0082]
FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of a liquid flow path for a liquid
flavor generation source in the flavor generation device of the present invention.

[0083]
Explanation of reference numerals

[0084]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Flavor generator 12 ... Casing 16 ... Mouthpiece 18 ... Air intake
20 ... Gas flow path 22 ... Suction port 24 ... Throttle plate 26 ... External air introduction hole 32
... Liquid container 34 ... Liquid flavor generation source 36 ... Capillary tube 42 ... heater 44 ...
power supply 46 ... control circuit 48 ... switch 52 ... suction sensor 54 ... liquid amount sensor 56

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... lamp 62 ... liquid container 64 ... insertion opening 66 ... spare liquid containers 72,74,76 ...
heaters 82,92 ... heater Frames 84, 94 Air passage hole 301 Enclosure 302 Communication gap
structure 421, 422 Parallel plate

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