ASPIRATION DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM

Abstract

 [Problem] To provide a mechanism capable of improving the quality of an aspiration experience of a user.
[Solution] An aspiration device for generating an aerosol to be aspirated by a user by heating a substrate, the aspiration device being equipped with: a heating unit which heats the substrate and is inserted inside the substrate which is inserted into an internal space formed in the aspiration device; a compression unit for compressing a section to be heated, which is the section of the substrate which is heated by the heating unit, in a direction from the outer periphery toward the heating unit; and a control unit which, on the basis of the start of heating by the heating unit or compression by the compression unit, starts the other thereof.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inhaler device, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Inhaler devices, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers, that generate a substance to be inhaled by a user are widely used. For example, an inhaler device generates an aerosol with flavor components using a substrate containing an aerosol source for generating an aerosol, a flavor source for giving the flavor components to the generated aerosol, and the like. A user can taste flavors by inhaling the aerosol with the flavor components generated by the inhaler device.

[0003] Various structures of an inhaler device have been examined for a purpose of improving the quality of a user's inhalation experience. The following Patent Literature 1, for example, discloses, with respect to an inhaler device that generates an aerosol by heating a stick-type substrate inserted into an internal space through an insertion hole provided in the inhaler device, a structure with which the stick-type substrate is compressed by narrowing the insertion hole.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Literature 1: International Publication No. 2019/081602

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0005] The techniques described in Patent Literature 1, however, are intended to optimize a position of a stick-type substrate inserted into an internal space of an inhaler device through an insertion hole, and it is difficult to say that these techniques directly lead to improvement of the quality of a user's inhalation experience.

[0006] The present invention, therefore, has been conceived in view of the above problem, and aims to provide a mechanism capable of improving the quality of a user's inhalation experience.

Solution to Problem

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, an aspect of the present invention provides an inhaler device that generates, by heating a substrate, an aerosol to be inhaled by a user. The inhaler device includes a heater part that is inserted into an inside of the substrate inserted into an internal space formed in the inhaler device and that heats the substrate, a compression part that compresses a portion to be heated, which is a portion of the substrate to be heated by the heater part, from a periphery of the substrate to a direction of the heater part, and a control part that starts the heating performed by the heater part or the compression performed by the compression part on a basis of a start of the other.

[0008]  The control part may match, or substantially match, a start timing of the heating performed by the heater part and a start timing of the compression performed by the compression part.

[0009] The compression part may compress the substrate by moving to the direction of the heater part.

[0010] A shape of a cross-section of a tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part may be a convex.

[0011] The shape of the cross-section of the tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part may be a convex arc.

[0012] The shape of the cross-section of the tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part may be a convex arc having a radius of 1 mm and a width of 2 mm

[0013] A shape of a cross-section of a tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part may be a concave.

[0014] The shape of the cross-section of the tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part may be a concave arc.

[0015] The shape of the cross-section of the tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part may be a concave arc having a radius of 3 mm and a width of 5 mm.

[0016] The shape of the cross-section of the tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part may be a concave arc having a radius of 2.5 mm and a width of 5 mm

[0017] A roll diameter of the substrate may be 7.1 mm, and during the compression performed by the compression part, a length over which the tip surface of the compression part travels after coming into contact with the periphery of the substrate may be 1 mm or shorter.

[0018] The inhaler device may include three of the compression part, and the three compression parts may compress the substrate from three different directions.

[0019] The compression part may be composed of a heat-resistant material.

[0020] The control part may set time from the start to an end of the compression performed by the compression part at 70 seconds or shorter.

[0021] The control part may set time from the start to an end of the compression performed by the compression part at 10 seconds or shorter.

[0022] The control part may control, on a basis of a number of times that the user has inhaled the aerosol, a timing at which the compression performed by the compression part stops.

[0023] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, another aspect of the present invention provides an information processing method performed by an inhaler device that generates, by heating a substrate, an aerosol to be inhaled by a user and that includes a heater part which is inserted into an inside of the substrate inserted into an internal space formed in the inhaler device and which heats the substrate, and a compression part which compresses a portion to be heated, which is a portion of the substrate to be heated by the heater part, from a periphery of the substrate to a direction of the heater part,. The information processing method includes starting the heating performed by the heater part or the compression performed by the compression part on a basis of a start of the other.

[0024] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, another aspect of the present invention provides a program for causing a computer, which controls an inhaler device that generates, by heating a substrate, an aerosol to be inhaled by a user, and that includes a heater part which is inserted into an inside of the substrate inserted into an internal space formed in the inhaler device and which heats the substrate, and a compression part which compresses a portion to be heated, which is a portion of the substrate to be heated by the heater part, from a periphery of the substrate to a direction of the heater part, to function as a control part that starts the heating performed by the heater part or the compression performed by the compression part on a basis of a start of the other.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0025] As described above, according to the present invention, a mechanism capable of improving the quality of a user's inhalation experience is provided.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0026] 

[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of an inhaler device.

[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the inhaler device according to the present embodiment.

[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cross-section of the inhaler device parallel to an insertion/removal direction according to the present embodiment.

[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cross-section of the inhaler device in a released state perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction according to the present embodiment.

[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cross-section of the inhaler device in a compressed state perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction according to the present embodiment.

[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cross-section of one of compression parts perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction according to the present embodiment.

[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the cross-section of one of the compression parts perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction according to the present embodiment.

[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating results of experiments with the inhaler device according to the present embodiment.

[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating results of experiments with the inhaler device according to the present embodiment.

[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating results of experiments with the inhaler device according to the present embodiment.

[FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating results of experiments with the inhaler device according to the present embodiment.

[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram expressing Table 4 as a graph.

[FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a process performed by the inhaler device according to the present embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

[0027] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Structural elements having substantially the same functional configurations are given the same reference numerals herein and in the drawings, and redundant description thereof is omitted.

[0028] In addition, elements having substantially the same functional configurations might be distinguished from each other using different alphabets given at ends of the same reference numerals herein and in the drawings. For example, a plurality of elements having substantially the same functional configurations are distinguished from each other as necessary, like compression parts 160A and 160B. When a plurality of elements having substantially the same functional configurations need not be distinguished from each other, however, only the same reference numerals are given. When the compression parts 160A and 160B need not particularly be distinguished from each other, for example, these structural elements will be simply referred to as compression parts 160.

<<1. Configuration Example of Inhaler Device>>

[0029] An inhaler device according to the present embodiment generates a substance to be inhaled by a user by heating content contained in a substrate. In particular, the inhaler device according to the present embodiment generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source from inside the substrate. The aerosol is an example of a substance to be inhaled by a user. The aerosol source is an example of content contained in the substrate. Alternatively, the substance generated by the inhaler device may be a gas. The user's inhalation of a substance generated by the inhaler device will be simply referred to as "inhalation" or a "puff' hereinafter. Each of configuration examples of the inhaler device will be described hereinafter. A configuration example of the inhaler device according to the present embodiment will be described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 1.

[0030] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating the configuration example of the inhaler device. As illustrated in Fig. 1, an inhaler device 100 according to the present configuration example includes a power supply part 111, a sensor part 112, a notification part 113, a memory part 114, a communication part 115, a control part 116, a heater part 121, compression parts 160, and a holder part 140. The user inhales in a state where a stick-type substrate 150 is held by the holder part 140. Next, the respective structural elements will be described sequentially.

[0031] The power supply part 111 stores electric power. The power supply part 111 then supplies the electric power to the respective structural elements of the inhaler device 100. The power supply part 111 may be comprised of, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. The power supply part 111 may be charged by being connected to an external power supply via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. Alternatively, the power supply part 111 may be charged through a wireless power transmission technology in a state where the power supply part 111 is not physically connected to an electric power transmission device. In addition, the power supply part 111 may be configured in such a manner that the power supply part 111 is only part that is detachable from the inhaler device 100 and the power supply part 111 is replaceable with a new power supply part 111.

[0032] The sensor part 112 detects various kinds of information regarding the inhaler device 100. The sensor part 112 then outputs the detected information to the control part 116. As an example, the sensor part 112 may be comprised of a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone. Next, in the case where the sensor part 112 detects negative pressure generated by the user's inhalation, the sensor part 112 outputs, to the control part 116, information indicating that the user has inhaled. As another example, the sensor part 112 may be comprised of an input device that receives information input by the user such as a button or a switch. In particular, the sensor part 112 may include a button that instructs to start/stop generation of an aerosol. The sensor part 112 then outputs the information input by the user to the control part 116. As another example, the sensor part 112 is comprised of a temperature sensor that detects temperature of the heater part 121. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the heater part 121 on the basis of, for example, an electrical resistance of a conductive track of the heater part 121. The sensor part 112 may detect temperature of the stick-type substrate 150 held by the holder part 140 on the basis of the temperature of the heater part 121, instead.

[0033]  The notification part 113 notifies the user of information. As an example, the notification part 113 may be comprised of a light-emitting device such as an LED (light-emitting diode). In this case, the notification part 113 emits different patterns of light depending on its situations such as a situation where the power supply part 111 needs to be charged, a situation where the power supply part 111 is on charge, and a situation where the inhaler device 100 has an abnormality. Here, the patterns of light are concepts including color of the light, a timing of turning on the light-emitting device, a timing of turning off the light-emitting device, and the like. In addition to or instead of the light-emitting device, the notification part 113 may include a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, a vibration device that vibrates, or the like. Alternatively, the notification part 113 may notify of information indicating that the user's inhalation is now possible. The information indicating that the user's inhalation is now possible is notified of when the temperature of the stick-type substrate 150 heated by the heater part 121 reaches a certain temperature.

[0034] The memory part 114 stores various kinds of information for operation of the inhaler device 100. The memory part 114 may be comprised of, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory. An example of the information stored in the memory part 114 includes information regarding an OS (operating system) of the inhaler device 100 such as details of control performed by the control part 116 over the respective structural elements. Another example of the information stored in the memory part 114 includes information regarding the user's inhalation such as the number of times of inhalation, inhalation time, and an accumulated inhalation time period.

[0035] The communication part 115 is a communication interface for allowing transmission/reception of information between the inhaler device 100 and another device. The communication part 115 performs communication in conformity with any wired or wireless communication standard. As such a communication standard, for example, a wireless LAN (local area network), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like may be adopted. As an example, the communication part 115 may transmit the information regarding the user's inhalation to a smartphone so that the smartphone can display the information regarding the user's inhalation. As another example, the communication part 115 may receive new OS information from a server to update information regarding the OS stored in the memory part 114.

[0036] The control part 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control device, and controls overall operations inside the inhaler device 100 in accordance with various programs. The control part 116 is implemented as an electronic circuit such as a CPU (central processing unit) or a microprocessor, for example. In addition, the control part 116 may include a ROM (read-only memory) that stores a program, an arithmetic parameter, and the like to be used, and a RAM (random-access memory) that temporarily stores a parameter or the like that varies appropriately. The inhaler device 100 performs various processes under the control of the control part 116. Examples of the processes controlled by the control part 116 include supply of electric power from the power supply part 111 to the other structural elements, charging of the power supply part 111, detection of information by the sensor part 112, notification of information by the notification part 113, storing/readout of information by the memory part 114, and transmission/reception of the information by the communication part 115. Compression and releasing (stop of compression) by the compression parts 160, too, are examples of the processes controlled by the control part 116. The control part 116 also controls other processes to be performed by the inhaler device 100 such as inputting information to the respective structural elements and a process based on information output from the respective structural elements.

[0037] The holder part 140 has an internal space 141, and holds the stick-type substrate 150 in a state where a portion of the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the internal space 141. The holder part 140 has an opening 142 that allows the internal space 141 to communicate with an outside. The holder part 140 holds the stick-type substrate 150 that is inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142. For example, the holder part 140 may have a tubular body in which the opening 142 and a bottom part 143 serve as its bases. Such a tubular body demarcates the pillar-shaped internal space 141. The holder part 140 also has a function of demarcating a flow path of air flowing through the stick-type substrate 150. For example, the bottom part 143 has an air inlet hole that is an inlet of air into such a flow path. Meanwhile, the opening 142 serves as an air outlet hole that is an outlet of the air from such a flow path.

[0038] The stick-type substrate 150 is a stick-type member. A circumference of the stick-type substrate 150 is formed by a sheet-like member wound therearound. An example of the sheet-like member is rolling paper. The stick-type substrate 150 includes a substrate part 151 and an inhalation port part 152.

[0039] The substrate part 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source is atomized through heating, thereby generating an aerosol. The aerosol source is liquid such as polyhydric alcohol or water. Examples of the polyhydric alcohol include glycerin, propylene glycol, and the like. The aerosol source may also include tobacco raw material or an extract deriving from the tobacco raw material, which emits a flavor component through heating. In the case where the inhaler device 100 is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source may include medicine to be inhaled by a patient. The aerosol source is not limited to liquid, and may be a solid, instead. At least a portion of the substrate part 151 is accommodated in the internal space 141 of the holder part 140 in a state where the stick-type substrate 150 is held by the holder part 140.

[0040] In particular, the aerosol source is contained in an object of any shape such as particles or a sheet, and the substrate part 151 is filled with the aerosol source. The object containing the aerosol source will also be referred to as substrate elements hereinafter. The substrate part 151 is filled with the substrate elements with gaps provided between the substrate elements so that a flow path of air is not blocked.

[0041] The inhalation port part 152 is a member to be held in the mouth of the user during inhalation. At least a portion of the inhalation port part 152 protrudes from the opening 142 in a state where the stick-type substrate 150 is held by the holder part 140. When the user inhales with the inhalation port part 152 protruding from the opening 142 in his/her mouth, air flows into the inside of the holder part 140 through an air inlet hole (not illustrated). The flowing air passes through the internal space 141 of the holder part 140 and reaches the inside of the mouth of the user along with the aerosol generated by the substrate part 151.

[0042] The heater part 121 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source and generate the aerosol. The heater part 121 is comprised of any material such as a metal or a polyimide. For example, the heater part 121 has any shape such as a blade-like shape or a columnar shape (e.g., a needle shape) and is disposed such that the heater part 121 protrudes from the bottom part 143 of the holder part 140 toward the internal space 141 of the holder part 140. Therefore, when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the holder part 140, the heater part 121 is inserted into the stick-type substrate 150 such that the heater part 121 is stuck into the substrate part 151 of the stick-type substrate 150. Subsequently, when the heater part 121 produces heat, the aerosol source included in the stick-type substrate 150 is heated and atomized from the inside of the stick-type substrate 150, thereby generating the aerosol. The heater part 121 produces heat when the power supply part 111 supplies electric power thereto. As an example, the electric power may be supplied and the aerosol may be generated in the case where the sensor part 112 has detected predetermined user input. The user becomes capable of inhalation when temperature of the stick-type substrate 150 heated by the heater part 121 reaches a predetermined temperature. Subsequently, the supply of the electric power may be stopped in the case where the sensor part 112 has detected predetermined user input or a certain period of time has elapsed. As another example, the electric power may be supplied and the aerosol may be generated during a period in which the sensor part 112 is detecting the user's inhalation.

[0043] The heating performed until the temperature of the temperature of the stick-type substrate 150 reaches the certain temperature is also called preliminary heating. In addition, the certain temperature is also called an inhalable temperature. Time taken until the inhalation temperature is reached will also be referred to as preliminary heating time hereinafter. Heating for maintaining temperature can be performed even after the temperature of the stick-type substrate 150 reaches the inhalable temperature as a result of the preliminary heating.

[0044] The compression parts 160 compress the stick-type substrate 150 held by the holder part 140. In particular, the compression parts 160 compress the stick-type substrate 150 held by the holder part 140 on a portion to be heated, which is a portion heated by the heater part 121, from a periphery of the stick-type substrate 150 to directions 190 of the heater part 121. The substrate part 151 is an example of the portion to be heated. The directions will also be referred to as compression directions 190 hereinafter. A state where the compression parts 160 are compressing the stick-type substrate 150 will also be referred to as a compressed state. A state where the compression parts 160 are not compressing the stick-type substrate 150 will also be referred to as a released state. A detailed configuration of the compression parts 160 will be described hereinafter.

<<2. Configuration of Compression Mechanism>>

(1) Overall Configuration

[0045] An example of a mechanism where the compression parts 160 compress the stick-type substrate 150 will be described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 2 to 5.

[0046] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cross-section of the inhaler device 100 parallel to an insertion/removal direction 191 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross-section of the inhaler device 100 in the released state perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 191 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross-section of the inhaler device 100 in the compressed state perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 191 according to the present embodiment.

[0047] As illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5, the inhaler device 100 includes the compression parts 160 (160A to 160C), the heater part 121, an edge part 171, an inner wall part 172, a first rotary part 174, a second rotary part 175, a first bottom part 177, and a second bottom part 178. These drawings illustrate structural elements relating to the holder part 140, the heater part 121, and the compression parts 160, and other structural elements are omitted.

[0048] The compression directions 190 are set for the plurality of compression parts 160 (160Ato 160C), respectively, included in the inhaler device 100. For example, a compression direction 190A is a direction from the compression part 160A to the heater part 121. A compression direction 190B is a direction from the compression part 160B to the heater part 121. A compression direction 190C is a direction from a compression part 160C to the heater part 121.

[0049] The insertion/removal direction 191 is a direction in which the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into, or removed from, the inhaler device 100. In the insertion/removal direction 191, a direction in which the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted is also called an insertion direction 191A. In the insertion/removal direction 191, a direction in which the stick-type substrate 150 is removed is also called a removal direction 191B. The insertion/removal direction 191 is perpendicular to the plurality of compression directions 190A to 190C. The stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the inhaler device 100 with a longitudinal direction of the stick-type substrate 150 matching the insertion/removal direction 191.

[0050] A direction of rotation about the insertion/removal direction 191 as a rotational axis is also called a rotation direction 192. In the rotation direction 192, a clockwise direction with the insertion direction 191A being faced is also called a right rotation direction 192A. In the rotation direction 192, a counterclockwise direction with the insertion direction 191A being faced is also called a left rotation direction 192B.

[0051] Characteristics relating to the compression parts 160 will be described in detail hereinafter by describing the structural elements illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5 one by one. When the structural elements are described, however, the characteristics relating to the compression part 160A might be described as representative examples. It is needless to say that the compression parts 160B and 160C have the same characteristics as the compression part 160A.

[0052] The edge part 171 is a member that covers an edge of the opening 142 of the holder part 140. The edge part 171 has a cylindrical shape. The edge part 171 is provided at an end of the inner wall part 172 and the second rotary part 175 in the removal direction 191B.

[0053] The inner wall part 172 is a member that constitutes an inner wall of the internal space 141 of the holder part 140. The inner wall part 172 has a cylindrical shape. The inner wall part 172 is provided with first openings 173 (173A to 173C). The first openings 173 are large enough for claws 161 of the compression parts 160 to pass therethrough, respectively. The inner wall part 172 is provided in such a way as to be accommodated inside an upper part 175B of the second rotary part 175 having a cylindrical shape in the removal direction 191B. In particular, the inner wall part 172 is provided such that positions of the first openings 173 and positions of the second openings 176 provided in the upper part 175B of the second rotary part 175 match. A space inside the inner wall part 172 corresponds to the internal space 141 of the holder part 140.

[0054] The first rotary part 174 is a member rotatable in the rotation direction 192. The first rotary part 174 has a cylindrical shape. The first rotary part 174 is provided in such a way as to cover a periphery of the upper part 175B of the second rotary part 175. Inner wall surfaces 179 of the first rotary part 174 are formed such that the height thereof in the compression directions 190 changes along the rotation direction 192.

[0055] The second rotary part 175 is a member rotatable in the rotation direction 192. The second rotary part 175 includes the upper part 175B, which is a part located in the removal direction 191B, and a lower part 175A, which is a part located in the insertion direction 191A. The upper part 175B and the lower part 175A each have a cylindrical shape. An outer diameter of a cross-section of the upper part 175B is smaller than that of a cross-section of the lower part 175A. In particular, the outer diameter of the cross-section of the upper part 175B is smaller than that of a cross-section of the first rotary part 174. The second rotary part 175 is provided such that the upper part 175B is accommodated inside the first rotary part 174. The outer diameter of the cross-section of the lower part 175A, on the other hand, is typically the same or substantially the same as that of the cross-section of the first rotary part 174. As a result, a step at a boundary between a periphery of the lower part 175A and a periphery of the first rotary part 174 is minimized. The second openings 176 (176A to 176C) are provided for the upper part 175B. The second openings 176 are large enough for the claws 161 of the compression parts 160 to pass therethrough, respectively.

[0056] The first rotary part 174 and the second rotary part 175 rotate in opposite directions. When the first rotary part 174 and the second rotary part 175 rotate, the compression parts 160 compress or release the stick-type substrate 150. It is assumed in the following description that the second rotary part 175 is fixed and the first rotary part 174 is rotated in the right rotation direction 192A or the left rotation direction 192B. The first rotary part 174 and the second rotary part 175 may be manually rotated by the user, instead. Alternatively, the first rotary part 174 and the second rotary part 175 may be automatically rotated by a mechanism, which is not illustrated, such as a motor.

[0057] The first bottom part 177 and the second bottom part 178 are members constituting an end of the inhaler device 100 in the insertion direction 191A. The first bottom part 177 and the second bottom part 178 are fitted together with a tip of the heater part 121 protruding from the first bottom part 177 and the heater part 121 sandwiched between the first bottom part 177 and the second bottom part 178. The first bottom part 177 and the second bottom part 178 are then fitted into the lower part 175A of the second rotary part 175 with the tip of the heater part 121, which protrudes from the first bottom part 177, fitted into an internal space of the inner wall part 172 provided inside the upper part 175B of the second rotary part 175.

[0058] The heater part 121 is disposed such that the tip thereof protrudes into the internal space of the inner wall part 172. When the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the internal space of the inner wall part 172, the tip of the heater part 121 sticks into the substrate part 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 and is inserted into the stick-type substrate 150. The heater part 121 can heat the aerosol source contained in the substrate elements therearound by producing heat.

[0059] The inhaler device 100 according to the present configuration includes the three compression parts 160, namely the compression parts 160A to 160C, as the compression parts 160. The three compression parts 160 compress the stick-type substrate 150 from three different directions. With this configuration, all the plurality of compression parts 160 can compress the stick-type substrate 150 regardless of a position and an orientation of the stick-type substrate 150 in the internal space 141 of the holder part 140.

[0060] The compression parts 160 include the claws 161 and bases 162. The claws 161 are plate-shaped members extending in the insertion/removal direction 191 and the compression directions 190. The bases 162 are stick-shaped members extending in the insertion/removal direction 191. The compression parts 160 are disposed such that the bases 162 come into contact with the inner wall surfaces 179 of the first rotary part 174 and positions of the claws 161 and positions of the first openings 173 and the second openings 176 matching, respectively. A mechanism, such as springs, for generating resilience to the compression parts 160 in directions opposite the compression directions 190 is provided between the compression parts 160 and the second rotary part 175.

[0061] The compression parts 160 compress the stick-type substrate 150 by moving in the compression directions 190. More specifically, when the first rotary part 174 rotates, the bases 162 slide on the inner wall surfaces 179 of the first rotary part 174. As a result, positions of the compression parts 160 in the compression directions 190 change in accordance with changes in the height of the inner wall surfaces 179 in the compression directions 190.

[0062] Here, the height of the inner wall surfaces 179 of the first rotary part 174 in the compression directions 190 is greater in the right rotation direction 192A and smaller in the left rotation direction 192B for each of the plurality of compression parts 160. For example, the height of an internal wall 179A, with which a base 162A of the compression part 160A is in contact, in the compression directions 190 is greater in the right rotation direction 192A and smaller in the left rotation direction 192B.

[0063] When the first rotary part 174 rotates in the left rotation direction 192B, therefore, the height of the inner wall surfaces 179 at positions at which the bases 162 are in contact with the inner wall surfaces 179 gradually increases, and the compression parts 160 move in the compression directions 190. When the first rotary part 174 rotates in the left rotation direction 192B, for example, the height of the internal wall 179A at a position at which the base 162A of the compression part 160A is in contact with the internal wall 179A gradually increases, and the compression part 160A moves in the compression direction 190A. As a result, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the claws 161 pass through the first openings 173 and the second openings 176 and press the stick-type substrate 150. For example, a claw 161A of the compression part 160A passes through the first opening 173A and the second opening 176A and presses the stick-type substrate 150.

[0064] When the first rotary part 174 rotates in the right rotation direction 192A, on the other hand, the height of the inner wall surfaces 179 at the positions at which the bases 162 are in contact with the inner wall surfaces 179 gradually decreases. As a result, the compression parts 160 move in the directions opposite the compression directions 190 due to resilience generated by the mechanism, such as springs, provided between the compression parts 160 and the second rotary part 175. When the first rotary part 174 rotates in the right rotation direction 192A, for example, the height of the internal wall 179A at the position at which the base 162A of the compression part 160A is in contact with the internal wall 179A gradually decreases, and the compression part 160A moves in the direction opposite the compression direction 190A. As a result, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the claws 161 pass through the first openings 173 and the second openings 176 and separate from the stick-type substrate 150. For example, the claw 161A of the compression part 160A passes through the first opening 173A and the second opening 176A and separates from the stick-type substrate 150.

(2) Shape of Tips of Compression Parts 160

[0065] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cross-section of one of the compression parts 160 perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 191 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 6, a shape of a cross-section of a tip surface of the compression part 160 (the claw 161, more accurately) in the compression direction 190 may be a convex. In particular, the shape of the cross-section of the tip surface of the compression part 160 (the claw 161, more specifically) in the compression direction 190 may be a convex arc. Any dimensions may be employed with a width of an arc of the tip surface of the claw 161, a radius of the arc of the tip surface of the claw 161, a compression length, and a roll diameter of the substrate part 151 denoted by W_C, R_C, L_C, and D_S, respectively. The compression length Lc refers to a length over which, during the compression performed by the compression part 160, the tip surface of the compression part 160 (the claw 161, more specifically) travels after coming into contact with the periphery of the substrate part 151. For example, the dimensions can be set as in the following Table 1.

[Table 1]

Table 1. Examples of dimensions when the shape of the tips of the compression parts 160 is a convex
Dimension name	WC	RC	LC	DS
C1	2 mm	1 mm	0.5 mm	7.1 mm
C2	2 mm	1 mm	1 mm	7.1 mm

[0066] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the cross-section of one of the compression parts 160 perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 191 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the shape of the cross-section of the tip surface of the compression part 160 (the claw 161, more accurately) in the compression direction 190 may be a concave, instead. In particular, the shape of the cross-section of the tip surface of the compression part 160 (the claw 161, more specifically) in the compression direction 190 may be a concave arc. Any dimensions may be employed with the width of the arc of the tip surface of the claw 161, the radius of the arc of the tip surface of the claw 161, the compression length, and the roll diameter of the substrate part 151 denoted by W_C, R_C, L_C, and D_S, respectively. Two ends of the concave arc of the tip surface of the claw 161 may be formed in shapes of convex arcs. Any dimensions may be employed with radii of the arcs at the two ends of the arc of the tip surface of the claw 161 denoted by R_H. For example, the dimensions can be set as in the following Table 2.

[Table 2]

Table 2. Examples of dimensions when the shape of the tips of the compression parts 160 is a concave
Dimension name	WC	RC	RH	LC	DS
C3	5 mm	3 mm	0.1-0.2 mm	0.5 mm	7.1 mm
C4	4 mm	2.5 mm	0.1-0.2 mm	1 mm	7.1 mm

(3) Timings of Compression and Heating

[0067] In the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment, the heating performed by the heater part 121 or the compression performed by the compression parts 160 starts on the basis of a start of the other. In an example, the inhaler device 100 starts the compression performed by the compression parts 160 on the basis of a start of the heating performed by the heater part 121. In this case, the compression performed by the compression parts 160 is automatically performed. In another example, the inhaler device 100 starts the preliminary heating performed by the heater part 121 on the basis of a start of the compression performed by the compression parts 160. In this case, the compression performed by the compression parts 160 may be performed manually or automatically.

[0068] When there are gaps between the heater part 121 and the substrate elements, thermal conductivity from the heater part 121 to the entirety of the substrate part 151 decreases, which makes it difficult to generate the aerosol efficiently. If the compression and the heating are simultaneously performed, however, area of contact between the heater part 121 and the substrate elements increases, thereby improving the thermal conductivity.

[0069] When there are gaps between the substrate elements in the substrate part 151, thermal conductivity from the heater part 121 to the entirety of the substrate part 151 decreases, which makes it difficult to generate the aerosol efficiently. If the compression and the heating are simultaneously performed, however, density of the substrate elements in the substrate part 151 can be increased, thereby improving the thermal conductivity.

[0070] By improving the thermal conductivity, a temperature raising effect of the substrate part 151 improves, thereby reducing the preliminary heating time. That is, the quality of the user's inhalation experience can be improved.

[0071] In addition, when a certain period of time has elapsed since a start of the compression performed by the compression parts 160, the inhaler device 100 stops the compression performed by the compression parts 160. In other words, the inhaler device 100 limits compression time to the certain period of time. The compression time refers to a period of time until the compression performed by the compression parts 160 stops after the start thereof. With this configuration, as described in detail later with reference to results of experiments, the temperature raising effect of the substrate part 151 can be improved, the amount of aerosol in the composition of an inhaled gas can be improved, and adhesion and slipping out can be reduced. That is, the quality of the user's inhalation experience can be improved.

<<3. Preferred Configuration Based on Results of Experiments>>

[0072] The inventors conducted various experiments on the compression performed by the compression parts 160 and established a preferred configuration of the inhaler device 100. First, an experiment environment common to the experiments will be described hereinafter. The results of the experiments and the preferred configuration of the inhaler device 100 will then be described.

[0073] The dimensions of the compression parts 160 are one of the above-described dimensions C1 to C4. Effective pressure of the compression parts 160 is presumably 25 N, and pressure is 0.4 Mpa. A material of the compression parts 160 is SSUS (stainless steel) or PEEK (polyether ether ketone).

[0074] The heater part 121 is a columnar ceramic heater having a diameter of 2.5 mm The temperature of the heater part 121 during heating is 350°C. The temperature of the heater part 121 increases from about 25°C to 350°C. The temperature of the heater part 121 increases to 350°C in a moment without the stick-type substrate 150 inserted into the inhaler device 100. With the stick-type substrate 150 inserted into the inhaler device 100, on the other hand, it takes about 10 seconds for the temperature of the heater part 121 to increase to 350°C. The temperature sensor inserted into the substrate part 151 detects the temperature of the substrate part 151.

[0075] A machine gives a simulated puff with a flow rate of 55 cc per 2 seconds. The puff is given every 30 seconds. The aerosol source is glycerin. The amount of aerosol in the composition of a gas that has been inhaled (hereinafter also referred to as an inhaled gas) is analyzed through gas chromatography.

[0076] Each of the results of the experiments described hereinafter is an average of results of three experiments conducted in the same environment using the same method.

- Experiments on Tear

[0077] The inventors conducted experiments for examining how a tear occurs when the compression parts 160 perform compression. A tear refers to a phenomenon where the rolling paper of the stick-type substrate 150 gets torn.

[0078] An experiment method and an experiment environment will be described. The inventors examined how a tear occurred in the inhaler device 100 that employed one of the various dimensions shown in the above Table 1 and Table 2 at a time when the compression parts 160 started compression and then released after 15 seconds. Temperature was 22°C. Humidity was 50%. The following Table 3 shows results of the experiments.

[Table 3]

Table 3. Result of experiments on a tear
Tip shape	DS'	State
C1 (convex)	6.1 mm	Trace of having been pressed, but no tear
C2 (convex)	5.1 mm	Torn
C3 (concave)	6.0 mm	Trace of having been pressed, but no tear
C4 (concave)	5.0 mm	Torn

[0079] Ds' in Table 3 denotes the roll diameter of the substrate part 151 after being compressed.

[0080] According to Table 3, in the cases of the dimensions C1 and the dimensions C3, the stick-type substrate 150 had a trace of having been pressed, but was not torn. In the case of the dimensions C2 and C4, on the other hand, the stick-type substrate 150 got torn. The tear occurred at a position where hardness changed in the longitudinal direction of the stick-type substrate 150. The change in hardness is caused by different contents.

[0081] According to the results of the experiments, when the roll diameter of the stick-type substrate 150 is 7.1 mm, the compression length Lc is desirably smaller than or equal to 1 mm This is because a tear occurs when the compression length Lc exceeds 1 mm. In addition, according to the results of the experiments, the compression length Lc is more desirably smaller than or equal to 0.5 mm This is because a tear does not occur when the compression length Lc is smaller than or equal to 0.5 mm The compression length Lc may be changed as necessary in accordance with the roll diameter Ds of the stick-type substrate 150.

- Experiments on Material

[0082] The inventors conducted experiments for examining a relationship between a material of the compression parts 160 and the temperature raising effect.

[0083] An experiment method and an experiment environment will be described. The inventors checked temporal changes in the temperature of the substrate part 151 after the heater part 121 started the preliminary heating, while changing the material of the compression parts 160 and presence or absence of the compression. Temperature was 22°C. Humidity was 60%.

[0084] Fig. 8 is a graph illustrating results of the experiments with the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment. A horizontal axis of a graph 200 represents the preliminary heating time. The preliminary heating time refers to time elapsed since a start of the preliminary heating. A vertical axis of the graph 200 represents the temperature of an outermost layer (i.e., the rolling paper) of a heated portion of the substrate part 151. The graph 200 includes lines 201 to 203. The line 201 indicates results of experiments at a time when compression parts 160 composed of SUS (stainless steel) had not performed the compression. The line 202 indicates results of experiments at a time when the compression parts 160 composed of SUS (stainless steel) had performed the compression. A line 203 indicates results of experiments at a time when compression parts 160 composed of PEEK had performed the compression.

[0085] It can be seen by comparing the line 201 and the line 202 that, in a period 204 from 0 to about 18 seconds after the start of the preliminary heating, the temperature of the substrate part 151 is higher with the line 202 than with the line 201 at the same time point. That is, in the period 204, the temperature raising effect of the substrate part 151 can be produced by performing the compression using the compression parts 160 composed of SUS (stainless steel).

[0086] It can be seen by comparing the line 201 and the line 203 that, in a period 205 from 0 to about 70 seconds after the start of the preliminary heating, the temperature of the substrate part 151 is higher with the line 203 than with the line 201 at the same time point. That is, in the period 205, the temperature raising effect of the substrate part 151 can be produced by performing the compression using the compression parts 160 composed of PEEK.

[0087] As indicated by the above-described results of the experiments, the compression parts 160 are desirably composed of a heat-resistant material. An example of the heat-resistant material is a metal material such as SUS (stainless steel). Another example of the heat-resistant material is a non-metal material such as PEEK. With this configuration, the temperature raising effect of the substrate part 151 can be produced.

[0088] It can be seen by comparing the line 202 and the line 203 that the temperature of the substrate part 151 is generally higher with the line 203 than with the line 202 at the same time point. That is, a higher temperature raising effect can be produced when the material of the compression parts 160 is PEEK than when the material of the compression parts 160 is SUS (stainless steel). This difference is presumably due to thermal conductivity. Thermal conductivity of SUS (stainless steel) is 236 Wm^-1°C^-1. Thermal conductivity of PEEK is 0.25 WM^-1°C^-1.

- Experiments for Checking Temperature Raising Effect Based on Compression

[0089] The inventors conducted experiments for examining a relationship between the compression time and the temperature raising effect.

[0090] An experiment method and an experiment environment will be described. The inventors checked temporal changes in the temperature of the substrate part 151 after the heater part 121 starts the preliminary heating, while changing presence or absence of the compression performed by the compression parts 160, the compression time, a start timing of the compression, and the shape of the tips of the compression parts 160. Temperature was 22°C. Humidity was 60%. The compression parts 160 were composed of SUS (stainless steel).

[0091] Fig. 9 is a graph illustrating results of the experiments with the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment. A horizontal axis of a graph 210 represents time elapsed since the start of the preliminary heating. A vertical axis of the graph 210 represents the temperature of the outermost layer (i.e., the rolling paper) of the heated portion of the substrate part 151. The graph 210 includes lines 211 to 217. The line 211 indicates results of experiments at a time when compression parts 160 had not performed the compression. The line 212 indicates results of experiments at a time when the compression parts 160 whose tips had a shape of a convex had constantly performed the compression. The line 213 indicates results of experiments at a time when the compression parts 160 whose tips had a shape of a convex had performed the compression for 5 seconds from the start of the preliminary heating. The line 214 indicates results of experiments at a time when the compression parts 160 whose tips had a shape of a convex had performed the compression for 10 seconds from the start of the preliminary heating. The line 215 indicates results of experiments at a time when the compression parts 160 whose tips had a shape of a convex had performed the compression for 20 seconds from the start of the preliminary heating. The line 216 indicates results of experiments at a time when compression parts 160 whose tips had a shape of a concave had performed the compression for 5 seconds from the start of the preliminary heating. The line 217 indicates results of experiments at a time when the compression parts 160 whose tips had a shape of a convex had performed the compression for 5 seconds before the start of the preliminary heating.

[0092] It can be seen by comparing the line 211 and the line 217 that the temperature of the substrate part 151 is generally higher with the line 211 than with the line 217 at the same time point. It can be seen, on the other hand, by comparing the line 211 and the lines 212 to 216 that the temperature of the substrate part 151 is generally higher with the lines 212 to 216 than with the line 211 at the same time point. That is, the temperature raising effect of the substrate part 151 can be produced by performing the compression using the compression parts 160 after, not before, the start of the preliminary heating (e.g., at the same time as the start of the preliminary heating).

[0093] According to the above results of the experiments, the compression parts 160 desirably perform the compression during the preliminary heating. The inhaler device 100, therefore, matches a start timing of the heating performed by the heater part 121 and the start timing of the compression performed by the compression parts 160. That is, the inhaler device 100 simultaneously starts the preliminary heating performed by the heater part 121 and the compression performed by the compression parts 160. With this configuration, a preferable temperature raising effect can be produced. It is needless to say that the inhaler device 100 need not necessarily match the start timing of the heating performed by the heater part 121 and the start timing of the compression performed by the compression parts 160, and it is only required that the start timing of the heating and the start timing of the compression substantially match. "Substantially match" here refers to a case where a difference between the start timing of the heating and the start timing of the compression is shorter than or equal to 1 second. With this configuration, too, the same temperature raising effect can be produced.

[0094] It can be seen by comparing the line 211 and the lines 212 to 216 that the temperature of the substrate part 151 is generally higher with the lines 212 to 216 than with the line 211 at the same time point. Temperature differences are relatively small in a period (e.g., a period 218 until 22 seconds after the start of the preliminary heating) immediately after the start of the preliminary heating. In a period 219, which is 40 seconds or more after the start of the preliminary heating, the temperature differences are relatively large. That is, the temperature raising effect can be produced not just during the compression but for a long period of time after the releasing.

[0095] It can also be seen, however, by comparing the line 211 and the line 212 that the temperature of the substrate part 151 is higher with the line 212 than with the line 211 at the same time point until 70 seconds after the start of the preliminary heating, but higher with the line 211 than with the line 212 70 seconds or more after the start of the preliminary heating. That is, when the compression is constantly performed, it is difficult to product the temperature raising effect 70 second or more after the start of the preliminary heating.

[0096] Furthermore, it can be seen by comparing the line 212 and the lines 213 to 216 that the temperature of the substrate part 151 is generally higher with the lines 213 to 216 than with the line 212 at the same time point. That is, a higher temperature raising effect can be produced by releasing at an appropriate timing after the compression than by constantly performing the compression.

[0097] The inhaler device 100, therefore, stops the compression performed by the compression parts 160 when a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of the compression performed by the compression parts 160. In an example, since the temperature of the substrate part 151 is the highest with the line 214 at the same time point among the lines 213 to 215, the compression time is desirably about 10 seconds when the shape of the tips of the compression parts 160 is a convex. In another example, when the shape of the tips of the compression parts 160 is a concave, the compression time is desirably about 5 seconds. With this configuration, the temperature raising effect of the substrate part 151 can be produced.

- Experiments on Amount of Aerosol in Composition of Inhaled Gas at Initial Puff

[0098] The inventors conducted experiments for examining a relationship between the compression time and the amount of aerosol in an inhaled gas at an initial puff. The initial puff refers to a first puff.

[0099] An experiment method and an experiment environment will be described. The inventors checked the amount of aerosol in the composition of an inhaled gas at the initial puff while changing presence or absence of the compression performed by the compression parts 160, the compression time, and the shape of the tips of the compression parts 160. Temperature was 22 °C. Humidity was 60%.

[0100] Fig. 10 is a graph illustrating results of experiments with the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment. A horizontal axis of a graph 220 represents the preliminary heating time. A vertical axis of the graph 220 represents the amount of aerosol in the composition of the inhaled gas at the initial puff. The graph 220 includes lines 221 to 224. The line 221 indicates results of experiments at a time when the compression parts 160 had not performed the compression. The line 222 indicates results of experiments at a time when the compression parts 160 whose tips had a shape of a convex had performed the compression for 5 seconds from the start of the preliminary heating. The line 223 indicates results of experiments at a time when the compression parts 160 whose tips had a shape of a convex had performed the compression for 10 seconds from the start of the preliminary heating. The line (point) 224 indicates results of experiments at a time when the compression parts 160 whose tips had a shape of a concave had performed the compression for 5 seconds from the start of the preliminary heating.

[0101] It can be seen by comparing the line 221 and the line 223 that, when the preliminary heating is performed for 20 seconds or longer, the amount of aerosol in the composition of the inhaled gas is larger with the line 223 than with the line 221. When the preliminary heating is performed for 20 seconds or longer, the amount of aerosol in the composition of the inhaled gas can be increased by performing, for 10 seconds from the start of the preliminary heating, the compression using the compression parts 160 whose tips have a shape of a convex.

[0102] It can be seen by comparing the line 221 and the line 224 that, when the preliminary heating is performed for 15 seconds, the amount of aerosol in the composition of the inhaled gas is larger with the line 224 than with the line 221. That is, when the preliminary heating is performed for 15 seconds, the amount of aerosol in the composition of the inhaled gas can be increased by performing, for 5 seconds from the start of the preliminary heating, the compression using the compression parts 160 whose tips have a shape of a concave.

- Experiments on Changes in Amount of Aerosol in Composition of Inhaled Gas

[0103] The inventors conducted experiments for examining a relationship between the compression time and changes in the amount of aerosol in the composition of an inhaled gas. The changes in the amount of aerosol in the composition of the inhaled gas refer to changes in the amount of aerosol in the composition of an inhaled gas over a plurality of puffs.

[0104]  An experiment method and an experiment environment will be described. The inventors checked a change in the amount of aerosol in the composition of an inhaled gas at each puff while changing presence or absence of the compression performed by the compression parts 160, the compression time, the shape of the tips of the compression parts 160, and a start timing of the puff. Temperature was 22°C. Humidity was 60%.

[0105] Fig. 11 is a graph illustrating results of experiments with the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment. A horizontal axis of a graph 230 represents the number of puffs. A vertical axis of the graph 230 represents the amount of aerosol in the composition of the inhaled gas at each puff. The graph 230 includes lines 231 to 234. The line 231 indicates results of experiments at a time when the compression parts 160 had not performed the compression and the puff had started 15 seconds after a start of the preliminary heating. The line 232 indicates results of experiments at a time when the compression parts 160 had not performed the compression and the puff had started 20 seconds after a start of the preliminary heating. The line 233 indicates results of experiments at a time when compression parts 160 whose tips had a shape of a convex had performed the compression for 10 seconds from a start of the preliminary heating and the puff had started 20 seconds after the start of the preliminary heating (i.e., 10 seconds after a stop of the compression). The line 234 indicates results of experiments at a time when the compression parts 160 whose tips had a shape of a concave had performed the compression for 5 seconds from the start of the preliminary heating and the puff had started 15 seconds after a start of the preliminary heating (i.e., 10 seconds after a stop of the compression).

[0106] It can be seen by comparing the line 231, the line 232, and the line 233 that the amount of aerosol in the composition of the inhaled gas with the same number of puffs is generally larger with the line 233 than with the line 231 or the line 232. That is, by performing the compression using the compression parts 160 whose tips have a shape of a convex, the amount of aerosol in the composition of the inhaled gas at a plurality of puffs can be increased.

[0107] It can be seen by comparing the line 231, the line 232, and the line 234 that the amount of aerosol in the composition of the inhaled gas with the same number of puffs is generally larger with the line 234 than with the line 231 or the line 232. That is, by performing the compression using the compression parts 160 whose tips have a shape of a concave, the amount of aerosol in the composition of the inhaled gas at a plurality of puffs can be increased.

- Experiments on Adhesion and Slipping Out

[0108] The inventors conducted experiments for examining how adhesion and slipping out occurred when the compression parts 160 performed the compression.

[0109] Slipping out refers to a case where the substrate elements slip out of the stick-type substrate 150 that has been removed from the inhaler device 100. When slipping out occurs, the substrate elements slip out of the stick-type substrate 150 after use and scatter. A degree of slipping out, therefore, is desirably low.

[0110] Adhesion refers to a case where the substrate elements adhere to the heater part 121. When adhesion occurs, the user needs to perform cleaning for removing the substrate elements that have adhered to the inhaler device 100 from the inhaler device 100. In addition, when adhesion occurs, the amount of aerosol in the composition of an inhaled gas decreases. Furthermore, when adhesion occurs, a burnt smell is caused. Because of these circumstances, a degree of adhesion is desirably low.

[0111] An experiment method and an experiment environment will be described. The inventors checked a state of the stick-type substrate 150 after use while changing the compression time of the compression parts 160 and the shape of the tips of the compression parts 160. The inventors started the compression performed by the compression parts 160 at the same time as the preliminary heating performed by the heater part 121, stopped the heating 15 seconds after the compression stopped and a released state was established, removed the stick-type substrate 150 from the inhaler device 100, and checked the state of the stick-type substrate 150. The material of the compression parts 160 was PEEK. The dimensions of the compression parts 160 were the dimensions C1 or the dimensions C3. Temperature was 22°C. Humidity was 50%. The following Table 4 shows results of the experiments.

[Table 4]

Table 4. Results of experiments on adhesion and slipping out
Tip shape	Compression time	Slipping out level	Adhesion level
C1 (convex)	30 sec	1	1
	60 sec	1	1
	70 sec	3	3
C3 (concave)	5 sec	1	1
	10 sec	2	2
	15 sec	3	3
	30 sec	3	3
	60 sec	3	3

[0112] A slipping out level is an index value indicating a degree of slipping out. A slipping out level of "1" indicates that no slipping out has occurred. A slipping out level of "2" indicates that a low degree of slipping out has occurred. A slipping out level of "3" indicates that a high degree of slipping out has occurred.

[0113] An adhesion level is an index value indicating a degree of adhesion. An adhesion level of "1" indicates that no adhesion has occurred. An adhesion level "2" indicates that a low degree of adhesion has occurred. An adhesion level of "3" indicates that a high degree of adhesion has occurred.

[0114] Fig. 12 is a diagram expressing Table 4 as a graph. A horizontal axis of a graph 240 represents the compression time. A vertical axis of the graph 240 represents the adhesion level and the slipping out level. The graph 240 includes a line 241 and a line 242. The line 241 indicates results of experiments at a time when compression parts 160 whose tips had a shape of a convex had performed the compression. That is, the line 241 is obtained by graphing results of experiments on Table 4 at a time when the dimensions C1 (convex) were employed for the shape of the tips. The line 242 indicates results of experiments at a time when a compression parts 160 whose tips had a shape of a concave had performed the compression. That is, the line 242 is obtained by graphing results of experiments on Table 4 at a time when the dimensions C3 (concave) were employed for the shape of the tips.

[0115] It can be seen from the line 241 that when the compression time at a time when the compression parts 160 whose tips have a shape of a convex perform the compression is 70 seconds or longer, high degrees of slipping out and adhesion occur. The compression time, therefore, is desirably 70 seconds or shorter. With this configuration, excessive slipping out and adhesion can be prevented.

[0116] It can be seen from the line 241 that when the compression time at a time when the compression parts 160 whose tips have a shape of a convex perform the compression is 60 seconds or shorter, slipping out and adhesion do not occur. The compression time, therefore, is desirably 60 seconds or shorter. With this configuration, slipping out and adhesion can be prevented.

[0117]  It can be seen from the line 242 that when the compression time at a time when the compression parts 160 whose tips have a shape of a concave perform the compression is 15 seconds or longer, high degrees of slipping out and adhesion occur. The compression time, therefore, is desirably 15 seconds or shorter. With this configuration, excessive slipping out and adhesion can be prevented.

[0118] It can be seen from the line 242 that when the compression time at a time when the compression parts 160 whose tips have a shape of a concave perform the compression is 10 seconds or shorter, low degrees of slipping out and adhesion occur. The compression time, therefore, is desirably 10 seconds or shorter. With this configuration, slipping out and adhesion can be suppressed, if not prevented.

[0119] It can be seen by comparing the line 241 and the line 242 that degrees of slipping out and adhesion with the same compression time are lower when the shape of the tips of the compression parts 160 is a convex than when the shape of the tips of the compression parts 160 is a concave. The shape of the tips of the compression parts 160, therefore, is desirably a convex. With this configuration, slipping out and adhesion can be suppressed, if not prevented.

<<4. Process Flow>>

[0120] Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a process performed by the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0121] As illustrated in Fig. 13, first, the inhaler device 100 determines whether a user operation for requesting a start of preliminary heating has been detected (step S102). If it is determined that a user operation for requesting a start of preliminary heating has not been detected (step S102: NO), the process returns to step S102 again. If it is determined that a user operation for requesting a start of preliminary heating has been detected (step S102: NO), the inhaler device 100 starts preliminary heating performed by the heater part 121 along with compression performed by the compression parts 160 (step S104).

[0122] Next, the inhaler device 100 determines whether a first certain period of time has elapsed since the start of the preliminary heating and the compression (step S106). If it is determined that the first certain period of time has not elapsed (step S106: NO), the process returns to step S106 again. If it is determined that the first certain period of time has elapsed (step S106: YES), the inhaler device 100 stops the compression performed by the compression parts 160 (step S108). The first certain period of time can be set as desired on the basis of the results of the experiment on the compression time.

[0123] Next, the inhaler device 100 determines whether a second certain period of time has elapsed since the start of the preliminary heating and the compression (step S110). If it is determined that the second certain period of time has not elapsed (step S110: NO), the process returns to step S110 again. If it is determined that the second certain period of time has elapsed (step S110: YES), the inhaler device 100 stops the heating performed by the heater part 121 (step S112). The second certain period of time may be set as desired as, for example, a value larger than or equal to the first certain period of time.

<<5. Addenda>>

[0124] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to this example. It is obvious that those who have common knowledge in the technical field of the present invention can conceive various modifications and corrections within a scope of technical ideas described in the claims, and these modifications and corrections should naturally be considered to belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0125] Although a convex arc and a concave arc have been mentioned as examples of the shape of the tips of the claws 161 in the above embodiment, for example, the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, the shape of the tips of the claws 161 may be a level surface or a sphere, instead. In addition, the dimensions of the claws 161 are not limited to the examples shown on Table 1 and Table 2. The various dimensions shown on Table 1 and Table 2, for example, may be increased or decreased with proportions thereof fixed.

[0126] Although results of experiments at a time when the temperature of the heater part 121 during heating is 350°C have been described above, for example, the temperature of the heater part 121 during heating is not limited to 350°C. In an example, the temperature of the heater part 121 during heating may be 310°C. It is needless to say that the temperature of the heater part 121 during heating may be 300°C, 320°C, or any other temperature or may temporally change in accordance with a period of time that has elapsed since the start of the heating.

[0127] Although an example where the inhaler device 100 stops the compression performed by the compression parts 160 when a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of the compression performed by the compression parts 160 has been described in the above embodiment, for example, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the inhaler device 100 may control the timing at which the compression performed by the compression parts 160 is stopped on the basis of the number of times that the user has inhaled the aerosol, instead. More specifically, the inhaler device 100 may continue the compression performed by the compression parts 160 until the number of puffs reaches a certain value, and then stop the compression performed by the compression parts 160 and release the stick-type substrate 150 when the number of puffs reaches the certain value. As described above with reference to the results of the experiments, a higher temperature raising effect can be produced when the stick-type substrate 150 is released at an appropriate timing after being compressed than when the stick-type substrate 150 is constantly compressed. One of factors of this is that when the stick-type substrate 150 is released, thermal conductivity to the claws 161 is reduced and the temperature of the stick-type substrate 150 increases. It is also considered that as the number of puffs increases, the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150 is consumed and reduced, and the amount of aerosol generated decreases. With this configuration, however, the decrease in the amount of aerosol generated due to the increase in the number of puffs can be offset by an increase in the amount of aerosol generated due to an increase in temperature caused by the releasing of the stick-type substrate 150, and a decrease in the amount of aerosol in the composition of the inhaled gas can be suppressed. A deterioration in flavor over time after the heating starts, therefore, can be prevented, and the quality of the user's inhalation experience can be improved.

[0128] The series of processing performed by the apparatuses described herein may be achieved using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Programs constituting the software are stored in advance in storage media (non-transitory media) provided inside or outside the apparatuses. Each of the programs is, when executed by a computer, for example, loaded into a RAM and executed by a processor such as a CPU. The storage media are, for example, magnetic disks, optical discs, magneto-optical disks, flash memories, or the like. The computer programs may be distributed over a network, for example, without using storage media, instead.

[0129] The process described herein using a flowchart or a sequence diagram need not necessarily be performed in illustrated order. Some processing steps may be performed in parallel with one another. Additional processing steps may also be employed, and some processing steps may be omitted.

Reference Signs List

[0130] 

100

inhaler device

111

power supply part

112

sensor part

113

notification part

114

memory part

115

communication part

116

control part

121

heater part

140

holder part

141

internal space

142

opening

143

bottom part

150

stick-type substrate

151

substrate part

152

inhalation port part

160

compression parts

161

claws

162

bases

171

edge part

172

inner wall part

173

first openings

174

first rotary part

175

second rotary part

176

second openings

177

first bottom part

178

second bottom part

179

inner wall surfaces

190

compression directions

191

insertion/removal direction

191A

insertion direction

191B

removal direction

192

rotation direction

192A

right rotation direction

192B

left rotation direction

Claims

1. An inhaler device that generates, by heating a substrate, an aerosol to be inhaled by a user, the inhaler device comprising:

a heater part that is inserted into an inside of the substrate inserted into an internal space formed in the inhaler device and that heats the substrate;

a compression part that compresses a portion to be heated, which is a portion of the substrate to be heated by the heater part, from a periphery of the substrate to a direction of the heater part; and

a control part that starts the heating performed by the heater part or the compression performed by the compression part on a basis of a start of the other.

2. The inhaler device according to claim 1,
wherein the control part matches, or substantially matches, a start timing of the heating performed by the heater part and a start timing of the compression performed by the compression part.

3. The inhaler device according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the compression part compresses the substrate by moving to the direction of the heater part.

4. The inhaler device according to claim 3,
wherein a shape of a cross-section of a tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part is a convex.

5. The inhaler device according to claim 4,
wherein the shape of the cross-section of the tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part is a convex arc.

6. The inhaler device according to claim 5,
wherein the shape of the cross-section of the tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part is a convex arc having a radius of 1 mm and a width of 2 mm

7. The inhaler device according to claim 3,
wherein a shape of a cross-section of a tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part is a concave.

8. The inhaler device according to claim 7,
wherein the shape of the cross-section of the tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part is a concave arc.

9. The inhaler device according to claim 8,
wherein the shape of the cross-section of the tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part is a concave arc having a radius of 3 mm and a width of 5 mm.

10. The inhaler device according to claim 8,
wherein the shape of the cross-section of the tip surface of the compression part in the direction of the heater part is a concave arc having a radius of 2.5 mm and a width of 5 mm

11. The inhaler device according to any of claims 3 to 10,

wherein a roll diameter of the substrate is 7.1 mm, and

wherein, during the compression performed by the compression part, a length over which the tip surface of the compression part travels after coming into contact with the periphery of the substrate is 1 mm or shorter.

12. The inhaler device according to any of claims 3 to 11,

wherein the inhaler device includes three of the compression part, and

wherein the three compression parts compress the substrate from three different directions.

13. The inhaler device according to any of claims 1 to 12,
wherein the compression part is composed of a heat-resistant material.

14. The inhaler device according to any of claims 1 to 13,
wherein the control part sets time from the start to an end of the compression performed by the compression part at 70 seconds or shorter.

15. The inhaler device according to any of claims 1 to 13,
wherein the control part sets time from the start to an end of the compression performed by the compression part at 10 seconds or shorter.

16. The inhaler device according to any of claims 1 to 15,
wherein the control part controls, on a basis of a number of times that the user has inhaled the aerosol, a timing at which the compression performed by the compression part stops.

17. An information processing method performed by an inhaler device that generates, by heating a substrate, an aerosol to be inhaled by a user and that includes

a heater part which is inserted into an inside of the substrate inserted into an internal space formed in the inhaler device and which heats the substrate, and

a compression part which compresses a portion to be heated, which is a portion of the substrate to be heated by the heater part, from a periphery of the substrate to a direction of the heater part,

the information processing method comprising:
starting the heating performed by the heater part or the compression performed by the compression part on a basis of a start of the other.

18. A program for causing a computer, which controls an inhaler device that generates, by heating a substrate, an aerosol to be inhaled by a user, and that includes

a heater part which is inserted into an inside of the substrate inserted into an internal space formed in the inhaler device and which heats the substrate, and

a compression part which compresses a portion to be heated, which is a portion of the substrate to be heated by the heater part, from a periphery of the substrate to a direction of the heater part,

to function as:
a control part that starts the heating performed by the heater part or the compression performed by the compression part on a basis of a start of the other.

Drawing