Aerosol-generating article with enhanced vapor production

Abstract

Provided herein is an aerosol-generating article with enhanced vapor production. The aerosol-generating article according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a medium portion, a support structure which is disposed downstream of the medium portion and includes a first tubular structure having a first hollow formed therein, a cooling structure which is disposed downstream of the support structure and includes a second tubular structure having a second hollow formed therein, and a mouthpiece portion which is disposed downstream of the cooling structure. Here, an upstream end of the second tubular structure may abut a downstream end of the first tubular structure, and an average cross-sectional area of the second hollow may be larger than an average cross-sectional area of the first hollow. The cross-sectional area difference enhances an air flow diffusion effect, thereby eventually improving vapor production of the aerosol-generating article.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerosol-generating article comprising:
 a medium portion;   a support structure which is disposed downstream of the medium portion and includes a first tubular structure having a first hollow;   a cooling structure which is disposed downstream of the support structure and includes a second tubular structure which has a second hollow; and   a mouthpiece portion which is disposed downstream of the cooling structure,   wherein an upstream end of the second tubular structure abuts a downstream end of the first tubular structure,   an average cross-sectional area of the second hollow is larger than an average cross-sectional area of the first hollow, and   a plurality of perforations is formed to penetrate the cooling structure,   wherein the plurality of perforations are formed in the cooling structure to allow inside of the cooling structure and outside of the cooling structure to be in fluid communication with each other.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol-generating article of  claim 1 , wherein:
 outsider air entering through the plurality of perforations is diluted with a mainstream smoke and moved to the mouthpiece portion.   
     
     
         3 . The aerosol-generating article of  claim 1 , wherein the average cross-sectional area of the second hollow is at least 1.5 times larger than the average cross-sectional area of the first hollow. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol-generating article of  claim 1 , wherein the average cross-sectional area of the second hollow is 2 times or more and 2.5 times or less than the average cross-sectional area of the first hollow. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol-generating article of  claim 1 , wherein an inner diameter ratio of the first tubular structure to the second tubular structure is in a range of 1:1.25 to 1:2. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol-generating article of  claim 1 , wherein an inner diameter difference between the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure is in a range of 1 mm to 2.5 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol-generating article of  claim 1 , wherein:
 an inner diameter of the first tubular structure is in a range of 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm; and   an inner diameter of the second tubular structure is in a range of 3.5 mm to 5.0 mm.   
     
     
         8 . The aerosol-generating article of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of a first portion of the second hollow is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a second portion thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol-generating article of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the cooling structure is at most 3.5 times larger than an inner diameter of the second tubular structure. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol-generating article of  claim 1 , wherein an air dilution rate of the cooling structure is in a range of 5% to 40%. 
     
     
         11 . The aerosol-generating article of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of perforations are formed at a position spaced 5 mm to 10 mm apart from a downstream end of the cooling structure in a upstream direction. 
     
     
         12 . The aerosol-generating article of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of perforations are formed at a position spaced 15 mm to 22 mm apart from a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article in a upstream direction.