Flavor inhaler and smoking system

Abstract

This flavor inhaler comprises: a housing part that houses the smokable substance of a consumable containing a smokable substance and a stopper element; a heater that is configured to be inserted into the smokable substance housed in the housing part and heat the smokable substance from the interior; and a gap between the heater and the stopper element that is formed when the heater is inserted into the smokable substance.

1 . A flavor inhaler comprising
 an accommodation part for accommodating a smokable substance of a consumable, the consumable including the smokable substance and a stopper element;   a heater configured to be inserted into the smokable substance accommodated in the accommodation part, and heat the smokable substance from inside the smokable substance; and   a gap between the heater and the stopper element, the gap being formed when the heater is inserted into the smokable substance.   
     
     
         2 . The flavor inhaler according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the heater includes a heat-producing part and a non-heat-producing part that are each located in an insertion direction of the heater, and   wherein the gap is located between the non-heat-producing part of the heater, and the stopper element.   
     
     
         3 . The flavor inhaler according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the heat-producing part is located closer to a tip of the heater than is the non-heat-producing part.   
     
     
         4 . The flavor inhaler according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the heat-producing part includes a heating resistor, and a cover that covers an outer face of the heating resistor.   
     
     
         5 . The flavor inhaler according to  claim 1 , comprising
 a wall part disposed between the heater and the stopper element, the wall part being in contact with the stopper element and spaced apart from the heater.   
     
     
         6 . The flavor inhaler according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the heater includes a heat-producing part and a non-heat-producing part that are each located in an insertion direction of the heater,   wherein the gap is located between the non-heat-producing part of the heater, and the stopper element, and   wherein the wall part is positioned to overlap the non-heat-producing part in the insertion direction, and spaced apart from the non-heat-producing part.   
     
     
         7 . The flavor inhaler according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the wall part has a tapered face such that the wall part decreases in diameter in a direction from a rear end of the heater toward a tip of the heater.   
     
     
         8 . The flavor inhaler according to  claim 5 , comprising
 a heat insulation member disposed between the wall part and the heater.   
     
     
         9 . The flavor inhaler according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the heater includes a first portion and a second portion that are each located in an insertion direction of the heater, the second portion having a cross-sectional area less than a cross-sectional area of the first portion,   wherein the first portion is located closer to a tip of the heater than is the second portion, and   wherein the gap is located between the second portion and the stopper element.   
     
     
         10 . The flavor inhaler according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the heater includes a heat-producing part and a non-heat-producing part that are each located in an insertion direction of the heater,   wherein the gap is located between the non-heat-producing part of the heater, and the stopper element, and   wherein the second portion includes the non-heat-producing part.   
     
     
         11 . The flavor inhaler according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the first portion and the second portion are coaxial with each other.   
     
     
         12 . The flavor inhaler according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein when viewed in the insertion direction, an entirety of the second portion is located inside an outer circumferential face of the first portion.   
     
     
         13 . A flavor inhaler comprising:
 an accommodation part for accommodating a smokable substance of a consumable;   a heater configured to be inserted into the smokable substance accommodated in the accommodation part, and heat the smokable substance from inside the smokable substance;   a wall part disposed around the heater; and   a gap between the heater and the wall part.   
     
     
         14 . A flavor inhaler comprising:
 an accommodation part for accommodating a smokable substance of a consumable; and   a heater configured to be inserted into the smokable substance accommodated in the accommodation part, and heat the smokable substance from inside the smokable substance,   wherein the heater includes a first portion and a second portion that are each located in an insertion direction of the heater, the second portion having a cross-sectional area less than a cross-sectional area of the first portion, and   wherein the first portion is located closer to a tip of the heater than is the second portion.   
     
     
         15 . A smoking system comprising:
 the flavor inhaler according to  claim 1 ; and   the consumable.