Aerosolisable structure

Abstract

An aerosolisable structure (1) is disclosed for use in an article for use with a device for heating an aerosolisable material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosolisable material. The aerosolisable structure comprises: an aggregated layered structure (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) having: a first sheet (11, 21, 31, 41) comprising an aerosolisable material, and a second sheet (12, 22, 32, 42) comprising a heating material, the heating material being heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to thereby heat the aerosolisable material of the first sheet. The second sheet is free of aerosolisable material.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application No. 201880076682.0 entitled "Aerosolizable Structure" (based on international patent application No. PCT / EP2018 / 083795 filed on December 6, 2018, which entered the Chinese national phase on May 27, 2020). Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an aerosolizable structure used in articles for use with an apparatus for heating aerosolizable materials, a method for manufacturing an aerosolizable structure, articles for use with an apparatus for heating aerosolizable materials, a method for manufacturing articles for use with an apparatus for heating aerosolizable materials, and a system comprising such articles and such an apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Smoking products such as cigarettes and cigars burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Efforts have been made to provide alternatives to these products by producing products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called "heated but not burned" products or tobacco heating devices or products that release compounds by heating a material that does not burn. This material can be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A first aspect of the invention provides an aerosolizable structure for use in articles with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the aerosolizable structure comprising: an aggregated layered structure having: a first sheet comprising the aerosolizable material; and a second sheet comprising a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable material of the first sheet, wherein the second sheet does not contain the aerosolizable material.

[0005] In one exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material is in the form of reconstituted, cellulose, or gel.

[0006] In one exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable structure contains no aerosolizable material between the heated material and the reconstituted or cellulose aerosolizable material or aerosolizable material in gel form.

[0007] In one exemplary embodiment, the reconstituted or cellulose aerosolizable material or aerosolizable material in gel form is in contact with the surface of the heated material.

[0008] In one exemplary implementation, the second sheet is composed solely of heating material.

[0009] In one exemplary implementation, the layered structure is curled.

[0010] In one exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: conductive materials, magnetic materials, and magnetically conductive materials.

[0011] In one exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises a metal or a metal alloy.

[0012] In one exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, steel, plain carbon steel, low carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.

[0013] In one exemplary implementation, the first sheet comprises reconstituted tobacco.

[0014] In one exemplary embodiment, the second sheet comprises aluminum foil.

[0015] In one exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable structure includes an envelope surrounding the aggregated layered structure.

[0016] In one exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable structure is substantially cylindrical.

[0017] A second aspect of the invention provides an aerosolizable structure for use in articles with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the aerosolizable structure comprising: an aggregated layered structure having: a first sheet comprising an aerosolizable material; a second sheet comprising a heating material; and a third sheet comprising an aerosolizable material; wherein the second sheet is located between the first sheet and the third sheet, and wherein the heating material can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable materials of the first sheet and the third sheet.

[0018] In one exemplary embodiment, the second sheet does not contain aerosolizable material.

[0019] In one exemplary implementation, the second sheet is composed solely of heating material.

[0020] In one exemplary implementation, the layered structure is curled.

[0021] In one exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: conductive materials, magnetic materials, and magnetically conductive materials.

[0022] In one exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises a metal or a metal alloy.

[0023] In one exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, steel, plain carbon steel, low carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.

[0024] In one exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material of the first sheet is in the form of reconstituted, cellulose, or gel.

[0025] In one exemplary implementation, the first sheet comprises reconstituted tobacco.

[0026] In one exemplary embodiment, the second sheet comprises aluminum foil.

[0027] In one exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material of the third sheet is reconstituted, cellulose, or gel-based.

[0028] In one exemplary implementation, the third sheet comprises reconstituted tobacco.

[0029] In one exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable structure includes an envelope surrounding the aggregated layered structure.

[0030] In one exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable structure is substantially cylindrical.

[0031] A third aspect of the invention provides an article for use with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the article comprising the aerosolizable structure of the first aspect of the invention or the aerosolizable structure of the second aspect of the invention.

[0032] In one exemplary embodiment, the article includes a filter for filtering aerosols released from the aerosolizable structure during use, and a connector for holding the filter relative to the aerosolizable structure.

[0033] A fourth aspect of the invention provides a system for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the system comprising: an article according to a third aspect of the invention; and an apparatus for heating the aerosolizable material of the article to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the apparatus comprising: a heating zone for receiving the article, and a magnetic field generator for generating a changing magnetic field for penetrating the heated material of the article when the article is located in the heating zone.

[0034] A fifth aspect of the invention provides a method for manufacturing an aerosolizable structure for use in an article of articles used with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the method comprising: providing a layered structure having a first sheet comprising an aerosolizable material and a second sheet comprising a heating material which can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable material; and aggregating the layered structure to form an aggregated layered structure.

[0035] In one exemplary embodiment, the second sheet does not contain aerosolizable material.

[0036] In one exemplary implementation, the second sheet is composed solely of heating material.

[0037] In one exemplary embodiment, the second sheet comprises aluminum foil.

[0038] In one exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material of the first sheet is in the form of reconstituted, cellulose, or gel.

[0039] In one exemplary implementation, the first sheet comprises reconstituted tobacco.

[0040] In one exemplary embodiment, the layered structure has a third sheet comprising an aerosolizable material, a second sheet located between the first and third sheets, and a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable materials of the first and third sheets.

[0041] In one exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material of the third sheet is reconstituted, cellulose, or gel-based.

[0042] In one exemplary implementation, the third sheet comprises reconstituted tobacco.

[0043] In one exemplary implementation, the aggregation step includes supplying the layered structure through a convergence funnel.

[0044] In one exemplary implementation, the aggregation step results in the hierarchical structure becoming substantially cylindrical.

[0045] In one exemplary implementation, the method includes curling the layered structure prior to the aggregation step.

[0046] In one exemplary implementation, the step of providing the layered structure includes causing the first sheet to contact the second sheet.

[0047] In one exemplary implementation, the step of providing the layered structure includes causing the third sheet to contact the second sheet.

[0048] In one exemplary implementation, the method includes wrapping the package around an aggregated layered structure to form an aggregated layered structure of the package.

[0049] In one exemplary implementation, the method includes: cutting the clustered layer structure of the package to form a discontinuous clustered layer structure of the package.

[0050] A sixth aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing an article, the article being used with equipment for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the method comprising: The method for performing the fifth aspect of the present invention; and A connector is used to attach the filter tip to the aggregated layer structure, which holds the filter tip relative to the aggregated layer structure. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 A schematic side view of an example of an aerosolizable structure for use in an article with a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material is shown. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosolizable structure; Figure 3 A partial schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a layered structure of an aerosolizable structure used in an article for use with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material is shown. Figure 4 A partial schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a layered structure of another aerosolizable structure used in an article for use with a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material is shown. Figure 5 A partial schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a layered structure of another aerosolizable structure used in an article for use with a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material is shown. Figure 6 A partial schematic cross-sectional view is shown of an example of a layered structure of another aerosolizable structure used in an article for use with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. Figure 7A schematic cross-sectional side view is shown as an example of an aerosolizable structure used in an article for use with a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional side view of an example of an article used with a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material is shown. Figure 9 A schematic cross-sectional side view of an example of another article used with a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material is shown. Figure 10 It shows including Figure 9 A schematic cross-sectional side view of an example of an article and a system for heating an aerosolizable material of the article to cause at least one component of the aerosolizable material to volatilize. Figure 11 A flowchart is shown, illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing an aerosolizable structure for use in an article with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. Figure 12 A flowchart is shown, illustrating an example of another method for manufacturing an aerosolizable structure for use in articles with equipment used for heating aerosolizable materials to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material; and Figure 13 A flowchart is shown, illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing an article used with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. Detailed Implementation

[0052] As used herein, the term "aerosolizable material" includes materials that provide volatile components upon heating, typically in the form of vapor or aerosol. "Aerosolizable material" can be tobacco-free or tobacco-containing. "Aerosolizable material" can include, for example, one or more of tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extracts, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Aerosolizable material can be in the form of ground tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, reconstituted aerosolizable material, liquid, gel, gel sheet, powder, or aggregate. "Aerosolizable material" may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. "Aerosolizable material" may include one or more humectants, such as glycerin or propylene glycol.

[0053] As used in this article, the term "sheet" refers to an element whose width and length are substantially greater than its thickness.

[0054] As used herein, when a sheet is described as "free of aerosolizable material," this means that the sheet itself does not contain or is composed of aerosolizable material and is not coated or impregnated with aerosolizable material. However, this does not mean that the sheet may not be adjacent to (directly or indirectly) or adhered to a sheet that includes aerosolizable material.

[0055] As used herein, the term "aggregated" includes shapes that are wrinkled, folded, pleated, or otherwise rolled up, whether in a regular or irregular manner.

[0056] As used herein, the term “curled” includes those having multiple substantially parallel corrugations or ridges and grooves.

[0057] As used herein, the term "heating material" or "heater material" refers to a material that can be heated by penetrating it with a varying magnetic field.

[0058] Induction heating is a process of heating a conductive object by penetrating it with a changing magnetic field. This process is described by Faraday's law of induction and Ohm's law. An induction heater may include an electromagnet and a device for passing a changing current (e.g., alternating current) through the electromagnet. When the electromagnet and the object to be heated are properly positioned relative to each other, such that the combined changing magnetic field generated by the electromagnet penetrates the object, one or more eddy currents are generated inside the object. The object has resistance to the flow of current. Therefore, when such eddy currents are generated in the object, they flow against the object's resistance, causing the object to be heated. This process is called Joule, Ohm, or resistance heating. Objects capable of being inductively heated are called inductors.

[0059] It has been found that when the sensor is in the form of a closed circuit, the magnetic coupling between the sensor and the electromagnet is enhanced during use, which leads to greater or improved Joule heating.

[0060] Hysteresis heating is the process of heating an object made of a magnetic material by penetrating it with a changing magnetic field. Magnetic materials can be considered to consist of many atomic-level magnets or magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such a material, the magnetic dipoles align with the field. Therefore, when a changing magnetic field (such as an alternating magnetic field generated by an electromagnet) penetrates a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes with the changing applied magnetic field. This reorientation of the magnetic dipoles results in the generation of heat within the magnetic material.

[0061] When an object is both electrically and magnetically conductive, penetrating it with a changing magnetic field can induce Joule heating and hysteresis heating within the object. Furthermore, the use of magnetic materials can enhance the magnetic field, thereby strengthening Joule heating and hysteresis heating.

[0062] In each of the above processes, because heat is generated within the object itself, rather than from an external heat source via heat conduction, rapid temperature rise and more uniform heat distribution can be achieved within the object, especially by selecting appropriate object materials and geometries, as well as suitable varying magnetic field strength and orientation relative to the object. Furthermore, since induction heating and hysteresis heating do not require a physical connection between the varying magnetic field source and the object, greater design freedom and control over heat distribution are possible, and costs can be lower.

[0063] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic side view and cross-sectional view of an example of an aerosolizable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. The aerosolizable structure 1 is intended for use in articles used with a device that heats an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, for example... Figure 8 Article 100 shown and described below.

[0064] Aerosolizable structure 1 is essentially a cylinder with a substantially circular cross-section (see...) Figure 2 However, in other embodiments, the aerosolizable structure 1 may have an oval or elliptical cross-section or may not be cylindrical. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable structure 1 may have, for example, a polygonal, quadrilateral, rectangular, square, triangular, star-shaped, or irregular cross-section. In this embodiment, the aerosolizable structure 1 is a rod. In some other embodiments, the aerosolizable structure may be tubular with a hollow internal region.

[0065] In this embodiment, the aerosolizable structure 1 is elongated and has a longitudinal axis AA. The length of the aerosolizable structure 1 in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA can fall within the range of 40 mm to 150 mm, for example, 70 mm to 120 mm. In other embodiments, the aerosolizable structure 1 may not be elongated. In some such other embodiments, the aerosolizable structure 1 still has a length perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA. Figure 2 The axial direction AA of the cross-section of the aerosolizable structure 1 shown. The width of the aerosolizable structure 1 perpendicular to the axial direction AA can fall within the range of 4 mm to 10 mm, for example 5 mm to 8 mm. The circumference of the aerosolizable structure 1 perpendicular to the axial direction AA can fall within the range of 12 mm to 30 mm, for example 16 mm to 25 mm.

[0066] The aerosolizable structure 1 includes a layered structure 10. Figure 3 A partial schematic cross-sectional view of the layered structure 10 of the aerosolizable structure 1 is shown. The layered structure 10 includes a first sheet 11 and a second sheet 12. In some embodiments, the layered structure 10 is a laminated material. In some embodiments, the first sheet 11 is bonded to the second sheet 12, for example, by an adhesive or by chemical bonding. Examples of adhesives are polyvinyl acetate (PVA) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). In other embodiments, the first sheet 11 may not be bonded to the second sheet 12.

[0067] In this embodiment, the first sheet 11 includes an aerosolizable material. The aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11 can be any aerosolizable material discussed herein, such as a reconstituted aerosolizable material (e.g., reconstituted tobacco) or in gel form. The first sheet 11 may include a substrate such as paper impregnated or coated with an aerosolizable material such as a gel. The aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11 may be a cellulose aerosolizable material.

[0068] In this embodiment, the second sheet 12 includes a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field. More specifically, the heating material can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11. That is, the heating material is in thermal contact with the aerosolizable material. Since the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 are part of the same layered structure 10, the heat generated in the second sheet 12 by penetrating with a varying magnetic field is close to the first sheet 11, thus achieving relatively efficient heating of the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11 is in contact with the surface of the heating material of the second sheet 12. Therefore, heat can be directly conducted from the heating material to the aerosolizable material. This can help further increase the heating efficiency of the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11. In other embodiments, the heating material may not be in contact with the surface of the aerosolizable material. For example, in some embodiments, a thermally conductive barrier that does not contain the heating material and the aerosolizable material can separate the heating material from the aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, the thermal barrier may be a coating on the first sheet 11 or the second sheet 12. Providing such a barrier can help dissipate heat and reduce hot spots in the heated material.

[0069] In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11 is in the form of reconstituted, cellulose, or gel, and the aerosolizable structure 1 may have no aerosolizable material between the reconstituted, cellulose, or gel-form aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11 and the heating material of the second sheet 12. In some embodiments, this has the advantage that a larger proportion of the heat generated in the second sheet 12 by penetrating the heating material with a varying magnetic field can be used to heat the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11.

[0070] In this embodiment, the heating material is aluminum, and the second sheet 12 is a sheet of aluminum foil. However, in other embodiments, the heating material can be any one or more of those described herein, and / or the sheet 12 including the heating material can take any form described herein.

[0071] In this embodiment, the second sheet 12 does not contain aerosolizable materials. In some embodiments, the second sheet 12 consists only of heating materials. In other embodiments, reference will be made below, for example. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The description may not reflect this situation. In some embodiments, the advantage of removing the aerosolizable material from the second sheet 12 in this manner is that a larger proportion of the heat generated in the second sheet 12 by penetrating the heating material with a varying magnetic field can be used to heat the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11.

[0072] like Figure 2 As best illustrated, the layered structure 10 of the aerosolizable structure 1 is an aggregated layered structure 10. In other words, the layered structure 10 has been aggregated. An exemplary method for aggregating the layered structure 10 is described in more detail below. Compared to, for example, simply wrapping a second sheet 12 including heating material around the outside of a plug or aggregate of aerosolizable material, or positioning blades or rods of heating material in a relatively concentrated manner within a plug or aggregate of aerosolizable material, this aggregation of the layered structure 10 allows a larger portion of the second sheet 12 including heating material to be close to the first sheet 11 including the aerosolizable material to be heated. Therefore, an improvement in the heating efficiency of the aerosolizable material in the first sheet 11 can be achieved. Furthermore, the sheet including the aerosolizable material can have a relatively high surface area to volume ratio, and aggregating the sheet containing the aerosolizable material exposes a large portion of the sheet's surface area for aerosol release during use. Furthermore, the aggregated sheet can define one or more flow paths along which aerosols generated during use can escape from the aerosolizable structure.

[0073] exist Figures 1 to 3 In variations of the implementation, the layered structure can be curled. Figure 4A partial schematic cross-sectional view of an example of an aggregated layered structure of another aerosolizable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which the layered structure is curled. Figure 4 The aggregated layered structure 20 also includes a first sheet 21 comprising an aerosolizable material, and a second sheet 22 comprising a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 21. Furthermore, the second sheet 22 also does not contain an aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, the second sheet 22 is composed solely of the heating material. In some variations of this embodiment, the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 may have the characteristics described herein. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Any of the optional or alternative features described in the first sheet 11 and the second sheet 12 shown.

[0074] This curling can aid in the aggregation of the layered structure 20 and / or indicate how the layered structure 20 aggregates during the fabrication of the aerosolizable structure. For example, the distance of the curling of the layered structure 20 can help determine the path that the winding of the layered structure 20 will take during aggregation, and can help determine the porosity of the resulting aggregated layered structure 20. Additionally or alternatively, this curling can further increase the proportion of the second sheet 22 close to the first sheet 21, which in turn helps increase the heating efficiency of the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 21 in use. Some, most, or all of the plurality of substantially parallel corrugations or ridges and grooves present in the layered structure 20 due to the curling can be parallel to the axial direction AA of the aerosolizable structure including the layered structure 20.

[0075] exist Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 4 In each embodiment shown and described herein, the aggregated layered structures 10, 20 comprise two sheets 11, 12, 21, 22. However, in some embodiments, the aggregated layered structure may comprise more than two sheets. Figure 5 A partial schematic cross-sectional view of an example of an aggregated layered structure 30 of another aerosolizable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0076] Figure 5The aggregated layered structure 30 has a first sheet 31, a second sheet 32, and a third sheet 33. The second sheet 32 ​​is located between the first sheet 31 and the third sheet 33. Each of the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 33 includes an aerosolizable material. The aerosolizable material of the first sheet 31 can be any aerosolizable material discussed herein, such as reconstituted tobacco or in gel form. Similarly, the aerosolizable material of the third sheet 33 can be any aerosolizable material discussed herein, such as reconstituted tobacco or in gel form. One or each of the first sheet 31 and the third sheet 33 can be a cellulose aerosolizable material.

[0077] The second sheet 32 ​​includes a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable materials of the first sheet 31 and the third sheet 33. The second sheet 32 ​​is positioned between the first sheet 31 and the third sheet 33 such that a larger portion of the total surface area of ​​the second sheet 32 ​​is close to the sheets 31 and 33 comprising the aerosolizable material. This, in turn, allows heat energy emitted from both surfaces of the second sheet 32 ​​to heat the aerosolizable material of the layered structure 30 during use.

[0078] In some embodiments, the second sheet 32 ​​does not contain an aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, the second sheet 32 ​​is composed solely of a heating material. However, in other embodiments, the second sheet 32 ​​itself may include an aerosolizable material, for example by providing a coating of an aerosolizable material, or by impregnating or interlacing the second sheet 32 ​​with an aerosolizable material. In some variations of this embodiment, one or each of the first sheet 31 and the third sheet 33 may have the characteristics described herein. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The first sheet 11 shown may have any of the optional or alternative features described herein. In some variations of this embodiment, the second sheet 32 ​​may have the features described herein. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Any of the optional or alternative features described in the second sheet 12 shown.

[0079] exist Figure 5 In one variation of the implementation, the layered structure may be curled. Figure 6 A partial schematic cross-sectional view of an example of an aerosolizable, layered structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 6 The clustered hierarchical structure 40 and Figure 5 The aggregation hierarchical structure 30 is the same, except that Figure 6 The aggregated layered structure 40 is curled in addition to the other features. Figure 6The layered structure 40 also includes a first sheet 41 and a third sheet 43, which include an aerosolizable material, and also includes a second sheet 42 therebetween, which includes a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable materials of the first sheet 41 and the third sheet 43. Figure 5 Any possible variations in the implementation method may be applied to Figure 6 The implementation method is made to form other implementation methods.

[0080] Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional side view of an example of another aerosolizable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 7 The aerosolizable structure 5 is also substantially cylindrical, having a substantially circular cross-section and a longitudinal axis AA. For example, the length and / or width of the aerosolizable structure 5 can be, for example, as described herein. Figures 1 to 3 The aerosolizable structure 5 may be any of those discussed herein. In other embodiments, the aerosolizable structure 5 may have a different cross-section, such as any of those discussed herein, or may be other than cylindrical, or not elongated.

[0081] Figure 7 The aerosolizable structure 5 includes an aggregated layered structure 50. The aggregated layered structure 50 may be identical to any of the aggregated layered structures 10, 20, 30, 40 discussed above or any of their variations discussed herein.

[0082] The aerosolizable structure 5 also includes a wrapping material 51 surrounding the aggregated layered structure 50. The wrapping material 51 surrounds the aggregated layered structure 50, helping to prevent or avoid separation or disintegration of the layered structure 50, and helping to protect the aggregated layered structure 50 from damage during transport and use. During use, the wrapping material 51 also helps guide airflow into and through the aggregated layered structure 50, and helps guide the flow of vapors or aerosols through and out of the aggregated layered structure 50.

[0083] In this embodiment, the wrapper 51 is wrapped around the aggregated layered structure 50 such that the free ends of the wrapper 51 overlap each other. The wrapper 51 may form all or most of the circumferential outer surface of the aerosolizable structure 5. The wrapper 51 may be made of any suitable material, such as paper, card, reconstituted aerosolizable material (e.g., reconstituted tobacco), or heating material (e.g., metal or metal alloy foil, such as aluminum foil). The wrapper 51 may also include an adhesive (not shown) that bonds the overlapping free ends of the wrapper 51 together. The adhesive may include one or more of, for example, gum arabic, natural or synthetic resins, starch, and varnish. The adhesive helps prevent the overlapping free ends of the wrapper 51 from separating. In other embodiments, the adhesive may be omitted, or the wrapper 51 may take a different form than described herein. Any of these types of wrappers may be applied to other aerosolizable structures described or shown herein to form other embodiments.

[0084] Any aerosolizable structure described or illustrated herein can itself be used as an article for use with a device that heats an aerosolizable material to cause at least one component of the aerosolizable material to volatilize, for example... Figure 10 The device 500 shown and described below. However, in other embodiments, the article may include an aerosolizable structure and one or more other components.

[0085] For example, Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional side view of an example of an article of manufacture according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 8 100 products including Figures 1 to 3 The aerosolizable structure 1. However, in other embodiments, the aerosolizable structure of the article can be any other aerosolizable structure, such as those described herein.

[0086] Article 100 is substantially cylindrical with a substantially circular cross-section; however, in other embodiments, article 100 may have an oval or elliptical cross-section or may not be cylindrical. In some embodiments, article 100 may have, for example, a polygonal, quadrilateral, rectangular, square, triangular, star-shaped, or irregular cross-section. In this embodiment, article 100 is a rod. In some other embodiments, article 100 may be tubular with a hollow internal region.

[0087] In this embodiment, the article 100 is elongated and has a longitudinal axis BB. The longitudinal axis BB of the article 100 coincides with the longitudinal axis AA of the aerosolizable structure 1. The length of the article 100 in the direction of the longitudinal axis BB can fall within the range of 40 mm to 150 mm, for example, 70 mm to 120 mm. In other embodiments, the article 100 may not be elongated. In some such other embodiments, the article 100 still has an axial direction BB perpendicular to the cross-section of the article 100. The width of the article 100 perpendicular to the axial direction BB can fall within the range of 4 mm to 10 mm, for example, 5 mm to 8 mm. The circumference of the aerosolizable structure 1 perpendicular to the axial direction BB can fall within the range of 12 mm to 30 mm, for example, 16 mm to 25 mm.

[0088] Figure 8 The article 100 also includes a filter tip 1b. The filter tip 1b is used to filter aerosols or vapors released from the aerosolizable structure 1 of the article 100 during use. The filter tip 1b can be of any type used in the tobacco industry. For example, the filter tip 1b can be made of cellulose acetate. In this embodiment, the filter tip 1b is substantially cylindrical, having a substantially circular cross-section and longitudinal axis. In other embodiments, the filter tip 1b can have different cross-sections, such as any of those discussed herein with respect to the aerosolizable structure, or be other than cylindrical, or not elongated.

[0089] In this embodiment, the filter tip 1b abuts the longitudinal end of the aerosolizable structure 1 and is axially aligned with the aerosolizable structure 1. In other embodiments, the filter tip 1b may be spaced apart from the aerosolizable structure, for example, through a gap and / or through one or more other components of the article 100. An exemplary additional component is a source of additives or flavorings (e.g., capsules or threads containing additives or flavorings), which may be held, for example, by the body of the filter material or held between the bodies of two filter materials.

[0090] Article 100 also includes a wrapping 1c that surrounds the aerosolizable structure 1 and the filter 1b to retain the filter 1b relative to the aerosolizable structure 1. The wrapping 1c surrounding the aerosolizable structure 1 and the filter 1b helps prevent or avoids the separation or disintegration of the delamination structure of the aerosolizable structure 1 and helps protect the aggregated delamination structure from damage during transport and use. During use, the wrapping 1c also helps guide airflow into and through the aerosolizable structure 1, and helps guide the flow of vapor or aerosol through and out of the aerosolizable structure 1.

[0091] In this embodiment, the package 1c is wrapped around the aerosolizable structure 1 and the filter tip 1b such that the free ends of the package 1c overlap each other. The package 1c may form all or most of the circumferential outer surface of the article 100. The package 1c may be made of any suitable material, such as paper, card, or reconstituted aerosolizable material (e.g., reconstituted tobacco). The package 1c may also include an adhesive (not shown), such as one of those discussed elsewhere herein, which bonds the overlapping free ends of the package 1c together. The adhesive helps prevent the overlapping free ends of the package 1c from separating. In other embodiments, the adhesive may be omitted or the package 1c may take a different form than described. In other embodiments, the filter tip 1b may be held relative to the aerosolizable structure 1 by a connector (e.g., adhesive) other than the package 1c.

[0092] Figure 9 A schematic cross-sectional side view of an example of another article of manufacture according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 9 Products 200 and Figure 8 The product is the same as that of the product 200, except that product 200 has a substitute for the aerosolizable structure 1. Figure 7 Besides the aerosolizable structure 5, therefore, Figure 9 The article 200's encapsulation 1c surrounds the aerosolizable structure 5's encapsulation 51 and the filter 1b to retain the filter 1b relative to the aerosolizable structure 5. This article discusses... Figure 8 Any possible changes to product 100 may affect Figure 9 The product 200 is processed to form other embodiments.

[0093] In some embodiments, the article may be provided together with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material of the article to cause at least one component of the aerosolizable material to volatilize. The apparatus may include a heating zone for receiving the article and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heating material of the article when the article is located in the heating zone, thereby heating the aerosolizable material of the article.

[0094] For example, Figure 10 A schematic cross-sectional side view of an example of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. System 1000 includes... Figure 9 The article 200 and the apparatus 500 for heating the aerosolizable material of the article 200 to cause at least one component of the aerosolizable material to volatilize. In other embodiments, the article 200 may be replaced by any other article described herein. In this embodiment, the apparatus 500 is a tobacco heating product (also referred to in the art as a tobacco heating device or a heating but not burning device).

[0095] In a broader sense, the device 500 includes a heating zone 511 for receiving the article 200, and a magnetic field generator 512 for generating a changing magnetic field for penetrating the heating material of the article 200 when the article 200 is in the heating zone 511.

[0096] More specifically, the device 500 of this embodiment includes a body 510 and a nozzle 520. The nozzle 520 may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, cardboard, cellulose acetate, paper, metal, glass, ceramic, or rubber. The nozzle 520 defines a channel 522 therethrough. The nozzle 520 may be positioned relative to the body 510 to cover an opening leading to a heating zone 511. When the nozzle 520 is positioned relative to the body 510 in this manner, the channel 522 of the nozzle 520 is in fluid communication with the heating zone 511. In use, the channel 522 serves as a pathway allowing volatile material to be transferred from an aerosolizable material of an article inserted into the heating zone 511 to the outside of the device 500. In this embodiment, the nozzle 520 is releasably engaged with the body 510 to connect the nozzle 520 to the body 510. In other embodiments, the nozzle 520 and the body 510 may be permanently connected, for example, by a hinge or flexible member. In some embodiments, such as those in which the article itself includes a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece 520 of the device 500 may be omitted.

[0097] The device 500 may define an air inlet (not shown) that fluidly connects the heated zone 511 to the outside of the device 500. This air inlet may be defined by the body 510 and / or the nozzle 520. A user may be able to draw in volatile components of an aerosolizable material by aspirating them through the channel 522 of the nozzle 520. When the volatile components are removed from the article 200, air may be drawn into the heated zone 511 through the air inlet of the device 500.

[0098] In this embodiment, the body 510 includes a heating region 511. In this embodiment, the heating region 511 includes a recess 511 for receiving at least a portion of the article 200. In other embodiments, the heating region 511 may be a component other than a recess, such as a shelf, surface, or protrusion, and may need to mechanically engage with the article to mate with or receive it. In this embodiment, the heating region 511 is elongated and sized and shaped to accommodate the entire article 200. In other embodiments, the heating region 511 may be sized to receive only a portion of the article 200.

[0099] In this embodiment, the magnetic field generator 512 includes a power supply 513, a coil 514, a means 516 for passing a varying current (e.g., alternating current) through the coil 514, a controller 517, and a user interface 518 for user operation of the controller 517.

[0100] In this embodiment, the power source 513 is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, the power source 513 may be a battery other than a rechargeable battery, such as a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor, a battery-capacitor hybrid device, or a connection to a mains power source.

[0101] The coil 514 can take any suitable form. In this embodiment, the coil 514 is a helical coil of a conductive material, such as copper. In some embodiments, the magnetic field generator 512 may include a magnetic core around which the coil 514 is wound. This magnetic core concentrates the magnetic flux generated by the coil 514 during use and produces a stronger magnetic field. The magnetic core may be made of, for example, iron. In some embodiments, the magnetic core may extend only partially along the length of the coil 514 in order to concentrate the magnetic flux only in certain areas. In some embodiments, the coil may be a flat coil. That is, the coil may be a two-dimensional helix. In this embodiment, the coil 514 surrounds the heating region 511. The coil 514 extends along a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the heating region 511. The aligned axes coincide. In a variation of this embodiment, the aligned axes may be parallel to each other or inclined.

[0102] In this embodiment, a device 516 for passing a varying current through coil 514 is electrically connected between power supply 513 and coil 514. In this embodiment, controller 517 is also electrically connected to power supply 513 and communicatively connected to device 516 to control device 516. More specifically, in this embodiment, controller 517 controls device 516 to control the power supply from power supply 513 to coil 514. In this embodiment, controller 517 includes an integrated circuit (IC), such as an integrated circuit on a printed circuit board (PCB). In other embodiments, controller 517 may take different forms. In some embodiments, the device may have a single electrical or electronic component including device 516 and controller 517. In this embodiment, controller 517 is operated by a user via user interface 518. In this embodiment, user interface 518 is located external to body 510. User interface 518 may include buttons, toggle switches, dial pads, touchscreens, etc. In other embodiments, user interface 518 may be remote and wirelessly connected to the rest of the device, for example, via Bluetooth.

[0103] In this embodiment, user operation of user interface 518 causes controller 517 to enable device 516 to induce alternating current through coil 514. This causes coil 514 to generate an alternating magnetic field. The coil 514 of device 500 and heating region 511 are appropriately positioned relative to each other such that when article 200 is located in heating region 511, the changing magnetic field generated by coil 514 penetrates the heating material of article 200. In this embodiment, the heating material is conductive, and therefore this penetration results in the generation of one or more eddy currents in the heating material. The flow of eddy currents in the heating material against the resistance of the heating material causes the heating material to be heated by Joule heating. When the heating material is made of magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles in the heating material changes with the applied magnetic field, which results in the generation of heat in the heating material.

[0104] The device 500 of this embodiment includes a temperature sensor 519 for sensing the temperature of a heated region 511. The temperature sensor 519 is communicatively connected to a controller 517, enabling the controller 517 to monitor the temperature of the heated region 511. Based on one or more signals received from the temperature sensor 519, the controller 517 can cause the device 516 to adjust the characteristics of a varying or alternating current through a coil 514 as needed to ensure that the temperature of the heated region 511 is maintained within a predetermined temperature range. This characteristic may be, for example, amplitude, frequency, or duty cycle. Within the predetermined temperature range, in use, the aerosolizable material within the article located in the heated region 511 is sufficiently heated to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material without combustion. Therefore, the controller 517 and the device 500 are arranged as a whole to heat the aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material without combustion. In some embodiments, the temperature range is from about 50°C to about 300°C, for example, between about 50°C and about 250°C, between about 50°C and about 150°C, between about 50°C and about 120°C, between about 50°C and about 100°C, between about 50°C and about 80°C, or between about 60°C and about 70°C. In some embodiments, the temperature range is between about 170°C and about 220°C. In other embodiments, the temperature range may be a range other than these. In some embodiments, the upper limit of the temperature range may be greater than 300°C. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 519 may be omitted. In some embodiments, the heating material may have a Curie point temperature selected based on the highest temperature to which the heating material is desired to be heated, such that further heating above that temperature is hindered or prevented by induction heating of the heating material.

[0105] Figure 11 and Figure 12 Flowcharts illustrating various examples of methods for manufacturing aerosolizable structures are shown.

[0106] Figure 11 The method can be used to manufacture any aerosolizable structure described herein. The method includes providing 11a a layered structure having first sheets 11, 21, 31, 41 comprising an aerosolizable material, and second sheets 12, 22, 32, 42 comprising a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable material; and agglomerating the layered structure 11b to form aggregated layered structures 10, 20, 30, 40.

[0107] The second sheets 12, 22, 32, and 42 may not contain aerosolizable materials. The second sheets 12, 22, 32, and 42 may consist solely of a heating material. In some embodiments, the second sheets include aerosolizable materials.

[0108] The gathering step 11b may include supplying the layered structure through a converging funnel. The gathering step 11b may cause the layered structure to become substantially cylindrical. The method may include curling the layered structure prior to the gathering step 11b. The layered structure provided in step 11a may cause the first sheets 11, 21, 31, 41 to contact the second sheets 12, 22, 32, 42. The method may include wrapping an envelope around the gathered layered structure to form a wrapped gathered layered structure. In some embodiments, the method includes cutting the wrapped gathered layered structure to form a discontinuous wrapped gathered layered structure.

[0109] Figure 12 The method can be used to manufacture aerosolizable structures with an aggregated, layered structure comprising three sheets, for example... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The sheet shown.

[0110] The method includes providing a layered structure having first sheets 31, 41 including an aerosolizable material, second sheets 32, 42 including a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field, and a third sheet including an aerosolizable material, wherein the second sheets 32, 42 are located between the first sheets 31, 41 and the third sheets 33, 43, and wherein the heating material can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable materials of the first sheets 31, 41 and the third sheets 33, 43.

[0111] In some embodiments, the second sheets 32 and 42 do not contain aerosolizable materials. In some embodiments, the second sheets 32 and 42 are composed solely of heating materials. In some embodiments, the second sheets include aerosolizable materials.

[0112] In this embodiment, the supply includes causing the first sheets 31, 41 to contact the second sheets 32, 42 12a. The first sheets 31, 41 and the second sheets 32, 42 may be drawn from their respective supply sources, such as their respective spools (not shown), before contacting each other. In other embodiments, the first and second sheets may already be in contact with each other, so this is not the case. Instead, a combination of the first sheets 31, 41 and the second sheets 32, 42 (e.g., a laminate) may be drawn from a supply source such as a spool (not shown).

[0113] In this embodiment, the supply includes causing the third sheets 33, 43 to contact the second sheets 32, 42 12b. The third sheets 33, 43 may be withdrawn from a supply source such as a spool (not shown) before contacting the second sheets 32, 42. In other embodiments, the second and third sheets may already be in contact with each other, so this is not the case. Instead, a combination of the second sheets 32, 42 and the third sheets 33, 43 (e.g., a laminate) may be withdrawn from a supply source such as a spool (not shown). Alternatively, a combination of the first sheets 31, 41, the second sheets 32, 42, and the third sheets 33, 43 (e.g., a laminate) may be withdrawn from a supply source such as a spool (not shown).

[0114] In embodiments where the manufactured aerosolizable structure has a rolled-up, layered structure, for example... Figure 6 The illustrated embodiment includes a layered structure provided by curling 12c. This curling can be performed by conveying the layered structure between a pair of mating curling rollers, which engage and curl the layered structure as it passes through. In other embodiments where the manufactured aerosolizable structure has a non-curled layered structure, for example… Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the curling can be omitted.

[0115] The method includes aggregating a 12d layered structure to form aggregated layered structures 30, 40. In embodiments where the layered structure is to be curled, the curling step 12c may occur prior to the aggregating step 12d. The aggregating step 12d may include conveying the layered structures 30, 40 through a converging funnel. In other embodiments, aggregating 12d may include alternative processes, such as pressing the layered structures 30, 40 between bodies or plates that can move relative to each other, or, for example, twisting (e.g., twisting into a spiral form). In embodiments where the layered structure is curled, the aggregating may occur substantially perpendicular to the direction of corrugations or ridges and grooves present in the layered structure due to curling.

[0116] The aggregation step 12d may cause the layered structures 30, 40 to become substantially cylindrical. This may be due to the shape of the converging funnel (if used). In other embodiments, the aggregation step 12d may cause the layered structures 30, 40 to take on shapes other than cylindrical.

[0117] In this embodiment, the method includes wrapping a package 51 12e around the aggregated layer structures 30, 40 to form a packaged aggregated layer structure. The package 51 may be drawn from a supply source (e.g., a spool) and encapsulated around the aggregated layer structures 30, 40 via an appendage or an annular belt conveyor. The package 51 may include an adhesive that may be applied to the package before or during the wrapping step 12e, such that the adhesive bonds the relatively free ends of the package 51 together when they overlap. The method may include passing the packaged aggregated layer structure through or through a dryer to dry the adhesive. As discussed herein, in some embodiments, this package may be omitted. That is, the aggregated layer structure may not contain a package. Thus, the method may exclude the wrapping step 12e.

[0118] In this embodiment, the method includes cutting the aggregated layered structure of package 12e to form a discontinuous aggregated layered structure for use in an article of manufacture, which is used with equipment for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. In embodiments where the package step 12e is omitted, the method may include cutting the aggregated layered structure of 12e to form a discontinuous aggregated layered structure for use in an article of manufacture. This cutting step may include, for example, cutting by a rotary cutter. In some other embodiments, the cutting step 12e may be omitted. For example, in some embodiments, the dimensions of the aggregated or packaged layered structure produced according to the method may have been configured to be suitable for use in an article of manufacture without the need for cutting.

[0119] Figure 13 A flowchart is shown, illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing an article used with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. Figure 13 The method includes executing 13a Figure 11 or Figure 12 The method (or any variation thereof) involves connecting the filter tip 13b to the aggregated layer structure using a connector that holds the filter tip relative to the aggregated layer structure. The filter tip can be, for example, the filter tip 1b discussed above. The connector can be, for example, any connector discussed herein, such as one of the described packages 1c.

[0120] In some embodiments, the heating material is aluminum. However, in other embodiments, the heating material may include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: conductive materials, magnetic materials, and magnetically conductive materials. In some embodiments, the heating material may include a metal or metal alloy. In some embodiments, the heating material may include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, steel, plain carbon steel, low carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze. Other heating materials may be used in other embodiments.

[0121] In some embodiments, the sheet including the heating material has no holes or discontinuous portions. In some embodiments, the sheet including the heating material comprises a foil, such as a metal or metal alloy foil, such as aluminum foil. However, in some embodiments, the sheet including the heating material may have holes or discontinuous portions. For example, in some embodiments, the sheet including the heating material may comprise a mesh, a perforated sheet, or a perforated foil, such as a metal or metal alloy perforated foil, such as perforated aluminum foil.

[0122] In some embodiments, such as those where the heating material comprises iron, steel (e.g., low-carbon steel or stainless steel), or aluminum, a sheet comprising the heating material may be coated to help prevent corrosion or oxidation of the heating material during use. Such a coating may include, for example, nickel plating, gold plating, or coatings made of ceramic or inert polymers. In some embodiments, the sheet comprising the heating material comprises or is composed of nickel-plated aluminum foil.

[0123] The heating material may have a skin depth, which is the majority of the outer region within which induced currents and / or induced reorientation of magnetic dipoles occur. By providing a heating material with a relatively small thickness, a larger proportion of the heating material can be heated by a given changing magnetic field compared to heating materials with a relatively large depth or thickness compared to other dimensions of the heating material. Therefore, more efficient use of the material is achieved, and consequently, costs are reduced.

[0124] In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material includes tobacco. However, in other embodiments, the aerosolizable material may consist of tobacco, may consist substantially entirely of tobacco, may include tobacco and aerosolizable materials other than tobacco, may include aerosolizable materials other than tobacco, or may not contain tobacco. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material may include a vapor or aerosol forming agent or wetting agent, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material is a non-liquid aerosolizable material, and the device is used to heat the non-liquid aerosolizable material to cause at least one component of the aerosolizable material to volatilize.

[0125] In some embodiments, articles 100 and 200 are consumable articles. Once all or substantially all of the volatile components of the aerosolizable material in articles 100 and 200 have been depleted, the user can remove articles 100 and 200 from the heated zone 511 of the device 500 and dispose of them. The user can then reuse the device 500 together with another of articles 100 and 200. However, in other corresponding embodiments, the articles may be non-consumable, and the device and articles can be disposed of together once the volatile components of the aerosolizable material have been depleted.

[0126] In some embodiments, articles 100, 200 and equipment 500 that can be used with articles 100, 200 are sold, supplied, or otherwise provided separately. However, in some embodiments, equipment 500 and one or more of articles 100, 200 may be provided together as a system, such as a kit or component, possibly with additional parts, such as cleaning appliances.

[0127] To address various problems and advance the prior art, this disclosure, in its entirety, illustrates various embodiments through description and examples, in which the claimed invention can be practiced, and these embodiments provide superior aerosolization structures for use in articles with apparatus for heating aerosolization materials, articles for use with apparatus for heating aerosolization materials to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolization material, methods for manufacturing aerosolization structures for use in articles with apparatus for heating aerosolization materials to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolization material, methods for manufacturing articles for use with apparatus for heating aerosolization materials to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolization material, and systems including such articles and such apparatus. The advantages and features of this disclosure are merely representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are intended only to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed and otherwise disclosed features. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of this disclosure should not be considered as limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or on the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and / or spirit of this disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably include, constitute, or substantially consist of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc. This disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosolizable structure for use in an article of manufacture for use with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the aerosolizable structure comprising: The hierarchical structure of the cluster includes: The first sheet is composed of an aerosolizable material; and The second sheet includes a heating material that can be heated by penetrating a changing magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable material of the first sheet, wherein the second sheet does not contain the aerosolizable material; The first sheet and the second sheet are not bonded to each other and are gathered to form a rod in which the sheets are irregularly wound such that the entire first sheet, which is composed of an aerosolizable material, is thermally close to the second sheet, which contains a heating material, but only a portion of the first sheet is in contact with the second sheet.

2. The aerosolizable structure according to claim 1, wherein, The aerosolizable material is a regenerated, cellulose-based, or gel-based aerosolizable material.

3. The aerosolizable structure according to claim 2, wherein, The aerosolizable structure has no aerosolizable material between the first sheet and the second sheet.

4. The aerosolizable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aerosolizable structure comprises: The clustered hierarchical structure has: The third type of sheet material includes aerosolizable materials; The second sheet is located between the first sheet and the third sheet, and the entire first sheet and the third sheet are thermally close to the second sheet containing the heating material, but only portions of the first sheet and the third sheet are in contact with the second sheet.

5. The aerosolizable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The layered structure is curled.

6. The aerosolizable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: conductive materials, magnetic materials, and magnetically conductive materials.

7. The aerosolizable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The heating material includes metal or metal alloy.

8. The aerosolizable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, steel, plain carbon steel, low carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.

9. The aerosolizable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The first sheet comprises reconstituted tobacco.

10. The aerosolizable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The second sheet includes aluminum foil.

11. The aerosolizable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising an encapsulation surrounding the aggregated layered structure.

12. The aerosolizable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The aerosolizable structure is essentially cylindrical.

13. An article for use with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the article comprising the aerosolizable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The article of claim 13, comprising a filter for filtering aerosols released from the aerosolizable structure during use, and a connector for holding the filter relative to the aerosolizable structure.

15. A system for heating an aerosolizable material to cause at least one component of the aerosolizable material to volatilize, the system comprising: The article of claim 13 or 14; as well as An apparatus for heating the aerosolizable material of the article to cause at least one component of the aerosolizable material to volatilize, the apparatus comprising: A heating zone for receiving the article, and A magnetic field generator is used to generate a changing magnetic field that penetrates the heating material of the article when the article is located in the heating zone.

16. A method of manufacturing an aerosolizable structure for use in an article of articles used with equipment for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the method comprising: A first sheet comprising an aerosolizable material and a second sheet comprising a heating material, the heating material being heatable by penetration with a changing magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable material, wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are not bonded to each other; and The sheets are aligned to form a layered structure, and the layered structure is aggregated to form an aggregated layered structure, the aggregated layered structure being rod-shaped, in which the sheets are irregularly wound such that the entire first sheet, composed of an aerosolizable material, is thermally close to the second sheet containing a heating material, but only a portion of the first sheet is in contact with the second sheet.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The second sheet does not contain aerosolizable materials.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, The layered structure has a third sheet comprising an aerosolizable material, wherein the second sheet is located between the first sheet and the third sheet, and wherein the entire first sheet and the third sheet are thermally close to the second sheet comprising a heating material, but only portions of the first sheet and the third sheet are in contact with the second sheet.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein, The aggregation step includes supplying the layered structure through a convergence funnel.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein, The aggregation process causes the layered structure to become substantially cylindrical.

21. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, comprising curling the layered structure prior to the aggregation step.

22. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein, The step of providing the layered structure includes: causing the first sheet to come into contact with the second sheet.

23. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, comprising: The package is wrapped around the aggregated layered structure to form an aggregated layered structure of the package.

24. The method of claim 23, comprising: The aggregated layered structure of the package is cut off to form a discontinuous aggregated layered structure of the package.

25. A method for manufacturing an article for use with equipment for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the method comprising: Perform the method according to any one of claims 16 to 24; as well as A connector is used to attach the filter tip to the aggregated layer structure, and the connector holds the filter tip relative to the aggregated layer structure.

Images