Apparatus arranged to heat smokeable material and method of forming a heater

Abstract

The present application relates to an apparatus arranged to heat smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material and a method of forming a heater for an apparatus arranged to heat smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the apparatus comprising: a housing for receiving smokable material; and at least one heater arranged within the housing for, in use, heating smokable material removably received within the housing; the heater being formed from a sheet material which is at least partially annular or partially tubular about its periphery, and the heater having a first end portion and a second end portion and a hollow central portion in which, in use, smokable material is received.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese Patent Application No. 201780028361.9, filed on May 12, 2017, entitled "A device for arranging a heatable and extractable material and a method for forming a heater". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for arranging a heatable and suctionable material and a method for forming a heater for arranging the apparatus for heatable and suctionable material. Background Technology

[0003] Products such as cigarettes and cigars burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Efforts have been made to provide alternatives to these types of products by producing products that release compounds without combustion. An example of such a product is the so-called heated non-combustible product, also known as a tobacco heating product or tobacco heating device, which releases compounds by heating but not burning the material. This material can be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products or combinations, such as blends, which may or may not contain nicotine. Similarly, there are so-called electronic cigarette devices, which typically vaporize a liquid that may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the apparatus comprising:

[0005] A housing for receiving pumpable material; and

[0006] At least one heater is arranged within the housing for heating, during use, a removable, suction-bearing material received within the housing;

[0007] The heater has a first end and a second end, as well as a hollow central portion, in which aspirable material is received during use. The heater is formed of a sheet that is rolled into a tube and sealed along the length of the tube to prevent air from entering or leaving the heater in any manner other than through at least one of the first end and the second end.

[0008] In the example, this prevents air from other parts of the device from entering the hollow central portion of the heater, and thus, for example, prevents contamination of the airflow path created by the hollow central portion of the heater, which, during use, contains volatile components from the extractable material. Conversely, this also helps prevent airflow through the hollow central portion of the heater from leaking into other parts of the device.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the sheet includes a plastic layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the layer is a polyimide layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes at least one conductive track located on the layer, and the conductive track provides a heating element for a heater.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes another plastic layer located on the conductive tracks, such that the conductive tracks are situated between these plastic layers. In a specific example, the material sheet rolled to form the generally planar shape of the heater is a multilayer sheet made by stacking polyimide layers and conductive traces on top of each other.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the heater is a thin-film heater. In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a thermal insulator surrounding the heater to reduce heat loss from the heater to the outside of the device.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method is provided for forming a heater for an apparatus arranged to heat a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the method comprising:

[0013] Roll the sheet into a hollow tube having a first end and a second end; and

[0014] The tube is sealed along its length to prevent air from entering or leaving the heater in any manner other than through at least one of the first and second ends during use.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the sheet includes a plastic layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the layer is a polyimide layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes forming at least one conductive track on the layer before rolling the sheet into a hollow tube. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes forming another plastic layer on the conductive track, such that the conductive track is located between these plastic layers.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the heater is a thin-film heater. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 A first perspective view showing an example of a device for heating a suction-prone material;

[0019] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The second perspective view of the device;

[0020] Figure 3 It shows the insertion of a suction-capable material. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the equipment;

[0021] Figure 4 It shows the absence of inserted suction material. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the equipment;

[0022] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 Detailed illustration of the area marked 5 in the middle;

[0023] Figure 6 It shows Figure 4 Detailed illustration of the area marked 6 in the middle;

[0024] Figure 7 It shows Figure 4 Detailed illustration of the area marked 7 in the middle;

[0025] Figure 8 It shows Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of the equipment;

[0026] Figure 9 It shows Figure 8 Detailed illustration of the area marked 9; and

[0027] Figure 10 It shows Figure 8 Detailed illustration of the area marked 10. Detailed Implementation

[0028] As used herein, the term "smoothable material" includes materials that provide components that volatilize upon heating, typically in aerosol form. "Smoothable material" includes any tobacco-containing substance and may include, for example, one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. "Smoothable material" may also include other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. "Smoothable material" may be in form, for example, a solid, liquid, gel, or wax. "Smoothable material" may also be, for example, a combination or blend of materials.

[0029] A device is known that heats a puffable material to volatilize at least one component of the puffable material, typically to form an inhalable aerosol, without burning or igniting the puffable material. Such devices are sometimes described as “heat-not-burn” devices, “tobacco heating products,” or “tobacco heating devices,” etc. Similarly, so-called electronic cigarette devices exist, which typically vaporize a puffable material in liquid form, which may or may not contain nicotine. The puffable material may be provided as part of or inserted into a rod, cartridge, or cartridge, etc., within the device. A heater for heating and volatilizing the puffable material may be provided as a “permanent” component of the device or as part of a smoking article or consumer product that is discarded and replaced after use. In this context, a “smoking article” refers to a device or article or other component that includes or contains a puffable material during use, which is heated during use to volatilize the puffable material (and optionally other components).

[0030] refer to Figures 1 to 4 The image shows an example view of device 10, which is arranged to heat a respirable material to cause at least one component of the respirable material to volatilize, typically to form an inhalable aerosol. Figure 3 A device 10 with a suction-capturing material inserted is shown, and Figure 4 A device 10 without inserted aspirable material is shown. Device 10 is a heating device 10 that releases a compound by heating but not burning the aspirable material. The first end 11 is sometimes referred to herein as a mouthpiece or proximal end 11, and the second end 12 is sometimes referred to herein as distal end 12. Device 10 has an on / off button (not shown) to allow device 10 as a whole to be turned on and off as needed by the user.

[0031] Device 10 provides a housing for positioning and protecting its various internal components. In the example shown, device 10 is formed by one or more internal “chassis” components and one or more external sleeve components. In a specific example shown here, device 10 has a single integral external sleeve or housing 14 and an internal chassis 16. In a particular example, the internal chassis 16 may be formed by two chassis halves (and optionally other chassis components). During assembly of device 10, the various internal components of device 10 are located in and / or fixed to the chassis 16, and then the internal components and the chassis or chassis component 16 slide into the housing 14. The chassis or chassis component 16 may be removably fixed to the housing 14 to allow easy access to the interior of device 10, or may be “permanently” fixed to the chassis 16, for example to prevent a user from accessing the interior of device 10. In the specific example shown here, chassis 16 at least partially provides or supports the front wall of device 10 at a first end or mouthpiece end 11, and also at least partially provides the rear wall 18 of the device at a second end or distal end 12. In one example, the chassis 16 is made of a plastic material, including, for example, glass-filled nylon formed by injection molding, but other materials and other manufacturing processes may also be used.

[0032] The housing 14 internally houses or secures a heater 20, a control circuit 21, and a power source 22. In this example, the heater 20, control circuit 21, and power source 22 are laterally adjacent (i.e., adjacent when viewed from the ends), with the control circuit 21 generally located between the heater 20 and the power source 22, although other locations are possible. The control circuit 21 may include a controller, such as a microprocessor device, configured and arranged to control the heating of the aspirable material, as discussed further below. The power source 22 may be, for example, a battery, which may be a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium-ion batteries, nickel batteries (such as nickel-cadmium batteries), alkaline batteries, etc. The battery 22 is electrically coupled to the heater 20 to supply power, when needed and under the control of the control circuit 21, to heat the aspirable material (as discussed, to volatilize the aspirable material without causing it to burn). Positioning the power source 22 laterally adjacent to the heater 20 has the advantage of allowing for a physically large power source 22 without making the device 20 excessively long overall. As should be understood, physically larger power supplies 22 typically have higher capacity (i.e., the total electrical energy that can be supplied is often measured in ampere-hours, etc.), and therefore the battery life of device 10 can be longer.

[0033] In one example, heater 20 is typically in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube having a hollow internal heating chamber 23 into which the extractable material is inserted for heating during use. Different arrangements of heater 20 are possible. For example, heater 20 can be formed as a single heater, or it can be formed by multiple heaters aligned along the longitudinal axis of heater 20. (For simplicity, unless the context requires otherwise, the reference to “heater” herein shall be considered to include multiple heaters.) Heater 20 can be annular or tubular, or at least partially annular or partially tubular around its perimeter. In one example, heater 20 can be a thin-film heater. In a specific example, heater 20 is supported by a stainless steel support tube. The dimensions of heater 20 are such that when inserted, substantially the entire extractable material is located within the heating element of heater 20, such that substantially the entire extractable material is heated during use. Heater 20 can be arranged such that selected areas of the extractable material can be heated independently as needed, for example, sequentially (over time) or together (simultaneously).

[0034] In this example, heater 20 is surrounded by thermal insulator 24 along at least a portion of its length. Insulator 24 helps reduce heat transfer from heater 20 to the outside of device 10. This helps maintain a lower power requirement for heater 20 because it reduces heat loss overall. Insulator 24 also helps keep the outside of device 10 cooled during operation of heater 20. In one example, insulator 24 can be a double-walled sleeve that provides a low-pressure area between the two walls of the sleeve. That is, insulator 24 can be, for example, a “vacuum” tube, i.e., a tube that has been at least partially emptied in order to minimize heat transfer by conduction and / or convection. Other arrangements of insulator 24, besides or instead of double-walled sleeves, are also possible, including the use of insulating materials, including, for example, suitable foam-type materials.

[0035] The front of the chassis 16 has an opening 30 at the mouthpiece end 11 of the device 10, through which aspirable material can be inserted into and removed by the user during use. A door 31 is provided at the mouthpiece end 11. The door 31 can be opened to allow aspirable material to pass through the opening 30 for insertion into and removal from the device 10 during use, and the door can be closed to shut the opening 30 when not in use to keep the interior of the device 10 clean and prevent damage to the interior of the device 10. In this example, the door 31 is a sliding door that can slide up and down to close and open the opening 30. In other examples, the door 31 can be a hinged door or other arrangements may be provided. In this example, the door 31 is configured to cooperate with the front assembly 32.

[0036] The front assembly 32 has at least one component. In the specific example shown, the front assembly 32 has three components: a front component 32a, a middle component 32b, and a rear component 32c. The middle component 32b can be attached to the rear component 32c, for example, by an adhesive (including, for example, double-sided tape).

[0037] The front door 31 of device 10 is constructed and arranged to be slidably connected to the front assembly 32. The front door 31 can be slidably fitted to the front assembly 32 via a combination of protrusions and recesses. In the example shown, the front door 31 has a rearward-facing protrusion 31' that is received in a recess or channel 32' in the front assembly 32. The front door 31 can be secured using a screw 32", however, the screw allows the front door 31 to slide up and down within the channel 32'.

[0038] For specific references here Figure 3 The image shows a rod 50 comprising a respirable material 51 partially inserted through a front opening 30, such that (at least) the respirable material 51 is located within a heating chamber 23 of a heater 20, such that the respirable material 51 is heated when the heater 20 is energized. In this example, the rod 50 has a mouthpiece assembly at its mouthpiece end, which includes one or more of a filter for filtering aerosols and / or a cooling element 52 for cooling aerosols. The filter / cooling element 52 is spaced apart from the respirable material by a space 53 and also spaced apart from the mouthpiece end of the rod 50 by another space 54.

[0039] The rear wall 18 of housing 14 has an opening 35 at the distal end 12 of device 10. A door 36 is provided at the distal end 12. Door 36 can be opened to allow access to the opening 35 at the distal end 12, and door can be closed to close the opening 35 at the distal end 12. In this example, door 36 at the distal end 12 is a hinged door. In other examples, door 36 can be a sliding door or other arrangements may be provided. In the case where door 36 at the distal end 12 is a hinged door, the hinge can be configured as a "live hinge". More preferably, door 36 is a separate component, and the hinge for door 36 is a barrel hinge.

[0040] In the assembled device 10, the heater 20 is generally in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube located within the chassis 16, such that one end of the hollow tube is in fluid communication with an opening 30 at the mouthpiece end 11, and the other end of the hollow tube is in communication with an opening 35 at the distal end.

[0041] In use, the user closes the door 36 at the distal end 12 to close the opening 35 at the distal end 12 and opens the door 30 at the mouthpiece end 11 to open the opening 30 at the mouthpiece end 11. The user then inserts the rod 50, which includes the aspirable material 51, through the opening 30 at the mouthpiece end 11 into the heating chamber 23 of the heater 20, operates the device 10 to heat the aspirable material 51 to generate an aerosol for inhalation as needed, and then removes the rod 50 with the used aspirable material 51 from the device 10 through the opening 30 at the mouthpiece end 11. The user can open the door 36 at the distal end 12 to open the opening 35 at the distal end 12 after using the device 10. The opening 35 at the distal end 12 provides the user with access to the interior of the device 10, particularly to the area near the opening 35 at the distal end 12. This allows the user to clean the interior of the device 10 within the area of ​​the opening 35 at the distal end 12 as needed. This proximity at the distal end 12 specifically allows the user to clean the heater 20 and heating chamber 23 at the distal end 12. In fact, since the heater 20 is located between the opening 30 at the mouthpiece end 11 and the opening 35 at the distal end 12, and the hollow heater 20 effectively defines a through-hole running through the entire device 10 between the mouthpiece end opening 30 and the distal opening 35, the user can easily clean substantially the entire internal hollow heating chamber 23. For this purpose, the user can choose to access the heating chamber 23 via either opening 30, 35. The user can use one or more various cleaning devices for this purpose, including, for example, conventional tube cleaners or brushes.

[0042] In one example, the heating chamber 23 has a region with a decreasing inner diameter toward the distal end 12. This provides an end stop for the suckable material passing through the first opening 30 at the mouthpiece end 11, preventing the suckable material from passing directly through the second opening 35 at the distal end 12. In the illustrated example, this region with a decreasing inner diameter is provided by a hollow tube 40 located within the distal end 12 of the heating chamber 23. In this example, the hollow tube 40 has an outwardly extending head or flange 41. The hollow tube 40 can be formed of, for example, a plastic material, including, for example, polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The hollow tube 40 can be secured in place, for example, by adhesive or a twist-locking mechanism.

[0043] During the manufacture of device 10, hollow tube 40 is inserted from the outside into opening 35 at distal end 12, wherein head or flange 41 provides a stop against chassis 16 to position hollow tube 40 in a predetermined location. Heater 20 is located within chassis 16, wherein hollow tube 40 enters the distal end of internal chamber 23 of heater 20. Thus, in this configuration, hollow tube 40 provides a region with a reduced inner diameter within heating chamber 23, which serves as a stop for inserting aspirable material into internal chamber 23 of heater 20, and also supports and positions heater 20 within device 10 at distal end 12. Further discussing the support and position of heater 20 within device 10, tubular mouthpiece assembly 33 is disposed at mouthpiece end 11 and supports and positions the front end of heater 20.

[0044] It has been found that an important requirement for device 10 is to isolate, or at least substantially isolate, the airflow through the internal chamber 23 of heater 20 from the rest of device 10. This is to prevent or at least minimize contamination of the airflow through the internal chamber 23 of heater 20 by air that has already passed through control circuit 21 and / or power supply 22, etc. Similarly, this is to prevent or at least minimize the airflow through the internal chamber 23 of heater 20 that passes through or through control circuit 21 and / or power supply 22, etc.

[0045] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The heater 20 in an apparatus for heating a suction-prone material (including, for example, apparatus 10 as described above) can be formed of a sheet (i.e., a generally planar sheet of material) that is rolled up and sealed along the length of a tube. The rolled-up heater 20 can have a tubular shape, having a first end and a second end, and a hollow central portion. The hollow central portion receives the suction-prone material in use. The suction-prone material is inserted into the hollow central portion through one of the first and second ends. The tube is sealed along its entire length, and thus, air is prevented from entering or leaving the heater in any manner other than one or more of the first or second ends. The tube can be sealed using, for example, an adhesive or, in particular, a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The heater 20 in a particular example is a thin-film heater.

[0046] The tubular heater 20 can be made of a substrate, on which at least one conductive track is formed. The substrate can be in the form of a sheet and can include, for example, a plastic layer. In a particular example, the layer is a polyimide layer. The conductive track can be printed or otherwise placed on this layer. The tubular heater 20 can have another plastic layer formed on or over the conductive track. Thus, in this example, the conductive track is located between two plastic layers.

[0047] Further reference Figure 3 and Figure 4The tubular heater 20 is located in the first chamber 38, which may be referred to as the heating chamber of device 10. Device 10 may also have a second chamber 60, which may be referred to as the electronics chamber 60, housing at least one of the control circuitry 21 and the power supply 22. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the example shown, the electronics chamber 60 houses both the control circuitry 21 and the power supply 22. The first heating chamber 38 may be isolated from the second electronics chamber 60 such that the two chambers 38, 60 are substantially hermetically sealed to minimize or prevent the passage of air or vapor between them. This hermetically sealed or isolated arrangement of chambers 38, 60 allows at most a negligible amount of air to flow between them. In a particular example, the isolation of chambers 38, 60 results in the amount of air or vapor passing between them being less than approximately 1% of the total airflow through the heating chamber 23, and ideally none. (It can be seen that there is a passage 62 through which a heater tail 64 passes between chambers 38, 60. The heater tail 64 connects the heater 20 to the control circuitry 21 and the power supply 22 within the electronics chamber 60. This will be discussed further below.)

[0048] Still referencing Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this example, device 10 has a partition wall 66 between the first heating chamber 38 and the second electronics chamber 60. The partition wall 66 can be a separate component or can be integrally formed with the chassis or chassis component 16. In the illustrated example, the partition wall 66 is arranged between the front of device 10 and the rear wall 18 of device 10. The partition wall 66 may partially define one or both of the first heating chamber 38 and the second electronics chamber 60. The partition wall 66 may be made of thermoplastic (such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)) because the partition wall 66 may be subjected to indirect heating from heater 20 and needs to be heat-resistant. The partition wall 66 can be secondary-molded with a sealing material (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)) to seal the air path to the electronics on the outside of chassis 16.

[0049] In the example shown, the front edge of the partition wall 66 is received in a recess 67 in the chassis 16 in a "mortise and tenon" arrangement to facilitate the construction and assembly of the device 10. In the example shown, the rear edge of the partition wall 66 is received in a seal 68, which is also in a mortise and tenon arrangement in this example. The seal 68 receiving the partition wall 66 is an elastic member. The seal 68 may be made of, for example, one or more polymers (such as silicone or rubber) and may be in the form of, for example, a grommets or caps that can be injection molded. In other examples not shown, the front edge of the partition wall 66 may also be received in a seal similar to the seal 68 for the rear edge.

[0050] Now for reference Figures 5 to 7 , showed Figure 4 Detailed illustration of a specific area of ​​the device 10 shown. Figures 5 to 7 Each of the examples shows at least one seal within device 10, which helps to provide a substantially hermetically tight seal between the heating chamber 38 and the electronics chamber 60. It should be understood that specific examples show multiple seals, and not all of these seals are present in the embodiments. That is, some embodiments may have only one seal described herein, or more than one seal described herein, or all of the seals described herein.

[0051] Figure 5 A seal 72 is shown between the housing 14 of device 10 and the front part 32a of the front assembly 32. The seal 72 is located in a groove or recess 80 provided in one or both of the front part 32' of the front assembly 32 and the housing 14. The seal 72 can be compressed to ensure a tight fit between the housing 14 and the front assembly 32. The seal 72 is an elastic member. The seal 72 can be made of, for example, one or more polymers (including, for example, silicone or rubber). The seal 72 can be secondary molded using a sealing material (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane).

[0052] Figure 6 A seal 74 is shown between the housing 14 and the rear wall 18 of the device 10. The seal 74 is located in a groove or recess 82 provided in one or both of the rear wall 18 and the housing 14. The seal 74 can be compressed to ensure a tight fit between the housing 14 and the rear wall 18. The seal 74 is an elastic member. The seal 74 can be made of, for example, one or more polymers (including, for example, silicone or rubber). The seal 74 can be secondary molded using a sealing material (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane).

[0053] Figure 7 A seal 68 is shown, in which the second end of the partition wall 66 is received. Figure 7 A seal 70 is also shown, arranged opposite to a seal 68 at the second end of the receiving partition wall 66. The two seals 68 and 70 shown are arranged between the first chamber 38 and the second chamber 60. The seals 68 and 70 are arranged to press against each other such that the seal between the seals 68 and 70 is substantially airtight. In this example, the seal 70 is an elastic member. The seal 70 may be made of, for example, one or more polymers (such as silicone or rubber).

[0054] As described above, in the example shown, a passage 62 exists between chambers 38 and 60, through which the tail 64 of heater 20 passes to allow heater 20 to be connected to at least power source 22. In the example shown, heater tail 64 connects heater 20 to control circuitry 21 and power source 22 in electronics chamber 60.

[0055] Figure 7 An enlarged view of the area surrounding the passage 62 between chambers 38 and 60 is shown. A heating tail 64 occupies passage 62. The heating tail 64 is arranged between a seal 68 at the second end of the receiving partition wall 66 and a seal 70 arranged opposite to the seal 68 at the second end of the receiving partition wall 66. Seals 68 and 70 are pressed against the heating tail 64 to maintain a substantially airtight seal between chambers 38 and 60.

[0056] Figure 8 A longitudinal sectional view of device 10 is shown. Figure 9 and Figure 10 It shows Figure 8 Detailed illustrations of the two areas of the device 10 shown.

[0057] refer to Figures 8 to 10 The partition wall 66 is shown arranged between the chassis 16 of the device 10. The partition wall 66 along its first edge is received in a recess 16' in the chassis 16 of the device 10 in the form of a mortise and tenon joint. The first edge of the partition wall 66 can be secured in the recess 16' of the chassis 16 by, for example, adhesive or simply as a press-fit or friction fit.

[0058] The partition wall 66 shown has a groove 84 along its second edge. A seal 76 is disposed in the groove 84 of the partition wall 66. The seal 76 abuts the chassis 16 of the device 10. The seal 76 and the groove 84 are arranged such that a substantially airtight seal is formed along the second edge of the partition wall 66. The seal 76 is an elastic member. The seal 76 may be made of, for example, one or more polymers (such as silicone or rubber). The seal 76 may be secondary molded in the groove 84 using a sealing material (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane).

[0059] Now for special reference Figure 9 , showed Figure 8 A detailed illustration of the area of ​​device 10 shown. Another seal 78 is located between the housing and the side panel of the device to provide an external seal between the air path and the electronics. This other seal 78 is located in a recess 86 and is secondary-molded with a sealing material (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane) that is compressed between the housing 14 and the chassis 16.

[0060] The various embodiments described herein are provided only to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as representative examples of embodiments only and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims or on the equivalents of the appended claims, and other embodiments may be used and modified without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments within the scope of the invention may suitably include, constitute, or substantially constitute, suitable combinations of, or be composed of, the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Furthermore, this disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An apparatus arranged to heat a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the apparatus comprising: A housing for receiving the suctionable material; At least one heater is arranged within the housing for heating, during use, the removable material received within the housing; as well as Thermal insulation surrounds the heater to reduce heat loss from the heater to the outside of the device; The heater is formed of a sheet that is at least partially annular or partially tubular around its perimeter, and the sheet is sealed along the length of the at least partially annular or partially tubular shape. The heater has a first end and a second end, and a hollow central portion into which the suctionable material is received during use. The thermal insulator is a tube, and the tube of the thermal insulator is sealed along its length to prevent air from entering or leaving the heater in any manner other than through at least one of the first end and the second end of the heater.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The heater is supported by a support tube.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The support tube is a stainless steel support tube.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The thermal insulator is a double-walled sleeve.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The sheet includes a plastic layer.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein, The layer is a polyimide layer.

7. The device of claim 6, comprising at least one conductive track located on the layer, and the conductive track providing a heating element for the heater.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising another plastic layer located on the conductive track, such that the conductive track is located between the plastic layers.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The heater is a thin-film heater.

10. A method of forming a heater for an apparatus arranged to heat a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the method comprising: A heater formed of sheet material is provided, the heater having a first end and a second end and a hollow central portion, wherein, in use, a suctionable material is received in the hollow central portion; and The heater is inserted into a tubular thermal insulator such that the heater is surrounded by the thermal insulator along at least a portion of its length, and the sheet is at least partially annular or partially tubular around its perimeter, the sheet being sealed along the length of the at least partially annular or partially tubular shape, wherein the thermal insulator is a tube, the tube of the thermal insulator being sealed along its length to prevent air from entering or leaving the heater in any manner other than through at least one of the first end and the second end of the heater.

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