System for heating an article comprising smokable material

Abstract

A system for heating an article comprising a removable material to cause at least one component of the removable material to volatilize, the system comprising: an article comprising a removable material and a heating element disposed therein; and a device comprising: a thermal insulator comprising: an inner wall (110) at least partially defining a heating region for receiving at least a portion of the article comprising the removable material, wherein the inner wall comprises a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field to heat the heating region; an outer wall (112); and a thermally insulating region (124) defined by the inner and outer walls, wherein the thermally insulating region is evacuated to a pressure lower than that outside the thermally insulating region; and a magnetic field generator (106) for generating a varying magnetic field penetrating the inner wall to heat the inner wall in use.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application No. 201880059756.X entitled "Apparatus for Heating Suctionible Material" (based on international patent application No. PCT / EP2018 / 075093 filed on September 17, 2018, which entered the Chinese national phase on March 13, 2020). Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating a drawable material to volatilize at least one component of the drawable material, to a system comprising such an apparatus and an article having a drawable material, and to a method for heating a drawable material to volatilize at least one component of the drawable material. 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 but not burning a material. 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 present invention provides an apparatus for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the apparatus comprising: Thermal insulators, including: An inner wall, which at least partially defines a heated area for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising a suctionable material, wherein the inner wall includes a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field to heat the heated area. outer wall; and An insulated zone, defined by an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the insulated zone is evacuated to a pressure lower than that outside the insulated zone; and A magnetic field generator is used to generate a changing magnetic field that penetrates the inner wall to heat the inner wall during use.

[0005] In one exemplary implementation, the outer wall is non-magnetic and / or non-conductive.

[0006] In one exemplary embodiment, the outer wall comprises glass or ceramic.

[0007] In one exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator includes a coil surrounding at least a portion of an outer wall. The coil may include a helical coil. The coil may include a Litz wire.

[0008] In one exemplary embodiment, the coil includes a first portion for heating a first segment of an inner wall and a second portion for heating a second segment of an inner wall, and the first and second portions are independently controllable.

[0009] In one exemplary embodiment, the device includes a second coil surrounding at least a portion of the outer wall, and the first and second coils are independently controllable.

[0010] In one exemplary embodiment, the device includes a brazed ring located at the junction between the inner and outer walls to seal the heat-insulating area.

[0011] In one exemplary implementation, the outer wall extends only partially along the length of the inner wall.

[0012] In one exemplary implementation, the inner wall is a cylindrical tube.

[0013] In one exemplary embodiment, the device includes a magnetic shield surrounding a magnetic field generator.

[0014] 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.

[0015] In one exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises a metal or a metal alloy.

[0016] In one exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.

[0017] In one exemplary embodiment, the first section of the inner wall is made of a first material, and the second section of the inner wall is made of a second material different from the first material.

[0018] In one exemplary embodiment, the device is used to heat a non-liquid pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to evaporate.

[0019] In one exemplary embodiment, the device is used to heat a pumpable material to volatilize at least one component of the pumpable material without burning it.

[0020] In one exemplary embodiment, the inner wall is connected to the outer wall at a first position and a second position on the inner wall, and the inner wall includes at least one deformable structure between the first and second positions for deforming during heating of the heating material to accommodate the thermal expansion of a segment of the inner wall between the first and second positions. This thermal expansion may be, or include, the axial thermal expansion of a segment of the inner wall. The inner wall may include two such deformable structures spaced apart in the axial direction of the inner wall. In one exemplary embodiment, the inner wall is a cylindrical tube, and the thermal expansion is, or includes, the axial thermal expansion of a segment of the cylindrical tube.

[0021] In one exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes a metallized layer on the inner wall.

[0022] In one exemplary embodiment, the inner wall includes a support made of a non-magnetic and / or non-conductive material, and a metallization layer is located between the support and the insulation area.

[0023] In one exemplary embodiment, the inner wall includes a support made of a non-magnetic and / or non-conductive material, and the support is located between the metallization layer and the thermal insulation area.

[0024] A second aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the apparatus comprising: A heated zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising a suctionable material; A heating element comprising a heating material that can be heated by penetrating a varying magnetic field to heat the heating area; Thermal insulators, including: outer wall; The inner wall, which lies between the heating element and the outer wall; and An insulated area, defined by an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the insulated area is evacuated to a lower pressure than the outside of the insulated area, and wherein one or each of the inner wall and the outer wall is non-magnetic and / or non-conductive; and A magnetic field generator is used to produce a changing magnetic field that penetrates the heating element during use.

[0025] An exemplary embodiment of the device of the second aspect may have any of the features described above present in an exemplary embodiment of the device of the first aspect of the invention.

[0026] In one exemplary embodiment, one or each of the outer and inner walls is formed of glass.

[0027] In one exemplary embodiment, the heating element is connected to the inner wall via one or more deformable attachments.

[0028] A third aspect of the invention provides a suction-capable material for use with the apparatus of the first or second aspect of the invention.

[0029] The pumpable material of the third aspect of the present invention may be a non-liquid pumpable material.

[0030] A fourth aspect of the invention provides an article comprising a suction-capturing material, wherein the article is intended for use with the device of the first or second aspect of the invention.

[0031] A fifth aspect of the invention provides a system for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the system comprising: The device according to the first or second aspect of the invention; and Articles including suctionable materials, intended to be located at least partially in the heating zone of the equipment.

[0032] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a method for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the method comprising: Provide an apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the invention; Positioning at least a portion of an article comprising a drawable material within the heating zone of the device; and A changing magnetic field is used to penetrate the heating material of the device to heat the heating area and the suction material.

[0033] A seventh aspect of the invention provides a thermal insulator for use in an apparatus for heating a pumpable material to volatilize at least one component of the pumpable material, the thermal insulator comprising: The inner wall includes a heating material that can be heated by penetrating it with a changing magnetic field; The outer wall is non-magnetic and / or non-conductive; and An insulated zone, defined by an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the insulated zone is evacuated to a lower pressure than the outside of the insulated zone.

[0034] An exemplary embodiment of the thermal insulator of the seventh aspect may have any of the features described above present in an exemplary embodiment of the thermal insulator of the device of the first aspect of the invention.

[0035] In one exemplary embodiment, the insulation region surrounds the inner wall, and the outer wall surrounds the insulation region.

[0036] In one exemplary embodiment, a thermal insulator is used in the device of the first or second aspect of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary device for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize is shown. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the thermal insulation of the equipment; Figure 3 It shows along Figure 2 The cross section of line AA; Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown of an example of another thermal insulator used in a device for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize; Figure 5 It shows along Figure 4 The cross section of line BB; Figures 6a and 6b show details of the joint between the inner and outer walls of a thermal insulator used in a device for heating a pumpable material to volatilize at least one component of the pumpable material. Figure 7 Examples of articles comprising a suctionable material are shown, which are used with a device for heating a suctionable material to cause at least one component of the suctionable material to volatilize. Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a system is shown, the system including an article and a device for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize; the article includes the pumpable material. Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize; Figure 10 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown of an example of another thermal insulator used in a device for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize; Figure 11 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown of an example of another thermal insulator used in a device for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize; Figure 12 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown of an example of another thermal insulator used in a device for heating a pumpable material to volatilize at least one component of the pumpable material; and Figure 13 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown of an example of a thermal insulator and a heating element used in a device for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize.

[0038] Figure 14A schematic cross-sectional view is shown of an example of another thermal insulator used in a device for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize.

[0039] Figure 15 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown of an example of another thermal insulator used in a device for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize. Detailed Implementation

[0040] As used herein, the term "suckable material" includes materials that provide volatile components when heated, typically in the form of vapor or aerosol. "Suckable material" can be tobacco-free or tobacco-containing. "Suckable material" may include, for example, one or more of tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extracts, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Suckable material can be in the form of ground tobacco, shredded tobacco, compressed tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, reconstituted smokeable material, liquid, gel, gel sheet, powder, or aggregate. "Suckable material" may also include other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. "Suckable material" may include one or more humectants, such as glycerin or propylene glycol.

[0041] As used herein, the term "heating material" or "heater material" refers to a material that can be heated by penetrating a changing magnetic field.

[0042] As used herein, the terms "flavoring" and "fragrance" refer to materials that, where permitted by local regulations, may be used in a product to produce a taste or aroma desired by an adult consumer. These may include extracts such as licorice, hydrangea, Japanese magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, fennel, cinnamon, herbs, holly, cherry, berries, peach, apple, mahogany, bourbon, Scotch whisky, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cacorit, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cinnamon, caraway, brandy, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and citronella. Peppermint oil (from peppermint, fennel, peppermint, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or any species of the peppermint genus), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor blockers, sensory receptor activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclosulfonates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanical medicines, or breath fresheners. It can be an analogue, synthetic, or natural ingredient or a mixture thereof. It can include natural or naturally equivalent aromatic chemicals. It can be in any suitable form, such as oil, liquid, powder, or gel.

[0043] 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 (such as 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 heating, Ohm heating, or resistance heating. The object that can be inductively heated is called a sensor.

[0044] Hysteresis heating is a process of heating an object made of 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.

[0045] When an object is both electrically and magnetically conductive, penetrating it with a changing magnetic field can induce Joule heating and hysteresis heating within it. Furthermore, the use of magnetic materials can enhance the magnetic field, which intensifies both Joule heating and hysteresis heating.

[0046] 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, particularly by selecting appropriate object materials and geometries, as well as suitable variations in 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.

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a device according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 and Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of the thermal insulation of the device is shown. For clarity, in Figure 1 The thermal insulator 102 is shown in a simplified form. (See figure.) Figure 1 The apparatus 100 shown is used to heat a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to evaporate. The thermal insulator 102 of the apparatus 100 is used to receive at least a portion of an article 104 comprising a body of the pumpable material 132 to be heated. Figure 2 and Figure 3The thermal insulator 102 is shown in more detail. The article 104 can be inserted into the opening 144 of the device 100. The device 100 includes a magnetic field generator 106 for generating a changing magnetic field during use and a housing 108 for accommodating each component of the device 100.

[0048] In this embodiment, the magnetic field generator 106 includes a power supply 114, two coils 116a and 116b, and means 118 for passing a varying current (e.g., alternating current) through the coils 116a and 116b. In some embodiments, such as this one, the magnetic field generator 106 also includes a controller 120 and a user interface 122 for user operation of the controller 120.

[0049] The power source 114 may be a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, the power source 114 may not be a rechargeable battery, but may be a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor, a battery-capacitor hybrid device, or a connector to a mains power source.

[0050] Coils 116a and 116b can take any suitable form, including as a single coil. In this embodiment, the two-piece coils 116a and 116b are helical coils made of a conductive material (e.g., copper). In some embodiments, coils 116a and 116b can be flat coils. That is, the coils can be pseudo-two-dimensional helices. In some embodiments, the coils can include Litz wire.

[0051] Device 100 may include an air inlet that fluidly connects the interior of the device to the exterior of the device 100. In use, a user can draw in the volatile component of the suctionable material 132 by aspirating the volatile component through article 104. When the volatile component is removed from the article, air can be drawn into device 100 via the air inlet.

[0052] Thermal insulator 102 in Figure 2 and Figure 3 The image is shown in more detail and includes an inner wall 110 and an outer wall 112. The inner wall 110 is a heating element comprising or made of a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field. In one embodiment, the inner wall 110 may be formed of steel. However, a nickel-cobalt-iron alloy, such as Kovar®, may also be used. The area surrounded by the inner wall 110 can be considered a heating zone or heating chamber. The inner wall 110, together with the end cap, defines the heating zone. In other embodiments, the heating zone may be defined solely by the inner wall 110. In use, the article 104 to be heated is contained within the heating zone within the inner wall 110. Figure 2 and Figure 3In this embodiment, the thermal insulator 102 is essentially a cylinder with a circular cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the thermal insulator 102 may have different cross-sectional shapes.

[0053] In one embodiment, the inner wall 110 includes a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the article. In this embodiment, the heating region surrounded by the inner wall 110 is elongated. The inner wall 110 is a cylindrical tube. The size and shape of the heating region may be configured to accommodate the entire article 104, or alternatively, the size may be configured to receive only a portion of the article 104.

[0054] The thermal insulator 102 includes an insulating region 124 defined and disposed therebetween by an inner wall 110 and an outer wall 112. In this embodiment, as from Figure 3 As can be best understood, the insulating region 124 surrounds the inner wall 110, and the outer wall 112 surrounds the insulating region 124. Preferably, the insulating region 124 is vented to a pressure lower than that outside the insulating region. The lower pressure of the insulating region 124 effectively insulates the inner wall 110 and the heated area from the outer wall 112 and the housing 108, thereby limiting the transfer of heat away from the inner wall 110 and the heated area.

[0055] The insulating region 124 of the thermal insulator 102 may comprise an open-cell porous material, such as a polymer, aerogel, or other suitable material. The pressure within the insulating region 124 can be 10... -1 Up to 10 -7 Within the range of Torr. In some embodiments, the pressure in the insulating region 124 can be considered a vacuum. The inner wall 110 and outer wall 112 of the thermal insulator 102 are sufficiently robust to withstand any forces exerted upon it due to the pressure difference between the insulating region 124 and the outer regions of the inner wall 110 and outer wall 112, thereby preventing the thermal insulator 102 from collapsing inward. Gas-absorbing material may be used in the insulating region 124 to maintain or help generate a relatively low pressure in the insulating region 124.

[0056] In this embodiment, since the inner wall 110 serves as both a heating element and a wall for the thermal insulator 102, the overall size and weight of the device 100 can be reduced because it eliminates the need for separate heating elements and separate inner walls for insulation. The inner wall 110 can function as both a heating element and a wall for the thermal insulator 102 due to the fact that it can be heated by induction heating and / or hysteresis heating. Induction heating and hysteresis heating do not require a physical connection between the varying magnetic field source and the heating element, eliminating the need for wires or any other physical connection between the power supply and the heating element.

[0057] Insulated zone 124 is used to reduce heat transfer away from inner wall 110 via conduction and / or radiation or any other known heat transfer phenomenon.

[0058] Figure 3 It shows along Figure 2 The cross section of line AA. Figure 2 and Figure 3 It is not drawn to scale. Figure 2 In the diagram, the outer wall 112 is shown extending only partially along the length of the inner wall 110. That is, the outer wall 112 extends only along a portion of the inner wall 110, allowing thermal insulation to be provided only around a portion of the inner wall 110. Providing an outer wall 112 that extends only along a portion of the length of the inner wall 110 means that the overall size of the device 100 can be reduced. Alternatively, the outer wall 112 may extend along the entire length of the inner wall 110. The outer wall 112 and the inner wall 110 may be coaxial with each other.

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, coils 116a and 116b may surround at least a portion of the thermal insulator 102. Coils 116a and 116b may surround at least a portion of the outer wall 112 of the thermal insulator 102. In one embodiment, coils 116a and 116b and the outer wall 112 may be formed as a single integral element, for example by at least partially embedding coils 116a and 116b into the outer wall 112; however, in other embodiments, coils 116a and 116b and the outer wall 112 may be provided as separate elements.

[0060] In one embodiment, a magnetic shield 140 is provided around at least a portion of the coils 116a, 116b. The purpose of the magnetic shield 140 is to reduce or avoid the interaction between the magnetic field and any object other than the heating element, i.e., in this embodiment, the interaction with the inner wall 110. The magnetic shield can be formed of any material suitable for containing a magnetic field, such as ferrite.

[0061] In some embodiments, the outer wall 112 is formed of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material, such that the outer wall 112 will not be heated by induction heating and / or hysteresis heating when exposed to a changing magnetic field. For example, the outer wall 112 may be formed of a glass or ceramic material such as borosilicate. Providing an outer wall 112 made of a non-magnetic material means that when a changing current (e.g., alternating current) passes through coils 116a, 116b, the inner wall 110 of the thermal insulator 102 will be heated, while the outer wall 112 will not be heated by induction heating and / or hysteresis heating. Therefore, the system efficiency is improved because no energy is wasted on heating the outer wall 112. If the outer wall 112 were to be heated by a changing current, the inner wall 110 might actually be heated only minimally, which is undesirable. This arrangement also serves to maintain the external temperature of the housing 108, particularly the external temperature of its surface, at a level acceptable to user operation.

[0062] Figure 10A schematic cross-sectional view is shown as an example of another thermal insulator used in a device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the thermal insulator 102 and... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The thermal insulator 102 is the same. More specifically, as will be... Figure 10 Understood, the inner wall 110 is connected to the outer wall 112 at a first position and a second position on the inner wall 110. During heating of the heating material of the inner wall 110, the two deformable structures 127, 129 deform to accommodate the thermal expansion of the segment of the inner wall 110 between the first and second positions. Each of the deformable structures 127, 129 can be considered similar to an expansion joint.

[0063] In this embodiment, the inner wall 110 is a cylindrical tube, thermal expansion is or includes axial thermal expansion, and each of the structures 127, 129 is axially deformable to accommodate or absorb axial thermal expansion. This helps to reduce or avoid stress applied to the outer wall 112 at first and second locations on the inner wall 110, as well as to the connection between the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112. This can be particularly advantageous when the outer wall 112 is inflexible or less flexible than the inner wall 110, for example, when the outer wall is made of or includes glass or ceramic.

[0064] In other embodiments, the inner wall 110 may include only one such deformable structure, or it may include more than two such deformable structures.

[0065] In some embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the deformable structure, or each deformable structure, includes two radial extensions connected by a connector. During structural deformation, the connector and / or the radial extensions and / or the joint between the connector and the radial extensions bend to allow relative movement of the ends of the radial extensions located at the distal ends of the connectors.

[0066] Although referenced for the sake of brevity Figure 10 The thermal insulator 102 specifically describes the at least one deformable structure, but it should be understood that the at least one deformable structure may be incorporated accordingly into variations of the thermal insulator 102 or any embodiment of the device described herein to form further embodiments of the thermal insulator 102 and the device, respectively.

[0067] Figure 11 A schematic cross-sectional view of another example of a thermal insulator for a device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the thermal insulator 102, except that the heating element comprising heating material 142 includes a metallized layer 148 of inner wall 110, is... Figure 2 and Figure 3The thermal insulator 102 is the same. The outer wall 112 is formed of a non-conductive and / or non-magnetic material, such as glass or ceramic. The inner wall 110 includes a support 150 formed of a non-conductive and / or non-magnetic material (such as glass or ceramic) and includes a metallization layer 148. Figure 11 In the illustrated embodiment, the support 150 is located between the metallization layer 148 and the thermal insulation region 124. The metallization layer 148 can be heated by penetrating it with a varying magnetic field. The metallization layer is formed of a conductive and / or magnetically permeable material (e.g., iron). The metallization layer can be applied in powder form or, for example, as a coating or plating. Providing the metallization layer 148 reduces the overall size of the thermal insulator 102.

[0068] Figure 12 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown as an example of another thermal insulator for a device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the thermal insulator 102 is located between the support 150 and the thermal insulation region 124, except that the metallization layer 148 is located between the support 150 and the thermal insulation region 124. Figure 11 The thermal insulator 102 is the same. It can be used for... Figure 12 Thermal insulators as described herein Figure 11 Any variation of the thermal insulator to form other implementations.

[0069] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of another thermal insulator for a device according to one embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 are formed of a non-conductive and / or non-magnetic material. The inner wall 110 is adjacent to a heating element 142 comprising a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field. The heating element 142 is formed of a conductive and / or magnetically permeable material. The heating element 142 is hollow, such as... Figure 5 As shown, this allows an article 104 comprising a suction-type material to be accommodated therein. One embodiment of the device of the present invention includes... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The thermal insulator and heating element 142 are used to replace Figure 2 and Figure 3 A thermal insulator 102 with an integral heating element.

[0070] In one implementation, for example Figures 1 to 3 In this embodiment, coils 116a and 116b extend along a central longitudinal axis substantially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the inner wall 110, such that coils 116a and 116b are substantially coaxial with the inner wall 110. That is, the aligned axes coincide. In a variation of this embodiment, the aligned axes may alternatively be parallel to each other. In this embodiment, coils 116a and 116b are in a fixed position relative to the inner wall 110.

[0071] exist Figures 1 to 3 In one embodiment, a device 118 for passing a varying current through coils 116a, 116b is electrically connected between power supply 114 and coils 116a, 116b. In one embodiment, controller 120 is also electrically connected to power supply 114 and communicatively connected to device 118 to control device 118. More specifically, in this embodiment, controller 120 controls device 118 to control the power supply from power supply 114 to coils 116a, 116b. In one embodiment, controller 120 may include an integrated circuit (IC), such as an IC on a printed circuit board (PCB). In other embodiments, controller 120 may take different forms. In some embodiments, device 100 may have a single electrical or electronic component including device 118 and controller 120. In this embodiment, controller 120 can be operated by user interaction via user interface 122. In this embodiment, user interface 122 is located outside housing 108. User interface 122 may include buttons, toggle switches, dial pads, touchscreens, etc. In other embodiments, the user interface 122 may be remote and wirelessly connected to the device 100, for example via Bluetooth®. In this embodiment, user operation of the user interface 122 causes the controller 120 to allow the device 118 to pass alternating current through coils 116a, 116b, causing coil 114 to generate an alternating magnetic field.

[0072] The coils 116a, 116b and the inner wall 110 of the device 100 are suitably positioned relative to each other such that the changing magnetic field generated by the coils 116a, 116b penetrates the heating material of the inner wall 110 during use. When the heating material of the inner wall 110 is a conductive material, as in this embodiment, this can result 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. In this embodiment, the heating material is also made of a magnetic material, so the orientation of the magnetic dipoles in the heating material changes with the applied magnetic field, which results in heat being generated in the heating material by hysteresis. As previously mentioned, in some embodiments, the outer wall 112 is formed of a non-magnetic and / or non-conductive material such that it does not heat up when exposed to a changing magnetic field. Providing such an outer wall 112 means that the inner wall 110 benefits more from the effects of the changing magnetic field.

[0073] In one embodiment, coils 116a and 116b only wrap around a portion of the outer wall 112. In other embodiments, coils 116a and 116b wrap around the outer wall 112 along its entire length.

[0074] In one embodiment, coils 116a and 116b include a first component 116a surrounding a first portion of an outer wall 112 and a second component 116b surrounding a second portion of the outer wall 112. A controller 120 can control a device 118 to pass a varying current (e.g., alternating current) through the first component 116a to heat the first portion of the inner wall 110. A controller 120 of a magnetic field generator 106 can control the device 118 to pass a varying current (e.g., alternating current) through the second component 116a to heat the second portion of the inner wall 110. The controller 120 of the magnetic field generator 106 can selectively and independently control the device 118 to pass a varying current (e.g., alternating current) through the first component 116a and the second component 116b, such that the first and second portions of the inner wall 110 can be heated independently of each other. Therefore, when an article 104 comprising a removable material is located in the heating region, in use, a first segment of the article 104 is heated by the first portion of the inner wall 110, and a second segment of the article 104 is heated by the second portion of the inner wall 110. Providing the first and second coil components in this manner facilitates the relatively rapid formation and release of aerosol from the first section of the article for inhalation by the user, and allows for a second, subsequent release of aerosol from the second section of the article when the second coil component is activated. It should be understood that coils with more than two components or multiple coils may also be provided. Similarly, multiple coils or multiple components of coils may operate simultaneously, which may be based on user preference.

[0075] In some cases, the article 104 used with the device 100 may include a heating element comprising a heating material that can be heated by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The heating element may be arranged in the article such that when the article 104 is located in the heating region of the device 100 and the magnetic field generator 106 control device 118 causes a varying current (e.g., alternating current) to pass through coils 116a, 116b to heat the inner wall 110, the article 104 is heated by both the heating element of the article 104 and the inner wall 110 of the device 100.

[0076] In one embodiment, the impedance of the coils 116a, 116b of the magnetic field generator 106 is equal to or substantially equal to the impedance of the inner wall 110. If the impedance of the inner wall 110 is lower than that of the coils 116a, 116b, the voltage generated on the inner wall 110 during use may be lower than the voltage generated on the inner wall 110 when impedance is matched. Alternatively, if the impedance of the inner wall 110 is higher than that of the coils 116a, 116b, the current generated in the inner wall 110 during use may be lower than the current generated in the inner wall 110 when impedance is matched. Matching the impedance helps balance the voltage and current to maximize the heating power generated in the inner wall 110 during use. In some embodiments, the impedance of the device 118 may be equal to or substantially equal to the combined impedance of the coils 116a, 116b and the inner wall 110.

[0077] Device 100 may include a temperature sensor 130 for sensing the temperature of the inner wall 110. Temperature sensor 130 is communicatively connected to controller 120, enabling controller 120 to monitor the temperature of the inner wall 110 or the temperature of the heated area. Based on one or more signals received from temperature sensor 130, controller 120 may cause device 118 to adjust the characteristics of a varying or alternating current through coils 116a, 116b as needed to ensure that the temperature of the heated area or the temperature of the inner wall 110 is maintained within a predetermined temperature range. This characteristic may be, for example, amplitude, frequency, or duty cycle. Within this predetermined temperature range, in use, the extractable material within the article located in the heated area is sufficiently heated to cause at least one component of the extractable material to volatilize without burning the extractable material. Therefore, in this embodiment, controller 120 and device 100 are arranged integrally to heat the extractable material to cause at least one component of the extractable material to volatilize without burning the extractable material. In some embodiments, the operating temperature range is from about 50°C to about 350°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 ranges. In some embodiments, the upper limit of the temperature range may be greater than 350°C; in some embodiments, the temperature sensor 130 may be omitted. In some embodiments, the heating material of the inner wall 110 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.

[0078] Figure 6A and Figure 6BDetails of the connection between the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 of a thermal insulator according to one embodiment of the invention are shown. As the outer wall 112 and the inner wall 110 converge to an outlet (not shown), the end of the heat-insulating region 124 of the thermal insulator 102 may taper gradually through which gas in the heat-insulating region 124 may be discharged to create a vacuum during the manufacture of the thermal insulator 102. Figure 6A and Figure 6B Details of the convergence of outer wall 112 to inner wall 110 are shown, but an alternative arrangement can be used in which inner wall 110 converges to outer wall 112. The converging end of outer wall 112 is configured to guide gas molecules in the insulation region 124 to the outlet during manufacturing, thereby evacuating the insulation region 124 to a lower pressure than outside the insulation region. The outlet is sealable to maintain a vacuum or lower pressure area in the insulation region 124 after it has been evacuated. For example, after gas has been discharged from the insulation region 124, the outlet can be sealed by brazing material to the inner wall 110 and outer wall 112 at the outlet to create brazed sealing rings 126, 128. However, alternative sealing techniques may also be used. The brazed sealing rings 126, 128 at the junction between inner wall 110 and outer wall 112 serve to reduce heat transfer away from inner wall 112 via convection, thereby reducing energy loss in the system.

[0079] In some embodiments, the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 may comprise different materials to be bonded together. For example, the outer wall 112 may comprise a glass or ceramic material, and the inner wall 110 may comprise a metal or metal alloy. In these cases, the outer wall 112 and the metallic inner wall 110 may be brazed together using a silver eutectic brazing material. The brazing material may be applied sequentially to individual joints according to the temperature tolerance of the materials involved. For example, the highest temperature bonding process may be applied first to the material of the first wall to form a first joint with that wall. Then, the temperature of the bonding process may be gradually reduced to form a second joint with another wall.

[0080] In embodiments where the outer wall 112 comprises a glass material and the inner wall 110 comprises a metal or metal alloy, the bonding process may include a glass-metal seal, wherein a bond is formed between the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 by high-temperature melting of the glass and / or the metal / metal alloy.

[0081] In some embodiments, the end of the outer wall 112 may be shaped to fit snugly against the inner wall 110 before engagement. Figure 14 An example of an outer wall 112 with shaped ends is shown. Each end of the outer wall 112 may include a flared end 112a shaped such that the outer wall 112 forms a tight fit with the inner wall 110. Figure 14As shown, end 112a can open downward toward the inner wall 110 to form a tight fit with the inner wall 110. In some embodiments where the outer wall 112 comprises a glass material, the glass material can be heated and deformed to form a tight fit with the inner wall 110.

[0082] In some embodiments, the inner wall 110 may be configured to fit snugly with the outer wall 112 when the walls are assembled together. Figure 15 An example of an inner wall 110 with shaped ends is shown. Each end of the inner wall 110 includes a flange 110a. When the inner wall 110 is assembled with the outer wall 112, the flanges 110a extend toward the inner surface of the outer wall 112, so that the inner wall and the outer wall 112 have a tight fit.

[0083] In some embodiments, the shaped ends of the inner wall 110 and / or the outer wall 112 may be heated such that a bond is formed through the inner surface of the outer wall 112. For example, the shaped ends may be heated such that the material forming the outer wall 112 melts to bond against the shaped ends of the inner wall 110, or vice versa. This heating may include, for example, induction heating.

[0084] Any of the above-described assembly and / or connection techniques, or any other suitable technique, can be used to assemble and / or connect the inner wall 110 to the outer wall 112.

[0085] To evacuate the insulation zone 124, the thermal insulator 102 can be placed in a low-pressure, substantially evacuated environment, such as a vacuum furnace chamber, allowing gas molecules in the insulation zone 124 to flow into the low-pressure environment outside the thermal insulator 102. As the pressure within the insulation zone 124 decreases, the tapering geometry of the outer wall 112 and the inner wall 110 guides any remaining gas molecules out of the insulation zone 124 via an outlet.

[0086] In some embodiments, one or more low-emissivity coatings may be present on the inner surface of the heat-insulating region 124, i.e., on the outer surface of the inner wall 110 and the inner surface of the outer wall 112. Providing one or more of such low-emissivity coatings can help reduce heat transfer via infrared radiation.

[0087] In some embodiments, a reflective surface is provided on the surface of the inner wall 110 defining the thermal insulation region 124. Alternatively or additionally, the reflective surface may be provided on the surface of the outer wall 112 defining the thermal insulation region 124. The reflective surface is used to reduce heat transferred away from the inner wall 110 by radiation.

[0088] While the shape of the thermal insulator 102 has been generally described herein as substantially cylindrical or similar, the thermal insulator 102 may be formed in another shape, such as a cuboid. In one embodiment, the inner wall 110 is tubular and surrounds the heating region. The inner wall 110 may have a substantially circular cross-section. However, in other embodiments, the inner wall 110 may have a cross-section other than circular, such as square, rectangular, polygonal, or elliptical.

[0089] refer to Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of an article 104 comprising a suction-capturing material according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Article 104 of this embodiment is particularly suitable for… Figure 1 The device 100 shown, or having Figure 4 and Figure 5 The device of thermal insulator and heating element 142, to replace Figure 2 and Figure 3 The thermal insulator 102 has an integrated heating element. In use, the article 104 can be removably inserted into the heating area at the opening 144 of the device 100.

[0090] In one embodiment, article 104 is in the form of a substantially cylindrical rod, comprising a body of suction material 132 and a filter assembly in the form of a rod. The filter assembly of this embodiment includes three sections: a cooling section 134, a filter section 136, and a nozzle end section 138. However, in other embodiments, any one, two, or all of these sections 134, 136, and 138 may be omitted.

[0091] The main body of the suction material 132 is positioned toward the distal end of the article 104. In one embodiment, a cooling section 134 is located between the main body of the suction material 132 and the filter tip section 136, such that the cooling section 134 is adjacent to both the suction material 132 and the filter tip section 136. The filter tip section 136 is located between the cooling section 134 and the nozzle tip section 138. The nozzle tip section 138 is positioned toward the proximal end of the article 104 and is adjacent to the filter tip section 136. In one embodiment, the filter tip section 136 is adjacent to the nozzle tip section 138.

[0092] In one embodiment, the bulk of the puffable material 132 comprises tobacco. However, in other corresponding embodiments, the bulk of the puffable material 132 may consist of tobacco, may consist substantially entirely of tobacco, may include tobacco and puffable materials other than tobacco, may include puffable materials other than tobacco, or may not contain tobacco. The puffable material may include an aerosol forming agent, such as glycerin.

[0093] In one embodiment, the cooling section 134 is an annular tube, and an air gap is defined around and within the cooling section 134. The air gap provides a chamber for the flow of heated volatile components generated from the body of the suction material 132. The cooling section 134 is hollow to provide a chamber for aerosol buildup, but its rigidity is sufficient to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during manufacturing and during use while the work-in-process 104 is inserted into the device 100. The cooling section 134 provides physical displacement between the suction material 132 and the filter section 136. The physical displacement provided by the cooling section 134 will provide a thermal gradient along the length of the cooling section 134.

[0094] The filter segment 136 can be formed of any filter material sufficient to remove one or more volatile compounds from the heated volatile components of the suction material. In one embodiment, the filter segment 136 is made of a monoacetate material such as cellulose acetate. The presence of the filter segment 136 provides a thermal insulation effect by further cooling the heated volatile components leaving the cooling segment 136. This further cooling effect reduces the contact temperature of the user's lips on the surface of the filter segment 136.

[0095] The nozzle section 138 is an annular tube located around and within which an air gap is defined. The air gap provides a chamber for heated volatile components flowing out of the filter nozzle section 138.

[0096] In one embodiment, the total length of the article 104 is between 71 mm and 95 mm, more preferably, the total length of the article 104 is between 79 mm and 87 mm, and even more preferably, the total length of the article 104 is 83 mm.

[0097] In one embodiment, article 104 is elongated and substantially cylindrical, having a substantially circular cross-section. However, in other embodiments, article 104 may have a cross-section other than circular and / or not be elongated and / or not cylindrical.

[0098] refer to Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. System 200 includes... Figure 1 Equipment 100 and Figure 7 Product 104. For the sake of brevity, the equipment 100 and product 104 will not be described in detail.

[0099] In use, the article 104 is housed within the heating zone of the device. As described above, the inner wall 110 can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone. The article within the heating zone will then be heated to cause the release of one or more volatile components of the extractable material.

[0100] In use, air can be drawn into article 104 through an inlet at its distal end, which fluidly connects the interior of the device 100 to the exterior. Air can pass through the extractable material 132 and pick up volatile components released from it. These volatile components, typically in vapor or aerosol form, can then be drawn through the filter assembly of article 104 and consumed by the user at the proximal end of article 104.

[0101] In one embodiment, when the article 104 is in the heating zone, the inner wall 110 is in thermal contact with the extractable material 132 of the article 104. In another embodiment, the extractable material 132 is in contact with the surface of the inner wall 110. Therefore, the inner wall 110 is heatable in use to directly heat the extractable material 132. In other embodiments, the heating material of the inner wall 110 may remain in non-contact with the surface of the extractable material 132, but still be in thermal contact with the extractable material 132.

[0102] In other embodiments, as referenced above Figure 4 and Figure 5 The inner wall 110 discussed here includes a heating element comprising a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field. In this embodiment, the heating element 142 is in thermal contact (preferably surface contact) with the drawable material 132 of the article 104 to heat the drawable material 132 in use.

[0103] Figure 13 A schematic cross-sectional view is shown as an example of another thermal insulator used in a device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, thermal insulator 102 and Figure 4 The thermal insulator 102 is the same, except that the heating element 142 is connected to the inner wall 110 via one or more deformable attachments 152. Figure 13 The diagram shows four deformable attachments 152, but in other embodiments, there may be more or fewer attachments, such as one or two. In some instances, the deformable attachments 152 provide a structural connection between the inner wall 110 and the heating element 142, while also allowing limited relative movement between the inner wall 110 and the heating element 142. During heating, the inner wall 110 and the heating element 142 may expand at different rates. Allowing some relative movement between the inner wall 110 and the heating element 142 due to their different rates of thermal expansion helps to reduce or avoid stress being applied to the inner wall 110 and the heating element 142. This can be particularly advantageous when the inner wall 110 is non-flexible or less flexible than the inner wall heating element 142, for example when the inner wall is made of or comprises glass or ceramic. In some embodiments, the deformable attachments may be made of, for example, high-temperature silicone resin.

[0104] In one embodiment, the length of the main body of the suction material 132 is approximately equal to the length of the inner wall 110. This helps to provide more efficient heating of the main body of the suction material 132 during use. In other embodiments, the length of the main body of the suction material 132 may be less than or greater than the length of the inner wall 110.

[0105] In one embodiment, the inner wall 110 is impermeable or does not allow volatile materials to pass through, and is substantially uninterrupted.

[0106] refer to Figure 9 The diagram shows a flowchart of a method for heating a suction material to cause at least one component of the suction material to volatilize, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Method 300 includes 302 providing an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as... Figure 1 The device 100 shown and described above. The method also includes, 304, an article comprising a suction-capturing material (e.g., Figure 7 The article 104 shown and described above is positioned in the heating area of ​​the device. The method further includes, 306, using a varying magnetic field to penetrate the heating material of the device to heat the heating area and the extractable material of the article.

[0108] In each of the embodiments discussed above, the heating material is steel. 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 metals or metal alloys. 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, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze. Other heating materials may be used in other embodiments. It has been found that when a magnetically conductive material is used as the heating material, it can enhance the magnetic coupling between the magnetically conductive material and the electromagnet of the device in use. In addition to potentially enabling hysteresis heating, this can result in greater or improved Joule heating of the heating material, and thus greater or improved heating of the pumpable material.

[0109] Heating materials can have a skin depth, which is the outer region where most of the induced current and / or the induced reorientation of the magnetic dipoles occurs. By providing 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, thereby reducing costs.

[0110] In some embodiments, a first portion of the inner wall 110 may be made of a first material, and a second portion of the inner wall 110 may be made of a second material different from the first material. The first material may be a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field. Examples of such heating materials are described above. The second material may or may not be a heating material that can be heated by penetrating with a varying magnetic field, but it should be a thermal conductor. The first portion of the inner wall 110 may be positioned toward the proximal end or mouth end of the device 100 such that when a varying magnetic field is applied to the inner wall 110, the first portion is heated, and thus the portion of the body of the aspirable material 132 positioned toward the proximal end or mouth end of the body of the aspirable material 132 is heated first. The second portion of the inner wall 110 is then heated via conduction, which in turn heats the portion of the body of the aspirable material 132 positioned toward the distal end of the body of the aspirable material 132.

[0111] In some embodiments, the pumpable material is a non-liquid pumpable material, and the device is used to heat the non-liquid pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to evaporate. In other embodiments, the opposite may be true. In some embodiments, the device is used to heat a liquid pumpable material to cause at least one component of the liquid pumpable material to evaporate, which then passes through the non-liquid pumpable material.

[0112] In each of the above embodiments, article 104 is a consumable article. Once the volatile components of the extractable material 132 in article 104 have been completely or substantially depleted, the user can remove article 104 from device 100 and dispose of it. The user can then reuse device 100 for another similar article 104.

[0113] In some embodiments, device 100 and articles 104 used with it may be sold, supplied, or otherwise provided separately. However, in some embodiments, device 100 and one or more articles 104 may be provided together as a system 200, such as a kit or component, possibly with additional parts, such as cleaning appliances.

[0114] To address various problems and advance the prior art, this disclosure, through illustration and examples, shows various embodiments in which the claimed invention can be practiced, and provides excellent apparatus, excellent systems including such apparatus and articles, and excellent methods for heating a pumpable material to volatilize at least one component of the pumpable material. The advantages and features of this disclosure are merely representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are presented 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 this disclosure as defined by the claims or on the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments and modifications may be utilized without departing from the scope and / or spirit of this disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably include various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc., constitute, or substantially constitute various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc. This disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

[0115] Item 1. An apparatus for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the apparatus comprising: A thermal insulator includes: an inner wall that at least partially defines a heating region for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising a suction-type material, wherein the inner wall includes a heating material capable of being heated by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the heating region; an outer wall; and a thermally insulating region defined by the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the thermally insulating region is evacuated to a pressure lower than that outside the thermally insulating region; and A magnetic field generator is used to generate a changing magnetic field that penetrates the inner wall to heat the inner wall during use.

[0116] Item 2. The device according to Item 1, wherein the outer wall is non-magnetic and / or non-conductive.

[0117] Item 3. The device according to Item 1 or Item 2, wherein the outer wall comprises glass or ceramic.

[0118] Item 4. The device according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the magnetic field generator includes a coil surrounding at least a portion of the outer wall.

[0119] Item 5. The device according to Item 4, wherein the coil comprises a helical coil.

[0120] Item 6. The device according to Item 4 or Item 5, wherein the coil comprises Litz wire.

[0121] Item 7. The device according to any one of items 4 to 6, wherein the coil includes a first portion for heating a first segment of the inner wall and a second portion for heating a second segment of the inner wall, wherein the first portion and the second portion are independently controllable.

[0122] Item 8. The device according to any one of items 4 to 7, the device comprising a second coil surrounding at least a portion of the outer wall, wherein the coil and the second coil are independently controllable.

[0123] Item 9. The device according to any one of items 1 to 8, the device comprising a brazed ring located at the junction between the inner wall and the outer wall to seal the heat-insulating area.

[0124] Item 10. The device according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the outer wall extends only partially along the length of the inner wall.

[0125] Item 11. The device according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the inner wall is a cylindrical tube.

[0126] Item 12. The device according to any one of items 1 to 11, the device comprising a magnetic shield surrounding the magnetic field generator.

[0127] Item 13. The apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: conductive materials, magnetic materials, and magnetically conductive materials.

[0128] Item 14. The apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the heating material comprises a metal or a metal alloy.

[0129] Item 15. The apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 14, wherein the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.

[0130] Item 16. The device according to any one of items 1 to 15, wherein a first section of the inner wall is made of a first material, and a second section of the inner wall is made of a second material different from the first material.

[0131] Item 17. The apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 16, wherein the apparatus is used to heat a non-liquid pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize without burning the pumpable material.

[0132] Item 18. The device according to any one of items 1 to 17, wherein the inner wall is connected to the outer wall at a first position on the inner wall and at a second position on the inner wall, wherein the inner wall includes at least one deformable structure between the first position and the second position, and wherein the at least one deformable structure is configured to deform during heating of the heating material to accommodate the thermal expansion of the segment of the inner wall between the first position and the second position.

[0133] Item 19. The apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 18, wherein the heating material comprises a metallized layer of the inner wall.

[0134] Item 20. The device according to Item 19, wherein the inner wall comprises a support of a non-magnetic and / or non-conductive material, and the metallization layer is located between the support and the thermal insulation region.

[0135] Item 21. The device according to Item 19, wherein the inner wall comprises a support of a non-magnetic and / or non-conductive material, and the support is located between the metallization layer and the thermal insulation region.

[0136] Item 22. An apparatus for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the apparatus comprising: A heated zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising a suctionable material; A heating element, including a heating material, which can be heated by passing through a changing magnetic field to heat the heating area; A thermal insulator includes: an outer wall; an inner wall between the heating element and the outer wall; and a thermally insulating region defined by the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the thermally insulating region is evacuated to a pressure lower than that outside the thermally insulating region, and wherein one or each of the inner wall and the outer wall is non-magnetic and / or non-conductive; and A magnetic field generator is used to generate a changing magnetic field that penetrates the heating element during use.

[0137] Item 23. The device according to Item 22, wherein one or each of the outer wall and the inner wall is formed of glass.

[0138] Item 24. The device according to Item 22 or 23, wherein the heating element is connected to the inner wall via one or more deformable attachments.

[0139] Item 25. A suction material for use with a device according to any one of items 1 to 24.

[0140] Item 26. A system for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the system comprising: The device according to any one of items 1 to 24; and The article comprising a suctionable material is used for at least partially positioning in the heating zone of the device.

[0141] Item 27. A method of heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the method comprising: Provide the device according to any one of items 1 to 24; Positioning at least a portion of an article comprising a suctionable material in the heating zone of the device; and A changing magnetic field is used to penetrate the heating material of the device to heat the heating area and the suction material.

[0142] Item 28. A thermal insulator for use in an apparatus for heating a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the thermal insulator comprising: The inner wall includes a heating material that can be heated by penetrating it with a changing magnetic field; The outer wall is non-magnetic and / or non-conductive; and An insulated area, defined by the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the insulated area is evacuated to a lower pressure than the outside of the insulated area.

Claims

1. A system for heating an article comprising a pumpable material to cause at least one component of the pumpable material to volatilize, the system comprising: An article, comprising a suctionable material and a first heating element disposed therein; as well as Equipment, including: A heated zone for receiving at least a portion of the article comprising a suctionable material; A magnetic field generator is used to generate a changing magnetic field that penetrates the first heating element during use; and A thermal insulator includes an insulating region defined by an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall includes a second heating element; The inner wall at least partially defines the heating area; and The article is constructed such that it is heated by both the first heating element and the inner wall of the article.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein, The inner wall is tubular and surrounds the heating area.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The inner wall has a substantially circular cross-section.

4. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The inner wall has a cross-section other than a circle.

5. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The inner wall has a square, rectangular, polygonal, or elliptical cross-section.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The inner wall serves as both the second heating element and the wall of the thermal insulator.

7. The system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The inner wall can be heated during use to directly heat the suction material.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The second heating element cannot be heated by penetrating a changing magnetic field.

9. The system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The magnetic field generator is configured to produce a changing magnetic field that penetrates the second heating element during use.

10. The system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The inner wall includes a metallized layer.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein, The second heating element includes the metallization layer.

12. The system of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The second heating element includes a second heating material, which is a heat conductor.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein, The second heating material includes the metallized layer.

14. The system of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein, The inner wall includes a support and the metallized layer.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein, The second heating element includes the support member and the metallization layer.

16. The system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, The metallization layer is located between the support and the heat insulation area.

17. The system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, The support is located between the metallized layer and the heat insulation area.

18. The system of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein, The support member comprises at least one of the following materials: non-conductive and / or non-magnetic.

19. The system of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein, The support component comprises ceramic.

20. The system of any one of claims 10 to 19, wherein, The metallization layer is formed of a conductive material.

21. The system of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein, The heat insulation area includes an open-pore porous material.

22. The system of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein, The insulation area includes aerogel.

23. The system of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein, The outer wall is formed of at least one of the following materials: non-magnetic and / or non-conductive.

24. The system of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein, The heat-insulating area surrounds the inner wall, and the outer wall surrounds the heat-insulating area.

25. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein, The magnetic field generator includes a coil that surrounds at least a portion of the thermal insulator.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein, The coil surrounds at least a portion of the outer wall.

27. The system of claim 25 or 26, wherein, The coil and the outer wall form at least one of a single element and an integral element.

28. The system of any one of claims 25-27, wherein, The coil is at least partially embedded in the outer wall.

29. The system of any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein, The coil is in a fixed position relative to the inner wall.

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