Apparatus for heating smokable material

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.SOLUTION: An apparatus 100 includes a thermal insulator 102 and a magnetic field generator 106. The thermal insulator includes: an inner wall at least partially defining a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising smokable material, wherein the inner wall comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone; an outer wall; and an insulation region bound by the inner wall and the outer wall, wherein the insulation region is evacuated to a lower pressure than an exterior of the insulation region. The magnetic field generator is for generating a varying magnetic field that penetrates the inner wall in order to heat the inner wall in use.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, a system comprising such an apparatus and an article containing smoking material, and a method for heating smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. [Background technology]

[0002] Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like, burn tobacco to produce tobacco smoke when used. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by creating products that release compounds without combustion. Examples of such products are so-called "heat-not-burn" products or tobacco heating devices or products that release compounds by heating a material rather than burning it. The material can be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products that may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A first aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for heating smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, the apparatus comprising a thermal insulator and a magnetic field generator, the insulator comprising an inner wall at least partially defining a heating zone for receiving at least a part of an article including the smoking material, the inner wall containing a heating material heatable by penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the heating zone, an outer wall and an insulating region bounded by the inner wall and the outer wall, the insulating region being evacuated to a lower pressure than outside the insulating region, the magnetic field generator for generating a fluctuating magnetic field which, in use, penetrates the inner wall to heat the inner wall.

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, the outer wall is magnetically impermeable and / or non-conductive.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the outer wall comprises glass or ceramic.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator comprises a coil surrounding at least a portion of the outer wall, the coil may be a helical coil, and the coil may comprise Litz wire.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the coil comprises a first portion for heating a first area of ​​the inner wall and a second portion for heating a second area of ​​the inner wall, the first portion and the second portion being independently controllable.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a second coil surrounding at least a portion of the outer wall, the coil and the second coil being independently controllable.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a braze ring disposed at the joint between the inner and outer walls to seal the insulating region.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the outer wall extends only partially along the length of the inner wall.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the inner wall is a cylindrical tube.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a magnetic shield surrounding the magnetic field generator.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a magnetic material, and an electrically conductive magnetic material.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises a metal or metal alloy.

[0015] In an 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.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, a first section of the inner wall is made from a first material and a second section of the inner wall is made from a second material that is different from the first material.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the device is for heating a non-liquid smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the device is for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material without combusting the smokable material.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the inner wall is connected to the outer wall at a first location on the inner wall and a second location on the inner wall, the inner wall comprising at least one deformable structure between the first and second locations, the at least one deformable structure for deforming to accommodate thermal expansion of a section of the inner wall between the first and second locations during heating of the heating material. The thermal expansion may be or include axial thermal expansion of the section of the inner wall. The inner wall may comprise two such deformable structures spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the inner wall. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner wall is a cylindrical tube, and the thermal expansion may be or include axial thermal expansion of a section of the cylindrical tube.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes a metallized layer on the inner wall.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the inner wall comprises a support of a non-magnetically permeable and / or non-conductive material, with the metallization layer between the support and the insulating region.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the inner wall comprises a support of a non-magnetically permeable and / or non-conductive material, the support being between the metallized layer and the thermal insulation region.

[0023] A second aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, the apparatus comprising: a heating zone that receives at least a portion of an article including a smoking material; a heating element including a heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat a heating zone; A thermal insulator, outer wall, an inner wall between the heating element and the outer wall; and an insulator comprising an insulating region bounded by an inner wall and an outer wall, the insulating region being evacuated to a lower pressure than outside the insulating region, one or each of the inner and outer walls being non-magnetically permeable and / or non-conductive; a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field which, when in use, penetrates the heating element; It is equipped with:

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the apparatus of the second aspect may have any of the features described above as being present in the exemplary embodiments of the apparatus of the first aspect of the invention.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, one or each of the inner and outer walls is formed from glass.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element is connected to the interior wall by one or more deformable attachments.

[0027] A third aspect of the invention provides smoking material for use with a device of the first or second aspect of the invention.

[0028] The smoking material according to the third aspect of the present invention is a non-liquid smoking material.

[0029] A fourth aspect of the invention provides an article comprising smoking material, the article being for use with a device of the first or second aspect of the invention.

[0030] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a system for heating a smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the system comprising: An apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the invention; an article including smoking material for at least partial placement in a heating zone of said apparatus; Equipped with.

[0031] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a method for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, the method comprising: Providing an apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the invention; placing at least a portion of an article comprising smoking material in a heating zone of the apparatus; penetrating a varying magnetic field into a heating zone and into a heating material of the device to heat the heating zone and the smokable material; Includes.

[0032] A seventh aspect of the present invention provides an insulation body for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material so as to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the insulation body comprising: an inner wall including a heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field; an outer wall that is non-magnetically permeable and / or non-conductive; an insulated region bounded by an inner wall and an outer wall, the insulated region being evacuated to a lower pressure than outside the insulated region; Equipped with.

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the insulation of the seventh aspect have any of the features described above as being present in the exemplary embodiments of the insulation in the apparatus of the first aspect of the invention.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the insulating region surrounds the inner wall and the outer wall surrounds the insulating region.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the insulation is for use in an apparatus of the first or second aspect of the invention.

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an insulator in the apparatus of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] A schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of insulation for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6A] 2 shows a detail of one joint between an outer wall and an inner wall of insulation used in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Figure 6B] 4 shows a detail of another joint between an outer wall and an inner wall of insulation for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates an example of an article including smoking material for use with a device for heating the smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a system including an article containing smoking material and a device for heating the smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. [Figure 9]1 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method for heating a smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Figure 10] A schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of insulation for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Figure 11] A schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of insulation for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Figure 12] A schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of insulation for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of insulation and a heating element for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Figure 14] A schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of insulation for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Figure 15] A schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of insulation for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] As used herein, the term "smoking material" includes materials that upon heating provide volatile components, typically in the form of a vapor or aerosol. "Smoking material" may be a non-tobacco-containing material or a tobacco-containing material. "Smoking material" may include, for example, one or more of tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Smoking material may be in the form of ground tobacco, cut rag tobacco, extruded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, reconstituted smoking material, liquid, gel, gelled sheet, powder, or loaf, or the like. "Smoking material" may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. "Smoking material" may include one or more humectants, such as glycerol or propylene glycol.

[0039] As used herein, the term "heater material" or "heating material" refers to a material that is heatable by the penetration of a changing magnetic field.

[0040] The terms "flavoring agent" and "flavoring agent" as used herein refer to materials that may be used in products for adult consumers to produce a desired flavor or fragrance, where permitted by local regulations. These include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie™, bourbon, Scotch, whiskey, peppermint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jute, spices ... They may include jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, pepper, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or peppermint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucrose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners. They may be imitation, synthetic, or natural ingredients, or mixtures thereof. They may include natural or nature-identical flavors. They may be in any suitable form, such as oil, liquid, or powder.

[0041] Induction heating is a process in which a conductive object is heated by penetrating a varying magnetic field into the object. The process is described by Faraday's law of induction and Ohm's law. An induction heater may comprise an electromagnet and a device for passing a varying current, such as an alternating current, through the electromagnet. When the electromagnet and the object to be heated are appropriately positioned relative to one another such that the resultant varying magnetic field generated by the electromagnet penetrates the object, one or more eddy currents are generated within the object. The object has a resistance to the flow of electric current. Thus, when such eddy currents are generated within the object, they flow against the electrical resistance of the object, thereby heating the object. This process is called Joule heating, Ohmic heating, or resistive heating. Objects that can be inductively heated are known as susceptors.

[0042] Magnetic hysteresis heating is the process of heating an object made of a magnetic material by the penetration of the object with a varying magnetic field. Magnetic materials can be thought of as containing many atomic-scale magnets, i.e., magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such a material, the magnetic dipoles align along the magnetic field. Thus, when a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field, for example, as produced by an electromagnet, penetrates a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes in response to the varying applied magnetic field. This reorientation of the magnetic dipoles generates heat within the magnetic material.

[0043] When an object is both conductive and magnetic, the penetration of a changing magnetic field into the object can produce both Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating within the object. Furthermore, the use of magnetic materials can enhance the magnetic field, which can enhance Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating.

[0044] In each of the above processes, because heat is generated within the object itself, rather than by thermal conduction from an external heat source, rapid temperature rise and more uniform heat distribution within the object can be achieved, particularly through selection of suitable object materials and geometry, and suitable varying magnetic field magnitude and orientation relative to the object. Furthermore, induction heating and magnetic hysteresis heating do not require a physical connection between the source of the varying magnetic field and the object, allowing greater design freedom, better control over the heating profile, and lower costs.

[0045] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-section of a device according to an embodiment of the invention. Figures 2 and 3 show schematic cross-sections of an insulation of the device. For clarity, the insulation 102 is shown in simplified form in Figure 1. The device 100 shown in Figure 1 is for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The insulation 102 of the device 100 is for receiving at least a portion of an article 104 including a mass of smokable material 132 to be heated. The insulation 102 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3. The article 104 may be inserted into an opening 144 of the device 100. The device 100 includes a magnetic field generator 106 for generating a varying magnetic field in use, and a housing 108 for housing the components of the device 100.

[0046] In this embodiment, the magnetic field generator 106 comprises a power source 114, two-part coils 116a, 116b, and a device 118 for applying a varying current, such as an alternating current, to the coils 116a, 116b. In some such embodiments, the magnetic field generator 106 also includes a controller 120 and a user interface 122 for a user to operate the controller 120.

[0047] The power source 114 may be a rechargeable battery, although in other embodiments the power source 114 may be something other than a rechargeable battery, such as a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor, a battery-capacitor hybrid, or a connection to a mains power source.

[0048] The coils 116a, 116b may take any suitable form, including that of a single coil. In this embodiment, the two-part coils 116a, 116b are helical coils made of a conductive material, such as copper. In some embodiments, the coils 116a, 116b may be flat coils; that is, the coils may have a pseudo two-dimensional spiral shape. In some embodiments, the coils may comprise Litz wire.

[0049] The device 100 may include an air inlet that fluidly connects the interior of the device 100 with the exterior of the device 100. In use, a user may inhale volatile components of the smokable material 132 by drawing the volatile components of the smokable material 132 through the article 104. Once the volatile components have been removed from the article, air may be drawn into the device 100 via the air inlet.

[0050] The insulation 102 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3 and includes an inner wall 110 and an outer wall 112. The inner wall 110 is a heating element that contains or is made of a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field. In one embodiment, the inner wall 110 may be formed of steel. However, nickel-cobalt iron alloys such as Kovar® may also be used. The area enclosed by the inner wall 110 may be considered a heating zone or heating chamber. Together with the end closures, the inner wall 110 defines a heating zone. In other embodiments, the heating zone may be defined only by the inner wall 110. In use, the item 104 to be heated is received within the heating zone within the inner wall 110. In Figures 2 and 3, the insulation 102 is substantially cylindrical with a circular cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the insulation 102 may have a different cross-sectional shape.

[0051] In one embodiment, the inner wall 110 includes a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the article. In this embodiment, the heating zone enclosed by the inner wall 110 is elongated. Additionally, the inner wall 110 is a cylindrical tube. The heating zone may be sized and shaped to accommodate the entire article 104, but may also be dimensioned to receive only a portion of the article 104.

[0052] The insulation 102 includes an insulating region 124 defined by and disposed between an inner wall 110 and an outer wall 112. In this embodiment, the insulating region 124 surrounds the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 surrounds the insulating region 124, as best seen in Figure 3. The insulating region 124 is preferably vented to a lower pressure than outside the insulating region. Providing a low pressure insulating region 124 effectively thermally insulates the inner wall 110 and the heating zone from the outer wall 112 and the housing 108, thereby inhibiting heat transfer from the inner wall 110 and the heating zone.

[0053] The insulating region 124 of the insulation 102 may comprise an open-cell porous material, including, for example, a polymer, an aerogel, or other suitable material. -1 ~10 -7 The pressure within the insulating region 124 may be in the range of 100 torr. In some embodiments, the pressure within the insulating region 124 may be considered to be a vacuum. The inner and outer walls 110, 112 of the insulation 102 are strong enough to withstand the forces exerted upon them by the pressure differential between the insulating region 124 and the regions outside the inner and outer walls 110, 112, thereby preventing the insulation 102 from collapsing inward. Gas absorbing materials may be used in the insulating region 124 to maintain or assist in the creation of a relatively low pressure in the insulating region 124.

[0054] In this embodiment, the overall size and weight of the device 100 may be reduced since there is no need to include a separate heating element and separate insulating inner wall since the inner wall 110 functions as both the heating element and the wall of the insulator 102. The inner wall 110 may also function as both the heating element and the wall of the insulator 102 due to the fact that it is heatable by induction heating and / or magnetic hysteresis heating. Induction heating and magnetic hysteresis heating do not require a physical connection between the source of the varying magnetic field and the heating element, which in turn eliminates the need for wires or other physical connections between the power source and the heating element.

[0055] The insulating regions 124 function to reduce heat transfer away from the interior wall 110 via conduction and / or radiation, or by any other known heat transfer phenomenon.

[0056] Figure 3 shows a cross section along line AA of Figure 2. Figures 2 and 3 are not drawn to scale. In Figure 2, the outer wall 112 is shown to extend only partially along the length of the inner wall 110. That is, the outer wall 112 extends along only a portion of the inner wall 110 so that insulation can be provided along only a portion of the inner wall 110. Providing an outer wall 112 that extends only partway along 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.

[0057] 1, the coils 116a, 116b may surround at least a portion of the insulation 102. The coils 116a, 116b may surround at least a portion of the outer wall 112 of the insulation 102. In one embodiment, the coils 116a, 116b and the outer wall 112 may be formed as a single, integral element, such as by at least partially embedding the coils 116a, 116b within the outer wall 112, while in other embodiments the coils 116a, 116b and the outer wall 112 may be provided as separate elements.

[0058] In one embodiment, a magnetic shield 140 is provided around at least a portion of the coils 116a, 116b. The magnetic shield 140 is intended to reduce or avoid interaction between the magnetic field and anything other than the heating element, which in this embodiment is the inner wall 110. The magnetic shield can be made of any material suitable for containing magnetic fields, such as ferrite.

[0059] In some embodiments, the outer wall 112 is made of a magnetically impermeable and non-conductive material such that when exposed to a fluctuating magnetic field, the outer wall 112 is not heated by induction heating and / or magnetic hysteresis heating. For example, the outer wall 112 may be formed of a glass, such as a borosilicate, or a ceramic material. Providing the outer wall 112 of a non-magnetically permeable material means that when a fluctuating current, such as an alternating current, passes through the coils 116a, 116b, the inner wall 110 of the insulator 102 is heated, while the outer wall 112 is not heated by induction heating and / or magnetic hysteresis heating. Thus, the efficiency of the system is improved since energy is not wasted heating the outer wall 112. If the outer wall 112 is heated by the fluctuating current, the inner wall 110 may actually only be minimally heated, which is undesirable. This configuration also helps to maintain the exterior temperature of the housing 108, particularly its surfaces, at an acceptable level for handling by a user.

[0060] FIG. 10 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another example of insulation for use in a device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the insulation 102 is the same as the insulation 102 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, except that the inner wall 110 includes two deformable structures 127, 129. More specifically, as can be seen from FIG. 10, the inner wall 110 is connected to the outer wall 112 at a first location of the inner wall 110 and at a second location of 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 a section 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.

[0061] In this embodiment, the inner wall 110 is a cylindrical tube, the thermal expansion is or includes axial thermal expansion, and each of the structures 127, 129 is axially deformable to accommodate or absorb the axial thermal expansion. This helps to reduce or avoid stress on the outer wall 112 and on the connections between the outer wall 112 and the inner wall 110 at the first and second locations of the inner wall 110. This can be particularly useful when the outer wall 112 is stiff or less flexible than the inner wall 110, such as when the outer wall 112 is made of or includes glass or ceramic.

[0062] In other embodiments, the inner wall 110 may include only one such deformable structure, or may include three or more such deformable structures.

[0063] In some embodiments, such as those shown, the deformable structure comprises two radially extending members joined by a connecting member, and during deformation of the structure, the connecting member and / or the radially extending members and / or the joint between the connecting member and the radially extending members flexes, allowing relative movement of the ends of the radially extending members distal from the connecting member.

[0064] For brevity, at least one deformable structure has been described in detail with reference to the insulation 102 of FIG. 10, but it will be understood that at least one deformable structure can be incorporated in accordance with variations of any of the embodiments of the insulation 102 or device described herein to form further embodiments of the insulation 102 and device.

[0065] FIG. 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another example of an insulation for use in a device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the insulation 102 is the same as the insulation 102 of FIGS. 2 and 3, except that the heating element including the heating material 142 includes a metallization layer 148 on the inner wall 110. The outer wall 112 is formed from a non-conductive and / or non-magnetically permeable material, such as glass or ceramic. The inner wall 110 includes a support 150 formed from a non-conductive and / or non-magnetically permeable material, such as glass or ceramic, and the metallization layer 148. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the support 150 is disposed between the metallization layer 148 and the insulating region 124. The metallization layer 148 is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field. The metallization layer is formed from a conductive and / or magnetically permeable material, such as iron. The metallization layer may be applied, for example, in powder form or as a coating or plating. By providing the metallization layer 148, the overall size of the insulation 102 is reduced.

[0066] Figure 12 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another example insulation for use in an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the insulation 102 is the same as the insulation 102 of Figure 11, except that a metallization layer 148 is between the support 150 and the insulating region 124. Any of the variations described herein for the insulation of Figure 11 may be made to the insulation of Figure 12 to form other embodiments.

[0067] Figures 4 and 5 show schematic cross-sectional views of another insulation for use in a device according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 are formed from a non-conductive and / or non-magnetically permeable material. The inner wall 110 is adjacent to a heating element 142 that includes a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field. The heating element 142 is formed from a conductive and / or magnetically permeable material. As shown in Figure 5, the heating element 142 is hollow so that an article 104 including smokable material can be received therein. An embodiment of the device of the invention includes the insulation and heating element 142 of Figures 4 and 5 instead of the insulation 102 with integrated heating element of Figures 2 and 3.

[0068] In an embodiment such as that of Figures 1-3, the coils 116a, 116b extend along a central longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the inner wall 110, such that the coils 116a, 116b are substantially coaxial with the inner wall 110. That is, the aligned axes are coincident. In a variation of this embodiment, the aligned axes may instead be parallel to one another. In this embodiment, the coils 116a, 116b are in a fixed position relative to the inner wall 110.

[0069] In the embodiment of Figures 1-3, a device 118 for passing a varying current through the coils 116a, 116b is electrically connected between the power source 114 and the coils 116a, 116b. In one embodiment, a controller 120 is also electrically connected to the power source 114 and communicatively connected to the device 118 for controlling the device 118. More specifically, in this embodiment, the controller 120 is for controlling the device 118 to control the supply of power from the power source 114 to the coils 116a, 116b. In one embodiment, the controller 120 may comprise an integrated circuit (IC), such as an IC on a printed circuit board (PCB). In other embodiments, the controller 120 may take different forms. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may have a single electrical or electronic component comprising the device 118 and the controller 120. The controller 120 may be operated by a user's manipulation of a user interface 122, in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the user interface 122 is located outside the housing 108. User interface 122 may include push buttons, toggle switches, dials, a touch screen, etc. In other embodiments, user interface 122 may be remote and wirelessly connected to apparatus 100, such as via Bluetooth. In this embodiment, manipulation of user interface 122 by a user causes controller 120 to cause device 118 to pass an alternating current through coils 116a, 116b, thereby generating an alternating magnetic field in coil 114.

[0070] The coils 116a, 116b and the inner wall 110 of the device 100 are appropriately positioned relative to one another such that, in use, the varying magnetic field generated by the coils 116a, 116b penetrates the heating material of the inner wall 110. If the heating material of the inner wall 110 is an electrically conductive material, as in this embodiment, this generates one or more eddy currents in the heating material. The flow of eddy currents in the heating material relative to the electrical resistance of the heating material heats the heating material by Joule heating. In this embodiment, the heating material is made of a magnetic material, so that the orientation of the magnetic dipoles in the heating material changes with the varying applied magnetic field, which generates heat in the heating material by magnetic hysteresis. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the outer wall 112 is formed from a non-magnetically permeable and / or non-conductive material so that it does not heat up when exposed to the varying magnetic field. Providing such an outer wall 112 means that the inner wall 110 benefits more from the effect of the varying magnetic field.

[0071] In one embodiment, the coils 116a, 116b surround only a portion of the outer wall 112. In other embodiments, the coils 116a, 116b surround the outer wall 112 along the entire length of the outer wall 112.

[0072] In one embodiment, the coils 116a, 116b comprise a first portion 116a surrounding a first portion of the outer wall 112 and a second portion 116b surrounding a second portion of the outer wall 112. The controller 120 can control the device 118 to pass a fluctuating current, such as an alternating current, through the first portion 116a to heat the first portion of the inner wall 110. The controller 120 of the magnetic field generator 106 can control the device 118 to pass a fluctuating current, such as an alternating current, through the second portion 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 fluctuating current, such as an alternating current, through the first portion 116a and the second portion 116b to heat the first portion and the second portion of the inner wall 110 independently of each other. Thus, when an article 104 containing smokable material is placed in the heating zone, in use a first region of the article 104 is heated by a first portion of the inner wall 110 and a second region of the article 104 is heated by a second portion of the inner wall 110. The provision of a first coil portion and a second coil portion in this manner allows for relatively rapid formation and emission of aerosol from the first region of the article for inhalation by a user, and subsequent emission of a second aerosol from the second region of the article when the second coil portion is activated. It will be appreciated that a coil of more than one portion, or multiple coils, may be provided. Similarly, multiple coils or multiple portions of a coil may be operated simultaneously, perhaps depending on user preference.

[0073] In some cases, the article 104 used in the apparatus 100 may include a heating element including a heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a varying magnetic field. The heating element may be disposed within the article such that when the article 104 is disposed in a heating zone of the apparatus 100 and the magnetic field generator 106 controls the device 118 to pass a varying current, such as an alternating current, through the coils 116a, 116b to heat the interior wall 110, the article 104 is heated by both the heat sensitive element of the article 104 and the interior wall 110 of the apparatus 100.

[0074] 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 instead the impedance of the inner wall 110 was lower than the impedance of the coils 116a, 116b, the voltage developed across the inner wall 110 in use may be lower than the voltage that could be developed across the inner wall 110 when their impedances were matched. Alternatively, if the impedance of the inner wall 110 was higher than the impedance of the coils 116a, 116b, the current developed in the inner wall 110 in use may be lower than the current that could be developed in the inner wall 110 when their impedances were matched. Matching the impedances may help to balance the voltage and current to maximize the heating power generated in the inner wall 110 in use. In some embodiments, the impedance of the device 118 is equal to or substantially equal to the combined impedance of the coils 116a, 116b and the inner wall 110.

[0075] The apparatus 100 may include a temperature sensor 130 for sensing the temperature of the inner wall 110. The temperature sensor 130 may be communicatively connected to the controller 120 such that the controller 120 can monitor the temperature of the inner wall 110 or the heating zone. Based on one or more signals received from the temperature sensor 130, the controller 120 causes the device 118 to adjust the characteristics of the fluctuating or alternating current flowing through the coils 116a, 116b as necessary to maintain the temperature of the heating zone or the inner wall 110 within a predetermined temperature range. The characteristics may be, for example, amplitude, frequency or duty cycle. When within the predetermined temperature range, in use, the smokable material in the article located in the heating zone is heated sufficiently to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material without combusting the smokable material. Thus, in this embodiment, the controller 120 and the apparatus 100 are collectively configured to heat the smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material without combusting the smokable material. In some embodiments, the operating temperature range is about 50°C to about 350°C, e.g., about 50°C to about 250°C, about 50°C to about 150°C, about 50°C to about 120°C, about 50°C to about 100°C, about 50°C to about 80°C, or about 60°C to about 70°C. In some embodiments, the temperature range is about 170°C to about 220°C. In other embodiments, the temperature range may be outside of 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 maximum temperature to which it is desired to heat the heating material, such that further heating above that temperature is inhibited or prevented by inductive heating the heating material.

[0076] 6A and 6B show details of a connection between the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 of an insulation body according to one embodiment of the invention. The end of the insulation region 124 of the insulation body 102 tapers as the outer wall 112 and the inner wall 110 converge to an outlet (not shown) through which gas within the insulation region 124 can be evacuated during manufacture of the insulation body 102 to create a vacuum. Although FIGS. 6A and 6B show details of the outer wall 112 converging towards the inner wall 110, the reverse configuration in which the inner wall 110 converges to the outer wall 112 can alternatively be used. The converging end of the outer wall 112 is configured to direct gas molecules within the insulation region 124 out the outlet, thereby evacuating the insulation region 124 to a lower pressure than outside the insulation region during manufacture. The outlet can be sealed to maintain a vacuum or a region of lower pressure within the insulation region 124 after the insulation region 124 is evacuated. The outlets may be sealed, for example, by brazing material to the inner and outer walls 110, 112 at the outlets after the gas has been exhausted from the insulating region 124, creating brazed seal rings 126, 128 at the outlets. However, alternative sealing techniques may be used. The brazed seal rings 126, 128 at the joints between the inner and outer walls 110, 112 act to reduce heat transfer away from the inner wall 112 by convection, thereby reducing energy losses in the system.

[0077] In certain embodiments, the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 may comprise different materials that are 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 with a silver eutectic braze material. The braze material may be applied to a single connection sequentially in an order that depends on the temperature tolerance of the materials involved. For example, the highest temperature bonding process may be applied to the material of a first wall first to form a first bond to that wall. The temperature of the bonding process may then be reduced to form a second bond to the other wall.

[0078] In embodiments where the outer wall 112 comprises a glass material and the inner wall 110 comprises a metal or metal alloy, the joining process can include a glass-to-metal seal in which a bond is formed between the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 by high temperature melting of the glass and / or metal / metal alloy.

[0079] In certain embodiments, the ends of the outer wall 112 may be shaped to intimately contact the inner wall 110 before bonding occurs. An example of an outer wall 112 having such shaped ends (formed ends) is shown in FIG. 14. Each end of the outer wall 112 may have a flared end 112a shaped to allow the outer wall 112 to form an intimate joint with the inner wall 110. As seen in FIG. 14, the ends 112a are flared downward toward the inner wall 110 to intimately contact the inner wall 110. In some embodiments, if the outer wall 112 comprises a glass material, the glass material may be heated and deformed to intimately contact the inner wall 110.

[0080] In some embodiments, the inner wall 110 may be shaped to fit closely with the outer wall 112 when the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 112 are assembled together. An example of an inner wall 110 with shaped ends is shown in Figure 15. Each end of the inner wall 110 has a flange 110a. When the inner wall 110 is assembled to the outer wall 112, the flanges 110a extend toward the inside surface of the outer wall 112, forming a tight fit between the inner wall and the outer wall 112.

[0081] In some embodiments, the shaped ends of the inner wall 110 and / or outer wall 112 may be heated to form a bond with the inside surface of the outer wall 112. For example, the shaped ends may be heated to melt the material forming the outer wall 112 and bond to the shaped ends of the inner wall 110, or vice versa. Heating may include, for example, induction heating.

[0082] Any of the assembly and / or joining techniques described above, or any other suitable technique, may be used to assemble and / or join the inner wall 110 to the outer wall 112 .

[0083] To evacuate the insulation region 124, the insulation 102 may be placed in a low pressure, substantially evacuated environment, such as a vacuum furnace chamber, such that gas molecules within the insulation region 124 flow into the low pressure environment outside the insulation 102. When the pressure within the insulation region 124 is reduced, the tapered geometry of the outer wall 112 and the inner wall 110 directs the remaining gas molecules out of the insulation region 124 through the outlet.

[0084] In some embodiments, one or more low-emissivity coatings may be provided on the interior surfaces of the insulating region 124, i.e., on the exterior surface of the interior wall 110 and the interior surface of the exterior wall 112. The provision of one or more such low-emissivity coatings may help reduce heat transfer by infrared radiation.

[0085] In some embodiments, a reflective region is provided on a surface of the interior wall 110 that bounds the insulating region 124. Alternatively or additionally, a reflective surface may be provided on a surface of the exterior wall 112 that bounds the insulating region 124. The reflective surface serves to reduce heat transfer away from the interior wall 110 by radiation.

[0086] Although the shape of the insulation 102 has generally been described herein as being substantially cylindrical or similar, the insulation 102 may be formed as another shape, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped. In one embodiment, the inner wall 110 is tubular and surrounds the heating zone. 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 a square, rectangular, polygonal, or elliptical shape.

[0087] Referring to Figure 7, there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view of an article 104 including smokable material according to an embodiment of the present invention. The article 104 of this embodiment is particularly suitable for use in the apparatus 100 shown in Figure 1, or in an apparatus having the insulation and heating element 142 of Figures 4 and 5 instead of the insulation 102 with integral heating element of Figures 2 and 3. In use, the article 104 may be removably inserted into the heating zone at the opening 144 of the apparatus 100.

[0088] In one embodiment, the article 104 is in the form of a substantially cylindrical rod including a mass of smoking material 132 and a filter assembly in the form of a rod. The filter assembly in this embodiment comprises three segments: a cooling segment 134, a filter segment 136 and a mouth end segment 138. However, in other embodiments, any one, two or all of these segments 134, 136, 138 may be omitted.

[0089] The smokable material 132 is disposed towards the distal end of the article 104. In one embodiment, the cooling segment 134 is disposed between the mass of smokable material 132 and the filter segment 136 such that the cooling segment 134 is in abutting relationship with the smokable material 132 and the filter segment 136. The filter segment 136 is disposed between the cooling segment 134 and the mouth end segment 138. The mouth end segment 138 is disposed towards the proximal end of the article 104 adjacent the filter segment 136. In one embodiment, the filter segment 136 is in abutting relationship with the mouth end segment 138.

[0090] In one embodiment, the mass of smoking material 132 comprises tobacco. However, in each of the other embodiments, the smoking material 132 may consist of tobacco, consist substantially entirely of tobacco, include tobacco and non-tobacco smoking material, include non-tobacco smoking material, or be tobacco-free. The smoking material may include an aerosol-forming agent, such as glycerol.

[0091] In one embodiment, the cooling segment 134 is an annular tube that is disposed around and defines an air gap within the cooling segment 134. The air gap provides a chamber for the flow of heated volatiles generated from the mass of smokable material 132. The cooling segment 134 is hollow to provide a chamber for the accumulation of aerosol, yet is rigid enough to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during manufacture and while the article 104 is inserted into the device 100 during use. The cooling segment 134 provides a physical displacement between the smokable material 132 and the filter segment 136. The physical displacement provided by the cooling segment 134 provides a thermal gradient across the length of the cooling segment 134.

[0092] The filter segment 136 may be formed of any filter material sufficient to remove one or more volatile compounds from the heated volatiles from the smoking material. In one embodiment, the filter segment 136 is made of a mono-acetate material, such as cellulose acetate. The presence of the filter segment 136 provides an insulating effect by providing additional cooling to the heated volatiles exiting the cooling segment 136. This additional cooling effect reduces the contact temperature of the user's lips on the surface of the filter segment 136.

[0093] The mouth end segment 138 is an annular tube that is disposed about and defines an air gap within the mouth end segment 138. The air gap provides a chamber for heated volatiles that flow from the filter segment 138.

[0094] In one embodiment, the overall length of the article 104 is between 71 mm and 95 mm, more preferably, the overall length of the article 104 is between 79 mm and 87 mm, and even more preferably, the overall length of the article 104 is 83 mm.

[0095] In one embodiment, article 104 is elongated and substantially cylindrical with a substantially circular cross-section, however, in other embodiments, article 104 may have a cross-section other than circular and / or may not be elongated and / or may not be cylindrical.

[0096] Referring to Figure 8, there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system 200 includes the apparatus 100 of Figure 1 and the article 104 of Figure 7. For the sake of brevity, the apparatus 100 and the article 104 will not be described in detail again.

[0097] In use, the article 104 is contained within the heating zone of the device. As described above, the inner wall 110 is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the heating zone. The article within the heating zone is then heated to release one or more volatile components of the smoking material.

[0098] In use, air can be drawn into the article 104 through a distal end of the article 104, through an inlet that fluidly connects the interior of the device 100 to the exterior of the device 100. The air passes through the smokable material 132, picking up volatile components released from the smokable material 132, and the volatile components, typically in the form of a vapor or aerosol, are then drawn through a filter assembly of the article 104 and out the proximal end of the article 104 for consumption by a user.

[0099] In one embodiment, when the article 104 is in the heating zone, the inner wall 110 is in thermal contact with the smokable material 132 of the article 104. In one embodiment, the smokable material 132 is in face-to-face contact with the inner wall 110. Thus, the inner wall 110 is heatable in use to directly heat the smokable material 132. In other embodiments, the heating material of the inner wall 110 may avoid face-to-face contact with the smokable material 132, but still maintain a thermal relationship with the smokable material 132.

[0100] In other embodiments, as discussed above with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the inner wall 110 is adjacent to a heating element that includes a heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field. In such embodiments, the heating element 142 is in thermal contact (preferably surface contact) with the smokable material 132 of the article 104 so as to heat the smokable material 132 in use.

[0101] FIG. 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another example of insulation for use in a device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the insulation 102 is the same as the insulation 102 of FIG. 4, except that the heating element 142 is connected to the inner wall 110 by one or more deformable attachments 152. In FIG. 13, four deformable attachments 152 are shown, but in other embodiments, the number may be more or less, such as one or two. In some examples, 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 different thermal expansion rates helps reduce or avoid stresses applied to the inner wall 110 and the heating element 142. This may be particularly advantageous when the inner wall 110 is inflexible or less flexible than the inner wall heating element 142, such as when the inner wall is made of or includes glass or ceramic. In some embodiments, the deformable attachment may be made from high temperature silicone, for example.

[0102] In one embodiment, the length of the mass of smokable material 132 is approximately equal to the length of the inner wall 110. This may help to provide more efficient heating of the smokable material 132 during use. In other embodiments, the length of the mass of smokable material 132 may be shorter or longer than the length of the inner wall 110.

[0103] In one embodiment, the inner wall 110 is impermeable to air or volatile materials and is substantially continuous.

[0104] Referring now to FIG. 9, a flow diagram illustrating a method of heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0105] The method 300 includes the step 302 of providing an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, such as the apparatus 100 shown in Figure 1 and described above. The method also includes the step 304 of placing an article including smokable material within a heating zone of the apparatus, such as the article 104 shown in Figure 7 and described above. The method further includes the step 306 of penetrating a varying magnetic field into the heating material of the apparatus to heat the heating zone and the smokable material of the article.

[0106] In each of the above-described embodiments, the heating material is steel. However, in other embodiments, the heating material may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a magnetic material, and an electrically conductive magnetic material. In some embodiments, the heating material may comprise a metal or metal alloy. In some embodiments, the heating material may comprise 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. It has been found that the use of an electrically conductive magnetic material as the heating material can enhance the magnetic coupling between the electrically conductive magnetic material and the electromagnet of the device in use. In addition to potentially enabling magnetic hysteresis heating, this can increase or improve the Joule heating of the heating material and therefore the heating of the smokable material.

[0107] The heating material may have a skin depth, which is the outer region where most of the induced currents and / or induced reorientation of magnetic dipoles occurs. By being relatively thin, a larger percentage of the heating material may be allowed to be heated by a given varying magnetic field, as compared to a heating material that has a relatively large depth or thickness compared to the other dimensions of the heating material, thus resulting in a more efficient use of material, which reduces costs.

[0108] In some embodiments, a first portion of the inner wall 110 can be made of a first material and a second portion of the inner wall 110 can be made of a second material different from the first material. The first material can be a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field. Examples of such heating materials have been described above. The second material can be a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field, or it can be other, but it must be a thermal conductor. The first portion of the inner wall 110 can be located towards the proximal or mouth end of the device 100, such that when a fluctuating magnetic field is applied to the inner wall 110, the first portion heats up, and thus the portion of the smokable material 132 located towards the proximal or mouth end of the mass of smokable material 132 is heated first. The second portion of the inner wall 110 is then heated by conduction, which heats up the portion of the smokable material located towards the distal end of the mass of smokable material 132.

[0109] In some embodiments, the smoking material is a non-liquid smoking material and the device is for heating the non-liquid smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. In other embodiments, the converse may be true. In some embodiments, the device is for heating a liquid smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the liquid smoking material, which is then passed through the non-smoking material.

[0110] In each of the above embodiments, the article 104 is a consumable item. Once all, or substantially all, of the volatile components of the smoking material 132 in the article 104 have been depleted, the user can remove the article 104 from the device 100 and dispose of the article 104. The user can then reuse the device 100 with another similar article 104.

[0111] In some embodiments, device 100 is sold, supplied, or otherwise provided separately from the article 104 with which device 100 is usable. However, in some embodiments, device 100 and one or more articles 104 may be provided as a system 200, such as a kit or assembly, possibly with additional components, such as a cleaning implement.

[0112] To address various problems and advance the art, this disclosure illustrates and presents various embodiments throughout, which are capable of implementing the claimed invention. These embodiments also provide an improved device for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, an improved system including such an improved device and such an article, and an improved method for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative examples of embodiments, and are not exhaustive or exclusive of all advantages and features. They are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the features disclosed in the claims and the like. The advantages, embodiments, examples, features, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure as defined by the claims, or the equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and / or spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, structures, features, components, steps, means, etc. The present disclosure may include other inventions not currently recited in the claims but which may be described in the future.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, comprising: A coil and A thermal insulator, an inner wall at least partially defining a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article including smoking material; Exterior walls, and an insulated region bounded by the inner wall and the outer wall, the insulated region being evacuated to a lower pressure than outside the insulated region; a heat insulator comprising: An apparatus comprising:

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the outer wall is non-magnetically permeable and / or non-conductive.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the outer wall comprises glass or ceramic.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the coil is a helical coil.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the coil comprises Litz wire.

6. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coil comprises a first portion for heating a first area of ​​the inner wall and a second portion for heating a second area of ​​the inner wall, the first portion and the second portion being independently controllable.

7. a second coil surrounding at least a portion of the outer wall; The device of claim 1 , wherein the coil and the second coil are independently controllable.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a braze ring disposed at a joint between the inner wall and the outer wall to seal the insulating region.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the outer wall extends only partially relative to the inner wall along the longitudinal length of the inner wall.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inner wall is a cylindrical tube.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein a first section of the inner wall is made from a first material and a second section of the inner wall is made from a second material different from the first material.

12. 10. The device of claim 1, for heating non-liquid smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material without burning the smoking material.

13. 1. An apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, comprising: a heating zone that receives at least a portion of an article including smoking material; A thermal insulator, outer wall, an inner wall having a first portion and a second portion that are independently heated; an insulator comprising an insulating region bounded by the inner wall and the outer wall, the insulating region being evacuated to a lower pressure than outside the insulating region; An apparatus comprising:

14. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein one or each of the inner and outer walls is formed from glass.

15. 1. A system for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, comprising: A device according to any one of claims 1 to 14; an article including said smoking material for at least partial placement in said heating zone of said device; A system comprising:

16. 1. A method for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, comprising: Providing an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14; placing at least a portion of the article containing the smoking material in the heating zone of the device; A method comprising:

17. 1. An insulation body for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, comprising: The interior walls and an outer wall extending only partially relative to the inner wall along a longitudinal length of the inner wall; an insulated region bounded by the inner wall and the outer wall, the insulated region being evacuated to a lower pressure than outside the insulated region; The thermal insulator comprises:

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