Aerosolizable structure

Abstract

To provide a novel aerosolizable structure for use in an article for use with an apparatus for heating the aerosolizable material to volatilize a component of the aerosolizable material.SOLUTION: There is disclosed, an aerosolizable structure (1) for use in an article for use with an apparatus for heating the aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. The aerosolizable structure comprises a gathered layered structure (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) having a first sheet (11, 21, 31, 41) comprising an aerosolizable material and a second sheet (12, 22, 32, 42) comprising a heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable material of the first sheet. The second sheet is free from the aerosolizable material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to aerosolizable structures for use in articles for use with devices for heating aerosolizable material, methods of making aerosolizable structures, articles for use with devices for heating aerosolizable material, methods of making articles for use with devices for heating aerosolizable material, and systems including such articles and such devices. [Background technology]

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

[0003] A first aspect of the present invention provides an aerosolizable structure for use in an article for use with a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the aerosolizable structure comprising an assembled laminated structure having a first sheet comprising an aerosolizable material and a second sheet comprising a heating material heatable by the intrusion of a fluctuating magnetic field and adapted to heat the aerosolizable material of the first sheet, the second sheet being free of aerosolizable material.

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material is a recycled aerosolizable material, a cellulosic aerosolizable material, or an aerosolizable material in gel form.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, this aerosolizable structure does not include any aerosolizable material between the heating material and the recyclable aerosolizable material or the cellulose-based aerosolizable material or the aerosolizable material in gel form.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the recyclable aerosolizable material or the cellulose-based aerosolizable material or the aerosolizable material in gel form is in surface contact with the heating material.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the second sheet consists of only the heating material.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the laminated structure is corrugated.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of conductive materials, magnetic materials, and magnetoconductive materials.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes a metal or an alloy.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, steel, plain carbon steel, mild steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the first sheet includes recycled tobacco.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the second sheet includes aluminum foil.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, this aerosolizable structure includes a wrapper (coating) coated on the aggregated laminated structure.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, this aerosolizable structure is substantially cylindrical.

[0016] A second aspect of the present invention is an aerosolizable structure for use in an article used with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the aerosolizable structure comprising a first sheet containing the aerosolizable material, a second sheet containing a heating material, and a third sheet containing the aerosolizable material, the second sheet being disposed between the first sheet and the third sheet, the heating material being heatable by the intrusion of a fluctuating magnetic field, and heating the aerosolizable material of the first sheet and the third sheet, and providing an aerosolizable structure having an aggregated laminated structure.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the second sheet does not contain an aerosolizable material.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the second sheet consists of only a heating material.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the laminated structure is corrugated.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of a conductive material, a magnetic material, and a magnetoconductive material.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes a metal or an alloy.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, steel, plain carbon steel, mild steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material of the first sheet is a recycled aerosolizable material, a cellulose-based aerosolizable material, or a gel-form aerosolizable material.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the first sheet includes recycled tobacco.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the second sheet includes aluminum foil.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material of the third sheet is a recycled aerosolizable material, a cellulose-based aerosolizable material, or a gel-form aerosolizable material.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the third sheet includes recycled tobacco.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable structure includes a wrapper coated on an aggregated laminated structure.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable structure is substantially cylindrical.

[0030] A third aspect of the present invention provides an article for use with an apparatus that heats an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the article including the aerosolizable structure of the first aspect of the present invention or the aerosolizable structure of the second aspect of the present invention.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the article includes a filter that filters the aerosol released from the aerosolizable structure during use, and a connector that holds the filter against the aerosolizable structure.

[0032] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a system for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the system comprising an article according to the third aspect of the present invention, and an apparatus for heating the aerosolizable material of the article to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the apparatus comprising a heating zone for receiving the article, and a magnetic field generator for generating a fluctuating magnetic field that penetrates the heating material of the article when the article is disposed in the heating zone.

[0033] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an aerosolizable structure for use in an article used together with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the method comprising the steps of providing a laminated structure having a first sheet containing an aerosolizable material and a second sheet containing a heating material that is heatable by penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field and heats the aerosolizable material, and gathering the laminated structure to form an aggregated laminated structure.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the second sheet does not contain an aerosolizable material.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the second sheet consists only of a heating material.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the second sheet contains aluminum foil.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material of the first sheet is a recycled aerosolizable material, a cellulose-based aerosolizable material, or a gel-form aerosolizable material.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the first sheet contains recycled tobacco.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the laminate structure has a third sheet containing an aerosolizable material, the second sheet is disposed between the first sheet and the third sheet, the heating material is heatable by the intrusion of a variable magnetic field, and heats the aerosolizable materials of the first sheet and the third sheet.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosolizable material of the third sheet is a recycled aerosolizable material, a cellulose-based aerosolizable material, or a gel-form aerosolizable material.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the third sheet contains recycled tobacco.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the gathering step includes feeding the laminate structure through a converging funnel.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the gathering step makes the laminate structure substantially cylindrical.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes a step of corrugating the laminate structure before the gathering step.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the step of preparing the laminate structure includes bringing the first sheet into contact with the second sheet.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, the step of preparing the laminate structure includes bringing the third sheet into contact with the second sheet.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes a step of covering the gathered laminate structure with a wrapper to form a covered gathered laminate structure.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes a step of cutting the covered gathered laminate structure to form discrete covered gathered laminate structures.

[0049] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an article for use with an apparatus that heats an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, comprising: performing the method of the fifth aspect of the present invention; connecting the filter collection laminate structure using a connector that holds the filter collection laminate structure; and providing a method.

[0050] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are merely examples. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051]

Figure 1

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] In this document, the term "aerosolisable material" includes materials that normally give off volatile components in the form of vapour or aerosol when heated. The "aerosolisable material" may be a non-tobacco-containing material or a tobacco-containing material. Examples of "aerosolisable materials" include, but are not limited to, tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extracts, homogenised tobacco, and one or more of tobacco substitutes. The aerosolisable material can be in the form of shredded tobacco, cut rag tobacco, extruded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, reconstituted aerosolisable material, liquid, gel, gelled sheet, powder, or mass. Also, "aerosolisable materials" include other non-tobacco products, and depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. The "aerosolisable material" may contain one or more humectants such as glycerol or propylene glycol.

[0053] In this document, the term "sheet" refers to an element where the width and length are substantially greater than the thickness.

[0054] In this document, when a sheet is described as "not containing an aerosolisable material", this means that the sheet itself does not contain an aerosolisable material, is not composed of an aerosolisable material, is not coated with an aerosolisable material, and is not impregnated with an aerosolisable material. However, this does not mean that the sheet cannot be (directly or indirectly) adjacent to or attached to a sheet containing an aerosolisable material.

[0055] In this document, the term "gathered" includes, whether regular or irregular, wrinkling, creasing, folding, or rolling up of the shape. Correspondingly, in this document, the term "gathering" includes, whether regular or irregular, wrinkling the shape, creasing, folding, or rolling up.

[0056] In this book, the term "crimped" includes having a plurality of substantially parallel folds, crests, and troughs.

[0057] In this book, the term "heating material (heating material or heater material)" represents a material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field.

[0058] Induction heating is a process in which a conductive object is heated by the penetration of a varying 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 varying current, such as an alternating current, through the electromagnet. When the electromagnet and the object to be heated are preferably positioned relative to each other such that the varying magnetic field generated by the electromagnet penetrates the object, one or more eddy currents are generated inside the object. The object has a resistance to the flow of current. Therefore, when such eddy currents are generated in the object, the object is heated by the flow against the electrical resistance of the object. This process is referred to as Joule heating, Ohmic heating, or resistive heating. An object that can be induction-heated is known as a susceptor.

[0059] When the susceptor is in the form of a closed circuit, it has been found that the magnetic coupling between the susceptor and the electromagnet during use is enhanced, and Joule heating is increased or improved.

[0060] Magnetic hysteresis heating is a process in which an object made of a magnetic material is heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field. A magnetic material is considered to contain many atomic-scale magnets, i.e., magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such a material, the magnetic dipoles align with the magnetic field. Therefore, when a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field generated by an electromagnet, penetrates the magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes with the application of the varying magnetic field. Heat is generated in the magnetic material due to such reorientation of the magnetic dipoles.

[0061] When an object is conductive and magnetic, both Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating can occur in the object due to the penetration of a variable magnetic field into the object. Furthermore, since the use of a magnetic material strengthens the magnetic field, Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating can be increased.

[0062] In each of the above processes, heat is generated inside the object itself rather than heat transfer from an external heat source. Therefore, particularly by selecting a suitable object material and shape, as well as a suitable magnitude of the variable magnetic field and its orientation with respect to the object, rapid temperature rise and a more uniform heat distribution in the object can be achieved. Furthermore, in induction heating and magnetic hysteresis heating, since a physical connection between the variable magnetic field source and the object is not required, the degree of freedom in designing the heating profile and control increases, and the cost may be reduced.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, these figures are schematic side and cross-sectional views of an example of an aerosolizable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The aerosolizable structure 1 is used in an article used together with a device that heats an aerosolizable material, such as the article 100 shown in FIG. 8 and described below, to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material.

[0064] The aerosolizable structure 1 is substantially cylindrical with a substantially circular cross-section (see FIG. 2), but in other embodiments, the aerosolizable structure 1 may have an oval or elliptical cross-section, or may be other than cylindrical. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable structure 1 may have, for example, a polygonal, square, rectangular, square, triangular, star-shaped, or irregular cross-section. In the present embodiment, the aerosolizable structure 1 is a rod. In some other embodiments, the aerosolizable structure may be tubular with a hollow inner region.

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

[0066] The aerosolizable structure 1 includes a laminated structure 10. FIG. 3 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the laminated structure 10 of the aerosolizable structure 1. The laminated structure 10 includes a first sheet 11 and a second sheet 12. In some embodiments, the laminated structure 10 is a thin plate. In some embodiments, the first sheet 11 is bonded to the second sheet 12 by an adhesive or a chemical bond or the like. Exemplary adhesives are polyvinyl acetate (PVA) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In other embodiments, the first sheet 11 may not be bonded to the second sheet 12.

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

[0068] In the present embodiment, the second sheet 12 includes a heating material that can be heated by the intrusion of a variable magnetic field. More specifically, the heating material can be heated by the intrusion of a variable magnetic field and heats the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11. That is, the heating material is in thermal contact with the aerosolizable material. Since the first and second sheets 11 and 12 are part of the same laminated structure 10, the heat generated in the second sheet 12 due to the intrusion of the variable magnetic field is close to the first sheet 11, and relatively efficient heating of the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11 can be achieved. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11 is in surface contact with the heating material of the second sheet 12. For this reason, heat can be directly transferred from the heating material to the aerosolizable material. This can help further improve the efficiency of heating the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11. In other embodiments, the heating material may be kept from being in surface contact with the aerosolizable material. For example, in some embodiments, a heat transfer barrier without the heating material and the aerosolizable material may separate the heating material from the aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, the heat transfer barrier may be a coating on the first sheet 11 or the second sheet 12. Providing such a barrier can be advantageous because it can help mitigate hot spots in the heating material by heat dissipation.

[0069] In some embodiments where the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11 is a regenerated aerosolizable material, a cellulose-based aerosolizable material, or a gel-form aerosolizable material, the aerosolizable structure 1 may not contain any aerosolizable material between the regenerated aerosolizable material, the cellulose-based aerosolizable material, or the gel-form aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11 and the heating material of the second sheet 12. In some embodiments, the benefit of this is that a larger proportion of the heat generated in the second sheet 12 due to the intrusion of the variable magnetic field into the heating material can be used for heating the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11.

[0070] In this embodiment, the heating material is aluminum, and the second sheet 12 is a sheet of aluminum foil. However, in other embodiments, the heating material can be any one or more of the heating materials described in this document and / or the sheet 12 containing the heating material can be in any of the forms described in this document.

[0071] In this embodiment, the second sheet 12 does not contain an aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, the second sheet 12 consists only of a heating material. This may not be the case in other embodiments as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In some embodiments, the benefit of thus omitting the aerosolizable material from the second sheet 12 is that a larger proportion of the heat generated in the second sheet 12 due to the penetration of the variable magnetic field into the heating material can be used to heat the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11.

[0072] As can be best seen in FIG. 2, the laminated structure 10 of the aerosolizable structure 1 is an aggregated laminated structure 10. In other words, the laminated structure 10 is aggregated. An exemplary method of aggregating the laminated structure 10 will be described in more detail below. By this aggregation of the laminated structure 10, a larger proportion of the second sheet 12 containing the heating material can be brought closer to the first sheet 11 containing the aerosolizable material to be heated, as compared to the case where, for example, the second sheet 12 containing the heating material only coats the outside of the mass or aggregate of the aerosolizable material, or the blades or bars of the heating material are arranged relatively concentratedly in the mass or aggregate of the aerosolizable material. Therefore, the efficiency of heating the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 11 can be improved. Further, the sheet containing the aerosolizable material has a relatively large surface area to volume ratio, and by aggregating the sheets containing the aerosolizable material, a larger proportion of the surface area of the sheet can be exposed to the release of the aerosol during use. Further, the aggregated sheets can define one or more flow paths along which the aerosol generated during use exits the aerosolizable structure.

[0073] In a modification of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3, the laminated structure may be wavy. FIG. 4 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of an example of an aggregated laminated structure of another aerosolizable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and in this embodiment, the laminated structure is wavy. Also in this case, the aggregated laminated structure 20 in FIG. 4 includes a first sheet 21 containing an aerosolizable material and a second sheet 22 containing a heating material that can be heated by the intrusion of a variable magnetic field and heats the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 21. Furthermore, also in this case, the second sheet 22 does not contain an aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, the second sheet 22 consists only of a heating material. In some modifications of the present embodiment, the first and second sheets 21 and 22 may have any of the optional or alternative features described herein with respect to the first and second sheets 11 and 12 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0074] Such corrugation may help in the aggregation of the laminated structure 20 and / or may affect the degree of aggregation of the laminated structure 20 in the manufacture of the aerosolizable structure. For example, the distance at which the laminated structure 20 becomes wavy can help in determining the path required for the entrainment of the laminated structure 20 during aggregation and may help in determining the porosity of the resulting aggregated laminated structure 20. Additionally or alternatively, according to such corrugation, the proportion of the second sheet 22 closer to the first sheet 21 becomes even higher, which can help in improving the heating efficiency when using the aerosolizable material of the first sheet 21. Some, most, or all of the plurality of substantially parallel folds or ridges and valleys present in the laminated structure 20 as a result of the corrugation may be parallel to the axial direction A-A of the aerosolizable structure containing the laminated structure 20.

[0075] In each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 4 and described in this document, the collection laminate structures 10, 20 include two sheets 11, 12, 21, 22. However, in some embodiments, the collection laminate structure may include three or more sheets. FIG. 5 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a collection laminate structure 30 of another aerosolizable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] The collection laminate structure 30 of FIG. 5 has a first sheet 31, a second sheet 32, and a third sheet 33. The second sheet 32 is disposed between the first sheet 31 and the third sheet 33. Each of the first and second sheets 31, 33 contains an aerosolizable material. The aerosolizable material of the first sheet 31 may be any of the aerosolizable materials discussed in this document, such as regenerated tobacco or gel form. Similarly, the aerosolizable material of the third sheet 33 may be any of the aerosolizable materials discussed in this document, such as regenerated tobacco or gel form. One or both of the first and third sheets 31, 33 may be a cellulose-based aerosolizable material.

[0077] The second sheet 32 is heatable by the intrusion of a variable magnetic field and contains a heating material that heats the aerosolizable materials of the first and third sheets 31, 33. By disposing the second sheet 32 between the first and third sheets 31, 33, a larger proportion of the total surface area of the surface of the second sheet 32 can be brought closer to the sheets 31, 33 containing the aerosolizable material. And thereby, the aerosolizable material of the laminate structure 30 can be heated by the thermal energy released from both sides of the second sheet 32 during use.

[0078] In some embodiments, the second sheet 32 does not contain an aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, the second sheet 32 consists only of a heating material. However, in other embodiments, the second sheet 32 itself may contain an aerosolizable material by providing a coating of the aerosolizable material or impregnating or mixing the aerosolizable material into the second sheet 32. In some variations of this embodiment, one or both of the first and third sheets 31, 33 may have any of the optional or alternative features described herein with respect to the first sheet 11 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In some variations of this embodiment, the second sheet 32 may have any of the optional or alternative features described herein with respect to the second sheet 12 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0079] In a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 5, the laminated structure may be corrugated. FIG. 6 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of an example of an aggregated laminated structure of yet another aerosolizable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The aggregated laminated structure 40 of FIG. 6 is the same as the aggregated laminated structure 30 of FIG. 5 except that the aggregated laminated structure 40 of FIG. 6 is corrugated. Also in this case, the laminated structure 40 of FIG. 6 includes first and third sheets 41, 43 containing an aerosolizable material, and between them, a second sheet 42 containing a heating material that can be heated by the intrusion of a variable magnetic field and heats the aerosolizable material of the first and third sheets 41, 43. Any of the variations described herein that are conceivable for the embodiment of FIG. 5 may be made to the embodiment of FIG. 6 to constitute another embodiment.

[0080] FIG. 7 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an example of another aerosolizable structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also in this case, the aerosolizable structure 5 in FIG. 7 has a substantially circular cross-section and a longitudinal axis A-A, and is substantially cylindrical. The length and / or width of the aerosolizable structure 5 may be any one of those discussed in this document with respect to the aerosolizable structure 1 in FIGS. 1 to 3, for example. In other embodiments, the aerosolizable structure 5 may have a different cross-section, such as any of the cross-sections discussed in this document, may not be cylindrical, or may not be elongated.

[0081] The aerosolizable structure 5 in FIG. 7 includes an aggregation laminate structure 50. The aggregation laminate structure 50 may be the same as any one of the above-described aggregation laminate structures 10, 20, 30, 40 or any of the modifications thereof discussed in this document.

[0082] Further, the aerosolizable structure 5 includes a wrapper 51 covering the aggregation laminate structure 50. The wrapper 51 surrounds the aggregation laminate structure 50 and can help avoid or prevent loosening or unraveling of the laminate structure 50, and also helps protect the aggregation laminate structure 50 from damage during transportation and use. Also, the wrapper 51 helps guide and pass the air flow to the aggregation laminate structure 50 during use, and can help pass and discharge the vapor or aerosol flow through the aggregation laminate structure 50.

[0083] In this embodiment, the wrapper 51 is covered on the aggregation laminate structure 50 such that the free ends thereof overlap each other. The wrapper 51 may constitute all or most of the circumferential outer surface of the aerosolizable structure 5. The wrapper 51 can be made of any suitable material such as paper, cardboard, recycled aerosolizable material (e.g., recycled tobacco), or a heating material (e.g., a metal or alloy foil such as aluminum foil). Further, the wrapper 51 may include an adhesive (not shown) that adheres the overlapping free ends of the wrapper 51 to each other. Examples of the adhesive include one or more of gum arabic, natural or synthetic resins, starch, and varnish. The adhesive helps prevent the separation of the overlapping free ends of the wrapper 51. In other embodiments, the adhesive may be omitted, or the wrapper 51 may be in a form different from the above. Any one of such types of wrappers may be applied to any other aerosolizable structure described or illustrated in this document to constitute another embodiment.

[0084] As an article used together with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, such as the apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 10 and described below, any one of the aerosolizable structures described or illustrated in this document may be adopted as itself. However, in other embodiments, the article may include an aerosolizable structure in combination with one or more other components.

[0085] For example, FIG. 8 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of an example of an article according to an embodiment of the present invention. The article 100 in FIG. 8 includes the aerosolizable structure 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3. However, in other embodiments, the aerosolizable structure of this article may be any other one of the aerosolizable structures described in this document, for example.

[0086] The article 100 is substantially cylindrical with a substantially circular cross-section. However, in other embodiments, it may have an oval or elliptical cross-section, or it may be other than cylindrical. In some embodiments, the article 100 may have, for example, a polygonal, square, rectangular, square, triangular, star-shaped, or irregular cross-section. In the present embodiment, the article 100 is a rod. In some other embodiments, the article may be tubular with a hollow inner region.

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

[0088] Also, the article 100 in FIG. 8 includes a filter 1b. The filter 1b filters the aerosol or vapor released from the aerosolizable structure 1 of the article 100 during use. Any type used in the tobacco industry is possible as the filter 1b. For example, the filter 1b may be composed of cellulose acetate. In the present embodiment, the filter 1b has a substantially circular cross-section and a longitudinal axis and is substantially cylindrical. In other embodiments, the filter 1b may have a different cross-section, such as any of the cross-sections discussed in this document with respect to the aerosolizable structure, or it may be other than cylindrical, or it may not be elongated.

[0089] In this embodiment, the filter 1b is adjacent to the longitudinal end of the aerosolizable structure 1 and is axially aligned with the aerosolizable structure 1. In other embodiments, the filter 1b may be separated from the aerosolizable structure by a gap and / or one or more other components of the article 100, etc. Exemplary other component(s) may be, for example, an additive or fragrance source (additive or fragrance-containing capsule or thread) capable of being held by the main body of the filter medium or held between two main bodies of the filter medium.

[0090] Also, the article 100 includes a wrap (coating material) 1c that covers the aerosolizable structure 1 and the filter 1b and holds the filter 1b with respect to the aerosolizable structure 1. The wrap 1c surrounds the aerosolizable structure 1 and the filter 1b and can help avoid or prevent loosening or unwinding of the laminated structure of the aerosolizable structure 1, and also helps protect the laminated structure from damage during transportation and use. Further, the wrap 1c helps guide and pass the air flow to the aerosolizable structure 1 during use, and can also help pass and release the vapor or aerosol flow to the aerosolizable structure 1.

[0091] In this embodiment, the wrap 1c is covered on the aerosolizable structure 1 and the filter 1b such that the free ends overlap each other. The wrap 1c may constitute all or most of the outer circumferential surface of the article 100. The wrap 1c can also be made of any suitable material, such as paper, cardboard, or recycled aerosolizable material (e.g., recycled tobacco), etc. Further, the wrap 1c may include an adhesive (not shown), such as one of the adhesives discussed elsewhere in this document, that adheres the overlapping free ends of the wrap 1c to each other. The adhesive helps prevent separation of the overlapping free ends of the wrap 1c. In other embodiments, the adhesive may be omitted, or the wrap 1c may be in a form different from the above. In other embodiments, the filter 1b may be held with respect to the aerosolizable structure 1 by a connector other than the wrap 1c, such as an adhesive.

[0092] FIG. 9 is a schematic side sectional view of an example of another article according to an embodiment of the present invention. The article 200 of FIG. 9 is the same as FIG. 8 except that it has the aerosolizable structure 5 of FIG. 7 instead of the aerosolizable structure 1. Accordingly, the wrap 1c of the article 200 of FIG. 9 is covered by the wrapper 51 and the filter 1b of the aerosolizable structure 5, and holds the filter 1b with respect to the aerosolizable structure 5. Any of the possible modifications to the article 100 of FIG. 8 discussed in this document may be made to the article 200 of FIG. 9 to constitute another embodiment.

[0093] In some embodiments, the article may be provided with a device that heats the aerosolizable material of the article to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. The device includes a heating zone that receives the article, and a magnetic field generator that generates a variable magnetic field that penetrates the heating material of the article to heat the aerosolizable material of the article when the article is disposed in the heating zone.

[0094] For example, FIG. 10 is a schematic side sectional view of an example of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 1000 includes the article 200 of FIG. 9 and a device 500 that heats the aerosolizable material of the article 200 to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. In other embodiments, the article 200 can be replaced with any of the other articles described in this document. In the present embodiment, the device 500 is a tobacco heating product (also known in the art as a tobacco heating device or a non-combustion heating device).

[0095] Generally, the device 500 includes a heating zone 511 that receives the article 200, and a magnetic field generator 512 that generates a variable magnetic field that penetrates the heating material of the article 200 when the article 200 is disposed in the heating zone 511.

[0096] More specifically, the apparatus 500 of the present embodiment includes a main body 510 and a mouthpiece (suction port) 520. The mouthpiece 520 may be made of any suitable material such as plastic, cardboard, cellulose acetate, paper, metal, glass, ceramic, or rubber. The mouthpiece 520 defines a channel 522 passing therethrough. The mouthpiece 520 can be arranged with respect to the main body 510 so as to cover the opening to the heating zone 511. When the mouthpiece 520 is arranged in this way with respect to the main body 510, the channel 522 of the mouthpiece 520 is in fluid communication with the heating zone 511. In use, the channel 522 acts as a passage through which the volatile material can pass from the aerosolizable material of the article inserted into the heating zone 511 to the outside of the apparatus 500. In the present embodiment, the mouthpiece 520 can be releasably engaged with the main body 510 so as to be connected to the main body 510. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece 520 and the main body 510 may be permanently connected by a hinge or a flexible member or the like. In some embodiments, such as an embodiment in which the article itself includes a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece 520 of the apparatus 500 may be omitted.

[0097] The apparatus 500 may define an air inlet (not shown) that fluidly connects the heating zone 511 to the outside of the apparatus 500. Such an air inlet may be defined by the main body 510 and / or the mouthpiece 520. The user may be able to aspirate the (one or more) volatile components by sucking out the (one or more) volatile components of the aerosolizable material through the channel 522 of the mouthpiece 520. When the (one or more) volatile components are taken out from the article 200, air can be taken into the heating zone 511 through the air inlet of the apparatus 500.

[0098] In this embodiment, the main body 510 includes a heating zone 511. In this embodiment, the heating zone 511 includes a recess 511 that receives at least a part of the article 200. In other embodiments, the heating zone 511 may be other than a recess, such as a shelf, a surface, or a protrusion, and may require mechanical engagement with the article for cooperation with or reception of the article. In this embodiment, the heating zone 511 is elongated and sized and shaped to accommodate the entire article 200. In other embodiments, the heating zone 511 may be dimensioned to receive only a part of the article 200.

[0099] In this embodiment, the magnetic field generator 512 includes a power source 513, a coil 514, a device 516 that passes a varying current, such as an alternating current, through the coil 514, a control device 517, and a user interface 518 for operation by a user of the control device 517.

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

[0101] The coil 514 may be in any suitable form. In the present embodiment, the coil 514 is a helical coil of a conductive material such as copper. In some embodiments, the magnetic field generator 512 may include a ferromagnetic core around which the coil 514 is wound. Such a ferromagnetic core concentrates the magnetic flux generated by the coil 514 during use to form a stronger magnetic field. The ferromagnetic core may be made of, for example, iron. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic core may concentrate the magnetic flux in a specific region by extending only partially along the length of the coil 514. In some embodiments, the coil may be a flat coil. That is, the coil may be two-dimensionally helical. In the present embodiment, the coil 514 surrounds the heating zone 511. The coil 514 extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the heating zone 511. The two aligned axes coincide. In a variation of the present embodiment, the two aligned axes may be parallel to each other or may be oblique.

[0102] In the present embodiment, a device 516 that passes a fluctuating current through a coil 514 is electrically connected between a power source 513 and the coil 514. Also, in the present embodiment, a control device 517 is electrically connected to the power source 513 and communicably connected to the device 516 to control the device 516. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the control device 517 controls the supply of power from the power source 513 to the coil 514 by controlling the device 516. In the present embodiment, the control device 517 includes an integrated circuit (IC) such as an IC on a printed wiring board (PCB). In other embodiments, the control device 517 may be in a different form. In some embodiments, the device may have only one electrical or electronic component including the device 516 and the control device 517. In the present embodiment, the control device 517 operates by an operation of a user of the user interface 518. In the present embodiment, the user interface 518 is disposed outside the main body 510. The user interface 518 may include a push button, a toggle switch, a dial, a touch screen, or the like. In other embodiments, the user interface 518 may be remote and wirelessly connected to other parts of the device via Bluetooth or the like.

[0103] In the present embodiment, by an operation of the user interface 518 by the user, the control device 517 causes the device 516 to pass an alternating current through the coil 514. Thereby, the coil 514 generates an alternating magnetic field. The coil 514 and the heating zone 511 of the device 500 are preferably relatively positioned such that when the article 200 is disposed in the heating zone 511, the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil 514 penetrates the heating material of the article 200. In the present embodiment, since the heating material is a conductive material, one or more eddy currents are generated in the heating material by this penetration. The flow of the eddy currents in the heating material with respect to the electrical resistance of the heating material causes the heating material to be heated by Joule heating. When the heating material is made of a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles in the heating material changes together with the applied alternating magnetic field, so that heat is generated in the heating material.

[0104] The device 500 of this embodiment includes a temperature sensor 519 that detects the temperature of the heating zone 511. The temperature sensor 519 is communicably connected to the control device 517 so that the control device 517 can monitor the temperature of the heating zone 511. Based on one or more signals received from the temperature sensor 519, the control device 517 may cause the device 516 to adjust the characteristics of the varying or alternating current passing through the coil 514 as needed, so that the temperature of the heating zone 511 is maintained within a predetermined temperature range. This characteristic may be, for example, amplitude, frequency, or duty cycle. When used within a predetermined temperature range, at least one component of the aerosolizable material in the article disposed in the heating zone 511 volatilizes without combustion of the aerosolizable material due to sufficient heating of the aerosolizable material. Accordingly, the control device 517 (the device 500 as a whole) is configured to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material without combustion of the aerosolizable material by heating the aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, the temperature range is approximately 50°C to approximately 250°C, approximately 50°C to approximately 150°C, approximately 50°C to approximately 120°C, approximately 50°C to approximately 100°C, approximately 50°C to approximately 80°C, or approximately 60°C to approximately 70°C, etc., approximately 50°C to approximately 300°C. In some embodiments, the temperature range is approximately 170°C to approximately 220°C. In other embodiments, the temperature range may be outside this range. In some embodiments, the upper limit of the temperature range can exceed 300°C. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 519 may be omitted. In some embodiments, the heating material may have a Curie point temperature selected based on the maximum temperature at which it is desirable to heat the heating material, and further heating beyond that temperature by induction heating of the heating material is blocked or prevented.

[0105] FIGS. 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing examples of methods for manufacturing an aerosolizable structure.

[0106] The method of FIG. 11 can be used in the manufacture of any of the aerosolizable structures described in this book. This method includes step 11a of preparing a laminated structure having a first sheet 11, 21, 31, 41 containing an aerosolizable material and a second sheet 12, 22, 32, 42 that can be heated by the intrusion of a variable magnetic field and contains a heating material for heating the aerosolizable material, and step 11b of gathering the laminated structure to form a gathered laminated structure 10, 20, 30, 40.

[0107] The second sheets 12, 22, 32, 42 may not contain an aerosolizable material. The second sheets 12, 22, 32, 42 may consist only of a heating material. In some embodiments, the second sheet contains an aerosolizable material.

[0108] The gathering step 11b may include supplying the laminated structure through a converging funnel. The gathering step 11b may make the laminated structure substantially cylindrical. This method may include a step of corrugating the laminated structure before the gathering step 11b. The step 11a of preparing the laminated structure may include bringing the first sheets 11, 21, 31, 41 into contact with the second sheets 12, 22, 32, 42. This method may include a step of covering the gathered laminated structure with a wrapper to form a covered gathered laminated structure. In some embodiments, this method includes a step of cutting the covered gathered laminated structure to form discrete covered gathered laminated structures.

[0109] The method of FIG. 12 can be used in the manufacture of an aerosolizable structure having a gathered laminated structure including three sheets, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0110] This method includes the step of preparing a laminated structure having a first sheet 31, 41 containing an aerosolizable material, a second sheet 32, 42 containing a heating material that can be heated by the intrusion of a variable magnetic field, and a third sheet containing an aerosolizable material, wherein the second sheet 32, 42 is disposed between the first and third sheets 31, 33, 41, 43, the heating material can be heated by the intrusion of a variable magnetic field, and the aerosolizable materials of the first and third sheets 31, 33, 41, 43 are heated.

[0111] In some embodiments, the second sheet 32, 42 does not contain an aerosolizable material. In some embodiments, the second sheet 32, 42 consists only of a heating material. In some embodiments, the second sheet contains an aerosolizable material.

[0112] In this embodiment, the step of preparing includes bringing the first sheets 31, 41 into contact with the second sheets 32, 42 (12a). The first and second sheets 31, 41, 32, 42 may be drawn from respective sources such as respective bobbins (not shown) before being brought into contact with each other. In other embodiments, the first and second sheets may already be in contact with each other, and this method may not include bringing them into contact. Rather, a combination (such as a thin plate) of the first and second sheets 31, 41, 32, 42 may be drawn from a source such as a bobbin (not shown).

[0113] In this embodiment, the preparation step includes bringing the third sheets 33, 43 into contact with the second sheets 32, 42 (12b). The third sheets 33, 43 may be drawn from a supply source such as a bobbin (not shown) before being brought into contact with the second sheets 32, 42. In other embodiments, the second and third sheets may already be in contact with each other, and this method may not include the step of bringing them into contact. Instead, a combination (such as a thin plate) of the second and third sheets 32, 33, 42, 43 may be drawn from a supply source such as a bobbin (not shown). Alternatively, a combination (such as a thin plate) of the first, second, and third sheets 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43 may be drawn from a supply source such as a bobbin (not shown).

[0114] In embodiments such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, where the aerosolizable structure to be manufactured has a corrugated laminated structure, this method includes the step of corrugating the prepared laminated structure (12c). This corrugation may be performed by transporting the laminated structure between a pair of cooperating corrugating rollers that engage with the laminated structure as it passes through to form a waveform. In other embodiments such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, where the aerosolizable structure to be manufactured has a non-corrugated laminated structure, the corrugation may be omitted.

[0115] This method includes the step of gathering the laminated structures to form the gathered laminated structures 30, 40 (12d). In embodiments where the laminated structure becomes corrugated, the corrugation step 12c may be performed before the gathering step 12d. The gathering step 12d may include transporting the laminated structures 30, 40 through a converging funnel. In other embodiments, the gathering step 12d may include alternative processes such as compressing or (for example, twisting into a spiral shape) the laminated structures 30, 40 between bodies or plates that are movable relative to each other. In embodiments where the laminated structure becomes corrugated, the gathering step may be performed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the folds, peaks, and valleys present in the laminated structure as a result of the corrugation.

[0116] The gathering step 12d may form the laminated structures 30, 40 into a substantially cylindrical shape. This may be due to the shape of the converging funnel if it is used. In other embodiments, the gathering step 12d may cause the laminated structures 30, 40 to adopt a shape other than cylindrical.

[0117] In this embodiment, the method includes a step 12e of covering the gathered laminated structures 30, 40 with a wrapper 51 to form a covered gathered laminated structure. The wrapper 51 may be drawn from a supply source (such as a bobbin) and wound around the gathered laminated structures 30, 40 by a garniture or an endless belt conveyor. Adhesive may be applied to the wrapper 51 before or during the covering step 12e, and when the two free ends of the wrapper 51 overlap each other, the adhesive adheres the two free ends to each other. The method may include passing the covered gathered laminated structure through a dryer to dry the adhesive. As discussed in this document, in some embodiments, such a wrapper may be omitted. That is, the gathered laminated structure may not include a wrapper. Therefore, the method may not include the covering step 12e as described above.

[0118] In this embodiment, the method includes a step 12e of forming a discrete covered gathered laminated structure for use in an article used with an apparatus that heats an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material by cutting the covered gathered laminated structure. In embodiments where the covering step 12e is omitted, the method may include a step 12e of cutting the gathered laminated structure to form a discrete gathered laminated structure for use in an article. The cutting step may include cutting by a rotary cutter or the like. In still some other embodiments, the cutting step 12e may be omitted. For example, in some embodiments, the collected or covered gathered laminated structure manufactured according to the above method may be dimensionally specified so as to be suitable for use in an article without the need for cutting.

[0119] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing an example of a method of manufacturing an article for use with an apparatus that heats an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. The method of FIG. 13 includes step 13a of performing the method of FIG. 11 or FIG. 12 (or any of these variations described herein), and step 13b of connecting the filters to the filter collection laminate structure using a connector that holds the filters against the laminate structure. The filter may be, for example, the filter 1b described above. The connector may be any of the connectors discussed herein, such as, for example, one of the wraps 1c described above.

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

[0121] In some embodiments, the sheet including the heating material has no holes or cuts. In some embodiments, the sheet including the heating material includes a foil such as a metal or alloy foil (e.g., aluminum foil). However, in some embodiments, the sheet including the heating material may have holes or cuts. For example, in some embodiments, the sheet including the heating material may include a perforated foil such as a mesh, a perforated sheet, or a perforated metal or alloy foil (e.g., perforated aluminum foil).

[0122] In some embodiments where the heating material includes iron such as steel (e.g., mild steel or stainless steel) or aluminum, the sheet including the heating material may be coated to help avoid corrosion or oxidation of the heating material during use. Such coatings may include, for example, nickel plating, gold plating, or coatings of ceramics or inert polymers. In some embodiments, the sheet including the heating material may include nickel-plated aluminum foil or may consist of nickel-plated aluminum foil.

[0123] The heating material may have a skin depth that is an outer zone where most of the induced current and / or the induced reorientation of magnetic dipoles occurs. Assuming that the thickness of the heating material is relatively small, a larger proportion of the heating material may be heatable by a given alternating magnetic field compared to a heating material having a depth or thickness that is relatively large compared to the other dimensions. This enables more efficient use of the material while reducing costs.

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

[0125] In some embodiments, articles 100, 200 are consumables. When all or substantially all of the (one or more) volatile components of the aerosolizable material in articles 100, 200 are used up, the user may remove articles 100, 200 from the heating zone 511 of device 500 and discard them. Thereafter, the user may reuse device 500 with another article 100, 200. However, in each other embodiment, the article may be non-consumable, and the device and the article may be integrally discarded when the (one or more) volatile components of the aerosolizable material are used up.

[0126] In some embodiments, articles 100, 200 are sold, supplied, or provided separately from device 500 that can be used with said articles 100, 200. However, in some embodiments, device 500 and one or more articles 100, 200 may be integrally provided as a system such as a kit or an assembly, optionally together with additional components such as cleaning tools.

[0127] To address various problems and advance technology, the present disclosure, as a whole, enables embodiments that allow for implementing the inventions claimed, provides excellent aerosolizable structures for use in articles used with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material, articles used with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, a method for manufacturing an aerosolizable structure for use in an article used with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, a method for manufacturing an article used with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, and a system comprising such articles and such an apparatus. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative samples of the embodiments and are not comprehensive and / or exclusive. They are presented solely for the purpose of assisting understanding and teaching the claims or the features of the disclosure. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be considered as limitations to the present disclosure defined by the claims, nor as limitations to the equivalents of the claims. It is understood that other embodiments can be utilized and modified without departing from the scope and / or gist of the present disclosure. The various embodiments may preferably include, consist of, or essentially consist of various combinations of the elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. of the disclosure. The present disclosure may include other inventions that may be claimed in the future, although not currently claimed.

Explanation of Signs

[0128] 1... aerosolizable structure, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50... aggregated laminated structure, 11, 21, 31, 41... first sheet, 12, 22, 32, 42... second sheet, 33, 43... third sheet.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosolizable structure for use in an article for use with a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of said aerosolizable material, comprising: a first sheet including an aerosolizable material; a second sheet including a heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field and that heats the aerosolizable material of the first sheet, the second sheet not including an aerosolizable material; 1. An aerosolizable structure comprising an assembled laminate structure having:

2. 10. The aerosolizable structure of claim 1, wherein the aerosolizable material is a recycled aerosolizable material, a cellulosic aerosolizable material, or an aerosolizable material in gel form.

3. 3. The aerosolizable structure of claim 2, which does not include an aerosolizable material between the heating material and the recycled aerosolizable material or the cellulosic aerosolizable material or the gel-form aerosolizable material.

4. 4. The aerosolizable structure of claim 2 or 3, wherein the recycled aerosolizable material or the cellulosic aerosolizable material or the aerosolizable material in gel form is in surface contact with the heating material.

5. 1. An aerosolizable structure for use in an article for use with a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of said aerosolizable material, comprising: a first sheet including an aerosolizable material; a second sheet including a heating material; a third sheet including an aerosolizable material; and a first sheet and a third sheet, the second sheet being disposed between the first sheet and the third sheet, the heating material being heatable by intrusion of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable material of the first sheet and the third sheet.

6. The aerosolizable structure of claim 5 , wherein the second sheet is free of aerosolizable material.

7. The aerosolizable structure of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the laminate structure is corrugated.

8. The aerosolizable structure of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a magnetic material, and a magnetically conductive material.

9. The aerosolizable structure of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heating material comprises a metal or alloy.

10. 10. The aerosolizable structure of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, steel, plain carbon steel, mild steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.

11. 11. The aerosolizable structure of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first sheet comprises reconstituted tobacco.

12. The aerosolizable structure of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second sheet comprises aluminum foil.

13. 13. The aerosolizable structure of any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a wrapper applied to the assembled laminate structure.

14. The aerosolizable structure of any one of claims 1 to 13, which is substantially cylindrical.

15. 15. An article for use with a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of said aerosolizable material, the article comprising an aerosolizable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. 16. The article of claim 15, comprising a filter that, in use, filters aerosols emitted from the aerosolizable structure, and a connector that holds the filter to the aerosolizable structure.

17. 1. A system for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, comprising: An article according to claim 15 or 16; an apparatus for heating the aerosolizable material of the article to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material; a heating zone for receiving the article; and a magnetic field generator that generates the varying magnetic field penetrating the heating material of the article when the article is placed in the heating zone; An apparatus comprising: A system comprising:

18. 1. A method of making an aerosolizable structure for use in an article for use with a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, comprising: providing a laminated structure having a first sheet including an aerosolizable material and a second sheet including a heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field and that heats the aerosolizable material; gathering the laminated structures to form a gathered laminated structure; A method comprising:

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the second sheet does not include an aerosolizable material.

20. 20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the laminated structure has a third sheet containing an aerosolizable material, the second sheet is disposed between the first sheet and the third sheet, and the heating material is heatable by penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the aerosolizable material of the first sheet and the third sheet.

21. The method of any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the gathering step comprises feeding the laminated structure through a focusing funnel.

22. The method of any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the gathering step causes the laminated structure to become substantially cylindrical.

23. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 22, comprising the step of corrugating the laminated structure prior to the gathering step.

24. The method of any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the step of providing the laminate structure comprises contacting the first sheet with the second sheet.

25. The method of any one of claims 18 to 24, comprising applying a wrapper to the assembled laminate structure to form a coated assembled laminate structure.

26. 26. The method of claim 25, including cutting the coated assembled laminate structure into discrete coated assembled laminate structures.

27. 1. A method of making an article for use with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, comprising: Carrying out a method according to any one of claims 18 to 26, connecting the filter to the assembled stack with a connector that holds the filter to the assembled stack; A method comprising:

Images