Device for heating smoking material

Abstract

To provide a device for vaporizing at least one component of a smoking material by heating a smoking material.SOLUTION: A device 100 includes: a heating region 113 for receiving at least a portion of an article including a smoking material; a magnetic field generator 120 for generating a variable magnetic field; and an elongated heating element 110 that extends at least partially in a periphery of the inside of the heating region 113 and includes a heating material capable of heating by penetration of the variable magnetic field to heat the heating region 113.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material.

Background Art

[0002] Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars generate tobacco smoke by burning the tobacco during use. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these smoking articles by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products include so-called "heat-not-burn" products, or tobacco heating devices or tobacco heating products. These release compounds by heating the material rather than burning it. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products. Non-tobacco products may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] A first 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 region for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising the smoking material; a magnetic field generator for generating a fluctuating magnetic field; an elongated heating element that at least partially extends around the heating region and comprises a heating material that can be heated by the intrusion of the fluctuating magnetic field to heat the heating region and.

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating region is defined by the heating element.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating region does not have a heating material that can be heated by the intrusion of the fluctuating magnetic field.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element is a tubular heating element surrounding the heating region.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a mass of heat insulating material surrounding the heating element.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator comprises a coil and a device for passing a varying current through the coil. The varying current can be an alternating current.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the coil surrounds the heating element.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a mass of heat insulating material between the coil and the heating element.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the heat insulating material includes one or more heat insulating materials selected from the group consisting of closed cell materials, closed cell plastic materials, aerogels, vacuum heat insulating materials, silicone foams, rubber materials, cotton, fleece, non-woven materials, non-woven fleece, woven materials, knitted materials, nylon, foams, polystyrene, polyester, polyester filaments, polypropylene, blends of polyester and polypropylene, cellulose acetate, paper or cardboard, and corrugated materials such as corrugated paper or cardboard.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a mass of heat insulating material surrounding the coil.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the heat insulating material includes one or more heat insulating materials selected from the group consisting of closed cell materials, closed cell plastic materials, aerogels, vacuum heat insulating materials, silicone foams, rubber materials, cotton, fleece, non-woven materials, non-woven fleece, woven materials, knitted materials, nylon, foams, polystyrene, polyester, polyester filaments, polypropylene, blends of polyester and polypropylene, cellulose acetate, paper or cardboard, and corrugated materials such as corrugated paper or cardboard.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the device has a gap of about 1 millimeter to about 3 millimeters between the outermost surface of the heating element and the innermost surface of the coil. In an exemplary embodiment, the gap is from about 1.5 millimeters to about 2.5 millimeters.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the coil extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated heating element. In an exemplary embodiment, these axes coincide.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the impedance of the coil is equal to or substantially equal to the impedance of the heating element.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the emissivity of the outer surface of the heating element is 0.1 or less. In an exemplary embodiment, the emissivity is 0.05 or less.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element comprises an elongated heating member that at least partially extends around the heating region and is entirely or substantially entirely composed of a heating material.

[0019] In each exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of a conductive material, a magnetic material, and a non-magnetic material. In each exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes a metal or a metal alloy. In each exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes 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.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is susceptible to the influence of eddy currents induced in the heating material when penetrated by a varying magnetic field.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion of the heating element is more susceptible to the influence of eddy currents induced therein by the penetration of a varying magnetic field than the second portion of the heating element.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element comprises an elongated heating member comprising a heating material and a coating on the inner surface of the heating member, the coating being smoother or harder than the inner surface of the heating member. The coating can include a glass or ceramic material.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heating region or the heating element. In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator is configured to operate based on the output of the temperature sensor.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator is for generating a plurality of alternating magnetic fields for penetrating respective different portions of the heating element.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus a main body comprising a magnetic field generator, a suction port defining a passage in fluid communication with the heating region and is provided with, the suction port being movable relative to the main body so as to be able to access the heating region, and comprising an elongated heating element.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the suction port comprises the heating region.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the main body comprises the heating region.

[0028] A second aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for heating a smoking article to volatilize at least one component of the smoking article, the apparatus comprising a heating region for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising a smoking article, a main body comprising a magnetic field generator for generating an alternating magnetic field, a suction port defining a passage in fluid communication with the heating region, the suction port being movable relative to the main body so as to be able to access the heating region, and comprising a heating element for heating the heating region with a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of the alternating magnetic field and is provided with.

[0029] In each exemplary embodiment, the apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention can have any of the features of the exemplary embodiments of the apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention described above.

[0030] A third aspect of the present invention provides a system, the system comprising: An apparatus for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, the apparatus comprising a heating region for receiving at least a portion of an article provided with the smoking material, a magnetic field generator for generating a fluctuating magnetic field, and an elongated heating element provided with a heating material that at least partially extends around the heating region and is heatable by the intrusion of the fluctuating magnetic field to heat the heating region; An article for use with the apparatus, the article comprising a smoking material and.

[0031] In each exemplary embodiment, the apparatus of the system can have any of the features of the exemplary embodiments of the apparatus of the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention described above.

[0032] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0034] In this book, the term "smoking material" includes a material that, when heated, provides volatile components, typically in the form of vapor or aerosol. The "smoking material" may be a non-tobacco-containing material or a tobacco-containing material. The "smoking material" may include, for example, one or more of tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extracts, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The smoking material can be in the form of shredded tobacco, cut-rag tobacco, extruded tobacco, liquid, gel, gelled sheet, powder, or lump. The "smoking material" may also include other non-tobacco products. This non-tobacco product may or may not contain nicotine depending on the product. The "smoking material" may include one or more humectants, such as glycerol or propylene glycol.

[0035] In this book, the term "heating material" refers to a material that can be heated by the penetration of a variable magnetic field.

[0036] In this book, the terms "flavoring" and "flavorant" refer to materials that can be used (when permitted by local regulations) to produce a desired taste or aroma in products for adult consumers. These materials include extracts (such as licorice, hydrangea, Japanese cypress leaves, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, rum, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, frankincense, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, perilla, bell pepper, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or peppermint oil from any species of the mint genus), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or sensory receptor site stimulants, sugars and / or alternative sugars (such as sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, thaumatin, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives (such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plant substances, or breath fresheners). These may be imitation, synthetic, or natural materials, or mixtures thereof. They can take any suitable form, such as oil, liquid, gel, powder, etc.

[0037] Induction heating is a process of heating a conductive object by introducing a fluctuating magnetic field into the object. This process is explained by Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction and Ohm's law. An induction heater can include an electromagnet and a device for passing a fluctuating current, such as an alternating current, through the electromagnet. When the object to be heated and the electromagnet are arranged in an appropriate relative position such that the fluctuating 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 current. Therefore, when such eddy currents are generated within the object, the eddy currents flow against the electrical resistance of the object, thereby heating the object. This process is called Joule heating, Ohmic heating, or resistive heating. An object that can be induction heated is known as a susceptor.

[0038] 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 becomes stronger, and as a result, Joule heating increases or is improved.

[0039] Magnetic hysteresis heating is a process of heating an object by introducing a fluctuating magnetic field into an object made of a magnetic material. A magnetic material can be considered to contain many atomic-scale magnets, i.e., magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such a material, the magnetic dipoles align along the magnetic field. Therefore, when a fluctuating magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field (e.g., generated by an electromagnet), penetrates a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes in response to the applied fluctuating magnetic field. Heat is generated within the magnetic material due to such reorientation of the magnetic dipoles.

[0040] When an object has both conductivity and magnetism, introducing a fluctuating magnetic field into the object can cause both Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating in the object. Furthermore, using a magnetic material can strengthen the fluctuating magnetic field, thereby strengthening Joule heating.

[0041] In each of the above processes, heat is generated not by heat conduction from an external heat source but inside the object itself, so that a rapid temperature rise within the object and a more uniform heat distribution can be achieved. This can be achieved, in particular, by appropriately selecting the material and geometric shape of the object and appropriately selecting the magnitude and direction of the alternating magnetic field for that object. Furthermore, in induction heating and magnetic hysteresis heating, there is no need to provide a physical connection between the source of the alternating magnetic field and the object, so that the design freedom and the controllability of the heating profile can be enhanced while reducing costs.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 1, there are shown a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for heating a smoking article to volatilize at least one component of the smoking article, and a schematic perspective view of a portion of the apparatus. Generally, the apparatus 100 includes a heater region or heating region 113 that receives at least a portion of an article including a smoking article, a magnetic field generator 120 for generating an alternating magnetic field, and an elongated heating element 110 that extends around the heating region 113 and includes a heater material or heating material that can be heated by the intrusion of the alternating magnetic field to heat the heating region 113.

[0043] In this embodiment, the heating element 110 is a tubular heating element 110 that surrounds the heating region 113. In this embodiment, the heating region 113 includes a cavity. However, in other embodiments, the heating element 110 can be non-fully tubular. For example, in some embodiments, the heater element or heating element 110 can be tubular except for an axially extending gap or cut formed in the heating element 110. In this embodiment, the heating element 110 has a substantially circular cross-section. However, in other embodiments, the heating element can have a cross-section other than circular, such as square, rectangular, polygonal, or elliptical.

[0044] In this embodiment, the heating region 113 is defined by the heating element 110. That is, the heating element 110 defines the contour or extent of the heating region 113. Further, in this embodiment, the heating region 113 itself does not have a heating material that can be heated by the intrusion of a variable magnetic field. Therefore, when a variable magnetic field is generated by the magnetic field generator 120 as described below, more of the energy of the variable magnetic field can be utilized to heat the heating element 110. In other embodiments, the heating region 113 can have an additional heating element including a heating material.

[0045] The heating element 110 of this embodiment includes an elongated tubular heating member 114 that extends around the heating region 113 and is entirely or substantially entirely made of a heating material. Therefore, the heating member 114 includes a closed circuit of a heating material that can be heated by the intrusion of a variable magnetic field. Further, in this embodiment, the heating element 110 includes a coating 115 on the inner surface of the heating member 114. The coating 115 is smoother or harder than the inner surface of the heating member 114 itself. Such a smoother or harder coating 115 enables the heating element 110 to be easily cleaned after use of the device 100. The coating 115 can be made of, for example, a glass or ceramic material. In other embodiments, the coating 115 can be omitted. In some embodiments, the coating can be rougher than the outer surface of the heating member 114 so as to increase the surface area that can come into contact with an article or smoking material when the heating element 110 is inserted into the heating region 113 during use.

[0046] The heating element can include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of a conductive material, a magnetic material, and a non-magnetic material. The heating element can include a metal or a metal alloy. The heating element can include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze. Other (one or more) materials can be used as the heating element in other embodiments. In this embodiment, the heating element 110 of the heating element includes a conductive material. Therefore, this heating element is susceptible to the influence of eddy currents induced in the heating element when a varying magnetic field penetrates. Therefore, the heating element 110 can act as a susceptor when subjected to a varying magnetic field. It has also been found that when a magnetically conductive material is used as the heating element, the magnetic coupling between the heating element 110 and the coil 122 of the magnetic field generator 120 described below can be strengthened during use. This can increase or improve the Joule heating of the heating element 110 in addition to potentially enabling magnetic hysteresis heating, and thus can increase or improve the heating of the heating region 113.

[0047] The thickness of the heating element 110 is preferably thin compared to the other dimensions of the heating element 110. The susceptor can have a skin depth, which is the outer region where most of the induced current occurs. By making the thickness of the heating element 110 relatively thin, a larger proportion of the heating element 110 can be heated by a given varying magnetic field compared to a heating element 110 having a relatively long depth or thickness compared to the other dimensions of the heating element 110. Therefore, the material can be used more efficiently. This reduces costs.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first portion of the heating element 110 is more susceptible to the influence of eddy currents induced therein by the penetration of a varying magnetic field than the second portion of the heating element 110. For example, in some embodiments, the heating element 110 of the device 100 of FIG. 2 can be replaced by the heating element 110 shown in FIG. 4.

[0049] In the heating element 110 of FIG. 4, the first portion 111 of the heating element 110 is more susceptible to the influence of eddy currents induced therein by the intrusion of the alternating magnetic field than the second portion 112 of the heating element 110. Since the first portion 111 of the heating element 110 is made of a first material and the second portion 112 of the heating element 110 is made of a different second material, and the first material is more susceptible than the second material, the first portion 111 of the heating element 110 can be made more susceptible. For example, one of the first portion 111 and the second portion 112 can be made of iron, and the other of the first portion 111 and the second portion 112 can be made of graphite. Instead of or in addition to this, as a result of the first portion 111 of the heating element 110 having a different thickness and / or material density from the second portion 112 of the heating element 110, the first portion 111 of the heating element 110 can be made more susceptible.

[0050] The portion 111 that is more susceptible can be disposed near the portion that is to be the suction port end of the device 100, or the portion 112 that is less susceptible can be disposed near the portion that is to be the suction port end of the device 100. In the latter case, the portion 112 that is less susceptible can reduce the degree of heating of the smoking material of the article located within the heating region 113 compared to the portion 112 that is more susceptible, and thus the less heated smoking material can act as a filter to lower the temperature of the vapor generated during heating of the smoking material or to weaken the irritation of the vapor generated within the article.

[0051] In FIG. 4, the first portion 111 and the second portion 112 are disposed adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the heating element 110, but this is not necessary in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the first portion 111 and the second portion 112 can be disposed adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heating element 110.

[0052] Changing the susceptibility of the heating element 110 to the eddy currents induced therein in this way can help to gradually heat the smoking material within the article inserted into the heating region 113, thereby gradually generating vapor. For example, the highly susceptible portion 111 can relatively rapidly heat the first region of the smoking material to initiate the volatilization of at least one component of the smoking material and the formation of vapor in the first region of the smoking material. The less susceptible portion 112 can relatively slowly heat the second region of the smoking material to initiate the volatilization of at least one component of the smoking material and the formation of vapor in the second region of the smoking material. Thus, vapor can be formed relatively rapidly for the user to inhale, and vapor can continue to be formed thereafter for the user to continue inhaling even after the first region of the smoking material has finished generating vapor. When the volatile components of the smoking material are exhausted, the first region of the smoking material can finish generating vapor.

[0053] In other embodiments, all of the heating element 110 can be made equally or substantially equally susceptible to the influence of eddy currents induced within the heating element 110 by the penetration of the alternating magnetic field. In some embodiments, the heating element 110 cannot be made susceptible to the influence of such eddy currents. In such embodiments, the heating material may be a non-conductive magnetic material and can thus be heated by the magnetic hysteresis process described above.

[0054] In some embodiments, the device can comprise a catalyst material on at least a portion of the inner surface 110a of the heating element 110. The catalyst material can be provided on all of the inner surface 110a of the heating element 110, or only on some portions of the inner surface 110a of the heating element 110. The catalyst material can take the form of a coating. Providing such a catalyst material means that, in use, the device 100 can have a heated chemically active surface. In use, the catalyst material can serve to convert potential irritants into less irritating ones, or increase the conversion rate thereof. In use, the catalyst material can serve to convert, for example, formic acid into methanol, or increase the conversion rate thereof. In other embodiments, the catalyst material can serve to convert other chemical substances, for example, convert acetylene into ethane by hydrogenation, or convert ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen, or increase the conversion rate thereof. In addition to or instead of this, the catalyst substance can serve to react carbon monoxide and steam to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen (the water-gas shift reaction, i.e., WGSR), or increase the reaction rate thereof.

[0055] In some embodiments, the emissivity of the outer surface 110b of the heating element 110 can be 0.1 or less. For example, in some embodiments, the emissivity of the outer surface 110b of the heating element 110 can be 0.05 or less, such as 0.03 or 0.02. Such a low emissivity helps to retain heat within the heating element 110 and within the heating region 113, providing some or all of the other thermal advantages of the insulation described below. This emissivity can be achieved by making the outer surface 110b of the heating element 110 from a low-emissivity material such as silver or aluminum.

[0056] The magnetic field generator 120 of this embodiment includes a power source 121, a coil 122, a device 123 for passing a varying current such as an alternating current through the coil 122, a controller 124, and a user interface 125 for the user to operate the controller 124.

[0057] In this embodiment, the power source 121 is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, the power source 121 can be other than a rechargeable battery, for example, a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor, or a connection part to a commercial power source.

[0058] The coil 122 can take any suitable form. In this embodiment, the coil 122 is a helical coil of a conductive material such as copper. In some embodiments, the magnetic field generator 120 can include a ferromagnetic core around which the coil 122 is wound. Such a ferromagnetic core concentrates the magnetic flux generated by the coil 122 during use and makes the magnetic field stronger. The ferromagnetic core can be made of, for example, iron. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic core can extend only partially along the length of the coil 122 to concentrate the magnetic flux only in a specific region.

[0059] In this embodiment, the coil 122 is a circular helix. That is, the coil 122 has a substantially constant radius along its length. In other embodiments, the radius of the coil 122 can be changed along its length. For example, in some embodiments, the coil 122 can include a conical helix or an elliptical helix. In this embodiment, the coil 122 has a substantially constant pitch along its length. That is, when measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil 122, the width of the gap between any two adjacent turns of the coil 122 is substantially the same as the width of the gap between any other two adjacent turns of the coil 122. In other embodiments, this cannot be done. By changing the pitch, the intensity of the varying magnetic field generated by the coil 122 can be made different at different parts of the coil 122, which can help to gradually heat the heating element 110 and the heating region 113, and thus any article disposed within the heating region 113, in a manner similar to the above.

[0060] In this embodiment, the coil 122 is in a fixed position with respect to the heating element 110 and the heating region 113. In this embodiment, the coil 122 surrounds the heating element 110 and the heating region 113. In this embodiment, the coil 122 extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis A-A of the heating region 113. In this embodiment, these aligned axes coincide. In a variant of this embodiment, the aligned axes can be parallel to each other. However, in other embodiments, the axes can be inclined with respect to each other. Further, in this embodiment, the coil 122 extends along a longitudinal axis that substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of the heating element 110. This can help to more uniformly heat the heating element 110 during use and can also help with the manufacturability of the device 100. In other embodiments, the longitudinal axes of the coil 122 and the heating element 110 can be aligned with each other by being parallel to each other, or can be inclined with respect to each other.

[0061] The impedance of the coil 122 of the magnetic field generator 120 in this embodiment is equal to or substantially equal to the impedance of the heating element 110. If, instead, the impedance of the heating element 110 is lower than the impedance of the coil 122 of the magnetic field generator 120, the voltage generated across the ends of the heating element 110 during use may be lower than the voltage that could be generated across the ends of the heating element 110 when the impedances are matched. Alternatively, if, instead, the impedance of the heating element 110 is higher than the impedance of the coil 122 of the magnetic field generator 120, the current flowing through the heating element 110 during use may be lower than the current that could be generated through the heating element 110 when the impedances are matched. Matching the impedances can help to balance the voltage and current in order to maximize the heating power generated in the heating element 110 during heating in use. In some other embodiments, the impedances may not be matched.

[0062] In this embodiment, a device 123 for passing an alternating current through the coil 122 is electrically connected between the power supply 121 and the coil 122. In this embodiment, the controller 124 is also electrically connected to the power supply 121 and communicatively connected to the device 123. The controller 124 is for heating the heating element 110 and controlling the heating thereof. More specifically, in this embodiment, the controller 124 controls the device 123 to control the supply of power from the power supply 121 to the coil 122. In this embodiment, the controller 124 includes an IC such as an integrated circuit (IC) on a printed circuit board (PCB). In other embodiments, the controller 124 can take different forms. In some embodiments, the device can have a single electrical or electronic component including the device 123 and the controller 124. In this embodiment, the controller 124 operates when the user operates the user interface 125. The user interface 125 is disposed outside the device 100. The user interface 125 can include a push button, a toggle switch, a dial, a touch screen, and the like.

[0063] In this embodiment, when the user operates the user interface 125, the controller 124 causes the device 123 to pass an alternating current through the coil 122 to generate an alternating magnetic field in the coil 122. The coil 122 and the heating element 110 are arranged at an appropriate relative position such that the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil 122 penetrates the heating material of the heating element 110. When the heating material of the heating element 110 is a conductive material, one or more eddy currents can be generated in the heating material. As the eddy currents flow through the heating material against the electrical resistance of the heating material, the heating material is heated by Joule heating. As described above, when the heating material is made of a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles in the heating material changes in response to the change in the applied magnetic field, thereby generating heat in the heating material.

[0064] The device 100 of this embodiment includes a temperature sensor 126 for detecting the temperature of the heating region 113. The temperature sensor 126 is communicably connected to the controller 124, and as a result, the controller 124 can monitor the temperature of the heating region 113. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 126 can be configured to optically measure the temperature of the heating region 113 or an article disposed in the heating region 113. In some embodiments, the article disposed in the heating region 113 can include a temperature detector such as a resistance temperature detector (RTD) for detecting the temperature of the article. The article can further include one or more terminals connected, such as by an electrical connection, to the temperature detector. The (one or more) terminals can be for connection, such as an electrical connection with a temperature monitor (not shown) of the device 100 when the article is within the heating region 113. The controller 124 can include a temperature monitor. Thus, the temperature monitor of the device 100 can measure the temperature of an article in use with the device 100.

[0065] In order to reliably maintain the temperature of the heating region 113 within a predetermined temperature range, the controller 124 can cause the device 123 to adjust the characteristics of the fluctuating current or alternating current flowing through the coil 122 as necessary based on one or more signals received from the temperature sensor 126 (and / or the temperature detector if a temperature detector is provided). These characteristics can be, for example, the amplitude or the frequency. During use, the smoking material within the article disposed in the heating region 113 is heated within a predetermined temperature range to a sufficient extent to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material without burning the smoking material. Accordingly, the controller 124 and the apparatus 100 as a whole are configured to heat the smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material without burning the smoking material. In some embodiments, the temperature range is from about 50°C to about 250°C, for example, between about 50°C and about 150°C, between about 50°C and about 120°C, between about 50°C and about 100°C, between about 50°C and about 80°C, or between about 60°C and about 70°C. In some embodiments, the temperature range is between about 170°C and about 220°C. In other embodiments, the temperature range may be outside of these ranges.

[0066] In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 can include a mouthpiece (not shown). The mouthpiece can be removably engagable with the remainder of the apparatus 100 so as to connect the mouthpiece to the remainder of the apparatus 100. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece can be permanently connected to the remainder of the apparatus 100 by means of a hinge or a flexible member or the like.

[0067] The mouthpiece can be disposed relative to the heating element 110 so as to cover an opening into the heating region 113 through which an article can be inserted into the heating region 113. When the mouthpiece is disposed relative to the heating element 110 in this way, the passage through the mouthpiece can be in fluid communication with the heating region 113. During use, this passage serves as a passage that allows the volatilized material to flow from the heating region 113 to the outside of the apparatus 100.

[0068] When the heating area 113, and thus any articles within the heating area 113, are heated, the user can inhale one or more volatile components of the smoking article by drawing in the one or more volatile components through the mouthpiece of the article if the article is provided with a mouthpiece, or through the mouthpiece of the device 100 if the device 100 is provided with a mouthpiece. Air can enter the article through the gap between the article and the heating element 110, or, in some embodiments, the device 100 can have an air inlet that fluidly connects the heating area 113 to the exterior of the device 100. When the one or more volatile components exit the article, air can be drawn into the heating area 113 through the air inlet of the device 100.

[0069] In this embodiment, the device 100 comprises a first mass 130 of heat insulating material between the coil 122 and the heating element 110. The first mass 130 of heat insulating material surrounds the heating element 110. In this embodiment, the first mass 130 of heat insulating material comprises a closed-cell plastic material. However, in other embodiments, the first mass 130 of heat insulating material can comprise one or more heat insulating materials selected from the group consisting of, for example, closed-cell materials, closed-cell plastic materials, aerogels, vacuum insulation materials, silicone foams, rubber materials, cotton, fleece, non-woven materials, non-woven fleece, woven materials, knitted materials, nylon, foams, polystyrene, polyester, polyester filaments, polypropylene, blends of polyester and polypropylene, cellulose acetate, paper or cardboard, and corrugated materials such as corrugated paper or cardboard. The heat insulating material can, in addition to or instead of this, include voids. Such a first mass 130 of heat insulating material can help prevent heat loss from the heating element 110 to components of the device 100 other than the heating area 113, can help increase the heating efficiency of the heating area 113, and / or can help reduce the transfer of heating energy from the heating element 110 to the outer surface of the device 100. Thereby, the user can hold the device 100 more comfortably.

[0070] In this embodiment, the apparatus 100 also includes a mass 140 of a second heat insulating material surrounding the coil 122. In this embodiment, the mass 140 of the second heat insulating material includes cotton or fleece. However, in other embodiments, the mass 140 of the second heat insulating material can include, for example, aerogel, vacuum insulation material, cotton, fleece, non-woven material, non-woven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, polystyrene, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, a blend of polyester and polypropylene, cellulose acetate, paper or cardboard, corrugated paper or cardboard such as corrugated material, closed-cell foam, closed-cell plastic material, aerogel, vacuum insulation material, silicone foam, a rubber material, or one or more materials selected from the group consisting of these. In some embodiments, the mass 140 of the second heat insulating material can include one or more of the above materials with respect to the mass 130 of the first heat insulating material. The heat insulating material can, in addition to or instead of this, include voids. Such a mass 140 of the second heat insulating material can help reduce the transfer of heating energy from the heating element 110 to the outer surface of the apparatus 100, and can, in addition to or instead of this, help increase the heating efficiency of the heating region 113.

[0071] In some embodiments, one or both of the mass 130 of the first heat insulating material and the mass 140 of the second heat insulating material can be omitted. In some embodiments, the coil 122 can be embedded within the body of the heat insulating material. Such a body of the heat insulating material can abut or enclose the heating element 110. In addition to, for example, enclosing the coil 122, the body of the heat insulating material can occupy the space occupied by the masses 130, 140 of the first and second heat insulating materials of the apparatus 100 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The body of the heat insulating material can include one or more heat insulating materials selected from the group consisting of, for example, a closed-cell material, a closed-cell plastic material, an aerogel, a vacuum insulation material, a silicone foam, and a rubber material. In addition to the thermal advantages described above, such a body of the heat insulating material can help to make the apparatus 100 more robust, for example, by serving to maintain the relative positions of the coil 122 and the heating element 110. The body of the heat insulating material can be manufactured by pouring the material of the body of the heat insulating material around the coil 122 and in contact with or around the heating element 110 to pot the coil 122 and the heating element 110.

[0072] In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 has a gap between the outermost surface 110b of the heating element 110 and the innermost surface of the coil 122. In some such embodiments, the mass 130 of the first heat insulating material can be omitted. An example of such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The apparatus 200 of this embodiment is identical to the apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the mass 130 of the first heat insulating material is omitted. Any of the above possible variations to the apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be made to the apparatus 200 of FIG. 3 to form individual embodiments.

[0073] The dimensions in FIG. 3 are emphasized for clarity, but the device 200 includes a gap G of approximately 2 millimeters between the outermost surface 110b of the heating element 110 and the innermost surface of the coil 122. In a variation of this embodiment, the gap G can be other than 2 millimeters, such as from approximately 1 millimeter to approximately 3 millimeters, or from approximately 1.5 millimeters to approximately 2.5 millimeters. Such a gap G itself can serve as a heat insulator and help provide some or all of the above thermal advantages. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the heating element 110 can be floated within the coil 122. The heating element 110 can be supported by attaching it to the wall to which the temperature sensor 126 is attached.

[0074] Some embodiments of the device 100 can be configured to “self-clean” the heating element 110. For example, in some embodiments, the controller 124 can be configured to cause the user interface 125 to be appropriately operated by the user to adjust the characteristics of the varying or alternating current flowing through the coil 122 to the device 123 as needed to raise the temperature of the heating element 110 to a level where residues remaining on the heating element 110 from previously used-up articles can be incinerated. Such characteristics can be, for example, the amplitude or frequency. This temperature can, for example, exceed 500 degrees Celsius.

[0075] Some embodiments of device 100 can be configured to provide haptic feedback to a user. This feedback can indicate that heating is occurring, or can cause feedback via a timer to indicate, for example, that a volatile component(s) of the smoking material of an article within heating region 113 has been consumed in an amount greater than a predetermined percentage of the original amount. This haptic feedback can be caused by, for example, an interaction (i.e., a magnetic response) between coil 122 and heating element 110, by an interaction between a conductive element and coil 122, by rotation of an unbalanced motor, by repeatedly applying and removing an electric current to a piezoelectric element, and the like. In addition to or instead of this, some embodiments of device 100 can utilize such haptics to assist in the above-described "self-cleaning" process by vibrating and cleaning heating element 110.

[0076] In some embodiments, magnetic field generator 120 can be configured to generate a plurality of varying magnetic fields for penetrating different portions of heating element 110. For example, device 100 can include two or more coils. The plurality of coils of device 100 can be operable to gradually heat heating element 110, and thus gradually heat the smoking material of an article disposed within heating region 113, resulting in the gradual generation of vapor. For example, one coil can be operable to relatively rapidly heat a first region of the heating material to initiate the volatilization of at least one component of the smoking material and the formation of vapor in the first region of the smoking material. Another coil can be operable to relatively slowly heat a second region of the heating material to initiate the volatilization of at least one component of the smoking material and the formation of vapor in the second region of the smoking material. Thus, vapor can be formed relatively quickly for the user to inhale, and can continue to be formed thereafter for the user to continue to inhale even after the first region of the smoking material has finished generating vapor. The second region of the smoking material, which is initially unheated, can act as a filter to lower the temperature of the generated vapor or to reduce the irritation of the generated vapor while the first region of the smoking material is heated.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of another device for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a schematic cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of this device. The device 300 of this embodiment is the same as the device 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 except that it is provided with a mouthpiece 320 and the mouthpiece 320 includes a heating element 110 and a heating region 113. Any of the above possible modifications to the device 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be made to the device 300 of FIGS. 5 and 6 to form individual embodiments.

[0078] The device 300 of this embodiment includes a main body 310 and a mouthpiece 320. The main body 310 includes a magnetic field generator 120. As shown in FIG. 6, the heating element 110 and the heating region 113 therein are instead provided within the mouthpiece 320 and the mouthpiece 320 is movable relative to the main body 310 and removable from within the first mass of heatable material 130, which is different from the device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but other than that, the main body 310 is the same as the device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0079] In the position relative to the mouthpiece 320 as shown in FIG. 5, the main body 310 of the device 300 covers an opening into the heating region 113 through which an article can be inserted into the heating region 113. When the mouthpiece 320 is arranged relative to the main body 310 in this way, the passage 322 defined by the mouthpiece 320 is in fluid communication with the heating region 113, putting the heating region 113 in fluid communication with the outside of the device 300. During use of the device 300, the volatile material can flow from the heating region 113 to the outside of the device 300 through the passage 322.

[0080] The suction port 320 is movable relative to the main body 310 so that the heating region 113 can be accessed from outside the apparatus 300, for example, to clean the heating region 113 or to insert or remove an article. With this suction port 320, a through-hole is formed through the heating region 113, whereby the entire length of the heating region 113 can be cleaned. In this embodiment, the suction port 320 is removably engageable with the main body 310 so as to connect the suction port 320 to the main body 310. Accordingly, the suction port 320 can be completely removed from the main body 310, as shown in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the suction port 320 can be disposable together with the heating element 110. In other embodiments, the suction port 320 and the main body 310 can be permanently connected by a hinge or a flexible member or the like. The suction port 320 is movable relative to the main body 310 from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 5, and as a result, the coil 122 surrounds the heating element 110.

[0081] The suction port 320 of the apparatus 300 can be provided with, or impregnated with, a flavorant. The flavorant can be arranged such that it is picked up by the high-temperature steam when the steam passes through the passage 322 of the suction port 320 during use.

[0082] In other embodiments of the apparatus 300, the heating element provided in the suction port can take different forms. For example, the heating element can include a rod or a strip provided with a heating material that can be heated by the intrusion of a variable magnetic field to heat the heating region 113. For example, the heating element can be for insertion into an article that is received within the heating region 113 and includes a smoking material. The heating region 113 can be provided within the main body 310 of the apparatus 300 or within the suction port 320. For example, in some embodiments, when the suction port 320 is moved relative to the main body 310 of the apparatus 300, the heating element is inserted into the heating region 113. In other embodiments, the suction port 320 includes one or more components that together define the heating region 113, and the heating element is disposed within the heating region 113.

[0083] In some embodiments, the device can have a mechanism for compressing the article or for cooperating with the interface when the article is inserted into the recess. Compressing the article in this way can compress the smoking material within the article, and as a result, increase the thermal conductivity of the smoking material. In other words, compressing the smoking material can enhance heat transfer within the article. For example, in some embodiments, the device can include a first member and a second member with the heating region 113 disposed therebetween. The first and second members can be movable toward each other to compress the heating region 113. In some embodiments, the first and second members may not have a heating material. Thus, when a varying magnetic field is generated by the magnetic field generator 120, more energy of the varying magnetic field can be utilized to heat the heating element 110. However, in other embodiments, one or both of the first and second members can include a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of the varying magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator 120. This can further and / or more uniformly heat the smoking material of the article.

[0084] In some embodiments, the heating material of the heating element 110 may have cuts or holes therein. Such cuts or holes may function as heat insulation portions for controlling the degree to which different regions of the smoking material are heated during use. The region of the heating material having cuts or holes can be heated to a lower degree than the region without cuts or holes. This can help to gradually heat the smoking material and thus gradually generate vapor.

[0085] In each of the above embodiments, the smoking material includes tobacco. However, in variations of each of these embodiments, the smoking material may consist only of tobacco, may consist almost entirely of only tobacco, may include tobacco and smoking materials other than tobacco, may include smoking materials other than tobacco, or may not include tobacco. In some embodiments, the smoking material may include a vapor or aerosol forming agent, or a wetting agent (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol).

[0086] In some embodiments, the above article is sold, supplied, or otherwise provided separately from the devices 100, 200, 300 that can be used with the article. However, in some embodiments, the devices 100, 200, 300 and one or more of the above articles may be provided together as a system such as a kit or an assembly, optionally together with additional components such as cleaning utensils.

[0087] The present invention can also be implemented as a system comprising any one of the articles described herein and any one of the devices described herein. Here, a heating material (e.g., in the form of a susceptor) for heating due to the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator is further possessed by the article itself. The heat generated by the heating material of the article itself can be transferred to the smoking material to further heat the smoking material within the article.

[0088] To address various challenges and advance technology, the present disclosure exemplifies various embodiments throughout. These embodiments are capable of implementing the claimed invention and provide excellent devices 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 those of representative examples among the embodiments, and neither encompass all advantages and features nor exclude other advantages and features. These are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the features disclosed in the claims and the like. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be considered as limiting the present disclosure as defined by the claims or as limiting equivalents of the claims. It should be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and modifications can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may appropriately include, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, configurations, features, components, steps, means, etc. The present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently described in the claims but may be described in the future.

[0089] The following numbered embodiments (not the claims) provide further disclosure related to the concepts described herein. (Embodiment 1) An apparatus configured to heat a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, a heater region configured to receive at least a portion of an article containing the smoking material, a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field, a heater element including a heater material disposed at least partially around within the heater region and heatable by the intrusion of the varying magnetic field, thereby heating the heater region and comprising the apparatus. (Embodiment 2) The device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the heater region is defined by the heater element, and the heater region does not have a heater material that can be heated by the intrusion of a variable magnetic field. (Embodiment 3) The device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the heater element is a tubular heater element surrounding the heater region. (Embodiment 4) The device according to Embodiment 1, further comprising a mass of heat insulating material surrounding the heater element. (Embodiment 5) The device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the magnetic field generator includes a coil and a device configured to pass a variable current through the coil. (Embodiment 6) The device according to Embodiment 5, wherein the coil surrounds the heater element. (Embodiment 7) The device according to Embodiment 6, further comprising a mass of heat insulating material disposed between the coil and the heater element. (Embodiment 8) The device according to Embodiment 7, wherein the heat insulating material includes one or more heat insulating materials selected from the group consisting of closed-cell foam, closed-cell plastic foam, aerogel, vacuum insulation material, silicone foam, rubber material, cotton, fleece, non-woven material, non-woven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, polystyrene, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, a blend of polyester and polypropylene, cellulose acetate, paper, cardboard, and corrugated material. (Embodiment 9) The device according to Embodiment 6, further comprising a mass of heat insulating material surrounding the coil. (Embodiment 10) The device according to Embodiment 6, wherein a gap of about 1 millimeter to about 3 millimeters is defined between the outermost surface of the heater element and the innermost surface of the coil. (Embodiment 11) The device according to Embodiment 5, wherein the coil extends along a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated heater element. (Embodiment 12) The device according to Embodiment 5, wherein the impedance of the coil is equal to or substantially equal to the impedance of the heater element. (Embodiment 13) The device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the heat emissivity of the outer surface of the heater element is 0.1 or less. (Embodiment 14) The device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the heater element includes an elongated heater member that at least partially extends around the heater region and is entirely or substantially entirely made of the heater material. (Embodiment 15) The device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the heater material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of a conductive material, a magnetic material, and a non-magnetic material. (Embodiment 16) The device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the heater material includes a metal or a metal alloy. (Embodiment 17) The device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the heater material includes 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. (Embodiment 18) The device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the heater material is susceptible to the influence of eddy currents induced in the heater material when penetrated by a variable magnetic field. (Embodiment 19) The device according to Embodiment 1, wherein a first portion of the heater element is more susceptible to the influence of eddy currents induced therein by the penetration of a variable magnetic field than a second portion of the heater element. (Embodiment 20) The device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the heater element includes an elongated heater member including the heater material and a coating disposed on an inner surface of the heater member, and the coating is smoother or harder than the inner surface of the heater member. (Embodiment 21) A main body including the magnetic field generator, A suction port defining a passage in fluid communication with the heater region further comprising The device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the suction port is movable relative to the main body so as to be able to access the heater region, and the suction port includes the elongated heater element. (Embodiment 22) An apparatus configured to heat a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, a heater region defined within the apparatus and configured to receive at least a portion of an article comprising the smoking material, a main body including a magnetic field generator configured to generate a variable magnetic field, a suction port defining a passage in fluid communication with the heater region, movable relative to the main body so as to be able to access the heater region, and comprising a heater material that can be heated by the penetration of the variable magnetic field, the suction port including a heater element that heats the heater region during use and an apparatus comprising the same. (Embodiment 23) An apparatus for heating a smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, the apparatus comprising a heating region for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising the smoking material, a magnetic field generator for generating a variable magnetic field, and an elongated heating element extending at least partially around the heating region and comprising a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of the variable magnetic field to heat the heating region, the article for use with the apparatus, the article comprising the smoking material and a system comprising the same.

Claims

[Claim 1] 1. An apparatus configured to heat a smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, comprising: a heating region configured to receive at least a portion of an article including smokable material; an elongated heating element disposed at least partially around the heating region and including a heating material heatable by penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat the heating region; a magnetic field generator comprising a coil and a device configured to pass a varying current through the coil to generate the varying magnetic field; an insulation material between the coil and the heating element, the insulation material comprising masses of aerogel material; An apparatus comprising:

Images