Article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material

Abstract

To provide, e.g., a novel article for use with apparatus for volatilizing at least one component of smokable material.SOLUTION: Disclosed is an article (1, 2) for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article (1, 2) comprises smokable material (30), and a film defining a closed circuit (10a-10f) of heating material (10). The heating material (10) is heatable by penetration of a varying magnetic field therein to heat the smokable material (30). Also disclosed is the apparatus (100, 200). The apparatus (100, 200) comprises a magnetic field generator (120) for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating the smokable material. The magnetic field generator (120) comprises a film defining a coil (50, 60, 70) of electrically conductive material, and a device (123) for passing a varying electrical current through the coil (50, 60, 70).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, articles for use with such devices, systems including such articles and devices, methods of manufacturing magnetic field generators for use in such devices, and methods of manufacturing heaters for use in heating smokable material. [Background technology]

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

[0003] A first aspect of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a heater for use in heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the method comprising: providing a substrate; and forming on the substrate a closed circuit of a heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field, the heating material comprising depositing the heating material on the substrate; Includes:

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, the forming step includes depositing a closed circuit of heating material on the substrate.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the depositing comprises printing.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes depositing a plurality of closed circuits of a heating material on a substrate.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes printing a plurality of closed circuits of heating material onto a substrate.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, depositing includes depositing multiple closed circuits of heating material on the substrate such that the multiple closed circuits do not contact each other.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, depositing includes depositing a plurality of closed circuits of heating material on the substrate such that the plurality of closed circuits are concentrically disposed relative to one another.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the heater is for use in an article according to the third aspect of the invention.

[0011] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a magnetic field generator for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the apparatus comprising: providing a support; forming a conductive coil on a substrate, the step including depositing a conductive material on the substrate; Includes:

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the forming step includes depositing a conductive coil on a substrate.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the depositing comprises printing.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the forming step includes forming a conductive coil on the support such that the conductive material is bonded to the support.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes electrically connecting a conductive coil to a device for passing a varying current through the conductive coil.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises: forming a plurality of conductive coils; connecting each of the plurality of conductive coils to a device for applying a varying current to the conductive coil; Includes:

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the connecting step includes connecting all of the plurality of conductive coils to the same device.

[0018] A third aspect of the present invention provides an article for use with an apparatus for heating smoking material to volatilise at least one component of the smoking material, the article comprising: Smoking materials and a film defining a closed circuit of heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the smokable material; Equipped with.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the closed circuit of heating material is a printed closed circuit of heating material.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the closed circuit of the heating material is a closed circuit of the ink.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises one or more films that define multiple closed circuits of heating material.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, multiple closed circuits of heating material are arranged concentrically with respect to each other.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is in contact with the smokable material.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a substrate, and the closed circuit of heating material is on the substrate.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate comprises smokable material.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a magnetic material, and a magnetically conductive material.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises a metal or metal alloy.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.

[0029] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the apparatus comprising: 1. A magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating smokable material, comprising: A magnetic field generator is provided that includes a film defining a coil of conductive material and a device for passing a varying current through the coil.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the coil is a printed coil.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the coil is a coil of ink.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator comprises a support, and the coil is joined to the support.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the coil is a two-dimensional spiral.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator comprises one or more films defining multiple coils of conductive material.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the coils are adjacent to one another on the support.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, a first coil of the plurality of coils occupies a first area on the support and a second coil of the plurality of coils occupies a second area on the support, the second area being smaller than the first area.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of coils is connected to a respective device for passing a varying current through the coil connected to the device.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a controller, and each of the respective devices is connected to the controller.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the controller is configured to independently control each of the respective devices to generate the plurality of respective varying magnetic fields.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a joint for cooperating with an article comprising smokable material and a heating material that is heatable by penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material, and the magnetic field generator is configured such that the varying magnetic field penetrates the joint when the article is cooperating with the joint.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a heating material that is heatable by penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material, and the magnetic field generator is configured to cause the varying magnetic field to penetrate the heating material of the device.

[0042] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the apparatus comprising: 1. A magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating smokable material, comprising: A magnetic field generator is provided, comprising a coil in the form of a two-dimensional spiral of conductive material and a device for passing a varying current through the coil.

[0043] The apparatus of the fifth aspect may have any one or more features of the above exemplary embodiments of the apparatus of the fourth aspect of the invention.

[0044] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a system, the system comprising: a device for heating the smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material; an article for use with the device, the article comprising smoking material; Equipped with The apparatus comprises a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating smokable material, the magnetic field generator comprising a film defining a coil of electrically conductive material and a device for passing a varying current through the coil.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a heating material that is heatable by penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat smokable material, the device comprises a joint for cooperating with the article, and the magnetic field generator is configured to cause the varying magnetic field to penetrate the heating material of the article when the article is cooperating with the joint.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, the article of the system is the article of the third aspect of the invention. The article of the system can have any one or more features of the above exemplary embodiments of the article of the third aspect of the invention.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a heating material that is heatable by penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material, and the magnetic field generator is configured such that the varying magnetic field penetrates the heating material of the device.

[0048] A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a system, the system comprising: a device for heating the smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material; An article for use with the device, comprising a film defining a closed circuit of smokable material and heating material, the heating material being heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the smokable material; Equipped with The apparatus includes a joint for cooperating with the article and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating the heating material when the article is cooperating with the joint.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the device of the system is a device of the fourth aspect of the invention. The device of the system may have any one or more features of the above exemplary embodiments of the device of the fourth aspect of the invention.

[0050] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0051] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view of a portion of an example article for use with a device for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the article of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of another example article for use with a device for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of a portion of the magnetic field generator of the apparatus of FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the magnetic field generator of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic front view of a portion of another example magnetic field generator of an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method of manufacturing a heater for use in heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method of manufacturing a magnetic field generator for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] As used herein, the term "smoking material" includes materials that, when heated, release volatile components, typically in the form of a vapor or aerosol. "Smoking material" may be a non-tobacco-containing material or a tobacco-containing material. "Smoking material" may include, for example, one or more of tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Smoking material may be in the form of ground tobacco, cut rag tobacco, extruded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, reconstituted smoking material, liquid, gel, gelled sheet, powder, or block. "Smoking material" may also include other non-tobacco products. These non-tobacco products may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. "Smoking material" may also include one or more humectants, such as glycerol or propylene glycol.

[0053] As used herein, the term "heating material" or "heater material" refers to a material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field.

[0054] As used herein, the terms "flavoring" and "flavoring agent" refer to materials that can be used (where permitted by local regulations) to produce a desired taste or aroma in products for adult consumers. These materials include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, Scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang). The flavor enhancers may contain additives such as spices, spice blends, flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives (e.g., charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners). These may be imitation, synthetic, or natural materials, or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, such as an oil, liquid, gel, or powder.

[0055] Induction heating is the process of heating a conductive object by penetrating a changing 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 changing current, such as an alternating current, through the electromagnet. When the object to be heated and the electromagnet are positioned relative to each other so that the changing 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, they flow against the object's electrical resistance, thereby heating the object. This process is called Joule heating, ohmic heating, or resistive heating. An object that can be inductively heated is known as a susceptor.

[0056] It has been found that when the susceptor is in the closed circuit configuration, there is a stronger magnetic coupling between the susceptor and the electromagnet in use, resulting in increased or improved Joule heating.

[0057] Magnetic hysteresis heating is the process of heating an object made of a magnetic material due to the penetration of a varying magnetic field into the object. Magnetic materials can be thought of as containing a large number of atomic-scale magnets, or magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such a material, the magnetic dipoles align along the magnetic field. Thus, when a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field (e.g., produced by an electromagnet), penetrates a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes in response to the applied varying magnetic field. This reorientation of the magnetic dipoles generates heat within the magnetic material.

[0058] When an object is both conductive and magnetic, the penetration of a changing magnetic field into the object can cause both Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating in the object. Furthermore, the use of magnetic materials can enhance the changing magnetic field, thereby enhancing Joule heating.

[0059] In each of the above processes, heat is generated within the object itself, rather than by conduction from an external heat source, which allows for rapid temperature rise and more uniform heat distribution within the object. This can be achieved, among other things, by choosing the object's material and geometry and the magnitude and orientation of the varying magnetic field relative to the object. Furthermore, induction heating and magnetic hysteresis heating do not require a physical connection between the source of the varying magnetic field and the object, thereby increasing design freedom and control of the heating profile and reducing costs.

[0060] 1 and 2, there are shown a schematic front view and a schematic cross-sectional view, respectively, of a portion of an article 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The article 1 is for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material without burning the smokable material. In this embodiment, the article 1 comprises a substrate 20 and one or more films that define a plurality of closed circuits 10a-f of heating material 10. The heating material 10 is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field.

[0061] The thickness of the or each film defining the closed circuit 10a-f of the heating material 10 may be no greater than 1 micron, for example less than 1 micron. In other embodiments, the thickness of the film may be greater than 1 micron, for example greater than 10 microns or greater than 100 microns.

[0062] In this embodiment, the substrate 20 comprises smoking material 30, such as tobacco. In some embodiments, the substrate 20 can entirely or substantially entirely comprise or consist of smoking material 30, such as tobacco, reconstituted smoking material, e.g., reconstituted tobacco, etc. Reconstituted tobacco is sometimes referred to as "tobacco recon."

[0063] In this embodiment, the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 are heatable in use to heat the smokable material 30 and volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 30. Each of the closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 may be considered a heater for use in heating the smokable material.

[0064] In some embodiments, the article 1 may include only one closed circuit 10a of heating material 10. In such embodiments, the closed circuit 10a of heating material 10 is heatable in use to heat the smokable material 30 and volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 30. In other embodiments, for example as shown, the article 1 may include more than one closed circuit 10a-10f of heating material 10.

[0065] In this embodiment, each of the multiple closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 is square or rectangular. In other embodiments, each of the multiple closed circuits 10a-f is of any shape that defines a path with the same starting and ending point, such as a circle or an ellipse, to create a loop.

[0066] In this embodiment, each of the multiple closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 has a uniform width and a uniform thickness. In other embodiments, each of the multiple closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material may be different from at least one of the other closed circuits 10a-f. For example, the closed circuits 10a-f may have different widths or thicknesses. In other embodiments, the single closed circuit 10a may vary in thickness or width along its path. Varying the width or thickness of the closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 in this manner can concentrate the heating of the heating material 10, thereby varying the rate at which the heating material 10 volatilizes the smokable material 30.

[0067] In some embodiments, the closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 can provide a stronger magnetic coupling between the closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 and the electromagnets of the device during use, thereby increasing or improving Joule heating.

[0068] In this embodiment, and indeed in all embodiments described herein, the heating material 10 is aluminum. However, in other embodiments, the heating material 10 can comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of conductive materials, magnetic materials, and non-magnetic materials. In some embodiments, the heating material 10 can comprise a metal or metal alloy. In some embodiments, the heating material 10 can comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze. In other embodiments, other material(s) can be used. It has also been found that using a magnetically conductive material for the heating material 10 can, in use, increase the magnetic coupling between the magnetically conductive material and the electromagnet of the device. In addition to potentially enabling magnetic hysteresis heating, this can increase or improve Joule heating of the heating material 10 and, therefore, heating of the smokable material 30.

[0069] In this embodiment, each of the multiple closed circuits 10a-f of heating material 10a-f is in contact with the substrate 20. In some embodiments, the heating material 10 may be in the form of an ink. Thus, the closed circuits 10a-f of heating material 10 may be deposited directly on the substrate 20, for example by printing. Printing the ink containing the heating material 10 onto the substrate 20 may allow the heating material 10 to be intimately integrated with the substrate 10, resulting in good heat transfer between the heating material 10 and the smokable material 30 provided on the substrate 20.

[0070] Inks and films can be made thinner, so that induced currents and / or induced reorientation of magnetic dipoles within the ink or film when subjected to a varying magnetic field can penetrate most or all of the ink or film, rather than being limited to just its "skin," as would be the case if the component had a very thick heating material, resulting in more efficient use of materials and reduced costs.

[0071] In some embodiments, the deposition may result in the formation of closed circuits 10a-f. In other embodiments, this is not the case. For example, a film of heating material 10 may be deposited on substrate 20, and then closed circuits 10a-f of heating material 10 may be formed from the film, for example, by etching the film.

[0072] In this embodiment, the multiple closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 are not in contact with each other, i.e., they are not touching each other. In other embodiments, one or more of the multiple closed circuits 10a-f may be in contact with one or more other closed circuits of the multiple closed circuits 10a-f.

[0073] In this embodiment, the multiple closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 are arranged concentrically with respect to each other. In other embodiments, the multiple closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 may be arranged so that each of the closed circuits 10a-f is outside each of the other closed circuits 10a-f, or may be arranged in any other manner.

[0074] In this embodiment, the heating material 10 is deposited on an initially flat substrate 20. In this embodiment, both the substrate 20 and the multiple closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 are flexible or malleable. By "malleable," it is meant that the article 1 can be pressed, folded, rolled, folded, or bent into different overall shapes, such as a cylindrical shape, without cracking or breaking. The degree of flexibility depends on the material and thickness of the substrate 20 and the structure of the closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10. Such flexibility can increase the versatility of the article 1, for example, by increasing the number of reasonable configurations for the article 1. Such structures may be suitable for use in articles of a variety of different shapes. For example, the substrate 20 may be a layer on the surface of the article, may define a recess in the article, or may be bent to fit within a recess in the article. In other embodiments, both the substrate 20 and the multiple closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 may be substantially rigid.

[0075] In this embodiment, the substrate 20 is substantially planar. In some embodiments, the substrate 20 may instead be non-planar, such as tubular. The closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 are then on the surface of the tubular substrate 20. In other embodiments, the substrate 20 may have any other shape, for example, a cone shape.

[0076] In this embodiment, the multiple closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 are bonded to the substrate 20. Bonding may be achieved, for example, by a process of printing with the heating material 10 or by adhering the heating material 10 to the substrate 20 using an adhesive. In other embodiments, bonding may be achieved by a deposition process that involves physically interlocking or intermixing the heating material 10 with the substrate 20, or the heating material 10 with the smokable material 30. In some embodiments, when the deposition process involves printing, bonding may be achieved by partially absorbing ink by the substrate 20. In embodiments in which the substrate 20 comprises smokable material 30, bonding the heating material 10 to the substrate 20 in this manner may allow for better heat transfer from the heating material 10 to the substrate 20, and therefore may result in a higher proportion of the smokable material 30 being volatilized during use.

[0077] Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view of another example article according to an embodiment of the present invention. Article 2 is identical to article 1 of Figures 1 and 2, except that the substrate 20 of article 2 of Figure 3 does not include smokable material 30. The smokable material 30 is instead separate from the substrate 20.

[0078] In this embodiment, the substrate comprises paper or cardboard. However, in some embodiments, the substrate 20 may additionally or alternatively comprise insulating material. Such insulating material may help to increase the rate at which heat heats the smokable material 30 when the heating material 10 is heated by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field.

[0079] In this embodiment, the smokable material 30 is provided as a layer on the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10, which may be, for example, a layer of tobacco recon. That is, the closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10 are disposed between the substrate 20 and the smokable material 30. In other embodiments, the smokable material 30 may be disposed on the substrate 20 and at least partially surround each of the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10. Each of the closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10, and indeed the combination of the substrate 20 and the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f of the heating material 10, may be considered a heater for use in heating the smokable material.

[0080] In some embodiments, which may be variations on the above embodiments, the articles 1, 2 may include a tipping member defining a passageway in fluid communication with the smoking material 30. The tipping member may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, cardboard, cellulose acetate, paper, metal, glass, ceramic, or rubber. During use, the smoking material 30 is heated, allowing the user to easily inhale the volatilized components of the smoking material 30. In embodiments in which the article is consumable, once all or substantially all of the volatilized component(s) of the smoking material 30 of the article have been consumed, the user may dispose of the tipping member with the remainder of the article. This may be more hygienic than using the same tipping member on multiple articles, may help ensure that the tipping member is properly aligned with the smoking material, and may provide the user with a clean, fresh tipping member each time the user desires to use another article. The tipping member, if provided, may include or be impregnated with a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent may be positioned to be received by heated vapor as the vapor passes through the tipping member passageway during use.

[0081] Each of the above articles 1, 2 and their variations can be used with a device for heating the smokable material 30 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 30. When preparing the articles 1, 2 for use with the device, the articles 1, 2 may first be rolled by the user into a substantially cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the articles 1, 2 may be provided to the user in a pre-rolled state. The device can be for heating the smokable material 30 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 30 without burning the smokable material 30. Examples of such devices are described below.

[0082] Referring to Figure 4, an example of an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material is shown. The apparatus 100 is for use with an article comprising smokable material 30 and heating material 10, such as one of articles 1 and 2 above.

[0083] The apparatus 100 of this embodiment comprises a magnetic field generator 120. The magnetic field generator 120 comprises a power source 121, a film defining a coil 50 on a support 40, a device 123 for passing a varying current, such as an alternating current, through the coil 50, a controller 124, a user interface 125 for a user to operate the controller 124, a temperature sensor 126, and a joint 101 for cooperating with the article.

[0084] The thickness of the film defining the coil 50 of conductive material may be no greater than 1 micron, for example, less than 1 micron, in other embodiments, the thickness of the film may be greater than 1 micron, for example, greater than 10 microns, or greater than 100 microns.

[0085] In this embodiment, interface 101 includes a recess 101 configured to receive an item through opening 102. Recess 101 is configured to allow the item to be removed through opening 102 of device 100 after use of device 100. To allow repeated use of device 100, the item can be removed from recess 101 by the user and replaced with another item.

[0086] In this embodiment, power source 121 is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, power source 121 can be other than a rechargeable battery, such as, for example, a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor, a battery-capacitor hybrid, or a connection to a mains power source.

[0087] 6 and 7, there are shown schematic front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of the coil 50 and support 40 of the apparatus 100 of FIG.

[0088] In this embodiment, the coil 50 is a two-dimensional spiral on the surface of the support 40. The coil 50 is defined by a film. In this embodiment, the support 40 is a non-conductive support 40. That is, the support 40 is an electrical insulator. In other embodiments, the support 40 can be omitted.

[0089] In some embodiments, the coil 50 is deposited on a flat support 40. In this embodiment, both the support 40 and the film defining the coil 50 are flexible or malleable. By "malleable," it is meant that the assembly of the support 40 and the film defining the coil 50 can be pressed, folded, rolled, folded, or bent into different overall shapes, such as a cylinder, without cracking or breaking. The degree of flexibility depends on the material and thickness of the support 40 and the structure of the conductive material of the coil 50. By changing the shape of the assembly of the support 40 and the film defining the coil 50 to form a three-dimensional shape, a three-dimensional transverse magnetic flux design can be achieved when a varying current is passed through the coil 50. Such a three-dimensional transverse magnetic flux design increases the number of reasonable configurations of the device 100. For example, the support 40 can be a layer on the surface of the device 100, can define a recess in the device 100, or can be curved to fit within a recess in the device 100. In other embodiments, both the support 40 and the film defining the coil 50 may be substantially rigid.

[0090] In this embodiment, the coil 50 is a conductive coil configured to conduct a varying current. In this embodiment, the conductive material of the coil 50 is a conductive film in the form of an ink. Thus, the coil 50 in this embodiment comprises a conductive material.

[0091] In this embodiment, the coil 50 is in contact with the substrate 40. The coil 50 may be deposited directly onto the substrate 40. Depositing directly onto the substrate 40 may allow the conductive ink to be intimately integrated with the substrate 40, which may better bond the coil 50 to the substrate 40 and help prevent delamination. Depositing may include, for example, printing.

[0092] In some embodiments, deposition can result in the formation of coil 50. In other embodiments, this is not the case. For example, a film of conductive material can be deposited on substrate 40, and coil 50 can be formed from the film, for example, by etching the film.

[0093] In this embodiment, the coil 50 is bonded to the substrate 40. Bonding may be achieved, for example, by printing the coil 50 onto the substrate 40 or by chemically or mechanically adhering the coil 50. In other embodiments, bonding may be achieved by a deposition process that includes physically interlocking or interweaving the coil 50 and the substrate 40. In some embodiments, when the deposition process includes printing, bonding may be achieved by partially absorbing ink by the substrate 40.

[0094] In this embodiment, the coil 50 is a two-dimensional spiral. In this embodiment, the coil 50 is a generally square or rectangular coil. In other embodiments, the coil 50 may be a different shape, such as a generally circle or ellipse. In some embodiments, the coil 50 may be a three-dimensional spiral. In some such embodiments, the coil 50 may be manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing.

[0095] In this embodiment, adjacent spaced apart coil 50 sections are regularly spaced. In other embodiments, such coil 50 sections may not be regularly spaced. Relatively closely spaced coil 50 sections may produce a denser magnetic flux during use than less closely spaced coil 50 sections. This configuration allows for gradual heating of the smokable material, thereby achieving gradual vapor generation.

[0096] In this embodiment, the combination of support 40 and coil 50 is flexible. The degree of flexibility depends on the materials and thickness of support 40 and coil 50, respectively. In other embodiments, the combination of support 40 and coil 50 may be relatively rigid. Providing flexibility to the combination of support 40 and coil 50 allows the combination of support 40 and coil 50 to fit within irregularly shaped spaces in device 100. Additionally, providing flexibility to the combination of support 40 and coil 50 may make the combination of support 40 and coil 50 less susceptible to damage.

[0097] 4, it can be seen that in this embodiment, the combination of support 40 and coil 50 defines part of recess 101. In other embodiments, a protective structure can be provided between the combination of support 40 and coil 50 and recess 101 to help protect support 40 and coil 50 from damage during use of device 100.

[0098] In this embodiment, a device 123 for applying a varying current to the coil 50 is electrically connected between the power source 121 and the coil 50. In this embodiment, a controller 124 is also electrically connected to the power source 121 and communicatively connected to the device 123. More particularly, in this embodiment, the controller 124 is for controlling the device 123 to control the supply of power from the power source 121 to the coil 50. In this embodiment, the controller 124 comprises an integrated circuit (IC), such as an IC on a printed circuit board (PCB). In other embodiments, the controller 124 can take different forms. In some embodiments, the apparatus can have a single electrical or electronic component comprising the device 123 and the controller 124. In this embodiment, the controller 124 is operated by a user operating a user interface 125. In this embodiment, the user interface 125 is located on the exterior of the apparatus 100. The user interface 125 can comprise a push button, a toggle switch, a dial, a touch screen, or the like. In other embodiments, the user interface 125 may be remote and connected wirelessly to the rest of the device, such as by Bluetooth.

[0099] In this embodiment, when a user operates the user interface 125, the controller 124 causes the device 123 to apply a varying current to the coil 50, causing the coil 50 to generate a varying magnetic field. When the items 1 and 2 are placed in the recess 101, the coil 50 of the apparatus 100 and the heating material 10 of the items 1 and 2 are positioned relative to one another so that the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil 50 penetrates the heating material 10 of the items 1 and 2. When the heating material 10 of the items 1 and 2 is an electrically conductive material, this can induce one or more eddy currents in the heating material 10. When the eddy currents flow through the heating material 10 against the electrical resistance of the heating material 10, the heating material 10 heats due to Joule heating. As described above, when the heating material 10 is made of a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles in the heating material 10 changes in response to changes in the applied magnetic field, thereby generating heat in the heating material 10.

[0100] The apparatus 100 in this embodiment includes a temperature sensor 126 for sensing the temperature of the recess 101. The temperature sensor 126 is communicatively connected to the controller 124 such that the controller 124 can monitor the temperature of the recess 101. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 126 can be configured to optically measure the temperature of the recess 101 or the items 1, 2. In some embodiments, the items placed in the recess 101 can include a temperature detector, such as a resistance temperature detector (RTD), to detect the temperature of the items. The items can further include one or more terminals connected, such as by an electrical connection, to the temperature detector. The terminal(s) can be for connection, such as an electrical connection, with a temperature monitor (not shown) of the apparatus 100 when the items are in the recess 101. The controller 124 can include a temperature monitor. Thus, the temperature monitor of the apparatus 100 can measure the temperature of the items during use with the apparatus 100.

[0101] In some embodiments, by appropriately adjusting the resistance of the heating material of the components of the articles 1, 2 comprising the heating material 10, the response of the heating material 10 to temperature changes can be sufficient to provide information about the temperature within the articles 1, 2. The temperature sensor 126 of the device 100 can then comprise a probe for analyzing the heating material.

[0102] The controller 124 can cause the device 123 to adjust the characteristics of the fluctuating current applied to the coil 50 as needed based on one or more signals received from the temperature sensor 126 or temperature detector to ensure that the temperature of the recess 101, the articles 1, 2, or the heating material 10 is maintained within a predetermined temperature range. This characteristic can be, for example, amplitude or frequency. In use, the smokable material 30 in the articles 1, 2 disposed in the recess 101 is heated at a predetermined temperature range sufficiently to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 30 without combusting the smokable material 30. Thus, the controller 124, and the apparatus 100 as a whole, are configured to heat the smokable material 30 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 30 without combusting the smokable material 30. In some embodiments, the temperature range is between about 50°C and about 250°C, e.g., between about 50°C and about 150°C, between about 50°C and about 120°C, between about 25°C and 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 this range. In some embodiments, temperature sensor 126 may be omitted.

[0103] In some embodiments, the device 100 may include a mouthpiece (not shown). The mouthpiece may be removably engageable with the remainder of the device 100 to connect the mouthpiece to the remainder of the device 100. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece may be permanently connected to the remainder of the device 100, such as by a hinge or flexible member. The mouthpiece may be positionable to cover the opening 102 into the recess 101. When the mouthpiece is so positioned, a passageway through the mouthpiece may be in fluid communication with the smokable material 30. In use, this passageway acts as a passageway to allow volatilizable material to flow from the smokable material 30 to the exterior of the device 100. The mouthpiece, if provided, may include or be impregnated with flavoring. The flavoring may be positioned such that, in use, it is received by heated vapor as the vapor passes through the mouthpiece passageway.

[0104] Once the smokable material 30 of the articles 1, 2 is heated, a user may inhale the volatile component(s) of the smokable material 30 by drawing the volatile component(s) through the tip of the article, if the article is provided with a tip, or through the tip of the device 100, if the device is provided with a tip. Air may enter the article through a gap between the article and the device 100, or in some embodiments, the device 100 may define an air inlet that fluidly connects the smokable material 30 with the exterior of the device 100. Once the volatile component(s) have exited the article, air may be drawn into the smokable material 30 through the air inlet of the device 100.

[0105] Some embodiments of the device 100 can be configured to provide tactile feedback to the user. This feedback can indicate heating, or can be generated by a timer to indicate that the volatilizable component(s) of the article's smokable material 30 has been consumed more than a predetermined percentage of its original amount, etc. This tactile feedback can be generated by interaction of the coil 50 with the heating material 10, by interaction of a conductive element with the coil 50, by rotation of an unbalanced motor, by repeatedly applying and removing current to a piezoelectric element, etc.

[0106] In some embodiments, the device may include two or more coils. The multiple coils of the device may be operable to gradually heat the smokable material of the articles 1, 2, thereby gradually generating vapor. For example, one coil may heat a first region of the heating material 10 relatively quickly, initiating volatilization of at least one component of the smokable material and vapor formation in the first region of the smokable material. Another coil may heat a second region of the heating material 10 relatively slowly, initiating volatilization of at least one component of the smokable material and vapor formation in the second region of the smokable material. Thus, vapor may be generated relatively quickly for inhalation by the user, and may continue to be generated thereafter for subsequent inhalation by the user, even after the first region of the smokable material has ceased vapor generation. The second region of the smokable material, which is initially unheated, may act as a heat sink to reduce the temperature of or mellow the generated vapor while the first region of the smokable material is being heated.

[0107] Referring to Figure 8, there is shown a schematic front view of a structure comprising a support 40 and one or more films defining a plurality of coils 50, 60, 70 adjacent to one another on the support 40. The structure of Figure 8 may be used in the device 100 of Figure 4 in place of the structures of Figures 6 and 7.

[0108] In this embodiment, each of the plurality of coils 50, 60, 70 comprises a conductive material and may be provided on the support 40 using any of the processes described herein for providing the coils 50 on the support 40 of FIG.

[0109] In this embodiment, the structure comprises first to third coils 50, 60, 70, although in other embodiments the structure may comprise two coils or more than three coils of conductive material.

[0110] In this embodiment, each of the coils 50, 60, 70 occupies a respective area on the support 40. In this embodiment, the first coil 50 occupies a first area, the second coil 60 occupies a second area that is smaller than the first area, and the third coil 70 occupies a third area. In this embodiment, the second area and the third area are substantially equal. In other embodiments, the second area and the third area may be different sizes. In some embodiments, the coils 50, 60, 70 may each occupy areas of the same size.

[0111] In use, each of the coils 50, 60, 70 can be used to heat a different region of the heating material 10 of an article placed in the recess 101. That is, the varying magnetic fields generated by the coils 50, 60, 70 can penetrate different regions of the heating material 10. The different regions of the heating material 10 can be configured to heat different regions of the article's smokable material 30, which may, for example, contain different flavorants, thereby emitting vapor of the different flavorants.

[0112] In some embodiments, each of the coils 50, 60, 70 may be connected to the same common device 123 for applying a varying current to each of the coils 50, 60, 70. In other embodiments, the coils 50, 60, 70 may be connected to separate devices 123 for applying a varying current to each of the coils 50, 60, 70 that are connected to the device 123.

[0113] In various embodiments, the, or each, device 123 is connected to a controller 124. The controller 124 is configured to control the, or each, device 123 to generate a plurality of respective varying magnetic fields. The controller 124 can be configured to control the device(s) 123 such that the varying magnetic fields output from the coils 50, 60, 70 can be independently controlled.

[0114] In some embodiments, the varying current may be passed through the coils 50, 60, 70 simultaneously, allowing for a larger area of the heating material 10 to be sufficiently heated at any one time, or for a smaller area of the heating material 10 to be heated in a shorter period of time. In other embodiments, the varying current may be passed through the coils 50, 60, 70 in a predetermined sequence. The coils 50, 60, 70 may be operable to progressively heat the heating material 10, and thus the smokable material 30 within the article disposed in the recess 101, resulting in the progressive generation of vapor, as described above.

[0115] In some embodiments, the controller 124 may be configured to control the device(s) 123 to cause the coils 50, 60, 70 to output their respective varying magnetic fields in a cyclic or peristaltic manner. In some embodiments, the cyclic or peristaltic output varying magnetic fields may cyclically or peristally heat the respective portions of the heating material 10, which in turn may cyclically or peristally heat the vapour output from the smokable material 30. This may cause movement of the vapour in a predetermined direction, for example towards the outlet of the device 100 and therefore towards the user at the outlet.

[0116] In the embodiment of Figure 4, the device 100 is for use with articles 1, 2 which themselves comprise a heating material 10 that is heatable by the penetration of a varying magnetic field. However, in some embodiments, the device may additionally or alternatively comprise such a heating material.

[0117] Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view of an example apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 200 of this embodiment is for use with an article comprising smokable material 30. The apparatus 200 is substantially similar to the apparatus 100, except that it further comprises an insulating material 80 and a heating material 90.

[0118] In this embodiment, insulation 80 is disposed between the coil 50 and the heating material 90. The insulation 80 may include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of, for example, aerogel, vacuum insulation, cotton, fleece, nonwoven materials, nonwoven fleece, woven materials, knitted materials, nylon, foam, polystyrene, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, polyester and polypropylene blends, cellulose acetate, paper or cardboard, and corrugated materials such as corrugated paper or cardboard. Additionally or alternatively, insulation 80 may include voids. Such insulation 80 may help prevent heat loss from the heating material 90 to the components of the device 200, may help increase the heating efficiency of the smokable material 30 of the articles 1, 2 within the recess 101, and / or may help reduce the transfer of heating energy from the heating material 90 to the exterior surfaces of the device 200. This may make the device 200 more comfortable for a user to hold.

[0119] In some embodiments, the coil 50 can be embedded in the insulation 80. The insulation 80 can abut or encase the coil 50. In addition to the thermal benefits noted above, such a configuration can help make the device 200 more robust, for example, by helping to maintain the relative position of the coil 50 and the recess 101.

[0120] In some embodiments, the insulation 80 may be omitted.

[0121] In this embodiment, the recess 101 is partially defined by the heating material 90 .

[0122] In some embodiments, the heating material 90 can include deposited heating material 10 or ink. The heating material 90 can be deposited on the insulating material 80, for example, by printing. The heating material 90 can include at least one closed circuit of heating material, which can provide the advantages described elsewhere herein.

[0123] The inclusion of the heating material 90 in the device 200 reduces the necessary complexity of the article for use with the device 200. The heating material can be used repeatedly to heat the smokable material 30, and therefore, including the heating material 90 in the device 200, rather than being included in a consumable article for use with the device 200, can be an efficient use of the heating material.

[0124] The impedance of the coil 50 in this embodiment is equal to or substantially equal to the impedance of the heating material 90. If instead the impedance of the heating material 90 is lower than the impedance of the coil 50, the voltage developed across the heating material 90 during use may be lower than the voltage that could be generated across the heating material 90 when the impedances were matched. Alternatively, if instead the impedance of the heating material 90 is higher than the impedance of the coil 50, the current developed in the heating material 90 during use may be lower than the current that could be generated in the heating material 90 when the impedances were matched. Matching the impedances may help balance the voltage and current to maximize the heating power generated in the heating material 90 when heating during use. However, in some other embodiments, the impedances may not be matched.

[0125] Referring to Figure 9, there is shown a flow diagram of an example method of manufacturing a heater for use in heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0126] In general terms, the method 900 of this embodiment includes a step 901 of providing a substrate and a step 902 of forming a closed circuit of a heating material on the substrate. The forming step includes depositing the heating material. The heating material 10 is heatable by the penetration of a varying magnetic field.

[0127] The closed circuit of heating material can be of any shape that defines a path that starts and ends at the same point so as to create a loop.

[0128] In this embodiment, the substrate comprises smokable material. In other embodiments, the substrate may be free of smokable material. In some embodiments, the method 900 may include providing smokable material on the substrate, on the heating material, or the like.

[0129] In this embodiment, the forming step 902 includes depositing a closed circuit of heating material on the substrate. However, in other embodiments, the forming step 902 can include depositing a film of heating material and then forming the closed circuit of heating material 10a from the film, for example, by etching the film.

[0130] The heating material can be in the form of an ink. The heating material can be suitable for use with additive manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing. The use of ink can help ensure that the closed circuit is of uniform thickness on the substrate in a predetermined configuration. The use of ink can also result in efficient use of the heating material. Other advantages of using ink are discussed elsewhere herein.

[0131] In some embodiments, forming step 902 includes forming multiple closed circuits of heating material. In such embodiments, each of the multiple closed circuits of heating material can be of any shape that defines a path that starts and ends at the same point to create a loop.

[0132] The multiple closed circuits of heating material can be arranged so that they do not contact each other, i.e., they do not touch each other. In other embodiments, one or more of the multiple closed circuits may be in contact with one or more other closed circuits of the multiple closed circuits. In some embodiments, the multiple closed circuits of heating material are arranged concentrically with each other. In other embodiments, the multiple closed circuits of heating material may be formed so that each closed circuit is outside each of the other closed circuits, or any other arrangement may be used.

[0133] Referring to Figure 10, a flow diagram illustrating an example method of manufacturing a magnetic field generator for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0134] Broadly speaking, the method 1000 of this embodiment includes step 1001 of providing a support, step 1002 of forming a conductive coil on the support, which step includes depositing a conductive material on the support such that the conductive material bonds to the support, and step 1003 of electrically connecting the coil to a device for passing a varying current through the coil. However, in other embodiments, step 1001 and / or step 1003 can be omitted.

[0135] The support is preferably non-conductive, i.e., the support is an electrical insulator, however, in some embodiments, bonding a conductive material to the support can be omitted.

[0136] As described above, the forming step includes depositing a conductive material. In some embodiments, the depositing results in the formation of a coil. In other embodiments, this is not the case. For example, a film of conductive material can be deposited and then a coil can be formed from the film, for example, by etching the film. In some embodiments, the forming step 1002 can include forming multiple conductive coils, where the forming includes depositing a conductive material. In some embodiments, the forming step 1002 can include forming two coils, while in other embodiments, the number of coils formed can be three or more. In some embodiments, the multiple coils can have the same geometric shape. In other embodiments, the coils can have different geometric shapes. In some embodiments, some or all of the coils occupy different sized areas on the substrate.

[0137] In some embodiments, the connecting step 1003 can include connecting each of the plurality of coils to a device for applying a varying current to the conductive coil. In some embodiments, the connecting step 1003 can include connecting each of the coils to a respective device for applying a varying current to the conductive coil connected to the respective device.

[0138] In each of the above embodiments, the film including the heating material 10 is deposited by a method that includes printing. However, in other embodiments, the film can be deposited by different methods, such as sputtering, evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, molecular beam epitaxy, electroplating, screen printing, laser etching, drying, baking, curing, etc.

[0139] In each of the above embodiments, the film defining the coil 50 of conductive material is deposited by a method that includes printing. However, in other embodiments, the film can be deposited by different methods, such as sputtering, evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, molecular beam epitaxy, electroplating, screen printing, laser etching, drying, baking, curing, etc.

[0140] In each of the above embodiments, the heating material 10 can have a skin depth, which is the outer region where most of the induced currents and / or induced reorientation of magnetic dipoles occurs. By making the thickness of the component comprising the heating material 10 relatively thin, a greater percentage of the heating material 10 can be heated by a given varying magnetic field compared to a heating material in a component having a relatively long depth or thickness compared to other dimensions of the component, thus resulting in more efficient use of material, which reduces costs.

[0141] In some embodiments, the components comprising the heating material 10 may have cuts or holes therein. Such cuts or holes may act as thermal breaks to control the degree to which different areas of the smokable material heat up during use. Areas of the heating material 10 having cuts or holes may heat up less than areas without cuts or holes. This may aid in the gradual heating of the smokable material, and therefore the gradual production of vapour. Alternatively, such cuts or holes may be used to optimise the generation of complex eddy currents during use.

[0142] In each of the above embodiments, the smoking material includes tobacco. However, in variations of each of these embodiments, the smoking material may consist entirely of tobacco, consist essentially entirely of tobacco, include tobacco and non-tobacco smoking material, include non-tobacco smoking material, or be tobacco-free. In some embodiments, the smoking material may include a vapor or aerosol former and a humectant (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol).

[0143] An article using the present invention can be, for example, a cartridge.

[0144] In each of the above embodiments, the article 1, 2 is a consumable product. In embodiments in which the article is a consumable product, once all or substantially all of the volatilizable component(s) of the smoking material in the article 1, 2 have been consumed, the user can dispose of the article 1, 2. The user can subsequently reuse the device with another article 1, 2. However, in each of the other embodiments, the article 1, 2 may not be a consumable product, and once the volatilizable component(s) of the smoking material have been consumed, the device and the article 1, 2 can be disposed of together.

[0145] In some embodiments, the above items 1, 2 are sold, supplied, or otherwise provided separately from the device 100 with which they can be used. However, in some embodiments, the device 100 and one or more of the above items 1, 2 may be provided together as a system, such as a kit or assembly, possibly with additional components such as cleaning implements.

[0146] The present invention may also be embodied as a system comprising any one of the articles described herein and any one of the devices described herein, wherein the device itself contains a heating material (e.g., in the form of a susceptor) for heating by penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator. When a portion of the article is within the recess 101, heat generated in the heating material of the device may be transferred to the article to heat or further heat smokable material within the article.

[0147] To address various challenges and advance the art, this disclosure provides various exemplary embodiments throughout. These embodiments enable the claimed invention to be practiced and provide an improved apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, an improved article for use with such an apparatus, an improved system including such an article and such an apparatus, an improved method for manufacturing a magnetic field generator for use in such an apparatus, and an improved method for manufacturing a heater for use in heating smokable material. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative examples of embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive of all advantages or features. They are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the features disclosed in the claims and elsewhere herein. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure, as defined by the claims, or the equivalents thereof, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, structures, features, components, steps, means, etc. The present disclosure may include other inventions not currently recited in the claims but which may be described in the future. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 1, 2...article, 10...heating material, 10a-10f...closed circuit, 30...smoking material, 50, 60, 70...coil of conductive material, 100, 200...apparatus, 120...magnetic field generator, 123...device.

Claims

1. 1. A method of manufacturing a heater for use in heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of said smokable material, comprising: providing a substrate; forming a closed circuit of a heating material on the substrate, the heating material being heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field, the heating material comprising depositing the heating material on the substrate; A method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the forming step comprises depositing the closed circuit of heating material on the substrate.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said depositing comprises printing.

4. The method of claim 1 , comprising depositing a plurality of closed circuits of heating material on the substrate.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said depositing comprises depositing the plurality of closed circuits of heating material on the substrate such that the plurality of closed circuits of heating material do not contact each other.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein said depositing comprises depositing the plurality of closed circuits of heating material on the substrate such that the plurality of closed circuits of heating material are arranged concentrically with respect to each other.

7. 1. A method of manufacturing a magnetic field generator for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of said smokable material, comprising: providing a support; forming a conductive coil on the support, the step including depositing a conductive material on the support; A method comprising:

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the forming step comprises depositing a conductive coil on the substrate.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein said depositing comprises printing.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the forming step includes forming the conductive coil on the support such that the conductive material is bonded to the support.

11. 8. The method of claim 7, comprising electrically connecting the conductive coil to a device for passing a varying current through the conductive coil.

12. forming a plurality of conductive coils; connecting each of the plurality of conductive coils to a device for applying a varying current to the conductive coil; The method of claim 7, comprising:

13. 1. An article for use with a device for heating smoking material to volatilize at least one component of said smoking material, comprising: Smoking materials and a film defining a closed circuit of heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat said smokable material; An article comprising:

14. 14. The article of claim 13, comprising one or more films comprising multiple closed circuits of heating material arranged concentrically relative to one another.

15. 14. The article of claim 13, wherein the heating material is in contact with the smoking material.

16. 14. The article of claim 13, further comprising a substrate, wherein the closed circuit of heating material is on the substrate.

17. 17. The article of claim 16, wherein the substrate comprises the smoking material.

18. The article of claim 13 , 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.

19. The article of claim 13 , wherein the heating material comprises a metal or metal alloy.

20. 14. The article of claim 13, wherein the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.

21. 1. An apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of said smokable material, comprising: a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating the smokable material; An apparatus wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a film defining a coil of electrically conductive material and a device for passing a varying current through the coil.

22. the magnetic field generator comprises a support; 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the coil is bonded to the support.

23. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the coil is a two-dimensional spiral.

24. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the magnetic field generator comprises one or more films defining multiple coils of electrically conductive material.

25. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the plurality of coils are adjacent to one another on a support.

26. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein a first coil of the plurality of coils occupies a first area on the support and a second coil of the plurality of coils occupies a second area on the support, the second area being smaller than the first area.

27. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein each of the plurality of coils is connected to a respective device for passing a varying current through the coil connected to the respective device.

28. A controller is provided, each of said respective devices is connected to said controller; 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the controller is configured to independently control each of the respective devices to generate a plurality of respective varying magnetic fields.

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