Cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable material

Abstract

To provide a cartridge for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.SOLUTION: A cartridge 40 comprises a housing 43 defining a chamber 44, smokable material 420 located in the chamber, and a mass 430 of thermal insulation material located between the smokable material and the housing. Also disclosed is apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The apparatus comprises an assembly having an interface, and the cartridge, where the cartridge is for co-operating with the interface of the assembly.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge for use in an appliance for heating smokable material and to an appliance for heating smokable material. [Background technology]

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, burn tobacco and produce smoke during use. As an alternative to these items, products have been created that release compounds without combustion. Examples of such products include so-called "heat-without-combustion" products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating materials without burning them. The materials may be, for example, tobacco or other tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cartridge for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the cartridge comprising: a housing defining a chamber; smoking material disposed within the chamber; and a mass of insulating material disposed between the smokable material and the housing.

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, the insulating material surrounds the smokable material.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the insulating material is in contact with the smokable material.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the insulating material fills the space between the smokable material and the housing.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the smoking material comprises tobacco.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the smoking material is solid.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is adhered to the heating element.In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is adhered to the heating element by an adhesive.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the insulating material is in contact with the housing.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the insulation material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of batting, fleece, nonwoven material, nonwoven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, closed cell foam, polystyrene, closed cell polystyrene foam, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, and blends of polyester and polypropylene.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the insulation comprises batting or fleece and has a density of about 60 to about 140 gsm. In an exemplary embodiment, the insulation has a density of about 80 to about 120 gsm.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the cartridge has an asymmetrical exterior cross-sectional shape.

[0014] In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a cartridge for use in an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the cartridge comprising: a housing defining a chamber; a heating element disposed in the chamber; and a mass of insulating material positioned between the heating element and the housing.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, insulation surrounds the heating element.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element is heatable by passing an electric current through the heating element. In an exemplary embodiment, the cartridge includes two conductive terminals accessible from the exterior of the cartridge, and the heating element is electrically connected to the conductive terminals.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is disposed on the heating element and the insulating material is disposed between the smokable material and the housing.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the insulating material is in contact with the smokable material.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the insulating material fills the space between the smokable material and the housing.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the smoking material comprises tobacco.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the smoking material is solid.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is adhered to the heating element.In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material is adhered to the heating element by an adhesive.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the insulating material is in contact with the housing.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the insulation material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of batting, fleece, nonwoven material, nonwoven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, closed cell foam, polystyrene, closed cell polystyrene foam, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, and blends of polyester and polypropylene.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the insulation comprises batting or fleece and has a density of about 60 to about 140 gsm. In an exemplary embodiment, the insulation has a density of about 80 to about 120 gsm.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the cartridge has an asymmetric external cross-sectional shape.

[0027] In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the apparatus comprising an assembly having a joint and a cartridge according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the cartridge being adapted to cooperate with the joint of the assembly.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the device of the present invention is configured to heat the smokable material when the cartridge is in cooperation with the joint of the assembly to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material without burning the smokable material.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly includes a controller for controlling the supply of power from the power source to the heating element when the cartridge cooperates with the interface of the assembly.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly includes a controller arranged to control the heating of a heating element that, when the cartridge is engaged in cooperation with the assembly, heats the smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material without burning the smokable material.

[0031] In typical embodiments, the cartridge can only cooperate with the interface in one orientation relative to the assembly.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly includes a recess for receiving at least a portion of the cartridge. In an exemplary embodiment, the recess has an internal cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the external cross-sectional shape of the cartridge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic end view of the device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of the device of FIG. 1 when detached from the rest of the device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view of a first casing portion of the device of FIG. 1 when detached from the rest of the device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first casing part of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view of the second casing portion of the device of FIG. 1 when detached from the rest of the device. [Figure 8] 8 is another schematic perspective view of the second casing part of FIG. 7 with the shell of the second casing part defining the compartment of the second casing part removed. FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the second casing part of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view showing the second conductor of the second casing part of FIGS. 8 and 9 around the elastic member in isolation; FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2; [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2; [Figure 13] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 with portions removed to expose the second and third pins. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 with the cartridge separated. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 3 is another schematic cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the full flow path therethrough. [Figure 17] 16 is a close-up cross-sectional view of a portion of the cartridge heating device of FIG. 15 ; FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] As used herein, the term "smoking material" includes materials that, upon heating, provide volatile components, typically in the form of an aerosol. "Smoking material" may be non-tobacco-containing or tobacco-containing. "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, gel, or loaf. "Smoking material" may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product.

[0035] As used herein, "polysaccharide" includes polymeric carbohydrate molecules composed of long chains of monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds, as well as salts and derivatives of such compounds. Derivatives of such compounds may preferably have ester, ether, acid, amine, amide, urea, thioether, thioester, thiocarboxylic acid, or thioamide side groups on the monosaccharide units. Examples of polysaccharides include cellulose and cellulose derivatives and alginic acid and its salts. In some embodiments, polysaccharides may adhere smoking material to heating elements. In other embodiments, adhesives may include polysaccharides as adhesion promoters.

[0036] As used herein, a "cellulose derivative" refers to a compound in which the hydroxyl groups of cellulose are partially or completely replaced with various groups. Cellulose derivatives include cellulose esters and ethers. In some embodiments, the cellulose derivative may include cellulose ethers, including alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and carboxyalkyl ethers. In some embodiments, the cellulose derivative may be a hydroxyalkyl cellulose, such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose. The cellulose derivative may in some cases be selected from hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose. The cellulose derivative may comprise or consist essentially of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose.

[0037] As used herein, "polyimide" means any polymer containing or formed essentially of imide monomers, which may be saturated or unsaturated.

[0038] As used herein, "polyester" refers to a polymer containing ester functional groups in its backbone. These may be formed by the esterification condensation of polyfunctional alcohols and acids. In some cases, the ester functional groups are present in about half of the repeating units, or in most or substantially all of the repeating units. Polyesters may be saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic, semi-aromatic, or aromatic, and may be copolymers or homopolymers. Polyesters may be hydrophobic.

[0039] As used herein, the terms "flavor" and "flavoring agent" refer to ingredients permitted by local regulations that can be used to impart a taste or aroma desired by adult consumers to a product. Such ingredients include extracts (e.g., eucalyptus, 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 extract, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, jasmine, jasmine, jasmine, jasmine, jasmine, jasmine, jasmine) and the like. These include additives such as smin, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, pimento, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, and peppermint oil from any species of the genus Mentha (e.g., citric acid ...

[0040] 1 and 2, there are shown perspective and schematic cross-sectional views of an example device 1 for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The device 1 is configured to heat the smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material to form an inhalable aerosol, typically without burning or combusting the smokable material. The device 1 includes a first casing part 10, a second casing part 20, a mouthpiece 30, and a cartridge 40. The combination of the first and second casing parts 10, 20 forms the casing of the device 1. The combination of the first and second casing parts 10, 20 and the mouthpiece 30 forms an assembly having a joint (described below) with which the cartridge 40 can cooperate. Each of these components will now be described in turn.

[0041] The first casing part 10 is located between the second casing part 20 and the mouthpiece 30. The first and second casing parts 10, 20 and the mouthpiece 30 each define a corresponding part of the outer casing of the overall device 1. The external appearance of the device 1 is therefore defined by the combination of the first and second casing parts 10, 20 and the mouthpiece 30.

[0042] 1, 5, and 6, the first casing portion 10 is generally tubular and elongate, has first and second opposing longitudinal ends 11, 12, and defines an interface for cooperation with the cartridge 40. In this embodiment, the interface includes a recess 13 for receiving the cartridge 40. In other embodiments, the interface can take different shapes, such as a ledge, a surface, or a protrusion, and optionally must mechanically mate with the cartridge 40 for cooperation therewith. The second longitudinal end 12 of the first casing portion 10 defines an opening 14 that opens into the recess 13. The opening 14 is shaped and sized such that the cartridge 40 can be moved therethrough, allowing a user to insert and / or remove the cartridge 40 from the recess 13, as described in more detail below. The first longitudinal end 11 of the first casing portion 10 includes a first connector 15 that is releasably engageable with a second connector 25 of the second casing portion 20, as described in more detail below.

[0043] 1, 2, 7, and 8, the second casing portion 20 is generally tubular and elongated, has first and second opposing longitudinal ends 21, 22, and defines a compartment 23. A plurality of first electrical components are contained in the compartment 23. In this embodiment, the first electrical components include a power source 24 in the form of a rechargeable battery, a printed circuit board (PCB) 26, and a universal serial bus (USB) charging interface 27. In other embodiments, the power source 24 may be a non-rechargeable battery other than a rechargeable battery or a capacitor. The charging interface 27 is accessible externally of the device 1 at the first longitudinal end 21 of the second casing portion 20. A charging circuit and a voltage regulator 26b are provided on the PCB 26. The combination of the charging circuit and the charging interface 27 constitutes a charging structure for the device 1. The charging circuit is electrically connected to the positive and negative terminals 24a, 24b of the battery 24. Battery 24 is rechargeable by connecting the charging structure to an external source of power (not shown) using charging interface 27. The charging circuitry includes an overcharge protector to prevent overcharging of battery 24. In variations on the illustrated embodiment, charging interface 27 may take a form other than that defined by the USB standard and / or may be located elsewhere in second casing portion 20 or elsewhere on device 1. In some embodiments, the charging structure may be omitted.

[0044] 7, the second longitudinal end 22 of the second casing portion 20 includes a second connector 25 that is engagable with the first connector 15 of the first casing portion 10. In this embodiment, the first connector 15 is engagable with the second connector 25 to connect the second casing portion 20 to the first casing portion 10. In other embodiments, the first and second casing portions 10, 20 may be permanently connected by a hinge or flexible member such that the engagement of the first connector 15 and the second connector 25 does not connect the second casing portion 20 to the first casing portion 10, but serves to facilitate partial separation or opening of the first casing portion 10 and the second casing portion 20. In this embodiment, the first connector 15 is releasably engagable with the second connector 25 to removably connect the second casing portion 20 to the first casing portion 10. Thus, when the rechargeable battery 24 housed in the second casing part 20 becomes depleted, the user can replace that second casing part 20 with another second casing part 20 housing an undepleted electrical source 24. The user can thus continue to use the device 1 while, for example, charging the first depleted rechargeable battery 24. In other embodiments, the first connector 15 may not be detachable from the second connector 25 once the first and second connectors 15, 25 are connected to one another. In such other embodiments, the second casing part 20 is permanently connected to the first casing part 10 by the engagement of the first and second connectors 15, 25.

[0045] 5-8, in this embodiment, the first and second connectors 15, 25 are male and female connectors 15, 25, respectively, and include cooperating male and female threads 15a, 25a, respectively. In some embodiments, the first and second connectors 15, 25 are male and female connectors 15, 25, respectively, and include cooperating male and female threads, respectively. In still other embodiments, the first and second connectors 15, 25 may include cooperating structures other than threads, such as pins and slots that together define a bayonet coupling, protrusions and holes that together define a snap-fit ​​connection, or plugs and sockets.

[0046] In this embodiment, the first and second connectors 15, 25 are electrically conductive such that when the first and second connectors 15, 25 are mated, electrical current can be conducted from the second connector 25 to the first connector 15, as described in more detail below. In this embodiment, the first and second connectors 15, 25 are each made from a metal or metal alloy, such as copper or stainless steel. In other embodiments, one or both of the first and second connectors 15, 25 may be made from a different electrically conductive material.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 7, it can be seen that in this embodiment, the second thread 25a has four notches 25n spaced apart around its circumference. In other embodiments, the second thread 25a may have more or fewer notches 25n. In this embodiment, each of the notches 25n extends linearly and radially through the second thread 25a. In other embodiments, one or more notches 25n may extend non-linearly radially through the second thread 25a, or non-linearly and radially through the second thread 25a, or non-linearly and radially through the second thread 25a. In this embodiment, the notches 25n are only present on the second thread 25a. In other embodiments, the first thread 25a may have one or more notches in addition to or instead of the first thread 25a. In some embodiments, the first and second connectors 15, 25 may be positioned such that when the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25, one or more notches in the second thread 25a align with one or more notches in the first thread 15a.

[0048] As best seen in FIG. 11 , when the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25, the first and second connectors 15, 25 cooperate to define four inlets 60 between the first and second connectors 15, 25 for admitting air into the device 1, and more specifically, into the recess 13 of the first casing portion 10 from outside the device 1. When the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25, the inlets 60 fluidly communicate with the exterior of the device 1 through an annular gap 62 remaining between the first and second connectors 15, 25 on the exterior of the device 1. The first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25 when it cannot be further engaged with the second connector 25. In this embodiment, this full engagement occurs when the first connector 15 cannot move further into the second connector 25. This may be, for example, because the leading edge of the first thread 15a of the first connector 15 reaches the end of the second thread 25a of the second connector 25, or because the respective stoppers of the first and second connectors 15, 25 contact each other when the first and second connectors 15, 25 are engaged. In other embodiments, other mechanisms may be provided to define the point at which the first and second connectors 15, 25 are fully engaged. In this embodiment, the first and second connectors 15, 25 are movable relative to each other to change the cross-sectional area of ​​each inlet 60, thereby adjusting the airflow through the inlet 60 while maintaining engagement between the first and second connectors 15, 25. In this embodiment, the degree of engagement between the first and second connectors 15, 25 can be changed by rotating one of the first and second connectors 15, 25 relative to the other. This has the effect of correspondingly changing the axial dimension of the inlet 60 between the first and second connectors 15, 25 to change the cross-sectional area of ​​each inlet 60. In this embodiment, each of the entrances 60 is defined by a corresponding one of the notches 25n and a corresponding adjacent portion of the first connector 15. In other embodiments where more or fewer notches are provided, correspondingly more or fewer entrances are provided.

[0049] In this embodiment, each of the compartments 23 provided in the second casing part 20, and therefore the first electrical components therein, is separated from each inlet 60 by the material of the second connector 25, a board (described below and shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) including second and third electrical conductors 282, 283, and a plug 25b nested within the second connector 25 between the second connector 25 and the board. This prevents the first electrical components from coming into contact with dust or other foreign matter that may be drawn into the device 1 through one or more inlets 60 during operation of the device 1, which could negatively affect the performance of the first electrical components. However, in other embodiments, the compartments 23 and / or the power source 24 and / or the PCB 26 (if provided) and / or the charging interface 27 (if provided) may be fluidly connected to one or more or all of these inlets.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first and second casing portions 10, 20 each include an electrical connection for supplying electrical power to the first casing portion 10 from a power source 24 for powering the cartridge 40, as described below. More specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the second casing portion 20 includes a first electrical conductor 281 (best shown in FIG. 8) extending from the negative terminal 24b of the battery 24 to the second thread 25a of the second connector 25 and bypassing the voltage regulator 26b, a second electrical conductor 282 (best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) extending from the positive terminal 24a of the battery 24 to the voltage regulator 26b on the PCB 26, and a third electrical conductor 283 (best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) extending from the voltage regulator 26b to a terminal 283a. The third electrical conductor 283 is separated from the second electrical conductor 282 by an electrical insulator 284 such that the third electrical conductor 283 is electrically isolated from the second electrical conductor 282. The terminal 283a is located at the second longitudinal end 22 of the second casing part 20, centrally in the longitudinal axis of the second casing part 20. The terminal 283a is accessible through the hole 25c of the plug 25b. In this embodiment, the terminal 283a is the positive terminal of the second casing part 20, and the second thread 25a of the second connector 25 is the negative terminal of the second casing part 20.

[0051] A portion of the second conductor 282 contacts the positive terminal 24a of the battery 24. A portion of the third conductor 283 includes a terminal 283a. These portions of the second and third conductors 282, 283 are encased in an elastic member 29. The elastic member 29 urges the second conductor 282 in a first direction to contact the positive terminal 24a of the battery 24. This helps to maintain good electrical contact between the second conductor 282 and the positive terminal 24a of the battery 24. The elastic member 29 also urges the second and third conductors 282, 283 in a second direction to contact the plug 25b. This helps to form a seal between the second and third conductors 282, 283 and the plug 25b, thereby isolating the compartment 23 from the entrance 60. A second electrical conductor 282 extends from the positive terminal 24a of the battery 24 around the elastic member 29 along most of the longitudinal length of the second casing portion 20 to the PCB 26 to electrically connect the positive terminal 24a of the battery 24 to the charging circuitry and the voltage regulator 26b of the PCB 26 as described above. A third electrical conductor 283 extends from the voltage regulator 26b along most of the longitudinal length of the second casing portion 20 to a terminal 283a.

[0052] In this embodiment, each of the first, second, and third electrical conductors 281, 282, 283 is made from a metal or metal alloy, such as copper or stainless steel, although in other embodiments, one or more of the first, second, and third electrical conductors 281, 282, 283 may be made from a different conductive material.

[0053] 11-13 further illustrate the electrical connections of the first and second casing parts 10, 20, respectively, for supplying power from the power source 24 to the first casing part 10 in this embodiment. The first thread 15a of the first connector 15 is the negative terminal of the first casing part 10 in this embodiment, and is electrically connected to the negative terminal, i.e., the second thread of the second connector 25 of the second casing part 20, when the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25. A plate 16 is attached to the first connector 15. The plate 16 is circular about a central axis that coincides with the longitudinal axis of the first casing part 10. The plate 16 is located within the first casing part 10 between the first longitudinal end 11 of the first casing part 10 and the recess 13 of the first casing part 10. Five holes 16a-16e are provided in the plate 16. The first of these holes, hole 16a, is centrally located on the longitudinal axis of the first casing part 10. Within the first hole 16a is a first pin 17a that projects away from the plate 16 toward the first longitudinal end 11 of the first casing part 10. The first pin 17a is electrically conductive and may be made from a metal or metal alloy, such as copper or stainless steel. The first pin 17a is the positive terminal of the first casing part 10. When the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25, as best shown in FIG. 11 , the first pin 17a is located within the hole 25c of the plug 25b and makes face-to-face contact with the positive terminal, i.e., terminal 283a of the second casing part 20.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 12 , second and third pins 17b, 17c are located within second and third holes 16b, 16c of plate 16 and project into recess 13 away from plate 16 in the opposite direction from pin 17a. Each of second and third pins 17b, 17c is electrically conductive and may be made of a metal or metal alloy, such as copper or stainless steel. Herein, second pin 17b is referred to as the “first conductive terminal,” and third pin 17c is referred to as the “second conductive terminal.” Furthermore, first pin 17a is referred to as the “third conductive terminal,” terminal 283a of second casing portion 20 is referred to as the “fourth conductive terminal,” first thread 15a of first connector 15 is referred to as the “fifth conductive terminal,” and second thread 25a of second connector 25 is referred to as the “sixth conductive terminal.” When the contact surfaces cooperate with the cartridge 40 (i.e., when the cartridge 40 is fully positioned within the recess 13), the first and second conductive terminals 17b, 17c supply power to the cartridge 40 when the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25.

[0055] In this embodiment, the second conductive terminal 17c is electrically connected to the fifth conductive terminal 15a via a controller 50 housed in the first casing portion 10. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first conductive terminal 17b is electrically connected to the third conductive terminal 17a via the controller 50. In this embodiment, the controller 50 includes an integrated circuit (IC). In other embodiments, the controller 50 may take other forms. The controller 50 is for controlling the supply of power to the heating element 410 of the cartridge 40 when the cartridge 40 is fully positioned within the recess 13, as described in more detail below. When the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25, the third conductive terminal 17a is in surface contact with the fourth conductive terminal 283a, and the fifth conductive terminal 15a is in surface contact with the sixth conductive terminal 25a. That is, when the first casing portion 10 is connected to the second casing portion 20, the third and fifth conductive terminals 17a, 15a are in surface contact with the fourth and sixth conductive terminals 283a, 25a, respectively.

[0056] As a result, when the first connector 15 is fully engaged with the second connector 25, the positive terminal 24a of the power source 24 is electrically connected to the controller 50 via the voltage regulator 26b, and the negative terminal 24b of the power source 24 is electrically connected to the controller 50 by a conductive path that does not include the voltage regulator 26b. Because the first and second threads 15a, 25a are each part of the casing of the device 1, the conductive path includes part of the casing.

[0057] In this embodiment, the controller 50 is disposed in the first casing portion 10, more specifically, between the first and second longitudinal ends 11, 12 of the first casing portion 10, radially outward of the recess 13. The controller 50 is operated by user actuation of an actuator 18, which in this embodiment is disposed on the exterior of the first casing portion 10, radially outward of the controller 50 and the recess 13, and takes the form of a push button. In other embodiments, the actuator 18 may take the form of a different actuator, such as a toggle switch or a dial. In this embodiment, the controller 50 is separated from each of the inlets 60 by the plate 16 and the portion of the first casing portion 10 that defines the recess. In other embodiments, additional or different electrical components located in the first casing portion 10 are separated from the inlets 60. This prevents contact of the electrical components within the first casing portion 10 with dust or other foreign matter that may be drawn into the device 1 through one or more of the inlets 60 during operation of the device 1, which could negatively affect the performance of these electrical components. However, in other embodiments, the controller 50 and / or other electrical components of the first casing part 10 may be fluidly connected to one or more of the inlets 60 .

[0058] In other embodiments, the controller 50 may be located on the plate 16 of the first casing portion 10 or on the second casing portion 20. The controller 50 may also be located on a PCB or other structure. In embodiments in which the controller 50 is included in the second casing portion 20, one of the positive and negative terminals 24a, 24b of the power source 24 may be electrically connected to the controller 50 through a voltage regulator 26b, and the other of the positive and negative terminals 24a, 24b of the power source 24 may be electrically connected to the controller 50 by a conductive path that does not include the voltage regulator 26b.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first, third, and fourth conductive terminals 17b, 17a, 283a are electrically connected to the positive terminal 24a of the power source 24, and the second, fifth, and sixth conductive terminals 17c, 15a, 25a are electrically connected to the negative terminal 24b of the power source 24 when the first connector 15 is mated with the second connector 25. In some embodiments, the polarity of the terminals 24a, 24b of the battery 24 may be reversed.

[0060] Having one of the positive and negative terminals 24a, 24b of the power source 24 electrically connected to the controller 50 via the voltage regulator 26b and the other of the positive and negative terminals 24a, 24b of the power source 24 electrically connected to the controller 50 by a conductive path that does not have the voltage regulator 26b helps simplify the manufacture of the device 1. Fewer connections to the voltage regulator 26b may be required, and the conductive path can be provided regardless of the location of the voltage regulator 26b on the device 1. This also gives the designer more design freedom when designing the device 1.

[0061] The mouthpiece 30 of this embodiment of the device 1 will now be described in detail, with particular reference to Figures 3 and 4. The mouthpiece 30 is generally tubular and elongated, having first and second opposed longitudinal ends 31, 32. The first longitudinal end 31 of the mouthpiece 30 is the first longitudinal end of the device 1, and the first longitudinal end 21 of the second casing part 20 is the second longitudinal end of the device 1. The second longitudinal end 32 of the mouthpiece 30 includes a connector 33 that is engageable with the second connector 19 of the first casing part 10 at the second longitudinal end 12 of the first casing part 10.

[0062] In this embodiment, the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 is engageable with the second connector 19 of the first casing portion 10 to connect the mouthpiece 30 to the first casing portion 10. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece 30 and the first casing portion 10 may be permanently connected, such as by a hinge or other flexible member, such that engagement of the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 with the second connector 19 of the first casing portion 10 does not connect the mouthpiece 30 to the first casing portion 10. In this embodiment, the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 is releasably engageable with the second connector 19 of the first casing portion 10 to removably connect the mouthpiece 30 to the first casing portion 10. In other embodiments, the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 may be permanently connected to the second connector 19 of the first casing portion 10 once connected to it. In such embodiments, the mouthpiece 30 may be permanently connected to the first casing portion when the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 is engaged with the second connector 19 of the first casing portion 10.

[0063] In this embodiment, connector 33 of mouthpiece 30 and second connector 19 of first casing part 10 each include two protrusions and two corresponding holes or recesses, which together define a mating connection for connecting mouthpiece 30 to first casing part 10. In other embodiments, connector 33 of mouthpiece 30 and second connector 19 of first casing part may include other forms of cooperating structure, such as cooperating threads, bayonet couplings, plugs and sockets, etc.

[0064] Mouthpiece 30 includes an inlet 34 at second longitudinal end 32 of mouthpiece 30, an outlet 35 at first longitudinal end 31 of mouthpiece 30, and a flow passage 36 fluidly connecting inlet 34 to outlet 35. In this embodiment, flow passage 36 extends substantially linearly along the longitudinal axis of mouthpiece 30. In other embodiments, flow passage 36 may be located anywhere in mouthpiece 30 and may have a shape other than a substantially linear shape. Mouthpiece 30 also includes a seal 37 surrounding inlet 34. In this embodiment, seal 37 defines inlet 34, but in other embodiments, inlet 34 may be defined by a separate member, and seal 37 may surround the other member. In this embodiment, seal 37 is flexible and resilient, but in other embodiments, seal 37 may be hard, rigid, or inflexible. Furthermore, although in this embodiment, seal 37 comprises an O-ring that is affixed to the remainder of mouthpiece 30, in other embodiments seal 37 may take other shapes, or may not even be circular. For example, in some embodiments seal 37 may be co-molded with the remainder of mouthpiece 30. In some such embodiments, seal 37 is elastic, while other portions of mouthpiece 30 are less elastic or flexible.

[0065] In some embodiments, mouthpiece 30 may include or be integrated with a flavoring agent, which may be positioned to be picked up by the hot aerosol as it passes through flow passage 36 of mouthpiece 30 during use.

[0066] The mouthpiece 30 is positionable relative to the first casing part 10 to cover the opening 14 into the recess 13. More specifically, in this embodiment, the mouthpiece 30 is positionable relative to the first casing part 10 in a position on the exterior of the device 1, covering the opening 14 with the outlet 35 and the sealing part 37 facing the recess 13. When the mouthpiece 30 is so positioned relative to the first casing part 10, the sealing part 37 is for contacting the cartridge 40 when the cartridge 40 is in the recess to seal the inlet 31 of the mouthpiece 30 against the cartridge 40 in use. In this embodiment, when the mouthpiece 30 is so positioned relative to the first casing part 10 and the cartridge 40 is in the recess 13, the sealing part 37 is compressed between the flow passage 36 and the cartridge 40. This presses the cartridge 40 into the recess 13, which in turn ensures that the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b (described below) of the cartridge 40 make surface contact with the first and second conductive terminals 17b, 17c, respectively.

[0067] The cartridge 40 of this embodiment of the device 1 will now be described in detail, with particular reference to Figures 14, 15, and 17. In this embodiment, the cartridge 40 includes a housing 43 defining a chamber 44. A heating device 400 is disposed within the chamber 44. In other embodiments, the housing 43 may be omitted or may take a different form than that shown. In some embodiments, the heating device may be included in a device that does not include a cartridge. As described in more detail below, in this embodiment, the heating device 400 includes a heating element 410 having smokable material 420 disposed thereon. The heating element 410 is for heating the smokable material 420 and is a support on which the smokable material is disposed. The heating device is configured to heat the smokable material 420 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 420, creating a volatilized material. Typically, this volatilization forms an aerosol. The aerosol is inhalable by a user of the device 1 through the flow passage 36 in the mouthpiece 30. Operation of the device 1 is described in more detail below.

[0068] In this embodiment, the housing 43 includes first and second housing portions 43a, 43b that cooperate to define a chamber 44. The heating device 400 extends from the first housing portion 43a into the chamber 44 and toward and through the second housing portion 43. The first and second housing portions 43a, 43b define first and second longitudinal ends 41, 42, respectively, of the cartridge 40. In other embodiments, the first and second longitudinal ends 41, 42 of the cartridge 40 may both be defined by a single housing portion, i.e., a single member. In this embodiment, the first housing portion 43a is not a unitary structure with the second housing portion 43b, but is attached to the second housing portion 43b. In this embodiment, this attachment is achieved by a snap-fit ​​connection between the first and second housing portions 43a, 43b, although in other embodiments, attachment may be achieved via other mechanisms. In this embodiment, all of the housing 43 is made of a non-porous material. Thus, air cannot pass through the material of the housing 43 itself. However, with the first and second housing portions 43a, 43b so attached, the first and second housing portions 43a, 43b cooperate to define an air flow path 45 in the form of a hole 45 between the first and second housing portions 43a, 43b. The air flow path 45 extends through the housing 43 for admitting air from outside the housing 43 into the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40.

[0069] In other embodiments, airflow pathway 45 may be defined differently, such as by holes formed through parts of housing 43. In some embodiments, housing 43 may be comprised of more or fewer housing portions defining chamber 44 and / or defining airflow pathway 45. In embodiments other than those shown in the figures, part or all of housing 43 may be made of a porous material to allow air to enter chamber 44 of cartridge 40 from the exterior of housing 43. That is, air may be able to pass through the material of housing 43 itself without the need for holes through the material of the housing or a gap between first and second housing portions 43a, 43b. Thus, the porous material itself provides one or more airflow pathways extending through housing 43 to allow air to enter chamber 44 of cartridge 40 from the exterior of housing 43. In some embodiments, a first portion of housing 43 may be made of a porous material to allow air to enter chamber 44 of cartridge 40 from the exterior of housing 43, and a second portion of housing 43 may be made of a non-porous material. In some embodiments, the first and / or second portions of the housing 43 may have one or more holes extending through the housing 43 to admit air into the chamber 44 from outside the housing 43 .

[0070] In this embodiment, the entire housing 43 is made of a non-porous material, so that aerosol or volatilized material generated within the housing 43 cannot pass through the material of the housing 43 itself. However, the housing 43 does have a plurality of volatilized material flow paths extending therethrough for passing volatilized material from the chamber 44 to exit the housing 43. In this embodiment, the volatilized material flow paths include a plurality of openings 46 extending through the housing. In this embodiment, the openings 46 extend through the second housing portion 43b. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 16 , in this embodiment, when the mouthpiece 30 is positioned against the first casing portion 10 to cover the opening 14, the seal 37 surrounds the openings 46 on the exterior of the housing 43, and the openings 46 are fluidly connected to the flow passage 36 via the inlet 34 of the mouthpiece 30. In this embodiment, the openings 46 are at the second longitudinal end 42 of the cartridge 40. The second longitudinal end 42 is closer to the mouthpiece in the assembled device 1 than the first longitudinal end 41 of the cartridge 40. In some embodiments, housing 43 may have only one volatilized material flow path extending therethrough for passing volatilized material from chamber 44 to exit housing 43. For example, in some embodiments, instead of multiple openings 46, only a single opening may be provided.

[0071] In embodiments other than those shown in the figures, part or all of the housing 43 may be made of a porous material to allow the aerosol or volatilized material to pass from the chamber 44 to exit the housing 43. That is, the aerosol or volatilized material may be able to pass through the material of the housing 43 itself without the need for one or more openings through the material of the housing. Thus, the porous material itself extends through the housing 43 to provide one or more volatilized material flow paths for passing the volatilized material from the chamber 44 to exit the housing 43. In some embodiments, a first portion of the housing 43 is made of a non-porous material, and a second portion of the housing 43 is made of a porous material to allow the volatilized material to pass from the chamber 44 to exit the housing 43. The second portion of the housing 43 may comprise, for example, a plate co-molded with the first portion of the housing 43. In some such embodiments, the first and / or second portion of the housing 43 may have one or more openings 46 extending through the housing 43 and further allowing the volatilized material to pass from the chamber 44 to exit the housing 43. In some embodiments, the inlet portion of housing 43 may be made of a porous material to allow air to enter chamber 44 of cartridge 40 from outside housing 43, and the outlet portion of housing 43 may be made of a porous material to allow volatilized material to pass from chamber 44 to the outside of housing 43. The inlet and outlet may have the same or different porosity or void fraction.

[0072] If used, the porous material of the housing 43 may comprise, for example, polyethylene or nylon. Different grades of polyethylene provide different levels of porosity. The use of polyethylene to provide a suitable housing or portion of a housing for passing aerosol or volatilized material from the chamber 44 to the exterior of the housing 43 will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. In some embodiments, portions of the cartridge, such as the housing, may contain or be integrated with a flavorant. The flavorant may be positioned to be picked up by hot aerosol generated within the chamber 44 during use.

[0073] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17 , the heating element 410 comprises a sandwich or laminate structure including three layers: a first material layer 411, a conductive material layer 412, and a second material layer 413. The conductive material layer 412 is positioned between and in contact with the first and second material layers 411, 413. The first material layer 411 is a first support layer 411, and the second material layer 413 is a second support layer 413. However, in other embodiments, the sandwich or laminate structure may include more or fewer layers. In some embodiments, such as this embodiment, the heating element 410 includes a first material layer 411 and a conductive material layer 412 on a surface of the first material layer 411, defining one or more conductive tracks. In some embodiments, the heating element 410 may not include a sandwich or laminate structure. For example, in some embodiments, one or both of the first and second support layers 411, 413 may be omitted. In some embodiments, one or more additional layers may be provided between the conductive material layer 412 and the first support layer 411 and / or between the conductive material layer 412 and the second support layer 413 .

[0074] The conductive material layer 412 is held to the first and second support layers 411, 413, respectively. This can be done in a number of different ways. For example, as in this embodiment, the material of the first and second support layers 411, 413 may wrap or surround the conductive material layer 412, holding it to the first and second support layers 411, 413, respectively. Alternatively or additionally, some or portions of the material of the first and second support layers 411, 413 may be located in holes formed through the conductive material layer 412 to hold the first and second support layers 411, 413 to the conductive material layer 412. Alternatively or additionally, depending on the materials used, the material of the first and second support layers 411, 413 may naturally bond to the material of layer 412 to hold the first and second support layers 411, 413 to the conductive material layer 412. Alternatively or additionally, the first and second support layers 411, 413 may be bonded to the conductive material layer 412 with an adhesive. If an adhesive is used, the adhesive may form an additional, distinct adhesive layer between the conductive material layer 412 and the first and second support layers 411, 413, respectively.

[0075] In this embodiment, the material of the first support layer 411 is the same as the material of the second support layer 413. This can facilitate the fabrication of a sandwich or laminate structure. During fabrication, the conductive material layer 412 may be dipped into a fluid first and second support layer 411, 413 material to coat some or all of the conductive material layer 412. The first and second support layer 411, 413 material is then cured or solidified to harden and hold the resulting first and second support layers 411, 413 against the conductive material layer 412.

[0076] In this embodiment, conductive material layer 412 is a stainless steel layer 412. However, in other embodiments, conductive material layer may be a different alloy, metal, or the like. The conductive material may be or include one or more of steel, stainless steel, copper, and nichrome. In this embodiment, the conductive material is in the form of a foil such that conductive material layer 412 is a foil layer. In embodiments in which conductive material layer is other than stainless steel, conductive material layer 412 may still be a foil layer 412.

[0077] In this embodiment, the conductive material layer may be etched to provide conductive tracks and a pattern to increase the surface area of ​​the conductive material. For example, the pattern may be rough, textured, corrugated, or exfoliated to provide a rough, textured, corrugated, or exfoliated surface. In other embodiments, the conductive material layer may be printed to provide a pattern, or may be patterned in some other manner. In yet other embodiments, the conductive material layer may not be patterned. For example, in some embodiments, the conductive material layer 412 may be a simple rectangular strip of conductive material.

[0078] The conductive material of the heating element 410 is heatable by passing an electric current through it. The conductive material may be suitably patterned to increase its surface area, providing a larger area for heat conduction to the smokable material 420 disposed on the heating element 410. The first and second support layers 411, 413 may be thin enough not to completely fill the roughened or patterned surface of the conductive material. The smokable material 420 may fill the roughened or patterned surface of the heating element 410, for example, so that the smokable material 420 has a high volume-to-surface ratio. In some embodiments, the patterning of the conductive material may also serve to define the cross-sectional area and length of the current flow path in the conductive material, such that heating of the heating element 410 can be achieved by passing a predetermined electric current through the conductive material. Furthermore, the conductive material may be suitably patterned to maintain the conductive material in areas of the heating element 410 where heating is concentrated. The patterning may therefore provide uniform heating of the smokable material 420 during use.

[0079] In this embodiment, each of the first and second support layers 411, 413 is made of a heat-resistant material. In this embodiment, each of the first and second support layers 411, 413 is an electrical insulator. More specifically, each of these layers is heat-resistant at least over the expected temperature range of the heating element 410 during operation, e.g., 180-220°C. Polyimide is an example of a material that is heat-resistant at least over this temperature range. In this embodiment, each of the first and second support layers 411, 413 is a layer of polyimide. As described elsewhere herein, a controller 50 is provided in some embodiments to ensure that the heating element 410 is heated to a temperature within this range. Thus, the polyimide can withstand heating of the conductive material during use of the device. In other embodiments, the material of the first support layer 411 may be other than polyimide, and / or the material of the second support layer 413 may be other than polyimide. In some embodiments, the first and second support layers 411, 413 are layers of different materials. However, either or both of the materials used in the first and second support layers 411, 413, preferably both, are heat resistant over at least the temperature ranges discussed above. In this embodiment, the first and second support layers 411, 413 are each moisture impermeable layers that prevent moisture present in the smokable material 420 from contacting the layer of conductive material 412.

[0080] In this embodiment, the heating element 410 is flat, or at least substantially flat. A flat heating element 410 tends to be easier to manufacture. However, in other embodiments, the heating element 410 may be non-planar. For example, in some embodiments, the heating element 410 may be folded, crinkled, corrugated, or crisscross-shaped. Substantially cylindrical heater formats are also contemplated. A non-planar heating element 410 may have an outer surface suitable for holding the smokable material 420 thereon. For example, when using a corrugated or similar heating element 410, the smokable material 420 may more easily adhere or bond to the troughs on the outer surface of the heating element 410 formed by the corrugations. Furthermore, a non-planar heating element 410 provides a greater surface area for heat conduction to the smokable material 420. It may also be able to support more smokable material 420 in a layer of a given thickness. Smoking materials, such as tobacco, can sometimes be poor conductors of heat, and therefore it may be desirable to provide the smokable material 420 in a relatively thin layer to reduce power consumption or increase the rate at which the smokable material 420 heats up.

[0081] In this embodiment, the smokable material 420 comprises tobacco and is disposed on the heating element 410 in two portions 421, 422, as shown in Figures 15 and 17. In this embodiment, the smokable material 420 is in a solid state and comprises particles of smokable material. The first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 are adhered to the heating element 410 by an adhesive, as described in more detail herein. More specifically, the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 is adhered to the first support layer 411 such that the first support layer 411 is positioned between the conductive material layer 412 and the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420. The second portion 422 of the smokable material 420 is adhered to the second support layer 413 such that the second support layer 413 is positioned between the conductive material layer 412 and the second portion 422 of the smokable material 420. Thus, the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 are disposed on respective surfaces of the first and second portions, i.e., the first and second support layers 411, 413, of the heating element 410. In this embodiment, the respective surfaces are first and second sides, respectively, of the heating element 410. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first and second sides are opposite sides of the heating element 410. In other embodiments, the first and second sides may be non-opposite sides of the heating element 410, such as adjacent sides of the heating element 410.

[0082] 17, in this embodiment the adhesive forms an additional discernible adhesive layer 310, 320 between the heating element 410 and the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420, respectively. However, in some embodiments the smokable material 420 may be interspersed within the adhesive such that the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 comprise the adhesive and there is no additional discernible adhesive layer. In some embodiments the adhesive may be omitted and the smokable material 420 may be adhered to the heating element 410 or may be positioned to the heating element 410 by some other mechanism.

[0083] In some embodiments, the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 has a shape that causes it to be heated by the heating element 410 more quickly than the second portion 422 of the smokable material 420. More specifically in this embodiment, for example, the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 is disposed on the heating element 410 at a first thickness, and the second portion 422 of the smokable material 420 is disposed on the heating element 410 at a second thickness. Thus, the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 has a first thickness, and the second portion 422 of the smokable material 420 has a second thickness. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness. In the context of this specification, "thickness" means the depth of the relevant portion 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 measured from the plane of the heating element 410 on which the smokable material 420 is disposed in a direction normal to that plane.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 may be disposed on first and second portions of the heating element 410, with the first and second portions being on one side of the heating element 410. That is, the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 may be on the same side of the heating element 410.

[0085] For example, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 18, a first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 on a first side 410a of the heating element 410 has a first thickness, and a second portion of the smokable material 420 on the first side 410a of the heating element 410 has a second thickness, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness. The same configuration of smokable material 420 is provided on a second side 410b of the heating element 410 opposite from the first side 410a.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 18 , the thickness of the smokable material 420 on the first side 410 a of the heating element 410 tapers from a first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 to a second portion 422 of the smokable material 420. In this embodiment, the taper is linear or substantially linear. In other embodiments, the taper may be non-linear, for example, the outer surface of the smokable material 420 may be concave or convex. In still other embodiments, the smokable material 420 may be disposed on the first side 410 a of the heating element 410 with a thickness that increases stepwise from the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 to the second portion 422 of the smokable material 420. In one such embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19 , the thickness of the smokable material 420 disposed on the first side 410 a of the heating element 410 has only one step. This step is the point where the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 meets the second portion 422 of the smokable material 420. In another such embodiment, as shown in Figure 20, the thickness of the smokable material 420 is graduated between first and second portions of the smokable material 420 disposed on the first side 410a of the heating element 410. In the embodiment shown in Figure 20, the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 are at corresponding opposite ends of the smokable material 420. However, this is not the case in other embodiments.

[0087] In some embodiments, the smokable material 420 may be located on only one side of the heating element 410. For example, in each alternative to the embodiment shown in Figures 18-20, the smokable material 420 on the first side 410a or the second side 410b of the heating element 410 may be omitted.

[0088] By disposing different amounts of smokable material 420 of different thicknesses on the heating element 410, progressive heating of the smokable material 420, and thus progressive generation of aerosol, can be achieved. More specifically, in use, the heating element 410 only needs to heat a first, thinner portion 421 of the smokable material 420, thereby initiating vaporization of at least one component of the smokable material 420 in the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 and formation of an aerosol in the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420. As the heating element heats further, the second, thicker portion 422 of the smokable material 420 is heated sufficiently to initiate vaporization of at least one component of the smokable material 420 in the second portion 422 of the smokable material 420 and formation of an aerosol in the second portion 422 of the smokable material 420. The aerosol is emitted from the outer surfaces of each of the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420. Thus, aerosol can be formed relatively quickly for inhalation by a user, and the heating device 400 is arranged to continue to form aerosol for subsequent inhalation by the user even after the first thin portion 421 of the smokable material 420 has ceased to generate aerosol. The first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 may cease to generate aerosol when it has exhausted the volatile components of the smokable material 420.

[0089] In other embodiments, in addition to or in addition to varying the thickness of the smokable material 420 in any of the above-described embodiments, the first and second portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 may have different average particle sizes. That is, the first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 may include particles of smokable material 420 having a first average particle size, and the second portion 422 of the smokable material 420 may include particles of smokable material 420 having a second average particle size. The second average particle size is larger than the first average particle size. Typically, particles of smokable material 420 having a smaller average particle size may be heated more quickly by a given heat source than particles of smokable material 420 having a larger average particle size. By providing different amounts of smokable material 420 having different average particle sizes, progressive heating of the smokable material 420, and thereby progressive generation of aerosol, can be achieved substantially as described above.

[0090] In some embodiments, the smoking material 420 may be provided with an average particle size of 0.6-0.9 mm or 0.7-0.8 mm. However, the average particle size may vary throughout the smoking material. In some embodiments, the smoking material is prepared using mesh separation (or sieving) so that most or substantially all of the smoking material has a particle size within the aforementioned range. In some embodiments, a 6 cm2 heater area coated with such granular smoking material 420 provides a consumer-acceptable sensation lasting nominally 3 minutes. This size may, of course, be adjusted for longer or shorter sensations as needed. In some embodiments, the smoking material 420 may be in the form of a gel. The gel may or may not contain particles of smoking material.

[0091] In each of the above-described embodiments, the smokable material 420 includes a first portion 421 that has a shape that allows it to be heated by the heating element 410 more quickly than a second portion 422 of the smokable material 420, although in other embodiments this feature may be omitted.

[0092] The adhesive used to adhere the smokable material 420 to the heating element 410 includes a polysaccharide such as cellulose, a cellulose derivative, alginic acid or an alginate, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate, or calcium alginate. In one embodiment, the adhesive includes a cellulose derivative, preferably hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). In another embodiment, the adhesive used to adhere the smokable material 420 to the heating element 410 includes alginic acid or an alginate, preferably sodium alginate, potassium alginate, or calcium alginate. Polysaccharides such as these exhibit good wetting properties, which aid in adhering the smokable material 420 to the heating element 410. This is particularly true when the adhesive is adhering the smokable material 420 to a hydrophobic surface, such as a polyimide hydrophobic surface. It is desirable that the adhesive be food-acceptable, and optionally a food-grade material.

[0093] In one embodiment, the discernible adhesive layer 310, 320 between the heating element 410 and the smokable material 420 comprises a polysaccharide. The adhesive layer 310, 320 is disposed on and substantially completely covers the support layers 411, 413. The adhesive may at least partially cover the heating element 410. In other embodiments, the adhesive may be disposed directly on the conductive material 12. In either case, the adhesive and smokable material 420 are coated on the outermost layer of the heating element 410.

[0094] In this embodiment, distinct adhesive layers 310, 320 are disposed on support layers 411, 413 which themselves surround conductive material 412. Portions 421, 422 of smokable material are layers disposed on top of adhesive layers 310, 320. In other embodiments, the distinct layers of adhesive and smokable material 420 are indistinguishable. Layers comprising adhesive and smokable material may be disposed on support layers 411, 413. smokable material 420 may be at least partially or completely dispersed within the adhesive.

[0095] In some embodiments, cartridge 40 includes a mass of insulating material between heating device 400 and housing 43. By "mass of insulating material" it is meant that the insulating material is not a gas or simply a gas.

[0096] For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 21, cartridge 40 is the same as cartridge 40 shown in Figure 15 except that the cartridge of Figure 21 includes a mass of insulating material between heating device 400 and housing 43. In this embodiment, insulating material 430 surrounds heating device 400, fills the space between heating device 400 and housing 43, and is in contact with housing 43 and smokable material 420 of heating device 400. In other embodiments, insulating material 430 may surround heating element 400 without completely surrounding heating device 400. In some embodiments, insulating material 430 may contact only one of housing 43 and heating device 400 and not fill the space between them.

[0097] In the embodiment of Figure 21, the insulation 430 comprises batting. However, in other embodiments, the insulation 430 may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of batting, fleece, nonwoven material, nonwoven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, closed cell foam, polystyrene, closed cell polystyrene foam, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, and blends of polyester and polypropylene. Other types of insulation are also suitable.

[0098] In the cartridge shown in FIG. 21 , the insulating material 430 has a density of about 100 grams per square meter (gsm) and a thickness of about 1.2 millimeters. In other embodiments, one or both of the thickness and density of the insulating material 430 may be different. However, if the density is too high, the insulating material 430 may act as a filter and attenuate the aerosol output from the heating device 400. Alternatively, if the density is too low, the insulating material 430 may not provide sufficient insulation. Suitable densities, particularly when the insulating material 430 includes batting or fleece, may be about 60 to about 140 gsm, or 80 to 120 gsm. When the insulating material 430 includes a material other than batting or fleece, the density of the insulating material 430 may be selected to provide thermal characteristics similar to those achieved when the insulating material 430 includes batting or fleece of the above densities. In some embodiments, the insulating mass 430 is heat resistant over at least the expected range of temperatures that the heating element 410 will experience during operation, e.g., 180-220°C as discussed above, and does not degrade when exposed to such operating temperatures.

[0099] In some embodiments, cartridge 40 includes insulation in the form of a laminate or sandwich structure having multiple layers of material. In some such embodiments, an outer layer of these layers of material forms housing 43 or a portion of housing 43 of cartridge 40, and one or more other layers of the sandwich structure form mass of insulation 430. Thus, in some embodiments, housing 43 or a portion of housing 43 may be integrally formed with mass of insulation 430.

[0100] In some embodiments, the insulating material helps slow heat loss from heating device 400 during use. In some embodiments, the insulating material helps ensure that volatilized materials generated within chamber 44 do not condense on the interior surface of housing 43 during use. In some embodiments, providing a mass of insulating material helps increase the surface area over which aerosol is generated within cartridge 40 during use. In some embodiments, a headspace remains between the mass of insulating material and housing 43, which further helps increase the surface area over which aerosol is generated within cartridge 40 during use. In some embodiments, such a mass of insulating material helps increase the amount of aerosol generated within cartridge 40 during use, thus improving consumer experience.

[0101] 21 is a variation of the cartridge 40 shown in FIG. 15 similar to the variations corresponding to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 18-20, in which the cartridge 40 may include a block of insulating material between the heating device 400 and the housing 43. It will be appreciated that in each variation of each embodiment of the cartridge 40 described herein, the cartridge 40 may include a block of insulating material between the heating device 400 or heating element 410 and the housing 43.

[0102] In some embodiments in which the heating element 410 or smokable material 420 is omitted from the cartridge 40, a block of insulating material may be provided in the cartridge 40 between the housing 43 and the smokable material 420 or heating element 410, respectively. In some such embodiments, the block of insulating material surrounds and / or contacts the smokable material 420 or heating element 410, respectively. In some such embodiments, the block of insulating material contacts the housing 43 and / or fills the space between the housing 43 and the smokable material 420 or heating element 410, respectively.

[0103] Generally speaking, the heating device 400 may be manufactured by placing a layer of conductive material 412 between a first layer of material 411 and a second layer of material 413 to form a heating element 410, and placing smokable material 420 on the heating element 410. In this embodiment of the method, the smokable material 420 is disposed on the heating element 410 after the layer of conductive material 412 is placed between and in contact with the first and second support layers 411, 413.

[0104] In this embodiment of the method, the method includes patterning the conductive material, such as by etching or printing the conductive material, to form conductive material layer 412. In some embodiments, the conductive material is disposed on one of first and second support layers 411, 413 and then patterned, and then the other of first and second support layers 411, 413 is applied to place conductive material layer 412 between first and second support layers 411, 413. In other embodiments, the conductive material is patterned and then placed between first and second support layers 411, 413. In some embodiments, the conductive material may be placed between first and second support layers 411, 413 and then patterned. In yet other embodiments, the method may not include patterning the conductive material.

[0105] In manufacturing the heating device, the conductive material layer 412 is stainless steel, however, in other embodiments the conductive material may be a different alloy or metal as described above.

[0106] In this embodiment of the manufacturing method, first and second material layers 411, 413 are each polyimide. However, as noted above, in other embodiments, first support layer 411 may be made of a material other than polyimide and / or second support layer 413 may be made of a material other than polyimide. In some embodiments, first and second support layers 411, 413 are each made of a different material.

[0107] In this method of manufacture embodiment, the smokable material 420 comprises tobacco, and the method of the present invention includes adhering the smokable material 420 to the heating element 410. More specifically, and as described above, a first portion 421 of the smokable material 420 is adhered to a first support layer 411, and a second portion 422 of the smokable material 420 is adhered to a second support layer 413. As described above, in other embodiments, the smokable material 420 may be disposed on the heating element 410 in a number of different ways, such as on only one side of the heating element 410. However, for the sake of brevity, the various possible configurations will not be described in detail again here. In this embodiment, adhering includes adhering the smokable material 420 to the heating element 410 with an adhesive, as described in detail herein. In some other embodiments, the adhesive may be omitted, and the method of the present invention may include adhering the smokable material 420 to the heating element 410 or disposing the smokable material on the heating element 410 by some other mechanism.

[0108] In this embodiment, after the conductive material is disposed between the support layers 411, 413, the heating element 410 is annealed at 200°C and surface treated using oxygen plasma, preferably by corona treatment. The treated heating element is immersed in an aqueous solution of a polysaccharide (such as an aqueous solution containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or alginic acid or a salt thereof) to coat some or all of the support layers 411, 413. The heating element 410 is then removed from the aqueous solution and immersed in smoking material to coat some or all of the adhesive. The heating element 410 is then removed from the smoking material, and the adhesive is allowed to harden or harden by curing, drying, and / or solidifying. In other embodiments, the separate adhesive and smoking material layers are applied by a sequential spray process or other methods known to those skilled in the art; for example, the adhesive may be applied using spray coating, transfer coating, or slot-die extrusion, and the smoking material may be applied using spray coating, fluidized bed, or electrostatic coating. In these embodiments, adhesive layers 310, 320 are disposed on the support layers 411, 413. The portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 are adhered to the support layers 411, 413 by adhesive layers. The portions 421, 422 of the smokable material 420 are disposed substantially separately from the adhesive layers 310, 320.

[0109] The solution concentration of the aqueous solution is selected to have a suitable viscosity that is low enough to be easily applied to the heating element, yet high enough to be retained on the surface of the heating element before hardening. The polysaccharide concentration in the aqueous solution may be from about a 2% w / w, 4% w / w, or 5% w / w solution to about a 7% w / w, 8% w / w, or 10% w / w solution (preferably a 2-10% w / w solution or a 5-7% w / w solution).

[0110] In other embodiments, the smokable material 420 and adhesive may not be in distinct, separate layers. Illustratively, the smokable material may first be dispersed in a polysaccharide solution. The heating element 410 may then be dipped into the dispersion, or the dispersion may be sprayed onto the heating element 410 to form a single layer on the surface of the support layer 411, 413, the single layer including both the adhesive and the smokable material 420.

[0111] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12 , the cartridge 40 includes two conductive terminals 47a and 47b, referred to herein as the “seventh conductive terminal” 47a and the “eighth conductive terminal” 47b, respectively. The heating element 410 is electrically connected to the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a and 47b and can be heated by passing an electric current through the heating element 410 via the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a and 47b. The seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a and 47b are disposed in corresponding recesses and are accessible from the outside of the cartridge 40. In this embodiment, when the cartridge 40 is fully inserted into the recess 13, the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a and 47b are in surface contact with the first and second conductive terminals 17b and 17c, respectively. Therefore, the heating element 410 can be heated by applying electric power to the first and second conductive terminals 17b and 17c.

[0112] In some embodiments, cartridge 40 can be fully received within recess 13 in only one orientation relative to first casing part 10. In these embodiments, this is due to cartridge 40, and more specifically, housing 43 having an asymmetrical outer cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the asymmetrical inner cross-sectional shape of recess 13. In other embodiments, one or more other features can be provided to allow cartridge 40 to be received within recess 13 or cooperate with a contact surface in only one orientation relative to first casing part 10. For example, in some embodiments, housing 43 of cartridge 40 is rotationally symmetrical and therefore has a symmetrical outer cross-sectional shape, and cartridge 40 may have a wedge protruding from housing 43 that gives cartridge 40 an asymmetrical outer cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the asymmetrical inner cross-sectional shape of recess 13. Allowing cartridge 40 to cooperate with a contact surface in only one orientation relative to first casing part 10 helps ensure proper assembly of cartridge 40 with the rest of device 1, which has seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b in face-to-face contact with corresponding first and second conductive terminals 17b, 17c. However, in some embodiments the cartridge may be fully received within the recess 13 in more than one orientation relative to the first casing part 10 .

[0113] In this embodiment, as described above, the controller 50 is for controlling the supply of electrical power from the power source 24 to the heating element 410 when the contact surface 13 cooperates with the cartridge 40. When the device 1 is fully assembled, with the first connector 15 fully engaged with the second connector 25 and the cartridge 40 fully and correctly seated in the recess 13, actuation of the actuator 18 by a user causes the controller 50 to apply electrical current to the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b, and thus to the heating element 410. Such actuation of the actuator 18 completes an electrical circuit in the controller 50. When electrical current is applied to the heating element 410 in this manner, the heating element 410 heats up and heats the smokable material 420. In this embodiment, the electrical resistance of the heating element 410 changes as the temperature of the heating element 410 increases. The controller 50 monitors the electrical resistance of the heated heating element 410 to ensure that the temperature of the heating element 410 remains within the aforementioned temperature range of about 180°C to about 220°C, and then adjusts the amount of electrical current applied to the heating element 410 as necessary based on the monitored electrical resistance. Within this temperature range, the smokable material 420 is heated sufficiently to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 420 without combusting the smokable material 420. Thus, the controller 50 and the device 1 as a whole are configured to heat the smokable material 420 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 420 without combusting the smokable material 420. Other temperature ranges may be used in other embodiments.

[0114] As described above, plate 16 has five holes 16a-16e therethrough, with first, second, and third pins 17a, 17b, and 17c disposed within first, second, and third holes 16a, 16b, and 16c. Fourth and fifth holes 16d and 16e of the five holes 16a-16e remain open and fluidly connect recess 13 with inlet 60 defined by cooperation of first and second connectors 15 and 25. Furthermore, when cartridge 40 is fully seated within recess 13, airflow path 45 defined by cooperation of first and second housing portions 43a and 43b of cartridge 40 is fluidly connected to recess 13. 16 , a fully assembled device 1 defines an overall air flow path extending from the exterior of the device 1 through any one of the inlets 60 defined by the cooperation of the first and second connectors 15, 25, then through either one of the fourth and fifth holes 16d, 16e in the plate 16, then through the recess 13, then through an air flow path 45 defined by the cooperation of the first and second housing parts 43a, 43b of the cartridge 40, then through the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40, through any one of the openings 46 extending through the housing 43 of the cartridge 40, then through the flow passage 36 of the mouthpiece 30 to the exterior of the device 1. The seal 37 of the mouthpiece 30 prevents air from bypassing the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40 as it travels from the recess 13 to the flow passage 36 of the mouthpiece 30.

[0115] A typical operation of the device 1 of this embodiment will now be described. The user verifies that the cartridge 40 is in a position relative to the first casing part 10 such that it can be moved through the opening 14. The user then pushes the cartridge 40 through the opening 14 and into the recess 13, bringing the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b of the cartridge 40 into face-to-face contact with the first and second conductive terminals 17b, 17c, respectively. The user then moves the mouthpiece 30 relative to the first casing part 10 to a position where the mouthpiece 30 covers the opening 14, with the outlet 35 of the mouthpiece 30 positioned outside the device 1 and the seal 37 contacting and pressing against the cartridge 40 and surrounding the opening 46. The mouthpiece 30 remains in this position via the engagement of the connector 33 of the mouthpiece 30 with the second connector 19 of the first casing part 10.

[0116] In this way, before, during, or after moving the cartridge 40 and mouthpiece 30 relative to the first casing part 10, the user ensures that the first connector 15 of the first casing part 10 is fully engaged with the second connector 25 of the second casing part 20. When the first and second connectors 15, 25 are fully engaged as described above, the third conductive terminal 17a comes into surface contact with the fourth conductive terminal 283a, and the fifth conductive terminal 15a comes into surface contact with the sixth conductive terminal 25a.

[0117] When the actuator 18 is subsequently activated by user actuation, the controller 50 operates to apply electrical current to the seventh and eighth conductive terminals 47a, 47b and, therefore, to the heating element 410. This application of electrical current heats the heating element 410, as described above, which heats the smokable material 420 and volatilizes at least one component of the smokable material 420 without combusting the smokable material 420. Typically, this volatilization forms an aerosol within the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40. The user inhales the aerosol by drawing on the outlet 35 of the mouthpiece 30, which draws the aerosol from the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40 through the opening 46 of the cartridge 40 and the flow passage 36 of the mouthpiece 30 and into the user's mouth. The drawing of the aerosol from the chamber 44 of the cartridge 40 reduces the pressure within the chamber 44. This reduction in pressure sequentially draws air into chamber 44 through annular gap 62, the inlet defined between first and second connectors 15, 25, fourth and / or fifth holes 16d, 16e in plate 16, recess 13, and air flow path 45 defined by the cooperation of first and second housing portions 43a, 43b of cartridge 40. The user can continue to draw in this manner to inhale subsequent amounts of aerosol.

[0118] Once the smokable material 420 has been consumed, or substantially all of the smokable material 420 has been consumed, the user may move the mouthpiece 30 relative to the first casing part 10 to a position that allows the cartridge 40 to be moved through the opening 14. The user may then remove the cartridge 40 from the recess 13 through the opening 14. The user then inserts another unused cartridge 40 into the recess 13 and repeats the process. The heating element 410 may become soiled with volatilized material or consumed smokable material 420 during use. By locating the heating element 410 on the cartridge 40 rather than the first casing part 10, the user is provided with a new heating element 410 each time a new unused cartridge 40 is used. As such, the user does not have to worry about cleaning the heating element 410.

[0119] In some embodiments, the device 1 is provided fully assembled. In the fully assembled state, the first connector 15 of the first casing part 10 engages with the second connector 25 of the second casing part 20, and the mouthpiece connector 33 engages with the second connector 19 of the first casing part. In some such embodiments, the cartridge 40 is disposed within the recess 13. In other such embodiments, the cartridge 40 is not disposed within the recess 13. In other embodiments, the device 1 may be in a kit configuration in which the first connector 15 of the first casing part 10 is detached from, but engageable with, the second connector 25 of the second casing part 20, and / or the mouthpiece connector 33 is detached from, but engageable with, the second connector 19 of the first casing part 10. In some such kit-configured devices, the cartridge 40 may be disposed within the recess 13. In other such kit-configured devices, one or more instances of the cartridge 40 may be provided as part of the device but outside of the recess 13.

[0120] In this embodiment, the device 1 has only one heating element. In other embodiments, the device 1 may have two or more heating elements. In this embodiment, the cartridge 40 is used and then replaced with another cartridge as described above. However, in other embodiments, the cartridge 40 is not replaceable, and the device 1 may be disposable. In some embodiments, the device 1 may not include a cartridge 40. In some embodiments, the heating element 410 or heating device 400 may be integral with the first casing portion 10 and may not be detachable from the first casing portion 10. In some embodiments, the power source 24 may be integral with the second casing portion 20 and may not be detachable from the second casing portion 20. In some embodiments, the first casing portion 10 may be integral with the second casing portion 20, or may be a single piece therewith, or may be permanently secured to the second casing portion 20. Thus, in some embodiments, the casing of the device 1 may be a one-piece casing and may not have the first and second connectors 15, 25 described above. In some embodiments, the positive and negative terminals 24a, 24b of the power source 24 may be permanently electrically connected to the controller 50. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 30 may not be movable relative to the first casing part 10. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 30 may be integral with or a single piece with the first casing part 10.

[0121] In each of the above-described embodiments, the smokable material 420 is disposed on a support that is a heating element 410. However, in some embodiments, the support may be other than a heating element 410. In some embodiments where the support is other than a heating element 410, the support may have any of the characteristics of a heating element 410 described herein. In some embodiments where the support is other than a heating element 410, the smokable material 420 may have any of the characteristics of a smokable material 420 described herein, and thus may be disposed on the support by any of the methods described herein for disposing the smokable material 420 on a heating element 410. In some embodiments where the support is other than a heating element 410, the smokable material 420 and the support may be configured within a device other than the heating device.

[0122] To address various problems and advance the art, this entire disclosure provides various illustrative embodiments that may practice the claimed invention and provide an apparatus for heating smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative examples of embodiments and are not intended to be comprehensive or exclusive. They are provided solely to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to the exact terms of the claims or to equivalents thereto, and that other embodiments may be utilized or modified without departing from the scope and / or spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, or other combinations. The present disclosure also encompasses other inventions not currently claimed but that may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. 1. A cartridge for use in a device for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the cartridge comprising: a housing defining a chamber; smoking material disposed within the chamber; A cartridge including a smokable material and a mass of insulating material disposed between the smokable material and the housing.

2. 2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the insulating material surrounds the smoking material.

3. 3. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the insulating material is in contact with the smoking material.

4. 4. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insulating material fills the space between the smokable material and the housing.

5. 1. A cartridge for use in a device for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the cartridge comprising: a housing defining a chamber; a heating element disposed within the chamber; A cartridge including a heating element and a mass of insulating material disposed between the housing.

6. 6. The cartridge of claim 5, wherein the insulating material surrounds the heating element.

7. 7. A cartridge according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the heating element is heatable by passing an electric current through the heating element.

8. 8. The cartridge of claim 7, further comprising two conductive terminals accessible from the exterior of the cartridge, the heating element being electrically connected to the conductive terminals.

9. 9. A cartridge according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the smokable material is disposed on the heating element and the insulating material is disposed between the smokable material and the housing.

10. 10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the insulating material is in contact with the smoking material.

11. 11. A cartridge according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the insulating material fills the space between the smokable material and the housing.

12. 12. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and claims 9 to 11, wherein the smoking material comprises tobacco.

13. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and claims 9 to 12, wherein the smoking material is in a solid form.

14. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and claims 9 to 13, wherein the smokable material is adhered to the heating element.

15. 15. The cartridge of claim 14, wherein the smokable material is adhered to the heating element by an adhesive.

16. 16. A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the insulating material is in contact with the housing.

17. 17. The cartridge of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the insulating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of batting, fleece, nonwoven material, nonwoven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, closed cell foam, polystyrene, closed cell polystyrene foam, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, and blends of polyester and polypropylene.

18. 18. The cartridge of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the insulating material comprises batting or fleece and has a density of about 60 to about 140 gsm.

19. 20. The cartridge of claim 18, wherein the insulating material has a density of about 80 to about 120 gsm.

20. 20. A cartridge according to any preceding claim, wherein the cartridge has an asymmetric external cross-sectional shape.

21. 21. A device for heating smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, the device comprising an assembly having a joint and a cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 20, the cartridge being adapted to cooperate with the joint of the assembly.

22. 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the cartridge is configured to heat the smokable material when cooperating with the joint of the assembly to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material without burning the smokable material.

23. 23. The device of claim 21 or 22, wherein the assembly includes a controller for controlling the supply of power from the power source to the heating element when the cartridge cooperates with the joint of the assembly.

24. 24. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the assembly includes a controller arranged to control heating of the heating element so as to heat the smokable material when the cartridge cooperates with the joint of the assembly and volatilise at least one component of the smokable material without combusting the smokable material.

25. 25. A device according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the cartridge can only cooperate with the joint in one orientation relative to the assembly.

26. 26. A device according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the assembly includes a recess for receiving at least part of the cartridge.

27. 27. The device of claim 26, wherein the recess has an internal cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the external cross-sectional shape of the cartridge.

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