Article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025138387
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2015-10-30
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-11
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an article for use with a device for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, and to a system comprising such a device and such an article. [Background technology]
[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these smoking articles by creating products that release compounds without combustion. Examples of such products are so-called "heat-not-burn" products, or tobacco heating devices or products. These release compounds by heating, rather than burning, a material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or another non-tobacco product. Non-tobacco products may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the Invention
[0003] A first aspect of the present invention provides an article for use with an apparatus for heating smoking material to volatilise at least one component of the smoking material, the article comprising: a malleable container defining a cavity; a mass of smoking material in the cavity; A heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the smoking material. Equipped with.
[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, the container comprises a bag.
[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the container defines an exterior surface of the article.
[0006] In exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the container is porous to allow volatilized material generated by heating the smokable material within the cavity to escape the cavity.
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is within the cavity.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is within the mass of smokable material.
[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a material that includes a mixture of smoking material and heating material.
[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the mixture includes a mixture of smokable material and a plurality of elements, each of the plurality of elements comprising a heating material heatable by the penetration of a varying magnetic field.
[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the elements comprises a closed circuit of heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a varying magnetic field.
[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the elements consists entirely or substantially entirely of a heating material.
[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the container is devoid of heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the smokable material.
[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the container comprises a heating material.
[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a closed circuit of heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a varying magnetic field.
[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the vessel comprises a closed circuit of heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a varying magnetic field.
[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the container includes a mesh that includes a heating material.
[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is in contact with the smokable material.
[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a magnetic material, and a magnetically conductive material.
[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises a metal or metal alloy.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.
[0022] In exemplary embodiments, the smoking material comprises tobacco and / or one or more humectants.
[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion of the heating material is more susceptible to eddy currents induced therein by the penetration of a varying magnetic field than the second portion of the heating material.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a catalytic material in at least a portion of the heating material.
[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the outer surface of the article has a length, a width perpendicular to the length, and a depth perpendicular to each of the length and width, where the length is greater than or equal to the width and the width is greater than the depth.
[0026] A second aspect of the present invention provides an article for use with an apparatus for heating smoking material to volatilise at least one component of the smoking material, the article comprising: a container defining a cavity; a mass of smoking material in the cavity; A heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the smoking material. Equipped with At least a portion of the container is porous to allow volatilized material generated by heating the smokable material within the cavity to escape from the cavity.
[0027] The article of the second aspect may have any one or more of the features described above included in each of the exemplary embodiments of the article of the first aspect of the invention.
[0028] A third aspect of the present invention provides a system, the system comprising: a device for heating the smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material; an article for use with the device, comprising a container defining a cavity and a mass of smoking material within the cavity; Equipped with the apparatus comprises a heating region for receiving at least a portion of the article, and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field used to heat the smokable material when the portion of the article is within the heating region; The container is malleable and / or a portion of the container is porous to allow volatilized material generated by heating the smokable material within the cavity to escape from the cavity.
[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the smokable material when that portion of the article is within the heating zone.
[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the smokable material when that portion of the article is within the heating zone.
[0031] In exemplary embodiments, the article of the system is an article of the first aspect of the invention. The article of the system can have any one or more of the features described above as included in each exemplary embodiment of the article of the first aspect of the invention.
[0032] In exemplary embodiments, the article of the system is an article of the second aspect of the invention. The article of the system can have any one or more of the features described above as included in each exemplary embodiment of the article of the second aspect of the invention.
[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example article for use with a device for heating smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example article for use with a device for heating smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another example article for use with a device for heating smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example system including the article of FIG. 1 and a device for heating smokable material in the article to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] As used herein, the term "smoking material" includes materials that, when heated, release volatile components, typically in the form of a vapor or aerosol. "Smoking material" may be a non-tobacco-containing material or a tobacco-containing material. "Smoking material" may include, for example, one or more of tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Smoking material may be in the form of ground tobacco, cut rag tobacco, extruded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, reconstituted smoking material, liquid, gel, gelled sheet, powder, or block. "Smoking material" may also include other non-tobacco products. These non-tobacco products may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. "Smoking material" may also include one or more humectants, such as glycerol or propylene glycol.
[0036] As used herein, the term "heating material" or "heater material" refers to a material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field.
[0037] As used herein, the terms "flavoring" and "flavoring agent" refer to materials that can be used (where permitted by local regulations) to produce a desired taste or aroma in products for adult consumers. These materials include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, Scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang). The flavor enhancers may contain additives such as spices, spice blends, flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives (e.g., charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners). These may be imitation, synthetic, or natural materials, or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, such as an oil, liquid, gel, or powder.
[0038] Induction heating is the process of heating a conductive object by penetrating a changing magnetic field into the object. This process is explained by Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction and Ohm's law. An induction heater can include an electromagnet and a device for passing a changing current, such as an alternating current, through the electromagnet. When the object to be heated and the electromagnet are positioned relative to each other so that the changing magnetic field generated by the electromagnet penetrates the object, one or more eddy currents are generated within the object. The object has a resistance to the flow of current. Therefore, when such eddy currents are generated within the object, they flow against the object's electrical resistance, thereby heating the object. This process is called Joule heating, ohmic heating, or resistive heating. An object that can be inductively heated is known as a susceptor.
[0039] It has been found that when the susceptor is in the closed circuit configuration, there is a stronger magnetic coupling between the susceptor and the electromagnet in use, resulting in increased or improved Joule heating.
[0040] Magnetic hysteresis heating is the process of heating an object made of a magnetic material due to the penetration of a varying magnetic field into the object. Magnetic materials can be thought of as containing a large number of atomic-scale magnets, or magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such a material, the magnetic dipoles align along the magnetic field. Thus, when a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field (e.g., produced by an electromagnet), penetrates a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes in response to the applied varying magnetic field. This reorientation of the magnetic dipoles generates heat within the magnetic material.
[0041] When an object is both conductive and magnetic, the penetration of a changing magnetic field into the object can cause both Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating in the object. Furthermore, the use of magnetic materials can enhance the changing magnetic field, thereby enhancing Joule heating.
[0042] In each of the above processes, heat is generated within the object itself, rather than by conduction from an external heat source, which allows for rapid temperature rise and more uniform heat distribution within the object. This can be achieved, among other things, by choosing the object's material and geometry and the magnitude and orientation of the varying magnetic field relative to the object. Furthermore, induction heating and magnetic hysteresis heating do not require a physical connection between the source of the varying magnetic field and the object, thereby increasing design freedom and control of the heating profile and reducing costs.
[0043] Referring to Figure 1, a schematic cross-sectional view of an example article according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Article 1 comprises a malleable container 10 defining a cavity 14, a mass of smokable material 20 disposed within cavity 14, and a heating material heatable by the penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material 20. Examples of such heating materials are described below. Article 1 is for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material 20 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 20 without burning the smokable material 20, such as apparatus 100 shown in Figure 4 and described below.
[0044] In this embodiment, the container 10 comprises a bag 10. In this embodiment, the bag 10 comprises a first wall 11 and a second wall 12, which together define a cavity 14. In other embodiments, the bag 10 may comprise a single wall defining the cavity 14, or three or more walls which together define the cavity 14. In this embodiment, the first and second walls 11 and 12 are separate components attached to one another to define the bag 10 and the cavity 14. More specifically, the flanges 11 a and 12 a of the first and second walls 11 and 12 are attached to one another. In other embodiments, the first and second walls 11 and 12 may not have such flanges. Such attachment may be by pressure sealing, heat sealing, welding, sonic welding, the use of adhesives, or the like. In other embodiments, the first and second walls 11 and 12 may be, for example, portions of a single component that is folded over. For example, two pieces may be attached to one another by any of the attachment methods described above to define the bag 10 and cavity 14 .
[0045] In this embodiment, the container 10 is porous to allow volatilization generated by heating the smokable material 20 within the cavity 14 to exit the cavity 14. In this embodiment, the container 10 is made of a material that is impermeable to the volatilization material, but has a plurality of holes extending therethrough to allow the volatilization material to pass from the cavity 14 to the exterior of the article 1. The container 10 may be or include a mesh. In a variation on this embodiment, the container 10 may be substantially impermeable to the volatilization material and have only one such hole extending therethrough. In a further variation on this embodiment, the container 10 may be made of a porous material. Such a porous container 10 may or may not have one or more holes extending therethrough. The container 10 may be made of one or more porous materials selected from the group consisting of, for example, fleece, viscose, nonwoven material, nonwoven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, and polyester. In some embodiments, the container 10 is configured to prevent the smokable material 20 from spilling out of the cavity 14 .
[0046] In this embodiment, each of the first and second walls 11, 12 is porous to allow volatilization generated by heating the smokable material 20 within the cavity 14 to escape from the cavity 14. In other embodiments, only a portion of the container 10, e.g., only one of the first and second walls 11, 12, is porous. One or each of the walls 11, 12 may be made from one or more porous materials, e.g., selected from the group described above. In yet other embodiments, the container 10 may be non-porous, such that volatilization generated by heating the smokable material 20 within the cavity 14 is prevented or substantially prevented from escaping from the cavity 14 until the container 10 is punctured by a user or device, placing the cavity 14 in fluid communication with the exterior of the container 10.
[0047] The vessel 10 is preferably made from a material that can withstand heating over at least the range of expected operating temperatures of the device that will occur during operation, eg, 180 to 220 degrees Celsius.
[0048] In this embodiment, the container 10 itself does not contain any heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field. In this embodiment, the heating material of the article 1 is located within the cavity 14. In this embodiment, the heating material is within the mass of smokable material 20. More particularly, in this embodiment, the heating material is entirely wrapped or surrounded by the mass of smokable material 20. Thus, when the heating material is heated by the varying magnetic field in use, heat dispersed from the heating material heats the mass of smokable material 20.
[0049] In this embodiment, the article comprises an object 30 comprising a heating material. In some embodiments, the object 30 may consist entirely or substantially entirely of the heating material. In this embodiment, the object 30 is in the form of a square or rectangular plate. However, in other embodiments, the object 30 may be, for example, cylindrical, spherical, oval, donut-shaped, polygonal, star-shaped, radial fin, etc.
[0050] In this embodiment, the cross-section of object 30 is constant along the length of object 30. Further, in this embodiment, object 30 is planar or substantially planar. However, this is not the case in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, object 30 may follow a wave-like or undulating path. The path may be a sinusoidal path. In some embodiments, object 30 may be twisted or pleated. In further embodiments, object 30 may be helical, spiral, comprise a plate, strip, or ribbon with protrusions thereon and / or indentations therein, comprise a net, comprise an expanded metal piece, or have a non-uniform, non-planar shape.
[0051] Such a non-planar shape of the object 30 may help the air passing through the cavity 14 in use to pick up volatile material produced when the smokable material 20 is heated. The non-planar shape may cause the air to follow a tortuous path, creating turbulence in the air and improving heat transfer from the heating material to the smokable material 20. The non-planar shape may also increase the surface area of the object 30 per unit length of the object 30. This may result in increased or improved Joule heating of the heating material and therefore increased or improved heating of the smokable material 20.
[0052] In other embodiments, the object 30 of the article 1 may take the form of a liner between the mass of smokable material 20 and the container 10. In some embodiments, the mass of smokable material 20 may be entirely wrapped or surrounded by the liner. Such a liner may be porous to allow volatilized material generated by heating the smokable material 20 within the cavity 14 to escape from the cavity 14, or may be non-porous to such volatilized material until punctured.
[0053] Referring to Figure 2, a schematic cross-sectional view of another example article according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Article 2 of Figure 2 is identical to article 1 described above with reference to Figure 1, except for the manner in which a heating material is provided within article 1. Any of the possible variations described herein for article 1 of Figure 1 can be made to article 2 of Figure 2 to form individual embodiments.
[0054] The malleable container 10 of article 2 of FIG. 2 is the same as that described above for article 1 of FIG. 1, and therefore will not be described in detail again for the sake of brevity.
[0055] In this embodiment, the heating material is again within the cavity 14 of the container 10. Further, in this embodiment, the heating material is again within the mass of smokable material 20. However, in this embodiment, the article 2 comprises a material 50 including a mixture of smokable material 20 and heating material. More particularly, the mixture includes a mixture of smokable material 20 and elements 40, each of the elements comprising a heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a varying magnetic field. The elements 40 are heatable in use to heat the smokable material 20. In this embodiment, the elements 20 are dispersed throughout the material 50.
[0056] In this embodiment, each of the elements 40 comprises a closed circuit of heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field. In some embodiments, this can increase the magnetic coupling between the element and the electromagnet of the device in use, thereby increasing or improving Joule heating.
[0057] In this embodiment, each of the elements 40 is loop-shaped. More specifically, in this embodiment, each of the elements 40 is ring-shaped. While loop-shaped elements can be any shape that defines a path with the same starting and ending points to create a closed circuit, ring-shaped elements are necessarily circular or substantially circular. Ring-shaped elements can have a high surface area-to-weight ratio, which can help prevent elements from crowding together due to gravitational settling. Ring-shaped elements can have a low cross-sectional area-to-diameter ratio. Thus, circulating currents within the ring when subjected to a varying magnetic field can penetrate most or all of the ring, rather than being limited to just the "skin," as may be the case when the susceptor has a very thick skin. This results in more efficient use of material, which reduces costs.
[0058] In variations on the illustrated embodiment, one or more or all of the elements 40 comprising the closed circuit of heating material may be other than ring-shaped. For example, one or more or all of the elements 40 may be spherical, may be formed from multiple separate strands of heating material, or may comprise a carrier that supports the closed circuit of heating material without heating material.
[0059] In this embodiment, each of the elements 40 consists entirely or substantially entirely of a heating material. However, in other embodiments, one or more of the elements may comprise a carrier that supports a heating material without the heating material. For example, one or more of the elements may comprise a ring-shaped carrier that has a closed circuit of coated heating material without the heating material.
[0060] In some other embodiments, one or more or all of the elements 40 may comprise a heating material arranged other than as a closed circuit. For example, one or more or all of the elements 40 may comprise an open circuit of heating material, or one or more separate sections of heating material.
[0061] Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view of another example article according to an embodiment of the present invention. Article 3 of Figure 3 is similar in general shape to article 2 described above with reference to Figure 2, but differs in both the composition of container 10 and the contents of cavity 14. Any of the possible variations described herein for articles 1, 2 of Figures 1 and 2 can be made to article 3 of Figure 3 to form individual embodiments.
[0062] In this embodiment, the malleable container 10 of the article 3 itself comprises a heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the smokable material 20. The container 10 may consist entirely or substantially entirely of the heating material. Alternatively, the container 10 may comprise a body that supports the heating material without the heating material.
[0063] In some embodiments, the container 10 may comprise a closed circuit of heating material that is heatable by the penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material 20. In some embodiments, this may result in a stronger magnetic coupling between the container 10 and the electromagnet of the device during use, resulting in increased or improved Joule heating. In some embodiments, the container 10 may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more separate portions of heating material.
[0064] In this embodiment, the container 10 comprises a mesh provided with a heating material, which itself may define one or more closed circuits of the heating material.
[0065] In this embodiment, the cavity 14 of the container 10 contains a mass of smokable material 20. The cavity is itself free, or substantially free, of heating material. However, in some embodiments, the container 10 may include a heating material and the cavity 14 may also include a heating material. For example, the cavity 14 may include any of the above-described arrangements of heating material within the cavity 14.
[0066] The container 10 of each of the above-described articles 1, 2, and 3 is malleable. By "malleable," it is meant that the container 10 can be pressed, squeezed, or compressed into different overall shapes by a user or device without breaking or cracking. Thus, in use, the container 10 can be shaped to more closely fit the device in which the article 1, 2, or 3 is used, which may aid in aligning the heating material with the varying magnetic field generated by the device. In other embodiments, the container 10 may be non-malleable or substantially non-malleable.
[0067] In each of the above embodiments, the malleable container 10 is a bag. However, in other embodiments, the malleable container 10 can be something other than a bag. For example, in some embodiments, the malleable container 10 can be a sheath, a jar, or a cartridge. Such alternative containers 10 can include a container defining a cavity 14 and an opening into the cavity 14, and a seal sealing the opening. In some embodiments, the seal and / or container can be porous. In some embodiments, the seal and / or container can be pierceable by a user or a device. In some embodiments, the seal can be removable from or otherwise movable relative to the container 10 by a user to place the cavity 14 in fluid communication with the exterior of the container 10 through the opening.
[0068] In some embodiments, the item 1, 2, 3, or container 10 has a circular outer cross-section. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the item 1, 2, 3, or container 10 can be rotationally symmetric and other than circular, such as elliptical, triangular, or rectangular. This can help a user properly position the item 1, 2, 3 relative to the device in which the item 1, 2, 3 is to be used, so that the item 1, 2, 3 can be easily positioned in the heating zone of the device to effectively align the heating material with the varying magnetic field generated by the device. In other embodiments, the item 1, 2, 3, or container 10 can be rotationally asymmetric.
[0069] In each of the above embodiments, the container 10 defines the exterior surfaces of the articles 1, 2, and 3. This is not the case in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the articles can include additional elements that define some or all of the exterior surfaces of the articles. Such additional elements can include, for example, a housing within which at least a portion of the container 10 is disposed.
[0070] In each of the above embodiments, the heating material is aluminum. However, in other embodiments, the heating material may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a magnetic material, and a magnetically conductive material. In some embodiments, the heating material may comprise a metal or metal alloy. In some embodiments, the heating material may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze. In other embodiments, other material(s) may be used. In some embodiments, the heating material may be magnetic. It has also been found that using a magnetically conductive material as the heating material can increase the magnetic coupling between the magnetically conductive material and the electromagnet of the device during use. In addition to potentially enabling magnetic hysteresis heating, this can increase or improve Joule heating of the heating material, and therefore increase or improve heating of the smokable material 20.
[0071] In each of the articles 1, 2, and 3 shown in Figures 1-3, the heating material is in contact with the smokable material 20. Thus, when the heating material is heated by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field, heat can be transferred directly from the heating material to the smokable material 20. In other embodiments, the heating material may not be in contact with the smokable material 20. For example, in some embodiments, the articles 1, 2, and 3 may be devoid of heating material, but may include a thermal conduction shield that separates the heating material from the smokable material 20. In some embodiments, the thermal conduction shield may be a coating on the heating material. Providing such a shield may be advantageous to help distribute heat and mitigate hot spots in the heating material.
[0072] In some embodiments, which may be variations on the above embodiments, a first portion of the heating material of the articles 1, 2, and 3 may be more susceptible to eddy currents induced therein by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field than a second portion of the heating material of the articles 1, 2, and 3. The first portion of the heating material may be made of a first material and the second portion of the heating material may be made of a different second material, with the first material being more susceptible to eddy currents induced therein than the second material. For example, one of the first and second portions may be made of iron, and the other of the first and second portions may be made of graphite. Alternatively or additionally, the first portion of the component comprising the first portion of the heating material may have a different thickness than the second portion of the component comprising the second portion of the heating material, resulting in the first portion of the heating material being more susceptible.
[0073] Varying the susceptibility of the heating material to induced eddy currents therein in this manner can aid in the gradual heating of the smokable material 20, thereby producing vapor progressively. For example, a more susceptible portion can heat a first region of the smokable material 20 relatively quickly, initiating volatilization of at least one component of the smokable material 20 and vapor formation in the first region of the smokable material 20. A less susceptible portion can heat a second region of the smokable material 20 relatively slowly, initiating volatilization of at least one component of the smokable material 20 and vapor formation in the second region of the smokable material 20. Thus, vapor can be produced relatively quickly for inhalation by a user, and vapor can continue to be produced thereafter for subsequent inhalation by a user, even after the first region of the smokable material 20 has finished producing vapor. When the volatilizable components of the smokable material 20 are depleted, the first region of the smokable material 20 can cease producing vapor.
[0074] In other embodiments, all of the heating materials of items 1, 2, and 3 may be equally or substantially equally susceptible to eddy currents induced therein by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field. In some embodiments, the heating materials may not be susceptible to such eddy currents. In such embodiments, the heating materials may be non-conductive magnetic materials and therefore may be heatable by the magnetic hysteresis process described above.
[0075] In some embodiments, which may be respective variations on the above embodiments, articles 1, 2, 3 may comprise a plurality of objects, each of which comprises a heating material heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field. At least one of the plurality of objects may be more susceptible to eddy currents induced therein by the penetration of the fluctuating magnetic field than at least one other of the plurality of objects. This may be achieved, for example, by the objects being made of different heating materials and / or having different thicknesses, as described above. Again, corresponding to the above aspects, varying the susceptibility of the objects in this way may aid in progressive heating of the smokable material 20 and thus progressive production of vapour.
[0076] In some embodiments, the articles 1, 2, and 3 can comprise a catalytic material on at least a portion of the heating material. The catalytic material can take the form of a coating on the heating material. The catalytic material can be provided on all of the surface(s) of the heating material, or on only some of the surface(s) of the heating material. Providing such a catalytic material on the heating material means that, in use, the articles 1, 2, and 3 can have a heated, chemically active surface. In use, the catalytic material can act to convert, or increase the rate of conversion of, potentially irritating substances into less irritating substances.
[0077] In each of the above embodiments, the outer surface of the article 1, 2, 3 has a length L, a width W perpendicular to the length L, and a depth D perpendicular to each of the length L and width W. In each of the above embodiments, the length L is equal to or substantially equal to the width W, and the width W is greater than the depth D. However, in other embodiments, the length L may be greater than the width W. The shallower the depth D relative to the width W, the greater the surface area of the outer surface of the article 1, 2, 3 for a given volume of the article 1, 2, 3. This may result in increased or improved heating of the smokable material 20 during use, and / or increased, easier, or improved release from the article 1, 2, 3 of volatile materials produced when the smokable material 20 is heated. However, in other embodiments, the outer surfaces of the articles 1, 2, 3 may have other dimensional ratios.
[0078] In some embodiments, which may be variations on the above embodiments, the articles 1, 2, and 3 may include a tipping member defining a passageway in fluid communication with the mass of smoking material 20. The tipping member may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, cardboard, cellulose acetate, paper, metal, glass, ceramic, or rubber. During use, the smoking material 20 is heated, allowing the user to easily inhale the volatilized components of the smoking material 20. In embodiments in which the article is consumable, once all or substantially all of the volatilized component(s) of the smoking material 20 of the article have been consumed, the user may dispose of the tipping member with the remainder of the article. This may be more hygienic than using the same tipping member on multiple articles, may help ensure that the tipping member is properly aligned with the smoking material, and may provide the user with a clean, fresh tipping member each time the user desires to use another article. The tipping member, if provided, may include or be impregnated with a flavoring agent. The flavoring agent may be positioned to be received by heated vapor as the vapor passes through the tipping member's passageway during use.
[0079] In some embodiments, any one of the above articles 1, 2, and 3 can include thermal insulation. The thermal insulation can be provided, for example, on an interior surface or side of the container 10 facing the smokable material 20. Alternatively or additionally, the thermal insulation can form part or all of the container 10. The thermal insulation can include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aerogel, vacuum insulation, cotton, fleece, nonwoven material, nonwoven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, polystyrene, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, polyester and polypropylene blends, cellulose acetate, paper or cardboard, and corrugated material such as corrugated paper or cardboard. The thermal insulation can additionally or alternatively include an air gap. Such thermal insulation can help prevent heat loss to components of the device using the articles 1, 2, and 3 and can also help increase the heating efficiency of the smokable material 20 within the articles 1, 2, and 3.
[0080] Each of the above articles 1, 2, 3 and their variations can be used with a device for heating the smokable material 20 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 20. The device can be for heating the smokable material 20 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 20 without burning the smokable material 20. Any one of the articles 1, 2, 3 and / or such a device may be provided together as a system. The system may take the form of a kit in which the articles 1, 2, 3 are separate from the device. Alternatively, the system may take the form of an assembly in which the articles 1, 2, 3 are combined with the device. An example of such a system will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.
[0081] Referring to Figure 4, a schematic cross-sectional view of an example system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The system 1000 of this embodiment comprises an article 1 comprising a malleable container 10 defining a cavity 14 and a mass of smokable material 20 within the cavity 14, and an apparatus 100 for heating the smokable material 20 of the article 1 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 20. In this embodiment, the article 1 of the system 1000 is the article 1 of Figure 1. However, in other embodiments, the article of the system 1000 may be an article other than the article 1 of Figure 1, such as one of the articles 2 and 3 of Figures 2 and 3. Broadly speaking, the apparatus 100 comprises a heating zone 111 for receiving at least a portion of the article 1, 2, or 3, and a magnetic field generator 112 for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating the smokable material 20 when the portion of the article 1, 2, or 3 is within the heating zone 111.
[0082] The device 100 in this embodiment comprises a body 110 and a tipping tip 120. The tipping tip 120 defines a passageway 122 therethrough. The tipping tip 120 is positionable relative to the body 110 to cover an opening into the heated region 111. When the tipping tip 120 is positioned relative to the body 110 in this manner, the passageway 122 in the tipping tip 120 is in fluid communication with the heated region 111. In use, the passageway 122 serves as a passageway to allow volatilizable material to flow from the cavity 14 of an item 1, 2, 3 inserted into the heated region 111 to the exterior of the device 100. In this embodiment, the tipping tip 120 of the device 100 is removably engageable with the body 110 to connect the tipping tip 120 to the body 110. In other embodiments, the tipping tip 120 can be permanently connected to the body 110, such as by a hinge or a flexible member. The mouthpiece 120 of the device 100 may be provided with or impregnated with a flavoring. The flavoring may be positioned so that, in use, it is received by the heated vapor as the vapor passes through the passageway 122 of the mouthpiece 120. In some embodiments, such as those in which the articles 1, 2, 3 themselves include a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece 120 of the device 100 may be omitted.
[0083] In this embodiment, the body 110 comprises a heating region 111. In this embodiment, the heating region 111 comprises a recess 111 for receiving at least a portion of the item 1. In other embodiments, the heating region 111 may be other than a recess, for example, a ledge, a surface, or a protrusion, and may require a mechanical fit with the items 1, 2, 3 to cooperate with or receive the items 1, 2, 3. In this embodiment, the heating region 111 is elongated and sized and shaped to receive the item 1. In this embodiment, the heating region 111 accommodates the entire item 1. In other embodiments, the heating region 111 may be sized to receive only a portion of the item 1, 2, 3.
[0084] In some embodiments, the device 100 may include a mechanism for compressing the articles 1, 2, 3 when they are placed in the heating zone 111. Compressing the articles 1, 2, 3 in this manner may compress the smokable material 20, thereby increasing the thermal conductivity of the smokable material 20. In other words, compressing the smokable material 20 may increase heat transfer within the articles 1, 2, 3. Such compression should not be so strong as to rupture or destroy the container 10, or so strong that a user is unable to draw volatile material from the articles 1, 2, 3.
[0085] In this embodiment, the magnetic field generator 112 comprises a power supply 113, a coil 114, a device 116 for passing a varying current, such as an alternating current, through the coil 114, a controller 117, and a user interface 118 for a user to operate the controller 117.
[0086] In this embodiment, power source 113 is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, power source 113 can be other than a rechargeable battery, such as, for example, a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor, a battery-capacitor hybrid, or a connection to a mains power source.
[0087] The coil 114 can take any suitable form. In this embodiment, the coil 114 is a helical coil of a conductive material, such as copper. In some embodiments, the magnetic field generator 112 can include a magnetically permeable core around which the coil 114 is wound. Such a magnetically permeable core, in use, concentrates the magnetic flux generated by the coil 114, making the magnetic field stronger. The magnetically permeable core can be made of iron, for example. In some embodiments, the magnetically permeable core can extend only partially along the length of the coil 114, concentrating the magnetic flux in only certain areas.
[0088] In this embodiment, the coils 114 of the magnetic field generator 112 extend along a longitudinal axis that substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of the heating region 111. In other embodiments, these axes can be aligned with one another by being parallel to one another, or can be angled relative to one another.
[0089] In this embodiment, the impedance of the coil 114 of the magnetic field generator 112 is equal to or substantially equal to the impedance of the object 30 comprising the heating material of the article 1. If instead the impedance of the object 30 of the article 1 is lower than the impedance of the coil 114, the voltage generated across the object 30 of the article 1 in use may be lower than the voltage that can be generated across the object 30 of the article 1 when the impedances are matched. Alternatively, if instead the impedance of the object 30 of the article 1 is higher than the impedance of the coil 114, the current generated in the object 30 of the article 1 in use may be lower than the current that can be generated in the object 30 of the article 1 when the impedances are matched. Similarly, in embodiments in which the system 1000 comprises one of the articles 2, 3 of FIGS. 2 and 3, the impedance of the coil 114 may be equal to or substantially equal to the impedance of the portion of the article 2, 3 comprising the heating material. Matching the impedances may aid in balancing the voltage and current to maximize the heating power generated in the heating material of the articles 1, 2, 3 when heated during use.
[0090] In this embodiment, a device 116 for applying a varying current to the coil 114 is electrically connected between the power source 113 and the coil 114. In this embodiment, a controller 117 is also electrically connected to the power source 113 and communicatively connected to the device 116 to control the device 116. More particularly, in this embodiment, the controller 117 controls the device 116 to control the supply of power from the power source 113 to the coil 114. In this embodiment, the controller 117 comprises an integrated circuit (IC), such as an IC on a printed circuit board (PCB). In other embodiments, the controller 117 can take different forms. In some embodiments, the apparatus can have a single electrical or electronic component comprising the device 116 and the controller 117. In this embodiment, the controller 117 is operated by a user operating a user interface 118. In this embodiment, the user interface 118 is located on the exterior of the body 110. The user interface 118 can comprise a push button, a toggle switch, a dial, a touch screen, or the like. In other embodiments, the user interface 118 may be remote and connected wirelessly to the rest of the device, such as by Bluetooth.
[0091] In this embodiment, when a user operates the user interface 118, the controller 117 causes the device 116 to apply an alternating current to the coil 114, causing the coil 114 to generate an alternating magnetic field. When the items 1, 2, and 3 are placed within the heating zone 111, the coil 114 of the apparatus 100 and the heating materials of the items 1, 2, and 3 are positioned relative to one another so that the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil 114 penetrates the heating materials of the items 1, 2, and 3. When the heating materials of the items 1, 2, and 3 are electrically conductive, this can induce one or more eddy currents in the heating material. When the eddy currents flow through the heating material against the electrical resistance of the heating material, the heating material heats due to Joule heating. As described above, when the heating material is made of a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles in the heating material changes in response to changes in the applied magnetic field, thereby generating heat in the heating material.
[0092] The apparatus 100 in this embodiment includes a temperature sensor 119 for sensing the temperature of the heated region 111. The temperature sensor 119 is communicatively connected to the controller 117 such that the controller 117 can monitor the temperature of the heated region 111. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 119 can be configured to optically measure the temperature of the recess, the heated region, or the items 1, 2, 3. In some embodiments, the items 1, 2, 3 can include a temperature detector, such as a resistance temperature detector (RTD), to detect the temperature of the items 1, 2, 3. For example, the temperature detector can be located in or on the container 10 of the items 1, 2, 3. The items 1, 2, 3 can further include one or more terminals connected, such as by an electrical connection, to the temperature detector. The terminal(s) can be for connection, such as an electrical connection, with a temperature monitor of the apparatus 100 when the items 1, 2, 3 are in the heated region 111. The controller 117 can include a temperature monitor. Thus, the temperature monitor of the device 100 can measure the temperature of the items 1, 2, 3 while in use with the device 100.
[0093] In some embodiments, by appropriately selecting the resistance of the heating material of the items 1, 2, 3, the response of the heating material to temperature changes may be sufficient to provide information about the temperature within the items 1, 2, 3. The temperature sensor 119 of the device 100 may then comprise a probe for analyzing the heating material.
[0094] The controller 117 can cause the device 116 to adjust the characteristics of the fluctuating or alternating current applied to the coil 114 as needed based on one or more signals received from the temperature sensor 119 or temperature detector to ensure that the temperature of the heated region 111 is maintained within a predetermined temperature range. This characteristic can be, for example, amplitude or frequency. In use, the smokable material 20 in the articles 1, 2, 3 located within the heated region 111 is heated at a predetermined temperature range sufficiently to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 20 without combusting the smokable material 20. Thus, the controller 117, and the apparatus 100 as a whole, are configured to heat the smokable material 20 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material 20 without combusting the smokable material 20. In some embodiments, the temperature range is between about 50°C and about 300°C, e.g., between about 50°C and about 250°C, between about 50°C and about 150°C, between about 50°C and about 120°C, between about 50°C and about 100°C, between about 50°C and about 80°C, or between about 60°C and about 70°C. In some embodiments, the temperature range is between about 170°C and about 220°C. In other embodiments, the temperature range may be outside this range. In some embodiments, temperature sensor 119 may be omitted.
[0095] The device 100 may define an air inlet that fluidly connects the heated region 111 with the exterior of the device 100. Such an air inlet may be defined by the body 110 of the device 100 and / or the mouthpiece 120 of the device 100. A user may inhale the volatile component(s) of the smokable material 20 by drawing the volatile component(s) through a passageway 122 in the mouthpiece 120. Once the volatile component(s) exit the cavity 14 of the container 10 of the article 1, 2, 3, for example, through a porous portion of the container 10 or through a hole in the container 10 after the container has been punctured by the user, air may be drawn into the heated region 111 via the air inlet of the device 100.
[0096] The device may provide tactile feedback to the user, which may indicate heating, or may be generated by a timer to indicate when the volatilizable component(s) of the smokable material 20 of the article 1, 2, 3 has been consumed more than a predetermined percentage of its original amount, etc. This tactile feedback may be generated by interaction (e.g., magnetic response) between the coil 114 and the heating material of the article 1, 2, 3, by interaction between a conductive element and the coil 114, by rotation of an unbalanced motor, by repeatedly applying and removing current to a piezoelectric element, etc.
[0097] The device 100 may include two or more coils. The multiple coils of the device 100 may be operable to progressively heat the smokable material 20 of the articles 1, 2, and 3, thereby progressively generating vapor. For example, one coil may heat a first region of the heating material relatively quickly, initiating volatilization of at least one component of the smokable material 20 and vapor formation in the first region of the smokable material 20. Another coil may heat a second region of the heating material relatively slowly, initiating volatilization of at least one component of the smokable material 20 and vapor formation in the second region of the smokable material 20. Thus, vapor may be generated relatively quickly for inhalation by a user, and may continue to be generated thereafter for subsequent inhalation by a user, even after the first region of the smokable material 20 has ceased vapor generation. The second region of the smokable material 20, which is initially unheated, may act as a heat sink to reduce the temperature of or mellow the generated vapor while the first region of the smokable material 20 is being heated.
[0098] In some embodiments, the articles 1, 2, 3 may comprise multiple separate portions of heating material that are heatable by the penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material 20 of the articles 1, 2, 3. The multiple separate portions of heating material may be substantially separately heatable by the varying magnetic field generated by each of the multiple coils 114 of the device 100. One of the multiple separate portions of heating material may be more susceptible to eddy currents induced therein by the penetration of the varying magnetic field than another portion(s) of the multiple separate portions of heating material. Such a structure may be operable to progressively heat the smokable material 20 of the articles 1, 2, 3, thereby progressively producing vapour, in a manner similar to that described above.
[0099] In each of the above embodiments, the heating material can have a skin depth, which is the outer region where most of the induced currents and / or induced reorientation of magnetic dipoles occurs. By making the thickness of the component comprising the heating material relatively thin, a greater percentage of the heating material can be heated by a given varying magnetic field compared to a heating material in a component having a relatively long depth or thickness compared to other dimensions of the component, thus resulting in more efficient use of material, which reduces costs.
[0100] In some embodiments, the component comprising the heating material may have cuts or holes therein. Such cuts or holes may act as thermal breaks to control the degree to which different areas of the smokable material 20 heat up during use. Areas of the heating material with cuts or holes may heat up less than areas without cuts or holes. This may aid in the gradual heating of the smokable material 20, and therefore the gradual production of vapour. Alternatively, such cuts or holes may be used to optimise the generation of complex eddy currents during use.
[0101] In each of the above embodiments, the smokable material 20 includes tobacco. However, in variations of each of these embodiments, the smokable material 20 may consist entirely of tobacco, consist essentially entirely of tobacco, include tobacco and non-tobacco smokable material, include non-tobacco smokable material, or be tobacco-free. In some embodiments, the smokable material 20 may include a vapor or aerosol former and a humectant (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol).
[0102] An article using the present invention can be, for example, a cartridge.
[0103] In each of the above embodiments, the articles 1, 2, 3 are consumable. Once all or substantially all of the volatilizable component(s) of the smokable material 20 in the articles 1, 2, 3 have been consumed, the user can remove the articles 1, 2, 3 from the device and dispose of the articles 1, 2, 3. The user can subsequently reuse the device with another article 1, 2, 3. However, in each of the other embodiments, the articles 1, 2, 3 may not be consumable, and once the volatilizable component(s) of the smokable material 20 have been consumed, the device and the articles 1, 2, 3 may be disposed of together.
[0104] In some embodiments, the device is sold, supplied, or otherwise provided separately from the items 1, 2, 3 that can be used with the device. However, in some embodiments, the device and one or more of the items 1, 2, 3 may be provided together as a system, such as a kit or assembly, possibly with additional components such as cleaning implements.
[0105] The present invention may also be implemented as a system comprising any one of the articles described herein and any one of the devices described herein, wherein the device itself contains a heating material (e.g., in the form of a susceptor) for heating by penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator. When a portion of the article is within the heating zone 111, heat generated in the heating material of the device may be transferred to the article to heat or further heat the smokable material 20 within the article. In some embodiments, the article may be devoid of a heating material, such that the smokable material 20 of the article is heated solely by heat transferred to the article from the heating material of the device.
[0106] To address various challenges and advance the art, this disclosure provides various exemplary embodiments throughout. These embodiments enable the claimed invention to be practiced and provide an improved article for use with an apparatus for heating smoking material to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material, and an improved system including such an apparatus and such an article. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative examples of embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive of all advantages or features. They are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the features disclosed in the claims and elsewhere herein. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure, as defined by the claims, or equivalents thereof, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, configurations, features, components, steps, means, and the like. This disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but that may be claimed in the future. [Explanation of symbols]
[0107] 1...article, 10...container, 14...cavity, 20...smoking material, 30...object comprising heating material, 100...device, 112...magnetic field generator, 114...coil, 1000...system.
Claims
1. 1. An article for use with a device for heating smoking material to volatilize at least one component of said smoking material, comprising: a malleable container defining a cavity; a mass of smoking material within said cavity; a heating material heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the smokable material; a heat conduction shield; An article comprising:
2. The article of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a bag.
3. The article of claim 1 , wherein the container defines an exterior surface of the article.
4. The article of claim 1 , wherein the heating material is within the cavity.
5. The article of claim 4 , wherein the heating material is within the mass of smoking material.
6. The article of claim 4 , comprising a material comprising a mixture of said smoking material and said heating material.
7. 7. The article of claim 6, wherein the mixture comprises a mixture of the smokable material and a plurality of elements, each of the plurality of elements comprising a heating material heatable by the penetration of a varying magnetic field.
8. 10. The article of claim 1, wherein the container is free of a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the smokable material.
9. The article of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises the heating material.
10. 10. The article of claim 9, wherein the container comprises a closed circuit of heating material heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field.
11. The article of claim 9 , wherein the container comprises a mesh comprising the heating material.
12. The article of claim 1 , wherein the heating material is in contact with the smoking material.
13. The article of claim 1 , wherein the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a magnetic material, and a magnetically conductive material.
14. The article of claim 1 , wherein the heating material comprises a metal or metal alloy.
15. 10. The article of claim 1, wherein the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.
16. The article of claim 1 , wherein the smoking material comprises tobacco and / or one or more humectants.
17. 2. The article of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the article has a length, a width perpendicular to the length, and a depth perpendicular to each of the length and width, the length being greater than or equal to the width, and the width being greater than the depth.
18. The article described in claim 1, wherein the heat conduction shield does not contain a heating material and separates the heating material from the smoking material.
19. The article described in claim 1, wherein the heat conduction shield is a coating on the heating material.
20. 1. An article for use with a device for heating smoking material to volatilize at least one component of said smoking material, comprising: a container defining a cavity; a mass of smoking material within said cavity; a heating material heatable by the penetration of a fluctuating magnetic field to heat the smokable material; Equipped with An article wherein at least a portion of the container is porous to allow volatilized material generated by heating the smoking material within the cavity to exit the cavity.
21. a device for heating the smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material; an article for use with the device, the article comprising a container defining a cavity and a mass of smoking material within the cavity; A system comprising: the apparatus comprising a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of the article; and a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field used to heat the smokable material when the portion of the article is within the heating zone; A system wherein the container is malleable or a portion of the container is porous to allow volatilized material generated by heating the smokable material within the cavity to escape from the cavity.
22. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the article comprises a heating material heatable by penetration of the varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material when the portion of the article is within a heating zone.