Aerosol supply device

Abstract

An aerosol supply device is provided for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol supply device comprises an elongated receptacle positioned to receive at least a portion of an article having the aerosol-generating material and defining a heating zone having a longitudinal axis, and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a changing magnetic field within the heating zone. The magnetic field generator includes an inductor coil configuration comprising a first array of at least two inductor coils axially aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and a second array of at least two inductor coils axially aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The first and second arrays are offset from each other about the longitudinal axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol supply device. The present invention also relates to an aerosol supply system comprising the aerosol supply device and an article containing an aerosol-generating material.

Background Art

[0002] Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars burn tobacco during use to generate tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these tobacco-burning articles by creating products that release compounds without combustion. An example of such a product is a heating device that releases compounds by heating rather than burning the material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, and may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary of Invention

[0003] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the device comprising a receptacle defining a heating zone arranged to receive at least a portion of an article, wherein the article comprises the aerosol-generating material, and the heating zone defines a longitudinal axis; and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field within the heating zone, wherein the magnetic field generator comprises an inductor coil arrangement comprising a first array of at least two inductor coils aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and a second array of at least two inductor coils aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and the first array and the second array are offset from each other around the longitudinal axis.

[0004] The receptacle may be elongated. The first array of at least two inductor coils may be axially aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The second array of at least two inductor coils may be axially aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0005] Each inductor coil may be a substantially planar coil. Each inductor coil may be a spiral coil. Each inductor coil may have a maximum width greater than the maximum height of the inductor coil. Each inductor coil may have a flat spiral coil. A flat spiral coil may be curved.

[0006] The first array may be located on the opposite side of the heating zone from the second array.

[0007] The inductor coils may be arranged in pairs facing each other in opposite directions. The array of inductor coils may be on both sides of the heating zone.

[0008] The distance between a pair of inductor coils facing each other in the opposite direction may be greater than 2 mm, optionally greater than 3 mm, optionally greater than 5 mm, optionally greater than 7.5 mm, and optionally greater than 10 mm.

[0009] The first array may extend parallel to the second array.

[0010] Each inductor coil may be independently controllable to achieve zone-specific heating in the heating zone.

[0011] The first array may include at least three inductor coils.

[0012] The inductor coils of the first array may be arranged at equal intervals from one another. The inductor coils of the second array may be arranged at equal intervals from one another.

[0013] The inductor coils of the first array may be axially offset from the inductor coils of the second array.

[0014] The device may include a third array of at least two inductor coils aligned axially along the longitudinal axis.

[0015] The first, second, and third arrays may be arranged in a triangular configuration around the longitudinal axis.

[0016] The heating zone may have a triangular cross-section.

[0017] The device may include a fourth array of at least two inductor coils aligned axially along the longitudinal axis.

[0018] The first, second, third, and fourth arrays may be arranged in an equiangular quadrilateral configuration around the longitudinal axis.

[0019] The equilateral quadrilateral configuration may also be a square configuration.

[0020] The heating zone may have a square cross-section.

[0021] The array may be evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis.

[0022] The coils dispersed axially on each side of the receptacle may be aligned axially.

[0023] Each coil may be configured to heat a portion of the surface of an article housed in a receptacle, and the article has multiple surfaces.

[0024] Each coil may be configured to heat a specific area of ​​the article.

[0025] According to some embodiments described herein, there is an article for use with the above-described device, comprising a substrate, a first array of aerosol-generating material, and a second array of aerosol-generating material, wherein a first plurality of portions of the aerosol-generating material is configured to be heated by a first array of at least two inductor coils, and a second plurality of portions of the aerosol-generating material is configured to be heated by a second array of at least two inductor coils.

[0026] The flow path may be defined between the first array of aerosol-generating material and the second array of aerosol-generating material.

[0027] The first array of aerosol-generating material may comprise a first plurality of portions of aerosol-generating material.

[0028] The second array of aerosol-generating material comprises a second plurality of portions of aerosol-generating material.

[0029] Each portion of the first plurality of portions of aerosol-generating material may be heated by a corresponding coil in the first array of at least two inductor coils. Each portion of the second plurality of portions of aerosol-generating material may be heated by a corresponding coil in the second array of at least two inductor coils.

[0030] The first array of aerosol-generating material may comprise a first continuous strip of aerosol-generating material.

[0031] The second array of aerosol-generating material may comprise a second continuous strip of aerosol-generating material.

[0032] A portion of the first continuous strip of aerosol-generating material may be heated by a corresponding coil in the first array of at least two inductor coils, and a portion of the second continuous strip of aerosol-generating material may be heated by a corresponding coil in the second array of at least two inductor coils.

[0033] The article may be inserted into the device such that the first array of aerosol-generating material is aligned with the first array of at least two inductor coils, and the second array of aerosol-generating material is aligned with the second array of at least two inductor coils.

[0034] The article may have multiple faces. Each face may contain a corresponding array of aerosol-generating material.

[0035] The substrate may contain a material that readily induces eddy currents internally due to the penetration of a changing magnetic field.

[0036] The article may have a polygonal cross-section.

[0037] According to some embodiments described herein, an article for use with the above-described device is provided, comprising a substrate, a first array of aerosol-generating material, a second array of aerosol-generating material, and a channel defined between the first array of aerosol-generating material and the second array of aerosol-generating material.

[0038] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply system is provided comprising an aerosol supply device and article as described in any of the above.

[0039] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply device is provided for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, comprising an elongated receptacle having a longitudinal axis and positioned to receive at least a portion of an article containing the aerosol-generating material, defining a heating zone.

[0040] According to some embodiments described herein, a method is provided for operating an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol supply device comprising an elongated receptacle positioned to receive at least a portion of an article containing the aerosol-generating material and defining a heating zone having a longitudinal axis, and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a changing magnetic field within the heating zone, the magnetic field generator comprising an inductor coil configuration comprising a first array of at least two inductor coils axially aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis and a second array of at least two inductor coils axially aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the first and second arrays being offset from each other about the longitudinal axis, the method comprising one of the steps of a) sequentially operating each of the first array of at least two inductor coils before operating each of the second array of at least two inductor coils, or b) alternating operation of one of the first arrays of at least two inductor coils followed by operation of one of the second arrays of at least two inductor coils.

[0041] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described as merely examples with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0042] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the aerosol supply system is shown. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the aerosol supply device for the system. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram of the heating assembly for an aerosol supply device is shown. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of the heating assembly. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0043] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating material” refers to a material that can generate an aerosol when energy is supplied, for example, by heating, irradiation, or any other means. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, which may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings. The aerosol-generating material may include any plant-based material, such as tobacco-containing material, and may include one or more of the following: tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, recombined tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The aerosol-generating material may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, gel, or wax. The aerosol-generating material may also be, for example, a combination or blend of materials. The aerosol-generating material may also be known as “smoked material.”

[0044] The aerosol-generating material may include a binder and an aerosol-forming agent. Optionally, an activator and / or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent such as water may also be present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of plant-based materials. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0045] The aerosol-generating material may include or may be an amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be a monolithic solid. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material capable of holding some fluid, such as a liquid, within the amorphous solid. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may include, for example, about 50% by weight, 60% by weight, or 70% by weight of amorphous solid, or about 90% by weight, 95% by weight, or 100% by weight of amorphous solid.

[0046] The aerosol-generating material may include an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may include, or may be, a sheet that can be optionally shredded to form shredded sheets. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may not substantially contain tobacco.

[0047] According to this disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol supply system is a system in which the aerosol-generating materials (or their components) that make up the aerosol supply system are not burned or incinerated in order to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to the user.

[0048] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol supply system.

[0049] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0050] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. An example of such a system is a cigarette heating system.

[0051] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of one or more aerosol-generating materials that can be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0052] Typically, a non-combustible aerosol supply system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol supply device and consumables for use with the non-combustible aerosol supply device.

[0053] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating materials and configured for use with non-combustible aerosol supply devices. These consumables may be referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

[0054] In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol supply system, for example, the non-combustible aerosol supply device, may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, a power source or a heat source. In some embodiments, the heat source includes a carbon substrate to which energy can be supplied to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or heat transfer material adjacent to the heat source.

[0055] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system may include a consumable receiving area, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0056] In some embodiments, consumables for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device may include aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, packaging material, a filter, a suction nozzle and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0057] An aerosol generating device can accept an article containing an aerosol-generating material for heating. In this context, “article” refers to a component that contains or is contained with an aerosol-generating material at the time of use, which is heated to volatilize the aerosol-generating material, and optionally, other components at the time of use. The user may insert the article into the aerosol generating device before the article is heated to generate an aerosol, after which the user inhales the aerosol. The article may be of a predetermined or specific size, for example, configured to be placed in a heating chamber of a device sized to accept the article.

[0058] Figure 1 shows an aerosol supply system 101 including an aerosol supply device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material and an article 200. The article 200 is an article containing the aerosol-generating material. The article 200 is shown outside the device 100. The device 100 may be used to heat a replaceable article 200 containing the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium to be inhaled by a user of the device 100. When in use, the article 200 is inserted into the device 100 for heating.

[0059] Device 100 comprises a body 110, which surrounds and houses various components of device 100. The body 110 defines the device housing. An opening 132 is formed at one end of the body 110, through which an article 200 can be inserted into the receptacle 130 for heating by the aerosol generator 114 (see Figure 2). During use, the article may be fully or partially inserted into a heating zone 125 (shown in Figure 2) defined by the receptacle 130, where it may be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 114. The aerosol generator 114 comprises an inductor coil component 120.

[0060] Device 100 may also include user-operable control elements 111, such as buttons or switches that operate device 100 when pressed. For example, a user may turn on device 100 by operating a switch.

[0061] The end of the device 100 closest to the opening 132 may be known as the proximal end (or mouth end) 105 of the device 100, as it is closest to the user's mouth during use. During use, the user inserts the article 200 into the opening 132, operates the aerosol generator 114 to begin heating the aerosol-generating material, and aspirates the aerosol generated within the device 100. This causes the aerosol to flow through the device 100 along a channel toward the proximal end 105 of the device 100.

[0062] The other end of the device furthest from the opening 160 may be known as the distal end 106 of the device 100, as it is the end furthest from the user's mouth during use. When the user inhales the aerosol generated within the device, the aerosol flows toward the proximal end 105 of the device 100. The terms proximal and distal applied to the features of the device 100 are explained by referring to the relative arrangement of such features toward each other in the proximal-distal direction along the longitudinal axis 107.

[0063] Article 200 is inserted into and removed from device 100 through opening 132. Article 200 comprises a substrate 210 in which eddy currents are readily induced due to the penetration of a changing magnetic field. The substrate 210 comprises a susceptor layer and a support layer. The support layer may be omitted. The substrate 210 may be sealed inside article 200. Figure 1 shows the article in a cross-sectional view to illustrate the internal structure of article 200. The article may have a first side surface 201 and a second side surface 202. An airflow channel (not shown) is provided between the first side surface 201 and the second side surface 202 so that air flows through article 200 from the distal end to the proximal end. The article comprises a suction port 209 that protrudes from device 100 when article 200 is inserted into device 100. Air flows through article 200 and out through the suction port 209. The base material 210 is disposed inside the first and second sides 201 and 202. The article 200 may have an outer layer surrounding it.

[0064] An aerosol-generating material 230 is disposed on a substrate 210. The aerosol-generating material 230 is placed on a susceptor layer inside the article 200. The aerosol-generating material 230 is exposed to air flowing through an air channel inside the article 200. A first side surface 201 of the article 200 has a first array 231 of the aerosol-generating material disposed inside the first side surface 201. The first array 231 of the aerosol-generating material comprises multiple parts of the aerosol-generating material. In this embodiment, the susceptor layer, which functions as a susceptor, is a foil layer. The foil may be aluminum foil. The susceptor may comprise individual susceptor parts.

[0065] The second side of article 200 has a second array 232 of aerosol-generating material disposed inside the second side 202. The second array 232 of aerosol-generating material comprises multiple parts of aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material in each array may be defined by a continuous strip.

[0066] The base material 210 has a length along the longitudinal axis 107. The length of the base material 210 is greater than the width and / or thickness of the base material 210. The first and second arrays 231, 232 of the aerosol-generating material are arranged along the length of the base material 210. The proximal end 105 of the article 200 may be provided with a mouthpiece 209. The proximal end 105 of the article 200 does not have to contain aerosol-generating material so that a user can insert a portion of this end into their mouth when using it. Multiple portions of the aerosol-generating material of the first array 231 are evenly spaced apart from each other on the base material 210. Multiple portions of the aerosol-generating material of the second array 232 are evenly spaced apart from each other on the base material 210. In embodiments, the first and second arrays of the aerosol-generating material may each be a continuous strip of aerosol-generating material.

[0067] In the embodiment, the substrate and aerosol-generating material may be disposed on the outside of the article. The article may be fully inserted into the device. The air passage may be on the outside of the article. The device may have an intake port on the device.

[0068] Article 200 may be substantially flat. Receptacle 130 is molded to receive article 200. Opening 132 has a slot for receiving the substantially flat article 200. In embodiments, the opening and / or receptacle may have the same cross-sectional shape as the article. The aerosol-generating material portion 232 is planar. In other embodiments, the article may have a different shape. The article may have multiple sides, each having an array of aerosol-generating material. In embodiments, the article may have at least one flat or arc-shaped side. Substrate 210 may provide structural support to the article. In embodiments, the article may have a cross-section that is one of square, rectangular, lenticular, or elliptical. In embodiments, the opening has the same cross-sectional shape as the article. Substrate 210 may comprise a flat strip having an array of aerosol-generating material on each side. Substrate 210 includes foil. Surprisingly, it has been confirmed that by providing opposing or substantially opposing coils, a substantial heating effect can be caused on the first susceptor element positioned adjacent to the coil, without causing a substantial heating effect on the second susceptor element positioned adjacent to or directly adjacent to the first susceptor element on the opposite side of the first susceptor element. The substrate functioning as the first susceptor element can act to limit the influence of the second substrate, and thus the aerosol-generating material on one side of the article, on the coil on the opposite side of the article.

[0069] Surprisingly, it has been confirmed that by placing coils in very close proximity to each other, or substantially opposite each other, it is possible to induce a substantial heating effect on the susceptor material placed between the coils without substantially inducing the coil opposite the activated coil on the opposite side of the susceptor material. The susceptor material acts to control the magnetic flux generated by the activated coil so that the magnetic flux is constrained to the side on which the susceptor material and the activated coil are located.

[0070] Figure 2 shows an inductor coil assembly 120 of the aerosol supply device 100. In this embodiment, the inductor coil assembly 120 comprises a first coil array 121 and a second coil array 122. The first coil array 121 comprises a plurality of coils 123 aligned axially along one side of the heating zone 125. The second coil array 122 comprises a plurality of coils 124 aligned axially along opposing sides of the heating zone 125. The coil arrays 121 and 122 are located on opposite sides of the heating zone 125. The first coil array 121 is parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second coil array 122. The second coil array 122 is parallel to the longitudinal axis and the first coil array 121. The first coil array 121 is aligned along a first plane parallel to a second plane, and the second coil array is aligned along the second plane. Figure 2 shows coil arrays 121, 122, each comprising five inductor coils arranged along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. In embodiments, the first and second coil arrays 121, 122 may each comprise two or more coils 123, 124 aligned in the axial direction. Each coil array 121, 122 comprises a plurality of flat spiral coils. In embodiments, the inductor coils may be planar or substantially planar coils. In embodiments, the inductor coil configuration comprises a plurality of coil arrays. Each inductor coil may be a spiral coil. Each inductor coil may have a maximum width greater than the maximum height of the inductor coil. The flat spiral coils may be arc-shaped. Each inductor coil may be spiral, non-spiral, square, rectangular, and / or trapezoidal.

[0071] The coils of each coil array 121, 122 are evenly spaced apart from one another and evenly distributed along a portion of the axis parallel to the longitudinal axis 107. Each coil 123, 124 of the first and second coil arrays 121, 122 can be independently controlled to achieve zone-specific heating within the heating zone 125.

[0072] Each coil in the first coil array 121 has a coil that is directly opposite to the second coil array 122. The oppositely opposite pair of inductor coils may be arranged in close proximity to the article, allowing air to flow between the article and the receptacle 130. The distance between the oppositely opposite pair of inductor coils is greater than 2 mm, optionally 3 mm, optionally 5 mm, optionally 7.5 mm, or optionally 10 mm.

[0073] Each portion of the aerosol-generating material in the first array 231 is heated by the corresponding coil of the first coil array 121. Each portion of the aerosol-generating material in the second array 232 is heated by the corresponding coil of the second coil array 122. Each coil heats the corresponding portion of the aerosol-generating material within its coil without heating the other portions of the aerosol-generating material within the article.

[0074] The receptacle 130 has two sides on which coil arrays 121 and 122 are disposed. The receptacle may also have two sides that do not contain coil arrays. The heating zone 125 has a substantially rectangular cross-section, and the length of the side on which the first and second coil arrays 121 and 122 are disposed is longer than the length of the side on which no coil arrays are disposed. In embodiments, the heating zone may have different cross-sections. The receptacle may have coil arrays disposed on all or at least three sides.

[0075] The inductor coil configuration 120 in Figure 2 has two coil arrays. In the embodiment, the inductor coil configuration has three or more coil arrays, such as three or four coil arrays.

[0076] Figure 3 shows a system 301 comprising an article 400 having four sides 401, 402, 403, and 404, each having an array of aerosol-generating material 431, 432, 433, and 434, and a device 300 having an inductor coil configuration 320 having four coil arrays 321, 322, 323, and 324. Figure 4 shows a top view of the device 300 showing the configuration of the heating zone 325 and the coil arrays 321, 322, 323, and 324. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the article with the aerosol-generating material arrays 431, 432, 433, and 434 exposed. The aerosol-generating material arrays 431, 432, 433, and 434 are arranged inside each side 401, 402, 403, and 404 within the article 400. The aerosol-generating material arrays 431, 432, 433, and 434 are located within the article 400 so that air flows through the article 400 and over the aerosol-generating material arrays 431, 432, 433, and 434 during use. The aerosols generated by heating the aerosol-generating material arrays 431, 432, 433, and 434 are released into the air passage through the article 400. The suction port 409 protrudes from the device. In embodiments, the article may be entirely within the device so that the device has a suction port. In embodiments, the air passage may be outside the article, and the aerosol-generating material arrays are arranged on the outer surfaces of each side of the article.

[0077] The heating zone 325 is approximately square to accommodate an article 400 having four sides 401, 402, 403, and 404, each having an array of aerosol-generating material 431, 432, 433, and 434. Each side of the heating zone 325 has a corresponding coil array 321, 322, 323, and 324. The cross-section of the article 400 is approximately square to fit within the heating zone 325.

[0078] Figure 3 shows arrays 431, 432, 433, and 434 of aerosol-generating material, each containing four parts of the aerosol-generating material, and each coil array 321, 322, 323, and 324 comprising four coils 322. In embodiments, an array of aerosol-generating material may comprise a single continuous strip of aerosol-generating material. In embodiments, each array of aerosol-generating material may comprise two or more parts of the aerosol-generating material. In embodiments, each coil array may comprise two or more coils. In embodiments, the heating zone may have a different shape, such as a rectangle or a triangle, or have three or more sides. In embodiments, the cross-section of the article may be rectangular or triangular, or have three or more sides.

[0079] During use, air flows through article 200 and over aerosol-generating material portions 232. Each aerosol-generating material portion is heated by its own coil 122 to release aerosol-generating material 230 into the airflow path through article 200. In embodiments, portions of aerosol-generating material in an array of aerosol-generating material may be heated by two or more coils in a coil array.

[0080] The electronics assembly 112 is located within the main body 110. The electronics assembly 112 includes a power source. The power source may be a battery, such as a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. Suitable battery examples include, for example, lithium batteries (such as lithium-ion batteries), nickel batteries (such as nickel-cadmium batteries), and alkaline batteries. The battery is electrically coupled to the heating structure 120 to heat the aerosol-generating material by supplying power under the control of a controller as needed. The electronics assembly 112 includes an electronics module. The electronics module may include a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The PCBA may include a printed circuit board (PCB) supporting, for example, at least one controller such as a processor and memory. The PCB may also include one or more electrical tracks for electrically connecting various electronic components together. Battery terminals may be electrically connected to the PCB so that power can be distributed throughout the device 100. The heating structure 120 is connected to the electronics assembly. The coils of each coil array 121, 122 may be arranged on the PCB. The PCB may be flexible. Each coil in the coil array may be equipped with Litz wire.

[0081] The memory may include computer-readable instructions configured to cause the device to perform one of the following steps when executed by the processor: sequentially operate each of the first arrays of at least two inductor coils before operating each of the second arrays of at least two inductor coils, or alternately operate one of the first arrays of at least two inductor coils followed by one of the second arrays of at least two inductor coils. In embodiments, the coils of each array of at least two inductor coils may operate sequentially along adjacent coils in the array. The coils of each array of at least two inductor coils may operate in a random order. In embodiments where the array has multiple coils, the coils of each array may operate in an order such as even-numbered coils operating followed by odd-numbered coils. Other such sequences may include operating every n coils, where n is a multiple of the number of coils in the array. In embodiments, each first coil of each array operates independently, followed by each second coil of each array, and so on, until all coils of all arrays have been operated.

[0082] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered limitations to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or to equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be used and modified without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably include, consist of, or essentially consist of, appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Furthermore, this disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An aerosol supply device for generating aerosols from aerosol-generating materials, A receptacle defining a heating zone arranged to receive at least a portion of an article, wherein the article comprises an aerosol-generating material and the heating zone defines a longitudinal axis of the receptacle, The system includes a magnetic field generator configured to generate a changing magnetic field within the heating zone, The magnetic field generator comprises a first array of at least two inductor coils aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis, A second array of at least two inductor coils aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis and Includes an inductor coil configuration comprising, An aerosol supply device in which the first array and the second array are offset from each other around the longitudinal axis.

2. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein each of the inductor coils is a substantially planar coil.

3. The aerosol supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first array is located on the opposite side of the heating zone from the second array.

4. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inductor coils are arranged on both sides of the heating zone in a pair that faces each other in the exact opposite direction.

5. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first array extends parallel to the second array.

6. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the inductor coils is independently controllable to achieve zone-specific heating of the heating zone.

7. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first array comprises at least three inductor coils.

8. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a third array of at least two inductor coils aligned axially in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

9. The aerosol supply device according to claim 8, wherein the first array, the second array, and the third array are arranged in a triangular configuration around the longitudinal axis.

10. The aerosol supply device according to claim 8, comprising a fourth array of at least two inductor coils aligned axially in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

11. The aerosol supply device according to claim 10, wherein the first array, the second array, the third array, and the fourth array are arranged in an equiangular quadrilateral configuration around the longitudinal axis.

12. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the array is evenly distributed around the longitudinal axis.

13. An article for use with the device described in any one of claims 1 to 12, Substrate and The first array of aerosol-generating materials, The aerosol generating material comprises a second array of aerosol generating material portions, An article wherein a first plurality of portions of the aerosol-generating material are configured to be heated by a first array of at least two inductor coils, and a second plurality of portions of the aerosol-generating material are configured to be heated by a second array of at least two inductor coils.

14. The article according to claim 13, wherein the first array of the aerosol generating material comprises a first plurality of parts of the aerosol generating material, the second array of the aerosol generating material comprises a second plurality of parts of the aerosol generating material, each part of the first plurality of parts of the aerosol generating material is heated by a corresponding coil of the first array of at least two inductor coils, and each part of the second plurality of parts of the aerosol generating material is heated by a corresponding coil of the second array of at least two inductor coils.

15. The article according to claim 13, wherein the first array of aerosol generating material includes a first continuous strip of aerosol generating material, the second array of aerosol generating material includes a second continuous strip of aerosol generating material, a portion of the first continuous strip of aerosol generating material is heated by corresponding coils of the first array of at least two inductor coils, and a portion of the second continuous strip of aerosol generating material is heated by corresponding coils of the second array of at least two inductor coils.

16. The article according to claim 13, 14, or 15, wherein the first array of the aerosol-generating material is inserted into the device such that it aligns with the first array of the at least two inductor coils, and the second array of the aerosol-generating material is aligned with the second array of the at least two inductor coils.

17. An article according to any one of claims 13 to 16, comprising multiple surfaces.

18. The article according to claim 17, wherein each of the aforementioned surfaces includes a corresponding array of aerosol-generating material.

19. The article according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the substrate includes a material that readily induces eddy currents internally due to the penetration of a changing magnetic field.

20. An aerosol supply system comprising the aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and an article containing an aerosol generating material.

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