U.S. patent application number 14/927539 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-04 for article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material.
The applicant listed for this patent is British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited. Invention is credited to Thomas P. BLANDINO, James J. FRATER, Duane A. KAUFMAN, John A. MILLER, Benjamin J. PAPROCKI, Raymond J. ROBEY, Andrew P. WILKE.
Application Number | 20170119049 14/927539 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57389379 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170119049 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BLANDINO; Thomas P. ; et
al. |
May 4, 2017 |
Article for Use with Apparatus for Heating Smokable Material
Abstract
Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating
smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the
smokable material. The article comprises a sheet comprising
smokable material, and heating material that is heatable by
penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable
material. The sheet may be a planar sheet or a rolled sheet. Also
disclosed is a system, comprising the article and apparatus for
heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of
the smokable material. The apparatus comprises a heating zone for
receiving at least a portion of the article, and a magnetic field
generator for generating a varying magnetic field to be used in
heating the smokable material when the portion of the article is in
the heating zone.
Inventors: |
BLANDINO; Thomas P.;
(Cottage Grove, WI) ; WILKE; Andrew P.; (Madison,
WI) ; FRATER; James J.; (Madison, WI) ;
PAPROCKI; Benjamin J.; (Cottage Grove, WI) ; KAUFMAN;
Duane A.; (Hollandale, WI) ; ROBEY; Raymond J.;
(Madison, WI) ; MILLER; John A.; (Marshall,
WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
57389379 |
Appl. No.: |
14/927539 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 1/042 20130101;
A24F 40/20 20200101; H05B 3/0014 20130101; H05B 6/105 20130101;
H05B 3/34 20130101; A24F 47/008 20130101; A24D 1/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00; H05B 3/34 20060101 H05B003/34; H05B 3/00 20060101
H05B003/00 |
Claims
1. An article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material
to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the
article comprising: a sheet comprising smokable material; and
heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying
magnetic field to heat the smokable material.
2. The article of claim 1, wherein the heating material is in
contact with the sheet.
3. The article of claim 1, wherein the sheet is planar or
substantially planar.
4. The article of claim 1, wherein the sheet is a rolled sheet.
5. The article of claim 4, wherein an axial length of the rolled
sheet is greater than a diameter of the rolled sheet.
6. The article of claim 4, comprising at least one connector
comprising heating material that is heatable by penetration with a
varying magnetic field, wherein the rolled sheet is elongate in an
axial direction, and wherein the, or each, connector is located at
a longitudinal end of the rolled sheet so that the heating material
of the, or each, connector contacts the heating material that is
heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the
smokable material.
7. The article of claim 4, comprising a mass of smokable material
discrete from, and encircled by, the rolled sheet.
8. The article of claim 1, wherein all or substantially all of a
surface of the sheet is covered by the heating material.
9. The article of claim 1, comprising a plurality of discrete
bodies on a surface of the sheet, wherein each of the discrete
bodies comprises the heating material.
10. The article of claim 9, wherein each of the discrete bodies
comprises a tube comprising the heating material or a strip
comprising the heating material.
11. The article of claim 1, wherein the heating material is in the
form of at least one spiral or closed circuit.
12. The article of claim 1, comprising ink on the sheet, wherein
the ink comprises the heating 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
magnetic electrically-conductive material.
14. The article of claim 1, wherein the heating material comprises
a metal or a metal alloy.
15. 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 smokable material comprises
tobacco and/or one or more humectants.
17. An article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material
to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the
article comprising: a sheet comprising smokable material; and an
adhesive surface for adhering the sheet to a carrier.
18. The article of claim 17, wherein the adhesive surface comprises
adhesive on a surface of the sheet.
19. The article of claim 17, wherein the sheet is a rolled
sheet.
20. The article of claim 17, comprising a backing sheet, wherein
the adhesive surface is in contact with the backing sheet, and
wherein the backing sheet is removable from the adhesive surface to
expose the adhesive surface.
21. A system, comprising: apparatus for heating smokable material
to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material; and
an article for use with the apparatus, the article comprising a
sheet comprising smokable material, and heating material that is
heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the
smokable material; wherein the apparatus comprises a heating zone
for receiving at least a portion of the article, and a magnetic
field generator for generating a varying magnetic field to be used
in heating the smokable material when the portion of the article is
in the heating zone.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Embodiments relate to articles for use with apparatus for
heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of
the smokable material, and to systems comprising such apparatus and
such articles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like
burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been
made to provide alternatives to these articles by creating products
that release compounds without combusting. Examples of such
products are so-called "heat not burn" products or tobacco heating
devices or products, which release compounds by heating, but not
burning, material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or
other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain
nicotine.
SUMMARY
[0003] A first aspect of embodiments provides an article for use
with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least
one component of the smokable material, the article comprising:
[0004] a sheet comprising smokable material; and
[0005] heating material that is heatable by penetration with a
varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material.
[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is in
contact with the sheet.
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is on a
surface of the sheet.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is embedded
within the sheet.
[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises
reconstituted smokable material.
[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the sheet consists entirely or
substantially entirely of the reconstituted smokable material.
[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the sheet is planar or
substantially planar.
[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the sheet is a rolled sheet.
[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, an axial length of the rolled
sheet is greater than a diameter of the rolled sheet.
[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises at least
one connector comprising heating material that is heatable by
penetration with a varying magnetic field,
[0015] wherein the rolled sheet is elongate in an axial direction,
and
[0016] wherein the, or each, connector is located at a longitudinal
end of the rolled sheet so that the heating material of the, or
each, connector contacts the heating material that is heatable by
penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable
material.
[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a mass of
smokable material discrete from, and encircled by, the rolled
sheet.
[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises adhesive
adhering two portions of the rolled sheet to each other.
[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, all or substantially all of a
surface of the sheet is covered by the heating material.
[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, a surface of the sheet is only
partially covered by the heating material.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a
plurality of discrete bodies on a surface of the sheet, wherein
each of the discrete bodies comprises the heating material.
[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the discrete bodies
comprises a tube comprising the heating material. In an exemplary
embodiment, each of the tubes is a carbon tube.
[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the discrete bodies
comprises a strip or track comprising the heating material.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is in the
form of at least one spiral.
[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is in the
form of at least one closed circuit.
[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises ink on the
sheet, wherein the ink comprises the heating material.
[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises
one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: an
electrically-conductive material, a magnetic material, and a
magnetic electrically-conductive material.
[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises a
metal or a metal alloy.
[0029] 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.
[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is in
contact with the smokable material.
[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises
tobacco and/or one or more humectants.
[0032] A second aspect of embodiments provides an article for use
with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least
one component of the smokable material, the article comprising:
[0033] a sheet comprising smokable material; and
[0034] an adhesive surface for adhering the sheet to a carrier.
[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive surface comprises
adhesive on a surface of the sheet.
[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive surface is a
surface of the sheet.
[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the sheet is a rolled sheet.
[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises
reconstituted smokable material.
[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the sheet consists entirely or
substantially entirely of the reconstituted smokable material.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a backing
sheet, wherein the adhesive surface is in contact with the backing
sheet.
[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the backing sheet is removable
from the adhesive surface to expose the adhesive surface.
[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the backing sheet comprises
glass fibers and/or carbon fibers.
[0043] A third aspect of embodiments provides a system,
comprising:
[0044] apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at
least one component of the smokable material; and
[0045] an article for use with the apparatus, the article
comprising a sheet comprising smokable material, and heating
material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic
field to heat the smokable material;
[0046] wherein the apparatus comprises a heating zone for receiving
at least a portion of the article, and a magnetic field generator
for generating a varying magnetic field to be used in heating the
smokable material when the portion of the article is in the heating
zone.
[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises
reconstituted smokable material.
[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises heating
material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic
field to heat the smokable material when the portion of the article
is in the heating zone.
[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the article of the system is the
article of the first aspect of embodiments. The article of the
system may have any one or more of the features discussed above as
being present in respective exemplary embodiments of the article of
the first aspect.
[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the article of the system is the
article of the second aspect of embodiments. The article of the
system may have any one or more of the features discussed above as
being present in respective exemplary embodiments of the article of
the second aspect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0051] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0052] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of
an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.
[0053] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of
another article for use with apparatus for heating smokable
material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material.
[0054] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of
another article for use with apparatus for heating smokable
material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material.
[0055] FIG. 4 shows a schematic front view of an example of another
article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.
[0056] FIG. 5 shows a schematic front view of an example of another
article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.
[0057] FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of an example of another
article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.
[0058] FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of
another article for use with apparatus for heating smokable
material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material.
[0059] FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of
another article for use with apparatus for heating smokable
material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material.
[0060] FIG. 9 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example
of a system comprising the article of FIG. 2 and apparatus for the
heating smokable material of the article to volatilize at least one
component of the smokable material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0061] As used herein, the term "smokable material" includes
materials that provide volatilized components upon heating,
typically in the form of vapor or an aerosol. "Smokable material"
may be a non-tobacco-containing material or a tobacco-containing
material. "Smokable material" may, for example, include one or more
of tobacco per se, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco,
reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenized tobacco or
tobacco substitutes. The smokable material can be in the form of
ground tobacco, cut rag tobacco, extruded tobacco, reconstituted
tobacco, reconstituted smokable material, liquid, gel, gelled
sheet, powder, or agglomerates, or the like. "Smokable material"
also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on
the product, may or may not contain nicotine. "Smokable material"
may comprise one or more humectants, such as glycerol or propylene
glycol.
[0062] As used herein, the term "heating material" or "heater
material" refers to material that is heatable by penetration with a
varying magnetic field.
[0063] As used herein, the term "reconstituted smokable material"
refers to reconstituted tobacco (sometimes itself referred to as
tobacco "recon"), such as reconstituted tobacco sheet, or other
reconstituted smokable material. The reconstituted smokable
material may comprise a plurality of different types of tobacco or
other smokable material, which may have been selected to improve
the transmission of tobacco tastes and flavors to a user in use.
For example, the reconstituted smokable material may comprise one
or more of sun-cured tobacco, dark air-cured tobacco, fire-cured
tobacco or any other suitable tobacco type. The reconstituted
smokable material may be produced by subjecting smokable material
to one or more processes comprising drying the smokable material,
milling the dried smokable material to a particle size suitable for
making a sheet, optionally adding fiber, a binding agent and/or a
humectant, and/or forming the resultant product into a
reconstituted sheet. In some embodiments, the reconstituted
smokable material may be produced by subjecting smokable material
to one or more processes comprising mixing the smokable material
with a solvent such as an aqueous solvent, separating a soluble
portion of the smokable material from an insoluble portion,
mechanically refining the insoluble portion to produce a pulp,
forming the sheet into a pulp, removing excess liquid from the
pulp, concentrating the soluble portion such as by evaporation,
recombining the concentrated solubles with the sheet, and then
drying the resultant product.
[0064] As used herein, the terms "flavor" and "flavorant" refer to
materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to
create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers.
They may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese
white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol,
Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, 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, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander,
coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor
enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor
site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes
(e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine,
cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or
mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll,
minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be
imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They
may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, gel, powder,
or the like.
[0065] Induction heating is a process in which an
electrically-conductive object is heated by penetrating the object
with a varying magnetic field. The process is described by
Faraday's law of induction and Ohm's law. An induction heater may
comprise an electromagnet and a device for passing a varying
electrical current, such as an alternating current, through the
electromagnet. When the electromagnet and the object to be heated
are suitably relatively positioned so that the resultant varying
magnetic field produced by the electromagnet penetrates the object,
one or more eddy currents are generated inside the object. The
object has a resistance to the flow of electrical currents.
Therefore, when such eddy currents are generated in the object,
their flow against the electrical resistance of the object causes
the object to be heated. This process is called Joule, ohmic, or
resistive heating. An object that is capable of being inductively
heated is known as a susceptor.
[0066] It has been found that, when the susceptor is in the form of
a closed circuit, magnetic coupling between the susceptor and the
electromagnet in use is enhanced, which results in greater or
improved Joule heating.
[0067] Magnetic hysteresis heating is a process in which an object
made of a magnetic material is heated by penetrating the object
with a varying magnetic field. A magnetic material can be
considered to comprise many atomic-scale magnets, or magnetic
dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such material, the
magnetic dipoles align with the magnetic field. Therefore, when a
varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field, for
example as produced by an electromagnet, penetrates the magnetic
material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes with the
varying applied magnetic field. Such magnetic dipole reorientation
causes heat to be generated in the magnetic material.
[0068] When an object is both electrically-conductive and magnetic,
penetrating the object with a varying magnetic field can cause both
Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating in the object.
Moreover, the use of magnetic material can strengthen the magnetic
field, which can intensify the Joule heating.
[0069] In each of the above processes, as heat is generated inside
the object itself, rather than by an external heat source by heat
conduction, a rapid temperature rise in the object and more uniform
heat distribution can be achieved, particularly through selection
of suitable object material and geometry, and suitable varying
magnetic field magnitude and orientation relative to the object.
Moreover, as induction heating and magnetic hysteresis heating do
not require a physical connection to be provided between the source
of the varying magnetic field and the object, design freedom and
control over the heating profile may be greater, and cost may be
lower.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a schematic perspective
view of an example of an article according to an embodiment. The
article 1 comprises a sheet 10 comprising reconstituted smokable
material, and heating material 20 that is heatable by penetration
with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material.
Examples of such heating material are described below. The article
1 is for use with apparatus for heating the smokable material to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material without
burning the smokable material. Such an apparatus may comprise a
magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field to
be used in heating the heating material. An example such apparatus
100 is shown in FIG. 9 and described below.
[0071] In this embodiment, the sheet 10 is planar, or substantially
planar. However, the sheet 10 is bendable or rollable so as to from
a rolled sheet. By "rolled sheet," it is meant that the sheet 10 is
curved, such as without folding, so that the sheet 10 has an
elongate spiral or tubular shape. Such a rolled sheet may be less
prone to damage, more convenient to store and handle, and better
suited for use with the apparatus than the planar sheet.
[0072] In this embodiment, the heating material 20 is in contact
with the sheet 10. More specifically, in this embodiment, the
heating material 20 is on a surface of the sheet 10. Still more
specifically, in this embodiment, all or substantially all of a
surface of the sheet 10 is covered by a layer that comprises the
heating material 20. The layer may be a foil layer. However, as
will be apparent from the description below, in other embodiments
the surface of the sheet 100 may be only partially covered by the
heating material 20. Further, in some embodiments, the heating
material 20 may be on both opposite surfaces of the sheet 10. For
example, in some embodiments, all, substantially all, a majority,
or only a portion of each of two opposite surfaces of the sheet 10
may be covered by heating material 20.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a schematic perspective
view of an example of another article according to an embodiment.
The article 2 of FIG. 2 is identical to the article 1 described
above with reference to FIG. 1, other than the manner in which
heating material is provided in the article 2. Any of the
herein-described possible variations to the article 1 of FIG. 1 may
be made to the article 2 of FIG. 2 to form separate respective
embodiments.
[0074] In this embodiment, the heating material 20 again is on a
surface of the sheet 10 comprising reconstituted smokable material.
However, in this embodiment, the article 2 comprises a plurality of
discrete bodies 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d on a surface of the sheet 10,
and each of the discrete bodies 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d comprises the
heating material 20. In this embodiment, each of the discrete
bodies 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d comprises a strip or track 22a, 22b, 22c,
22d on a surface of the surface of the sheet 10.
[0075] In this embodiment, the strips 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d are
parallel to each other, but in other embodiments this may not be
the case. Further, in this embodiment, the strips 22a, 22b, 22c,
22d are all on one surface of the sheet 10, but in other
embodiments there may be one or more such strips on both opposite
surfaces of the sheet 10. In some embodiments, there may be only
one such strip 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d on a surface of the sheet 10.
[0076] In this embodiment, the strips 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d are
linear. In other embodiments, some or all of the strips 22a, 22b,
22c, 22d may be non-linear, such as curved or wavy.
[0077] In this embodiment, the strips 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d are of
substantially equal width in a direction perpendicular to their
respective elongate dimensions, and substantially equal thicknesses
in a direction normal to the surface on which they are provided. In
other embodiments, the strips 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d may be of
different respective widths and/or thicknesses. Regions of the
smokable material adjacent the wider or thicker tracks may then be
heated to a lesser degree by the application of a given varying
magnetic field than regions of the smokable material adjacent the
narrower tracks. Moreover, in some embodiments, the width and/or
thickness of one or more of the strips 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d may vary
along the path the strip follows. Therefore, in some embodiments,
one or more portions of the heating material 20 is/are able to heat
first region(s) of the smokable material relatively quickly to
initialize volatilization of at least one component of the smokable
material and formation of vapor in the first region(s) of the
smokable material, and one or more portions of the heating material
20 is/are able to heat second region(s) of the smokable material
relatively slowly to initialize volatilization of at least one
component of the smokable material and formation of vapor in the
second region(s) of the smokable material. Accordingly, vapor is
able to be formed relatively rapidly for inhalation by a user, and
vapor can continue to be formed thereafter for subsequent
inhalation by the user even after the first region(s) of the
smokable material may have ceased generating vapor. A given region
of the smokable material may cease generating the vapor when the
region becomes exhausted of volatilizable components of the
smokable material.
[0078] In each of the embodiments discussed herein, the heating
material 20 may have a skin depth, which is an exterior zone within
which most of an induced electrical current and/or induced
reorientation of magnetic dipoles occurs. By providing that the
component comprising the heating material 20 has a relatively small
thickness, a greater proportion of the heating material 20 may be
heatable by a given varying magnetic field, as compared to heating
material in a component having a depth or thickness that is
relatively large as compared to the other dimensions of the
component. Thus, a more efficient use of material is achieved. In
turn, costs are reduced.
[0079] In some embodiments, the strip or strips 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d
is/are in the form ink comprising the heating material 20. During
manufacture, the ink may be printed on the sheet 10, for example
using gravure printing. Ink may have a small thickness. Therefore,
induced electrical current and/or induced reorientation of magnetic
dipoles in the ink when subjected to a varying magnetic field may
penetrate most or all of the ink, rather than be confined to just a
"skin" thereof as can be the case when a component comprising
heating material has too great a thickness. Thus, a more efficient
use of material is achieved and, in turn, costs are reduced. In
other embodiments, the strip or strips 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d may be
adhered or otherwise provided on the surface of the sheet 10 in a
different manner.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a schematic perspective
view of an example of another article according to an embodiment.
The article 3 of FIG. 3 is identical to the article 2 described
above with reference to FIG. 2, other than the manner in which
heating material is provided in the article 3. Any of the
herein-described possible variations to the article 2 of FIG. 2 may
be made to the article 3 of FIG. 3 to form separate respective
embodiments.
[0081] In this embodiment, the article 3 again comprises a
plurality of discrete bodies 24a, 24b, 24c on a surface of the
sheet 10, and each of the discrete bodies 24a, 24b, 24c again
comprises the heating material 20. However, in this embodiment,
each of the discrete bodies 24a, 24b, 24c comprises a tube 24a,
24b, 24c on a surface of the sheet 10. The tubes 24a, 24b, 24c may
be affixed to the surface of the sheet 10 by an adhesive or the
like. In this embodiment, the tubes 24a, 24b, 24c are aligned
axially parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the tubes 24a,
24b, 24c are aligned magnetically with each other. That is,
magnetic dipoles within the tubes 24a, 24b, 24c are aligned
magnetically with each other. It has been found that, when the
tubes 24a, 24b, 24c are aligned magnetically with each other,
magnetic coupling between the tubes 24a, 24b, 24c and an
electromagnet of the apparatus may be enhanced in use, which
results in greater or improved Joule heating of the tubes 24a, 24b,
24c, and thus greater or improved heating of the smokable material.
In other embodiments, the tubes 24a, 24b, 24c may be aligned at
different relative orientations.
[0082] In this embodiment, the tubes 24a, 24b, 24c are all on one
surface of the sheet 10. In other embodiments there may be one or
more such tubes 24a, 24b, 24c on both opposite surfaces of the
sheet 10. In some embodiments, there may be only one such tube 24a,
24b, 24c on a surface of the sheet 10.
[0083] In some embodiments, the, or each, tube 24a, 24b, 24c may be
a carbon tube. In some embodiments, the, or each, tube 24a, 24b,
24c may have an outer diameter that is within the range of 0.05 to
2.0 millimeters, or within the range of 0.1 to 1.0 millimeters,
such as approximately 0.5 millimeters.
[0084] In this embodiment, each of the tubes 24a, 24b, 24c
comprises a closed circuit of heating material that is heatable by
penetration with a varying magnetic field. In some embodiments,
this can result in magnetic coupling between the tubes 24a, 24b,
24c and an electromagnet of the apparatus in use being enhanced,
which results in greater or improved Joule heating.
[0085] A tubular element can have a small cross-sectional area to
diameter ratio. Therefore, the circulating current in the tube when
subjected to a varying magnetic field may penetrate most or all of
the tube, rather than be confined to just a "skin" thereof as can
be the case when a component comprising heating material has too
greater a thickness. Thus, a more efficient use of material is
achieved and, in turn, costs are reduced.
[0086] In this embodiment, each of the tubes 24a, 24b, 24c consists
entirely, or substantially entirely, of the heating material.
However, in other embodiments, one or more of the tubes 24a, 24b,
24c may comprise a carrier that is free of heating material and
that carries the heating material. For example, one or more of the
tubes 24a, 24b, 24c may comprise a tubular carrier free of heating
material with a closed-circuit of the heating material coated
thereon.
[0087] In some variations to this embodiment, some or all of the
tubes 24a, 24b, 24c may be replaced with a loop-shaped or
ring-shaped element comprising a closed circuit of heating
material, or a carrier that is free of heating material and that
carries the closed circuit of heating material. A loop-shaped
element may be of any shape that defines a path that starts and
ends at the same point so as to create a closed circuit, whereas a
ring-shaped element necessarily is circular or substantially
circular.
[0088] Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a schematic perspective
view of an example of another article according to an embodiment.
The article 4 of FIG. 4 is identical to the article 2 described
above with reference to FIG. 2, other than the manner in which
heating material is provided in the article 4. Any of the
herein-described possible variations to the article 2 of FIG. 2 may
be made to the article 4 of FIG. 4 to form separate respective
embodiments.
[0089] In this embodiment, the article 4 again comprises a
plurality of discrete bodies 26a, 26b, 26c on a surface of the
sheet 10, and each of the discrete bodies 26a, 26b, 26c again
comprises the heating material 20. However, in this embodiment,
each of the discrete bodies 26a, 26b, 26c comprises a closed
circuit 26a, 26b, 26c of the heating material 20. Again, in some
embodiments, such a closed circuit of heating material can result
in magnetic coupling between the closed circuit(s) 26a, 26b, 26c
and an electromagnet of the apparatus in use being enhanced, which
results in greater or improved Joule heating.
[0090] In this embodiment, the closed circuits 26a, 26b, 26c are
arranged concentrically with one another. This can make efficient
use of the space on the sheet 10. In other embodiments, the closed
circuits 26a, 26b, 26c are arranged non-concentrically with one
another. For example, in some embodiments the closed circuits 26a,
26b, 26c may be arranged so that each of the closed circuits 26a,
26b, 26c is outside of each other of the closed circuits 26a, 26b,
26c.
[0091] Further, in this embodiment, the closed circuits 26a, 26b,
26c are all on one surface of the sheet 10, but in other
embodiments there may be one or more such closed circuits 26a, 26b,
26c on both opposite surfaces of the sheet 10. In some embodiments,
there may be only one such closed circuit 26a, 26b, 26c on a
surface of the sheet 10.
[0092] In some embodiments, the closed circuit(s) 26a, 26b, 26c
is/are in the form ink comprising the heating material 20. The ink
may be printed on the sheet 10, for example using gravure printing.
In other embodiments, the closed circuit(s) 26a, 26b, 26c may be
adhered or otherwise provided on a surface of the sheet 10 in a
different manner.
[0093] Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown a schematic perspective
view of an example of another article according to an embodiment.
The article 5 of FIG. 5 is identical to the article 4 described
above with reference to FIG. 4, other than the manner in which
heating material is provided in the article 5. Any of the
herein-described possible variations to the article 4 of FIG. 4 may
be made to the article 5 of FIG. 5 to form separate respective
embodiments.
[0094] In this embodiment, the article 5 comprises a spiral 28 of
the heating material 20 on a surface of the sheet 10. In some
embodiments, more than one such spiral 28 may be provided on the
surface of the sheet 10. In this embodiment the spiral 28 covers a
majority of a surface of the sheet 10. In some embodiments there
may be one or more such spirals 28 on both opposite surfaces of the
sheet 10.
[0095] In some embodiments, the spiral(s) 28 is/are in the form ink
comprising the heating material 20. The ink may be printed on the
sheet 10, for example using gravure printing. In other embodiments,
the spiral(s) 28 may be adhered or otherwise provided on a surface
of the sheet 10 in a different manner.
[0096] In each of the above-described embodiments, the sheet 10 is
planar, or substantially planar. However, in some embodiments, the
sheet 10 may be bendable or rollable so as to from a rolled sheet.
Such a rolled sheet may be less prone to damage, more convenient to
store and handle, and better suited for use with the apparatus.
[0097] In some embodiments the articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 may be
provided to a user in the respective states shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.
In other embodiments, the respective articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 may be
provided to a user with the sheet 10 in the form of a rolled sheet
10. In some such embodiments, an axial length of the rolled sheet
10 may be greater than a diameter (or width perpendicular to the
axial length) of the rolled sheet 10. The article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 may
have overall proportions approximating those of a cigarette. In
some embodiments, the sheet 10 may be rolled so that the sheet 10
defines an outer surface of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, which may
contact the apparatus in use. In some embodiments, the sheet 10 may
be rolled so that the sheet 10 lies between the heating material
and an exterior of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. In some embodiments,
the article may comprise an adhesive (not shown) that adheres
overlapped portions of the sheet 10 to each other to help prevent
the rolled sheet 10 from unraveling. The adhesive may comprise one
or more of, for example, gum Arabic, natural or synthetic resins,
starches, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose, and varnish. In other
embodiments, the adhesive may be omitted.
[0098] Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown a schematic perspective
view of an example of another article according to an embodiment.
The article 6 of FIG. 6 comprises a rolled sheet 10, which is
formed from the sheet 10 of the article 1 described above with
reference to FIG. 1. Any of the herein-described possible
variations to the article 1 of FIG. 1 may be made to the article 6
of FIG. 6 to form separate respective embodiments. Further, the
rolled sheet 10 of the article 6 of FIG. 6 may be replaced by a
rolled version of the sheet 10 of any of the other embodiments
described herein to form separate respective embodiments.
[0099] In this embodiment, the article 6 is elongate and
cylindrical with a substantially circular cross section. The rolled
sheet 10 of the article 6 has an axial length that is greater than
a diameter (or width perpendicular to the axial length) of the
rolled sheet 10. The sheet 10 is arranged so that the sheet 10 lies
between the heating material and an exterior of the article 6. This
helps to retain heat that is generated in the heating material 20
within the article 6. In some embodiments, the article 6 may
comprise an adhesive (not shown) that adheres overlapped portions
of the sheet 10 to each other to help prevent the rolled sheet 10
from unraveling. The adhesive may comprise one or more of the
possible adhesives discussed above, but in other embodiments such
adhesive may be omitted.
[0100] The article 6 comprises two connectors 32, 34, which are
located at opposite longitudinal ends of the rolled sheet 10. In
this embodiment, each of the connectors 32, 34 comprises a carrier
and one or more bodies of heating material on the carrier. In this
embodiment, the carrier is made from paper, but in other
embodiments the carrier may be made of a material other than paper,
such as an alternative electrically-insulating material. In other
embodiments, one or each of the connectors 32, 34 may instead
consist entirely or substantially entirely of heating material.
[0101] In this embodiment, the connectors 32, 34 are adhered to the
sheet 10 by an adhesive (not shown), which may comprise one or more
of the possible adhesives discussed above, but in other embodiments
such adhesive may be omitted. In this embodiment, the combination
of the sheet 10 and the connectors 32, 34 defines an outer surface
of the article 6, which may contact the apparatus in use.
[0102] In this embodiment, the connectors 32, 34 abut respective
longitudinal ends of the sheet 10 of reconstituted smokable
material, so as to form respective longitudinal ends of the article
6. In this embodiment, the connectors 32, 34 are arranged so that
the heating material of the connectors 32, 34 contacts the heating
material 20 that is heatable to heat the smokable material. As the
heating material 20 on the surface of the sheet 10 of reconstituted
smokable material is in the shape of an elongate spiral, the
heating material of the connectors 32, 34 acts to connect otherwise
spaced-apart portions of the heating material 20 on the surface of
the sheet 10, so as to define one or more closed circuits of
heating material. As noted elsewhere herein, the provision of a
closed circuit of heating material can result in magnetic coupling
between the closed circuit and an electromagnet of the apparatus in
use being enhanced, which results in greater or improved Joule
heating.
[0103] In a variation to the illustrated embodiment, the article 6
may be formed from the article 2 of FIG. 2, for example. That is,
the sheet 10 of the article 2 of FIG. 2 may be rolled and then the
connectors 32, 34 attached to opposite longitudinal ends of the
rolled sheet 10. The strips 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d comprising heating
material may be arranged so as to be parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the rolled sheet 10. The connectors 32, 34 may be arranged
so that the heating material of the connectors 32, 34 contacts the
strips 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d of heating material 20 so as to define
one or more closed circuits of heating material.
[0104] In some embodiments, the heating material 20 may be
U-shaped, with the free ends of the arms of the U located at one
longitudinal end of the article 6 and the base of the U located
away from that longitudinal end of the article 6. In such a
variation, only one of the connectors 32, 34 need be provided at
that one longitudinal end of the article 6 to create one or more
closed circuits comprising the heating material 20 and the heating
material of the one connector 32, 34.
[0105] In some embodiments, the connector(s) 32, 34 may be movable
or rotatable relative to the heating material 20. Such rotation may
enable the number of connections between portions of the heating
material 20 made by the connector(s) 32, 34 to be changed, thereby
to vary the amount of heating material present in a circuit or
circuits. This may vary the intensity of heating provided to the
smokable material. In some embodiments, the heating material 20 on
the surface of the sheet 10 may comprise strips or tracks of
different thicknesses and/or widths, so that different heating
profiles may be created by rotating the connector(s) 32, 34 to
different rotational positions relative to the tracks.
[0106] Referring to FIG. 7 there is shown a schematic perspective
view of an example of another article according to an embodiment.
The article 7 of FIG. 7 comprises a rolled sheet 10, which is
formed from the sheet 10 of the article 1 described above with
reference to FIG. 1. Any of the herein-described possible
variations to the article 1 of FIG. 1 may be made to the article 7
of FIG. 7 to form separate respective embodiments. Further, the
rolled sheet 10 of the article 7 of FIG. 7 may be replaced by a
rolled version of the sheet 10 of any of the other embodiments
described herein to form separate respective embodiments.
[0107] In this embodiment, the article 7 is elongate and
cylindrical with a substantially circular cross section. The rolled
sheet 10 of the article 7 has an axial length L that is greater
than a diameter (or width perpendicular to the axial length) D of
the rolled sheet 10.
[0108] In this embodiment, the article 7 comprises an adhesive 50
that adheres overlapped portions of the sheet 10 to each other to
help prevent the rolled sheet 10 from unraveling. The adhesive 50
may comprise one or more of the possible adhesives discussed above,
but in other embodiments such adhesive may be omitted. It is to be
noted that the size of the adhesive 50 relative to the rest of the
article 7 is accentuated in FIG. 7 for clarity.
[0109] The article 7 of this embodiment also comprises a mass of
smokable material 40 that is discrete from, and encircled by, the
rolled sheet 10. The sheet 10 is arranged so that the sheet 10 lies
between the heating material and an exterior of the article 7, and
so that the heating material is closer to the mass of smokable
material 40. This helps to retain within the article 7 heat that is
generated in the heating material 20 in use. This also helps to
enable the generated heat to heat the mass of smokable material 40
in use. In this embodiment, all of the mass of smokable material 40
is located at the centre of the rolled sheet 10. However, in other
embodiments, this may not be true. For example, in some
embodiments, at least a portion of the mass of smokable material 40
may be sandwiched between overlapping portions of the sheet 10. In
some embodiments, the mass of smokable material 40 may be annular
in shape or omitted, and the article 7 may be annular in shape.
[0110] In each of the above embodiments, the heating material 20 is
located on a surface of the sheet 10 comprising reconstituted
smokable material. However, in other embodiments, the heating
material 20 may be embedded in the sheet 10. For example, in some
embodiments, the heating material 20 may be in the form of one or
more strips, wires or tracks that are embedded within the sheet 10.
In some embodiments, the heating material 20 may be out of contact
with the sheet 10, but in thermal communication with the sheet 10
so as still to be heatable to heat the smokable material.
[0111] In each of the above embodiments, the heating material 20 is
in contact with the smokable material. Thus, when the heating
material 20 is heated by penetration with a varying magnetic field,
heat may be transferred directly from the heating material 20 to
the smokable material. In other embodiments, the heating material
20 may be kept out of contact with the smokable material. For
example, in some embodiments, the article may comprise a
thermally-conductive barrier that is free of heating material and
that spaces the heating material 20 from the smokable material. In
some embodiments, the thermally-conductive barrier may be a coating
on the heating material 20. The provision of such a barrier may be
advantageous to help to dissipate heat to alleviate hot spots in
the heating material.
[0112] In some embodiments, which may be respective variations to
the embodiments discussed above, a first portion of the heating
material 20 of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 may be more
susceptible to eddy currents being induced therein by penetration
with a varying magnetic field than a second portion of the heating
material 20 of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The first portion
of the heating material 20 may be more susceptible as a result of
the first portion of the heating material 20 being made of a first
material, the second portion of the heating material 20 being made
of a different second material, and the first material being of a
higher susceptibility to eddy currents being 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 heating material 20 may be more
susceptible as a result of a first portion of a component
comprising the first portion of the heating material 20 having a
different thickness to the second portion of the component that
comprises the second portion of the heating material 20.
[0113] Such varying susceptibility of the heating material 20 to
eddy currents being induced therein can help achieve progressive
heating of the smokable material, and thereby progressive
generation of vapor. For example, the higher susceptibility portion
may be able to heat a first region of the smokable material
relatively quickly to initialize volatilization of at least one
component of the smokable material and formation of vapor in the
first region of the smokable material. The lower susceptibility
portion may be able to heat a second region of the smokable
material relatively slowly to initialize volatilization of at least
one component of the smokable material and formation of vapor in
the second region of the smokable material. Accordingly, vapor is
able to be formed relatively rapidly for inhalation by a user, and
vapor can continue to be formed thereafter for subsequent
inhalation by the user even after the first region of the smokable
material may have ceased generating vapor. The first region of the
smokable material may cease generating the vapor when it becomes
exhausted of volatilizable components of the smokable material.
[0114] In other embodiments, all of the heating material 20 of the
article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 may be equally, or substantially
equally, susceptible to eddy currents being induced therein by
penetration with a varying magnetic field. In some embodiments, the
heating material 20 may not be susceptible to such eddy currents.
In such embodiments, the heating material 20 may be a magnetic
material that is non-electrically-conductive, and thus may be
heatable by the magnetic hysteresis process discussed above.
[0115] In some embodiments, which may be respective variations to
the embodiments discussed above, a plurality of the articles 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7 may be arranged in a stack. The articles may be
adhered to one another in the stack. Each of the articles 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7 in the stack may be identical to each other of the
articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 in the stack. Alternatively, one or
more of the articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 in the stack may differ in
construction from one or more other of the articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7 in the stack. For example, any one or more of the articles in
the stack may be one of the articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 discussed
above, and one or more other of the articles in the stack may be a
different one of the articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 discussed above.
Smokable material may then be sandwiched between two bodies of
heating material.
[0116] In some embodiments, which may be respective variations to
the embodiments discussed above, the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
may comprise a plurality of bodies, wherein each of the bodies
comprises heating material 20 that is heatable by penetration with
a varying magnetic field. At least one of the plurality of bodies
may be more susceptible to eddy currents being induced therein by
penetration with a varying magnetic field than at least one of the
other of the plurality of bodies. This may be effected by the
bodies being made of different heating materials and/or having
different thicknesses, for example, as discussed above. Again, such
varying susceptibility of the bodies can help achieve progressive
heating of the smokable material, and thereby progressive
generation of vapor, in a manner corresponding to that described
above. The plurality of bodies may be coplanar.
[0117] In some embodiments, the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 may
comprise a catalytic material on at least a portion of the heating
material 20. The catalytic material may take the form of a coating
on the heating material 20. The catalytic material may be provided
on all surface(s) of the heating material 20, or on only some of
the surface(s) of the heating material 20. The provision of such a
catalytic material on the heating material 20 means that, in use,
the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 may have a heated, chemically
active surface. In use, the catalytic material may act to convert,
or increase the rate of conversion of, a potential irritant to
something that is less of an irritant.
[0118] In some embodiments, which may be respective variations to
the embodiments discussed above, the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
may comprise a mouthpiece defining a passageway that is in fluid
communication with the reconstituted smokable material. The
mouthpiece may be made of any suitable material, such as a plastics
material, cardboard, cellulose acetate, paper, metal, glass,
ceramic, or rubber. In use, when the smokable material is heated,
volatilized components of the smokable material can be readily
inhaled by a user. In embodiments in which the article is a
consumable article, once all or substantially all of the
volatilizable component(s) of the smokable material of the article
has/have been spent, the user may dispose of the mouthpiece
together with the rest of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. This can
be more hygienic than using the same mouthpiece with multiple
articles, can help ensure that the mouthpiece is correctly aligned
with the smokable material, and presents a user with a clean, fresh
mouthpiece each time they wish to use another article. The
mouthpiece, when provided, may comprise or be impregnated with a
flavorant. The flavorant may be arranged so as to be picked up by
heated vapor as the vapor passes through the passageway of the
mouthpiece in use.
[0119] Referring to FIG. 8 there is shown a schematic perspective
view of an example of another article according to an embodiment.
The article 8 of this embodiment comprises a sheet 10 comprising
reconstituted smokable material, and adhesive 60 on a surface of
the sheet 10 for adhering the sheet 10 to a carrier.
[0120] In this embodiment, the sheet 10 is a rolled sheet 10. This
may make the sheet 10 less prone to damage and more convenient to
store and handle. However, in variations to the illustrated
embodiment, the sheet 10 may instead be planar or substantially
planar.
[0121] The adhesive 60 may comprise one or more of, for example,
gum Arabic, natural or synthetic resins, starches, hydroxyl propyl
methyl cellulose, and varnish.
[0122] In this embodiment, the article 8 comprises a backing sheet
70. The adhesive 60 is located between the sheet 10 comprising
reconstituted smokable material and the backing sheet 70. The
article 8 thus comprises a rolled structure having three layers 10,
60, 70.
[0123] The backing sheet 70 may comprise any material suitable for
ensuring that overlapping layers of the rolled sheet 10 do not
become adhered to each other by the adhesive 60 while the sheet 10
remains rolled. For example, the backing sheet 70 may comprise
glass fibers, carbon fibers, silk, paper, grease-proof paper, or
the like.
[0124] In this embodiment, the backing sheet 70 is removable from
the adhesive 60 and the sheet 10 comprising reconstituted smokable
material to expose the adhesive 60 on a surface of the sheet 10
comprising reconstituted smokable material. In the present
embodiment, once the backing sheet 70 has been removed, the sheet
10 may be cut or torn and then adhered to a carrier by a user using
the adhesive 60. Such adhesion may reduce or avoid air gaps present
between the sheet 10 and the carrier, and provide good thermal
coupling between the sheet 10 and the carrier. The article 8 is
free of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a
varying magnetic field, and it is envisaged that the carrier would
comprise such heating material. Accordingly, once the sheet 10 has
been adhered to such a carrier, the combination of the sheet 10 and
the carrier may be used with apparatus comprising a magnetic field
generator for generating a varying magnetic field to be used in
heating the heating material of the carrier, and thus the smokable
material of the sheet 10. An example such apparatus 100 is that
shown in FIG. 9 and described below.
[0125] In a variation to this embodiment, the adhesive 60 may be
removable with the backing sheet 70 from the sheet 10 comprising
reconstituted smokable material. In such a variation, it may be
necessary for the user to use a separate adhesive to adhere the
sheet 10 comprising reconstituted smokable material to the carrier.
Such a separate adhesive may be present on the carrier, or may need
to be applied to the carrier and/or to the sheet 10 comprising
reconstituted smokable material by a user.
[0126] In further variations to this embodiment, the adhesive
surface may be a surface of the sheet 10. That is, a surface of the
sheet 10 may be inherently tacky or adhesive. In some such
embodiments, the article may or may not comprise a backing sheet 70
in contact with the adhesive surface of the sheet 10 and removable
to expose the adhesive surface of the sheet 10.
[0127] In some embodiments, the surface of the backing sheet 70
opposite from the surface facing the sheet 10 comprising smokable
material may be coated or treated to be a non-stick surface.
[0128] In a further variation to this embodiment, the backing sheet
70 may be omitted from the article 8. In such further variations,
the adhesive 60 can be suitable for ensuring that overlapping
layers of the rolled sheet 10 do not become adhered to each other
by the adhesive 60 while the sheet 10 remains rolled.
[0129] In some embodiments, a series of longitudinally-spaced lines
of weakness, such as perforations, may extend across the width of
the sheet 10 comprising smokable material, and optionally also the
backing sheet 70 when provided. These may help a user to detach a
predetermined length of the sheet 10 from the rest of the sheet 10
for attachment to the carrier.
[0130] In each of the above embodiments, the sheet 10 comprises
reconstituted smokable material. However, in other embodiments, the
sheet 10 may comprise smokable material in a different form.
[0131] For example, in some embodiments, the sheet 10 may carry
tobacco extract. A tobacco extract is a composition of tobacco that
is obtained by a method comprising the treatment of tobacco with a
solvent, and may comprise other treatment steps such as
concentration.
[0132] The sheet 10 may be a cast or extruded material, suitably
formed from a slurry. The sheet 10 may, for example, comprise
paper, card, cardboard, or the like. The sheet may comprise a
filler and a binder. The filler may be an organic material such as
wood pulp, cellulose and cellulose derivatives. The filler may be
an inorganic material such as calcium carbonate, perlite,
vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesium oxide,
magnesium sulphate and magnesium carbonate. The binder may comprise
alginate, polysaccharides, celluloses or modified celluloses,
starches or modified starches, or natural gums.
[0133] In each of the above embodiments, the sheet 10 comprising
reconstituted smokable material may consist entirely or
substantially entirely of the reconstituted smokable material.
However, in other embodiments, the sheet 10 may comprise one or
more materials or ingredients in addition to the reconstituted
smokable material.
[0134] In each of the above embodiments, the sheet 10 itself is
free of heating material. However, in other embodiments, the sheet
10 may comprise heating material in addition to the reconstituted
smokable material.
[0135] In each of the embodiments discussed above, the sheet 10 or
rolled sheet 10 is smooth or substantially smooth. However, in
other embodiments, this may not be the case. For example, in some
embodiments, the sheet 10 may be corrugated, have protrusions
thereon, and/or have indentations therein.
[0136] In each of the embodiments discussed above with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 5, the sheet 10 is planar or substantially planar.
However, in other embodiments, this may not be the case. For
example, in some embodiments, the sheet 10 may be corrugated,
follow a wavelike or wavy path, be twisted, have protrusions
thereon, have indentations therein, and/or have a non-uniform
non-planar shape.
[0137] Such non-smooth or non-planar shapes may help air passing
through the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 in use to pick up the
volatilized material created when the smokable material is heated.
Such shapes can provide a tortuous path for air to follow, creating
turbulence in the air and causing better heat transfer from the
heating material 20 to the smokable material.
[0138] In some embodiments, the article may comprise a mass of
thermal insulation radially outwards of the rolled sheet 10. The
thermal insulation may comprise one or more materials selected from
the group consisting of: aerogel, vacuum insulation, wadding,
fleece, non-woven material, non-woven fleece, woven material,
knitted material, nylon, foam, polystyrene, polyester, polyester
filament, polypropylene, a blend of polyester and polypropylene,
cellulose acetate, paper or card, and corrugated material such as
corrugated paper or card. The thermal insulation may additionally
or alternatively comprise an air gap. Such thermal insulation can
help prevent heat loss to components of the apparatus, and provide
more efficient heating of the smokable material of the sheet 10. In
some embodiments, the insulation may have a thickness of up to one
millimeter, such as up to 0.5 millimeters.
[0139] In each of the embodiments discussed above, the heating
material 20 is aluminum. However, in other embodiments, the heating
material 20 may comprise one or more materials selected from the
group consisting of: an electrically-conductive material, a
magnetic material, and a magnetic electrically-conductive material.
In some embodiments, the heating material 20 may comprise a metal
or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the heating material 20 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. Other heating material(s) may be used in
other embodiments. In some embodiments, the heating material 20 may
be magnetic. It has also been found that, when magnetic
electrically-conductive material is used as the heating material
20, magnetic coupling between the magnetic electrically-conductive
material and an electromagnet of the apparatus may be enhanced in
use. In addition to potentially enabling magnetic hysteresis
heating, this can result in greater or improved Joule heating of
the heating material 20, and thus greater or improved heating of
the smokable material.
[0140] In each of the above-described embodiments that comprise
adhesive, it is advantageous for the adhesive to be thermally
stable and to retain its functionality at the operating
temperatures of the apparatus with which the article is to be used.
Example operating temperatures are described elsewhere herein.
[0141] Each of the above-described articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
and described variants thereof may be used with an apparatus for
heating the smokable material to volatilize at least one component
of the smokable material. The apparatus may be to heat the smokable
material to volatilize the at least one component of the smokable
material without burning the smokable material. Any one of the
article(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and such apparatus may be
provided together as a system. The system may take the form of a
kit, in which the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 is separate from
the apparatus. Alternatively, the system may take the form of an
assembly, in which the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 is combined
with the apparatus. An example such system will now be described
with reference to FIG. 9.
[0142] Referring to FIG. 9 there is shown a schematic
cross-sectional view of an example of a system according to an
embodiment. The system 1000 of this embodiment comprises an article
2 and apparatus 100. The article 2 comprises a sheet 10 comprising
reconstituted smokable material, and heating material 22a, 22b,
22c, 22d that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic
field to heat the smokable material. The apparatus 100 is for
heating the smokable material of the article 2 to volatilize at
least one component of the smokable material.
[0143] In this embodiment, the article 2 of the system 1000 is the
article 2 of FIG. 2, rolled in such a way that the sheet 10 of the
article 2 is a rolled sheet 10 and the strips 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d
comprising heating material 20 are arranged so as to be parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the rolled sheet 10. However, in other
embodiments, the article of the system 1000 may be an article other
than the article 2 of FIG. 2, such as any one of the other articles
described above. Broadly speaking, the apparatus 100 comprises a
heating zone 111 for receiving at least a portion of the article
and a magnetic field generator 112 for generating a varying
magnetic field to be used in heating the smokable material when the
portion of the article is in the heating zone 111.
[0144] The apparatus 100 of this embodiment comprises a body 110
and a mouthpiece 120. The mouthpiece 120 defines a channel 122
therethrough. The mouthpiece 120 is locatable relative to the body
110 so as to cover an opening into the heating zone 111. When the
mouthpiece 120 is so located relative to the body 110, the channel
122 of the mouthpiece 120 is in fluid communication with the
heating zone 111. In use, the channel 122 acts as a passageway for
permitting volatilized material to pass from the article 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7 inserted in the heating zone 111 to an exterior of the
apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 120 of the
apparatus 100 is releasably engageable with the body 110 so as to
connect the mouthpiece 120 to the body 110. In other embodiments,
the mouthpiece 120 and the body 110 may be permanently connected,
such as through a hinge or flexible member. The mouthpiece 120 of
the apparatus 100 may comprise or be impregnated with a flavorant.
The flavorant may be arranged so as to be picked up by heated vapor
as the vapor passes through the channel 122 of the mouthpiece 120
in use. In some embodiments, such as embodiments in which the
article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 itself comprises a mouthpiece, the
mouthpiece 120 of the apparatus 100 may be omitted.
[0145] In this embodiment, the body 110 comprises the heating zone
111. In this embodiment, the heating zone 111 comprises a recess
111 for receiving at least a portion of the article 2. In other
embodiments, the heating zone 111 may be other than a recess, such
as a shelf, a surface, or a projection, and may require mechanical
mating with the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 in order to co-operate
with, or receive, the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. In this
embodiment, the heating zone 111 is elongate, and is sized and
shaped to receive the article 2. In this embodiment, the heating
zone 111 accommodates the whole article 2. In other embodiments,
the heating zone 111 may be dimensioned to receive only a portion
of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
[0146] In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may comprise a
mechanism for compressing an article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 when the
article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 is located in the heating zone 114.
Such compression of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 may compress
the smokable material, so as to increase the thermal conductivity
of the smokable material. In other words, compression of the
smokable material can provide for higher heat transfer through the
article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Such compression should not be so
great as to break the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or to prevent a
user to be able to draw volatilized material from the article 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
[0147] In this embodiment, the magnetic field generator 112
comprises an electrical power source 113, a coil 114, a device 116
for passing a varying electrical current, such as an alternating
current, through the coil 114, a controller 117, and a user
interface 118 for user-operation of the controller 117.
[0148] In this embodiment, the electrical power source 113 is a
rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, the electrical power
source 113 may be other than a rechargeable battery, such as a
non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor, a battery-capacitor hybrid,
or a connection to a mains electricity supply.
[0149] The coil 114 may take any suitable form. In this embodiment,
the coil 114 is a helical coil of electrically-conductive material,
such as copper. In some embodiments, the magnetic field generator
112 may comprise a magnetically permeable core around which the
coil 114 is wound. Such a magnetically permeable core concentrates
the magnetic flux produced by the coil 114 in use and makes a more
powerful magnetic field. The magnetically permeable core may be
made of iron, for example. In some embodiments, the magnetically
permeable core may extend only partially along the length of the
coil 114, so as to concentrate the magnetic flux only in certain
regions.
[0150] In this embodiment, the coil 114 of the magnetic field
generator 112 extends along a longitudinal axis that is
substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis of the heating
zone 111. In other embodiments, these axes may be aligned with each
other by being parallel to each other, or may be oblique to each
other.
[0151] In this embodiment, an impedance of the coil 114 of the
magnetic field generator 112 is equal, or substantially equal, to
an impedance of each of the strips 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d comprising
heating material 20 of the article 1. If the impedance of one of
the strips 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d of the article 2 were instead lower
than the impedance of the coil 114, then the voltage generated
across the strip in question in use may be lower than the voltage
that may be generated across that strip when the impedances are
matched. Alternatively, if the impedance of one of the strips 22a,
22b, 22c, 22d of the article 2 were instead higher than the
impedance of the coil 114, then the electrical current generated in
that strip in use may be lower than the current that may be
generated in that strip when the impedances are matched. In
embodiments of the system 1000 comprising one of the articles 1, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7 of FIGS. 1 and 3 to 7, similarly the impedance of the
coil 114 may be equal, or substantially equal, to an impedance of
the part of the article 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 comprising heating
material. Matching the impedances may help to balance the voltage
and current to maximize the heating power generated at the heating
material of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 when heated in use.
[0152] In this embodiment, the device 116 for passing a varying
current through the coil 114 is electrically connected between the
electrical power source 113 and the coil 114. In this embodiment,
the controller 117 also is electrically connected to the electrical
power source 113, and is communicatively connected to the device
116 to control the device 116. More specifically, in this
embodiment, the controller 117 is for controlling the device 116,
so as to control the supply of electrical power from the electrical
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 may take a different form. In some embodiments, the
apparatus may have a single electrical or electronic component
comprising the device 116 and the controller 117. The controller
117 is operated in this embodiment by user-operation of the user
interface 118. In this embodiment, the user interface 118 is
located at the exterior of the body 110. The user interface 118 may
comprise a push-button, a toggle switch, a dial, a touchscreen, or
the like. In other embodiments, the user interface 118 may be
remote and connected to the rest of the apparatus wirelessly, such
as via Bluetooth.
[0153] In this embodiment, operation of the user interface 118 by a
user causes the controller 117 to cause the device 116 to cause an
alternating electrical current to pass through the coil 114, so as
to cause the coil 114 to generate an alternating magnetic field.
When the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 is located in the heating zone
111, the coil 114 of the apparatus 100 and the heating material 20
of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 are suitably relatively
positioned so that the alternating magnetic field produced by the
coil 114 penetrates the heating material 20 of the article 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7. When the heating material 20 of the article 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7 is an electrically-conductive material, this may cause the
generation of one or more eddy currents in the heating material 20.
The flow of eddy currents in the heating material 20 against the
electrical resistance of the heating material 20 causes the heating
material 20 to be heated by Joule heating. As mentioned above, when
the heating material 20 is made of a magnetic material, the
orientation of magnetic dipoles in the heating material 20 changes
with the changing applied magnetic field, which causes heat to be
generated in the heating material 20.
[0154] The apparatus 100 of this embodiment comprises a temperature
sensor 119 for sensing a temperature of the heating zone 111. The
temperature sensor 119 is communicatively connected to the
controller 117, so that the controller 117 is able to monitor the
temperature of the heating zone 111. In some embodiments, the
temperature sensor 119 may be arranged to take an optical
temperature measurement of the recess, heating zone or article 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. In some embodiments, the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7 may comprise a temperature detector, such as a resistance
temperature detector (RTD), for detecting a temperature of the
article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. For example, the temperature detector
may be located in or on the sheet 10 of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7. The article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 may further comprise one or
more terminals connected, such as electrically-connected, to the
temperature detector. The terminal(s) may be for making connection,
such as electrical connection, with a temperature monitor of the
apparatus 100 when the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 is in the
heating zone 111. The controller 117 may comprise the temperature
monitor. The temperature monitor of the apparatus 100 may thus be
able to determine a temperature of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
during use of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 with the apparatus
100.
[0155] In some embodiments, by providing that a component of the
article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 comprising the heating material 20 has
a suitable resistance, the response of the heating material 20 to a
change in temperature could be sufficient to give information
regarding temperature inside the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The
temperature sensor 119 of the apparatus 100 may then comprise a
probe for analyzing the heating material.
[0156] On the basis of one or more signals received from the
temperature sensor 119 or temperature detector, the controller 117
may cause the device 116 to adjust a characteristic of the varying
or alternating electrical current passed through the coil 114 as
necessary, in order to ensure that the temperature of the heating
zone 111 remains within a predetermined temperature range. The
characteristic may be, for example, amplitude or frequency. Within
the predetermined temperature range, in use the smokable material
within an article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 located in the heating zone
111 is heated sufficiently to volatilize at least one component of
the smokable material without combusting the smokable material.
Accordingly, the controller 117, and the apparatus 100 as a whole,
is arranged to heat the smokable material to volatilize the at
least one component of the smokable material without combusting the
smokable material. In some embodiments, the temperature range is
about 50.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C., such as between about
50.degree. C. and about 250.degree. C., between about 50.degree. C.
and about 150.degree. C., between about 50.degree. C. and about
120.degree. C., between about 50.degree. C. and about 100.degree.
C., between about 50.degree. C. and about 80.degree. C., or between
about 60.degree. C. and about 70.degree. C. In some embodiments,
the temperature range is between about 170.degree. C. and about
220.degree. C. In other embodiments, the temperature range may be
other than this range. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor
119 may be omitted.
[0157] The apparatus 100 may define an air inlet that fluidly
connects the heating zone 111 with the exterior of the apparatus
100. Such an air inlet may be defined by the body 110 of the
apparatus 100 and/or by the mouthpiece 120 of the apparatus 100. A
user may be able to inhale the volatilized component(s) of the
smokable material by drawing the volatilized component(s) through
the channel 122 of the mouthpiece 120. As the volatilized
component(s) are removed from the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, air
may be drawn into the heating zone 111 via the air inlet of the
apparatus 100.
[0158] The apparatus may provide haptic feedback to a user. The
feedback could indicate that heating is taking place, or be
triggered by a timer to indicate that greater than a predetermined
proportion of the original quantity of volatilizable component(s)
of the smokable material of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
has/have been spent, or the like. The haptic feedback could be
created by interaction of the coil 114 with the heating material of
the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (e.g. magnetic response), by
interaction of an electrically-conductive element with the coil
114, by rotating an unbalanced motor, by repeatedly applying and
removing a current across a piezoelectric element, or the like.
[0159] The apparatus 100 may comprise more than one coil. The
plurality of coils of the apparatus 100 could be operable to
provide progressive heating of the smokable material in an article
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and thereby progressive generation of vapor.
For example, one coil may be able to heat a first region of the
heating material 20 relatively quickly to initialize volatilization
of at least one component of the smokable material and formation of
a vapor in a first region of the smokable material. Another coil
may be able to heat a second region of the heating material 20
relatively slowly to initialize volatilization of at least one
component of the smokable material and formation of a vapor in a
second region of the smokable material. Accordingly, a vapor is
able to be formed relatively rapidly for inhalation by a user, and
vapor can continue to be formed thereafter for subsequent
inhalation by the user even after the first region of the smokable
material may have ceased generating vapor. The initially-unheated
second region of smokable material could act as a heat sink, to
reduce the temperature of created vapor or make the created vapor
mild, during heating of the first region of smokable material.
[0160] In some embodiments, the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 may
comprise a plurality of discrete portions of heating material 20
that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to
heat the smokable material of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The
plurality of discrete portions of heating material 20 may be
substantially separately heatable by varying magnetic fields
produced by a respective plurality of coils 114 of the apparatus
100. One of the plurality of discrete portions of heating material
20 may be more susceptible to eddy currents being induced therein
by penetration with a varying magnetic field than other(s) of the
plurality of discrete portions of heating material 20. Such a
structure could be operable to provide progressive heating of the
smokable material of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and thereby
progressive generation of vapor, in a similar way to that described
above.
[0161] In some embodiments, a component comprising the heating
material 20 may comprise discontinuities or holes therein. Such
discontinuities or holes may act as thermal breaks to control the
degree to which different regions of the smokable material are
heated in use. Areas of the heating material 20 with
discontinuities or holes therein may be heated to a lesser extent
that areas without discontinuities or holes. This may help
progressive heating of the smokable material, and thus progressive
generation of vapor, to be achieved. Such discontinuities or holes
may, on the other hand, be used to optimize the creation of complex
eddy currents in use.
[0162] In each of the above described embodiments, the smokable
material comprises tobacco. However, in respective variations to
each of these embodiments, the smokable material may consist of
tobacco, may consist substantially entirely of tobacco, may
comprise tobacco and smokable material other than tobacco, may
comprise smokable material other than tobacco, or may be free of
tobacco. In some embodiments, the smokable material may comprise a
vapor or aerosol forming agent or a humectant, such as glycerol,
propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.
[0163] An article embodying one or more embodiments may be a
cartridge, for example.
[0164] In each of the above described embodiments, the article 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 is a consumable article. Once all, or
substantially all, of the volatilizable component(s) of the
smokable material of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 has/have
been spent, the user may dispose of the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8. The user may subsequently re-use the apparatus with another
of the articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. However, in other
respective embodiments, the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 may be
non-consumable, and the apparatus and the article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8 may be disposed of together once the volatilizable
component(s) of the smokable material has/have been spent.
[0165] In some embodiments, the apparatus discussed above is sold,
supplied or otherwise provided separately from the articles 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 with which the apparatus is usable. However, in
some embodiments, the apparatus and one or more of the articles 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 may be provided together as a system, such as a
kit or an assembly, possibly with additional components, such as
cleaning utensils.
[0166] Embodiments could be implemented in a system comprising any
one of the articles discussed herein, and any one of the
apparatuses discussed herein, wherein the apparatus itself has
heating material, such as in a susceptor, for heating by
penetration with the varying magnetic field generated by the
magnetic field generator. Heat generated in the heating material of
the apparatus could be transferred to the article to heat, or
further heat, the smokable material therein when the portion of the
article is in the heating zone 111.
[0167] In order to address various issues and advance the art, the
entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration and
example various embodiments in which that which is claimed may be
practiced and which provide for superior articles for use with
apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one
component of the smokable material, and superior systems comprising
such apparatus and such articles. The advantages and features of
the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only,
and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to
assist in understanding and teach the claimed and otherwise
disclosed features. It is to be understood that advantages,
embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and/or other
aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on
the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on
equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be
utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the
scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may
suitably comprise, consist of, or consist in essence of, various
combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features,
parts, steps, means, etc. The disclosure may include other
inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in
future.
* * * * *