U.S. patent application number 14/927556 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, ANDREW P. WILKE.
Application Number | 20170119051 14/927556 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57389377 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170119051 |
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 smokable material, and a
film defining a closed circuit of heating material. The heating
material is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field
to heat the smokable material. Also disclosed is apparatus for
heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of
the smokable material. The apparatus comprises a magnetic field
generator for generating a varying magnetic field for use in
heating the smokable material. The magnetic field generator
comprises a film defining a coil of electrically conductive
material, and a device for passing a varying electrical current
through the coil.
Inventors: |
BLANDINO; Thomas P.;
(Cottage Grove, WI) ; WILKE; ANDREW P.; (Madison,
WI) ; FRATER; JAMES J.; (Madison, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
57389377 |
Appl. No.: |
14/927556 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B 3/0014 20130101;
H05B 3/34 20130101; A24F 47/008 20130101; A24B 15/165 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00; H05B 3/34 20060101 H05B003/34; H05B 3/00 20060101
H05B003/00; A24B 15/16 20060101 A24B015/16 |
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing a heater for use in heating smokable
material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material, the method comprising: providing a substrate; and forming
a closed circuit of heating material on the substrate, wherein the
heating material is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic
field, and wherein the forming comprises depositing the heating
material on the substrate.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming comprises depositing
the closed circuit of heating material on the substrate.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the depositing comprises
printing.
4. The method of claim 1, comprising depositing a plurality of
closed circuits of heating material on the substrate.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the depositing comprises
depositing the plurality of closed circuits of heating material on
the substrate so that the plurality of closed circuits of heating
material are out of contact with each other.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the depositing comprises
depositing the plurality of closed circuits of heating material one
the substrate so that the plurality of closed circuits are arranged
concentrically in relation to each other.
7. A method of manufacturing a magnetic field generator for use in
apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one
component of the smokable material, the method comprising:
providing a support; and forming an electrically conductive coil on
the support, wherein the forming comprises depositing electrically
conductive material on the support.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the forming comprises depositing
the electrically conductive coil on the support.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the depositing comprises
printing.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the forming comprises forming
the electrically conductive coil on the support so that the
electrically conductive material bonds to the support.
11. The method of claim 7, comprising electrically connecting the
electrically conductive coil to a device for passing a varying
electrical current through the electrically conductive coil.
12. The method of claim 7, comprising: forming a plurality of
electrically conductive coils; and connecting each of the plurality
of electrically conductive coils to a device for passing a varying
electrical current through the electrically conductive coils.
13. An article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material
to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the
article comprising: smokable material; and a film defining a closed
circuit of heating material, wherein the heating material is
heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the
smokable material.
14. The article of claim 13, comprising one or more films
comprising a plurality of closed circuits of heating material
arranged concentrically in relation to each other.
15. The article of claim 13, wherein the heating material is in
contact with the smokable material.
16. The article of claim 13, further comprising a substrate,
wherein the closed circuit of heating material is on the
substrate.
17. The article of claim 16, wherein the substrate comprises the
smokable material.
18. The article of claim 13, wherein the heating material comprises
one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: an
electrically-conductive material, a magnetic material, and a
magnetic electrically-conductive material.
19. The article of claim 13, wherein the heating material comprises
a metal or a metal alloy.
20. The article of claim 13, wherein the heating material comprises
one or more materials selected from the group consisting of:
aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite,
plain-carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel,
copper, and bronze.
21. Apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least
one component of the smokable material, the apparatus comprising: a
magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field
for use in heating the smokable material, wherein the magnetic
field generator comprises a film defining a coil of electrically
conductive material, and a device for passing a varying electrical
current through the coil.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the magnetic field generator
comprises a support, and wherein the coil is bonded to the
support.
23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the coil is a
two-dimensional spiral.
24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the magnetic field generator
comprises one or more films defining a plurality of coils of
electrically conducive material.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the plurality of coils are
adjacent to each other on the support.
26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein a first coil of the
plurality of coils occupies a first area on a support, and a second
coil of the plurality of coils occupies a second area on a support,
wherein the second area is smaller than the first area.
27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein each of the plurality of
coils is connected to a respective device for passing a varying
electrical current through the coil connected to that device.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, comprising a controller, wherein
each of the respective devices is connected to the controller, and
wherein the controller is configured to control each of the
respective devices independently to cause the generation of a
plurality of respective varying magnetic fields.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Embodiments relate to apparatus for heating smokable
material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material, to articles for use with such apparatus, to systems
comprising such articles and apparatuses, to methods of
manufacturing magnetic field generators for use in such
apparatuses, and to methods of manufacturing heaters for use in
heating smokable material.
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 a method of
manufacturing a heater for use in heating smokable material to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the
method comprising:
[0004] providing a substrate; and forming a closed circuit of
heating material on the substrate, wherein the heating material is
heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, and wherein
the forming comprises depositing the heating material on the
substrate.
[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the forming comprises depositing
the closed circuit of heating material on the substrate.
[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the depositing comprises
printing.
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises depositing
a plurality of closed circuits of heating material on the
substrate.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises printing
the plurality of closed circuits of heating material on the
substrate.
[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the depositing comprises
depositing the plurality of closed circuits of heating material on
the substrate so that the plurality of closed circuits are out of
contact with each other.
[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the depositing comprises
depositing the plurality of closed circuits of heating material on
the substrate so that the plurality of closed circuits are arranged
concentrically in relation to each other.
[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the heater is for use in an
article according to the third aspect of embodiments.
[0012] A second aspect of embodiments provides a method of
manufacturing a magnetic field generator for use in apparatus for
heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of
the smokable material, the method comprising:
[0013] providing a support; and
[0014] forming an electrically conductive coil on the support,
wherein the forming comprises depositing electrically conductive
material on the support.
[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the forming comprises depositing
the electrically conductive coil on the support.
[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the depositing comprises
printing.
[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the forming comprises forming
the electrically conductive coil on the support so that the
electrically conductive material bonds to the support.
[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises
electrically connecting the electrically conductive coil to a
device for passing a varying electrical current through the
electrically conductive coil.
[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises:
[0020] forming a plurality of electrically conductive coils;
and
[0021] connecting each of the plurality of electrically conductive
coils to a device for passing a varying electrical current through
the electrically conductive coils.
[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the connecting comprises
connecting all of the plurality of electrically conductive coils to
the same device.
[0023] A third 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:
[0024] smokable material; and
[0025] a film defining a closed circuit of heating material,
wherein the heating material is heatable by penetration with a
varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material.
[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the closed circuit of heating
material is a printed closed circuit of heating material.
[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the closed circuit of heating
material is a closed circuit of ink.
[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises one or
more films defining a plurality of closed circuits of heating
material.
[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of closed circuits
of heating material are arranged concentrically in relation to each
other.
[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is in
contact with the smokable material.
[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a
substrate, and the closed circuit of heating material is on the
substrate.
[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate comprises the
smokable material.
[0033] 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.
[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises a
metal or a metal alloy.
[0035] 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.
[0036] A fourth aspect of embodiments provides apparatus for
heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of
the smokable material, the apparatus comprising:
[0037] a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic
field for use in heating the smokable material,
[0038] wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a film
defining a coil of electrically conductive material, and a device
for passing a varying electrical current through the coil.
[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the coil is a printed coil.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the coil is a coil of ink.
[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator
comprises a support, and the coil is bonded to the support.
[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the coil is a two-dimensional
spiral.
[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator
comprises one or more films defining a plurality of coils of
electrically conducive material.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of coils are
adjacent to each other on the support.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, a first coil of the plurality of
coils occupies a first area on a support, and a second coil of the
plurality of coils occupies a second area on a support, wherein the
second area is smaller than the first area.
[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of coils
is connected to a respective device for passing a varying
electrical current through the coil connected to that device.
[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a
controller, wherein each of the respective devices is connected to
the controller.
[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the controller is configured to
control each of the respective devices independently to cause the
generation of a plurality of respective varying magnetic
fields.
[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises an
interface for cooperating with an article comprising the smokable
material and heating material that is heatable by penetration with
a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material, and the
magnetic field generator is configured so that the varying magnetic
field penetrates the interface when the article is cooperating with
the interface.
[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises heating
material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic
field to heat smokable material, wherein the magnetic field
generator is configured so that the varying magnetic field
penetrates the heating material of the apparatus.
[0051] A fifth aspect of embodiments provides apparatus for heating
smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the
smokable material, the apparatus comprising:
[0052] a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic
field for use in heating the smokable material,
[0053] wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a coil in the
form of a two-dimensional spiral of electrically conductive
material, and a device for passing a varying electrical current
through the coil.
[0054] The apparatus of the fifth aspect may have any one or more
of the features of the above-described exemplary embodiments of the
apparatus of the fourth aspect.
[0055] A sixth aspect of embodiments provides a system,
comprising:
[0056] apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at
least one component of the smokable material; and
[0057] an article for use with the apparatus, wherein the article
comprises the smokable material;
[0058] wherein the apparatus comprises a magnetic field generator
for generating a varying magnetic field for use in heating the
smokable material, wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a
film defining a coil of electrically conductive material, and a
device for passing a varying electrical current through the
coil.
[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises heating
material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic
field to heat the smokable material, the apparatus comprises an
interface for cooperating with the article, and the magnetic field
generator is configured so that the varying magnetic field
penetrates the heating material of the article when the article is
cooperating with the interface.
[0060] In an exemplary embodiment, the article of the system is the
article of the third aspect of embodiments. The article of the
system may have any one or more of the features of the
above-described exemplary embodiments of the article of the third
aspect.
[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises heating
material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic
field to heat the smokable material, and the magnetic field
generator is configured so that the varying magnetic field
penetrates the heating material of the apparatus.
[0062] A seventh aspect of embodiments provides a system,
comprising:
[0063] apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at
least one component of the smokable material; and
[0064] an article for use with the apparatus, wherein the article
comprises smokable material and a film defining a closed circuit of
heating material, wherein the heating material is heatable by
penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable
material;
[0065] wherein the apparatus comprises an interface for cooperating
with the article, and a magnetic field generator for generating a
varying magnetic field to be used in heating the heating material
when the article is cooperating with the interface.
[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus of the system is
the apparatus of the fourth aspect of embodiments. The apparatus of
the system may have any one or more of the features of the
above-described exemplary embodiments of the apparatus of the
fourth aspect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0067] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0068] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of a portion of an
example of an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable
material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material.
[0069] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the portion
of the article of FIG. 1.
[0070] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion
of an example of another article for use with apparatus for heating
smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the
smokable material.
[0071] FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example
of apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least
one component of the smokable material.
[0072] FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example
of another apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at
least one component of the smokable material.
[0073] FIG. 6 shows a schematic front view of a portion of a
magnetic field generator of the apparatus of FIG. 4.
[0074] FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the portion
of the magnetic field generator of FIG. 6.
[0075] FIG. 8 shows a schematic front view of a portion of an
example of another magnetic field generator of apparatus for
heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of
the smokable material.
[0076] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an example of a method of
manufacturing a heater for use in heating smokable material to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.
[0077] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing an example of a method of
manufacturing a magnetic field generator for use in apparatus for
heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of
the smokable material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0078] 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.
[0079] As used herein, the term "heating material" or "heater
material" refers to material that is heatable by penetration with a
varying magnetic field.
[0080] 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.
[0081] 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.
[0082] 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.
[0083] Magnetic hysteresis heating is a process in which an object
made of 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.
[0084] 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.
[0085] 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.
[0086] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there are respectively shown a
schematic front view and a schematic cross-sectional view of a
portion of an article 1 according to an embodiment. The article 1
is for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material without
burning the smokable material. In this embodiment, the article 1
comprises a substrate 20 and one or more films defining a plurality
of closed circuits 10a-f of heating material 10. The heating
material 10 is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic
field.
[0087] A thickness of the, or each, film defining the closed
circuits 10a-f of heating material 10 may be no more than 1 micron,
such as below 1 micron. In other embodiments, the thickness of the
film may be more than 1 micron, such as more than 10 microns or
more than 100 microns.
[0088] In this embodiment, the substrate 20 comprises smokable
material 30, such as tobacco. In some embodiments, the substrate 20
may comprise or consist entirely, or substantially entirely, of the
smokable material 30, e.g. tobacco, such as reconstituted smokable
material, e.g. reconstituted tobacco. The latter is sometimes
referred to as "tobacco recon".
[0089] In this embodiment, the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f
of heating material 10 are heatable in use to heat the smokable
material 30 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material 30. Each of the closed circuits 10a-f of heating material
10 may be considered a heater for use in heating smokable
material.
[0090] In some embodiments, the article 1 may comprise only one
closed circuit 10a of heating material 10. In such embodiments, the
closed circuit 10a of heating material 10 is heatable in use to
heat smokable material 30 to volatilize at least one component of
the smokable material 30. In other embodiments, such as that
illustrated, the article 1 may comprise more than one closed
circuit 10a-10f of heating material 10.
[0091] In this embodiment, each of the plurality of closed circuits
10a-f of heating material 10 is square or rectangular. In other
embodiments, each of the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f may be
of any shape that defines a path that starts and ends at the same
point so as to create a loop, such as circular or elliptical.
[0092] In this embodiment, each of the plurality of closed circuits
10a-f of heating material 10 has a uniform width and a uniform
thickness. In other embodiments, each of the plurality of closed
circuits 10a-f of heating material may be different to at least one
other of the closed circuits 10a-f. For example, the closed
circuits 10a-f may have different widths of thicknesses. In other
embodiments, a single closed circuit 10a may have a varying
thickness or width along its path. Such variations in the width or
thickness of the closed circuits 10a-f of heating material 10 can
focus the heating of the heating material 10, which can result in a
variation in the rate at which the heating material 10 volatilizes
the smokable material 30.
[0093] In some embodiments, the closed circuits 10a-f of heating
material 10 can result in magnetic coupling between the closed
circuits 10a-f of heating material 10 and an electromagnet of the
apparatus in use being enhanced, which results in greater or
improved Joule heating.
[0094] In this embodiment, and indeed in all embodiments discussed
herein, the heating material 10 is aluminum. However, in other
embodiments, the heating material 10 may comprise one or more
materials selected from the group consisting of: an
electrically-conductive material, a magnetic material, and a
non-magnetic material. In some embodiments, the heating material 10
may comprise a metal or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the
heating material 10 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. It has also been
found that, when magnetic electrically-conductive material is used
as the heating material 10, magnetic coupling between the magnetic
electrically-conductive material and an electromagnet of the
apparatus in use may be enhanced. In addition to potentially
enabling magnetic hysteresis heating, this can result in greater or
improved Joule heating of the heating material 10, and thus greater
or improved heating of the smokable material 30.
[0095] In this embodiment, each of the plurality of closed circuits
10a-f of heating material 10a-f is in contact with the substrate
20. In some embodiments, the heating material 10 may be in the form
of an ink. The closed circuits 10a-f of heating material 10 may
thus be deposited directly on the substrate 20, for example by
printing. Printing ink comprising heating material 10 on the
substrate 20 may result in close integration of the heating
material 10 with the substrate 10, which may result in good thermal
transfer between the heating material 10 and the smokable material
30 comprised in the substrate 20.
[0096] Ink and films may have a small thickness. Therefore, induced
electrical current and/or induced reorientation of magnetic dipoles
in the ink or film when subjected to a varying magnetic field may
penetrate most or all of the ink or film, 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.
[0097] In some embodiments, the depositing may result in the
formation of the closed circuits 10a-f. In other embodiments, this
may not be the case. For example, a film of heating material 10 may
be deposited on the substrate 20, and then the closed circuits
10a-f of heating material 10 may be formed from the film, for
example by etching the film.
[0098] In this embodiment, the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f
of heating material 10 are out of contact with each other. That is,
they do not touch each other. In other embodiments, one or more of
the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f may be in contact with one
or more others of the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f.
[0099] In this embodiment, the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f
of heating material 10 are arranged concentrically in relation to
each other. In other embodiments, the plurality of closed circuits
10a-f of heating material 10 may be arranged so that each of the
closed circuits 10a-f is outside of each other of the closed
circuits 10a-f, or in any other arrangement.
[0100] In this embodiment, heating material 10 is deposited on an
initially flat substrate 20. In this embodiment, the substrate 20
and the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f of heating material 10
are together flexible or malleable. By "malleable" it is meant that
article 1 is able to be pressed, bent, rolled, folded or flexed so
as to take on different overall shapes without breaking for
cracking, for example a cylindrical shape. The degree of
flexibility depends on the material and thickness of the substrate
20, and the composition of the closed circuits 10a-f of heating
material 10. Such flexibility may increase the versatility of the
article 1, for example by increasing the number of plausible
configurations for the article 1. Such constructions may be
suitable for use in articles of a variety of different shapes. For
example, the substrate 20 may be a layer on a surface of an
article, may define a recess in an article, or may be flexed to fit
into a recess in an article. In other embodiments, the substrate 20
and the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f of heating material 10
together may be substantially rigid.
[0101] In this embodiment, the substrate 20 is substantially
planar. In some embodiments, the substrate 20 may instead be
non-planar, such as tubular. The closed circuits 10a-f of heating
material 10 would then be on a surface of the tubular substrate 20.
In other embodiments, the substrate 20 may be any other shape, for
example conical.
[0102] In this embodiment, the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f
of heating material 10 are bonded to the substrate 20. The bonding
may be achieved, for example, by a process of printing the heating
material 10, or by adhering the heating material 10 to the
substrate 20 using an adhesive. In other embodiments, the bonding
may be achieved by a deposition process involving physical locking
or intermingling of the heating material 10 and the substrate 20,
or the heating material 10 and the smokable material 30. In some
embodiments, when the deposition process comprises printing, a bond
may be achieved by partial absorption of ink by the substrate 20.
In embodiments in which the substrate 20 comprises the smokable
material 30, such bonding of the heating material 10 to the
substrate 20 may result in better thermal conduction from the
heating material 10 to the substrate 20, and thus a higher
proportion of the smokable material 30 being volatilized in
use.
[0103] Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a schematic
cross-sectional view of an example of another article according to
an embodiment. The article 2 is identical to the article 1 of FIGS.
1 and 2, except that the substrate 20 of the article 2 of FIG. 3
does not comprise smokable material 30. Instead, the smokable
material 30 is separate to substrate 20.
[0104] In this embodiment, the substrate comprises paper or card.
However, in some embodiments, the substrate 20 may additionally or
alternatively comprise thermal insulation. Such thermal insulation
can help to increase the proportion of heat which heats the
smokable material 30 when the heating material 10 is heated by
penetration with a varying magnetic field.
[0105] In this embodiment, the smokable material 30 is comprised in
a layer on the plurality of closed circuits 10a-f of heating
material 10 and may, for example, be a layer of tobacco recon. That
is, the closed circuits 10a-f of heating material 10 are arranged
between the substrate 20 and the smokable material 30. In other
embodiments, the smokable material 30 may be positioned on the
substrate 20, and surrounding, at least in part, each of the
plurality of closed circuits 10a-f of heating material 10. Each of
the closed circuits 10a-f of heating material 10, and indeed the
combination of the substrate 20 and the plurality of closed
circuits 10a-f of heating material 10, may be considered a heater
for use in heating smokable material.
[0106] In some embodiments, which may be respective variations to
the embodiments discussed above, the article 1, 2 may comprise a
mouthpiece defining a passageway that is in fluid communication
with the smokable material 30. 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 30 is heated, volatilized components of
the smokable material 30 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 30 in the article has/have been spent, the user
may dispose of the mouthpiece together with the rest of the
article. 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.
[0107] Each of the above-described articles 1, 2 and described
variants thereof is usable with apparatus for heating the smokable
material 30 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material 30. When preparing the article 1, 2 for use with the
apparatus, the article 1, 2 may first be rolled by a user so as to
take on a substantially cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the
article 1, 2 may be provided to a user in a pre-rolled state. The
apparatus may be to heat the smokable material 30 to volatilize the
at least one component of the smokable material 30 without burning
the smokable material 30. Example such apparatuses are described
below.
[0108] Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown an example of apparatus
for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component
of the smokable material. The apparatus 100 is for use with an
article comprising smokable material 30 and heating material 10,
such as one of the articles 1, 2 discussed above.
[0109] The apparatus 100 of this embodiment comprises a magnetic
field generator 120. The magnetic field generator 120 comprises an
electrical power source 121, a film defining a coil 50 on a support
40, a device 123 for passing a varying electrical current, such as
an alternating current, through the coil 50, a controller 124, a
user interface 125 for user-operation of the controller 124, a
temperature sensor 126, and an interface 101 for cooperating with
the article.
[0110] A thickness of the film defining the coil 50 of electrically
conductive material may be no more than 1 micron, such as below 1
micron. In other embodiments, the thickness of the film may be more
than 1 micron, such as more than 10 microns or more than 100
microns.
[0111] In this embodiment, the interface 101 comprises a recess 101
that is configured to receive the article via the opening 102. The
recess 101 is configured to release the article via an opening 102
of the apparatus 100 after use of apparatus 100. The article may be
released from the recess 101 by a user and replaced by another
article for repeated use of the apparatus 100.
[0112] In this embodiment, the electrical power source 121 is a
rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, the electrical power
source 121 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.
[0113] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there are respectively shown a
schematic front view and a schematic cross-sectional view of the
coil 50 and support 40 of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 4.
[0114] In this embodiment, the coil 50 is a two-dimensional spiral
on a surface of the support 40. The coil 50 is defined by a film.
In this embodiment, the support 40 is a non-electrically conductive
support 40. That is, the support 40 is an electrical insulator. In
other embodiments, the support 40 may be omitted.
[0115] In some embodiments, the coil 50 is deposited on a flat
support 40. In this embodiment, the support 40 and the film
defining coil 50 are together flexible or malleable. By "malleable"
it is meant that an assembly of the support 40 and the film
defining coil 50 is able to be pressed, bent, rolled, folded or
flexed so as to take on different overall shapes without breaking
for cracking, for example a cylindrical shape. The degree of
flexibility depends on the material and thickness of the support
40, and the composition of the electrically conductive material of
the coil 50. By altering the shape of an assembly of the support 40
and the film defining the coil 50 so that it has a
three-dimensional shape, a three-dimensional transverse flux design
may occur, when a varying electrical current is passed through the
coil 50. Such a three-dimensional transverse flux design increases
the number of plausible configurations for apparatus 100. For
example, the support 40 may be a layer on a surface of the
apparatus 100, may define a recess in the apparatus 100, or may be
flexed to fit into a recess in the apparatus 100. In other
embodiments, the support 40 and the film defining the coil 50
together may be substantially rigid.
[0116] In this embodiment, the coil 50 is an electrically
conductive coil configured to conduct a varying electrical current.
In this embodiment, the electrically conductive material of the
coil 50 is an electrically conductive film in the form of ink. The
coil 50 of this embodiment thus comprises electrically conductive
material.
[0117] In this embodiment, the coil 50 is in contact with the
support 40. The coil 50 may be deposited directly on support 40.
Depositing directly on the support 40 may result in a close
integration of the electrically conductive ink with the support 40,
which may better bind the coil 50 to the substrate 40 and help to
avoid delamination. The depositing may, for example, comprise
printing.
[0118] In some embodiments, the depositing may result in the
formation of the coil 50. In other embodiments, this may not be the
case. For example, a film of electrically conductive material may
be deposited on the support 40, and the coil 50 may be formed from
the film, for example by etching the film.
[0119] In this embodiment, the coil 50 is bonded to the support 40.
The bonding may be achieved by, for example, printing or chemically
or mechanically adhering the coil 50 to the support 40. In other
embodiments, the bonding may be achieved by a deposition process
involving physical locking or intermingling of the coil 50 and the
support 40. In some embodiments, when the deposition process
comprises printing, a bond may be achieved by partial absorption of
ink by the support 40.
[0120] In this embodiment, the coil 50 is a two-dimensional spiral.
In this embodiment, coil 50 is a generally square or rectangular
coil. In other embodiments, the coil 50 may have a different shape,
such as generally circular or elliptical. In some embodiments, the
coil 50 may be a three-dimensional spiral. In some such
embodiments, the coil 50 may be manufactured using an additive
manufacturing technique, such as 3D printing.
[0121] In this embodiment, adjacent spaced portions of the coil 50
are regularly spaced. In other embodiments, such portions of the
coil 50 may not be regularly spaced. Relatively-closely spaced
portions of the coil 50 may create a denser magnetic flux in use
than less-closely-spaced portions of the coil 50. Such a structure
may enable progressive heating of smokable material, and thereby
progressive generation of vapor, to be achieved.
[0122] In this embodiment, the combination of the support 40 and
the coil 50 is flexible. The degree of flexibility depends on the
material and thickness of each of the support 40 and the coil 50.
In other embodiments, the combination of the support 40 and the
coil 50 may be relatively rigid. By providing that the combination
of the support 40 and the coil 50 is flexible, the combination of
the support 40 and the coil 50 may be fitted into an
irregularly-shaped space in the apparatus 100. Further, by
providing that the combination of the support 40 and the coil 50 is
flexible, the combination of the support 40 and the coil 50 may be
more resistant to damage.
[0123] With reference once again to FIG. 4, it will be seen that in
this embodiment the combination of the support 40 and the coil 50
define part of the recess 101. In other embodiments, a protective
structure may be provided between the combination of the support 40
and the coil 50 and the recess 101, to help protect the support 40
and the coil 50 from damage during use of the apparatus 100.
[0124] In this embodiment, the device 123 for passing a varying
electrical current through the coil 50 is electrically connected
between the electrical power source 121 and the coil 50. In this
embodiment, the controller 124 also is electrically connected to
the electrical power source 121, and is communicatively connected
to the device 123. More specifically, in this embodiment, the
controller 124 is for controlling the device 123, so as to control
the supply of electrical power from the electrical power source 121
to the coil 50. In this embodiment, the controller 124 comprises an
integrated circuit (IC), such as an IC on a printed circuit board
(PCB). In other embodiments, the controller 124 may take a
different form. In some embodiments, the apparatus may have a
single electrical or electronic component comprising the device 123
and the controller 124. The controller 124 is operated in this
embodiment by user-operation of the user interface 125. In this
embodiment, the user interface 125 is located at the exterior of
the apparatus 100. The user interface 125 may comprise a
push-button, a toggle switch, a dial, a touchscreen, or the like.
In other embodiments, the user interface 125 may be remote and
connected to the rest of the apparatus wirelessly, such as via
Bluetooth.
[0125] In this embodiment, operation of user interface 125 by a
user causes the controller 124 to cause the device 123 to cause a
varying electrical current to pass through the coil 50, so as to
cause the coil 50 to generate a varying magnetic field. When the
article 1, 2 is located in the recess 101, the coil 50 of the
apparatus 100 and the heating material 10 of the article 1, 2 are
suitably relatively positioned so that the alternating magnetic
field produced by the coil 50 penetrates the heating material 10 of
the article 1, 2. When the heating material 10 of the article 1, 2
is an electrically-conductive material, this may cause the
generation of one or more eddy currents in the heating material 10.
The flow of eddy currents in the heating material 10 against the
electrical resistance of the heating material 10 causes the heating
material 10 to be heated by Joule heating. As mentioned above, when
the heating material 10 is made of a magnetic material, the
orientation of magnetic dipoles in the heating material 10 changes
with the changing applied magnetic field, which causes heat to be
generated in the heating material 10.
[0126] The apparatus 100 of this embodiment comprises a temperature
sensor 126 for sensing a temperature of the recess 101. The
temperature sensor 126 is communicatively connected to controller
124, so that controller 124 is able to monitor the temperature of
the recess 101. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 126 may
be arranged to take an optical temperature measurement of the
recess 101 or article 1, 2. In some embodiments, the article to be
located in the recess 101 may comprise a temperature detector, such
as a resistance temperature detector (RTD), for detecting a
temperature of the article. The article 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 (not
shown) of the apparatus 100 when the article is in recess 101. The
controller 124 may comprise the temperature monitor. The
temperature monitor of apparatus 100 may thus be able to determine
a temperature of the article during use of the article with the
apparatus 100.
[0127] In some embodiments, by providing that a component of the
article 1, 2 comprising the heating material 10 has a suitable
resistance, the response of the heating material 10 to a change in
temperature could be sufficient to give information regarding
temperature inside the article 1, 2. The temperature sensor 126 of
the apparatus 100 may then comprise a probe for analyzing the
heating material.
[0128] On the basis of one or more signals received from
temperature sensor 126 or temperature detector, the controller 124
may cause the device 123 to adjust a characteristic of the varying
electrical current passed through the coil 50 as necessary, in
order to ensure that the temperature of the recess 101, article 1,2
or heating material 10 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 30 within an article 1, 2 located in the recess
101 is heated sufficiently to volatilize at least one component of
the smokable material 30 without combusting the smokable material
30. Accordingly, the controller 124, and the apparatus 100 as a
whole, is arranged to heat the smokable material 30 to volatilize
the at least one component of the smokable material 30 without
combusting the smokable material 30. In some embodiments, the
temperature range is about 50.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C.,
such as between about 50.degree. C. and about 150.degree. C.,
between about 50.degree. C. and about 120.degree. C., between 25
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 these
ranges. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 126 may be
omitted.
[0129] In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may comprises a
mouthpiece (not shown). The mouthpiece may be releasably engageable
with the rest of apparatus 100 so as to connect the mouthpiece to
the rest of apparatus 100. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece and
the rest of apparatus 100 may be permanently connected, such as
through a hinge or flexible member. The mouthpiece may be locatable
so as to cover the opening 102 into the recess 101. When the
mouthpiece is so located, a channel through the mouthpiece may be
in fluid communication with the smokable material 30. In use, the
channel acts as a passageway for permitting volatilized material to
pass from the smokable material 30 to an exterior of apparatus 100.
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.
[0130] As the smokable material 30 in the article 1, 2 is being
heated, a user may be able to inhale the volatilized component(s)
of the smokable material 30 by drawing the volatilized component(s)
through a mouthpiece of the article (when provided) or through a
mouthpiece of the apparatus 100 (when provided). Air may enter the
article via a gap between the article and apparatus 100, or in some
embodiments apparatus 100 may define an air inlet that fluidly
connects the smokable material 30 with the exterior of apparatus
100. As the volatilized component(s) are removed from the article,
air may be drawn into smokable material 30 via the air inlet of
apparatus 100.
[0131] Some embodiments of the apparatus 100 may be arranged to
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 30
in an article in has/have been spent, or the like. The haptic
feedback could be created by interaction of the coil 50 and the
heating material 10, by interaction of an electrically-conductive
element with the coil 50, by rotating an unbalanced motor, by
repeatedly applying and removing a current across a piezoelectric
element, or the like.
[0132] In some embodiments, the apparatus may comprise more than
one coil. The plurality of coils of the apparatus could be operable
to provide progressive heating of the smokable material in an
article 1, 2, and thereby progressive generation of vapor. For
example, one coil may be able to heat a first region of the heating
material 10 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 10
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.
[0133] Referring to FIG. 8 there is shown a schematic front view of
a structure comprising a support 40 and one or more films defining
a plurality of coils 50, 60, 70 adjacent to each other on the
support 40. The structure of FIG. 8 may be usable in the apparatus
100 of FIG. 4 in place of the structure of FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0134] In this embodiment, each of the plurality of coils 50, 60,
70 comprises electrically conductive material. Each of the
plurality of coils 50, 60, 70 may be provided on the support 40
using any of the processes described herein for the provision of
the coil 50 on the support 40 of FIG. 6.
[0135] While in this embodiment the structure comprises first to
third coils 50, 60, 70, in other embodiments the structure may
comprise two coils or more than three coils of electrically
conductive material.
[0136] In this embodiment, each of the coils 50, 60, 70 occupies a
respective area on the support 40. In this embodiment, the first
coil 50 occupies a first area, the second coil 60 occupies a second
area which is smaller than the first area, and the third coil 70
occupies a third area. In this embodiment, the second and third
area are substantially equal. In other embodiments, the second and
third areas may be of respective different sizes. In some
embodiments, the coils 50, 60, 70 may occupy respective same-sized
areas.
[0137] In use, each of the coils 50, 60, 70 may be used in heating
respective different regions of heating material 10 of an article
located in the recess 101. That is, the respective varying magnetic
fields created by the coils 50, 60, 70 may penetrate different
respective regions of the heating material 10. The different
regions of the heating material 10 may be configured to heat
respective different areas of smokable material 30 in the article
that may, for example, comprise different flavorants and thereby
release vapor of different respective flavors.
[0138] In some embodiments, each of the coils 50, 60, 70 may be
connected to the same, common device 123 for passing respective
varying electrical current through the coils 50, 60, 70. In other
embodiments, the coils 50, 60, 70 may be connected to respective
separate devices 123 for passing a varying electrical current
through the coil 50, 60, 70 connected to the device 123.
[0139] In various embodiments, the device 123, or each of the
devices 123, is connected to the controller 124. The controller 124
is configured to control the one, or each, device 123 to cause the
generation of a plurality of respective varying magnetic fields.
The controller 124 may be configured to control the device(s) 123
so as to control independently the varying magnetic fields output
from the coils 50, 60, 70.
[0140] In some embodiments, the varying electrical current may be
passed through the coils 50, 60, 70 simultaneously. This may allow
a greater area of heating material 10 to be heated sufficiently at
any one time, or may allow a smaller area of heating material 10 to
be heated in a shortened period of time. In other embodiments, the
varying electrical current may be passed through the coils 50, 60,
70 in a predetermined sequence. The coils 50, 60, 70 may be
operable to provide progressive heating of the heating material 10,
and thus progressive heating of the smokable material 30 in the
article located in recess 101, so as to provide progressive
generation of vapor, as described above.
[0141] In some embodiments, the controller 124 may be configured to
control the device(s) 123 in such a way that the coils 50, 60, 70
are caused to output respective varying magnetic fields in a
cyclical or peristaltic manner. In some embodiments, the cyclically
or peristaltically output varying magnetic fields may heat
respective portions of heating material 10 cyclically or
peristaltically, so as to heat the vapor output from the smokable
material 30 in a cyclical or peristaltic manner. This may cause
movement of the vapor in a predetermined direction, such as towards
an outlet of the apparatus 100 and thus towards a user at the
outlet.
[0142] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the apparatus 100 is for use
with an article 1, 2 that itself comprises heating material 10 that
is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. However,
in some embodiments, the apparatus may additionally or
alternatively comprise such heating material.
[0143] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic
cross-sectional view of an example of apparatus for heating
smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the
smokable material according to another embodiment. The apparatus
200 of this embodiment is for use with an article comprising
smokable material 30. The apparatus 200 is substantially similar to
apparatus 100, except that it further comprises thermal insulation
80 and heating material 90.
[0144] In this embodiment, the thermal insulation 80 is located
between the coil 50 and the heating material 90. The thermal
insulation 80 may comprise, for example, 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
80 may additionally or alternatively comprise an air gap. Such
thermal insulation 80 may help to prevent heat loss from the
heating material 90 to components of the apparatus 200, may help to
increase heating efficiency of the smokable material 30 of the
article 1, 2 in the recess 101, and/or may help to reduce the
transfer of heating energy from the heating material 90 to an outer
surface of apparatus 200. This may improve the comfortableness with
which a user is able to hold apparatus 200.
[0145] In some embodiments, the coil 50 may be embedded in the
thermal insulation 80. The thermal insulation 80 may abut or
envelop the coil 50. In addition to the thermal benefits discussed
above, such a configuration may help to increase the robustness of
the apparatus 200, such as by helping to maintain the relative
positioning of the coil 50 and the recess 101.
[0146] In some embodiments, the thermal insulation 80 may be
omitted.
[0147] In this embodiment, the recess 101 is partially defined by
the heating material 90.
[0148] In some embodiments, the heating material 90 may comprise
deposited heating material 10 or ink. The heating material 90 may
be deposited on the thermal insulation 80, for example, by
printing. The heating material 90 may comprise at least one closed
circuit of heating material, which may provide the benefits
described elsewhere herein.
[0149] The inclusion of the heating material 90 in the apparatus
200 reduces the required complexity of an article for use with the
apparatus 200. Heating material may be used repeatedly for heating
smokable material 30, and thus it may be an efficient use of
heating material to include the heating material 90 in the
apparatus 200 rather than in a consumable article for use with the
apparatus 200.
[0150] An impedance of the coil 50 of this embodiment is equal, or
substantially equal, to an impedance of the heating material 90. If
the impedance of the heating material 90 were instead lower than
the impedance of the coil 50, then the voltage generated across the
heating material 90 in use may be lower than the voltage that may
be generated across the heating material 90 when the impedances are
matched. Alternatively, if the impedance of the heating material 90
were instead higher than the impedance of the coil 50, then the
electrical current generated in the heating material 90 in use may
be lower than the current that may be generated in heating material
90 when the impedances are matched. Matching the impedances may
help to balance the voltage and current to maximize the heating
power generated at the heating material 90 when heated in use.
However, in some other embodiments, the impedances may not be
matched.
[0151] Referring to FIG. 9 there is shown a flow diagram of an
example method of manufacturing a heater for use in heating
smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the
smokable material, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0152] Broadly speaking, the method 900 of this embodiment
comprises providing 901 a substrate, and forming 902 a closed
circuit of heating material on the substrate. The forming comprises
depositing the heating material. The heating material 10 is
heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.
[0153] A closed circuit of heating material may be of any shape
that defines a path that starts and ends at the same point so as to
create a loop.
[0154] In this embodiment, the substrate comprises smokable
material. In other embodiments, the substrate may be free of
smokable material. In some embodiments, the method 900 may comprise
a step of providing smokable material, such as on the substrate or
on the heating material.
[0155] In this embodiment, the forming 902 comprises depositing the
closed circuit of heating material on the substrate. However, in
other embodiments, the forming 902 may comprise depositing a film
of heating material, and then forming the closed circuit 10a of
heating material from the film, for example by etching the
film.
[0156] The heating material may be in the form of an ink. The
heating material may be suitable for use in an additive
manufacturing technique, such as 3D printing. The use of an ink may
help to ensure that the closed circuit is of a pre-determined
structure and of an even thickness on the substrate. The use of an
ink also can result in an efficient use of heating material. Other
benefits of using ink are discussed elsewhere herein.
[0157] In some embodiments, the forming 902 comprises forming a
plurality of closed circuits of heating material. In such
embodiments, each of the plurality of closed circuits of heating
material may be of any shape that defines a path that starts and
ends at the same point so as to create a loop.
[0158] The plurality of closed circuits of heating material may be
arranged so that they are out of contact with each other. That is,
they do not touch each other. In other embodiments, one or more of
the plurality of closed circuits may be in contact with one or more
others of the plurality of closed circuits. In some embodiments,
the plurality of closed circuits of heating material are arranged
concentrically in relation to each other. In other embodiments, the
plurality of closed circuits of heating material may be formed so
that each of the closed circuits is outside of each other of the
closed circuits, or in any other arrangement.
[0159] Referring to FIG. 10 there is shown a flow diagram showing
an example of a method of manufacturing a magnetic field generator
for use in apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at
least one component of the smokable material, in accordance with an
embodiment.
[0160] Broadly speaking, the method 1000 of this embodiment
comprises providing 1001 a support, forming 1002 an electrically
conductive coil on the support, wherein the forming comprises
depositing electrically conductive material on the support, so that
the electrically conductive material bonds to the support, and
electrically connecting 1003 the coil to a device for passing a
varying electrical current through the coil. However, in other
embodiments, the providing 1001 and/or the electrically connecting
1003 may be omitted.
[0161] In embodiments, the support is non-electrically conductive.
That is, support is an electrical insulator. However, in some
embodiments, bonding of the electrically conductive material to the
support may be omitted.
[0162] As noted above, the forming comprises depositing
electrically conductive material. In some embodiments, the
depositing results in the formation of the coil. In other
embodiments, this may not be the case. For example, a film of
electrically conductive material may be deposited, and then the
coil may be formed from the film, for example by etching the film.
In some embodiments, the forming 1002 may comprise forming a
plurality of electrically conductive coils, wherein the forming
comprises depositing electrically conductive material. In some
embodiments the forming 1002 may comprise forming two coils, but in
other embodiments the number of coils formed may be three of more.
In some embodiments, the plurality of coils may have identical
geometries. In other embodiments, the coils may have different
geometries. In some embodiments, some or all of the coils occupy
differently-sized areas on the substrate.
[0163] In some embodiments, the connecting 1003 may comprise
connecting each of the plurality of coils to a device for passing a
varying electrical current through the electrically conductive
coils. In some embodiments, the connecting 1003 may comprise
connecting each of coils to a respective device for passing a
varying electrical current through the electrically conductive coil
connected to that device.
[0164] In each of the above-discussed embodiments, the film
comprising heating material 10 is deposited in a method comprising
printing. However, in other embodiments, the film could be
deposited by a different method, such as sputtering, evaporation,
chemical vapor deposition, molecular beam epitaxy, electroplating,
screen printing, laser etching, drying, firing, curing, and the
like.
[0165] In each of the above-discussed embodiments, the film
defining the coil 50 of electrically conductive material is
deposited in a method comprising printing. However, in other
embodiments, the film could be deposited by a different method,
such as sputtering, evaporation, chemical vapor deposition,
molecular beam epitaxy, electroplating, screen printing, laser
etching, drying, firing, curing, and the like.
[0166] In each of the embodiments discussed above, the heating
material 10 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 10 has a relatively small
thickness, a greater proportion of the heating material 10 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.
[0167] In some embodiments, a component comprising the heating
material 10 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 10 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.
[0168] 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. An article
according to embodiments may be a cartridge, for example.
[0169] In each of the above described embodiments, the article 1, 2
is a consumable article. Once all, or substantially all, of the
volatilizable component(s) of the smokable material of the article
1, 2 has/have been spent, the user may dispose of the article 1, 2.
The user may subsequently re-use the apparatus with another of the
articles 1, 2. However, in other respective embodiments, the
article 1, 2 may be non-consumable, and the apparatus and the
article 1, 2 may be disposed of together once the volatilizable
component(s) of the smokable material has/have been spent.
[0170] In some embodiments, an article 1, 2 as discussed above is
sold, supplied or otherwise provided separately from apparatus 100,
with which it is usable. However in some embodiments, the apparatus
100 and one or more of the articles 1, 2 may be provided together
as a system, such as a kit or an assembly, possibly with additional
components, such as cleaning utensils.
[0171] 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 recess 101.
[0172] 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 apparatus for heating
smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the
smokable material, superior articles for use with such apparatus,
superior systems comprising such articles and such apparatus,
superior methods of manufacturing magnetic field generators for use
in such apparatuses, and superior methods of manufacturing heaters
for use in heating smokable material. 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.
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