U.S. patent application number 15/563086 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-06 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 Ahmad BITAR, Neil LITTEN, David RUSSELL, Darren SEYMOUR, Harpal SINGH, Joseph SUTTON, Hitesh VALLABH, Dominic WOODCOCK.
Application Number | 20180343917 15/563086 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53178485 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180343917 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUTTON; Joseph ; et
al. |
December 6, 2018 |
ARTICLE FOR USE WITH APPARATUS FOR HEATING SMOKABLE MATERIAL
Abstract
An article is provided for use with an apparatus for heating
smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the
smokable material. The article has a carrier and smokable material
arranged on the carrier. The smokable material has a first layer of
smokable material and a second layer of smokable material. The
first layer of smokable material is located between the carrier and
the second layer of smokable material. The smokable material of the
first layer of smokable material has a form or chemical composition
that differs from the form or chemical composition, respectively,
of the smokable material of the second layer of smokable
material.
Inventors: |
SUTTON; Joseph; (London,
GB) ; WOODCOCK; Dominic; (London, GB) ;
SEYMOUR; Darren; (London, GB) ; VALLABH; Hitesh;
(London, GB) ; LITTEN; Neil; (London, GB) ;
SINGH; Harpal; (London, GB) ; RUSSELL; David;
(London, GB) ; BITAR; Ahmad; (London, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
53178485 |
Appl. No.: |
15/563086 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
March 31, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/057064 |
371 Date: |
September 29, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 47/008 20130101;
A24D 1/14 20130101; A24B 15/167 20161101 |
International
Class: |
A24D 1/14 20060101
A24D001/14; A24F 47/00 20060101 A24F047/00; A24B 15/16 20060101
A24B015/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2015 |
GB |
1505597.3 |
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 carrier; and smokable material arranged on
the carrier, wherein the smokable material comprises a first layer
of smokable material and a second layer of smokable material,
wherein the first layer of smokable material is located between the
carrier and the second layer of smokable material, and wherein the
smokable material of the first layer of smokable material has a
form or chemical composition that differs from a form or chemical
composition, respectively, of the smokable material of the second
layer of smokable material.
2. An article according to claim 1, wherein the smokable material
of one of the first layer of smokable material or the second layer
of smokable material has a form or chemical composition so as to be
heatable more quickly than the smokable material of the other of
the first layer of smokable material or the second layer of
smokable material.
3. An article according to claim 2, wherein the smokable material
of the first layer of smokable material has a form or chemical
composition so as to be heatable more quickly than the smokable
material of the second layer of smokable material.
4. An article according to claim 1, wherein the smokable material
of one of the first layer of smokable material or the second layer
of smokable material comprises particles of the smokable material
having a first mean particle size, and the smokable material of the
other of the first layer of smokable material or the second layer
of smokable material comprises particles of the smokable material
having a second mean particle size that is greater than the first
mean particle size.
5. An article according to claim 4, wherein the smokable material
of the first layer of smokable material comprises the particles of
smokable material having the first mean particle size, and the
smokable material of the second layer of smokable material
comprises the particles of smokable material having the second mean
particle size.
6. An article according to claim 1, wherein the smokable material
of one of the first layer of smokable material or the second layer
of smokable material comprises an aerosol forming agent, and the
smokable material of the other of the first layer of smokable
material or the second layer of smokable material is free or
substantially free of the aerosol forming agent.
7. An article according to claim 6, wherein the smokable material
of the first layer of smokable material comprises the aerosol
forming agent, and the smokable material of the second layer of
smokable material is free or substantially free of the aerosol
forming agent.
8. An article according to claim 1, wherein the first layer of the
smokable material is bonded to the carrier.
9. An article according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is for
conducting heat through the carrier towards the smokable
material.
10. An article according to claim 1, wherein the article comprises
a pouch containing the smokable material, and wherein the carrier
forms at least a portion of a wall of the pouch.
11. A cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable
material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material, the cartridge comprising: an article for use with
apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one
component of the smokable material, the article comprising a
carrier and smokable material arranged on the carrier, wherein the
smokable material comprises a first layer of smokable material and
a second layer of smokable material, wherein the first layer of
smokable material is located between the carrier and the second
layer of smokable material, and wherein the smokable material of
the first layer of smokable material has a form or chemical
composition that differs from a form of chemical composition,
respectively, of the smokable material of the second layer of
smokable material.
12. A cartridge according to claim 11, comprising a housing
defining a chamber, wherein the carrier defines part of an exterior
surface of the cartridge, and wherein the smokable material is
located within the chamber.
13. A cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the exterior surface
of the cartridge comprises a cavity for receiving a heater for
heating the smokable material, and wherein the carrier defines at
least part of the cavity.
14. A cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the cavity has a
mouth and a longitudinal axis, and wherein a cross-sectional size
of the cavity perpendicular to the longitudinal axis decreases with
distance from the mouth over at least a majority of a length of the
cavity.
15. A cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the cavity is a
wedge-shaped cavity or a dome-shaped cavity.
16. A kit comprising; an article for use with apparatus for heating
smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the
smokable material, the article comprising: a carrier, and smokable
material arranged on the carrier, wherein the smokable material
comprises a first layer of smokable material and a second layer of
smokable material, wherein the first layer of smokable material is
located between the carrier and the second layer of smokable
material, and wherein the smokable material of the first layer of
smokable material has a form or chemical composition that differs
from a form or chemical composition, respectively, of the smokable
material of the second layer of smokable material; and apparatus
for heating the smokable material to volatilize at least one
component of the smokable material.
17. A kit according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus is for
heating the smokable material to volatilize the at least one
component of the smokable material without combusting the smokable
material.
18. A kit according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus comprises a
heating device for heating the smokable material, and a controller
for controlling heating of the heating device so as to cause
heating of the smokable material to volatilize the at least one
component of the smokable material without combusting the smokable
material.
19. The kit according to claim 16, further comprising a cartridge,
the cartridge comprising the article.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT
Application No. CT/EP2016/057064, filed Mar. 31, 2016, which claims
priority from GB Patent Application Ser. No. 1505597.3, filed Mar.
31, 2015, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an article for use with
apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one
component of the smokable material.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 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
[0004] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an
article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the
article comprising: a carrier; and smokable material arranged on
the carrier; wherein the smokable material comprises a first layer
of smokable material and a second layer of smokable material,
wherein the first layer of smokable material is located between the
carrier and the second layer of smokable material; and wherein the
smokable material of the first layer of smokable material has a
form or chemical composition that differs from the form or chemical
composition, respectively, of the smokable material of the second
layer of smokable material.
[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material of one of
the first and second layers of smokable material has a form or
chemical composition so as to be heatable more quickly than the
smokable material of the other of the first and second layers of
smokable material. In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable
material of one of the first and second layers of smokable material
has a form or chemical composition so as to be heatable more
quickly, to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material, than the smokable material of the other of the first and
second layers of smokable material.
[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material of the
first layer of smokable material has a form or chemical composition
so as to be heatable more quickly than the smokable material of the
second layer of smokable material. In an exemplary embodiment, the
smokable material of the first layer of smokable material has a
form or chemical composition so as to be heatable more quickly, to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, than
the smokable material of the second layer of smokable material.
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material of one of
the first and second layers of smokable material comprises
particles of the smokable material having a first mean particle
size, and the smokable material of the other of the first and
second layers of smokable material comprises particles of the
smokable material having a second mean particle size that is
greater than the first mean particle size.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material of the
first layer of smokable material comprises the particles of
smokable material having the first mean particle size, and the
smokable material of the second layer of smokable material
comprises the particles of smokable material having the second mean
particle size.
[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material of one of
the first and second layers of smokable material comprises an
aerosol forming agent, and the smokable material of the other of
the first and second layers of smokable material is free or
substantially free of the aerosol forming agent.
[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material of the
first layer of smokable material comprises the aerosol forming
agent, and the smokable material of the second layer of smokable
material is free or substantially free of the aerosol forming
agent.
[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the aerosol forming agent
comprises glycerol.
[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the first layer of the smokable
material is bonded to the carrier.
[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the first layer of the smokable
material is bonded by an adhesive to the carrier.
[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the second layer of smokable
material is in contact with the first layer of smokable
material.
[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the second layer of smokable
material is out of contact with the carrier.
[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier is for conducting
heat through the carrier towards the smokable material.
[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a pouch
containing the smokable material, and the carrier forms at least a
portion of a wall of the pouch.
[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises
tobacco.
[0019] There is also provided a cartridge for use with apparatus
for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component
of the smokable material, the cartridge comprising an article as
described above.
[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the cartridge comprises a
housing defining a chamber, the carrier defines part of an exterior
surface of the cartridge, and the smokable material is located
within the chamber.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the exterior surface of the
cartridge comprises a cavity for receiving a heater for heating the
smokable material, and the carrier defines at least part of the
cavity.
[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the cavity has a mouth and a
longitudinal axis, and a cross-sectional size of the cavity
perpendicular to the axis decreases with distance from the mouth
over at least a majority of a length of the cavity.
[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional size of the
cavity decreases with distance from the mouth over the full length
of the cavity.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the cavity is a wedge-shaped
cavity or a dome-shaped cavity.
[0025] There is also provided a kit comprising an article as
described above or a cartridge as described above, and apparatus
for heating the smokable material to volatilize at least one
component of the smokable material.
[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is for heating the
smokable material to volatilize the at least one component of the
smokable material without combusting the smokable material.
[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a
heating device for heating the smokable material, and a controller
for controlling heating of the heating device so as to cause
heating of the smokable material to volatilize the at least one
component of the smokable material without combusting the smokable
material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way
of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional 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.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional 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.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example
of a cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable material
to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example
of another cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable
material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example
of another cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable
material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example
of another cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable
material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable
material.
[0035] FIG. 7 shows a partially cut-away perspective view of an
example of an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize
at least one component of the smokable material.
[0036] FIG. 8 shows a partially cut-away perspective view of an
example of another apparatus for heating smokable material to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.
[0037] FIG. 9 shows a partially cut-away perspective view of an
example of another apparatus for heating smokable material to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] As used herein, the term "smokable material" includes
materials that provide volatilized components upon heating,
typically in the form of 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, gel or
agglomerates. "Smokable material" also may include other,
non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may
not contain nicotine.
[0039] 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 comprise natural or nature-identical aroma chemicals. They may
be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, powder, or
gel.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a schematic
cross-sectional view of an example of an article 40 according to an
embodiment of the disclosure. The article 40 comprises a carrier 41
and smokable material 42 arranged on the carrier 41. The smokable
material 42 comprises a first layer of smokable material 43 and a
second layer of smokable material 44. The first layer of smokable
material 43 is located between the carrier 41 and the second layer
of smokable material 44. In this embodiment, the first layer of
smokable material 43 is bonded by an adhesive (not shown) to the
carrier 41. In other embodiments, the first layer of smokable
material 43 may be bonded to the carrier 41, or arranged on the
carrier 41, by some other mechanism. In this embodiment, the first
layer of smokable material 43 has a first thickness within a range
of about 0.5 mm to 3 mm, or 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm, or 1.0 mm to 1.4 mm.
In this embodiment, the second layer of smokable material 44 has a
second thickness within a range of about 0.5 mm to 3 mm, or 0.1 mm
to 2.0 mm, or 1.0 mm to 1.4 mm. In other embodiments, the first and
second thicknesses may be other than within these ranges.
[0041] In this embodiment, the carrier 41 is for conducting heat
through the carrier 41 towards the smokable material 42. The
carrier 41 comprises a metal foil, such as aluminum foil, but in
other embodiments the carrier 41 may comprise paper, a non-metal
foil, a polymer, a plastics material, or a combination of foil and
paper, or the like. In some embodiments, the carrier 41 may
comprise a first layer of material, for example a paper such as
reconstituted tobacco paper, and a second layer of material, for
example a metal foil, attached to the first layer of material. In
some embodiments, the first layer of smokable material 43 may be
more readily bondable or adherable to the material of the first
layer of material than to the material of the second layer of
material. In some embodiments, the material of the second layer of
material may be more rigid or robust than the material of the first
layer of material. Thus, in some embodiments, the first layer of
material may facilitate adhering the smokable material 42 to the
carrier 41, and the second layer of material may increase the
rigidity and/or robustness of the carrier 41.
[0042] In this embodiment, the second layer of smokable material 44
is in contact with the first layer of smokable material 43. In
other embodiments, there may be other material between the first
and second layers of smokable material 43, 44. Such other material
may increase the rigidity or robustness of the article 40, may help
retain the relative positions of the first and second layers of
smokable material 43, 44, and/or may help hold different regions of
the smokable material 42 together. An example such other material
is a layer of paper, such as reconstituted tobacco paper. In this
embodiment, the second layer of smokable material 44 is out of
contact with the carrier 41. In other embodiments, one or more
sections of the second layer of smokable material 44 may be in
contact with the carrier 41.
[0043] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the smokable
material of the first layer of smokable material 43 has a form or
chemical composition that differs from the form or chemical
composition, respectively, of the smokable material of the second
layer of smokable material 44. In some embodiments, the smokable
material of one of the first and second layers of smokable material
43, 44 has a form or chemical composition so as to be heatable more
quickly, for example to volatilize at least one component of the
smokable material, than the smokable material of the other of the
first and second layers of smokable material 43, 44. For example,
it may be the smokable material of the first layer of smokable
material 43 that has the form or chemical composition so as to be
heatable more quickly, for example to volatilize at least one
component of the smokable material, than the smokable material of
the second layer of smokable material 44.
[0044] By providing the first and second layers of smokable
material 43, 44 with different forms or chemical compositions, in
some embodiments progressive heating of the smokable material 42,
and thereby progressive generation of aerosol for user inhalation,
is achievable. More specifically, the respective forms or chemical
compositions of the first and second layers of smokable material
43, 44 may be selected such that, in use, only a relatively small
degree of heating of the carrier 41 is required to cause the first
layer of smokable material 43 to become heated, thereby to initiate
volatilization of at least one component of the smokable material
in the first layer of smokable material 43. The volatilized
component(s) may be cooled, such as by flowing air, so that they
condense to form an aerosol. As the carrier 41 is further heated,
the second layer of smokable material 44 may become sufficiently
heated to initiate volatilization of at least one component of the
smokable material in the second layer of smokable material 44,
which also may be cooled so as to condense to form an aerosol.
Accordingly, on activation by a user, components of the smokable
material are able to be volatilized relatively rapidly, and
components of the smokable material continue to be volatilized
thereafter even after the first layer of smokable material 43
becomes exhausted of volatile components. Accordingly, progressive
generation of aerosol is achievable.
[0045] In other embodiments, the difference in form or chemical
composition may instead act to compensate for a greater distance
between the carrier 41 and the second layer of smokable material
44, as compared to the distance between the carrier 41 and the
first layer of smokable material 43. The latter distance may be
zero. For example, the respective forms or chemical compositions of
the first and second layers of smokable material 43, 44 may be
selected such that, on heating of the carrier 41, at least one
component of the smokable material of each of the first and second
layers of smokable material 43, 44 is volatilized at substantially
the same time. Also, aerosol may be formed from the volatilized
components from each of the first and second layers of smokable
material 43, 44 at substantially the same time, as a result of
condensing the volatilized components by cooling.
[0046] In some embodiments, the difference in form between the
first and second layers of smokable material 43, 44 may comprise a
difference in mean sizes of particles of the smokable material in
the first and second layers of smokable material 43, 44. That is,
in some embodiments, the smokable material of one of the first and
second layers of smokable material 43, 44 comprises particles of
the smokable material having a first mean particle size, and the
smokable material of the other of the first and second layers of
smokable material 43, 44 comprises particles of the smokable
material having a second mean particle size that is greater than
the first mean particle size. In some embodiments, the smokable
material 42 as a whole may have a mean particle size of between 0.6
and 0.9 mm or between 0.7 and 0.8 mm. The smokable material 42 may
be prepared using mesh separation or sieves, for example with sieve
hole sizes selected so as to separate particles of the smokable
material having a particle size within the desired range from
particles of the smokable material having a particle size outside
of the desired range.
[0047] Typically, particles of smokable material having a smaller
mean particle size are heatable more quickly, for example to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, by a
given heat source than are particles of the smokable material
having a greater mean particle size. By providing the first and
second layers of smokable material 43, 44 with different mean
particle sizes, in some embodiments progressive heating of the
smokable material, and thereby progressive generation of aerosol,
on heating the carrier 41 is achievable substantially as discussed
above. In other embodiments, simultaneous volatilization of at
least one component of the smokable material in each of the first
and second layers of smokable material 43, 44 on heating the
carrier 41, and simultaneous generation of aerosol using the
volatilized components from each of the first and second layers of
smokable material 43, 44, is achievable substantially as discussed
above.
[0048] In the article 40 shown in FIG. 1, the smokable material of
the first layer of smokable material 43 has a form so as to be
heatable more quickly, for example to volatilize at least one
component of the smokable material, than the smokable material of
the second layer of smokable material 44. More specifically, in
this embodiment the smokable material of the first layer of
smokable material 43 comprises the particles of smokable material
having the first mean particle size, and the smokable material of
the second layer of smokable material 44 comprises the particles of
smokable material having the second mean particle size. Thus, in
use, as the carrier 41 is heated, the particles of smokable
material of the first layer of smokable material 43 are heated more
quickly, for example to volatilize at least one component of the
smokable material, than are particles of smokable material of the
second layer of smokable material 44. Combined with the feature of
this embodiment that the first layer of smokable material 43 also
is closer to the carrier 41 than is the second layer of smokable
material 44, at least one component of the smokable material of the
first layer of smokable material 43 may be volatilized well in
advance of components of the smokable material of the second layer
of smokable material 44 on heating of the carrier 41.
[0049] In a variation to the article 40 shown in FIG. 1, the
smokable material of the second layer of smokable material 44 may
comprise the particles of smokable material having the first mean
particle size, and the smokable material of the first layer of
smokable material 43 may comprise the particles of smokable
material having the second mean particle size. The provision of
these features may provide the compensatory effect described above,
for example so that at least one component of the smokable material
is volatilized in the first and second layers of smokable material
43, 44 substantially simultaneously on heating the carrier 41, or
so as to reduce or avoid a potential delay in volatilization of at
least one component of the smokable material in the second layer of
smokable material 44 on heating the carrier 41.
[0050] In some embodiments, the first and second layers of smokable
material 43, 44 have different chemical compositions. Accordingly,
depending on the chemical compositions employed, in some
embodiments progressive volatilization of at least one component of
the smokable material on heating the carrier 41 is achievable
substantially as discussed above. In other embodiments,
simultaneous volatilization of at least one component of the
smokable material in the first and second layers of smokable
material 43, 44 on heating the carrier 41 is achievable
substantially as discussed above, or a potential delay in
volatilization of at least one component of the smokable material
in the second layer of smokable material 44 on heating the carrier
41 is reduced or avoided on heating the carrier 41.
[0051] In some embodiments, the difference in chemical composition
between the first and second layers of smokable material 43, 44 may
comprise a difference in quantities by weight of an aerosol forming
agent, such as glycerol, in each of the first and second layers 43,
44, as a percentage of a total weight of the smokable material of
the respective first and second layers 43, 44. For example, in some
embodiments, the smokable material of one of the first and second
layers of smokable material 43, 44 may comprise an aerosol forming
agent such as glycerol, and the smokable material of the other of
the first and second layers of smokable material 43, 44 may be
free, or substantially free, of the aerosol forming agent. For
example, it may be the smokable material of the first layer of
smokable material 43 that comprises the aerosol forming agent. In
other embodiments, both of the first and second layers of smokable
material 43, 44 may comprise the aerosol forming agent, but one of
the first and second layers of smokable material 43, 44 may
comprise more of the aerosol forming agent than the other of the
first and second layers of smokable material 43, 44, as measured by
weight of the aerosol forming agent in each of the first and second
layers 43, 44, as a percentage of a total weight of the smokable
material of the respective first and second layers 43, 44.
[0052] In some embodiments, the difference in chemical composition
between the first and second layers of smokable material 43, 44 may
comprise a difference in quantities by weight of a smoke modifying
substance, such as a flavorant, in each of the first and second
layers 43, 44, as a percentage of a total weight of the smokable
material of the respective first and second layers 43, 44. For
example, in some embodiments, the smokable material of one of the
first and second layers of smokable material 43, 44 may comprise a
flavorant, and the smokable material of the other of the first and
second layers of smokable material 44 may be free, or substantially
free, of the flavorant. In some embodiments, one of the first and
second layers of smokable material 43, 44 may comprise a first
flavorant, and the other of the first and second layers of smokable
material 43, 44 may comprise a second flavorant that is different
to the first flavorant. By providing the first and second layers of
smokable material 43, 44 with different quantities of smoke
modifying agents or flavorants, in some embodiments a change in
flavor of generated aerosol for user inhalation is achievable.
[0053] In some embodiments, the article comprises a pouch
containing the smokable material, and the carrier forms at least a
portion of a wall of the pouch. Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown
a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of such an article
50 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0054] The article 50 comprises a pouch for use with apparatus for
heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of
the smokable material. The pouch comprises a first wall 51 and a
second wall 55, and the pouch contains smokable material 52 between
the first wall 51 and the second wall 55. The first wall 51
functions as a carrier, and in this embodiment the carrier 51 and
the smokable material 52 correspond to the carrier 41 and smokable
material 42 described above with reference to FIG. 1. Thus, the
smokable material 52 contained in the pouch comprises a first layer
of smokable material 53 and a second layer of smokable material 54,
and the first layer of smokable material 53 is located between the
carrier 51 and the second layer of smokable material 54. In this
embodiment, the second layer of smokable material 54 is located
between the second wall 55 and the first layer of smokable material
53.
[0055] In other embodiments in which the article comprises a pouch
containing smokable material and the carrier forms at least a
portion of a wall of the pouch, the carrier may take any of the
other forms discussed above, and the smokable material may take any
of the other forms discussed above. As can be seen, in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first wall 51 and second wall 55 of
the pouch form a closed container for the smokable material 52.
[0056] In some embodiments of the article, in which the article
comprises a pouch containing smokable material and the carrier
forms at least a portion of a wall of the pouch, the first wall 51
of the pouch may be made of a first material, and the second wall
55 of the pouch may be made of a second material that is a
different material to the first material. In other embodiments, the
first and second walls 51, 55 may be made of the same material,
such as the second material. In some embodiments, the second
material may be a porous material for permitting aerosol or
volatilized material generated within the pouch to pass out of the
pouch from within the pouch, and the first wall 51 may be made of a
material that is less porous to the aerosol or volatilized material
than the porous material. For example, the second material may
comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting
of: fleece, viscose, non-woven material, non-woven fleece, woven
material, knitted material, nylon, and polyester.
[0057] In some embodiments, the article is incorporated into a
cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to
volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.
Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view
of an example of such a cartridge 60 according to an embodiment of
the disclosure.
[0058] The cartridge 60 comprises a housing 65 defining a chamber
66. A carrier 61 defines part of an exterior surface of the
cartridge 60, and smokable material 62 is located within the
chamber 66. The "exterior surface" may be a surface that envelops
the rest of the cartridge 60, or that delineates the cartridge 60.
In this embodiment the carrier 61 and the smokable material 62
correspond to the carrier 41 and smokable material 42 described
above with reference to FIG. 1. Thus, the smokable material 62
located within the chamber 66 comprises a first layer of smokable
material 63 and a second layer of smokable material 64, and the
first layer of smokable material 63 is located between the carrier
61 and the second layer of smokable material 64. In this
embodiment, the second layer of smokable material 64 is located
between the housing 65 and the first layer of smokable material
63.
[0059] In this embodiment, air flow inlets 68 extend through the
housing 65 for admitting air into the chamber 66 from an exterior
of the housing 65. In other embodiments, there may be only one air
flow inlet 68 in place of the plurality of air flow inlets 68. In
this embodiment, apertures 69 extend through the housing 65. Each
of the apertures 69 is a volatilized material outlet 69 for
permitting volatilized material generated within the chamber 66 by
heating of the smokable material 62 to pass from the chamber 66 out
of the housing 65. In other embodiments, there may be only one
aperture 69 in place of the plurality of apertures 69.
[0060] In this embodiment, the exterior surface of the cartridge 60
comprises a cavity 67 for receiving a heater for heating the
smokable material 62 in use, and the carrier 61 defines at least
part of the cavity 67. That is, the exterior surface of the
cartridge 60 comprises a portion that is recessed to provide the
cavity 67. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the carrier 61 defines
part of the exterior surface of the housing 65 of the cartridge 60,
as outlined above. In this embodiment, the cavity 67 is a blind
hole having a mouth 67a , first and second trunk sections 67b, 67c,
and a closed end 67d. The first trunk section 67b connects the
mouth 67a to the second trunk section 67c, and the second trunk
section 67c connects the first trunk section 67b to the closed end
67d. In this embodiment, the second trunk section 67c is of
constant, or substantially constant, cross-sectional shape and size
(for example, a width, a height, a diameter, a dimension, or an
area) throughout its length between the first trunk section 67b and
the closed end 67d. On the other hand, a cross-sectional size (for
example, a width, a height, a diameter, a dimension, or an area) of
the first trunk section 67b decreases with distance from the mouth
67a so as to have a tapered profile. The tapered profile helps a
user to guide the heater into the cavity 67 in use. In some
embodiments, the cavity 67 may instead be a through hole.
[0061] In other embodiments, the cavity 67 may have a different
shape. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-sectional size
of the cavity 67 decreases with distance from the mouth 67a over
the full length of the cavity 67. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 there
are shown schematic cross-sectional views of examples of such
cartridges 70, 80 according to two respective embodiments of the
disclosure. Like elements in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4 and 5 are denoted
with like reference numerals, and discussion thereof is not
included in the interests of conciseness. In brief, the cavity 67
of the cartridge 70 of FIG. 4 is a wedge-shaped cavity, and the
cavity 67 of the cartridge 80 of FIG. 5 is a dome-shaped cavity. In
the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the wedge-shaped and
dome-shaped cavities 67 are symmetrical or
rotationally-symmetrical. In other embodiments, they may instead be
asymmetrical.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown a schematic
cross-sectional view of an example of a further cartridge 90
according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The cartridge 90 of
FIG. 6 is the same as the cartridge 70 of FIG. 4, except that the
cartridge 90 of FIG. 6 includes two of the articles 50 of FIG. 2
within the chamber 66 defined by the housing 65 and connected
together by means of a connector. In the cartridge 90 of FIG. 6,
the first wall 51, i.e. the carrier 51, of each of the pouches
defines at least part of the cavity 67. Accordingly, in this
embodiment, each of the respective carriers 51, and thus each of
the respective pouches, defines part of the exterior surface of the
cartridge 90. In another embodiment that is a variant of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the cartridge may comprise only one
article 50 of FIG. 2 within the chamber 66, so that only one
carrier 51 of a pouch defines at least part of the cavity 67. The
rest of the cavity 67 would be defined by one or more further
elements.
[0063] In other embodiments in which the article is incorporated
into a cartridge, the carrier may take any of the other forms
discussed above, and the smokable material may take any of the
other forms discussed above.
[0064] Each of the articles and cartridges 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90
shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, and each of the other articles and
cartridges described above, is usable with an apparatus (not shown)
for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component
of the smokable material. In some embodiments, the apparatus is for
heating the smokable material 42, 52, 62 of the article or
cartridge 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 to volatilize at least one
component of the smokable material 42, 52, 62 without combusting,
or burning, the smokable material.
[0065] In some respective embodiments, the apparatus comprises a
heating device having a heater that is for contacting, or for
coming into close proximity to, the carrier 41, 51, 61 of one of
the respective articles or cartridges 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90
discussed above and shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. In some embodiments, the
heater has a surface profile that matches, or closely matches, a
surface profile of the carrier 41, 51, 61. This helps provide good
conduction of heat from the heater to the smokable material 42, 52,
62 arranged on the carrier 41, 51, 61. In some embodiments, the
heater has a profile for being inserted into the cavity 67 of one
of the respective cartridges 60, 70, 80, 90 discussed above and
shown in FIGS. 3 to 6.
[0066] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a controller
for controlling heating of the heating device so as to cause
heating of the smokable material 42, 52, 62 to volatilize the at
least one component of the smokable material 42, 52, 62 without
combusting the smokable material 42, 52, 62. In some embodiments,
the controller is for controlling the supply of power from a power
source to the heating device. In some embodiments, the controller
is configured to ensure that the temperature of the heater remains
within a temperature range of about 150 degrees Celsius to about
300 degrees Celsius, or about 170 degrees Celsius to about 220
degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, within this temperature
range, the smokable material 42, 52, 62 of the article or cartridge
40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 is heated sufficiently to volatilize at
least one component of the smokable material 42, 52, 62 without
combusting the smokable material 42, 52, 62. In other embodiments,
the temperature range of heating may be other than this range. In
some embodiments, following the volatilization of the at least one
component of the smokable material 42, 52, 62, an aerosol for
inhalation by a user is formed. For example, a user drawing on an
outlet of the apparatus may draw air through the apparatus, which
cools the volatilized component(s) of the smokable material 42, 52,
62 so that they condense to form the aerosol.
[0067] In each of the above described embodiments, the smokable
material 42, 52, 62 comprises tobacco. However, in respective
variations to each of these embodiments, the smokable material 42,
52, 62 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 42,
52, 62 may include an aerosol forming agent, such as glycerol.
[0068] In each of the above described embodiments, the article or
cartridge 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 is a consumable article or
cartridge. Once all, or substantially all, of the volatile
component(s) of the smokable material 42, 52, 62 in the article or
cartridge 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 has/have been spent, the user may
remove the article or cartridge 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 from the
apparatus and dispose of the article or cartridge 40, 50, 60, 70,
80, 90. The user may subsequently re-use the apparatus with another
of the articles or cartridges 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90. However, in
other respective embodiments, the article or cartridge 40, 50, 60,
70, 80, 90 may be non-consumable, and the combination of the
apparatus and the article or cartridge 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 may
be disposed of together once the volatile component(s) of the
smokable material 42, 52, 62 has/have been spent.
[0069] In some embodiments, the apparatus discussed above may be
sold, supplied or otherwise provided separately from the article or
cartridge 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 with which the apparatus is
usable. However, in other embodiments, the apparatus and one or
more of the articles and/or cartridges 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 may
be provided together as a kit.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a partially cut-away
perspective view of an example of an apparatus 1 for heating
smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the
smokable material. The apparatus 1 is particularly suitable for use
with a cartridge 60 as described above with reference to FIG. 3.
The apparatus 1 has a body 10 which is generally tubular and
elongate, has first and second opposite longitudinal ends 11, 12,
and defines an interface for co-operating with the cartridge 60. In
this embodiment, the interface comprises a recess 13 for receiving
the cartridge 60. In other embodiments, the interface can take a
different form, such as a shelf, a surface, or a projection, and
optionally requires mechanical mating with the cartridge 60 in
order to cooperate with the cartridge 60. The first longitudinal
end 11 of the body 10 defines an opening 14 into the recess 13 at a
first end of the recess 13. The opening 14 is shaped and sized so
that the cartridge 60 is movable through the opening 14 to allow a
user to insert the cartridge 60 into the recess 13 and/or to remove
the cartridge 60 from the recess 13.
[0071] In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 30 is generally tubular
and elongate and has first and second opposite longitudinal ends
31, 32. The mouthpiece 30 comprises an inlet 34 at the second
longitudinal end 32 of the mouthpiece 30, an outlet 35 at the first
longitudinal end 31 of the mouthpiece 30, and a channel 36 fluidly
connecting the inlet 34 with the outlet 35. The second longitudinal
end 32 of the mouthpiece 30 comprises a connector (not shown) that
is releasably engageable with a connector (not shown) of the first
longitudinal end 11 of the body 10, so as to connect the mouthpiece
30 to the body 10. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece 30 and the
body 10 may be permanently connected, such as through a hinge or
flexible member. When the apparatus 1 is in use, the first
longitudinal end 31 of the mouthpiece 30 forms a first longitudinal
end of the apparatus 1, and the second longitudinal end 12 of the
body 10 forms a second longitudinal end of the apparatus 1.
[0072] In this embodiment, the recess 13 and the opening 14 into
the recess 13 are defined by the body 10 of the apparatus 1. In
this embodiment, the heating device 20 comprises a heater 21
extending along a longitudinal axis of the recess 13. The heater 21
has a rectangular cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to
the axis. However, in other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape
of the heater 21 may be other than rectangular, such as square,
cylindrical, elliptical or polygonal. The heater 21 is suitable for
insertion into the cavity 67 of the cartridge 60. The heater 21 has
a length in the direction of the axis, a width perpendicular to the
length, and a height perpendicular to the width and the length. The
width and height of the heater 21 are slightly less than the width
and height, respectively, of the cavity 67 of the cartridge 60, to
facilitate insertion of the heater 21 into the cavity 67. The
heating device 20 comprises a retainer 18 that is fixed to the body
10 so as to retain the heater 21 in position relative to the body
10. In this embodiment, the heater 21 extends from a second end of
the recess 13 to the first end of the recess 13. That is, the
heater 21 extends along the full axial length of the recess 13.
However, in other embodiments, the heater 21 may extend along only
part of the length of the recess 13 from the second end of the
recess 13. The apparatus 1 shown also has electrical components
such as an electrical power source 15 (such as a rechargeable or
non-rechargeable battery), a controller 16 and an actuator 17 for
enabling user activation of the heater 21.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown an example of an
apparatus 2 suitable for use with a cartridge 70, 90 as described
above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 respectively for heating
smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the
smokable material. The apparatus 2 may be operated in much the same
way as the apparatus 1 of FIG. 7. Like elements in FIGS. 7 and 8
are indicated with like reference numerals. In the example shown
the heating device 20 has a wedge-shape heater 21 which projects
into the recess 13. The wedge-shape heater 21 can be inserted into
the cavity 67 of the cartridges 70, 90 to heat the carrier 61, 51.
In an embodiment, the wedge-shape heater 21 fits snugly in the
cavity 67 for efficient heat transfer to the carrier 61, 51 and the
smokable material 52, 62.
[0074] In this embodiment, the heater 21 is a folded heater 21
comprising a first heater portion 21a and a second heater portion
21b. The heater 21 has a fold 21c therein, and the first heater
portion 21a is connected to the second heater portion 21b at the
fold 21c. The fold 21c forms a distal end of the heater 21, which
distal end is distal from the retainer 18. The first heater portion
21a defines an upper surface of the heater 21, and the second
heater portion 21b defines a lower surface of the heater 21. In
this embodiment, the first and second heater portions 21a, 21b lie
substantially in respective first and second planes, and the first
and second planes meet at an acute angle.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 9, an example of an apparatus 3 suitable
for use with a cartridge 80 as described above with reference to
FIG. 5 for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one
component of the smokable material is shown. The apparatus 3 may be
operated in much the same way as the apparatus 1, 2 of FIGS. 7 and
8. Like elements in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are indicated with like
reference numerals. The heater 21 is for insertion into the cavity
67 of the cartridge 80 shown in FIG. 5. The heater 21 has an
external dome-shaped surface profile that matches, or closely
matches, the dome-shaped surface profile of the cavity 67 of the
cartridge 80. Therefore, when the heater 21 is located in the
cavity 67, the heater 21 is a close fit with the carrier 61. This
helps provide good conduction of heat from the heater 21 to the
carrier 61 and the smokable material 62 thereon. In this
embodiment, the external dome-shaped surface profile of the heater
21 comprises a surface that is a combination of curved and
polygonal portions. However, in other embodiments, the external
dome-shaped surface profile may be defined by a surface of the
heater 21 that is only polygonal or only curved.
[0076] 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 the claimed invention may be
practiced and which provide for a superior article or a superior
cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to
volatilize at least one component of the 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.
* * * * *