US20170055584A1 - Article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material. The article comprises a cavity for receiving smokable material, and a coil of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the cavity. Also disclosed is a system comprising the article and apparatus. The apparatus has an interface for cooperating with the article, and a magnetic field generator. The magnetic field generator comprises a coil for generating a varying magnetic field for penetrating the coil of the article when the interface is cooperating with the article. An impedance of the coil of the magnetic field generator is equal, or substantially equal, to an impedance of the coil of the article.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present invention relates to articles for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, and to systems comprising such an article and such apparatus.
BACKGROUND
• 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
• A first aspect of the present invention provides an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the article comprising:
• a cavity configured to receive smokable material; and
• a coil of heater or heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to thereby heat the cavity.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a closed circuit of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, wherein the closed circuit comprises the coil.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the coil is located in the cavity.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the cavity is elongate, and the coil extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cavity.
• 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 non-magnetic material.
• In respective exemplary embodiments, the heating material comprises a metal or a metal alloy.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminium, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain-carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is susceptible to eddy currents being induced in the heating material when penetrated by a varying magnetic field.
• In an exemplary embodiment, a first portion of the coil is more susceptible to eddy currents being induced therein by penetration with a varying magnetic field than a second portion of the coil.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a container defining the cavity.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the container is free of material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.
• In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the container is transparent or translucent.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the container is made of glass or a plastics material.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the coil is in a fixed position relative to the cavity.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the coil is removable from the article.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises the smokable material in the cavity.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is in contact with the smokable material.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises tobacco and/or one or more humectants.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a mouthpiece defining a passageway that is in fluid communication with the cavity.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a passageway for fluidly connecting the cavity with an exterior of the article, and an actuator operable to vary a cross sectional area of the passageway.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the cavity is sealed from an exterior of the article.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises an air-permeable membrane for admitting air into the cavity from an exterior of the article.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a seal between the air-permeable membrane and the exterior of the article, wherein the seal seals the air-permeable membrane from the exterior of the article, and wherein the seal is breakable or removable from the article to place the air-permeable membrane in fluid communication with the exterior of the article during use.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a vapour permeable membrane for permitting vapour generated in the cavity to pass to an exterior of the article during use.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a seal between the vapour permeable membrane and the exterior of the article, wherein the seal seals the vapour permeable membrane from the exterior of the article, and wherein the seal is breakable or removable from the article to place the vapour permeable membrane in fluid communication with the exterior of the article during use.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a mass of thermal insulation around the cavity. The thermal insulation may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aerogel, vacuum insulation, wadding, fleece, non-woven material, non-woven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, polystyrene, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, a blend of polyester and polypropylene, cellulose acetate, paper or card, and corrugated material such as corrugated paper or card.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a coating on the coil that is smoother or harder than a surface of the coil.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a catalytic material on at least a portion of the coil.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the cartridge. In some embodiments, the article comprises one or more terminals connected to the temperature detector for making connection with a temperature monitor of the apparatus in use.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the coil of the article is a first coil, and the article comprises a second coil of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the cavity.
• A second aspect of the present invention provides a system, comprising:
• an article according to the first aspect of the present invention; and
• apparatus having an interface for cooperating with the article, and a magnetic field generator comprising a coil for generating a varying magnetic field for penetrating the coil of the article when the interface is cooperating with the article;
• wherein an impedance of the coil of the magnetic field generator is equal, or substantially equal, to an impedance of the coil of the article.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the interface comprises a recess for receiving at least a portion of the article.
• In an exemplary embodiment, the recess is elongate, and the coil of the magnetic field generator extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the recess.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material;
• FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the article ofFIG. 1 with smokable material in the cavity and an end closure attached;
• FIG. 3 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an example of another article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material;
• FIG. 4 shows a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an example of another article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material; and
• FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a system comprising the article ofFIG. 2 and an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• As used herein, the term “smokable material” includes materials that provide volatilised components upon heating, typically in the form of vapour 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, homogenised tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The smokable material can be in the form of ground tobacco, cut rag tobacco, extruded tobacco, liquid, gel, gelled sheet, powder, or agglomerates. “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.
• As used herein, the terms “heater material” and “heating material” refers to material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.
• As used herein, the terms “flavour” and “flavourant” 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., liquorice, 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 genusMentha), flavour 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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, material deposits on the object such as smokable material residue may be less of an issue, design freedom and control over the heating profile may be greater, and cost may be lower.
• Referring toFIG. 1 there is shown a schematic perspective view of an example of an article according to an embodiment of the invention. Thearticle1 comprises acontainer10 defining acavity18 for receivingsmokable material30, and acoil22 of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat thecavity18. That is, the heating material is heatable by penetrating the heating material with a varying magnetic field, and thecoil22 is arranged relative to thecavity18 so that, when the heating material is penetrated with the varying magnetic field, the heating material heats up and transfers heat energy to thecavity18 to heat thecavity18. Thearticle1 is for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material. An example of such apparatus is described below.
• In this embodiment, thecontainer10 comprises abody12 and anend member14. In this embodiments, thebody12 is tubular and encircles thecavity18. In this embodiment, thebody12 is elongate and cylindrical with a substantially circular cross section. However, in other embodiments, thebody12 may have a cross section other than circular and/or not be elongate and/or not be cylindrical. Theend member14 closes a first open end or opening of thetubular body12. In this embodiment, theend member14 comprises a plug that is held to the first open end of thetubular body12, such as by friction or an adhesive. However, in other embodiments theend member14 may take a different form or be integral with thebody12.
• In this embodiment, thearticle1 comprises aclosed circuit20 of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. Moreover, in this embodiment, theclosed circuit20 comprises thecoil22 and amember24 of heating material that connects opposite ends of thecoil22 to each other. In other embodiments, themember24 may be omitted, so that the opposite ends of thecoil22 are connected to each other by only thecoil22 itself In some embodiments, this can result in magnetic coupling between thecoil22 and the electromagnet in use being enhanced, which results in greater or improved Joule heating.
• In this embodiment, thecoil22 is a circular helix. That is, thecoil22 has a substantially constant radius along its length. In other embodiments, the radius of thecoil22 may vary along its length. For example, in some embodiments, thecoil22 may comprise a conic helix or an elliptical helix. In this embodiment, thecoil22 has a substantially constant pitch along its length. That is, a width measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of thecoil22 of a gap between any two adjacent turns of thecoil22 is substantially the same as a width of a gap between any other two adjacent turns of thecoil22. In other embodiments, this may not be true.
• In this embodiment, thecoil22 is in a fixed position relative to thecavity18. In this embodiment, this is effected by the closedcircuit20 being affixed to theend member14. In some embodiments, thecoil22 may be removable from thearticle1, such as for cleaning. Such removability may be provided by way of thecoil22 being detachable from theend member14, or by way of the combination of theend member14 and thecoil22 being detachable from thebody12 of thecontainer10, for example.
• In this embodiment, thecoil22 is located in thecavity18. Therefore, in use, whensmokable material30 is located in thecavity18, turns of thecoil22 may be surrounded, or substantially surrounded, by thesmokable material30 for effective transfer of heat from thecoil22 to thesmokable material30. That is, thecoil22 may be embedded within thesmokable material30 in use. Thecoil22 creates a tortuous flow path through thecavity18, which may create turbulence in air passing through thecavity18 so as to help the air to pick up volatilised material created when thesmokable material30 is heated. Thecoil22 also has a large surface area per unit longitudinal length, which can result in greater or improved Joule heating of the heating material, and thus greater or improved heating of thesmokable material30. In other embodiments, thecoil22 may be located other than in thecavity18. For example, thecoil22 may be located within the material of thecontainer10 itself, in which case thecoil22 would encircle thecavity18.
• In this embodiment, thecavity18 is elongate, and thecoil22 extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis A-A of thecavity18. This can help to provide more uniform heating of thesmokable material30 in use, and can also aid manufacturing of thearticle1. In this embodiment, the aligned axes are coincident. In a variation to this embodiment, the aligned axes may be parallel to each other. However, in other embodiments, the axes may be oblique to each other. In some embodiments, thecoil22 may extend to one or both opposite longitudinal ends of thecavity18. This can help to provide more widespread or yet more uniform heating of thesmokable material30 in use.
• The heating material may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: an electrically-conductive material, a magnetic material, and a non-magnetic material. The heating material may comprise a metal or a metal alloy.
• The heating material may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminium, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain-carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze. Other material(s) may be used in other embodiments. In this embodiment, the heating material of thecoil22 comprises electrically-conductive material. Thus, the heating material is susceptible to eddy currents being induced in the heating material when penetrated by a varying magnetic field. Therefore, thecoil22 is able to act as a susceptor when subjected to the varying magnetic field. It has been found that, when magnetic electrically-conductive material is used as the heating material, magnetic coupling between thecoil22 and coil 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 thecoil22, and thus greater or improved heating of thesmokable material30.
• In some embodiments, thecontainer10 may be free of material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. Thecontainer10 may be made from non-magnetic and non-electrically-conductive material. Such an arrangement can avoid energy of the varying magnetic field being absorbed by thecontainer10, so that more energy of the varying magnetic field is available to heat thecoil22. In this embodiment, thecontainer10 is made of glass. In other embodiments, thecontainer10 may be made of a different material, such as a plastics material. In some embodiments, at least a portion of thecontainer10 may be transparent or translucent, so as to enable a user to see the contents of thecavity18. In this embodiment, thebody12 of thecontainer10 is transparent while theend member14 is opaque. In other embodiments, thebody12 may be translucent or opaque, for example.
• In this embodiment, afirst portion22aof thecoil22 is more susceptible to eddy currents being induced therein by penetration with a varying magnetic field than asecond portion22bof thecoil22. Thefirst portion22aof thecoil22 may be more susceptible as a result of thefirst portion22aof thecoil22 being made of a first material, thesecond portion22bof thecoil22 being made of a different second material, and the first material being of a higher susceptibility to eddy currents being induced therein than the second material. For example, one of the first andsecond portions22a,22bmay be made of iron, and the other of the first andsecond portions22a,22bmay be made of graphite. Alternatively or additionally, thefirst portion22aof thecoil22 may be more susceptible as a result of the turns of thefirst portion22 of thecoil22 having a different thickness and/or material density to the turns of thesecond portion22bof thecoil22.
• Thehigher susceptibility portion22amay be located closer to an intended mouth end of thearticle1, or thelower susceptibility portion22bmay be located closer to the intended mouth end of thearticle1. In the latter scenario, thelower susceptibility portion22bmay heat thesmokable material30 to a lesser degree than thehigher susceptibility portion22a, and thus the lesser heated smokable material could act as a filter, to reduce the temperature of created vapour or make the vapour created in the article mild during heating of thesmokable material30.
• While inFIG. 1 the first andsecond portions22a,22bare located adjacent each other in the longitudinal direction of thearticle1 or of thecoil22, in other embodiments this need not be the case. For example, in some embodiments the first andsecond portions22a,22bmay be disposed adjacent each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of thearticle1 or of thecoil22.
• Such varying susceptibility of thecoil22 to eddy currents being induced therein can help achieve progressive heating of thesmokable material30, and thereby progressive generation of vapour. For example, thehigher susceptibility portion22amay be able to heat a first region of thesmokable material30 relatively quickly to initialise volatilisation of at least one component of thesmokable material30 and formation of a vapour in the first region of thesmokable material30. Thelower susceptibility portion22bmay be able to heat a second region of thesmokable material30 relatively slowly to initialise volatilisation of at least one component of thesmokable material30 and formation of a vapour in the second region of thesmokable material30. Accordingly, a vapour is able to be formed relatively rapidly for inhalation by a user, and vapour can continue to be formed thereafter for subsequent inhalation by the user even after the first region of thesmokable material30 may have ceased generating vapour. The first region of thesmokable material30 may cease generating the vapour when it becomes exhausted of volatilisable components of thesmokable material30.
• In other embodiments, all of thecoil22 may be equally, or substantially equally, susceptible to eddy currents being induced therein by penetration with a varying magnetic field. In some embodiments, thecoil22 may not be susceptible to such eddy currents. In such embodiments, the heating material may be a magnetic material that is non-electrically-conductive, and thus may be heatable by the magnetic hysteresis process discussed above.
• In some embodiments, the article may comprise a plurality ofseparate coils22, wherein each of thecoils22 comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. At least one of the plurality ofcoils22 may be more susceptible to eddy currents being induced therein by penetration with a varying magnetic field than at least one of the other of the plurality ofcoils22. This may be effected by thecoils22 being made of different heating materials and/or the turns of thecoils22 having different thicknesses and/or material densities, for example, as discussed above. Again, such varying susceptibility of thecoils22 can help achieve progressive heating of thesmokable material30, and thereby progressive generation of vapour, in a manner corresponding to that described above.
• In some embodiments, thearticle1 may comprise a catalytic material on at least a portion of thecoil22. The catalytic material may be provided on all of thecoil22, or on only some portion(s) of thecoil22. The catalytic material may take the form of a coating on thecoil22. The provision of such a catalytic material on thecoil22 means that, in use, thearticle1 may have a heated, chemically active surface. In use, the catalytic material may act to convert, or increase the rate of conversion of, a potential irritant to something that is less of an irritant. In use, the catalytic material may act to convert, or increase the rate of conversion of, formic acid to methanol, for example. In other embodiments, the catalytic material may act to convert, or increase the rate of conversion of, other chemicals, such as acetylene to ethane by hydrogenation, or ammonia to nitrogen and hydrogen. The catalytic material may additionally or alternatively act to react, or increase the rate of reaction of, carbon monoxide and water vapour to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen (the water-gas shift reaction, or WGSR).
• In some embodiments, thearticle1 may comprise a coating on thecoil22 that is smoother or harder than a surface of thecoil22 itself. Such a smoother or harder coating may facilitate cleaning of thecoil22 after use of thearticle1. The coating could be made of glass or a ceramic material, for example. In other embodiments, thecoil22 may have a rough or non-uniform surface, which can increase the surface area with which thecoil22 contacts thesmokable material30.
• In some embodiments, thearticle1 may comprise a mass of thermal insulation around thecavity18. Such a mass may be inside thecontainer10, outside thecontainer10, or form thecontainer10. The thermal insulation may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aerogel, vacuum insulation, wadding, fleece, non-woven material, non-woven fleece, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, polystyrene, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, a blend of polyester and polypropylene, cellulose acetate, paper or card, and corrugated material such as corrugated paper or card. The thermal insulation may additionally or alternatively comprise an air gap. Such thermal insulation can help prevent heat loss to components of the apparatus, and provide more efficient heating of thecavity18. In some embodiments, the insulation may have a thickness of up to one millimetre, such as up to 0.5 millimetres.
• The heating material 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 heating material has a relatively small thickness, a greater proportion of the heating material may be heatable by a given varying magnetic field, as compared to heating material having a depth or thickness that is relatively large as compared to the other dimensions of the heating material. Thus, a more efficient use of material is achieved. In turn, costs are reduced.
• Referring toFIG. 2, there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view of thearticle1 ofFIG. 1 withsmokable material30 in thecavity18 and anend closure16 attached to a second open end or opening of thebody10.
• In this embodiment, the heating material of thecoil22 is in contact with thesmokable material30. Thus, when the heating material is heated by being penetrated by a varying magnetic field, heat may be transferred directly from the heating material to thesmokable material30. In other embodiments, the heating material may be kept out of contact with thesmokable material30. For example, in some embodiments, thearticle1 may comprise a thermally-conductive barrier which spaces the heating material from thesmokable material30. In some embodiments, the thermally-conductive barrier may be a thermally-conductive coating on thecoil22, such as a catalytic coating or a smooth coating as discussed above. The provision of such a thermally-conductive barrier may be advantageous to help to retain heat in thearticle1 after heating of the heating material has ceased.
• Thesmokable material30 could comprise any of the types of smokable materials mentioned herein. Thesmokable material30 could be of the form of any of the smokable materials mentioned herein. In some embodiments, thesmokable material30 may comprise a mixture of liquid and powder. The powder could be a suspension in the liquid. The liquid may aid heat retention. The powder may be tobacco powder.
• In some embodiments, theend member14 and theend closure16 act as respective seals that together seal thecavity18 from an exterior of thearticle1, so as to maintain the freshness of thesmokable material30. In some embodiments, one or both of theend member14 and theend closure16 may be openable, puncturable or removable from thearticle1 before use, so as to enable air flow through thecavity18 and thus through thesmokable material30. However, in some embodiments, one or both of theend member14 and theend closure16 may comprise an air-permeable membrane or cover for admitting air to pass between thecavity18 and an exterior of thearticle1.
• In some embodiments, thearticle1 comprises an air-permeable membrane for admitting air into thecavity18 from an exterior of thearticle1, and a seal (such as the end closure16) between the air-permeable membrane and the exterior of thearticle1. The seal seals the air-permeable membrane from the exterior of thearticle1 and may be breakable or removable from thearticle1 to place the air-permeable membrane, and thus thecavity18, in fluid communication with the exterior of thearticle1. In some embodiments, thearticle1 comprises a vapour permeable membrane for permitting vapour generated in thecavity18 to pass to an exterior of thearticle1, and a seal (such as the end member14) between the vapour permeable membrane and the exterior of thearticle1. This seal seals the vapour permeable membrane from the exterior of thearticle1 and may be breakable or removable from thearticle1 to place the vapour permeable membrane, and thus thecavity18, in fluid communication with the exterior of thearticle1.
• In some embodiments, such as some embodiments in which the smokable material comprises a liquid, one or both of theend member14 and theend closure16 may comprise a hydrophobic membrane or cover for helping prevent the liquid from escaping from thecavity18. Indeed, any of the air or vapour permeable membranes discussed herein may comprise a hydrophobic membrane or cover for helping prevent liquid from escaping from thecavity18.
• In some embodiments, the article may comprise a mouthpiece defining a passageway that is in fluid communication with thecavity18. Referring toFIG. 3, there is shown a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an example of anarticle2 according to an embodiment of the invention. The section of thearticle2 numbered50 could comprise either of the constructions shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 or any of the variants thereof discussed above. Themouthpiece60 andpassageway62 thereof are shown connected to the construction with thepassageway62 aligned so as to be in fluid communication with thecavity18 of the construction. Themouthpiece60 may be made of any suitable material, such as a plastics material, cardboard, or rubber.
• In use, when thesmokable material30 is heated by the heated heating material, volatilised components of thesmokable material30 can be readily inhaled by a user. In embodiments in which the article is a consumable article, once all or substantially all of the volatilisable component(s) of thesmokable material30 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.
• Themouthpiece60, when provided, may comprise or be impregnated with a flavourant. The flavourant may be arranged so as to be picked up by heated vapour as the vapour passes through thepassageway62 of themouthpiece60 in use.
• In some embodiments, the article may comprise a passageway for fluidly connecting thecavity18 with an exterior of thearticle1,2, and an actuator operable to vary a cross sectional area of the passageway. Referring toFIG. 4, there is shown a schematic partial cross-sectional view of an example of anarticle3 according to an embodiment of the invention. The section of thearticle3 numbered50 could comprise any of the constructions shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 or any of the variants thereof discussed above.
• In this embodiment, thearticle3 comprises anelement70 defining thepassageway72 that fluidly connects thecavity18 with an exterior of thearticle3. Theelement70 comprises anactuator74 that is operable by a user and that is operably connected to avariable constrictor76. Theactuator74 may comprise, for example, a push-button, a toggle switch, a dial, a touchscreen, or the like. Operation of theactuator74 by a user causes thevariable constrictor76 to vary a cross sectional area of thepassageway72, so as to change the degree of air flow through thearticle3. This can alter the effort required by a user to draw volatilised component(s) of thesmokable material30 from thecavity18 in use, and can also help a user to retain volatilised component(s) of thesmokable material30 in thecavity18 between draws.
• In some embodiments, theelement70 may be provided at a mouth end, or downstream end, of thecavity18. In other embodiments, theelement70 may be provided at the end of thecavity18 opposite to a mouth end of thecavity18. In some embodiments, theelement70 may be provided at the end of thecavity18 opposite to an end of thecavity18 to which a mouthpiece of the article is connected, such as themouthpiece60 shown inFIG. 3. In some embodiments, theelement70 may be provided between thecavity18 and a mouthpiece of the article, such as themouthpiece60 shown inFIG. 3. In some embodiments, theelement70 may be combined with a mouthpiece of the article, such as themouthpiece60 shown inFIG. 3, so that the passageway of which the cross sectional area is variable is the passageway of the mouthpiece.
• Each of the above-describedarticles1,2,3 and described variants thereof may be used with an apparatus for heating thesmokable material30 to volatilise at least one component of thesmokable material30. The apparatus may be to heat thesmokable material30 to volatilise the at least one component of thesmokable material30 without burning thesmokable material30. Any one of the article(s)1,2,3 and such apparatus may be provided together as a system. The system may take the form of a kit, in which thearticle1,2,3 is separate from the apparatus. Alternatively, the system may take the form of an assembly, in which thearticle1,2,3 is combined with the apparatus. An example of such a system will now be described.
• Referring toFIG. 5 there is shown a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a system according to an embodiment of the invention. Thesystem1000 of this embodiment comprises thearticle1 ofFIG. 2 andapparatus100 for heating thesmokable material30 in thearticle2 to volatilise at least one component of thesmokable material30. Broadly speaking, theapparatus100 comprises aninterface111 for cooperating with thearticle2, and amagnetic field generator112 comprising acoil114 for generating a varying magnetic field for penetrating thecoil22 of thearticle2 when theinterface111 is cooperating with thearticle2.
• Theapparatus100 of this embodiment comprises abody110 and amouthpiece120. Themouthpiece120 defines achannel122 therethrough. Themouthpiece120 is locatable relative to thebody110 so as to cover an opening into therecess111. When themouthpiece120 is so located relative to thebody110, thechannel122 of themouthpiece120 is in fluid communication with therecess111. In use, thechannel122 acts as a passageway for permitting volatilised material to pass from thecavity18 of thearticle2 inserted in therecess111 to an exterior of theapparatus100. In this embodiment, themouthpiece120 of theapparatus100 is releasably engageable with thebody110 so as to connect themouthpiece120 to thebody110. In other embodiments, themouthpiece120 and thebody110 may be permanently connected, such as through a hinge or flexible member. Themouthpiece120 of theapparatus100 may comprise or be impregnated with a flavourant. The flavourant may be arranged so as to be picked up by heated vapour as the vapour passes through thechannel122 of themouthpiece120 in use. In some embodiments, such as some embodiments in which thearticle2 itself comprises a mouthpiece, themouthpiece120 of theapparatus100 may be omitted.
• In this embodiment, thebody110 comprises theinterface111. In this embodiment, theinterface111 comprises arecess111 for receiving at least a portion of thearticle2. In other embodiments, theinterface111 may be other than a recess, such as a shelf, a surface, or a projection, and may require mechanical mating with thearticle1,2,3 in order to co-operate with thearticle1,2,3. In this embodiment, therecess111 is elongate, and is sized and shaped to receive thearticle2. In this embodiment, therecess111 accommodates thewhole article2. In other embodiments, therecess111 may receive only a portion of thearticle2.
• In this embodiment, themagnetic field generator112 comprises anelectrical power source113, thecoil114, adevice116 for passing a varying electrical current, such as an alternating current, through thecoil114, acontroller117, and auser interface118 for user-operation of thecontroller117.
• In this embodiment, theelectrical power source113 is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, theelectrical power source113 may be other than a rechargeable battery, such as a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor or a connection to a mains electricity supply.
• Thecoil114 may take any suitable form. In this embodiment, thecoil114 is a helical coil of electrically-conductive material, such as copper. In some embodiments, themagnetic field generator112 may comprise a magnetically permeable core around which thecoil114 is wound. Such a magnetically permeable core concentrates the magnetic flux produced by thecoil114 in use and makes a more powerful magnetic field. The magnetically permeable core may be made of iron, for example. In some embodiments, the magnetically permeable core may extend only partially along the length of thecoil114, so as to concentrate the magnetic flux only in certain regions.
• In this embodiment, thecoil114 of themagnetic field generator112 extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis of therecess111. In other embodiments, these axes may be aligned with each other by being parallel to each other, or may be oblique to each other. In this embodiment, when thearticle2 is received in therecess111, as shown inFIG. 5, the longitudinal axis of therecess111 is substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of thecavity18 of thearticle2.
• In this embodiment, an impedance of thecoil114 of themagnetic field generator112 is equal, or substantially equal, to an impedance of thecoil22 of thearticle2. If the impedance of thecoil22 of thearticle2 were instead lower than the impedance of thecoil114 of themagnetic field generator112, then the voltage generated across thecoil22 of thearticle2 in use may be lower than the voltage that may be generated across thecoil22 of thearticle2 when the impedances are matched. Alternatively, if the impedance of thecoil22 of thearticle2 were instead higher than the impedance of thecoil114 of themagnetic field generator112, then the electrical current generated in thecoil22 of thearticle2 in use may be lower than the current that may be generated in thecoil22 of thearticle2 when the impedances are matched. Matching the impedances may help to balance the voltage and current to maximise the heating power generated at thecoil22 of thearticle2 when heated in use.
• While thesystem1000 of this embodiment comprises thearticle2 ofFIG. 2, in other embodiments the system may comprise any other one of the articles discussed above. In such other embodiments, the impedance of thecoil114 of themagnetic field generator112 may be equal, or substantially equal, to an impedance of the coil of the article.
• In this embodiment, thedevice116 for passing a varying current through thecoil114 is electrically connected between theelectrical power source113 and thecoil114. In this embodiment, thecontroller117 also is electrically connected to theelectrical power source113, and is communicatively connected to thedevice116 to control thedevice116. More specifically, in this embodiment, thecontroller117 is for controlling thedevice116, so as to control the supply of electrical power from theelectrical power source113 to thecoil114. In this embodiment, thecontroller117 comprises an integrated circuit (IC), such as an IC on a printed circuit board (PCB). In other embodiments, thecontroller117 may take a different form. In some embodiments, the apparatus may have a single electrical or electronic component comprising thedevice116 and thecontroller117. Thecontroller117 is operated in this embodiment by user-operation of theuser interface118. Theuser interface118 is located at the exterior of thebody110. Theuser interface118 may comprise a push-button, a toggle switch, a dial, a touchscreen, or the like.
• In this embodiment, operation of theuser interface118 by a user causes thecontroller117 to cause thedevice116 to cause an alternating electrical current to pass through thecoil114, so as to cause thecoil114 to generate an alternating magnetic field. When thearticle2 is located in therecess111, thecoil114 of theapparatus100 and thecoil22 of thearticle2 are suitably relatively positioned so that the alternating magnetic field produced by thecoil114 penetrates the heating material of thecoil22 of thearticle2. When the heating material of thecoil22 is an electrically-conductive material, this may cause the generation of one or more eddy currents in the heating material. The flow of eddy currents in the heating material against the electrical resistance of the heating material causes the heating material to be heated by Joule heating. As mentioned above, when the heating material is made of a magnetic material, the orientation of magnetic dipoles in the heating material changes with the changing applied magnetic field, which causes heat to be generated in the heating material.
• Theapparatus100 of this embodiment comprises atemperature sensor119 for sensing a temperature of therecess111. Thetemperature sensor119 is communicatively connected to thecontroller117, so that thecontroller117 is able to monitor the temperature of therecess111. In some embodiments, thetemperature sensor119 may be arranged to take an optical temperature measurement of the recess, interface orarticle1,2,3. In some embodiments, thearticle1,2,3 may comprise a temperature detector, such as a resistance temperature detector (RTD), for detecting a temperature of thearticle1,2,3. For example, the temperature detector may be located in or on thecontainer10 of thearticle1,2,3. Thearticle1,2,3 may further comprise one or more terminals connected, such as electrically-connected, to the temperature detector. The terminal(s) may be for making connection, such as electrical connection, with a temperature monitor of theapparatus100 when thearticle1,2,3 is in therecess111 or cooperating with the interface. Thecontroller117 may comprise the temperature monitor. The temperature monitor of theapparatus100 may thus be able to determine a temperature of thearticle1,2,3 during use of thearticle1,2,3 with theapparatus100.
• In some embodiments, by providing that the heating material of thecoil22 of thearticle2 has a suitable resistance, the response of the heating material to a change in temperature could be sufficient to give information regarding temperature inside thearticle2. Thetemperature sensor119 of theapparatus100 may then comprise a probe for analysing the heating material.
• On the basis of one or more signals received from thetemperature sensor119 or temperature detector, thecontroller117 may cause thedevice116 to adjust a characteristic of the varying or alternating electrical current passed through thecoil114 as necessary, in order to ensure that the temperature of therecess111 remains within a predetermined temperature range. The characteristic may be, for example, amplitude or frequency. Within the predetermined temperature range, in use thesmokable material30 within anarticle1,2,3 located in therecess111 is heated sufficiently to volatilise at least one component of thesmokable material30 without combusting thesmokable material30. Accordingly, thecontroller117, and theapparatus100 as a whole, is arranged to heat thesmokable material30 to volatilise the at least one component of thesmokable material30 without combusting thesmokable material30. In some embodiments, the temperature range is about 50° C. to about 250° C., such as between about 50° C. and about 150° C., between about 50° C. and about 120° C., between about 50° C. and about 100° C., between about 50° C. and about 80° C., or between about 60° C. and about 70° C. In some embodiments, the temperature range is between about 170° C. and about 220° C. In other embodiments, the temperature range may be other than this range.
• Theapparatus100 may define an air inlet that fluidly connects therecess111 with the exterior of theapparatus100. Such an air inlet may be defined by thebody110 of theapparatus100 and/or by themouthpiece120 of theapparatus100. A user may be able to inhale the volatilised component(s) of thesmokable material30 by drawing the volatilised component(s) through thechannel122 of themouthpiece120. As the volatilised component(s) are removed from thecavity18 of thecontainer10 of thearticle2, air may be drawn into therecess111 via the air inlet of theapparatus100. Furthermore, in embodiments in which theend member14 and/or endclosure16 of thecontainer10 of thearticle2 is/are puncturable, the air may be drawn into thecavity18 of thecontainer10 via one or both of thepunctured end member14 andend closure16. Alternatively, in embodiments in which thearticle2 comprises an air-permeable membrane for admitting air into thecavity18 from the exterior of thearticle2, a vapour permeable membrane for permitting vapour generated in thecavity18 to pass to the exterior of thearticle2, and first and second seals between the exterior of thearticle2 and the air-permeable membrane and the vapour permeable membrane, respectively, a user may break or remove the first and second seals prior to use of theapparatus100 andarticle2 to enable air to be drawn into thecavity18 via the air-permeable membrane, and vapour generated in thecavity18 to pass to thechannel122 of themouthpiece120 via the vapour permeable membrane.
• The apparatus may provide haptic feedback to a user. The feedback could indicate that heating is taking place, or be triggered by a timer to indicate that greater than a predetermined proportion of the original quantity of volatilisable component(s) of thesmokable material30 in thearticle1,2,3 has/have been spent, or the like. The haptic feedback could be created by interaction of the coils (i.e. magnetic response), by interaction of an electrically-conductive element with thecoil114 of theapparatus100, by rotating an unbalanced motor, by repeatedly applying and removing a current across a piezoelectric element, or the like.
• Theapparatus100 may comprise more than one coil. The plurality of coils of theapparatus100 could be operable to provide progressive heating of thesmokable material30 in anarticle1,2,3, and thereby progressive generation of vapour. For example, one coil may be able to heat a first region of the heating material relatively quickly to initialise volatilisation of at least one component of thesmokable material30 and formation of a vapour in a first region of thesmokable material30. Another coil may be able to heat a second region of the heating material relatively slowly to initialise volatilisation of at least one component of thesmokable material30 and formation of a vapour in a second region of thesmokable material30. Accordingly, a vapour is able to be formed relatively rapidly for inhalation by a user, and vapour can continue to be formed thereafter for subsequent inhalation by the user even after the first region of thesmokable material30 may have ceased generating vapour. The initially-unheated second region ofsmokable material30 could act as a filter, to reduce the temperature of created vapour or make the created vapour mild, during heating of the first region ofsmokable material30.
• In some embodiments, the coil of the article is a first coil, and the article may comprise a second coil of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat thecavity18 of the article. The first and second coils of the article may be substantially separately heatable by varying magnetic fields produced by a respective plurality of coils of theapparatus100. One of the first and second coils may be more susceptible to eddy currents being induced therein by penetration with a varying magnetic field than the other of the first and second coils. Such a structure could be operable to provide progressive heating of thesmokable material30 in the article, and thereby progressive generation of vapour, in a similar way to that described above.
• In some embodiments, the heating material of thecoil22 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 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 vapour, to be achieved.
• In each of the above described embodiments, thesmokable material30 comprises tobacco. However, in respective variations to each of these embodiments, thesmokable material30 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, thesmokable material30 may comprise a vapour or aerosol forming agent or a humectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triactein, or diethylene glycol.
• An article embodying the present invention may be a cartridge or a capsule, for example.
• Each of the above describedarticles1,2,3 may be used as a consumable article. Once all, or substantially all, of the volatilisable component(s) of thesmokable material30 in thearticle1,2,3 has/have been spent, the user may remove thearticle1,2,3 from theapparatus100 and dispose of thearticle1,2,3. The user may subsequently re-use theapparatus100 with another of thearticles1,2,3.
• However, in other embodiments, thearticles1,2,3 may be re-fillable withsmokable material30 and re-usable with theapparatus100. Such re-filling may be effected by detaching theend closure16 from thebody12 of thecontainer10 to access thecavity18, removing the remains of smokable material used in a previous session, placing a new charge of smokable material in thecavity18, and then placing an end closure16 (either theoriginal end closure16 or a new end closure16) over the second open end of thebody12 of thecontainer10. During such re-filling, thecoil22 may be removable, for example for cleaning or for replacement with afresh coil22.
• Each of the above describedarticles1,2,3 may be supplied with or without thesmokable material30 in thecavity18.
• In some embodiments, thearticles1,2,3 discussed above are sold, supplied or otherwise provided separately from theapparatus100 with which they are usable. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus and one or more of thearticles1,2,3 may be provided together as a system, such as a kit or an assembly, possibly with additional components, such as cleaning utensils.
• The invention 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 further 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 itself could be transferred to the article to further heat the smokable material therein.
• 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 practised and which provide for superior articles for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, and superior systems comprising the same. 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 utilised 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.

Claims (22)

1. An article for use with an apparatus configured to heat smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the article comprising:

a cavity configured to receive a smokable material; and

a coil of heater material that is heatable via penetration with a varying magnetic field and to thereby heat the cavity.

2. The article ofclaim 1, further comprising a closed circuit of heater material that is heatable via penetration with a varying magnetic field, wherein the closed circuit includes the coil of heater material.

3. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the coil is disposed in the cavity.

4. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the cavity is elongate, and wherein the coil extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cavity.

5. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the heater material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: an electrically-conductive material, a magnetic material, and a non-magnetic material.

6. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the heater material comprises a metal or a metal alloy.

7. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the heater material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminium, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain-carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper, and bronze.

8. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the heater material is susceptible to eddy currents induced in the heater material when penetrated by a varying magnetic field.

9. The article ofclaim 1, wherein a first portion of the coil is more susceptible to eddy currents induced therein by penetration with a varying magnetic field than a second portion of the coil.

10. The article ofclaim 1, further comprising a container that defines the cavity, wherein the container is free of material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.

11. The article ofclaim 10, wherein at least a portion of the container is transparent or translucent.

12. The article ofclaim 1, further comprising the smokable material received in the cavity.

13. The article ofclaim 12, wherein the heater material is in contact with the smokable material.

14. The article ofclaim 12, wherein the smokable material includes tobacco and/or one or more humectants.

15. The article ofclaim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece that defines a passageway that is in fluid communication with the cavity.

16. The article ofclaim 1, further comprising: a passageway defined therein and configured to fluidly connect the cavity with an exterior of the article; and an actuator operable to vary a cross sectional area of the passageway.

17. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the cavity is sealed from an exterior of the article.

18. The article ofclaim 1, further comprising an air-permeable membrane configured to admit air into the cavity from an exterior of the article during use.

19. The article ofclaim 18, further comprising a seal disposed between the air-permeable membrane and the exterior of the article, wherein the seal seals the air-permeable membrane from the exterior of the article, and the seal is breakable or removable from the article so as to place the air-permeable membrane in fluid communication with the exterior of the article during use.

20. A system, comprising:

an article including a cavity configured to receive smokable material, and a coil of heater material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the cavity; and

an apparatus having an interface configured to cooperate with the article, and a magnetic field generator having a coil configured to generate a varying magnetic field that penetrates the coil of the article when the interface is cooperating with the article;

wherein an impedance of the coil of the magnetic field generator is equal, or substantially equal, to an impedance of the coil of the article.

21. The system ofclaim 20, wherein the interface defines a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the article.

22. The system ofclaim 21, wherein the recess is elongate, and wherein the coil of the magnetic field generator extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the recess.

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