Patent Application
20170055574
The present invention relates to apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, to cartridges for use with such apparatus, and to systems comprising such cartridges and such apparatus.
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.
A first aspect of the present invention provides a cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the cartridge comprising:
a container defining a cavity; and
smokable material located in the cavity;
wherein the cartridge comprises heater or heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material.
In an exemplary embodiment, the container comprises the heating material.
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 an exemplary embodiment, 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 container defines an opening into the cavity and the cartridge comprises a seal sealing the opening.
In an exemplary embodiment, the seal is a film seal.
In an exemplary embodiment, the seal comprises a foil of electrically-conductive material.
In an exemplary embodiment, the seal is permanently affixed to the container.
In an exemplary embodiment, the seal is welded to the container.
In an exemplary embodiment, the seal is adhered to the container.
In an exemplary embodiment, the seal is clamped to the container.
In an exemplary embodiment, the cartridge is for at least partial insertion into a recess of the apparatus, and the container comprises an external flange extending at least partially around the cavity for positioning the cartridge relative to the recess.
In an exemplary embodiment, an exterior dimension of the container reduces with distance from the opening.
In an exemplary embodiment, the container has an air flow inlet extending therethrough for admitting air into the cavity from an exterior of the container.
In an exemplary embodiment, the container is made of porous material for admitting air into the cavity from an exterior of the container.
In an exemplary embodiment, the smokable material comprises tobacco and/or one or more humectants.
In an exemplary embodiment, the cartridge comprises a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the cartridge. In some embodiments, the cartridge comprises one or more terminals connected to the temperature detector for making connection with a temperature monitor of the apparatus in use.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the cartridge comprising:
a container defining a cavity;
smokable material located in the cavity; and
heating material in the cavity, wherein the heating material is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material.
In respective exemplary embodiments, the cartridge may have any of the features of the above-described exemplary embodiments of the cartridge of the first aspect of the present invention.
In an exemplary embodiment, the container comprises a body located between the container and the smokable material, wherein the body comprises the heating material.
In an exemplary embodiment, the container comprises a vessel defining the cavity, and wherein the vessel is made of non-electrically-conductive material.
In an exemplary embodiment, the container comprises a vessel defining the cavity, and a liner on at least a portion of an interior surface of the vessel, wherein the liner comprises the heating material.
In an exemplary embodiment, the liner is for permitting air to pass through the liner.
In an exemplary embodiment, the cartridge comprises a body located within the smokable material, wherein the body comprises the heating material.
A third aspect of the present invention provides a cartridge for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the cartridge comprising:
a container defining a cavity and an opening into the cavity;
smokable material located in the cavity; and
a seal permanently affixed to the container and sealing the opening.
In respective exemplary embodiments, the cartridge may have any of the features of the above-described exemplary embodiments of the cartridge of the first or second aspect of the present invention.
A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a cartridge for insertion into a recess of apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the cartridge comprising:
a container defining a cavity and an opening into the cavity;
smokable material located in the cavity; and
a seal sealing the opening;
wherein the container comprises an external flange extending at least partially around the opening or cavity for positioning the cartridge relative to the recess.
In respective exemplary embodiments, the cartridge may have any of the features of the above-described exemplary embodiments of the cartridge of the first, second or third aspect of the present invention.
A fifth aspect of the present invention provides apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the apparatus comprising:
an interface for cooperating with an article comprising smokable material;
a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field for penetrating the article when the interface is cooperating with the article; and
a device for puncturing the article.
In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a body and a mouthpiece that is movable relative to the body, wherein the body comprises the interface, and wherein the mouthpiece comprises the device.
In an exemplary embodiment, the device is for puncturing the article as the mouthpiece is moved relative to the body when the article is cooperating with the interface.
In an exemplary embodiment, the device forms at least part of a passageway for permitting volatilised material to pass from the cavity of the container to an exterior of the apparatus in use.
In an exemplary embodiment, the interface comprises a recess for receiving at least a portion of the article.
A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a system, comprising:
a thermally-conductive cartridge comprising a container defining a cavity, and smokable material located in the cavity; and
apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the apparatus having an interface for cooperating with the cartridge, a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field, and a heating element comprising heating material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field to heat the cartridge when the interface is cooperating with the cartridge.
In respective exemplary embodiments, the cartridge of the system may have any of the features of the above-described exemplary embodiments of the article of the first, second, third or fourth aspect of the present invention.
A seventh aspect of the present invention provides apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, the apparatus comprising:
an interface for cooperating with an article comprising smokable material;
a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field, and
a heating element comprising heating material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field to heat the article when the interface is cooperating with the article.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
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 term “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., 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), 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 a magnetic material is heated by penetrating the object with a varying magnetic field. A magnetic material can be considered to comprise many atomic-scale magnets, or magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such material, the magnetic dipoles align with the magnetic field. Therefore, when a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field, for example as produced by an electromagnet, penetrates the magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes with the varying applied magnetic field. Such magnetic dipole reorientation causes heat to be generated in the magnetic material.
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 to
In this embodiment, the container 10 takes the form of a vessel that is free of heating material. In this embodiment, the vessel is made of a non-electrically-conductive material. In this embodiment, the container 10 is made from a high-temperature-tolerant plastics material, such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or polyetherimide (PEI), an example of which is Ultem. However, in other embodiments, the container 10 may be made from a different material that is resistant to heat at least over the expected range of operating temperatures of the apparatus 100 that will arise in operation, such as for example 180 to 220 degrees Celsius. As discussed below, the apparatus 100 with which the cartridge 1 is usable comprises a heating element 115 that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material 20 in the cavity 14 of the container 10. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the container 10 is made of thermally-conductive material for conducting heat from outside of the container 10 to the cavity 14 and the smokable material 20 therein. The cartridge 1 is thus a thermally-conductive cartridge 1.
In other embodiments, the container 10 may comprise heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. For example, a portion, or plural discrete portions, or all of the container 10 may be made from such heating material. The heating material of the container 10 may be any one or more of the heating materials discussed herein.
In this embodiment, the container 10 has been made by thermoforming the material from which it is made. In the process of thermoforming, a sheet of material is heated to a pliable forming temperature, formed to a specific shape in a mould, and then cooled to a finished shape. The sheet of material may be trimmed, if required, before, during or after cooling. In other embodiments, the container 10 may have been made according to a different process, such as injection moulding.
In this embodiment, the container 10 is impermeable to air. However, in some embodiments, the container 10 may have an air flow inlet extending therethrough for admitting air into the cavity 14 from an exterior of the container 10. For example, in some embodiments, the container 10 may be made of a material that is impermeable to air and have one or more apertures extending therethrough for admitting air into the cavity 14 from the exterior of the container 10. In other embodiments, the container 10 may be made of porous material for admitting air into the cavity 14 from the exterior of the container 10. Such a porous container 10 may or may not have one or more apertures extending therethrough.
In this embodiment, the cartridge 1 is for at least partial insertion into a recess 111 of the apparatus 100, and the container 10 comprises an external flange 18 extending fully around the cavity 14 for positioning the cartridge 1 relative to the recess 111. In other embodiments, the external flange 18 may extend only partially around the cavity 14, or a plurality of circumferentially-spaced external flanges 18 may be provided around the cavity 14. In some embodiments, the external flange(s) 18 may be omitted.
In this embodiment, an exterior dimension of the container 10 reduces with distance from the opening 16. This aids insertion and removal of the cartridge 1 from the recess 111 of the apparatus 100 in use. More particularly, in this embodiment, an exterior width or diameter of the container 10 tapers with distance from the opening 16. In this embodiment, the taper is linear or substantially linear, but in other embodiments the taper may be non-linear; for example, the outer surface of the container 10 may be concave or convex. In some embodiments, the exterior dimension of the container 10 may reduce in a manner other than by tapering, such as stepwise. In other embodiments, the external dimension of the container 10 may be constant, or substantially constant, over a full length of the container 10.
In this embodiment, the container 10 has a circular cross section. In some embodiments, the container 10 may be rotationally symmetrical and other than circular, such as elliptical, triangular or square. In other embodiments, the container 10 may be rotationally asymmetrical. In this embodiment, the cavity 14 is circular in cross section and the opening 16 is circular. In other embodiments, the cavity 14 and/or the opening 16 may be of a shape other than circular.
In some embodiments, the cavity 14 may hold up to 1 gram of the smokable material 20, such as up to 0.5 grams. As noted above, the cartridge 1 also comprises a seal 30 that seals the opening 16 of the container 10. Prior to puncturing or removal from the container 10, the seal 30 acts to prevent spilling of the smokable material 20 from the cavity 14, and also serves to preserve the smokable material 20.
In this embodiment, the seal 30 comprises a film seal. The film seal may, for example, by between 9 and 25 microns thick. The use of a film facilitates breaking the seal 30 in use by puncturing, as will be described below. However, in other embodiments, the seal 30 may be other than a film. In this embodiment, the seal 30 comprises a metal foil. The metal may be, for example, aluminium. The seal 30 may consist of the metal foil or may instead comprise a plurality of layers, of which one layer is the metal foil. In some embodiments, the seal 30 may comprise a laminate. The metal foil serves as a vapour barrier. In some embodiments, the seal 30 comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material 20, in a similar manner to that described below. In other embodiments, the seal 30 may be free of heating material. For example, in some embodiments, the seal 30 may consist of a film of plastics material.
In this embodiment, the seal 30 is permanently affixed to the container 10 by adhesive. Any suitable adhesive may be used, such as a food-grade adhesive. In other embodiments, the seal 30 may be permanently affixed to the container 10 in some other way, such as by being clamped to the container 10 or welded, such as heat welded or sonically welded. By “permanently affixed” it is meant that the seal 30 is irremovable, or substantially irremovable, from the container 10 without the seal 30 tearing or being broken into plural parts. In other embodiments, the seal 30 may be peelable from the container 10 without the structure of the seal 30 being compromised. In some embodiments, the seal 30 may be removable from the container 10 and later re-attached to the container 10. In some such embodiments, the seal 30 may be adhered to the container 10 by an adhesive that allows the seal 30 to be detached and re-adhered to the container 10.
In this embodiment, the seal 30 is affixed to the flange 18 of the container 10. However, in other embodiments, including those in which the flange 18 is omitted, the seal 30 may be affixed elsewhere on the container 10 to seal the opening 16, such as on a rim of the container 10 that defines the opening 16.
In this embodiment, the container 10 of the cartridge 1 is free of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. However, in other embodiments, the container 10 may comprise heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material 20, in a similar manner to that described below.
Referring to
In this embodiment, the container 10 comprises a vessel 11 that defines the cavity 14. In the cavity are the smokable material 20 and heating material 12 that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field to heat the smokable material 20. In this embodiment, the vessel 11 is made of non-electrically-conductive material, such as a plastics material or paper. In this embodiment, the heating material comprises a liner 12 that covers an interior surface of the vessel 11. Thus, in this embodiment, the liner 12 is located between the vessel 11 and the smokable material 20. In other embodiments, the liner 12 may be on only a portion, or only on some portions, of the interior surface of the vessel 11. In other embodiments, the heating material may be comprised in a body other than a liner, such as a body located within the smokable material 20, a body located between the smokable material 20 and the seal 30, or a body located between the container 10 and the smokable material, such as at the end of the cavity 14 furthest from the opening 16. Such a body may take the form of a mesh, for example.
In this embodiment, the heating material is aluminium. In other embodiments, 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. In some embodiments, the heating material may comprise a metal or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, 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 heating material(s) may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the heating material may be magnetic. It has also been found that, when magnetic electrically-conductive material is used as the heating material, magnetic coupling between the magnetic electrically-conductive material and an electromagnet of the apparatus in use may be enhanced. In addition to potentially enabling magnetic hysteresis heating, this can result in greater or improved Joule heating of the heating material, and thus greater or improved heating of the smokable material 20.
In this embodiment, the vessel 11 of the container 10 and the seal 30 take the same form as the container 10 and the seal 30, respectively, of the cartridge 1 of
Referring to
In this embodiment, the vessel 11 is made of porous material for admitting air into the cavity 14 from an exterior of the container 10. In this embodiment, the material is a porous paper, but in variations to this embodiment other porous material may be used. In some embodiments, such a porous vessel 11 may have one or more apertures extending therethrough for facilitating air flow through the vessel 11.
In this embodiment, the liner 12 is for permitting air to pass through the liner 12. More particularly, in this embodiment, the liner 12 is made of a material that is impermeable to air but has a plurality of apertures 12a extending therethrough for admitting air from the side of the liner 12 that faces or contacts the vessel 11 to the opposite side of the liner 12 that faces or contacts the smokable material 20. The liner 12 may be a mesh. In a variation to this embodiment, the liner 12 may have only one aperture 12a extending therethrough. In a further variation to this embodiment, the liner 12 may be made of porous material. Such a porous liner 12 may or may not have one or more apertures 12a extending therethrough. The liner 12 still may be made of electrically-conductive material to act as a susceptor in use.
Referring to
The apparatus 100 of this embodiment comprises a body 110 and a mouthpiece 120. In this embodiment, the body 110 comprises the interface 111, and the interface 111 comprises a recess 111 for receiving at least a portion of the cartridge 1. In other embodiments, the interface 111 may be other than a recess, such as a shelf, a surface, or a projection, and may require mechanical mating with the cartridge 1 in order to co-operate with the cartridge 1.
In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 120 is releasably engageable with the body 110 so as to connect the mouthpiece 120 to the body 110. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece 120 and the body 110 may be permanently connected, such as through a hinge or flexible member.
In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 120 comprises the device 121 for puncturing the seal 30 of the cartridge 1. In this embodiment, the device 121 for puncturing the seal 30 comprises a first tube 121, which may have a sharpened or angled end for facilitated puncturing of the seal 30. The mouthpiece 120 has a first channel 122 extending therethrough, and the interior passageway of the first tube 121 forms a part of the first channel 122. The mouthpiece 120 is locatable relative to the body 110 so as to cover an opening into the recess 111. When the mouthpiece 120 is so located relative to the body 110, the first channel 122 of the mouthpiece 120 is in fluid communication with the recess 111. In use, the first channel 122 acts as a passageway for permitting volatilised material to pass from the cavity 14 of the container 10 of a cartridge 1 inserted in the recess 111 to an exterior of the apparatus 100.
The mouthpiece 120 may comprise or be impregnated with a flavourant. The flavourant may be arranged so as to be picked up by hot aerosol as the aerosol passes through the first channel 122 of the mouthpiece 120 in use.
In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 120 has a second device 123 for puncturing the seal 30 of the cartridge 1. In this embodiment, the second device 123 for puncturing the seal 30 comprises a second tube 123, which may have a sharpened or angled end for facilitated puncturing of the seal 30. The mouthpiece 120 also has a second channel 124 extending therethrough in parallel to the first channel 122, and the interior passageway of the second tube 123 forms a part of the second channel 124. When the mouthpiece 120 is located relative to the body 110 so as to cover the opening into the recess 111, the second channel 124 is in fluid communication with the recess 111. In use, the second channel 124 therefore acts as a passageway for permitting air to pass to the cavity 14 of the container 10 of a cartridge 1 inserted in the recess 111 from an exterior of the apparatus 100. Therefore, when the mouthpiece 120 is connected to the body 110 to assemble the apparatus 100, there is defined an overall flow path that extends from the exterior of the apparatus 100, then through the second channel 124, then through the recess 111, then through the first channel 122 to the exterior of the apparatus 100.
In another embodiment, the second device 123 for puncturing the seal 30 of the cartridge 1 and the second channel 124 of the mouthpiece 120 may be omitted. In such an embodiment, the body 110 may have an inlet for admitting air into the recess 111 from an exterior of the apparatus 100. Therefore, when the mouthpiece 120 is connected to the body 110 to assemble the apparatus 100, there is defined an overall flow path that extends from the exterior of the apparatus 100, then through the inlet, then through the recess 111, then through the first channel 122 to the exterior of the apparatus 100. Such an arrangement is usable, for example, with cartridges that have a container 10 for admitting air into the cavity 14 of the container 10 from an exterior of the container 10.
In this embodiment, since the device 121 projects into the recess 111 sufficiently to contact the seal 30 of a cartridge 1 when the cartridge 1 is located in the recess 111 and the mouthpiece 120 is connected to the body 110, the device 121 is for puncturing the seal 30 as the mouthpiece 120 is moved relative to the body 110 when the cartridge 1 is cooperating with the interface 111. In other embodiments, the device 121 this may not be the case. In some embodiments, the device 121 may be located elsewhere on the mouthpiece 120 than in the present embodiment. In some embodiments, the device 121 for puncturing the seal 30 may take a different form and not form any part of a passageway. For example, in some embodiments, the device 121 may be a spike, pin, blade or other projection projecting from the mouthpiece 120. In some embodiments, the device 121 may be part of the body 110, rather than part of the mouthpiece 120.
In this embodiment, the body 110 comprises a magnetic field generator 112 comprising an electrical power source 113, a coil 114, a heating element 115, a device 116 for passing a varying electrical current, such as an alternating current, through the coil 114, a controller 117, and a user interface 118 for user-operation of the controller 117.
In this embodiment, the electrical power source 113 is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, the electrical power source 113 may be other than a rechargeable battery, such as a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor or a connection to a mains electricity supply.
The coil 114 may take any suitable form. In this embodiment, the coil 114 comprises a helical coil of electrically-conductive material, such as copper. In some embodiments, the electromagnet 114 comprises a magnetically permeable core around which the coil is wound. Such a magnetically permeable core concentrates the magnetic flux produced by the coil and makes a more powerful magnetic field. The magnetically permeable core may be made of iron, for example. In some embodiments, the magnetically permeable core may extend only partially along the length of the coil 114, so as to concentrate the magnetic flux only in certain regions.
In this embodiment, the heating element 115 is made of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The heating material may comprise one or more of the heating materials discussed above. Other heating material(s) that are heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field may be used for the heating element 115 in other embodiments.
In this embodiment, the heating element 115 comprises a frusto-conical body, and the coil 114 is located radially outwards of the heating element 115. In this embodiment, the coil 114 follows the shape of the frusto-conical heating element 115, and thus has a diameter that increases in an axial direction of the coil 114.
In this embodiment, the heating element 115 defines the recess 111. In this embodiment, the recess 111 is located radially inwardly of the heating element 115. In this embodiment, the heating element 115 defines a closed circuit of heating material that surrounds the recess 111 and extends around an axis of the coil 114. In other embodiments, such as those in which the heating element 115 is made of a magnetic material, the heating element 115 may have an axially-extending gap or slit formed therein so that the heating element 115 defines an open, or incomplete, circuit rather than a closed circuit.
In this embodiment, the device 116 for passing alternating varying current through the coil 114 is electrically connected between the electrical power source 113 and the coil 114. In this embodiment, the controller 117 also is electrically connected to the electrical power source 113, and is communicatively connected to the device 116. The controller 117 is for causing and controlling heating of the heating element 115. More specifically, in this embodiment, the controller 117 is for controlling the device 116, so as to control the supply of electrical power from the electrical power source 113 to the coil 114. In this embodiment, the controller 117 comprises an integrated circuit (IC), such as an IC on a printed circuit board (PCB). In other embodiments, the controller 117 may take a different form. In some embodiments, the apparatus may have a single electrical or electronic component comprising the device 116 and the controller 117. The controller 117 is operated in this embodiment by user-operation of the user interface 118. The user interface 118 is located at the exterior of the body 110. The user interface 118 may comprise a push-button, a toggle switch, a dial, a touchscreen, or the like.
In this embodiment, operation of the user interface 118 by a user causes the controller 117 to cause the device 116 to apply an alternating electric current across the coil 114, so as to cause the coil 114 to generate an alternating magnetic field. The coil 114 and the heating element 115 are suitably relatively positioned so that the alternating magnetic field produced by the coil 114 penetrates the heating element 115. When the heating material of the heating element 115 is an electrically-conductive material, this may cause the generation of one or more eddy currents in the heating element 115. The flow of eddy currents in the heating element 115 against the electrical resistance of the heating element 115 causes the heating element 115 to be heated by Joule heating. As mentioned above, when the heating element 115 is made of a magnetic material, the orientation of magnetic dipoles in the heating element 115 changes with the changing applied magnetic field, which causes heat to be generated in the heating element 115.
The apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes a temperature sensor 119 for sensing a temperature of the recess 111. The temperature sensor 119 is communicatively connected to the controller 117, so that the controller 117 is able to monitor the temperature of the recess 111. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 119 may be arranged to take an optical temperature measurement of the recess, interface or cartridge 1, 2, 3. In some embodiments, the cartridge 1, 2, 3 may comprise a temperature detector, such as a resistance temperature detector (RTD), for detecting a temperature of the cartridge 1, 2, 3. For example, the temperature detector may be located in or on the container 10 of the cartridge 1, 2, 3. The cartridge 1, 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 the apparatus 100 when the cartridge 1, 2, 3 is in the recess 111 or cooperating with the interface. The controller 117 may comprise the temperature monitor. The temperature monitor of the apparatus 100 may thus be able to determine a temperature of the cartridge 1, 2, 3 during use of the cartridge 1, 2, 3 with the apparatus 100.
On the basis of one or more signals received from the temperature sensor 119 or temperature detector, the controller 117 may cause the device 116 to adjust a characteristic of the varying or alternating current passed through the coil 114 as necessary, in order to ensure that the temperature of the recess 111 remains within a predetermined temperature range. The characteristic may be, for example, amplitude or frequency. Within the predetermined temperature range, in use the smokable material 20 within a cartridge 1, 2, 3 inserted in the recess 111 is heated sufficiently to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material 20 without combusting the smokable material 20. Accordingly, the controller 117, and the apparatus 100 as a whole, is arranged to heat the smokable material 20 to volatilise the at least one component of the smokable material 20 without combusting the smokable material 20. 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.
A user is able to inhale the volatilised component(s) of the smokable material 20 by drawing the volatilised component(s) through the first channel 122 of the mouthpiece 120. As the volatilised component(s) are removed from the cavity 14 of the container 10 of the cartridge 1, air is drawn into the cavity 14 of the container 10 via the second channel 124 of the mouthpiece 120 and is directed to the closed end of the cavity 14 by the second device 123. This air then permeates the smokable material 20 and exits the cartridge 1 via the first channel 122 of the mouthpiece 120 when the user takes another draw.
In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 120 may include a member (not shown) that would contact the cartridge 1 when the cartridge 1 is in the recess 111, to press the cartridge 1 into the recess 111 and help ensure that the cartridge 1 is correctly positioned relative to the heating element 115. The member may be a resilient member.
In some embodiments of the apparatus, the heating element 115 may be omitted from the body 110 of the apparatus 100 or from the apparatus 100 as a whole. In some such embodiments, the apparatus still comprises a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field. Such apparatus may be usable with cartridges, such as cartridges 2, 3 and variants thereof discussed above with reference to
The apparatus may provide haptic feedback to a user. The feedback could indicate that heating of the heating material 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 the smokable material 20 in the cartridge 1, 2, 3 has/have been spent, or the like. The haptic feedback could be created by interaction of the heating material with the coil (i.e. magnetic response), by interaction of an electrically-conductive element with the coil, by rotating an unbalanced motor, by repeatedly applying and removing a current across a piezoelectric element, or the like.
The apparatus may comprise more than one coil. The plurality of coils could be operated to provide progressive heating of the smokable material 20 in a cartridge 1, 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 the smokable material 20 and formation of vapour in a first region of the smokable material 20. 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 the smokable material 20 and formation of vapour in a second region of the smokable material 20. Accordingly, 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 the smokable material 20 may have ceased generating vapour. The initially-unheated second region of smokable material 20 could act as a filter, to reduce the temperature of created vapour or make the created vapour mild, during heating of the first region of smokable material 20.
In some embodiments, the heating material of the heating element 15 of the apparatus or the heating material of the article 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.
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.
In each of the above described embodiments, the container defines an opening into the cavity, and the cartridge comprises a seal sealing the opening. However, in other embodiments that are respective variations to each of the above embodiments, the seal may be omitted from the container and/or both the seal and the opening may be omitted from the container. In some such embodiments, any portion of the cartridge may be punctured in use. In each of the above described embodiments, the apparatus comprises a device for puncturing the seal of a cartridge. In other embodiments that are respective variations to each of the above embodiments, the device may be for puncturing another portion of the cartridge or a different type of article.
In each of the above described embodiments, the smokable material 20 comprises tobacco. However, in respective variations to each of these embodiments, the smokable material 20 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 20 may comprise a vapour or aerosol forming agent or a humectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triactein, or diethylene glycol.
In each of the above described embodiments, the cartridge 1, 2, 3 is a consumable cartridge. Once all, or substantially all, of the volatilisable component(s) of the smokable material 20 in the cartridge 1, 2, 3 has/have been spent, the user may remove the cartridge 1, 2, 3 from the apparatus 100 and dispose of the cartridge 1, 2, 3. The user may subsequently re-use the apparatus 100 with another of the cartridges 1, 2, 3. However, in other respective embodiments, the cartridge 1, 2, 3 may be non-consumable, and the apparatus 100 and the cartridge 1, 2, 3 may be disposed of together once the volatilisable component(s) of the smokable material 20 has/have been spent.
In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 discussed above is sold, supplied or otherwise provided separately from the cartridges 1, 2, 3 with which the apparatus 100 is usable. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus 100 and one or more of the cartridges 1, 2, 3 may be provided together as a 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 both the apparatus and the article has heating material for heating by penetration with the varying magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator. Heat generated in the heating material of both the apparatus and the article could be transferred to the smokable material to heat the smokable material.
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 apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, superior articles and cartridges for use with such apparatus, and superior systems comprising such articles and such apparatus. 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.
