BR112019021478A2 - APPLIANCE, SMOKE ITEM - Google Patents

Abstract

an apparatus (1) is arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of the smokable material. the apparatus (1) comprises a compartment (20) for receiving smokable material; a fluid container (40) arranged to hold a fluid (45); and at least one tube (60) disposed at least partially within the compartment (20). the apparatus (1) is arranged in such a way that the tube (60) enters the smokable material or smokable material enters the tube (60) when said smokeable material is received inside the compartment (20), and in such a way that in In use, the fluid (45) from the fluid container (40) passes through an outlet opening (62) of the tube (60) into said smokable material. the fluid (45) passing into the smokable material volatilizes or extracts at least one component of the smokable material. [fig. 2]

Description

APPLIANCE, SMOKE ITEM

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material and a smoke article.

state of art

[0002] The apparatus is known for heating the smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, typically to form an aerosol that can be inhaled, without burning or burning the smokable material. Such a device is sometimes described as a non-burning heat device or a tobacco heating product (PAT) or tobacco heating device or the like. Several different arrangements are known to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.

resume

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus of claim 1 is provided.

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, the tube has a sharp end to pierce smokable material received inside the compartment in use.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is arranged so that the smokable material enters the tube and an inner wall of the tube comprises the outlet opening.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the tube has several outlet openings through which the fluid in use passes into said smokable material received in the compartment in use.

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[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a wick to absorb the fluid contained in use in the fluid container into the tube.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a heater to heat the fluid contained within the fluid container in use to vaporize the fluid.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a heater to heat smokable material received in the compartment in use. In an exemplary embodiment, the heater for heating smokable material received in the compartment is an electrically resistive heater provided as part of or inside the compartment.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises circuits built and arranged to allow control of the energy of the heater or each heater.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a source of energy to power the heater or each heater. Where several heaters are provided, the independent control of each heater can be provided, for example, at the user's choice.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the tube is connected to an energy source to selectively heat the tube. In this example, the tube can in effect be an electrically resistive heater.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid container and compartment are connected separately from each other.

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[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the compartment comprises an open front end through which the smokable material passes into a cavity of the compartment when said smokeable material is received within the compartment. In an exemplary embodiment, one end of the tube protrudes beyond the open front end of the compartment. In another exemplary embodiment, the tube is located inside the cavity and away from the open front end of the compartment.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises an insert with a through hole through which the smokable material can pass, the insert being removably insertable into the open front end of the compartment to reduce the width of at least a portion of the cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the insert comprises a cylindrical body portion that can be received in the compartment and a skirt that extends radially outwardly.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a retainer disposed adjacent to a surface facing into the compartment to reduce the width of the cavity at the location where the retainer is disposed. In an exemplary embodiment, the retainer is an annular wall that comprises a through hole through which the smokable material can pass. In an exemplary embodiment, the retainer is resilient, so as to be able to deform resiliently when the smokable material is passed through the retainer.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a sleeve that is removable and received within the compartment to reduce the width of the cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve is made of a thermally conductive material.

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[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least a second tube in fluid communication with a second fluid container and protruding into the compartment, the second tube having at least one outlet opening, the apparatus being arranged so that the second tube enters the smokable material when said smokeable material is received inside the compartment and so that the fluid in use enters the second tube of the second fluid container and passes through the outlet opening of the tube for said smokable material received in the compartment in use to volatilize or extract at least one component of said smokable material.

[0019] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a smoking article according to claim 26 or claim 30 is provided.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention below, given by way of example only, which are made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

[0021] Figure 1 shows a schematic longitudinal side view of an example of an apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material;

[0022] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

[0023] Figure 3 shows a schematic longitudinal side view of an example of a conventional smoking article;

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[0024] Figure 4 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material;

[0025] Figure 5 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material;

[0026] Figure 6 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material;

[0027] Figure 7 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a smoking article for use with the apparatus described here;

[0028] Figures 8 to 12 show, respectively, schematic views in longitudinal cross-section of other examples of apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material;

[0029] Figure 13 shows a schematic longitudinal view of a second example of a smoking article for use with the apparatus described here.

Detailed Description

[0030] As used here, the term smokable material includes materials that provide volatilized components after heating, typically in the form of an aerosol. Smokeable material includes any material that contains tobacco and can,

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6/27 for example, include one or more tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Smokable material can also include products other than tobacco that, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. Smokable material can, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid, gel or wax or the like. Smokable material can, for example, also be a combination or mixture of materials.

[0031] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, an apparatus 1 arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material has a compartment 20. The compartment 20 serves to receive removable smokeable material, which can be inserted in the compartment 20 and removed after use. The smokable material can be inserted and removed from the open front end 24 of compartment 20. Apparatus 1 has a container 40 that is arranged to hold a fluid 45. Apparatus 1 also has a hollow tube 60, shown in apparent form with dashed lines in Figure 1. Tube 60 is in fluid communication with fluid container 40 and protrudes into compartment 20. Tube 60 has at least one outlet opening 62 in the part of tube 60 that protrudes into the interior of the compartment 20. The apparatus 1 is arranged so that the tube 60 enters the smokable material when the smokable material is received inside the compartment 20. During use, the fluid enters the tube 60 from the fluid container 40 and passes through the outlet opening 62 of tube 60 and the smokable material received in compartment 20.

[0032] Apparatus 1 in the example shown in Figures 1 and 2 is generally elongated, with compartment 20 provided in a

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7/27 end of the apparatus 1. The compartment 20 in this example is in the form of a hollow cylinder of circular cross section, although other forms of cross section can be used. The fluid container 40 in the example shown is also generally elongated and has a circular cross section, although again other forms of cross section can be used. In the present example, the tube 60 is arranged to project from the fluid container 40 to the center of the compartment 20. The tube 60, in the example shown is generally elongated with a circular cross section. The apparatus 1 as a whole, or at least those parts, such as compartment 20, that can become hot in use, can be formed of a heat insulating material or include a thermal insulator to protect a user's hands from hot parts inside device 1 in use.

[0033] Tube 60 in use enters the smokable material when smokeable material is inserted or received into compartment 20. In one example, tube 60 has a sharp, pointed end 64 at the remote end of the fluid container 40. The sharp end 64 facilitates the pipe 60 to pierce the smokable material when the smokable material is received inside the compartment 20. Alternatively or additionally, as discussed later, the smokable material may have a hole to receive the pipe 60 to facilitate the entry of the pipe 60 into the smokable material. When the tube 60 is positioned in the smokable material, fluid from the fluid container 40 can enter the tube 60 and exit through one or more outlet openings 62 for the smokable material.

[0034] Fluid 45 in fluid container 40 is typically in liquid form. Suitable fluids 45 include

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8/27 conventionally used in electronic cigarette devices, including, for example, propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerin).

[0035] In a specific example, tube 60 has several outlet openings 62. These several outlet openings 62 can be evenly distributed along the length of tube 60 and / or over the surface of tube 60. Alternatively, outlet openings 62 can be distributed unevenly over the surface of the tube 60. Alternatively or additionally, the various outlet openings 62 may have different sizes (cross-sectional areas) and / or shapes at different locations along the tube 60. These alternative arrangements for the various outlet openings 62 can be used to control the distribution of the fluid in the smokable material, for example, to favor the volatilization or flavor extraction of the smokable material towards an end of the smokable material, or in certain intermediate portions or regions of the material. smokable material. The distribution of the fluid into the smokable material can affect or control the user's taste experience, for example, if the smokable material is made up of sections of smokable material that have different flavors.

[0036]

Tube 60 may have a straight needle shape, as in the examples shown in the drawings. Alternatively, the tube may have a crimped shape, or be in the form of a coil or in some other non-linear shape.

[0037] In some examples, apparatus 1 has a heater for heating fluid or liquid 45 contained in fluid container 40. In one example, the heater vaporizes the fluid in use. The vaporized fluid passes to the tube 60 and exits through the opening (s)

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Exit 9/27 (s) 62 for the smokable material to extract and / or volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. In one example, the heater for heating fluid operates optimally at temperatures between about 70 ° C and about 100 ° C or about 120 ° C or about 150 ° C or even about 200 ° C or about 250 ° C or more. In one example, the fluid heater is an electrically resistive heater. The heater can be, for example, a wire, which can, for example, be in the form of a coil, a plate (which can be a multilayer plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which can be electrically conductive and one or more of which may be electrically non-conductive), a mesh, a film heater, etc. Other heater arrangements can be used, including induction, convection and non-electric heating devices. In another example, the heater for heating the liquid can be provided by the tube 60, instead of or in addition to some other dedicated heater for the fluid.

[0038] In some examples, device 1 has a heater to directly heat smokable material received in compartment 20 in use. In a specific example, the heater for heating smokable material operates ideally at temperatures between about 50 ° C and about 250 ° C or 300 ° C or more. The heater heats the smokable material to release or at least help to release at least one component of the smokable material, but does not cause the smokable material to burn. The heater can be an electrically resistive heater. In one example, the heater for heating smokable material received in compartment 20 in use is an electrically resistive heater provided as part of or as a component within compartment 20. The

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10/27 heater for heating smokeable material may, for example, be in the form of a ceramic or cylinder or metal coating on the surface facing inward of compartment 20. Alternatively, the heater may be, for example, a wire, which it can, for example, be in the form of a coil, a mesh, a film heater, etc. heating devices, including induction, convection and non-electric heating devices can be used.

[0039] In some examples, apparatus 1 has a heater to heat smokable material received in compartment 20 in use and a heater to heat fluid 45 contained in fluid container 40.

[0040] In one example, the device has a power source 82 to power the heater or each heater. The power source 82 can be received in a power source receptacle 80 of the apparatus 1, which is adjacent to the fluid container 40 at the end of the apparatus 1 in front of compartment 20. In other examples, the power source 82 is contained in a sealed arrangement with the fluid container 40. The power source 82 can be, for example, a rechargeable battery, a disposable battery, etc. Control circuits (not visible in Figure 1) can be provided to allow, among other things, the control of the heater or each heater power supply.

[0041] With reference to Figure 3, an example of a smoking article 90 is shown for use with an apparatus 1 to volatilize and / or extract at least one component of the smokable material, as described here. The smoking article 90 in this example can be, for example, a conventional cigarette, or at least generally in the form of a conventional cigarette, which can be inserted into the

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11/27 compartment 20. An important advantage of this for the user is that the user can use the device 1 with a conventional cigarette in situations or places where traditional smoking (which involves burning tobacco) is not allowed. Smoke article 90 has a filter portion 92 and a smokable material - containing portion 94 that contains the smokable material. The length of the compartment 20 is such that at least part of the filter portion 92 protrudes out of the compartment 20 when the smoke article 90 is introduced into the apparatus 1 by a user. The filter portion 92 can be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter portion 92 filters the volatilized smokable material before it reaches the user. The filter portion 92 can also act to cool the volatilized smokable material before reaching the user. The filter portion 92 can also isolate the user from the heat generated within the housing 20 of the apparatus 1.

[0042] In use, when the smoking article 90 is inserted into compartment 20, the tube 60 enters the smoking material within the portion containing smoking material 94 substantially in the middle or on the periphery of the circular cross section of the smoking article 90. This inlet of the pipe 60 in the smokable material can assist in fixing the smoking article 90 in the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 can then be operated by the user to cause one or more components of the smokable material to be extracted and / or volatilized causing the fluid pass the container 40 through the tube 60 and into the smokable material.

[0043] With reference to Figure 4, a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view is shown of another example of an apparatus 401 arranged to volatilize at least

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12/27 a component of smokable material. In the description that follows and in Figure 4, components and features that are the same or similar to the corresponding components and features in the example described above have the same reference number, but increased by 400. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components and features does not will be repeated in full here.

[0044] In this example, apparatus 401 has a heater 442 for heating liquid 445 contained in fluid container 440. Power source 482 is connected to heater 442 by wires 483. In the example shown, heater 442 is a heater electrically resistive coil. The heater 422 in the present example is arranged around a wick 444 that is in fluid communication with the liquid 445 inside the fluid container 440. The heater 442 and the wick 444 can be supplied as a single product, effectively integrating such that heating and absorption are effectively carried out by a single unit. Wick 444 is generally absorbent and acts to suck up liquid 445 contained in fluid container 440. Wick 444 is preferably non-woven and can be, for example, a cotton or wool material or the like, or synthetic material, including for example polyester, nylon, viscose, polypropylene or the like. In this example, tube 460 is not in direct contact with liquid 445 in fluid container 440. Instead, the open end of tube 460 remote from smokable material container 420 is close and opposes heater 442. In use, the heater 442 vaporizes the liquid 445 sucked from the fluid container 440 to the heater 442 by the wick 444. The vaporized liquid then passes into and through the tube 460 and out of one or more outlet openings 462

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13/27 to switch to the smokable material contained in use in compartment 420. The hot vaporized liquid extracts and / or volatilizes one or more components of the smokable material that can be inhaled by a user.

[0045] With reference to Figure 5, a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view is shown of another example of an apparatus 501 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material. In the following description and in Figure 5, components and features that are the same or similar to the corresponding components and features in the examples described above have the same reference number, but are increased to 500 onwards. For the sake of brevity, the description of these components and features will not be repeated here in full.

[0046] In the present example, tube 560 projects into liquid 545 of fluid container 540. In addition, tube 560 is connected by wires 583 to power source 582 to selectively heat tube 560. Tube 560 can be made of an electrically resistive material, such as metal, and thus act as a heater to heat and vaporize the liquid 545, in addition to transporting the vaporized liquid from the liquid container 540 to the smoking material contained in use in compartment 520. the vaporized liquid hot extracts and / or volatilizes one or more components of the smokable material that can be inhaled by the user.

[0047] With reference to Figure 6, a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view is shown of another example of an apparatus 601 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material. In the following description and in Figure 6, components and resources equal to or similar to those

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14/27 components and corresponding features of the examples described above have the same reference number, but increased by 600 onwards. For the sake of brevity, the description of these components and features will not be repeated here in full.

[0048] The apparatus example 601 of Figure 6 has a heater to heat the liquid and a heater 622 to heat the smokable material contained in compartment 620 in use.

[0049] The heater 622 for heating the smokeable material is in the form of a cylinder or coating 622 on the surface facing inside the compartment 620. The coating of heater 622 can be an electrically resistive heater connected by wires (not shown) to the source 682 and can be made of ceramic or metal, for example.

[0050] In this example, similarly to the example in Figure 5, the heater for heating the liquid is provided by tube 660, which is connected by wires 683 to the power source 682. Alternatively, the heater to heat the liquid can be provided by a coil and wick arrangement, similar to the example in Figure 4, or by some other arrangement. In fact, it may not be necessary to provide a separate heater to heat the liquid and it may be sufficient to directly heat only the smokable material using only heater 622 to heat the smokable material. The heating of the smokable material in such a case may be sufficient to cause the fluid to be drawn into the tube 660 from the fluid container 640 and pass through the outlet opening (s) 662 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.

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[0051] When separate heaters for heating the liquid and heating the smokable material are provided, the apparatus may have control circuits built and arranged to allow independent control of the energy of each heater. The user can, for example, independently and selectively control the energy of the heater to heat the liquid and the heater to heat the smokable material, so that only one or both of the liquid and the smokable material are heated by their respective heaters as the user's choice. It may be, for example, that if only the smokable material heater is operated, no fluid is drawn into the tube, and the apparatus can operate in a manner similar to a device of the HNB or THP type. Alternatively, the user can decide the sole power of the heater to heat the fluid contained in the fluid container, thus using the device similar to an electronic cigarette device. The user can choose to power both heaters to use the device as a hybrid device.

[0052] In one of the examples described here, the fluid container 40 and the compartment 20 for the smoking material and the energy source receptacle 80, if provided, can be connected separately to each other. The compartment 20 and the fluid container 40, and the energy source receptacle 80, if any, can be separated separately by means of a screw or bayonet connection, by one or more clamps, as they are arranged together in a sliding way, etc. . In addition, the connections between the fluid container 40 and the compartment 20 for the smoking material and the energy source receptacle 80, if provided, can be such that, for example, they can connect the

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16/27 compartment 20 to the smokeable material and the energy source receptacle 80 directly to each other. In the present example, apparatus 1 can operate without a fluid container 40 or compartment 20. This modular arrangement allows the user to change the functionality of the hybrid device to act as a THP-type device if, for example, the fluid container 40 is absent and a heater for heating the smoking material is provided.

[0053] In any of the examples described above, the fluid container 40 may be in the form of a replaceable unit or cartridge that is replaceable by a user as a whole. The replaceable cartridge can be provided with the liquid 45 contained therein. When it is empty after use, the replaceable cartridge can be removed from device 1 and discarded by the user and replaced with a new full cartridge.

[0054] In any of the examples described here, there may be a valve between the fluid container 40 and the tube 60. The valve can be, for example, manually operable by the user, operable under control of the control circuit or automatically operable one once enough pressure has been developed, for example. The valve can act, for example, as a safety measure to ensure that the liquid from the fluid container 40 does not enter the tube 60 until or unless it is necessary. The liquid that enters the tube 60 in an uncontrolled manner can cause the leakage of the device 1 when not in use, for example, during transport. The liquid that enters the tube 60 when unwanted or in an uncontrolled manner can also lead to a bad user experience during use. For example, during inhalation, liquid may enter

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17/27 in the tube, be dragged through the smoking material and inhaled by the user. It is desirable, therefore, that the liquid from the fluid container 40, as shown in the example in Figure 4, is vaporized before entering the tube 60 or, as shown in the examples in Figures 5 and 6, the liquid enters the tube 60 under conditions controlled. Controlled conditions include when tube 60 is heated before liquid enters tube 60.

[0055] In other examples, the fluid container 40 is in the form of a refillable container that can be refilled by the user as needed. The refillable container can be removable from apparatus 1, for example, by unscrewing the fluid container 40 from compartment 20 or it can be refilled in situ, opening a refill opening, for example. The refillable container can then be filled with a suitable fluid 45 by a user.

[0056] With reference to Figure 7, a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a smoking article 700 is shown according to another aspect and which is particularly suitable for use with apparatus as described above. The smoking article 700 has smokable material 72 and a rigid hollow cylinder 704 having a hole 706 for receiving the tube of an apparatus as described above. Hole 706 is in fluid communication with smokable material 702, in this example being adjacent to smokable material 702.

[0057] The example of the smoking article 700 shown in Figure 7 has a generally cylindrical compartment 708 that is formed of a rigid material, such as a rigid plastic or metal. In this example, the hollow rigid cylinder 704 with hole 706 is a separate component that is located and retained at one end of the

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18/27 cylindrical compartment 708. In other examples, the hollow rigid cylinder 704 with hole 706 can be effectively provided as an integral part of the cylindrical compartment 708. The smoking article 700 of this example is generally elongated with a circular cross section.

[0058] A filter 710 is provided at the other end of the smoking article 700 opposite the cylinder 704 having the hole 706. The smoking material 702 is generally located in the center of the smoking article 700 between the cylinder 704 which has the hole 706 and the filter 710. The filter 710 can be, for example, a cellulose acetate filter or can be formed of other materials. The filter 710 in this example has a central hole 712 in fluid communication with the smokable material 702, in this example being adjacent to the smokable material 702. The filter 710 filters the volatilized smokable material before reaching the user. The 710 filter can also act to cool the volatilized smokable material before reaching the user. The filter 710 can also isolate the user from the heat generated within compartment 20 of the device 1 in use.

[0059] Hole 706 is dimensioned so that it can receive tube 60, etc. device 1, etc. described above when the smoking article 700 is received in compartment 20, etc. of apparatus 1. Tube 60 may have a sliding fit in hole 706, which helps to retain smoke article 700 in apparatus 1 in use. In use, the tube 60 of the apparatus 1 is received in the hole 706 and enters the smokable material 702. The lengths of the tube 60 and various parts of the smoking article 700 determine how far from the smokable material 702 the tube 60 reaches.

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[0060] In other examples, the smokable material 702 itself may have a hole (not shown) along part or all of its length to receive tube 60 of apparatus 1 in smokable material 702. Similar to hole 706 of cylinder 704 such a hole in the smokable material 702 can be similar in size and shape to the pipe 60. This allows for easy entry of the pipe 60 into the smokable material 702.

[0061] Apparatus 1 may have a recognition arrangement to be able to identify or recognize the specific smoke article 700 that has been introduced into apparatus 1 by a user. For example, in practice, the apparatus 1 as a whole, including, in particular, the heating arrangement and the heating control provided by the electrical control circuit, will often be optimized for a specific smoke article arrangement 700 (for example, one or more of specific size, shape, smoking material, etc.) and it would be undesirable for apparatus 1 to be used with smoking material or with a smoking article with (significantly) different characteristics. In addition, if device 1 can identify or recognize the specific smoke article 700, or at least the type of general smoke article 700 that was introduced in device 1, this can help to eliminate or at least reduce counterfeiting or use of other smoke articles 700 not genuine with the appliance 1. The appliance 1 can be arranged to heat only a smoke article 7 00 that it recognizes and will not work in conjunction with a smoke article 700 that it does not recognize. Apparatus 1 may be arranged to provide some indication to the user that the smoking article 700 has not been recognized. This indication can be visual (for example, a warning light, which can, for example, flash or stay on

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20/27 continuously for a period of time) and / or audible (for example, a beep warning or similar). The recognition arrangement can be provided by, for example, a capacitive or inductive arrangement, by reading a bar code on smoke article 700, etc.

[0062] With reference to Figure 8, a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus 801 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material is shown. In the following description and in Figure 8, components and features that are the same or similar to the corresponding components and features in the examples described above have the same reference number, but increase to 800 onwards. For the sake of brevity, the description of these components and features will not be repeated here in full. The general arrangement and relative size of various parts shown by way of example in Figure 8 can be applied to any of the examples described here.

[0063] In the specific example shown, tube 860 projects a length L beyond the open front end 824 of compartment 820. Before use, smoked material is inserted into apparatus 800. However, at least a portion of the smokable material, which is in use it faces the end of the smokable material that is enveloped by the user's mouth, and will not be covered or enveloped by the 820 compartment. In use, the smokable material is heated and / or heated fluid is passed through the smokable material. Heat will be lost to the environment more quickly from the uncovered or exposed portion of smoking material than the portion of smoking material contained within the 820 compartment. This can help improve the user experience.

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[0064] With reference to Figure 9, a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus 901 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material is shown. In the following description and in Figure 9, components and characteristics that are the same or similar to the components and corresponding characteristics of the examples described above have the same reference number, but increase to 900 onwards. For the sake of brevity, the description of these components and features will not be repeated here in full. The general arrangement and relative dimensioning of various parts shown by way of example in Figure 9 can apply to any of the examples described here.

[0065] In the specific example shown, the sharp end 964 of tube 960 is located inside compartment 920 and away from the open front end 924. This arrangement allows the vapor or aerosol to travel a greater distance through the smokable material, thus allowing better volatization or extraction of a compound from the smokable material.

[0066] With reference to Figure 10, an example of an insert 1030 in use is shown with an example of an apparatus 1001 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material. In use, insert 1030 is inserted into the open front end 1024 of the apparatus 1001 and reduces the width of the cavity 1026 near the open front end 1024. The use of the insert 1030 therefore allows the user to use the apparatus 1001 with smokable material of various sizes. widths, with smokeable material of different widths being properly supported inside the 1001 device. For example, the 1001 device can be used in conjunction with a king size consumable

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22/27 without the use of insert 1030 and separately can be used in conjunction with a slim or super slim consumable product with insert 1030 located inside the open front end 1024 of the device 1001.

[0067] The insert 1030 shown in Figure 10 has a cylindrical body portion 1030a, a skirt extending radially outwards 1030b and a through hole 1030c. The user can hold the skirt 1030b to insert the cylindrical body portion 1030a and remove the cylindrical body portion 1030a from the open front end 1024 of the apparatus 1001. Preferably, there is a perfect fit between the insert 1030 and the apparatus 1001, so that insert 1030 is retained at the open front end 1024 of compartment 1020. It is also important to have a good fit between the smokable material and the 1030 insert, so that the smokable material is safely retained in cavity 1026. In one example, the insert 1030 is made of a resilient material, so that in use it deforms within the cavity and around the smokable material. This will provide a comfortable fit between insert 1030 and compartment 1020 and between insert 1030 and smokable material.

[0068] In one example, insert 1030 is made of thermal insulating material. This helps to prevent insert 1030 from heating up when using device 1001. In addition, the user is less likely to get burned when removing insert 1030 after using device 1001. Insert 1030 is suitable for use in many of the examples described here.

[0069] Referring to Figures 11a and 11b, another example of an apparatus 1101 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material is shown. The device shown

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23/27 has a retainer 1132 which assists in the retention of smokable material within the apparatus 1101. In one example, retainer 1132 is in the form of an annular wall 1132a with a through hole 1132b. The annular wall 1132a is positioned adjacent to the inward facing surface of compartment 1120. At the location in cavity 1126 where retainer 1132 is positioned, the width of cavity 1126 is reduced. In use, the smokable material is inserted into compartment 1120 and 1132b through the hole through the retainer 1132. The retainer 1132 can be made of resilient material so that it deforms when the smokable material 1190 is inserted, as shown in Figure 11b. The 1132 retainer is suitable for use with many of the examples described here.

[0070] In an example not shown, the width of the cavity is reduced by the use of a sleeve positioned in the cavity and involving substantially or entirely the length of the cavity. Before use, the sleeve can be inserted into the cavity. Alternatively, before use, the smokable material can be inserted into the sleeve and the sleeve and smokable material can be inserted together into the cavity. The sleeve can be made of a thermally conductive material. The sleeve is suitable for use with many of the examples described here.

[0071] Referring to Figure 12, a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus 1201 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material is shown. The apparatus 1201 in the example shown has an annular tube 1295 disposed on the inwardly facing surface of compartment 1220 and, in this example, substantially or entirely surrounding the length of cavity 1226. The annular tube 1295 comprises an outer wall 1295a and an

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24/27 inner wall 1295b that define an annular space 1295c that contains liquid. In a specific example, the liquid is called an e-liquid, for example, of the type conventionally used in electronic cigarette devices, including, for example, propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerin) and / or a liquid that contains a flavor , such as menthol. The inner wall 1295a of the annular tube 1295 is arranged to provide an outlet opening to allow steam or aerosol to pass from the annular tube 1295 into the apparatus 1201. For example, the innermost wall of the annular tube 1295 can be porous and / or have one or more through holes. During inhalation, the liquid contained in the ring tube 1295 is pulled from the outside of the smokable material inwardly towards the center of the smokable material, in the form of an aerosol or vapor. Alternatively, the liquid in the form of an aerosol or vapor can be released from annular tube 1295 by at least one valve that is manually operable by a user or, alternatively or additionally, operable under the control of the control circuit. As the aerosol or vapor passes through the smokable material, it extracts the flavor from the smokable material.

[0072] In one example, the ring tube 1295 heats the liquid that is contained within the coating 1295. In a specific example, the ring tube 1295 in combination with the tube heater 622 of Figure 6 heats the smokable material. In one example, ring tube 1295 has an electrically resistive heater on the surface facing the inside of the jacket 1295 or the surface facing inside the ring tube 1295 itself is an electrically resistive heater. The heater can heat the liquid in the ring tube 1295, the liquid after the material has entered

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Smokable 25/27, and the smokable material itself. The ring tube 1295 is suitable for use with many of the examples described here.

[0073] In some examples, apparatus 1201 may also include an additional tube 1260 that extends into the smokable material and that delivers e-liquid from an additional liquid container (not shown in Figure 12) into the material smoke in a manner similar to the examples discussed above.

[0074] In any of the examples described here, the device may have more than one tube protruding from the compartment. In an example where the device has multiple tubes, each tube can be in fluid communication with a separate separate fluid container. The separate fluid containers may contain the same liquid or may contain different liquids and / or nicotine and / or different flavors. In a specific example, a first tube is in fluid communication with a first fluid container containing an so-called e-liquid, for example, of the type conventionally used in electronic cigarette devices, including, for example, propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerin ) and including nicotine, but without the addition of flavorings; and a second tube is in fluid communication with a fluid container containing an e-liquid that includes a flavoring, such as, for example, menthol, and optionally also including nicotine. The release of fluid from the tubes can be performed separately, so that the user can choose whether to release and when to release fluid from each tube. In a different arrangement, the multiple tubes are in fluid communication with the same fluid container. With more than one tube in fluid communication with a fluid container, the

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26/27 user can vary the amount of fluid released. The tubes can be arranged centrally within the cavity or closer to the compartment or, alternatively, in a combination of these positions. The tubes may be substantially the same or may have different sizes, with the same or different numbers and / or sizes of outlet openings.

[0075] With reference to Figure 13, there is a schematic view of an example of smoke article 1300 which is particularly suitable for use in the apparatus 1201 of Fig 12. Smoke article 1300 is in the form, for example, of a hollow cylinder 1303 containing smokable material (not visible in the figure). The cylinder 1303 is molded to fit inside the cavity 1226 of the apparatus 1201 and to be surrounded by the ring jacket 1295. The wall of the cylinder 1203 is provided with one or more openings 1305 or is porous to allow the aerosol or steam passing from the ring tube 1295 into cylinder 1303 to pass through the smoke material in cylinder 1303. The ends of the cylinder may or may not be closed. If closed, either end includes one or more openings and one end is porous to allow aerosol, steam and air to pass through. The wall of the smoke article 1300 can be made of any suitable material, for example, paper, plastic or metal. The smoke article 1300 can be provided with a filter (not shown).

[0076] The various embodiments described in this document are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed resources. These embodiments are provided only as a representative sample of the embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It must be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, characteristics,

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27/27 structures and / or other aspects described in this document should not be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims or limitations of equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments can be used and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of appropriate combinations of the elements, components, characteristics, parts, steps, means, etc. disclosed, in addition to those specifically described in this document. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims (30)

1. Apparatus designed to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material, characterized by the fact that the apparatus comprises: a compartment for receiving smokable material; a fluid container arranged to hold a fluid; and at least one tube arranged at least partially within the compartment; the apparatus being arranged so that the tube enters the smokable material or smokable material enters the tube, when said smokeable material is received inside the compartment and in such a way that in use, the fluid from the fluid container passes through an opening outlet from the tube into said smokable material, wherein the fluid passing to said smokable material volatilizes or extracts at least one component of said smokable material. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the apparatus is arranged so that the tube enters the smokable material and the tube has a sharp end for piercing the smokable material received inside the compartment in use. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the apparatus is arranged so that the tube enters the smokable material and in which the tube has several outlet openings through which Petition 870190102688, of 10/11/2019, p. 41/62 2/7 the fluid in use passes to the said smokable material received in the compartment in use. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the apparatus is arranged so that the tube enters the smokable material and in which the fluid container and compartment are separately connected to each other. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the apparatus is arranged so that the tube enters the smokable material, wherein the compartment comprises an open front end through which the smokable material passes into a cavity of the compartment when said smokeable material is received inside compartment and where one end of the tube protrudes beyond the open front end of the compartment. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the apparatus is arranged so that the tube enters the smokable material, wherein the compartment comprises an open front end through which the smokable material passes into a cavity of the compartment when said smokeable material is received inside of the compartment where the tube is located inside the cavity and away from the open front end of the compartment. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus is arranged in such a way that the smokable material enters the tube and an inner wall of the tube comprises the outlet opening. Petition 870190102688, of 10/11/2019, p. 42/62 3 / Ί 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the inner wall of the tube is permeable to the fluid, in order to provide the outlet opening. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by the fact that the tube comprises an outer wall and an inner wall which together define an annular space to contain the fluid, so that the tube is the fluid container. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a wick to absorb the fluid contained in use in the fluid container into the tube. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by the fact that it comprises a heater to heat the fluid contained in the fluid container in use to vaporize the fluid. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the fact that it comprises a heater to heat smokable material received in the compartment in use. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the heater for heating smokable material received in the compartment is an electrically resistive heater provided as part of or inside the compartment. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by the fact that it comprises circuits built and arranged to allow control of the power supply of each heater. Petition 870190102688, of 10/11/2019, p. 43/62 0./Ί Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a source of energy to supply the same or each heater. 16. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the tube is connected to a power source to selectively heat the tube. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the compartment comprises an open front end through which the smokeable material passes into a cavity of the compartment when said smokeable material is received within the compartment. 18. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises an insert with a through hole through which smokable material can pass, the insert being removably insertable in the open front end of the compartment to reduce the width of at least a portion of the cavity. 19. Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the insert comprises a cylindrical body part that can be received in the compartment and a skirt that extends radially outwards. Apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that it comprises a retainer disposed adjacent to a surface facing into the compartment for reducing the width of the cavity at the location where the retainer is disposed. Petition 870190102688, of 10/11/2019, p. 44/62 5/7 21. Apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the retainer is an annular wall comprising a through hole through which the smokable material can pass. 22. Apparatus according to claim 20 or claim 21, characterized by the fact that the retainer is resilient, so that it can deform resiliently when the smokable material is passed through the retainer. 23. Apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a sleeve which is removable received within the compartment to reduce the width of the cavity. 24. Apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that the sleeve is made of a thermally conductive material. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that it comprises at least a second tube in fluid communication with a second fluid container and projecting into the compartment, the second tube having at least one opening outlet, the apparatus being arranged so that the second tube enters the smokable material when said smokeable material is received inside the compartment and so that the fluid in use enters the second tube from the second fluid container and passes through the outlet opening of the tube for said smokable material received in the compartment in use to volatilize or extract at least one component of said smokable material. Petition 870190102688, of 10/11/2019, p. 45/62 6/1 26. Smoke article for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material, the smoke article characterized by the fact that it comprises: smokable material; and a rigid hollow cylinder with a hole for receiving the tube of an apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6 or the apparatus as defined in any one of claims 10 to 25 when dependent on any of the claims of 1 to 6, where the article is configured to, in use, allow the apparatus tube to enter the smokable material, where the hole is in fluid communication with the smokable material and where the hole is located at one end of the article opposite the end of the article to be triggered by a user's mouth. 27. Smoke article according to claim 26, characterized by the fact that it comprises a filter to filter volatilized smokable material. 28. Smoke article according to claim 27, characterized by the fact that the filter is a tube filter. 29. Smoke article according to any one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that it comprises a compartment that contains the smokable material and that supplies or contains the rigid hollow cylinder. 30. Smoke article for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material, characterized by the fact that the smoke article comprises: Petition 870190102688, of 10/11/2019, p. 46/62 7/7 a container comprising smokable material, wherein the container is insertable into the tube of an apparatus as defined in any of claims 7 to 9 or in the apparatus as defined in any of claims 10 to 25, when dependent on any one of claims 7 to 9, the container comprising an outer wall which allows fluid to pass from the inner wall of the apparatus tube to enter the smokable material, internally towards a center of the smokable material.