CN110799049A

CN110799049A - Device for volatilizing smokable material and smoking article

Info

Publication number: CN110799049A
Application number: CN201880038356.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 伊格纳西奥·苏亚雷斯·亚涅斯
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2017-04-12
Filing date: 2018-04-10
Publication date: 2020-02-14
Also published as: RU2019131965A; WO2018189195A1; US20200375249A1; AU2018253353A1; BR112019021478A2; RU2019131965A3; CA3058959A1; GB201705888D0; JP2020513193A; KR20190126865A; EP3609357A1

Abstract

A device (1) arranged to volatilise or extract at least one component of smokable material. The device (1) comprises: a housing (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 housing (20). The device (1) is arranged such that when the smokable material is received within the housing (20), the tube (60) enters the smokable material or the smokable material enters the tube (60), and such that, in use, fluid (45) from the fluid container (40) passes through the outlet aperture (62) of the tube (60) into the smokable material. The fluid (45) entering the smokable material volatilises or extracts at least one component of the smokable material.

Description

Device for volatilizing smokable material and smoking article

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device arranged to volatilise or extract at least one component of smokable material and to a smoking article.

Background

Such devices are known: the device heats the smokable material to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material, typically to form an inhalable aerosol, without burning or igniting the smokable material. Such devices are sometimes described as "non-combustible heating" devices or "tobacco heating products" (THP) or "tobacco heating apparatus" or the like. Various different arrangements are known for volatilising at least one component of smokable material.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided the apparatus of claim 1.

In an exemplary embodiment, the tube has a tip for piercing smokable material received in use within the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is arranged such that the smokable material enters the tube, and wherein the inner wall of the tube comprises an outlet aperture,

in an exemplary embodiment, the tube has a plurality of outlet apertures through which, in use, fluid passes into the smokable material received in use in the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a wick for wicking fluid contained in the fluid container into the tube in use.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a heater for heating a fluid contained in the fluid container in use to vaporise the fluid.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a heater for heating smokable material received in use in the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the heater for heating smokable material received in the housing is an electrical resistance heater provided as part of or within the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises circuitry constructed and arranged to control the energisation of the or each heater.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a power supply for powering the or each heater. In the case where a plurality of heaters are provided, independent control of each heater may be provided, for example, at the option of the user.

In an exemplary embodiment, the tube is connected to a power source for selectively heating the tube. In this example, the tube may actually be a resistive heater.

In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid container and the housing are detachably connected to each other.

In an exemplary embodiment, the housing includes a front open end through which the smokable material passes into the cavity of the housing when the smokable material is received within the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, one end of the tube protrudes beyond the front open end of the housing. In another exemplary embodiment, the tube is located within the cavity and distal to the open front end of the housing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises an insert having a through hole through which smokable material can pass, the insert being removably insertable into the front open end of the housing to reduce the width of at least a portion of the cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the insert includes a cylindrical body portion receivable in the housing and a radially outwardly extending skirt portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a retainer disposed adjacent an inward facing surface of the housing for reducing a width of the cavity at a location where the retainer is disposed. In an exemplary embodiment, the retainer is an annular wall comprising a through hole through which the smokable material can pass. In an exemplary embodiment, the retainer is resilient to enable resilient deformation of the smokable material as it passes through the retainer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a sleeve removably received within the housing to reduce a width of the cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve is made of a thermally conductive material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises at least a second tube in fluid communication with a second fluid reservoir and projecting into the housing, the second tube having at least one outlet aperture, the device being arranged such that when the smokable material is received within the housing, the second tube enters smokable material and such that, in use, fluid enters the second tube from the second fluid reservoir and passes through the outlet aperture of the tube into the smokable material, which in use is received in the housing, to volatilize or extract at least one component of the smokable material.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a smoking article according to claim 26 or claim 30.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

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

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1;

figure 3 shows a schematic longitudinal side view of an example of a conventional smoking article;

figure 4 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device arranged to volatilise or extract at least one component of smokable material;

figure 5 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device arranged to volatilise or extract at least one component of smokable material;

figure 6 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device arranged to volatilise or extract at least one component of smokable material;

figure 7 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a smoking article for use with the devices described herein;

figures 8 to 12 show schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of a further example of an apparatus arranged to volatilise or extract at least one component of smokable material, respectively;

figure 13 shows a schematic longitudinal view of a second example of a smoking article for use with the devices described herein.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term "smokable material" includes materials that provide volatile components, typically in the form of an aerosol, when heated. "smokable material" includes any tobacco-containing material, and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, and tobacco substitutes. "smokable material" may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine depending on the product. The "smokable material" may for example be in the form of a solid, liquid, gel or wax. The "smokable material" may also be, for example, a composition or mixture of materials.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, a device 1 arranged to volatilise or extract at least one component of smokable material has a housing 20. The housing 20 is for removably receiving smokable material which may be inserted into the housing 20 and removed after use. The smokable material may be inserted through and removed from the front open end 24 of the housing 20. The device 1 has a container 40 arranged to hold a fluid 45. The device 1 also has a hollow tube 60, shown in image form in fig. 1 by a dashed line. The tube 60 is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir 40 and protrudes into the interior of the housing 20. The tube 60 has at least one outlet hole 62 in the portion of the tube 60 protruding into the interior of the housing 20. The device 1 is arranged such that when smokable material is received within the housing 20, the tube 60 enters the smokable material. In use, fluid enters the tube 60 from the fluid container 40 and passes through the outlet aperture 62 of the tube 60 and into the smokable material received in the housing 20.

The device 1 in the example shown in fig. 1 and 2 is substantially elongate and the housing 20 is provided at one end of the device 1. In this example, the housing 20 is in the form of a hollow cylinder having a circular cross-section, but other cross-sectional shapes may be employed. In the example shown, the fluid container 40 is also generally elongated and has a circular cross-section, although other cross-sectional shapes may be employed. In this example, the tube 60 is arranged to protrude from the fluid container 40 to the center of the housing 20. In the example shown, the tube 60 is generally elongate and has a circular cross-section. The device 1 as a whole, or at least those parts which may become hot in use (such as the housing 20), may be formed of a thermally insulating material or include a thermal insulator to protect the user's hand from hot parts within the device 1 in use.

When smokable material is inserted or received within the housing 20, the tube 60 in use enters the smokable material. In the example, the tube 60 has a sharpened tip 64 at an end distal from the fluid container 40. The tip 64 facilitates the piercing of the smokable material by the tube 60 when the smokable material is received within the housing 20. Alternatively or additionally, as discussed further below, the smokable material may have an aperture for receiving the tube 60 to facilitate entry of the tube 60 into the smokable material. When the tube 60 is positioned in the smokable material, fluid from the fluid container 40 may enter the tube 60 and enter the smokable material through the one or more outlet holes 62.

The fluid 45 in the fluid container 40 is typically in liquid form. Suitable fluids 45 include those conventionally used in electronic vaping devices, including, for example, propylene glycol and glycerol (also referred to as glycerin).

In a particular example, the tube 60 has a plurality of outlet holes 62. The plurality of outlet holes 62 may be evenly distributed along the length of the tube 60 and/or over the surface of the tube 60. Alternatively, the outlet holes 62 may be unevenly distributed over the surface of the tube 60. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of outlet holes 62 may have different sizes (cross-sectional areas) and/or shapes at different locations along the tube 60. These alternative arrangements for the plurality of outlet apertures 62 may be used to control the distribution of fluid into the smokable material, for example to assist in volatilising or extracting flavour from the smokable material towards one end of the smokable material, or at some intermediate portion or region of the smokable material. For example, if the smokable material is made from portions of smokable material having different tastes, the distribution of fluid into the smokable material may affect or control the taste experience of the user.

As in the example shown in the figures, the tube 60 may have a straight needle-like shape. Alternatively, the tube may have a coiled shape, or may be in the form of a coil, or some other non-linear shape.

In some examples, the apparatus 1 has a heater for heating the fluid or liquid 45 contained in the fluid container 40. In one example, the heater vaporizes the fluid in use. The vaporized fluid enters the tube 60 and exits through the outlet aperture(s) 62 into the smokable material to extract and/or volatilise at least one component of the smokable material. In examples, the heater used to heat the fluid operates optimally at a temperature of from about 70 ℃ to about 100 ℃ or to about 120 ℃ or to about 150 ℃ or even to about 200 ℃ or about 250 ℃. In an example, the heater used to heat the fluid is a resistive heater. The heater may be, for example, a wire, which may be, for example, in the form of a coil, a plate (which may be a multi-layer plate made of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be electrically conductive, one or more of which may be non-conductive), a mesh, a thin film heater, or the like. Other heating configurations may be used, including inductive, convective, and non-electrical heating configurations. In another example, a heater for heating the liquid may be provided by the tube 60 instead of or in addition to some other dedicated heater for the fluid.

In some examples, the device 1 has a heater for directly heating smokable material received in use in the housing 20. In particular examples, the heater used to heat the smokable material operates optimally at a temperature of about 50 ℃ to about 250 ℃ or around 300 ℃. The heater heats the smokable material to release, or at least assist in releasing, at least one component of the smokable material, but does not cause the smokable material to burn. The heater may be a resistive heater. In an example, the heater for heating smokable material received in use in the housing 20 is an electrical resistance heater provided as part of the housing 20 or as a component located within the housing 20. The heater for heating the smokeable material may be in the form of a ceramic or metal cylinder or liner on the inwardly facing surface of the housing 20, for example. Alternatively, the heater may be, for example, an electrical wire, which may be, for example, in the form of a coil, mesh, thin film heater, or the like. Other heating configurations may be used, including inductive, convective, and non-electrical heating configurations.

In some examples, the apparatus 1 has both a heater for heating smokable material received in use in the housing 20 and a heater for heating the fluid 45 contained in the fluid reservoir 40.

In the example, the apparatus has a power supply 82 for powering the or each heater. The power source 82 may be received in a power source receptacle 80 of the device 1 adjacent the fluid container 40 at an end of the device 1 opposite the housing 20. In other examples, the power source 82 is housed in a sealed configuration within the fluid container 40. The power source 82 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery, a disposable battery, or the like. A control circuit (not visible in figure 1) may be provided to enable, inter alia, control of the energisation of the or each heater.

Referring to figure 3, there is shown an example of a smoking article 90 for use with the apparatus 1 as described above for volatilising and/or extracting at least one component of smokable material. In this example, the smoking article 90 may be, for example, a conventional cigarette, or at least generally in the form of a conventional cigarette, which may be inserted into the housing 20. A key advantage to the user is that the user can use the device 1 with a conventional cigarette in situations or locations that do not allow conventional smoking (which includes burning tobacco). The smoking article 90 has a filter portion 92 and a smokable material containing portion 94 containing smokable material. The length of the housing 20 is such that at least a portion of the filter portion 92 protrudes from the housing 20 to the outside when a user introduces the smoking article 90 into the device 1. The filter portion 92 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter portion 92 filters the volatilised smokable material before it reaches the user. The filter portion 92 may also be used to cool the volatilised smokable material before it reaches the user. The filter portion 92 may also insulate the user from heat generated inside the housing 20 of the device 1.

In use, when the smoking article 90 is inserted into the housing 20, the tube 60 enters the smokable material in the smokable material receiving portion 94 substantially at the middle or periphery of the circular cross-section of the smoking article 90. The entry of the tube 60 into the smokable material may assist in securing the smoking article 90 in the device 1. The user may then operate the device 1 to cause one or more components of the smokable material to be extracted and/or volatilised by passing fluid from the container 40 through the tube 60 and into the smokable material.

Referring to figure 4, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device 401 arranged to volatilise at least one component of smokable material. In the following description and in fig. 4, components and features that are the same or similar to corresponding components and features of the above example have the same reference numerals but are increased by 400. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components and features will not be repeated here in full.

In this example, device 401 has a heater 442 for heating liquid 445 contained in fluid container 440. The power supply 482 is connected to the heater 442 by an electrical line 483. In the example shown, the heater 442 is a resistive coil heater. In this example, the heater 442 is disposed about a wick 444 that is in fluid communication with the liquid 445 within the fluid container 440. The heater 442 and wick 444 can be provided as a single, unitary mass, so that heating and wicking are effectively performed by a single unit. The wick 444 is generally absorbent and is used to draw in the liquid 445 contained in the fluid container 440. The absorbent core 444 is preferably non-woven and may be, for example, a cotton or wool material or the like, or a 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 the tube 460 remote from the smokable material container 420 is adjacent to and opposite the heater 442. In use, the heater 442 vaporizes liquid 445 wicked by the wick 444 from the fluid container 440 to the heater 442. The evaporated liquid then passes into and through the tube 460 and out of the one or more outlet apertures 462 for entry into the smokable material contained in the housing 420 in use. The thermally evaporated liquid extracts and/or volatizes one or more components of the smokable material which may be inhaled by a user.

Referring to figure 5 there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device 501 arranged to volatilise at least one component of smokable material. In the following description and in fig. 5, components and features that are the same or similar to corresponding components and features of the above example have the same reference numerals but are incremented by 500. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components and features will not be repeated here in full.

In this example, tube 560 protrudes into liquid 545 in fluid reservoir 540. In addition, the tube 560 is connected to a power source 582 by wires 583 to selectively heat the tube 560. The tube 560 may be made of a resistive material, such as a metal, and thus acts as a heater for heating and evaporating the liquid 545, in addition to serving to transport evaporated liquid from the liquid container 540 to the smokable material contained in use in the housing 520. The hot vaporized liquid extracts and/or volatilizes one or more components of the smokable material that can be inhaled by the user.

Referring to figure 6, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device 601 arranged to volatilise at least one component of smokable material. In the following description and in fig. 6, components and features that are the same or similar to corresponding components and features of the above example have the same reference numerals but are incremented by 600. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components and features will not be repeated here in full.

The example device 601 of figure 6 has a heater for heating liquid and a heater 622 for heating smokable material contained in use in the housing 620.

A heater 622 for heating the smokable material is in the form of a cylinder or liner 622 on the inwardly facing surface of the casing 620. The heater liner 622 may be a resistive heater connected to the power supply 682 by wires (not shown) and may be formed of, for example, ceramic or metal.

In this example, similar to the example of fig. 5, a heater for heating the liquid is provided by a tube 660 connected to a power source 682 by an electrical wire 683. Alternatively, the heater for heating the liquid may be provided by a coil and wick arrangement similar to the example of figure 4, or by some other arrangement. Indeed, it may not be necessary to provide a separate heater for heating the liquid, and it may be sufficient to only directly heat the smokeable material using only the heater 622 for heating the smokeable material. In this case, the heating of the smokable material may be sufficient to cause fluid to be drawn from the fluid container 640 into the tube 660 and out of the outlet aperture 662 to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material.

Where separate heaters are provided for heating the liquid and for heating the smokeable material, the apparatus may have a control circuit constructed and arranged to be able to control the power supply to each heater independently. The user may for example independently and selectively control the powering of the heater for heating the liquid and the heater for heating the smokeable material such that only one or both of the liquid and smokeable material are heated by their respective heaters, depending on the user's choice. For example, if only a heater for the smokable material is operated, fluid will not be drawn into the tube and the apparatus may operate similarly to HNB or THP type devices. Alternatively, the user may decide to power only the heater for heating the fluid contained in the fluid container, thereby using the device similarly to an electronic vaping device. The user may choose to power both heaters to use the apparatus as a "hybrid" apparatus.

In any of the examples described herein, the fluid container 40 and the housing 20 for smokable material and the power receptacle 80 (if provided) may be detachably connected to each other. The housing 20 and fluid container 40 and the power source receptacle 80 (if provided) may be detachably connected by one or more clips, by being slidably disposed together, or the like, using a threaded or bayonet type connection. Furthermore, the connection between the fluid container 40 and the housing 20 for smokable material and the power receptacle 80 (if provided) may for example be such that the housing 20 for smokable material and the power receptacle 80 may be directly connected to each other. In this example, the device 1 may be operated without one of the fluid container 40 or the housing 20. This modular configuration enables a user to change the function of the hybrid device to function as a THP-type device if, for example, there is no fluid reservoir 40 and a heater is provided for heating the smokable material.

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

In any of the examples described herein, there may be a valve between the fluid container 40 and the tube 60. The valve may for example be manually operable by a user, or operable under control of a control circuit, or automatically when for example a sufficient pressure has been raised. The valve may, for example, serve as a safety measure to ensure that liquid from the fluid container 40 does not enter the tube 60 until or unless needed. Liquid entering the tube 60 in an uncontrolled manner may cause the device 1 to leak when not in use (e.g. during transport). Liquid entering the tube 60 when not desired or in an uncontrolled manner may also lead to a poor experience for the user during use. For example, during inhalation, liquid may enter the tube, be drawn through the smokable material, and be inhaled by the user. It is therefore desirable that the liquid from the fluid container 40 is vaporized before entering the tube 60, as shown in the example of fig. 4, or that the liquid enters the tube 60 under controlled conditions, as shown in the examples of fig. 5 and 6. The control conditions include when to heat the tube 60 before the liquid enters the tube 60.

In other examples, the fluid container 40 is in the form of a refillable container that a user may refill as desired. The refillable container may be removed from the device 1, for example, by unscrewing the fluid container 40 from the housing 20, or may be refilled in situ, for example, by opening certain refill openings. The user may then fill the refillable container with a suitable liquid 45.

Referring to figure 7, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a smoking article 700 according to another aspect, particularly suitable for use with a device as described above. The smoking article 700 has smokable material 702 and a rigid hollow cylinder 704 having an aperture 706 for receiving a tube of a device as described above. In this example, the aperture 706 is in fluid communication with the smokable material 702 by being adjacent to the smokable material 702.

The example smoking article 700 shown in figure 7 has a generally cylindrical housing 708 formed from a rigid material such as rigid plastic or metal. In this example, rigid hollow cylinder 704 with aperture 706 is a separate component that is located and held at one end of cylindrical housing 708. In other examples, a rigid hollow cylinder 704 having an aperture 706 may be effectively provided as an integral part of a cylindrical housing 708. The smoking article 700 of this example is generally elongate and has a circular cross-section.

A filter 710 is provided at the other end of the smoking article 700 opposite the cartridge 704 having the aperture 706. The smokable material 702 is located substantially centrally of the smoking article 700 between the cartridge 704 having the aperture 706 and the filter 710. The filter 710 may be, for example, a cellulose acetate filter, or may be formed of other materials. In this example, the filter 710 has a central aperture 712 which, in this example, is in fluid communication with the smokable material 702 by being adjacent to the smokable material 702. The filter 710 filters the volatilised smokable material before it reaches the user. The filter 710 may also be used to cool the volatilised smokable material before it reaches the user. The filter 710 may also insulate the user from heat generated inside the housing 20 of the device 1 in use.

The aperture 706 is sized to be able to receive the tube 60 or the like of the device 1 or the like described above when the smoking article 700 is received in the housing 20 or the like of the device 1. The tube 60 may be a sliding fit in the aperture 706, which helps to retain the smoking article 700 in the device 1 in use. In use, the tube 60 of the device 1 is received in the aperture 706 and into the smokable material 702. The length of the tube 60 and the various portions of the smoking article 700 determine the distance the tube 60 reaches into the smokable material 702.

In other examples, the smokable material 702 itself may have apertures (not shown) along part or all of its length for receiving the tubes 60 of the device 1 in the smokable material 702. Similar to the apertures 706 of the cylinder 704, such holes in the smokable material 702 may be of similar size and shape to the tubes 60. This allows the tube 60 to easily enter into the smokable material 702.

The device 1 may have an identification arrangement to enable identification or recognition of a particular smoking article 700 that has been introduced into the device 1 by a user. For example, in practice, the device 1 as a whole, in particular including the heating arrangement and the heating control provided by the electrical control circuitry, will typically be optimised for a particular configuration (e.g. one or more of size, shape, particular smokable material etc.) of the smoking article 700, and the device 1 is not suitable for use with smokable materials or smoking articles having (significantly) different characteristics. Furthermore, if the device 1 can identify or recognise a particular smoking article 700 or at least the overall type of smoking article 700 that has been introduced into the device 1, this can help to eliminate or at least reduce the use of counterfeit or otherwise counterfeit smoking articles 700 with the device 1. The device 1 is arranged so that it will only heat smoking articles 700 that it can identify, and will not operate in conjunction with smoking articles 700 that it cannot identify. The device 1 may be arranged such that it provides some indication to the user that the smoking article 700 has not been recognised. The indication may be visual (e.g., a warning light, which may, for example, blink or glow continuously over a period of time) and/or audible (e.g., a warning "beep" or the like). The identification configuration may be set by, for example, a capacitive or inductive configuration, by reading a bar code on the smoking article 700, or the like.

Referring to figure 8, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device 801 arranged to volatilise at least one component of smokable material. In the following description and in fig. 8, components and features that are the same or similar to corresponding components and features of the above example have the same reference numerals but are increased by 800. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components and features will not be repeated here in full. The general configuration and relative dimensions of the various portions shown by way of example in fig. 8 may be applied to any of the examples described herein.

In the particular example shown, the tube 860 protrudes beyond the front open end 824 of the housing 820 by a length L. Prior to use, smokable material is inserted into the device 800. However, at least a portion of the end of the smokable material that is, in use, oriented towards the smokable material to engage with the mouth of the user will not be covered or encompassed by the housing 820. In use, the absorbable material is heated and/or a heated fluid is passed through the smokable material. Heat will be dissipated more rapidly to the environment from uncovered or exposed portions of smokable material than from portions of smokable material contained within the housing 820. This may help to improve the user experience.

Referring to figure 9 there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device 901 arranged to volatilise at least one component of smokable material. In the following description and in fig. 9, components and features that are the same or similar to corresponding components and features of the above example have the same reference numerals but are increased by 900. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components and features will not be repeated here in full. The general configuration and relative dimensions of the various portions shown by way of example in fig. 9 may be applied to any of the examples described herein.

In the particular example shown, a tip 964 of tube 960 is located within housing 920 and distal from forward open end 924. This arrangement enables vapour or aerosol to travel a longer distance through the smokable material, allowing for better volatilization or extraction of compounds from the smokable material.

Referring to figure 10, there is shown an example of an insert 1030 for use with an example of a device 1001 arranged to volatilise at least one component of a smokeable material. In use, the insert 1030 is inserted into the open front end 1024 of the device 1001 and reduces the width of the cavity 1026 adjacent the open front end 1024. Thus, the use of the insert 1030 allows a user to use the device 1001 with a variety of widths of smokable material, and different widths of smokable material are suitably supported within the device 1001. For example, device 1001 may be used in conjunction with "oversized" consumables without the use of insert 1030, and individually, may be used in conjunction with "thin" or "ultra-thin" consumables with insert 1030 located within front open end 1024 of device 1001.

The insert 1030 shown in fig. 10 has a cylindrical body portion 1030a, a radially outwardly extending skirt portion 1030b and a through bore 1030 c. The user may grip the skirt portion 1030b to insert the cylindrical body portion 1030a into the open front end 1024 of the device 1001 and to remove the cylindrical body portion 1030a from the open front end 1024 of the device 1001. Preferably, there is a snug fit between the insert 1030 and the device 1001 such that the insert 1030 is held in the open front end 1024 of the housing 1020. It is also important that there is a good fit between the smokable material and the insert 1030 so that the smokable material is held securely in the cavity 1026. In an example, the insert 1030 is made of a resilient material such that in use it deforms within the cavity and around the smokable material. This will provide a snug fit between the insert 1030 and the housing 1020 and between the insert 1030 and the smokable material.

In an example, the insert 1030 is made of a thermally insulating material. This helps prevent the insert 1030 from heating up during use of the device 1001. Furthermore, the user does not burn himself when removing the insert 1030 from the device 1001 after use. Insert 1030 is suitable for use with many of the examples described herein.

Referring to figures 11a and 11b, there is shown another example of an apparatus 1101 arranged to volatilise at least one component of the smokable material. The device shown has a holder 1132 which helps to retain the smokable material within the device 1101. In an example, the retainer 1132 is in the form of an annular wall 1132a having a through-hole 1132 b. Annular wall 1132a is positioned adjacent to the inwardly facing surface of housing 1120. At the location where the retainer 1132 is located in the cavity 1126, the width of the cavity 1126 decreases. In use, smokable material is inserted into the housing 1120 and through the through-hole 1132b of the holder 1132. The holder 1132 may be made of a resilient material such that it deforms when the smokable material 1190 is inserted (as shown in figure 11 b). The retainer 1132 is suitable for use with many of the examples described herein.

In an example not shown, the width of the cavity is reduced by using a sleeve positioned in the cavity and extending substantially or completely along the length of the cavity. The sleeve may be inserted into the cavity prior to use. Alternatively, the smokable material may be inserted into the sleeve and smokable material may be inserted together into the cavity before use. The sleeve may be made of a thermally conductive material. The sleeve is suitable for use with many of the examples described herein.

Referring to figure 12 there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device 1201 arranged to volatilise at least one component of a smokable material. In the example shown, device 1201 has an annular tube 1295 disposed on an inwardly facing surface of housing 1220, and in this example, extends substantially or entirely along the length of lumen 1226. Annular tube 1295 includes an outer wall 1295a and an inner wall 1295b that define an annular space 1295c containing the liquid. In a particular example, the liquid is a so-called e-liquid, e.g. an e-liquid of the type conventionally used in e-vaping devices, including for example propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerin), and/or a liquid containing a flavourant, such as for example menthol. An inner wall 1295b of the annular tube 1295 is arranged to provide outlet holes to allow vapour or aerosol from the annular tube 1295 into the interior of the device 1201. For example, the innermost wall of annular tube 1295 may be porous and/or have one or more through-holes. During inhalation, the liquid contained in annular tube 1295 is drawn in aerosol or vapor form from the exterior of the smokable material inwardly toward the center of the smokable material. Optionally, liquid in aerosol or vapor form may be released from annular tube 1295 through at least one valve that can be manually operated by a user, or alternatively or additionally, can be operated under the control of a control circuit. As the aerosol or vapour passes through the smokable material, it extracts flavour from the smokable material.

In an example, annular tube 1295 heats a liquid contained within jacket 1295. In a particular example, annular tube 1295 is combined with tube heater 622 of fig. 6 to heat the smokable material. In an example, annular tube 1295 has a resistive heater on an inward facing surface of jacket 1295, or the inward facing surface of annular tube 1295 is itself a resistive heater. The heater can heat the liquid in the annular tube 1295, the liquid after it has entered the smokable material, and the smokable material itself. Annular tube 1295 is suitable for use with many of the examples described herein.

In some examples, the device 1201 may also include another tube 1260 extending into the smokable material that supplies electronic liquid from another liquid container (not shown in fig. 12) to the interior of the smokable material in a manner similar to that in the examples discussed above.

In any of the examples described herein, the device may have more than one tube protruding into the housing. In examples where the device has a plurality of tubes, each tube may be in fluid communication with a separate respective fluid reservoir. The separate fluid containers may contain the same liquid or may contain different liquids and/or nicotine and/or different flavourings. In a particular example, the first tube is in fluid communication with a first fluid container containing a so-called electronic liquid (e.g., a liquid of the type conventionally used in electronic smoking devices), including, for example, propylene glycol and glycerol (also referred to as glycerin), and including nicotine, but without the addition of flavorants; and the second tube is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir containing an e-liquid comprising a flavourant such as menthol for example, and optionally also nicotine. Releasing fluid from the tubes may be individually operable so that a user may select whether and when to release fluid from each tube. In a different configuration, multiple tubes are in fluid communication with the same fluid container. With more than one tube in fluid communication with one fluid reservoir, the user may vary the amount of fluid released. These tubes may be arranged centrally within the cavity, or closer to the housing, or alternatively, in a combination of these locations. The tubes may be substantially the same or may be of different sizes and have the same or different number and/or size of outlet holes.

Referring to fig. 13, there is a schematic illustration of an exemplary smoking article 1300 that is particularly suitable for use in the device 1201 of fig. 12. The smoking article 1300 is in the form of, for example, a hollow cylinder 1303 containing smokable material (not visible in the figures). Barrel 1303 is shaped to fit within lumen 1226 of device 1201 and is surrounded by an annular sheath 1295. The wall of the barrel 1203 is provided with one or more holes 1305, or is porous, to enable aerosol or vapor to pass from the annular tube 1295 into the interior of the barrel 1303 to pass through the smokable material in the barrel 1303. The ends of the barrel may or may not be closed. If closed, either end includes one or more apertures, or is porous, to allow passage of aerosols and vapors and air flow therethrough. The walls of the smoking article 1300 may be made of any suitable material, for example, paper, plastic, or metal. The smoking article 1300 may be provided with a filter (not shown).

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided merely as representative examples of embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, suitable combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, portions, steps, means, and the like, in addition to those specifically described herein. Moreover, the present disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A device arranged to volatilise or extract at least one component of smokable material, the device comprising:

a housing for receiving smokable material;

a fluid container arranged to hold a fluid; and

at least one tube at least partially disposed within the housing;

the apparatus is arranged such that when the smokable material is received within the housing, the tube enters the smokable material or the smokable material enters the tube, and such that in use fluid from the fluid container enters the smokable material through the outlet aperture of the tube, wherein the fluid entering the smokable material volatilizes or extracts at least one component of the smokable material.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device is arranged such that the tube enters the smokable material, and wherein the tube has a tip for piercing the smokable material which is received in use within the housing.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the device is arranged such that the tube enters the smokable material, and wherein the tube has a plurality of outlet holes through which, in use, fluid passes into the smokable material which, in use, is received in the housing.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device is arranged such that the tube enters the smokable material, and wherein the fluid container and the housing are detachably connected to each other.

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device is arranged such that the tube enters the smokable material, wherein the housing comprises a front open end through which the smokable material passes into a cavity of the housing when the smokable material is received within the housing, and wherein one end of the tube protrudes beyond the front open end of the housing.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device is arranged such that the tube enters the smokable material, wherein the housing comprises a front open end through which the smokable material passes into a cavity of the housing when the smokable material is received within the housing, wherein the tube is located within the cavity and remote from the front open end of the housing.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is arranged such that the smokable material enters the tube, and wherein an inner wall of the tube comprises the outlet aperture.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the inner wall of the tube is permeable to the fluid to provide the outlet aperture.

9. The device of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the tube comprises an outer wall and an inner wall that together define an annular space for containing the fluid, such that the tube is the fluid container.

10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a wick for wicking the fluid contained in the fluid container in use into the tube.

11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a heater for heating fluid contained in the fluid container in use to vaporise the fluid.

12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a heater for heating smokable material received in use in the housing.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the heater for heating smokable material received in the housing is an electrical resistance heater provided as part of or within the housing.

14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising circuitry constructed and arranged to be able to control the energisation of the or each heater.

15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14, comprising a power supply for powering the or each heater.

16. The device of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the tube is connected to a power source for selectively heating the tube.

17. The device of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the housing comprises a forward open end through which the smokable material passes into the cavity of the housing when the smokable material is received within the housing.

18. The device of claim 17, comprising an insert having a through hole through which smokable material can pass, the insert being removably insertable into the front open end of the housing to reduce the width of at least a portion of the cavity.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the insert comprises a cylindrical body portion receivable in the housing and a radially outwardly extending skirt.

20. The device of any one of claims 17 to 19, comprising a retainer disposed adjacent an inwardly facing surface of the housing for reducing a width of the cavity at a location where the retainer is disposed.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the retainer is an annular wall that includes a through hole through which the smokable material can pass.

22. A device according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the retainer is resilient so as to be able to deform resiliently as smokable material passes through the retainer.

23. The device of any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the device comprises a sleeve removably received within the housing to reduce the width of the cavity.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the sleeve is made of a thermally conductive material.

25. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 24, comprising at least a second tube in fluid communication with a second fluid reservoir and projecting into the housing, the second tube having at least one outlet aperture, the device being arranged such that when the smokable material is received within the housing, the second tube enters smokable material, and such that, in use, fluid enters the second tube from the second fluid reservoir and passes through the outlet aperture of that tube into the smokable material, which in use is received in the housing, to volatilize or extract at least one component of the smokable material.

26. A smoking article for use with a device for heating smokable material, the smoking article comprising:

a smokable material; and

a rigid hollow cylinder having an aperture for receiving the tube of the device of any one of claims 1 to 6 or of the device of any one of claims 10 to 25 when dependent thereon, the device being arranged such that, in use, the tube enters the smokable material, and wherein the aperture is in fluid communication with the smokable material.

27. A smoking article according to claim 26, comprising a filter for filtering volatilised smokeable material.

28. A smoking article according to claim 27, wherein the filter is a tube filter.

29. A smoking article according to any one of claims 26 to 28, comprising a housing containing the smokable material and providing or containing the rigid hollow cylinder.

30. A smoking article for use with a device for heating smokable material, the smoking article comprising:

a container comprising smokable material, wherein the container is insertable into the tube of a device according to any one of claims 7 to 9 or any one of claims 10 to 25 when dependent thereon, the container comprising a wall to enable fluid passing through the tube to enter the smokable material.