JP2020513193A - Apparatus and smoking article for volatilizing smoking material - Google Patents

Abstract

The book pawl device (1) is configured to volatilize or extract at least one component of the smoking material. A device (1) includes a housing (20) for receiving a smokable material, a fluid container (40) configured to hold a fluid (45), and at least partially disposed within the housing (20). And at least one tube (60). The device (1) is such that the tube (60) enters the smoking material or the smoking material enters the tube (60) when the smoking material is received in the housing (20), and in use. , The fluid (45) from the fluid container (40) is configured to travel through the outlet opening (62) of the tube (60) and into the smokable material. The fluid (45) transferred into the smokable material volatilizes or extracts at least one component of the smokable material. [Selection diagram]

Description

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

  A device for heating a smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, typically to form an inhalable aerosol, which does not burn or burn the smokable material. Are known. Such devices are sometimes described as "heat-not-burn" devices, or "tobacco heating products" (THP) or "tobacco heating devices" and the like. Various different configurations are known for volatilizing at least one component of a smoking material.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device according to claim 1.

  In one exemplary embodiment, the tube has a tip for piercing the smokable material that is received within the housing during use.

  In one exemplary embodiment, the device is configured such that the smokable material enters the tube and the inner wall of the tube comprises an outlet opening.

  In one exemplary embodiment, a tube has a plurality of outlet openings through which fluid moves during use into the smokable material that is received within the housing during use.

  In one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a wick for transferring the fluid contained within the fluid container during use by wicking into the tube.

  In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a heater for heating the fluid contained within the fluid container to vaporize the fluid during use.

  In one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a heater for heating the smokable material received in the housing during use. In one exemplary embodiment, the heater for heating the smokable material received within the housing is an electrically resistive heater provided as part of the housing or provided within the housing.

  In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a circuit arranged to allow control of the heater or the power supply of each heater.

  In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a heater or a power supply for powering each heater. When multiple heaters are provided, independent control of each heater can be provided, for example, at user preference.

  In an exemplary embodiment, the tube is connected to a power source to selectively heat the tube. In this example, the tube is effectively an electrically resistive heater.

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

  In one exemplary embodiment, the housing comprises an open front end through which the smokable material enters the cavity of the housing as the smokable material is received within the housing. In one exemplary embodiment, one end of the tube projects beyond the open front end of the housing. In another exemplary embodiment, the tube is located within the cavity away from the open front end of the housing.

  In one exemplary embodiment, the device comprises an insert having a through hole through which the smokable material can pass, the insert being removed to the open front end of the housing to reduce the width of at least a portion of the cavity. It is possible to insert. In one exemplary embodiment, an insert comprises a cylindrical body portion that can be received within a housing and a skirt that extends radially outward.

  In one exemplary embodiment, the device is a retainer (retaining means) disposed adjacent to the inwardly facing surface of the housing, the retainer for reducing the width of the cavity at the position where the retainer is disposed. Equipped with. In one exemplary embodiment, the retainer is an annular wall with through holes through which the smokable material can pass. In one exemplary embodiment, the retainer is elastic so that it can elastically deform as the smokable material is threaded through the retainer.

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

  In an exemplary embodiment, the device is at least one second tube in fluid communication with a second fluid container, the apparatus comprising at least one second tube projecting into the housing. The two tubes have at least one outlet opening such that the device allows the second tube to enter the smokable material when the smokable material is received in the housing and, in use, the fluid From a second fluid container into a second tube and through an outlet opening in the tube into the smoking material that is received in the housing in use to volatilize at least one component of the smoking material. Alternatively, it is configured to extract.

  According to the 2nd aspect of this invention, the smoking article of Claim 26 or Claim 30 is provided.

  Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic longitudinal side view of an example of an apparatus configured to volatilize or extract at least one component of a smokable material. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1. FIG. It is a schematic vertical side view of an example of the conventional smoking article. FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device configured to volatilize or extract at least one component of a smokable material. FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device configured to volatilize or extract at least one component of a smokable material. FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a device configured to volatilize or extract at least one component of a smokable material. FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example smoking article for use with the devices described herein. FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of yet another example of a device configured to volatilize or extract at least one component of a smokable material. FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of yet another example of a device configured to volatilize or extract at least one component of a smokable material. FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of yet another example of a device configured to volatilize or extract at least one component of a smokable material. FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of yet another example of a device configured to volatilize or extract at least one component of a smokable material. FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of yet another example of a device configured to volatilize or extract at least one component of a smokable material. FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of yet another example of a device configured to volatilize or extract at least one component of a smokable material. FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal side view of a second example smoking article for use with the devices described herein.

  As used herein, the term "smoking material" includes materials that, when heated, generate volatilized components, typically in the form of an aerosol. "Smoking material" includes any material containing tobacco, and may include, for example, one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. "Smoking material" also includes products other than tobacco, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. "Smoking material" may take the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, gel or wax. A "smoking material" may be, for example, a combination or mixture of materials.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a device 1 configured to volatilize or extract at least one component of a smokable material has a housing 20. The housing 20 is for removably receiving a smoking material, which can be inserted into the housing 20 and removed after use. The smokable material can be inserted through the open front end 24 of the housing 20 and removed from the open front end 24 of the housing 20. The device 1 has a container 40 configured to hold a fluid 45. The device 1 further comprises a hollow tube 60, which is shown in FIG. The tube 60 is in fluid communication with the fluid container 40 and projects into the interior of the housing 20. The tube 60 has at least one outlet opening 62 in the portion of the tube 60 that projects into the housing 20. The device 1 is configured so that the tube 60 enters the smokable material as it is received in the housing 20. In use, fluid enters the tube 60 from the fluid container 40 and passes through the outlet opening 62 of the tube 60 into the smokable material received in the housing 20.

  The example device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is generally elongated, with a housing 20 provided at one end of the device 1. The housing 20 in this example takes the form of a hollow cylinder with a circular cross-section, but other cross-sectional shapes can be used. The example fluid container 40 shown is also generally elongated and has a circular cross-section, although other cross-sectional shapes can be used for this as well. In this example, the tube 60 is configured to project from the fluid container 40 to the center of the housing 20. The example tube 60 shown is generally elongated and has a circular cross section. The entire device 1, or at least a portion such as the housing 20 that may be hot during use, is formed of a heat insulating material in order to protect a user's hand from a hot portion in the device 1 during use. Can be included or can include an insulator.

  In use, the tube 60 enters the smokable material as it is inserted into or received within the housing 20. In one example, tube 60 has a pointed end 64 at the end remote from fluid container 40. The tip 64 facilitates the tubing 60 to pierce the smokable material as it is received within the housing 20. Alternatively or additionally, the smokable material may have holes for receiving the tube 60 to facilitate entry of the tube 60 into the smokable material, as discussed further below. Fluid from fluid container 40 enters tube 60 and exits tube 60 through one or more outlet openings 62 and into the smoking material when the tube 60 is positioned in the smoking material. You can

  The fluid 45 in the fluid container 40 typically takes the form of a liquid. Suitable fluids 45 include those conventionally used in e-cigarette devices, such as those containing propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerin).

  In the particular example, tube 60 has a plurality of outlet openings 62. The plurality of outlet openings 62 can be evenly distributed along the length of the tube 60 and / or on the surface of the tube 60. Alternatively, the outlet openings 62 can be non-uniformly distributed on the surface of the tube 60. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of outlet openings 62 may have different sizes (cross-sectional areas) and / or shapes at different locations along the tube 60. Use of these alternative configurations for multiple outlet openings 62 may be advantageous, for example, for volatilizing or extracting perfume of a smokable material toward one end of the smokable material or at some intermediate portion or region of the smokable material. In addition, the distribution of fluid into the smokable material can be controlled. Distributing fluid into the smokable material affects or controls the perfume experience of the user, for example when the smokable material consists of multiple smoking material sections with different perfumes. You can

  As in the example shown in the drawings, the tube 60 can have a straight needle-like shape. Alternatively, the tube may have a crimped shape, or may take the form of a coil or some other shape such as non-linear.

  In some examples, the device 1 has a heater for heating the fluid or liquid 45 contained within the fluid container 40. In one example, the heater vaporizes the fluid during use. The vaporized fluid enters the tube 60 and exits the tube 60 through the exit opening (s) 62 and travels into the smoking material to extract and / or volatilize at least one constituent of the smoking material. .. In one example, the heater for heating the fluid operates optimally at temperatures such as 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. In one example, the heater for heating this fluid is an electrically resistive heater. The heater can be, for example, a wire, which can be, for example, a coil, a plate (a multi-layer plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which can be electrically conductive, one of which is electrically conductive). One or more plates can be electrically non-conductive), mesh, film heater, and the like. Other heating configurations can be used, including induction, convection and non-electrical heating configurations. In another example, a heater for heating the liquid may be provided by tube 60 in place of, or in addition to, some other dedicated heater for the fluid.

  In some examples, the device 1 has a heater for directly heating the smokable material received in the housing 20 during use. In particular examples, heaters for heating the smokable material operate optimally at temperatures such as between about 50 ° C and about 250 ° C or 300 ° C. The heater heats the smoking material to release at least one component of the smoking material, or at least assists in releasing at least one component of the smoking material, but the heater does not burn the smoking material. Absent. This heater can be an electrically resistive heater. In one example, the heater for heating the smokable material that is received within the housing 20 in use is an electrically resistive heater provided as part of the housing 20 or as a component within the housing 20. This heater for heating the smokable material may, for example, take the form of a ceramic or metal cylinder, or a lining of the inwardly facing surface of the housing 20. Alternatively, the heater can be, for example, an electric wire, which can take the form of, for example, a coil, mesh, film heater, or the like. Other heating configurations can be used, including induction, convection and non-electrical heating configurations.

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

  In one example, the device has a heater or power supply 82 for powering each heater. The power source 82 can be received in a power switch 80 of the device 1 adjacent to the fluid container 40 at the end of the device 1 opposite the housing 20. In another example, the power supply 82 is contained within the fluid container 40 in a sealed configuration. The power source 82 can be, for example, a rechargeable battery, a disposable battery, or the like. A control circuit (not shown in FIG. 1) may be provided to allow, among other things, control of the power supply of the heaters or their respective heaters.

  Referring to FIG. 3, an example smoking article 90 is shown for use with a device 1 as described herein for volatilizing and / or extracting at least one component of a smoking material. .. The smoking article 90 of this example can be, for example, a conventional cigarette, or at least generally have the form of a conventional cigarette that can be inserted into the housing 20. A key advantage of this for the user is that the user uses the device 1 with a conventional cigarette in situations or places where traditional smoking (including burning tobacco) is not allowed. This is a point that can be done. The smoking article 90 has a filter portion 92 and a smoking material containing portion 94 containing a smoking material. The length of the housing 20 is such that at least a portion of the filter portion 92 projects out of the housing 20 when the smoking article 90 is introduced into the device 1 by a user. The filter portion 92 can be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter portion 92 filters the volatilized smoking material before it reaches the user. The filter portion 92 can also serve to cool the volatilized smoking material before it reaches the user. The filter portion 92 may also shield 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 tubing 60 is provided in the smoking material containing portion 94 at substantially the center of the circular cross section of the smoking article 90 or at the periphery of the circular cross section of the smoking article 90. Get in the smoking material. The entry of this tube 60 into the smokable material can help secure the smoking article 90 within the device 1. The user may then operate the device 1 to extract and / or volatilize one or more components of the smokable material by moving the fluid from the container 40 through the tube 60 and into the smokable material. it can.

  Referring to FIG. 4, a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example device 401 configured to volatilize at least one component of a smokable material is shown. In the following description and in FIG. 4, components and features that are the same as or similar to the corresponding components and features of the example described above have the same reference numbers increased by 400. For brevity, the entire description of those components and features will not be repeated here.

  In this example, the device 401 has a heater 442 for heating the liquid 445 contained within the fluid container 440. The power source 482 is connected to the heater 442 by an electric wire 483. In the example shown, heater 442 is an electrically resistive coil heater. The heater 442 in this example is disposed around the wick 444 that is in fluid communication with the liquid 445 in the fluid container 440. Heater 442 and wick 444 may be provided as a single, substantially unitary article, such that heating and wicking transfer are effectively performed by a single unit. The wick 444 is generally absorbent and serves to draw the liquid 445 contained within the fluid container 440. The wick 444 is preferably non-woven and can be, for example, cotton or wool material or the like, or synthetic material, including, for example, polyester, nylon, viscose, polypropylene, or the like. In this example, the tube 460 is not in direct contact with the liquid 445 in the fluid container 440. Instead, the open end of tube 460 remote from the smokable material container 420 is near heater 442 and faces heater 442. During use, the heater 442 vaporizes the liquid 445 transferred by the wick 444 from the fluid container 440 to the heater 442 by the wicking phenomenon. The vaporized liquid enters the tube 460, passes through the tube 460, exits the tube 460 through one or more outlet openings 462, and travels into the smokable material contained within the housing 420 in use. This vaporized hot liquid extracts and / or volatilizes one or more components of the smoking material that the user can inhale.

  Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example device 501 configured to volatilize at least one component of a smokable material. In the following description and in FIG. 5, components and features that are the same or similar to the corresponding components and features of the example described above have the same reference numbers, plus 500. For brevity, the entire description of those components and features will not be repeated here.

  In this example, tube 560 projects into liquid 545 in fluid container 540. Further, the tube 560 is connected to a power source 582 by an electric wire 583 to selectively heat the tube 560. The tube 560 can be made of an electrically resistive material such as a metal so that the tube 560 allows vaporized liquid from the liquid container 540 to become a smoking material contained within the housing 520 during use. In addition to being transported, it can also act as a heater for heating and vaporizing the liquid 545. This vaporized hot liquid extracts and / or volatilizes one or more components of the smoking material that the user can inhale.

  Referring to FIG. 6, another schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an apparatus 601 configured to volatilize at least one constituent of a smokable material is shown. In the following description and in FIG. 6, components or features that are the same or similar to the corresponding components and features of the example described above have the same reference numbers, plus 600. For brevity, the entire description of those components and features will not be repeated here.

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

  The heater 622 for heating the smokable material takes the form of a cylinder or lining 622 of the inwardly facing surface of the housing 620. The heater lining 622 can be an electrically resistive heater connected to a power source 682 by an electrical wire (not shown), and can be made of, for example, ceramic or metal.

  In this example, as in the example of FIG. 5, a heater for heating the liquid is provided by tube 660, which is connected to power source 682 by wire 683. Alternatively, a heater for heating the liquid could be provided by a coil and wick arrangement similar to the example of FIG. 4 or by some other arrangement. In practice, it may not be necessary to provide a separate heater to heat the liquid, it is sufficient to directly heat only the smoking material using only heater 622 to heat the smoking material. Sometimes. Heating of the smokable material in such cases causes fluid to be drawn from the fluid container 640 into the tube 660 and out through the exit opening (s) 662 (s) to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. Can be sufficient to do.

  If a heater for heating the liquid and another heater for heating the smokable material are provided, the apparatus is a control circuit arranged to allow independent control of the power supply of each heater. Can have. For example, the user heats the heater and the smokable material to heat the liquid such that only one or both of the liquid and smokable material are heated by their respective heaters at the user's preference. It is possible to independently and selectively control the electric power supply to the heaters. For example, if only the heater for smoking material is operated, no fluid is drawn into the tube and the device may be able to operate similar to an HNB or THP type device. Alternatively, the user may decide to power only the heater for heating the fluid contained within the fluid container, and thereby use the device in the same manner as an e-cigarette device. The user can also elect to power both heaters and use the device as a "hybrid" device.

  In any of the examples described herein, the fluid container 40 and the housing 20 of smokable material, and the power switch 80, if provided, can be separably connected to each other. The housing 20 and fluid container 40, and power switch 80, if provided, are separated by using a screw or bayonet type connection, such as by slidably locating together with one or more clips. Can be connected as possible. Furthermore, the connection between the fluid container 40 and the smokable material housing 20, and the power switch 80, if provided, may, for example, allow the smokable material housing 20 and the power switch 80 to be directly connected to each other. Can be a connection. In this example, the device 1 can operate without either the fluid container 40 or the housing 20. This modular configuration allows the user to modify the functionality of this hybrid device to operate as a THP-type device, for example when there is no fluid container 40 and a heater is provided to heat the smoking material. To enable.

  In any of the examples described above, the fluid container 40 can take the form of a replaceable unit or cartridge that is generally replaceable by the user. The replaceable cartridge can be provided with the liquid 45 contained therein. When empty after use, the user can remove the replaceable cartridge from the device 1, dispose of it and replace it with a new full cartridge.

  In any of the examples described herein, a valve may be placed between fluid container 40 and tube 60. This valve can be, for example, manually operable by the user, or can be operable under the control of a control circuit, or, for example, automatically when sufficient pressure occurs. It can be operable. This valve functions, for example, as a safety measure to ensure that liquid from fluid container 40 does not enter tube 60 until liquid from fluid container 40 is needed or unless liquid from fluid container 40 is needed. Can be something. Liquid entering the tube 60 in an uncontrolled manner can lead to leaks of the device 1 when not in use, for example during transport. Liquid entering the tube 60 when not desired or in an uncontrolled manner can also lead to an unsatisfactory experience for the user during use. For example, during inhalation, liquid may enter the tube, be sucked through the smokable material, and be inhaled by the user. Therefore, it is desirable that the liquid from the fluid container 40 be vaporized before entering the tube 60, as shown in the example of FIG. 4, or this liquid is shown in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6. As such, it is desirable to enter tube 60 under controlled conditions. Controlled conditions include the tube 60 being heated before liquid enters the tube 60.

  In another example, the fluid container 40 takes the form of a refillable container that can be refilled by the user if desired. This refillable container may be removable from the device 1, for example by unscrewing the fluid container 40 and unscrewing it to remove the fluid container 40 from the housing 20, or, for example, some refill port. It can be refilled on the spot by opening. The user can then fill the refillable container with the appropriate fluid 45.

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

  The example smoking article 700 shown in FIG. 7 has a generally cylindrical housing 708 formed from a rigid material such as hard plastic or metal. In this example, a rigid hollow cylinder 704 having a hole 706 is a separate component located at one end of a cylindrical housing 708 and retained therein. In another example, a rigid hollow cylinder 704 having a hole 706 can be provided as an integral part of a substantially cylindrical housing 708. The smoking article 700 of this example is generally elongated and has a circular cross section.

  A filter 710 is provided at the other end of the smoking article 700 opposite the cylinder 704 having a hole 706. The smokable material 702 is located generally in the center of the smoking article 700 between a cylinder 704 having a hole 706 and a filter 710. Filter 710 can be, for example, a cellulose acetate filter, or can be formed from other materials. The filter 710 in this example has a central hole 712 in fluid communication with the smoking material 702 by being adjacent to the smoking material 702 in this example. The filter 710 filters the volatilized smoking material before it reaches the user. The filter 710 can also serve to cool the volatilized smoking material before it reaches the user. The filter 710 may also shield the user from heat generated inside the housing 20 of the device 1 during use.

  The size of the hole 706 is set so that the tube 60 or the like of the device 1 can be received when the smoking article 700 is received in the housing 20 or the like of the device 1 or the like described above. The tube 60 can be a slip fit in the hole 706, which helps hold the smoking article 700 within the device 1 during use. In use, the tube 60 of device 1 is received in the hole 706 and enters the smokable material 702. The length of the tubing 60 and various portions of the smoking article 700 determine how far the tubing 60 travels within the smokable material 702.

  In another example, the smokable material 702 itself may have holes (not shown) along some or all of the length of the smokable material 702 for receiving the tube 60 of the device 1 into the smokable material 702. .. Similar to the holes 706 in the cylinder 704, such holes in the smokable material 702 can have a size and shape similar to the tube 60. This allows the tube 60 to easily enter the smokable material 702.

  The device 1 may have a recognition device so that a particular smoking article 700 introduced into the device 1 by a user can be identified or recognized. For example, as a practical matter, a device 1 that includes, among other things, a heating device and a heating controller provided by an electrical control circuit may generally be of a particular configuration (eg, size, shape, particular smoking material, etc.) of the smoking article 700. Often optimized for one or more), it may not be desirable for the device 1 to be used with a smoking material or article having (significantly) different properties. In addition, if the device 1 is capable of identifying or recognizing a particular smoking article 700, or at least a common type of smoking article 700, introduced into the device 1, this is a fake smoking article 700 or a genuine smoking article. It may help to eliminate the use of no other smoking article 700 with the device 1, or at least reduce such use. The device 1 can be configured such that it only heats the smoking article 700 that the device 1 recognizes, and not the smoking article 700 that the device 1 does not recognize. The device 1 can be configured to provide the user with some indication that the smoking article 700 was not recognized. This indication may be visual (eg, a warning light, which may be, for example, blinking or may be on continuously for a period of time) and / or audible (eg, a warning "beep"). Etc.). The recognition device can be provided by, for example, a volume or induction device, reading a barcode on the smoking article 700, or the like.

  Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example device 801 configured to volatilize at least one component of a smokable material. In the following description and in FIG. 8, components and features that are the same as or similar to corresponding components and features of the example described above have the same reference numbers, plus 800. For brevity, the entire description of those components and features will not be repeated here. The general configuration and relative sizing of the various parts shown by way of example in FIG. 8 can be applied to any of the examples described herein.

  In the particular example shown, the tube 860 projects a length L beyond the open front end 824 of the housing 820. Prior to use, a smokable material is inserted into device 800. However, at least a portion of the smokable material closer to the end of the smokable material that is applied to the user's mouth during use is not covered by or surrounded by the housing 820. In use, the smoking material is heated and / or the heated fluid flows through the smoking material. Heat is dissipated into the environment more quickly from uncovered or exposed portions of the smokable material than from portions contained within the smokable material housing 820. This may help improve the user experience.

  Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example device 901 configured to volatilize at least one component of a smokable material. In the following description and in FIG. 9, components or features that are the same or similar to the corresponding components and features of the example described above have the same reference numbers, plus 900. For brevity, the entire description of those components and features will not be repeated here. The general configuration and relative sizing of the various parts shown by way of example in FIG. 9 can be applied to any of the examples described herein.

  In the particular example shown, the tip 964 of the tube 960 is located in the housing 920 away from the open front end 924. This configuration allows vapors or aerosols to travel over longer distances within the smokable material, and thus allows for better volatilization or extraction of compounds from the smokable material.

  Referring to FIG. 10, an example insert 1030 used with an example device 1001 configured to volatilize at least one component of a smokable material is shown. In use, the insert 1030 is inserted into the open front end 1024 of the device 1001 to reduce the width of the cavity 1026 near the open front end 1024. Thus, the use of insert 1030 allows a user to use device 1001 with varying widths of smokable material, with different widths of smokable material properly supported within device 1001. For example, the device 1001 can be used with “king size” consumables without the use of the insert 1030, and alternatively, the insert 1030 can be placed at the open front end 1024 of the device 1001 to “slim” the device 1001. Or "super slim" consumables.

  The insert 1030 shown in FIG. 10 has a cylindrical body portion 1030a, a radially outwardly extending skirt 1030b and a through hole 1030c. A user can hold the skirt 1030b to insert the cylindrical body portion 1030a into the open front end 1024 of the device 1001 and remove the cylindrical body portion 1030a from the open front end 1024 of the device 1001. You can There is preferably a slip fit between the insert 1030 and the device 1001 so that the insert 1030 is retained at 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 one example, insert 1030 is made of an elastic material so that insert 1030 deforms within the cavity and around the smokable material during use. This allows a slip fit between the insert 1030 and the housing 1020 and between the insert 1030 and the smokable material.

  In one example, insert 1030 is made of a heat insulating material. This helps prevent the insert 1030 from becoming hot during use of the device 1001. Further, the user is less likely to be burned when the insert 1030 after use is removed from the device 1001. Insert 1030 is suitable for use with many of the examples described herein.

  11A and 11B, another example 1101 of a device configured to volatilize at least one component of a smokable material is shown. The illustrated device has a retainer 1132 that assists in retaining the smokable material within the device 1101. In one example, the retainer 1132 takes the form of an annular wall 1132a having a through hole 1132b. The annular wall 1132a is positioned adjacent to the inwardly facing surface of the housing 1120. At the position where the retainer 1132 is positioned in the cavity 1126, the width of the cavity 1126 is reduced. During use, the smoking material is inserted into the housing 1120 through the through hole 1132b of the retainer 1132. Retainer 1132 can be made of an elastic material such that when smoking material 1190 is inserted, retainer 1132 deforms as shown in FIG. 11B. Retainer 1132 is suitable for use with many of the examples described herein.

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

  Referring to FIG. 12, a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example device 1201 configured to volatilize at least one component of a smokable material is shown. The example device 1201 shown has an annular tube 1295 disposed on the inwardly facing surface of the housing 1220, which in this example is substantially or completely along the length of the cavity 1226. Extends to. The annular tube 1295 includes an outer wall 1295a and an inner wall 1295b that define an annular space 1295c containing a liquid. In a particular example, this liquid is a so-called e-liquid, for example of the type conventionally used in e-cigarette devices, which e.g. propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerin), And / or a liquid containing a fragrance such as menthol. The inner wall 1295a of the annular tube 1295 is configured to provide an outlet opening to allow vapor or aerosol to travel from the annular tube 1295 into the interior of the device 1201. For example, the innermost wall of the annular tube 1295 can be porous and / or have one or more through holes. The liquid contained in the annular tube 1295 is drawn during inhalation, in the form of an aerosol or vapor, from the outside of the smokable material toward the center of the smokable material. Alternatively, releasing the liquid in the form of an aerosol or vapor from the annular tube 1295 by at least one valve which can be manually operated by the user or alternatively or additionally operated under the control of a control circuit. You can also As the aerosol or vapor passes through the smoking material, the aerosol or vapor extracts the perfume from the smoking material.

  In one example, annular tube 1295 heats the liquid contained within jacket 1295. In a particular example, an annular tube 1295 in combination with the tube heater 622 of FIG. 6 heats the smoking material. In one example, the annular tube 1295 has an electrically resistive heater on the inwardly facing surface of the jacket 1295, or the inwardly facing surface of the annular tube 1295 is itself an electrically resistive heater. This heater can heat the liquid in the annular tube 1295, the liquid after entering the smoking material, and the smoking material itself. Annular tube 1295 is suitable for use with many of the examples described herein.

  In some examples, the device 1201 further comprises an additional tube 1260 extending into the smokable material, another tube 1260 in a manner similar to the example discussed above, and the additional liquid container (shown in FIG. 12). Supply the e-liquid to the inside of the smoking material.

  In any of the examples described herein, the device can have more than one tube protruding into the housing. In one example where the device has multiple tubes, each tube is in fluid communication with a separate respective fluid container. The separate fluid containers may contain the same liquid, or may contain different liquids and / or nicotine and / or different fragrances. In a particular example, the first tube comprises, for example, a so-called e-liquid, e.g. e-cigarette device, conventionally comprising propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerin) and nicotine, but without perfume. A fluid containing an e-liquid in fluid communication with a first fluid container containing an e-liquid of the type used, the second tube containing a perfume, such as menthol, and optionally further comprising nicotine. In fluid communication with the container. The ejection of fluid from these tubes can be manipulated separately so that the user can select whether and when to eject the fluid from each tube. In one different configuration, the plurality of tubes are in fluid communication with the same fluid container. Using two or more tubes in fluid communication with one fluid container allows the user to vary the amount of fluid expelled. The tubes can be located in the center of the cavity, closer to the housing, or a combination of these locations. The tubes can be substantially the same, or can be of different sizes with the same number and / or size of outlet openings or different numbers and / or sizes of outlet openings.

  Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown a schematic diagram of an exemplary smoking article 1300 particularly suitable for use within the device 1201 of FIG. The smoking article 1300 takes the form of, for example, a hollow cylinder 1303 containing a smoking material (not shown in this figure). Cylinder 1303 is shaped to fit within cavity 1226 of device 1201 and be surrounded by annular jacket 1295. The wall of the cylinder 1203 is provided with one or more openings 1305 to allow aerosols or vapors that have migrated from the annular tube 1295 into the cylinder 1303 to pass through the smokable material within the cylinder 1303, or Otherwise it is porous. The ends of the cylinder may or may not be closed. When closed, either end contains one or more openings, or is otherwise porous, to allow aerosol and vapor and air streams therethrough. The wall of smoking article 1300 can be made of any suitable material, such as paper, plastic or metal. The smoking article 1300 can include a filter (not shown).

  The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. Any advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects described in this document shall not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention defined by the claims or the equivalents of the claims. It is understood that, and that other embodiments can be utilized and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention, as appropriate, include suitable combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein, from such combinations. Or can consist essentially of such combinations. Additionally, this disclosure may include other inventions that are not claimed at this time but may be claimed in the future.

Claims (30)

A device configured to volatilize or extract at least one component of a smoking material, comprising:
A housing for receiving smoking material,
A fluid container configured to hold a fluid,
At least one tube disposed at least partially within the housing,
The device is configured such that the tube enters the smokable material or the smokable material enters the tube when the smokable material is received in the housing and, in use, from the fluid container. Device is configured to move through the outlet opening of the tube and into the smokable material, wherein the fluid transferred into the smokable material removes at least one component of the smokable material. A device that volatilizes or extracts.   The apparatus is configured to allow the tube to enter the smokable material, the tube having a tip for piercing the smokable material received in the housing during use. The device according to.   The device is configured to allow the tube to enter the smokable material, wherein the tube has a plurality of outlet openings and is adapted for use in the smokable material received in the housing during use. 3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fluid is adapted to move through the outlet opening.   4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the device is configured such that the tubing is within the smokable material and the fluid container and the housing are separably connected to each other. apparatus.   The device is configured to allow the tube to enter the smokable material, the housing having an open front end through which the smoking material is received when the smokable material is received in the housing. 5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein material enters a cavity of the housing and one end of the tube projects beyond the open front end of the housing.   The device is configured to allow the tube to enter the smokable material, the housing having an open front end through which the smoking material is received when the smokable material is received in the housing. 5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein material enters a cavity of the housing and the tube is located in the cavity away from the open front end of the housing.   The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured such that the smokable material enters the tube, the inner wall of the tube comprising the outlet opening.   8. The device of claim 7, wherein the inner wall of the tube is permeable to the fluid so as to provide the outlet opening.   9. The tube of any one of claims 6-8, wherein the tube comprises an outer wall and an inner wall that cooperatively define an annular space for containing the fluid such that the tube is the fluid container. Equipment.   8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a wick for transferring the fluid contained in the fluid container during use into the tube by wicking.   The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heater for heating a fluid contained in the fluid container to vaporize the fluid during use.   12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a heater for heating the smokable material received in the housing in use.   13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the heater for heating a smokable material received within the housing is an electrically resistive heater provided as part of the housing or provided within the housing.   14. A device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising a circuit arranged to allow control of the power supply of the heater or of each heater.   The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14, comprising a power source for supplying electric power to the heater or each heater.   16. The device according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein the tube is connected to a power source to selectively heat the tube.   17. The housing of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an open front end such that the smoking material enters the cavity of the housing through the open front end when the smoking material is received within the housing. The device according to any one of claims.   7. An insert having a through hole through which a smokable material can pass, the insert being removably insertable into the open front end of the housing to reduce the width of at least a portion of the cavity. 17. The device according to 17.   19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the insert comprises a cylindrical body portion that can be received within the housing and a skirt that extends radially outward.   20. A retainer arranged adjacent to an inwardly facing surface of the housing, the retainer for reducing the width of the cavity at a position where the retainer is arranged. The apparatus according to paragraph.   21. The device of claim 20, wherein the retainer is an annular wall with a through hole through which the smokable material can pass.   22. The device of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the retainer is elastic so that it can elastically deform as the smokable material is threaded through the retainer.   23. The device of any one of claims 17-22, comprising a sleeve removably received within the housing to reduce the width of the cavity.   24. The device of claim 23, wherein the sleeve is made of a thermally conductive material. At least one second tube in fluid communication with a second fluid container, the at least one second tube protruding into the housing and having at least one outlet opening;
The device is configured such that the second tube enters the smokable material when the smokable material is received in the housing and, in use, fluid flows from the second fluid container to the second fluid container. 2 tubes and through the outlet opening of the tubes into the smoking material that is received in the housing in use to volatilize or extract at least one component of the smoking material. 25. The device according to any one of claims 1-24, configured as follows. A smoking article for use with a device for heating a smoking material,
Smoking material,
A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or a rigid hollow cylinder having a hole for receiving the tube of the device according to any one of claims 10 to 25 when dependent on it. A smoking article, the device being configured such that, in use, the tube enters the smoking material, and the hole is in fluid communication with the smoking material.   The smoking article according to claim 26, comprising a filter for filtering the volatilized smoking 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 smoking material, the housing comprising or including the rigid hollow cylinder. A smoking article for use with an apparatus for heating a smoking article, said smoking article comprising:
A container comprising a smokable material, the device of any one of claims 7 to 9 or the device of any one of claims 10 to 25 when dependent on it. A smoking article, which is insertable into a tube and wherein the container comprises a wall that allows fluid displaced from the tube to enter the smokable material.

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