RU2802357C2 - Device for heating smoke-forming material - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: tobacco industry.

SUBSTANCE: device (100) for heating smoke-forming material is proposed for evaporation of at least one component of smoke-forming material. Device (100) contains heating zone (11) for accommodation of at least part of a product containing smoke-forming material, magnetic field generator (120) for generation of an alternating magnetic field, and elongated heating element (130) protruding to heating zone (113). Heating element (130) contains heated material, which can be heated due to the penetration of the alternating magnetic field for heating of heating zone (113).

EFFECT: obtaining a device for heating smoke-forming material.

18 cl, 5 dwg

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The invention relates to a device for heating a smoke-producing material for the purpose of vaporizing at least one component of the smoke-producing material, to articles for use with such a device, and to systems containing such articles and devices.

State of the art

Smoking products, such as cigarettes, cigars, etc., burn tobacco during smoking to produce tobacco smoke. Efforts have been made to provide alternatives to these products by developing products that release compounds without combustion. Examples of such products are so-called “heat without combustion” products or tobacco heating devices or products that release compounds by heating but without burning the material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Disclosure of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for heating a smoke-forming material to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-forming material; the specified device contains:

a heating zone or heating zone for housing at least a portion of the article containing the smoke-forming material;

a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field; And

an elongated heating element extending into the heating zone;

wherein the heating element contains a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a body defining a heating zone, wherein the body does not contain a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a changing magnetic field.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating zone is elongated and the heating element extends along a longitudinal line that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the heating zone.

In an illustrative embodiment, the heating element has a length and a cross-section perpendicular to the length, wherein the cross-section has a width and a depth, and the length exceeds the width and the width exceeds the depth.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element is planar or substantially planar.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes an opening at the first end of the heating zone through which a portion of the article can be inserted into the heating zone; And

a heating element projects into the heating zone from a second end of the heating zone opposite the first end, and the heating element has a free end remote from the second end of the heating zone that is positioned relative to the opening so as to engage the article when the article is inserted into the heating zone.

In an illustrative embodiment, the free end of the heating element is tapered.

In an illustrative embodiment, the internal surface of the body has a thermal emissivity coefficient of 0.1 or less. In an illustrative embodiment, the thermal emissivity is 0.05 or less.

In an illustrative embodiment, the outer surface of the body has a thermal emissivity coefficient of 0.1 or less. In an illustrative embodiment, the thermal emissivity is 0.05 or less.

In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator includes a coil and a device for passing a varying electrical current through the coil.

In an illustrative embodiment, the coil surrounds the body.

In an illustrative embodiment, the coil surrounds the heating zone.

In an exemplary embodiment, the coil surrounds the heating element.

In an illustrative embodiment, the coil extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the heating element.

In an illustrative embodiment, the impedance of the coil is equal to or substantially equal to the impedance of the heating element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a magnetic material, and a non-magnetic material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the material to be heated comprises a metal or metal alloy.

In corresponding illustrative embodiments, the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper and bronze.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating material is sensitive to the effects of eddy currents induced in the heating material due to the penetration of a changing magnetic field.

In an illustrative embodiment, the heating element is configured to change shape when heated.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element includes two parts that are attached to each other and have corresponding different expansion coefficients.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element includes a bimetallic strip.

In an illustrative embodiment, the material to be heated is exposed to the heating zone.

In an exemplary embodiment, the body is made of a non-magnetic and non-electrically conductive material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a first mass of thermal insulation between the coil and the body.

In corresponding illustrative embodiments, the first thermal insulation mass may comprise, for example, one or more thermal insulators selected from the group consisting of: closed cell material, closed cell plastic, airgel, vacuum insulation, silicone foam, and rubber material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a second mass of thermal insulation that surrounds the coil.

In corresponding illustrative embodiments, the second thermal insulation mass may comprise, for example, one or more thermal insulators selected from the group consisting of: airgel, vacuum insulation, wadding, lint, non-woven material, non-woven lint, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam , polystyrene, polyester, polyester filament, polypropylene, mixtures of polyester and polypropylene, cellulose acetate, paper or cardboard and corrugated material such as corrugated paper or cardboard.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element includes a heating element that consists entirely or substantially entirely of a heating material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element consists entirely or substantially entirely of a heating material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion of the heating element is more sensitive to the effects of eddy currents induced therein by the penetration of a varying magnetic field than the second portion of the heating element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes catalytic material on at least a portion of the outer surface of the heating element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the body includes an element and a coating on the inner surface of the element that is flatter or smoother than the inner surface of the element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator is configured to generate a plurality of varying magnetic fields to penetrate various respective regions of the heating element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the heating zone of the heating element. In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator is configured to operate based on the output of the temperature sensor.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for heating a smoke-forming material to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-forming material; the specified device contains:

first and second elements;

a heating zone between the first and second element for housing at least a portion of the article containing the smoke-forming material; And

a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field that is intended for use in heating the heating zone;

in which the first and second elements can move towards each other to compress the heating zone.

In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator is configured to generate a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heating zone.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a heating element containing a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone.

In an illustrative embodiment, the first and second elements contain a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides an article for use with a device for heating a smoke-forming material to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-forming material; This product contains:

mass of smoke-producing material; And

a purifier associated with a body of smoke-producing material;

wherein a heating element for heating the smoke-producing material may be inserted into the mass of smoke-producing material while being in contact with the purifier.

In corresponding illustrative embodiments, the cleaner comprises one or more of a scraper, a blade, an abrasive pad, foam, metal threads, metal threads with multiple relative orientations, tangled metal threads, and metal brushes.

In an exemplary embodiment, the mass of smoke-producing material is elongated and the purifier is located at the longitudinal end of the mass of smoke-producing material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the article has a cavity formed therein to accommodate a heating element during use.

In an illustrative embodiment, the purifier defines at least a portion of the cavity.

In an illustrative embodiment, the purifier defines an entrance to the cavity.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a system comprising:

a device for heating a smoke-forming material to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-forming material, said device comprising a heating zone for housing at least a portion of the article containing the smoke-forming material, a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field , and an elongated heating element projecting into the heating zone, the heating element comprising a heating material that can be heated by penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone; And

an article for use with a device, wherein said article contains a smoke-producing material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a body of smoke-producing material and a purifier coupled to the body of smoke-producing material, wherein a heating element may be inserted into the body of smoke-producing material and be in contact with the purifier.

In corresponding illustrative embodiments, the system product may have any of the features of the above-described illustrative embodiments of the article according to the third aspect of the present invention.

In corresponding illustrative embodiments, the system apparatus may have any of the features of the above-described illustrative embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention or the second aspect of the present invention.

Brief description of drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

in fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of an example apparatus for heating a smoke-producing material to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-producing material;

in fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the device, only a portion of which is shown in FIG. 1;

in fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an article for use with the apparatus of FIG. 1 and 2;

in fig. 4a is a schematic sectional view of a portion of an example of another device for heating a smoke-producing material to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-producing material, wherein first and second elements of the device are located at a first distance from each other;

in fig. 4b is a schematic sectional view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 4a, in which the first and second elements of the device are located at a second distance from each other, which is less than the first distance;

in fig. 5a is a schematic sectional view of a portion of an example of another device for heating a smoke-producing material to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-producing material, wherein first and second elements of the device are located at a first distance from each other; And

in fig. 5b is a schematic sectional view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 5a, in which the first and second elements of the device are located at a second distance from each other, which is less than the first distance.

Carrying out the invention

As used herein, the term “smoke-producing material” includes materials that, when heated, produce volatile components, typically in the form of vapor or aerosol. The "smoke-producing material" may be a non-tobacco-containing material or a tobacco-containing material. The “smoke-producing material” may, for example, include one or more of tobacco itself, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenized tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The smoke-producing material may be in the form of shredded tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, liquid, jelly, gelatinized sheet, powder, or atomized materials. “Smoke-producing material” may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. The "smoke-producing material" may contain one or more humectants, such as glycerol or propylene glycol.

As used herein, the terms “heatable material” and “heatable material” refer to material that can be heated by the penetration of a changing magnetic field.

As used herein, the terms “flavor” and “flavor” refer to materials that, if permitted by government regulations, can be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. These may include extracts (eg, licorice, hydrangea, white magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, drumbuie, bourbon, Scotch whiskey, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey extract, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, cumin, cognac, jasmine , allspice, sage, fennel, allspice, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee or peppermint oil of any kind), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, olfactory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugar and/or sugar substitutes (e.g. , sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol) and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals or oral fresheners. They may be imitation, artificial or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, such as oil, liquid, jelly, powder, or the like.

Induction heating is a process in which an electrically conductive object is heated by introducing a varying magnetic field into the object. This process is described by Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction and Ohm's law. The induction heater may include an electromagnet and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as alternating current, through the electromagnet. When an electromagnet and an object to be heated are suitably positioned relative to each other such that the resulting changing magnetic field generated by the electromagnet penetrates the object, one or more eddy currents are generated within the object. An object has resistance to the flow of electric currents. Consequently, when such eddy currents are generated in an object, their flow, overcoming the electrical resistance of the object, causes heating of the object. This process is called Joule, ohmic or resistive heating. An object that can be inductively heated is known as a susceptor.

It has been found that when the susceptor is in a closed circuit form, the magnetic interaction between the susceptor and the electromagnet of the device is improved during use, resulting in greater or improved Joule heating.

Magnetic hysteresis heating is a process in which an object made of magnetic material is heated by the penetration of a changing magnetic field into the object. A magnetic material can be considered to contain many atomic-level magnets or magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such a material, the magnetic dipoles align with the magnetic field. Therefore, when a changing magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field such as that produced by an electromagnet, penetrates a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes with the change in the applied magnetic field. This reorientation of magnetic dipoles causes heating of the magnetic material.

When an object is both electrically conductive and magnetic, the penetration of a changing magnetic field into the object can cause both Joule heating of the object and heating by magnetic hysteresis. In addition, the use of magnetic material can increase the magnetic field, which can increase Joule heating.

In each of the above processes, since the heat is generated within the object itself rather than by an external heat source through conduction, a rapid increase in the temperature of the object and a more uniform distribution of heat can be achieved, particularly through the selection of appropriate material and geometry of the object and appropriate magnitude and orientation changing magnetic field relative to the object. Additionally, because induction and magnetic hysteresis heating do not require a physical connection between the varying magnetic field source and the object, design flexibility is increased, control over the heating profile is improved, and costs are reduced.

In fig. 2 and 1, respectively, are a schematic sectional view of an example of a device for heating a smoke-producing material to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-producing material according to an embodiment of the invention, and a schematic perspective view of a portion of the device. In general, device 100 includes a heating zone 113 for housing at least a portion of an article containing smoke-generating material, a magnetic field generator 120 for generating a varying magnetic field, and an elongated heating element 130 projecting into the heating zone 113. In this embodiment, the heating zone 113 contains a cavity. The heating element 130 contains a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone 113.

In this embodiment, the device 100 includes a body 110 that defines the heating zone 113 and which does not contain a heating material capable of being heated by the penetration of a changing magnetic field. However, in other embodiments, body 110 may contain a heating material that may or may not be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field.

In this embodiment, the body 110 is a tubular body 110 that surrounds the heating zone 113. However, in other embodiments, the body 110 may not be completely tubular. For example, in some embodiments, the body 110 or heating element may be tubular except for the axially extending one or more gaps or slots formed in the body 110. As discussed above, in this embodiment, the body 110 itself does not contain any heating material that may heat up due to the penetration of a changing magnetic field. Thus, when a varying magnetic field is generated by the magnetic field generator 120 as described below, a greater amount of the varying magnetic field energy can be used to provide heating to the heating element 130. The body 110 may be made of glass, a ceramic material, or a heat-resistant plastic such as polyetherketone. (PEEK) or polyetherimide (PEI), an example of which is Ultem.

In this embodiment, the body 110 has a substantially circular cross-section. However, in other embodiments, body 110 may have a cross-section that is not circular, such as square, rectangular, polygonal, or elliptical. In this embodiment, the heating zone 113 is defined by the body 110. In other words, the body 110 defines the outline or limits the heating zone 113. In this embodiment, the heating zone 113 also has a substantially circular cross-section. However, in other embodiments, the heating zone 113 may have a cross-section that is not circular, such as square, rectangular, polygonal, or elliptical.

In this embodiment, body 110 includes a tubular member 115 extending around a heating zone 113 and a coating 116 on the inner surface of the tubular member 115. The coating 116 is smoother or harder than the inner surface of the member 115 itself. This smoother or harder coating 116 may facilitate cleaning of body 110 after use of device 100. Cover 116 may be made of glass or ceramic material, for example. In other embodiments, the coating 116 may be omitted.

In some embodiments, the inner surface or outer surface of the body 110 may have a thermal emissivity of 0.1 or less. For example, in some embodiments, the thermal emissivity coefficient may be 0.05 or less, such as 0.03 or 0.02. Such low emissivity may help retain heat in the heating zone 113, may help prevent heat from being carried away from the heating element 130 to components of the device 100 that are not part of the heating zone 113, may help increase the heating efficiency of the heating zone 113, and/or may help reduce transfer. thermal energy from the heating element 130 to the outer surface of the device 100. This can improve the user's comfort when holding the device 100. This thermal emissivity can be achieved by making the inner surface or outer surface of the body 110 of a low emissivity material, such as made of silver or aluminum.

The heating zone 113 of this embodiment has a first end 111 and an opposing second end 112, and the body 110 defines an opening 114 at the first end 111 through which an article or part thereof can be inserted into the heating zone 113. In some embodiments, the opening 114 can be covered or blocked, for example, by the mouthpiece of the device 100, such as the mouthpiece described below. In this embodiment, the heating zone 113 extends in length from the first end 111 to the second end 112, and the heating element 130 extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis A-A of the heating zone 113. In other embodiments, the longitudinal axes A-A of the heating zone 113 and the heating element 130 may be aligned with each other by being mutually parallel, or may be inclined toward each other.

In some embodiments, one end of the heating zone 113 is closed. This may allow heating zone 113 to function as a receptacle for smoke-producing material or as a support during movement of heating element 130 into the mass of smoke-producing material.

In this embodiment, the heating element 130 projects into the heating zone 113 from the second end 112 of the heating zone 113. Specifically, in this embodiment, on the end portion of the body 110, an end element 140 is mounted remote from the opening 114. In this embodiment, the end element 140 represents is a plug that is attached to the end portion of the body 110 by friction or adhesive. However, in other embodiments, the end member 140 may have a different shape or may be integral with the body 110. In this embodiment, the end member 140 defines the second end 112 of the heating zone 113. Moreover, in this embodiment, the heating element 130 is attached to the end element 140 and extends from the end element 140 into the heating zone 113. In this embodiment, a portion of the heating element 130 is located in the end element 140, which may help increase the strength of the connection between the heating element 130 and the end element 140. Instead, in some other embodiments, the heating element 130 may abut or extend from the surface of the end element 140 surface facing the heating zone 113.

In this embodiment, a thermal insulator 150 is provided on the outside of the end element 140. The thermal insulator 150 may help prevent heat from being lost from the heating element 130 to the outside of the device 100, may help increase the heating efficiency of the heating zone 113, and/or may help reduce the transfer of thermal energy from the heating element 130. to the outer surface of the device 100. This may improve the user's comfort when holding the device 100.

In some embodiments, thermal insulation 150 may comprise one or more of the materials described below with respect to the first and/or second thermal insulation masses. In this embodiment, the thermal insulator 150 is breathable. In this embodiment, a plurality of air outlets 141, 142, 143 extend through the end member 140. Air outlets 141, 142, 143 provide fluid communication of the heating zone 113 with the breathable thermal insulator 150. Thus, during use of the device 100, air can be drawn into the heating zone 113 from the outside of the device 100 through the breathable insulator 150 and air inlets 141, 142, 143 . In other embodiments, only one air inlet or no air inlets may continue through the end member 140. In other embodiments, air may be drawn into the heating zone 113 from outside the device 100 through another path, such as through an air inlet in the body 110 or in a mouthpiece (not shown) of the device 100.

In this embodiment, the heating element 130 has a free first end 131 spaced from the second end 112 of the heating zone 113 and positioned relative to the opening 114 so as to penetrate the article when the article is inserted into the heating zone 113 through the opening 114. In some embodiments, the free the end 131 of the heating element 130 may, for example, be tapered to facilitate insertion into the article.

The heating element 130 of this embodiment has a length within the heating zone 113 from the first end 131 to a point 132 of the heating element 130 at the second end 112 of the heating zone 113. The heating element 130 also has a cross-section perpendicular to its length. Said section has a width and a depth, wherein said length is greater than said width, and said width is greater than said depth. Therefore, the depth or thickness of the heating element 130 is relatively small compared to other dimensions of the heating element 130. The susceptor may have a surface layer depth, which is the outer zone within which most of the electrical current is induced. Provided that the heating element 130 has a relatively small thickness, a given varying magnetic field can heat a larger proportionate portion of the heating element 130 compared to a heating element 130 having a depth or thickness that is relatively large compared to other dimensions of the heating element 130 This ensures more efficient use of the material. In turn, costs are reduced. However, in other embodiments, the heating element 130 may have a cross-section that is not rectangular, such as circular, elliptical, annular, star-shaped, polygonal, square, or triangular. In this embodiment, the cross-section of the heating element 130 is constant along the length of the heating element 130. However, in this embodiment, the heating element 130 is flat or substantially flat. The heating element 130 of this embodiment can be considered as a flat strip. However, in other embodiments the situation may be different.

The heating element 130 of this embodiment includes a heating element 135 consisting entirely or substantially entirely of a heating material. The heating element 135 can be heated by the penetration of a changing magnetic field. Additionally, in this embodiment, the heating element 130 includes a coating 136 on the outer surface of the heating element 135. The coating 136 is smoother or harder than the outer surface of the heating element 135 itself. This smoother or harder coating 136 may make the heating element easier to clean. 130 after use of the device 100. The cover 136 may be made, for example, of glass or ceramic material. In other embodiments, the coating 136 may be provided on only a portion of the heating element 135 or may be omitted. In some embodiments, the coating may be rougher than the outer surface of the heating element 135 itself to increase the surface area by which the heating element 130 can be in contact with an article or smoke-producing material inserted into the heating zone 113 during use. In some such embodiments, the heating material may be exposed to heating zone 113. Thus, when heating the heating material, heat can be transferred directly from the heating material to the heating zone 113.

The heating material may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a magnetic material, and a non-magnetic material. The material to be heated may comprise a metal or a metal alloy. The heating material may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper and bronze. In other embodiments, other material(s) may be used as the heating material. In this embodiment, the heating material of the heating element 130 comprises an electrically conductive material. Thus, the heating material is sensitive to the effects of eddy currents induced in the heating material due to the penetration of a changing magnetic field into it. Therefore, the heating element 130 can act as a susceptor when it is exposed to a changing magnetic field. It has also been found that when a magnetic electrical conductive material is used as the heating material, the magnetic interaction between the heating element 130 and the coil 122 of the magnetic field generator 120, which will be described below, is improved during use. In addition to potential heating due to magnetic hysteresis, this results in greater or improved Joule heating of heating element 130 and thus greater or improved heating of heating zone 113.

In some embodiments, the device may include catalytic material on at least a portion of the outer surface of the heating element 130. The catalytic material may be provided on the entire outer surface of the heating element 130 or only on some portion(s) of the outer surface of the heating element 130. Catalytic material may take the form of a coating. The presence of such a catalytic material means that the device 100 may have a heated reactive surface during use. During use, the catalytic material may act to convert or increase the rate of conversion of the potential irritant into a less problematic substance than the irritant. During use, the catalytic material may act to convert or increase the rate of conversion of, for example, formic acid to methanol. In other embodiments, the catalytic material acts to convert or increase the rate of conversion of other chemicals, for example, acetylene to ethane through hydrogenation or ammonia to nitrogen and hydrogen. The catalytic material may additionally or alternatively act to react or increase the rate of reaction of carbon monoxide and water vapor to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen (water gas shift reaction or WGSR).

In some embodiments, the first portion of the heating element 130 may be more sensitive to the effects of eddy currents induced therein by the penetration of a changing magnetic field than the second portion of the heating element 130. For example, the first portion of the heating element 130 may be more sensitive for this reason that the first part of the heating element 130 is made of a first material, the second part of the heating element 130 is made of a different second material, and the first material is more sensitive than the second material. For example, one of the first and second parts may be made of iron, and the other of the first and second parts may be made of graphite. Alternatively or additionally, the first portion of the heating element 130 may have higher sensitivity because the first portion of the heating element 130 has a different thickness and/or density of material compared to the second portion of the heating element 130.

A more sensing portion may be located adjacent a predetermined mouth end of the device 100, or a less sensitive portion may be located adjacent a predetermined mouth end of the device 100. In the latter case, the less sensitive portion may heat the smoke-producing material in the article placed in the heating zone to a lesser extent than the more sensitive part, and thus the less heated smoke-producing material, can act as a filter to reduce the temperature of the generated steam or soften the steam generated in the product while heating the smoke-generating material.

The first and second portions of the heating element 130 may be located adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the heating element 130, or may be located adjacent to each other in a direction, for example, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the heating element 130.

Such varying sensitivity of the heating element 130 to the effects of eddy currents induced therein may cause the smoke-generating material in the article inserted into the heating zone 113 to be gradually heated, thereby gradually generating steam. For example, the more sensitive portion may heat the first region of the smoke-forming material relatively quickly to cause vaporization of at least one component of the smoke-forming material and the generation of vapor in the first region of the smoke-forming material. The less sensitive portion may heat the second region of the smoke-forming material relatively slowly to cause vaporization of at least one component of the smoke-forming material and the formation of steam in the second region of the smoke-forming material. Accordingly, steam can be generated relatively quickly for inhalation by the user, and steam can continue to be generated for subsequent inhalation by the user even after the first region of smoke-forming material can stop generating steam. The first region of the smoke-forming material may stop generating steam after the vaporizable components of the smoke-forming material therein have been consumed.

In other embodiments, the entire heating element 130 may be equally or substantially equally sensitive to the effects of eddy currents induced therein by the penetration of a varying magnetic field. In some embodiments, the heating element may be insensitive to such eddy currents. In such embodiments, the material to be heated may be a magnetic material that is non-electrically conductive and thus can be heated by the magnetic hysteresis process described above.

In some embodiments, the heating element 130 may be configured to change shape when heated. In other words, the shape of the heating element 130 may be sensitive to changes in temperature. For example, heating element 130 may be configured to flex when heated and/or may be configured to expand when heated. The change in shape may include a deviation from the longitudinal axis of the heating zone 113. In some embodiments, the heating element 130 may be helical or helical, for example, relative to the longitudinal axis of the heating zone 113, and heating of the heating element 130 may cause the helical or helical heating element 130 to partially unwind, increasing the diameter or width of the heating element 130. This change in the shape of the heating element 130 element 130 may help to provide or increase contact between the heating element 130 and the product located in the heating zone 113. This may help improve heat transfer from the heating element 130 to the article and the smoke-producing material located therein.

The heating element 130 may include two parts that are attached to each other and have correspondingly different expansion coefficients and therefore have different abilities to expand during heating. These two parts may, for example, be elongated and/or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating zone 113. When heated, the heating element 130 may bend or warp due to the different expansion abilities of the two parts. Thus, the change in temperature is converted into physical displacement or deformation. The degree to which the heating element 130 changes shape may be related to temperature, such that at a higher temperature the heating element 130 exhibits greater displacement or deformation. The amount of displacement or deformation of the heating element 130 may be proportional to the amount of temperature change of the heating element 130.

The respective heating elements 130 for use in the device 100 may vary with respect to, for example, the thickness and cross-sectional shape of the parts, the material compositions of the parts, the order in which the parts are connected to each other, etc., and these variables may affect the characteristics of the heating element. element 130, such as the bending ability of the heating element 130, thermal conductivity, etc. In some embodiments, said two parts may be made of different plastic polymers having correspondingly different expansion coefficients. In other embodiments, said two parts may be made of different metals having correspondingly different expansion coefficients. Thus, the heating element may comprise a bimetallic strip. For example, a bimetallic strip may contain a steel part and a copper part. In other embodiments, other combinations of materials may be used, such as manganese and copper or brass and steel.

The magnetic field generator 120 of this embodiment includes a power supply 121, a coil 122, a device 123 for passing a varying electrical current, such as alternating current, through the coil 122, a controller 124, and a user interface 125 for controlling the controller 124.

In this embodiment, the power supply 121 is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, the power source 121, as opposed to a rechargeable battery, may be a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor, or a connection to the electrical network.

The coil 122 can be of any suitable shape. In this embodiment, coil 122 is a helical coil made of an electrically conductive material such as copper. In some embodiments, the magnetic field generator 120 may include a magnetically permeable core around which a coil 122 is wound. This magnetically permeable core concentrates the magnetic flux generated by the coil 122 and creates a more powerful magnetic field. The magnetically permeable core can be made, for example, of iron. In some embodiments, the magnetically permeable core may extend only partially along the length of the coil 122 so as to concentrate magnetic flux only in certain areas.

In this embodiment, coil 122 is a helical coil. In other words, coil 122 has a substantially constant radius along its length. In other embodiments, the radius of the coil 122 may vary in length. For example, in some embodiments, coil 122 may be a conical helix or an elliptical helix. In this embodiment, the coil 122 has a substantially constant length pitch. In other words, the gap width measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of coil 122 between any two adjacent turns of coil 22 is substantially the same as the gap width between any other two adjacent turns of coil 22. This cannot be said for other embodiments. The variable pitch may provide different strengths of the varying magnetic field generated by the coil 122 in different parts of the coil 122, which may help provide gradual heating of the heating element 130 and heating zone 113 and thus the article placed in the heating zone 113 in a similar manner to the above. description.

In this embodiment, the coil 122 is in a stationary position relative to the heating element 130 and the heating zone 113. In this embodiment, coil 122 surrounds heating element 130 and heating zone 113. In this embodiment, coil 122 extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis A-A of heating zone 113. In this embodiment, the aligned axes are located on the same line. In a variation of this embodiment, the aligned axes can be parallel to each other. However, in other embodiments, the axes may be inclined towards each other. Additionally, in this embodiment, the coil 122 extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the heating element 130. This may help provide more uniform heating to the heating element 130 during use and may also improve the manufacturability of the device. 100. In other embodiments, the longitudinal axes of the coil 122 and the heating element 130 may be aligned with each other by being parallel to each other, or may be inclined toward each other.

In this embodiment, the impedance of the coil 122 of the magnetic field generator 120 is equal to or substantially equal to the impedance of the heating element 130. If the impedance of the heating element 130 were, conversely, lower than the impedance of the coil 122 of the magnetic field generator 120, the voltage generated in the heating element 130 during use , could be lower than the voltage that could be generated in the heating element 130 when the impedances are matched. Alternatively, if the impedance of the heating element 130 were conversely higher than the impedance of the coil 122 of the magnetic field generator 120, the electric current generated in the heating element 130 during use could be less than the current that could be generated in the heating element 130 when impedances are matched. Impedance matching may help balance voltage and current to maximize thermal power generated in heating element 130 as it heats up during use. In some other embodiments, the impedances may not be matched.

In this embodiment, a device 123 for passing varying electrical current through a coil 122 is electrically coupled between the power supply 121 and the coil 122. In this embodiment, the controller 124 is also electrically coupled to the power source 121 and is communicatively coupled to the device 123. The controller 124 is configured to providing and controlling heating of the heating element 130. Specifically, in this embodiment, the controller 124 is configured to control the device 123 so as to control the supply of electrical power from the power supply 121 to the coil 122. In this embodiment, the controller 124 includes an integrated circuit (IC), for example, integrated circuit on a printed circuit board (PCB). In other embodiments, controller 124 may have a different shape. In some embodiments, the device may have a single electrical or electronic component comprising device 123 and controller 124. In this embodiment, controller 124 is controlled from user interface 125. A user interface 125 is located on the outside of the device 100. The user interface 125 may include a push button, a trigger switch, a dial, a touch screen, or the like.

In this embodiment, by controlling the user interface 125, the controller 124 controls the device 123 to pass an alternating electric current through the coil 122 such that the coil 122 generates an alternating magnetic field. Coil 122 and heating element 130 are suitably positioned relative to each other such that the alternating magnetic field generated by coil 122 penetrates the heating material of heating element 130. When the heating material of heating element 130 is an electrically conductive material, it may cause one or more eddy currents to be generated. in a heating material. The flow of eddy currents in the heating material overcomes the electrical resistance of the heating material and causes heating of the heating material due to Joule heating. As mentioned above, when the heating material is a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles in the heating material changes with a change in the applied magnetic field, which causes heat to be generated in the heating material.

The device 100 of this embodiment includes a temperature sensor 126 for determining the temperature of the heating zone 113. The temperature sensor 126 is communicatively coupled to the controller 124 so that the controller 124 can monitor the temperature of the heating zone 113 . In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 126 may be configured to optically measure the temperature of the heating zone 113 or an article placed in the heating zone 113. In some embodiments, the article placed in the heating zone may include a temperature sensing element, such as a resistive temperature sensing element (RTD), to sense the temperature of the article. The product may also include one or more terminals connected, for example by an electrical connection, to a temperature sensing element. The terminal(s) may be configured to make a connection, such as an electrical connection, to a temperature monitor (not shown) of the device 100 when the product is in the heating zone 113. The controller 124 may include a temperature monitor. The temperature monitor of the device 100 may determine the temperature of the product while the product is in use with the device 100.

Based on one or more signals received from temperature sensor 126 (and/or temperature sensing element, if provided), controller 124 may optionally cause device 123 to adjust the characteristic of the varying or alternating current passing through coil 122 so that the temperature of heating zone 113 remains within the preset temperature range. This characteristic can be, for example, amplitude or frequency. Within a predetermined temperature range, during use, the smoke-forming material within the article placed in the heating zone 113 becomes sufficiently hot to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-forming material without burning the smoke-forming material. Accordingly, the controller 124 and the apparatus 100 as a whole are configured to heat the smoke-forming material to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-forming material without burning the smoke-forming material. In some embodiments, the temperature range is from about 50°C to about 250°C, for example, from about 50°C to about 150°C, from about 50°C to about 120°C, from about 50°C to about 100 °C, from about 50°C to about 80°C, or from about 60°C to about 70°C. In some embodiments, the temperature range is from about 170°C to about 220°C. In some embodiments, the temperature range may differ from the specified range.

In some embodiments, device 100 may include a mouthpiece (not shown). The mouthpiece may be removably coupled to the rest of the device 100 for the purpose of connecting the mouthpiece to the rest of the device 100. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece and the rest of the device may be permanently connected, for example, through a hinge or flexible member.

The mouthpiece may be positioned relative to the body 110 so as to cover the opening 114 in the heating zone 113. When the mouthpiece is thus positioned relative to the body 110, the mouthpiece channel can be operably communicated with the heating zone 113. During use, the channel acts as a passage, allowing vaporized material to pass through the heating zone 113 to the outside of the device 100.

The mouthpiece, if provided, may contain or be impregnated with flavoring. The flavoring agent may be positioned such that it is entrained in heated steam as the steam passes through the mouthpiece bore during use.

While heating the heating zone 113 and thus any product therein, the user may inhale the vaporizable component(s) of the smoke-producing material by inhaling the vaporizable component(s) through the mouthpiece of the product (if provided) or through the mouthpiece of the device. (if provided). Air may enter the article through a gap between the article and body 110, or in some embodiments, device 100 may define an air inlet that operably connects heating zone 113 to the outside of device 100. As vaporizable component(s) are removed from the article, air may be drawn in into the heating zone 113 through the air inlet of the device 100.

Such embodiments of the device 100 may be implemented with the ability to "self-clean" the heating element 130. For example, in some embodiments, the controller 124 may be configured to, through appropriate user control from the user interface 125, operate the device 123 as needed to adjust the characteristic. varying or changing the electrical current passing through the coil 122 to increase the temperature of the heating element 130 to a level at which the residue or waste from the previous spent product on the heating element 130 could be burned. This characteristic can be, for example, amplitude or frequency. The temperature can be, for example, over 500 degrees Celsius.

Some embodiments of the device 100 may be implemented to provide haptic feedback to the user. The feedback may indicate that heating is in progress or may be triggered by a timer and indicate that a predetermined proportional portion of the initial amount of vaporizable component(s) of smoke-producing material in the product has been exceeded, or the like. Tactile feedback may be provided by the interaction of the coil 122 and the heating element 130 (i.e., through magnetic influence), the interaction of an electrically conductive element with the coil 122, the rotation of a vibration motor, the repeated application of current to the piezoelectric element and its shutdown, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, some embodiments of device 100 may utilize such haptic feedback to facilitate the above-described “self-cleaning” process by vibrating cleaning the heating element 130.

In some embodiments, the magnetic field generator 120 may be configured to generate a plurality of varying magnetic fields to penetrate various respective portions of the heating element 130. For example, the device 100 may include multiple coils. A plurality of coils of the device 100 may be actuated to cause the heating element 130 to be gradually heated and thereby gradually heat the smoke-generating material in the article located in the heating zone 113 and thereby gradually generate steam. For example, one coil may heat a first region of the heating material relatively quickly to cause at least one component of the smoke-forming material to vaporize and generate steam in the first region of the smoke-forming material. Another coil may heat the second region of the heating material relatively slowly to cause at least one component of the smoke-producing material to vaporize and generate steam in the second region of the smoke-producing material. Accordingly, steam can be generated relatively quickly for inhalation by the user, and steam can continue to be generated for subsequent inhalation by the user even after the first region of smoke-forming material can stop generating steam. The initially unheated second region of smoke-forming material may act as a filter to reduce the temperature of the generated vapor or soften the vapor while the first region of smoke-forming material is heated.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may include a first mass of thermal insulation between the coil 122 and the body 110. The first mass of thermal insulation may surround the body 110. The first mass of thermal insulation may contain, for example, one or more thermal insulators selected from the group consisting of: material with closed cell, closed cell plastic, airgel, vacuum insulation, silicone foam and rubber material. The thermal insulation may additionally or alternatively contain an air gap. Such first mass of thermal insulation may help prevent heat from being carried away from the heating element 130 to components of the device 100 that are not part of the heating zone 113, may help increase the heating efficiency of the heating zone 113, and/or may help reduce the transfer of thermal energy from the heating element 130 to the outer surface. device 100. This may improve the user's comfort while holding the device 100.

In some embodiments, device 100 may comprise a second mass of thermal insulation that surrounds coil 122. The second mass of thermal insulation may comprise, for example, one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: airgel, vacuum insulation, wadding, lint, nonwoven, nonwoven lint, woven material, knitted material, nylon, foam, polystyrene, polyester, polyester thread, polypropylene, polyester-polypropylene blend, cellulose acetate, paper or cardboard and corrugated material such as corrugated paper or cardboard. In some embodiments, the second mass of thermal insulation may comprise one or more of the materials described above with respect to the first mass of thermal insulation. The thermal insulation may additionally or alternatively contain an air gap. Such a second mass of thermal insulation may help reduce the transfer of thermal energy from the heating element 130 to the outer surface of the device 100 and may additionally or alternatively help increase the heating efficiency of the heating zone 113.

In some embodiments, the first mass or the second mass, or both masses of thermal insulation may be absent. In some embodiments, the coil 122 may be embedded in the thermal insulation body. Such a thermal insulation body may be adjacent to or enclose the body 110. Such thermal insulation body may comprise, for example, one or more thermal insulators selected from the group consisting of: closed cell material, closed cell plastic, airgel, vacuum insulation, silicone foam and rubber material. In addition to the thermal characteristics described above, such a thermal insulation body may help improve the reliability of the device 100, for example, by helping to maintain the relative position of the coil 122 and the body 110.

In fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an article for use with a device for heating a smoke-producing material to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-producing material, for example, one of the devices 100, 200, 300 described herein. In general, the article 500 includes a body of smoke-forming material 510 and a purifier 530 connected to the body of smoke-forming material 510. The article 500 is configured such that a heating element for heating the smoke-forming material 510, such as a heating element 130 of the device 100, can be inserted into mass of smoke-producing material 510, which will come into contact with the purifier 530.

In this embodiment, the article 500 and the body of smoke-producing material 510 are elongated, and the purifier 530 is located at the longitudinal end of the body of smoke-producing material 510. In other embodiments, the article 500 and/or the body of smoke-producing material 510 may have different design parameters.

In this embodiment, the article 500 includes a shell 530 around the smoke-producing material 510 to maintain the structural integrity of the smoke-generating material 510. The shell 520 can be made of any suitable material, such as paper, cardboard, plastic film, foil, and the like. The purifier 530 may be attached to the shell 520, for example, by a band of material (not shown) that extends around portions of the shell 520 and the purifier 530 to connect the purifier 530 to the smoke-producing material 510.

The wiper 530 may contain any material or be of any shape suitable for wiping or scraping or scraping residue or debris from the heating element 130 when the heating element 130 is inserted into the smoke-generating material 510 and it is at the same time in contact with the wiper 530 , or when the heating element 130 is removed from the smoke-producing material 510 and is at the same time in contact with the cleaner 530. Thus, the cleaner 530 can help clean the heating element 130 of the device 100 before or after use of the article 500 with the device 100.

In some embodiments, the wiper 530 may be a scraper. In this embodiment, the cleaner is an abrasive pad. In this embodiment, the abrasive pad is formed from entangled metal threads such as steel wool, eg steel wool, brass wool and the like. In other embodiments, the abrasive pad may contain one or more of the following components: foam, metal threads in a variety of relative orientations, entangled metal threads and metal brushes, and the like. In some embodiments, the wiper 530 may include a blade, such as a metal or plastic blade. The blade may be oriented perpendicular or oblique relative to the direction of insertion of the heating element 130, for example, perpendicular or oblique relative to the body of the article 500. In some embodiments, the wiper 530 may include an uneven surface for wiping or scraping the heating element 130 during the relative movement of the wiper 530 and the heating element. element 130. For example, the wiper 530 may include a ribbed element or an element having a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom. These bosses or projections may protrude from the element in a direction having at least a component that is perpendicular or inclined in the direction of insertion of the heating element 130, such as perpendicular or inclined to the longitudinal axis of the article 500.

In some embodiments, the article 500 may have a cavity formed therein to accommodate the heating element 130 during use. In some embodiments, the smoke-producing material may define at least a portion of the cavity. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cavity may be defined by a thermally conductive pocket, sleeve, or insert. The pocket, sleeve or insert may be made, for example, of foil, such as aluminum foil. In some embodiments, the wiper 530 may define at least a portion of the cavity so that it can contact the heating element 130 as the heating element moves within the cavity during use. For example, the purifier 530 may determine the entrance to the cavity.

In fig. 4a is a schematic sectional view of an example of another apparatus for heating a smoke-producing material to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-producing material according to an embodiment of the invention. The device 200 of this embodiment is identical to the device 100 of FIG. 1 and 2 with the exception of the features that define the heating zone 113 and the shape of the heating element 130. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, repeated description of the various features of the device 200 is omitted, and the figures show only those components of the device 200 that are necessary to understand the technical features and advantages. described below. To form separate corresponding embodiments in relation to the device 200 of FIG. 4a, any of the above-described possible variations of the device 100 of FIG. 1 and 2.

In this embodiment, the heating element 130 includes a heating element that consists entirely or substantially entirely of a heating material, and there is no coating 136 on the heating element. However, in other embodiments, the heating element 130 may have the same design as the heating element 130 of the device 100 of FIG. 1 and 2, or any of its varieties described above.

In this embodiment, there is no body 110 defining the heating zone 113, and instead, the heating zone 113 is formed between the first and second elements 160, 170, which can move towards each other to compress the heating zone 113. In fig. 4a, the first and second elements 160, 170 are shown in a first state in which the first and second elements 160, 170 are located at a first distance from each other. The first and second elements 160, 170 may move relative to each other to reduce the distance between the first and second elements 160, 170 until the first and second elements 160, 170 reach a second state, as shown in FIG. 4b, in which the first and second elements 160, 170 are located at a second distance from each other that is less than the first distance. In this embodiment, each of the first and second elements 160, 170 is movable relative to the heating element 130. In other embodiments, one of the first and second elements 160, 170 is movable relative to the heating element 130. In this embodiment, each of the first and second elements 160, 170 can be moved relative to the coil 122. In other embodiments, only one of the first and second elements 160, 170 can be moved relative to the coil 122, or none of the said elements can be moved relative to the coil. In other words, the coil 122 may move or deform as a result of the relative movement of the first and second elements 160, 170.

In this embodiment, the first and second elements 160, 170 do not contain any heating material that can be heated by the changing magnetic field. Thus, when a varying magnetic field is generated by a magnetic field generator, more of the varying magnetic field energy will be available to provide heating to the heating element 130. However, in other embodiments, one or both of the first and second elements 160-170 may contain a heating material that is heated. which can be heated by the penetration of a changing magnetic field.

During use, the article containing the smoke-producing material may be positioned in the heating zone 113 when the first and second elements 160, 170 are in the relative positions shown in FIG. 4a. The first and second elements 160, 170 can subsequently move relative to each other to the state shown in FIG. 4b, to compress the heating zone 113 and the product contained therein. In other words, the article may be compressed by one or both of the respective internal surfaces 161, 171 of the first and second elements 160, 170. Such compression may increase the ability for heat to be transferred from the heating element 130 to penetrate the smoke-producing material, which may provide improved or more complete evaporation of at least one component of the smoke-forming material. After the vaporizable component(s) of the smoke-producing material are consumed, the first and second elements 160, 170 may mutually move back to the state shown in FIG. 4a, to facilitate removal of the article from the heating zone 113.

In other embodiments, the heating element 130 within the heating zone 113 may be absent. In fig. 5a is a schematic sectional view of an example of another apparatus for heating a smoke-producing material to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-producing material according to an embodiment of the invention. The device 300 of this embodiment is identical to the device 200 of FIG. 4a and 4b except for the features described in the paragraphs below. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, the various features of the device 300 will not be repeated, and the figures show only those components of the device 300 that are necessary to understand the technical features and advantages described below. To form separate corresponding embodiments in relation to the device 300 of FIG. 5a, any of the above-described possible variations of the device 200 of FIG. 4a.

In this embodiment, the above-described heating element 130 is absent, and the heating zone 113 does not contain any heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a changing magnetic field. This device 300 is intended for use with an article that contains both a smoke-producing material and a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field. Therefore, the magnetic field generator is configured to generate a changing magnetic field that penetrates into the heating zone 113 during use, causing the heating material of the product to heat up.

In this embodiment, the inner surfaces 161, 171 of the first and second elements 160, 170 have corresponding projections 165, 175 extending therefrom into the heating zone 113. In this embodiment, the projections 165, 175 are staggered or offset relative to each other so that when the first and second members 160, 170 are mutually moved towards each other to achieve the state shown in FIG. 5b, in which the heating zone 113 is compressed, the projections 165, 175 are not in contact with each other. In addition, during use, when the article is in the heating zone 113 and the first and second elements 160, 170 are moved relative to each other to compress the heating zone 113, the offset projections 165, 175 act so as to apply offset forces to the article and deform product to give it a zigzag or wavy shape. This may have the effect of creating a tortuous flow path through the smoke-producing material of the article, which may create turbulence in the air passing through the smoke-producing material to promote air entrainment of vaporized material that is formed when the smoke-producing material is heated. However, in other embodiments, the projections 165, 175 may not be offset from each other.

Device 300 in FIG. 5a and 5b may operate in a similar manner to the operation of device 200 of FIG. 4f and 4b. Thus, the article containing the smoke-producing material and the heating material can be positioned in the heating zone 113 when the first and second members 160, 170 are in the relative position shown in FIG. 5a. The first and second elements 160, 170 can subsequently move relative to each other to the state shown in FIG. 5b, to compress the heating zone 113 and the product contained therein. This may provide one or more of the benefits described above. After the vaporizable component(s) of the smoke-producing material are consumed, the first and second elements 160, 170 may mutually move back to the state shown in FIG. 5a, to facilitate removal of the article from the heating zone 113.

In a variation of device 300 shown in FIG. 5a and 5b, one or both of the first and second elements 160, 170 may contain a heating material that can be heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field. For example, the projections 165, 175 of one of the first and second elements 160, 170, or both of these elements may contain such heating material. This may further increase the ability for heat to be transferred from the heating material to penetrate into the smoke-producing article material in the heating zone 113 during use. In some embodiments, the projections 165, 175 may be loop-shaped or ring-shaped.

In some embodiments that are variations of the device 300 shown in FIG. 5a and 5b, the projections 165, 175 of one or both of the first and second elements 160, 170 may be missing.

In some embodiments that are variations of the device 300 shown in FIG. 5a and 5b, device 300 may include a heating element 130 of device 200 shown in FIG. 4a and 4b.

In some embodiments that are variations of the device 200 shown in FIG. 4a and 4b, the inner surfaces 161, 171 of the first and second elements 160, 170 may have corresponding projections extending from these surfaces into the heating zone 113 in the same manner as the projections 165, 175 of the device 300 shown in FIG. 5a and 5b. Such projections in the device 200 in FIG. 4a and 4b may have any of the features described above with respect to the projections 165, 75 of the device 300 shown in FIG. 5a and 5b.

In some embodiments, the heating material of the heating element 130 may contain breaks or holes. Such breaks or openings may act as thermal breaks to control the degree to which different areas of the smoke-producing material become hot during use. Areas of heated material with breaks or holes may be less hot than areas of breaks or holes. This may cause the smoke-producing material to gradually heat up and thus gradually generate steam.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the smoke-producing material comprises tobacco. However, in respective variations of each of these embodiments, the smoke-forming material may consist of tobacco, may consist substantially entirely of tobacco, may contain tobacco and a smoke-forming material that is not tobacco, may contain a smoke-forming material that is not tobacco , or may not contain tobacco. In some embodiments, the smoke-forming material may comprise a vapor or aerosol forming agent or humectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.

In some embodiments, the above-described products are marketed, supplied, etc. separate from the device 100, 200, 300 with which they can be used. However, in some embodiments, the device 100, 200, 300 and one or more products may be provided as a system, such as a kit or subassembly, possibly with additional components such as cleaning accessories.

The present invention may be implemented as a system comprising any of the articles described herein and any of the devices described herein, the device itself also having a heating material, such as a susceptor, for heating by penetration of a varying magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator . The heat generated in the heating material of the device itself may be transferred to the product to further heat the smoke-generating material placed therein.

To solve various problems and improve the existing state of the art, the entire contents of the present application are accompanied by a description of various embodiments with which the claimed invention can be put into practice and which make it possible to obtain a high-quality device for heating a smoke-producing material in order to evaporate at least one smoke-producing material component, high quality products for use with such a device, and high quality systems containing such products and such device. The advantages and features of the present invention are presented as representative embodiments only and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are intended only to facilitate understanding and study of the stated distinctive features. It should be appreciated that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and/or other aspects of the invention are not intended to be limitations on the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and that other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the invention. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or essentially consist of various combinations of the described elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. The disclosure may include other inventions that are not claimed herein but may be claimed hereinafter.

Claims (27)

1. A device for heating a smoke-forming material to vaporize at least one component of the smoke-forming material, comprising: a heating zone configured to accommodate at least a portion of the article containing the smoke-producing material, a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field, and an elongated heating element protruding into the heating zone, wherein the heating element contains a heating material that can be heated by penetration of a varying magnetic field to heat the heating zone, wherein the magnetic field generator includes a coil and a device configured to pass a varying electric current through the coil, the coil surrounding a heating element. 2. The device according to claim 1, also containing a body that limits the heating zone, and the body does not contain a heating material that can be heated due to the penetration of a changing magnetic field. 3. The device according to claim 2, in which the inner surface of the body or the outer surface of the body has a thermal emissivity coefficient of 0.1 or less. 4. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 - 3, in which the heating zone is elongated, and the elongated heating element extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the heating zone. 5. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 - 4, in which the heating element has a length and a cross-section perpendicular to the length, and the specified cross-section has a width and a depth, and the length of the heating element exceeds the width of the section, and the width of the section exceeds the depth of the section. 6. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 - 5, in which the heating element is substantially flat. 7. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 - 6, also containing an opening formed at the first end of the heating zone and configured to accommodate at least part of the product, wherein the heating element projects into the heating zone from a second end of the heating zone opposite the first end, and the heating element has a free end remote from the second end of the heating zone that is positioned relative to the opening so as to engage the article when the article is inserted into the heating zone. 8. The device according to claim 7, in which the free end of the heating element is tapered. 9. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 - 8, in which the coil extends along a longitudinal axis that is substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the heating element. 10. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 - 9, in which the impedance of the coil is equal to or substantially equal to the impedance of the heating element. 11. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 to 10, wherein the material to be heated comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a magnetic material, and a non-magnetic material. 12. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 to 11, wherein the material to be heated comprises a metal or a metal alloy. 13. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 - 11, wherein the heating material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, copper and bronze. 14. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 - 13, in which the heating material is sensitive to the effects of eddy currents induced in the heating material due to the penetration of a changing magnetic field. 15. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 - 14, in which the heating element is designed to change shape when heated. 16. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 - 15, in which the heated material is exposed to the heating zone. 17. System containing: device according to any one of paragraphs. 1 - 16 And an article for use with a device, wherein said article contains a smoke-producing material. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the article comprises a body of smoke-producing material and a purifier coupled to the body of smoke-producing material, wherein the heating element can be inserted into the body of smoke-producing material while being in contact with the purifier.