TW201343090A - Heating smokable material - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a smokable material heater, configured to heat a first region of smokable material to a volatizing temperature sufficient to volatize a component of smokable material and to concurrently heat a second region of smokable material to a temperature lower than said volatizing temperature but which is sufficient to prevent condensation of volatized components of the smokable material. A method of heating smokable material is also described.

Description

Heatable smokable material (3)

The present invention relates to a heat smokable material.

Suction articles such as cigarettes and cigars burn tobacco to produce tobacco smoke when in use. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to smoking articles by making products that release compounds without producing tobacco smoke. An example of such a product is the so-called heat-not-burn products, which release the compound by heating without burning the tobacco.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a smokable material heater configured to heat a first region of the smokable material to a volatilization temperature sufficient to volatilize one of the components of the smokable material, and The second region of the smokable material is simultaneously heated to a temperature below the volatilization temperature but sufficient to prevent condensation of the volatilized component of the smokable material.

The device can be configured to control the temperature of the first region of the smokable material regardless of the temperature of the second region of the smokable material.

The heater can include a plurality of heat generating regions including a first heat generating region configured to heat the first region of the smokable material and a second region configured to simultaneously heat the smokable material The second heating zone.

The plurality of heat generating regions can be individually and independently operated to simultaneously heat different regions of the smokable material to different temperatures.

The device can be configured to cause heating in the first heating zone The first region of the material is drawn to the volatilization temperature, and the second heat generating region is capable of simultaneously heating the second region of the smokable material to the lower temperature.

Subsequently, the apparatus can be configured to cause the first heat generating region to heat the first region of the smokable material to the lower temperature, and to cause the second heat generating region to simultaneously heat the second region of the smokable material to the Volatilization temperature.

Subsequently, the apparatus can be configured to cause the third heat generating region to heat the third region of the smokable material to the volatilization temperature, and to cause the first and/or second heat generating region to heat the smokable material first And/or the second zone to the lower temperature.

The apparatus can be configured to continuously heat different regions of the smokable material to the volatilization temperature while heating the region of the smokable material that is not heated to the volatilization temperature to the lower temperature to prevent condensation of the volatilized component .

The device can include a smokable material heating chamber for containing the smokable material during heating.

The heating chamber can be adjacent to the heater.

This lower temperature prevents the volatilized component from condensing in the heating chamber.

The device can include a mouthpiece through which the volatilized component of the smokable material can be inhaled.

The volatilization temperature can be 100 ° C or higher.

The lower temperature can be less than 100 °C.

According to the present invention, a method of making the device is provided.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of heating a smokable material, The method comprising the steps of: heating a first region of the smokable material to a volatilization temperature to volatilize at least one of the smokable material for inhalation; and simultaneously heating the second region of the smokable material To a temperature below the volatilization temperature but sufficient to prevent condensation of the volatilized component of the smokable material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following is a description of specific embodiments of the invention that are exemplary only.

As used herein, the term 'spirable material' includes any material that provides a volatile component upon fever and includes any tobacco-containing material, for example, may include tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco. Reconstituted tobacco or one or more of tobacco substitutes.

The device 1 for heating a smokable material comprises an energy source 2, a heater 3 and a heating chamber 4. Energy source 2 may comprise a battery, such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel battery, an alkaline battery, and/or the like, and is electrically coupled to heater 3 to supply electrical energy to heater 3 when needed. The heating chamber 4 is configured to accept the smokable material 5 such that the smokable material 5 can be heated in the heating chamber 4. The heating chamber 4 is adjacent to the heater 3 such that the thermal energy of the heater 3 can heat the smokable material 5 therein to volatilize the aromatic compounds and nicotine in the smokable material 5 without burning the smokable material 5. A mouthpiece 6 is provided through which the user of the device 1 can breathe volatile compounds during use of the device 1. The smokable material 5 can comprise a tobacco blend.

The heater 3 may comprise a substantially cylindrical long heater 3, and heating The chamber 4 can be located inside or outside the longitudinal outer surface of the heater 3. For example, referring to Fig. 1, the heating chamber 4 can be positioned around the outer circumferential surface of the heater 3. Thus, the heating chamber 4 and the smokable material 5 may comprise several coaxial layers surrounding the heater 3. Alternatively, referring to Fig. 2, the heating chamber 4 may be disposed in the longitudinal surface of the heater 3 such that the heating chamber 4 contains a core or a cavity inside the heat generating surface. As will be appreciated from the discussion below, the heater 3 and the heating chamber 4 may alternatively use other shapes and configurations.

The housing 7 can comprise components of the device 1, such as an energy source 2 and a heater 3. The housing 7 can comprise a generally cylindrical tube in which an energy source 2 adjacent the first end 8 and a heater 3 and heating chamber 4 adjacent the second end 9 at the other end are disposed. The energy source 2 and the heater 3 extend along the longitudinal axis of the housing 7. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the energy source 2 and the heater 3 can be aligned substantially end-to-end along the central longitudinal axis of the housing 7 such that the end face of the energy source 2 faces substantially the heater 3. End face. Heat insulation may be provided between the energy source 2 and the heater 3 to prevent direct heat transfer to the other party.

The length of the housing 7 can be about 130 mm, the length of the energy source can be about 59 mm, and the length of the heater 3 and the heat generating region 4 can be about 50 mm. The housing 7 may have a diameter of between about 9 mm and about 18 mm. For example, the first end 8 of the housing may have a diameter between 15 mm and 18 mm, and the mouthpiece 6 at the second end 9 of the housing may have a diameter between 9 mm and 15 mm. The heater 3 may have a diameter of between about 2.0 mm and about 13.0 mm, depending on the heater configuration. For example, the heater 3 disposed outside the heating chamber 4, as shown in Fig. 2, may have a height of about 9.0 mm. To a diameter of about 13.0 mm, the diameter of the heater 3 disposed in the heating chamber 4, as shown in Fig. 1, may be between about 2.0 mm and about 4.5 mm, for example, between about 4.0 mm and about 4.5 mm. Between, or between about 2.0 mm to about 3.0 mm. Alternatively, heater diameters outside of these ranges can be used. The diameter of the heating chamber 4 can be between about 5.0 mm and about 10.0 mm. For example, the heating chamber 4 disposed outside the heater 3, as shown in Fig. 1, may have an outer diameter of about 10 mm on the outer surface, and the heating chamber 4 provided in the heater 3, as in the second As shown, it can have a diameter of from about 5 mm to about 8.0 mm, such as between about 3.0 mm and about 6.0 mm. The energy source 2 may have a diameter of between about 14.0 mm and about 15.0 mm, such as 14.6 mm, although an energy source 2 of other diameters may be used as well.

A mouthpiece 6 can be provided at the second end 9 of the housing 7 adjacent the heating chamber 4 and the smokable material 5. The housing 7 is adapted to be grasped by the user during use of the device 1 so that the user can inhale the volatile compounds of the smokable material from the mouthpiece 6 of the device 1.

The heater 3 may include a ceramic heater 3, and Figs. 1 to 4 illustrate an embodiment thereof. The ceramic heater 3, for example, may comprise a base ceramic laminated and sintered on alumina and/or tantalum nitride. Alternatively, referring to Figures 5 and 6, the heater 3 may comprise an infrared (IR) heater 3, such as an infrared coated halogen lamp 3. The IR heater 3 can have a low mass and thus can be used to reduce the overall mass of the device 1. For example, the mass of the IR heater may be 20% to 30% or less of the mass of the ceramic heater 3 having an equivalent heating power output. IR heater 3 also has low thermal inertia (thermal inertia), so that the smokable material 5 can be heated very quickly in response to the activation stimulus. The IR heater 3 can be configured to emit IR electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between about 700 nm and 4.5 microns. Another alternative is to use a resistive heater 3, such as a resistive wire wound around a ceramic insulating layer, which is deposited on the wall of thermal insulation 18, described in more detail below.

As shown in the above and FIG. 1, the heater 3 may be disposed in a central portion of the casing 7, and the heating chamber 4 and the smokable material 5 may be disposed on the longitudinal surface of the heater 3. In this configuration, the thermal energy radiated by the heater 3 can enter the heating chamber 4 and the smokable material 5 radially outward from the longitudinal surface of the heater 3. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 2, the heater 3 can be disposed to the periphery of the casing 7, and the heating chamber 4 and the smokable material 5 can be disposed in the central portion of the casing 7 (the longitudinal surface of the heater 3) internal). In this configuration, the thermal energy radiated by the heater 3 enters the heating chamber 4 and the smokable material 5 radially inward from the longitudinal surface of the heater 3.

The heater 3 includes a plurality of individual heat generating regions 10 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The heat generating regions 10 can be operated independently of each other, whereby different regions 10 can be activated a different number of times to heat the smokable material 5. The heat generating regions 10 can be arranged in the heater 3 in any geometric arrangement. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the heat generating regions 10 are geometrically arranged in the heater 3 such that different ones of the heat generating regions 10 can be configured to function primarily and independently to heat different regions of the smokable material 5.

For example, referring to Figures 2 and 3, the heater 3 can include a plurality of axially aligned heat generating regions 10 arranged in a substantially elongated configuration. Area 10 The individual components of the heater 3 can be included. The heat generating regions 10, for example, all may be aligned with each other along the longitudinal axis of the heater 3 to provide a plurality of independent heat generating regions along the length of the heater 3. Each of the heat generating regions 10 may include a heat generating cylinder 10 having a finite length that is significantly smaller than the overall length of the heater 3. The cylinder 10 can comprise a plurality of solid discs, each of which has a depth equal to the length of the cylinder. This embodiment is illustrated in Figure 3. Alternatively, the cylinder 10 can comprise a hollow ring, an embodiment of which is illustrated in Figure 2. In this case, the arrangement of the axially aligned heat generating regions 10 defines the exterior of the heating chamber 4 and is configured to apply heat inwardly, while acting primarily toward the central longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 4. The heat generating regions 10 are configured such that their radial (or lateral) surfaces face each other along the length of the heater 3. The lateral surface of each region 10 can touch the lateral surface of the adjacent region 10. Alternatively, the lateral surface of each zone 10 can be separated from the lateral surface of the adjacent zone 10. Thermal insulation 18 may be present between the separated heat generating regions 10, as described in more detail below. This embodiment is illustrated in Figure 2.

In this manner, when a particular one of the heat generating regions 10 is activated, it supplies thermal energy to the smokable material 5 located radially inside or outside of the heat generating region 10 without substantially heating the remainder of the smokable material 5. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the heated region of the smokable material 5 can include a smokable material 5 that has been activated around the heat generating region 10. Thus, a separate section of the smokable material 5, such as a ring or core section, can be heated, wherein each section corresponds to a smokable material 5 located directly or externally to one of the specific ones of the heat generating zone 10, and the entirety Significantly smaller than smokable The mass and volume of the body of material 5.

In another alternative configuration, referring to Fig. 7, the heater 3 can include a plurality of elongated longitudinally extending heat generating regions 10 at different locations around the central longitudinal axis of the heater 3. Although illustrated in FIG. 7 as having different lengths, the longitudinally extending heat generating regions 10 may have substantially the same length such that each substantially extends along the entire length of the heater 3. Each heat generating region 10 can include, for example, an individual IR heating element 10, such as an IR heating wire 10. If desired, the body of the thermal insulation or heat reflective material may be mounted along the central longitudinal axis of the heater 3 such that the thermal energy emitted by each of the heat generating regions 10 enters the heating chamber 4 from the heater 3 in a predominantly outward manner. The smokable material 5 is heated. The central longitudinal axis of the heater 3 may be substantially equal to the distance of each of the heat generating regions 10. The heat generating region 10 can be housed in a substantial infrared ray and/or a heat permeable tube or other housing forming the longitudinal surface of the heater 3 as needed. The heat generating region 10 has a relatively fixed position in the tube for the other heat generating regions 10.

In this manner, when a particular one of the heat generating regions 10 is activated, it supplies thermal energy to the smokable material 5 adjacent to the heat generating region 10 without substantially heating the remainder of the smokable material 5. The heated section of the smokable material 5 can comprise a longitudinal section of the smokable material 5 that is parallel and in close proximity to the longitudinal heat generating zone 10. Thus, as with the previous embodiments, separate sections of the smokable material 5 can be heated.

The heat generating region 10 can be activated individually and selectively as detailed below.

The smokable material 5 can be included in a cassette that can be inserted into the heating chamber 4. (cartridge) 11 in. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the cassette 11 may include a smokable material tube 11 that is insertable around the heater 3 such that the inner surface of the smokable material tube 11 faces the longitudinal surface of the heater 3. The smokable material tube 11 can be hollow. The diameter of the hollow center of the tube 11 can be substantially equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the heater 3 such that the tube 11 is close fit to the surrounding heater 3. Alternatively, referring to Fig. 2, the cassette 11 may comprise a substantially solid rod composed of a smokable material 5 which is insertable into the heating chamber 4 located within the heater 3 such that the longitudinal outer surface of the rod 11 faces the heater The longitudinal inner surface of 3. The length of the cassette 11 is substantially equal to the length of the heater 3 so that the heater 3 can heat the cassette 11 along the entire length.

In a further alternative configuration of the heater 3, the heater 3 comprises a spiral heater 3. The spiral heater 3 can be configured to be screwed into the smokable material cartridge 11 and can include adjacent axially aligned heat generating regions 10, as well as the linearity referred to in the description of Figures 1 and 3 The elongated heater 3 operates in the same manner.

Alternatively, referring to Figures 8, 9, and 10, different heaters 3 and smokable material 5 can be used in geometric configuration. More specifically, the heater 3 can include a plurality of heat generating regions 10 that extend directly into the elongated heating chamber 4 divided into sections by the heat generating region 10. During use, the heat generating region 10 extends directly into the elongated smokable material cartridge 11 or other substantially solid body of the smokable material 5. The smokable material 5 in the heating chamber 4 is thereby separated into spaced apart heat generating regions 10 into discrete sections. The heater 3, the heating chamber 4 and the smokable material 5 can be together It extends along the central longitudinal axis of the housing 7. As shown in Figures 8 and 10, each of the heat generating regions 10 can include a projection 10, such as an upright heating plate 10, that extends into the body of the smokable material 5. The projections 10 will be described below in the context of the heating plate 10. The major planes of the heating plates 10 may be substantially perpendicular to the body of the smokable material 5 and the main longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 4 and/or the housing 7. The heat generating plates 10 may be parallel to each other as shown in Figs. 8 and 10. Each section of the smokable material 5 is bounded by a primary heat generating surface of a pair of heat generating plates 10 located on either side of the smokable material section such that activation of one or both of the heat generating plates 10 causes direct thermal energy Transfer to the smokable material 5. The heat generating surface may be embossed to increase the surface area of the heat generating plate 10 for the smokable material 5. Each of the heat generating plates 10 may include a heat reflecting layer that divides the board 10 into two halves along the principal plane, as desired. Thus, each half of the panel 10 can define an additional heat generating region 10 and can be independently activated to heat only the section of the smokable material 5 that directly abuts the half of the panel 10, rather than the panel 10 Suction material 5 on the side. From the substantial two opposite sides of the section of smokable material 5, the adjacent panel 10 or portions facing it can be activated to heat the section of the smokable material 5 between the adjacent sheets.

An elongate smokable material cartridge or body 11 can be mounted between the heating chamber 4, the heating plate 10, and can be removed by removing the portion of the housing 7 at the second end 9 of the housing, as previously described . The heat generating region 10 can be activated individually and selectively to heat different sections of the smokable material 5 as needed.

In this manner, when a particular one or pair of the heat generating regions 10 is activated, it supplies thermal energy directly adjacent to the heat generating region (or plurality) 10. The smokable material 5 does not substantially heat the remainder of the smokable material 5. The heated section of the smokable material 5 may comprise a radial section of the smokable material 5 between the heat generating zones 10, as shown in Figures 8-10.

The housing 7 of the device 1 can comprise an opening through which the cassette 11 can be inserted into the heating chamber 4. For example, the opening may include an opening in the second end 9 of the housing such that the cassette 11 can slide into the opening and be pushed directly into the heating chamber 4. This opening is preferably closed during use of the device 1 to heat the smokable material 5. Alternatively, the section of the housing 7 at the second end 9 can be removed by the device 1 whereby the smokable material 5 can be inserted into the heating chamber 4. This embodiment is illustrated in Figure 10. The device 1 can optionally be provided with a user operable smokable material ejection unit, such as an internal mechanism configured to slide out of the smokable material 5 and/or exit the heater 3. For example, the spent smokable material 5 can be pushed back through the opening of the housing 7. Then, a new cassette 11 can be inserted as needed.

Thermal insulation 18 may be provided between the smokable material 5 and the outer surface 19 of the housing 7. This thermal insulation reduces the heat loss of the device 1, and thus the efficiency of heating the smokable material 5 can be improved. Referring to Figure 14, the insulator 18 can comprise a vacuum insulation 18. For example, the insulator 18 can comprise a layer bounded by a wall material 19 (eg, a metallic material). The inner region or core 20 of the insulator 18 may comprise an open-cell porous material that is evacuated to a low pressure, for example comprising a polymer, an aerogel or other suitable material. The inner region 20 of the insulator 18 is configured to absorb gases that may be generated within the region 20 to thereby maintain a vacuum state. The pressure in the inner region 20 can be between 0.1 and 0.001 millibars (mbar). The wall 19 of the insulator 18 is strong enough to withstand the forces applied to it by the pressure differential between the core 20 and the outer surface of the wall 19, thereby preventing the insulation 18 from collapsing. For example, the wall 19 can be constructed from a stainless steel wall 19 that is about 100 microns thick. The thermal conductivity of the insulator 18 can be between 0.004 and 0.005 W/mK. The heat transfer coefficient of the insulator 18 may range from about 1.10 W/(m ² K) to about 1.40 W/(m ² ) in a temperature range of about 100 ° C to 250 ° C, for example, between about 150 ° C and about 250 ° C. Between K). The gas conductivity of the insulator 18 is negligible. The inner surface of the wall material 19 can be coated with a reflective coating to minimize heat loss due to radiation propagating through the insulation 18. For example, the coating can be comprised of an aluminum IR reflective coating having a thickness between about 0.3 microns and 1.0 microns. The evacuated state of the inner core region 20 means that the insulator 18 acts, even when the thickness of the core region 20 is extremely small. Its thickness does not substantially affect the insulating properties. This helps to reduce the overall size of the device 1, in particular the diameter.

As shown in FIG. 14, the wall 19 includes an inwardly facing section 21 and an outwardly facing section 22. The inwardly facing section 21 substantially faces the smokable material 5 and the heating chamber 4. The outwardly facing section 22 substantially faces the exterior of the housing 7. During operation of the apparatus 1, the inwardly facing section 21 is relatively hot due to the thermal energy from the heater 3, while the outwardly facing section 22 is relatively cold due to the effect of the insulator 18. Both the inwardly facing section 21 and the outwardly facing section 22 may comprise substantially longitudinally extending walls 19 that are at least as long as the heater 3 and the heating chamber 4. The inner surface facing the outer wall section 22, that is, the surface facing the evacuated core region 20, may include a gas for absorbing the core 20 coating. A suitable coating is a titanium oxide film.

As shown in Fig. 2, the overall length of the insulator 18 can be greater than the length of the heating chamber 4 and the heater 3 to further reduce the heat loss of the atmosphere from the device 1 to the outside of the housing 7. For example, the thermal insulation 18 can be between about 70 mm and about 80 mm.

Referring to the schematic diagrams of Figures 14 and 15, a thermal bridge 23 can connect the facing inner wall section 21 to the outer wall section 22 at the end of the insulator 18 to completely enclose and contain the low pressure core 20. The thermal bridge 23 can comprise the same wall 19 as the inwardly facing, outer facing sections 21, 22. A suitable material is stainless steel, as described above. The thermal bridge 23 has a greater thermal conductivity than the insulating core 20, and thus has a greater likelihood of being thermally dissipated away from the device 1 than the core 20, thereby reducing the efficiency of heating the smokable material 5.

To reduce heat loss due to the thermal bridge 23, the thermal bridge 23 can be extended to increase its resistance to heat flow from the inward facing section 21 to the outward facing section 22. This is shown in Figure 16. For example, the thermal bridge 23 can follow an indirect path between the inwardly facing section 21 of the wall 19 and the outwardly facing section 22 of the wall 19. The heat bridge 23 is at a longitudinal position in the apparatus 1 without the heater 3 and the heating chamber 4. This means that the thermal bridge 23 gradually extends from the inwardly facing section 21 to the outwardly facing section 22 along the indirect path, whereby the thickness of the core 20 is free of the heater 3, the heating chamber 4 and the smokable in the housing 7. The longitudinal position of the material 5 is reduced to zero, thereby further limiting heat transfer away from the device 1.

As described above in the description of Figure 2, the heater 3 can be thermally insulated Matter 18 integration. For example, the thermal insulator 18 may be constructed of a substantially elongate hollow body, such as a substantially circular tubular insulator 18 that coaxially surrounds the heating chamber 4 and is integrated with the heat generating region 10. Thermal insulation 18 can include a layer in which a plurality of recesses are provided in the inwardly facing surface profile 21. The heat generating regions 10 are located in the recesses such that the heat generating regions 10 face the smokable material 5 in the heating chamber 4. The surface of the heat generating region 10 facing the heating chamber 4 may be flush with the inner surface 21 of the thermal insulator 18 in a region where the recess 18 is not recessed in the insulator 18.

Integration of the heater 3 with the thermal insulation 18 means that the heat generating region 10 is substantially surrounded by the insulator 18 on all sides of the heat generating region 10 rather than inwardly facing the smokable material heating chamber 4. Likewise, the heat emitted by the heater 3 concentrates on the smokable material 5 and the atmosphere that does not dissipate other parts of the device 1 or enter the outside of the housing 7.

The integration of the heater 3 with the thermal insulator 18 also reduces the combined thickness of the heater 3 and the thermal insulator 18 as compared to the manner in which the heater 3 is individually and internally provided with a layer of thermal insulation 18. This allows to reduce the diameter of the device 1, in particular the outer diameter of the housing 7, to produce an ultra-thin product of convenient size.

Alternatively, the thickness reduction provided by the integration of the heater 3 and the thermal insulation 18 allows for a wider smokable material heating chamber 4 as compared to the heater 3 and the means for mounting a layer of thermal insulation 18 therein. It is housed in the device 1, or other components are added without increasing the overall width of the housing 7.

The benefit of integrating heater 3 with insulator 18 is that The device in which the heat exchanger and the insulator are not integrated can reduce the combined size and weight of the heater 3 and the insulator 18. The reduction in size of the heater allows the diameter of the housing to be correspondingly reduced. Then, the weight of the heater is reduced to reduce the rise time of the heat generation to reduce the heating time of the apparatus 1.

Instead of the thermal insulation 18 or in addition, a heat reflective layer may be present between the lateral surfaces of the heat generating region 10. The relative arrangement of the heat generating regions 10 with respect to each other is such that the heat energy emitted from each of the heat generating regions 10 does not substantially heat the adjacent heat generating regions 10, but instead acts as a main force into the heating chamber 4 and the smokable material 5. Each heat generating region 10 may be substantially the same size as the other regions 10.

The device 1 may comprise a controller 12, such as a microcontroller 12, configured to control the operation of the device 1. Controller 12 is electronically coupled to other components of device 1, such as energy source 2 and heater 3, such that it can control their operation by transceiving signals. In particular, the controller 12 is configured to control activation of the heater 3 to heat the smokable material 5. For example, controller 12 can be configured to activate heater 3, which can include selectively activating one or more heat generating regions 10 in response to user's mouthpiece 6 of suction device 1. In this regard, controller 12 can communicate with a puff sensor 13 via a suitable communication coupling. The smoke sensor 13 is configured to detect when the mouthpiece 6 is smoking, and is configured to send a signal indicative of smoking to the controller 12 accordingly. Electronic signals can be used. The controller 12 can activate the heater 3 in response to the signal from the smoking sensor 13 to heat the smokable material 5. However, it is not necessary to activate the heater 3 with the smoking sensor 13, and alternatively Other components that provide stimulation to activate the heater 3, such as a user operable actuator, are used. Then, the user can inhale the volatile compound released during heating through the mouthpiece 6. Controller 12 can be located at any suitable location within housing 7. An exemplary position between energy source 2 and heater 3/heating chamber 4 is illustrated in Figure 4.

Controller 12 can be configured to activate or otherwise warm individual heating zones 10 in a predetermined sequence or mode. For example, controller 12 can configure controller 12 to sequentially activate the heat generating regions 10 along or around heating chamber 4. Each activation of the heat generating region 10 may be responsive to the smoking sensor 13 detecting smoke, or triggered in an alternative manner, such as after a predetermined period of time after activation of the previous heat generating region 10 or initial activation at the heater (eg, activation first) The area 10) is followed by a predetermined period of time, which is further described below.

Figure 11 illustrates an exemplary heating method that may include a first step S1 of detecting an activation stimulus such as a first mouth smoking, and a second step S2 of heating the first section of the smokable material 5 as a result of activating the stimulation. In a third step S3, the hermetically sealable inlet and outlet valves 24 can be opened, as well as allowing air to be drawn through the heating chamber 4 and exiting the device 1 through the mouthpiece 6. In the fourth step, the valve 24 is opened. The valve 24 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 2 and 18. In a fifth step S5, a sixth step S6, a seventh step S7 and an eighth step S8, the second section of the smokable material 5 can be heated, for example in response to another activation stimulus, such as a second mouth smoking, and The heating chamber inlet and outlet valves 24 are opened and closed correspondingly. In the ninth step S9, the tenth step S10, and the eleventh step S11 And a twelfth step S12, the third section of the smokable material 5 can be heated, for example in response to another activation stimulus, such as a third mouth smoking, and correspondingly opening and closing the heating chamber inlet and outlet valves 24, and so on. . Alternatively, components other than the smoking sensor 13 can be used. For example, the user of device 1 can actuate the control switch to indicate that he/she is taking a new cigarette.

In this manner, the fresh section of the smokable material 5 can be heated to volatilize the nicotine and aroma compounds of each new cigarette or to respond to a certain number of groups being released by the previously heated section of the smokable material 5. Parts such as nicotine and/or aromatic compounds. The number of heat generating regions 10 of the smokable material 5 and/or the number of independently heatable segments may correspond to the number of cigarettes that the cassette 11 is intended to use. Alternatively, for multiple smoking, for example 2, 3 or 4 cigarettes, the heating of each independently heatable smokable material section 5 may be provided with a corresponding heat generating zone 10 so that heating may only be done after multiple smoking has been performed The fresh section of suction material 5 simultaneously heats the previous section of smokable material.

As briefly described above, the heat generating region 10 may alternatively be activated one by one, for example, over a predetermined period of time, rather than activating each of the heat generating regions 10 in response to individual smoking. This may occur in response to an initial activation stimulus of the mouthpiece 6, such as a single initial smoking. For example, the heat generating region 10 may be activated at regular predetermined time intervals during the expected inhalation period of the particular smokable material cartridge 11. The predetermined time interval may correspond to a period used to release a given amount of certain components from each of the smokable material segments, such as nicotine and/or an aromatic compound. Demonstration time The interval is between about 60 and 240 seconds. Therefore, at least the fifth and ninth steps S5, S9 of Fig. 11 are as needed. Each of the heat generating regions 10 can continue to be activated for a predetermined period of time, as described below, which can correspond to the duration of the above time intervals or longer. Once all of the heat generating regions 10 of the particular cassette 11 have been activated, the controller 12 can be configured to indicate to the user that the cassette 11 should be replaced. For example, the controller 12 can activate an indicator light on the outer surface of the housing 7.

It will be appreciated that sequentially activating the individual heat generating regions 10 instead of activating the entire heater 3 means that the energy required to heat the smokable material 5 is reduced rather than if the heater 3 is fully activated during the entire inhalation of the cassette 11. The energy needed. Therefore, the maximum necessary power output of energy source 2 is also reduced. This means that the device 1 can be equipped with a smaller and lighter energy source 2 .

The controller 12 can be configured to de-activate the heater 3 between smoking or to reduce the power supplied to the heater 3. This saves energy and extends the life of the energy source 2. For example, the controller 12 can be configured to cause the heater 3, or the next, when the device 1 is opened by the user or responds to some other stimulus (eg, detecting that the user places the mouth on the mouthpiece 6). The heat generating region 10 to be used to heat the smokable material 5 is partially activated such that it heats up to prepare the components of the smokable material 5. Part of the activation does not heat the smokable material 5 to a sufficient temperature to volatilize the nicotine. A suitable temperature may be 100 ° C or less, although temperatures below 120 ° C may be used. For example, a temperature between 60 ° C and 100 ° C, such as a temperature between 80 ° C and 100 ° C. Temperature can Less than 100 ° C. In response to the smoke sensor 13 detecting smoke, or some other stimulus (eg, a predetermined time elapses), the controller 12 may cause the heater 3 or the heat generating region 10 to be further heated to further rapidly evaporate the smokable material 5 for rapid evaporation. Nicotine and other aromatic compounds are available for inhalation by the user. The temperature of the partially heated heat generating region 10 can be increased to the full volatilization temperature in a shorter period of time than when the heat generating region 10 starts from 'cooling' (i.e., is not partially heated).

If the smokable material 5 comprises tobacco, a suitable temperature for volatilizing nicotine and other aromatic compounds may be 100 ° C or higher, such as 120 ° C or above. For example, a temperature between 100 ° C and 250 ° C, such as between 100 ° C and 220 ° C, 100 ° C to 200 ° C, 150 ° C to 250 ° C, or 130 ° C to 180 ° C. This temperature can be above 100 °C. For example, the full activation temperature is 150 ° C, although other values are also possible, such as 250 ° C. A super-capacitor can be used to provide a peak current for heating the smokable material 5 to the volatilization temperature, as desired. An embodiment of a suitable heating pattern is illustrated in Figure 13, wherein the peaks each represent a complete activation of the different heat generating regions 10. As can be seen, the approximate time for smoking of the smokable material 5 (about 2 seconds in this embodiment) can be maintained at the volatilization temperature.

Three exemplary modes of operation of the heater 3 are described below.

While in the first mode of operation, all other heat generating regions 10 of the heater can be deactivated during the full activation of the particular heat generating region 10. Therefore, when the new heat generating region 10 is activated, the former heat generating region is deactivated. Only power is supplied to the activated region 10. Can be heated along The length of the device 3 sequentially activates the heat generating region 10 such that the nicotine and the aromatic compound are regularly released from the fresh portion of the smokable material 5 until the cassette 11 is used up. This mode provides a more uniform distribution of nicotine and smokable material odor compared to fully activating all of the hot zone 10 during the duration of the heating cycle of the cassette 11. As with the other modes described below, power is also saved by not fully activating all of the heat generating regions 10 during the duration of the heat generation period of the cassette 11.

Alternatively, when in the second mode of operation, once the particular heat generating zone 10 is activated, it is still fully activated until the heater 3 is turned off. Therefore, during the suction by the cassette 11, the power supplied to the heater 3 is increased as more of the heat generating region 10 is activated. The heat generating region 10 that is continuously activated throughout the heating chamber 4 substantially prevents condensation of components (e.g., nicotine) that are volatilized from the heat absorbing chamber 4 (e.g., nicotine).

Alternatively, one or more of the other heat generating regions 10 may be partially activated during the third activation mode during which the specific heat generating region 10 is fully activated. Partial activation of one or more of the other heat generating regions 10 may include heating the other heat generating regions 10 to a temperature sufficient to substantially prevent condensation of components (e.g., nicotine) volatilized from the smokable material 5 in the heating chamber 4. For example, 100 ° C. Other embodiments include the aforementioned partial activation temperature range. The temperature of the partially activated heat generating region 10 is less than the temperature of the fully activated heat generating region 10. The smokable material 10 adjacent the partially activated region 10 is not heated to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the components of the smokable material 5. For example, when the new heat generating region 10 is fully activated, some but not fully activated the previously fully activated heat generating region 10 so that The adjacent smokable material 5 is continued to be heated at a lower temperature to prevent the volatilized component from condensing in the heating chamber 4. During the full activation of one or more of the other heat generating regions 10, maintaining the previous or any other heat generating region 10 in a partially, but not fully activated, state prevents the smokable material 5 adjacent to the fully activated region 10. Excessive grilling to avoid potentially negative effects on the odor experienced by the user of device 1.

For any of the above alternatives, the heat generating zone 10 may be immediately heated to full operating temperature after activation or may be initially heated to a lower temperature, as described above, fully activated after a predetermined time to heat the smokable material 5 to make nicotine and others The aromatic compound is volatilized.

The device 1 can comprise a heat shield 3a between the heater 3 and the heating chamber 4 / smokable material 5. The heat shield 3a is configured to substantially prevent thermal energy from flowing through the heat shield 3a, and thus can be used to selectively prevent the smokable material 5 from being heated even when the heater 3 is activated and radiates heat energy. Referring to FIG. 17, for example, the heat shield 3a may include a cylindrical layer of heat reflective material that is coaxially disposed to surround the heater 3. Alternatively, if the heater 3 is located around the heating chamber 4 and the smokable material 5, as described in the previous description of FIG. 2, the heat shield 3a may comprise coaxially disposed to surround the heater 3 and the coaxial A tubular layer of heat reflective material inside the heater 3. Additionally or alternatively, the thermal mask 3a can include an insulating layer configured to insulate the heater 3 from the smokable material 5.

The heat shield 3a includes a substantially heat permeable window 3b to allow thermal energy to propagate through the window 3b and into the heating chamber 4 and the smokable material 5. Therefore, it can be added The section of the thermally smokable material 5 aligned with the window 3b does not simultaneously heat the remainder of the smokable material 5. The heat shield 3a and the window 3b are rotatable or otherwise relatively movable with respect to the smokable material 5 such that different regions of the material 5 can be selectively and individually smokable by rotating or moving the heat shield 3a and the window 3b segment. This effect can be similar to that provided by the aforementioned selective and individual activation of the heat generating region 10. For example, the thermal mask 3a and window 3b may be rotated or otherwise moved in response to signals from the smoke detector 13. Additionally or alternatively, the thermal mask 3a and window 3b may be incrementally rotated or otherwise moved in response to the lapse of a predetermined heating cycle. The rotation or movement of the thermal mask 3a and the window 3b can be controlled by electronic signals of the controller 12. The relative rotation or other movement of the heat shield 3a/window 3b with the smokable material 5 can be driven by the stepper motor 3c under the control of the controller 12. This is shown in Figure 17. Alternatively, the thermal mask 3a and the window 3b can be rotated by hand using a user control (eg, an actuator on the housing 7). The heat shield 3a need not be cylindrical and may optionally include one or more suitably positioned longitudinally extending elements and/or plates.

It will be appreciated that similar results can be obtained by rotating or moving the smokable material 5 relative to the heater 3, the heat shield 3a and the window 3b. For example, the heating chamber 4 is rotatable about the heater 3. If so, the above description relating to the movement of the heat shield 3a can be applied instead of the movement of the heating chamber 4 relative to the heat shield 3a.

The heat shield 3a may include a coating on the longitudinal surface of the heater 3. In this case, the surface of the heater is left uncoated to form the heat permeable window 3b. For example in controller 12 or user control Under control, the heater 3 can be rotated or otherwise moved so that different sections of the smokable material 5 can be heated. Alternatively, the thermal mask 3a and window 3b can include a separate mask 3a that can be rotated or otherwise moved for the heater 3 and the smokable material 5 under the control of the controller 12 or other user controls.

Referring to Figure 7, the device 1 can include a plurality of air inlets 14 that allow outside air to be drawn into the housing 7 and through the heated smokable material 5 during smoking. The air inlet 14 can include a perforation 14 of the housing 7 and can be disposed upstream of the smokable material 5 and the heating chamber 4 to the first end 8 of the housing 7. This is illustrated in Figures 2, 12 and 18. The air drawn in through the inlet 14 travels through the heated smokable material 5 and applies a smokable material fumes (e.g., fragrant smog) therein before passing through the outlet valve 24 and before the mouthpiece 6 is inhaled by the user. As desired, as shown in Fig. 12, the apparatus 1 can include a heat exchanger 15 configured to warm the air before it enters the smokable material 5 and/or to cool the air before being drawn through the mouthpiece 6. . For example, the heat exchanger 15 can be configured to utilize the heat taken by the air entering the mouthpiece 6 to warm it before it enters the smokable material 5.

Referring to Figure 18, as previously described, the heating chamber 4, which is isolated by the insulator 18, can include an inlet and outlet valve 24, such as an inspection valve, that hermetically seals the heating chamber 4 when closed. The valve 24 can be a one-way valve where the inlet valve (or plurality) 24 allows gas to flow into the heating chamber 4 and the outlet valve (or valves) 24 to allow gas to flow out of the heating chamber 4. Prevent reverse gas flow. The valve 24 thereby prevents air from entering and leaving the heating chamber 4 undesirably. And preventing the smell of the smokable material from leaving the heating chamber 4. For example, inlet and outlet valves 24 may be provided in the insulator 18. Between smoking, the valve 24 can be closed by the controller 12 or other means (e.g., a manually operable actuator) such that all of the volatile material remains in the heating chamber 4 between smoking. The partial pressure of the volatilized substance between smoking reaches the saturated smoke pressure, and therefore, the amount of the evaporated substance depends only on the temperature in the heating chamber 4. This helps to ensure that the amount of volatile nicotine and aromatic compounds absorbed by the mouth is kept constant.

During smoking, the valve 24 is opened such that air can flow through the heating chamber 4 and carry the volatilized smokable material component to the mouthpiece 6. The controller 12 or other components may be used to cause the valve 24 to open. A film can be placed in the valve 24 to ensure that oxygen does not enter the heating chamber 4. The actuating valve 24 can be breathed such that the valve 24 opens in response to detecting smoking in the mouthpiece 6. Valve 24 can be closed in response to detecting that smoking has ended. Alternatively, the valve 24 can be closed after opening and for a predetermined period of time. This predetermined time can be clocked by the controller 12. Mechanical or other suitable opening/closing members may be present as needed to allow the valve 24 to be automatically opened and closed. For example, the movement of gas by the user to draw the mouthpiece 6 can force the valve 24 to cause them to open and close. Therefore, it is not necessary to use the controller 12 to actuate the valve 24.

The mass of the smokable material 5 heated by the heater 3 (e.g., each heat generating zone 10) may range from 0.2 to 1.0 grams. For example, the heated temperature of the smokable material 5 can be controlled by the user at any temperature in the temperature range of 100 ° C to 250 ° C, such as any temperature in the temperature range of 150 ° C to 250 ° C and other aforementioned volatilization temperatures. Wai. The overall mass of the device 1 can be between 70 and 125 grams. A battery 2 having a capacity of 1000 to 3000 mAh and a voltage of 3.7 V can be used. The heat generating region 10 can be configured to individually and selectively heat about 10 to 40 sections of the smokable material 5 of the single cassette 11.

It should be understood that any of the alternatives described above may be used alone or in combination.

The present disclosure is fully described in terms of various specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced and provided. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative embodiments of the specific embodiments, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. These are only used to assist in understanding and teaching the features of the present invention. It should be understood that the advantages, specific embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or aspects of the disclosure are not to be construed as limited by the scope of the disclosures The scope of the disclosure is to be understood as being limited by the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various specific embodiments may be included, consist of, or consist of the following: various combinations of elements, components, features, components, steps, means, and the like. In addition, the present disclosure encompasses other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

1‧‧‧ device

2‧‧‧Energy source

3‧‧‧heater

3a‧‧‧heat mask

3b‧‧‧through window

4‧‧‧heating room

5‧‧‧Spirable materials

6‧‧‧ cigarette holder

7‧‧‧Shell

8‧‧‧ first end

9‧‧‧second end

10‧‧‧Fever area

11‧‧‧Carmen

12‧‧‧ Controller

13‧‧‧Smoking Sensor

14‧‧‧Air inlet

15‧‧‧ heat exchanger

18‧‧‧Hot insulation

19‧‧‧ outer surface

19‧‧‧ wall (material)

20‧‧‧Internal area or core

21‧‧‧ (inward) section

22‧‧‧ (outside) section

23‧‧‧ Thermal Bridge

24‧‧‧Airtight seal inlet and outlet valves

S1‧‧‧Detecting smoking

S2‧‧‧First section of heated smokable material

S3‧‧‧Open heating chamber inlet and outlet valves

S4‧‧‧Close heating chamber inlet and outlet valves

S5‧‧‧Detecting smoking

S6‧‧‧Second section of heated smokable material

S7‧‧‧Open heating chamber inlet and outlet valves

S8‧‧‧Close heating chamber inlet and outlet valves

S9‧‧‧Detecting smoking

S10‧‧‧The third section of heated smokable material

S11‧‧‧Open heating chamber inlet and outlet valves

S12‧‧‧Close heating chamber inlet and outlet valves

A partially cutaway perspective view of Fig. 1 illustrates a device configured to heat a smokable material to release an aroma compound and/or nicotine of a smokable material; Figure 2 illustrates a device configured to heat a smokable material, wherein the heater is disposed outside the smokable material heating chamber to provide heat in a radially inward direction to heat the smokable material therein; 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a device configured to heat a smokable material, wherein the smokable material is looped over an elongated ceramic heater divided into a plurality of radial heating sections; 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a device configured to heat a smokable material, wherein the smokable material is looped over an elongated ceramic heater divided into a plurality of radial heating sections; A partially cutaway perspective view of Fig. 5 illustrates a device configured to heat a smokable material, wherein the smokable material is looped over the elongated infrared heater; the portion of Fig. 6 is cut away The expanded view illustrates a device configured to heat a smokable material, wherein the smokable material is looped over a long infrared heater; the schematic portion of Figure 7 is configured to be heatable a device for aspirating material, wherein the smokable material loop is disposed at a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart from the central longitudinal axis To the elongated heating section; the perspective schematic portion of Figure 8 illustrates a device configured to heat the smokable material, wherein a smokable material is placed between a plurality of pairs of erected heating plate pairs The area of Figure 9 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 7 with the outer casing; the expanded portion of Figure 10 illustrates the device configured to heat the smokable material, wherein several pairs of upright heating plates are present Between the children can be pumped The area of the absorbent material; the flow chart of Figure 11 illustrates a method of activating the heat generating zone during smoking and opening and closing the heating chamber valve; and the schematic view of Figure 12 illustrates a device configured to heat the smokable material. Gas flow; the graph of Figure 13 illustrates a heater pattern for heating the heatable pattern of the smokable material; the cross-sectional schematic portion of Figure 14 is configured to insulate the heat smokable material from heat Lost vacuum insulation; another cross-sectional schematic view of Figure 15 illustrates a vacuum insulation configured to insulate the heated smokable material from heat loss; a cross-sectional schematic view of Figure 16 A thermal bridge that follows the path from the higher temperature insulating wall to the lower temperature insulating wall; the cross-sectional schematic view of Figure 17 illustrates a heat shield that is relatively movable for the body of the smokable material (heat Shield) and a heat-transparent window to selectively allow thermal energy to pass through the window to different sections of the smokable material; and the cross-sectional schematic portion of Figure 18 is configured to be Heating smokable material The device wherein the heating chamber is hermetically sealed with a check valve.

1‧‧‧ device

2‧‧‧Energy source

3‧‧‧heater

4‧‧‧heating room

5‧‧‧Spirable materials

6‧‧‧ cigarette holder

7‧‧‧Shell

8‧‧‧ first end

9‧‧‧second end

11‧‧‧Carmen

12‧‧‧ Controller

14‧‧‧Air inlet

18‧‧‧Hot insulation

Claims (17)

A device comprising a smokable material heater configured to heat a first region of one of the smokable materials to a volatilization temperature sufficient to volatilize one of the smokable materials, and to simultaneously heat A second region of the material is drawn to a temperature below the volatilization temperature but sufficient to prevent condensation of the volatilized component of the smokable material. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to control a temperature of the first region of the smokable material regardless of a temperature of the second region of the smokable material. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the heater comprises a plurality of heat generating regions, the plurality of heat generating regions comprising a first portion configured to heat the first region of the smokable material a heat generating region and a second heat generating region configured to simultaneously heat the second region of the smokable material. The device of claim 3, wherein the device is configured to cause the first heat generating region to heat the first region of the smokable material to the volatilization temperature, and to cause the second heat generating region to simultaneously The second region of the smokable material is heated to the lower temperature. The device of claim 4, wherein the device is configured to subsequently cause the first heat generating region to heat the first region of the smokable material to the lower temperature, and to cause the second The hot zone simultaneously heats the second region of the smokable material to the volatilization temperature. The device of claim 4, wherein the device is configured to subsequently cause a third heat generating region to heat a third region of the smokable material to the volatilization temperature, and to cause The first and/or the second heat generating region heats the first and/or the second region of the smokable material to the lower temperature. The apparatus of claim 1, configured to continuously heat different regions of the smokable material to the volatilization temperature while heating a region of the smokable material that is not heated to the volatilization temperature to the Lower temperature to prevent condensation of the volatilized components. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a smokable material heating chamber for containing the smokable material during heating. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the heating chamber is located adjacent to the heater. The device of claim 8 or 9, wherein the lower temperature prevents the volatilized component from condensing in the heating chamber. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a mouthpiece through which a volatilized component of the smokable material can be inhaled. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the volatilization temperature is 100 ° C or higher. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower temperature is less than 100 °C. A method of heating a smokable material, comprising the steps of: heating a first region of the smokable material to a volatilization temperature to volatilize at least one of the smokable material for inhalation; Simultaneously heating a second region of the smokable material to a temperature below the volatilization temperature but sufficient to prevent condensation of the volatilized component of the smokable material. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the volatilization temperature is 100 ° C or higher. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower temperature is less than 100 °C. A method of manufacturing a smokable material heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.