US20200375249A1

US20200375249A1 - Apparatus for volatilizing smokable material and a smoking article

Info

Publication number: US20200375249A1
Application number: US16/604,762
Authority: US
Inventors: Ignacio Suarez YANEZ
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2017-04-12
Filing date: 2018-04-10
Publication date: 2020-12-03
Also published as: CA3058959A1; RU2019131965A3; KR20190126865A; CN110799049A; WO2018189195A1; JP2020513193A; RU2019131965A; EP3609357A1; GB201705888D0; BR112019021478A2; AU2018253353A1

Abstract

An apparatus is arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material. The apparatus includes a housing for receiving smokable material; a fluid container arranged to hold a fluid; and at least one tube arranged at least partially within the housing. The apparatus is arranged such that the tube enters smokable material or the smokable material enters the tube when said smokable material is received within the housing and such that in use, fluid from the fluid container passes through an exit aperture of the tube into said smokable material. The fluid that passes into the smokable material volatilizes or extracts at least one component of the smokable material.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/EP2018/059191, filed Apr. 10, 2018, which claims priority from GB Patent Application No. 1705888.4, filed Apr. 12, 2017, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material and to a smoking article.

BACKGROUND

Apparatus is known that heats smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, typically to form an aerosol which can be inhaled, without burning or combusting the smokable material. Such apparatus is sometimes described as a “heat-not-burn” apparatus or a “tobacco heating product” (THP) or “tobacco heating device” or similar. Various different arrangements for volatilizing at least one component of the smokable material are known.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material, the apparatus comprising a housing for receiving smokable material; a fluid container arranged to hold a fluid; and at least one tube arranged at least partially within the housing; the apparatus being arranged such that the tube enters smokable material or the smokable material enters the tube when said smokable material is received within the housing and such that in use, fluid from the fluid container passes through an exit aperture of the tube into said smokable material, wherein the fluid that passes into said smokable material volatilizes or extracts at least one component of said smokable material.
In an exemplary embodiment, the tube has a sharp end for piercing smokable material received within the housing in use
In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is arranged such that the smokable material enters the tube and wherein an inner wall of the tube comprises the exit aperture.
In an exemplary embodiment, the tube has plural exit apertures through which in use fluid passes into said smokable material received in the housing in use.
In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a wick for wicking fluid contained in use in the fluid container into the tube.
In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a heater for heating fluid contained within the fluid container in use to vaporize the fluid.
In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a heater for heating smokable material received in the housing in use. In an exemplary embodiment, the heater for heating smokable material received in the housing is an electrically resistive heater provided as part of or within the housing.
In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises circuitry constructed and arranged to enable control of the powering of the or each heater.
In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a power supply for powering the or each heater. Where plural heaters are provided, the independent control of each heater may be provided, at for example the user's choice.
In an exemplary embodiment, the tube is connected to a power supply for selectively heating the tube. In this example, the tube may in effect be an electrically resistive heater.
In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid container and the housing are separably connected to each other.
In an exemplary embodiment, the housing comprises a front open end through which smokable material passes into a cavity of the housing when said smokable material is received within the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, one end of the tube projects beyond the front open end of the housing. In another exemplary embodiment, the tube is located within the cavity and away from the front open end of the housing.
In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises an insert having a through hole through which smokable material can pass, the insert being removably insertable into the front open end of the housing to reduce the width of at least a portion of the cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the insert comprises a cylindrical body portion which can be received in the housing and a radially outwardly extending skirt.
In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a retainer arranged adjacent an inwardly-facing surface of the housing for reducing the width of the cavity at the location where the retainer is arranged. In an exemplary embodiment, the retainer is an annular wall comprising a through hole through which smokable material can pass. In an exemplary embodiment, the retainer is resilient so as to be able to resiliently deform as smokable material is passed through the retainer.
In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a sleeve which is removably received within the housing to reduce the width of the cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve is made from a thermally conductive material.
In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least a second tube in fluid communication with a second fluid container and projecting into the housing, the second tube having at least one exit aperture, the apparatus being arranged such that the second tube enters smokable material when said smokable material is received within the housing and such that in use fluid enters the second tube from the second fluid container and passes through the exit aperture of the tube into said smokable material received in the housing in use to volatilize or extract at least one component of said smokable material.
According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a smoking article for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material, the smoking article comprising smokable material; and a rigid hollow cylinder having a bore for receiving the tube of an apparatus according to the first aspect of the disclosure, wherein the article is configured to in use allow the tube of the apparatus to enter the smokable material, wherein the bore is in fluid communication with the smokable material and wherein the bore is located at an end of the article opposite an end of the article for being engaged by the mouth of a user.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a smoking article for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material, the smoking article comprising a container comprising smokable material, wherein the container is insertable into the tube of an apparatus according to the first aspect of the disclosure arranged such that the smokable material enters the tube and wherein an inner wall of the tube comprises the exit aperture, the container comprising an outer wall that enables fluid that passes from the inner wall of the tube of the apparatus to enter the smokable material inwardly towards a center of the smokable material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the disclosure, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal side view of an example of an apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic longitudinal side view of an example of a conventional smoking article.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a smoking article for use with the apparatus described herein.

FIGS. 8 to 12 respectively show schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of yet further examples of apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “smokable material” includes materials that provide volatilized components upon heating, typically in the form of an aerosol. “Smokable material” includes any tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. “Smokable material” also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. “Smokable material” may for example be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel or a wax or the like. “Smokable material” may for example also be a combination or a blend of materials.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an apparatus 1 arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material has a housing 20. The housing 20 is for removably receiving smokable material, which can be inserted into the housing 20 and removed after use. Smokable material can be inserted through and removed from the front open end 24 of the housing 20. The apparatus 1 has a container 40 which is arranged to hold a fluid 45. The apparatus 1 further has a hollow tube 60, shown in phantom with dashed lines in FIG. 1. The tube 60 is in fluid communication with the fluid container 40 and projects into the interior of the housing 20. The tube 60 has at least one exit aperture 62 in the part of the tube 60 that projects into the interior of the housing 20. The apparatus 1 is arranged such that the tube 60 enters smokable material when the smokable material is received within the housing 20. In use, fluid enters the tube 60 from the fluid container 40 and passes through the exit aperture 62 of the tube 60 and into the smokable material received in the housing 20.
The apparatus 1 in the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is generally elongate, with the housing 20 provided at one end of the apparatus 1. The housing 20 in this example is in the form of a hollow cylinder of circular cross-section, though other cross-sectional shapes may be used. The fluid container 40 in the example shown is also generally elongate and has a circular cross-section, though again other cross-sectional shapes may be used. In this example, the tube 60 is arranged to project from the fluid container 40 into the center of the housing 20. The tube 60 in the example shown is generally elongate with a circular cross-section. The apparatus 1 as a whole, or at least those parts, such as the housing 20, that may become hot in use, may be formed of a heat-insulating material or include a thermal insulator to protect the hands of a user from hot parts within the apparatus 1 in use.
The tube 60 in use enters smokable material when smokable material is inserted into or received within the housing 20. In an example the tube 60 has a sharp, pointed end 64 at the end remote from the fluid container 40. The sharp end 64 facilitates the tube 60 in piercing the smokable material when smokable material is received within the housing 20. Alternatively or additionally, as discussed further below, the smokable material may have a bore for receiving the tube 60 to facilitate entry of the tube 60 into the smokable material. When the tube 60 is positioned in the smokable material, fluid from the fluid container 40 can enter the tube 60 and exit through the one or more exit apertures 62 into the smokable material.
The fluid 45 in the fluid container 40 is typically in liquid form. Suitable fluids 45 include those conventionally used in e-cigarette devices, including for example propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerine).
In a specific example the tube 60 has a plurality of exit apertures 62. The plural exit apertures 62 may be distributed evenly along the length of the tube 60 and/or over the surface of the tube 60. Alternatively, the exit apertures 62 may be distributed unevenly over the surface of the tube 60. Alternatively or additionally, the plural exit apertures 62 may be have different sizes (cross-sectional areas) and/or shapes at different locations along the tube 60. These alternative arrangements for the plural exit apertures 62 can be used to control the distribution of the fluid into the smokable material, for example to favor volatilizing or extracting favor from the smokable material towards one end of the smokable material, or at certain intermediate portions or regions of the smokable material. The distribution of the fluid into the smokable material may affect or control the favor experience of the user, for example if the smokable material is made of sections of smokable material having different flavors.
The tube 60 may have a straight needle-like shape as in the examples shown in the drawings. As alternatives, the tube may have a crimped shape, or be in the form of a coil, or some other non-linear shape.
In some examples, the apparatus 1 has a heater for heating fluid or liquid 45 contained in the fluid container 40. In one example, the heater vaporizes the fluid in use. The vaporized fluid passes into the tube 60 and exits through the exit aperture(s) 62 into the smokable material to extract and/or volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. In an example the heater for heating fluid operates optimally at temperatures between around 70° C. to around 100° C. or to around 120° C. or around 150° C. or even to around 200° C. or around 250° C. or so. In an example the heater for heating fluid is an electrically resistive heater. The heater may be for example a wire, which may for example be in the form of a coil, a plate (which may be a multi-layer plate of two or more different materials, one or more of which may be electrically conductive and one or more of which may be electrically non-conductive), a mesh, a film heater, etc. Other heating arrangements may be used, including induction, convection and non-electrical heating arrangements. In another example, the heater for heating the liquid may be provided by the tube 60, instead of or in addition to some other dedicated heater for the fluid.
In some examples, the apparatus 1 has a heater for directly heating smokable material received in the housing 20 in use. In a specific example, the heater for heating smokable material operates optimally at temperatures between around 50° C. to around 250° C. or 300° C. or so. The heater heats the smokable material to release or at least assist in releasing at least one component of the smokable material, but does not cause the smokable material to burn. The heater may be an electrically resistive heater. In an example, the heater for heating smokable material received in the housing 20 in use is an electrically resistive heater provided as part of or a component within the housing 20. The heater for heating smokable material may for example be in the form of a ceramic or metal cylinder or lining on the inwardly-facing surface of the housing 20. As alternatives, the heater may be for example a wire, which may for example be in the form of a coil, a mesh, a film heater, etc. Other heating arrangements may be used, including induction, convection and non-electrical heating arrangements.
In some examples, the apparatus 1 has both a heater for heating smokable material received in the housing 20 in use and a heater for heating fluid 45 contained in the fluid container 40.
In an example, the apparatus has a power supply 82 for powering the or each heater. The power supply 82 may be received in a power supply receptacle 80 of the apparatus 1 which is adjacent the fluid container 40 at the end of the apparatus 1 opposite the housing 20. In other examples, the power supply 82 is contained in a sealed arrangement within the fluid container 40. The power supply 82 may be for example a rechargeable battery, a disposable battery, etc. Control circuitry (not visible in FIG. 1) may be provided to enable inter alia control of the powering of the or each heater.
Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an example of a smoking article 90 for use with an apparatus 1 for volatilizing and/or extracting at least one component of the smokable material as described herein. The smoking article 90 in this example may be for example a conventional cigarette, or at least generally in the form of a conventional cigarette, which can be inserted into the housing 20. A key advantage of this for the user is that the user may use the apparatus 1 with a conventional cigarette in situations or locations where traditional smoking (which involves burning the tobacco) is not permitted. The smoking article 90 has a filter portion 92 and a smokable material-containing portion 94 which contains smokable material. The length of the housing 20 is such that at least a portion of the filter portion 92 projects out of the housing 20 when the smoking article 90 is introduced into the apparatus 1 by a user. The filter portion 92 may be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter portion 92 filters the volatilized smokable material before it reaches the user. The filter portion 92 may also act to cool the volatilized smokable material before it reaches the user. The filter portion 92 may also insulate the user from the heat generated inside the housing 20 of the apparatus 1.
In use, when the smoking article 90 is inserted into the housing 20 the tube 60 enters the smokable material in the smokable material-containing portion 94 substantially in the middle or at the periphery of the circular cross-section of the smoking article 90. This entry of the tube 60 into the smokable material may assist in securing the smoking article 90 in the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 may then be operated by the user to cause one or more components of the smokable material to be extracted and/or volatilized by causing fluid to pass from the container 40 through the tube 60 and into the smokable material.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus 401 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material. In the following description and in FIG. 4, components and features that are the same as or similar to the corresponding components and features of the example described above have the same reference numeral but increased by 400. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components and features will not be repeated in its entirety here.
In this example, the apparatus 401 has a heater 442 for heating liquid 445 contained in the fluid container 440. The power supply 482 is connected to the heater 442 by wires 483. In the example shown the heater 442 is an electrically resistive coil heater. The heater 442 in this example is arranged around a wick 444 which is in fluid communication with the liquid 445 within the fluid container 440. The heater 442 and wick 444 may be provided as a single, effectively integral item such that the heating and wicking is effectively carried out by a single unit. The wick 444 is generally absorbent and acts to draw in liquid 445 contained in the fluid container 440. The wick 444 is preferably non-woven and may be for example a cotton or wool material or the like, or synthetic material, including for example polyester, nylon, viscose, polypropylene or the like. In this example, the tube 460 is not in direct contact with the liquid 445 in the fluid container 440. Instead, the open end of the tube 460 remote from the smokable material container 420 is close to and opposes the heater 442. In use, the heater 442 vaporizes liquid 445 wicked from the fluid container 440 to the heater 442 by the wick 444. The vaporized liquid then passes into and through the tube 460 and out of the one or more exit apertures 462 to pass into the smokable material contained in use in the housing 420. The hot vaporized liquid extracts and/or volatilizes one or more components of the smokable material which can be inhaled by a user.
Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus 501 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material. In the following description and in FIG. 5, components and features that are the same as or similar to the corresponding components and features of the examples described above have the same reference numeral but increased to 500 onwards. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components and features will not be repeated in its entirety here.
In this example, the tube 560 projects into the liquid 545 in the fluid container 540. Furthermore, the tube 560 is connected by wires 583 to the power supply 582 for selectively heating the tube 560. The tube 560 may be made of an electrically resistive material, such as metal, and so act as a heater for heating and vaporizing the liquid 545 in addition to transporting the vaporized liquid from the liquid container 540 to the smokable material contained in use in the housing 520. The hot vaporized liquid extracts and/or volatilizes one or more components of the smokable material which can be inhaled by a user.
Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus 601 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material. In the following description and in FIG. 6, components and features that are the same as or similar to the corresponding components and features of the examples described above have the same reference numeral but increased to 600 onwards. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components and features will not be repeated in its entirety here.
The example apparatus 601 of FIG. 6 has a heater for heating the liquid and a heater 622 for heating the smokable material contained in the housing 620 in use.
The heater 622 for heating the smokable material is in the form of a cylinder or lining 622 on the inwardly-facing surface of the housing 620. The heater lining 622 may be an electrically resistive heater connected by wires (not shown) to the power source 682 and may be formed of a ceramic or a metal for example.
In this example, similarly to the example of FIG. 5, the heater for heating the liquid is provided by the tube 660, which is connected by wires 683 to the power source 682. As an alternative, the heater for heating the liquid may be provided by a coil and wick arrangement, similarly to the example of FIG. 4, or by some other arrangement. Indeed, it may not be necessary to provide a separate heater for heating the liquid and it may be sufficient to directly heat only the smokable material using only the heater 622 for heating the smokable material. Heating of the smokable material in such a case may be sufficient to cause fluid to be drawn into the tube 660 from the fluid container 640 and pass out the exit aperture(s) 662 to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material.
Where separate heaters for heating the liquid and for heating the smokable material are provided, the apparatus may have control circuitry constructed and arranged to enable independent control of the powering of each heater. The user can for example independently and selectively control the powering of the heater for heating the liquid and the heater for heating the smokable material, such that only one or both of the liquid and the smokable material are heated by their respective heaters at the user's choice. It may be for example that if only the heater for the smokable material is operated, no fluid is drawn into the tube, and the apparatus can operate similarly to a HNB or THP-type device. Alternatively, the user may decide to only power the heater to heat fluid contained in the fluid container, thereby using the apparatus similarly to an e-cigarette device. The user may select to power both heaters to use the device as a “hybrid” device.
In any of the examples described herein, the fluid container 40 and the housing 20 for the smokable material, and the power supply receptacle 80 if provided, may be separably connected to each other. The housing 20 and the fluid container 40, and the power supply receptacle 80 if provided, may be separably connected using a screw or bayonet-type connection, by one or more clips, by being slidably arranged together, etc. Furthermore, the connections between the fluid container 40 and the housing 20 for the smokable material and the power supply receptacle 80 if provided may be such that for example the housing 20 for the smokable material and the power supply receptacle 80 may be connected directly to each other. In this example, the apparatus 1 can operate without one of the fluid container 40 or the housing 20. This modular arrangement enables a user to alter the functionality of the hybrid device to acting as a THP-type device if for example the fluid container 40 is absent and a heater for heating the smokable material is provided).
In any of the examples described above, the fluid container 40 may be in the form of a replaceable unit or cartridge which is replaceable by a user as a whole. The replaceable cartridge may be provided with liquid 45 contained within it. When empty after use, the replaceable cartridge may be removed from the apparatus 1 and disposed of by the user and replaced with a new full cartridge.
In any of the examples described herein, there may be a valve between the fluid container 40 and the tube 60. The valve may be for example manually operable by the user, or operable under control of the control circuitry, or automatically operable once a sufficient pressure has been developed for example. The valve may act for example as a safety measure to ensure liquid from the fluid container 40 does not enter the tube 60 until or unless it is required. Liquid entering the tube 60 in an uncontrolled manner may lead to the apparatus 1 leaking when not in use, for example during transit. Liquid entering the tube 60 when not desired or in an uncontrolled manner may also lead to a poor experience for a user during use. For example during inhalation liquid may enter the tube, be drawn through the smokable material and inhaled by the user. It is desirable therefore that liquid from the fluid container 40, as shown in the example in FIG. 4, is vaporized before entering the tube 60 or, as shown in the examples in FIGS. 5 and 6, the liquid enters the tube 60 under controlled conditions. Controlled conditions include when the tube 60 is heated prior to liquid entering the tube 60.
In other examples, the fluid container 40 is in the form of a refillable container which can be refilled by the user as necessary. The refillable container may be removable from the apparatus 1 by for example unscrewing the fluid container 40 from the housing 20 or may be refilled in situ, by opening some refill opening for example. The refillable container may then be filled with a suitable fluid 45 by a user.
Referring to FIG. 7, there is a shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example of a smoking article 700 according to another aspect and which is particularly suitable for use with apparatus as described above. The smoking article 700 has smokable material 702 and a rigid hollow cylinder 704 having a bore 706 for receiving the tube of an apparatus as described above. The bore 706 is in fluid communication with the smokable material 702, in this example by being adjacent the smokable material 702.
The example of the smoking article 700 shown in FIG. 7 has a generally cylindrical housing 708 which is formed of a rigid material, such as a rigid plastics or metal. In this example, the rigid hollow cylinder 704 having the bore 706 is a separate component which is located and retained in one end of the cylindrical housing 708. In other examples, the rigid hollow cylinder 704 having the bore 706 can effectively be provided as an integral part of the cylindrical housing 708. The smoking article 700 of this example is generally elongate with a circular cross-section.
A filter 710 is provided at the other end of the smoking article 700 opposite the cylinder 704 having the bore 706. The smokable material 702 is located generally centrally of the smoking article 700 between the cylinder 704 having the bore 706 and the filter 710. The filter 710 may be for example a cellulose acetate filter or may be formed of other materials. The filter 710 in this example has a central bore 712 in fluid communication with the smokable material 702, in this example by being adjacent the smokable material 702. The filter 710 filters the volatilized smokable material before it reaches the user. The filter 710 may also act to cool the volatilized smokable material before it reaches the user. The filter 710 may also insulate the user from the heat generated inside the housing 20 of the apparatus 1 in use.
The bore 706 is sized so as to be able to receive the tube 60, etc. of the apparatus 1, etc. described above when the smoking article 700 is received in the housing 20, etc., of the apparatus 1. The tube 60 may be a sliding fit in the bore 706, which helps to retain the smoking article 700 in the apparatus 1 in use. In use, the tube 60 of the apparatus 1 is received in the bore 706 and enters the smokable material 702. The lengths of the tube 60 and various parts of the smoking article 700 determine how far into the smokable material 702 the tube 60 reaches.
In other examples, the smokable material 702 itself may have a bore (not shown) along part or the whole its length for receiving the tube 60 of the apparatus 1 into the smokable material 702. Similarly to the bore 706 of the cylinder 704, such a bore in the smokable material 702 may have a similar size and shape as the tube 60. This enables easy entry of the tube 60 into the smokable material 702.
The apparatus 1 may have a recognition arrangement to be able to identify or recognize the particular smoking article 700 that has been introduced into the apparatus 1 by a user. For example, in practice, the apparatus 1 as a whole, including in particular the heating arrangement and the heating control provided by the electrical control circuitry, will often be optimized for a particular arrangement of the smoking article 700 (e.g. one or more of size, shape, particular smokable material, etc.) and it would be undesirable for the apparatus 1 to be used with smokable material or a smoking article having (significantly) different characteristics. In addition, if the apparatus 1 can identify or recognize the particular smoking article 700, or at least the general type of smoking article 700, that has been introduced into the apparatus 1, this can help eliminate or at least reduce counterfeit or other non-genuine smoking article 700 being used with the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 may be arranged so that it will only heat a smoking article 700 that it recognizes, and will not operate in conjunction with a smoking article 700 that it does not recognize. The apparatus 1 may be arranged so that it provides some indication to the user that the smoking article 700 has not been recognized. This indication may be visual (for example a warning light, which may for example flash or be illuminated continuously for a period of time) and/or audible (for example a warning “beep” or the like). The recognition arrangement may be provided by for example a capacitive or inductive arrangement, by reading of a bar code on the smoking article 700, etc.
Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus 801 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material. In the following description and in FIG. 8, components and features that are the same as or similar to the corresponding components and features of the examples described above have the same reference numeral but increased to 800 onwards. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components and features will not be repeated in its entirety here. The general arrangement and relative sizing of various parts shown by way of example in FIG. 8 may apply to any of the examples described herein.
In the specific example shown, the tube 860 projects a length L beyond the front open end 824 of the housing 820. Prior to use, smokable material is inserted into the apparatus 800. However at least a portion of the smokable material, which in use is towards the end of the smokable material that is engaged by the mouth of the user, will be not be covered or surrounded by the housing 820. In use the smokable material is heated and/or heated fluid is passed through the smokable material. The heat will be lost more rapidly to the environment from the uncovered or exposed portion of the smokable material than from the portion of the smokable material contained within the housing 820. This may assist in improving the user experience.
Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus 901 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material. In the following description and in FIG. 9, components and features that are the same as or similar to the corresponding components and features of the examples described above have the same reference numeral but increased to 900 onwards. For the sake of brevity, the description of those components and features will not be repeated in its entirety here. The general arrangement and relative sizing of various parts shown by way of example in FIG. 9 may apply to any of the examples described herein.
In the specific example shown, the sharp end 964 of the tube 960 is located within the housing 920 and away from the front open end 924. This arrangement enables vapor or aerosol to travel a longer distance through the smokable material thus allowing to better volatilize or extract a compound from the smokable material
Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown an example of an insert 1030 in use with an example of an apparatus 1001 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material. In use the insert 1030 is inserted into the front open end 1024 of the apparatus 1001 and reduces the width of the cavity 1026 near the front open end 1024. Using the insert 1030 therefore allows the user to use the apparatus 1001 with smokable material of various widths, with smokable material of different widths being properly supported within the apparatus 1001. For example, the apparatus 1001 may be used in conjunction with a “king size” consumable without use of the insert 1030, and separately may be used in conjunction with a “slim” or “super slim” consumable with the insert 1030 located within the front open end 1024 of the apparatus 1001.
The insert 1030 shown in FIG. 10 has a cylindrical body portion 1030 a, a radially outwardly extending skirt 1030 b and a through hole 1030 c. The user can hold the skirt 1030 b to insert the cylindrical body portion 1030 a into and remove the cylindrical body portion 1030 a from the front open end 1024 of the apparatus 1001. Preferably there is a snug fit between the insert 1030 and the apparatus 1001 so that the insert 1030 is retained in the front open end 1024 of the housing 1020. It is also important there is a good fit between the smokable material and the insert 1030 such that the smokable material is securely retained in the cavity 1026. In an example, the insert 1030 is made of a resilient material so that in use it deforms within the cavity and around the smokable material. This will provide a snug fit between the insert 1030 and the housing 1020 and between the insert 1030 and the smokable material.
In an example the insert 1030 is made of thermally insulating material. This helps to prevent the insert 1030 from getting hot during use of the apparatus 1001. Furthermore, the user is less likely to burn themselves when removing the insert 1030 after use from the apparatus 1001. The insert 1030 is suitable for use with many of the examples described herein.
Referring to FIGS. 11a and 11b there is shown another example of an apparatus 1101 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material. The apparatus shown has a retainer 1132 which assists in retaining smokable material within the apparatus 1101. In an example, the retainer 1132 is in the form of an annular wall 1132 a with a through hole 1132 b. The annular wall 1132 a is positioned adjacent to the inwardly-facing surface of the housing 1120. At the location in the cavity 1126 where the retainer 1132 is positioned, the width of the cavity 1126 is reduced. In use smokable material is inserted into the housing 1120 and through the through hole 1132 b of the retainer 1132. The retainer 1132 may be made of resilient material so that it deforms as smokable material 1190 is inserted, as shown in FIG. 11b . The retainer 1132 is suitable for use with many of the examples described herein.
In an example not shown, the width of the cavity is reduced by use of a sleeve positioned in the cavity and substantially or entirely running the length of the cavity. Prior to use, the sleeve can be inserted into the cavity. As an alternative, prior to use, smokable material can be inserted into the sleeve and the sleeve and smokable material can be inserted together into the cavity. The sleeve can be made of a thermally conductive material. The sleeve is suitable for use with many of the examples described herein.
Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of an apparatus 1201 arranged to volatilize at least one component of smokable material. The apparatus 1201 in the example shown has an annular tube 1295 arranged on the inwardly-facing surface of the housing 1220 and, in this example, substantially or entirely running the length of the cavity 1226. The annular tube 1295 comprises an outer wall 1295 a and an inner wall 1295 b that define an annular space 1295 c that contains liquid. In a specific example the liquid is a so-called e-liquid, e.g. of the type conventionally used in e-cigarette devices, including for example propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerine), and/or or a liquid containing a flavor, such as for example menthol. The inner wall 1295 a of the annular tube 1295 is arranged to provide an exit aperture to allow vapor or aerosol to pass from the annular tube 1295 into the interior of the apparatus 1201. For example, the innermost wall of the annular tube 1295 may be porous and/or have one or more through holes. During inhalation, the liquid contained in the annular tube 1295 is pulled from outside the smokable material inwardly towards the center of the smokable material in the form of an aerosol or vapor. Alternatively the liquid in the form of an aerosol or vapor can be released from the annular tube 1295 by at least one valve which is manually operable by a user or, alternatively or additionally, operable under control of the control circuitry. As the aerosol or vapor passes through the smokable material, it extracts flavor from the smokable material.
In an example the annular tube 1295 heats the liquid that is contained within the jacket 1295. In a specific example, the annular tube 1295 in combination with the tube heater 622 of FIG. 6 heats the smokable material. In an example the annular tube 1295 has an electrically resistive heater on the inwardly-facing surface of the jacket 1295 or the inwardly-facing surface of the annular tube 1295 itself is an electrically resistive heater. The heater can heat the liquid in the annular tube 1295, the liquid after it has entered the smokable material, and the smokable material itself. The annular tube 1295 is suitable for use with many of the examples described herein.
In some examples, the apparatus 1201 may also include a further tube 1260 that extends into the smokable material and which supplies e-liquid from a further liquid container (not shown in FIG. 12) to the interior of the smokable material in a similar manner as in the examples discussed above.
In any of the examples described herein the apparatus can have more than one tube projecting into the housing. In an example wherein the apparatus has plural tubes, each tube may be in fluid communication with a separate, respective fluid container. The separate fluid containers may contain the same liquid or may contain different liquids and/or nicotine and/or different flavors. In a specific example, a first tube is in fluid communication with a first fluid container containing a so-called e-liquid, e.g. of the type conventionally used in e-cigarette devices, including for example propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerine), and including nicotine but no added flavoring; and a second tube is in fluid communication with a fluid container containing an e-liquid that includes a flavor, such as for example menthol, and optionally also including nicotine. The release of fluid from the tubes can be operated separately so that the user can select whether to release and when to release fluid from each tube. In a different arrangement, the plural tubes are in fluid communication with the same fluid container. With more than one tube in fluid communication with one fluid container the user can vary the amount of fluid released. The tubes may be arranged centrally within the cavity or closer to the housing or, alternatively, in a combination of these positions. The tubes can be substantially the same or may be of different sizes, with the same or different numbers and/or sizes of exit apertures.
Referring to FIG. 13, there is a schematic view of an example smoking article 1300 which is particularly suitable for use in the apparatus 1201 of FIG. 12. The smoking article 1300 is in the form, for example, of a hollow cylinder 1303 containing smokable material (not visible in the Figure). The cylinder 1303 is shaped to fit within the cavity 1226 of the apparatus 1201 and be surrounded by the annular jacket 1295. The wall of the cylinder 1203 is provided with one or more apertures 1305 or is otherwise porous to enable the aerosol or vapor that passes from the annular tube 1295 into the interior of the cylinder 1303 to pass through the smokable material in the cylinder 1303. The ends of the cylinder may or may not be closed. If closed either end includes one or more aperture or is otherwise porous to permit aerosol and vapor and airflow there through. The wall of the smoking article 1300 may be made of any suitable material, for example, paper, plastic or metal. The smoking article 1300 may be provided with a filter (not illustrated).
The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. An apparatus arranged to volatilize or extract at least one component of smokable material, the apparatus comprising:

a housing for receiving smokable material;

a fluid container arranged to hold a fluid; and

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

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

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the tube enters the smokable material and wherein the tube has a sharp end for piercing the smokable material received within the housing in use.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the tube enters the smokable material and wherein the tube has plural exit apertures through which in use fluid passes into the smokable material received in the housing in use.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the tube enters the smokable material and wherein the fluid container and the housing are separably connected to each other.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the tube enters the smokable material, wherein the housing comprises a front open end through which the smokable material passes into a cavity of the housing when the smokable material is received within the housing and wherein one end of the tube projects beyond the front open end of the housing.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the tube enters the smokable material, wherein the housing comprises a front open end through which the smokable material passes into a cavity of the housing when the smokable material is received within the housing wherein the tube is located within the cavity and away from the front open end of the housing.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the smokable material enters the tube and wherein an inner wall of the tube comprises the exit aperture.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the inner wall of the tube is permeable to the fluid so as to provide the exit aperture.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the tube comprises an outer wall and an inner wall that together define an annular space for containing the fluid such that the tube is the fluid container.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a wick for wicking fluid contained in use in the fluid container into the tube.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heater for heating fluid contained within the fluid container in use to vaporize the fluid.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heater for heating smokable material received in the housing in use.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a power supply for powering the heater.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tube is connected to a power supply for selectively heating the tube.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a front open end through which the smokable material passes into a cavity of the housing when the smokable material is received within the housing.

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

19. (canceled)

20. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a retainer arranged adjacent an inwardly-facing surface of the housing for reducing a width of the cavity at a location where the retainer is arranged.

21-24. (canceled)

25. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least a second tube in fluid communication with a second fluid container and projecting into the housing, the at least a second tube having at least one exit aperture, the apparatus being arranged such that the at least a second tube enters smokable material when the smokable material is received within the housing and such that in use fluid enters the at least a second tube from the second fluid container and passes through the exit aperture of the tube into the smokable material received in the housing in use to volatilize or extract at least one component of the smokable material.

26. A smoking article for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material, the smoking article comprising:

smokable material; and

a rigid hollow cylinder having a bore for receiving the tube of the apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article is configured to in use allow the tube of the apparatus to enter the smokable material, wherein the bore is in fluid communication with the smokable material and wherein the bore is located at an end of the article opposite an end of the article for being engaged by a mouth of a user.

27. The smoking article according to claim 26, further comprising a filter for filtering volatilized smokable material.

28. (canceled)

29. The smoking article according to claim 26, further comprising a housing that contains the smokable material and that provides or contains the rigid hollow cylinder.

30. A smoking article for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material, the smoking article comprising:

a container comprising smokable material, wherein the container is insertable into the tube of the apparatus according to claim 7, the container comprising an outer wall that enables fluid that passes from the inner wall of the tube of the apparatus to enter the smokable material inwardly towards a center of the smokable material.