阅读说明：本技术 用于设备的外壳、设备以及方法 (Housing for an apparatus, apparatus and method ) 是由 吴泽鑫 冯智威 韦光研 康纳尔·约翰·麦格拉思 杰-拉姆·坦科 于 2019-04-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于设备(1)的外壳(9),该设备用于加热可雾化材料以使可雾化材料的至少一种组分挥发以形成供用户吸入的气雾剂,该外壳(1)包括：套管(11),该套管用于包围设备(1)的内部部件；以及用于套管(11)的内衬(13),当设备(1)加热可雾化材料时,该内衬使热量分散并且控制跨套管(11)的温度分布。(A housing (9) for a device (1) for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the housing (1) comprising: a sleeve (11) for enclosing the internal components of the apparatus (1); and a liner (13) for the casing (11) which disperses heat and controls the temperature distribution across the casing (11) when the apparatus (1) heats the nebulizable material.)

1. A housing for a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the housing comprising:

a sleeve for enclosing internal components of the apparatus; and

a liner for the sleeve for distributing heat and controlling temperature distribution across the sleeve as the device heats the nebulizable material.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the liner forms a portion of an interior surface of the enclosure.

3. The enclosure of claim 1 or 2, wherein the thermal conductivity value of the liner is higher than the thermal conductivity value of the sleeve.

4. The enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sleeve and the liner are separable as separate components that can be combined with one another to form one piece.

5. The enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sleeve and the liner are coupled as one piece without an adhesive.

6. The enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sleeve includes a receiving portion for receiving the liner.

7. The enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sleeve is a molded polymer.

8. The enclosure of claim 7, wherein the sleeve is an overmolded part that is overmolded to the liner.

9. The enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the inner liner comprises a metallic material.

10. The enclosure of claim 9, wherein the metallic material is aluminum.

11. The enclosure of claim 9, wherein the metallic material is copper.

12. The enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the inner liner is at least one of a film material, a ribbon, and a foil.

13. The outer shell of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the liner has a thickness of less than about 1mm across a cross-section of the outer shell where the liner contacts the casing.

14. The enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a thickness of the liner and a thickness of the sleeve are substantially the same across a cross-section of the enclosure.

15. The enclosure of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the liner is to inhibit localized hot spots from forming on the sleeve.

16. An apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, the apparatus comprising:

heating means for receiving an aerosolizable material; and

a casing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the casing comprises a first casing and a second casing couplable to each other, wherein at least one of the first casing and the second casing comprises the liner.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein only one of the first and second casings comprises the liner.

19. A method of assembling a housing for an apparatus for heating nebulizable material to volatilize at least one component of the nebulizable material to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user, the method comprising:

providing a sleeve of the housing for enclosing internal components of the device;

providing a liner of the sleeve for dissipating heat and controlling temperature distribution across the sleeve as the device heats the nebulizable material; and

coupling the sleeve and the liner.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of providing the liner comprises: the liner is formed by extrusion.

21. The method of claim 19 or 20, wherein the step of providing the sleeve comprises: forming the sleeve by overmolding the sleeve using a mold, wherein the liner forms a portion of the mold.

22. The method of any of claims 19-21, wherein coupling the sleeve and the liner comprises: coupling the sleeve and the liner in a close fit.

23. The method of any of claims 19-22, wherein coupling the sleeve and the liner comprises: coupling the sleeve and the liner without an adhesive such that the sleeve and the liner are in direct surface contact with each other.

24. The method of any of claims 19 to 23, wherein the step of providing the liner comprises: providing a liner for inhibiting the formation of localized hot spots on the sleeve when the device heats the nebulizable material.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a housing for use with a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, and a method of assembling a housing of a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material.

Background

Smoking articles (such as cigarettes, cigars, etc.) burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by making products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called "heat not burn" products or tobacco heating devices or products which release compounds by heating rather than burning the material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Disclosure of Invention

A first aspect of the invention provides a housing for a device for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosolizable material to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The housing includes: a sleeve for surrounding internal components of the apparatus; and a lining of the casing that disperses heat and controls the temperature distribution across the casing when the apparatus heats the nebulizable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the inner liner forms a portion of the inner surface of the outer shell. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner surface of the housing is an inwardly facing surface, wherein the inwardly facing surface faces the internal components of the device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the liner is different from the thermal conductivity of the sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, the liner has a thermal conductivity value that is higher than the thermal conductivity value of the sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, the thermal conductivity value of the liner is at least 100 times greater than the thermal conductivity value of the sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, the thermal conductivity value of the liner is at least 500 times greater than the thermal conductivity value of the sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, the thermal conductivity value of the liner is between 500 and 1000 times the thermal conductivity value of the sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve has a thermal conductivity value of about 0.25W/mK. In one exemplary embodiment, the thermal conductivity value of the liner is about 205W/mK.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve and liner may be separated as separate components that may be combined with one another to form one piece.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve and liner are joined as one piece without an adhesive. In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve and liner are in direct surface contact with each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the liner and the sleeve are immediately adjacent to each other without a third component interposed between the sleeve and the liner.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve includes a receiving portion for receiving the liner. In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving portion of the sleeve includes an engagement surface complementary in shape to a corresponding engagement surface of the liner. In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving portion of the sleeve is configured to engage the liner when the liner is in the receiving portion to couple the liner to the sleeve.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve is made of a plastic material (such as a polymer). In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve is made of Polyetheretherketone (PEEK). In one exemplary embodiment, the sleeve is a molded polymer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve is an overmolded part of the liner. In one exemplary embodiment, the sleeve as an over-molded part is formed by molding the sleeve around a liner, wherein the liner forms a portion of a mold. In one exemplary embodiment, the overmolded part provides a tight fit between the sleeve and the liner such that the sleeve and the liner are coupled under frictional forces.

In one exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the sleeve in a region of the liner is about twice the thickness of the liner in the same region. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the sleeve is substantially the same as the thickness of the liner in the same region. In an exemplary embodiment, the region is a contact region, wherein contact is provided between the sleeve and the liner. In an exemplary embodiment, the region is a cross-section of the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the liner across a cross-section of the outer shell where the liner contacts the casing is less than about 1 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the liner across a cross-section of the outer shell where the liner contacts the casing is between about 0.5mm and about 0.7 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the liner across the cross-section of the shell where the liner contacts the casing is about 0.6 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the casing across the cross-section of the outer shell where the liner contacts the casing is about 0.6 mm.

In one exemplary embodiment, the liner comprises a metallic material. In one exemplary embodiment, the metallic material is copper. In another exemplary embodiment, the metal material is aluminum.

In one exemplary embodiment, the liner is a thin film material. In one exemplary embodiment, the liner is a ribbon. In one exemplary embodiment, the liner is a foil.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve comprises a coupling area for coupling with a second coupling area of another sleeve of the housing.

In one exemplary embodiment, the sleeve includes an aperture for forming an opening of the device through which the nebulizable material is insertable into a heating chamber of the device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liner is substantially elliptical in a top view. In an exemplary embodiment, the liner includes two opposing straight sides and two opposing curved sides when viewed from a top view. In one exemplary embodiment, the two opposing straight edges diverge away from each other at one end and converge toward each other at the other end.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liner has an overall depth of between 15mm and 25 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the total depth is between 18mm and 21 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the total depth is between 19mm and 20 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the total depth is about 20 mm. In one exemplary embodiment, the total depth is 19.8 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liner has an overall height of between 15mm and 25 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the total height is between 19mm and 22 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the total height is between 20mm and 21 mm. In one exemplary embodiment, the overall height is about 20 mm. In one exemplary embodiment, the total height is 20.4 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liner has an overall width of between 25mm and 35 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the total width is between 29mm and 32 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the total width is between 30mm and 31 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the total width is about 30 mm. In one exemplary embodiment, the total width is 30.8 mm.

In one exemplary embodiment, the liner acts as a heat spreader.

In an exemplary embodiment, the liner inhibits the formation of localized hot spots on the casing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the nebulizable material comprises tobacco, and/or is reconstituted, and/or is in the form of a gel, and/or comprises an amorphous solid.

A second aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material. The apparatus comprises: heating means for receiving an aerosolizable material; and a housing as previously described in the first aspect.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve comprises a first sleeve and a second sleeve that are couplable to each other, wherein at least one of the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprises a liner. In one exemplary embodiment, only one of the first and second casings includes a liner. In an exemplary embodiment, the liner is disposed closer to a first end of the device than to a second end of the device, wherein the first end includes an opening for inserting the nebulizable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises an expansion chamber, wherein the liner overlaps at least a portion of the expansion chamber in a longitudinal direction of the apparatus.

In an exemplary embodiment, the nebulizable material comprises tobacco, and/or is reconstituted, and/or is in the form of a gel, and/or comprises an amorphous solid.

A third aspect of the invention provides a method of assembling a housing for an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosolizable material to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The method comprises the following steps: providing a sleeve of the housing for enclosing internal components of the device; providing a liner for the sleeve for dissipating heat and controlling the temperature profile across the sleeve as the device heats the nebulizable material; and coupling the sleeve and the liner.

In one exemplary embodiment, the step of providing a liner includes forming a liner. In one exemplary embodiment, the step of forming the liner comprises forming the liner by extrusion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of providing a sleeve includes forming the sleeve. In an exemplary embodiment, the step of forming the sleeve includes forming the sleeve by a molding process. In an exemplary embodiment, the step of forming the sleeve comprises forming the sleeve by injection molding. In an exemplary embodiment, the step of forming the sleeve comprises forming the sleeve by overmolding the sleeve using a mold, wherein the liner forms a portion of the mold.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises forming a hole in the sleeve and the liner after coupling the sleeve and the liner. In an exemplary embodiment, the step of forming the hole in the sleeve includes machining the coupled sleeve and liner. In an exemplary embodiment, the holes have a diameter between 8mm and 11 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter is between 9mm and 10 mm. In one exemplary embodiment, the diameter is 9.8 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of coupling the sleeve and the liner includes coupling the sleeve and the liner such that the inner surface of the outer shell is at a level.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of coupling the sleeve and the liner includes coupling the sleeve and the liner in a close fit.

In one exemplary embodiment, the step of coupling the sleeve and the liner includes coupling the sleeve and the liner without an adhesive such that the sleeve and the liner are in direct surface contact with each other. In one exemplary embodiment, the direct surface contact includes full physical contact between the liner and the casing. In one exemplary embodiment, no material is interposed between the sleeve and the liner.

In an exemplary embodiment, the step of providing a liner includes providing a liner to inhibit the formation of localized hot spots on the sleeve when the device heats the nebulizable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, the nebulizable material comprises tobacco, and/or is reconstituted, and/or is in the form of a gel, and/or comprises an amorphous solid.

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

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material, wherein the apparatus is shown as comprising a consumable article into which the aerosolizable material is inserted;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic front view of the example apparatus of FIG. 1 inserted into a consumable article;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic right side view of the example apparatus of FIG. 1 inserted into a consumable article;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic left side view of the example apparatus of FIG. 1 inserted into a consumable article, wherein;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic front cross-sectional view of the example apparatus of FIG. 1 inserted with a consumable article through the through line A-A shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic front cross-sectional view of the example apparatus of FIG. 1 without a consumable article inserted therein;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of an example outer shell component including an example first sleeve and a liner of an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the example housing part of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a right side view of the example housing component of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic rear cross-sectional view of the example housing part of FIG. 1 with the through-line T-T shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of an example liner; and

fig. 12 shows a flow diagram of an example of a method of assembling a housing for use with an apparatus for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term "nebulizable material" includes materials that provide a component that volatilizes upon heating, typically in the form of a vapor or aerosol. The "nebulizable material" can be a tobacco-free material or a tobacco-containing material. The "nebulizable material" may, for example, comprise one or more of tobacco itself, a tobacco derivative, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, a tobacco extract, homogenized tobacco, or a tobacco substitute. The nebulizable material can be in the form of ground tobacco, cut tobacco, pressed tobacco, reconstituted nebulizable material, a liquid, a gel, an amorphous solid, a gel sheet, a powder, or an agglomerate, and the like. "nebulizable material" may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. The "nebulizable material" may comprise one or more humectants (such as glycerol or propylene glycol). The term "aerosol generating material" may also be used herein interchangeably with the term "nebulizable material".

As described above, the nebulizable material may comprise an "amorphous solid," which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous), or as a "xerogel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can hold some fluid (such as a liquid) therein. In some cases, the nebulizable material comprises from about 50, 60, or 70 wt% amorphous solids to about 90, 95, or 100 wt% amorphous solids. In some cases, the nebulizable material consists of an amorphous solid.

As used herein, the term "sheet" means an element having a width and length substantially greater than its thickness. For example, the sheet may be a tape.

As used herein, in some examples, the term "heating material" or "heater material" refers to a material that can be heated by penetrating it with a changing magnetic field, such as when the nebulizable material is heated by an induction heating device.

Other forms of heating the heating material include resistive heating, which involves a resistive heating element that heats when an electric current is applied to the resistive heating element, thereby transferring heat to the heating material by conduction.

Referring to fig. 1, a schematic perspective view of an apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The device 1 is for heating an aerosolizable material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosolizable material to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user. In this embodiment, the nebulizable material comprises tobacco, and the apparatus 1 is a tobacco heating product (also referred to in the art as a tobacco heating device or a heated non-burning device). The apparatus 1 is a hand-held device for inhaling an aerosolizable material by a user of the hand-held device.

The device 1 comprises a first end 3 and a second end 5 opposite the first end 3. The first end 3 is sometimes referred to herein as the mouth end or proximal end of the device 1. The second end 5 is sometimes referred to herein as the distal end of the device 1. The device 1 has an on/off button 7 to allow the device 1 as a whole to be turned on and off as desired by the user of the device 1.

In general terms, the device 1 is configured to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by a user by heating an aerosol generating material. In use, a user inserts the article 21 into the device 1 and activates the device 1, for example using the button 7, to cause the device 1 to begin heating the aerosol generating material. The user then draws on the mouthpiece 21b of the article 21 in the vicinity of the first end 3 of the device 1 to inhale the aerosol generated by the device 1. As the user draws on the article 21, the generated aerosol flows through the device 1 along a flow path towards the proximal end 3 of the device 1.

In the example, a vapour is generated which is then at least partially condensed to form an aerosol before leaving the device 1 to be inhaled by a user.

In this respect, it may first be noted that, in general, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical temperature, which means that for example a vapour can be condensed into a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature. In general, on the other hand, aerosols are colloids of fine solid particles or droplets in air or another gas. A "colloid" is a substance in which micro-dispersed insoluble particles are suspended throughout another substance.

For convenience, as used herein, the term aerosol shall be understood to mean aerosol, vapor, or a combination of aerosol and vapor.

The device 1 comprises a housing 9 for positioning and protecting the various internal components of the device 1. The housing 9 is thus an outer casing for accommodating the internal components. In the embodiment shown, the housing 9 comprises a sleeve 11 surrounding the periphery of the device 1, covered at the first end 3 by a top panel 17 which generally defines the 'top' of the device 1, and covered at the second end 5 by a bottom panel 19 (see fig. 2-5) which generally defines the 'bottom' of the device 1.

The sleeve 11 includes a first sleeve 11a and a second sleeve 11 b. The first sleeve 11a is disposed at the top of the apparatus 1 (shown as the upper portion of the apparatus 1) and extends away from the first end 3. The second sleeve 11b is provided at the bottom of the device 1 (shown as the lower part of the device 1) and extends away from the second end 5. The first and second sleeves 11a, 11b each surround the periphery of the device 1. That is, the apparatus 1 has a longitudinal axis in the Y-axis direction, and the first and second sleeves 11a and 11b each surround the inner member in a direction radial to the longitudinal axis.

In this embodiment, the first and second sleeves 11a, 11b are removably engaged with each other. In this embodiment, the first sleeve 11a and the second sleeve 11b engage in a snap-fit arrangement comprising grooves and recesses.

In some embodiments, the top panel 17 and/or the bottom panel 19 may be removably secured to the corresponding first and second sleeves 11a and 11b, respectively, to allow easy access to the interior of the device 1. In some embodiments, the sleeve 11 may be "permanently" affixed to the top panel 17 and/or the bottom panel 19, for example, to prevent a user from accessing the interior of the device 1. In one embodiment, the panels 17 and 19 are made of a plastic material, including glass filled nylon, for example, formed by injection molding, and the sleeve 11 is made of aluminum, although other materials and other manufacturing processes may be used.

The top panel 17 of the apparatus 1 has an opening 20 at the mouth end 3 of the apparatus 1 through which, in use, a consumable article 21 containing an aerosolizable material is inserted into the apparatus 1 and removed from the apparatus 1 by a user. In this embodiment, the consumable article 21 serves as a mouthpiece for placement by the user between the user's lips. In other embodiments, an external mouthpiece may be provided, wherein at least one volatile component of the nebulizable material is drawn through the mouthpiece. When an external suction nozzle is used, the nebulizable material is not arranged in the external suction nozzle.

The opening 20 in this embodiment is opened and closed by the door 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the door 4 is movable between a closed position and an open position to allow insertion of the consumable article 21 into the apparatus 1 when in the open position. The door 4 is configured to move bidirectionally in the X-axis direction.

At the second end 5 of the device 1a connection port 6 is shown. The connection port 6 is for connection to a cable and a power supply 27 (shown in fig. 6) for charging the power supply 27 of the device 1. The connection port 6 extends from the front side of the apparatus 1 to the rear side of the apparatus 1 in the Z-axis direction. As shown in fig. 3, at the second end 5 of the device 1, a connection port 6 is accessible on the right side of the device 1. Advantageously, the device 1 may stand on the second end 5 or provide a data connection through the connection port 6 when charging. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection port 6 is a USB socket.

Referring to fig. 2, the first bushing 11a comprises a tapered surface at the first end 3 of the device 1. The tapered surface comprises a first angle alpha with respect to the surface of the second sleeve 11b at the second end 5. In this embodiment, the surface of the second sleeve 11b at the second end 5 is substantially parallel to the X-axis direction. Thus, as shown, the consumable article 21 may be inserted through the opening 20 (shown in fig. 1) at the proximal portion of the first end 3. In the case where the first sleeve 11a and the second sleeve 11b meet at the joint 11c, a second angle β with respect to the X-axis direction is formed. The second angle beta is shown to be greater than the first angle alpha.

Fig. 3 and 4 show the right and left side of the device 1, respectively. Here, the consumable article 21 is shown in a laterally central position. This is because the opening 20 through which the consumable article 21 is inserted is positioned at the midpoint of the device in the Z-axis direction and off-center in the X-axis direction.

Fig. 5 and 6 show a schematic front sectional view of the device 1 through the through-line a-a of the device 1 shown in fig. 4, wherein the consumable article is inserted and extracted, respectively.

As shown in fig. 6, the housing 9 has a heater device 23, a control circuit 25 and a power supply 27 located or secured therein. In this embodiment, the control circuit 25 is part of the electronics compartment and comprises two Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) 25a, 25 b. In this embodiment, the control circuit 25 and power supply 27 are laterally adjacent the heater device 23 (i.e., adjacent when viewed from the end), with the control circuit 25 being located below the power supply 27. Advantageously, this allows the device 1 to be compact in a transverse direction corresponding to the X-axis direction.

In this embodiment, the control circuit 25 includes a controller (such as a microprocessor device) configured and arranged to control heating of the nebulizable material in the consumable article 21, as discussed further below.

The power supply 27 in this embodiment is a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, a non-rechargeable battery, a capacitor, a battery-capacitor hybrid system, or a connection to a main power source may be used. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium ion batteries, nickel batteries (such as nickel cadmium batteries), alkaline batteries, and/or the like. The battery 27 is electrically connected to the heater device 23 to supply power to heat the nebulizable material in the consumable (to volatilize the nebulizable material without causing combustion of the nebulizable material, as discussed), when needed and under the control of the control circuit 25.

An advantage of locating the power supply 27 laterally adjacent to the heater means 23 is that a physically large power supply 27 can be used without making the apparatus 1 as a whole too long. As will be appreciated, typically, a physically large power supply 27 has a higher capacity (i.e. total electrical energy that can be supplied, typically measured in amp-hours or the like), and thus the battery life of the device 1 can be longer.

In one embodiment, the heater device 23 is generally in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube having a hollow internal heating chamber 29 into which, in use, the consumable article 21 containing the nebulizable material is inserted for heating. Broadly speaking, the heating chamber 29 is a heating zone for receiving the consumable product 21. Different arrangements for the heater means 23 are possible. In some embodiments, the heater device 23 may comprise a single heating element or may be formed from a plurality of heating elements aligned along a longitudinal axis of the heater device 23. The or each heating element may be annular or tubular, or at least part-annular or part-tubular around its circumference. In an embodiment, the or each heating element may be a thin film heater. In another embodiment, the or each heating element may be made of a ceramic material. Examples of suitable ceramic materials include alumina and aluminum nitride and silicon nitride ceramics, which may be laminated and sintered. Other heater arrangements are possible, including, for example, induction heating, infrared heater elements heated by emitting infrared radiation, or resistive heating elements formed, for example, by resistive electrical windings.

In this embodiment, the heater device 23 is supported by a stainless steel support tube 75 and includes a heater 71. In one embodiment, the heater 71 may include a substrate in which at least one conductive element is formed. The substrate may be in sheet form and may comprise, for example, a plastic layer. In a preferred embodiment, the layer is a polyimide layer. The conductive elements may be printed or otherwise deposited in the base layer. The conductive elements may be encapsulated within or coated with the substrate.

The support tube 75 is a heating element that transfers heat to the consumable product 21. Thus, the support tube 75 includes a heating material. In this embodiment, the heater material is stainless steel. In other embodiments, other metallic materials may be used as the heating material. For example, the heating material may include a metal or a metal alloy. The heating material may include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, steel, plain carbon steel, mild steel, ferritic stainless steel, molybdenum, copper, and bronze.

The heater arrangement 23 is dimensioned such that, in use, substantially the entire nebulizable material is heated when the consumable article 21 is inserted into the device 1.

In some embodiments, the or each heating element may be arranged such that selected regions of the nebulizable material may be independently heated, e.g. sequentially (over time) or together (simultaneously), as required.

The heater device 23 in this embodiment is surrounded along at least a portion of its length by a vacuum zone 31. The vacuum zone 31 helps to reduce the amount of heat transferred from the heater device 23 to the exterior of the apparatus 1. This helps to reduce the power requirements for the heater device 23 as it reduces heat losses as a whole. The vacuum zone 31 also helps to keep the exterior of the apparatus 1 cool during operation of the heater device 23. In some embodiments, the vacuum region 31 may be surrounded by a double-walled sleeve, wherein the region between the two walls of the sleeve has been evacuated to provide a low pressure region, thereby minimizing heat transfer by conduction and/or convection. In other embodiments, another insulation arrangement may be used in addition to or in place of the vacuum region, such as the use of a thermally insulating material, including, for example, a suitable foam-type material.

The housing 9 (sometimes referred to as a casing) may also include various internal support structures 37 (best seen in fig. 6) for supporting all internal components and the heater device 23.

The device 1 further comprises a collar 33 extending around the opening 20 and protruding from the opening 20 into the interior of the housing 9, and an expansion element 35 located between the collar 33 and one end of the vacuum region 31. The expansion element 35 is a funnel forming an expansion chamber 40 at the mouth end 3 of the device 1. The collar 33 is a holder for holding the consumable article 21 (as best shown in fig. 5). In this embodiment, the holder is reversibly removable from the device 1.

One end of the expansion member 35 is connected to and supported by the first sleeve 11a, and the other end of the expansion member 35 is connected to and supported by one end of the cartridge 51. A first sealing element 55, shown as an O-ring, is interposed between the expansion element 35 and the first sleeve 11a, and a second sealing element 57, also shown as an O-ring, is interposed between the expansion element 35 and the cassette 51. Each O-ring is made of silicone, however, other elastomeric materials that provide a seal may be used. The first sealing element 55 and the second sealing element 57 prevent gas from being transmitted into the surrounding parts of the device 1. A sealing element is also provided at the distal end to prevent fluid ingress and egress at the distal end.

As best seen in fig. 6, the collar 33, the expansion element 35 and the vacuum region 31/heater arrangement 23 are coaxially arranged such that when the consumable article 21 is inserted into the apparatus 1, the consumable article 21 extends through the collar 33 and the expansion element 35 into the heating chamber 29, as best seen in fig. 5.

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the heater device 23 is generally in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube. The heating chamber 29 formed by the tube is in fluid communication with the opening 20 at the mouth end 3 of the apparatus 1 via the expansion chamber 40.

In this embodiment, the expansion element 35 comprises a tubular body having a first open end adjacent the opening 20 and a second open end adjacent the heating chamber 29. The tubular body includes a first section extending approximately halfway along the tubular body from the first open end and a second section extending approximately halfway along the tubular body to the second open end. The first section includes a flared portion that widens away from the second section. Thus, the first section has an inner diameter that tapers outwardly toward the open first open end. The second section has a substantially constant inner diameter.

As best seen in fig. 6, in this embodiment, the expansion element 35 is located in the housing 9 between the collar 33 and the vacuum region 31/heater arrangement 23. More specifically, at the second open end, the expansion element 35 is interposed between the end of the support tube 75 of the heater device 23 and the interior of the vacuum region 31 such that the second open end of the expansion element 35 engages with the support tube 75 and the interior of the vacuum region 31. At the first open end, the expansion element 35 receives the collar 33 such that the legs 59 of the collar 33 protrude into the expansion chamber 40. Thus, the inner diameter of the first section of the expansion element 35 is larger than the outer diameter of the leg when the consumable article 21 is received in the apparatus 1 (see fig. 5) and when the consumable article 21 is not present.

As best seen in fig. 5, the inner diameter of the first section of the expansion element 35 is greater than the outer diameter of the consumable article 21. Thus, when the consumable article 21 is inserted into the apparatus 1 over at least a portion of the length of the expansion element 35, there is an air gap 36 between the expansion element 35 and the consumable article 21. The air gap 36 surrounds the entire circumference of the consumable product 21 in this region.

As best seen in fig. 6, collar 33 includes a plurality of legs 59. In this embodiment, there are four legs 59, of which only three are visible in the view of fig. 6. However, in other embodiments, there may be more or less than four legs 59. When the apparatus 1 is assembled, the legs 59 are arranged circumferentially equidistantly spaced around the inner surface of the collar 33 and are present in the expansion chamber 40. In this embodiment, the legs 59 are equally spaced circumferentially around the periphery of the opening 20 when installed in the apparatus 1. In one embodiment, there are four legs 59, and in other embodiments, there may be more or less than four legs 59. Each leg 59 extends in the Y-axis direction and is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expansion chamber 40 and protrudes into the opening 20. The legs 59 also extend radially at the ends 59a of the legs 59 in a direction toward the expansion element 35 such that the ends 59a are angled away from each other. The end 59a of each leg 59 provides an improved passage for the consumable article 21 so as to avoid damage to the consumable article 21 when the consumable article 21 is inserted into and/or removed from the device 1. The legs 59 together provide a gripping section to grip the consumable article 21 so as to properly position and hold the portion of the consumable article 21 within the expansion chamber 40 when the consumable article 21 is within the apparatus 1. Between them, the legs 59 gently press or grip the consumable article 21 in the area or areas where the consumable article is in contact with the legs 59.

The legs 59 may comprise an elastic material (or be elastic in some other manner) such that when the consumable article 21 is inserted into the device 1 they are slightly deformed (e.g., compressed) to better grip the consumable article 21, but because the legs 59 are biased to the rest position shown in fig. 6, the legs 59 return to their original shape when the consumable article 21 is removed from the device 1. Thus, the leg 59 is reversibly movable from a first position (which is a rest position) to a second position (a deformed position shown in fig. 5), whereby the consumable article 21 is gripped. In this embodiment, the legs 59 are integrally formed with the body of the collar 33. However, in some embodiments, the legs 59 may be separate components attached to the body of the collar 33. The inner diameter of the space formed between the legs 59 in the first rest position may be, for example, between 4.8mm and 5mm, and is preferably 4.9 mm. The legs 59 occupy space within the opening 20 such that the opening 20 has an open span at the location of the legs 59 that is less than the open span of the opening 20 at locations without the legs 59.

The expansion element 35 may be formed, for example, from a plastic material, including, for example, Polyetheretherketone (PEEK). PEEK has a relatively high melting point compared to most other thermoplastics and is highly resistant to thermal degradation.

Referring to fig. 6, in this embodiment, the heating chamber 29 communicates with a region 38 of reduced internal diameter towards the distal end 5. This area 38 defines a cleaning chamber 39 formed by a cleaning tube 41. The cleaning tube 41 is a hollow tube that provides an end stop for the consumable product 21 passing through the opening at the mouth end 3 (see fig. 5). The cleaning tube 41 is arranged for supporting and positioning the heater device 23.

The apparatus 1 may also include a door 61 at the distal end 5 of the apparatus 1 that opens and closes an opening in the bottom panel 19 to provide access to the heating chamber 29 so that the heating chamber 29 may be cleaned. The door 61 pivots about the hinge 63. Such access through the door 61 particularly enables a user to clean within the heater device 23 and the heating chamber 29 at the distal end 5. When the door 61 is open, a through hole is provided through the entire apparatus 1 between the opening 20 at the mouth end 3 and the opening at one end of the cleaning chamber at the distal end 5 of the apparatus 1. Therefore, the user can easily clean substantially the entire inside of the hollow heating chamber 29. To this end, the user may enter the heating chamber 29 via either end of the selected device 1. The user may use one or more different cleaning devices for this purpose, including for example a classic pipe cleaner or brush or the like.

As shown in fig. 6, the top panel 17 generally forms the first end 3 of the housing 9 of the device 1. The top panel 17 supports a collar 33 which defines an insertion point in the form of an opening 20 through which the consumable article 21 is removably inserted into the apparatus 1 in use.

The collar 33 extends around the opening 20 and protrudes therefrom into the interior of the housing 9. In this embodiment, collar 33 is a different element from top panel 17 and is attached to top panel 17 by an attachment such as a bayonet locking mechanism. In other embodiments, an adhesive or screws may be used to couple collar 33 to top panel 17. In other embodiments, the collar 33 may be integral with the top panel 17 of the housing 9, so the collar 33 and the top panel 17 form a single piece.

As best understood from fig. 5 and 6, the open space defined by the adjacent legs 59 of the collar 33 and the consumable article 21 forms a ventilation path 20a around the exterior of the consumable article 21. These ventilation paths 20a allow hot vapour that has escaped from the consumable product 21 to leave the apparatus 1 and allow cooling air to flow around the consumable product 21 into the apparatus 1. In this embodiment, four ventilation paths are located around the periphery of the consumable article 21, which provides ventilation for the apparatus 1. In other embodiments, more or fewer such ventilation paths 20a may be provided.

Referring again particularly to fig. 5, in this embodiment the consumable article 21 is in the form of a cylindrical rod having or containing an aerosolizable material 21a at a rear end in the section of the consumable article 21 that is within the heater device 23 when the consumable article 21 is inserted into the device 1. The front end of the consumable article 21 extends from the device 1 and acts as a mouthpiece 21b, which is an assembly comprising one or more of a filter for filtering the aerosol and/or a cooling element 21c for cooling the aerosol. The filter/cooling element 21c is spaced from the nebulizable material 21a by a space 21d and is also spaced from the tip of the nozzle assembly 21b by another space 21 e. The consumable article 21 is wrapped circumferentially in an outer layer (not shown). In this embodiment, the outer layer of the consumable article 21 is permeable to allow some of the heated volatile components from the nebulizable material 21a to escape the consumable article 21.

In operation, the heater device 23 will heat the consumable article 21 to volatilize at least one component of the nebulizable material 21 a.

The primary flow path of the heated volatile components from the nebulizable material 21a is axially through the consumable article 21, through the space 21d, the filter/cooling element 21c and the further space 21e before entering the user's mouth through the open end of the mouthpiece assembly 21 b. However, some volatile components may escape from the consumable article 21 through its permeable outer packaging and enter the space 36 in the expansion chamber 40 surrounding the consumable article 21.

It is undesirable for volatile components flowing from the consumable product 21 into the expansion chamber 40 to be inhaled by the user because these components do not pass through the filter/cooling element 21c and are therefore not filtered nor cooled.

Advantageously, the volume of air in the expansion chamber 40 surrounding the consumable product 21 causes at least some of the volatile components that escape the consumable product 21 through its outer layer to cool and condense on the inner walls of the expansion chamber 40, preventing those volatile components from being likely to be inhaled by the user.

This cooling effect may be assisted by cold air that can enter the space 36 surrounding the consumable 21 in the expansion chamber 40 from outside the apparatus 1 via the ventilation path 20a, which allows fluid to flow into and out of the apparatus. A first ventilation path is defined between a pair of the plurality of adjacent legs 59 of the collar 33 to provide ventilation around the exterior of the consumable article 21 at the insertion point. A second vent path is provided between a second pair of adjacent legs 59 for the flow of at least one heated volatile component from the consumable article 21 at the second location. Thus, ventilation is provided around the exterior of the consumable article 21 at the insertion point by the first ventilation path and the second ventilation path. Furthermore, the heated volatile components escaping the consumable product 21 through its outer packaging do not condense on the inner walls of the expansion chamber 40 and can safely flow out of the device 1 via the ventilation path 20a without being inhaled by the user. Both the expansion chamber 40 and the ventilation help to reduce the temperature and content of the water vapor composition in the heated volatile component released from the nebulizable material.

The device 1 is equipped with a thermal liner 13 towards the first end 3 of the device 1. As shown in fig. 6, the liner 13 is coupled to the first sleeve 11 a. The thermal liner 13 is a heat spreader that helps manage the thermal distribution. The thermal liner 13 helps protect the first sleeve 11a from thermal stresses by distributing internal heat generated using the apparatus 1 across the thermal liner 13. The thermal liner 13 conducts heat more efficiently than the first sleeve 11a to reduce the temperature gradient within the first sleeve 11 a. The thermal liner 13 is made of a metallic material, such as aluminum, so as to be lightweight and to spread heat sufficiently around the proximal end 3 of the device. This helps to avoid local hot spots on the first casing 11a and increases the lifetime of the first casing 11 a. The liner 13 distributes the heat by conduction. The liner 13 is not configured to insulate heat or reflect heat by radiation. The thermal liner 13 is discussed in more detail below.

As shown in fig. 6, the support pipe 75 is externally wrapped by the heater 71. In this example, the heater 71 is a thin film heater comprising polyimide and conductive elements. The heater 71 may include multiple heating zones that are independently controlled and/or simultaneously controlled. In this example, the heater 71 is formed as a single heater. However, in other embodiments, the heater 71 may be formed by a plurality of heaters aligned along the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 29. In some embodiments, multiple temperature sensors may be used to detect the temperature of the heater 71 and/or support tube. The support tube 75 in this embodiment is made of stainless steel to conduct heat from the heater 71 towards the consumable product 21 when the consumable product 21 is inserted into the heating zone (the heating zone being defined by the thermally conductive area of the support tube 75). In other embodiments, the support tube 75 may be made of a different material, so long as the support tube 75 is thermally conductive. Other heating elements 75 may be used in other embodiments. For example, the heating element may be a susceptor that is heatable by induction. In this embodiment, the support tube 75 serves as an elongate support for supporting the article 21 containing the nebulizable material in use.

In this embodiment, the heater 71 is located outside the support pipe 75. However, in other embodiments, the heater 71 may be located inside the support tube 75. In this embodiment, the heater 71 includes a portion that passes through the exterior of the support tube 75, and is referred to herein as a heater tail 73. The heater tail 73 extends beyond the heating chamber 29 and is configured to be electrically connected to the control circuit 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the heater tail 73 is physically connected to one PCB 25 a. Current may be supplied to the heater 71 by the power supply 27 via the control circuit 25 and the heater tail 73.

Due to the need for a connection between the heating chamber 29 and the control circuitry 25, it may be difficult to prevent airflow (or any other flow of fluid) between the heating chamber 29 and the electronics compartment. In this embodiment, a gasket 15 is used to prevent this fluid flow, as shown in fig. 6. The gasket 15 includes a first seal 15a and a second seal 15 b. The gasket 15 surrounds the heater tail 73 and is held together by the base 53 and the cassette 51. In the embodiment shown, four securing members 43 are used to provide sufficient force to clamp the base 53 and cassette 51 together and at this time seal the passage into and out of the chamber 29. The fastening member 43 is a screw fastened to a predetermined torque. In other embodiments, different fastening members 43 (such as bolts) may be used.

Referring to fig. 7-11, housing part 10 is shown. The housing parts comprise the first sleeve 11a of the housing 9 and the liner 13 as described above. The housing part 10 may be referred to as a top cover, since the housing part 10 forms a top part of the device 1 at the proximal end 3, as shown in fig. 1.

Liner 13 is referred to as a thermal liner because liner 13 serves to manage and improve the thermal distribution across first casing 11a to inhibit localized hot spots on apparatus 1, as shown in fig. 1. In particular, the liner 13 serves to inhibit localized hot spots on the first sleeve 11 a. The liner 13 distributes the heat by conduction. The liner 13 inhibits the formation of localized hot spots on the first sleeve 11a by spreading heat across itself and controlling the temperature distribution across the first sleeve 11 a. The control of the temperature profile is automatic. Thus, the inner liner 13 functions as a heat spreader for automatically radiating heat. In this embodiment, liner 13 automatically distributes heat more evenly across first sleeve 11 a. Thus, when liner 13 forms part of apparatus 1 and a user is in physical contact with first sleeve 11a, liner 13 protects first sleeve 11a from thermal degradation and reduces the risk of transferring excess heat to the user.

In this embodiment, the liner 13 has a thermal conductivity value different from that of the first sleeve 11 a. In this embodiment, the thermal conductivity value of the liner 13 is higher than that of the first sleeve 11 a. In other embodiments, the thermal conductivity value of the liner 13 may be lower than the thermal conductivity value of the first sleeve 11a, as long as the liner 13 is capable of inhibiting local hot spots on the first sleeve 11 a.

In this embodiment, liner 13 helps to improve the overall structural integrity of shell member 10 when liner 13 is coupled to first sleeve 11 a. For example, in some embodiments, the liner 13 increases the stiffness of the outer shell component 10 by improving the resistance to deformation of the grommet member 10. The first sleeve 11a adds support to the top panel 17 (shown in fig. 1) by adding stiffness. Liner 13 adds support to first sleeve 11 a. In this embodiment, the liner 13 also facilitates assembly of the apparatus 1. For example, the shape and/or contour of the liner 13 facilitates assembly of the apparatus 1. The liner 13 helps to protect the first sleeve 11a from surface damage. The liner 13 also provides a surface of the shell member 10 along which other components may slide. At least such features facilitate assembly of the device 1.

As previously shown in fig. 6, liner 13 and first sleeve 11a will be located at proximal end 3 of device 1, immediately adjacent expansion chamber 40. In the embodiment shown, the liner 13 is provided only in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus 1 (in the Y-axis direction). In other embodiments, a majority of the volume of the liner 13 may be provided in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus 1 (in the Y-axis direction). In each instance, liner 13 conducts heat away from first sleeve 11a and distributes heat flow within liner 13. Advantageously, the risk of thermal damage to the first bushing 11a is reduced. Furthermore, the heat transfer to the user of the device 1 is reduced to avoid that the device 1 is uncomfortable to handle.

Referring back to fig. 7-11, liner 13 is coupled to first sleeve 11a such that liner 13 provides inner surface 11a-1 of first sleeve 11 a. In this embodiment, the liner 13 is mated with the first sleeve 11a without the use of an adhesive. This results in direct surface contact between the first sleeve 11a and the liner 13. In other embodiments, an adhesive may be used, however, omitting the adhesive simplifies the manufacture and/or assembly of the housing component 10 and increases the speed of manufacture and/or assembly of the housing component 10. In this example, the inner surface of liner 13 is disposed flush with inner surface 11a-1 of first sleeve 11a such that inner surface 11a-1 is continuous (as shown in FIG. 10). This provides a transition between the first sleeve 11a and the liner 13, which results in the inner surface of the sleeve parts being at a level.

In this embodiment, liner 13 is coupled to first sleeve 11a by an overmolding process, wherein first sleeve 11a is molded around liner 13 to form a mating fit with liner 13. That is, the first sleeve 11a is provided as an over-molded part, wherein the liner 13 forms part of the mold. As shown in particular in fig. 10, the liner 13 is placed in heat conductive contact with the first sleeve 11a so as to draw excess heat from the first sleeve 11a and spread the heat within the liner 13. This thermally conductive contact may be referred to as a thermal contact, where the primary mode of heat transfer is conduction.

In this embodiment, liner 13 is partially encased by first sleeve 11 a. That is, as shown in fig. 10, the longitudinal sides and both longitudinal ends of the liner 13 are in thermal contact with the first sleeve 11 a.

In some embodiments, the liner 13 may be a foil or a tape (such as a thermal tape). An adhesive may be used to apply the foil or tape.

In this embodiment, liner 13 is formed by an extrusion process. The extrusion process provides liner 13 with a constant cross-section along the length of liner 13 (shown in the Y-axis direction).

In this embodiment, the liner 13 is made of aluminum, and the aluminum is extruded to form the final shape of the liner 13, as shown in fig. 11 (excluding the hole 8 for alignment with the user-operated on/off button 7, as shown in fig. 1 and 2). In other embodiments, other metallic materials may be used for the liner 13, such as copper, so long as the metallic material conducts heat away from the first sleeve 11 a. In this embodiment, the liner has a thermal conductivity value of 205W/mK, and the sleeve has a thermal conductivity value of 0.25W/mK. The thermal conductivity value of PEEK is 0.25W/mK, and the thermal conductivity value of aluminum is 205W/mK. In other embodiments, different thermal conductivity values of the liner and/or sleeve may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the thermal conductivity value of the liner may be at least 100 times the thermal conductivity value of the sleeve.

Advantageously, the local features of liner 13 may be formed continuously along the length of liner 13 as liner 13 is extruded. An example of a partial feature is a guide member 13a, as shown in fig. 11. Such a local feature may also be formed continuous with a corresponding local feature on the first sleeve 11a, as shown in fig. 7.

In this embodiment, the first sleeve 11a comprises a coupling area 12. The coupling area comprises a groove and/or recess 12 a. This allows the first sleeve 11a to be removably engaged with the second sleeve 11 b. In this embodiment, the engagement between the first and second sleeves 11a, 11b is arranged by a snap fit. In other embodiments, at least one protrusion (such as a ridge) may be used to provide a snap-fit arrangement for engaging with a corresponding groove and/or recess in another ferrule. A snap-fit arrangement is possible because the engagement portion of the first sleeve 11a is flexible and can be locally deformed under pressure. Once snap-fitted, the deformation of the engagement portion is reduced and the two parts are coupled.

As shown in fig. 7, the coupling region 12 includes a flat surface 12b with respect to the Y-axis direction. The flat surface 12b is not provided with grooves and/or recesses 12 a. When coupled, the flat surface 12b overlaps the second sleeve 11 b.

Referring specifically to FIG. 10, in the region of liner 13, thickness T1 of first sleeve 11a is equal to thickness T2 of liner 13. That is, when a cross section of the case member 10 is taken in the X-axis direction (and/or the Z-axis direction), the thicknesses T1, T2 of the first bushing 11a and the liner 13 are the same. In other areas, such as other longitudinal positions of the housing part 10, the thickness may be different. In the embodiment shown, the thickness of the first sleeve 11a at either end of the liner 13 is greater than the thickness of the liner 13. In this embodiment, the thickness of the liner 13 is about 0.6 mm. This thickness is the main thickness of the liner 13, i.e., the thickness of the guide member 13a excluding the thickness thicker than the main thickness. The relatively low thickness of the liner 13 enables the apparatus 1 to be thinned.

In this embodiment, liner 13 has an overall depth of 19.8mm and an overall height of 20.4 mm. The depth is the maximum dimension of the liner 13 in the Z-axis direction (as shown in fig. 11), and the overall height is the maximum dimension of the liner in the Y-axis direction (as shown in fig. 11). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the liner 13 has an overall width of 30.8 mm. The overall width is the maximum dimension of the liner 13 in the X-axis direction (as shown in fig. 11).

As shown in fig. 10, the first sleeve 11a includes an area 18 for receiving the door 4 and the top panel 17, as shown in fig. 1. Thus, the area 18 is a receiving portion of the first sleeve 11 a. The area 18 comprises holes 22 for forming openings 20 of the device 1, as shown in fig. 6.

As shown in fig. 11, the liner 13 is provided as a tape. The liner 13 is used to form the inner periphery of the shell member 10. This helps to distribute the heat more evenly across the liner 13 itself and the first sleeve 11 a. The liner 13 includes non-parallel longitudinal ends. The orientation of the longitudinal ends of the liner 13 mimics the orientation of the proximal end of the first sleeve 11a and the orientation of the coupling region 12.

Referring to fig. 12, a flow chart of an example method 100 is shown. The method 100 is a method of assembling a housing (such as the housing component 10 discussed above) for use with a device for heating nebulizable material to volatilize at least one component of the nebulizable material to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user. An example device is shown in fig. 1.

The method 100 comprises: providing a casing 101 of the housing to enclose the internal components of the device; providing an inner liner 103 of the sleeve to inhibit the formation of localized hot spots on the inner liner when the apparatus heats the nebulizable material; and coupling the liner and liner 103. The method 100 is suitable for forming the housing part 10 shown in fig. 7 to 11.

In this embodiment, the step of providing the liner 102 includes forming the liner by extrusion. The liner is extruded by an extrusion process and the ends are cut to separate the liner. When multiple liners are provided sequentially, each end of each liner may be machined and/or cut.

In this embodiment, the step of providing the sleeve 101 comprises forming the sleeve by overmolding the sleeve using a mold, wherein the liner forms a portion of the mold. This allows for a precise fit to be formed between the sleeve and the liner so that the liner is retained by the sleeve without the need for adhesive.

In this embodiment, the step of coupling the sleeve and liner 103 includes coupling the sleeve and liner in a tight fit. Further, in this embodiment, the step of coupling the sleeve and liner 103 includes coupling the sleeve and liner without an adhesive such that the sleeve and liner are in direct surface contact with each other.

In some embodiments, the nebulizable material comprises tobacco. However, in other embodiments, the nebulizable material can consist of tobacco, can consist essentially entirely of tobacco, can include tobacco and a nebulizable material other than tobacco, can include a nebulizable material other than tobacco, or can be free of tobacco. In some embodiments, the nebulizable material may include a vapor or aerosol former or humectant (such as glycerin, propylene glycol, glyceryl triacetate, or diethylene glycol).

In some embodiments, the nebulizable material is a non-liquid nebulizable material, and the apparatus is for heating the non-liquid nebulizable material to volatilize at least one component of the nebulizable material.

Once all or substantially all of the volatizable component of the nebulizable material in consumable article 21 is depleted, the user may remove article 21 from device 1 and dispose of article 21. The user may then re-use the device 1 with another article 21. However, in other respective embodiments, the article may be non-consumable, and once the volatizable component of the nebulizable material has been depleted, the device and article may be disposed of together.

In the embodiments described herein, the consumable article 21 includes a nozzle assembly 21 b. However, it will be understood that in other embodiments, an example apparatus as described herein may include a mouthpiece. For example, the device 1 may comprise a mouthpiece integral with the device, or in other embodiments, the device may comprise a mouthpiece removably attached to the device 1. In an example, the apparatus 1 may be configured to receive an aerosolizable material to be heated. The nebulizable material may be contained in a consumable article that does not include a mouthpiece portion. A user may aspirate the mouthpiece of the device 1 to inhale the aerosol generated by the device by heating the nebulizable material.

In some embodiments, the article 21 is sold, supplied, or otherwise provided separately from the apparatus 1 that may be used with the article 21. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus 1 and one or more articles 21 may be provided together as a system (such as a kit or assembly), possibly with additional components (such as a cleaning appliance).

To address various problems and advance the prior art, the entire disclosure shows, by way of example and example, various embodiments in which the claimed invention may be practiced and provides superior heating elements for use with apparatuses for heating nebulizable material, methods of forming heating elements for use with apparatuses for heating nebulizable material to volatilize at least one component of the nebulizable material, and systems comprising apparatuses for heating nebulizable material to volatilize at least one component of the nebulizable material and heating elements heatable by the apparatuses. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative of embodiments and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are used only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed and otherwise disclosed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the present disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the present disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be used and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the present disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, different combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc. The present disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future.