Patent Description:
Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called heat-not-burn products, also known as tobacco heating products or tobacco heating devices, which release compounds by heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

<CIT> discloses an aerosol-generating article which may comprise an aerosol-cooling element located between the support element and the mouthpiece. <CIT> discloses an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate and an aerosol-cooling element, which may comprise a plurality of longitudinally extending channels formed by a sheet of a thin material that has been crimped and then pleated, gathered, or folded to form channels. <CIT> discloses a combustible cigarette with a series of metal tubes forming smoke passages, acting as a heat exchanger. <CIT> discloses a fuel column which includes a hollow corrugated channel which extends longitudinally the full length of, and is concentric to, the fuel column. <CIT> relates to a smoking article comprising a chemical heat source and may further comprise a cooling part composed of a heat insulation material. <CIT> discloses a smokeless flavour inhalator which comprises an incombustible cooling element which may comprise internal passages and may have a honeycomb structure, a foamed structure, or a packing structure.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-cooling element for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material, the element being a main body portion formed of a first material having first and second ends and comprising at least one tube formed of a second, different material within the main body portion, the tube extending between the first and second ends so as to provide a through hole extending through the first material of the main body portion, wherein the main body portion is a monolithic rod.

In an embodiment, the through holes extend substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the rod.

In an embodiment, the majority of the through holes have a hexagonal or generally hexagonal cross-sectional shape. In this embodiment, the element has what might be termed a "honeycomb" structure when viewed from one end.

In an embodiment, the element is substantially incompressible.

In an embodiment, the porosity of the element is in the range <NUM>% to <NUM>%. The porosity in this sense may be a measure of the percentage of the lateral cross-sectional area of the element occupied by the through holes. In an embodiment, the porosity of the element is around <NUM>% to <NUM>%.

In an embodiment, the main body portion is formed of cellulose acetate.

In an embodiment, the main body portion is formed of a cellulose acetate tow.

In an embodiment, the at least one tube is formed of at least one of silicone rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate, and polypropylene.

In an embodiment, the element comprises plural tubes within the rod and extending between the first and second ends, providing plural through holes extending between the first and second ends of the main body portion.

There may be provided a cooling assembly for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material, the cooling assembly comprising:.

In an embodiment, said tube is a hollow tube for providing a filtering function to filter volatilised smokable material.

In an embodiment, the cooling assembly comprises comprising a second tube at the other end of the aerosol-cooling element.

There may be provided a smoking article for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material, the smoking article comprising:.

In an embodiment, the smoking article comprises a spacer between the smokable material and the aerosol-cooling element.

In an embodiment, the spacer is a hollow spacer tube.

In an embodiment, the smoking article comprises a hollow mouth end tube at an end of the aerosol-cooling element. In an embodiment, the mouth end tube is element being a rod having first and second ends, the rod being formed as a matrix of a first material containing particles of a second material.

In an embodiment, the first material comprises at least one polymer.

In an embodiment, the second material comprises carbon.

In an embodiment, the smoking article comprises a spacer between the smokable material and the aerosol-cooling element. In an embodiment, the spacer is a hollow spacer tube.

In an embodiment, the smoking article comprises a hollow mouth end tube at an end of the aerosol-cooling element. In an embodiment, the mouth end tube is arranged to provide a filtering function to filter volatilised smokable material produced when the smokable material is heated.

As used herein, the term "smokable material" includes materials that provide volatilised 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, shredded 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.

Apparatus is known that heats smokable material to volatilise 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" or "tobacco heating device" or similar. The apparatus is typically generally elongate, having an open end, sometimes referred to as the mouth end. The smokable material may be in the form of or provided as part of a cartridge or cassette or rod which can be inserted into the apparatus. A filter arrangement may be provided at the mouth end to filter and/or cool volatilised material as the material is drawn by the user. A heater for heating and volatilising the smokable material may be provided as a "permanent" part of the apparatus or may be provided as part of the smoking article or consumable which is discarded and replaced after use. A "smoking article" in this context is a device or article or other component that includes the smokable material, which in use is heated to volatilise the smokable material, and optionally other components. In use, particularly in the present principal applications, the smokable material is not burnt or combusted.

A particular problem with such heat-not-burn apparatus is cooling the volatilised material before it reaches the user. High temperatures are required to heat the smokable material, and the smokable material is often in close proximity to the mouth end of the apparatus. Moreover, unlike for example a conventional cigarette, the volatilised material typically does not pass though a relatively lengthy body of smokable material before reaching the user. Moreover, the outer housing of a heat-not-burn apparatus is often thermally insulated from the chamber where the smokable material is heated and from the passageway through which the volatilised material passes. As a result, the volatilised material is typically subject to little cooling during its passage through the apparatus.

Certain examples of embodiments of the present invention provide for cooling of the volatilised material or aerosol which is produced in use by such apparatus. In certain examples of embodiments of the present invention, such cooling may be achieved with little or no filtering function, or at least little or no filtering function beyond or in addition to any filtering that is performed by any associated filter which may be provided in use for the apparatus. That is, the primary concern of examples of embodiments of cooling elements of the present invention is to provide for cooling of the volatilised material or aerosol, and filtering is not a particular concern and is not addressed by the cooling element per se. In this regard, as noted above, achieving cooling of smoke in a conventional cigarette is normally not a particular concern as the smoke will typically have cooled sufficiently on its passage to the user anyway. Heat-not-bum apparatus or tobacco heating products/devices therefore present their own different problems and difficulties in this regard. The cooling elements described herein may be provided as part of the main apparatus (which typically includes a power supply, control circuitry and the like), and/or as part of the consumable (which is inserted into or otherwise engaged with the main apparatus and discarded and replaced after use), with the heater for heating the tobacco or other smokable material of the consumable being provided as part of the main apparatus or the consumable or both.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a schematic perspective view of a first example of an aerosol-cooling element <NUM> for use with an apparatus for heating and volatilising smokable material. In this example, the element <NUM> is cylindrical having a circular cross-section. In this example, the element <NUM> is a monolithic rod <NUM>. That is, the rod <NUM> is a block of a single material. The rod <NUM> has first and second ends <NUM>,<NUM>. In use, one end <NUM> will be located towards the smokable material and the heater of the heating apparatus with which the element <NUM> is used and the other end <NUM> will be located at or towards the mouth end.

The element <NUM> of <FIG> has plural through holes <NUM> extending between the first and second ends <NUM>,<NUM>. In the example shown, the through holes <NUM> extend generally parallel to each other and extend substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the rod <NUM>. However, other arrangements are possible. For example, not all the through holes <NUM> need be parallel to each other. In another example, some or all of the through holes <NUM> are not parallel to the central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the rod <NUM>. In use, the aerosol or volatilised material passes through the through holes <NUM>, allowing heat to be conducted from the aerosol or volatilised material to cool the aerosol or volatilised material.

The element <NUM> of <FIG> in one example is substantially incompressible, that is, the element <NUM> is reasonably rigid and relatively large forces are required to compress the element <NUM>. In this way, the element <NUM> can be self-supporting, requiring no further arrangement to support the element <NUM> in use.

In one example, the element <NUM> of <FIG> is formed of a ceramic material. A ceramic material is an inorganic, non-metallic material, often a crystalline oxide, nitride or carbide material. Suitable examples include silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si3N4), titanium carbide, and zirconium dioxide (zirconia), though other ceramic or non-ceramic materials may be used. In other examples the element <NUM> of <FIG> is formed of at least one polymer. The polymer may be for example a thermoplastic, such as for example a polyolefin, a polyester, a polyamides (or nylon, including for example nylon <NUM>), a polyacrylic, a polystyrene, a polyvinyl, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polyether block amide; a polyolefin such as for example polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene and polymethylpentene; a polyester; a polyacrylic; a polystyrene; a polyvinyl such as for example ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl alcohol and polyvinyl chloride; and any copolymer thereof, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof.

The element <NUM> of <FIG> may be formed initially as a solid block and the through holes <NUM> formed by piercing or boring through the block. More efficiently however, the element <NUM> of <FIG> may be formed initially with the through holes <NUM>, for example by some suitable moulding technique, which may optionally include extrusion and/or pultrusion for example.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a schematic perspective view of a second example of an aerosol-cooling element <NUM> for use with an apparatus for heating and volatilising smokable material. In this example, the element <NUM> is cylindrical having a circular cross-section. In this example, the element <NUM> is a rod <NUM> having first and second ends <NUM>,<NUM>. In use, one end <NUM> will be located towards the smokable material and the heater of the heating apparatus with which the element <NUM> is used and the other end <NUM> will be located at or towards the mouth end.

The element <NUM> of <FIG> has at least one tube <NUM> within the rod <NUM>, the tube <NUM> extending between the first and second ends <NUM>,<NUM> so as to provide a through hole <NUM> extending between the first and second ends <NUM>,<NUM> of the rod <NUM>. There are preferably plural such tubes <NUM> providing plural through holes <NUM> through the rod <NUM>. In the example shown, the tubes <NUM> and through holes <NUM> extend generally parallel to each other and extend substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the rod <NUM>. However, other arrangements are possible. For example, not all the tubes <NUM> and through holes <NUM> need be parallel to each other. In another example, some or all of the tubes <NUM> and through holes <NUM> are not parallel to the central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the rod <NUM>. In use, the aerosol or volatilised material passes through the through holes <NUM>, allowing heat to be conducted from the aerosol or volatilised material to cool the aerosol or volatilised material.

The element <NUM> of <FIG> in one example is substantially incompressible. In this way, the element <NUM> can be self-supporting, requiring no further arrangement to support the element <NUM> in use.

In an example of the element <NUM> of <FIG>, the main body portion or rod <NUM> is formed of a first material and the or each tube <NUM> is formed of a second, different material. In an example, the main body portion or rod <NUM> is formed of cellulose acetate. In an example, the main body portion or rod <NUM> is formed of a cellulose acetate tow. As is known per se, a tow is an untwisted bundle of continuous filaments, in this example a ribbon consisting of many cellulose acetate strands. In an example, the or each tube <NUM> is formed of at least one of silicone rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate, and polypropylene. Other materials may be used. One or more of the various tubes <NUM> may be formed of different materials from the others. The main body portion or rod <NUM> and the or each tube <NUM> may be formed as a block and then stretched or co-extruded to the desired diameter.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a schematic side view of another example of an aerosol-cooling element <NUM> for use with an apparatus for heating and volatilising smokable material. In this example, the element <NUM> is cylindrical having a circular cross-section. In this example, the element <NUM> is a rod <NUM> having first and second ends <NUM>,<NUM>. In use, one end <NUM> will be located towards the smokable material and the heater of the heating apparatus with which the element <NUM> is used and the other end <NUM> will be located at or towards the mouth end.

The element <NUM> of <FIG> has plural activated carbon fibres or threads <NUM> extending between the first and second ends <NUM>,<NUM>. It will be understood that this is shown only schematically in <FIG> and that there may be hundreds or even thousands of such fibres <NUM>. As is known per se, "activated" carbon is a form of carbon that has been processed to so as to have very many small, low-volume pores which increase dramatically the surface area of the carbon. In the example shown the activated carbon fibres <NUM> are substantially aligned with one another. In use, the aerosol or volatilised material passes along the activated carbon fibres <NUM>, allowing heat to be conducted from the aerosol or volatilised material to cool the aerosol or volatilised material. The activated carbon fibres or threads <NUM> may be formed solely of carbon. In another example, the activated carbon fibres or threads <NUM> may be formed by for example pulling a thread of material through a glue or other adhesive bath and then applying carbon fibres to the thread, with the carbon fibres adhering to the thread by virtue of the glue. The thread material in that case may be for example cellulose acetate.

In one arrangement, the rod <NUM> consists of the activated carbon fibres <NUM>, which are held together by an outer wrap or sheath <NUM>, with no other material being present. The wrap <NUM> may be formed of a material such as paper. In another arrangement, the rod <NUM> is formed from the activated carbon fibres <NUM> which are embedded or dispersed within a second, different material. The second, different material may be for example cellulose acetate, including for example a cellulose acetate tow.

The element <NUM> of <FIG> is formed as a matrix composed of a body portion <NUM> of a first material containing particles <NUM> of a second material. (It will be understood that <FIG> is schematic and that there will typically be thousands or tens of thousands or more of particles <NUM>.

In an example, the first material of the body portion <NUM> comprises at least one polymer. The polymer may be for example a thermoplastic, such as for example a polyolefin, a polyester, a polyamides (or nylon, including for example nylon <NUM>), a polyacrylic, a polystyrene, a polyvinyl, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polyether block amide; a polyolefin such as for example polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene and polymethylpentene; a polyester; a polyacrylic; a polystyrene; a polyvinyl such as for example ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl alcohol and polyvinyl chloride; and any copolymer thereof, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof. The first material of the body portion <NUM> may be a water-soluble resin.

In an example, the second material of the particles <NUM> comprises carbon. The carbon may be activated carbon.

The element <NUM> may be formed for example by mixing the particles <NUM> with the material of the body portion <NUM>, extruding the mixture, and then microwaving the mixture to cure it.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a schematic end view of another example of an aerosol-cooling element <NUM> for use with an apparatus for heating and volatilising smokable material. In this example, the element <NUM> is again cylindrical, in this case having a circular cross-section (as can be seen in <FIG>) though other cross-sectional shapes are possible, including for example square, rectangular or other quadrilateral, other polygonal, which may be regular or irregular, including for example pentagonal, octagonal, etc., etc. In this example, the element <NUM> is a monolithic rod, that is, the rod is a block of a single material. In use, one end of the rod-like element <NUM> will be located towards the smokable material and the heater of the heating apparatus with which the element <NUM> is used and the other end will be located at or towards the mouth end.

The element <NUM> of <FIG> has plural through holes or lumen <NUM> extending between the first and second ends. In the example shown, the through holes <NUM> extend generally parallel to each other and extend substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the rod-like element <NUM>. However, other arrangements are possible. For example, not all the through holes <NUM> need be parallel to each other. In another example, some or all of the through holes <NUM> are not parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the rod-like element <NUM>. In use, the aerosol or volatilised material passes through the through holes <NUM>, allowing heat to be conducted from the aerosol or volatilised material to cool the aerosol or volatilised material.

In this example, the through holes <NUM> when viewed in lateral cross-section (as shown in <FIG>) are arranged generally radially. That is, the internal walls of the element <NUM> which define the through holes <NUM> have two main configurations, namely radial walls <NUM> and central walls <NUM>. The radial walls <NUM> extend along radii of the cross-section of the element <NUM>. The central walls <NUM> pass generally around the centre of the cross-section of the element <NUM>. In the example shown, the central walls <NUM> are circular, though other shapes are possible, and may for example be regular or irregular polygons, optionally following the general cross-sectional shape of the element <NUM> as a whole. There may be for example a first, innermost central wall 57a and a second central wall 57b located radially outwards of the first, innermost central wall 57a. Further central walls may be provided. Radial walls <NUM> may extend between the innermost central wall 57a and the second central wall 57b. Further radial walls <NUM> may extend between the second central wall 57b and the outermost wall <NUM> of the element <NUM>. Depending on the flow arrangement and cooling effect that is required, some or all of the radial walls <NUM> that extend between the innermost central wall 57a and the second central wall 57b may be radially aligned with the radial walls <NUM> that extend between the second central wall 57b and the outermost wall <NUM> of the element <NUM>. Likewise, in the example shown, there are no radial walls provided radially inwardly of the innermost central wall 57b so that the centre of the element <NUM> is open, though one or more radial walls and/or other non-radial walls and/or other projections may extend into or across the centre of the element <NUM>. Moreover, the radial walls <NUM> are regularly angularly spaced from each other, so that the radial angle between each pair of radial walls <NUM> is the same, but this need not be the case and respective pairs of radial walls may have different angular separations. This all allows for a flexible design for the element <NUM> so that the effective porosity of the element <NUM> to air or vapour flow can be set to be a predetermined or desired value. Correspondingly, the effective surface area within the element <NUM> that is exposed to the vapour or aerosol passing through can be controlled or set to a desired value; it has been found that the effective surface area within the element is one of the main factors in determining the amount of cooling that is achieved. All of these factors enable better control of the cooling that is achieved in use, as well has in some cases enabling better control of aspects such as the droplet size of the vapour that passes through the element <NUM> in use as well as the amount of vapour that might condense during passage through the element <NUM>.

In the specific example of <FIG>, each of the radial walls 56a that extends between the innermost central wall 57a and the second central wall 57b is radially aligned with a respective one of the radial walls 56b that extend between the second central wall 57b and the outermost wall <NUM> of the element <NUM>. In addition, further radial walls 56c are provided between the second central wall 57b and the outermost wall <NUM> of the element <NUM>. In this example, the further "intermediate" radial walls 56c are positioned midway between the other radial walls 56b that extend between the second central wall 57b and the outermost wall <NUM> of the element <NUM>, though other arrangements are possible.

In the specific example of <FIG>, there are <NUM> (twenty-eight) through holes <NUM> which are sized and arranged such that the overall porosity longitudinally through the element <NUM> is around <NUM>% (that is, the total cross-sectional area defined by the through holes <NUM> is around <NUM>% of the total cross-sectional area and the cross-sectional area defined by the radial walls <NUM> and the central walls <NUM> is around <NUM>% of the total cross-sectional area). In general, a porosity of between around <NUM>% to <NUM>%, or more particularly around <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and even more particularly around <NUM>% to <NUM>%, has been found to perform well.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a schematic end view of another example of an aerosol-cooling element <NUM> for use with an apparatus for heating and volatilising smokable material. In this example, the element <NUM> is again cylindrical having a circular cross-section (as can be seen in <FIG>), though again other cross-sectional shapes are possible. In this example, the element <NUM> is a monolithic rod, that is, the rod is a block of a single material, and has plural through holes or lumen <NUM>.

The example of <FIG> is similar in many respects to the example of <FIG> and similar options and alternatives to those discussed above are available. Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, the description of the same or similar aspects and options or alternatives will not be repeated here and only the main differences will be discussed.

In the example of <FIG>, each radial wall 66a that extends between the innermost central wall 67a and the second central wall 67b is radially aligned with a respective one of the radial walls 66b that extend between the second central wall 67b and the outermost wall <NUM> of the element <NUM>, and vice versa. That is, compared with the example of <FIG>, there are no intermediate radial walls between the outermost radial walls 66b (which are aligned with respective ones of the radial walls 66a that extend between the innermost central wall 67a and the second central wall 67b, as discussed). In this example, there are <NUM> through holes <NUM> which are sized and arranged such that the overall porosity longitudinally through the element <NUM> is around <NUM>% to <NUM>%.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a schematic end view of another example of an aerosol-cooling element <NUM> for use with an apparatus for heating and volatilising smokable material. In this example, the element <NUM> is again cylindrical having a circular cross-section (as can be seen in <FIG>), though again other cross-sectional shapes may be used. In this example, the element <NUM> is a monolithic rod, that is, the rod is a block of a single material, and has plural through holes or lumen <NUM>.

Similarly to the example of <FIG>, in the specific example of <FIG>, each of the radial walls 76a that extends between the innermost central wall 77a and the second central wall 77b is radially aligned with a respective one of the radial walls 76b that extend between the second central wall 77b and the outermost wall <NUM> of the element <NUM>; and, in addition, further radial walls 76c are provided between the second central wall 77b and the outermost wall <NUM> of the element <NUM>. In this example, the further "intermediate" radial walls 76c are positioned midway between the other radial walls 76b that that extend between the second central wall 77b and the outermost wall <NUM> of the element <NUM>, though other arrangements are possible. In this example, the radial or angular separation between radial walls is smaller than for the example for <FIG>, so there are more through holes <NUM>. In this specific example, there are <NUM> (forty) through holes <NUM>, <NUM> which are sized and arranged such that the overall porosity longitudinally through the element <NUM> is around <NUM>%.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a schematic end view of another example of an aerosol-cooling element <NUM> for use with an apparatus for heating and volatilising smokable material. In this example, the element <NUM> is again cylindrical having a cross-section (as can be seen in <FIG>), though other shapes are possible. In this example, the element <NUM> is a monolithic rod, that is, the rod is a block of a single material, and has plural through holes or lumen <NUM>, <NUM>'. In this example, the internal walls <NUM> of the element <NUM> are arranged such that the majority of the lumen <NUM> have a hexagonal cross-sectional shape when viewed from the end (as in <FIG>), or at least a generally hexagonal cross-sectional shape. It will be understood that the lumen <NUM>' at the periphery near the outermost wall <NUM> will have a different shape so as to accommodate the curved shape of the outermost wall <NUM>, and that likewise outermost peripheral walls of some lumen <NUM> may be curved slightly again to accommodate the shape of the outermost wall <NUM>. Nevertheless, as stated, the majority of the lumen <NUM> have a hexagonal cross-sectional shape or at least a generally hexagonal cross-sectional shape. In this way, the element <NUM> has what may be termed a honeycomb-like structure, which may have advantages in some applications. In this specific example, there are <NUM> (nineteen) hexagonal major through holes <NUM>, and <NUM> (twelve) non-hexagonal minor through holes <NUM>', which are sized and arranged such that the overall porosity longitudinally through the element <NUM> is around <NUM>%.

Any of the elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG> in one example is substantially incompressible, that is, the element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is reasonably rigid and relatively large forces are required to compress the element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In this way, the element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be self-supporting, requiring no further arrangement to support the element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in use.

In one example, the element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG> is formed of a ceramic material. A ceramic material is an inorganic, non-metallic material, often a crystalline oxide, nitride or carbide material. Suitable examples include silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si<NUM>N<NUM>), titanium carbide, and zirconium dioxide (zirconia), though other ceramic or non-ceramic materials may be used. In other examples the element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG> is formed of at least one polymer. The polymer may be for example a thermoplastic, such as for example a polyolefin, a polyester, a polyamides (or nylon, including for example nylon <NUM>), a polyacrylic, a polystyrene, a polyvinyl, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polyether block amide; a polyolefin such as for example polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene and polymethylpentene; a polyester; a polyacrylic; a polystyrene; a polyvinyl such as for example ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl alcohol and polyvinyl chloride; and any copolymer thereof, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof.

The element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG> may be formed initially as a solid block and the through holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> formed by piercing or boring through the block. More efficiently however, particularly in the case that the element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG> is formed of at least one polymer, the element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed initially with the through holes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for example by some suitable moulding technique, which may optionally include extrusion and/or pultrusion for example.

As mentioned above, one application for cooling elements as described herein is in the main apparatus of a heating apparatus for heating smokable material, the main apparatus typically including a power supply, control circuitry and the like. Another application, also mentioned above, is for the cooling elements as described herein to be part of the consumable, which is inserted into or otherwise engaged with the main apparatus and discarded and replaced after use. The heater for heating the tobacco or other smokable material of the consumable may be provided as part of the main apparatus or the consumable or heaters may be provided in both in some cases.

<FIG> shows schematically an example of an arrangement <NUM> for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material and which incorporates a cooling element as described above. In this example, the arrangement <NUM> is a mouthpiece assembly <NUM>. The mouthpiece assembly <NUM> may be part of or engaged in use with the main apparatus of a heating apparatus for heating smokable material or as part of the consumable, which is inserted into or otherwise engaged with the main apparatus and discarded and replaced after use. For clarity and simplicity, the following description will be in terms of the mouthpiece assemblies described herein being a part of the consumable, it being understood that the mouthpiece assemblies described herein may alternatively be part of or engaged in use with the main apparatus of a heating apparatus.

In this example, the mouthpiece assembly <NUM> has a single cooling element <NUM>, which may be in accordance with any of the examples described above. On one side of the cooling element <NUM> (which in use is the mouth end), a first, mouth end hollow tube <NUM> abuts one end of the cooling element <NUM>. The mouth end tube <NUM> may be formed of for example paper, for example in the form of a spirally wound paper tube, cellulose acetate, cardboard, crimped paper, such as crimped heat resistant paper or crimped parchment paper, and polymeric materials, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), or some other suitable material. On the other side of the cooling element <NUM> is a second hollow tube <NUM> which spaces the cooling element <NUM> from the very hot part(s) of the main apparatus that heats the smokable material and thus protects the cooling element <NUM> from high temperatures, as well as helping to improve aerosol production as it can help to prevent condensation. The second tube <NUM> may again be formed of for example paper, for example in the form of a spirally wound paper tube, cellulose acetate, cardboard, crimped paper, such as crimped heat resistant paper or crimped parchment paper, and polymeric materials, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), or some other suitable material. The mouth end tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM> provide support for the cooling element <NUM>. The mouth end tube <NUM> may have a filtering function and may sometimes be referred to as a tube filter.

The cooling element <NUM> in this example is located generally centrally of the mouthpiece assembly <NUM>, but in other examples may be located more or less towards one end or the other of the mouthpiece assembly <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the mouth end tube <NUM>, the cooling element <NUM> and the second tube <NUM> are held together by a tipping paper <NUM> which is wrapped tightly round the mouth end tube <NUM>, the cooling element <NUM> and the second tube <NUM> to bind them together. In this sense, the mouthpiece assembly <NUM> is "pre-assembled".

In one specific example, the first, mouth end tube <NUM> may be <NUM> long, the cooling element <NUM> may be <NUM> long, and the second tube <NUM> may be <NUM> long, and the outside diameter of the mouthpiece assembly <NUM> as a whole may be <NUM>. Excluding the tipping paper <NUM>, the outside diameter of the cooling element <NUM>, the mouth end tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM> may for example be in the range <NUM> to <NUM>, with <NUM> being one preferred option. Other dimensions may be used, depending on for example the particular application, the typical temperature of the incoming aerosol or vapour, the nature (material) of the aerosol or vapour and smokable material, etc..

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown schematically an example of a consumable <NUM> for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material. The consumable <NUM> has a mouthpiece assembly <NUM> and a cylindrical rod of smokable material <NUM>. The mouthpiece assembly <NUM> includes a cooling element which may be in accordance with any of the cooling elements described herein. In the example shown, the mouthpiece assembly <NUM> is generally the same as or similar to the mouthpiece assembly <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. That is, the mouthpiece assembly <NUM> is "pre-assembled", with tipping paper <NUM> that is wrapped around the cooling element <NUM>, the mouth end tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM>. In this case, the mouthpiece assembly <NUM> may then be joined to the smokable material <NUM> by a further tipping paper <NUM>, which is wrapped round the mouthpiece assembly <NUM> and at least the adjacent end of the smokable material <NUM>. In other examples, the mouthpiece assembly <NUM> is not pre-assembled and instead the consumable <NUM> is formed by wrapping a tipping paper <NUM> around the cooling element <NUM>, the mouth end tube <NUM>, the second tube <NUM> and the smokable material <NUM> effectively in one operation, with no separate tipping paper being provided for the components of the mouthpiece parts.

<FIG> shows schematically an example of a part-finished product <NUM> during an example of a manufacturing process for manufacturing arrangements for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material, the arrangements each incorporating a cooling element as described above. The part-finished product <NUM> has two cooling elements <NUM>, <NUM>, which may be the same as or different from each other and which are each in accordance with any of the examples of cooling elements described herein. The two cooling elements <NUM>, <NUM> are spaced from each other by a first, relatively long hollow tube <NUM>. Additional hollow tubes <NUM>, <NUM> are provided on the opposite ends of the cooling elements <NUM>, <NUM>. The tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed of the same or different materials, and may for example be formed of any of the materials discussed in relation to the example of <FIG>. The cooling elements <NUM>, <NUM> and the tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be joined to each other using tipping paper <NUM> which is wrapped tightly round cooling elements <NUM>, <NUM> and the tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to bind them together. During manufacture, the central hollow tube <NUM> is cut through centrally, so as to provide two arrangements for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material, each of which incorporates a cooling element <NUM>, <NUM> and each of which may be similar to the arrangement <NUM> as described above with reference to <FIG>. It will be understood that this can be extended, so that further cooling elements with further spacing tubes may be provided in the part-finished product, to produce multiple arrangements as described herein.

Optionally, flavouring material may be included within any of the mouthpiece assemblies described herein. For example, a flavourant may be added to any of the tipping papers that are used in some examples to join components of the mouthpiece assembly together. Alternatively or additionally, one or more plugs of flavouring material may be introduced into one or more of the tubes of the mouthpiece assembly. Such a plug may for example be a cellulose acetate tow as a flavour carrier, to which a flavourant is added. As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. They may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.

As mentioned above, a "consumable", which comprises smokable material, at least one cooling element and optionally at least one spacer or support tube (which may also provide a filtering function), may have its own heater, provided as part of the consumable element or device which is disposed of by the user after use. Alternatively, the heater for heating the smokable material may be provided as a component of the main apparatus (which typically includes a power supply, control circuitry and the like) with which the consumable is engaged for use. An example of the latter type of apparatus for heating smokable material with which examples of embodiments of the present invention may be used is shown in our <CIT> and <CIT>, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

<FIG> show schematically a perspective view and a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of an example of apparatus <NUM> disclosed in our <CIT> and <CIT>, and <FIG> shows schematically a cross-sectional perspective view of an example of a heater support sleeve and heating chamber suitable for use in the apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>. In <FIG>, there is shown a consumable <NUM> inserted into the apparatus <NUM>, the consumable <NUM> having at least a cooling element <NUM> in accordance with any of the examples described herein. The apparatus <NUM> is arranged to heat smokable material to volatilise at least one component of smokable material, typically to form an aerosol which can be inhaled. The apparatus <NUM> is a heating apparatus <NUM> which releases compounds by heating, but not burning, the smokable material. The apparatus <NUM> in this example is generally elongate, having a generally elongate cylindrical outer housing <NUM> of circular cross-section. The outer housing <NUM> has an open end <NUM>, some times referred to herein as the mouth end.

Referring particularly to the cross-sectional view of <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> has a heating chamber <NUM> which in use contains the smokable material <NUM> to be heated and volatilised. The smokable material <NUM> is provided as part of a cylindrical rod-like consumable <NUM>, which as mentioned in this example has a cooling element <NUM> which may be in accordance with any of the examples described above. The apparatus <NUM> further has an electronics/power chamber <NUM> which contains electrical control circuitry <NUM> and a power source <NUM>. The heating chamber <NUM> and the electronics/power chamber <NUM> are adjacent each other along the longitudinal axis X-X of the apparatus <NUM>. The electrical control circuitry <NUM> may include a controller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, configured and arranged to control the heating of the smokable material <NUM> The power source <NUM> may be a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery.

The heating chamber <NUM> is contained within a heater support sleeve <NUM>, which is contained within the outer housing <NUM>. In this example, the heater support sleeve <NUM> is a generally elongate cylinder of circular cross-section. Further, and referring particularly to <FIG>, the heater support sleeve <NUM> of this example is a double-walled sleeve. Thus, the heater support sleeve <NUM> has an outer cylindrical wall <NUM>' and an inner cylindrical wall <NUM>" which are separated by a small separation d. The outer and inner cylindrical walls <NUM>', <NUM>" are joined at each end. One of the functions of the heater support sleeve <NUM> is to assist in heat-insulating the outer housing <NUM> from the heating chamber <NUM>, so that the outer housing <NUM> does not become hot or at least too hot to touch during use. The space between the outer and inner cylindrical walls <NUM>', <NUM>" may contain for example air or may be evacuated to improve the heat insulating properties of the heater support sleeve <NUM>. As an alternative, the space between the outer and inner cylindrical walls <NUM>', <NUM>" may be filled with some other insulating material, including a suitable foam-type material for example. The heater support sleeve <NUM> is provides structural stability for the components mounted therein.

The heater support sleeve <NUM> contains at least one heating element. In the example shown in the drawings, the heater support sleeve <NUM> contains plural heating elements or heater segments <NUM>. There are preferably at least two heater segments <NUM>, though arrangements with other numbers of heater segments <NUM> are possible. In the particular example shown, there are four heater segments <NUM>. In this example, the heater segments <NUM> align along or parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X of the heater support sleeve <NUM>. The electrical control circuitry <NUM> and the power connections to the heater segments <NUM> are preferably arranged such that at least two, and more preferably all, of the heater segments <NUM> can be powered independently of each other, so that selected zones of the smokable material <NUM> can be independently heated, for example in turn (over time) or together (simultaneously) as desired. In this particular example, the heater segments <NUM> are generally annular or cylindrical, having a hollow interior which in use contains the smokable material <NUM>. In an example, the heater segments <NUM> may be made of a ceramics material. Examples include alumina and aluminium nitride and silicon nitride ceramics, which may be laminated and sintered. Other heating arrangements are possible, including for example infrared heater segments <NUM>, which heat by emitting infrared radiation, or resistive heating elements formed by for example a resistive electrical winding around the heater segments <NUM>.

In an example, one <NUM>' of the heater segments <NUM> may be such as to contain or define a volume that has a lower heat capacity or thermal mass, and/or itself may have a lower heat capacity or thermal mass, than the other heater segment or segments <NUM>. This means that, at least for the same or similar supplied power, the interior of the heater segment <NUM>' that has a lower heat capacity and/or defines a volume of lower heat capacity will heat more quickly than the interior of the other heater segments <NUM>. This means that the smokable material <NUM> in that heater segment <NUM>' will volatilise more quickly, which enables the user to inhale more quickly once the apparatus <NUM> is first put to use. It is preferred that this heater segment <NUM>' is close to the mouth end <NUM>, and it may therefore be for example the first or second heater segment <NUM> in sequence moving away from the mouth end <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, this heater segment <NUM>' is the second closest to the mouth end <NUM>. The heater segments <NUM> are mounted and supported within the heater support sleeve <NUM> by mechanical isolators <NUM>. The mechanical isolators <NUM> are rigid so as to provide mechanical, structural support for the heater segments <NUM>. The mechanical isolators <NUM> act to maintain a separation or air gap between the heater segments <NUM> and the heater support sleeve <NUM>, so as to reduce or minimise heat loss from the heater segments <NUM> to the heater support sleeve <NUM>.

In use, the user inserts a fresh consumable <NUM> into the apparatus <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM> is then activated to heat the smokable material <NUM>. After use, the user removes the used consumable <NUM> from the apparatus <NUM> and typically discards the used consumable <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An aerosol-cooling element (<NUM>) for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material, the element being a main body portion (<NUM>) formed of a first material having first (<NUM>) and second ends (<NUM>), and comprising at least one tube (<NUM>) formed of a second, different material within the main body portion, the tube extending between the first and second ends so as to provide a through hole (<NUM>) extending through the first material of the main body portion, wherein the main body portion (<NUM>) is a monolithic rod.