Apparatus for heating smokable material

An apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the apparatus comprising:

• a body;
• a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field;
• a body of heating material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field;
• a non-smokable thermally-conductive element comprising a free first end and a second end at which is the element is mounted to the body, the non-smokable thermally-conductive element in thermal contact with the body of heating material and arranged relative to the body of heating material so that heating of the body of heating material by penetration with the varying magnetic field causes progressive heating of the non-smokable thermally-conductive element;
• and
• a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising smokable material, wherein the heating zone is in thermal contact with the non-smokable thermally-conductive element and is arranged relative to the non-smokable thermally-conductive element so that the progressive heating causes progressive heating of the heating zone,
• wherein the smokable material encircles the non-smokable thermally-conductive element along a full length of the non-smokable thermally-conductive element when the article comprising the smokable material is received in the heating zone.

A system for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the system comprising:

• an article comprising smokable material;
• and an apparatus comprising:
• a body;
• a magnetic field generator for generating a varying magnetic field,
• a body of heating material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field,
• a non-smokable thermally-conductive element comprising a free first end and a second end at which the element is mounted to the body, the non-smokable thermally-conductive element in thermal contact with the body of heating material and arranged relative to the body of heating material so that heating of the body of heating material by penetration with the varying magnetic field causes progressive heating of the non-smokable thermally-conductive element, and
• a heating zone for receiving at least a portion of the article, wherein the heating zone is in thermal contact with the non-smokable thermally-conductive element and is arranged relative to the non-smokable thermally-conductive element so that the progressive heating causes progressive heating of the heating zone,
• wherein the smokable material encircles the non-smokable thermally-conductive element along a full length of the non-smokable thermally-conductive element when the article comprising the smokable material is received in the heating zone.

A method of heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the method comprising:

• providing a body of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field;
• providing a non-smokable thermally-conductive element in thermal contact with the body of heating material and arranged relative to the body of heating material so that heating of the body of heating material by penetration with the varying magnetic field causes progressive heating of the non-smokable thermally-conductive element;
• providing smokable material wherein the non-smokable thermally-conductive element is embedded within the smokable material such that the smokable material is in thermal contact with the non-smokable thermally-conductive element;
• providing a cover circumscribing the smokable material;
• and
• penetrating the heating material with the varying magnetic field so as to cause progressive heating of the non-smokable thermally-conductive element, thereby to cause progressive heating of the smokable material,
• wherein the smokable material encircles the non-smokable thermally-conductive element along a full length of the non-smokable thermally-conductive element when the article comprising the smokable material is received in the heating zone, and
• wherein the body of heating material, the non-smokable thermally-conductive heating element and the cover are individual components of an article.

A method of heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, the method comprising:

• providing a body of heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field;
• providing a non-smokable thermally-conductive element comprising a free first end and a second end at which the element is mounted to a body of an apparatus, the non-smokable thermally-conductive element in thermal contact with the body of heating material and arranged relative to the body of heating material so that heating of the body of heating material by penetration with the varying magnetic field causes progressive heating of the non-smokable thermally-conductive element;
• providing smokable material wherein the non-smokable thermally-conductive element is embedded within the smokable material such that the smokable material is in thermal contact with the non-smokable thermally-conductive element;
• and
• penetrating the heating material with the varying magnetic field so as to cause progressive heating of the non-smokable thermally-conductive element, thereby to cause progressive heating of the smokable material,
• wherein the smokable material encircles the non-smokable thermally-conductive element along a full length of the non-smokable thermally-conductive element when the article comprising the smokable material is received in the heating zone.