Apparatus for Heating Smokeable Material

Abstract

An apparatus is configured to heat smokeable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokeable material. The apparatus comprises a heater with a temperature-sensitive element configured to alter its shape when heated in order to cause progressive heating of the smokeable material.

1 . An apparatus configured to heat smokeable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokeable material, wherein the apparatus comprises a heater with a temperature-sensitive element configured to alter its shape when heated in order to cause progressive heating of the smokeable material. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heater is configured to trigger alteration of the shape of the temperature-sensitive element. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heater is configured to trigger alteration of the shape of the temperature-sensitive element in response to a user action. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , configured to trigger alteration of the shape of the temperature-sensitive element by causing an electrical current to pass through the temperature-sensitive element. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , configured to resistively heat the temperature-sensitive element to cause alteration of the shape of the temperature-sensitive element. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heater is configured to provide an area of elevated temperature which migrates progressively along the heater as the temperature-sensitive element alters in shape. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heater comprises an electrode comprising the temperature-sensitive element. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the heater is configured to form an electrically resistive contact comprising the electrode. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the electrically resistive contact changes position relative to the smokeable material upon alteration of the shape of the temperature-sensitive element. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the heater comprises a plurality of electrical elements, and wherein one or more of the electrical elements comprises the temperature-sensitive element. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the heater is configured to alter the position and/or shape of one or more of the electrical elements upon alteration of the shape of the temperature-sensitive element. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of temperature-sensitive elements and the temperature-sensitive elements form electrically resistive contact points at a plurality of different distances from a first end of the heater. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature-sensitive element comprises a bimetallic strip. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature-sensitive element comprises a shape memory material. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to heat the smokeable material without combusting the smokeable material.