Heat insulated apparatus for heating smokable material
An apparatus configured to heat smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, wherein the apparatus comprises a region insulation having a core region which is evacuated to a lower pressure than an exterior of the insulation.
1. An apparatus configured to heat smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material, comprising:
a housing;
a smokable material heating chamber within the housing, the heating chamber being hollow tubular for removably receiving smokable material therein;
a plurality of discrete heating rings within the housing, the heating rings being constructed and arranged to heat smokable material received in use in the smokable material heating chamber so as to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material; and
a region of insulation having a core that is evacuated to a lower pressure than an exterior of the insulation, the region of insulation being located between the heating rings and the housing so as to reduce heat loss from the apparatus.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the insulation is located co-axially around the heating chamber.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the insulation comprises an exterior wall which encloses the core region, the wall comprising a layer of stainless steel having a thickness of at least approximately 100 microns.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the insulation is less than approximately 1 mm.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the insulation is less than approximately 0.1 mm.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the insulation is between approximately 1 mm and 0.001 mm.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a pressure in the core region is between approximately 0.1 and approximately 0.001 mbar.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a pressure in the core region is of the order 10 −7 Torr.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a wall of the region of insulation which defines the core region has a coating for absorbing gas in the core region.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the coating for absorbing gas in the core region comprises titanium oxide.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to heat the smokable material without combusting the smokable material.