Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article comprises smokable material, such as tobacco, and a heater for heating the smokable material. The heater comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The heating material has a Curie point temperature that is less than the combustion temperature of the smokable material.

A method and system for heating a material includes an induction coil, a susceptor providing a receptacle, where the receptacle is configured to receive the material, and at least one nozzle for ejecting a heated gas onto and/or into the material. During the method, the susceptor is heated by the induction coil, and thermal energy from the susceptor can be transferred to the material. In addition to being heated by heat from the susceptor, the material is also heated by the heated gas, thereby increasing a heating rate of the material to rapidly heat the material to a processing temperature. The system can include other components such as a gas source, at least one conduit that channels gas from the gas source to the at least one nozzle, and a heat source that heats the gas prior to ejecting the gas from the at least one nozzle.

A cooking vessel includes a cooking surface and a lower portion positioned below the cooking surface. A first material is disposed within the lower portion and is in thermal proximity to the cooking surface. The first material increases in temperature upon absorption of electromagnetic radiation. A second material is disposed within the lower portion and in thermal proximity to the cooking surface. An electrical current is induced in the second material upon exposure to an electromagnetic field. Both the first material and the second material are configured to heat the cooking surface of the cooking vessel when used in a microwave oven or on an induction cooktop, respectively.

There is described an aerosol-forming substrate for use in combination with an inductive heating device. The aerosol-forming substrate comprises a solid material capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol upon heating of the aerosol-forming substrate, and at least a first susceptor material for heating of the aerosol-forming substrate. The first susceptor material has a first Curie-temperature and is arranged in thermal proximity of the solid material. The aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least a second susceptor material having a second Curie-temperature which is arranged in thermal proximity of the solid material. The first and second susceptor materials have specific absorption rate (SAR) outputs which are distinct from each other. Alternatively or in addition thereto the first Curie-temperature of the first susceptor material is lower than the second Curie-temperature of the second susceptor material, and the second Curie-temperature of the second susceptor material defines a maximum heating temperature of the first and second susceptor materials. There is also described an aerosol-delivery system.

An inductive heating device heats an aerosol-forming substrate including a susceptor. The device includes a device housing, a DC power source for providing a DC supply voltage and a DC current, power supply electronics including a DC/AC converter, the DC/AC converter including an LC load network including a series connection of a capacitor and an inductor having an ohmic resistance, a cavity in the device housing for accommodating a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate to inductively couple the inductor of the LC load network to the susceptor. The inductor is embedded in the device housing at a proximal end of the device housing to surround the cavity which is also arranged at the proximal end of the device housing. A microcontroller determines from the DC supply voltage and the DC current an apparent ohmic resistance, and from the apparent ohmic resistance the temperature of the susceptor.

Disclosed is an article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The article comprises smokable material, such as tobacco, and a heater for heating the smokable material. The heater comprises heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The heating material has a Curie point temperature that is less than the combustion temperature of the smokable material.

An electronic aerosol-generating device includes a housing extending between first and second ends along a longitudinal axis. The second end of the housing defines a cavity for receiving a consumable containing an aerosol generating substrate. The device further includes a heating component comprising a heating element extending along the longitudinal axis within the cavity and configured to penetrate into the aerosol generating substrate when the consumable is inserted into the cavity. The heating element comprises a material having a Curie temperature of less than 500° C. The device also includes an inductor comprising an inductor coil positioned to transfer magnetic energy to the heating element. The inductor is configured to induce eddy currents and/or hysteresis losses in the heating element. The device further includes a power supply operably connected to the inductor and control electronics operably connected to the power supply and configured to control heating of the heating element.

A heating blanket is disclosed. The heating blanket may include a thermoplastic matrix configured to become conformable at a predetermined temperature, a conductor embedded in the thermoplastic matrix and configured to receive electrical current and generate a magnetic field in response to the electrical current, and a plurality of susceptors embedded in the thermoplastic matrix and composed of a magnetic material having a Curie point.

Heating apparatus and methods for forming a part with a non-planar shape include a table formed of a thermally conductive material and defining a table surface. A tool, also formed of a thermally conductive material, has a base surface configured to engage the table surface of the table and a tooling surface opposite the base surface, wherein the tooling surface has a contoured shape that is non-planar. A heating blanket is provided above the table and defines a heating surface. The tooling surface of the tool is configured to engage a first surface of the part and the heating surface of the heating blanket is configured to engage a second surface of the part opposite the first surface of the part. The table and the heating blanket are heated to a processing temperature so that the part at least partially conforms to the tooling surface of the tool.

A smart susceptor assembly, including a smart susceptor, and a cladding disposed on at least a portion of the smart susceptor, wherein the cladding includes an electrically conductive material.