SMOKING SUBSTITUTE SYSTEM

Abstract

A smoking substitute system and device comprising a heater apparatus for a heat not burn smoking substitute device, the heater apparatus comprising a solid blade-type heating element adapted for insertion into a consumable for the heat not burn smoking device, wherein the heating element has a multi-sectional cross section comprising at least two sections, each of the sections having a surface normal vector with a direction; and wherein the directions of the surface normal vectors are non-parallel.

Claims

1. A heater apparatus for a heat not burn smoking substitute device, the heater apparatus comprising: a solid blade-type heating element adapted for insertion into a consumable for the heat not burn smoking device, wherein the heating element has a multi-sectional cross section comprising at least two sections, each of the sections having a surface normal vector with a direction; and wherein the directions of the surface normal vectors are non-parallel.

2. The heater apparatus according to the previous claim, wherein the heating element comprises a longitudinal extension having a direction (L) substantially along the longitudinal axis of the heating element; and wherein the surface normal vectors are measured substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and/or the direction of the longitudinal extension of the heating element.

3. The heater apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating element has a distal end, and wherein the distal end has a cutting edge for penetration into aerosol-generating material of a consumable.

4. The heater apparatus according to the previous claim, wherein the cutting edge forms at least one plane, and wherein the plane is at an angle with a plane perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal extension of the heating element.

5. The heater apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating element comprises more than two sections, in particular three sections, further in particular four sections, further in particular five sections, further in particular six sections, further in particular seven sections, further in particular more than seven sections.

6. The heater apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the sections are independently heatable, in particular wherein all sections are independently heatable.

7. The heater apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a power source, wherein the power source is connectable to at least one of the sections, and wherein when connected to the power source the section is heated.

8. The heater apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein the power source comprises a positive terminal and a negative terminal; wherein each heatable section comprises two terminals for connecting to the power source; wherein one terminal of each heatable section is connected to one of the positive terminal and the negative terminal; and wherein the other terminal of each heatable section is selectively connectable to the other one of the positive terminal and the negative terminal.

9. The heater apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein only a single heatable section is connectable to the power source at a given time; or wherein a subset of heatable sections of the heatable sections is connectable simultaneously to the power source at a given time.

10. The heater apparatus according to at least one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a controller, wherein the controller is controlling the connecting of heatable sections to the power source.

11. The heater apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the heater apparatus has one of a two section V-shape, a two section L-shape, a U-shape, an H-shape, a Y-shape, a double-Y-shape, a triangle shape, a three section star shape, a four section star shape, and a five section star shape.

12. A substitute smoking system comprising: a heater apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims; and an aerosol-forming article.

13. A substitute smoking system according to the previous claim, wherein the aerosol-forming article is a heat-not-burn consumable comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, and wherein the heating element is penetrating into the aerosol-forming substrate.

14. A method of using the system according to claim 12 or 13, the method comprising: inserting the article into the device; and heating the article using at least one heatable section of the heating element.

15. A method according to claim 14, comprising inserting the article into the smoking substitute device and penetrating the article with the heating element upon insertion of the article.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0097] So that the disclosure may be understood, and so that further aspects and features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments illustrating the principles of the disclosure will now be discussed in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0098] FIG. 1A is a schematic of a smoking substitute system;

[0099] FIG. 1B is a schematic of a variation of the smoking substitute system of FIG. 1A;

[0100] FIG. 2A is a front view of a first embodiment of a smoking substitute system with the consumable engaged with the device;

[0101] FIG. 2B is a front view of the first embodiment of the smoking substitute system with the consumable disengaged from the device;

[0102] FIG. 2C is a section view of the consumable of the first embodiment of the smoking substitute system;

[0103] FIG. 2D is a detailed view of an end of the device of the first embodiment of the smoking substitute system;

[0104] FIG. 2E is a section view of the first embodiment of the substitute smoking system;

[0105] FIGS. 3A-B are views of an exemplary embodiment of a heating element of the of the smoking substitute system;

[0106] FIGS. 4A-B are views of a further exemplary embodiment of a heating element of the of the smoking substitute system; and

[0107] FIGS. 5A to F are views of further exemplary embodiments of a heating element of the of the smoking substitute system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0108] Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

[0109] FIG. 1A is a schematic providing a general overview of a smoking substitute system 100. The system 100 includes a substitute smoking device 101 and an aerosol-forming article in the form of a consumable 102, which comprises an aerosol former 103. The system is configured to vaporize the aerosol former by heating the aerosol former 103 (so as to form a vapor/aerosol for inhalation by a user).

[0110] In the illustrated system, the heater 104 forms part of the consumable 102 and is configured to heat the aerosol former 103. In this variation, the heater 104 is electrically connectable to the power source 105, for example, when the consumable 102 is engaged with the device 101. Heat from the heater 104 vaporizes the aerosol former 103 to produce a vapor. The vapor subsequently condenses to form an aerosol, which is ultimately inhaled by the user.

[0111] The system 100 further comprises a power source 105 that forms part of the device 101. In other embodiments the power source 105 may be external to (but connectable to) the device 101. The power source 105 is electrically connectable to the heater 104 such that it is able to supply power to the heater 104 (i.e., for the purpose of heating the aerosol former 103). Thus, control of the electrical connection of the power source 105 to the heater 104 provides control of the state of the heater 104. The power source 105 may be a power store, for example a battery or rechargeable battery (e.g., a lithium-ion battery).

[0112] The system 100 further comprises an I/O module comprising a connector 106 (e.g., in the form of a USB port, Micro USB port, USB-C port, etc.). The connector 106 is configured for connection to an external source of electrical power, e.g., a mains electrical supply outlet. The connector 106 may be used in substitution for the power source 105. That is the connector 106 may be electrically connectable to the heater 104 so as to supply electricity to the heater 104. In such embodiments, the device may not include a power source, and the power source of the system may instead comprise the connector 106 and an external source of electrical power (to which the connector 106 provides electrical connection).

[0113] In some embodiments, the connector 106 may be used to charge and recharge the power source 105 where the power source 105 includes a rechargeable battery.

[0114] The system 100 also comprises a user interface (UI) 107. Although not shown, the UI 107 may include input means to receive commands from a user. The input means of the UI 107 allows the user to control at least one aspect of the operation of the system 100. The input means may, for example, be in the form of a button, touchscreen, switch, microphone, etc.

[0115] The UI 107 also comprises output means to convey information to the user. The output means may, for example, comprise lights (e.g., LEDs), a display screen, speaker, vibration generator, etc.

[0116] The system 100 further comprises a controller 108 that is configured to control at least one function of the device 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 108 is a component of the device 101, but in other embodiments may be separate from (but connectable to) the device 101. The controller 108 is configured to control the operation of the heater 104 and, for example, may be configured to control the voltage applied from the power source 105 to the heater 104. The controller 108 may be configured to toggle the supply of power to the heater 104 between an on state, in which the full output voltage of the power source 105 is applied to the heater 104, and an off state, in which the no voltage is applied to the heater 104.

[0117] Although not shown, the system 100 may also comprise a voltage regulator to regulate the output voltage from the power source 105 to form a regulated voltage. The regulated voltage may then be applied to the heater 104.

[0118] In addition to being connected to the heater 104, the controller 108 is operatively connected to the UI 107. Thus, the controller 108 may receive an input signal from the input means of the UI 107. Similarly, the controller 108 may transmit output signals to the UI 107. In response, the output means of the UI 107 may convey information, based on the output signals, to a user. The controller also comprises a memory 109, which is a non-volatile memory. The memory 109 includes instructions, which, when implemented, cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method.

[0119] FIG. 1B is a schematic showing a variation of the system 100 of FIG. 1A. In the system 100′ of FIG. 1B, the heater 104 forms part of the device 101, rather than the consumable 102. In this variation, the heater 104 is electrically connected to the power source 105.

[0120] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a heated-tobacco (HT) smoking substitute system 200. The system 200 is an example of the systems 100, 100′ described in relation to FIG. 1A or 1B. System 200 includes an HT device 201 and an HT consumable 202. The description of FIGS. 1A and 1B above is applicable to the system 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B, and will thus not be repeated.

[0121] The device 201 and the consumable 202 are configured such that the consumable 202 can be engaged with the device 201. FIG. 2A shows the device 201 and the consumable 202 in an engaged state, whilst FIG. 2B shows the device 201 and the consumable 202 in a disengaged state.

[0122] The device 201 comprises a body 209 and cap 210. In use the cap 210 is engaged at an end of the body 209. Although not apparent from the figures, the cap 210 is moveable relative to the body 209. In particular, the cap 210 is slidable and can slide along a longitudinal axis of the body 209.

[0123] The device 201 comprises an output means (forming part of the UI of the device 201) in the form of a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 211 arranged linearly along the longitudinal axis of the device 201 and on an outer surface of the body 209 of the device 201. A button 212 is also arranged on an outer surface of the body 209 of the device 201 and is axially spaced (i.e., along the longitudinal axis) from the plurality of LEDs 211.

[0124] FIG. 2C show a detailed section view of the consumable of 202 of the system 200. The consumable 202 generally resembles a cigarette. In that respect, the consumable 202 has a generally cylindrical form with a diameter of 7 mm and an axial length of 70 mm. The consumable 202 comprises an aerosol forming substrate 213, a terminal filter element 214, an upstream filter element 215 and a spacer element 216. In other embodiments, the consumable may further comprise a cooling element. A cooling element may exchange heat with vapor that is formed by the aerosol-forming substrate 213 in order to cool the vapor so as to facilitate condensation of the vapor.

[0125] The aerosol-forming substrate 213 is substantially cylindrical and is located at an upstream end 217 of the consumable 202, and comprises the aerosol former of the system 200. In that respect, the aerosol forming substrate 213 is configured to be heated by the device 201 to release a vapor. The released vapor is subsequently entrained in an airflow flowing through the aerosol-forming substrate 213. The airflow is produced by the action of the user drawing on a downstream 218 (i.e., terminal or mouth) end of the consumable 202.

[0126] In the present embodiment, the aerosol forming substrate 213 comprises tobacco material that may, for example, include any suitable parts of the tobacco plant (e.g., leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds and flowers). The tobacco may comprise one or more of leaf tobacco, stem tobacco, tobacco powder, tobacco dust, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, homogenized tobacco, shredded tobacco, extruded tobacco, cut rag tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco (e.g., slurry recon or paper recon). For example, the aerosol-forming substrate 213 may comprise a gathered sheet of homogenized (e.g., paper/slurry recon) tobacco or gathered shreds/strips formed from such a sheet.

[0127] In order to generate an aerosol, the aerosol forming substrate 213 comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporized/aerosolized and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled. The aerosol-forming substrate 213 may further comprise one or more additives. For example, such additives may be in the form of humectants (e.g., propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin), flavorants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and/or binders.

[0128] The terminal filter element 214 is also substantially cylindrical, and is located downstream of the aerosol forming substrate 213 at the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202. The terminal filter element 214 is in the form of a hollow bore filter element having a bore 219 (e.g., for airflow) formed therethrough. The diameter of the bore 219 is 2 mm. The terminal filter element 214 is formed of a porous (e.g., monoacetate) filter material. As set forth above, the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202 (i.e., where the terminal filter 214 is located) forms a mouthpiece portion of the consumable 202 upon which the user draws. Airflow is drawn from the upstream end 217, thorough the components of the consumable 202, and out of the downstream end 218. The airflow is driven by the user drawing on the downstream end 218 (i.e., the mouthpiece portion) of the consumable 202.

[0129] The upstream filter element 215 is located axially adjacent to the aerosol-forming substrate 213, between the aerosol-forming substrate 213 and the terminal filter element 214. Like the terminal filter 214, the upstream filter element 215 is in the form of a hollow bore filter element, such that it has a bore 220 extending axially therethrough. In this way, the upstream filter 215 may act as an airflow restrictor. The upstream filter element 215 is formed of a porous (e.g., monoacetate) filter material. The bore 220 of the upstream filter element 215 has a larger diameter (3 mm) than the terminal filter element 214.

[0130] The spacer 216 is in the form of a cardboard tube, which defines a cavity or chamber between the upstream filter element 215 and the terminal filter element 214. The spacer 216 acts to allow both cooling and mixing of the vapor/aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate 213. The spacer has an external diameter of 7 mm and an axial length of 14 mm.

[0131] Although not apparent from the figure, the aerosol-forming substrate 213, upstream filter 215 and spacer 216 are circumscribed by a paper wrapping layer. The terminal filter 214 is circumscribed by a tipping layer that also circumscribes a portion of the paper wrapping layer (so as to connect the terminal filter 214 to the remaining components of the consumable 202). The upstream filter 215 and terminal filter 214 are circumscribed by further wrapping layers in the form of plug wraps.

[0132] Returning now to the device 201, FIG. 2D illustrates a detailed view of the end of the device 201 that is configured to engage with the consumable 202. The cap 210 of the device 201 includes an opening 221 to an internal cavity 222 (more apparent from FIG. 2D) defined by the cap 210. The opening 221 and the cavity 222 are formed so as to receive at least a portion of the consumable 202. During engagement of the consumable 202 with the device 201, a portion of the consumable 202 is received through the opening 221 and into the cavity 222. After engagement (see FIG. 2B), the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202 protrudes from the opening 221 and thus also protrudes from the device 201. The opening 221 includes laterally disposed notches 226. When a consumable 202 is received in the opening 221, these notches 226 remain open and could, for example, be used for retaining a cover in order to cover the end of the device 201.

[0133] FIG. 2E shows a cross section through a central longitudinal plane through the device 201. The device 201 is shown with the consumable 202 engaged therewith.

[0134] The device 201 comprises a heater 204 comprising heating element 223. The heater 204 forms part of the body 209 of the device 201 and is rigidly mounted to the body 209. In the illustrated embodiment, the heater 204 is a rod heater with a heating element 223 having a circular transverse profile. In other embodiments the heater may be in the form of a blade heater (e.g., heating element with a rectangular transverse profile) or a tube heater (e.g., heating element with a tubular form).

[0135] The heating element 223 of the heater 204 projects from an internal base of the cavity 222 along a longitudinal axis towards the opening 221. As is apparent from the figure, the length (i.e., along the longitudinal axis) of the heating element is less than a depth of the cavity 222. In this way, the heating element 223 does not protrude from or extend beyond the opening 221.

[0136] When the consumable 202 is received in the cavity 222 (as is shown in FIG. 2E), the heating element 223 penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate 213 of the consumable 202. In particular, the heating element 223 extends for nearly the entire axial length of the aerosol-forming substrate 213 when inserted therein. Thus, when the heater 204 is activated, heat is transferred radially from an outer circumferential surface the heating element 223 to the aerosol-forming substrate 213.

[0137] The device 201 further comprises an electronics cavity 224. A power source, in the form of a rechargeable battery 205 (a lithium-ion battery), is located in electronics cavity 224.

[0138] The device 201 includes a connector (i.e., forming part of an 10 module of the device 201) in the form of a USB port 206. The connector may alternatively be, for example, a micro-USB port or a USB-C port for examples. The USB port 206 may be used to recharge the rechargeable battery 205.

[0139] The device 201 includes a controller (not shown) located in the electronics cavity 224. The controller comprises a microcontroller mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The USB port 206 is also connected to the controller 208 (i.e., connected to the PCB and microcontroller).

[0140] The controller 208 is configured to control at least one function of the device 202. For example, the controller 208 is configured to control the operation of the heater 204. Such control of the operation of the heater 204 may be accomplished by the controller toggling the electrical connection of the rechargeable battery 205 to the heater 204. For example, the controller 208 is configured to control the heater 204 in response to a user depressing the button 212. Depressing the button 212 may cause the controller to allow a voltage (from the rechargeable battery 205) to be applied to the heater 204 (so as to cause the heating element 223 to be heated).

[0141] The controller is also configured to control the LEDs 211 in response to (e.g., a detected) a condition of the device 201 or the consumable 202. For example, the controller may control the LEDs to indicate whether the device 201 is in an on state or an off state (e.g., one or more of the LEDs may be illuminated by the controller when the device is in an on state).

[0142] The device 201 comprises a further input means (i.e., in addition to the button 212) in the form of a puff sensor 225. The puff sensor 225 is configured to detect a user drawing (i.e., inhaling) at the downstream end 218 of the consumable 202. The puff sensor 225 may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor, flowmeter or a microphone. The puff sensor 225 is operatively connected to the controller 208 in the electronics cavity 224, such that a signal from the puff sensor 225, indicative of a puff state (i.e., drawing or not drawing), forms an input to the controller 208 (and can thus be responded to by the controller 208).

[0143] FIGS. 3A-B are views of an exemplary embodiment of a heating element 223 of the smoking substitute system 200.

[0144] In FIGS. 3A-B, the heating element 223 is exemplarily a solid blade-type heating element 223 having exemplarily a star shape with four sections 223a, 223b, 223c, 223d, which are embodied as four protruding blade-like elements or sections. These protruding blade-like elements or sections are generally referred to as protrusions in the following. The angle between the sections is substantially 90′. The heating element 223 has a distal end 312 and a longitudinal extension L, indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 3A.

[0145] On each section, a surface normal vector 310 is depicted. Each section 223a, 223b, 223c, 223d has its dedicated normal vector 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d. The normal vectors are perpendicular to the surface plane of the respective section, depicted exemplarity for the front most surface vector and indicated by the two perpendicular right angel signs. In the subsequent figures, some surface vectors are depicted with only a single right-angle sign. This is still to be interpreted that the surface vector of a plane, at that point, is perpendicular to the respective local surface plane of the respective section. Possibly, some normal vectors are depicted completely omitting any right-angle sign, without deviation from this rationale. Nevertheless, these normal vectors still should be considered to be perpendicular to the respective local surface plane of the respective section.

[0146] FIG. 3B shows a detail view of the alignment of the normal vectors. FIG. 3B is a view in the direction of the longitudinal extension L as symbolized by the black arrow in FIG. 3A. As depicted, the respective normal vectors 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d are perpendicular to the surface plane of its respective sections 223a, 223b, 223c, 223d. The heating element thus consists of a plurality of sections that have non-parallel normal vectors.

[0147] The sections are arranged so that they adjoin centrally. The heating element 223 may be a solid, integral, one-piece element, where the sections 223a, 223b, 223c, 223d are integrally connected in the center, or the sections may be arranged so to be aligned as depicted, but centrally only resting against one another and thus supporting each other, e.g., by means of friction, so to form the solid heating element 223.

[0148] The distal end 312 comprises a sharp or cutting edge to aid insertion of the heating element into an aerosol-forming article or consumable. In other words, the distal end cuts open a part of the aerosol-forming article for penetration of the heating element into the aerosol-forming article, and in particular into the aerosol-generating substrate or tobacco material of the consumable. The distal end, as depicted in FIG. 3A, may comprise angled edges. Put another way, the edges are angled vs. a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension L of the heating element 223.

[0149] Each section 223a, 223b, 223c, 223d is independently heatable, thus comprises means for heating the respective section. The means are not depicted in FIGS. 3A-B. The means may provide resistive or magnetically induced heating or may comprise metal heating tracks, which are heated by a current flow. When inserted into the aerosol-forming substrate of the consumable, the heatable sections are arranged to heat a section of aerosol-forming substrate adjacent to the heatable section. By controlling and individually heating the heatable sections, the heating of the aerosol-forming substrate may be influenced, e.g., only a single section may be heated at a given time.

[0150] A section may correspond to a puff, a plurality of puffs or even may be comparable to the experience gained from a single common cigarette. In consequence, while a part of the aerosol-forming substrate is currently used for aerosol generation, the remaining aerosol-forming substrate sections may be spared for separate, in particular later consumption. Likewise, controlling and activating a plurality, or all, of heatable sections at the same time, allows a better control over the heating process due to the sections being independently controllable in their heating characteristics, e.g., a single section may be heater to a high temperature, or alternatively, multiple sections may be heated to a lower temperature.

[0151] As can be taken from FIGS. 3A-B, the cross section of the heating element 223 is such that the heating element is more robust and has a higher structural integrity than a regular blade heater, consisting of a single and possibly flexible blade. Insertion and removal is thus simplified and the heater may withstand increased cleaning forces applied by an external cleaning tool.

[0152] FIGS. 4A-B are views of a further exemplary embodiment of a heating element 223 of the of the smoking substitute system 200.

[0153] FIGS. 4A-B depict an exemplary embodiment of a heating element 223, while substantially comparable to what was described with regard to FIGS. 3A-B, now having three sections, and comprising a convoluted shape forming an open-ended shape. The shape may be called U-shape. Of the three sections, at least two sections comprise surface normal vectors that are non-parallel. Sections 223a and 223c may be considered to have normal vectors 310a, 310c, having similar direction but opposite orientation. Section 223b exemplarily is a curved section connecting sections 223a and 223c. Due to the curvature, section 223b has infinite surface normal vectors 310b along its circumference, of which exemplarily three vectors 310b, 310b′, 310b″ are depicted in FIG. 4B. As can be taken from FIG. 4B, no vector 310b may be arranged parallel to either vector 310a or 310c.

[0154] Sections 223a, 223b, 223c of FIGS. 4A-B are independently heatable, as with the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-B. With the convoluted or curved section 223b, it is possible to concentrate heat in the inside of the U-shape, thereby allowing a preferred heating of an aerosol-forming substrate arranged in the interior of the U-shape, possibly employing one or more, e.g., all three sections 223a, 223b, 223c.

[0155] The distal end 312 again is inclined or angled vs. a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension L, thereby allowing simplified penetration and insertion of the heating element 223 into an aerosol-forming article, while at the same time allowing enclosing of aerosol-forming substrate within the interior of the U-shape for preferred heating.

[0156] FIGS. 5A to F are views of further exemplary embodiments of a heating element 223 of the of the smoking substitute system 200.

[0157] While the shapes vary in FIG. 5A to F much or all of the features describes in relation to FIGS. 3A-B and FIGS. 4A-B apply to FIG. 5A to F as well, and vice versa.

[0158] FIG. 5A depicts a star-shape heating element 223 with three sections 223a, 223b, 223c. The angle between the sections 223a, 223b, 223c may in particular be substantially 120′. The distal end may be inclined or forming a cone vs. a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension L, not separately depicted, as well. The sections may be independently heatable.

[0159] FIG. 5B depicts a star-shape heating element 223 with exemplarily five sections 223a, 223b, 223c, 223d, 223e. The angle between the sections 223a, 223b, 223c, 223d, 223e may in particular be substantially 72°. The distal end may be inclined or forming a cone vs. a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension L, not separately depicted, as well. The sections may be independently heatable.

[0160] FIG. 5C depicts a V-shape heating element 223 with two sections 223a, 223b. The angle between the sections 223a, 223b may in particular be substantially 90°. The distal end may be inclined or forming a cone vs. a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension L, not separately depicted, as well. The sections may be independently heatable. A further, not depicted triangle shaped heating element 223 may be conceivable, comprising a closed triangle-shape with three sections 223a, 223b, 223c, either being equilateral or equiangular, or having any arbitrary triangular shape.

[0161] FIG. 5D depicts an L-shape heating element 223 with two sections 223a, 223b. The angle between the sections 223a, 223b may in particular be smaller than 90°. The distal end may be inclined or forming a cone vs. a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension L, not separately depicted, as well. The sections may be independently heatable. A further, not depicted triangle shaped heating element 223 may be conceivable as well, comprising a closed triangle-shape with three sections 223a, 223b, 223c, either being equilateral or equiangular, or having any arbitrary triangular shape.

[0162] FIG. 5E depicts an H-shape heating element 223 with three sections 223a, 223b, 223c, or four, or five sections, in case at least one of the respective depicted sections 223b, 223c were divided into separate sections. The distal end may be inclined or forming a cone vs. a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension L, not separately depicted, as well. The sections may be independently heatable.

[0163] FIG. 5F depicts a double Y-shape heating element 223 with five sections 223a, 223b, 223c, 223d, 223e. The angle between the sections 223a and 223b may be substantially 90°, as may be the angle between sections 223d and 223e. The angle between the bridge section 223e and the two outer Y-sections may, e.g., be 135. The distal end may be inclined or forming a cone vs. a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension L, not separately depicted, as well. The sections may be independently heatable.

[0164] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilized for realizing the disclosure in diverse forms thereof.

[0165] While the disclosure has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0166] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0167] Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0168] Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “have”, “comprise”, and “include”, and variations such as “having”, “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0169] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/−10%.

[0170] The words “preferred” and “preferably” are used herein refer to embodiments of the disclosure that may provide certain benefits under some circumstances. It is to be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. The recitation of one or more preferred embodiments therefore does not mean or imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, or from the scope of the claims.