3 New Heating Techniques Invented for Heat-not-burn (HNB) Devices

Achieving consistent and efficient heating in heat-not-burn HNB devices remains a challenge. Uneven heating leads to an unpleasant user experience. Furthermore, improper heating can release undesired substances from the HNBs, which erodes their proposition as a safer smokable device.

Recent innovations in heating methods focus on optimizing heating efficiency, ensuring even heat distribution, and maintaining the quality and safety of the aerosol produced. Smoore, Reynolds American, and Nicoventures have developed novel heating systems using magnetic field technologies for an enhanced user experience. This article will discuss those inventions in detail.

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Shenzhen Maxwell Technology’s varying magnetic field system delivers more uniform heating.

A challenge faced in current HNB devices using microwave heating is the uneven heating of the aerosol-generating material. This happens because the microwave field is stronger at the top of the device while the material is at the bottom, causing incomplete heating and carbonization.

Shenzhen Maxwell Technology (Smoore’s subsidiary) has developed a system that microwave field strength at different positions within the atomizing chamber. This system prevents uneven heating.

In this design, the magnetic field is strongest at the end where the microwave is generated and weaker at other areas. This layout helps maximize the heating efficiency of the aerosol-generating material, improving the performance of heat-not-burn devices.

British American Tobacco invented a heating system with a unique dual-portion heating element.

RAI, owned by British American Tobacco (or BAT), has invented an HNB device with a special dual-portion heating element. The housing has two long walls that create space inside and a center channel where the aerosol-generating part is located. A heating element surrounds the outer surface of one wall and goes into the central channel to heat the aerosol-generating part evenly.

This design ensures that the outside and inside of the aerosol generator are heated evenly, significantly improving the consistency of the aerosol produced.

Nicoventures created a magnetic heating system with an improved heating element. 

Current methods of consistent heating without combustion often fail to maintain the desired temperature, leading to inefficiency and suboptimal user experience.

Nicoventures, a subsidiary of BAT, has developed a solution to this problem using a unique magnetic heating material. This material heats up when exposed to a changing magnetic field. The heater is designed with a rectangular shape extending to the smokable material’s ends, ensuring even heating. This method addresses the need for consistent and controlled heating, making the overall process more efficient.

The system is designed to reach the maximum temperature required for the heater without causing combustion. This improvement ensures that heat-not-burn products are heated consistently and safely.

Conclusion

The latest heating advancements for Heat-Not-Burn (HNB) devices demonstrate the industry’s dedication to improving user experience and product safety. Innovations such as Shenzhen Maxwell Technology’s variable strength microwave heating and RAI’s dual-portion heating element effectively tackle the problem of uneven heating. These solutions ensure consistent heat distribution, significantly enhancing the functionality and user satisfaction of HNB products. By prioritizing heating efficiency and safety, the tobacco industry aims to meet the rising demand for reduced-risk products, reaffirming its commitment to consumer health and product innovation.

While searching for startups and innovations in HNB heating methods, R&D directors and innovation managers will face several challenges, such as:

• Difficulties in identifying novel inventions among marketing hype
• Understanding the complexities of patents and finding valuable ones among them
• Keeping up with the regulatory constraints, which could unexpectedly hinder the execution of potent ideas

And more! Find the right technologies and understand how these innovations align with your goals using our expertise. Fill out the simple form below to schedule a quick consultation today.

Read next: Navigating the FDA Regulations around Tobacco in 2024 and beyond.

Authored by: Lochan Mridul and Ravi Shankar Bhatt, Patent Analytics
Edited by: Hemanth Shenoy, Market Research