Apparatus and method for application of fluid to a sheet material

Description

1 / 30 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING FLUID TO A SHEET MATERIAL

[001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying fluid to a sheet material.

[002] In particular, for consumables in the tobacco industry, the foil material is treated with a flavoring agent before said foil material is used in the consumable. Typically, a flavoring is applied to the foil material using a spraying process. However, liquid spraying is often correlated with uneven flavor deposition. Uneven liquid deposition on foil material is undesirable as it can lead to inconsistent products and discoloration of the consumable's outer materials. Liquid spraying also leads to environmental contamination. This is unfavorable in view of the surrounding machine parts and personnel, as well as in view of liquid waste.

[003] There is a need for a method and apparatus for applying fluid to a sheet material limiting or eliminating the disadvantages mentioned above of prior art methods and apparatus for applying liquid. In particular, there is a need for a method and apparatus for applying fluid to a sheet material eliminating the undesirable effects of sprayed liquid.

[004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for applying fluid to a sheet material. The method comprises providing a sheet material and applying fluid to the sheet material forming a series of fluid areas in the sheet material. The method further comprises forming a column from the sheet material provided with the series of fluid areas and cutting the column between two fluid areas of the series of fluid areas to form column segments comprising at least one fluid area. Thus, to form segments Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 8 / 56 2 / 30 of the column length: the column is cut transversely to a material transport direction in sheet form or transversely to the column elongation, respectively.

[005] The omission of spraying a liquid makes the method suitable for applying fluids with different viscosities, which would otherwise possibly not be suitable for spraying. In particular, the method is suitable for applying fluids with a higher viscosity than a liquid, such as gels or pastes. Gels and pastes are generally not suitable for spraying, or at least not in the desired quantity and homogeneity. Furthermore, by applying fluid to a sheet material in individual fluid areas, the location of the fluid deposition is defined, as well as the quantity of fluid. Consequently, the reproducibility of a final product can be enhanced, and environmental contamination with fluid – to other machine parts or personnel – is essentially avoided. In addition, since no fluid is deposited anywhere other than on the sheet material, fluid waste is reduced to a minimum.

[006] Cutting a column between fluid areas can also prevent the presence of fluid at a column cut point. Since a cut point corresponds to the creation of one end of a column segment, the absence of fluid at that end means that no fluid present could potentially lead to discoloration of that end. Furthermore, fluid tends to adhere to a cutting blade. Consequently, with the absence of fluid at a cut point, cleaning intervals for a cutting device can be extended and maintenance of device parts can be reduced. Maintenance generally requires downtime of a device or production line, so with the present Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 9 / 56 3 / 30 invention, not only can the quality of the product be enhanced, but also the cost, time and waste of material can be reduced.

[007] Preferably, the method comprises cutting a column between two subsequent fluid areas, forming a column segment comprising a single fluid area. Therefore, a series of fluid areas are deposited on the sheet material, while each unique fluid area defines the amount of fluid per future column segment cut from a column formed from the sheet material.

[008] Depending on a cutoff position, a location of a fluid area in a column segment can be defined. For example, a flavor or aerosol-enhancing substance may be preferentially located further upstream or further downstream of a column segment when said column segment is located in an end product. Such an end product may, for example, be an article comprising several segments arranged in an end-to-end arrangement, wherein at least one of the segments is a column segment comprising at least one fluid area as described. For example, in an aerosol-generating article where a component is heated for aerosol production, it may be preferable for a flavor or other substance to be located near a heat source. Or conversely, it may be preferable for a flavor or other substance to be kept in cooler regions of the article.This particular column segment has a distinct orientation and can be oriented in a final product as needed or desired.

[009] Preferably, the method comprises cutting the column in a midpoint between two subsequent fluid areas, so that one column segment comprises a fluid area arranged in Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 10 / 56 4 / 30 a central portion of the column segment, where the opposite ends of the column segment are formed by sheet material comprising raw matrix areas. The raw matrix areas are free of fluid, as provided in a fluid area. The fluid area is disposed in a central portion of the column segment relative to a length of the column segment. Preferably, the raw matrix areas have the same length relative to the length of the column segment. Thus, preferably, symmetrical column segments are manufactured from the column. This simplifies the use of the column segments as there is no distinct orientation of the column segment. Furthermore, the cut in the middle of two fluid areas allows generous tolerance in view of a record of the cut position and fluid areas without risk of cutting at the position of a fluid area.Cutting the column midway between two subsequent fluid areas also allows for the creation of column segments of equal length.

[0010] Preferably, the method involves cutting the column and thereby forming column segments of equal length.

[0011] Preferably, a series of fluid areas forms a periodic pattern with alternating fluid areas and gross matrix areas along a longitudinal direction of the sheet material. The longitudinal direction of the sheet material preferably corresponds to a transport direction of the sheet material. Thus, the column formed from the sheet material comprising the periodic pattern of fluid areas consequently comprises a periodic pattern of alternating fluid areas and gross matrix areas along the length of the column. The column may be cut so that a column segment comprises one or more periods of the periodic pattern of fluid areas. Preferably, the column is cut so that the segment of Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 11 / 56 5 / 30 of a sliced ​​column comprises exactly one period of the periodic pattern, while a period of the periodic pattern preferably comprises one fluid area and one gross matrix area.

[0012] Preferably, a column segment length is equal to a distance between the center-to-center gross matrix areas when viewed along the length of the column segment. In such embodiments of the method, identical column segments can be manufactured, wherein a length is directly correlated with the series of fluid areas applied to the sheet material.

[0013] To form fluid areas, a fluid can be applied to distinct surface structures in a fluid application device. These surface structures can be protrusions or recesses.

[0014] Preferably, the method comprises applying fluid to recesses provided on a surface of a fluid application device and transferring the fluid from the recesses to the sheet material. In this way, a series of fluid areas is formed in the sheet material.

[0015] Supplying fluid into recesses has several advantages. The fluid to be applied is precisely located, i.e., in the recess position. A recess can limit fluid diffusion to surrounding machine parts or sheet areas. Furthermore, the amount of fluid to be applied is defined by the size of a recess.

[0016] Although surface structures for a fluid can be provided in plates or rolls, rolls are preferred as they allow continuous fluid application to a sheet material. Plate fluid application generally requires interrupting the fluid application process, for example, stopping a sheet material conveyor at the time of fluid application. Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 12 / 56 6 / 30

[0017] Preferably, the sheet material is supplied continuously, preferably in the form of a continuous sheet material. Consequently, preferably, the method comprises applying fluid to recesses provided on the surface of a fluid application roller comprised in a fluid application device and continuously applying fluid from the fluid application roller to the continuous sheet material.

[0018] The liquid applied to a sheet material using the method and apparatus according to the invention can basically be any fluid and any sheet material, where a homogeneous application of fluid is desired and a variety of fluids can be used.

[0019] The apparatus and method are particularly suitable for fluids and sheet materials used in the tobacco industry.

[0020] Preferably, the fluid is a liquid, a gel, or a paste.

[0021] Preferably, the fluid comprises one or a combination of flavor, aerosol former, aerosol enhancer or nicotine.

[0022] The sheet material may, in particular, be a sheet material used in the manufacture of products of the tobacco industries. These products may be smoking or non-smoking articles, for example, non-burning heating articles or parts of such articles. For example, a sheet material after the application of fluid is subsequently compressed, bundled or formed into a column shape. The sheet material may, for example, be a tobacco-containing sheet, such as, for example, reconstituted tobacco comprising homogenized tobacco material and an aerosol former, such as, for example, glycerin, wherein the reconstituted sheet may be formed into a sensory medium plug. The sheet material may, for example, also be a substrate forming Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 13 / 56 7 / 30 tobacco-free cellulose-based aerosol comprising nicotine or flavorings, wherein the nicotine or flavorings may be supplied in the sheet material prior to or with the fluid application process. The sheet material may, for example, also be a plastic sheet, such as, for example, a polylactic acid sheet that can be formed and used as a cooling plug. The sheet material may also be, for example, an unprocessed fiber material to be formed into a plug, for example, into a hollow acetate plug or tube.

[0023] Preferably, the sheet material is a filter material, a tobacco-containing material, a cellulose-based material containing non-tobacco, a wrapping material or a sheet.

[0024] Preferably, the sheet material is an unprocessed acetate filter fiber, a polylactic acid sheet, a sheet containing homogenized tobacco, a sheet containing hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, a wrapper paper or a tip paper.

[0025] The leaf material made of or containing homogenized tobacco material is preferably reconstituted leaf, for example, as described in WO206 / 050470.

[0026] The tobacco-free cellulose-based aerosol-forming substrate may, in particular, be a sheet containing hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, as described for example in WO2022 / 248378.

[0027] A sheet material used in the apparatus and method according to the invention is preferably provided as a continuous sheet material, such as, for example, a strip material. However, individual parts of sheet material may also be processed or supplied to the fluid application apparatus.

[0028] The method may additionally include aligning the Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 14 / 56 8 / 30 sheet material and the fluid application device to bring the surface of the fluid application device and the sheet material into contact with each other to transfer fluid from the surface of the fluid application device to the sheet material. Alignment can, for example, be achieved by guides, such as guide rollers that orient the sheet material. Alternatively, or additionally, alignment can be achieved by moving a fluid application device or parts thereof into the sheet material to be supplied with the fluid.

[0029] The method may further comprise crimping the sheet material before applying fluid to the sheet material. Crimping is a preferred treatment of the sheet material that can support the bundling or folding of the sheet material into a column. Crimping may also have an effect on drag resistance, which may be relevant in articles from the tobacco industry.

[0030] The method may further comprise heating the fluid before applying the fluid to the sheet material. Heating can keep a fluid in a liquid state and reduce, for example, crystallization. In particular, some aromas, such as, for example, menthol, have a tendency to crystallize. This effect can be reduced by heating the fluid or by keeping the fluid flowing. Furthermore, by heating, the viscosity of some fluids can be varied to make them more suitable for fluid application.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for applying fluid to a sheet material is provided. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for sheet material and a fluid application device comprising a fluid application element for applying fluid to a sheet material transported by the conveyor in addition to the fluid application device. The fluid application element comprises structures of Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 15 / 56 9 / 30 surface for applying a series of fluid areas to a sheet material according to said surface structures. The apparatus further comprises a column-forming device for forming a column from the sheet material provided with the series of fluid areas, a column-cutting device disposed downstream of the column-forming device for cutting a column into column segments, and a control unit adapted for controlling the column-cutting device to cut the column at a cut position between fluid areas.

[0032] Surface structures are preferably arranged at a predefined interval so that a series of fluid areas are arranged in the sheet material at such predefined intervals.

[0033] Preferably, the control unit is adapted to control a conveyor and a column cutting device to cut a column at cutting positions, which cutting positions are correlated with the surface structures of a fluid application element. Preferably, the control unit is adapted to control a conveyor and a column cutting device such that the column cutting locations are arranged between two adjacent fluid areas. Most preferably, a cutting location is arranged midway between two adjacent fluid areas, where the cutting location has no fluid applied.

[0034] The fluid areas applied to a sheet material can basically have any desired shape. Consequently, the surface structures on a fluid application element that defines the fluid areas can have any desired shape. Preferably, a fluid area shape and a surface structure shape are simple geometric shapes. Simple geometric structures are easy to create on the surface of a fluid application device. Additionally, a Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 16 / 56 The 10 / 30 amount of fluid to be applied to a sheet material, defined by its surface structure, is easy to calculate and can be varied according to a desired need.

[0035] Preferably, the surface structures are elongated and have a longitudinal axis.

[0036] Preferably, surface structures are in the form of rectangles. Rectangles are simple geometric structures that allow the same amount of fluid to be applied over a width, for example, the full width of a sheet material.

[0037] The sizes of the surface structures define the amount of fluid to be applied to a sheet material.

[0038] Surface structures may, for example, each have an extension in or parallel to the transport direction between 6 millimeters and 10 millimeters. The extension in the transport direction is preferably an extension in the transport direction of the conveyor or sheet material, respectively, and in particular corresponds to a direction of rotation of a fluid application roller. The extension in the transport direction preferably corresponds to a strip width or a recess width on a surface of a fluid application element.

[0039] Surface structures may each have an extension perpendicular to the transport direction between 0.06 meters and 0.3 meters, preferably between 0.08 meters and 0.2 meters, for example, between 0.1 meters and 0.15 meters. The extension perpendicular to the transport direction is an extension along or parallel to the surface of a fluid application element and perpendicular to a depth or height of a surface structure.

[0040] An extension perpendicular to the direction of transport is preferably an extension perpendicular to a direction of Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 17 / 56 11 / 30 transport of the conveyor or sheet material, respectively, and is particularly parallel to an axis of rotation of a fluid application roller.

[0041] The extension perpendicular to the direction of transport preferably corresponds to the length of a strip. The length of a strip may be less than or equal to the width of a sheet material.

[0042] The shapes and sizes of surface structures given above, in particular recesses, provided good results in the application of fluid from a fluid application device to a sheet material, good control of cutting column segments and consistent cutting column segment results. In particular, good results are achieved in the application of aroma to sheet material used in the tobacco industry, particularly for sheets containing homogenized tobacco.

[0043] The distances between adjacent surface structures can be adapted to a length of a column segment to be cut from the column fabricated from sheet material provided with at least one fluid area. In some embodiments of the invention, the final fabricated column segment comprises a single fluid area. Alternatively, the final fabricated column segment may comprise a series of fluid areas.

[0044] A distance between neighboring surface structures can, for example, be between 3 millimeters and 6 millimeters. Distances between neighboring surface structures in this distance range have provided good results in providing individual and separate fluid areas to a sheet material, allowing column formation of the sheet material and reliably cutting the column between fluid-free regions between fluid areas. These distances have provided, in particular, an advantage for column segments with Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 18 / 56 12 / 30 a length between 8 millimeters and 20 millimeters, preferably with a length between 10 millimeters and 15 millimeters.

[0045] Although the surface structures in the fluid application elements are adapted to provide fluid areas in a sheet material according to the surface structures, a distance between the surface structures is provided so that no fluid is applied to the sheet material between the surface structures.

[0046] Preferably, a sheet material outside the fluid areas, in particular between the fluid areas, is fluid-free and forms areas of coarse matrix.

[0047] Preferably, the surface structures are provided in the form of an arrangement of strips arranged in parallel. Preferably, the strips of the strip arrangement are arranged perpendicular to a conveyor transport direction. Preferably, the strips of the strip arrangement are arranged at equal distances. Thus, the strip arrangement is capable of providing a strip-shaped arrangement of fluid areas in the sheet material, wherein each strip forms an individual fluid area. Preferably, the strip arrangement is arranged around a circumference of a fluid application roller.

[0048] In preferred embodiments of the apparatus, the surface structures are recesses in a surface of a fluid application element, for example, in a fluid application plate or in a fluid application roller.

[0049] Preferably, some or all of the recesses have the same shape and size.

[0050] The recesses can have a depth between 0.1 millimeter and 1 millimeter, for example, 0.4 millimeter.

[0051] Preferably, the depth of a recess is Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 19 / 56 13 / 30 constant. Preferably, the depth of some or all recesses is constant.

[0052] Preferably, the depth of a recess varies. For example, the depth of some or all of the recesses may vary.

[0053] Surface structures, in particular recesses, can have a surface roughness. Although the size or volume of a recess may define an amount of fluid to be deposited on a sheet material, a surface roughness can affect the surface tension of a fluid and thus fluid retention in the recess. A surface roughness can be selected according to the viscosity of a fluid to be applied to a sheet material. It has been found that the lower the viscosity of a fluid, the greater the surface roughness in a recess.

[0054] Surface structures, in particular recesses, can be formed by any suitable means. Preferably, recesses are formed by laser structuring or stamping. Stamping is a preferred method for manufacturing recesses on a surface, as stamping can provide a certain roughness to the recesses.

[0055] In the apparatus, the fluid application device preferably comprises a fluid reservoir connected to the fluid application element. From the fluid reservoir, the fluid is preferably continuously supplied to the fluid application element. A fluid reservoir may, for example, be in the form of a fluid bath, and the fluid application element may be immersed or submerged in the fluid bath to supply fluid to the surface structures.

[0056] Preferably, the fluid application device comprises a fluid remover for removing excess fluid. Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 20 / 56 14 / 30 of a fluid application element's surface. Therefore, excess fluid not supplied to surface structures, for example, in recesses, is removed from the remaining parts of a fluid application element's surface. A fluid remover can help keep portions of a fluid application element's surface between surface structures clean of fluid. A fluid remover can also limit the filling of a recess, for example, to prevent overfilling of a recess. This supports precisely localized fluid application to a sheet material, a consistent and clearly defined amount of fluid to be applied, and can reduce fluid waste.

[0057] A fluid remover can, for example, be a scraper, such as a scraper blade, disposed adjacent to and in contact with the surface of a fluid application element. A scraper is particularly preferred in embodiments with surface structures in the form of recesses. In these embodiments, a scraper can be oriented along and over a surface of a fluid application element to remove fluid from the surface, except for the fluid in the recesses.

[0058] In preferred embodiments, a fluid application element is a fluid application roller. Fluid application rollers have several advantages. For example, a fluid application roller can be the only moving element for fluid application. For example, with a fluid application roller, continuous fluid absorption and continuous application of the absorbed fluid to a sheet material can be performed by simple means. Fluid removal can be performed continuously, for example, by supplying a stationary fluid remover in contact with a circumferential surface of the fluid application roller. Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, p. 21 / 56 15 / 30

[0059] Although surface structures can basically have any shape and form, simple shapes are preferred. Since surface structures must provide individual fluid areas in a sheet material, preferably the surface structures are elongated having a longitudinal axis, which longitudinal axis is arranged parallel to an axis of rotation of the fluid application roller. Therefore, the fluid supplied in the surface structures can be applied to a sheet material by rolling a fluid application roller over the sheet material and transferring fluid according to the surface structures arranged parallel to the sheet material, forming the fluid areas arranged in parallel. Preferably, a transport direction of a sheet material and a rotation direction of a fluid application roller are parallel.Therefore, parallel surface structures can be arranged perpendicular to the direct transport of the sheet material and thus preferentially provide the sheet material with distinct fluid patterns spaced apart from each other in the transport direction. The column formed from a laterally compressed sheet material can then be easily cut perpendicular to its longitudinal direction and between fluid areas.

[0060] Preferably, the surface structures are recesses in a circumferential surface of a fluid application roller.

[0061] The apparatus may further comprise alignment means for bringing the sheet material and the surface of a fluid application device into contact with each other for the fluid application process. The alignment means may support precise fluid application to a sheet material.

[0062] The apparatus may comprise a temperature control unit adapted for controlling the temperature of a fluid. Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 22 / 56 16 / 30

[0063] The temperature control unit may comprise at least one of either a heater or a cooler for heating or cooling fluid. By means of a heater or also a cooler, a fluid may be heated or cooled to an ideal temperature for fluid application. For example, a fluid may be heated or cooled to have an optimized viscosity for a fluid application process.

[0064] A temperature control unit can be adapted to control a fluid temperature in the fluid application device. For example, a fluid temperature can be controlled in a fluid reservoir. Preferably, the temperature control unit is adapted to control a temperature of the fluid application element, preferably a roller.

[0065] The apparatus may further comprise a crimping device for crimping the sheet material. Crimped sheet material is widely used in the manufacture of tobacco industry products, particularly in column-shaped aerosol-generating articles.

[0066] Preferably, the crimping device is placed upstream of the fluid application device. Therefore, no subsequently applied fluid is transferred to the crimping device, which would otherwise lead to contamination of the crimping device and fluid residue.

[0067] The apparatus according to the invention and as described in this document is preferably adapted and configured to perform the method according to the invention and as described in this document.

[0068] To perform the method according to the invention and as described in this document, preferably, an apparatus Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 23 / 56 17 / 30 according to the invention and as described in this document is used. The features and advantages that are described relating to the method are also applicable to the apparatus and vice versa.

[0069] The invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive, non-limiting list of examples is provided below. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described in this document.

[0070] Example Ex1: A method for applying fluid to a sheet material, the method comprising: provide a sheet of material; Apply fluid to the sheet material, forming a series of fluid areas within the sheet material; form a column from the sheet material provided with the series of fluid areas; Cut the column between two fluid areas of the series of fluid areas to form column segments comprising at least one fluid area.

[0071] Example Ex2: The method, according to the example Ex1, in which it cuts the column between two subsequent fluid areas, forming a column segment comprising a single fluid area.

[0072] Example Ex3: The method, according to the example Ex2, in which the column is cut in a midpoint between two subsequent fluid areas, so that one column segment comprises a fluid area disposed in a central portion of the column segment, wherein the opposite ends of the column segment are formed by sheet material comprising areas of raw matrix.

[0073] Example Ex4: The method, according to any of the preceding examples, in which the series of fluid areas forms a Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 24 / 56 18 / 30 periodic pattern with alternating fluid area and gross matrix area along a longitudinal direction of the sheet material.

[0074] Example Ex5: The method, according to any of the previous examples, in which the column cut comprises the formation of column segments of equal length.

[0075] Example Ex6: The method, according to any of the examples from Ex3 to Ex5, wherein a length of the column segments is equal to a distance between the raw matrix areas measured from center to center of the raw matrix areas.

[0076] Example Ex7: The method, according to any of the previous examples, applying fluid to the recesses provided on a surface of a fluid application device and transferring the fluid from the recesses to the sheet material.

[0077] Example Ex8: The method, according to the example Ex6, in which the fluid is applied to recesses provided on the surface of a fluid application roller comprised in the fluid application device.

[0078] Example Ex9: The method, according to any of the previous examples, in which the fluid is a liquid, a gel or a paste.

[0079] Example Ex10: The method, according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the fluid comprises one or a combination of flavor, nicotine, aerosol former or aerosol-enhancing substance.

[0080] Example Ex11: The method, according to any of the previous examples, wherein the sheet material is a continuous sheet material.

[0081] Example Ex12: The method, according to any of the previous examples, wherein the sheet material is a sheet material used in the manufacture of products of the tobacco industries. Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 25 / 56 19 / 30

[0082] Example Ex13: The method, according to any of the previous examples, wherein the sheet material is a filter material, a tobacco-containing material, a tobacco-free cellulose-based material, a wrapping material or a sheet.

[0083] Example Ex14: The method, according to the example Ex13, wherein the sheet material is an unprocessed acetate filter fiber, a polylactic acid sheet, a sheet containing homogenized tobacco, a sheet containing hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, a wrapping paper or a tip paper.

[0084] Example Ex15: The method, according to any of the examples from Ex7 to Ex14, further comprising aligning the sheet material and the fluid application device to bring the surface of the fluid application device and the sheet material into contact with each other to transfer the fluid from the surface of the fluid application device to the sheet material.

[0085] Example Ex16: The method, according to any of the previous examples, further comprising pressing the sheet material before applying fluid to the sheet material.

[0086] Example Ex17: The method, according to any of the previous examples, further comprising heating the fluid before applying the fluid to the sheet material.

[0087] Example Ex18: An apparatus for applying fluid to a sheet material, the apparatus comprising: a conveyor for sheet material; A fluid application device comprising a fluid application element for applying fluid to a sheet material conveyed by the conveyor, in addition to the fluid application device, wherein the fluid application element comprises surface structures for applying a series of fluid areas to a Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 26 / 56 20 / 30 sheet material according to the aforementioned surface structures; a column-forming device for forming a column from the sheet material provided with the series of fluid areas; A column cutting device disposed downstream of the column forming device to cut a column into column segments, a control unit adapted to control the column cutting device to cut the column at a cutting position between fluid areas.

[0088] Example Ex19: The device, according to the example Ex18, in which the control unit is adapted to control the conveyor and the column cutting device to cut a column at cutting positions, which cutting positions are correlated with the surface structures of the fluid application element.

[0089] Example Ex20: The apparatus, according to any of the examples from Ex18 to Ex19, in which the surface structures are in the form of rectangles.

[0090] Example Ex21: The apparatus, according to any of the examples from Ex18 to Ex20, in which the surface structures each have an extension in the transport direction between 6 millimeters and 10 millimeters.

[0091] Example Ex22: The device, according to the example Ex21, wherein the surface structures each have an extension perpendicular to the transport direction between 0.06 meters and 0.3 meters, preferably between 0.08 meters and 0.2 meters, for example, between 0.1 meters and 0.15 meters.

[0092] Example Ex23: The apparatus, according to any of the examples from Ex18 to Ex22, where a distance between neighboring surface structures is between 3 millimeters and 6 millimeters. Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, p. 27 / 56 21 / 30

[0093] Example Ex24: The apparatus, according to any of the examples from Ex18 to Ex23, in which the surface structures are provided in the form of an arrangement of strips arranged in parallel.

[0094] Example Ex25: The apparatus, according to the example Ex24, where the strips in the strip arrangement are arranged perpendicular to a conveyor transport direction.

[0095] Example Ex26: The apparatus, according to any of the examples from Ex18 to Ex25, wherein the surface structures are recesses in a surface of the fluid application element.

[0096] Example Ex27: The apparatus, according to example Ex26, where all recesses have the same shape and size.

[0097] Example Ex28: The device, according to any of the examples from Ex26 to Ex27, where the recesses have a depth between 0.1 millimeter and 1 millimeter, for example, 0.4 millimeter.

[0098] Example Ex29: The device, according to any of the examples from Ex26 to Ex28, where the depth of a recess is constant.

[0099] Example Ex30: The device, according to any of the examples from Ex26 to Ex28, where the depth of a recess varies.

[00100] Example Ex31: The apparatus, according to any of the examples from Ex18 to Ex30, wherein the fluid application device comprises a fluid reservoir in fluid connection with the fluid application element.

[00101] Example Ex32: The apparatus, according to any of the examples from Ex18 to Ex31, wherein the fluid application device comprises a fluid remover for removing excess fluid from a surface of the fluid application element.

[00102] Example Ex33: The device, according to the example Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, p. 28 / 56 22 / 30 Ex32, where the fluid remover is a scraper disposed adjacent to and in contact with the surface of the fluid application element.

[00103] Example Ex34: The device, according to any of the examples from Ex18 to Ex33, where the fluid application element is a fluid application roller.

[00104] Example Ex35: The device, according to the example Ex34, in which the surface structures have a longitudinal axis, which longitudinal axis is arranged parallel to an axis of rotation of the fluid application roller.

[00105] Example Ex36: The apparatus, according to any of the examples from Ex34 to Ex35, wherein the surface structures are recesses in a circumferential surface of the fluid application roller.

[00106] Example Ex37: The apparatus, according to any of the examples from Ex18 to Ex36, further comprising alignment means for bringing the sheet material and the surface of the fluid application device into contact with each other.

[00107] Example Ex38: The apparatus, according to any of the examples from Ex18 to Ex37, further comprising a temperature control unit adapted for controlling the temperature of a fluid.

[00108] Example Ex39: The device, according to the example Ex38, wherein the temperature control unit comprises at least one of either a heater or a cooler for heating or cooling fluid.

[00109] Example Ex40: The apparatus, according to any of the examples from Ex38 to Ex39, in which the temperature control unit is adapted to control a fluid temperature in the fluid application device.

[00110] Example Ex41: The device, according to the example Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, p. 29 / 56 23 / 30 Ex40, in which the temperature control unit is adapted to control the temperature of the fluid application roller.

[00111] Example Ex42: The apparatus, according to any of Examples Ex18 to Ex41, further comprising a crimping device for crimping sheet material.

[00112] Example Ex43: The device, according to the example Ex42, in which the crimping device is arranged upstream of the fluid application device.

[00113] The examples will now be further described with reference to the figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a column-forming process with fluid application; Figure 2 shows a fluid application device; Figure 3 shows a side view of a fluid application device; Figure 4 is a schematic view of a fluid application roller; Figure 5 shows a schematic illustration of a fluid application process; Figure 6 shows a surface of a fluid application element; Figure 7 shows a sheet material with a fluid pattern and column formed from the sheet material; and Figure 8 shows cross-sectional segments of a column.

[00114] Figure 1 illustrates a manufacturing process for column 10 from a substantially flat sheet material 1, for example, a sheet material 1 used in the tobacco industry, such as, for example, a reconstituted sheet containing tobacco or an unprocessed filter fiber.

[00115] Continuous sheet material 1 is transported in a transport direction 100, for example, by a conveyor or rollers Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, p. 30 / 56 24 / 30 guide (not shown). The sheet material 1 is in its flat form guided between two crimping rollers 20 to crimp the sheet material 1. The crimped sheet material passes through a fluid application chamber 21, where the sheet material 1 is supplied with a fluid, for example, a flavoring, such as menthol. The fluid-supplied sheet material 1 is further conveyed to a column-forming device 22, for example, a compression device or a grouping device, such as a trimming tongue. In the column-forming device 22, the sheet material 1 is grouped perpendicular to its longitudinal or transport direction 100. The continuous column 10 formed from the crimped and fluid-supplied sheet material 1 can then be cut into individual segments.

[00116] Although in known aroma application processes in the tobacco industry, chamber 21 typically comprises one or more aroma spray nozzles, Figure 2 shows an example of a fluid application device according to the invention.

[00117] Sheet material 1 is passed between two crimping rollers 20 arranged in parallel and close to each other. The crimped sheet material 1 is further conveyed in the conveying direction 100 to a fluid application device 3 arranged in a fluid application chamber 21 (indicated by dashed lines).

[00118] The fluid application device 3 comprises a fluid application roller 30 and a fluid reservoir 31. The fluid application roller 30 is partially immersed in the fluid reservoir 31 to absorb the fluid supplied in the fluid reservoir 31. An alignment roller 32 is disposed outside the fluid reservoir 31 and parallel and close to the fluid application roller 30. The sheet material 1 is guided between the alignment roller 32 and the fluid application roller. Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, p. 31 / 56 25 / 30 of fluid 30, whereby the fluid from the fluid application roller 30 is transferred to the sheet material 1. Although the fluid is preferably a flavoring, such as, for example, menthol, the fluid may also be any other fluid, such as, for example, an aerosol former, an aerosol enhancer compound or nicotine.

[00119] The sheet material 1 thus supplied with fluid leaves the fluid application chamber 21 to be further processed. The fluid application device 3 is shown in a side view in more detail in Figure 3.

[00120] The fluid applicator roller 30 is positioned and connected to the fluid reservoir 31 by a rod. The alignment roller 32 places the crimped sheet material 1 in contact with the fluid application roller 30. The alignment roller 32 and the fluid application roller 30 rotate in opposite directions of rotation, as indicated by the arrows 110. While the fluid application roller 30 rotates around its axis of rotation, the fluid application roller 30 is immersed in the fluid 4 in the fluid reservoir 31 with its underside in Figure 3. The application roller 30 carries fluid 4 onto its surface 50, in particular onto surface structures in the form of recesses provided on the circumferential surface 50 of the fluid application roller 30.

[00121] A scraper 33, for example, a scraper blade, is provided in a position where the surface 50 of the fluid application roller 30 exits the reservoir 31. The scraper 33 is arranged at an angle to the surface 50 of the application roller 30 and cleans the surface 50 of the application roller 30 of excess fluid 4. Therefore, a fluid pattern to be applied to the sheet material 1 can become more precise and homogeneous.

[00122] The corrugated sheet material 1 comes into contact with the surface 50 of the applicator roller 30 and the fluid is transferred from the surface Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 32 / 56 26 / 30 of the applicator roller 11 for the crimped sheet 1.

[00123] Depending on a fluid to be applied to the sheet material, the absorption characteristics of the sheet material 1 and possibly also on a fluid diffusivity in the sheet material 1, a contact of the sheet material 1 with the fluid application roller 30 can be defined.

[00124] The rotation angle 34 of the applicator roller 30 defines a contact length of the sheet material 1 with the surface 50 of the fluid application roller 30. During this contact, the fluid is transferred to the crimped sheet material 1. This contact begins at the position where the alignment roller 32 is in contact with the surface of the fluid application roller 30 and ends when the sheet material loses contact with the surface 50 of the application roller 30.

[00125] Figure 4 shows a fluid application roller 30 comprising a circumferentially arranged pattern of alternating engraved recesses 54 on the surface 50 of the fluid applicator roller 30 and simple areas 55 between the recesses 54. The recesses 54 are in the form of parallel strips. In examples for forming tobacco plugs with lengths between 10 mm and 15 mm, the width 540 of a recess 54 may be between 6 mm and 10 mm. The recesses 54 may have a distance 550 between 3 mm and 6 mm corresponding to the width of a single area between the recesses 54. In the example shown in Figure 4, the recesses 54 are arranged parallel to the axis of rotation of the fluid application roller 30 and have a shorter length than the length of the fluid application roller 30. In other embodiments, the recesses 54 may extend from one end of the application roller 30 to the opposite end of the application roller 30.

[00126] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a process of Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 33 / 56 27 / 30 Fluid application. The surface 50 of the fluid application roller 30 comprises recesses 54 with simple areas 55 between them, for example, as shown in Figure 4. Fluid 4 from a fluid reservoir 31 is held in the recesses 54 of the surface 50 of the fluid application roller 30. When the fluid application roller 30 exits the fluid reservoir 31, excess fluid 4 will be on its surface 50. With the scraper 33, the excess fluid 4 is removed from the surface 50 and allowed to flow back into the reservoir 31. Preferably, the scraper 33 removes the fluid 4 from the surface 30 so that the fluid 4 absorbed from the reservoir 31 is left in the recesses 54 only on the surface 50.

[00127] Thus, the desired quantity of fluid 4 to be applied to the sheet material 1 remains within the recesses 54 of the surface 50. This quantity of fluid 4 is then transferred to the crimped sheet material 1 when the sheet material, for example, a reconstituted tobacco, comes into contact with the surface 50 of the fluid application roller 30.

[00128] Fluid 4 is applied to sheet material 1 according to the pattern formed by the recesses 54 on the surface of the roll 50. Thus, sheet material 1 is provided with an alternating pattern of fluid areas 44 and raw matrix areas 45, wherein the raw matrix areas 45 are free of fluid or at least free of the fluid 4 that is present in the fluid areas 44. For example, sheet material 1 is provided with an alternating series of an aromatized area and an aroma-free area.

[00129] Figure 6 shows an example of a structured surface 50 of a fluid application element, for example, a fluid application roller 30.

[00130] The recesses 54 in the form of rectangular strips are arranged in series and parallel to each other with simple areas 55 between the Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 34 / 56 28 / 30 recesses 54. The center-to-center distance 58 of a simple area 55 will define a length of a future column segment, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Such a column segment could, for example, be a tobacco plug with a length between 10 and 15 mm, for example, 12 mm.

[00131] The recesses 54 are filled with a fluid from a fluid reservoir 31. The recesses 54 may, for example, be embossed and comprise a certain roughness which retains fluid in the recesses 54. The plain areas 55 are preferably cleaned of fluid, for example, by a scraper moving over the surface 50 by means of the rotation of the roller 30. The purpose of having plain areas 55 is to prevent fluid deposition in regions where a column 10 formed from a sheet material treated with the fluid application roller 30 is cut into column segments 101. Therefore, discoloration, such as, for example, menthol stains, can be prevented at the cut ends of the column segments 101.

[00132] The width 540 of a recess 54 is about 6 to 10 mm, wherein the width 550 of a simple area 55 is about 3 to 6 mm.

[00133] A recess 54 has a preferred maximum depth of about 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm to 1 mm. By the width 540, length and depth of the recess 54, the amount of fluid 4 to be applied to a sheet material 1 is defined.

[00134] Figure 7 shows a crimped sheet 1 supplied with a fluid pattern according to an application element of Fig. 6.

[00135] Sheet material 1 comprises a fluid pattern that corresponds to the pattern reproduced by the fluid application element, for example, application roller 30, when the fluid has been transferred from recesses 54 to sheet material 1. Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 35 / 56 29 / 30

[00136] The fluid areas 44 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced by a constant distance of a gross matrix area 45.

[00137] As an example, the width of sheet material 1 is about 8 to 15 cm. A center-to-center distance 48 of a raw die area 45 defines the length of a future column segment 101 and is, for example, between 10 and 15 mm, such as 12 mm. For the manufacture of column segments 101 in this size range, a width 440 of a fluid area 44 is between 6 and 10 mm, while the fluid areas 44 are spaced about 3 to 6 mm apart, which corresponds to a width of a raw die area 45.

[00138] The crimped sheet material 1 is grouped transversely to the transport direction 100 and formed into a column 10, as shown on the right side of Figure 7. In this way, a column is formed comprising alternating fluid areas 44 and raw matrix areas 45 along the length of the column. Preferably, the column is enclosed with a casing.

[00139] As shown in Figure 8, column 10 is then cut at cut positions 25 to form column segments 101. The cut positions 25 are located within a gross matrix area 45, preferably in the middle of the gross matrix area 45, and preferably cut column 10 into column segments 101 of equal length 111. The length 111 of the column segments 101 corresponds to the center-to-center distance 48 of two consecutive gross matrix areas 45 in sheet material 1 and to the center-to-center distance 58 of consecutive single areas 55 on the surface of a fluid application element.

[00140] A column segment 101 comprises a fluid area 44 disposed in a central region of the column segment 101 Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 36 / 56 30 / 30 when viewed along the length 111 of the column segment. Each end of the column segment 101 is formed from areas of raw matrix 45 of sheet material 1. Thus, cutting knives of a cutting device are not contaminated with fluid when cutting the column 10 and the ends of the column segment 101 are not discolored by a fluid contained in the column segment 101.

[00141] For the purposes of this description and the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing values, quantities, percentages, and so forth shall be understood as being modified in all cases by the term approximately. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and include any intermediate ranges thereof, which may or may not be specifically enumerated in this document. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 10% of A. In this context, a number A may be considered as including numerical values ​​that are within the general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some cases, as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above, provided that the value by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and innovative features of the claimed invention.Furthermore, all ranges include the published maximum and minimum points and include any intermediate ranges thereof, which may or may not be specifically listed in this document. Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 37 / 56

Claims

1 / 4 CLAIMS 1. A method for applying liquid to a sheet material, characterized in that it comprises: providing a sheet material; applying liquid to the sheet material forming a series of liquid areas in the sheet material, wherein the series of liquid areas forms a periodic pattern with alternating liquid area and liquid-free raw matrix area along a longitudinal direction of the sheet material; forming a column from the sheet material provided with the series of liquid areas; cutting the column in said liquid-free raw matrix area between two said liquid areas of the series of liquid areas to form column segments comprising at least one said liquid area, and crimping the sheet material before applying the liquid to the sheet material.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it cuts the column in each area of ​​raw matrix without liquid between two of said subsequent liquid areas, to form said column segment, each comprising a single said liquid area.

3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that it cuts the column in the middle of each area of ​​raw matrix without liquid between the two subsequent liquid areas, such that the column segments comprise the single liquid area disposed in a central portion of the column segments, wherein the opposite ends of the column segments are formed by the raw matrix areas of the sheet material.

4. Method, according to any of the claims Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, page 43 / 56 2 / 4 1 to 3, characterized in that the liquid comprises one or a combination of flavor, nicotine, aerosol former or aerosol-enhancing substance.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sheet material is an unprocessed acetate filter fiber, a polylactic acid sheet, a sheet containing homogenized tobacco, a sheet containing hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, a wrapping paper or a tip paper.

6. Apparatus for applying liquid to a sheet material, characterized in that it comprises: a conveyor for sheet material; a crimping device for crimping the sheet material; a liquid application device comprising a liquid application element for applying liquid to the sheet material conveyed by the conveyor in addition to the liquid application device, wherein the liquid application element comprises surface structures for applying a series of liquid areas to the sheet material according to said surface structures, wherein the surface structures are arranged at a predefined interval so that a series of liquid areas are applied to the sheet material at such predefined intervals, and wherein the distance between the surface structures is provided so that no liquid is applied to the sheet material between the surface structures,to form a periodic pattern with alternating liquid area and liquid-free raw matrix area along a longitudinal direction of the sheet material, a column-forming device for forming a column from the sheet material provided with the series of liquid areas; a column-cutting device disposed downstream of the column-forming device for cutting the column into column segments comprising at least one liquid area from the series of liquid areas, and a control unit adapted to control the column-cutting device to cut the column at the cutting positions corresponding to said liquid-free raw matrix area between the two said liquid areas, wherein the crimping device is disposed upstream of the liquid application device.

7. Apparatus, according to claim 6, characterized in that the control unit is adapted to control the conveyor and the column cutting device to cut the column at the cutting positions, which cutting positions are correlated with the surface structures of the fluid application element and corresponding to each area of ​​raw matrix without liquid formed between the two subsequent liquid areas.

8. Apparatus, according to any one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that the surface structures of the liquid application element are provided in the form of an arrangement of strips arranged in parallel.

9. Apparatus, according to claim 8, characterized in that the strips in the strip arrangement are arranged perpendicularly to a conveyor transport direction.

10. Apparatus, according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the surface structures are recesses in a surface of the liquid application element.

11. Apparatus, according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the liquid application element is a liquid application roller.

12. Apparatus, according to claim 11, characterized in that each of the surface structures has a longitudinal axis, which is arranged parallel to an axis of rotation of the liquid application roller.

13. Apparatus, according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the surface structures are recesses in a circumferential surface of the liquid application roller. Petition 870250094155, dated 10 / 15 / 2025, pp. 46 / 56

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