An aerosol-generating article and method of manufacture

Abstract

An aerosol generating article and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The aerosol generating article includes: an aerosol forming substrate made of a tobacco material or a non-tobacco material; a filter which is of a one-piece type and has an airflow passage with a diameter continuously varying in an airflow path direction defined along the filter from a large diameter to a minimum diameter and then to a large diameter again; and a wrapper which wraps the aerosol forming substrate and the filter separately and then wraps the two in series. The aerosol generating article of the present application further reduces the interception of filter of filter nicotine, glycerol and other substances compared to conventional binary filter and ternary filter, and users can feel more aerosol amount, appropriate aerosol temperature and appropriate and low changed draw resistance. In addition, the one-piece type filter structure of the present application reduces the subsequent wrapping step and improves the yield of the aerosol generating article.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tobacco aerosol production technology, and more specifically, to an aerosol generating product and manufacturing method of a filter tip having a continuously variable diameter airflow channel. Background Technology

[0002] In the art, aerosol-generating articles are known in which an aerosol-generating matrix is ​​heated to a temperature below 400°C rather than by combustion to provide an aerosol. In such systems, a heat source is transferred to a physically separated aerosol-generating matrix, where volatile compounds contained within the aerosol-generating matrix are heated and volatilized. Air enters the aerosol-generating matrix, carrying the high-temperature volatile compounds, and gradually cools along an airflow path to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

[0003] Typically, users of such products expect greater aerosol volume, suitable aerosol temperature, and appropriate, low-variation suction resistance. Many prior art documents disclose articles in the art that increase aerosol volume and lower aerosol temperature. These articles usually achieve this by sequentially winding components with aerosol gathering and aerosol temperature lowering functions in series. However, excessive aerosol filtration caused by multiple components in series is undesirable. Components with aerosol temperature lowering functions often use polymers such as polylactic acid. The deformation of these polymers caused by continuous passage of high-temperature aerosols along these components alters the airflow path, making it difficult to maintain appropriate and stable suction resistance.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved aerosol-generating article suitable for achieving the above-mentioned desired results. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article that increases yield and improves manufacturing efficiency. It is also desirable to provide a manufacturing method that can easily manufacture an aerosol-generating article suitable for achieving the above-mentioned desired results. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an aerosol-generating product and a manufacturing method thereof, in order to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating article is provided, comprising:

[0007] An aerosol forming matrix, said aerosol forming matrix being made of tobacco material or non-tobacco material;

[0008] A filter tip, wherein the filter tip is integrally molded and has an airflow channel, the diameter of which continuously varies along the airflow path defined by the filter tip, the continuous variation being from a large diameter to a non-zero minimum diameter, and then back to a large diameter; and

[0009] A wrapping material that encapsulates and connects the aerosol forming matrix and the filter tip.

[0010] Optionally, in the aerosol generating article according to the present invention, the maximum diameter of the airflow channel is 3-7 mm and the minimum diameter is 0-3 mm.

[0011] Optionally, in the aerosol generating article according to the present invention, the maximum diameter of the airflow channel is preferably 3-4 mm, and the minimum diameter is preferably 0.5-1 mm.

[0012] Optionally, in the aerosol generating article according to the present invention, the length of the aerosol forming matrix is ​​8 to 20 mm.

[0013] Optionally, in the aerosol generating article according to the present invention, the filter tip has a length of 25 to 50 mm.

[0014] Optionally, in the aerosol generating article according to the present invention, the filter nozzle is capable of cooling the aerosol in the airflow channel by more than 15°C after passing through the filter nozzle.

[0015] Optionally, in the aerosol generating article according to the present invention, the filter tip is capable of adsorbing at least 10% of the moisture in the aerosol in the airflow channel, which is at least the total amount of aerosol in the airflow channel.

[0016] Optionally, in the aerosol generating article according to the present invention, the filter tip is capable of filtering out compounds in the aerosol within the airflow channel that account for at least 20% of the total amount of aerosol within the airflow channel.

[0017] Optionally, in the aerosol generating article according to the present invention, the filter tip has the maximum adsorption capacity upstream of the minimum diameter.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating article is also provided, which employs a wire-drawing filter rod forming machine and a high-temperature resistant airbag with high-frequency expansion / contraction, and includes the following steps:

[0019] (1) Guide wire: The filter tip material is introduced into the opening system through the guide wire device;

[0020] (2) Opening: In the opening system, the filter tip is opened with material;

[0021] (3) Apply plasticizer: Spray 10-30% of the plasticizer by weight of the opened filament bundle;

[0022] (4) Curing: The wire bundle is guided to the channel of the high-temperature airbag through the wire guide device. The high-temperature airbag is intermittently pumped with compressed air and steam of 0.1-0.3MPa is introduced for rapid curing before being sent into the smoke gun.

[0023] (5) Wire drawing and forming: The mixed wire bundle that has been initially solidified in the smoking gun is wrapped and then drawn into wire shape, and then processed into filter tip master rod through slitting and packaging processes;

[0024] (6) The filter rod is fed into the cigarette rolling machine unit, and the cigarette is rolled and the filter tip is connected by the heated cigarette rolling process.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method of the aerosol-generated article of the present invention, in the curing step, the high-temperature resistant airbag is made of an ellipsoidal variable volume elastic material, and the surface of the high-temperature resistant airbag is provided with pores.

[0026] The aerosol-generating product disclosed in this invention further reduces the retention and filtration of substances such as nicotine and glycerin compared to traditional binary and ternary filter tips. Users can experience a larger aerosol volume, a suitable aerosol temperature, and a suitable and low-change inhalation resistance. More importantly, the filter tip master rod disclosed in this invention has a simpler manufacturing process. Compared to traditional binary and ternary filter tips, the one-piece molded filter tip structure reduces subsequent winding steps and improves the yield rate of aerosol-generating products.

[0027] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the aerosol generation product of a binary filter tip in the prior art.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the aerosol generation product of a ternary structure filter tip in the prior art.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the aerosol generation product of the filter tip with a continuously variable diameter airflow channel disclosed in this invention.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the high-temperature resistant airbag in the manufacturing method of the aerosol-generated product disclosed in this invention.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the inflated state of the high-temperature resistant airbag in the manufacturing method of the aerosol-generated product disclosed in this invention.

[0034] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the high-temperature resistant airbag in the deflated state in the manufacturing method of the aerosol-generated product disclosed in this invention.

[0035] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1-Aerosol forming matrix; 2-Filter nozzle; 3-Airflow channel; 4-Encapsulation material; 5-High temperature resistant airbag; 6-Air pore; 7-One-way valve. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0037] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its application or use.

[0038] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0039] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0040] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.

[0041] according to Figure 3 As shown, the present invention provides an aerosol generating article, comprising:

[0042] Aerosol forming matrix 1 is made of tobacco material or non-tobacco material.

[0043] The filter nozzle 2 is integrally molded and has an airflow channel 3. The diameter of the airflow channel 3 changes continuously along the airflow path defined by the filter nozzle 2, changing from a large diameter to a non-zero minimum diameter, and then changing back to a large diameter.

[0044] And encapsulation material 4, which encapsulates and connects aerosol forming matrix 1 and filter tip 2 in series.

[0045] The heated tobacco product comprises an aerosol forming matrix 1 and a filter tip 2, which are rolled together by a wrapping material 4. The filter tip 2 is a one-piece molded cylindrical structure with an airflow channel 3. The diameter of the airflow channel 3 continuously varies along the airflow path defined by the filter tip 2, from a large diameter to a non-zero minimum diameter, and then back to a large diameter.

[0046] Furthermore, the maximum diameter of the airflow channel 3 is 3–7 mm, and the minimum diameter is 0–3 mm.

[0047] Furthermore, the maximum diameter of the airflow channel 3 is preferably 3-4 mm, and the minimum diameter is preferably 0.5-1 mm.

[0048] Furthermore, the aerosol forming matrix 1 has a length of 8–20 mm.

[0049] Furthermore, the length of the filter tip 2 is 25–50 mm.

[0050] Furthermore, the filter tip 2 can adsorb at least 10% of the total amount of moisture in the aerosol within the airflow channel 3.

[0051] Furthermore, the filter tip 2 is able to filter out at least 20% of the compounds in the aerosol within the airflow channel 3.

[0052] Furthermore, filter tip 2 has the greatest adsorption capacity upstream of the smallest diameter.

[0053] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The images show aerosol generation products of a binary filter and a ternary filter, respectively, in the prior art. The binary filter aerosol generation product, from left to right, consists of an aerosol forming matrix 1, a support section, and a fiber bundle filter. The ternary filter aerosol generation product, from left to right, consists of an aerosol forming matrix 1, a support section, a cooling section, and a fiber bundle filter. Compared to the aerosol generation product of the filter 2 with a continuous variable diameter airflow channel 3 disclosed in this invention:

[0054] Table 1. Filtration effect of different filter tips for aerosol generation products.

[0055]

[0056] Therefore, the aerosol generating product disclosed in this invention can effectively and appropriately filter moisture in aerosols, and appropriately adsorb and filter nicotine, glycerol and propylene glycol in aerosols.

[0057] Then according to Figures 4 to 6As shown, the present invention also provides a method for manufacturing aerosol-generated products, which employs a wire-drawing filter rod forming machine and a high-temperature resistant airbag 5 with high-frequency expansion / collapse, and the following steps:

[0058] (1) Guide wire: The filter tip 2 is guided into the opening system through the guide wire device;

[0059] (2) Opening: On the opening system, the filter tip 2 is opened with material;

[0060] (3) Apply plasticizer: Spray 10-30% of the plasticizer by weight of the opened filament bundle;

[0061] (4) Curing: The filament bundle is guided to the channel of the high-temperature airbag 5 through the filament guide device. The high-temperature airbag 5 is intermittently pumped with compressed air and steam of 0.1-0.3MPa is introduced for rapid curing and then sent into the smoke gun.

[0062] (5) Wire drawing and forming: The mixed wire bundle that has been initially solidified in the smoking gun is wrapped and then drawn into wire shape, and then processed into filter tip master rod through slitting and packaging processes;

[0063] (6) The filter rod is fed into the cigarette rolling machine unit, and the cigarette is rolled and the filter tip is connected by the heated cigarette rolling process.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method of the aerosol-generated product of the present invention, in the curing step, the high-temperature resistant airbag 5 is made of an ellipsoidal variable volume elastic material, and the surface of the high-temperature resistant airbag 5 is provided with pores 6. For example, a metal foil airbag with through holes can quickly switch between two states of inflation / deflation, and a one-way valve 7 is provided in the gas channel for pumping compressed air. When compressed air is pumped in, the instantaneous gas flow rate is much greater than the gas flow rate released from the airbag through holes, the pressure inside the high-temperature resistant airbag 5 increases instantaneously, the airbag bulges, and the compressed filaments form a large airflow channel 3 diameter. When no compressed air is pumped in, due to the high instantaneous pressure inside the high-temperature resistant airbag 5 and the compression by the surrounding filaments, the airbag quickly releases air through the through holes, and under the pressure of the surrounding filaments, the diameter of the airflow channel 3 quickly transitions from a large diameter to a small diameter.

[0065] By controlling the pumping frequency and gas flow rate during ventilation / de-ventilation, the rapid alternating inflation / deflation of the air bladders can be controlled, forming airflow channels 3 with continuously varying diameters within the filter tip master rod. By controlling the duration of de-ventilation, filament bundle intervals without airflow channels 3 can be formed within the master rod.

[0066] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the examples are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an aerosol-generated product, characterized in that, The process employs a wire drawing filter rod forming machine and a high-temperature resistant airbag for high-frequency expansion / collapse, and involves the following steps: (1) Guide wire: The filter tip material is introduced into the opening system through the guide wire device; (2) Opening: In the opening system, the filter tip is opened with material; (3) Apply plasticizer: Spray 10-30% of the plasticizer by weight of the opened filament bundle; (4) Curing: The filament bundle is guided to the channel of the high-temperature resistant airbag by the filament guide device. The high-temperature resistant airbag is intermittently pumped with compressed air and then rapidly cured with steam at 0.1-0.3MPa. It is then sent into the smoke gun. The high-temperature resistant airbag is made of an ellipsoidal variable volume elastic material and the surface of the high-temperature resistant airbag is provided with air holes. (5) Wire drawing and forming: The mixed wire bundle that has been initially solidified in the smoking gun is wrapped and then drawn into wire shape, and then processed into filter tip master rod through slitting and packaging processes; (6) The filter tip rod is fed into the cigarette rolling machine unit, and the cigarette is rolled and the tip is connected by the heated cigarette rolling process. The filter tip of the aerosol product is produced has an airflow channel. The diameter of the airflow channel changes continuously along the airflow path defined by the filter tip. The continuous change is from a large diameter to a small diameter and then back to a large diameter.

2. The method for manufacturing aerosol-generated products according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aerosol-generated products obtained include: An aerosol forming matrix, said aerosol forming matrix being made of tobacco material or non-tobacco material; The filter tip is integrally molded; and The encapsulation material encapsulates the aerosol forming matrix and the filter tip separately, and then the encapsulation materials are connected in series.

3. The method for manufacturing aerosol-generated products according to claim 2, characterized in that, The maximum diameter of the airflow channel is 3-7 mm, and the minimum diameter is 0-3 mm.

4. The method for manufacturing an aerosol-generated product according to claim 3, characterized in that, The maximum diameter of the airflow channel is 3-4 mm, and the minimum diameter is 0.5-1 mm.

5. The method for manufacturing an aerosol-generated product according to claim 2, characterized in that, The aerosol-forming matrix has a length of 8–20 mm.

6. The method for manufacturing an aerosol-generated product according to claim 2, characterized in that, The length of the filter tip is 25-50mm.

7. The method for manufacturing an aerosol-generated product according to claim 6, characterized in that, The filter nozzle enables the aerosol in the airflow channel to cool down by more than 15°C after passing through the filter nozzle.

8. The method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating product according to claim 6, characterized in that, The filter tip can absorb at least 10% of the moisture in the aerosol within the airflow channel.

9. The method for manufacturing an aerosol-generated product according to claim 6, characterized in that, The filter tip is capable of filtering out compounds in the aerosol within the airflow channel that account for at least 20% of the total amount of aerosol within the airflow channel.

10. The method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating product according to claim 6, characterized in that, The filter tip has the greatest adsorption capacity upstream of its smallest diameter.

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