Manufacturing method and manufacturing equipment of aerosol generating substrate

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a manufacturing method and manufacturing equipment of an aerosol generating matrix, and the manufacturing method comprises the following steps: carrying out low-temperature extrusion molding on a mixed material, so that the mixed material forms an extrusion matrix; and carrying out negative pressure drying on the extruded matrix in a vacuum environment. The manufacturing method provided by the embodiment of the invention is relatively high in production efficiency and relatively low in cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of smoking products, and in particular to a method and equipment for manufacturing an aerosol generating substrate. Background Art

[0002] Smoking articles include smoking articles that form aerosols by ignition and smoking articles that form aerosols by heating without burning. In a typical smoking article that heats without burning, it contains an aerosol-generating matrix such as tobacco raw materials, flavor raw materials and / or atomizers that can volatilize when heated to produce an aerosol. The aerosol-generating matrix is ​​heated by an external heat source so that the aerosol-generating matrix is ​​just heated to a degree sufficient to be emitted. The aerosol-generating matrix will not burn, and the aerosol-generating matrix is ​​loaded with an atomizer and released by heating when used to form smoke.

[0003] The core of the existing manufacturing system is mainly cast film, coating, and roller pressing. It needs to use hot air drying to control the moisture and shape of the matrix, and needs to use gathering or filling equipment to prepare a cylindrical aerosol-generating matrix. The related methods and manufacturing systems have the problems of long processes, many intermediate products from raw materials to finished products, large investment in the manufacturing system, and easy loss of effective substances during the manufacturing process. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, the embodiments of the present application hope to provide a method and a manufacturing device for an aerosol generating substrate with high production efficiency and low cost.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present application provides a method for manufacturing an aerosol generating substrate, characterized in that the manufacturing method comprises:

[0006] Extruding the mixture at low temperature to form an extrusion matrix;

[0007] The extruded matrix is ​​dried under negative pressure in a vacuum environment.

[0008] In one embodiment, the extrusion temperature of the low-temperature extrusion molding is greater than or equal to -50°C and less than 10°C.

[0009] In one embodiment, the temperature of the vacuum environment is greater than 20°C and less than 100°C.

[0010] In one embodiment, the extrusion pressure of the low-temperature extrusion molding is 0.5 bar to 300 bar.

[0011] In one embodiment, the low-temperature extrusion molding is performed by one of horizontal extrusion, vertical extrusion and inclined extrusion.

[0012] In one implementation, the absolute pressure of the vacuum environment is 0 kPa to 101.325 kPa.

[0013] In one embodiment, the water content of the extruded matrix after the negative pressure drying is 3% to 20% of the total weight of the extruded matrix.

[0014] In one embodiment, the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to negative pressure drying, comprising:

[0015] The extruded matrix is ​​dried under negative pressure by using at least one of microwave heating, resistance heating and infrared heating. In one embodiment, the manufacturing method further comprises:

[0016] The extruded matrix is ​​slit into set lengths.

[0017] In one embodiment, the step of slitting the extruded matrix into set lengths comprises:

[0018] Before the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to the negative pressure drying, the extruded matrix is ​​cut into the set length.

[0019] In one embodiment, the step of slitting the extruded matrix into set lengths comprises:

[0020] Before the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to the negative pressure drying, the extruded matrix is ​​pre-cut, and after the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to the negative pressure drying, the pre-cut extruded matrix is ​​cut into the set length.

[0021] In one embodiment, the slitting is performed by physical contact slitting in which a slitting tool contacts the extruded matrix.

[0022] In one embodiment, the slitting is performed by non-physical contact slitting between a slitting tool and the extruded matrix.

[0023] In one embodiment, before the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to the negative pressure drying, the manufacturing method further comprises:

[0024] The extruded matrix is ​​cooled and hardened.

[0025] In one embodiment, the cooling and hardening of the extruded matrix comprises:

[0026] The extruded matrix is ​​placed in a low temperature environment for cooling, wherein the temperature of the low temperature environment is lower than the hardening temperature of the extruded matrix.

[0027] In one embodiment, the hardening temperature is -100°C to 10°C, and the temperature of the freezing environment is -270°C to 10°C.

[0028] In one embodiment, the cooling and hardening of the extruded matrix includes: directly exchanging heat between the extruded matrix and a refrigerant.

[0029] In one embodiment, the cooling and hardening of the extruded matrix comprises: indirectly exchanging heat between the extruded matrix and a refrigerant.

[0030] In one embodiment, after cooling and hardening the extruded matrix, the manufacturing method further comprises:

[0031] The extruded matrix is ​​slit into set lengths.

[0032] In one embodiment, the hardness of the extruded matrix after cooling and hardening is 1HB to 200HB.

[0033] In one embodiment, the temperature of the extruded matrix after cooling and hardening is -50°C to 5°C.

[0034] In one embodiment, the components of the mixed material include a solid material and a liquid material. Before the mixed material is subjected to low-temperature extrusion molding, the manufacturing method further includes:

[0035] The solid material and the liquid material are divided into two modules for feeding respectively.

[0036] In one embodiment, the solid material and the liquid material are divided into two modules for feeding respectively, comprising:

[0037] adding the solid material;

[0038] When the solid material moves along the material conveying direction to the adding position of the liquid material, the liquid material is added to the solid material.

[0039] In one embodiment, after the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to negative pressure drying, the manufacturing method further comprises: wrapping a packaging layer on the outer surface of the extruded matrix.

[0040] In one embodiment, after the extruded matrix is ​​dried under negative pressure, the manufacturing method further comprises: sealing and packaging the extruded matrix.

[0041] In one embodiment, in 100 parts by weight of the mixed material, the plant raw material is 30 to 90 parts, the auxiliary raw material is 1 to 15 parts, the smoke agent raw material is 5 to 30 parts, the adhesive raw material is 1 to 10 parts, and the fragrance raw material is 1 to 15 parts.

[0042] Another embodiment of the present application provides a manufacturing device for an aerosol generating substrate, comprising:

[0043] An extruder, the extruder is used to perform low-temperature extrusion molding on the mixed material so that the mixed material forms an extrusion matrix;

[0044] A vacuum drying device is used to perform negative pressure drying on the extruded matrix.

[0045] In one embodiment, the extrusion die of the extruder is a single-die single-mouth die having a bottom die, and a mouth die at the discharge end of the bottom die.

[0046] In one embodiment, the extrusion die of the extruder is a single-die multi-die having a bottom die and a discharge end of the bottom die having a plurality of die openings.

[0047] In one embodiment, the extrusion die of the extruder is a multi-opening die having a plurality of bottom dies, and the discharge end of each bottom die has a plurality of opening dies.

[0048] The embodiment of the present application provides a method and equipment for manufacturing an aerosol-generating matrix, wherein the method for manufacturing the aerosol-generating matrix mainly involves low-temperature extrusion molding of the mixed material so that the mixed material forms an extruded matrix, and then negative pressure drying the extruded matrix in a vacuum environment. Low-temperature extrusion molding can improve the retention rate of volatile aroma substances, and the endogenous components of the extruded extruded matrix are stable, and the rheological characteristics of the slurry are stable, while negative pressure drying can ensure that the shrinkage rate of the extruded matrix is ​​small and the drying time is short, which is convenient for realizing continuous production. Low-temperature extrusion molding is used in combination with negative pressure drying, and the aerosol-generating matrix is ​​continuously produced in a low-temperature environment, the retention rate of volatile aroma substances is greater than 70%, the aerosol-generating matrix is ​​uniform and stable, and the internal pores are evenly distributed. The aerosol-generating matrix has high processability, and can also realize continuous production of the aerosol-generating matrix, with high production efficiency and low manufacturing cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a method for manufacturing an aerosol generating substrate according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of an aerosol-generating substrate manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present application, in which a mixed material and an extruded substrate are shown at the same time;

[0051] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the manufacturing apparatus shown;

[0052] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of another aerosol-generating substrate manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present application, in which a mixed material and an extruded substrate are shown at the same time;

[0053] Figure 5for Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the manufacturing equipment shown;

[0054] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of the first extrusion die of an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second extrusion die according to an embodiment of the present application, and the extruded matrix is ​​also shown in the figure;

[0056] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of a third extrusion die according to an embodiment of the present application, and the extrusion matrix is ​​also shown in the figure;

[0057] Fig. 9 This is a schematic structural diagram of a vacuum drying device according to an embodiment of the present application, and also shows an extruded matrix;

[0058] Fig.10 This is a schematic structural diagram of a hardening device according to an embodiment of the present application, in which an extrusion die and an extrusion matrix are shown at the same time;

[0059] Fig.11 for Fig.10 A cross-sectional view of the hardening device shown;

[0060] Fig.12 It is a structural schematic diagram of another hardening device of an embodiment of the present application, and the figure also shows the extruded matrix;

[0061] Fig.13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first extruded matrix of an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] Fig.14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second extruded matrix of the embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Fig.15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third extruded matrix of the embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Fig.16 This is a flow chart of a first manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Fig.17 This is a flow chart of a second manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] Fig.18 This is a flow chart of a third manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Fig.19 This is a flow chart of a fourth manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0068] Description of Reference Numerals

[0069] 100, manufacturing equipment; 110, extruder; 111, barrel; 112, screw; 113, extrusion die; 1131, bottom die; 1132, mouth die; 114, solid material feeding port; 115, liquid material feeding port; 116, adapter; 120, vacuum drying device; 121, box; 122, vacuum pump; 123, partition; 124, tray; 130, hardening device; 131, container; 131a , containing cavity; 131b, liquid inlet groove; 131c, transmission channel; 132, cooling tube; 132a, liquid storage cavity; 1321, inner tube; 1321a, heat exchange channel; 1322, outer tube; 140, first conveying device; 140a, guide groove; 150, cutting device; 160, second conveying device; 170, third conveying device; 200, extrusion matrix; 200a, airway; 200′, mixed material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] An embodiment of the present application provides a method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate is used in conjunction with an electronic atomization device having a heating component. Specifically, the heating component heats and atomizes the aerosol-generating substrate to generate an aerosol for users to inhale or for use in medicine, beauty, etc.

[0071] See also Figure 1 The method for manufacturing the aerosol generating substrate comprises the following steps:

[0072] Step S10: performing low-temperature extrusion molding on the mixed material to form an extrusion matrix;

[0073] Specifically, extrusion molding refers to a processing method in which the material is added to the extruder, and the material is pushed forward by the screw through the action between the barrel and the screw of the extruder, and continuously passes through the extrusion die at the outlet of the extruder to form various cross-section products or semi-finished products. The material formed by extrusion molding is in the form of strips.

[0074] The mixed material is a material used to manufacture an aerosol-generating matrix. The mixed material is a mixture of a solid material and a liquid material, that is, the mixed material contains a certain amount of water.

[0075] In the field of extrusion molding, the extrusion temperature (i.e. the temperature inside the barrel of the extruder) between 10°C and 90°C (including 10°C and 90°C) is defined as room temperature, the extrusion temperature below 10°C is defined as low temperature, and the extrusion temperature above 90°C is defined as high temperature.

[0076] The low-temperature extrusion molding of the mixed material described in the implementation of the present application refers to extrusion molding of the mixed material at an extrusion temperature of less than 10°C.

[0077] Extrusion temperature will affect the retention rate of volatile aroma substances in the extruded matrix, the viscosity of the mixed material, the modulus and other parameters. Low-temperature extrusion molding can offset the heat generated by the pressure and mutual friction of the mixed material during the extrusion process, thereby reducing the loss of volatile aroma substances during the extrusion molding process.

[0078] The corresponding relationship between extrusion temperature and volatile aroma retention rate is shown in Table 1.

[0079] Table 1 Effect of extrusion temperature on retention rate of volatile aroma substances in materials

[0080] Serial number Extrusion temperature(℃) Retention Rate 1 -10 95％ 2 -5 93％ 3 0 90％ 4 10 85％ 5 15 80％ 6 25 78％ 7 40 67％ 8 50 58％ 9 60 50％

[0081] According to Table 1, the higher the extrusion temperature, the lower the retention rate of volatile aroma substances in the material; the lower the extrusion temperature, the higher the retention rate of volatile aroma substances in the material. Among them, when the extrusion temperature is -10°C, the retention rate of volatile aroma substances in the material is as high as 95%, when the extrusion temperature is 10°C, the retention rate of volatile aroma substances in the material is 85%, and when the extrusion temperature is 60°C, the retention rate of volatile aroma substances in the material is only 50%. Therefore, when the extrusion temperature of low-temperature extrusion molding is less than -10°C, the retention rate of volatile aroma substances in the material is relatively high, which can meet the needs and ensure the quality of the extruded matrix.

[0082] The extrusion temperature has a great influence on the viscosity of the mixed material 200 ′, and the viscosity of the mixed material 200 ′ also has an influence on the extrusion pressure (the extrusion pressure described in the embodiment of the present application refers to the extrusion pressure of the extrusion die located at the outlet of the extruder).

[0083] The corresponding relationship between extrusion temperature and rheological properties of slurry is shown in Table 2.

[0084] Table 2 Correspondence between extrusion temperature and rheological properties of slurry

[0085]

[0086]

[0087] According to Table 2, as the temperature increases, the viscosity of the mixed material 200' decreases. When the extrusion temperature is higher than or equal to 10°C, the bonding force between the mixed materials is small, and the extruded matrix 200 is easily loose or cracked, resulting in a decrease in the yield rate.

[0088] When the extrusion temperature is lower than 10° C., the viscoelasticity of the mixed slurry 200 ′ increases, and the extruded matrix 200 is more likely to be tightly bonded and less likely to become loose or cracked.

[0089] Illustratively, the extrusion temperature of the low-temperature extrusion may be greater than or equal to -50°C and less than 10°C.

[0090] More preferably, the extrusion temperature of the low-temperature extrusion may be -35°C to 5°C (including -35°C and 5°C).

[0091] When the extrusion temperature is -35°C to 5°C, the extrusion pressure can be at a balance point, and the extruded matrix has a uniform morphology and a stable structure.

[0092] Step S20: performing negative pressure drying on the extruded matrix in a vacuum environment.

[0093] The main purpose of negative pressure drying is to evaporate the water in the extruded matrix. If the extruded matrix contains a large amount of volatile lubricant, negative pressure drying can also remove the volatile lubricant.

[0094] It should be noted that step S20 may be the last step of the manufacturing method, that is, the dried extruded matrix is ​​the finished product of the aerosol generating matrix. Step S20 may not be the last step of the manufacturing method, which is equivalent to the dried extruded matrix being only a semi-finished product of the aerosol generating matrix. After step S20, other processing may be performed, including but not limited to slitting, packaging, etc.

[0095] The vacuum environment can reduce the boiling point of water (i.e., the boiling point of water is lower than the boiling point of 100°C under normal pressure), so that the water in the extruded matrix can evaporate at low temperature (i.e., water evaporates below 100°C). In addition, negative pressure drying can slow down the overflow of water from the extruded matrix, so that the extruded matrix can maintain the reserved skeleton after the water overflows, thereby forming pores. The pores are the channels for the aerosol-generating matrix to release aerosols and aromas during the heating process. Therefore, negative pressure drying can increase the porosity of the aerosol-generating matrix, and thus improve the release efficiency of aerosols and aromas.

[0096] Exemplarily, the temperature of the vacuum environment can be greater than 20°C and less than 100°C. When the temperature of the vacuum environment is lower than 20°C, the time required for drying the extruded matrix is ​​long, the production efficiency is low, and the production cost is high. When the temperature of the vacuum environment is higher than 80°C, the heat-sensitive aroma components in the extruded matrix are easily volatilized by heat. At the same time, when the temperature is higher than 100°C, the extruded matrix reaches a softening point, and the support of the outer wall of the extruded matrix decreases. Under the influence of vacuum negative pressure, the overall structure is prone to shrinkage, which leads to the overflow of moisture inside the extruded matrix. The pores on the skeleton are prone to shrinkage and deformation, and the porosity decreases. As a result, the aerosol generation matrix releases aerosols and aromas through channels that are blocked, affecting the overall release efficiency.

[0097] More preferably, the temperature of the vacuum environment may be 30° C. to 60° C. (including 30° C. and 60° C.).

[0098] In addition, the hardness of the extruded matrix after negative pressure drying may be 40HB to 300HB (including 40HB and 300HB). More preferably, the hardness of the extruded matrix after negative pressure drying may be 80HB to 250HB (including 80HB and 250HB).

[0099] Another embodiment of the present application also provides a manufacturing device 100 for an aerosol generating substrate, see Figures 2 to 5 The manufacturing equipment 100 mainly includes an extruder 110 and a vacuum drying device 120 .

[0100] The extruder 110 is used to perform low-temperature extrusion molding on the mixed material 200 ′.

[0101] The extruder 110 can be a single-screw extruder or a twin-screw extruder. A twin-screw extruder is preferably used because, compared with a single-screw extruder, a twin-screw extruder can further homogenize the mixed material 200′ during the conveying process of the mixed material 200′, thereby improving product stability, and the extrusion efficiency of a twin-screw extruder is higher than that of a single-screw extruder.

[0102] The vacuum drying device 120 is used to dry the extruded matrix 200 under negative pressure.

[0103] For example, see FIG. Figures 2 to 4 , Fig. 9 The vacuum drying device 120 may include a housing 121, a vacuum pump 122, a heating system (not shown) and an electrical instrument control system (not shown), wherein at least one partition 123 is provided in the housing 121, and a material tray 124 may be placed on the partition 123. When the extruded matrix 200 needs to be negatively dried, the material tray 124 may be taken out, the extruded matrix 200 may be placed in the material tray 124, and then the material tray 124 may be placed on the partition 123 in the housing 121. The vacuum pump 122 is used to form a vacuum in the housing 121, and the partition 123 is heated by the heating system to provide heat for the extruded matrix 200.

[0104] That is to say, the manufacturing method of the aerosol generating matrix of the embodiment of the present application is mainly to perform low-temperature extrusion molding on the mixed material so that the mixed material forms an extruded matrix, and then the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to negative pressure drying in a vacuum environment. Low-temperature extrusion molding can improve the retention rate of volatile aroma substances, and the endogenous components of the extruded extruded matrix are stable, the rheological characteristics of the slurry are stable, and negative pressure drying can ensure that the shrinkage rate of the extruded matrix is ​​small and the yield rate is high. Low-temperature extrusion molding is used in combination with negative pressure drying, and the aerosol generating matrix is ​​continuously produced in a low-temperature environment, the retention rate of volatile aroma substances is greater than 70%, the aerosol generating matrix is ​​uniform and stable, the internal pores are evenly distributed, the aerosol generating matrix has high processability, and the continuous production of the aerosol generating matrix can also be realized, with high production efficiency and low manufacturing cost.

[0105] The mixed materials of the embodiment of the present application may include plant raw materials, auxiliary raw materials, smoke-generating agent raw materials, adhesive raw materials and flavor raw materials.

[0106] Plant raw materials are used to generate aerosols when heated. Auxiliary raw materials are used to provide skeleton support for plant raw materials. Smoke-generating agent raw materials are used to generate smoke when heated. Adhesive raw materials are used to bond various raw material components. Flavor raw materials are used to provide characteristic aromas. In this way, plant raw materials and smoke-generating agent raw materials can ensure the amount of aerosol generated, while flavor raw materials can increase the release of aroma during the inhalation process and enhance user experience. Auxiliary raw materials can not only improve the fluidity of the mixed materials, but also make the aerosol generation matrix porous to facilitate the extraction and flow of aerosols. Adhesive raw materials ensure that plant raw materials and auxiliary raw materials constitute a stable mixture to avoid loose structure.

[0107] Exemplarily, the plant raw material can be one or more combinations of powders formed after crushing tobacco raw materials, tobacco leaf fragments, tobacco stems, tobacco dust, and flavor plants. Plant raw materials are the core source of flavor. Endogenous substances in plant raw materials can produce physiological satisfaction for users. Endogenous substances such as alkaloids enter the human blood and promote the pituitary gland to produce dopamine, thereby obtaining physiological satisfaction.

[0108] Exemplarily, the auxiliary raw material can be one or more combinations of inorganic fillers, lubricants, and emulsifiers. Among them, the inorganic filler includes one or more combinations of heavy calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, zeolite, attapulgite, talc, and diatomaceous earth. The inorganic filler can provide a skeleton support for the plant raw material, and the inorganic filler also has micropores, which can increase the porosity of the aerosol generation matrix, thereby increasing the aerosol release rate. The lubricant includes one or more combinations of candelilla wax, carnauba wax, shellac, sunflower wax, rice bran, beeswax, stearic acid, and palmitic acid. The lubricant can increase the fluidity of the plant raw material powder, reduce the friction between the plant raw material powders, make the overall density of the plant raw material powder distribution more uniform, and can also reduce the pressure required for the extrusion molding process and reduce the wear of the die. The emulsifier includes one or more combinations of polyglycerol fatty acid esters, Tween-80, and polyvinyl alcohol. The emulsifier can slow down the loss of flavor substances during storage to a certain extent, increase the stability of flavor substances, and improve the sensory quality of the product.

[0109] Exemplarily, the smoke-generating agent raw material may include: a monohydric alcohol (such as menthol); a polyhydric alcohol (such as propylene glycol, glycerol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol); an ester of a polyhydric alcohol (such as triacetin, triethyl citrate, a mixture of diacetin esters, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, glyceryl tributyrate); a monocarboxylic acid; a dicarboxylic acid; a polycarboxylic acid (such as lauric acid, myristic acid) or an aliphatic ester of a polycarboxylic acid (such as dimethyl dodecanedioate, dimethyl tetradecanedioate, erythritol, 1,3-butylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl laurate, Triactin, meso-erythritol, a mixture of diacetin esters, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, ethyl vanillate, glyceryl tributyrate, lauryl acetate) in one or more combinations.

[0110] Exemplarily, the adhesive raw material is in close contact with the component raw material interface by wetting, generating intermolecular attraction, thereby playing the role of bonding the component raw materials, such as powders, liquids, etc. The adhesive raw material can be a natural plant extract, a non-ionized modified viscous polysaccharide, including one or more combinations of tamarind polysaccharides, guar gum, and modified cellulose (such as carboxymethyl cellulose). The adhesive is used to bond the particles together, which is not easy to loosen. In addition, it improves the water resistance of the aerosol generating matrix and is harmless to the human body.

[0111] Exemplarily, the flavor raw material is used to provide a characteristic aroma, such as a solid or liquid substance of hay aroma, roasted sweet aroma, and nicotine. The flavor raw material may include one or more combinations of tobacco or other plants, flavor plant extracts, extracts, essential oils, and absolute oils; the flavor raw material may include one or more combinations of monomer flavor substances, such as megastigmatriene, neophytadiene, geraniol, nerol, and the like.

[0112] For example, in 100 parts by weight of the mixture, the plant raw material can be 30 to 90 parts, the auxiliary raw material can be 1 to 15 parts, the smoke agent raw material can be 5 to 30 parts, the adhesive raw material can be 1 to 10 parts, and the flavor raw material can be 1 to 15 parts.

[0113] Depending on the different structural forms of the extrusion die disposed at the outlet of the extruder, the extruded matrix 200 of different structural forms can be extruded, for example, Figures 13 to 15 , an extruded matrix 200 having air channels 200a may be extruded.

[0114] The number of air passages 200a may be one or more. Fig.13 The straight airway shown can also Fig.14 What is shown is a spiral airway, and it can also be a combination of a straight airway and a spiral airway. A straight airway is an airway extending along a straight line, or in other words, the extension direction of the straight airway is a straight line.

[0115] The spiral airway is an airway in which at least part of the area along the extension direction is in a curved shape with a curvature not equal to zero. For example, along the extension direction of the spiral airway, the spiral airway may have a structure in which there are both a curved segment with a curvature not equal to zero and a straight segment with a curvature of zero, or may have only a curved segment with a curvature not equal to zero and no straight segment with a curvature of zero. In other words, from the starting point to the end point of the spiral airway along the extension direction, the spiral airway does not need to extend along a straight line.

[0116] The airway 200a may be Fig.13 and Fig.14 As shown, the air passage 200a is located inside the extruded matrix 200, and may also be located on the outer side wall of the extruded matrix 200. When the number of the air passages 200a is multiple, the air passages 200a may also be located as shown. Fig.15 As shown, a portion of the air channels 200 a are located inside the extruded matrix 200 , and another portion of the air channels 200 a are located on the outer sidewall of the extruded matrix 200 .

[0117] The shape of the cross section of the air channel 200a located inside the extruded matrix 200 is not limited. For example, the shape of the cross section can be circular, polygonal (including but not limited to triangle, square, prism, etc.), elliptical, racetrack-shaped or irregular, etc., wherein irregular refers to other symmetrical or asymmetrical shapes other than the shapes listed above.

[0118] The cross-sectional shape of the air channel 200a located on the outer side wall of the extruded matrix 200 can be semicircular, semi-elliptical, polygonal or irregular, wherein irregular refers to other symmetrical or asymmetrical shapes other than the shapes listed above.

[0119] The air channel 200a is used to increase the surface area of ​​the aerosol generating medium (the side wall of the air channel 200a is equivalent to a part of the surface of the aerosol generating medium), so that the heat acting on the aerosol generating medium can enter the interior of the aerosol generating medium from the surface of the aerosol generating medium to improve the heating efficiency.

[0120] It should be noted that the airway 200a described in the present application is a hole or groove in a macroscopic sense, and the airway 200a is mainly formed by processing. Therefore, the cross-sectional area, length and other dimensions of the airway 200a can be changed according to design requirements.

[0121] In one embodiment, the extrusion pressure of low temperature extrusion molding may be 0.5 bar to 300 bar (inclusive).

[0122] The extrusion pressure will affect the molding shape, surface smoothness, yield rate, and production rate of the aerosol generating matrix. During the low-temperature extrusion process, when the extrusion pressure is lower than 0.5 bar, the molding rate of the aerosol generating matrix is ​​low, and the product defect rate increases, which in turn leads to a slow production rate and an increase in production costs. When the extrusion pressure is higher than 300 bar, the transmission structure load of the extruder is high (the torque required to be provided is high), which leads to a reduction in the service life of the extruder. Therefore, controlling the extrusion pressure within the range of 0.5 bar to 300 bar can not only improve the molding rate of the aerosol generating matrix, but also extend the service life of the extruder.

[0123] More preferably, the extrusion pressure of low-temperature extrusion is 30 bar to 150 bar (including 30 bar and 150 bar).

[0124] In one embodiment, the extrusion method of low-temperature extrusion molding can be horizontal extrusion.

[0125] Horizontal extrusion means that the extrusion die at the extruder outlet is set horizontally, and the extruded matrix is ​​extruded in the horizontal direction (for example Figure 2 and Figure 3 The extruder 110 is shown, or in other words, the extrusion direction of the extruded matrix is ​​parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0126] For the extruded matrix forming the spiral air channel, when the extruded matrix passes through the extrusion die at the exit of the extruder, the die of the extrusion die rotates while the extruded matrix does not rotate, and the extruded matrix extruded by the rotating die directly enters the conveying device (such as Figure 2and Figure 3 The first conveying device 140 in the embodiment of the present invention, since the rotation of the die will cause a certain stress in the extruded matrix, and horizontal extrusion can reduce the direct release of the stress of the extruded matrix (the generated stress can be eliminated by heating), therefore, horizontal extrusion can improve the yield rate of the aerosol-generating matrix with a spiral airway.

[0127] In one embodiment, the extrusion method of low-temperature extrusion molding can also be vertical extrusion.

[0128] Vertical extrusion means that the extrusion die at the extruder outlet is set downward, and the extruded matrix is ​​extruded along the direction of gravity (for example Figure 4 and Figure 5 The extruder 110 is shown, or in other words, the extrusion direction of the extruded matrix is ​​perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

[0129] For example, see Figure 4 and Figure 5 The manufacturing equipment 100 may be provided with a third conveying device 170 , and the extruded matrix 200 directly enters the third conveying device 170 after being extruded from the extruder 110 .

[0130] In one embodiment, the extrusion method of low-temperature extrusion molding can also be inclined extrusion.

[0131] Inclined extrusion means that the extrusion die at the extruder outlet is inclined, and the angle between the extrusion direction of the extruded matrix and the horizontal plane is greater than 0° and less than 90°.

[0132] Inclined extrusion can not only reduce the extrusion pressure of the mixed material, but also facilitate the space design of other equipment.

[0133] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 6 The extrusion die 113 may be a single-mode single-port die, that is, a bottom die 1131 ( Figure 6 The bottom mold 1131 is not shown in FIG. Figure 7 The bottom die 1131 is a bottom die 1131, and the discharge end of the bottom die 1131 has a mouth die 1132. After the mixed material 200' passes through the mouth die 1132, an extruded matrix 200 with an air channel 200a can be formed.

[0134] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 7 The extrusion die 113 may also be a single-mode multi-port die, that is, the bottom die 1131 at the outlet of the extruder 110 is one, and the discharge end of the bottom die 1131 has multiple port dies 1132. After the mixed material 200' passes through the multiple port dies 1132, multiple extruded matrices 200 are formed at the same time. When the size of the screw 112 of the extruder 110 is relatively large, a single-mode multi-port die can be selected, which can improve production efficiency and is more suitable for mass production.

[0135] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 8 The extrusion die 113 can also be a multi-mode multi-port die, that is, the adapter 116 at the outlet of the extruder 110 is connected to a plurality of bottom dies 1131, and a plurality of port dies 1132 are provided at the discharge end of each bottom die 1131. After the mixed material 200' passes through the port dies 1132 on each bottom die 1131, a plurality of extruded matrices 200 are formed simultaneously. When the size of the screw 112 of the extruder 110 is relatively large, a multi-mode multi-port die can also be selected, which can improve production efficiency and is more suitable for mass production.

[0136] In one embodiment, the absolute pressure of the vacuum environment may be 0 kPa to 101.325 kPa (including 0 kPa and 101.325 kPa).

[0137] There is a positive correlation between absolute pressure and the boiling point of water, that is, the lower the absolute pressure, the lower the boiling point of water. Therefore, by controlling the absolute pressure, the boiling point of water in the extruded matrix can be controlled so that the water content in the dried extruded matrix can be controlled within a suitable range.

[0138] In addition, setting the absolute pressure of the vacuum environment within the range of 0 kPa to 101.325 kPa can not only effectively reduce the moisture in the extruded matrix, but also retain the aroma components and effective substances (such as alkaloids, smoke agents, etc.) in the raw materials as much as possible, thereby ensuring product quality.

[0139] Preferably, the absolute pressure of the vacuum environment may be 4 kPa to 20 kPa (including 4 kPa and 20 kPa).

[0140] In one embodiment, the water content of the extruded matrix after negative pressure drying may be 3% to 20% (inclusive) of the total weight of the extruded matrix.

[0141] When the water content in the extruded matrix is ​​lower than 3%, during the user's suction process, the impurities generated by the aerosol-generating matrix are high, which reduces the user's suction experience. In addition, if the dried extruded matrix is ​​subsequently processed by other methods (i.e., step S20 is not the last step of the manufacturing method), the dried extruded matrix is ​​fragile in the subsequent processing process, which not only leads to a high defect rate in subsequent production, but also increases production costs. When the water content in the extruded matrix is ​​higher than 20%, the smoke water content of the aerosol-generating matrix during the heating and suction process is high, and the smoke temperature is not easy to reduce, which easily causes the user to have a "hot mouth" phenomenon during the suction process, reducing the user's suction experience. Therefore, controlling the water content in the dried extruded matrix within the range of 3% to 20% of the total weight of the extruded matrix can effectively improve the user's suction experience. In addition, for the extruded matrix that is processed by it after drying, the defect rate of subsequent production can also be reduced.

[0142] Preferably, the water content of the extruded matrix after negative pressure drying may be 4% to 13% (including 4% and 13%) of the total weight of the extruded matrix.

[0143] In one embodiment, the extruded matrix may be dried under negative pressure by using at least one of microwave heating, resistance heating, and infrared heating.

[0144] Microwave heating refers to the use of the energy characteristics of microwaves to heat materials.

[0145] Resistance heating refers to the use of the thermal effect of electric current passing through a resistor to heat the material.

[0146] Infrared heating refers to the use of infrared radiation heat transfer to heat materials.

[0147] According to needs, only one of microwave heating, resistance heating and infrared heating can be used, or a combination of any two of them can be used, or all three of them can be used.

[0148] Microwave heating, resistance heating and infrared heating can keep the temperature of the vacuum environment at the required temperature more stably. For example, the temperature of the vacuum environment can be maintained in the range of greater than 20°C and less than 100°C, thereby better increasing the internal temperature of the extruded matrix and stimulating the vibration of water molecules inside the extruded matrix.

[0149] It should be noted that the heating method is not limited to microwave heating, resistance heating and infrared heating. In other embodiments, other heating methods can also be used as long as the extruded matrix can be dried under negative pressure.

[0150] In one embodiment, the manufacturing method may further include: cutting the extruded matrix 200 into set lengths.

[0151] The length of the extruded matrix extruded by low-temperature extrusion molding is usually relatively long, so the extruded matrix can be cut into required lengths according to different usage scenarios.

[0152] See also Figures 2 to 5 The manufacturing equipment 100 is provided with a slitting device 150 having a slitting tool (not shown), and the extruded matrix 200 is slitting by the slitting tool.

[0153] There are many ways of slitting. For example, in one embodiment, physical contact slitting in which the slitting tool contacts the extruded matrix can be used. That is, the slitting tool directly contacts the extruded matrix. Physical contact slitting includes but is not limited to rotary hob cutting, cutting disc cutting, wire cutting, roller cutting, extrusion and the like.

[0154] In another embodiment, non-physical contact slitting between the slitting tool and the extruded matrix can also be used, that is, the slitting tool itself has no physical contact with the extruded matrix. Non-physical contact slitting includes but is not limited to laser cutting, plasma cutting, air knife, water knife and the like.

[0155] In one embodiment, the extruded matrix can be cut into set lengths before the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to negative pressure drying. In other words, the extruded matrix is ​​first cut into set lengths and then subjected to negative pressure drying.

[0156] In one embodiment, the extruded matrix may be pre-cut before the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to negative pressure drying, and the pre-cut extruded matrix may be cut into set lengths after the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to negative pressure drying.

[0157] Pre-slitting is equivalent to the initial slitting of the extruded matrix, and the length of the extruded matrix after pre-slitting is longer than the set length.

[0158] For example, see Figure 2 and Figure 3 For the manufacturing equipment 100 that needs to be pre-cut, two cutting devices 150 can be set. The first cutting device 150 is set upstream of the vacuum drying device 120 along the material conveying direction, and the second cutting device 150 is set downstream of the vacuum drying device 120 along the material conveying direction. The first cutting device 150 is used to pre-cut the extruded matrix 200, and the second cutting device 150 is used to cut the extruded matrix 200 after negative pressure drying into set lengths. In order to facilitate the cutting of the extruded matrix 200 after the extruded matrix 200 is negatively pressure dried, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3The manufacturing equipment 100 may also be provided with a second conveying device 160 between the vacuum drying device 120 and the second slitting device 150 , and the extruded matrix 200 that has completed negative pressure drying in the vacuum drying device 120 is conveyed to the second slitting device 150 by the second conveying device 160 for slitting.

[0159] The texture of the extruded matrix extruded by low-temperature extrusion molding is usually relatively soft. Therefore, before the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to negative pressure drying, the pre-slitting of the extruded matrix is ​​equivalent to slitting the soft body of the extruded matrix.

[0160] After the pre-cut extruded matrix is ​​dried under negative pressure, the moisture in the extruded matrix is ​​removed and the extruded matrix hardens. Therefore, after the negative pressure drying, the cutting of the pre-cut extruded matrix is ​​equivalent to cutting of the extruded matrix with a relatively hard texture.

[0161] During the negative pressure drying process of the extruded matrix, the volume of the extruded matrix will shrink. Therefore, the pre-slitting-negative pressure drying-slitting method can improve the consistency of the longitudinal dimension (i.e., the dimension along the extrusion direction) of the extruded matrix after cutting, thereby improving the slitting yield.

[0162] In addition, for an extruded matrix that needs to be pre-cut, the extruded matrix can also be shaped after the pre-cut.

[0163] For example, after the extruded matrix is ​​pre-cut, a jig may be used to circumferentially align the extruded matrix, and then the shaped extruded matrix may be dried under negative pressure.

[0164] For example, after the extruded matrix is ​​dried under negative pressure and before the extruded matrix is ​​cut into set lengths, a jig may be used to calibrate the circumference and straightness of the extruded matrix.

[0165] In one embodiment, the extruded matrix can also be cut into set lengths after the extruded matrix is ​​dried under negative pressure. That is, the extruded matrix is ​​first dried under negative pressure and then cut into set lengths. Compared with the manufacturing method with pre-cutting, this embodiment actually omits the pre-cutting step.

[0166] For example, Figure 2 Taking the manufacturing equipment 100 shown as an example, for the manufacturing method of this embodiment, only a slitting device 150 can be set downstream of the vacuum drying device 120 along the material conveying direction, while the slitting device 150 is not set upstream of the vacuum drying device 120 along the material conveying direction. No slitting is performed on the extruded matrix 200 before the negative pressure drying. After the extruded matrix 200 is negatively pressure dried, the slitting device 150 is used to cut the extruded matrix 200 into set lengths.

[0167] The texture of the extruded matrix extruded by room temperature extrusion molding is usually relatively soft. Therefore, the extruded matrix is ​​first subjected to negative pressure drying and then cut to prevent the cutting before negative pressure drying from causing slight deformation to the extruded matrix with lower hardness.

[0168] In addition, it should be noted that for any slitting method without pre-slitting, a jig can also be used to calibrate the circumference and straightness of the extruded matrix before slitting.

[0169] In some embodiments, there may be no slitting step, that is, the extruded matrix of a set length can be directly extruded by low-temperature extrusion molding. For example, after the extruded matrix is ​​extruded by vertical extrusion, the extruded matrix can naturally detach under the action of its own gravity when it reaches or approaches the set length, thereby reducing the subsequent slitting steps and further reducing production costs.

[0170] In one embodiment, before the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to negative pressure drying, the manufacturing method further comprises: cooling and hardening the extruded matrix.

[0171] Since the texture of the extruded matrix extruded by low-temperature extrusion molding is usually relatively soft, in order to facilitate subsequent processing, the extruded matrix can be cooled and hardened before negative pressure drying to increase the hardness of the extruded matrix.

[0172] After cooling and hardening, the hardness of the extruded matrix increases and the temperature of the extruded matrix decreases.

[0173] For example, the hardness of the extruded matrix extruded by low-temperature extrusion molding before cooling and hardening may be 0HB to 100HB (including 0HB and 100HB), and after cooling and hardening, the hardness of the extruded matrix may be 1HB to 200HB (including 1HB and 200HB).

[0174] Preferably, the hardness of the extruded matrix extruded by low-temperature extrusion molding before cooling and hardening can be 1HB to 60HB (including 1HB and 60HB), and after cooling and hardening, the hardness of the extruded matrix can be 40HB to 120HB (including 40HB and 120HB).

[0175] Illustratively, the temperature of the extruded matrix before cooling and hardening may be 0°C to 40°C (including 0°C and 40°C), and after cooling and hardening, the temperature of the extruded matrix may be -50°C to 5°C (including -50°C and 5°C).

[0176] For the manufacturing method having the slitting step, the extruded matrix may be slit into set lengths after the extruded matrix is ​​cooled and hardened.

[0177] Since the hardness of the extruded matrix increases after cooling and hardening, the extruded matrix is ​​easier to cut after cooling and hardening, and the extruded matrix after cutting will not be deformed, and the cut surface is more neat and complete.

[0178] In one embodiment, the cooling and hardening may be placing the extruded matrix in a low-temperature environment for freezing and hardening, wherein the temperature of the low-temperature environment is lower than the hardening temperature of the extruded matrix.

[0179] That is, the extruded matrix can be transferred to a low-temperature environment with a relatively low temperature for freezing. In order to meet the hardening requirement, the temperature in the low-temperature environment needs to be lower than the hardening temperature of the extruded matrix.

[0180] Illustratively, on the premise that the temperature in the low-temperature environment is lower than the hardening temperature of the extruded matrix, if the hardening temperature of the extruded matrix is ​​-100°C to 10°C (including -100°C and 10°C), the temperature of the low-temperature environment can be -270°C to 10°C (including -270°C and 10°C).

[0181] More preferably, if the hardening temperature of the extruded matrix is ​​-30°C to 5°C (including -30°C and 5°C), the temperature of the low-temperature environment may be -50°C to 5°C (including -50°C and 5°C).

[0182] In one embodiment, the cooling and hardening may also be performed by cooling the extruded matrix using a refrigerant. The refrigerant may be in the form of a liquid, such as liquid nitrogen or liquefied air, or a gas or a solid.

[0183] For example, the extruded substrate may be directly heat exchanged with a refrigerant.

[0184] Direct heat exchange refers to heat exchange between heat exchange media through direct contact. In other words, the extruded matrix is ​​in direct contact with the refrigerant. For example, see Fig.10 and Fig.11 The hardening device 130 may be provided with a refrigerant supplier (not shown) and a container 131 having a receiving chamber 131a. The receiving chamber 131a has a transmission channel 131c penetrating opposite sides of the container 131 and a liquid inlet groove 131b connected to the receiving chamber 131a. The extruded matrix 200 extruded from the extruder 110 enters the receiving chamber 131a through the transmission channel 131c. The refrigerant supplier injects liquid refrigerant into the liquid inlet groove 131b. The refrigerant enters the receiving chamber 131a through the liquid inlet groove 131b and contacts the extruded matrix 200 in the receiving chamber 131a for heat exchange.

[0185] Also, see Fig.10 and Fig.11When the extrusion die 113 can extrude multiple extrusion matrices 200 at the same time, since the hardness of the extrusion matrix 200 just extruded is relatively low, in order to prevent the multiple extrusion matrices 200 from sticking together, a first conveying device 140 having multiple guide grooves 140a can be provided outside the die opening of the extrusion die 113. The first conveying device 140 passes through the conveying channel 131c to guide each extrusion matrix 200 through the conveying channel 131c into the accommodating cavity 131a for cooling and hardening.

[0186] The advantage of direct heat exchange between the extruded matrix and the refrigerant is that the surface of the hardened heat exchange matrix can be cooled more quickly, so that the extruded matrix can maintain the stability of the shape, thereby facilitating continuous production and improving production efficiency. For example, the extruded matrix can also be indirectly heat exchanged with the refrigerant.

[0187] Indirect heat transfer means that the heat transfer substrates do not directly contact each other during the heat exchange process. In other words, the extruded substrate and the refrigerant do not come into direct contact, but indirectly exchange heat through the middleware. For example, please refer to Fig.12 The hardening device 130 may include a cooling tube 132, and the cooling tube 132 includes an inner tube 1321 and an outer tube 1322. A liquid storage chamber 132a for storing a refrigerant is formed between the inner tube 1321 and the outer tube 1322. The inner tube 1321 has a penetrating heat exchange channel 1321a. The extruded matrix 200 extruded from the extruder 110 enters the heat exchange channel 1321a and contacts with the inner tube 1321 for heat exchange. The inner tube 1321 that absorbs the heat of the extruded matrix 200 then exchanges heat with the refrigerant, which is equivalent to indirect heat exchange between the extruded matrix 200 and the refrigerant through the inner tube 1321.

[0188] It should be noted that the inner surface of the inner tube 1321 forming the heat exchange channel 1321a is generally a smooth surface. For example, the roughness of the inner surface of the inner tube 1321 can be Ra1.2μm~Ra0.08μm (including Ra1.2μm and Ra0.08μm). The friction between the smooth inner surface and the outer surface of the extruded matrix 200 is small, and will not cause deformation of the extruded matrix 200.

[0189] The advantage of indirect heat exchange between the extruded matrix and the refrigerant is that it can effectively avoid problems such as expansion deformation, cracking, etc. that may occur when the extruded matrix directly contacts the refrigerant.

[0190] In some embodiments, there may be no cooling and hardening step. For example, in a manufacturing method, after the extruded matrix is ​​extruded, before the negative pressure drying, only slitting may be performed without cooling and hardening. For an extruded matrix with a relatively short set length, the slight deformation caused by slitting has no effect on subsequent production, and therefore, the cooling and hardening step may be omitted.

[0191] In one embodiment, the components of the mixed material include solid material and liquid material. Before the mixed material is subjected to low-temperature extrusion molding, the manufacturing method may further include: dividing the solid material and the liquid material into two modules and feeding them separately.

[0192] Solid material refers to solid material, and liquid material refers to liquid material. That is to say, part of the components in the mixed material are solid, and part of the components are liquid. The solid material and the liquid material are mixed to form a mixed material.

[0193] It should be noted that the mixed material formed after the solid material and the liquid material are mixed is in a uniform form and can no longer be divided into solid material and liquid material.

[0194] For example, taking plant raw materials, auxiliary raw materials and adhesive raw materials as solid materials and smoke agent raw materials and flavor raw materials as liquid materials, the solid materials such as plant raw materials, auxiliary raw materials and adhesive raw materials and the liquid materials such as smoke agent raw materials and flavor raw materials can be added into the barrel of the extruder respectively, so that the solid materials and the liquid materials are mixed in the barrel of the extruder.

[0195] The advantage of dividing the solid material and liquid material into two modules for feeding separately is that it can reduce the pre-treatment cost of the mixed material, ensure the continuity of the production process, and improve the consistency and uniformity of the product while improving production efficiency.

[0196] Furthermore, dividing the solid material and the liquid material into two modules for feeding separately may include the following steps: adding the solid material; when the solid material moves along the material conveying direction to the liquid material adding position, adding the liquid material to the solid material.

[0197] That is to say, solid material is first added to the extruder. After the solid material enters the barrel of the extruder, it will move along the material conveying direction toward the direction of the extrusion die. When the solid material moves along the material conveying direction to the liquid material adding position, liquid material is added to the extruder to mix the liquid material and the solid material in the barrel of the extruder.

[0198] In addition, the feeding amount and feeding speed can be determined according to the production speed of the extruder and the ratio of each raw material in the mixed material.

[0199] For example, see Figures 2 to 5 A solid material feeding port 114 and a liquid material feeding port 115 connected to the barrel 111 of the extruder 110 may be provided on the extruder 110 , and the liquid material feeding port 115 is located downstream of the solid material feeding port 114 along the material conveying direction.

[0200] The number of the solid material feeding ports 114 may be one or more. When a plurality of solid material feeding ports 114 are provided, each solid material feeding port 114 may be used to add the same solid material or different solid materials.

[0201] Similarly, the number of the liquid material feeding ports 115 may be one or more. When multiple liquid material feeding ports 115 are provided, each liquid material feeding port 115 may be used to add the same liquid material or different liquid materials.

[0202] In addition, whether it is a plurality of solid material feeding ports 114 or a plurality of liquid material feeding ports 115, they can be arranged into a detachable structure so as to facilitate the assembly of the solid material feeding ports 114 and the liquid material feeding ports 115 according to the required number.

[0203] Since the extruder mainly relies on the rotation of the screw to convey the mixed material, and the screw and the inner wall of the extruder barrel are not completely sealed, that is, there is a gap between the screw and the inner wall of the extruder barrel. If the liquid material is added first, the liquid material will easily leak from the gap. Therefore, adding the solid material first, and then adding the liquid material when the solid material moves along the material conveying direction to the liquid material adding position, can better avoid liquid leakage.

[0204] In some embodiments, the mixed material may not be fed separately as a solid material and a liquid material. For example, the solid material and the liquid material may be mixed first (referred to as slurry mixed feeding), and then the mixed material may be added to the barrel of the extruder.

[0205] The advantage of slurry mixed feeding is that the mixed material has better consistency, which can ensure the uniformity and stability of the product.

[0206] Also, see Figure 3 and Figure 5 For slurry mixed feeding, the feeding port (when using slurry mixed feeding, Figure 3 and Figure 5 A screw 112 may also be provided at the solid material feeding port 114 (equivalent to the feeding port) to further homogenize the mixed material 200'.

[0207] In one embodiment, after the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to negative pressure drying, the manufacturing method may further include: wrapping a packaging layer on the outer surface of the extruded matrix.

[0208] The packaging layer includes but is not limited to matrix consumables such as cigarette paper, paper tubes, and tin foil. The extruded matrix wrapped with the packaging layer is equivalent to the finished product of the aerosol generating matrix.

[0209] In some embodiments, the extruded matrix wrapped with the packaging layer may also be combined with other functional segments, such as a cooling segment, a filtering segment, etc., to form an aerosol generating product.

[0210] In another embodiment, after the extruded matrix is ​​dried under negative pressure, the manufacturing method may further include: sealing and packaging the extruded matrix.

[0211] That is to say, instead of wrapping the outer surface of the extruded matrix with a packaging layer, the extruded matrix can be directly sealed and packaged, for example, the extruded matrix can be encapsulated in a blister packaging container. The sealed and packaged extruded matrix is ​​also equivalent to a finished product of the aerosol-generating matrix. The sealed and packaged extruded matrix can be directly used on the electronic atomization device after removing the packaging.

[0212] The following are several feasible manufacturing methods of the present application respectively described by different embodiments. It should be noted that the following embodiments are mainly for illustrating the differences between several feasible manufacturing methods, and the specific method of each step in each embodiment is the same as that in the previous embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0213] Embodiment 1

[0214] See also Fig.16 The manufacturing method of the first embodiment mainly comprises the following steps:

[0215] Step S01a: feeding;

[0216] Step S02a: low temperature extrusion molding;

[0217] Step S03a: cooling and hardening;

[0218] Step S04a: cutting;

[0219] Step S05a: negative pressure drying;

[0220] Step S06a: Packaging.

[0221] Embodiment 2

[0222] See also Fig.17 The manufacturing method of the second embodiment mainly comprises the following steps:

[0223] Step S01b: feeding;

[0224] Step S02b: low temperature extrusion molding;

[0225] Step S03b: cutting;

[0226] Step S04b: negative pressure drying;

[0227] Step S05b: Packaging.

[0228] Compared with the manufacturing method of the first embodiment, the manufacturing method of the second embodiment does not have a cooling and hardening step.

[0229] Embodiment 3

[0230] See also Fig.18 The manufacturing method of the third embodiment mainly comprises the following steps:

[0231] Step S01c: feeding;

[0232] Step S02c: low temperature extrusion molding;

[0233] Step S03c: pre-cutting;

[0234] Step S04c: negative pressure drying;

[0235] Step S05c: cutting;

[0236] Step S06c: Packaging.

[0237] Compared with the manufacturing method of the first embodiment, the manufacturing method of the third embodiment does not have a cooling and hardening step, and the slitting in the third embodiment includes pre-slitting before negative pressure drying and slitting after negative pressure drying.

[0238] Embodiment 4

[0239] See also Fig.19 The manufacturing method of the fourth embodiment mainly comprises the following steps:

[0240] Step S01d: feeding;

[0241] Step S02d: low temperature extrusion molding;

[0242] Step S03a: negative pressure drying;

[0243] Step S03a: Packaging.

[0244] Compared with the manufacturing method of the first embodiment, the manufacturing method of the fourth embodiment does not have the steps of cooling, hardening and slitting.

[0245] In the description of the present application, the description with reference to the terms "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in other embodiments", "in yet other embodiments", or "exemplary" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of the present application. In the present application, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine the different embodiments or examples described in the present application and the features of the different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0246] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application are included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for producing an aerosol-generating substrate, characterized in that: The manufacturing method comprises: Extruding the mixture at low temperature to form an extrusion matrix; The extruded matrix is ​​dried under negative pressure in a vacuum environment.

2. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The extrusion temperature of the low-temperature extrusion molding is greater than or equal to -50°C and less than 10°C; and / or, The temperature of the vacuum environment is greater than 20°C and less than 100°C.

3. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The extrusion pressure of the low-temperature extrusion molding is 0.5 bar to 300 bar.

4. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The low-temperature extrusion molding is performed in a manner of horizontal extrusion, vertical extrusion, and inclined extrusion.

5. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The absolute pressure of the vacuum environment is 0 kpa to 101.325 kpa.

6. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The water content of the extruded matrix after the negative pressure drying is 3% to 20% of the total weight of the extruded matrix.

7. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The extruded matrix is ​​subjected to negative pressure drying, comprising: The extruded matrix is ​​dried under negative pressure by using at least one heating method selected from microwave heating, resistance heating and infrared heating.

8. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The manufacturing method further comprises: The extruded matrix is ​​slit into set lengths.

9. The manufacturing method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The step of cutting the extruded matrix into set lengths comprises: Before subjecting the extruded matrix to the negative pressure drying, cutting the extruded matrix into the set length; or, Before the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to the negative pressure drying, the extruded matrix is ​​pre-cut, and after the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to the negative pressure drying, the pre-cut extruded matrix is ​​cut into the set length.

10. The manufacturing method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The slitting method is physical contact slitting in which a slitting tool contacts the extruded matrix; or, the slitting method is non-physical contact slitting in which a slitting tool is spaced from the extruded matrix.

11. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Before the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to the negative pressure drying, the manufacturing method further comprises: The extruded matrix is ​​cooled and hardened.

12. The manufacturing method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The step of cooling and hardening the extruded matrix comprises: The extruded matrix is ​​placed in a low temperature environment for cooling, wherein the temperature of the low temperature environment is lower than the hardening temperature of the extruded matrix.

13. The manufacturing method according to claim 12, characterized in that: The hardening temperature is -100°C to 10°C, and the temperature of the low temperature environment is -270°C to 10°C.

14. The manufacturing method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The step of cooling and hardening the extruded matrix comprises: The extruded matrix is ​​directly heat exchanged with a refrigerant; or, the extruded matrix is ​​indirectly heat exchanged with a refrigerant.

15. The manufacturing method according to claim 11, characterized in that: After cooling and hardening the extruded matrix, the manufacturing method further comprises: The extruded matrix is ​​slit into set lengths.

16. The manufacturing method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The hardness of the extruded matrix after cooling and hardening is 1HB to 200HB; and / or, The temperature of the extruded matrix after the cooling and hardening is -50°C to 5°C.

17. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The components of the mixed material include solid material and liquid material. Before the mixed material is subjected to low-temperature extrusion molding, the manufacturing method further includes: The solid material and the liquid material are divided into two modules for feeding respectively.

18. The manufacturing method according to claim 17, characterized in that: The method of dividing the solid material and the liquid material into two modules for feeding respectively comprises: adding the solid material; When the solid material moves along the material conveying direction to the adding position of the liquid material, the liquid material is added to the solid material.

19. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: After the extruded matrix is ​​subjected to negative pressure drying, the manufacturing method further comprises: A packaging layer is wrapped on the outer surface of the extruded matrix; or the extruded matrix is ​​sealed and packaged.

20. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In 100 parts by weight of the mixed material, the plant raw material is 30 to 90 parts, the auxiliary raw material is 1 to 15 parts, the smoke agent raw material is 5 to 30 parts, the adhesive raw material is 1 to 10 parts, and the fragrance raw material is 1 to 15 parts.

21. An apparatus for manufacturing an aerosol-generating substrate, characterized in that: include An extruder, the extruder is used to perform low-temperature extrusion molding on the mixed material so that the mixed material forms an extrusion matrix; A vacuum drying device is used to perform negative pressure drying on the extruded matrix.

22. The manufacturing equipment according to claim 21, characterized in that The extrusion die of the extruder is a single-mode single-mouth die having a bottom die, and a discharge end of the bottom die having a mouth die; or, The extrusion die of the extruder is a single-die multi-die having a bottom die, and a discharge end of the bottom die having a plurality of die openings; or, The extrusion die of the extruder is a multi-mouth die having a plurality of bottom dies, and the discharge end of each bottom die has a plurality of mouth dies.

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