Positioning of segments for aerosol-generating articles with a positioning wheel having adjustable receiving positions

Abstract

A system (1) for positioning segments (17) for an aerosol-generating article has a positioning wheel (9) configured to rotate about a rotation axis (11). The positioning wheel (9) has seats (15) arranged around a circumference of the positioning wheel (9). Each seat (15) defines a receiving position for a segment (17) for an aerosol-generating article. The system (1) is configured to be brought into a first configuration. In the first configuration, the receiving positions are arranged around the circumference of the positioning wheel (9) relative to each other according to a first pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions. The system (1) is configured to be brought into a second configuration. In the second configuration, the receiving positions are arranged around the circumference of the positioning wheel (9) relative to each other according to a second pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions.

Description

[0001] POSITIONING OF SEGMENTS FOR AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLES WITH A POSITIONING WHEEL HAVING ADJUSTABLE RECEIVING POSITIONS

[0002] The present disclosure relates to handling segments for aerosol-generating articles, in particular during production of aerosol-generating articles.

[0003] EP2449899B1 discloses preparing and compiling groups of segments according to a continuous endwise manner on an exit path in a process of producing multi-segment filters for the tobacco industry. In each of consecutive modules, equal segments of one type are passed at a uniform rate to a transferring element which displaces each segment separately onto the exit path with the aid of drivers radially spaced on periphery of the transferring element. Uniform setting of equal segments of one type on the exit path is effected with the aid of a transferring element provided with the drivers spaced uniformly on the periphery of the transferring element and non- uniform setting of equal segments of one type on the exit path is effected with the aid of a transferring element provided with the drivers spaced non-uniformly on the periphery of the transferring element.

[0004] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for positioning segments for an aerosol-generating article. The system comprises a positioning wheel. The positioning wheel is configured to rotate about a rotation axis. The positioning wheel comprises seats. The seats are arranged around a circumference of the positioning wheel. Each seat defines a receiving position for a segment for an aerosol-generating article. The system is configured to be brought into a first configuration. In the first configuration, the receiving positions are arranged around the circumference of the positioning wheel relative to each other according to a first pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions. The system is configured to be brought into a second configuration. In the second configuration, the receiving positions are arranged around the circumference of the positioning wheel relative to each other according to a second pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions. The second configuration is different from the first configuration. The second pattern is different from the first pattern.

[0005] The circumference of the positioning wheel may be circumferential with respect to the rotation axis. The circumference of the positioning wheel may surround the rotation axis. The rotation axis may be a horizontal axis. The rotation axis may be stationary.

[0006] The positioning wheel may comprise a circumferential surface. The seats may be arranged on the circumferential surface. The positioning wheel may be at least essentially disk-shaped, or at least essentially cylindrically shaped.

[0007] By rotating about the rotation axis, the positioning wheel may transport segments received in the receiving positions defined by the seats. Upon rotating about the rotation axis, the positioning wheel may transport segments received in the receiving positions defined by the seats along a circumferential direction.

[0008] The positioning wheel may be configured to hold the segments in the receiving positions defined by the seats during rotation of the positioning wheel. The positioning wheel may comprise a suction system for providing an underpressure holding the segments in the receiving positions defined by the seats during rotation of the positioning wheel.

[0009] The system may comprise a receiving surface. The positioning wheel may be configured to deposit the segments from the seats onto the receiving surface. The positioning wheel may be configured to deposit the segments from the seats onto the receiving surface at a depositing location. The positioning wheel may be configured to release a segment once a seat defining a receiving position in which the segment is received reaches the depositing location.

[0010] The receiving surface may be a moving surface. The receiving surface may be a conveyor surface. The system may comprise a conveyor. The conveyor may form the receiving surface. The conveyor may be configured to transport segments deposited on the receiving surface by the positioning wheel along a conveying direction. The conveying direction may be a linear direction. The conveying direction may be perpendicular to the rotation axis. The conveyor may be a linear conveyor. The conveyor may be a belt conveyor.

[0011] The positioning wheel may be configured to deposit the segments in a line on the receiving surface. The positioning wheel may be configured to deposit the segments one after the other on the receiving surface. The positioning wheel may be configured to deposit the segments at a depositing location, while the receiving surface moves below the depositing location along a conveying direction.

[0012] The positioning wheel may be configured to deposit the segments onto the receiving surface with spacings between subsequently deposited segments. The spacings may be spacings along the conveying direction.

[0013] The positioning wheel may be configured to deposit the segments on the receiving surface such that a spacing between the segments of some pairs of subsequently deposited segments is a first spacing, and the spacing between the segments of some pairs of subsequently deposited segments is a second spacing. The positioning wheel may be configured to deposit the segments on the receiving surface with a spacing between subsequently deposited segments alternating between a first spacing and a second spacing. The second spacing may be different from the first spacing, for example by at least 5 percent, or at least 10 percent, or at least 20 percent of a larger one of the first spacing and the second spacing.

[0014] The system may comprise a supply unit. The supply unit may be configured to supply the segments into the seats of the positioning wheel. The segments may be at least substantially cylindrically shaped or at least substantially rod-shaped. Each segment may extend along a longitudinal direction of the segment from a first end of the segment to a second end of the segment. When a segment is received in a receiving position on the positioning wheel, the longitudinal direction of the segment may extend along the circumferential direction of the positioning wheel. Ends of segments received in neighboring receiving positions may face each other. The ends of a segment received in a receiving position of a seat of the positioning wheel may face into or against the circumferential direction of the receiving wheel.

[0015] The segments may be formed as aerosol-generating segments, or as a filter segments, or as a spacer segments, or as a mouthpiece segments, or as a front plug segment, for example.

[0016] A length of the segments may be between 5 millimeters and 50 millimeters, or between 5 millimeters and 40 millimeters, or between 5 millimeters and 30 millimeters, or between 5 millimeters and 20 millimeters, or between 10 millimeters and 30 millimeters, for example.

[0017] An aerosol-generating segment may comprise aerosol-generating material. The aerosolgenerating material may be configured to release aerosol upon being heated. The aerosol may be aerosol for consumption by a user. The aerosol-generating material may comprise alkaloids. The aerosol-generating material may comprise tobacco. The aerosol-generating material may comprise tobacco cast leaf or reconstituted tobacco material. The aerosol-generating segment may comprise a susceptor, which may be heatable by a variable magnetic field. The magnetic field may be provided by induction coils provided in an aerosol-generating device associated with the aerosol-generating article.

[0018] The aerosol-generating segment may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate, in particular in the form of a homogenized sheet of tobacco. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise aerosol formers, such as polyhydric alcohols, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise at least 3 % per weight, in particular at least 5 %, and more in particular at least 10 % per weight, of aerosol former with respect to the weight of the aerosol-generating substrate.

[0019] A filter segment may comprise cellulose acetate tow, for example. The filter segment may be configured for passage of aerosol through the filter segment.

[0020] A spacer segment may comprise a hollow acetate tube or a fine hollow acetate tube. A hollow acetate tube or a fine hollow acetate tube may comprise a tubular structure through which aerosol may flow. Aerosol may cool down while flowing through the tubular structure. A mouthpiece segment may be configured to be engaged by a mouth of a user in a final aerosol-generating article.

[0021] A front plug segment may be arranged upstream of the aerosol-generating segment. The front plug system may cover the aerosol-generating segment, such that same is not visible from the front of the aerosol-generating article. The front plug system may cover the aerosol-generating segment, such that same is protected from external manipulation. The front plug system may cover at least the aerosol-generating segment, such that the heat flow generated by the susceptor is reduced in the upstream direction of the aerosol-generating article.

[0022] The system may comprise a drive unit. The drive unit may be configured to drive a rotation of the positioning wheel about the rotation axis.

[0023] The system may comprise a controller.

[0024] A rotational speed of the positioning wheel may be adjustable.

[0025] The positioning wheel may be configured to rotate with a constant rotational speed. A constant rotational speed of the positioning wheel may be adjustable.

[0026] The segments received in the receiving positions of the positioning wheel may be identical segments or segments of a same type of segments.

[0027] The system may comprise at least one additional positioning wheel. The positioning wheel and the at least one additional positioning wheel may be arranged one after the other, in particular one after the other along the conveying direction. The at least one additional positioning wheel may be configured to deposit segments for aerosol-generating articles onto the receiving surface.

[0028] The positioning wheel may be configured to deposit segments of a first kind. The at least one additional positioning wheel may be configured to deposit segments of a second kind. Segments of the second kind may be different from segments of the first kind. A length of segments of the second kind may differ from a length of segments of the first kind, in particular by at least 1 percent, or at least 5 percent, or at least 10 percent of a larger one of the length of a segment of the first kind and a length of a segment of the second kind. The at least one additional positioning wheel may be configured to deposit segments into spacings between segments that were subsequently deposited onto the receiving surface by the positioning wheel. The positioning wheel may be configured to deposit segments into spacings between segments that were subsequently deposited onto the receiving surface by the at least one additional positioning wheel.

[0029] The system may comprise a wrapping assembly. The wrapping assembly may be provided downstream of the conveyor. The wrapping assembly may be configured to wrap a wrapper around the line of segments. An continuous stick may be formed by wrapping the wrapper around the segments. The system may comprise a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may be provided downstream of the wrapping assembly. The cutting assembly may be configured to cut the continuous stick transversely to an extension direction of the continuous stick.

[0030] The system may be reconfigured by bringing the positioning wheel from the first configuration into the second configuration. The system may be reconfigured by bringing the positioning wheel from the second configuration into the first configuration.

[0031] The circumferential distances in between the receiving positions on the positioning wheel may, together with a conveying speed of the receiving surface and a rotational speed of the positioning wheel, define spacings on the receiving surface between segments that are subsequently deposited by the positioning wheel on the receiving surface. Changing the pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions on the circumference of the positioning wheel may change a pattern of spacings on the receiving surface between segments deposited onto the receiving surface by the positioning wheel.

[0032] By changing one or both of a rotational speed of the positioning wheel and a conveying speed of the receiving surface, spacings on the receiving surface between segments that are deposited by the positioning wheel may be changed. However, as long as the pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions on the circumference of the positioning wheel remains unchanged, the spacings on the receiving surface between the segments deposited by the positioning wheel may only be uniformly changed, for example by increasing or decreasing all spacings by the same factor. Changing a pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions on the circumference of the positioning wheel, by contrast, allows adjusting spacings between pairs of segments deposited by the positioning wheel in different manners, for example by different factors, for different pairs of segments.

[0033] If the positioning wheel is configured to deposit the segments on the receiving surface such that a spacing between the segments of some pairs of subsequently deposited segments is a first spacing, and the spacing between the segments of some pairs of subsequently deposited segments is a second spacing, the first spacing and the second spacing may be individually adjusted by changing a pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions on the circumference of the positioning wheel.

[0034] The seats may be arranged one after the other around the circumference of the positioning wheel. The seats may be arranged one after the other on a line around the circumference of the positioning wheel. The line around the circumference of the positioning wheel may be a circle lying in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. There may be no displacement between the seats parallel to the rotation axis. Each seat may comprise an abutment surface. The abutment surface may at least partly define the receiving position of the respect seat. The abutment surface may be substantially parallel to the rotation axis. The abutment surface may be substantially perpendicular to a circumferential surface of the positioning wheel.

[0035] The abutment surface may limit a movement of a segment received in the respective seat along the circumference of the positioning wheel. The abutment surface may limit the movement of the segment against a rotation direction of the positioning wheel.

[0036] A segment received in the respective seat may be positioned in front of the abutment surface with respect to a rotation direction of the positioning wheel. The abutment surface may be configured to be in contact with the segment during rotation of the positioning wheel. The abutment surface may be configured to be in contact with an end surface of the segment. The end surface of the segment may define an end of the segment with respect to a longitudinal direction of the segment.

[0037] The system may be configured to be brought from the first configuration into the second configuration by moving the abutment surface of at least one of the seats along the circumference of the positioning wheel. The abutment surface of the at least one of the seats may be configured to be moved along the circumference of the positioning wheel in a continuous manner, or in a stepwise manner.

[0038] The abutment surface of at least one of the seats may be configured to be selectively fixed in different positions along the circumference of the positioning wheel. At least one of the seats may comprise a fixing arrangement configured to selectively fix the abutment surface of the seat in different positions along the circumference of the positioning wheel. The fixing arrangement may define the different fixing positions. There may be a finite number of fixing positions defined by the fixing arrangement. The fixing arrangement may comprise fixing structures. Each fixing structure may define a corresponding one of the fixing positions. The fixing arrangement may comprise a holder configured to selectively engage any one of the fixing structures to fix the abutment surface of the at least one of the seats in the fixing position corresponding to the respective fixing structure. The fixing structures may be recesses. The fixing structures may be notches.

[0039] The abutment surface of at least one of the seats may be configured to be selectively extended or withdrawn along the circumference of the positioning wheel.

[0040] The seats may comprise at least one seat having a first adjustable mechanism. The first adjustable mechanism may be configured to adjust along the circumference of the positioning wheel a location of the receiving position corresponding to the at least one seat. Adjusting the location of the receiving position along the circumference of the positioning wheel may comprise changing the location of the receiving position along the circumference of the positioning wheel or moving the receiving position along the circumference of the positioning wheel.

[0041] The seats may comprise at least one other seat having a second adjustable mechanism. The at least one other seat may be different seat than the seat comprising the at least one first adjustable mechanism. The second adjustable mechanism may be configured to adjust along the circumference of the positioning wheel a location of the receiving position corresponding to the at least one other seat.

[0042] The first adjustable mechanism may be configured for a coarse adjustment of the location of the receiving position corresponding to the at least one seat. The second adjustable mechanism may be configured for a fine adjustment of the location of the receiving position corresponding to the at least one other seat. One or both of the coarse adjustment and the fine adjustment may comprise a stepwise adjustment. A spacing of available adjustment positions may be greater for the coarse adjustment than for the fine adjustment, in particular by a factor of at least 2, or at least 5, or at least 10. Both the coarse adjustment using the first adjustable mechanism and the fine adjustment using the second adjustable mechanism may be used to adjust a distance between the at least one seat having the first adjustable mechanism the at least one other seat having the second adjustable mechanism.

[0043] The at least one seat having the first adjustable mechanism and the at least one other seat having the second adjustable mechanism may be neighboring seats along the circumference of the positioning wheel. Along the circumference of the positioning wheel, there may be no seat between the at least one seat having the first adjustable mechanism and the at least one other seat having the second adjustable mechanism.

[0044] The system may comprise at least one first seat-forming part and at least one second seatforming part. The system may be configured to be brought from the first configuration into the second configuration by removing the at least one seat-forming part from a body of the positioning wheel and instead attaching the at least one second seat-forming part to the body of the positioning wheel. Bringing the system from the first configuration into the second configuration may be done by replacing the at least one first seat-forming part with the at least one second seatforming part at the body of the positioning wheel. The positioning wheel may be reconfigured by exchanging seat-forming parts.

[0045] The at least one first seat-forming part and the at least one second seat-forming part may each be configured to define a seat of the positioning wheel, when attached to the body of the positioning wheel. Depending on whether the at least one first seat-forming part or the at least one second seat-forming part is attached to the body of the positioning wheel, the receiving position of the seat may be at a different circumferential position of the positioning wheel. The abutment surface of a seat may be formed either by the at least one first seat-forming part or by the at least one second seat-forming part, whichever is currently attached to the body of the positioning wheel.

[0046] The body of the positioning wheel may comprise at least one attachment structure. The at least one attachment structure may be configured for attachment of the at least one first seatforming part and for attachment of the at least one second seat-forming part. Both the at least one first seat-forming part and the at least one second seat-forming part may be configured to be attached to the same attachment structure of the positioning wheel, however, not at the same time. The at least one first seat-forming part may be configured to be attached to the at least one attachment structure with an attachment element. The at least one second seat-forming part may be configured to be attached to the at least one attachment structure with an attachment element. The at least one first seat-forming part and the at least one second seat-forming part may be configured to be selectively attached to the at least one attachment structure using the same attachment element.

[0047] The at least one attachment structure may comprise a threaded hole. The threaded hole may be provided in a circumferential surface of the body of the positioning wheel. The threaded hole may extend in perpendicular to the rotation axis. The at least one attachment element may comprise a threaded bolt. The threaded bolt may be configured to be received in the threaded hole.

[0048] The at least one first seat-forming part may a one-piece structure. The at least one second seat-forming part may be a one-piece structure. The at least one first seat-forming part may be a metal part. The at least one second seat-forming part may be a metal part.

[0049] The system may further comprise at least one third seat-forming part. The at least one third seat-forming part may be attached to the body of the positioning wheel both in the first configuration and in the second configuration. The at least one third seat-forming part may be a seat-forming part that is not exchanged, when the at least one first seat-forming part is replaced with the at least one second seat-forming part.

[0050] The at least one third seat-forming part may form at least one seat of the positioning wheel. The at least one third seat-forming part may comprise an attachment surface of the seat formed by the at least one third seat-forming part. A location of the receiving position defined by the at least one third seat-forming part may be the same both in the first configuration and in the second configuration. The at least one third seat-forming part may optionally be provided integrally with the body of the positioning wheel. Alternatively, the at least one third seat-forming part may be removable from the body the positioning wheel.

[0051] The at least one first seat-forming part may have a first base part and a first abutment part. The first abutment part may define a first abutment surface for the segments. The at least one second seat-forming part may have second base part and a second abutment part. The second abutment part may define a second abutment surface for the segments.

[0052] A shape of the first base part may correspond to a shape of the second base part.

[0053] A shape of the first abutment part may differ from a shape of the second abutment part. In particular, the shape of the first abutment part may differ from the shape of the second abutment part in size or length.

[0054] In one or both of the first configuration and the second configuration, a circumferential distance between neighboring receiving positions around the circumference of the positioning wheel may be different for at least two different pairs of neighboring receiving positions. In one or both of the first configuration and the second configuration, the receiving positions may be non- uniformly spaced around the circumference of the positioning wheel. Non-uniform spacing of the receiving positions over the circumference of the positioning wheel may allow depositing segments from the positioning wheel onto the receiving surface such that different spacings between different pairs of neighboring segments are provided on the receiving surface.

[0055] In one or both of the first configuration and the second configuration, there may be first pairs of neighboring receiving positions and second pairs of neighboring receiving positions. A circumferential distance between the receiving positions forming a first pair of neighboring receiving positions may be a first circumferential distance. A circumferential distance between receiving positions forming a second pair of receiving positions may be a second circumferential distance. The first circumferential distance may be different from the second circumferential distance, in particular by at least 1 percent, or at least 5 percent, or at least 10 percent of a larger one of the first circumferential distance and the second circumferential distance.

[0056] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for adjusting a pattern in which segments for an aerosol-generating article are positioned. A configuration of a positioning wheel depositing segments for aerosol-generating articles on a conveyor surface is modified. The positioning wheel comprises seats. The seats are arranged around a circumference of the positioning wheel. Each seat defines a receiving position for a segment. Modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel comprises changing a circumferential position of at least one of the seats on the positioning wheel.

[0057] There may be no displacement between the seats parallel to a rotation axis of the positioning wheel.

[0058] Modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel may comprise changing a location of an abutment surface of at least one of the seats along the circumference of the positioning wheel. Modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel may comprise adjusting along the circumference of the positioning wheel a location of the receiving position corresponding to at least one of the seats by operating a first adjustable mechanism.

[0059] Modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel may comprise adjusting along the circumference of the positioning wheel a location of the receiving position corresponding to at least one other of the seats by operating a second adjustable mechanism.

[0060] Modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel may comprise replacing at least one first seat-forming part at a body of the positioning wheel with at least one second seat-forming part. Modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel may comprise removing a first seatforming part from an attachment structure of a body of the positioning wheel and instead attaching a second seat-forming part to the attachment structure of the body of the positioning wheel.

[0061] Each seat may be formed by a seat-forming part. Modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel may comprise replacing at least one seat-forming part with a seat-forming part of a different design. Modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel may comprise replacing every second one of the seat-forming parts around the circumference of the positioning wheel with a seat-forming part of a different design.

[0062] The method may comprise changing a rotational speed of the positioning wheel.

[0063] The rotational speed of the positioning wheel may correspond to a conveying speed of the conveyor surface.

[0064] The positioning wheel may be configured to position the segments in a line on the conveyor surface with at least two different spacings on the conveyor surface between different pairs of subsequent segments. The configuration of the positioning wheel may be modified such that a first spacing of the at least two different spacings is the same before and after changing one or both of a rotation speed of the positioning wheel and a conveying speed of the conveyor surface.

[0065] The positioning wheel may be a first positioning wheel. The seats of the first positioning wheel may be first seats. The first positioning wheel may be rotated. A second positioning wheel may comprise second seats. The second seats may be arranged around a circumference of the second positioning wheel. Each second seat may define a receiving position for a segment. The second positioning wheel may be rotated. Segments from the first seats and the second seats may be deposited to segment positions defined on the conveyor surface. A rotation speed of the first positioning wheel and / or a rotation speed of the second positioning wheel relative to a conveying speed of the conveyor surface may be adjusted to adjust distances in between the segment positions on the conveyor surface. During the modifying of the configuration of the first positioning wheel, the circumferential position of the at least one of the first seats on the first positioning wheel may be changed such that an adjustment of distances in between segment positions due to the adjustment of the rotation speed of the first positioning wheel or the second positioning wheel is compensated.

[0066] The first positioning wheel and the second positioning wheel may rotate at a common rotation speed. A rotation speed of the first positioning wheel and a rotation speed of the second positioning wheel may deviate from each other by less than 10 percent, or less than 5 percent of a larger one of the rotation speed of the first positioning wheel and the rotation speed of the second positioning wheel.

[0067] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of a positioning wheel. The positioning wheel has an adjustability of locations of seats for segments for aerosol-generating articles around a circumference of the positioning wheel. The positioning wheel is used to adjust a spacing between segments that are positioned by the positioning wheel onto a receiving surface.

[0068] There may be no displacement between the seats parallel to a rotation axis of the positioning wheel.

[0069] The segments may be positioned along a line on the receiving surface. A longitudinal spacing between the segments may be adjusted.

[0070] The spacing between the segments may additionally be adjusted by adjusting a rotating speed of the positioning wheel relative to a conveying speed of the receiving surface.

[0071] According to the aspects described herein, a system for positioning segments for an aerosol-generating article, a method for adjusting a pattern in which segments for an aerosolgenerating article are positioned, and a use of a positioning wheel are provided. Features, descriptions or advantages set out with respect to one of these aspects are also applicable to the other aspects, and may be combined with the other aspects. The system may be suitable, or adapted, or configured to carry out the method or the use. The method or the use may be carried out using the system. The method may comprise the use. The use may comprise the method.

[0072] The present disclosure refers to pairs of constituents, such as pairs of receiving positions and pairs of segments. An individual constituent may be part of more than one of the pairs. For example, a particular receiving position may form a first pair of neighboring receiving positions with a receiving position following the particular receiving position with respect to the rotation direction of the positioning wheel, and may form a second pair of neighboring receiving positions together with a receiving position preceding the particular receiving position with respect to the rotational direction of the positioning wheel.

[0073] The present disclosure refers to spacings between pairs of segments of a same type disposed on the receiving surface one after the other along the conveying direction. Such spacing is measured between an upstream end of a first segment of the pair of segments and an upstream end of a second segment of the pair of segments, wherein upstream means upstream with respect to the conveying direction. Equivalently, the spacing may be measured between a downstream end of a first segment of the pair of segments and a downstream end of a second segment of the pair of segments.

[0074] The present disclosure refers to circumferential distances between receiving positions of segments on the positioning wheel. A circumferential distance between a first receiving position and a second receiving position on the positioning wheel is measured between an upstream end of a segment received in the first receiving position and an upstream end of a segment received in the second receiving position, wherein upstream refers to a rotation direction of the positioning wheel. Alternatively, a circumferential distance between a first receiving position and a second receiving position on the positioning wheel may be measured between an abutment surface of a seat defining the first receiving position and an abutment surface of a seat defining the second receiving position.

[0075] The present disclosure refers to segments that are subsequently disposed onto the receiving surface by the positioning wheel. If a first segment and a second segment were subsequently disposed onto the receiving surface by the positioning wheel, no other segment was disposed onto the receiving surface by the positioning wheel between the first segment and the second segment. However, segments from other positioning wheels may have been disposed onto the positioning wheel between the first segment and the second segment.

[0076] The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0077] Example Ex1 : System for positioning segments for an aerosol-generating article, comprising: a positioning wheel configured to rotate about a rotation axis; wherein the positioning wheel comprises seats arranged around a circumference of the positioning wheel, wherein each seat defines a receiving position for a segment for an aerosolgenerating article; wherein the system is configured to be brought into a first configuration, wherein in the first configuration, the receiving positions are arranged around the circumference of the positioning wheel relative to each other according to a first pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions; and wherein the system is configured to be brought into a second configuration, wherein in the second configuration, the receiving positions are arranged around the circumference of the positioning wheel relative to each other according to a second pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions.

[0078] Example Ex2: System according to Example Ex1 , further comprising a receiving surface, wherein the positioning wheel is configured to deposit the segments from the seats onto the receiving surface.

[0079] Example Ex3: System according to Example Ex2, wherein the receiving surface is a conveyor surface.

[0080] Example Ex4: System according to Example Ex2 or Ex3, wherein the positioning wheel is configured to deposit the segments in a line on the receiving surface.

[0081] Example Ex5: System according to any one of Examples Ex2 to Ex4, wherein the positioning wheel is configured to deposit the segments on the receiving surface such that a spacing between the segments of some pairs of subsequently deposited segments is a first spacing, and the spacing between the segments of some pairs of subsequently deposited segments is a second spacing.

[0082] Example Ex6: System according to any one of Examples Ex1 to Ex5, further comprising a supply unit configured to supply the segments into the seats of the positioning wheel.

[0083] Example Ex7: System according to any one of Examples Ex1 to Ex6, wherein a rotational speed of the positioning wheel is adjustable.

[0084] Example Ex8: System according to any one of Examples Ex1 to Ex7, further comprising at least one additional positioning wheel, wherein the positioning wheel and the at least one additional positioning wheel are arranged one after the other.

[0085] Example Ex9: System according to Example Ex8, wherein the at least one additional positioning wheel is configured to deposit segments for aerosol-generating articles onto the receiving surface.

[0086] Example Ex10: System according to any one of Examples Ex1 to Ex9, wherein each seat comprises an abutment surface at least partly defining the receiving position of the respective seat.

[0087] Example Ex11 : System according to Example Ex10, wherein the abutment surface limits a movement of a segment received in the respective seat along the circumference of the positioning wheel, in particular against a rotation direction of the positioning wheel.

[0088] Example Ex12: System according to Example Ex10 or Ex11 , wherein a segment received in the respective seat is positioned in front of the abutment surface with respect to a rotation direction of the positioning wheel.

[0089] Example Ex13: System according to any one of Examples Ex10 to Ex12, wherein the system is configured to be brought from the first configuration into the second configuration by moving the abutment surface of at least one of the seats along the circumference of the positioning wheel.

[0090] Example Ex14: System according to any one of Examples Ex10 to Ex13, wherein the abutment surface of at least one of the seats is configured to be selectively fixed in different positions along the circumference of the positioning wheel.

[0091] Example Ex15: System according to any one of Examples Ex10 to Ex14, wherein the abutment surface of at least one of the seats is configured to be selectively extended or withdrawn along the circumference of the positioning wheel.

[0092] Example Ex16: System according to any one of Examples Ex1 to Ex15, wherein the seats comprise at least one seat having a first adjustable mechanism configured to adjust along the circumference of the positioning wheel a location of the receiving position corresponding to the at least one seat.

[0093] Example Ex17: System according to Example Ex16, wherein the seats comprise at least one other seat having a second adjustable mechanism configured to adjust along the circumference of the positioning wheel a location of the receiving position corresponding to the at least one other seat, wherein the first adjustable mechanism is configured for a coarse adjustment of the location of the receiving position corresponding to the at least one seat, and wherein the second adjustable mechanism is configured for a fine adjustment of the location of the receiving position corresponding to the at least one other seat.

[0094] Example Ex18: System according to Example Ex17, wherein the at least one seat and the at least one other seat are neighboring seats along the circumference of the positioning wheel.

[0095] Example Ex19: System according to any one of Examples Ex1 to Ex18, wherein the system comprises at least one first seat-forming part and at least one second seat-forming part, wherein the system is configured to be brought from the first configuration into the second configuration by removing the at least one first seat-forming part from a body of the positioning wheel and instead attaching the at least one second seat-forming part to the body of the positioning wheel.

[0096] Example Ex20: System according to Example Ex19, wherein the body of the positioning wheel comprises at least one attachment structure configured for attachment of the at least one first seat-forming part and for attachment of the at least one second seat-forming part.

[0097] Example Ex21 : System according Example Ex20, wherein the at least one attachment structure comprises a threaded hole.

[0098] Example Ex22: System according to any one of Examples Ex19 to Ex21 , wherein the at least one first seat-forming part is a one-piece structure.

[0099] Example Ex23: System according to any one of Examples Ex19 to Ex22, wherein the at least one second seat-forming part is a one-piece structure. Example Ex24: System according to any one of Examples Ex19 to Ex23, wherein the system further comprises at least one third seat-forming part that is attached to the body of the positioning wheel both in the first configuration and in the second configuration.

[0100] Example Ex25: System according to any one of Examples Ex19 to Ex24, wherein the at least one first seat-forming part has a first base part and a first abutment part defining a first abutment surface for the segments, and wherein the at least one second seat-forming part has a second base part and a second abutment part defining a second abutment surface for the segments.

[0101] Example Ex26: System according to Example Ex25, wherein a shape of the first base part corresponds to a shape of the second base part.

[0102] Example Ex27: System according to Example Ex25 or Ex26, wherein a shape of the first abutment part differs from the shape of the second abutment part, in particular in size or length.

[0103] Example Ex28: System according to any one of Examples Ex1 to Ex27, wherein in one or both of the first configuration and the second configuration, a circumferential distance between neighboring receiving positions around the circumference of the positioning wheel is different for at least two different pairs of neighboring receiving positions.

[0104] Example Ex29: Method for adjusting a pattern in which segments for an aerosol-generating article are positioned, comprising: modifying a configuration of a positioning wheel depositing segments for aerosolgenerating articles on a conveyor surface; wherein the positioning wheel comprises seats arranged around a circumference of the positioning wheel, each seat defining a receiving position for a segment; and wherein modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel comprises changing a circumferential position of at least one of the seats on the positioning wheel.

[0105] Example Ex30: Method according to Example Ex29, wherein modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel comprises changing a location of an abutment surface of at least one of the seats along the circumference of the positioning wheel.

[0106] Example Ex31 : Method according to Example Ex29 or Ex30, wherein modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel comprises adjusting along the circumference of the positioning wheel a location of the receiving position corresponding to at least one of the seats by operating a first adjustable mechanism.

[0107] Example Ex32: Method according to Example Ex31 , wherein modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel comprises adjusting along the circumference of the positioning wheel a location of the receiving position corresponding to at least one other of the seats by operating a second adjustable mechanism. Example Ex33: Method according to any one of Examples Ex29 to Ex32, wherein modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel comprises replacing at least one first seatforming part at a body of the positioning wheel with at least one second seat-forming part.

[0108] Example Ex34: Method according to any one of Examples Ex 29 to 33, wherein each seat is formed by a seat-forming part, and modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel comprises replacing every second one of the seat-forming parts around the circumference of the positioning wheel with a seat-forming part of a different design.

[0109] Example Ex35: Method according to any one of Examples Ex29 to Ex34, further comprising changing a rotation speed of the positioning wheel.

[0110] Example Ex36: Method according to any one of Examples Ex29 to Ex35, wherein a rotational speed of the positioning wheel corresponds to a conveying speed of the conveyor surface.

[0111] Example Ex37: Method according to any one of Examples Ex29 to Ex36, wherein the positioning wheel is configured to position the segments in a line on the conveyor surface with at least two different spacings on the conveyor surface between different pairs of subsequent segments, wherein the configuration of the positioning wheel is modified such that a first spacing of the at least two different spacings is the same before and after changing one or both of a rotation speed of the positioning wheel and a conveying speed of the conveyor.

[0112] Example Ex38: Method according to any one of Examples Ex29 to Ex37, wherein the positioning wheel is a first positioning wheel and the seats of the first positioning wheel are first seats, further comprising: rotating the first positioning wheel; rotating a second positioning wheel comprising second seats arranged around a circumference of the second positioning wheel, each second seat defining a receiving position for a segment; depositing segments from the first seats and the second seats to segment positions defined on the conveyor surface; and adjusting a rotation speed of the first positioning wheel and a rotation speed of the second positioning wheel relative to a conveying speed of the conveyor surface to adjust distances in between the segment positions on the conveyor surface; wherein during the modifying of the configuration of the first positioning wheel, the circumferential position of the at least one of the first seats on the first positioning wheel is changed such that an adjustment of distances in between segment positions due to the adjustment of the rotation speed of first positioning wheel or second positioning wheel is compensated. Example Ex39: Method according to Example Ex38, wherein the first positioning wheel and the second positioning wheel rotate at a common rotation speed.

[0113] Example Ex40: Use of a positioning wheel having an adjustability of locations of seats for segments for aerosol-generating articles around a circumference of the positioning wheel to adjust a spacing between segments that are positioned by the positioning wheel onto a receiving surface.

[0114] Example Ex41 : Use according to Example Ex40, wherein the segments are positioned along a longitudinal extension on the receiving surface, and wherein the longitudinal spacing in between the segments is adjusted.

[0115] Example Ex42: Use according to Example Ex40 or Ex41 , wherein the spacing between the segments is also adjusted by adjusting a rotating speed of the positioning wheel.

[0116] Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

[0117] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a system for positioning segments according to an embodiment;

[0118] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a system positioning segments according to an embodiment having four positioning wheels;

[0119] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a line of segments deposited onto a receiving surface by the system of Fig. 2, wherein one of the segments shown in part A of Fig. 3 is replaced with a segment of different length in part B of Fig. 3;

[0120] Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the first positioning wheel of the system shown in Fig. 2;

[0121] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of reconfiguring the system according to an embodiment with replaceable seat-forming parts;

[0122] Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of reconfiguring the system in an embodiment having a seat-forming parts with a moveable abutment surfaces; and

[0123] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of reconfiguring the system according to an embodiment having first and second adjustable mechanisms.

[0124] Fig. 1 shows the overall configuration of a system 1 according to an embodiment. The system 1 may be part of a production line for aerosol-generating articles. The system 1 comprises a conveyor 3 having a receiving surface 5 formed by an upper belt portion of the conveyor 3. The receiving surface 5 moves along a conveying direction 7. The system 1 , in the embodiment of Fig. 1 , comprises two positioning wheels 9 arranged one after the other along the conveying direction 7. Each of the positioning wheels 9 rotates about a rotation axis 11 of the positioning wheel 9 in a rotation direction 13. Each positioning wheel 9 comprises seats 15 (see Figs. 4 to 7) arranged around a circumference of the positioning wheel 9. Each seat 15 is configured to receive a segment 17, which will form a part of an aerosol-generating article to be produced. The seats 15 define receiving positions around a circumference of the positioning wheel 9, wherein the segments 17 are received in the receiving positions. For clarity of illustration, the seats 15 are not themselves visible in Fig. 1 , but segments 17 received in the seats 15 on the positioning wheels 9 are illustrated.

[0125] The segments 17 are cylindrically-shaped. Each segment 17 extends along its longitudinal direction from a first end of the segment to a second end of the segment. The segments 17 are arranged in the seats 17 of the positioning wheels 9 such that the longitudinal direction of the segments 17 extend tangentially to the circumference of the positioning wheel 9.

[0126] Each positioning wheel 9 deposits the segments 17 from the seats 15 onto the receiving surface 5 at a depositing location 19 corresponding to the respective positioning wheel 9. Each positioning wheel 9 deposits segments 17 of a specific type. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 , the segments 17 deposited by the upstream positioning wheel 9 have a greater length than the segments 17 deposited by the downstream positioning wheel 9.

[0127] In the embodiment of Fig. 1 , the seats 15 on each positioning wheel 9 are evening spaced around the circumference of the positioning wheel 9. Thus, a spacing between segments 17 subsequently deposited by one of the positioning wheels 9 on the receiving surface 5 is the same for all segments 17 from the respective positioning wheel 9. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 , the downstream positioning wheel 9 deposits one segment 17 into each spacing between segments 17 that were deposited one behind the other by the upstream positioning wheel 9. Even after the downstream positioning wheel 9 deposited the segments 17 into the spacings between the segments 17 deposited by the upstream positioning wheel 9, there is still a gap 21 between adjacent segments 17 on the receiving surface 5.

[0128] The system 1 comprises a wrapping assembly 23 provided downstream of the conveyor 3. The wrapping assembly 23 comprises a wrapping conveyor 25 conveying a wrapper 27 along a wrapper conveying direction 29. The stream of segments 17 from the conveyor 3 is conveyed along the wrapping conveyor direction 29 on top of the wrapper 27. In between the conveyor 3 and the wrapping assembly 23, the gap 21 between adjacent segments 17 is eliminated. In the wrapping assembly 23, the wrapper 27 is wrapped fully around the stream of segments 27 to form a continuous stick of segments 17. In a downstream cutting processes, the continuous stick of segments 17 is cut into sticks of certain lengths to be used for producing aerosol-generating articles. The cutting process may comprise cutting through one or more of the wrapped segments 17, in particular centrally cutting through one or more of the wrapped segments 17.

[0129] Fig. 2 shows a more complex embodiment of a system 1 for positioning segments 17. In the embodiment of Fig. 2, there are four positioning wheels 9, each of which deposits a different kind of segments 17 onto the receiving surface 5. In the following, the positioning wheels 9 shown in Fig. 2 are referred to as first to fourth positioning wheel 9, in the order in which they are arranged along the conveying direction 7.

[0130] Part A of Fig. 3 shows a sequence of the segments 17 as deposited onto the receiving surface 5 by the four positioning wheels 9 shown in Fig. 2. The sequence comprises a periodical array 31 repeating over and over along the conveying direction 7. The periodical array 31 comprises four different kinds of segments 17. The different kinds of segments 17 are aerosolgenerating segments 33, front plug segments 35, first spacer segments 37, and second spacer segments 39. Each of the positioning wheels 9 deposits one kind of segments 17. The first positioning wheel 9 deposits the aerosol-generating segments 33. The second positioning wheel deposits the front plug segments 35. The third positioning wheel 9 deposits the first spacer segments 37. The fourth positioning wheel 9 deposits the second spacer segments 39.

[0131] In each periodical array 31 , there is only one front plug segment 35 and one second spacer segment 39. Thus, the front plug segments 35 are evenly spaced on the receiving surface 5, and the second spacer segments 39 are evenly spaced on the receiving surface 5. The seats 15 on the second positioning wheel 9 and the seats 15 on the fourth positioning wheel 9, therefore, are evenly spaced over the circumference of the respective positioning wheel 9.

[0132] Each periodical array 31 , however, comprises two aerosol-generating segments 33, and two first spacer segments 37. As shown in Fig. 3, there are two alternating spacings 41 , 43 between neighboring aerosol-generating segments 33 on the receiving surface 5. A first spacing 41 is the spacing on the receiving surface 5 between two neighboring aerosol-generating segments 33 in the same periodical array 31 . A second spacing 43 is the spacing on the receiving surface 5 between two neighboring aerosol-generating segments 33 that belong to different periodical arrays 31. In the illustrated embodiment, the first spacing 41 is smaller than the second spacing 43.

[0133] Fig. 4 shows a detailed schematic view of the first positioning wheel 9 depositing the aerosol-generating segments 33. Fig. 4 illustrates the seats 15 for the aerosol-generating segments 33. Each seat 15 is formed by a seat-forming part 45 comprising an abutment surface 47 facing along the rotating direction 13 and defining the receiving position for an aerosolgenerating segment 33 received in the seat 15.

[0134] The seats 15 are provided around the circumference of the first positioning wheel 9 with two different circumferential distances 49, 51 between neighboring seats 15 around the circumference of the first positioning wheel 9. The smaller first circumferential distance 49 corresponds to the first spacing 41 between aerosol-generating segments 33 on the receiving surface 5. The larger second circumferential distance 51 corresponds to the second spacing between aerosol-generating segments 33 on the receiving surface 5. When the type of aerosol-generating articles to be produced changes, it may be required to change the manner in which the segments 17 are deposited on the receiving surface 5. This will be explained by referring to the example that in the periodical array 31 shown in part A of Fig. 3, the second spacer segment 39 is to be replaced with a second spacer segment 39 having increased length. The resulting modified periodical array 31 is shown in part B of Fig. 3. Due to lengthening the second spacer segment 39, the second spacing 43, that is the spacing between aerosol-generating segments 33 subsequently deposited by the first positioning wheel 9, and belonging to different periodical arrays 31 , changes. The first spacing 41 that is the spacing between subsequently deposited aerosol-generating segments 33 that belong to the same periodical array 31 , remains the same. To reconfigure the first positioning wheel 9 to deposit the aerosol-generating segments 33 according to the modified distances, the pattern according to which the receiving positions defined by the seats 15 are arranged around a circumference of the first positioning wheel 9 is changed.

[0135] Fig. 5 shows the first positioning wheel 9 according to an embodiment with replaceable seat-forming parts 45. As shown in Fig. 5, the seat-forming parts 45 each comprise a base part 53 and an abutment part 55. The abutment part 55 comprises the abutment surface 47 for defining the receiving position for the segment 17. The base part 53 is configured for attachment to a body 56 of the positioning wheel 9. In the illustrated embodiment, attachment structures 57 in the form of threaded holes are provided in the body 56 of the positioning wheel 9. The seat-forming parts 45 are fixed to the attachment structures 57 by attachment elements 59 in the form of bolts.

[0136] As shown in Fig. 5, to reconfigure the first positioning wheel 9, every second one of the seat-forming parts 45 is replaced with a seat-forming part 145 of a different kind. The abutment surfaces 47 of the seat-forming parts 145 of the different kind are provided by a protrusion difference 50 further forward along the rotation direction 13 of the first positioning wheel 9 than the abutment surfaces 47 of the previously installed seat-forming parts 45 were. This leads to the first circumferential distance 49 being decreased and the second circumferential distance 51 being increased.

[0137] If, after reconfiguring the first positioning wheel 9, the rotational speed of the first positioning wheel 9 and the conveying speed of the receiving surface 5 would be maintained as before the reconfiguration, the first spacing 41 between subsequently deposited aerosolgenerating segments 33 on the receiving surface 5 would become smaller, while the second spacing 43 between subsequently deposited aerosol-generating segments 33 on the receiving surface 5 would become larger. Since in the example embodiment, the first distance 41 should, however, remain the same as before reconfiguring, the rotating speed of the first positioning wheel 9 may be adapted relative to the conveying speed. For example, the rotating speed of the first positioning wheel 9 may be reduced to compensate for the reduced first angular distance 41. Alternatively, or additionally, the conveying speed may be increased to compensate for the reduced first angular distance 41 .

[0138] Adjustability of the rotating speed of the positioning wheel 9 and / or the conveying speed on the one hand, and adjustability of the pattern according to which the receiving positions defined by the seat-forming portions 45 are arranged around the circumference of the positioning wheel 9 on the other hand provide two degrees of freedom that can be used to appropriately adjust the first spacing 41 and the second spacing 43 of the aerosol-generating segments 33 on the receiving surface 5. In particular, the two degrees of freedom may allow adjusting the first distance 41 and the second distance 43 substantially independently of each other.

[0139] Fig. 6 shows an alternative way of changing the pattern according to which the receiving positions for the segments 17 are arranged around the circumference of the positioning wheel 9. The embodiment of Fig. 6 does not require replacement of seat-forming parts 45. According to the embodiment of Fig. 6, the abutment parts 55 of the seat-forming parts 45 may be selectively fixed to the base parts 53 of the seat-forming parts 45 in different positions. The different positions are defined by fixing structures 61 in the form of notches in the abutment parts 55. A holder 63 may engage into a selected one of the fixing structures 61 , thereby fixing the position of the abutment part 55 with respect to the base part 53, and setting a position of the abutment surface 47 according to a selected one of the fixing structures 61 . By fixing the abutment part 55 to the base part 53 via a different one of the fixing structures 61 , a position of the abutment surface 47, and thus, a location of the receiving position defined by the seat-forming part 45, may be changed. The abutment surface 47 may be extended or withdrawn along the rotation direction 13 of the positioning wheel 9.

[0140] Fig. 7 shows an embodiment with seat-forming parts 45 generally designed in line with the embodiment of Fig. 6. Neighboring seat-forming parts 45 have differently-spaces fixing structures 61. The seat-forming part 45 illustrated on the left in Fig. 7 has a larger spacing between the individual fixing structures 61 than the seat-forming part 45 illustrated on the right side in Fig. 7. Thus, the seat-forming part 45 illustrated on the left side in Fig. 7 allows for a coarse adjustment of the position of its abutment surface 47, and the seat-forming part 45 illustrated on the right side of Fig. 7 allows for a fine adjustment of the position of its abutment surface 47. By having both seat-forming parts 45 allowing for a coarse adjustment and seat-forming parts 45 allowing for a fine adjustment, a desired pattern of receiving positions around a circumference of the positioning wheel 9 may be efficiently obtained.

Claims

Claims1 . System for positioning segments for an aerosol-generating article, comprising: a positioning wheel configured to rotate about a rotation axis; wherein the positioning wheel comprises seats arranged around a circumference of the positioning wheel, wherein each seat defines a receiving position for an at least substantially rodshaped segment for an aerosol-generating article, wherein a longitudinal direction of the segment extends along the circumferential direction of the positioning wheel, when the segment is received in the receiving position on the positioning wheel; wherein the system is configured to be brought into a first configuration, wherein in the first configuration, the receiving positions are arranged around the circumference of the positioning wheel relative to each other according to a first pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions; and wherein the system is configured to be brought into a second configuration, wherein in the second configuration, the receiving positions are arranged around the circumference of the positioning wheel relative to each other according to a second pattern of circumferential distances in between the receiving positions.

2. System according to claim 1 , wherein each seat comprises an abutment surface at least partly defining the receiving position of the respective seat.

3. System according to claim 2, wherein the abutment surface limits a movement of a segment received in the respective seat along the circumference of the positioning wheel, in particular against a rotation direction of the positioning wheel.

4. System according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the system is configured to be brought from the first configuration into the second configuration by moving the abutment surface of at least one of the seats along the circumference of the positioning wheel.

5. System according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the abutment surface of at least one of the seats is configured to be selectively fixed in different positions along the circumference of the positioning wheel.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seats comprise at least one seat having a first adjustable mechanism configured to adjust along the circumference of the positioning wheel a location of the receiving position corresponding to the at least one seat.

7. System according to claim 6, wherein the seats comprise at least one other seat having a second adjustable mechanism configured to adjust along the circumference of the positioning wheel a location of the receiving position corresponding to the at least one other seat, wherein the first adjustable mechanism is configured for a coarse adjustment of the location of the receiving position corresponding to the at least one seat, and wherein the second adjustable mechanism is configured for a fine adjustment of the location of the receiving position corresponding to the at least one other seat.

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system comprises at least one first seat-forming part and at least one second seat-forming part, wherein the system is configured to be brought from the first configuration into the second configuration by removing the at least one first seat-forming part from a body of the positioning wheel and instead attaching the at least one second seat-forming part to the body of the positioning wheel.

9. System according to claim 8, wherein the body of the positioning wheel comprises at least one attachment structure configured for attachment of the at least one first seat-forming part and for attachment of the at least one second seat-forming part.

10. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in one or both of the first configuration and the second configuration, a circumferential distance between neighboring receiving positions around the circumference of the positioning wheel is different for at least two different pairs of neighboring receiving positions.

11. Method for adjusting a pattern in which segments for an aerosol-generating article are positioned, comprising: modifying a configuration of a positioning wheel depositing segments for aerosolgenerating articles on a conveyor surface; wherein the positioning wheel comprises seats arranged around a circumference of the positioning wheel, each seat defining a receiving position for a segment; wherein there is no displacement between the seats parallel to a rotation axis of the positioning wheel; and wherein modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel comprises changing a circumferential position of at least one of the seats on the positioning wheel.

12. Method according to claim 11 , wherein each seat is formed by a seat-forming part, and modifying the configuration of the positioning wheel comprises replacing every second one of the seat-forming parts around the circumference of the positioning wheel with a seat-forming part of a different design.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the positioning wheel is configured to position the segments in a line on the conveyor surface with at least two different spacings on the conveyor surface between different pairs of subsequent segments, wherein the configuration of the positioning wheel is modified such that a first spacing of the at least two different spacings is the same before and after changing one or both of a rotation speed of the positioning wheel and a conveying speed of the conveyor.

14. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the positioning wheel is a first positioning wheel and the seats of the first positioning wheel are first seats, further comprising: rotating the first positioning wheel; rotating a second positioning wheel comprising second seats arranged around a circumference of the second positioning wheel, each second seat defining a receiving position for a segment; depositing segments from the first seats and the second seats to segment positions defined on the conveyor surface; and adjusting a rotation speed of the first positioning wheel and a rotation speed of the second positioning wheel relative to a conveying speed of the conveyor surface to adjust distances in between the segment positions on the conveyor surface; wherein during the modifying of the configuration of the first positioning wheel, the circumferential position of the at least one of the first seats on the first positioning wheel is changed such that an adjustment of distances in between segment positions due to the adjustment of the rotation speed of first positioning wheel or second positioning wheel is compensated.

15. Use of a positioning wheel having an adjustability of locations of seats for segments for aerosol-generating articles around a circumference of the positioning wheel to adjust a spacing between segments that are positioned by the positioning wheel onto a receiving surface, wherein there is no displacement between the seats parallel to a rotation axis of the positioning wheel.

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