Apparatus and method for fluid application to sheet materials

Abstract

A method for applying a fluid to a sheet material, the method comprising providing a sheet material (1), crimping the sheet material (20), and applying a fluid to the sheet material (21) to form a series of fluid regions on the sheet material. The method further comprises forming a rod (22) from the sheet material provided with the series of fluid regions, and cutting the rod between two of the series of fluid regions to form a rod segment containing at least one fluid region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for fluid application to sheet materials.

Background Art

[0002] Particularly in the case of consumables in the smoking industry, the sheet material is treated with flavor before being used in the consumable. Typically, the flavor is applied to the sheet material using a spraying process. However, liquid spraying often correlates with irregular flavor deposition. Irregular deposition of liquid on the sheet material is undesirable because it can lead to a lack of consistency in the product or discoloration of the outer material of the consumable. Liquid spraying also leads to environmental pollution. This is undesirable from the perspective of surrounding mechanical parts and personnel, as well as from the perspective of liquid waste.

[0003] There is a need for methods and apparatus for fluid application to sheet materials that limit or eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of prior art liquid application methods and apparatus. In particular, there is a need for methods and apparatus for fluid application to sheet materials that reduce the environmental impact of the sprayed liquid.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for fluid application to a sheet material is provided. The method includes providing a sheet material and applying a fluid to the sheet material to form a series of fluid regions on the sheet material. The method further includes forming a rod from the sheet material provided with the series of fluid regions and cutting the rod between two of the series of fluid regions to form a rod segment including at least one fluid region. Thereby, to form the rod segment, the rod is cut transversely with respect to the conveying direction of the sheet material or with respect to the extending direction of the rod, respectively.

[0005] By omitting liquid spraying, the method is suitable for the application of fluids with different viscosities that may not be suitable for spraying. In particular, this method is suitable for the application of fluids with higher viscosity than liquids, such as gels or pastes. Gels and pastes are generally not suitable for spraying, or at least not suitable for spraying in the desired amount and homogeneity. In addition, the application of the fluid to the sheet material in individual fluid regions defines the location and amount of fluid deposition. Therefore, the reproducibility of the final product may be enhanced, and environmental contamination by the fluid to other machine parts or personnel is essentially eliminated. Furthermore, since the fluid does not deposit anywhere other than on the sheet material, fluid waste is minimized.

[0006] Cutting the rod between fluid regions also prevents the presence of fluid at the cutting site of the rod. Since the cutting site corresponds to the formation of the ends of the rod segments, the absence of fluid at these ends of the rod segments means that there is no fluid that could lead to discoloration of the ends of the rod segments. Furthermore, fluid tends to adhere to the cutting knife. Therefore, if there is no fluid at the cutting site, the cleaning interval of the cutting equipment may be extended, and maintenance of equipment components may be reduced. Generally, maintenance requires equipment downtime or production line downtime, so in this invention, not only product quality may be improved, but waste of cost, time, and material may be reduced.

[0007] The method preferably involves cutting the rod between two successive fluid regions to form a rod segment containing a single fluid region. This results in a series of fluid regions being deposited on the sheet material, while each single fluid region defines the amount of fluid per future rod segment cut from the rod formed from the sheet material.

[0008] Depending on the cutting position, the location of the fluid region within the rod segment may be defined. For example, flavor or aerosol-promoting substances may be preferably located upstream or downstream of the rod segment when the rod segment is located in the final product. Such a final product may be, for example, an article comprising several segments arranged in end-to-end contact, where at least one of the segments is a rod segment containing at least one fluid region as described. For example, in an aerosol-generating article where components are heated for aerosol generation, it may be preferable that the flavor or other substance be closer to the heat source. Or the reverse may also be true, and it may be preferable that the flavor or other substance be kept in a cooler region of the article. Such rod segments may have distinct orientations and may be oriented within the final product as needed or desired.

[0009] The method preferably involves cutting the rod midway between two successive fluid regions, resulting in a rod segment containing a fluid region positioned in the central portion of the rod segment, with both ends of the rod segment formed from a sheet material including blank regions. The blank regions do not contain the fluid supplied to the fluid region. The fluid region is positioned in the central portion of the rod segment relative to the length of the rod segment. Preferably, the blank regions have the same length as the rod segment. Thus, it is preferable that symmetrical rod segments are manufactured from a rod. This simplifies the use of the rod segment because there is no clear orientation of the rod segment. In addition, cutting midway between the two fluid regions ensures sufficient tolerance for the cutting position and the alignment of the fluid regions without the risk of cutting at the location of the fluid region. Cutting the rod midway between two successive fluid regions also allows for the production of rod segments of equal length.

[0010] The method preferably involves cutting the rod to form rod segments of equal length.

[0011] The series of fluid regions preferably form a periodic pattern having alternating fluid regions and blank regions along the longitudinal axis of the sheet material. The longitudinal axis of the sheet material preferably corresponds to the conveying direction of the sheet material. Thereafter, a rod formed from the sheet material containing the periodic pattern of fluid regions will accordingly contain a periodic pattern of alternating fluid regions and blank regions along the length of the rod. The rod may be cut such that the rod segments contain one or more periods of the periodic pattern of fluid regions. The rod is preferably cut such that the cut rod segments contain exactly one period of the periodic pattern, and one period of the periodic pattern preferably contains one fluid region and one blank region.

[0012] The length of the rod segment is preferably equal to the distance between blank regions measured from center to center along the length of the rod segment. In such embodiments of the method, identical rod segments may be manufactured, and their lengths directly correlate to a series of fluid regions applied to the sheet material.

[0013] To form a fluid region, the fluid may be applied to separate surface structures on the fluid application device. These surface structures may be protrusions or recesses.

[0014] The method preferably includes applying a fluid to a recess provided on the surface of a fluid application device and transferring the fluid from the recess onto a sheet material. This forms a series of fluid regions on the sheet material.

[0015] Providing fluid to a recess offers several advantages. The applied fluid is precisely located, i.e., at the location of the recess. The recess can limit the diffusion of the fluid into surrounding mechanical parts or seat areas. Additionally, the amount of fluid applied is determined by the size of the recess.

[0016] The surface structure for the fluid can be provided within a plate or roller, but rollers are preferred to allow for continuous application of the fluid to the sheet material. Applying fluid with a plate generally requires interrupting the fluid application process, for example, stopping the transport of the sheet material at the moment of fluid application.

[0017] The sheet material is preferably provided continuously in the form of a continuous sheet material. Therefore, the method preferably includes applying a fluid to a recess provided on the surface of a fluid application roller included in a fluid application device, and continuously applying the fluid from the fluid application roller to a continuous sheet material.

[0018] The fluid applied to the sheet material using the method and apparatus according to the present invention may be any fluid and any sheet material for which uniform fluid application is desired, and a variety of fluids can be used.

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

[0020] The fluid is preferably a liquid, gel, or paste.

[0021] The fluid preferably contains one or a combination thereof of flavor, aerosol former, aerosol enhancer, or nicotine.

[0022] The sheet material may be a sheet material used in the manufacture of products in the tobacco industry. These products may be smoking articles or non-smoking articles, such as heat-non-combustible articles or parts of such articles. For example, the sheet material after fluid application may then be compressed, assembled, or formed into a rod shape. The sheet material may be a tobacco-containing sheet, such as a tobacco cast leaf containing homogenized tobacco material, and an aerosol-forming body, such as glycerin, which may be formed into a sensory medium plug. The sheet material may also be a tobacco-free cellulose aerosol-forming substrate containing nicotine or flavor, while the nicotine or flavor may be provided in the sheet material before or during the fluid application process. The sheet material may also be a plastic foil, such as a polylactic acid foil, which can be formed and used as a cooling plug. The sheet material may also be a tow material formed into a plug, such as a hollow acetate tube or plug.

[0023] The sheet material is preferably a filter material, a tobacco-containing material, a non-tobacco-containing cellulose-based material, a packaging material, or foil.

[0024] The sheet material is preferably acetate filter tow, polylactic acid foil, homogenized tobacco-containing sheet, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose-containing sheet, packaging paper, or chipping paper.

[0025] The sheet material made from or containing homogenized tobacco material is preferably a cast leaf, as described, for example, in International WO206 / 050470.

[0026] Tobacco-free cellulosic aerosol-forming substrates may, in particular, be sheets containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, as described in, for example, International WO2022 / 248378.

[0027] The sheet material used in the device and method according to the present invention is preferably provided as a continuous sheet material, such as a strip material. However, individual pieces of the sheet material may also be processed or supplied to the fluid application device.

[0028] The method may further include aligning the sheet material and the fluid application device and bringing the surface of the fluid application device into contact with the sheet material to move the fluid on the surface of the fluid application device to the sheet material. The alignment may be achieved, for example, by a guide, such as a guide roller for guiding the sheet material. As another method, or additionally, the alignment may be achieved by moving the fluid application device or its components towards the sheet material to which the fluid is provided.

[0029] The method may further include curling the sheet material before applying the fluid to the sheet material. Curling is a preferred treatment of the sheet material that may support the gathering or folding of the sheet material around a rod. Curling may also be effective against the draw resistance associated with articles in the tobacco industry.

[0030] The method may further include heating the fluid before applying the fluid to the sheet material. Heating may keep the fluid in a liquid state and, for example, reduce crystallization. In particular, some flavors, such as menthol, tend to crystallize. This effect may be reduced by heating the fluid or by continuous flowing of the fluid. Additionally, by heating, the viscosity of some fluids may change to be more suitable for fluid application.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for applying fluid to a sheet material is provided. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for the sheet material and a fluid application apparatus comprising a fluid application element for applying fluid to the sheet material conveyed by the conveyor, passing through the fluid application apparatus. The fluid application element comprises a surface structure for applying a series of fluid regions to the sheet material according to the surface structure. The apparatus further comprises a rod forming apparatus for forming a rod from the sheet material provided with a series of fluid regions, a rod cutting apparatus disposed downstream of the rod forming apparatus for cutting the rod into rod segments, and a control unit adapted to control the rod cutting apparatus to cut the rod at cutting positions between the fluid regions.

[0032] The surface structure is preferably arranged at predetermined intervals so that a series of fluid regions are arranged on the sheet material at these predetermined intervals.

[0033] The control unit is adapted to control the conveyor and rod cutting device to cut the rod at the cutting position, preferably the cutting position is correlated with the surface structure of the fluid application element. The control unit is adapted to control the conveyor and rod cutting device so that the rod cutting position is located between two adjacent fluid regions. The cutting position is located midway between two adjacent fluid regions, and it is most preferable that there is no fluid applied at the cutting position.

[0034] The fluid region applied to the sheet material may have any desired shape. Therefore, the surface structure of the fluid application element defining the fluid region may have any desired form. The shape of the fluid region and the surface structure are preferably simple geometric shapes. Simple geometric structures are easy to create on the surface of the fluid application device. In addition, the amount of fluid applied to the sheet material and defined by the surface structure is easy to calculate and varies according to desired needs.

[0035] The surface structure is preferably elongated and has a major axis.

[0036] The surface structure is preferably rectangular in shape. A rectangle is a simple geometric structure that allows the same amount of fluid to be applied across the width of the sheet material, for example, the entire width.

[0037] The size of the surface structure determines the amount of fluid applied to the sheet material.

[0038] The surface structure may each have, for example, extensions of 6 to 10 millimeters in the conveying direction or parallel to the conveying direction. The conveying direction extensions are extensions in the conveying direction of the conveyor or sheet material, and preferably correspond to the rotation direction of the fluid application roller. The conveying direction extensions preferably correspond to the width of the flakes or recesses on the surface of the fluid application element.

[0039] Each surface structure may have an extension perpendicular to the conveying direction, measuring 0.06 to 0.3 meters, preferably 0.08 to 0.2 meters, for example, 0.1 to 0.15 meters. The extension perpendicular to the conveying direction is an extension that runs along the surface of the fluid application element, or parallel to the surface of the fluid application element, and is perpendicular to the depth or height of the surface structure.

[0040] The extension perpendicular to the conveying direction is an extension perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor or sheet material, and is preferably parallel to the rotation axis of the fluid application roller.

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

[0042] The surface structure, particularly the aforementioned morphology and size of the recesses, provided favorable results in fluid application from the fluid application device to the sheet material, good control of rod segment cutting, and consistent results for the cut rod segments. In particular, favorable results are achieved in flavor application to sheet materials used in the tobacco industry, especially homogenized tobacco-containing sheets.

[0043] The distance between adjacent surface structures can be adapted to the length of a rod segment cut from a rod manufactured from a sheet material provided with at least one fluid region. In some embodiments of the present invention, the manufactured final rod segment includes a single fluid region. Alternatively, the manufactured final rod segment may have multiple fluid regions.

[0044] The distance between adjacent surface structures may be, for example, 3 to 6 millimeters. Distances within this distance range between adjacent surface structures yield good results in providing individual and distinct fluid regions in the sheet material, enabling rod formation of the sheet material and reliable resulting rod cutting between fluid-free regions. These distances are particularly advantageous for rod segments having a length of 8 to 20 millimeters, preferably 10 to 15 millimeters.

[0045] The surface structure of the fluid application elements is adapted to provide a fluid region on the sheet material according to the surface structure, but the distance between the surface structures is provided so that the fluid does not apply to the sheet material between the surface structures.

[0046] It is preferable that the sheet material outside the fluid region, particularly between fluid regions, does not contain fluid and forms blank regions.

[0047] The surface structure is preferably provided in the form of an array of parallel-arranged flakes. The flakes in the flake array are preferably arranged perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor. The flakes in the flake array are preferably arranged at equal distances from each other. Thus, the flake array can provide an array of flake-shaped fluid regions on the sheet material, where each flake forms an individual fluid region. The flake array is preferably arranged around the periphery of the fluid application roller.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment of the device, the surface structure is a recess within the surface of the fluid application element, for example, within a fluid application plate or a fluid application roller.

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

[0050] The recess may have a depth of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, for example, 0.4 mm.

[0051] It is preferable that the depth of the recesses be constant. It is preferable that the depth of some or all of the recesses be constant.

[0052] The depth of the recesses is preferably variable. For example, the depth of some or all of the recesses may be varied.

[0053] The surface structure, particularly the recesses, may have surface roughness. The size, or rather the volume, of the recesses may determine the amount of fluid deposited in the sheet material, while the surface roughness may affect the surface tension of the fluid and, by extension, the fluid retention within the recesses. The surface roughness may be selected according to the viscosity of the fluid applied to the sheet material. It has been found that the lower the viscosity of the fluid, the more preferable it is for the surface roughness of the recesses to be.

[0054] Surface structures, particularly recesses, can be formed by any suitable means. Recesses are preferably formed by laser construction or embossing. Embossing is a preferred method for manufacturing recesses in a surface because it can provide a certain roughness in the recesses.

[0055] In the apparatus, the fluid application device preferably includes a fluid storage unit that is fluid-connected to the fluid application element. Preferably, the fluid is continuously supplied from the fluid storage unit to the fluid application element. The fluid storage unit may be, for example, in the form of a fluid bath, and the fluid application element may be immersed or submerged in the fluid bath to supply fluid to its surface structure.

[0056] The fluid application device preferably includes a fluid remover for removing excess fluid from the surface of the fluid application element. This removes excess fluid from the rest of the surface of the fluid application element, for example, from the surface structure, such as from recesses. The fluid remover can help keep the surface portion of the fluid application element between surface structures clean from fluid. The fluid remover can also limit the filling of recesses, for example, to prevent overfilling of recesses. This can support precisely positioned fluid application to the sheet material, a consistent and clearly defined amount of fluid applied, and reduce fluid waste.

[0057] The fluid remover may be, for example, a scraper such as a doctor blade, disposed adjacent to and in contact with the surface of the fluid application element. The scraper is particularly preferred in embodiments having a surface structure in the form of a recess. In these embodiments, the scraper may be guided along and on the surface of the fluid application element to remove the fluid from the surface, except for the fluid in the recess.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the fluid application element is a fluid application roller. Fluid application rollers offer several advantages. For example, the fluid application roller may be the only moving element for fluid application. For instance, using a fluid application roller, continuous fluid intake and continuous application of the absorbed fluid to the sheet material can be achieved by simple means. Fluid removal may be carried out continuously, for example, by providing a stationary fluid remover in contact with the circumferential surface of the fluid application roller.

[0059] The surface structure can have virtually any form and shape, but a simple shape is preferred. Since the surface structure is supposed to provide separate fluid regions on the sheet material, it is preferable that the surface structure be elongated with a longitudinal axis, and this longitudinal axis is arranged parallel to the rotation axis of the fluid application roller. This allows the fluid provided on the surface structure to be applied to the sheet material by rolling the fluid application roller over the sheet material and moving the fluid according to the surface structure arranged parallel to the sheet material, thereby forming parallel fluid regions. It is preferable that the conveying direction of the sheet material and the rotation direction of the fluid application roller are parallel. This allows the parallel surface structures to be arranged perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet material, and therefore preferably provides the sheet material with separate fluid patterns spaced apart from each other in the conveying direction. A rod formed from a sheet material compressed laterally can then be easily cut perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and between fluid regions.

[0060] The surface structure is preferably a recess on the circumferential surface of the fluid application roller.

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

[0062] The apparatus may further include a temperature control unit adapted to control the temperature of the fluid.

[0063] The temperature control unit may include at least one of a heater or a cooler for heating or cooling the fluid. The heater or cooler may heat or cool the fluid to an optimal temperature for the fluid application. For example, the fluid may be heated or cooled to have a viscosity optimized for the fluid application process.

[0064] The temperature control unit may be adapted to control the temperature of the fluid within the fluid application device. For example, the fluid temperature may be controlled within the fluid storage section. Preferably, the temperature control unit is adapted to control the temperature of the fluid application element, preferably a roller.

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

[0066] The crimping device is preferably located upstream of the fluid application device. This prevents the subsequently applied fluid from moving into the crimping device, which would otherwise lead to contamination of the crimping device and fluid waste.

[0067] The apparatus according to the present invention and described herein is preferably adapted and configured to carry out the methods according to the present invention and described herein.

[0068] To carry out the methods according to the present invention and herein, it is preferable to use the apparatus according to the present invention and herein. The features and advantages described in relation to the methods are also applicable to the apparatus, and vice versa.

[0069] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exclusive list of non-limiting embodiments is provided below. One or more features of these embodiments may be combined with one or more features of other embodiments, forms, or aspects described herein.

[0070] Example 1: A method for applying fluid to a sheet material, To provide sheet material, Applying a fluid to a sheet material to form a series of fluid regions on the sheet material, A series of fluid regions are provided to form a rod from a sheet material, A method comprising cutting a rod between two fluid regions of a series of fluid regions to form a rod segment containing at least one fluid region.

[0071] Example 2: The method according to Example 1, wherein the rod is cut between two successive fluid regions to form a rod segment containing a single fluid region.

[0072] Example 3: The method according to Example 2, wherein the rod is cut in the middle between two successive fluid regions such that the rod segment includes a fluid region located in the central part of the rod segment, and both ends of the rod segment are formed by a sheet material including a blank region.

[0073] Example 4: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein a series of fluid regions form a periodic pattern having alternating fluid regions and blank regions along the long axis of the sheet material.

[0074] Example 5: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein cutting the rod is to form rod segments of equal length.

[0075] Example 6: The method according to any one of Examples 3 to 5, wherein the length of the rod segment is equal to the distance between blank regions measured from center to center of a blank region.

[0076] Example 7: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein a fluid is applied to a recess provided on the surface of a fluid application device, and the fluid in the recess is moved onto a sheet material.

[0077] Example 8: The method according to Example 6, wherein a fluid is applied to a recess provided on the surface of a fluid application roller contained within a fluid application device.

[0078] Example 9: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the fluid is a liquid, gel, or paste.

[0079] Example 10: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the fluid contains one or a combination thereof of flavor, nicotine, aerosol former, or aerosol enhancer.

[0080] Example 11: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the sheet material is a continuous sheet material.

[0081] Example 12: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the sheet material is a sheet material used in the manufacture of products for the tobacco industry.

[0082] Example 13: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the sheet material is a filter material, a tobacco-containing material, a non-tobacco-containing cellulose-based material, a packaging material, or foil.

[0083] Example 14: The method according to Example 13, wherein the sheet material is acetate filter tow, polylactic acid foil, homogenized tobacco-containing sheet, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose-containing sheet, packaging paper, or chipping paper.

[0084] Example 15: The method according to any one of Examples 7 to 14, further comprising aligning the sheet material and the fluid application device to bring the surface of the fluid application device and the sheet material into contact with each other in order to transfer the fluid on the surface of the fluid application device to the sheet material.

[0085] Example 16: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 15, further comprising crimping the sheet material before applying the fluid to the sheet material.

[0086] Example 17: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 16, further comprising heating the fluid before applying the fluid to the sheet material.

[0087] Example 18: Apparatus for applying fluid to a sheet material, A conveyor for sheet materials, A fluid application device comprising a fluid application element for applying fluid to a sheet material that has passed through a fluid application device and been transported by a conveyor, wherein the fluid application element has a surface structure for applying a series of fluid regions to the sheet material according to the surface structure, A rod forming apparatus for forming a rod from a sheet material provided with a series of fluid regions, A rod cutting device disposed downstream of a rod forming device for cutting a rod into rod segments, An apparatus comprising: a rod cutting device and a control unit adapted to control the rod cutting device to cut the rod at a cutting position between fluid regions.

[0088] Example 19: The apparatus according to Example 18, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the conveyor and rod cutting device to cut the rod at the cutting position, and the cutting position is correlated with the surface structure of the fluid application element.

[0089] Example 20: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 19, wherein the surface structure has a rectangular shape.

[0090] Example 21: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 20, wherein the surface structure each has an extension in the transport direction of 6 to 10 millimeters.

[0091] Example 22: The apparatus according to Example 21, wherein the surface structure each has extensions perpendicular to the conveying direction, each being 0.06 m to 0.3 m, preferably 0.08 m to 0.2 m, for example 0.1 m to 0.15 m.

[0092] Example 23: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 22, wherein the distance between adjacent surface structures is 3 millimeters to 6 millimeters.

[0093] Example 24: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 23, wherein the surface structure is provided in the form of an array of parallelly arranged segments.

[0094] Example 25: The apparatus according to Example 24, wherein the fragments in the array of fragments are arranged perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor.

[0095] Example 26: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 25, wherein the surface structure is a recess on the surface of the fluid application element.

[0096] Example 27: The apparatus according to Example 26, wherein all recesses have the same shape and size.

[0097] Example 28: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 26 to 27, wherein the recess has a depth of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, for example, 0.4 mm.

[0098] Example 29: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 26 to 28, wherein the depth of the recess is constant.

[0099] Example 30: The apparatus described in any one of Examples 26 to 28, wherein the depth of the recess changes.

[0100] Example 31: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 30, wherein the fluid application apparatus comprises a fluid storage unit that is fluid-connected to a fluid application element.

[0101] Example 32: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 31, wherein the fluid application apparatus comprises a fluid remover for removing excess fluid from the surface of the fluid application element.

[0102] Example 33: The apparatus according to Example 32, wherein the fluid remover is a scraper disposed adjacent to and in contact with the surface of the fluid application element.

[0103] Example 34: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 33, wherein the fluid application element is a fluid application roller.

[0104] Example 35: The apparatus according to Example 34, wherein the surface structure has a longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal axis is arranged parallel to the rotation axis of the fluid application roller.

[0105] Example 36: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 34 to 35, wherein the surface structure is a recess on the circumferential surface of the fluid application roller.

[0106] Example 37: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 36, further comprising alignment means for bringing the surfaces of a sheet material and a fluid application device into contact with each other.

[0107] Example 38: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 37, comprising a temperature control unit adapted to control the temperature of a fluid.

[0108] Example 39: The apparatus according to Example 38, wherein the temperature control unit comprises at least one of a heater or a cooler for heating or cooling a fluid.

[0109] Example 40: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 38 to 39, wherein the temperature control unit is adapted to control the temperature of the fluid in the fluid application device.

[0110] Example 41: The apparatus according to Example 40, wherein the temperature control unit is adapted to control the temperature of the fluid application roller.

[0111] Example 42: The apparatus according to any one of Examples 18 to 41, further comprising a crimping device for crimping a sheet material.

[0112] Example 43: The apparatus according to Example 42, wherein the crimping device is located upstream of the fluid application device.

[0113] Here, we will further describe the examples with reference to the figures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0114] [Figure 1]This illustrates a rod formation process involving fluid application. [Figure 2] This shows a fluid application device. [Figure 3] A side view of the fluid application device is shown. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a fluid application roller. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram of the fluid application process is shown. [Figure 6] This shows the surface of the fluid application element. [Figure 7] This shows a sheet material having a fluid pattern and a rod formed from the sheet material. [Figure 8] This shows a segment cut from the rod. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0115] Figure 1 illustrates the manufacturing process of a rod 10 from a substantially flat sheet material 1, such as a sheet material 1 used in the tobacco industry, such as tobacco-containing cast leaf or filter tow.

[0116] A continuous sheet material 1 is conveyed in a transport direction 100 by, for example, a conveyor or guide rollers (not shown). The sheet material 1, in its flat shape, is guided between two crimping rollers 20 for crimping the sheet material 1. The crimped sheet material passes through a fluid application chamber 21, where the sheet material 1 is supplied with a fluid, such as menthol. The fluid-supplied sheet material 1 is further conveyed to a rod-forming device 22, such as a compression device or a collection device such as a gantry tongue. In the rod-forming device 22, the sheet material 1 is gathered in its longitudinal direction or perpendicular to the transport direction 100. The continuous rod 10 formed from the crimped and fluid-supplied sheet material 1 can then be cut into individual segments.

[0117] In well-known flavor application processes in the tobacco industry, the chamber 21 typically comprises one or more flavor spray nozzles, but Figure 2 shows an example of a fluid application device according to the present invention.

[0118] The sheet material 1 passes between two crimping rollers 20 that are arranged parallel to and adjacent to each other. The crimped sheet material 1 is then further conveyed in the conveying direction 100 to a fluid application device 3 located in a fluid application chamber 21 (indicated by a dotted line).

[0119] The fluid application device 3 comprises a fluid application roller 30 and a fluid storage section 31. The fluid application roller 30 is partially immersed in the fluid storage section 31 to take in the fluid supplied to the fluid storage section 31. An alignment roller 32 is disposed outside the fluid storage section 31, parallel to and next to the fluid application roller 30. The sheet material 1 is guided between the alignment roller 32 and the fluid application roller 30, thereby transferring the fluid from the fluid application roller 30 to the sheet material 1. The fluid is preferably a flavor such as menthol, but the fluid may also be any other fluid such as an aerosol former, an aerosol promoting compound, or nicotine.

[0120] The sheet material 1 to which the fluid has been supplied leaves the fluid application chamber 21 for further processing. The fluid application device 3 is shown in more detail in a side view in Figure 3.

[0121] The fluid applicator roller 30 is positioned by a shaft and connected to the fluid reservoir 31. The alignment roller 32 brings the crumpled sheet material 1 into contact with the fluid applicator roller 30. The alignment roller 32 and the fluid applicator roller 30 rotate in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrow 110. While the fluid applicator roller 30 rotates around its axis of rotation, it is immersed in the fluid 4 in the fluid reservoir 31 on its underside in Figure 3. The applicator roller 30 carries the fluid 4 on its surface 50, particularly within surface structures in the form of recesses provided on the circumferential surface 50 of the fluid applicator roller 30.

[0122] A scraper 33, such as a doctor blade, is provided at a position where the surface 50 of the fluid application roller 30 is away from the storage section 31. The scraper 33 is positioned at an angle to the surface 50 of the application roller 30 to remove excess fluid 4 from the surface 50 of the application roller 30. This can result in a more precise and homogeneous fluid pattern applied to the sheet material 1.

[0123] The crimped sheet material 1 comes into contact with the surface 50 of the applicator roller 30, and the fluid is transferred from the surface 50 of the applicator roller 11 to the crimped sheet 1.

[0124] The contact between the sheet material 1 and the fluid application roller 30 may be set according to the fluid applied to the sheet material, the absorption characteristics of the sheet material 1, and, optionally, the diffusion rate of the fluid on the sheet material 1.

[0125] The rotation angle 34 of the applicator roller 30 defines the length of contact between the sheet material 1 and the surface 50 of the fluid application roller 30. During this contact, the fluid is moved to the crumpled sheet material 1. This contact begins when the alignment roller 32 is in contact with the surface of the fluid application roller 30 and ends when the sheet material is no longer in contact with the surface 50 of the application roller 30.

[0126] Figure 4 shows a fluid applicator roller 30 comprising a circumferentially arranged pattern of alternately engraved recesses 54 on the surface 50 of the fluid applicator roller 30, and plain areas 55 between the recesses 54. The recesses 54 have the shape of parallel strips. In embodiments for forming cigarette plugs having a length of 10 mm to 15 mm, the width 540 of the recesses 54 may be 6 mm to 10 mm. The recesses 54 may have a distance 550 of 3 mm to 6 mm corresponding to the width of the plain areas between the recesses 54. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the recesses 54 are arranged parallel to the axis of rotation of the fluid applicator roller 30 and have a length shorter than the length of the fluid applicator roller 30. In other embodiments, the recesses 54 may extend from one end of the applicator roller 30 to the opposite end of the applicator roller 30.

[0127] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the fluid application process. The surface 50 of the fluid application roller 30 has recesses 54 with a plain area 55 in between, as shown in Figure 4, for example. The fluid 4 from the fluid storage unit 31 is held in the recesses 54 of the surface 50 of the fluid application roller 30. When the fluid application roller 30 leaves the fluid storage unit 31, there is excess fluid 4 on its surface 50. The excess fluid 4 is removed from the surface 50 using a scraper 33 and flows back into the storage unit 31. It is preferable that the scraper 33 removes the fluid 4 from the surface 30 so that the fluid 4 taken in from the storage unit 31 remains only in the recesses 54 of the surface 50.

[0128] Therefore, the desired amount of fluid 4 applied to the sheet material 1 remains in the recesses 54 of the surface 50. Then, when the sheet material, for example, tobacco cast leaf, comes into contact with the surface 50 of the fluid application roller 30, this amount of fluid 4 is transferred to the crimped sheet material 1.

[0129] The fluid 4 is applied to the sheet material 1 according to a pattern formed by recesses 54 on the roller surface 50. Thus, the sheet material 1 is provided with an alternating pattern of fluid regions 44 and blank regions 45, where the blank regions 45 do not contain fluid or at least do not contain fluid 4 present in the fluid regions 44. For example, the sheet material 1 is provided with an alternating series of flavored and unflavored regions.

[0130] Figure 6 shows an example of a structured surface 50 of a fluid application element, such as a fluid application roller 30.

[0131] The rectangular strip-shaped recesses 54 are arranged in series and parallel to each other, with plain areas 55 between them. The distance 58 from center to center of the plain areas 55 will determine the length of the future rod segments, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. These rod segments may be, for example, cigarette plugs with a length of 10 to 15 mm, or even 12 mm.

[0132] The recess 54 is filled with fluid from the fluid storage section 31. The recess 54 may be embossed, for example, and may have a certain roughness to retain the fluid within the recess 54. The plain area 55 is preferably cleaned of fluid by a scraper that moves on the surface 50 as the roller 30 rotates. The purpose of having the plain area 55 is to avoid the accumulation of fluid in the area where the rod 10, formed from the sheet material processed by the fluid application roller 30, is cut into rod segments 101. This can prevent discoloration, such as menthol stains, at the cut ends of the rod segments 101.

[0133] The width 540 of the recess 54 is approximately 6-10 mm, and the width 550 of the plain area 55 is approximately 3-6 mm.

[0134] The recess 54 has a preferred maximum depth of approximately 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm to 1 mm. The width 540, length and depth of the recess 54 define the amount of fluid 4 applied to the sheet material 1.

[0135] Figure 7 shows a crimped sheet 1 with a fluid pattern provided according to the application elements in Figure 6.

[0136] The sheet material 1 has a fluid pattern that corresponds to the pattern reproduced by a fluid application element, such as an application roller 30, when the fluid is moved from the recess 54 to the sheet material 1.

[0137] The fluid regions 44 are arranged parallel to each other, with a gap of a certain distance between them, corresponding to the blank region 45.

[0138] For example, the width of the sheet material 1 is approximately 8 to 15 cm. The distance 48 from center to center of the blank area 45 defines the length of the future rod segment 101, which is 10 to 15 mm, for example, 12 mm. For the manufacture of rod segments 101 within this size range, the width 440 of the fluid area 44 is 6 to 10 mm, while the fluid areas 44 are spaced approximately 3 to 6 mm apart from each other, corresponding to the width of the blank area 45.

[0139] The crimped sheet material 1 is gathered transversely with respect to the conveying direction 100 and formed into a rod 10, as shown on the right side of Figure 7. This forms a rod having alternating fluid regions 44 and blank regions 45 along its length. The rod is preferably wrapped in a wrapper.

[0140] As shown in Figure 8, the rod 10 is then cut at the cutting position 25 to form rod segments 101. The cutting position 25 is located within the blank region 45, preferably in the middle of the blank region 45, and it is preferable to cut the rod 10 into rod segments 101 of equal length 111. The length 111 of the rod segments 101 corresponds to the distance 48 from center to center of two consecutive blank regions 45 in the sheet material 1, and the distance 58 from center to center of consecutive plain regions 55 on the surface of the fluid application element.

[0141] The rod segment 101 includes a fluid region 44 located within the central region of the rod segment 101 when viewed along the length 111 of the rod segment. Each end of the rod segment 101 is formed from a blank region 45 of the sheet material 1. Therefore, the cutting knife of the cutting device is not contaminated with fluid when cutting the rod 10, and the ends of the rod segment 101 are not discolored by the fluid contained in the rod segment 101.

[0142] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers representing amounts, quantities, proportions, etc., are understood to be modified in all cases by the term “approximately.” Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges within them, which may or may not be specifically listed herein. Thus, in this context, number A is understood as 10% of A ± A. In this context, number A may be considered to include a number that falls within the general standard error of the measured value of the characteristic modified by number A. In some cases used in the appended claims, number A may deviate by the proportions listed above, provided that the amount of deviation of A does not substantially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges within them, which may or may not be specifically listed herein.

Claims

1. A method for applying fluids to a sheet material, To provide sheet material, Applying a fluid to the sheet material to form a series of fluid regions on the sheet material, The series of fluid regions are provided to form a rod from the sheet material, This includes cutting the rod between two of the series of fluid regions to form a rod segment containing at least one fluid region, and further, A method comprising crimping the sheet material before applying a fluid to the sheet material.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rod is cut between two successive fluid regions to form a rod segment containing a single fluid region.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the rod is cut in the middle between two successive fluid regions such that the rod segment includes a fluid region located in the central portion of the rod segment, and both ends of the rod segment are formed of a sheet material including a blank region.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the series of fluid regions form a periodic pattern having alternating fluid regions and blank regions along the long axis of the sheet material.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fluid comprises one or a combination thereof of flavor, nicotine, aerosol former, or aerosol promoting substance.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sheet material is acetate filter tow, polylactic acid foil, homogenized tobacco-containing sheet, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose-containing sheet, packaging paper, or chipping paper.

7. An apparatus for applying a fluid to a sheet material, A conveyor for sheet materials, A crimping device for crimping the aforementioned material sheet, A fluid application device comprising a fluid application element for applying fluid to a sheet material that has passed through the fluid application device and been conveyed by the conveyor, wherein the fluid application element has a surface structure for applying a series of fluid regions to the sheet material according to the surface structure, A rod forming apparatus for forming a rod from the sheet material provided with the series of fluid regions, A rod cutting device is provided downstream of the device that forms the rod in order to cut the rod into rod segments. An apparatus comprising: a control unit adapted to control the rod cutting device to cut the rod at a cutting position between fluid regions.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit is adapted to control the conveyor and the rod cutting device to cut the rod at the cutting position, and the cutting position is correlated with the surface structure of the fluid application element.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the surface structure is provided in the form of an array of parallelly arranged segments.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the fragments in the array of fragments are arranged perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the surface structure is a recess on the surface of the fluid application element.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the fluid application element is a fluid application roller.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the surface structure has a longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal axis is arranged parallel to the rotation axis of the fluid application roller.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the surface structure is a recess on the circumferential surface of the fluid application roller.

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