Method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating article
The method of printing susceptor tracks on aerosol generating substrates addresses the challenge of uniform heat distribution and controlled heating in aerosol generating devices, resulting in improved aerosol generation and user satisfaction.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JT INTERNATIONAL SA
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing aerosol generating devices face challenges in efficiently and consistently producing aerosols through mass production of aerosol generating articles, particularly in ensuring uniform heat distribution and controlled heating of the aerosol generating substrate.
A method involving the printing of susceptor tracks on a planar aerosol generating substrate, which is then formed into a cylindrical article, ensuring optimal heat transfer and controlled heating by using induction heating, allowing for uniform heat distribution and consistent aerosol generation.
The method enables efficient, consistent, and longer-lasting aerosol generation, enhancing user experience and satisfaction by maintaining aerosol delivery throughout the vaping session.
Smart Images
Figure 2026513082000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to aerosol generating articles, and more particularly to methods for manufacturing aerosol generating articles. An aerosol generating article is used with an aerosol generating device for heating the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol for a user to inhale. The present disclosure is particularly applicable to aerosol generating articles for use with a portable (handheld) aerosol generating device, which may be self - contained and operate at a low temperature. Such a device heats rather than burns an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation.
Background Art
[0002] In recent years, the popularity and use of risk - reduction devices (also known as vaporizers) or risk - modification devices have grown rapidly as an alternative to the use of conventional tobacco products. A variety of devices and systems are available that heat or warm an aerosol generating substrate rather than burn it to generate an aerosol for user inhalation.
[0003] Generally available risk - reduction or risk - modification devices are substrate - heated aerosol generating devices, i.e., so - called non - combustion heated devices. This type of device generates an aerosol or vapor by heating, typically in a heating chamber, an aerosol generating substrate contained within the aerosol generating article, which typically comprises moist tobacco leaf or other suitable evaporable material, to a temperature in the range of 150°C to 350°C. Heating the aerosol generating substrate to this range of temperatures without burning or combusting it generates vapor, which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol that the device user inhales.
[0004] Aerosol generating devices currently available can supply heat to an aerosol generating substrate using one of several different approaches. One such approach is to provide an aerosol generating device that employs an induction heating system comprising at least one resonant transmitter, such as an induction coil. When a user activates a device that generates an alternating current electromagnetic field in the induction coil, an alternating current is supplied to the induction coil. The alternating current electromagnetic field penetrates an inductionally heated susceptor, thereby heating the susceptor due to the generation of electric eddy currents within the susceptor, and further due to magnetic hysteresis losses in embodiments in which the susceptor comprises a ferromagnetic material. The generated heat is transferred, for example, by conduction, from the inductionally heated susceptor to the aerosol generating substrate, thereby generating vapor that can be cooled and condensed to form an inhalable aerosol. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0005] It may be convenient to provide both an aerosol generating substrate and an induction-heatable susceptor together in the form of an aerosol generating article that can be inserted into an aerosol generating device by the user. Therefore, there is a need to provide a method to facilitate the manufacture of aerosol generating articles, for example, a method that enables easy and consistent mass production of aerosol generating articles. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for manufacturing an aerosol generating article for use with an aerosol generating device including at least one resonant transmitter, the aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol generating substrate and a susceptor track configured to be inductively heated by at least one resonant transmitter, the method is (i) To provide a substantially planar or sheet-type aerosol generating substrate, (ii) Printing a susceptor track on the surface of the aerosol generating substrate The susceptor track covers a surface area smaller than the total surface area of the aerosol-generating substrate.
[0007] The aerosol generating article produced by this method is intended for use with an aerosol generating device to heat the aerosol generating substrate without burning it, thereby volatilizing at least one component of the aerosol generating substrate, and thereby generating heated vapor that cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device is a handheld portable device.
[0008] Generally speaking, vapor is a substance that is in the gaseous phase at temperatures below its critical temperature, meaning that vapor can be condensed into a liquid by increasing pressure without lowering the temperature, while aerosol is a suspended mass of fine solid particles or droplets in the air or another gas. However, it should be noted that in this specification, the terms “aerosol” and “vapor” may be used synonymously, particularly with respect to the form of an inhalable medium generated for the user to inhale.
[0009] The method according to this disclosure facilitates the manufacture of aerosol-generating articles and enables the consistent and relatively easy mass production of aerosol-generating articles by a simple process of printing susceptor tracks on the surface of a substantially planar or sheet-type aerosol-generating substrate, for example. Printing susceptor tracks on the surface of the aerosol-generating substrate ensures good contact between the susceptor tracks and the aerosol-generating substrate, and thus optimal heat transfer from the printed susceptor tracks to the aerosol-generating substrate.
[0010] Because the printed susceptor track covers a surface area smaller than the total surface area of the aerosol-generating substrate, i.e., the susceptor track is printed only on a selected area of the aerosol-generating substrate's surface, more controlled (gradual) heating of the aerosol-generating substrate can also be achieved. As a result, for example, a portion of the aerosol-generating substrate located further away from the printed susceptor track can be heated more slowly and gradually (and thus decrease more slowly) than other portions of the aerosol-generating substrate located closer to the printed susceptor track. This improved control of aerosol decrease allows for longer-lasting vapor or aerosol generation and provides a more consistent aerosol delivery throughout the vaping session. This, in turn, improves the user experience and user satisfaction.
[0011] Here, we will describe the characteristics of optional features. These can be applied individually or in any combination with any aspect of this disclosure.
[0012] The step of printing a susceptor track on the surface of an aerosol generating substrate may include depositing a layer of slurry containing susceptor material on the surface of the aerosol generating substrate, or depositing susceptor material on the surface of the aerosol generating substrate by a vapor deposition process, for example, by physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD).
[0013] This method, (iii) Forming the aerosol generating substrate and printed susceptor track into a substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article. It may also include the following.
[0014] A substantially cylindrical aerosol-generating article may be assembled with one or more further components to provide an aerosol-generating product, for example, a substantially cylindrical aerosol-generating product. The substantially cylindrical aerosol-generating product may be substantially formed in the shape of a stick, for example, a heated cigarette stick, and may be roughly similar to a cigarette. The substantially cylindrical aerosol-generating product may be elongated and may have a distal end and a proximal end. A circular cross-section facilitates the handling of the product by the user and the insertion of the product into the cavity or heating section of the aerosol-generating device.
[0015] A substantially cylindrical aerosol generating product may include filter segments at its proximal and / or distal ends, for example, comprising cellulose acetate fibers or natural cellulose fibers. These filter segments, or each filter segment, may be coaxially aligned with the substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article. The filter segment at the proximal end may constitute a mouthpiece filter. One or more vapor collection areas, cooling areas, and other structures may also be included in some designs. For example, the aerosol generating product may include at least one intermediate segment, for example in the form of a tubular segment, located downstream of the substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article, for example, a hollow paper tube. The intermediate segment may function as a vapor cooling area. The intermediate segment may be provided with ventilation areas (e.g., perforations) to allow air to cool the vapor. The vapor cooling area can advantageously allow heated vapor generated by heating the aerosol generating substrate within the substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article to cool and condense, forming an aerosol with properties suitable for inhalation by a user through a mouthpiece filter, for example.
[0016] Step (ii) may include printing a plurality of susceptor tracks on the surface of the aerosol generating substrate. The susceptor tracks may form portions of the susceptor separated by the portion of the substrate surface not occupied by the susceptor tracks on the surface of the aerosol generating substrate. Printing a plurality of susceptor tracks may allow for optimization of the heating of the aerosol generating substrate, for example, by enabling the generation of more heat for induction heating of the susceptor tracks during use of the aerosol generating article in an aerosol generating device, and / or enable a more uniform heat distribution depending on the distribution of susceptor tracks in the aerosol generating article.
[0017] The printed susceptor tracks may extend parallel to each other in a first direction, or may be spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. This facilitates the printing of the susceptor tracks onto the surface of the aerosol generating substrate and facilitates the optional step (iii) of forming the aerosol generating substrate and the printed susceptor tracks into a substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article.
[0018] In one embodiment, step (iii) includes cutting an aerosol generating substrate in a first direction between adjacent pairs of printed susceptor tracks to form a plurality of aerosol generating strips, each having a susceptor track printed thereon; assembling a plurality of parallel aerosol generating strips to form a substantially cylindrical bundle; and wrapping the assembled substantially cylindrical bundle of aerosol generating strips to form a substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating strips are substantially oriented along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating strips are typically fold-free in the longitudinal direction, ensuring that the airflow path is not interrupted and that a uniform airflow can be achieved through the article. The aerosol generating article formed according to this embodiment may include a substantially uniform distribution of aerosol generating strips, each having a susceptor track printed thereon. This ensures a uniform heat distribution throughout the aerosol generating article, resulting in better, more consistent aerosol generation and thus an improved user experience.
[0019] In another embodiment, step (iii) may include spirally winding the aerosol generating substrate in a second direction to provide a spirally wound, substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article comprising a plurality of radially adjacent layers of the aerosol generating substrate. This embodiment may provide a convenient method for forming a substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article by a simple winding process. The aerosol generating article formed according to this embodiment can also provide a uniform heat distribution because susceptor tracks printed on the radially adjacent layers are present. Again, this results in better, more consistent aerosol generation and thus an improved user experience.
[0020] The susceptor track may be printed on only one surface of the aerosol-generating substrate. The susceptor may not be present on the opposite surface of the aerosol-generating substrate.
[0021] The substantially planar or sheet-type aerosol-generating substrate may be made of any type of solid or semi-solid material. Exemplary types of aerosol-generating solids include powders, granules, pellets, flakes, strands, particles, gels, strips, loose leaves, cut leaves, cut fillers, porous materials, foamed materials, or sheets. The substantially planar or sheet-type aerosol-generating substrate may also include plant-derived materials, and in particular, tobacco. The aerosol-generating substrate may advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco, for example, reconstituted tobacco comprising tobacco and any one or more inorganic fillers such as cellulose fibers, tobacco stem fibers, and CaCO3. The aerosol-generating substrate may preferably comprise a reconstituted tobacco sheet. The reconstituted tobacco sheet may be manufactured by casting, or by a papermaking process, or by extrusion and lamination. The reconstituted tobacco sheet may comprise, for example, tobacco powder, an aerosol-forming agent, and optionally a binder.
[0022] Therefore, an aerosol generating device intended for use with an aerosol generating article may be referred to as a "heated tobacco device," a "non-combustion heated tobacco device," or a "tobacco product vaporization device," and this device is interpreted as a suitable apparatus for achieving these effects. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices designed to vaporize any aerosol generating substrate.
[0023] The aerosol generating substrate may contain an aerosol forming agent. Examples of aerosol forming agents include polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin or propylene glycol, and mixtures thereof. Typically, the aerosol generating substrate may have an aerosol forming agent content of about 5% to about 50% on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate may have an aerosol forming agent content of about 10% to about 20% on a dry weight basis, and in some cases, an aerosol forming agent content of about 15% on a dry weight basis.
[0024] The susceptor track functions as a resonant receiver and may thus comprise a susceptor material capable of induction heating. The susceptor material may comprise a ferromagnetic material including, but not limited to, cobalt, iron, nickel, zinc, manganese, and any combination thereof. In other examples, the susceptor material may comprise other materials, such as other metallic materials like aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, as well as ceramic materials such as silicon carbide, carbon materials, and any combination of the above materials. In further examples, the susceptor material may comprise other conductive materials, such as metals like copper, alloys of conductive materials, or other materials embedded with one or more conductive materials. When an electromagnetic field is applied in the vicinity during the use of the aerosol article in the aerosol generating device, the susceptor material may generate heat through the Joule effect of eddy currents flowing through the susceptor material or, in the case of ferromagnetic materials, through magnetic hysteresis losses. There are several factors contributing to the temperature rise of the susceptor material when passing through an alternating electromagnetic field, including, but not limited to, the proximity of the susceptor track to the resonant transmitter (e.g., induction coil), the magnetic field distribution, the electrical resistivity of the susceptor track capable of induction heating, the skin effect or depth, hysteresis losses, magnetic susceptibility, and magnetic permeability.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0025] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating system. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing one example of a method for manufacturing an aerosol article. [Figure 3a] It is a schematic top view of an example of an aerosol article manufactured by the method according to FIG. 2. [Figure 3b] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol article of FIG. 3a along line A - A. [Figure 4a] It is a schematic top view of another example of an aerosol article manufactured by the method according to FIG. 2. [Figure 4b] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol article of FIG. 4a along line B - B. [Figure 5]Figures 4a and 4b are schematic diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a method for forming a substantially cylindrical aerosol generating product using the aerosol generating articles shown. [Figure 6] Figures 4a and 4b are schematic diagrams of another embodiment of a method for forming a substantially cylindrical aerosol generating product using the aerosol generating articles shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0026] Herein, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings, merely as an example.
[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of an aerosol generating system 10 comprising an aerosol generating device 12 and an aerosol generating article 14 according to an example of the present disclosure. The aerosol generating device 12 is a handheld portable device, which means that the user can hold and support the device 12 with one hand without assistance.
[0028] The aerosol generating device 12 includes a power source 16, such as a battery, a controller 18, and a user interface (not shown) for controlling the operation of the aerosol generating device 12 via the controller 18. The aerosol generating device 12 also includes an induction heating assembly 20, for example, an induction coil 24, which includes a resonant transmitter 22. When the user activates the device 12, the power source 16 and the controller 18 supply alternating current to the induction coil 24, thereby causing the induction coil 24 to generate an alternating electromagnetic field.
[0029] The controller 18 is configured to detect the start of use of the aerosol generating device 12 in response to user input, such as pressing a button to activate the aerosol generating device 12, or in response to the detection of airflow through the aerosol generating device 12. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the airflow through the aerosol generating device 12 indicates inhalation or "puffing" by the user. The aerosol generating device 12 may include, for example, an airflow sensor (not shown) or a puff detector such as a microphone to detect the airflow through the aerosol generating device 12.
[0030] The aerosol generating article 14 includes an aerosol generating substrate 26 and an inductively heatable susceptor 28. In the operation of the aerosol generating device 12, an alternating electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil 24 penetrates the inductively heatable susceptor 28, thereby heating the susceptor 28 due to the generation of electric eddy currents within the susceptor 28, and further due to magnetic hysteresis losses in examples where the susceptor 28 is made of a ferromagnetic material. The heat from the susceptor 28 is transferred to the aerosol generating substrate 26 by means of conduction, radiation, and convection, for example, heating the aerosol generating substrate 26 (without burning or combustion of the aerosol generating substrate 26), thereby generating vapor, which cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user of the aerosol generating device 12.
[0031] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a method for producing an aerosol-generating article 14 according to an example of the present disclosure is shown.
[0032] This method comprises a first step S1 of providing a substantially planar or sheet-type aerosol generating substrate 26. The aerosol generating substrate 26 typically comprises a reconstituted tobacco sheet containing an aerosol forming agent. Suitable aerosol forming agents include, but are not limited to, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and propylene glycol and mixtures thereof.
[0033] This method includes a second step S2 of printing a susceptor track 30 on the surface 32 of the aerosol generating substrate 26. In the example shown, the susceptor track 30 is printed on only one surface 32 of the aerosol generating substrate 26, while the susceptor is absent on the opposite surface 33 of the aerosol generating substrate 26. The susceptor track 30 constitutes the inductively heatable susceptor 28 described above in the aerosol generating article 14. The susceptor track 30 can be printed on the surface 32 of the aerosol generating substrate 26 by any preferred deposition method, and therefore the printing step S2 may include depositing a layer of slurry containing susceptor material on the surface 32 of the aerosol generating substrate 26, or depositing susceptor material on the surface 32 of the aerosol generating substrate 26 by a vapor deposition process, for example, physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD). These printing methods are not exhaustive, and other printing methods are within the scope of this disclosure. By printing the susceptor track 30 on the surface 32 of the aerosol generating substrate 26, good contact between the susceptor track 30 and the aerosol generating substrate 26 is ensured, and thus optimal heat transfer from the printed susceptor track 30 to the aerosol generating substrate 26 while using the aerosol generating article 14 together with the aerosol generating device 14.
[0034] In step S2, the susceptor track 30 is printed on only a portion of the surface 32 of the aerosol generating substrate 26. Therefore, the susceptor track 30 does not cover the entire surface area of the surface 32 of the aerosol generating substrate 26, but instead covers a surface area of the surface 32 that is smaller than the entire surface area of the surface 32 of the aerosol generating substrate 26. This makes it possible to achieve more controlled (gradual) heating of the aerosol generating substrate 26, for example, by heating a portion of the aerosol generating substrate 26 located further away from the printed susceptor track 30 more slowly and gradually (and thus decreasing more slowly) than other portions of the aerosol generating substrate 26 located closer to the printed susceptor track 30. This improved control of aerosol decrease makes it possible to sustain vapor or aerosol generation for a longer period of time, providing a more consistent aerosol delivery throughout the vaping session, thereby improving the user experience and user satisfaction.
[0035] Referring to Figures 4a and 4b, which show another example of an aerosol-generating article 14, in some examples, step S2 includes printing a plurality of susceptor tracks 30 on the surface 32 of the aerosol-generating substrate 26. The susceptor tracks 30 extend in a first direction X and are spaced apart in a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction. This arrangement is convenient from a manufacturing standpoint because the susceptor tracks 30 can be printed simultaneously during step S2. The printed susceptor tracks 30 form portions of the susceptor separated by the portion of the surface of the aerosol-generating substrate 26 not occupied by the susceptor tracks 30. A particular arrangement of susceptor tracks (including the total area of the surface 32 covered and the distribution across the entire surface 32) may be selected to optimize the heating of the aerosol-generating substrate 26 and / or to provide a uniform heat distribution in the aerosol-generating article 14.
[0036] In some examples, the aerosol generating article 14 manufactured by steps S1 and S2 as described above may be used in its manufactured form, that is, as a substantially planar aerosol generating article 14 (for example, having a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape) positioned in a heating chamber shaped to correspond to the aerosol generating device 12 during use.
[0037] In other examples, the method may include an optional further step S3 (see Figure 2) of forming the aerosol generating substrate 26 and the printed susceptor track 30 into substantially cylindrical aerosol generating articles 114, 214, as will be described in more detail below.
[0038] Referring to Figure 5, in the first embodiment, step S3 includes a cutting step S3-1, an assembly step S3-2, and a wrapping step S3-3. More specifically, the cutting step S3-1 includes cutting the aerosol generating substrate 26 in a first direction X between adjacent pairs of printed susceptor tracks 30, for example, as shown in Figures 4a and 4b. This cutting step S3-1 forms a plurality of aerosol generating strips 34, each having a susceptor track 30 printed on it. Each printed susceptor track 30 typically covers a surface area smaller than the total surface area of the corresponding aerosol generating strip 34. The assembly step S3-2 includes assembling the plurality of aerosol generating strips 34 parallel to each other to form a substantially cylindrical bundle 36. Finally, the wrapping step S3-3 includes wrapping the substantially cylindrical bundle 36 of the assembled aerosol generating strips 34 with, for example, a paper wrapper 37 to form a substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article 114. The aerosol generating strips 34 are substantially oriented along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generating article 114, and typically have no folds in the longitudinal direction, ensuring that the airflow path is not interrupted and that a uniform airflow can be achieved through the article 114. The aerosol generating article 114 formed according to this embodiment includes a substantially uniform distribution of aerosol generating strips 34, each having susceptor tracks 30 printed thereon, thereby ensuring a uniform heat distribution throughout the aerosol generating article 114.
[0039] Referring to Figure 6, in the second embodiment, step S3 includes step S3-0, for example, winding or rolling the aerosol generating substrate 26 spirally in a second direction Y, as shown in Figures 4a and 4b, to provide a spirally wound substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article 214 comprising a plurality of radially adjacent layers of the aerosol generating substrate 26. The method further includes a wrapping step S3-3, which includes wrapping the spirally wound substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article 214 in, for example, a paper wrapper 37.
[0040] In the embodiments shown in both Figures 5 and 6, step S3 may include a final assembly step S3-4 in which the substantially cylindrical aerosol generating articles 114, 214 are combined with other components to form a completed substantially cylindrical aerosol generating product 314. The completed aerosol generating product 314 includes a distal end 38 and a proximal end 40 (i.e., an oral end), and comprises a plug filter 42 at the distal end 38, a mouthpiece filter 44 at the proximal end 40, and an intermediate segment 46 between the substantially cylindrical aerosol generating articles 114, 214 and the mouthpiece filter 44. The plug filter 42 and / or mouthpiece filter may comprise cellulose acetate fibers or natural cellulose fibers. The intermediate segment 46 may comprise a polylactic acid sheet or a hollow tubular segment of paper. The final assembly steps S3-4 typically include arranging the plug filter 42, aerosol generating articles 114, 214, intermediate segment 46, and mouthpiece filter 44 coaxially, and wrapping these components, for example, in a paper wrapper to form a completed, substantially cylindrical aerosol generating product 314. The completed aerosol generating product is typically in the form of a heated tobacco stick.
[0041] While exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications to these embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the attached claims. Therefore, the scope of the claims should not be limited to the exemplary embodiments described above.
[0042] Unless otherwise stated herein or unless clearly inconsistent with the context, any combination of the above features in all possible variations is encompassed by this disclosure.
[0043] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout this specification and the claims, words such as “comprise” and “comprising” should be interpreted inclusively, that is, “includes but is not limited,” as opposed to their exclusive or exhaustive meanings.
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing an aerosol generating article (14) for use with an aerosol generating device (12) including at least one resonant transmitter (22), wherein the aerosol generating article comprises an aerosol generating substrate (26) and a susceptor track (30) configured to be inductively heated by the at least one resonant transmitter (22), and the method is (i) To provide a substantially planar or sheet-type aerosol generating substrate (26), (ii) Printing a susceptor track (30) on the surface (32) of the aerosol generating substrate (26) Includes, The susceptor track (30) covers a surface area smaller than the total surface area of the aerosol generating substrate (26). method.
2. (iii) Forming the aerosol generating substrate (26) and the printed susceptor track (30) into a substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article (114, 214) The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein step (ii) comprises printing a plurality of susceptor tracks (30) on the surface (32) of the aerosol generating substrate (26), the susceptor tracks (30) forming portions of a susceptor separated by portions of the substrate on the aerosol generating substrate (26) that are not occupied by the susceptor tracks (30).
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the printed susceptor tracks (30) extend parallel to each other in a first direction and are spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
5. The method according to claim 4, dependent on claim 2, wherein step (iii) includes cutting the aerosol generating substrate (26) in the first direction between adjacent pairs of printed susceptor tracks (30) to form a plurality of aerosol generating strips (34), each having a susceptor track (30) printed thereon; assembling the plurality of parallel aerosol generating strips (34) to form a substantially cylindrical bundle (36); and wrapping the substantially cylindrical bundle (36) of the assembled aerosol generating strips (34) to form a substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article (114).
6. The method according to claim 4, dependent on claim 2, wherein step (iii) includes winding the aerosol generating substrate (26) spirally in the second direction to provide a spirally wound substantially cylindrical aerosol generating article (214) having a plurality of radially adjacent layers of the aerosol generating substrate (26).
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the aerosol generating substrate (26) comprises a reconstituted tobacco sheet.
8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the susceptor track (30) is printed on one surface (32) of the aerosol generating substrate (26), and the susceptor is not present on the opposite surface (33).