Application of additives when forming sheet material into a rod incorporating a heat-resistant susceptor

Abstract

The apparatus (1) for producing an aerosol-generating rod (2) includes a confluence device (3), a conveyor system (13), a susceptor guide (15), and an additive dispensing pipe (21). The conveyor system is configured to transport a sheet material (11) through the confluence device. The susceptor guide is configured to guide a susceptor (9). The susceptor guide extends axially into the confluence device and includes an outlet opening (19) for the susceptor in the confluence device. The additive dispensing pipe has an end section (29) extending within the confluence device parallel to the susceptor guide. The end section includes a dispensing opening (31) for dispensing the additive through the dispensing opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to applying an additive to a sheet material formed into a rod incorporating a heatable susceptor.

Background Art

[0002] In particular, for obtaining a rod for use in the manufacture of aerosol generating articles for consumer products, reshaping a sheet material within a forming device has been practiced and is known.

[0003] In order to enable heat generation by subjecting the susceptor to an alternating magnetic field, the rod may incorporate the susceptor therein. This may enable the rod to be heated from within to release an aerosol.

[0004] It may be desirable to add one or more substances to the rod. For example, it may be desirable to add an aerosol generating substance or a flavoring substance to the rod. It may be desirable to provide an efficient way to modify the properties of the rod of the sheet material by adding one or more substances. It may be desirable to provide a method for obtaining a preferred distribution of one or more substances within the rod.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for manufacturing an aerosol generating rod is provided. The apparatus comprises a converging device, a conveyor system, a susceptor guide, and an additive dispensing pipe. The conveying system is configured to convey a sheet material through the converging device. The susceptor guide is configured to guide a susceptor. The susceptor guide extends into the converging device particularly along an axial direction. The susceptor guide comprises an outlet opening for the susceptor within the converging device. The additive dispensing pipe has an end section. The end section extends within the converging device parallel to the susceptor guide. The end section comprises a dispensing opening for dispensing an additive through the dispensing opening.

[0006] Dispensing additives within a confluence unit may ensure that a high percentage (particularly at least 95%), or all, of the dispensed additives are applied to the sheet material or susceptor, thereby reducing additive waste and contamination of the equipment by the additives.

[0007] The additive may be dispensed onto the sheet material while the sheet material is in the confluence device, thus facilitating the efficient and controlled distribution of the additive onto the sheet material.

[0008] The desired distribution of additives may be achieved, for example, by appropriately selecting the precise location of the additive dispensing pipes within the confluence device.

[0009] Since the end section of the additive dispensing pipe extends parallel to the susceptor guide within the confluence unit, the risk of damage to the sheet material due to interaction with the additive dispensing pipe is reduced. In particular, the sheet material extending along the susceptor guide may also extend along the end section of the additive dispensing pipe. Due to the end section of the additive dispensing pipe extending parallel to the susceptor guide, interference between the susceptor guide and the additive dispensing pipe in the path through which the sheet material is transported through the confluence unit is kept relatively small.

[0010] Since the end section of the additive dispensing pipe extends parallel to the susceptor guide, the sheet material may be efficiently pressed radially outward against the susceptor guide, or the additive dispensing pipe, or both the susceptor guide and the additive dispensing pipe, as it is transported through the confluence device.

[0011] The dispensing opening may be provided on the end face of the end section of the additive dispensing pipe. The dispensing opening may open axially.

[0012] The dispensing opening may be provided on the circumferential surface of the additive dispensing pipe, particularly on the circumferential surface of the end section of the additive dispensing pipe. This may facilitate contact between the additive and the sheet material.

[0013] The end faces of the additive dispensing pipes may be closed. The end faces of the additive dispensing pipes in the axial direction may be closed.

[0014] The dispensing opening may face at least essentially radially. The additive may be dispensed through the dispensing opening at least essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet material. The additive may be dispensed through the dispensing opening at least essentially perpendicular to the axial direction. The additive may be dispensed through the dispensing opening at least essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the susceptor.

[0015] The confluence device may be configured to form the sheet material conveyed through the confluence device into a rod that incorporates a susceptor.

[0016] The confluence device may be a funnel-shaped confluence device.

[0017] The confluence device may include one or more walls that are engaged by the sheet material as the sheet material is transported through the confluence device. Contact between one or more walls of the confluence device and the sheet material may reshape the sheet material by, for example, bending, folding, or compression of the sheet material.

[0018] The confluence device may define a forming space through which the sheet material passes and is transported. The forming space may be at least partially defined or partitioned by one or more walls of the confluence device.

[0019] The confluence device may be configured to gradually compress the sheet material as it moves through the confluence device. The confluence device may also be configured to gradually compress the sheet material around the susceptor as it moves through the confluence device.

[0020] The conveyor system may be configured to transport sheet material through a confluence device along a path that is at least essentially axially oriented or at least essentially parallel to the axial direction.

[0021] The conveyor system may be configured to transport susceptors through a confluence device. The susceptors and sheet material may be transported through the confluence device along the general manufacturing direction. The axial direction may extend along the general manufacturing direction.

[0022] The end section of the additive dispensing pipe may have a circular, rectangular, polygonal, or irregular cross-section.

[0023] The dispensing opening may be located at least partially radially outward from the outlet opening of the susceptor guide. If the additive is dispensed at least partially radially outward from the outlet opening of the susceptor guide, the distribution of the additive to the sheet material may be facilitated. Excessive contact between the additive and the susceptor may be prevented according to the embodiment. However, according to other embodiments, excessive contact between the additive and the susceptor may be desirable.

[0024] The additive dispensing pipe may be fixed to the susceptor guide. Fixation to the susceptor guide may stabilize the additive dispensing pipe. Furthermore, the position of the additive dispensing pipe may be defined by the additive dispensing pipe fixed to the susceptor guide. When the additive dispensing pipe and the susceptor guide are fixed to each other, they may conveniently be inserted together into the confluence device.

[0025] The end section of the additive dispensing pipe may surround the susceptor guide in the circumferential direction. When the end section of the additive dispensing pipe surrounds the susceptor guide in the circumferential direction, the risk of damaging the sheet material in the confluence device may be reduced as compared to when the susceptor guide extends completely outside the end section of the additive dispensing pipe. The additive may be dispensed through the dispensing opening, especially near the susceptor, when the additive dispensing pipe surrounds the susceptor guide in the circumferential direction. The additive may be dispensed circumferentially around the susceptor guide to ensure the distribution of the additive onto all sides of the susceptor.

[0026] The dispensing opening and the outlet opening may be arranged concentrically. In particular, the dispensing opening may surround the outlet opening concentrically. The additive may be dispensed concentrically around the susceptor.

[0027] The dispensing opening may be defined between the outer surface of the susceptor guide and the inner surface of the additive dispensing pipe. In particular, the dispensing opening may be defined between the outer surface of the susceptor guide and the inner surface of the end section of the additive dispensing pipe. The dispensing opening may be, for example, ring-shaped.

[0028] The susceptor guide may extend radially outside the end section of the additive dispensing pipe in the confluence device. The susceptor may extend along the end section of the additive dispensing pipe in the confluence device. The susceptor guide may extend on a specific side surface of the end section of the additive dispensing pipe. The dispensing opening may be configured to dispense the additive on a specific side surface of the susceptor.

[0029] The dispensing opening may be located upstream of the outlet opening in the axial direction. In this case, immediately after the additive is dispensed through the dispensing opening, it can be prevented by the susceptor guide from contacting the susceptor. This may facilitate the distribution of the additive onto the sheet material or the adhesion of the additive to the sheet material.

[0030] The dispensing opening may be essentially located at the position of the outlet opening in the axial direction. In this case, the additive may contact both the susceptor and the sheet material immediately after being dispensed through the dispensing opening, and thus the contact of the additive with both the susceptor and the sheet material may be facilitated.

[0031] The dispensing opening may be located downstream of the outlet opening in the axial direction. In this case, the additive may be prevented from contacting the sheet material immediately after being dispensed through the dispensing opening. The additive may contact the susceptor immediately after being dispensed through the dispensing opening. The additive may be carried by the susceptor.

[0032] The apparatus may further include a viscosity regulator configured to control the viscosity of the additive to be below a threshold value. The viscosity regulator may be configured to control the viscosity of the additive, for example, by heating the additive. The viscosity regulator may be configured to heat the additive to a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature may be higher than room temperature. The predetermined temperature may be, for example, 30 to 60 degrees Celsius, or 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, or 40 to 50 degrees Celsius. The viscosity regulator may reduce the viscosity of the additive by applying a shear force to the additive. The viscosity regulator may control a pump that supplies the additive from the additive tank to the additive dispensing pipe to control the viscosity of the additive to be below the threshold value. An increase in the pump speed may reduce the viscosity of the additive. The threshold value may be, for example, 5000 millipascal seconds.

[0033] In addition to the above-described additive dispensing pipe, the apparatus may include one or more additional additive dispensing pipes. The one or more additional additive dispensing pipes may be configured in the same manner as, or similarly to, the above-described additive dispensing pipe. In particular, each of the one or more additional additive dispensing pipes may have an end section that extends in the confluence device parallel to the susceptor guide and includes a dispensing opening for dispensing the additive through the dispensing opening. Different additive dispensing pipes may be connected to different additive supply tanks to enable different types of additives to be dispensed into the confluence device.

[0034] The end section of the additive dispensing pipe may be provided with at least two, or at least three, or at least four, or at least six, or at least eight, or at least ten, or more than ten dispensing openings, through which the additive may be dispensed. The dispensing openings may be provided on the circumferential surface of the end section of the additive dispensing pipe. The dispensing openings may be evenly distributed over the circumference of the additive dispensing pipe.

[0035] The apparatus may include an additive tank for storing additives and a pump configured to supply additives from the additive tank to an additive dispensing pipe.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for manufacturing a rod for an aerosol generator is provided. The method includes transporting a susceptor through a confluencer. The susceptor is heatable by exposing the susceptor to an alternating magnetic field. A sheet material is formed into a rod shape that incorporates a susceptor by transporting the sheet material through a confluencer. Additives are dispensed through a dispensing opening in the confluencer at injection locations inside the rod shape as the sheet material is formed into the rod shape. The susceptor is guided through a susceptor guide and exits the susceptor guide through an outlet opening in the confluencer along the axial direction. The dispensing opening is located at least partially radially outward from the outlet opening of the susceptor guide.

[0037] When forming sheet material into a rod shape, the additive is dispensed at an injection point inside the rod shape. As a result, a high proportion of the additive dispensed through the dispensing opening actually remains inside the rod shape, thereby reducing additive waste and contamination of equipment by the additive. Because the additive is dispensed at an injection point inside the rod shape, the presence of the additive in the inner region of the rod shape (for example, instead of only on the outer surface of the rod shape) can be ensured. Furthermore, dispensing the additive inside the rod shape can prevent excessive concentration of the additive on the outer surface of the rod shape, thus preventing contamination of the packaging material surrounding the rod shape or the hands of users who touch the rod.

[0038] Since additives are dispensed when the sheet material is formed into a rod shape, the additives may be well distributed on top of the sheet material. For example, the additives may be distributed on the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet material without necessarily providing two or more dispensing openings in the confluence device.

[0039] Since the dispensing opening is located at least partially radially outward from the outlet opening of the susceptor guide, contact between the additive and the sheet material may be facilitated.

[0040] The additive may be dispensed into the gaps in the sheet material. The additive in the gaps in the sheet material may be heated together with the sheet material when the susceptor is heated.

[0041] The additive may be dispensed along the axial direction. The additive may be carried along the axial direction by the dispensing opening being kept parallel to the axial direction. The additive may be carried along the axial direction by one or more of the susceptor and / or sheet material.

[0042] The additive may be dispensed at least essentially radially. The additive may be dispensed with the dispensing opening at least essentially radially aligned. The additive may be dispensed onto the sheet material at least essentially perpendicular to the direction of transport of the sheet material.

[0043] The additive may be dispensed through at least two, or at least three, or at least four, or at least six, or at least eight, or at least ten, or more than ten dispensing openings. The dispensing openings may be provided on the circumferential surface of the additive dispensing pipe. The dispensing openings may be distributed symmetrically on the circumference of the additive dispensing pipe.

[0044] The sheet material may contain plant-based materials. In particular, the sheet material may contain herbaceous materials. Sheet materials containing plant-based materials, especially herbaceous materials, may be relatively brittle, and in particular may be more brittle than sheet materials conventionally used to form filter plugs.

[0045] The additive may be configured to form an aerosol when the rod is heated in the aerosol generator by the susceptor. The additive may also form an aerosol that captures the aerosol formed by the sheet material when the rod is heated in the aerosol generator by the susceptor.

[0046] The additive may be dispensed as a liquid. The additive may have a higher viscosity than water, and may be a gel in particular. The additive may have a viscosity of 5 millipascal seconds (mPa·s) to 40 millipascals (mPa·s) at 40 degrees Celsius, preferably 15 millipascal seconds (mPa·s) to 20 millipascals (mPa·s). In particular, the additive may have the viscosity of liquid menthol, i.e., approximately 17 millipascals (mPa·s), at 40 degrees Celsius. Dispensing the additive as a liquid may facilitate dispensing through the dispensing opening. When the additive is dispensed as a liquid, the distribution of the additive on the sheet material may be improved. The additive may permeate into the sheet material.

[0047] The additives may include aerosol-generating substances such as one or more of glycerin, glycerol, and propylene glycol. The additives may include one or more flavoring agents such as menthol, spearmint, peppermint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cocoa, chocolate, coffee, tea, spices (cinnamon, clove, ginger, etc.), fruit flavorings, and combinations thereof. The additives may contain nicotine. The additives may contain pure menthol. The additives may contain liquid menthol, especially molten menthol. The additives may consist of liquid menthol, especially molten menthol.

[0048] The method may include adjusting or controlling the viscosity of the additive. In particular, the viscosity of the additive may be controlled to be below a predetermined threshold. The viscosity of the additive may be adjusted or controlled by heating the additive. The additive may be heated before being dispensed through the dispensing opening.

[0049] The sheet material may be a casting of a slurry or paste containing plants. The sheet may be a casting of a slurry containing herbaceous material, or a casting of a paste containing herbaceous material. The slurry or paste may contain one or more types of herbaceous material. Forming the herbaceous material into a sheet may allow, for example, the herbaceous material to be continuously supplied from a supply roll to the manufacturing process.

[0050] The sheet material may include cut or crushed herbaceous material. The cut or crushed herbaceous material may include, for example, specific herbaceous material having a particle size of 40 to 50 microns.

[0051] The herbaceous material may include homogenized plant material.

[0052] The herbaceous material may include, for example, tobacco material, or clove material, or a mixture of clove material and tobacco material. The tobacco material, or clove material, or a mixture of clove material and tobacco material may, but do not have to, constitute 100 percent of the herbaceous material. The herbaceous material may not contain tobacco particles and may contain 100 percent clove particles based on the dry weight of the herbaceous material. The herbaceous material may contain 10 to 60 weight percent clove particles and 40 to 90 weight percent tobacco particles, more preferably 30 to 40 weight percent clove particles and 70 to 60 weight percent tobacco particles, based on the dry weight of the herbaceous material. For example, the sheet material may contain 40 to 90 weight percent tobacco particles and 10 to 60 weight percent clove particles, based on the dry weight of the sheet material.

[0053] The sheet material may contain, for example, one or more of eugenol, eugenol acetate, and β-caryophyllene. In particular, the sheet material may contain at least 125 micrograms of eugenol per gram of sheet material on a dry weight basis, at least 125 micrograms of eugenol acetate per gram of sheet material on a dry weight basis, and at least 1 microgram of β-caryophyllene per gram of sheet material on a dry weight basis.

[0054] The sheet material may contain at least one of cellulose fibers and glycerin. The cellulose fibers may reinforce the sheet material and increase its resistance to breakage or tearing. The glycerin may facilitate aerosol formation when the sheet material is heated.

[0055] The sheet material may contain cotton. The sheet material may consist of cotton. The sheet material may have a cotton matrix.

[0056] The sheet material may have a thickness of less than 1 mm, or less than 0.5 mm, or less than 0.2 mm, or less than 0.1 mm, or less than 0.05 mm. The sheet material may have a thickness of at least 0.001 mm, or at least 0.01 mm, or at least 0.1 mm. Sheet materials with relatively small thicknesses may be easier to form into rod shapes. Sheet materials with relatively large thicknesses may be less likely to tear or be damaged when dispensing liquid onto the sheet material.

[0057] The sheet material may be a crimped sheet material. The method may include crimping the sheet material upstream of the confluence. Crimping the sheet material may facilitate the molding of the sheet material into a rod shape. When the sheet material is crimped, it is likely to form folds during molding. The folds in the sheet material may serve to receive additives.

[0058] The susceptor may be a susceptor band. The cross-section of the susceptor in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the axial direction may be, for example, rectangular. The susceptor may be continuously transported through a susceptor guide. The susceptor may be continuously drawn from a supply roll.

[0059] The additive may be dispensed at a position within the confluence, where the maximum diameter of the rod shape is up to 400 percent, or up to 350 percent, or up to 300 percent, or up to 250 percent, or up to 200 percent, or up to 150 percent, of the final maximum diameter of the rod shape when it exits the confluence. If the additive is dispensed at a position within the confluence where the sheet material has already been molded or compressed to a certain extent, efficient distribution of the additive onto the sheet material may be facilitated.

[0060] The rod shape may be formed essentially coaxially around the susceptor.

[0061] The additive may be dispensed upstream of the outlet opening in the axial direction.

[0062] The additive may be dispensed at the location of the outlet opening in terms of its axial position.

[0063] The additive may be dispensed downstream of the outlet opening in the axial direction.

[0064] According to another aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating rod is provided. The aerosol generating rod comprises a susceptor, a sleeve of sheet material, and an aerosol generating additive. The susceptor is configured to be heated by exposure to an alternating magnetic field. The sleeve of sheet material surrounds the susceptor to form a rod incorporating the susceptor. The aerosol generating additive is provided within the sleeve on the sheet material. The concentration of the aerosol generating additive in the sheet material decreases in the direction away from the axially extending susceptor in the radial direction.

[0065] In particular, the amount of aerosol-generating additive in the radially inner cylindrical volume of the aerosol-generating rod is greater than the amount of aerosol-generating additive in the radially outer cylindrical volume of the aerosol-generating rod, where the radially inner and radially outer cylindrical volumes have the same volume size, and the radially inner and radially outer cylindrical volumes are combined to form the volume of the aerosol-generating rod. Alternatively, or additionally, the sheet material on the outer circumference of the rod may not contain aerosol-generating additives.

[0066] The concentration of the aerosol-generating additive may decrease from the radially inner region of the rod towards the radially outer region. If the concentration of the aerosol-generating additive is relatively high in the inner region of the rod, it may be easier to heat the aerosol-generating additive with a susceptor to generate aerosols. If the concentration of the aerosol-generating additive is relatively low in the radially outer region of the rod, contamination of the outer surface of the rod by the additive may be reduced.

[0067] The susceptor may be provided at least essentially centrally within the rod.

[0068] The susceptor may be made of a conductive material such as metal or carbon, or it may contain a conductive material.

[0069] The sheet material may be a crimped sheet material. When the sheet material is crimped, it may more easily form folds or folded structures that are suitable for receiving and holding aerosol-generating additives.

[0070] The sheet material may contain plant-based materials. The sheet material may contain herbaceous materials.

[0071] The aerosol-generating additive may include, for example, menthol.

[0072] According to another aspect of the present invention, the use of a dispensing opening for dispensing an additive into a funnel-shaped confluence device is provided. A susceptor, which can be heated by electromagnetic induction, is transported through an outlet opening of a susceptor guide within the funnel-shaped confluence device. A sheet material is molded into a rod shape that incorporates the susceptor into the confluence device. The additive is dispensed through the dispensing opening along a direction parallel to the direction in which the susceptor exits the susceptor guide, or along a direction at least essentially perpendicular to the direction in which the susceptor exits the susceptor guide.

[0073] As shown, according to different embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an aerosol generating rod, a method for manufacturing a rod for an aerosol generating device, an aerosol generating device rod, and a use of a dispensing opening. The apparatus may be suitable, adapted, or configured for carrying out the method or for carrying out the use. The apparatus, method, or use may be suitable, adapted, or configured for manufacturing an aerosol generating rod. Features described in one embodiment may be transferred to or combined with any one of the other embodiments.

[0074] With respect to a converging device, the term "funnel-shaped" means that the cross-sectional area of ​​the converging device's forming space in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the axial direction decreases along the conveying direction. This decrease may be continuous, stepwise, or both.

[0075] The space formed by the confluence device may, but is not required to be, be completely enclosed circumferentially by the walls of the confluence device around the direction of transport.

[0076] The term "herbaceous material" is used to mean material derived from herbaceous plants. Herbaceous plants are aromatic plants, and the leaves or other parts of the plant are used for medicinal, culinary, or aromatic purposes, and also have the ability to release flavor into aerosols produced by aerosol-generating articles.

[0077] The diameter of the rod shape at a specific position along the axial direction refers to the maximum extension of the rod shape at a specific position in any direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0078] 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. [Examples]

[0079] (Example 1) Apparatus for manufacturing an aerosol generating rod, A merging device, A conveyor system configured to transport sheet material through a merging device, A susceptor guide configured to guide a susceptor, wherein the susceptor guide extends axially into a confluence device and has an outlet opening for a susceptor within the confluence device, An additive dispensing pipe having an end section, wherein the end section extends within a confluence device parallel to a susceptor guide and has a dispensing opening for dispensing additives through the dispensing opening.

[0080] (Example 2) The apparatus according to Example 1, wherein the dispensing opening is located at least partially radially outward from the outlet opening of the susceptor guide.

[0081] (Example 3) The apparatus according to Example 1 or Example 2, wherein the additive dispensing pipe is fixed to the susceptor guide.

[0082] (Example 4) The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the end section of the additive dispensing pipe surrounds the susceptor guide in a circumferential direction.

[0083] (Example 5) The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the dispensing opening and the outlet opening are arranged concentrically.

[0084] (Example 6) The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the dispensing opening is provided on the circumferential surface of the additive dispensing pipe.

[0085] (Example 7) The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the dispensing opening faces radially.

[0086] (Example 8) The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the dispensing opening is defined between the outer surface of the susceptor guide and the inner surface of the additive dispensing pipe.

[0087] (Example 9) The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the susceptor guide extends radially outward from the end section of the additive dispensing pipe within the confluence device.

[0088] (Example 10) The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the dispensing opening is located upstream of the outlet opening in the axial direction, or essentially at the location of the outlet opening.

[0089] (Example 11) The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the dispensing opening is located downstream of the outlet opening in the axial direction.

[0090] (Example 12) The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 11, further comprising a viscosity regulator configured to control the viscosity of an additive to below a threshold by preferably heating the additive.

[0091] (Example 13) The apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the end section of the additive dispensing pipe has at least two, or at least three, or at least four, or at least six, or at least eight, or at least ten, or more than ten dispensing openings, through which the additive is dispensed.

[0092] (Example 14) A method for manufacturing a rod for an aerosol generator, A process for transporting a susceptor through a confluence device, wherein the susceptor is capable of being heated by exposing it to an alternating magnetic field. The process involves conveying the sheet material through a confluence device to form the sheet material into a rod shape into which the susceptor is incorporated, The process includes, when forming a sheet material into a rod shape, dispensing an additive at an injection position inside the rod shape through a dispensing opening in a confluence device, The susceptor is guided through the susceptor guide and exits the susceptor guide axially through the outlet opening of the susceptor guide in the confluence device. A method in which the dispensing opening is located at least partially radially outward from the outlet opening of the susceptor guide.

[0093] (Example 15) The method according to Example 14, wherein the additive is dispensed into the gaps between the sheet material.

[0094] (Example 16) The method according to Example 14 or Example 15, wherein the additive is dispensed along the axial direction or radially.

[0095] (Example 17) The method according to any one of Examples 14 to 16, wherein the sheet material contains a plant-based material.

[0096] (Example 18) The method according to any one of Examples 14 to 17, wherein the additive is configured to form an aerosol that captures the aerosol formed by the sheet material when the rod is heated in the aerosol generator by the susceptor.

[0097] (Example 19) The method according to any one of Examples 14 to 18, wherein the sheet material is a casting of a plant-containing slurry or plant-containing paste.

[0098] (Example 20) The method according to any one of Examples 14 to 19, wherein the sheet material has a thickness of less than 1 mm, or less than 0.5 mm, or less than 0.2 mm, or less than 0.1 mm, or less than 0.05 mm.

[0099] (Example 21) The method according to any one of Examples 14 to 20, wherein the sheet material is a crimped sheet material.

[0100] (Example 22) The method according to any one of Examples 14 to 21, wherein the rod shape is formed essentially coaxially around the susceptor.

[0101] (Example 23) The method according to any one of Examples 14 to 22, wherein the additive is dispensed at a position within the confluence device, and the maximum diameter of the rod shape at this position is up to 400 percent, or up to 350 percent, or up to 300 percent, or up to 250 percent, or up to 200 percent, or up to 150 percent of the maximum diameter of the final rod shape when it exits the confluence device.

[0102] (Example 24) The method according to any one of Examples 14 to 23, wherein the additive is dispensed upstream of the outlet opening or essentially at the location of the outlet opening with respect to the axial direction.

[0103] (Example 25) The method according to any one of Examples 14 to 23, wherein the additive is dispensed downstream of the outlet opening.

[0104] (Example 26) Aerosol generating rod, A susceptor configured to be heated by exposure to an alternating magnetic field, A sleeve made of sheet material, which surrounds a susceptor and forms a rod into which the susceptor is incorporated; an aerosol generating rod comprising an aerosol generating additive provided within a sleeve on a sheet material.

[0105] (Example 27) The aerosol generating rod according to Example 26, wherein the concentration of the aerosol generating additive decreases in the direction away from the susceptor extending in the axial direction in the radial direction.

[0106] (Example 28) The aerosol generating rod according to Example 26 or Example 27, wherein the amount of aerosol generating additive in the radially inner cylindrical volume of the aerosol generating rod is greater than the amount of aerosol generating additive in the radially outer cylindrical volume of the aerosol generating rod, and the radially inner cylindrical volume and the radially outer cylindrical volume have the same volume size, and the radially inner cylindrical volume and the radially outer cylindrical volume combine to form the volume of the aerosol generating rod.

[0107] (Example 29) The aerosol generating rod according to any one of Examples 26 to 28, wherein the sheet material on the outer circumference of the rod does not need to contain an aerosol generating additive.

[0108] (Example 30) An aerosol generating rod according to any one of Examples 26 to 29, wherein the sheet material is a crimped sheet material.

[0109] (Example 31) An aerosol generating rod according to any one of Examples 26 to 30, wherein the sheet material contains a plant-based material.

[0110] (Example 32) An aerosol generating rod according to any one of Examples 26 to 31, wherein the aerosol generating additive contains menthol.

[0111] (Example 33) Use of a dispensing opening for dispensing an additive into a funnel-shaped confluence device, wherein a susceptor, which can be heated by electromagnetic induction, is conveyed through an outlet opening of a susceptor guide within the funnel-shaped confluence device, a sheet material is formed into a rod shape that incorporates the susceptor into the confluence device, and the additive is dispensed through the dispensing opening along a direction parallel to the direction in which the susceptor exits the susceptor guide, or along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the susceptor exits the susceptor guide.

[0112] (Example 34) A system comprising an apparatus for manufacturing an aerosol generating rod as described in any one of Examples 1 to 13, further comprising a second additive dispensing pipe, wherein the second additive dispensing pipe is configured to be used in the apparatus for manufacturing an aerosol generating rod in place of the first additive dispensing pipe described in each of Examples 1 to 13, and the first and second additive dispensing pipes are of different types.

[0113] (Example 35) The system according to Example 34, wherein the additive dispensing opening of the first additive dispensing pipe is positioned or molded differently from the additive dispensing opening of the second additive dispensing pipe.

[0114] (Example 36) The system according to Example 34 or Example 35, wherein the first additive dispensing pipe has a different number of additive dispensing openings than the second additive dispensing pipe.

[0115] Here, the examples and embodiments will be further described with reference to the following figures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0116] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an apparatus for manufacturing an aerosol generating rod according to one embodiment. [Figure 2]Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an apparatus for manufacturing an aerosol generating rod according to another embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating rod according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows three variations of the relative positioning between the dispensing opening of the additive dispensing pipe and the outlet opening of the susceptor guide according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 schematically shows how the susceptor guide and additive dispensing pipe can be assembled according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an assembly comprising a susceptor guide and an additive dispensing pipe according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an assembly comprising a susceptor guide and an additive dispensing pipe according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0117] Figures 1 and 2 show cross-sectional views of an apparatus 1 for manufacturing an aerosol generating rod 2 according to an embodiment. Apparatus 1 includes a confluence device 3. The confluence device 3 is funnel-shaped and has walls 5 that define a forming space 7 within the confluence device for manufacturing the aerosol generating rod 2.

[0118] The susceptor 9 and sheet material 11 are transported through the forming space 7 of the confluence device 3.

[0119] The susceptor 9 is drawn out from the feed roll 10 as a susceptor band. The susceptor 9 is configured to be heated by exposure to an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor 9 may also be heated by induction heating. The susceptor 9 may be made of a conductive material such as metal or carbon, or may contain a conductive material.

[0120] The sheet material 11 may include, for example, reconstituted herbaceous material such as reconstituted tobacco material. The sheet material 11 may also include, for example, cotton. The sheet material 11 may be conveyed through the forming space 7 of the confluence device 3 by a conveyor system 13 schematically shown in Figures 1 and 2. The conveyor system 13 may be configured to pull the sheet material 11 through the forming space 7 of the confluence device 3. The conveyor system 13 may be further configured to convey the susceptor 9 through the forming space 7 of the confluence device 3 by, for example, pulling the susceptor 9.

[0121] The susceptor guide 15 extends along the axial direction 17 into the forming space 7 of the confluence device 3. The susceptor guide 15 guides the susceptor 9. The susceptor 9 is transported through the susceptor guide 15. Within the forming space 7 of the confluence device 3, the susceptor guide 15 has an exit opening 19 through which the susceptor 9 exits the susceptor guide 15 within the forming space 7 of the confluence device 3.

[0122] In a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the axial direction 17, the cross-sectional area of ​​the forming space 7 decreases along the axial direction 17. When the sheet material 11 is conveyed through the confluence device 3, the sheet material 11 engages with the wall 5 of the confluence device 3 from inside the confluence device 3, thereby forming a rod 2 into which the susceptor 9 is incorporated. Forming the sheet material 11 into a rod 2 may include one or more of folding, bending, and compressing the sheet material 11.

[0123] The confluence device 3, and in particular the wall 5 of the confluence device 3, does not need to be completely closed circumferentially along the axial direction 17. The confluence device 3 may be open on its underside, for example. Preferably, the support may be provided below the confluence device 3, for example in the form of a garnish belt driven in the axial direction 17, and may support the sheet material 11 and the rod 2. However, it is also possible for the confluence device 3 to be completely closed circumferentially around the axial direction 17.

[0124] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the additive dispensing pipe 21 is provided to supply additives into the forming space 7 of the confluence device 3. The additive dispensing pipe 21 is connected to an additive tank 23 for storing additives. A pump 25 is provided to supply additives from the additive tank 23 to the additive dispensing pipe 21. The additives are preferably supplied as a liquid.

[0125] The additives may include aerosol-generating substances such as one or more of glycerin, glycerol, and propylene glycol. The additives may include one or more flavorings such as menthol, spearmint, peppermint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cocoa, chocolate, coffee, tea, spices (cinnamon, clove, ginger, etc.), fruit flavorings, and combinations thereof. The additives may contain nicotine. The additives may also be pure menthol.

[0126] A viscosity regulator 27 may be provided to adjust the viscosity of the additive. In particular, the viscosity regulator 27 may control the viscosity of the additive to below a threshold. The threshold may be, for example, 5000 millipascal seconds. In particular, the viscosity regulator 27 may adjust the viscosity of the additive by heating the additive. The viscosity of the additive may be reduced by heating the additive. The viscosity of the additive may be adjusted by the viscosity regulator 27 to facilitate the supply of the additive into the forming space 7 of the confluence device 3 through the additive dispensing pipe 21. The viscosity regulator 27 may heat the additive to a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature may be higher than room temperature. The predetermined temperature may be, for example, 30 to 60 degrees Celsius, or 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, or 40 to 50 degrees Celsius. In the illustrated embodiment, the viscosity regulator 27 is equipped with a heater for heating the additive in the additive tank 23.

[0127] The additive is dispensed through the additive dispensing pipe 21 in the forming space 7 of the confluence device 3, while the sheet material 11 is compressed around the susceptor 9 in the confluence device 3. The additive is dispensed through the additive dispensing pipe 21 inside the rod shape of the rod 2 when forming the rod 2.

[0128] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the rod 2 after manufacturing. At the radial center of the rod 2, the susceptor 9 extends along the axial direction 17 (in the drawing plane). Along its extension in the axial direction 17, the susceptor 9 is surrounded by a sleeve 28 formed of sheet material 11. The sheet material 11 is bent and folded in a particularly irregular manner. On the radially outer side of the sleeve 28 of the sheet material 11, a wrapper 30 surrounds the sleeve 28 and forms the outer surface of the rod 2. The wrapper may optionally be wound around the sleeve 28 after or while the rod 2 is exiting the confluence device 3. The wrapper 28 may be formed from, for example, a paper sheet.

[0129] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and as described in more detail herein, the additive is dispensed radially near the susceptor 9 when forming rod 2. This allows for the distribution of the additive in the final rod 2 to correspond to the concentration of the aerosol-generating additive decreasing radially away from the axially extending susceptor 9.

[0130] According to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the additive dispensing pipe 21 surrounds the susceptor guide 15 in the circumferential direction within the forming space 7 of the confluence device 3. This means that the susceptor guide 15 extends through the additive dispensing pipe 21.

[0131] Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the susceptor 9 leaving the outlet opening 19 of the susceptor guide 15 and the end section 29 of the liquid dispensing pipe 21 according to three different modifications. According to each of the three modifications, the end section 29 of the liquid dispensing pipe 21 extends parallel to the susceptor guide 15 and has a dispensing opening 31 for dispensing additives into the forming space 7 of the confluence device 3. The dispensing opening 31 is provided on the end face of the liquid dispensing pipe 21. The susceptor guide 15 extends within the liquid dispensing pipe 21 along the axial direction 17. The susceptor guide 15 and the end section 29 of the liquid dispensing pipe 21 extend coaxially around the axial direction 17. For ease of illustration, the susceptor 9 in Figure 4 is guided within the susceptor guide 15 with considerable play. However, the susceptor 9 can also be guided more closely by the susceptor guide 15.

[0132] In the embodiment of Part A in Figure 4, the liquid dispensing pipe 21 and the susceptor guide 15 terminate at the same position along the axial direction 17.

[0133] In the embodiment of part B in Figure 4, the additive dispensing opening 31 of the end section 29 of the liquid dispensing pipe 21 is located upstream of the outlet opening 19 through which the susceptor 9 passes and exits the susceptor guide 15, with respect to the axial direction 17.

[0134] According to Part C of Figure 4, the additive dispensing opening 31 of the end section 29 of the additive dispensing pipe 21 is located downstream of the outlet opening 19 through which the susceptor 9 passes and exits the susceptor guide 15, with respect to the axial direction 17.

[0135] In each of the embodiments shown in Figure 4, the additive is supplied to the additive dispensing opening 31 through a channel 33 between the outer surface of the susceptor guide 15 and the inner surface of the additive dispensing pipe 21.

[0136] Figure 5 schematically illustrates how the susceptor guide 15 and the liquid dispensing pipe 21 can be assembled. According to the illustrated embodiment, the additive dispensing pipe 21 has a base portion 35 at its upstream end with respect to the axial direction 17. The end section 29 of the additive dispensing pipe 21 extends from the base portion 35.

[0137] The susceptor guide 15 has a base portion 37 provided at its upstream end with respect to the axial direction 17. The guide portion 39 extends from the base portion 37 along the axial direction 17 and guides the susceptor 9. The guide portion 39 may surround the susceptor 9 in a circumferential direction.

[0138] As shown by the arrows in Figure 5, the additive dispensing pipe 21 may slide on the susceptor guide 15. This allows the end section 29 of the additive dispensing pipe 21 to slide on the guide portion 39 of the susceptor guide 15. The base portion 35 of the additive dispensing pipe 21 may abut against the base portion 37 of the susceptor guide 15 when assembled.

[0139] The embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 differ from each other only in the way the additive is supplied from the tank 23 to the end section 29 of the additive dispensing pipe 21. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the additive passes through a channel 41 in the base section 37 of the susceptor guide 15. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the additive passes through a channel 43 provided in the base section 35 of the additive dispensing pipe 21.

[0140] Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the additive dispensing pipe 21 and susceptor guide 15. The additive dispensing pipe 21 and susceptor guide 15 shown in Figure 6 can be used in place of the additive dispensing pipe 21 and susceptor guide 15 in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2. In contrast to the embodiments of Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, according to Figure 6, the liquid dispensing pipe 21 does not concentrically surround the susceptor guide 15. Rather, the susceptor guide 15 is provided radially outward of the additive dispensing pipe 21 with respect to the axial direction 17 along which the susceptor 9 is guided through the susceptor guide 15. Nevertheless, the end section 29 of the additive dispensing pipe 21 extends parallel to the susceptor guide 15 and parallel to the axial direction 17. The additive dispensing pipe 21 is fixed to the susceptor guide 15. In particular, the base section 35 of the additive dispensing opening 21 is fixed to the base section 37 of the susceptor guide 15.

[0141] Figure 7 shows a further alternative embodiment of the additive dispensing pipe 21 and susceptor guide 15. The additive dispensing pipe 21 and susceptor guide 15 shown in Figure 7 can be used in place of the additive dispensing pipe 21 and susceptor guide 15 in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2. In the embodiment of Figure 7, the end section 29 of the additive dispensing pipe 21 extends concentrically around the susceptor guide 15. In particular, the end section 29 of the additive dispensing pipe 21 extends concentrically around the axially extending guide portion 39 of the susceptor guide 15. The additive dispensing pipe 21 and susceptor guide 15 may be combined by sliding the additive dispensing pipe 21 on the susceptor guide 15.

[0142] In contrast to the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, according to Figure 7, the additive dispensing pipe 21 is not open in the axial direction. Rather, the axial end face of the additive dispensing pipe 21 is closed. Multiple additive dispensing openings 19 are arranged on the circumferential surface 51 of the end section 29 of the additive dispensing pipe 21. The additive dispensing openings 19 may be arranged symmetrically around the end section 29. The additive is dispensed (particularly sprayed) onto the sheet material 11 through the additive dispensing openings 19. Any number of additive dispensing openings 19 may be arranged on the circumferential surface 51 of the end section 29, particularly including only one additive dispensing opening 19 or two or more additive dispensing openings 19.

[0143] Multiple different additive dispensing pipes 21, for example, two or more different additive dispensing pipes 21, may be provided to be used one at a time together with the same susceptor guide 15. The additive dispensing pipes 21 may be of different types. The additive dispensing pipes 21 may have different arrangements and numbers of additive dispensing openings 19. The additive dispensing pipes 21 may have base portions 35 of the same type to ensure compatibility with the susceptor guide 15.

[0144] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers representing amounts, quantities, percentages, etc., should be understood in all cases as being modified by the term “approximately.” Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges therebetween, which may or may not be specifically listed herein. Thus, in this context, the number A is understood as A ± 10%. In this context, the number A may be considered to include a number that falls within the general standard error to the measurement of the characteristic that the number A modifies. In some cases as used in the appended claims, the number A may deviate by the percentage listed above, provided that the amount of deviation does not substantially affect the basic and novel characteristics(s) of the claimed invention. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges therebetween, which may or may not be specifically listed herein.

Claims

1. Apparatus for manufacturing an aerosol generating rod, A merging device, A conveyor system configured to transport sheet material through a merging device, A susceptor guide configured to guide a susceptor, wherein the susceptor guide extends axially into a confluence device and has an outlet opening for a susceptor within the confluence device, An additive dispensing pipe having an end section, wherein the end section extends parallel to a susceptor guide within a confluence device and has a dispensing opening through which the additive is dispensed; An additive tank for storing the aforementioned additives, A pump configured to supply the aforementioned additive from the additive tank to the additive dispensing pipe, A device equipped with the following features.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing opening is at least partially located radially outward of the outlet opening of the susceptor guide.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the end section of the additive dispensing pipe surrounds the susceptor guide in a circumferential direction.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dispensing opening and the outlet opening are arranged concentrically.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dispensing opening is provided on the circumferential surface of the additive dispensing pipe.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dispensing opening faces radially.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the dispensing opening is located upstream of the outlet opening with respect to the axial direction, or essentially at the location of the outlet opening.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the dispensing opening is located downstream of the outlet opening with respect to the axial direction.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the end section of the additive dispensing pipe is provided with at least two, or at least three, or at least four, or at least six, or at least eight, or at least ten, or more than ten dispensing openings, and the additive is dispensed through the dispensing openings.

10. A method for manufacturing a rod for an aerosol generator, A process for transporting a susceptor through a confluence device, wherein the susceptor is capable of being heated by exposing it to an alternating magnetic field. The process involves conveying the sheet material through the aforementioned confluence device to form the sheet material into a rod shape into which the susceptor is incorporated, The process of forming the sheet material into the rod shape includes dispensing an additive at an injection position inside the rod shape through a dispensing opening in the confluence device, The susceptor is guided through the susceptor guide and exits the susceptor guide axially through the outlet opening of the susceptor guide in the confluence device. The dispensing opening is located at least partially radially outward from the outlet opening of the susceptor guide, The additive is supplied by a pump from the additive tank to the additive dispensing pipe having the dispensing opening. method.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the additive is dispensed into the gaps between the sheet material.

12. The method according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the additive is dispensed along the axial direction or along the radial direction.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the dispensing opening is provided on the circumferential surface of the additive dispensing pipe.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the sheet material includes a plant-based material.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the additive is configured to form an aerosol that captures the aerosol formed by the sheet material when the rod is heated in the aerosol generator by the susceptor.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the sheet material is a crimped sheet material.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the additive is dispensed as a liquid.

Images