Mould for manufacturing aerosol-generating product
The spinneret design addresses low thermal conductivity and aerosol transfer efficiency in aerosol-generating articles by adjusting porosity and density, enhancing atomization efficiency and smoke volume through controlled extrusion processes.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- RU · RU
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SMOORE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing aerosol-generating articles suffer from low thermal conductivity and aerosol transfer efficiency due to uneven distribution of voids and high specific surface area, leading to poor temperature uniformity, low taste consistency, and low atomization efficiency.
A spinneret with a specific design comprising a first main body with feed channels and a second main body with extrusion channels, where the cross-sectional areas are configured to maintain or gradually increase extrusion pressure, allowing for controlled porosity and density adjustment, ensuring high thermal conductivity and aerosol transfer efficiency.
The spinneret enhances the thermal conductivity and aerosol transfer efficiency of aerosol-generating articles, improving their atomization efficiency and smoke volume by optimizing porosity and density through controlled extrusion processes.
Smart Images
Figure 00000003_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202320262671.X, filed on February 20, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0002] FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0003] This application relates to the technical field of spinnerets and, in particular, to a spinneret for producing aerosol-generating articles.
[0004] STATE OF THE ART
[0005] Aerosol-generating articles include articles that generate aerosols by combustion and articles that generate aerosols by heating without combustion. Given the same volume and mass (or density), the spray efficiency of aerosol-generating articles can be improved by enhancing thermal conductivity and aerosol transfer efficiency, thereby increasing the smoke volume emitted by the aerosol-generating articles.
[0006] The prior art lacks a die for producing aerosol-forming articles with fully kneaded cellular structures. This means that aerosol-forming articles produced using prior art dies are characterized by low thermal conductivity and aerosol transfer efficiency due to the uneven distribution of voids in the material, high specific surface area, and so on.
[0007] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In this regard, the object of the embodiments of the present application is to create a spinneret for the manufacture of aerosol-generating articles. Using such a spinneret, aerosol-generating articles are guaranteed to have relatively high thermal conductivity and aerosol transfer efficiency.
[0009] In order to achieve the above object, in one embodiment of the present application, there is provided a die for producing an aerosol generating article, including:
[0010] a first main body having inside a plurality of feed channels, each of which passes through two opposite ends of the first main body in the axial direction, and in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body, the cross-sectional area of the feed channel located upstream in the feed direction is not less than the cross-sectional area of the feed channel located downstream in the feed direction; and
[0011] a second main body located at one end of the first main body in the axial direction, having inside a plurality of extrusion channels, each of which passes through two opposite ends of the second main body in the axial direction and communicates with a feed channel, wherein in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the second main body, the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel located upstream in the extrusion direction is not less than the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel located downstream in the extrusion direction, and the maximum value of the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channels is less than or equal to the minimum value of the cross-sectional area of the feed channels.
[0012] In some embodiments, in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body, the cross-sectional area of all feed channels is the same or gradually decreases in the feed direction.
[0013] In some embodiments, in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the second main body, the cross-sectional area of all extrusion channels is the same or gradually decreases in the extrusion direction.
[0014] In some embodiments, the feed channels are formed in the first main body with uniform distribution, and in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body, the cross-sectional shape of the feed channels is circular.
[0015] In some embodiments, the feed channels are parallel to the central axis of the die, and the distance between the centers of two adjacent feed channels is from 0.500 mm to 2.54 mm.
[0016] In some embodiments, the second main body includes a shell and a plurality of pillars located in the shell, and the pillars are located at a distance from each other to form extrusion channels.
[0017] In some embodiments, the die includes a plurality of repeating blocks, each of which includes one column and a plurality of feed channels corresponding to the column, and the plurality of feed channels in each repeating block are arranged in a circumferential direction around the center of the column.
[0018] In some embodiments, each repeating block includes one column and four feed channels corresponding to the column, wherein the lines connecting the centers of the four feed channels form a square, and the center line of the square coincides with the central axis of the column.
[0019] In some embodiments, in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the second main body, the cross-sectional shape of the columns is circular, polygonal, elliptical, sectoral, or racetrack-shaped.
[0020] In some embodiments, the number of feed channels is from 100 to 2580; and / or in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body, the cross-sectional shape of the feed channels is circular, polygonal, elliptical, sectorial, or racetrack-shaped.
[0021] In some embodiments, the porosity of the second main body is from 15.1% to 72.5%; and / or the porosity of the first main body is from 19.6% to 72.5%.
[0022] In some embodiments, the ratio of the porosity of the first main body to the porosity of the second main body is n, and 1 ≤ n ≤ 3.
[0023] In some embodiments, all feed channels are distributed along a plurality of trajectory lines, wherein the feed channels along one trajectory line are arranged linearly in a first direction, the plurality of trajectory lines are arranged in a second direction, and the first direction is not parallel to the second direction.
[0024] In some embodiments, the feed channels along one trajectory line are arranged in a circumferential direction around the center of the first main body, and the plurality of trajectory lines are arranged in the form of concentric circles in the radial direction.
[0025] In some embodiments, the feed channels along one path line are arranged linearly in a first direction, and the plurality of path lines are arranged parallel in a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.
[0026] In some embodiments, the distance between two adjacent feed channels along one path line is equal to the distance between two adjacent path lines.
[0027] A die for producing an aerosol-generating article proposed in the embodiments of the present application includes a first main body and a second main body, wherein the first main body has a plurality of feed channels inside, and each feed channel passes through two opposite ends of the first main body in an axial direction, that is, the raw material mixture can be directed from one end of the first main body to the other end through the feed channels;and the second main body is located at one end of the first main body in the axial direction, the second main body has a plurality of extrusion channels inside, and each extrusion channel passes through two opposite ends of the second main body in the axial direction and communicates with a feeding channel, that is, the raw material mixture can enter the extrusion channels through the feeding channels and be extruded through the extrusion channels to manufacture products or semi-finished products with different cross-sections. Since the thermal conductivity efficiency and the aerosol transmission efficiency of aerosol-generating products are related to their porosity (the higher the porosity, the lower the thermal conductivity efficiency and the higher the aerosol transmission efficiency;and conversely, the lower the porosity, the higher the thermal conductivity efficiency and the lower the aerosol transmission efficiency), the porosity of the aerosol generating articles produced by the die can be adjusted by adjusting the porosity of the second main body (by controlling the number and cross-sectional area of the extrusion channels), thereby ensuring that the aerosol generating articles have both high thermal conductivity efficiency and high aerosol transmission efficiency, and improving the atomization efficiency of the aerosol generating articles.
[0028] Furthermore, in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body, the cross-sectional area of the feed channel located upstream in the feed direction is not less than the cross-sectional area of the feed channel located downstream in the feed direction, which facilitates the feeding of the raw mixture; and in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the second main body, the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel located upstream in the extrusion direction is not less than the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel located downstream in the extrusion direction, as a result of which it is possible to maintain a certain extrusion pressure of the raw mixture or gradually increase the extrusion pressure of the raw mixture in the extrusion channels.When the maximum value of the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channels is less than the minimum value of the cross-sectional area of the feeding channels, after the raw mixture enters the extrusion channels through the feeding channels, the raw mixture is further extruded in the extrusion channels, which facilitates the complete mixing of cellular structures and the control of the density of the aerosol-generating products at a certain porosity of the aerosol-generating products.Since the thermal conductivity efficiency and the aerosol transmission efficiency of the aerosol-generating articles are related to their density (the higher the density, the higher the thermal conductivity efficiency and the lower the aerosol transmission efficiency; and conversely, the lower the density, the lower the thermal conductivity efficiency and the higher the aerosol transmission efficiency), the density of the aerosol-generating articles is adjusted by adjusting the extrusion pressure on the raw material mixture in the extrusion channels, thereby ensuring that the aerosol-generating articles have high thermal conductivity efficiency and high aerosol transmission efficiency, and improving the atomization efficiency of the aerosol-generating articles.
[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0030] Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the design of a die according to the first embodiment of the present application;
[0031] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the design of a die according to the second embodiment of the present application;
[0032] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the design of a die according to a third embodiment of the present application;
[0033] Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the design of a die according to a fourth embodiment of the present application;
[0034] Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of the design of a die according to a fifth embodiment of the present application;
[0035] Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a die according to the sixth embodiment of the present application;
[0036] Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of Fig. 6;
[0037] Fig. 8 shows a sectional view according to Fig. 5;
[0038] Fig. 9 shows a sectional view of Fig. 4;
[0039] Fig. 10 shows a sectional view of Fig. 3; and
[0040] Fig. 11 shows a partial schematic representation of Fig. 3.
[0041] IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] It should be noted that the embodiments in this application and the technical features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict. The detailed description of specific embodiments should be understood as an explanation of the purpose of the present application and should not be construed as an unduly limiting one.
[0043] In one embodiment of the present application, a spinneret for producing aerosol-generating articles is provided. Referring to Figs. 1-10, the spinneret 100 includes a first main body 10 and a second main body 20.
[0044] The die proposed in the embodiments of the present application can be used to manufacture aerosol-generating articles using a continuous extrusion process, and the die can be used with any suitable extruder in the extrusion process. For example, the extruder can be a hydraulic ram extruder, a twin-screw extruder, a single-screw extruder, etc.
[0045] The mixture is extruded from a die 100 into a honeycomb body, then dried and fired to form all or part of the final aerosol-generating honeycomb article.
[0046] Referring to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 7-10, inside the first main body 10, there are a plurality of feed channels 10a, and each feed channel 10a passes through two opposite ends of the first main body 10 in the axial direction, that is, the raw mixture can be directed from one end of the first main body 10 to its other end through the feed channels 10a.
[0047] In planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body 10, the cross-sectional area of the feed channel 10a located upstream in the feed direction is not less than the cross-sectional area of the feed channel 10a located downstream in the feed direction. Thus, a certain extrusion pressure of the raw mixture can be maintained or it can undergo a gradual increase in extrusion pressure in the feed channels 10a.
[0048] The arrangement of the plurality of feeding channels 10a ensures uniform feeding and ensures a certain extrusion pressure on the raw material mixture in the extrusion channels 20a.
[0049] Referring to Fig. 7-10, the second main body 20 is located at one end of the first main body 10 in the axial direction, and inside the second main body 20 there are a plurality of extrusion channels 20a, and each extrusion channel 20a passes through two opposite ends of the second main body 20 in the axial direction and communicates with the feed channel 10a, that is, the raw material mixture can enter the extrusion channels 20a through the feed channels 10a and be extruded through the extrusion channels 20a to produce products or semi-finished products with different cross-sections.
[0050] In planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the second main body 20, the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel 20a located upstream in the extrusion direction is not less than the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel 20a located downstream in the extrusion direction. Therefore, a certain extrusion pressure of the raw mixture can be maintained or the extrusion pressure can be gradually increased in the extrusion channels 20a, and the raw mixture is gradually kneaded and molded.
[0051] The feeding channels 10a extend toward the extrusion channels 20a formed in the second main body 20 and intersect with the extrusion channels 20a. The raw material mixture is extruded through the extrusion channels 20a, which communicate with each other, and the extrudate forms a honeycomb product or a semi-finished product.
[0052] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the term “plurality” refers to two or more.
[0053] As an example, aerosol-generating articles are particle agglomerates, such as reconstituted tobacco media containing aerosol-forming substances, tobacco, and other ingredients, formed into integrated structures by continuous extrusion processes. Extrusion molding refers to a processing method in which a raw material mixture is added to an extruder and pushed forward by a screw due to the interaction between the barrel and the screw of the extruder, and the raw material mixture continuously passes through a die 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present application to produce articles or semi-finished products with various cross-sections.In addition, the articles or semi-finished products extruded through the die 100 may be in the form of various components of aerosol-generating articles, such as plug segments, aerosol-forming segments, support segments and filter segments, or may be directly manufactured as entire aerosol-generating articles, which is not limited in this document.
[0054] As an example, referring to Fig. 7-10, the first main body 10 and the second main body 20 form a single structure. By combining the first main body 10 and the second main body 20, the number of components can be reduced, assembly time can be shortened, and assembly efficiency can be improved.
[0055] Alternatively, the first main body 10 and the second main body 20 may be formed as detachable structures.
[0056] It should be noted that the materials of the first main body 10 and the second main body 20 may be the same or different. Due to the relatively high extrusion pressure during the extrusion process, the die 100 for producing aerosol-generating articles requires high strength. Furthermore, the raw material mixture for aerosol-generating articles contains moisture, requiring the die 100 to have certain properties, such as corrosion resistance. Therefore, both the first main body 10 and the second main body 20 can be made of high-strength stainless steel, such as austenitic stainless steel or martensitic stainless steel.
[0057] For solid aerosol-generating articles of equal volume and mass (equal density), the atomization efficiency of the aerosol-generating articles can be increased by enhancing their thermal conductivity and aerosol transfer efficiency, thereby increasing the smoke volume emitted by the aerosol-generating articles. It should be understood that the thermal conductivity of aerosol-generating articles can be increased by increasing their density and decreasing their porosity, while aerosol transfer efficiency can be increased by decreasing their density and increasing their porosity. In related technologies, the disordered and unfixed material structures of existing solid aerosol-generating articles have a number of long-known problems associated with atomization.For example, due to the uneven distribution of voids in the material and the high specific surface area, aerosol-generating products exhibit poor temperature uniformity, low taste consistency, low thermal conductivity, low aerosol transfer efficiency, and low atomization efficiency.
[0058] The die 100 for producing aerosol-generating articles proposed in the embodiments of the present application includes a first main body 10 and a second main body 20.The first main body 10 has a plurality of feed channels 10a inside, and each feed channel 10a passes through two opposite ends of the first main body 10 in the axial direction, that is, the raw mixture can be directed from one end of the first main body 10 to the other end through the feed channels 10a; and the second main body 20 is located at one end of the first main body 10 in the axial direction, the second main body 20 has a plurality of extrusion channels 20a inside, which communicate with each other, and each extrusion channel 20a passes through two opposite ends of the second main body 20 in the axial direction and communicates with the feed channel 10a, that is, the raw mixture can enter the extrusion channels 20a through the feed channels 10a and be extruded through the extrusion channels 20a for producing articles or semi-finished products with different cross-sections.Since the thermal conductivity efficiency and the aerosol transmission efficiency of the aerosol-generating articles are related to their porosity (the higher the porosity, the lower the thermal conductivity efficiency and the higher the aerosol transmission efficiency; and vice versa, the lower the porosity, the higher the thermal conductivity efficiency and the lower the aerosol transmission efficiency), the porosity of the aerosol-generating articles produced by the die 100 can be adjusted by adjusting the porosity of the second main body 20 (by controlling the number and cross-sectional area of the extrusion channels 20a), thereby ensuring that the aerosol-generating articles produced by the die have both high thermal conductivity efficiency and high aerosol transmission efficiency, and improving the atomization efficiency of the aerosol-generating articles.
[0059] Furthermore, in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body 10, the cross-sectional area of the feed channel 10a located upstream in the feed direction is not less than the cross-sectional area of the feed channel 10a located downstream in the feed direction, which facilitates the feeding of the raw mixture; and in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the second main body 20, the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel 20a located upstream in the extrusion direction is not less than the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel 20a located downstream in the extrusion direction, as a result of which it is possible to maintain a certain extrusion pressure of the raw mixture or gradually increase the extrusion pressure of the raw mixture in the extrusion channels 20a.When the maximum value of the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channels 20a is less than the minimum value of the cross-sectional area of the feed channels 10a, after the raw mixture enters the extrusion channels 20a through the feed channels 10a, the raw mixture is further extruded in the extrusion channels 20a, which facilitates the complete mixing of the cellular structures and the control of the density of the aerosol-generating articles at a certain porosity of the aerosol-generating articles.Since the thermal conductivity efficiency and the aerosol transmission efficiency of the aerosol-generating articles are related to their density (the higher the density, the higher the thermal conductivity efficiency and the lower the aerosol transmission efficiency; and, conversely, the lower the density, the lower the thermal conductivity efficiency and the higher the aerosol transmission efficiency), the density of the aerosol-generating articles is adjusted by adjusting the extrusion pressure on the raw material mixture in the extrusion channels 20a, thereby ensuring that the aerosol-generating articles have high thermal conductivity efficiency and high aerosol transmission efficiency, and increasing the spraying efficiency of the aerosol-generating articles.
[0060] In planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body 10, there are many situations in which the cross-sectional area of the feed channel 10a located upstream in the feed direction is not less than the cross-sectional area of the feed channel 10a located downstream in the feed direction. For example, in one embodiment, the cross-sectional areas of all feed channels 10a in the feed direction are the same, that is, all feed channels 10a have the same diameter. Thus, it is possible to maintain a certain extrusion pressure of the raw mixture in the feed channels 10a, thereby promoting the feeding of the raw mixture.
[0061] In other embodiments, the cross-sectional area of each feed channel 10a gradually decreases in the feed direction, that is, each feed channel 10a has a variable diameter, and the cross-sectional area of the feed channel 10a located upstream in the feed direction is larger than the cross-sectional area of the feed channel 10a located downstream in the feed direction. Thus, it is possible to gradually increase the extrusion pressure of the raw mixture in the feed channels 10a, which facilitates pre-kneading of the raw mixture.
[0062] In other embodiments, the cross-sectional areas of a portion of the feed channels 10a may be the same, while the cross-sectional areas of another portion of the feed channels 10a may gradually decrease in the feed direction.
[0063] In planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the second main body 20, there are various scenarios in which the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel 20a located upstream in the extrusion direction is not less than the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel 20a located downstream in the extrusion direction. For example, in one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of all extrusion channels 20a in the extrusion direction is the same, that is, all extrusion channels 20a have the same diameter. Thus, it is possible to maintain a certain extrusion pressure of the raw mixture in the extrusion channels 20a, which facilitates the complete kneading of the cellular structures.
[0064] In other embodiments, the cross-sectional area of each extrusion channel 20a in the extrusion direction gradually decreases, that is, each extrusion channel 20a has a variable diameter, and the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel 20a located upstream in the extrusion direction is larger than the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel 20a located downstream in the extrusion direction. Thus, the raw material mixture can be further extruded in the extrusion channels 20a, which promotes the complete mixing of the cellular structures.
[0065] In other embodiments, the cross-sectional areas of a portion of the extrusion channels 20a may be the same, while the cross-sectional areas of another portion of the extrusion channels 20a may gradually decrease in the extrusion direction.
[0066] It should be noted that all the supply channels 10a may be formed in the first main body 10 with uniform distribution (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2) or uneven distribution.
[0067] It should be noted that in the "uniform distribution," the feed channels 10a are distributed in a matrix or concentric circle, that is, the placement of the feed channels 10a is uniform. It is understood that the feed channels 10a may be uneven in the cross-section of the first main body 10, that is, the feed channels 10a are distributed uniformly, but do not uniformly segment the entire first main body 10. For example, the cross-section of the first main body 10 is circular, and the feed channels 10a, distributed in a matrix, are unevenly distributed within the circular cross-section.
[0068] It should be noted that the shape of the first main body 10 is not limited in this document. For example, in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body 10, the cross-sectional shape of the first main body 10 includes, but is not limited to, a circular, elliptical, polygonal, or racetrack shape.
[0069] In the embodiments of the present application, the axial direction of the first main body 10 refers to the feed direction. For example, when the outer contour of the first main body 10 is cylindrical, the axial direction is the height direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the first main body 10. In another example, when the outer contour of the first main body 10 is cuboid, the axial direction is also as defined above, namely, the feed direction, and the axial direction of the first main body 10 can be any of the length, width, or height directions of the cuboid.
[0070] The cross-sectional shape of the first main body 10 is taken along planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body 10.
[0071] It should be noted that the shape of the feed channels 10a is not limited in this document. For example, in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body 10, the cross-sectional shape of the feed channels 10a includes, but is not limited to, a circular, elliptical, sectoral, polygonal, or raceway shape.
[0072] The cross-sectional shape of the feed channels 10a is taken along planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body 10.
[0073] The shape of the running track refers to a shape similar to that of the athletics track, and is formed by connecting two semicircles and two parallel straight edges in an alternating arrangement.
[0074] Below, an example is described in which the cross-sectional areas of all the feed channels 10a are the same in the feed direction, and the cross-sectional areas of all the extrusion channels 20a are the same in the extrusion direction. It is understood that in this case, the porosity of the first main body 10 is equal to the ratio of the area of the feed channels 10a to the area of the first main body 10 in the cross-section of the first main body 10, and similarly, the porosity of the second main body 20 is equal to the ratio of the area of the extrusion channels 20a to the area of the second main body 20 in the cross-section of the second main body 20.
[0075] In one embodiment, the porosity of the first main body 10 is from 19.6% to 72.5%, such as 19.6%, 20%, 23%, 25%, 30%, 32%, 35%, 38%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 52.5%, 55%, 57%, 60%, 65%, 68.5%, 70% or 72.5%.
[0076] When the porosity of the first main body 10 exceeds 72.5%, the strength of the first main body 10 decreases, which will affect the strength of the die 100, which in turn may affect the service life of the die 100 due to the high extrusion pressure during the extrusion process.
[0077] When the porosity of the first main body 10 is less than 19.6%, the raw material mixture for producing aerosol-generating articles will have difficulty passing through the first main body 10, resulting in a decrease in the manufacturing efficiency of the aerosol-generating articles. Furthermore, an excessively low porosity of the first main body 10 hinders the processing and manufacturing of the first main body 10.
[0078] When the porosity of the first main body 10 is from 19.6% to 72.5%, the flow resistance of the raw mixture is relatively small, that is, the raw mixture passes through the first main body 10 relatively easily, and processing and manufacturing are facilitated.
[0079] In one embodiment, each feed channel 10a is parallel to the central axis of the die 100, which facilitates the feed of the raw mixture.
[0080] In one embodiment, the distance between the centers of two adjacent feed channels 10a is from 0.500 mm to 2.54 mm, such as 0.500 mm, 0.600 mm, 0.700 mm, 0.800 mm, 0.900 mm, 1.00 mm, 1.20 mm, 1.30 mm, 1.40 mm, 1.50 mm, 1.60 mm, 1.70 mm, 2.00 mm, 2.10 mm, 2.20 mm, 2.40 mm, 2.50 mm or 2.54 mm.
[0081] In one embodiment, the number of supply channels 10a is from 100 to 2580, such as 100, 150, 200, 500, 1000, 1500, 1600, 1800, 2000, 2100, 2300, 2500 or 2580.
[0082] When the external dimensions of the first main body 10 and the feed channels 10a have certain values, there is an inverse relationship between the number of feed channels 10a and the distance between the centers of adjacent feed channels 10a. The more feed channels 10a, the smaller the distance between the centers of adjacent feed channels 10a and the lower the overall structural strength of the die 100; and the more feed channels 10a, the more complex the process and structure, and the higher the manufacturing difficulty. Therefore, the number of feed channels 10a should not exceed 2580.
[0083] For example, when the number of 10a feed channels is from 100 to 2580, the process and structure are simple, the manufacturing is easy, and the overall structural strength of the 100 die is relatively high.
[0084] In one embodiment, the porosity of the second main body 20 is from 15.1% to 72.5%, such as 15.1%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 19.6%, 20%, 23%, 25%, 30%, 32%, 35%, 38%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 52.5%, 55%, 57%, 60%, 65%, 68.5%, 70% or 72.5%.
[0085] When the porosity of the second main body 20 exceeds 72.5%, the strength of the second main body 20 decreases, which will affect the strength of the die 100. This, in turn, may affect the service life of the die 100 due to the high extrusion pressure during the extrusion process. Furthermore, if the porosity of the second main body 20 exceeds 72.5%, this indicates that the porosity of the aerosol-generating products manufactured using the die 100 is relatively small, which reduces the aerosol transmission efficiency, and thus reduces the atomization efficiency and smoke volume of the aerosol-generating products.
[0086] When the porosity of the second main body 20 is less than 15.1%, the raw material mixture for producing the aerosol-generating articles will hardly pass through the second main body 20, resulting in a decrease in the manufacturing efficiency of the aerosol-generating articles. In addition, the excessively small porosity of the second main body 20 is unfavorable for the processing and manufacturing of the second main body 20. Furthermore, if the porosity of the second main body 20 is less than 15.1%, this means that the porosity of the aerosol-generating articles produced by the die 100 is relatively large, which reduces the structural strength, thermal conductivity, and quality of the aerosol-generating articles, and reduces the atomization efficiency and smoke volume of the aerosol-generating articles.
[0087] When the porosity of the second main body 20 is between 15.1% and 72.5%, the thermal conductivity and aerosol transmission efficiency of the aerosol-generating articles can be ensured. That is, the aerosol-generating articles can simultaneously achieve high thermal conductivity and aerosol transmission efficiency, thereby improving the atomization efficiency and smoke volume of the aerosol-generating articles. At the same time, the aerosol-generating articles can also have high structural strength.
[0088] In one embodiment, the ratio of the porosity of the first main body 10 to the porosity of the second main body 20 is n, and 1 ≤ n ≤ 3, for example, is 1, 1.05, 1.1, 1.2, 1.25, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.05, 2.1, 2.2, 2.25, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 or 3.
[0089] By controlling the ratio of the porosity of the first main body 10 to the porosity of the second main body 20 from 1 to 3, after the raw mixture enters the extrusion channels 20a through the feeding channels 10a, the raw mixture can be further extruded in the extrusion channels 20a, which promotes the complete kneading of the cellular structures; and when the porosity of the aerosol-generating article has a certain value, the density of the aerosol-generating article can be controlled.Thus, by controlling the extrusion pressure on the raw material mixture in the extrusion channels 20a to control the density of the aerosol-generating article, the thermal conductivity efficiency and the aerosol transfer efficiency of the aerosol-generating article can be ensured, that is, the aerosol-generating article can have high thermal conductivity efficiency and high aerosol transfer efficiency at the same time, thereby increasing the atomization efficiency of the aerosol-generating article.
[0090] For example, with reference to Fig. 3-10, the second main body 20 comprises a shell 21 and a plurality of columns 22 arranged in the shell 21, and wherein the columns 22 are arranged at a distance from each other and form extrusion channels 20a, that is, the extrusion channels 20a are formed between the surfaces of the columns 22.
[0091] The columns 22 are arranged parallel to each other, and one end of each column 22, for example, is attached to the end surface of the first main body 10. The raw material mixture enters the extrusion channels 20a between the columns 22 after passing through the feed channels 10a and is extruded from the end surface of one end of the columns 22 at a distance from the first main body 10.
[0092] It should be noted that the shape of the columns 22 is not limited in this document. For example, in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the second main body 20, the cross-sectional shape of the columns 22 is circular, polygonal, elliptical, sectoral, or racetrack-shaped, as shown in Fig. 4. The polygon may be a regular polygon, such as a square, as shown in Fig. 3, a regular triangle, as shown in Fig. 6, or a regular hexagon, as shown in Fig. 5.
[0093] In the embodiments of the present application, the axial direction of the second main body 20 corresponds to the extrusion direction. For example, when the outer contour of the second main body 20 is cylindrical, the axial direction is the height direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the second main body 20. For example, when the outer contour of the second main body 20 is cuboid, the axial direction is also the direction defined above, that is, the extrusion direction. The axial direction of the second main body 20 can be any of the length, width, or height directions of the cuboid.
[0094] The cross-sectional shape of the columns 22 is taken along planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the second main body 20.
[0095] As shown in Fig. 11, in one embodiment, the die 100 comprises a plurality of repeating blocks, each of which includes one column 22 and a plurality of feed channels 10a corresponding to the column 22, and the plurality of feed channels 10a in each repeating block are arranged in a circumferential direction around the center of the column 22. That is, each repeating block includes one column 22, the column 22 in the repeating block corresponds to a plurality of feed channels 10a, that is, each repeating block includes a plurality of feed channels 10a surrounding the peripheral side of the column 22, and the plurality of feed channels 10a are arranged in a circumferential direction around the center of the column 22, that is, the centers of the plurality of feed channels 10a are located on the same circle with the center of the column 22 as the center of this circle. In this case, the distant mixture extruded from the feed channels 10a can be fed to the peripheral side of the column 22.The arrangement of the plurality of feed channels 10a in a circumferential direction around the center of the column 22 makes it possible to avoid, to some extent, incomplete filling.
[0096] The number of channels 10a to be supplied in each repeating block in this document is not limited and is equal to, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, or 30.
[0097] As can be understood, the plurality of feed channels 10a are arranged in a circumferential direction around the center of the column 22, that is, the lines connecting the centers of the plurality of feed channels 10a may form a circle or a rectangle.
[0098] It should be noted that the feed channels 10a in one repeating block may also form feed channels 10a in another repeating block, that is, the same feed channels 10a may surround the peripheral side of a plurality of columns 22.
[0099] In particular, with reference to Fig. 11, each repeating block includes one column 22 and four feed channels 10a corresponding to the column 22, wherein the lines connecting the centers of the four feed channels 10a form a square, and the center line of this square coincides with the central axis of the column 22.
[0100] The center line of the square and the center axis of column 22 define the virtual reference line.
[0101] This coincidence indicates that the center line of the square may completely or approximately coincide with the central axis of the 22 column, that is, there may be some deviation between the center line of the square and the central axis of the 22 column.
[0102] In a specific embodiment, with reference to Fig. 11, each repeating block includes one column 22 and four feed channels 10a corresponding to the column 22, wherein the lines connecting the centers of the four feed channels 10a form a square, and the center line of this square coincides with the central axis of the column 22. Taking said square as one computing unit A, the die 100 in this embodiment can be considered as a die formed by a plurality of such computing units A. The cross-sectional shape of the feed channels 10a is circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the column 22 is square. When designing the die 100, after determining the center-to-center distance between two adjacent feed channels 10a, the size of the feed channels 10a will determine the porosity of the first main body 10.Taking the above-mentioned computing unit A as an example, the method for calculating the porosity of the first main body 10 is as follows: if the center-to-center distance between two adjacent feed channels 10a is 1.8 mm and the diameter of the feed channel 10a is 1.5 mm, then the porosity of one computing unit A is:.
[0103]
[0104] Thus, if the center distance between two adjacent feed channels 10a is determined, different porosity values of the first main body 10 can be obtained by designing different diameters of the feed channels 10a.
[0105] In another specific embodiment, with reference to Fig. 11, each repeating block includes one column 22 and four feed channels 10a corresponding to the column 22, wherein the lines connecting the centers of the four feed channels 10a form a square, and the center line of this square coincides with the central axis of the column 22. Taking said square as one computing unit A, the die 100 in this embodiment can be regarded as a die formed by a plurality of such computing units A. The cross-sectional shape of the feed channels 10a is circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the column 22 is square. When designing the die 100, after determining the center-to-center distance between two adjacent feed channels 10a, the size of the column 22 determines the porosity of the second main body 20.Taking the above-mentioned computing unit A as an example, the method for calculating the porosity of the second main body 20 is as follows: if the center-to-center distance between two adjacent feed channels 10a is 1.8 mm, and the lateral length of the column 22 is 1.3 mm, then the porosity of one computing unit A is:.
[0106]
[0107] Thus, if the center-to-center distance between two adjacent feed channels 10a is determined, different porosity values of the second main body 20 can be obtained by designing different lateral lengths of the columns 22.
[0108] It is easy to understand that the main design parameters of the die 100 can be determined by determining the center-to-center distance between two adjacent feed channels 10a, the porosity of the first main body 10 and the porosity of the second main body 20.
[0109] The aerosol-generating article produced by the die 100 in the embodiments of the present application using the continuous extrusion process has a three-dimensional ordered honeycomb structure suitable with an organic solid powder as a framework material, and such a structure contributes to achieving high thermal conductivity characteristics and high aerosol transmission efficiency, thereby improving the atomization efficiency of the aerosol-generating article. The specific die 100 in the embodiments of the present application is designed to obtain a honeycomb structure with a small porosity (less than 75%) in order to ensure the required weight of the aerosol-generating article and the amount of released effective ingredients. Due to the moderate porosity of the aerosol-generating article (from 30% to 60%), a die 100 with a large porosity is required for extrusion, which requires high material strength and processing precision of the die 100.
[0110] The 10a feed channels can be arranged in a square or hexagonal pattern, or asymmetrically.
[0111] As an example, with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, all of the feed channels 10a are distributed along a plurality of path lines. The feed channels 10a along one path line are arranged linearly in a first direction, the plurality of path lines are arranged in a second direction, and the first direction is not parallel to the second direction. The first direction and the second direction constitute a planar two-dimensional coordinate system and can determine the planar arrangement of the feed channels 10a. That is, the feed channels 10a are arranged correctly, which facilitates the processing of each feed channel 10a according to a predetermined arrangement pattern during the molding process.
[0112] For example, the feed channels 10a are arranged equidistantly along a single path. "Equally spaced" refers to the equal distance between the centers of the openings of two adjacent feed channels 10a. Thus, the opening walls of two adjacent feed channels 10a have approximately the same shape and size, thereby improving the uniformity of feeding during the extrusion molding process.
[0113] It should be noted that the first direction can be a straight line or a curve; and the second direction can be a straight line or a curve.
[0114] For example, in some embodiments, the feed channels 10a along one trajectory line are arranged in a circumferential direction around the center of the first main body 10, and the plurality of trajectory lines are arranged in the form of concentric circles in the radial direction, that is, the first direction is a circumferential direction around the center of the first main body 10, and the second direction is a radial direction.
[0115] In other embodiments, with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the feed channels 10a along one trajectory line are arranged linearly in a first direction, a plurality of trajectory lines are arranged parallel in a second direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.
[0116] The distance between two adjacent feed channels 10a along one trajectory line is equal to the distance between two adjacent trajectory lines.
[0117] It should be noted that all the columns 22 may be arranged on the second main body 20 in a uniform distribution or an uneven distribution.
[0118] The arrangement of the columns 22 may be the same as, or different from, the arrangement of the feed channels 10a. The arrangement of the columns 22 may, for example, be the same as the arrangement of the feed channels 10a described above.
[0119] In the description of the present application, the terms "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," or "as an example" mean that particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in combination with an embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In the present application, the exemplary expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the described particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be suitably combined in any one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can combine various embodiments or examples described in the present application, as well as features of various embodiments or examples, without conflict.
[0120] The above descriptions represent only preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Various modifications and variations are possible for those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present application are within the scope of legal protection of the present application.
Claims
1. A die for producing aerosol-generating articles, comprising: a first main body having inside a plurality of feed channels, each of which passes through two opposite ends of the first main body in the axial direction, and in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body, the cross-sectional area of the feed channel located upstream in the feed direction is not less than the cross-sectional area of the feed channel located downstream in the feed direction; and a second main body located at one end of the first main body in the axial direction and having inside a plurality of extrusion channels, each of which passes through two opposite ends of the second main body in the axial direction and communicates with the feed channel, wherein in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the second main body, the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel located upstream in the extrusion direction is not less than the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channel located downstream in the extrusion direction, and the maximum value of the cross-sectional area of the extrusion channels is less than or equal to the minimum value of the cross-sectional area of the feed channels, wherein for at least a portion of the feed channel the cross-sectional area located upstream is greater than the cross-sectional area located downstream in the feed direction.
2. The die according to claim 1, in which, in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body, the cross-sectional area of all feed channels gradually decreases in the feed direction.
3. The die according to claim 1, in which, in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the second main body, the cross-sectional area of all extrusion channels is the same or gradually decreases in the direction of extrusion.
4. The die according to claim 1, wherein the feed channels are formed in the first main body with uniform distribution, and in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body, the cross-sectional shape of the feed channels is circular.
5. The die according to claim 1, wherein the feed channels are parallel to the central axis of the die, and the distance between the centers of two adjacent feed channels is from 0.500 mm to 2.54 mm.
6. The die according to claim 1, wherein the second main body comprises a shell and a plurality of columns located in the shell, and the columns are located at a distance from each other to form extrusion channels.
7. The die according to claim 6, comprising a plurality of repeating blocks, wherein each of the repeating blocks comprises one column and a plurality of feed channels corresponding to the column, and the plurality of feed channels in each repeating block are arranged in a circumferential direction around the center of the column.
8. The die according to claim 7, wherein each repeating block comprises one column and four feed channels corresponding to the column, wherein the lines connecting the centers of the four feed channels form a square, and the center line of this square coincides with the central axis of the column.
9. The die according to item 6, in which in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the second main body, the cross-sectional shape of the columns is circular, polygonal, elliptical, sectoral, or in the form of a running track.
10. The die according to claim 1, wherein the number of feed channels is from 100 to 2580; and / or in planes perpendicular to the axial direction of the first main body, the cross-sectional shape of the feed channels is circular, polygonal, elliptical, sectorial, or in the form of a racetrack.
11. The die according to claim 1, wherein the porosity of the second main body is from 15.1% to 72.5%; and / or the porosity of the first main body is from 19.6% to 72.5%.
12. The die according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the porosity of the first main body to the porosity of the second main body is equal to n, and 1 ≤ n ≤ 3.
13. The die according to claim 1, wherein all feed channels are distributed along a plurality of path lines, wherein the feed channels along one path line are arranged linearly in a first direction, the plurality of path lines are arranged in a second direction, and the first direction is not parallel to the second direction.
14. The die according to claim 13, wherein the feed channels along one trajectory line are arranged in a circumferential direction around the center of the first main body, and the plurality of trajectory lines are arranged in the form of concentric circles in a radial direction.
15. The die according to claim 13, in which the feed channels along one trajectory line are arranged linearly in a first direction, the plurality of trajectory lines are arranged parallel in a second direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.
16. The die according to claim 15, in which the distance between two adjacent feed channels along one trajectory line is equal to the distance between two adjacent trajectory lines.