Manufacturing device and manufacturing method for aerosol-generating substrate segments

Abstract

A manufacturing device and manufacturing method for aerosol-generating substrate segments (2). The manufacturing device comprises an extrusion apparatus (10), a cutting apparatus (20), and a flavoring apparatus (30). The extrusion apparatus (10) is used to extrude a mixed material to form an aerosol-generating substrate rod (1). The cutting apparatus (20) is disposed downstream of the extrusion apparatus (10) and is used to cut the aerosol-generating substrate rod (1) to form aerosol-generating substrate segments (2). The flavoring apparatus (30) is disposed downstream of the cutting apparatus (20) and comprises a housing (31) having a receiving cavity (31a), the receiving cavity (31a) being used to hold a flavoring substance. The flavoring apparatus (30) is at least capable of impregnating the aerosol-generating substrate segments (2) located in the receiving cavity (31a) with the flavoring substance. Said manufacturing device helps reduce the loss of flavoring substances during the production of aerosol-generating substrate segments (2), thereby enhancing the user experience.

Description

Manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of aerosol generating substrate segment

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] The present disclosure is based on and claims priority from Chinese Patent Application No. 202410879595.6 filed on July 1, 2024, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into the present disclosure. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the technical field of smoking articles, and in particular to a manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of aerosol generating substrate segment. BACKGROUND

[0004] The aerosol generating substrate segment can form an aerosol by ignition or by heating without combustion. In the aerosol generating substrate segment that heats without combustion, the aerosol generating substrate segment is heated by an external heat source to just a degree sufficient to emit an aerosol, and the aerosol generating substrate segment does not burn, and by loading a smoking agent, the smoking agent is released by heating the aerosol generating substrate to form an aerosol.

[0005] In the related art, in the production process of the aerosol generating substrate segment, a large amount of flavoring substances inside the aerosol generating substrate segment is lost, which results in weak expression of the flavoring substances in the smoking process and affects the smoking experience. SUMMARY

[0006] Therefore, the embodiments of the present application aim to provide a manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of aerosol generating substrate segment, which can reduce the loss of flavoring substances in the production process of the aerosol generating substrate segment and improve the user experience.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the technical scheme of the embodiments of the present application is as follows:

[0008] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a manufacturing apparatus of aerosol generating substrate segment, comprising:

[0009] An extrusion device for extruding a mixture to form an aerosol generating substrate strip;

[0010] A slitting device arranged downstream of the extrusion device and configured to slit the aerosol generating substrate strip to form an aerosol generating substrate segment;

[0011] A flavoring device arranged downstream of the slitting device, the flavoring device comprising a housing having a receiving cavity, the receiving cavity being configured to accommodate flavoring substances, and the flavoring device being configured to at least allow the aerosol generating substrate segment located in the receiving cavity to be soaked in the flavoring substances.

[0012] In an embodiment, the flavoring device further comprises a conveyor belt arranged in the accommodation cavity, the conveyor belt being configured to convey the segment of the aerosol generating substrate through the accommodation cavity.

[0013] In an embodiment, the conveyor belt comprises a first conveying section, a second conveying section and a third conveying section connected in sequence along a conveying direction of the conveyor belt, a height of the first conveying section gradually decreases as approaching the second conveying section, a height of the third conveying section gradually increases as moving away from the second conveying section, and at least a portion of the second conveying section is arranged in the accommodation cavity.

[0014] In an embodiment, the conveyor belt further comprises a fourth conveying section and a fifth conveying section both extending along a horizontal direction, the fourth conveying section is connected to an end of the first conveying section away from the second conveying section, and the fifth conveying section is connected to an end of the third conveying section away from the second conveying section.

[0015] In an embodiment, a ratio of an extension length of the third conveying section to an extension length of the first conveying section is not less than 1.5 and not more than 3.

[0016] In an embodiment, an angle between an extension direction of the first conveying section and a horizontal plane is not less than 20° and not more than 50°.

[0017] In an embodiment, an angle between the third conveying section and a horizontal plane is not less than 30° and not more than 60°.

[0018] In an embodiment, in a state that the segment of the aerosol generating substrate is arranged in the second conveying section, a dimension of a liquid level of the flavoring substance in the accommodation cavity above a highest point of the segment of the aerosol generating substrate is not less than 5 mm and not more than 10 mm.

[0019] In an embodiment, the conveyor belt comprises a plurality of rollers arranged in the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, each of the rollers is movably arranged along the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, and each of the rollers is rotatably arranged about an axial direction of the roller.

[0020] In an embodiment, a gap between two adjacent rollers is configured to carry the segment of the aerosol generating substrate.

[0021] In an embodiment, a diameter of the segment of the aerosol generating substrate is d;

[0022] a distance between two adjacent rollers of the first conveying section is not less than 0.5d and not more than 0.75d; and / or,

[0023] The distance between two adjacent rollers of the third conveying section is not less than 0.25d and not more than 0.75d.

[0024] In one embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus comprises a carrier having a carrier space, the carrier being arranged on the conveying belt and being movable along with the conveying belt in the conveying direction, the carrier space being configured to carry a plurality of the segments of the aerosol-generating substrate, the carrier being provided with a plurality of perforations, the carrier space being in communication with the outside through the perforations.

[0025] In one embodiment, the angle between the extension direction of the first conveying section and the horizontal plane is not less than 10° and not more than 30°; and / or,

[0026] The angle between the third conveying section and the horizontal plane is not less than 30° and not more than 50°.

[0027] In one embodiment, the conveying belt comprises a plurality of rollers arranged at intervals along the conveying direction thereof, each of the rollers being movably arranged along the conveying direction and being rotatably arranged about its axial direction, the diameter of the segments of the aerosol-generating substrate being d;

[0028] The distance between two adjacent rollers of the first conveying section is not less than 0.2d and not more than 0.4d; and / or,

[0029] The distance between two adjacent rollers of the third conveying section is not less than 0.6d and not more than 0.9d.

[0030] In one embodiment, opposite sides of the first conveying section are provided with first stop members, the carrier being located between the first stop members of the opposite sides of the first conveying section when the carrier is located in the first conveying section; and / or,

[0031] Opposite sides of the third conveying section are provided with second stop members, the carrier being located between the second stop members of the opposite sides of the third conveying section when the carrier is located in the third conveying section.

[0032] In one embodiment, the flavoring device further comprises a replenishment assembly configured to replenish the flavoring substance into the accommodation cavity.

[0033] In one embodiment, the flavoring device further comprises a liquid level meter arranged in the accommodation cavity and configured to detect a liquid level of the flavoring substance in the accommodation cavity, the replenishment assembly being configured to selectively replenish the flavoring substance into the accommodation cavity based on the liquid level in the accommodation cavity.

[0034] In one embodiment, the feeding assembly comprises a first storage device for storing the flavoring substance, a first connecting pipe for connecting the first storage device and the accommodating cavity, and a first flow valve arranged on the first connecting pipe.

[0035] In one embodiment, the flavoring device further comprises a spraying assembly, which comprises a spraying head arranged in the accommodating cavity and used for spraying the flavoring substance into the accommodating cavity.

[0036] In one embodiment, the spraying assembly further comprises a second storage device, a second connecting pipe for connecting the second storage device and the spraying head, and a second flow valve arranged on the second connecting pipe.

[0037] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a manufacturing method of an aerosol generating substrate segment, which is applied to a manufacturing device of an aerosol generating substrate segment, the manufacturing device comprising an extruding device, a cutting device, and a flavoring device, and the manufacturing method comprising:

[0038] Extruding the mixture through the extruding device to form an aerosol generating substrate strip;

[0039] Cutting the aerosol generating substrate strip through the cutting device to obtain an aerosol generating substrate segment;

[0040] Infiltrating the aerosol generating substrate segment with flavoring substance through the flavoring device.

[0041] The manufacturing device of the embodiments of the present application extrudes an aerosol generating substrate strip through an extruding device, and then cuts the aerosol generating substrate strip into an aerosol generating substrate segment through a cutting device. The length of the aerosol generating substrate segment is shorter than the length of the aerosol generating substrate strip, so as to facilitate the placement of the aerosol generating substrate segment into an accommodating cavity and the infiltration of flavoring substance. The infiltration of flavoring substance into the aerosol generating substrate segment formed after cutting can replenish the flavoring substance in the aerosol generating substrate segment, thereby reducing the loss of flavoring substance caused by excessively high temperature during the extrusion molding process, and further improving the user experience.

[0042] In addition, the true density of the aerosol generating substrate strip extruded by the extruding device is as high as 1 g / cm 3 The micro-pore diameter is in the micron level or even in the nanometer level. For macromolecular flavoring substance, the ordinary flavoring method (for example, spraying and spraying) for flavoring the aerosol generating substrate segment may only attach the flavoring substance to the surface of the aerosol generating substrate segment. In the embodiments of the present application, the infiltration of flavoring substance into the aerosol generating substrate segment facilitates the sufficient penetration and absorption of the flavoring substance by the aerosol generating substrate segment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0043] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a manufacturing device of an aerosol generating substrate segment according to an embodiment of the present application, wherein the flavoring device is not shown;

[0044] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a flavoring device according to a first embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a flavoring device according to a second embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a control of a roller according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of a manufacturing method of an aerosol generating substrate segment according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The following embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application more clearly, and therefore only serve as examples, but cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0049] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms “first”, “second”, “third” and the like are only used to distinguish different objects, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number, specific order or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the meaning of “plurality” is two or more, unless otherwise explicitly and specifically limited.

[0050] In this document, the term “embodiment” means that a specific feature, structure or property described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily mean that it refers to the same embodiment, nor is it independent or alternative to other embodiments. A person skilled in the art explicitly and implicitly understands that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0051] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term “and / or” is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone. In addition, the character “ / ” in this document generally represents an “or” relationship between the front and rear associated objects.

[0052] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless specifically defined and limited otherwise, the terms "mount", "connected", "connection", "fixed", and the like should be construed broadly and understood as, for example, fixed connection, detachable connection, or integral; mechanical connection, or electrical connection; direct connection, or indirect connection via an intermediate medium; internal connection between two elements, or interaction relationship between two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application according to the specific circumstances.

[0053] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless specifically defined and limited otherwise, the term "contact" should be construed broadly and understood as, for example, direct contact, or contact through an intermediate medium layer; contact between two objects in contact with each other without interaction force, or contact between two objects in contact with each other with interaction force.

[0054] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0055] In the present application, the aerosol generating substrate segment is used for heating to generate aerosol. For example, the aerosol generating substrate segment can be suitable for heating combustion to generate aerosol; the aerosol generating substrate segment can also be suitable for heating non-combustion to generate aerosol, i.e. the aerosol generating substrate segment is heated to a temperature below the ignition point to generate aerosol, and the aerosol generating substrate segment does not burn during the generation of aerosol.

[0056] The aerosol generating substrate segment is used in an aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article includes the aerosol generating substrate segment and a functional segment. The functional segment is arranged at one end of the aerosol generating substrate segment in the longitudinal direction, and the functional segment includes a filter segment for filtering aerosol. The filter segment is used to filter the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substrate segment.

[0057] Of course, in some embodiments, the aerosol generating article can also not include the functional segment.

[0058] The aerosol generating article is used for a user to smoke the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substrate segment. For example, the user can smoke the filtered aerosol by holding the filter segment in the mouth. The aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substrate segment is transported to the filter segment under the action of suction.

[0059] The aerosol generating article is used in cooperation with an aerosol generating device having a heating assembly. Specifically, the heating assembly heats and atomizes the aerosol generating substrate segment to generate aerosol.

[0060] The heating manner of the heating assembly can be various, for example, center heating, peripheral heating and / or bottom heating. The center heating manner refers to that the heating assembly is inserted into the aerosol generating article to heat the aerosol generating article from inside to outside. The peripheral heating manner refers to that the heating assembly is arranged at the periphery of the aerosol generating article to heat the aerosol generating article from outside to inside. The bottom heating manner refers to that the heating assembly is arranged at the bottom of the aerosol generating article, and hot air is generated by the heating assembly to heat the aerosol generating article from bottom to top.

[0061] It should be noted that the bottom of the aerosol generating article is the end of the aerosol generating article away from the functional segment in the longitudinal direction.

[0062] The heating manner of the heating assembly includes but is not limited to resistance heating, electromagnetic heating, infrared heating, microwave heating or laser heating, etc.

[0063] In some embodiments, the functional segment can only include the filter segment.

[0064] In other embodiments, the functional segment further includes a cooling segment, which is arranged between the filter segment and the aerosol generating substrate segment, and is used to cool the aerosol before the filter segment filters the aerosol. The cooling segment can improve the "burning mouth" phenomenon of the user when smoking the aerosol.

[0065] The cooling material of the cooling segment includes but is not limited to one or more combinations of PE (polyethylene), PLA (Polylactic Acid), PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate), PP (Polypropylene), acetate fiber, propylene fiber, etc.

[0066] The filter material of the filter segment includes but is not limited to one or more combinations of PE (polyethylene), PLA (Polylactic Acid), PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate), PP (Polypropylene), acetate fiber, propylene fiber, etc.

[0067] The materials of the cooling segment and the filter segment can be the same or different.

[0068] Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 4, in a first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a manufacturing device of an aerosol generating substrate segment, which includes an extruding device 10, a slitting device 20 and a flavoring device 30.

[0069] The specific structure of the extrusion device 10 is not limited. Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 1, the extrusion device 10 includes a feeding bin and an extrusion mechanism, the mixed material is supplied to the extrusion mechanism through the feeding opening of the feeding bin, and the mixed material is extruded through the discharge opening of the extrusion mechanism under the action of the extrusion mechanism to form the aerosol generating substrate strip 1.

[0070] The extrusion mechanism can provide a certain extrusion pressure, so that the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 has a certain density.

[0071] The way in which the extrusion mechanism extrudes the mixed material and forms the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 is not limited. Exemplarily, the extrusion mechanism can include an extrusion screw, and the extrusion screw provides the extrusion pressure to achieve the extrusion of the aerosol generating substrate strip 1.

[0072] The extrusion device 10 is used to extrude the mixed material to form the aerosol generating substrate strip 1.

[0073] The "mixed material" herein is a component of the aerosol generating substrate strip 1, and the specific component is not limited herein. Exemplarily, in some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 can include a plant component, an auxiliary component, a smoking agent component, an adhesive component, etc.

[0074] In some embodiments, the plant component is one or more combinations of powders formed after crushing treatment of tobacco raw materials, tobacco shreds, tobacco stems, tobacco fines, flavor plants, etc. The plant component is the core source of product flavor, and endogenous substances in the plant component, such as nicotine, enter the human blood through atomization to promote the pituitary gland to produce dopamine, thereby obtaining physiological satisfaction.

[0075] In some embodiments, the plant component can include one or more of tobacco, tea leaves, tea stems, dandelion, eucalyptus, clove, cassia, turmeric, fungus, insulin wood, astragalus, Chinese date kernel, horse bean, kudzu root, fennel, rosemary, star anise, honeysuckle, chrysanthemum, rose, marigold, mugwort, olive, ginseng, American ginseng, mung bean, red bean, dried tangerine peel, nut shell, lily, coffee, agarwood, mint, hawthorn, licorice, cocoa, agaric, lotus seed, lotus leaf, cold ginger, fresh ginger, bitter buckwheat, and wheat bran. The mass fraction of the plant component in the aerosol substrate can be 20%-80% (including the end point value).

[0076] In some embodiments, the auxiliary component can be one or more combinations of inorganic fillers, lubricants, and emulsifiers. The inorganic fillers include one or more combinations of heavy calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, zeolite, attapulgite, talc powder, and diatomite. The inorganic fillers can provide skeletal support for the plant component, and the inorganic fillers also have micropores, which can improve the porosity of the plant component after forming the wall material, thereby improving the aerosol release rate.

[0077] The lubricant includes one or more of combinations of candelilla wax, carnauba wax, shellac, sunflower wax, rice bran, beeswax, stearic acid, palmitic acid. The lubricant can increase the flowability of the particles, reduce the friction between the particles, make the overall density of the particle distribution more uniform, and reduce the pressure required for molding and the wear of the mold.

[0078] The emulsifier includes one or more of combinations of polyglycerin fatty acid ester, Tween-80, polyvinyl alcohol. The emulsifier can slow down the loss of flavoring substances during storage, increase the stability of flavoring substances, and improve the sensory quality of the product. The emulsifier (also known as a surfactant) can reduce the interfacial tension between water-soluble and water-insoluble components in the mixed system, and form a relatively strong film on the surface of the droplets or a double electric layer due to the charge given by the emulsifier, preventing the droplets from aggregating with each other and maintaining a uniform emulsion. The emulsification of two incompatible components can improve the consistency of product quality.

[0079] The function of the smoking agent component is to generate a large amount of steam when heated, thereby increasing the amount of smoke of the smoking article. In some embodiments, the smoking agent may, for example, include one or more of combinations of monohydric alcohols (such as menthol); polyhydric alcohols (such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerol); esters of polyhydric alcohols (such as glycerol monoacetate, glycerol diacetate, or glycerol triacetate); monocarboxylic acids; polycarboxylic acids (such as lauric acid, myristic acid); or fatty esters of polycarboxylic acids (such as dimethyl dodecanedioate, dimethyl tetradecanedioate, erythritol, 1,3-butanediol, tetraethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl laurate, Triactin, meso-erythritol, glycerol diacetate mixture, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, ethyl vanillate, glycerol tributyrate, lauryl acetate).

[0080] The function of the smoking agent component is to generate a large amount of steam when heated, thereby increasing the amount of smoke of the smoking article. In some embodiments, the smoking agent may, for example, include one or more of combinations of monohydric alcohols (such as menthol); polyhydric alcohols (such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerol); esters of polyhydric alcohols (such as glycerol monoacetate, glycerol diacetate, or glycerol triacetate); monocarboxylic acids; polycarboxylic acids (such as lauric acid, myristic acid); or fatty esters of polycarboxylic acids (such as dimethyl dodecanedioate, dimethyl tetradecanedioate, erythritol, 1,3-butanediol, tetraethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl laurate, Triactin, meso-erythritol, glycerol diacetate mixture, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, ethyl vanillate, glycerol tributyrate, lauryl acetate).

[0081] In some embodiments, the adhesive component is a natural plant extract, a non-ionic modified adhesive polysaccharide, including one or more of combinations of tamarind polysaccharide, pullulan, fucoidan, locust bean gum, guar gum, xyloglucan. The adhesive is in close contact with the interface of the component materials of the product by wetting, generating intermolecular attraction, thereby playing a role in bonding the powders, liquids, and the like of the component materials. At the same time, the use of natural plant extracts, non-ionic adhesive can avoid the release of harmful substances such as methanol, formaldehyde, and propylene aldehyde caused by colloid modification, and improve the safety of the product.

[0082] The aerosol generating substrate strip 1 has the same cross-sectional shape as the aerosol generating substrate segment 2. The difference between the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 and the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is that the length of the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 is longer. The mixture material is shaped by the extrusion device 10 without changing the chemical properties of the mixture material.

[0083] The slitting device 20 is arranged downstream of the extrusion device 10 and is used to slit the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 to form the aerosol generating substrate segment 2.

[0084] It can be understood that the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 is slit by the slitting tool of the slitting device 20 to obtain the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 with a set length. In this way, the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 with a set length can be applied to the subsequent flavoring device 30, facilitating the immersion and flavoring of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2.

[0085] It can be understood that the specific value of the set length is not limited and can be set according to actual needs.

[0086] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 extruded by the extrusion device 10 has a continuous structure. That is, during the extrusion process, the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 is continuously extruded so that the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 has a continuous structure. Continuous extrusion can improve the extrusion efficiency, and the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 is subsequently cut to a set length to shorten the length.

[0087] The flavoring device 30 is arranged downstream of the slitting device 20, and the flavoring device 30 includes a housing 31 having a receiving cavity 31a for containing flavoring substances. The flavoring device 30 can at least be used to immerse the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 located in the receiving cavity 31a with flavoring substances.

[0088] It can be understood that by slitting the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 into the aerosol generating substrate segment 2, the size of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is smaller and is more convenient to be placed in the receiving cavity 31a, thereby achieving immersion and flavoring.

[0089] The specific structure and shape of the housing 31 are not limited, and the housing 31 can carry flavoring substances and can achieve immersion of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 with a set length. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 31 has a cuboid shape, and the bottom wall of the cuboid-shaped housing 31 is substantially at the same height. Thus, a plurality of aerosol generating substrate segments 2 can be laid in the receiving cavity 31a, and the immersion effect of the aerosol generating substrate segments 2 at both ends is close to that of the aerosol generating substrate segments 2 in the middle, that is, under the condition that the size of the housing 31 is constant, the cuboid-shaped aerosol generating substrate segment 2 can complete the simultaneous immersion of a larger number of aerosol generating substrate segments 2, thereby facilitating the production efficiency of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2.

[0090] In the related art, after adding flavoring substances to the mixed material, an aerosol generating substrate strip is prepared through an extrusion device. In order to achieve smooth extrusion of the mixed material with ultra-low moisture from the extrusion device, the molten mixed material needs to be formed into a melt with a certain fluidity at a relatively high temperature (above 100℃). However, if the boiling point of the flavoring substances added to the mixed material is relatively low, the retention rate of the flavoring substances in the extruded aerosol generating substrate strip is relatively low.

[0091] The manufacturing equipment in the embodiments of the present application extrudes the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 through the extrusion device 10, and then cuts the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 into aerosol generating substrate segments 2 through the cutting device 20. The length of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is shorter than the length of the aerosol generating substrate strip 1, so that the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 can be easily placed into the accommodation cavity 31a and soaked in the flavoring substances. By soaking the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 formed after cutting in the flavoring substances, the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 can be supplemented with the flavoring substances. Therefore, it is beneficial to reduce the loss of flavoring substances caused by excessively high temperature during the extrusion molding process, and further improve the user experience.

[0092] In addition, the true density of the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 extruded by the extrusion device 10 is as high as 1g / cm 3 The above, and its microscopic pore size is micron level, even nanometer level, for macromolecular flavoring substances, using ordinary flavoring method (such as spraying, spraying) to flavor the aerosol generating substrate segment 2, flavoring substances may only adhere to the surface of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2, and in the embodiments of the present application, the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is soaked in the flavoring substances, which is beneficial to the full penetration and absorption of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 to the flavoring substances.

[0093] It should be noted that based on the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 added with the atomizing agent (propylene glycol, glycerol), since propylene glycol and glycerol have hydrophilic properties, the manufacturing equipment can be placed in an environment with a temperature of 22℃±2℃ and a humidity of 45%±5% to prepare the aerosol generating substrate segment 2, thereby improving the problem that the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 absorbs water and recovers moisture under high temperature and humidity conditions, and further causes the problem of excessively high smoking temperature of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 during smoking.

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in an embodiment, the flavoring device 30 further includes a conveying belt 32 penetrating the accommodation cavity 31a, and the conveying belt 32 is used to convey the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 through the accommodation cavity 31a.

[0095] The conveying belt 32 can provide traction for the movement of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2.

[0096] The conveying belt 32 is arranged in the accommodation cavity 31a, that is, both ends of the conveying belt 32 are located outside the accommodation cavity 31a, and the middle section is located in the accommodation cavity 31a. The aerosol generating substrate segment 2 obtained after being cut by the cutting device 20 can be placed on the conveying belt 32, the conveying belt 32 conveys the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 into the accommodation cavity 31a to be infiltrated with flavoring substances, and after the flavoring substance infiltration is completed, the conveying belt 32 can also carry the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 out of the accommodation cavity 31a. Therefore, the conveying process and the flavoring process of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 can be completed by the flavoring device 30, which reduces the manual operation steps, thereby facilitating the improvement of the automation degree of the manufacturing equipment, and further improving the production efficiency of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2.

[0097] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in an embodiment, the conveying belt 32 includes a first conveying section 32a, a second conveying section 32b and a third conveying section 32c connected in sequence along the conveying direction of the conveying belt 32. The height of the first conveying section 32a gradually decreases as it approaches the second conveying section 32b, the height of the third conveying section 32c gradually increases as it moves away from the second conveying section 32b, and at least part of the second conveying section 32b is located in the accommodation cavity 31a.

[0098] That is, the conveying belt 32 generally presents a shape with a low middle and high ends.

[0099] It can be understood that an opening needs to be provided on the side wall of the accommodation cavity 31a to facilitate the entry and exit of the conveying belt 32 into and out of the accommodation cavity 31a. Since the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 needs to be infiltrated with flavoring substances, the liquid level of the flavoring substances in the accommodation cavity 31a needs to be higher than the height of the second conveying section 32b. If the conveying belt 32 only extends in one fixed direction, for example, the heights of the first conveying section 32a, the second conveying section 32b and the third conveying section 32c remain the same, it will cause the opening for arranging the conveying belt 32 to be below the liquid level, and the conveying belt 32 also needs to move relatively to complete the conveying of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2, thereby increasing the sealing requirement of the opening, and the flavoring substances in the accommodation cavity 31a have a higher risk of leakage.

[0100] In the present embodiment, the first conveying section 32a carries the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 to sink to be immersed below the liquid level of the flavoring substances, the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 can be fully infiltrated on the second conveying section 32b, and after the infiltration is completed, the third conveying section 32c carries the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 to be raised in height. Therefore, the openings for arranging the first conveying section 32a and the third conveying section 32c can be arranged above the liquid level of the flavoring substances, that is, the sealing requirement of the shell 31 is reduced, which is conducive to reducing the probability of leakage of the flavoring substances on the premise of facilitating the infiltration of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2.

[0101] The second conveying section 32b can extend in a horizontal direction or extend at a small angle with the horizontal direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second conveying section 32b extends in parallel with the horizontal direction.

[0102] It should be noted that some components of the flavoring substance can precipitate, that is, the closer to the liquid surface, the lower the concentration of the flavoring substance can be. By setting the extension direction of the second conveying section 32b to be parallel to the horizontal direction, the depths at which the sections of the aerosol generating substrate 2 in the second conveying section 32b are immersed in the flavoring substance are close, thereby facilitating the uniformity of the immersion effect of the sections of the aerosol generating substrate 2.

[0103] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in an embodiment, the conveying belt 32 further includes a fourth conveying section 32d and a fifth conveying section 32e, which both extend in the horizontal direction. The fourth conveying section 32d is connected to one end of the first conveying section 32a away from the second conveying section 32b, and the fifth conveying section 32e is connected to one end of the third conveying section 32c away from the second conveying section 32b.

[0104] The fourth conveying section 32d and the fifth conveying section 32e can be located at the same horizontal level or at different horizontal levels.

[0105] The sections of the aerosol generating substrate 2 pass through the fourth conveying section 32d before reaching the second conveying section 32b. Since the fourth conveying section 32d extends in the horizontal direction, the sections of the aerosol generating substrate 2 have good stability during the travel on the fourth conveying section 32d, that is, the fourth conveying section 32d can carry the sections of the aerosol generating substrate 2 to travel a certain distance in the horizontal direction, so that the sections of the aerosol generating substrate 2 can enter the second conveying section 32b in a good state and perform the sinking movement, thereby improving the stability of the sections of the aerosol generating substrate 2 in the immersion step.

[0106] After passing through the fifth conveying section 32e, the sections of the aerosol generating substrate 2 can perform subsequent processes, such as a packaging process. By passing through the fifth conveying section 32e, the sections of the aerosol generating substrate 2 can maintain a relatively stable state before entering the next process, thereby facilitating the stability of the connection between the processes of the manufacturing equipment.

[0107] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in an embodiment, the ratio of the extension length of the third conveying section 32c to the extension length of the first conveying section 32a is not less than 1.5 and not more than 3. For example, the ratio is 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 3, and the like.

[0108] It can be understood that the aerosol generating substrate section 2 is lifted in height by the third conveying section 32c, and when the aerosol generating substrate section 2 is separated from the liquid surface of the flavoring substance, the surface will adsorb a certain amount of liquid flavoring substance. In this embodiment, the ratio of the extension length of the third conveying section 32c to the extension length of the first conveying section 32a is not less than 1.5. Thus, the third conveying section 32c has a certain extension length, and the aerosol generating substrate section 2 needs to travel a sufficient distance on the third conveying section 32c, thereby facilitating the increase of the adsorption time of the flavoring substance on the aerosol generating substrate section 2 before entering the next process, and facilitating the increase of the adhesion rate of the flavoring substance on the aerosol generating substrate section 2.

[0109] The unperfumed aerosol generating substrate section 2 needs to improve the conveying efficiency, and therefore, the first conveying section 32a needs to be set as a short conveying stroke. The perfumed aerosol generating substrate section 2 needs to reduce the conveying efficiency to ensure that the perfumed aerosol generating substrate section 2 has sufficient balance adsorption time, and therefore, the conveying stroke of the third conveying section 32c needs to be increased. The ratio of the extension length of the third conveying section 32c to the extension length of the first conveying section 32a is controlled in the range of 1.5-3, which is beneficial to ensure the overall efficiency of the aerosol generating substrate section 2 production and the production space of the manufacturing equipment.

[0110] Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the flavoring device 30 further comprises a replenishment assembly 33, which is used to replenish the flavoring substance in the containing cavity 31a.

[0111] The replenishment mode of the replenishment assembly 33 is not limited. For example, it can be a timed replenishment, that is, after the manufacturing equipment runs for a certain time, the containing cavity 31a is replenished by the replenishment assembly 33; or it can be a continuous replenishment, that is, the replenishment assembly 33 continuously replenishes the containing cavity 31a. Of course, the replenishment speed needs to be linked to the consumption speed of the flavoring substance, so as to avoid problems such as too much replenishment, and then causing the liquid level of the flavoring substance in the containing cavity 31a to be too high or even to leak.

[0112] Of course, the replenishment assembly 33 can also replenish in other ways.

[0113] By setting the replenishment assembly 33, the flavoring substance in the containing cavity 31a can be replenished in time, which is beneficial to the continuous and sufficient soaking of the aerosol generating substrate section 2 in the flavoring substance in the containing cavity 31a. At the same time, the replenishment assembly 33 can realize automatic replenishment, reducing the manual operation steps, improving the automation degree of the flavoring device 30, and being beneficial to improving the production efficiency of the aerosol generating substrate section 2.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the flavoring device 30 further comprises a liquid level meter 34, which is arranged in the accommodating cavity 31a and is configured to detect the liquid level of the flavoring substance in the accommodating cavity 31a, and the refilling assembly 33 is configured to selectively refill the flavoring substance into the accommodating cavity 31a based on the liquid level in the accommodating cavity 31a.

[0115] The type of the liquid level meter 34 is not limited. For example, the liquid level meter 34 can be a dry reed liquid level meter, an ultrasonic liquid level meter, a pressure liquid level meter, or a capacitive liquid level meter, etc.

[0116] The liquid level meter 34 is configured to detect the liquid level of the flavoring substance in the accommodating cavity 31a, and the liquid level meter 34 is in interlocking control with the refilling assembly 33. When the detected liquid level is lower than a set low value, the refilling assembly 33 is configured to start the step of refilling the flavoring substance into the accommodating cavity 31a. When the detected liquid level is higher than a set high value, the refilling assembly 33 is configured to stop the step of refilling the flavoring substance into the accommodating cavity 31a. Thus, the automatic control of the refilling assembly 33 can be realized.

[0117] It should be noted that the set low value and the set high value can be set according to actual conditions.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the refilling assembly 33 comprises a first storage device 331, a first connecting pipe 332, and a first flow valve 333. The first storage device 331 is configured to store the flavoring substance. The first connecting pipe 332 is configured to connect the first storage device 331 and the accommodating cavity 31a. The first flow valve 333 is arranged on the first connecting pipe 332.

[0119] The specific type of the first storage device 331 is not limited, which can store a certain amount of flavoring substance. For example, the specification of the first storage device 331 can be selected according to the continuous production time of the manufacturing equipment. For example, if the continuous production time of the manufacturing equipment is long, a large-capacity first storage device 331 can be selected. If the continuous production time of the manufacturing equipment is short, a small-capacity first storage device 331 can be selected.

[0120] The first connecting pipe 332 can be a PVC pipe, a steel pipe, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0121] The first flow valve 333 can be a valve capable of controlling the flow rate, or can be a valve capable of only conducting or blocking the first connecting pipe 332.

[0122] When it is needed to supplement the flavoring substance into the containing cavity 31a, the first flow valve 333 is opened, at this time, the first connecting pipe 332 is in a conductive state, and the flavoring substance stored in the first storage device 331 can enter the containing cavity 31a through the first connecting pipe 332; when it is needed to stop supplementing the flavoring substance into the containing cavity 31a, the first flow valve 333 is closed, at this time, the first connecting pipe 332 is in a blocked state, and the first storage device 331 can relatively stably store the flavoring substance.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the flavoring device 30 further comprises a spraying assembly 35, the spraying assembly 35 comprises a spray head 351, the spray head 351 is arranged in the containing cavity 31a, and is used for spraying the flavoring substance into the containing cavity 31a.

[0124] The number of the spray head 351 is not limited. For example, it can be one or more. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, more refers to two or any number of more than two.

[0125] It should be noted that since the flavoring substance in the containing cavity 31a is in a relatively static state, a part of components of the flavoring substance will produce a precipitation phenomenon, thereby causing the concentration of the flavoring substance at different depths to be different, and the concentration of the flavoring substance is higher the closer to the bottom of the containing cavity 31a.

[0126] By arranging the spray head 351, the spray head 351 sprays the flavoring substance and falls on the liquid surface of the flavoring substance in the containing cavity 31a, and the flavoring substance sprayed by the spray head 351 can flow from top to bottom through the liquid surface of the flavoring substance in the containing cavity, thereby being beneficial to improving the uniformity of the flavoring substance in the containing cavity 31a, and thereby being beneficial to improving the consistency of the soaking effect of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 at different heights.

[0127] In addition, the spray head 351 is arranged in the containing cavity 31a, and even if the flavoring substance sprayed by the spray head 351 is not completely absorbed by the aerosol generating substrate segment 2, it will also be carried in the containing cavity 31a after leaving the aerosol generating substrate segment 2, thereby being beneficial to reducing the waste of the flavoring substance and improving the use efficiency of the flavoring substance.

[0128] Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the spraying assembly 35 further comprises a second storage device 352, a second connecting pipe 353 and a second flow valve 354, the second connecting pipe 353 communicates the second storage device 352 and the spray head 351, and the second flow valve 354 is arranged on the second connecting pipe 353.

[0129] When the number of the spray head 351 is more, each spray head 351 is connected to one end of the second connecting pipe 353.

[0130] The specific type of the second storage device 352 is not limited, which can store a certain amount of flavoring substances. Exemplarily, the size of the second storage device 352 can be selected according to the continuous production time of the manufacturing equipment, that is, if the continuous production time of the manufacturing equipment is long, a large-capacity second storage device 352 can be selected, and if the continuous production time of the manufacturing equipment is short, a small-capacity second storage device 352 can be selected.

[0131] The second connecting pipe 353 can be a PVC pipe, a steel pipe, etc., which is not limited here.

[0132] The second flow valve 354 is a valve capable of controlling the flow.

[0133] The speed of spraying the flavoring substances by the spray head 351 is controlled by the second flow valve 354, so that it can also effectively avoid spraying too much flavoring substances, and thus the problem of too high concentration of flavoring substances in the area close to the liquid surface in the containing cavity 31a.

[0134] Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3, in an embodiment, when the aerosol generating substrate section 2 is located in the second conveying section 32b, the liquid level height of the flavoring substances in the containing cavity 31a exceeds the size of the highest point of the aerosol generating substrate section 2 by not less than 5 mm and not more than 10 mm. For example, it can be 5 mm, 5.5 mm, 6 mm, 6.5 mm, 7 mm, 7.5 mm, 8 mm, 8.5 mm, 9 mm, 9.5 mm, 10 mm, etc.

[0135] It should be noted that in the embodiment in which a plurality of aerosol generating substrate sections 2 are stacked along the height direction and then enter the containing cavity 31a for soaking, the “highest point of the aerosol generating substrate section 2” refers to the highest point on the aerosol generating substrate section 2 located at the top. In the embodiment in which a plurality of aerosol generating substrate sections 2 enter the containing cavity 31a for soaking in a flat manner, the “highest point of the aerosol generating substrate section 2” refers to the highest point on the top wall of the aerosol generating substrate section 2 during the travel of the aerosol generating substrate section 2 on the second conveying section 32b.

[0136] It should be noted that the plurality of aerosol generating substrate sections 2 enter the containing cavity 31a for soaking in a flat manner, which means that each aerosol generating substrate section 2 is arranged along the extension direction of the second conveying section 32b.

[0137] In this embodiment, on the one hand, it is beneficial to ensure that the aerosol generating substrate section 2 can be fully soaked in the flavoring substances, thereby ensuring the flavoring effect of the aerosol generating substrate section 2; on the other hand, the liquid surface of the flavoring substances will not be too high, thereby the height dimension of the shell 31 can be reasonably controlled.

[0138] In addition, when the replenishment assembly 33 and the spraying assembly 35 are arranged, the height dimension of the shell 31 is controlled to be reasonable, and each component of the replenishment assembly 33 and the spraying assembly 35 does not need to be arranged at a too high position, so that the disassembly or installation of each component of the replenishment assembly 33 and the spraying assembly 35 is facilitated.

[0139] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in an embodiment, the conveying belt 32 includes a plurality of rollers 321 arranged at intervals along a conveying direction of the conveying belt 32. Each roller 321 is movably arranged along the conveying direction, and each roller 321 is rotatably arranged about an axial direction thereof.

[0140] Each roller 321 moves along the conveying direction, so as to complete the conveying of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2.

[0141] Each roller 321 is rotatably arranged about an axial direction thereof. In an embodiment in which the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is arranged between two adjacent rollers 321 for conveying, the rotation of the rollers 321 drives the rotation of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2, so that the surface of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is more uniformly infiltrated with flavoring substances.

[0142] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, each roller 321 can correspond to a driving member 322. Each driving member 322 is controlled by a control module 323 (PLC), so that each roller 321 can be independently controlled, and the rotating speed of each roller 321 can be independently or synchronously set.

[0143] It should be noted that the type of the driving member 322 is not limited. For example, the driving member 322 can be a servo motor.

[0144] In other embodiments, only one driving member 322 can be arranged, and a plurality of rollers 321 can be driven by gear connection.

[0145] It should be noted that the specific manner in which the conveying belt 32 carries the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is not limited. For example, two specific embodiments are described below.

[0146] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the flavoring device according to the first embodiment of the present application, and FIG. 2 shows the manner in which the conveying belt 32 carries the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0147] Referring to FIG. 2, in an embodiment, the gap between two adjacent rollers 321 is used to carry the aerosol generating substrate segment 2. The two adjacent rollers 321 can limit the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 located between the two rollers 321, so as to facilitate reducing the probability of rolling of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 on the conveying belt 32. The rollers 321 move along the conveying direction, so as to convey the aerosol generating substrate segment 2.

[0148] In this embodiment, the conveying belt 32 can complete the conveying of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 alone without the aid of other tools, thereby facilitating the reduction of the cost of the manufacturing equipment.

[0149] In addition, in the process of passing through the first conveying segment 32a and the third conveying segment 32c, the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is limited by the two adjacent rollers 321, thereby facilitating the reduction of the probability of rolling of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 on the first conveying segment 32a or the third conveying segment 32c under the action of gravity.

[0150] Referring to FIG. 2, in an embodiment, the angle between the extension direction of the first conveying segment 32a and the horizontal plane is not less than 20° and not greater than 50°. For example, it can be 20°, 23°, 26°, 29°, 32°, 35°, 38°, 41°, 44°, 47°, 50°, and the like.

[0151] In this embodiment, on the one hand, the angle between the extension direction of the first conveying segment 32a and the horizontal plane will not be less than 20°, thereby the displacement generated in the horizontal direction during the process of the first conveying segment 32a descending from a higher height to a lower height will not be too large, thereby facilitating the control of the size of the first conveying segment 32a in the horizontal direction, and further enabling the manufacturing equipment to be controlled within a reasonable size range to save the space of the production plant.

[0152] On the other hand, the angle between the extension direction of the first conveying segment 32a and the horizontal plane will also not be greater than 50°, thereby the angle of the first conveying segment 32a relative to the height direction will also not be too large, thereby facilitating the reduction of the probability of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 falling off from the two adjacent rollers 321 of the first conveying segment 32a, or even causing the stacking phenomenon of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2, that is, by controlling the angle to be less than or equal to 50°, the adjacent two aerosol generating substrate segments 2 will have a certain gap when the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is infiltrated with flavoring substances on the second conveying segment 32b, thereby enabling the flavoring substances to be evenly attached to the aerosol generating substrate segment 2.

[0153] It should be noted that the "stacking" here refers to the adhesion phenomenon between the adjacent aerosol generating substrate segments 2 in the conveying direction.

[0154] Referring to FIG. 2, in an embodiment, the diameter of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is d, and the distance between the two adjacent rollers 321 of the first conveying segment 32a is not less than 0.5d and not greater than 0.75d. For example, it can be 0.5d, 0.52d, 0.54d, 0.56d, 0.58d, 0.60d, 0.63d, 0.66d, 0.69d, 0.71d, 0.73d, 0.75d, and the like.

[0155] In one aspect, the distance between the two adjacent rollers 321 of the first conveying section 32a is not too small, so that the distance between the two adjacent rollers 321 of the first conveying section 32a has a better carrying effect on the aerosol generating substrate section 2, thereby effectively ensuring that the aerosol generating substrate section 2 has good stability during the travel of the first conveying section 32a, which is conducive to reducing the probability of the aerosol generating substrate section falling off between the two adjacent rollers 321 of the first conveying section 32a, or even causing the aerosol generating substrate section 2 to stack.

[0156] On the other hand, the distance between the two adjacent rollers 321 of the first conveying section 32a is also not too large, so that the problem of the aerosol generating substrate section 2 falling off between the two adjacent rollers 321 of the first conveying section 32a can be effectively avoided, and at the same time, when the extension length of the first conveying section 32a is constant, the first conveying section 32a can convey a larger number of aerosol generating substrate sections 2, thereby facilitating the improvement of the conveying efficiency of the first conveying section 32a on the aerosol generating substrate section 2.

[0157] Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the angle between the third conveying section 32c and the horizontal plane is not less than 30° and not greater than 60°. For example, it can be 30°, 33°, 36°, 39°, 42°, 45°, 48°, 51°, 54°, 57°, 60°, etc.

[0158] In one aspect, the angle between the extension direction of the third conveying section 32c and the horizontal plane is not less than 30°, so that the flavoring substances remaining on the surface of the aerosol generating substrate section 2 after the soaking are conducive to flowing back into the containing cavity 31a during the travel of the aerosol generating substrate section 2 on the third conveying section 32c; at the same time, the displacement required in the horizontal direction during the process of the third conveying section 32c being lifted from a lower height to a higher height is not too large, thereby facilitating the control of the size of the third conveying section 32c in the horizontal direction, and thereby the manufacturing equipment can be controlled within a reasonable size range to save the space of the production plant.

[0159] On the other hand, the angle between the extension direction of the third conveying section 32c and the horizontal plane is also not greater than 60°, i.e., the angle between the third conveying section 32c and the height direction is not too large, so that the aerosol generating substrate section 2 is conducive to reducing the probability of sliding downward and falling back into the flavoring substances under the action of its own gravity during the travel of the aerosol generating substrate section 2 on the third conveying section 32c.

[0160] Referring to FIG. 2, in an embodiment, the diameter of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is d, and the distance between the adjacent two rollers 321 of the third conveying segment 32c is not less than 0.25d and not more than 0.75d. For example, it can be 0.25d, 0.28d, 0.31d, 0.34d, 0.37d, 0.40d, 0.43d, 0.46d, 0.49d, 0.52d, 0.55d, 0.58d, 0.61d, 0.64d, 0.67d, 0.70d, 0.71d, 0.72d, 0.73d, 0.74d, 0.75d, and the like.

[0161] In this embodiment, on the one hand, the distance between the adjacent two rollers 321 of the third conveying segment 32c is not too small, so that the distance between the adjacent two rollers 321 of the third conveying segment 32c has a better carrying effect on the aerosol generating substrate segment 2, thereby effectively ensuring that the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 has good stability during the process of advancing on the third conveying segment 32c, and the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is beneficial to reduce the probability of sliding downward and falling back into the flavoring substance under the action of its own gravity during the process of advancing on the third conveying segment 32c.

[0162] On the other hand, the distance between the adjacent two rollers 321 of the third conveying segment 32c is also not too large, so that the problem of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 falling from the gap between the adjacent two rollers 321 of the third conveying segment 32c can be effectively avoided, and at the same time, when the extension length of the third conveying segment 32c is certain, the third conveying segment 32c can convey more aerosol generating substrate segments 2, thereby being beneficial to improve the conveying efficiency of the third conveying segment 32c on the aerosol generating substrate segment 2.

[0163] FIG. 3 is a structural schematic view of the flavoring device of the second embodiment of the present application, and FIG. 3 shows the way in which the conveying belt 32 carries the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 to advance.

[0164] Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the manufacturing equipment includes a carrier 40 having a carrying space, the carrier 40 is arranged on the conveying belt 32 and can advance along with the conveying belt 32 in the conveying direction, the carrying space is used to carry a plurality of aerosol generating substrate segments 2, the carrier 40 is provided with a plurality of perforations, and the carrying space is communicated with the outside through the perforations.

[0165] The specific structure of the carrier 40 is not limited. For example, the carrier 40 can be a carrying basket with mesh holes, and the mesh holes are the perforations.

[0166] In the related art, since the aerosol generating substrate segment has internal macroscopic holes, after being immersed in the flavoring substance, it will float up and down under the action of buoyancy, thereby causing uneven immersion of the upper and lower parts of the aerosol generating substrate segment.

[0167] In the embodiment, the plurality of aerosol generating substrate segments 2 can be stacked along the height direction in the bearing space by arranging the bearing member 40. Thus, the mutual restriction of the aerosol generating substrate segments 2 and the bearing member 40 can help to improve the problem of the aerosol generating substrate segments 2 floating up and down in the flavoring substance, thereby improving the uniformity of the impregnation of the aerosol generating substrate segments 2.

[0168] It can be understood that, in the embodiment, the plurality of aerosol generating substrate segments 2 are stacked along the height direction. Therefore, the spraying assembly 35 can be used to spray the flavoring substance to improve the uniformity of the concentration between the upper layer and the lower layer of the flavoring substance in the accommodation cavity 31a.

[0169] In the embodiment, the liquid level of the flavoring substance in the accommodation cavity 31a needs to be higher than the highest point of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 at the top by 5-10 mm.

[0170] Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the angle between the extension direction of the first conveying section 32a and the horizontal plane is not less than 10° and not greater than 30°. For example, the angle is 10°, 12°, 14°, 16°, 18°, 20°, 22°, 24°, 26°, 28°, 30°, and the like.

[0171] In the embodiment, on the one hand, the angle between the extension direction of the first conveying section 32a and the horizontal plane is not less than 10°. Thus, the displacement of the first conveying section 32a in the horizontal direction during the process of descending from a higher height to a lower height is not too large, thereby helping to control the size of the first conveying section 32a in the horizontal direction, and further enabling the manufacturing equipment to be controlled within a reasonable size range to save the space of the production plant.

[0172] On the other hand, the angle between the extension direction of the first conveying section 32a and the horizontal plane is not greater than 30°. Thus, the angle of the first conveying section 32a relative to the height direction is not too large, that is, the bearing member 40 can relatively gently travel on the first conveying section 32a, thereby helping to reduce the probability of the bearing member 40 rolling over.

[0173] It should be noted that, since the bearing member 40 simultaneously bears the plurality of aerosol generating substrate segments 2 to travel on the first conveying section 32a, the overall weight of the bearing member 40 and the plurality of aerosol generating substrate segments 2 after being accumulated is heavier. Therefore, compared with the embodiment in which the aerosol generating substrate segments 2 are individually arranged in the gap between the adjacent two roller shafts 321 of the first conveying section 32a to travel, in the embodiment in which the bearing member 40 bears the aerosol generating substrate segments 2 to travel, the inclination of the first conveying section 32a needs to be smaller, thereby helping to reduce the probability of the bearing member 40 rolling over during the travel.

[0174] Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the conveying belt 32 comprises a plurality of rollers 321 arranged at intervals along the conveying direction thereof, each roller 321 is movably arranged along the conveying direction, and each roller 321 is rotatably arranged about the axial direction thereof. The diameter of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is d, the distance between two adjacent rollers 321 of the first conveying section 32a is not less than 0.2d and not more than 0.4d. For example, 0.2d, 0.21d, 0.22d, 0.23d, 0.24d, 0.25d, 0.26d, 0.27d, 0.28d, 0.29d, 0.3d, 0.32d, 0.34d, 0.36d, 0.38d, 0.4d, and the like.

[0175] The first conveying section 32a is used to convey the carrier 40 loaded with the unflavored aerosol generating substrate segment 2. By setting the distance between two adjacent rollers 321 to be small, the conveying efficiency can be improved.

[0176] The relationship between the distance between two adjacent rollers 321 and the conveying efficiency is that the smaller the distance, the higher the conveying efficiency, and the larger the distance, the lower the conveying efficiency. It can be understood that, at the same speed, the narrower the distance between two adjacent rollers 321, the more the distance between two adjacent rollers 321 is relayed, that is, the smaller the distance, the larger the contact area between the carrier 40 or the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 and the upper surface of the roller 321, the greater the friction, and the faster the running speed.

[0177] Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the conveying belt 32 comprises a plurality of rollers 321 arranged at intervals along the conveying direction thereof, each roller 321 is movably arranged along the conveying direction, and each roller 321 is rotatably arranged about the axial direction thereof. The diameter of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is d, the distance between two adjacent rollers 321 of the third conveying section 32c is not less than 0.6d and not more than 0.9d. For example, 0.6d, 0.61d, 0.62d, 0.63d, 0.64d, 0.651d, 0.66d, 0.67d, 0.68d, 0.69d, 0.7d, 0.72d, 0.74d, 0.76d, 0.78d, 0.8d, 0.85d, 0.9d, and the like.

[0178] The third conveying section 32c is used to convey the carrier 40 loaded with the flavored aerosol generating substrate segment 2. By setting the distance between two adjacent rollers 321 to be large, it can be ensured that the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 has sufficient adsorption time for the flavoring substances on the surface thereof. Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the angle between the third conveying section 32c and the horizontal plane is not less than 30° and not more than 50°. For example, it can be 30°, 32°, 34°, 36°, 38°, 40°, 42°, 44°, 46°, 48°, 50°, and the like.

[0179] In one aspect, the angle between the extension direction of the third conveying section 32c and the horizontal plane is not less than 30°, so that after the carrier 40 carries the aerosol generating substrate section 2 to complete the infiltration, the flavoring substances remaining on the surface of the aerosol generating substrate section 2 can flow into the containing cavity 31a, and meanwhile, the displacement of the third conveying section 32c in the horizontal direction during the process of being lifted from a lower height to a higher height is not too large, so as to facilitate the control of the size of the third conveying section 32c in the horizontal direction, and thus the manufacturing equipment can be controlled within a reasonable size range to save the space of the production plant.

[0180] In another aspect, the angle between the extension direction of the third conveying section 32c and the horizontal plane is not greater than 50°, that is, the angle between the third conveying section 32c and the height direction is not too large, so that during the process of the carrier 40 carrying the aerosol generating substrate section 2 to travel on the third conveying section 32c, the probability of the carrier 40 rolling over or even falling back into the flavoring substances can be reduced.

[0181] It should be noted that since the carrier 40 simultaneously carries multiple aerosol generating substrate sections 2 to travel on the third conveying section 32c, the overall weight of the carrier 40 and the multiple aerosol generating substrate sections 2 is heavier, and therefore, compared with the embodiment in which the aerosol generating substrate section 2 is arranged in the gap between the adjacent two roller shafts 321 of the third conveying section 32c to travel, in the embodiment in which the carrier 40 carries the aerosol generating substrate section 2 to travel, the inclination of the third conveying section 32c needs to be smaller, so as to reduce the probability of the carrier 40 rolling over during the traveling process.

[0182] Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the diameter of the aerosol generating substrate section 2 is d, and the distance between the adjacent two roller shafts 321 of the third conveying section 32c is not less than d and not greater than d.

[0183] Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the first conveying section 32a is provided with first blocking members 324 on opposite sides thereof, and in the state that the carrier 40 is located on the first conveying section 32a, the carrier 40 is located between the first blocking members 324 on the opposite sides of the first conveying section 32a.

[0184] The specific shape of the first blocking member 324 is not limited. For example, it can be plate-shaped, block-shaped, etc.

[0185] By arranging the first blocking member 324, the first blocking members 324 on the opposite sides can effectively reduce the probability of the carrier 40 being displaced or laterally flipped during the process of the carrier 40 carrying the aerosol generating substrate section 2 to travel on the first conveying section 32a.

[0186] The first conveying section 32a can be provided with a plurality of first blocking pieces 324 arranged along the extension direction of the first conveying section 32a, that is, the carrier 40 can be blocked by the first blocking pieces 324 during the process of traveling on the first conveying section 32a.

[0187] Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the third conveying section 32c is provided with second blocking pieces 325 on opposite sides thereof, and the carrier 40 is located between the second blocking pieces 325 on opposite sides of the third conveying section 32c in the state of being located on the third conveying section 32c.

[0188] The specific shape of the second blocking piece 325 is not limited. For example, it can be plate-shaped, block-shaped, etc.

[0189] By providing the second blocking piece 325, the second blocking pieces 325 on opposite sides can effectively reduce the probability of displacement or lateral overturning of the carrier 40 during the process of the carrier 40 carrying the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 traveling on the third conveying section 32c.

[0190] The third conveying section 32c can be provided with a plurality of second blocking pieces 325 arranged along the extension direction of the third conveying section 32c, that is, the carrier 40 can be blocked by the second blocking pieces 325 during the process of traveling on the third conveying section 32c.

[0191] Referring to FIG. 5, in a second aspect, the present application provides a manufacturing method of an aerosol generating substrate segment, which is applied to a manufacturing device of an aerosol generating substrate segment, and the manufacturing device comprises an extruding device 10, a slitting device 20, and a flavoring device 30. The manufacturing method comprises the following steps:

[0192] S100: The mixture is extruded by the extruding device to form an aerosol generating substrate strip.

[0193] The mixture is a component of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2. The extruding device 10 is used to shape the mixture to obtain an aerosol generating substrate strip 1, and the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 has the same cross-sectional shape as the aerosol generating substrate segment 2. The difference between the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 and the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is that the length of the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 is longer. The mixture is shaped by the extruding device 10 without changing the chemical properties of the mixture.

[0194] Referring to FIG. 1, the extruding device 10 is used to extrude the mixture to form an aerosol generating substrate strip 1, which means that the mixture is pushed forward by the extruding screw through the action between the barrel and the extruding screw of the extruding device 10, and is formed into an aerosol generating substrate strip 1 with various cross-sectional shapes through the die of the discharge port.

[0195] S200: cutting the aerosol generating substrate strip by the cutting device to obtain the aerosol generating substrate segment.

[0196] It can be understood that the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 is cut by the cutting tool of the cutting device 20 to obtain the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 with a set length. In this way, the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 with a set length can be suitable for the subsequent flavoring device 30, facilitating the immersion and flavoring of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2.

[0197] It can be understood that the specific value of the set length is not limited and can be set according to actual needs.

[0198] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 extruded by the extrusion device 10 has a continuous structure. That is, during the extrusion process, the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 is continuously extruded so that the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 has a continuous structure. Continuous extrusion can improve the extrusion efficiency, and the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 is subsequently cut to a set length to shorten the length.

[0199] S300: immersing the aerosol generating substrate segment in flavoring substances by the flavoring device.

[0200] The flavoring device 30 is arranged downstream of the cutting device 20, and the flavoring device 30 includes a housing 31 having a containing cavity 31a for containing flavoring substances. The flavoring device 30 can at least be used to immerse the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 in the containing cavity 31a in flavoring substances.

[0201] It can be understood that by cutting the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 into the aerosol generating substrate segment 2, the size of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is smaller, and it is more convenient to be placed in the containing cavity 31a of the flavoring device 30, thereby realizing immersion and flavoring.

[0202] In the related art, after adding flavoring substances in the mixed material, the aerosol generating substrate strip is prepared by the extrusion device. In order to realize the smooth extrusion of the mixed material with ultra-low moisture from the extrusion device, the mixed material needs to be melted to form a melt with a certain fluidity at a relatively high temperature (above 100℃). However, if the boiling point of the flavoring substances added in the mixed material is relatively low, the retention rate of the flavoring substances in the extruded aerosol generating substrate strip is relatively low.

[0203] The manufacturing method of the present application, after the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 is extruded by the extrusion device 10, is cut into aerosol generating substrate segments 2 by the cutting device 20. The length of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is shorter than that of the aerosol generating substrate strip 1, so as to facilitate the placement of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 into the accommodating cavity 31a and the infiltration of flavoring substances. By infiltrating the flavoring substances into the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 after cutting, the flavoring substances can be supplemented in the aerosol generating substrate segment 2. Therefore, it is beneficial to reduce the loss of flavoring substances caused by excessively high temperature during the extrusion molding process, thereby improving the user experience.

[0204] In addition, the true density of the aerosol generating substrate strip 1 extruded by the extrusion device 10 is as high as 1 g / cm 3 The above, and its microscopic pore size is micron level, even nanometer level, for macromolecular flavoring substances, using ordinary flavoring method (such as spraying, spraying) to flavor the aerosol generating substrate segment 2, flavoring substances may only adhere to the surface of the aerosol generating substrate segment 2, and in the present application, the aerosol generating substrate segment 2 is infiltrated with flavoring substances, which is beneficial to the full penetration and absorption of flavoring substances by the aerosol generating substrate segment 2.

[0205] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, but not to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacement to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and they should be covered in the scope of the claims and the specification of the present application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, each technical feature mentioned in each embodiment can be combined in any way. The present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing segments of aerosol generating substrate, comprising: an extruding device configured to extrude a mixture to form a strip of aerosol generating substrate; a slitting device disposed downstream of the extruding device and configured to slit the strip of aerosol generating substrate to form segments of aerosol generating substrate; and a flavoring device disposed downstream of the slitting device, the flavoring device comprising a housing having a receiving cavity configured to receive a flavoring substance, the flavoring device being configured to at least allow the segments of aerosol generating substrate located in the receiving cavity to be soaked in the flavoring substance. The flavoring device further comprises a conveyor belt disposed in the receiving cavity, the conveyor belt being configured to convey the segments of aerosol generating substrate through the receiving cavity.

2. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The conveyor belt comprises a first conveyor section, a second conveyor section, and a third conveyor section connected in sequence along a conveying direction of the conveyor belt, a height of the first conveyor section gradually decreases as it approaches the second conveyor section, a height of the third conveyor section gradually increases as it moves away from the second conveyor section, and at least a portion of the second conveyor section is located in the receiving cavity.

3. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The conveyor belt further comprises a fourth conveyor section and a fifth conveyor section both extending in a horizontal direction, the fourth conveyor section is connected to an end of the first conveyor section away from the second conveyor section, and the fifth conveyor section is connected to an end of the third conveyor section away from the second conveyor section.

4. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein, A ratio of an extension length of the third conveyor section to an extension length of the first conveyor section is not less than 1.5 and not more than 3.

5. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein, An angle between an extension direction of the first conveyor section and a horizontal plane is not less than 20° and not more than 50°; and / or 6. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein, An angle between the third conveyor section and the horizontal plane is not less than 30° and not more than 60°. In a state where the segments of aerosol generating substrate are located in the second conveyor section, a liquid level of the flavoring substance in the receiving cavity exceeds a dimension of a highest point of the segments of aerosol generating substrate by not less than 5 mm and not more than 10 mm.

7. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The conveyor belt comprises a plurality of rollers arranged at intervals along the conveying direction of the conveyor belt, each of the rollers is movably disposed along the conveying direction, and each of the rollers is rotatably disposed about an axial direction thereof.

8. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein, A gap between two adjacent rollers is configured to carry the segments of aerosol generating substrate.

9. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 8, wherein, The segments of aerosol generating substrate have a diameter d.

10. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 8, wherein, A distance between two adjacent rollers of the first conveyor section is not less than 0.5d and not more than 0.75d; and / or A distance between two adjacent rollers of the third conveyor section is not less than 0.25d and not more than 0.75d. The apparatus for manufacturing segments of aerosol generating substrate comprises a carrier having a carrying space, the carrier is disposed on the conveyor belt and is configured to travel along with the conveyor belt in the conveying direction, the carrying space is configured to carry a plurality of the segments of aerosol generating substrate, and the carrier is provided with a plurality of perforations, the carrying space is in communication with an outside through the perforations.

11. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 3, wherein, An angle between an extension direction of the first conveyor section and a horizontal plane is not less than 10° and not more than 30°; and / or 12. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 11, wherein, An angle between the third conveyor section and the horizontal plane is not less than 30° and not more than 50°. ​ 13. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 11, wherein, The conveying belt comprises a plurality of rollers arranged at intervals along a conveying direction thereof, each of the rollers is movably arranged along the conveying direction and rotatably arranged about an axial direction thereof, and a diameter of the aerosol generating substrate segment is d; a distance between two adjacent rollers of the first conveying section is not less than 0.2d and not more than 0.4d; and / or a distance between two adjacent rollers of the third conveying section is not less than 0.6d and not more than 0.9d.

14. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 11, wherein, Each of opposite sides of the first conveying section is provided with a first stopper, and the carrier is located between the first stoppers of the opposite sides of the first conveying section in a state that the carrier is located in the first conveying section; and / or Each of opposite sides of the third conveying section is provided with a second stopper, and the carrier is located between the second stoppers of the opposite sides of the third conveying section in a state that the carrier is located in the third conveying section.

15. The manufacturing apparatus of any one of claims 1-14, wherein, The flavoring device further comprises a replenishment assembly configured to replenish the flavoring substance into the accommodation cavity.

16. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 15, wherein, The flavoring device further comprises a liquid level meter arranged in the accommodation cavity and configured to detect a liquid level of the flavoring substance in the accommodation cavity, and the replenishment assembly is configured to selectively replenish the flavoring substance into the accommodation cavity based on the liquid level in the accommodation cavity.

17. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 15, wherein, The replenishment assembly comprises a first storage device configured to store the flavoring substance, a first connecting pipe configured to connect the first storage device and the accommodation cavity, and a first flow valve arranged on the first connecting pipe.

18. The manufacturing apparatus of any one of claims 1-14, wherein, The flavoring device further comprises a spraying assembly comprising a spray head arranged in the accommodation cavity and configured to spray the flavoring substance into the accommodation cavity.

19. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 18, wherein, The spraying assembly further comprises a second storage device, a second connecting pipe configured to connect the second storage device and the spray head, and a second flow valve arranged on the second connecting pipe.

20. A manufacturing method of an aerosol generating substrate segment, applied to a manufacturing device of an aerosol generating substrate segment, the manufacturing device comprising an extruding device, a slitting device, and a flavoring device, the manufacturing method comprising: extruding a mixture through the extruding device to form an aerosol generating substrate strip; slitting the aerosol generating substrate strip through the slitting device to obtain an aerosol generating substrate segment; immersing the aerosol generating substrate segment in a flavoring substance through the flavoring device.

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