Machine for injecting an additive into consumables

Abstract

A machine and method for injecting an additive into consumables 2 such as heat- not-burn consumables or cigarettes. The machine comprises a holder 1 for holding the consumables 2, each of the consumables comprising a rod of material 3 wrapped in a wrapper 5. An injection device 7, 107 injects an additive such as a gel into at least some of the consumables 2 when the consumables 2 are held in the holder 1.

Description

[0001] Machine for injecting an additive into consumables

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a machine for injecting an additive into consumables, such as heat-not-burn consumables or cigarettes, and a method of injecting an additive into consumables.

[0004] Background

[0005] During manufacturing processes for manufacturing consumables, such as heat- not-burn consumables or cigarettes, it can be desirable to add an additive to the cigarette for example to alter the flavour of the consumable.

[0006] However, adding the additive takes time and can slow down and / or complicate the manufacturing process. This is particularly the case if the additive is in the form of a gel.

[0007] Summary

[0008] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a machine for injecting an additive into consumables, wherein the machine comprises a holder for holding a plurality of consumables, each of the plurality of consumables comprising a rod of material wrapped in a wrapper, wherein the machine further comprises an injection device for injecting an additive into at least some of the consumables when the plurality of consumables are in the holder.

[0009] Each of the plurality of consumables comprises a rod of material wrapped in a wrapper. The material may be an aerosol-generating material. Each of the consumables may be fully formed. In other words, the additive may be injected into consumables which are otherwise ready for packing into a container. The consumables may be heat-not-burn consumables (also referred to herein as noncombustible consumables) or combustible consumables such as cigarettes. The consumables may be filters. The consumables may contain tobacco. The consumables may not contain any tobacco.

[0010] The injection device may comprise a plurality of needles for injecting the additive. The plurality of needles may extend from a common holder.

[0011] The plurality of needles may be arranged in an array for aligning each of the plurality of needles with one of the consumables. The array may comprise a first row of needles and at least a second row of needles.

[0012] The injection device may be moveable from a first position to a second position relative to the holder.

[0013] When the injection device is in the first position, the plurality of needles may be at least partially located within the holder for injecting the additive into the consumables.

[0014] When the injection device is in the second position, the plurality of needles may be located outside of the holder.

[0015] When the injection device is in the first position, the injection device may be positioned for injecting the additive into a first set of the plurality of consumables. The injection device may be movable to a third position in which the plurality of needles are at least partially located within the holder for injecting the additive into a second set of the plurality of consumables.

[0016] The machine may further comprise an actuator for moving the injection device from the first position to the second position, and optionally for moving the injection device to the third position.

[0017] The machine may further comprise a dispensing mechanism for forcing the additive out of the injection device and into the consumables, and optionally wherein if the injection device comprises the plurality of needles then the dispensing mechanism is for forcing the additive out of the injection device and into the consumables via the plurality of needles. The machine may further comprise a controller configured to control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive out of the injection device and into the consumables.

[0018] The controller may be configured to control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive out of the injection device and into the consumables when the injection device is moving from the first position to the second position. Optionally the controller may be configured to control the dispensing mechanism to continuously force the additive out of the injection device and into the consumables whilst the injection device is moving from the first position to the second position.

[0019] The machine may further comprise a pusher for moving the plurality of consumables into the holder.

[0020] The pusher may comprise a plurality of arms for moving the plurality of consumables into the holder.

[0021] The machine may further comprise a hopper for holding the plurality of consumables.

[0022] The pusher may be arranged to move the plurality of consumables from the hopper into the holder.

[0023] The hopper may comprise a plurality of vanes. The pusher may be arranged to move the plurality of consumables from at least some of the plurality of vanes into the holder.

[0024] The injection device may be arranged on the opposite side of the holder to the pusher.

[0025] The controller may be configured to control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive out of the injection device and into the consumables when the plurality of consumables are being moved by the pusher into the holder. The holder may be movable from a holder first position to a holder second position, and optionally wherein when the holder is in the first position the plurality of consumables may be moved into the holder.

[0026] The controller may be configured to control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive out of the injection device and into the consumables when the holder in the first holder position, and optionally when the holder is stationary in the holder first position.

[0027] The controller may be configured to control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive out of the injection device and simultaneously into the consumables. If the injection device comprises the plurality of needles then the controller may be configured to control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive simultaneously out of the plurality of needles.

[0028] The machine may further comprise an ejecting means configured to eject the plurality of consumables out of the holder when the holder is in the second position.

[0029] The first holder may be arranged on a turret which is configured to rotate for moving the first holder between the first holder position and the second holder position.

[0030] The holder may be a first holder for holding the plurality of consumables. The machine may further comprise a second holder for holding a second plurality of consumables, and optionally wherein the second holder has the same features as defined herein in relation to the first holder.

[0031] The machine may further comprise a container for holding the additive, and a tube for connecting the container to the injection device for allowing the additive to flow from the container to the injection device. The tube may be detachably connected to the container and / or the injection device for allowing the additive in the container to be refilled or for allowing the additive to be replaced with an alternative additive.

[0032] The machine may be a packaging machine for packaging the plurality of consumables.

[0033] The packaging machine may further comprises packaging equipment for packaging the plurality of consumables.

[0034] The packaging machine may comprise packaging equipment for packaging the plurality of consumables into one or more containers, and optionally wherein the packaging equipment is located downstream of the injection device.

[0035] The packaging equipment may comprise a wrapping machine which is configured to wrap the plurality of consumables in a material. The material may be metalized foil.

[0036] The packaging equipment may comprise a frame packer which is configured to pack the plurality of consumables into a frame. The packaging equipment may comprise a box packer which is configured to pack the plurality of consumables into a packaging box.

[0037] The packaging machine may further comprise a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the plurality of consumables to the packaging equipment.

[0038] If the injection is performed by a packaging machine, then the packaging machine may have bundled the consumables together in a holder as part of the packaging process. The packaging machine usually processes multiple consumables at the same time. The packaging machine may hold 10 or 20 consumables in a holder, for example. The consumables can then be injected by the injection device whilst they are in the holder. The packaging machine can be retrofitted to include the injection device. The injection can be performed on multiple consumables during the packaging process. The machine may further comprise a transfer mechanism for transferring the plurality of consumables to the packaging equipment after the injection device has injected the additive into the plurality of consumables.

[0039] The plurality of needles may be for injecting the additive simultaneously into the consumables.

[0040] The injection device may be for injecting or configured to inject the additive into the rods of material of the consumables, and optionally for injecting or configured to inject the additive simultaneously into the rods of material of the consumables.

[0041] In accordance with some embodiments described herein there is provided a system comprising the machine described herein, and the plurality of consumables.

[0042] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure there may be provided a machine and a plurality of consumables.

[0043] The machine may further comprise the plurality of consumables. The plurality of consumables may be located in the holder.

[0044] The plurality of consumables may be arranged in an array when they are located in the holder. The array may be configured to be packaged into a packaging box.

[0045] The array may have multiple rows and multiple columns. The array may have at least two rows and four or more columns.

[0046] The injection device may be configured to simultaneously inject multiple rows and / or multiple columns of the consumables in the array.

[0047] The injection device may be configured to inject the additive into all of the consumables which are located in the holder. The injection device may be configured to simultaneously inject the additive into all of the consumables which are located in the holder.

[0048] The machine may further comprise an air blower configured to blow air towards the holder for drying the additive after it has been injected into the consumables.

[0049] In accordance with some embodiments described herein there is provided a method of injecting an additive into at least some of a plurality of consumables, wherein each of the plurality of consumables comprises a rod of material wrapped in a wrapper, the method comprising holding the plurality of consumables in a holder and injecting an additive into at least some of the consumables using an injection device when the plurality of consumables are located in the holder.

[0050] The injection device may comprise a plurality of needles, and optionally wherein the plurality of needles extend from a common holder.

[0051] Injecting the additive may comprise inserting each one of the plurality of needles into a separate consumable of the plurality of consumables.

[0052] The method may further comprise moving the injection device from a first position to a second position relative to the holder.

[0053] When the injection device is in the first position, the plurality of needles may be at least partially located within the consumables. When the injection device is in the first position, the plurality of needles may be at least partially located in the holder.

[0054] When the injection device is in the second position, the plurality of needles may be located outside of the holder.

[0055] When the injection device is in the first position, the injection device may be positioned for injecting the additive into a first set of the plurality of consumables. The method may further comprise moving the injection device to a third position in which the plurality of needles are at least partially located within a second set of the plurality of consumables. Injecting the additive may comprise injecting the additive into the consumables when the injection device is moving from the first position to the second position, and optionally continuously or intermittently injecting the additive when the injection device is moving from the first position to the second position.

[0056] The method may further comprise a step of pushing the plurality of consumables into the holder.

[0057] Pushing the plurality of consumables into the holder may comprise moving the plurality of consumables from a hopper into the holder.

[0058] Injecting the additive may comprise injecting the additive when the step of pushing the plurality of consumables into the holder is being performed.

[0059] The method may further comprise moving the holder and the plurality of consumables held therein from a first holder position to a second holder position.

[0060] The step of injecting the additive may be performed when the holder is stationary in the holder first position.

[0061] The method may further comprise ejecting the plurality of consumables from the holder when the holder is in the holder second position.

[0062] Moving the holder from the first holder position to the second holder position may comprise rotating the first holder about a rotational axis.

[0063] The method may be performed by a packaging machine which additionally packages the plurality of consumables into one or more containers.

[0064] The method may further comprise using the packaging machine to package the plurality of consumables into the one or more containers, after injecting the additive. Injecting the additive may comprise simultaneously injecting the additive into the at least some of the consumables. Injecting the additive may comprise simultaneously injecting the additive out of the plurality of needles.

[0065] Injecting the additive may comprise injecting the additive along an axial length of the consumables, and optionally wherein the axial length is substantially along the entire length of the rods.

[0066] Injecting the additive may comprise injecting the additive along the central axis of the rods or the central axis of the consumables.

[0067] The method may further comprise forming the plurality of consumables prior to injecting the additive.

[0068] Injecting the additive into the consumables comprises may comprise injecting the additive into the rods of material of the consumables.

[0069] The method may comprise using the machine as defined herein.

[0070] The method may be performed by a packaging machine for packaging the plurality of consumables. The method may further comprise packaging the plurality of consumables using packaging equipment of the packaging machine.

[0071] Packaging the plurality of consumables may comprise wrapping the plurality of consumables in a material. The material may be metalized foil.

[0072] Packaging the plurality of consumables may comprise packaging the plurality of consumables into a frame. Packaging the plurality of consumables may comprise packaging the plurality of consumables into a packaging box.

[0073] The method may further comprise drying the additive naturally when the plurality of consumables are located in the packaging box. The method may further comprise using an air blower to blow air towards the holder for drying the additive after it has been injected into the consumables. In accordance with some embodiments described herein there is provided a consumable made according to the method described herein.

[0074] The additive may comprise a gel, and optionally the gel may comprise a liquid gel for solidifying in the plurality of consumables.

[0075] The injection device may inject up to 50mg of additive per consumable. The injection device may inject around 10mg of additive per consumable. The injection device may inject between 10mg to 20mg of additive per consumable. The additive may comprise a gel. The additive may be a tobacco extract gel. The viscosity of the gel may be thicker than water. The viscosity of the gel may be in the region of 5000 to 10000 cP. The composition of the gel may be a mixture of tobacco extract, water, thickener and wood fibres. The thicker may be CMC or Alginate, for example.

[0076] The additive may comprise a flavour. The flavour may be menthol, tea or vanilla or mix flavour, for example. If the additive comprises a flavour then the device may inject between 5mg to 10mg per consumable.

[0077] Each consumable may comprise a rod of material having an axial length of between 0 and 15mm. The axial length may be around 12mm. Each rod of material may have a circumference of between 17 and 25 mm. The circumference may be around 21mm. The volume of the rod of material may be between 720mm3and 750 mm3. The volume may be around 421 mm3.

[0078] The additive may comprise a powder.

[0079] Each of the rods of material may comprise tobacco.

[0080] Brief description of the drawings

[0081] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

[0082] Fig. 1 shows an example of a consumable;

[0083] Fig. 2 shows an example of a holder and an injection device; Fig. 3 shows an example of an alternative injection device;

[0084] Fig. 4 shows an example of a pusher for pushing the consumables into the holder; Figs. 5A to 5C show top views of the holder, the injection device and the pusher at different stages of operation;

[0085] Fig. 6A shows an example of a hopper;

[0086] Fig. 6B shows a magnified view of part of the hopper of Fig. 6A;

[0087] Fig. 7 shows an example of a holder from a side perspective, in which the holder is mounted on a turret;

[0088] Fig. 8 shows a schematic view of a packaging machine which comprises an injection device; and

[0089] Fig. 9 shows an example of a method.

[0090] Detailed description

[0091] Reference is now made to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0092] Fig. 1 shows a consumable 2 which comprises a rod of material 3 wrapped in a wrapper 5. The rod of material 3 may be a rod of aerosol-generating material, and it may comprise tobacco. The consumable 2 may be a heat-not-burn consumable (also referred to herein as a non-combustible) or a combustible consumable such as a cigarette. Alternatively, the consumable 2 may be a filter. The consumable 2 may or may not contain tobacco.

[0093] The rod of material 3 has a longitudinal axis 6 and a diameter D. The rod of material 3 has a first end 12 and a second end 13. It will be additionally appreciated that in other embodiments, a filter may be provided which is connected to the first end 12 of the rod of material 3.

[0094] The rod of material 3 has an axial length between the first 12 and the second end 13 of around 12mm. The rod of material 13 has a circumference of around 21 mm. The volume of the rod of material 13 may have a volume of around 421 mm3. However, it will be appreciated that the rod of material 3 may have other dimensions. The consumable 2 is fully formed and ready for packaging into a container. However, before the consumable is packaged into the container, an additive needs to be added to the consumable 2. This additive may be in the form of a gel which may be a liquid gel which solidifies in the consumable.

[0095] Fig. 2 shows a plurality of consumables 2 which are held in a holder 1 . Each of the consumables 2 in Fig. 2 has the same features as shown and described in relation to Fig. 1 . The holder 1 defines a space for holding the consumables in axial alignment. The consumables 2 are arranged in an array with seven consumables 2 arranged in a first row 31 , six consumables arranged in a second row 32 and seven consumables arranged in a third row 33 although it will be appreciated that the consumables may be arranged in other arrangements within the holder 1 in other embodiments.

[0096] If the consumables 2 are arranged in an array when they are located in the holder 1 then the array may be configured to be packaged into a packaging box 115. An example packaging box 115 is described in more detail below in relation to Fig. 8.

[0097] The array of the consumables has multiple rows and multiple columns. The array may have at least two rows and four or more columns.

[0098] Fig. 2 also shows an injection device 7 for injecting an additive into the consumables 2 when the consumables 2 are in the holder. The injection device 7 has a plurality of needles 8 which contain the additive for injecting into the consumables.

[0099] The plurality of needles 8 extend from a common holder 51 . Each needle 8 has a proximal end 52 connected to the holder and a free distal end 53. The needles 8 can be located in multiple consumables 2 at the same time. This may speed up the injection of the additive and it may not significantly hinder the speed of the manufacturing process.

[0100] The additive can be dispensed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously via the needles 8 into the consumables 2 in which the needles 8 are located. The needles 8 may all have the same length. Each needle 108 is inserted in separate one of the consumables 2.

[0101] In the example shown in Fig. 2, the injection device has seven needles 8. The needles 8 are arranged in an array of 1 x 7 needles. The needles 8 are spaced apart such that each of the plurality of needles 8 aligns with one of the rods of the material 3 of the consumables located in the holder 7. In other words, the needles 8 are spaced apart by a distance which is equal to or approximately equal to the diameter D of the consumables. In an alternative embodiment there are more or less than seven needles.

[0102] The injection device 7 may be configured to simultaneously inject multiple rows and / or multiple columns of the consumables in the array of consumables.

[0103] The injection device 7 may be configured to inject the additive into all of the consumables 2 which are located in the holder 1 . The injection device 7 may be configured to simultaneously inject the additive into all of the consumables 2 which are located in the holder 1 .

[0104] The injection device 7 is movable relative to the holder 1 , for example by an actuator such as a mechanical arm connected to the injection device (not shown in Fig. 2). Each of the needles 8 can therefore be moved into and out of the holder 1 (and therefore into and out of the consumables 2 which are located in the holder).

[0105] Each of the needles 8 can be located in a separate one of the consumables such as in the rods of material 3 of the consumables. Each of the needles 8 can be located in one of the rods of material on the first row 31 , when the rods are located in the holder 1 . The additive can then be injected into the consumables via the needles 8. The additive may be injected simultaneously into the consumables.

[0106] The consumables on the first row 31 can be seen as a first set of consumables. After the first set of consumables has been injected with the additive, the injection device 7 can then be moved relative to the holder 1 to inject the consumables 2 located in the second row 32 and / or in the third row 33. The consumables in the second row 32 or the third row 33 can be seen as a second set of consumables. The injection device 7 may be used to inject all of the consumables 2 located in the holder 1 or just some of the consumables 2 located in the holder 1 . The injection device 7 may be configured to inject all of the consumables 2 which are located in the holder 1 simultaneously.

[0107] This additive may be in the form of a gel which may be a liquid gel which solidifies in the consumable 2. In one embodiment, the additive is a tobacco extract gel and around 10mg to 20mg of additive is injected per consumable. In another embodiment, the additive comprises a flavour and around 5mg to 10mg of additive is injected per consumable. However, the amount of the additive which is injected can vary in other embodiments. The composition of the additive can vary in other embodiments.

[0108] The injected consumables can be conditioned to solidify the gel at ambient conditions. Alternatively or additionally the additive may be in the form of a liquid during injection, for example the additive may be heated during injection, and the additive can subsequently transition to a gel or solid form after injection, for example as a result of cooling or evaporation of the additive.

[0109] Additionally or alternatively, an air blower (not shown) may be provided and configured to blow air towards the holder 1 for drying the additive after it has been injected into the consumables 2. The blown air may be at a low temperature. The air blower may be particularly useful for additives which take too long to dry naturally.

[0110] If the additive is injected by a packaging machine during a packaging process, as described, for example, in relation to Fig. 8, the additive may transition to a gel or solid form at ambient conditions during the packaging process or prior to a final sealing wrap being applied, for example by the packing equipment 22.

[0111] Regarding the volume of additive which is injected, up to 50mg of additive may be injected per consumable. Around 10mg to 20mg of additive may be injected per consumable. As noted above, each consumable 2 may have an axial length of around 12mm, and a circumference of around 21mm, and a volume of around 421 mm3. The density of the additive in the consumables, wherein the additive may be in the form of a gel, may be up to 0.12mg / mm3, and may be around 0.024mg / mm3.

[0112] The injection device may inject between 10mg to 20mg of additive per consumable. The additive may comprise a gel. The additive may be a tobacco extract gel. The viscosity of the gel may be thicker than water. The viscosity of the gel may be in the region of 5000 to 10000 cP. The composition of the gel may be a mixture of tobacco extract, water, thickener and wood fibres. The thicker may be CMC or Alginate, for example.

[0113] The additive may comprise a flavour. The flavour may be menthol, tea or vanilla or mix flavour, for example. If the additive comprises a flavour then the device may inject between 5mg to 10mg per consumable.

[0114] Fig. 3 shows an example of an alternative injection device 107 which is the same as the injection device 7 described above except that the injection device 107 has multiple rows of needles 108 which are arranged in an array for aligning with all of the consumables 2 which are held in the holder 1 . The number of needles 108 is the same as the number of consumables in the holder. The needles 108 can therefore be inserted into all of the consumables 2 in a single step.

[0115] The plurality of needles 108 extend from a common holder 151 . Each needle 108 has a proximal end 152 connected to the holder and a free distal end 153. The additive can be dispensed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously within the consumables in which the needles 108 are located. The needles 108 may all have the same length. Each needle 108 may be inserted in a separate one of the consumables 2.

[0116] Fig. 4 shows an example of a pusher 40 for moving the plurality of consumables into the holder. The pusher 40 comprises a plurality of arms 41 which are movable to push the consumables 2 into the holder 1 . Alternative ways of moving the consumables into the holder are possible, such as feeding the consumables by gravity into the holder 1 .

[0117] Figs. 5A to 5C show top views of the pusher 40, the holder 1 and the injection device 107.

[0118] Figs. 5A to 5C also show a second holder 201 , a second injection device 207 having needles 208, and a second pusher 240 having arms 241 . The features of the second holder 201 , the second injection device 207 and the second pusher 240 are the same as those described herein in relation to the holder 1 , the injection device 107 and the pusher 40 respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the second holder 201 , the second injection device 207 and the second pusher 240 are not present.

[0119] The injection device 107 is arranged on the opposite side of the holder 1 to the pusher 40. The injection device 107 may be the injection device 107 shown in Fig. 3 or the injection device 7 shown in Fig. 2, for example.

[0120] Fig. 5A shows that the consumables 2 are initially located in a container such as a hopper 14, and the needles 108 of the injection device 107 are located outside of the holder 1 . This position may be considered to be a preliminary position for the injection device 107.

[0121] Fig. 6A shows a perspective view of the hopper 14. The hopper 14 has a plurality of vanes 15 in which the consumables 2 are located. The vanes 15 converge as they reach the pusher 40. The arms 41 of the pusher are arranged to contact the consumables 2 in the vanes 15, as shown in the magnified view in Fig. 6B, for example, to push the consumables 2 out of the hopper 14 and into the holder 1 .

[0122] In operation, the arms 41 of the pusher move the consumables 2 into the holder, as shown in Fig. 5B. The arms 41 move the consumables into the holder 1 via a passageway 42. It will be appreciated that the passageway 42 can be omitted such that the pusher 40 moves the consumables 2 directly into the holder 1 from the container 14.

[0123] The injection device 107 is moved from outside the holder 1 to a position in which the needles 108 are located at least partially or fully within the holder 1 as shown, for example, in Fig. 5B. This position may be considered to be a first position for the injection device 107. Since the consumables 2 are also located in the holder 1 , each of the needles 108 is positioned within one of the rods of the consumables, and the additive can be dispensed from the needles 108 into the rods of the consumables. As noted above, the injection device 107 is moved by an actuator, such as mechanical arm (not shown in Figs. 5A to 5C).

[0124] The needles 108 may extend along the central axis 6 of each of the rods of material 3. Each needle 108 may extend through the second end 12 of the rod 3 of its associated consumable 2 along the axial length of the rod 3 to reach the first end 12 of the rod of material 3. Alternatively, each needle 108 may extend only partially along the axial length of the rod of material 3 i.e. the needle 108 does not reach the first end 12 of the rod of material 3. Alternatively, each needle 108 may extend into a filter of each of the consumables for injecting the additive into the filters.

[0125] The needles 108 can be withdrawn from the holder 1 to a position outside of the holder 1 , as shown in Fig. 5C, for example. This position may be the same as the position for the needle holder 107, as shown in Fig. 5A.

[0126] A dispensing mechanism may be provided for forcing the additive out of the injection device 107 and into the rods of the consumables. The dispensing mechanism is not shown in Figs. 5A to 5C but it may include a piston associated separately with each of the needles 108 or a single piston which is common to all of the needles 108. Alternatively or additionally, the dispensing mechanism may include a pump 10 for pumping the additive out of the needles (see Fig. 8).

[0127] A controller may be provided for controlling the dispensing device to force the additive out of the injection device and into the rods 3 of the consumables 2 (not shown in Figs. 5A to 5C). The controller may be a computer 11 , as shown schematically in Fig. 8, which controls the dispensing device, such as the pump 10, by sending signals for the pump to start and stop pumping the additive.

[0128] Alternatively, the controller may comprise a mechanical switch which is operated when the injection device 107 is located within the holder 1.

[0129] The controller may be configured to control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive out of the injection device 107 and into the rods of material 3 of the consumables 2 when the injection device 2 is moving from a position in which the needles 108 are at least partially located within the holder 1 (and therefore within the rods 3 of the consumables 2) as shown for example in Fig. 5B, to a position in which the needles 108 are located outside of the holder 1 , as shown in Fig. 5C.

[0130] The controller may control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive out of the injection device 107 and into the consumables continuously whilst the needle 108 is moving out of the rod of material 3. Alternatively, the controller may control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive out of the injection device at intervals or intermittently such that the additive is deposited discontinuously along the rod of material 3.

[0131] The controller may alternatively or additionally control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive out of the injection device 107 and into the rods of material 3 when the consumables 2 are being moved by the pusher 40 into the holder 1 .

[0132] The controller may control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive out of each of the needles 108 simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

[0133] In Figs. 5A to 5C, the holder 1 is held stationary in a first holder position whilst the consumables 2 are moved into the holder 1 by the pushing means 40. The injection device 107 injects the additive into the consumables 2 when the holder is stationary in the first holder position, although it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the holder 1 and the injection device 107 could be moving together whist the injection takes place. Alternatively or additionally, the holder 1 could be moving whilst the consumables 2 are moved into the holder 1 . The controller will control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive out of the injection device and into the consumables at the desired time.

[0134] Fig. 5C shows the injection device 107 after the additive has been injected and the needles 108 have been withdrawn from the holder 1 (and hence the consumables 2). This position may be considered to be a second position for the injection device 107.

[0135] The holder 1 can then be moved to a second holder position in which the consumables 2 are removed from the holder, for example by an ejecting means (not shown). The ejecting means may comprise a pusher (not shown) which is similar to the pusher 40 described above for moving the consumables 2 into the holder 1.

[0136] The first holder 1 is arranged on a turret 19, as shown in Fig. 7. The turret 19 is configured to rotate around a rotational axis 18, as indicated by the arrow 16. The holder 1 can therefore be moved between a first position which corresponds to the position shown in Fig. 7 and Figs. 5A to 5C, to a second position, which corresponds to the position of the holder 301 as shown in Fig. 7. When the holder is in the holder second position, the consumables 2 are removed from the holder 1.

[0137] In an alternative embodiment, the holder 1 is movable by another mechanism, such as a conveyor belt and / or by a mechanism which moves the holder 1 linearly.

[0138] Fig. 8 is a figure showing the machine installed on a packaging machine 114 for packaging the plurality of consumables 2. The injection device 107 can be retrofitted into an existing packaging machine 114 so that the packaging machine is adapted to perform the functionality and method described herein.

[0139] The packaging machine 114 may have some or all of the same features and functionality as described herein, particularly in relation to Figs. 1 to 7. Fig. 8 additionally shows that the machine comprises a container 20 for holding the additive, and a tube 21 for connecting the container 20 to the injection device 107 and allowing the additive to flow from the container 20 to the injection device 107. The tube 21 is not shown as connected to the injection device 107 for clarity in this figure.

[0140] A pump 10 pumps the additive from the container 20 to the injection device 107 and out of the needles 108 into the consumables.

[0141] The tube 21 is detachably connected to the container 20 and / or the injection device 107 for allowing the additive in the container 20 to be refilled or replaced with an alternative additive.

[0142] The packaging machine 114 comprises packaging equipment 22 for packaging the consumables into one or more containers, such as a packaging box 115, a material 117 and / or a frame 119. The packaging equipment 22 is located downstream of the injection device 107. Therefore, the additive is injected into the consumables before they are packaged by the packaging equipment 22.

[0143] The packaging machine 114 comprises a transfer mechanism 23, such as a chain or conveyer belt, for transferring the consumables to the packaging equipment 22 after the injection device 107 has injected the additive into the consumables. The transfer mechanism 23 may be located downstream of the injection device 107 in the manufacturing process but upstream of the packaging equipment 22. The transfer mechanism 23 may transfer the consumables to the packaging equipment 22 from the holder 1 .

[0144] The packaging equipment 22 has a wrapping machine 116 which is configured to wrap the consumables in a material 117 such as metalized foil.

[0145] The packaging equipment 22 has a frame packer 118 which is configured to pack the consumables into a frame 119. The frame packer 118 forms the frame 119 from inner frame material 121. The packaging equipment 22 has a box packer 120 which is configured to pack the consumables into a packaging box 115.

[0146] The frame packer 118 packs the consumables into the frame 119 after the wrapping machine 116 has wrapped the consumables in the material 117. The material 117 forms an inner liner. The material 117 may be metalized foil or another material which is suitable for forming an inner liner.

[0147] The box packer 120 packs the consumables into the packaging box 115 after the frame packer 118 packs the consumables into the frame 119. The frame 119 is located in the packaging box 115.

[0148] The packaging box 115 may be made from cardboard, for example. The packaging box 115 may have a hinged lid. The box packer 120 may construct the packaging box 115 from a blank.

[0149] In another embodiment, the packaging equipment has some but not all of the features described herein. For example, the packaging equipment may not have a frame packer 118 and / or a wrapping machine 116.

[0150] The additive may be dried naturally within the consumables 2 when the consumables 2 are located in the packaging box 115. Dried naturally means that no additional drying means, such as a heater or a fan, is used to dry the additive.

[0151] Alternatively, instead of retrofitting the injection device 107 to a packaging machine, the injection device can be provided as a stand-alone machine which is located upstream of the packaging machine 114. The machine may have some or all of the features and functionality as described herein, in particular in relation to Figs. 1 to 7.

[0152] Fig. 9 shows an example method in accordance with the present invention. In step 802, the method comprises injecting the additive into at least some of the plurality of consumables. This may be preceded by a step 801 of forming the plurality of consumables. Forming the consumables may comprise wrapping the rod of material 5 in a wrapper. Forming the consumables may comprise providing each of the plurality of consumables with a filter. The additive is then injected in step 802 into consumables which have been formed, and preferably fully formed, in step 801 . Subsequent to step 802, the method may then comprise packaging the plurality of consumables into one or more containers in step 803.

[0153] The consumables 2 may be used in a delivery system.

[0154] As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes: non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials.

[0155] According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0156] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0157] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system.

[0158] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a nontobacco product. The non-combustible aerosol provision systems may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

[0159] The disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables may also be referred to as articles.

[0160] The non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. The exothermic power source may comprise a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

[0161] The non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol-modifying agent.

[0162] The consumable may be for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device which may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosolgenerating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

[0163] The rod of material may comprise a substance to be delivered which may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolised. As appropriate, either material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and / or one or more other functional materials.

[0164] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance.

[0165] The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.

[0166] The active substance may be a legally permissible recreational drug.

[0167] The active substance may comprise nicotine. The active substance may comprise caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

[0168] As noted herein, the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.

[0169] The active substance may be CBD or a derivative thereof.

[0170] As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like. Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, Wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens

[0171] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco.

[0172] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.

[0173] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.

[0174] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour.

[0175] As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, Wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

[0176] In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and / or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis. In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3.

[0177] Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosolgenerating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi-solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and / or flavourants.

[0178] The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and / or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

[0179] The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and / or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

[0180] The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be in the form of an aerosolgenerating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and / or filler may also be present. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosolgenerating material is substantially tobacco free. The aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm. For example, the thickness may be in the range of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm.

[0181] The aerosol-generating film may be continuous. For example, the film may comprise or be a continuous sheet of material. The sheet may be in the form of a wrapper, it may be gathered to form a gathered sheet or it may be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The shredded sheet may comprise one or more strands or strips of aerosol-generating material.

[0182] The aerosol-generating film may be discontinuous. For example, the aerosolgenerating film may comprise one or more discrete portions or regions of aerosolgenerating material, such as dots, stripes or lines, which may be supported on a support. In such embodiments, the support may be planar or non-planar.

[0183] The aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-former and one or more other components, such as one or more substances to be delivered, to form a slurry and then heating the slurry to volatilise at least some of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film.

[0184] The slurry may be heated to remove at least about 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt% or 90 wt% of the solvent.

[0185] The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an “amorphous solid”. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises an aerosolgenerating film that is an amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be a “monolithic solid”. The amorphous solid may be substantially non-fibrous. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be substantially free from botanical material. The amorphous solid may be substantially tobacco free.

[0186] The aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0187] The one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of a pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0188] The aerosol generating material may be present on or in a support, the support forming a substrate. The support may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the support comprises a susceptor. In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or either side of the material.

[0189] A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrical ly- conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein. An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component, that is operable to selectively release the aerosolmodifying agent

[0190] The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.

[0191] An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol.

[0192] Numerous modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with some embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Additionally, although a feature may appear to be described in connection with particular embodiments, one skilled in the art would recognize that various features of the described embodiments may be combined in any manner suitable to implement the technique.

Claims

Claims1 . A machine for injecting an additive into consumables, wherein the machine comprises a holder for holding a plurality of consumables, each of the plurality of consumables comprising a rod of material wrapped in a wrapper, wherein the machine further comprises an injection device for injecting an additive into at least some of the consumables when the plurality of consumables are in the holder.

2. The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the injection device comprises a plurality of needles for injecting the additive.

3. The machine according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of needles extend from a common holder.

4. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the injection device is moveable from a first position to a second position relative to the holder.

5. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the machine further comprises a dispensing mechanism for forcing the additive out of the injection device and into the consumables, and optionally wherein if the injection device comprises the plurality of needles then the dispensing mechanism is for forcing the additive out of the injection device and into the consumables via the plurality of needles.

6. The machine according to claim 5, wherein the machine further comprises a controller configured to control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive out of the injection device and into the consumables.

7. The machine according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to control the dispensing mechanism to force the additive out of the injection device and into the consumables when the injection device is moving from the first position to the second position, and optionally wherein the controller is configured to control the dispensing mechanism to continuously force the additive out of theinjection device and into the consumables whilst the injection device is moving from the first position to the second position.

8. The machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the machine further comprises a pusher for moving the plurality of consumables into the holder.

9. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the injection device is arranged on the opposite side of the holder to the pusher.

10. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder is movable from a holder first position to a holder second position, and optionally wherein when the holder is in the holder first position the plurality of consumables can be moved into the holder.11 . The machine according to claim 10, wherein the holder is arranged on a turret which is configured to rotate for moving the holder between the first holder position and the second holder position.

12. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the machine is a packaging machine for packaging the plurality of consumables and optionally wherein the packaging machine further comprises packaging equipment for packaging the plurality of consumables.

13. The machine according to claim 12, wherein the packaging equipment comprises a wrapping machine which is configured to wrap the plurality of consumables in a material such as metalized foil.

14. The machine according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the packaging equipment comprises a frame packer which is configured to pack the plurality of consumables into a frame and / or wherein the packaging equipment comprises a box packer which is configured to pack the plurality of consumables into a packaging box.

15. The machine according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the packaging machine further comprises a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the plurality of consumables to the packaging equipment.

16. The machine according to any preceding claim , wherein the additive comprises a gel and / or a flavour, and optionally wherein the gel comprises a liquid gel for solidifying in the plurality of consumables.

17. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the injection device is configured to inject the additive at a density of up to 0.12 mg / mm3per consumable and preferably at a density of around 0.024 mg / mm3per consumable and / or wherein the injection device is configured to inject around 5mg to 10mg of additive per consumable or to inject around 10mg to 20mg of additive per consumable and / or wherein the additive is a tobacco extract gel.

18. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the plurality of consumables and / or wherein the plurality of consumables are located in the holder.

19. The machine according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of consumables are arranged in an array when they are located in the holder and optionally wherein the array is configured to be packaged into a packaging box.

20. The machine according to claim 19, wherein the array has multiple rows and multiple columns and optionally wherein the array has at least two rows and four or more columns.21 . The machine according to claim 20, wherein the injection device is configured to simultaneously inject multiple rows and / or multiple columns of the consumables in the array.

22. The machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the injection device is configured to inject the additive into all of the consumables which are located in the holder and optionally wherein the injection device is configured tosimultaneously inject the additive into all of the consumables which are located in the holder.

23. The machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the machine further comprises an air blower configured to blow air towards the holder for drying the additive after it has been injected into the consumables.

24. A method of injecting an additive into at least some of a plurality of consumables, wherein each of the plurality of consumables comprises a rod of material wrapped in a wrapper, the method comprising holding the plurality of consumables in a holder and injecting an additive into at least some of the consumables using an injection device when the plurality of consumables are located in the holder.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the method is performed by a packaging machine for packaging the plurality of consumables and optionally wherein the method further comprises packaging the plurality of consumables using packaging equipment of the packaging machine.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein packaging the plurality of consumables comprises wrapping the plurality of consumables in a material such as metalized foil.

27. The method of claims 25 or 26, wherein packaging the plurality of consumables comprises packaging the plurality of consumables into a frame and / or wherein packaging the plurality of consumables comprises packaging the plurality of consumables into a packaging box.

28. The method of any one of claims 24 to 27, further comprising drying the additive naturally when the plurality of consumables are located in the packaging box and / or using an air blower to blow air towards the holder for drying the additive after it has been injected into the consumables.

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