Flow guide plate and extrusion die for manufacturing aerosol-generating article

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a flow guide plate and an extrusion die for manufacturing an aerosol-generating article. The flow guide plate comprises a plurality of discharge channels, wherein at least some of the plurality of discharge channels have different flow resistances. The flow guide plate provided in the embodiments of the present application can improve the molding quality.

Description

Die guide plate and extrusion die for manufacturing aerosol-generating products

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application is based on and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202422729991.9, filed on November 8, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of mold technology, and in particular to a mold guide plate and an extrusion mold for manufacturing aerosol-generating articles. Background Technology

[0004] In related technologies, in order to improve production efficiency, some extrusion dies used to manufacture aerosol products by extrusion are equipped with multiple die cores, and the material is extruded from each die core, so that multiple aerosol products can be extruded at the same time.

[0005] However, during the extrusion process, it is difficult to maintain a consistent extrusion speed at each die core. ， Therefore, in related technologies, aerosol products extruded by extrusion dies with multiple cores have large color differences and inconsistent quality, and are prone to problems such as wrinkles, broken skin, misshapen products, and eccentric air passages. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, embodiments of this application aim to provide a mold guide plate that can improve molding quality and an extrusion mold for manufacturing aerosol-generated articles.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, one embodiment of this application provides a mold guide plate, which includes multiple discharge channels, at least some of which have different flow resistance.

[0008] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the discharge channel has a different area than the cross-section perpendicular to the extension direction.

[0009] In one embodiment, the number of discharge channels is at least three, and each discharge channel passes through the mold guide plate on opposite sides along a first direction;

[0010] Each of the discharge channels is arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the cross-sectional area of ​​each discharge channel gradually increases from the middle to both sides along the second direction; or,

[0011] The mold guide plate includes a plurality of guide regions arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each guide region is provided with a discharge channel, and the number of discharge channels in at least one guide region is greater than one. The cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channels in the same guide region is the same, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channels in different guide regions gradually increases from the middle to both sides along the second direction.

[0012] In one embodiment, at least some of the discharge channels have different lengths along the extension direction.

[0013] In one embodiment, the number of discharge channels is at least three, and each discharge channel passes through the mold guide plate on opposite sides along a first direction;

[0014] Each of the discharge channels is arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the length of each discharge channel gradually decreases from the middle to both sides along the second direction; or,

[0015] The mold guide plate includes a plurality of guide regions arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each guide region is provided with a discharge channel, and the number of discharge channels in at least one guide region is greater than one. The discharge channels in the same guide region have the same length, and the length of the discharge channels in different guide regions gradually decreases from the middle to both sides along the second direction.

[0016] In one embodiment, each of the discharge channels penetrates both sides of the mold guide plate along a first direction. The mold guide plate includes a plate body and a boss protruding from one side of the plate body along the first direction. The boss includes a first segment and two second segments located on opposite sides of the first segment along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. The first segment and each of the second segments are respectively provided with the discharge channel. The boss has a thickness protruding from the plate body, and the thickness of each of the second segments gradually decreases along the second direction away from the first segment.

[0017] The first segment is a uniform thickness structure, and the thickness of the first segment is greater than or equal to the maximum thickness of the second segment; or,

[0018] The thickness of the first segment gradually decreases from the middle to both sides along the second direction, and the minimum thickness of the first segment is greater than or equal to the maximum thickness of the second segment.

[0019] In one embodiment, each of the discharge channels passes through opposite sides of the mold guide plate along a first direction. The mold guide plate includes a plate body and a boss protruding from one side of the plate body along the first direction. The boss includes at least three equal-thickness segments arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The thickness of the same equal-thickness segment protruding from the plate body is the same, and the thickness of different equal-thickness segments gradually decreases from the middle to both sides along the second direction. Each equal-thickness segment is provided with a discharge channel.

[0020] In one embodiment, the discharge channel includes a first sub-segment and a second sub-segment. The first sub-segment is located upstream of the second sub-segment along the material flow direction. The cross-sectional area of ​​the first sub-segment gradually increases from the end furthest from the second sub-segment to the end closest to the second sub-segment. The second sub-segment has a uniform cross-sectional structure. Alternatively,

[0021] The cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channel gradually decreases along the material flow direction.

[0022] In one embodiment, the plurality of discharge channels are arranged in multiple rows, with adjacent rows of discharge channels aligned or staggered.

[0023] In one embodiment, the discharge channel extends in a straight line; or,

[0024] The discharge channel is a curve with a non-zero curvature in at least a portion of its extension direction.

[0025] Another embodiment of this application provides an extrusion die for manufacturing aerosol-generating articles, comprising:

[0026] The mold guide plate described above;

[0027] Each mold core corresponds to one of the discharge channels, and each mold core is respectively located downstream of the corresponding discharge channel along the material flow direction.

[0028] In one embodiment, the extrusion die includes a die core mounting plate, the die core mounting plate having mounting holes that correspond one-to-one with the discharge channels, and each die core is respectively disposed in the corresponding mounting hole.

[0029] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the mold core is eccentrically positioned relative to the corresponding discharge channel.

[0030] This application provides a mold guide plate and an extrusion mold for manufacturing aerosol-generated products. The mold guide plate is provided with multiple discharge channels. By adjusting the flow resistance of each discharge channel, the flow resistance of at least some of the discharge channels is made different. This allows the flow rate of the material in each discharge channel to be kept roughly the same during the extrusion process. As a result, it can be better ensured that the extrusion speed of the material at each die core of the extrusion mold is kept roughly the same, thereby effectively improving the molding quality of the extruded aerosol-generated matrix. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first extrusion die according to an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 2 is a view from direction A in Figure 1;

[0033] Figure 3 is a view from direction B in Figure 1;

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the mold guide plate shown in Figure 1;

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the mold core mounting plate shown in Figure 1;

[0036] Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram of the mold guide plate shown in Figure 4 from another perspective;

[0037] Figure 7 is a CC cross-sectional view of Figure 6, and the dashed arrows in the figure indicate the direction of material flow.

[0038] Figure 8 is a structural schematic diagram of the mold guide plate shown in Figure 4 from another perspective;

[0039] Figure 9 is a structural schematic diagram of the second type of mold guide plate according to an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 10 is a structural schematic diagram of the mold guide plate shown in Figure 9 from another perspective;

[0041] Figure 11 is a DD cross-sectional view of Figure 10, and the dashed arrows in the figure indicate the direction of material flow;

[0042] Figure 12 is a structural schematic diagram of the third type of mold guide plate according to an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of EE in Figure 12. The dashed arrows in the figure indicate the direction of material flow.

[0044] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the fourth type of mold guide plate according to an embodiment of this application. The dashed arrows in the figure indicate the material flow direction.

[0045] Figure 15 is a structural schematic diagram of the second type of extrusion die according to an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the aerosol matrix generated by the extrusion die shown in Figure 1. Detailed Implementation

[0047] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "first direction" is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in FIG7, and the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "second direction" is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in FIG6 and FIG7. These orientation terms are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application.

[0048] This application provides an extrusion die 100 for manufacturing aerosol-generating articles.

[0049] The aerosol generating product is used in conjunction with an electronic atomizing device having a heating element. Specifically, the aerosol generating product includes an aerosol generating matrix 200 (see Figure 16), and the heating element heats and atomizes the aerosol generating matrix 200 to generate an aerosol for users to inhale or for use in medicine, beauty, etc.

[0050] There are various heating methods for heating elements. For example, heating methods include center heating and peripheral heating. Center heating refers to the heating element being inserted into the aerosol generating matrix 200 to bake and heat the aerosol generating matrix 200. Peripheral heating refers to the heating element being positioned around the aerosol generating matrix 200 to bake and heat the aerosol generating matrix 200. These heating methods can specifically include resistance heating, electromagnetic heating, infrared heating, microwave heating, laser heating, etc., and are not specifically limited here.

[0051] The extrusion die 100 is used in conjunction with an extruder, such as a hydraulic plunger extruder, a twin-screw extruder, a single-screw extruder, etc., to manufacture all or part of an aerosol-generating product by extruding and molding the material.

[0052] Extrusion molding is a processing method in which material is fed into an extruder, and through the action between the extruder barrel and the screw, the material is pushed forward by the screw and continuously passed through the extrusion die 100 at the extruder outlet to form products or semi-finished products of various cross-sections. The material formed by extrusion molding is in the form of strips.

[0053] This application describes an example of using an extrusion die 100 to manufacture an aerosol generating matrix 200 in an aerosol generating article. It should be noted that the aerosol generating article may consist only of the aerosol generating matrix 200, or it may be a combination of the aerosol generating matrix 200 and other structures. For example, as needed, the aerosol generating article may also have functional sections at one or both ends of the aerosol generating matrix 200. The functional sections may only have a filtration function, or they may have both filtration and cooling functions. In some embodiments, all or part of the functional sections may also be manufactured using the extrusion die 100 in this application embodiment.

[0054] The specific structure of the aerosol generating matrix 200 is not limited here. Exemplarily, the aerosol generating matrix 200 may be made of the atomizing medium itself, such as a smoky flavoring medium. In other embodiments, the aerosol generating matrix 200 may also include a matrix and an atomizing medium disposed on the matrix. The matrix may be, for example, high-temperature resistant carbon fiber. In this way, by providing a matrix, the strength of the aerosol generating matrix 200 can be improved, and it can withstand a certain degree of high temperature without producing odor.

[0055] The specific composition of the aerosol generating matrix 200 is not limited here. For example, in one embodiment, the aerosol generating matrix 200 may include plant components, auxiliary components, smoke-generating agent components, adhesive components, etc.

[0056] In one embodiment, the plant-based ingredients are one or more combinations of raw tobacco leaves, tobacco fragments, tobacco stems, tobacco dust, and aromatic plants, which are powdered after being crushed. The plant-based ingredients are the core source of the product's aroma. Endogenous substances in the plant-based ingredients, such as nicotine, enter the bloodstream through atomization, promoting the pituitary gland to produce dopamine, thereby generating a sense of physiological satisfaction.

[0057] In one embodiment, 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, and diatomaceous earth. The inorganic fillers provide skeletal support for the plant components, and their micropores increase the porosity of the wall material after molding, thereby improving the aerosol release rate.

[0058] Lubricants include one or more of the following: candelilla wax, carnauba wax, shellac, sunflower wax, rice bran, beeswax, stearic acid, and palmitic acid. Lubricants can increase the flowability of particles, reduce friction between particles, result in a more uniform overall particle density, and also reduce the pressure required for mold forming, thus reducing mold wear.

[0059] Emulsifiers include one or more combinations of polyglycerol fatty acid esters, Tween-80, and polyvinyl alcohol. Emulsifiers can, to some extent, slow down the loss of flavor substances during storage, increase the stability of flavor substances, and improve the sensory quality of the product. Emulsifiers (also known as surfactants) can reduce the interfacial tension between water-soluble and water-insoluble components in a mixture, and form a more robust film on the surface of microdroplets or an electric double layer on the surface of microdroplets due to the charge given by the emulsifier, preventing microdroplets from agglomerating and maintaining a homogeneous emulsion. Homogenizing two immiscible components through emulsification can improve the consistency of product quality.

[0060] The function of the smoke-generating agent is to produce a large amount of vapor upon heating, thereby increasing the amount of smoke in the smoke-generating product. In one embodiment, the smoke-generating agent may include, for example, one or more combinations of: a monohydric alcohol (such as menthol); a polyhydric alcohol (such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerol); an ester of a polyhydric alcohol (such as glyceryl monoacetate, glyceryl diacetate, or glyceryl triacetate); a monocarboxylic acid; a polycarboxylic acid (such as lauric acid, myristic acid) or an aliphatic ester of a polycarboxylic acid (such as dimethyl dodecanoate, dimethyl tetradecanoate, erythritol, 1,3-butanediol, tetraethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl lauryl acetate, triacetin, meso-erythritol, a mixture of diacetins, diethyl caprylate, triethyl citrate, methyl benzoate, phenylacetic acid methyl ester, ethyl vanillate, glyceryl tributate, and lauryl acetate).

[0061] In one embodiment, the adhesive component is a natural plant extract, a non-ionic modified viscous polysaccharide, including one or more combinations of tamarind polysaccharide, pullulan polysaccharide, seaweed polysaccharide, locust bean gum, guar gum, and xyloglucan. The adhesive achieves close contact with the product component materials through wetting at the interface, generating intermolecular attraction, thereby binding the powder, liquid, or other components. Furthermore, the use of a natural plant extract and a non-ionic adhesive avoids the release of harmful substances such as methanol, formaldehyde, and acrolein associated with colloidal modification, thus improving the safety of the product.

[0062] For example, the aerosol generating matrix 200 can be a particulate aggregate, which is a reconstituted tobacco medium, such as a reconstituted tobacco medium containing smoke-generating agents, tobacco, and other components. The particulate aggregate aerosol generating matrix 200 remains an integral medium after being heated and inhaled or after heating is stopped, and is not prone to disintegration and falling off. This solves the problems of thin sheet, filament, or loose particulate aerosol generating matrices in the prior art, such as loose sheet, shedding of filamentous components, and difficulty in cleaning.

[0063] Please refer to Figures 1 to 14. The extrusion mold 100 of this embodiment includes a mold guide plate 10 and a mold core 20.

[0064] The mold guide plate 10 includes multiple discharge channels 10a, at least some of which have different flow resistance.

[0065] The discharge channel 10a is the channel through which materials pass during the extrusion process.

[0066] The number of discharge channels 10a can be two or more.

[0067] The distribution of the discharge channels 10a on the mold guide plate 10 is not limited. For example, the discharge channels 10a can be arranged in one row, or in multiple rows when the number of discharge channels 10a is relatively large. For example, the discharge channels 10a shown in Figures 2 to 4 are arranged in two rows. For discharge channels 10a arranged in multiple rows, adjacent rows of discharge channels 10a can be staggered as shown in Figures 2 to 4. In other embodiments, adjacent rows of discharge channels 10a can also be aligned.

[0068] In addition, the discharge channels 10a shown in Figures 2 to 4 are arranged in a straight line. In other embodiments, the discharge channels 10a can also be arranged in various shapes such as wave-shaped, circular, elliptical, or racetrack-shaped. The discharge channels 10a can also be randomly distributed on the mold guide plate 10.

[0069] The discharge channel 10a can extend in a straight line as shown in Figure 7, that is, the extension direction of the straight air passage is a straight line.

[0070] In other embodiments, the discharge channel 10a may also be a curve with at least a portion of its curvature not being zero along the extension direction. For example, along the extension direction of the discharge channel 10a, the discharge channel 10a may have both curved segments with non-zero curvature and straight segments with zero curvature, or it may have only curved segments with non-zero curvature and no straight segments with zero curvature. That is, from the starting point to the ending point of the discharge channel 10a along the extension direction, the discharge channel 10a does not extend entirely along a straight line.

[0071] The shape of the cross-section of the discharge channel 10a (the cross-section refers to the section of the discharge channel 10a perpendicular to its own extension direction; the discharge channel 10a shown in Figure 6 is equivalent to the cross-section of the discharge channel 10a) is not limited. For example, the shape of the cross-section of the discharge channel 10a can be circular, elliptical, racetrack-shaped, polygonal (including but not limited to triangle, square, rhombus, etc.), irregular, etc. Among them, irregular refers to other symmetrical or asymmetrical shapes other than the shapes listed above.

[0072] Flow resistance refers to the force that hinders the smooth flow of a fluid during its movement, due to the fluid's viscosity and its interaction with solid walls or the geometry of the flow channel.

[0073] Depending on the specific circumstances, the flow resistance of some discharge channels 10a may be different from that of other discharge channels 10a, or the flow resistance of all discharge channels 10a may be different.

[0074] The greater the flow resistance, the lower the flow velocity of the material in the discharge channel 10a; the lower the flow resistance, the higher the flow velocity of the material in the discharge channel 10a.

[0075] Please refer to Figures 2 and 3. The mold core 20 corresponds one-to-one with the discharge channel 10a. Each mold core 20 is located downstream of the corresponding discharge channel 10a along the material flow direction.

[0076] The die core 20 is used to extrude the aerosol-generating matrix 200. Each die core 20 is located downstream of the corresponding discharge channel 10a in the material flow direction, meaning that the material first enters the discharge channel 10a and then flows from the discharge channel 10a to the die core 20. In other words, the material entering the discharge channel 10a is extruded from the die core 20 to form the aerosol-generating matrix 200.

[0077] The number of mold cores 20 is the same as the number of discharge channels 10a, that is, each discharge channel 10a is provided with one mold core 20 downstream along the material flow direction. For example, the mold guide plate 10 shown in Figures 2 and 3 is provided with nine discharge channels 10a, and one mold core 20 is provided at each discharge channel 10a. That is to say, the number of mold cores 20 is also nine. The material is extruded from each mold core 20, so that nine aerosol generating matrices 200 can be extruded at the same time.

[0078] To facilitate the installation of the die core 20, for example, referring to Figures 1 and 5, the extrusion die 100 may be provided with a die core mounting plate 30, which has mounting holes 30a that correspond one-to-one with the discharge channel 10a, and each die core 20 is respectively disposed in the corresponding mounting hole 30a.

[0079] The purpose of setting a mold guide plate 10 with multiple discharge channels 10a in the extrusion die 100, and having different flow resistances in at least some of the discharge channels 10a, is to ensure that the flow rate of the material in each discharge channel 10a is approximately consistent during the extrusion process. This ensures that the discharge volume of each discharge channel 10a per unit time (i.e., the volume of material flowing out of the discharge channel 10a per unit time) is approximately consistent, thereby better ensuring that the extrusion speed of the material at each die core 20 is approximately consistent.

[0080] Specifically, in related technologies, for extrusion dies with multiple cores, since the cores are positioned differently, the extrusion pressure of the extruder is difficult to be evenly distributed at each core during the extrusion process. This results in the extrusion speed at each core being difficult to keep consistent, which in turn leads to a large color difference in the aerosol matrix generated from each core, inconsistent quality, and problems such as wrinkles, breaks, misshapen parts, and eccentric air passages.

[0081] The extrusion die 100 of this embodiment is provided with a die guide plate 10 having multiple discharge channels 10a. Since the die guide plate 10 needs to supply material, the distribution of the extrusion pressure of the extruder at each discharge channel 10a is approximately the same as the distribution at each die core 20. Therefore, in specific applications, the position of each discharge channel 10a on the die guide plate 10 can be arranged according to the distribution of the extrusion pressure of the extruder. For example, the die core 20 subjected to higher extrusion pressure can be provided with a discharge channel 10a with lower flow resistance, and the die core 20 subjected to lower extrusion pressure can be provided with a discharge channel 10a with lower flow resistance. By adjusting the flow resistance of each discharge channel 10a, the flow rate of the material in each discharge channel 10a can be kept approximately constant. This ensures that the discharge volume of each discharge channel 10a within a unit time (i.e., the volume of material flowing out of the discharge channel 10a within a unit time) remains approximately consistent. For example, the error in the discharge volume of each discharge channel 10a within a unit time can be controlled within the range of 0% to 10% (including endpoint values). For instance, the error can be 0%, 3%, 5%, 8%, 10%, etc. More preferably, the error in the discharge volume of each discharge channel 10a within a unit time can be controlled within the range of 0% to 5% (including endpoint values). This effectively ensures that the extrusion speed of the material at each die core 20 remains approximately consistent, thereby better avoiding problems such as large color differences, wrinkles, breaks, misshapen products, and eccentric air passages in the aerosol generation matrix 200 extruded from each die core 20. Therefore, using the die guide plate 10 of this embodiment can effectively improve the molding quality of the extruded aerosol generation matrix 200.

[0082] In addition, it should be noted that in the extrusion method of the prior art, when the extruder extrudes materials with different formulations (only extruding materials with the same formulation each time), the extrusion speed of materials with different formulations at each die core may have a large difference. Therefore, for materials with large differences, the extrusion die 100 of this application embodiment can be configured with die guide plates 10 with adapted flow resistance. That is, when extruding a material with one formulation, a die guide plate 10 corresponding to that material is used, and when extruding a material with another formulation, another die guide plate 10 corresponding to that material is replaced. This can better ensure that the extrusion speed of materials with different formulations at each die core 20 can be kept roughly the same.

[0083] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 3, 6 to 13, the cross-sectional area of ​​at least part of the discharge channel 10a can be different. That is, the flow resistance of the discharge channel 10a can be changed by changing the cross-sectional area of ​​at least part of the discharge channel 10a.

[0084] Depending on the specific circumstances, the cross-sectional area of ​​some discharge channels 10a may be different from that of other discharge channels 10a, or the cross-sectional area of ​​all discharge channels 10a may be different.

[0085] The discharge channel 10a can be a constant cross-section structure with equal cross-sections everywhere, or a variable cross-section structure with incompletely equal cross-sections.

[0086] For a variable cross-section structure with not completely equal cross-sections, for example, referring to Figure 13, the discharge channel 10a may include a first sub-segment 10a1 and a second sub-segment 10a2. The first sub-segment 10a1 is located upstream of the second sub-segment 10a2 along the material flow direction. That is, the material entering the discharge channel 10a flows from the first sub-segment 10a1 to the second sub-segment 10a2. In other words, the mold core 20 is located at the end of the second sub-segment 10a2 away from the first sub-segment 10a1.

[0087] Please refer to Figure 13. The cross-sectional area of ​​the first segment 10a1 gradually decreases from the end furthest from the second segment 10a2 to the end closest to the second segment 10a2. In other words, the closer to the second segment 10a2, the smaller the cross-sectional area of ​​the first segment 10a1. The second segment 10a2 has a uniform cross-sectional structure. This discharge channel 10a can guide the flow through the first segment 10a1, thus facilitating the direction of material towards the second segment 10a2.

[0088] In other embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channel 10a may also gradually decrease along the material flow direction.

[0089] For a discharge channel 10a with a variable cross-section structure, the area of ​​the cross-section of the discharge channel 10a is the area of ​​the minimum cross-section of the discharge channel 10a.

[0090] The larger the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channel 10a, the smaller the flow resistance of the discharge channel 10a; the smaller the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channel 10a, the greater the flow resistance of the discharge channel 10a.

[0091] In one embodiment, please refer to Figures 3, 6 to 12. The number of discharge channels 10a can be at least three. Each discharge channel 10a passes through the mold guide plate 10 and is located on opposite sides along the first direction. The multiple discharge channels 10a can be arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the cross-sectional area of ​​each discharge channel 10a gradually increases from the middle to both sides along the second direction.

[0092] The arrangement of the discharge channels 10a along the second direction is not limited. For example, the discharge channels 10a can be arranged in an aligned manner along the second direction, that is, all discharge channels 10a are arranged in a straight line. The discharge channels 10a can also be arranged in a staggered manner along the second direction. For example, for the multiple discharge channels 10a arranged in multiple rows as shown in Figure 6, and the discharge channels 10a in adjacent rows are staggered, since the staggered discharge channels 10a have a relative positional relationship in the second direction, all discharge channels 10a are also equivalent to being arranged along the second direction.

[0093] The discharge channels 10a can be symmetrically arranged in the first direction, and the cross-sectional areas of the two symmetrically arranged discharge channels 10a can be the same.

[0094] For example, referring to Figure 6, for ease of description, the positions of the nine discharge channels 10a in Figure 6 can be labeled with numbers 1-9. The discharge channels 10a at positions 1 and 9 are symmetrically positioned relative to the discharge channel 10a at position 5, and the cross-sectional areas of these two discharge channels 10a can be the same. Similarly, the discharge channels 10a at positions 2 and 8 are symmetrically positioned relative to the discharge channel 10a at position 5, and the cross-sectional areas of these two discharge channels 10a can be the same. The discharge channels 10a at positions 3 and 7 are symmetrically positioned relative to the discharge channel 10a at position 5, and the cross-sectional areas of these two discharge channels 10a can be the same. The cross-sectional areas of the discharge channels 10a gradually increase from position 5 to position 1, and also gradually increase from position 5 to position 9.

[0095] Specifically, multiple discharge channels 10a are arranged along the second direction, which means that the mold cores 20 corresponding to each discharge channel 10a are also arranged along the second direction. For the mold cores 20 arranged along the second direction, the farther away from the center, the smaller the extrusion pressure on the mold core 20 and the corresponding discharge channel 10a. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​each discharge channel 10a gradually increases from the center to both sides along the second direction, which makes the flow resistance of the feed channel near the center relatively large, while the flow resistance of the feed channel near both sides relatively small. This allows the discharge volume of material from each discharge channel 10a to remain roughly the same per unit time.

[0096] In another embodiment, the mold guide plate 10 may also include multiple guide regions arranged along the second direction, each guide region being provided with a discharge channel 10a, and the number of discharge channels 10a in at least one guide region is greater than one. The cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channels 10a in the same guide region is the same, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channels 10a in different guide regions gradually increases from the middle to both sides along the second direction. That is, the cross-sectional area of ​​each discharge channel 10a may not necessarily gradually increase from the middle to both sides along the second direction, wherein at least one guide region may be provided with two or more discharge channels 10a, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channels 10a in the same guide region is the same.

[0097] For example, please refer to Figure 10. In Figure 10, the mold guide plate 10 has seven guide areas (one dashed box represents one guide area). For ease of description, the seven guide areas are labeled X1-X7 respectively. Among them, there are three discharge channels 10a in guide area X4. The cross-sectional area of ​​these three discharge channels 10a is the same. There is one discharge channel 10a in each of the guide areas X1-X3 and X5-X7. The cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channel 10a in each guide area gradually increases in the order of guide areas X4-X1 and also gradually increases in the order of guide areas X4-X7.

[0098] It is understandable that the number of discharge channels 10a in any one of the flow guiding areas X1-X3 and X5-X7 can be greater than one. When the number of discharge channels 10a in any one of the flow guiding areas X1-X3 and X5-X7 is greater than one, there can also be only one discharge channel 10a in the flow guiding area X4.

[0099] This configuration also allows for relatively higher flow resistance in the feed channels near the center and relatively lower flow resistance in the feed channels near the sides, thus ensuring that the discharge volume of material from each discharge channel 10a remains roughly consistent per unit time.

[0100] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 6 to 8 and Figure 13, the length dimension L of at least part of the discharge channel 10a along the extension direction can be different. That is, the flow resistance of the discharge channel 10a can be changed by changing the length dimension L of at least part of the discharge channel 10a along the extension direction.

[0101] Depending on the specific circumstances, the length L of some discharge channels 10a along the extension direction may be different from that of other discharge channels 10a along the extension direction, or the length L of all discharge channels 10a along the extension direction may be different.

[0102] The larger the length L of the discharge channel 10a along the extension direction, the greater the flow resistance of the discharge channel 10a; the smaller the length L of the discharge channel 10a along the extension direction, the smaller the flow resistance of the discharge channel 10a.

[0103] In one embodiment, please refer to Figures 5 to 7. The number of discharge channels 10a is at least three, and each discharge channel 10a passes through the mold guide plate 10 on both sides of the mold guide plate 10 along the first direction. Each discharge channel 10a can be arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The length dimension L of each discharge channel 10a gradually decreases from the middle to both sides along the second direction.

[0104] The discharge channel 10a can also be symmetrically arranged in the first direction, and the length L of the two symmetrically arranged discharge channels 10a can be the same.

[0105] For example, still taking the mold guide plate 10 shown in Figure 5 as an example, the discharge channels 10a at positions 1 and 9 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the discharge channel 10a at position 5. The length L of these two discharge channels 10a can be the same. The discharge channels 10a at positions 2 and 8 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the discharge channel 10a at position 5. The length L of these two discharge channels 10a can be the same. The discharge channels 10a at positions 3 and 7 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the discharge channel 10a at position 5. The length L of these two discharge channels 10a can be the same. The discharge channels 10a at positions 4 and 6 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the discharge channel 10a at position 5. The length L of these two discharge channels 10a can be the same. The length L of the discharge channels 10a gradually decreases from position 5 to position 1, and also gradually decreases from position 5 to position 9.

[0106] The length L of each discharge channel 10a gradually decreases from the middle to both sides along the second direction. This also makes the flow resistance of the feed channel near the middle position relatively large, while the flow resistance of the feed channels near the sides relatively small. This allows the discharge volume of material from each discharge channel 10a to remain roughly the same per unit time.

[0107] In another embodiment, the mold guide plate 10 may also include multiple guide regions arranged along the second direction, each guide region being provided with a discharge channel 10a, and the number of discharge channels 10a in at least one guide region is greater than one; the length dimension L of the discharge channels 10a in the same guide region is the same, and the length dimension L of the discharge channels 10a in different guide regions gradually decreases from the middle to both sides along the second direction. That is to say, the length dimension L of each discharge channel 10a may not necessarily gradually decrease from the middle to both sides along the second direction, wherein at least one guide region may be provided with two or more discharge channels 10a, and the length dimension L of the discharge channels 10a in the same guide region is the same.

[0108] For example, taking the mold guide plate 10 shown in Figure 10 as an example, there are three discharge channels 10a in the guide area X4. The length L of these three discharge channels 10a is the same. There is one discharge channel 10a in each of the guide areas X1-X3 and X5-X7. The length L of the discharge channels 10a in each guide area gradually decreases in the order of guide area X4-X1 and also gradually decreases in the order of guide area X4-X7.

[0109] This configuration also allows for relatively higher flow resistance in the feed channels near the center and relatively lower flow resistance in the feed channels near the sides, thus ensuring that the discharge volume of material from each discharge channel 10a remains roughly consistent per unit time.

[0110] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 6 to 10, the mold guide plate 10 includes a plate body 11 and a boss 12 protruding from one side of the plate body 11 along a first direction. The boss 12 includes a first segment 121 and two second segments 122, which are respectively located on opposite sides of the first segment 121 along a second direction. For each discharge channel 10a penetrating the mold guide plate 10 on opposite sides along the first direction, the first segment 121 and each second segment 122 can be respectively provided with a discharge channel 10a. That is, part of the discharge channel 10a penetrates the plate body 11 and the first segment 121, and part of the discharge channel 10a penetrates the plate body 11 and each second segment 122.

[0111] The first segment 121 can be set with one or more discharge channels 10a, and each second segment 122 can also be set with one or more discharge channels 10a.

[0112] All discharge channels 10a on the mold guide plate 10 can penetrate the plate body 11 and the boss 12, which is equivalent to all discharge channels 10a being set on the boss 12. Alternatively, some discharge channels 10a on the mold guide plate 10 can only penetrate the plate body 11 and not the boss 12, which is equivalent to some discharge channels 10a being set on the plate body 11 and not on the boss 12.

[0113] Please continue referring to Figure 7. The boss 12 has a thickness dimension H protruding from the plate 11. For example, referring to Figures 7 and 8, the thickness dimension H of each second segment 122 can gradually decrease along the second direction away from the first segment 121. The thickness dimension H of the first segment 121 gradually decreases from the middle to both sides along the second direction, and the minimum thickness dimension H of the first segment 121 is greater than or equal to the maximum thickness dimension H of the second segment 122. That is to say, both the first segment 121 and the second segment 122 are non-uniform thickness structures with varying thickness dimension H.

[0114] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the first segment 121 can smoothly transition to the second segment 122. A smooth transition means that the junction between the first segment 121 and the second segment 122 is relatively smooth, without obvious protrusions or depressions, or in other words, the curvature of the first segment 121 is continuous with the curvature of the second segment 122. For example, the shape of the cross-section of the boss 12 parallel to the first direction can be a regular shape such as a circular arc or an elliptical arc.

[0115] Since both the first segment 121 and the two second segments 122 are provided with discharge channels 10a, and the minimum thickness dimension H of the first segment 121 is greater than or equal to the maximum thickness dimension H of the second segment 122, this kind of boss 12 can make the length dimension L of the discharge channel 10a provided in the second segment 122 smaller than the length dimension L of the discharge channel 10a provided in the first segment 121. Thus, the length dimension L of the discharge channel 10a provided on the boss 12 can gradually decrease from the middle to both sides along the second direction.

[0116] For example, referring to Figure 9, the first segment 121 can also be a structure of uniform thickness, where the thickness H of the first segment 121 is greater than or equal to the maximum thickness H of the second segment 122. That is, the thickness H of the first segment 121 does not change; the thickness H of the first segment 121 is a fixed value.

[0117] When the first segment 121 is provided with more than one discharge channel 10a, the discharge channels 10a located in the first segment 121 can have the same length dimension L.

[0118] When the thickness dimension H of the first segment 121 is equal to the maximum thickness dimension H of the second segment 122, for example, the shape of the cross section of the boss 12 parallel to the first direction can be trapezoidal.

[0119] This type of boss 12 also makes it easier to make the length L of the discharge channel 10a provided in the second section 122 smaller than the length L of the discharge channel 10a provided in the first section 121. Thus, the length L of the discharge channel 10a provided on the boss 12 can also gradually decrease from the middle to both sides along the second direction.

[0120] In one embodiment, referring to FIG14, the boss 12 may include at least three equal-thickness segments 123 arranged along the second direction. The thickness H of the same equal-thickness segment 123 protruding from the plate 11 is the same; that is, the thickness H of the same equal-thickness segment 123 does not change and is a fixed value. The thickness H of the different equal-thickness segments 123 gradually decreases from the center to both sides along the second direction; that is, the boss 12 may have a stepped shape that gradually decreases from the center to both sides along the second direction. Each equal-thickness segment 123 is provided with a discharge channel 10a.

[0121] Each equal thickness section 123 can be equipped with one or more discharge channels 10a.

[0122] All discharge channels 10a on the mold guide plate 10 can penetrate the plate body 11 and the boss 12, which is equivalent to all discharge channels 10a being set on the boss 12. Alternatively, some discharge channels 10a on the mold guide plate 10 can only penetrate the plate body 11 and not the boss 12, which is equivalent to some discharge channels 10a being set on the plate body 11 and not on the boss 12.

[0123] Since the thickness dimension H of the different equal-thickness sections 123 gradually decreases from the middle to both sides along the second direction, the length dimension L of the discharge channel 10a provided in each equal-thickness section 123 can also gradually decrease from the middle to both sides along the second direction.

[0124] It should be noted that, depending on the specific circumstances, at least some of the discharge channels 10a may have different cross-sectional areas while all discharge channels 10a may have the same length dimension L. Alternatively, at least some of the discharge channels 10a may have different length dimensions L along the extension direction while all discharge channels 10a may have different cross-sectional areas. Or, at least some of the discharge channels 10a may have different cross-sectional areas and at least some of the discharge channels 10a may also have different length dimensions L along the extension direction.

[0125] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 15, at least some of the mold cores 20 can be eccentrically positioned with respect to the corresponding discharge channel 10a. That is, depending on the specific circumstances, some of the mold cores 20 can be eccentrically positioned with respect to the corresponding discharge channel 10a, or all of the mold cores 20 can be eccentrically positioned with respect to the corresponding discharge channel 10a.

[0126] Specifically, in some cases, when all the die cores 20 are concentrically set with the corresponding discharge channel 10a, the aerosol matrix 200 extruded from at least some of the die cores 20 may have wrinkles. The reason for the wrinkles is that the extrusion speed at some locations of the die cores 20 is too fast, which causes material to accumulate and thus produce wrinkles.

[0127] For the mold core 20 that may produce wrinkles, the mold core 20 can be set eccentrically with the corresponding discharge channel 10a. By using the mold guide plate 10 to block the position on the mold core 20 with a faster extrusion speed, the extrusion speed at that position can be reduced, so that the extrusion speed of the entire mold core 20 can be roughly balanced, thereby effectively solving the problem of wrinkles in the aerosol generation matrix 200.

[0128] For example, please refer to Figure 15. For the mold core 20 shown in Figure 15, according to the molding of the aerosol generating matrix 200, the wrinkled position of the aerosol generating matrix 200 extruded from the five lower mold cores 20 is close to the lower end of these five mold cores 20, and the wrinkled position of the aerosol generating matrix 200 extruded from the four upper mold cores 20 is close to the upper end of these four mold cores 20. Therefore, by adjusting the relative position of the discharge channel 10a and the mold core 20, the mold guide plate 10 can block part of the lower end of the five lower mold cores 20 and block part of the upper end of the four upper mold cores 20, thereby effectively solving the problem of wrinkling of the aerosol generating matrix 200.

[0129] It should be noted that the eccentric setting of the mold core 20 and the corresponding discharge channel 10a is not limited to the method shown in Figure 15. The specific position of the eccentric setting of the mold core 20 and the corresponding discharge channel 10a needs to be adjusted according to the actual position of the wrinkles in the aerosol generating matrix 200.

[0130] Understandably, if the aerosol generated by the die core 20 produces matrix 200 with almost no wrinkling, the die core 20 can also be set concentrically with the corresponding discharge channel 10a as shown in Figure 3.

[0131] In the description of this application, the references to terms such as "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in yet another embodiment," or "exemplary," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of this application. In this application, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine the different embodiments or examples described in this application, as well as the features of the different embodiments or examples.

[0132] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application are included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A mold guide plate for manufacturing aerosol-generating articles, the mold guide plate comprising a plurality of discharge channels, at least a portion of the plurality of discharge channels having different flow resistances.

2. The mold guide plate according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the discharge channel has a different area in the cross section perpendicular to the extension direction.

3. The mold guide plate according to claim 2, wherein the number of discharge channels is at least three, and each discharge channel passes through the mold guide plate on opposite sides along a first direction; Each of the discharge channels is arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the cross-sectional area of ​​each discharge channel gradually increases from the middle to both sides along the second direction; or, The mold guide plate includes a plurality of guide regions arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each guide region is provided with a discharge channel, and the number of discharge channels in at least one guide region is greater than one. The cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channels in the same guide region is the same, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channels in different guide regions gradually increases from the middle to both sides along the second direction.

4. The mold guide plate according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein at least a portion of the discharge channels have different length dimensions along the extension direction.

5. The mold guide plate according to claim 4, wherein the number of discharge channels is at least three, and each discharge channel passes through the mold guide plate on opposite sides along a first direction; Each of the discharge channels is arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the length of each discharge channel gradually decreases from the middle to both sides along the second direction; or, The mold guide plate includes a plurality of guide regions arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each guide region is provided with a discharge channel, and the number of discharge channels in at least one guide region is greater than one. The discharge channels in the same guide region have the same length, and the length of the discharge channels in different guide regions gradually decreases from the middle to both sides along the second direction.

6. The mold guide plate according to claim 4, wherein each of the discharge channels penetrates the mold guide plate on opposite sides along a first direction, the mold guide plate includes a plate body and a boss protruding from one side of the plate body along the first direction; the boss includes a first segment and two second segments respectively located on opposite sides of the first segment along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction; the first segment and each of the second segments are respectively provided with the discharge channel; the boss has a thickness protruding from the plate body, and the thickness of each of the second segments gradually decreases along the second direction away from the first segment; The first segment is a uniform thickness structure, and the thickness of the first segment is greater than or equal to the maximum thickness of the second segment; or, The thickness of the first segment gradually decreases from the middle to both sides along the second direction, and the minimum thickness of the first segment is greater than or equal to the maximum thickness of the second segment.

7. The mold guide plate according to claim 4, wherein each of the discharge channels passes through the mold guide plate on opposite sides along a first direction, the mold guide plate includes a plate body and a boss protruding from one side of the plate body along the first direction, the boss includes at least three equal-thickness segments arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the same equal-thickness segment protruding from the plate body has the same thickness dimension, the thickness dimension of different equal-thickness segments gradually decreases from the middle to both sides along the second direction, and each equal-thickness segment is respectively provided with the discharge channel.

8. The mold guide plate according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the discharge channel comprises a first sub-segment and a second sub-segment, the first sub-segment being located upstream of the second sub-segment along the material flow direction, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first sub-segment gradually increasing from the end furthest from the second sub-segment to the end closest to the second sub-segment, and the second sub-segment having a uniform cross-section structure; or, The cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge channel gradually decreases along the material flow direction.

9. The mold guide plate according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the plurality of discharge channels are arranged in multiple rows, and adjacent rows of discharge channels are aligned or staggered.

10. The mold guide plate according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the discharge channel extends in a straight line; or, The discharge channel is a curve with a non-zero curvature in at least a portion of its extension direction.

11. An extrusion die for manufacturing aerosol-generating articles, comprising: The mold guide plate according to any one of claims 1-10; Each mold core corresponds to one of the discharge channels, and each mold core is respectively located downstream of the corresponding discharge channel along the material flow direction.

12. The extrusion die according to claim 11, wherein the extrusion die includes a die core mounting plate, the die core mounting plate having mounting holes that correspond one-to-one with the discharge channels, and each die core is respectively disposed in the corresponding mounting hole.

13. The extrusion die according to claim 11 or 12, wherein at least a portion of the die core is eccentrically disposed with respect to the corresponding discharge channel.

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