Apparatus and method for manufacturing consumables

Abstract

An apparatus for the manufacture of components of a consumable (100) for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the apparatus comprising a first unit (300) comprising a first rotatable drum (301) having a plurality of flutes (302) extending in an axial direction of the first rotatable drum (301) and spaced circumferentially around a curved outer surface (304) of the first rotatable drum (301), the flutes (302) being formed in the curved outer surface (304) of the first rotatable drum (301) and each being configured to receive one or more axially-aligned components (101, 102) for manufacturing a consumable (100). Each of the flutes (302) comprises a moveable portion (305) configured to receive at least a portion of at least one of said one or more components (101, 102) for manufacturing a consumable (100), wherein the moveable portion (305) is configured to move relative to the remainder of the flute (302).

Description

[0001] Apparatus and Method for Manufacturing Consumables

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus for the manufacture of a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and to a method of manufacturing components of a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device.

[0004] Background

[0005] It is known to provide apparatuses for receiving, arranging and assembling components for the manufacture of consumables for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device. Such apparatuses can include a series of drums that convey components along a manufacturing path as the drums rotate. Components are transferred from one drum to the next at a point where the circumferential surfaces of the drums are closest to each other. As the components are conveyed along the path they are subject to several processes, for example cutting, sliding, combining with other components, gluing, and rolling or wrapping with a paper patch.

[0006] Summary

[0007] In accordance with a first aspect of the disclosure, in some embodiments described herein, there is provided an apparatus for the manufacture of components of a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the apparatus comprising a first unit comprising: a first rotatable drum having a plurality of flutes extending in an axial direction of the first rotatable drum and spaced circumferentially around a curved outer surface of the first rotatable drum, the flutes being formed in the curved outer surface of the first rotatable drum and each being configured to receive one or more axially-aligned components for manufacturing a consumable; wherein each of the flutes comprises a moveable portion configured to receive at least a portion of at least one of said one or more components for manufacturing a consumable, wherein the moveable portion is configured to move relative to the remainder of the flute.

[0008] Optionally, the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable comprise a rod and a filter.Optionally, the first rotatable drum is generally cylindrical.

[0009] Optionally, the first rotatable drum is a swash drum.

[0010] Optionally, the first rotatable drum is configured to rotate about a central longitudinal axis, wherein the axial direction is generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis.

[0011] Optionally, each of the flutes is configured to receive components for forming more than one consumable, for example components for forming two consumables arranged end to end to each other or back to back to each other. Optionally, each of the flutes is configured to receive two pre-combined rod components and a mouth end filter component which is arranged between the two pre-combined rod components along an axial direction of the respective flute.

[0012] Optionally, the moveable portion is configured to receive at least a portion of at least one of the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable, and the remainder of the flute is configured to receive at least a portion of at least one of the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable.

[0013] Optionally, each of the flutes comprises a first end and a second end. Optionally, each of the flutes comprises a first flute half comprising the first end and a second flute half comprising the second end. Optionally, the first flute half has a first length along the axial direction and the second flute half has a second length along the axial direction, wherein the first length is approximately equal to the second length. Optionally, the first and second flute halves are arranged adjacent to one another end to end along the axial direction. Optionally, between the first and second flute halves, each of the flutes comprises a gap. Optionally, for each of the flutes, the first and second flute halves are arranged to abut one another along the axial direction.

[0014] Optionally, between the first and second flute halves along the axial direction, the first rotatable drum comprises a gap which extends circumferentially around the curved outer surface of the first rotatable drum and which is arranged to be generally normal to and to circumscribe a central longitudinal axis of the first rotatable drum. Optionally, the gap comprises a recess, groove, channel, cut-out or aperture.

[0015] Optionally, the remainder of the flute comprises a fixed portion of the flute. Optionally, each of the flutes comprises at least one moveable portion and at least one fixed portion, wherein the at least one moveable portion is configured to be moveablerelative to the at least one fixed portion. Optionally, the at least one moveable portion is configured to be moveable relative to the at least one fixed portion along a generally radial direction that is generally normal to the axial direction. Optionally, the movement of the at least one moveable portion relative to the at least one fixed portion along the generally radial direction permits at least a portion of the one or more components which are received in or by the at least one moveable to radially translate along a radial direction that is generally normal to the axial direction.

[0016] Optionally, each of the flutes comprises a base element and the moveable portion is moveable relative to the base element along a radial direction that is generally normal to the axial direction. Optionally, the remainder of the flute comprises at least one fixed portion which is configured to remain fixed relative to the base element along the radial direction.

[0017] Optionally, each of the flutes comprises a curved fluted surface for receiving one or more axially-aligned components for manufacturing or more consumables. Optionally, the curved fluted surface comprises a first portion and a second portion arranged adjacent to one another along the axial direction. Optionally, the moveable portion comprises the first portion of the curved fluted surface and the remainder of the flute or the fixed portion of the flute comprises the second portion of the curved fluted surface.

[0018] Optionally, the moveable portion is moveable relative to the remainder of the flute between a first position in which the first and second portions of the curved fluted surface are radially aligned with one another to form a generally continuous curved fluted surface, and a second position in which the first and second portions of the curved fluted surface are spaced apart from one another radially to form a staggered, offset or stepwise curved fluted surface.

[0019] Optionally, each of the flutes has a generally curved cross-sectional profile. For example, each of the flutes may have a generally semicircular cross-sectional profile. For example, each of the flutes may have a cross-sectional profile in the shape of a sector of a circle.

[0020] Optionally, each of the flutes comprises a plurality of moveable portions and at least one fixed portion comprising the remainder of the flute.

[0021] Optionally, each of the flutes is generally elongate.Optionally, each of the flutes comprises a channel, a groove, a recess, a cut-out, or an aperture.

[0022] Optionally, each of the flutes comprises a moveable portion having a first length, and the remainder of the flute comprises a fixed portion having a second length, wherein the first length is less than the second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length, or wherein the first length is substantially equal to the second length.

[0023] Optionally, the flutes are equally spaced apart from one another circumferentially around the curved outer surface of the first rotatable drum.

[0024] Optionally, each of the flutes is configured to receive components for manufacturing two consumables.

[0025] Optionally, the one or more components are configured to be axially aligned in the flutes such that they are arranged to be generally parallel to the axial direction.

[0026] Optionally, each of the flutes is configured to receive a set of one or more components for manufacturing consumables.

[0027] Optionally, each of the flutes is configured to receive a set of one or more components for manufacturing a consumable.

[0028] Optionally, each of the flutes is configured to receive a set of one or more components for manufacturing a plurality of consumables, for example for manufacturing two consumables.

[0029] Optionally, the flutes comprise a metal, for example aluminium.

[0030] Optionally, the moveable portion comprises a metal, for example aluminium.

[0031] Optionally, each of the flutes is generally straight and linear. Optionally, each of the flutes is arranged to be generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the first rotatable drum.

[0032] Optionally, the moveable portion comprises a moveable pad.Optionally, the moveable portion comprises a moveable surface.

[0033] Optionally, the moveable portion is located at an end of the flute.

[0034] Optionally, each of the flutes comprises two moveable portions.

[0035] Optionally, the two moveable portions of each of the flutes are disposed at opposite ends of the respective flute.

[0036] Optionally, the first flute half comprises a first moveable portion, the second flute half comprises a second moveable portion, and the remainder of the flute comprises a fixed portion arranged between the first and second moveable portions. The first moveable portion may be arranged at a first end of the flute and the second moveable portion may be arranged at a second end of the flute. The fixed portion of the flute may comprise a portion of the first flute half and a portion of the second flute half.

[0037] Optionally, the moveable portion of each of the flutes is configured to move relative to the remainder of the respective flute upon application of a radially inward force on at least one of the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable received in said flute.

[0038] Optionally, the moveable portion of each of the flutes comprises a moveable body, and the first rotatable drum comprises a main body comprising the remainder of the respective flute, wherein the moveable body is moveable relative to the main body. The moveable body may be moveable relative to the main body along a radial direction that is generally normal to the axial direction. The moveable body may be moveably coupled relative to the main body.

[0039] Optionally, the main body of the first rotatable drum comprises a receiving portion which is configured to receive a protruding portion of the moveable body and the one or more resiliently deformable members. The receiving portion may be configured to limit the movement of the moveable portion along the radial direction, for example to limit the extent to which the moveable portion can be radially translated relative to the remainder of the flute.

[0040] Optionally, the moveable body further comprises a fluted portion integrally formed with or coupled to the protruding portion. The protruding portion may be generallycylindrical and / or the fluted portion may be generally block shaped. Optionally, the fluted portion of the moveable body comprises a first curved fluted surface, and the main body of the first rotatable drum comprises a second curved fluted surface, wherein the first and second curved fluted surfaces are sized and shaped to correspond with one another along the axial direction. Each of the first and second curved fluted surfaces may have a generally curved cross-sectional profile, for example a generally semicircular cross-sectional profile. Optionally, the first and second curved fluted surfaces are configured such that when the moveable portion is in the first state, the first and second curved fluted surfaces are radially aligned with one another such that they provide a generally continuous curved fluted surface along the axial direction.

[0041] Optionally, the first unit comprises a coupling means configured to couple the at least one resiliently deformable member to the first rotatable drum. The coupling means may comprise at least one securing pin, which may be configured to be received through a first through hole or aperture in the main body of the first rotatable drum, and through a corresponding second through hole or aperture in the moveable body.

[0042] Optionally, the moveable portion of each of the flutes is configured to move relative to the remainder of the respective flute upon application of a radially inward force on the flute.

[0043] Optionally, the moveable portion of each of the flutes is configured to move relative to the remainder of the respective flute upon application of a radially inward force on the moveable portion.

[0044] Optionally, the radially inward force is in a radial direction that is generally normal to the axial direction.

[0045] Optionally, the first unit comprises at least one resiliently deformable member disposed adjacent to the moveable portion.

[0046] Optionally, the moveable portion is moveable between a first state in which the moveable portion is spaced apart from the base element along the radial direction by a first spacing, and a second state in which the moveable portion is spaced apart from the base element along the radial direction by a second spacing, wherein the first spacing is greater than the second spacing.Optionally, when the moveable portion is in the first state, the at least one resiliently deformable member is in an undeformed state, and when the moveable portion is in the second state, the at least one resiliently deformable member is in a deformed state.

[0047] Optionally, when the moveable portion is in the first state the moveable portion is radially aligned with the remainder of the flute, and when the moveable portion is in the second state the moveable portion is radially misaligned with the remainder of the flute.

[0048] Optionally, when the moveable portion is in the first state the moveable portion and the remainder of the flute are arranged to form a generally continuous fluted surface, and when the moveable portion is in the second state the moveable portion and the remainder of the flute are arranged to form a staggered or stepped fluted surface. Optionally, the at least one resiliently deformable member is configured to bias the moveable portion towards the first state.

[0049] Optionally, the apparatus comprises at least one resiliently deformable member for each of the moveable portions of each of the flutes, and each of the at least one resiliently deformable members is configured to bias its respective moveable portion towards the first state.

[0050] Optionally, the at least one resiliently deformable member is coupled to the first rotatable drum.

[0051] Optionally, the at least one resiliently deformable member is coupled to the moveable portion to which it is disposed adjacent to.

[0052] Optionally, the at least one resiliently deformable member is configured to be deformed upon movement of the movable portion relative to the remainder of the flute.

[0053] Optionally, the at least one resiliently deformable member is configured to be deformed when the moveable portion is caused to move relative to the remainder of the flute.Optionally, deformation of the at least one resiliently deformable member is configured to cause, allow, facilitate and / or permit the moveable portion to move relative to the remainder of the flute.

[0054] Optionally, the first unit comprises at least one resiliently deformable member for each of the moveable portions, wherein each of the resiliently deformable members is disposed adjacent to its respective moveable portion.

[0055] Optionally, the first unit comprises at least one resiliently deformable member for each of the flutes, wherein each of the resiliently deformable members is disposed adjacent to a respective moveable portion of its respective flute. Optionally, the first unit comprises at least one resiliently deformable member for each of the moveable portions.

[0056] Optionally, the first unit comprises two resiliently deformable members for each of the moveable portions, such that the resiliently deformable members are arranged in pairs, wherein the two resiliently deformable members in each pair are spaced apart from one another along the axial direction.

[0057] Optionally, the first rotatable drum comprises a recess disposed radially inwards from the moveable portion, and wherein the resiliently deformable member is arranged in the recess.

[0058] Optionally, the first unit comprises a coupling means configured to couple the at least one resiliently deformable member to the first rotatable drum.

[0059] Optionally, the coupling means comprises at least one securing pin.

[0060] Optionally, the at least one resiliently deformable member is configured to bias the moveable portion to a position in which the moveable portion is radially aligned with the remainder of the flute.

[0061] Optionally, the at least one resiliently deformable member is configured to bias the moveable portion to a position in which the moveable portion is radially aligned with the remainder of the flute to provide a generally continuous curved fluted surface therewith.Optionally, when the moveable portion is moved relative to the remainder of the flute by application of a generally radially inward force to the flute and / or to the one or more components received therein, the at least one resiliently deformable member is configured to be resiliently deformed, such that upon removal of said generally radially inward force, the at least one resiliently deformable member is configured to revert back to an undeformed state and the moveable portion is caused to move back relative to the remainder of the flute into a position in which the moveable portion is radially aligned with the remainder of the flute.

[0062] Optionally, the at least one resiliently deformable member comprises a spring.

[0063] Optionally, the at least one resiliently deformable member comprises a coil spring.

[0064] Optionally, the at least one resiliently deformable member comprises a compression spring or an extension spring.

[0065] Optionally, the at least one resiliently deformable member comprises a flat spring.

[0066] Optionally, the at least one resiliently deformable member comprises a cantilevered flat spring.

[0067] Optionally, for each of the flutes, the respective flat spring is cantilevered such that a fixed end of the flat spring is arranged proximate to and may be coupled to a fixed portion of the flute comprising the remainder of the flute, and such that a free end of the flat spring is configured to be deflectable along a radial direction relative to the fixed end and is arranged proximate to the respective moveable portion, wherein the radial direction is generally normal to the axial direction. Optionally, the flat spring is configured to bias the moveable portion towards its first state and to permit its radial translation upon the application of a radially inward force to the first rotatable drum. Optionally, the flat spring is arranged in a recess of the first rotatable drum. Optionally, the recess is arranged radially inwards of the flute. Optionally, the recess extends underneath the moveable and fixed portions. Optionally, the recess is sized and shaped to permit the free end of the flat spring to deflect and / or pivot relative to the fixed end, and to permit radial translation of the moveable portion into the recess.

[0068] Optionally, the first rotatable drum comprises a recess disposed radially inwards from the moveable portion, and the first rotatable drum comprises a damper arranged in the recess.Optionally, the damper is an air filled damper or an oil filled damper.

[0069] Optionally, the damper comprises a piston and a chamber. Optionally, the piston is oriented to extend generally in a radial direction that is generally normal to the axial direction. Optionally, the piston is orientated to be generally parallel to the direction of the radially inward force, and is configured to move along the radial direction relative to and into and out of the chamber.

[0070] Optionally, the first rotatable drum comprises a cam and follower mechanism connected to the moveable portion.

[0071] Optionally, the first rotatable drum comprises a plurality of followers, wherein each of the followers is coupled to a respective one of the flutes. Each of the followers may be coupled to a respective one of the moveable portions. Optionally, the cam and follower mechanism is configured to cause at least one of the moveable portions of at least one of the flutes to move relative to the remainder of its respective flute at any one time.

[0072] Optionally, the cam comprises a cam profile. Optionally, the cam profile comprises a generally circular portion which comprises a generally constant radius relative to the central longitudinal axis, and an indented portion which comprises a reduced radius compared with the generally circular portion relative to the central longitudinal axis. Optionally, the followers are configured to rotate relative to the cam profile. Optionally, the followers are configured to follow a path set by the cam profile to retract radially inwards at the point that the patch is applied to the relevant set of one or more components in a respective flute to which the patch is being applied. Optionally, the indented position is arranged to be proximate to a point at which the first rotatable drum is closest to the second rotatable drum.

[0073] Optionally, the moveable portion is resiliently deformable and is configured to deform relative to the remainder of the flute upon application of a radially inward force on at least one of the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable.

[0074] Optionally, the moveable portion is resiliently deformable and is configured to deform relative to the remainder of the flute upon application of a radially inward force on the first moveable portion.Optionally, the moveable portion comprises a generally resiliently deformable material, such as a generally soft, flexible, deformable and / or cushioned material.

[0075] Optionally, the moveable portion comprises a generally resiliently deformable shape or form, such as a concertinaed, folded, and / or sprung shape or form.

[0076] Optionally, the moveable portion comprises a first fluted surface configured to receive at least a first portion of one or more axially-aligned components for manufacturing a consumable, and the remainder of the flute comprises a second fluted surface configured to receive at least a second portion of one or more axially-aligned components for manufacturing a consumable. Optionally, the first fluted surface is configured to move relative to the second fluted surface. Optionally, deformation of the moveable portion causes the first fluted surface to move relative to the second fluted surface. Optionally, when the moveable portion is in an undeformed state, the first fluted surface is arranged to be radially aligned with the second fluted surface, and when the moveable portion is in a deformed state, the first fluted surface is arranged to be radially misaligned and / or radially spaced apart from the second fluted surface.

[0077] Optionally, each of the flutes comprises a plurality of suction holes for applying a suction force to the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable to retain the one or more components in the flute, wherein the moveable portion comprises at least one suction hole.

[0078] Optionally, the plurality of suction holes of each of the flutes are spaced apart from one another along the axial direction. Optionally, the first rotatable drum further comprises one or more air channels for providing a vacuum to provide for the suction force applied by the suction holes. Optionally, the one or more air channels are in fluid communication with the suction holes.

[0079] Optionally, the first rotatable drum comprises a holding means configured to hold the one or more components in place in the flutes.

[0080] Optionally, the holding means comprises a plurality of suction holes.

[0081] Optionally, the holding means comprises a friction fit.Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a second unit arranged adjacent to the first unit, wherein the second unit is configured to apply a patch to the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable, wherein the patch comprises an adhesive, and wherein application of the patch to at least a portion of the one or more components applies a radially inward force on the one or more components.

[0082] Optionally, the first and second units are moveable relative to one another. For example, the first and second units may be rotatable relative to one another.

[0083] Optionally, the patch comprises tipping paper. Optionally, the patch comprises an adhesive layer. Optionally, the patch comprises an adhesive layer applied to its radially outwards facing surface. Optionally, the patch is configured to circumscribe the one or more components, for example to form an outer layer of a consumable.

[0084] Optionally, the second unit comprises a second rotatable drum, wherein the second rotatable drum comprises one or more suction holes on a peripheral surface of the second rotatable drum for applying a suction force to the patch to retain the patch on the peripheral surface, and wherein the patch is configured to be applied to the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable where the first rotatable drum of the first unit is at a point along its rotational range of motion at which it is arranged to be closest to the second rotatable drum of the second unit.

[0085] Optionally, the second rotatable drum is a tipping drum.

[0086] Optionally, the first and second rotatable drums are moveable relative to one another. For example, the first and second rotatable drums may be rotatable relative to one another. Optionally, the first and second rotatable drums are configured to rotate relative to one another in opposite directions. Optionally, the first rotatable drum is configured to rotate in a clockwise direction and the second rotatable drum is configured to rotate in an anticlockwise direction. Optionally, the first rotatable drum is configured to rotate in an anticlockwise direction and the second rotatable drum is configured to rotate in a clockwise direction.

[0087] Optionally, the first unit comprises a first axle about which the first rotatable drum is configured to rotate, and the second unit comprises a second axle about which the second rotatable drum is configured to rotate. Optionally, the first axle is generally parallel to the second axle.Optionally, the second rotatable drum is generally cylindrical.

[0088] Optionally, the first rotatable drum has a first outer diameter, and the second rotatable drum has a second outer diameter, wherein the first outer diameter is greater than the second outer diameter.

[0089] Optionally, the first and / or second unit comprises a mechanism, wherein the mechanism is configured to move the first and / or second units relative to one another to bring the patch into contact with the one or more components for manufacturing consumable.

[0090] Optionally, the mechanism is configured to rotate the first and / or second units relative to one another. Optionally, the mechanism comprises the first and second axles.

[0091] Optionally, the mechanism is configured to apply pressure to the patch and the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable to secure the patch to the one or more components.

[0092] Optionally, the cam and follower mechanism is configured to move the moveable portion when the second unit applies the patch to the one or more components.

[0093] Optionally, the apparatus comprises a drive mechanism configured to cause the first and second rotatable drums to move relative to one another, for example to rotate relative to one another. Optionally, the drive mechanism comprises a first axle for rotating the first rotatable drum, and a second axle for rotating the second rotatable drum.

[0094] Optionally, the first and second axles are spaced apart from one another such that where the first and second rotatable drums are closest to one another along their rotational ranges of motion, the first and second rotatable drums are close enough to each other such that the second rotatable drum and the patch are configured to apply pressure to the one or more components in the flutes and to the first rotatable drum.

[0095] Optionally, the apparatus comprises any one or more of the optional features described below in relation to the second aspect of the disclosure.

[0096] Optionally, the apparatus is configured to be used according to the method according to the second aspect of the disclosure as described below.In accordance with a second aspect of the disclosure, in some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of manufacturing one or more components of a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, comprising use of an apparatus, the apparatus comprising a first unit comprising a first rotatable drum having a plurality of flutes extending in an axial direction of the first rotatable drum and spaced circumferentially around a curved outer surface of the first rotatable drum, the flutes being formed in the curved outer surface of the first rotatable drum and each being configured to receive one or more axially-aligned components for manufacturing a consumable, wherein each of the flutes comprises a moveable portion configured to move relative to the remainder of the flute, the method comprising: transferring one or more components for manufacturing a consumable to the first rotatable drum; receiving the one or more components in axial alignment in the flutes; applying a radially inward force to at least a portion of at least one of the one or more components; and moving the moveable portion relative to the remainder of the flute.

[0097] Optionally, the apparatus is an apparatus according to the first aspect of the disclosure described above.

[0098] Optionally, the apparatus comprises any one or more of the optional features described above in relation to the first aspect of the disclosure.

[0099] Optionally, the first rotatable drum comprises at least one resiliently deformable member disposed adjacent to the moveable portion, and wherein the step of moving the moveable portion comprises deforming the resiliently deformable member.

[0100] Optionally, the first rotatable drum comprises a recess disposed radially inwards from the moveable portion, and the first rotatable drum comprises a damper located in the recess, wherein the step of moving the moveable portion includes operating the damper.

[0101] Optionally, the first rotatable drum comprises a cam and follower mechanism connected to the moveable portion, and wherein the step of moving the moveable portion includes operating the cam and follower mechanism.

[0102] Optionally, the step of applying a radially inward force to at least a portion of the one or more components comprises applying a patch to the one or more components.Optionally, the method comprises applying a patch to the one or more components by applying a radially inward force on the one or more components in a radially inward direction that is generally normal to the axial direction.

[0103] Optionally, the step of applying a patch to the one or more components comprises moving the first or the second unit relative to the other one of the first or the second unit.

[0104] Optionally, the step of applying a patch to the one or more components comprises rotating the first and second units relative to one another. Optionally, the step of applying a patch to the one or more components comprises rotating the first and second units relative to one another in opposite rotational directions.

[0105] Optionally, the step of applying a patch to the one or more components includes applying pressure to the patch.

[0106] Optionally, the patch is configured to be applied to a particular set of one or more components in a respective one of the flutes at a time when the first rotatable drum of the first unit is at a point along its rotational range of motion relative to the second rotatable drum of the second unit at which the respective one of said flutes of the first rotatable drum is arranged to be closest to the second rotatable drum.

[0107] Optionally, the patch is configured to be applied to a particular set of one or more components in a respective one of the flutes at the point of rotation of the first and second rotatable drums relative to one another at which the first and second rotatable drums are closest to one another.

[0108] Optionally, the patch comprises an adhesive layer.

[0109] Optionally, the patch comprises tipping paper.

[0110] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0111] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of components for manufacturing consumables;

[0112] Figure 2 shows a portion of an apparatus for the manufacture of components of consumables;

[0113] Figure 3 shows a first rotatable drum of a first unit of an apparatus;

[0114] Figure 4 shows the first rotatable drum of Figure 3 and components for manufacturing consumables;

[0115] Figure 5A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an apparatus and components for manufacturing consumables in a first configuration;

[0116] Figure 5B shows the apparatus and components of Figure 5A in a second configuration;

[0117] Figure 5C shows the apparatus and components of Figures 5A and 5B in a third configuration;

[0118] Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a first rotatable drum and components for manufacturing consumables;

[0119] Figure 7A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a first rotatable drum and components for manufacturing consumables in a first position;

[0120] Figure 7B shows the first rotatable drum and components of Figure 7A in a second position;

[0121] Figure 8 shows a portion of a first rotatable drum;

[0122] Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the portion of the first rotatable drum of Figure 8 in a disassembled state;

[0123] Figure 10 shows a first rotatable drum of a first unit of an apparatus;

[0124] Figure 11 shows a side view of the first rotatable drum of Figure 10;

[0125] Figure 12 shows an end view of the first rotatable drum of Figures 10 and 11;

[0126] Figure 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a first rotatable drum and components for manufacturing consumables;

[0127] Figure 14 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a first rotatable drum and components for manufacturing consumables;

[0128] Figure 15 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a first rotatable drum and components for manufacturing consumables;

[0129] Figure 16 shows a schematic view of first and second units of an apparatus for the manufacture of components of consumables;

[0130] Figure 17 shows a schematic view of first and second units of an apparatus for the manufacture of components of consumables; and

[0131] Figure 18 shows a flowchart illustrating the steps of a method of manufacturing one or more components of consumables.Detailed Description

[0132] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of one or more components for manufacturing a consumable 100 for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device (not shown). In the example shown, the one or more components comprise two pre-combined rod components 101, between which is axially arranged a mouth end filter component 102. It is envisaged that the one or more components 101, 102 for manufacturing a consumable 100 may comprise any one or more additional or alternative components. In the example shown, a patch 103, which may for example comprise tipping paper, is arranged on at least a portion of the components 101, 102, and is arranged on the entire axial length of the mouth end filter component 102 and on a portion of the two pre-combined rod components 101. The patch 103 may be subsequently wrapped around the pre-combined rod components 101 and the mouth end filter component 102 to circumscribe the components 101, 102, to form an outer layer of the consumable 100.

[0133] In the example shown, the mouth end filter component 102 is arranged between two substantially identical pre-combined rod components 101 such that the axially assembled one or more components 101, 102 may be cut in half, for example at a longitudinal midpoint of the mouth end filter component 102, in order to provide two consumables 100, each comprising a half of the mouth end filter component 102, and one of the pre-combined rod components 101. That is, in the example shown, the one or more components 101, 102 may be assembled to form more than one consumable 100 at a time, and may then subsequently be cut into two or more pieces to accordingly form two or more consumables 100 by separation. Thus, one or more of the components 101, 102, for example the section of mouth end filter component 102, may initially be longer than required for the formation of one consumable 100, and the one or more components 101, 102 may be arranged in a mirror image of one another axially, for the formation of two consumables 100 arranged end to end relative to one another.

[0134] Figure 2 shows an exemplary apparatus 200 for the manufacture of components, for example the components 101, 102 shown in Figure 1 and described above, of a consumable 100 for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device (not shown). The apparatus 200 comprises a first unit 300 comprising a first rotatable drum 301 which in the example shown, is generally cylindrical, although it is envisaged that the first rotatable drum 301 may have any other suitable shape. The first rotatable drum301 is configured to rotate about a central longitudinal axis 323 thereof (see Figure 3), wherein an axial direction 303 (as also shown in Figure 3) is generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis 323. The first rotatable drum 301 comprises a plurality of flutes 302 which are each arranged to extend in the axial direction 303, that is, they are orientated to be generally parallel to the axial direction 303. The plurality of flutes 302 are spaced circumferentially around a curved outer surface 304 of the first rotatable drum 301 and are formed in the curved outer surface 304. The flutes 302 are thus circumferentially spaced apart from one another about the central longitudinal axis 323. In the example shown in Figures 2 to 4, the flutes 302 are equally spaced apart from one another circumferentially around the curved outer surface 304, however it is also envisaged that the flutes 302 need not necessarily be equally spaced apart from one another in this way and that one or more of the flutes 302 may be irregularly or regularly spaced apart from one another circumferentially, for example they may be spaced apart from one another by unequal spacings around the curved outer surface 304. Each of the flutes 302 is configured to receive one or more components 101, 102 for manufacturing a consumable 100, for example for receiving the components 101, 102 shown in Figure 1 and described above, such as two pre-combined rod components 101 between which is axially arranged a mouth end filter component 102, for forming two consumables 100 in each flute 302. The one or more components 101, 102 are axially aligned in each of the flutes 302 such that they are arranged to be generally parallel to the axial direction 303.

[0135] The apparatus 200 further comprises a second unit 400 comprising a second rotatable drum 401 which is also generally cylindrical in the example shown, although again it is envisaged that the second rotatable drum 401 may have any other suitable shape. The second unit 400 is arranged adjacent to the first unit 300, such that the second rotatable drum 401 is arranged adjacent to the first rotatable drum 301. The second rotatable drum 401 is configured to apply a patch 103, for example tipping paper, to one or more components 101, 102 for manufacturing a consumable 100. The patch 103 may be applied to the one or more components 101, 102 by applying a radially inward force 307 on the one or more components 101, 102 in a radially inward direction illustrated by the arrow 307 shown in Figure 2. The radially inward force 307 is generally perpendicular to the axial direction 303. The patch 103 may comprise an adhesive layer, to facilitate the adherence of the patch 103, for example a layer of tipping paper, to the one or more components 101, 102.

[0136] The second rotatable drum 401 comprises one or more suction holes 402 which are orientated to extend generally along a radial direction 403 of the second rotatabledrum 401, the radial direction 403 being generally normal to the axial direction 303. In the example shown, the one or more suction holes 402 are equally spaced circumferentially around a peripheral curved outer surface of the second rotatable drum 401 and are formed to extend from the curved outer surface of the second rotatable drum 401 radially inwards towards a central longitudinal axis of the second rotatable drum 401. The one or more suction holes 402 are configured to apply a suction force to the patch 103 to retain the patch 103 on the peripheral curved outer surface of the second rotatable drum 401 before application to the one or more components 101, 102.

[0137] The first and second rotatable drums 301, 401 are rotatable relative to one another, and are configured such that the patch 103 is configured to be applied to the one or more components 101, 102 received in a respective one of the flutes 302 when the first rotatable drum 301 of the first unit 300 is at a point along its rotational range of motion relative to the second rotatable drum 401 of the second unit 400 at which the respective one of said flutes 302 of the first rotatable drum 301 is arranged to be closest to the second rotatable drum 401. That is, the patch 103 may be configured to be applied to a particular one of the sets of components 101, 102 in a respective flute 302 at the point of rotation 336 (see Figure 17) of the first and second rotatable drums 301, 401 relative to one another at which the first and second rotatable drums 301, 401 are closest to one another.

[0138] In order to provide that the patch 103 may be applied to a respective one of the sets of components 101, 102 when and where the first and second rotatable drums 301, 401 are arranged to be closest to one another, the second rotatable drum 401 may be configured to apply a pressure to the components 101, 102 as the patch 103 is brought into contact therewith. This may be achieved by the first and second rotatable drums 301 being rotatable relative to one another, for example in opposite rotational directions relative to one another, and such that they are configured to be in a proximate relationship at a point 336 at which they are closest to one another. For example, as shown in Figure 17, the first rotatable drum 301 may be configured to rotate in an anticlockwise direction 335, whilst the second rotatable drum 401 may be configured to rotate in a clockwise direction 334. It is also envisaged that the apparatus 200 may be configured such that the first rotatable drum 301 is configured to rotate in a clockwise direction and the second rotatable drum 401 is configured to rotate in an anticlockwise direction. The apparatus 200 may comprise a mechanism, for example a drive mechanism, configured to cause the first and second rotatable drums 301, 401 to move relative to one another, for example to rotate relative to oneanother, for instance in the opposite clockwise and anticlockwise directions 334, 335 shown in Figure 17, in order to bring the patch 103 into contact with the components 101, 102. For example, the first unit 300 may comprise a first axle (not shown) for rotating the first rotatable drum 301 relative to the second rotatable drum 401, and the second unit 400 may comprise a second axle (not shown) for rotating the second rotatable drum 401 relative to the first rotatable drum 301. The first and second axles may be spaced apart from one another by a distance such that where the first and second rotatable drums 301, 401 are closest to one another along their rotational ranges of motion, the first and second rotatable drums 301, 401 are close enough to each other such that the second rotatable drum 401 and the patch 103 apply pressure to the components 101, 102 in the flutes 302 and to the first rotatable drum 301.

[0139] Thus, with further reference to Figure 17, during operation of the apparatus 200, the components 101, 102 may be transferred onto the first rotatable drum 301, which may also be referred to as a tipping drum 301, where they are provided with a tipping paper patch 103 before they may be transferred to a rolling unit (not shown) that rolls the tipping paper patch 103 around the components 101, 102 to form, for example, two joined and assembled consumables 100 in back to back arrangement. The tipping paper patch 103 may be supplied by and applied to the components 101, 102 by the second rotatable drum 401, which may also be referred to as a tipping paper suction drum 401, from a roll of patch material 104, for example from a roll of tipping paper. The tipping paper patch 103 may have an adhesive layer applied to its radially outwards facing surface, so that at the position where the second rotatable drum 401 rotates closest to the first rotatable drum 301, the suction acting on the tipping paper patch 103 is released and the patch 103 is transferred from the second rotatable drum 401 to the tipping drum 301, and onto the components 101, 102. Thus, the adhesive layer may anchor the tipping paper patch 103 to the components 101, 102.

[0140] Figures 5A to 5C schematically sequentially illustrate the steps of moving, for example by rotation, a portion of the second rotatable drum 401 relative to a portion of the first rotatable drum 301 such that the second rotatable drum 401 can apply a patch 103 to the components 101, 102 by application of a radially inward force 307. Firstly, as shown in Figure 5A, the radially inward force 307 is applied as the second rotatable drum 401 and hence also the patch 103 are moved towards the components 101, 102 which are received in the flutes 302 of the first rotatable drum 301, for example by relative rotation between the first and second rotatable drums 301, 401. As the second rotatable drum 401 moves towards the first rotatable drum 301, for example into the position shown in Figure 5B, for example by rotating the first and secondrotatable drums 301, 401 in opposite rotational directions relative to one another, the second rotatable drum 401 applies a radially inward force 307 to the first rotatable drum 301. The radially inward force 307 causes the patch 103, which may for example comprise an adhesive layer, to be applied onto the components 101, 102, for example by compression and / or by an adhesive action. Next, as shown in Figure 5C, when the relevant portion of the second rotatable drum 401 is moved away from the relevant portion of the first rotatable drum 301, for example back into the position shown in Figure 5A, for example by relative rotation between the first and second rotatable drums 301, 401, the particular patch 103 is no longer coupled to or received by the second rotatable drum 401 and is now applied onto the set of components 101, 102 in their respective flute 302. As shown in Figure 5B, during the application of the patch 103 to the components 101, 102, for example during the application of the radially inward force 307 onto the components 101, 102, at least a portion of at least one of the components 101, 102 may be compressed by the radially inward force 307 and thus be caused to be pressed radially inwards and / or squashed, as shown in Figure 5B. Upon removal of the radially inward force 307, the components 101, 102 may no longer be in a compressed or squashed state, for example as shown in Figure 5C.

[0141] Turning now to Figure 3, each of the flutes 302 of the first rotatable drum 301 comprises a first flute half 302a and a second flute half 302b, which are arranged adjacent to one another end to end along the axial direction 303. Each of the flutes 302 comprises a first end 314 and a second end 315, wherein for each flute, the first flute half 302a comprises the first end 314, and the second flute half 302b comprises the second end 315. In the example shown, the first and second flute halves 302a, 302b are equal in length to one another, however it is also envisaged that the first and second flute halves 302a, 302b may have any other suitable relative lengths. For example, the first flute half 302a may be longer than the second flute half 302b along the axial direction 303, or the second flute half 302b may be longer than the first flute half 302a along the axial direction 303. In the example shown, between the first and second flute halves 302a, 302b along the axial direction 303, the first rotatable drum 301 comprises a gap 313, which extends circumferentially around the curved outer surface 304 of the first rotatable drum 301 and which is arranged to be generally normal to and circumscribe the central longitudinal axis 323. In this manner, the first and second flute halves 302a, 302b are spaced apart from one another along the axial direction 303. However, it is also envisaged that the first and second flute halves 302a, 302b need not necessarily be spaced apart from one another and may abut one another along the axial direction 303, such that the gap 313 may be not present. Figure 6 shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of one of the flutes 302receiving a set of components 101, 102, wherein purely for illustrative purposes, a gap 313 is not shown and the respective flute 302 shown is illustrated in a simplified manner.

[0142] Figure 4 shows a portion of the first rotatable drum 301 illustrating just one set of one or more components 101, 102 for manufacturing consumables 100 received in one of the flutes 302. Components 101, 102 may be received in each of the plurality of flutes 302, however only one set of components 101, 102 is shown for illustrative purposes. Referring back to the exemplary one or more components 101, 102 shown in Figure 1 and described above, the components 101, 102 may be arranged such that one of the two pre-combined rod components 101 is arranged in the first flute half 302a, the other of the two pre-combined rod components 101 is arranged in the second flute half 302b, and the mouth end filter component 102 is arranged in both the first and second flute halves 302a, 302b and bridges the gap 313 therebetween. In the example shown, the components 101, 102 each have a generally circular cross-sectional profile, and so correspondingly, each of the flutes 302 has a generally curved cross-sectional profile configured to correspond therewith, such that each of the flutes 302 is sized and shaped to receive a respective set of components 101, 102. For example, each of the flutes 302 may have a generally curved cross-sectional profile, for example a generally semicircular cross-sectional profile, or any other cross-sectional profile, for example that is in the shape of a sector of a circle. Each of the flutes 302 may be in the form of a channel, a groove, a recess, a cut-out, or an aperture.

[0143] With reference back to Figure 6, which shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of a flute 302 of the first rotatable drum 301 receiving a respective set of components 101, 102, wherein said flute 302 may comprise two flute halves 302a, 302b spaced apart along the axial direction 303 by a gap 313, for example as shown in Figures 3 and 4, or wherein said flute 302 may comprise two flute halves abutting one another such that a gap 313 is not present; when the second rotatable drum 401 applies the radially inward force 302 to the components 101, 102 to apply the patch 103 onto the components 101, 102, this may cause the components 101, 102 to be compressed, for example as shown in Figure 5B. Thus, the first and / or second rotatable drums 301, 401 may cause at least a portion of at least one of the one or more components 101, 102 for manufacturing the consumable 100 to be inadvertently crushed, squashed, or otherwise compressed, which may result in an at least partially crushed, squashed or otherwise compressed consumable 100. It may therefore be desirable to seek to reduce the pressure applied to the one or more components 101,102 by application of the radially inward force 307 of the second rotatable drum 401 onto the first rotatable drum 301 during the application of the patch 103 to the components 101, 102.

[0144] Figure 7A shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of a flute 302 of a first rotatable drum 301 receiving a respective set of components 101, 102. The flute 302 may comprise two flute halves 302a, 302b spaced apart along the axial direction 303 by a gap 313, for example as shown in Figures 3 or 4, and such an exemplary arrangement is shown in Figures 10 and 11, or the flute 302 may comprise two flute halves 302a, 302b abutting one another such that a gap 313 is not present. In any case, each of the plurality of flutes 302 of the first rotatable drum 301 is generally identical or substantially similar to one another, although only one flute is shown, for simplicity of illustration. It is to be understood that as described above, and for example as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the flutes 302 are circumferentially spaced apart from one another about the curved outer surface 304 of the first rotatable drum 301, for example as shown in Figure 12. Each of the flutes 302 in the example shown in Figure 7A differs from each of the flutes 302 shown in Figure 6 and described above, in that each of the flutes 302 comprises a moveable portion 305 and a fixed portion 306. In the example shown, each of the flutes 302 comprises two moveable portions 305 and a fixed portion 306, although it is to be understood that only one moveable portion 305 may be present. The two moveable portions 305 are arranged at opposite ends of the flute 302, that is, one of the moveable portions 305 is arranged at the first end 314 and the other movable portion 305 is arranged at the second end 315. Thus, the first flute half 302a may be described as comprising a first one of the moveable portions 305, and the second flute half 302b may be described as comprising a second one of the moveable portions 305. The fixed portion 306 is arranged between the two moveable portions 305 along the axial direction 303. The one or more moveable portions 305 may be sized to extend over a portion of the length of a respective flute 302. The one or more moveable portions 305 may each be formed from a metal, for example aluminium. The remainder of the flutes, for example the one or more fixed portions 306, and / or the first rotatable drum 301 as a whole, may also be formed from a metal, for example aluminium.

[0145] Each of the two moveable portions 305 is configured to receive at least a portion of at least one of the one or more components 101, 102 for manufacturing a consumable 100. Similarly, the fixed portion 306 is also configured to receive at least a portion of at least one of the one or more components 101, 102 for manufacturing a consumable 100. In the example shown, for each flute 302, the two moveable portions 305 areconfigured to each receive one of the pre-combined rod components 101, whilst the fixed portion 306 is configured to receive the mouth end filter component 102. Whilst in the example shown there are two moveable portions 305 because the components 101, 102 are arranged in the flute 302 to provide for the formation of two consumables 100 end to end in a mirror image of one another, to be subsequently cut in half to provide two consumables 100, it is to be understood that other arrangements of the at least one moveable portion 305 and the at least one fixed portion 306 are possible, for example to arrange the components 101, 102 for just one consumable 100 at a time in each flute 302, and / or to arrange different components for a consumable in each flute 302. Thus, other arrangements are also possible, and the respective lengths and positions of the one or more moveable portions 305 and the fixed portion 306 may be sized and positioned according to the length and configuration of the one or more components 101, 102 which are to be received in the respective flute 302. It is envisaged that there may be any number of moveable portions 305 and fixed portions 306 in each of the flutes 302, provided that each of the flutes comprises at least one moveable portion 305 and at least one fixed portion 306. For example, each of the flutes 302 may comprise one moveable portion 305 arranged adjacent to one fixed portion 306 along the axial direction 303, one fixed portion 306 arranged between two moveable portions 305 along the axial direction 303, one moveable portion 305 arranged between two fixed portions 306 along the axial direction, or any other number of and / or arrangement of one or more moveable and fixed portions 305, 306 arranged along the axial direction 303. Also, whilst in the example shown in Figure 7A the two moveable portions 305 are shown to abut the fixed portion 306, it is also envisaged that the moveable and fixed portions 305, 306 may be spaced apart from one another along the axial direction 303.

[0146] Each of the one or more moveable portions 305 is configured to be moveable relative to the one or more fixed portions 306. The one or more fixed portions 306 may also be referred to, relative to the one or more moveable portions 305, as the "remainder" of the flute 302, such that for each of the plurality of flutes 302, the one or more moveable portions 305 may each be described as being moveable relative to the remainder of the flute 302. In the example shown, for each flute 302, each of the one or more moveable portions 305 is configured to be moveable relative to the one or more fixed portions 306 generally along a radial direction which is generally parallel to the direction of application of the radially inward force 307. Accordingly, upon application of the radially inward force 307 to the one or more components 101, 102, for example due to movement of the second rotatable drum 401 towards the first rotatable drum 301 to apply the patch 103 to the one or more components 101, 102,in order to avoid or at least reduce the magnitude of any crushing, squashing or other compression of the one or more components 101, 102, for example any crushing, squashing or other compression of the one or more components 101, 102 against the first rotatable drum 301, specifically the respective flute 302 thereof, then the one or more moveable portions 305 can be caused or allowed to move radially inwards, in order to permit at least a portion of at least one of the one or more components 101, 102 to correspondingly also move radially inwards, in line with the radially inward force 307, in order to prevent, or at least reduce the magnitude of any crushing, squashing or other compression, of the one or more components 101, 102. As shown in Figures 10 and 11 for example, each of the flutes 302 comprises a plurality of suction holes 312 configured to apply a suction force to the one or more components 101, 102 to retain the one or more components 101, 102 in the flutes 302. Each of the moveable portions 305 comprises at least one suction hole 302, such that the one or more components 101, 102 are still retained in the flutes 302 even upon movement of the one or more moveable portions 305 relative to the one or more fixed portions 306. The first rotatable drum 301 may further comprise one or more air channels for providing a vacuum to provide for the suction force applied by the suction holes 312. Whilst in the example shown, the first rotatable drum 301 comprises suction holes 312 for holding the components 101, 102 in place in the flutes 302, it is envisaged that the suction holes 312 need not necessarily be present. For example, the apparatus 200 may comprise any other suitable means for holding the components 101, 102 in place in the flutes 302. For example, the first rotatable drum 301 may be configured to hold the components 101, 102 in place in the flutes 302 by a friction fit.

[0147] As shown sequentially between Figures 7A and 7B, the movement of the one or more moveable portions 305 of each flute 302 relative to the respective one or more fixed portions 306 thereof permits the respective portions of the one or more components 101, 102 which are received in or by the one or more moveable portions 305 to radially translate along the direction of radial translation 324 illustrated by the arrows 324 in Figure 7A. Figure 7A shows a first position of the apparatus 200 in which the second rotatable drum 401 is spaced apart from the first rotatable drum 301 such that the patch 103 is not yet applied onto the one or more components 101, 102. When the apparatus 200 is in this first position, the moveable portions 305 are in a first state such that they are radially aligned with the fixed portion 306 along the radial direction which is generally normal to the axial direction 303, such that the moveable and fixed portions 305, 306 form a generally continuous fluted surface that is generally parallel to the axial direction 303. When the moveable portions 305 are in the first state, they are spaced apart from a base element 325 of the flute 302 by afirst spacing, along the radial direction. Figure 7B shows a second position of the apparatus 200 in which the second rotatable drum 401 is arranged to be closer to the first rotatable drum 301, such that the patch 103 is applied to the one or more components 101, 102. When the apparatus 200 is in this second position, the moveable portions 305 are in a second state such that they are radially misaligned with the fixed portion 306 along the radial direction, such that the moveable and fixed portions 305, 306 do not form a generally continuous fluted surface that is generally parallel to the axial direction 303, but instead form a stepped or staggered fluted surface. When the moveable portions 305 are in the first state, they are spaced apart from the base element 325 of the flute 302 by a second spacing along the radial direction, wherein the second spacing is less than the first spacing. That is, when the moveable portions 305 are in the second state, they are arranged to be closer to the base element 325 than when the moveable portions 305 are in the first state. Thus, it can be seen that moving, for example rotating, the second rotatable drum 401 from the first position shown in Figure 7A into the second position shown in Figure 7B, causes the one or more moveable portions 305 to move from the first state into the second state, thus allowing at least a portion of one or more of the components 101, 102 for manufacturing the consumable 100 to radially translate along the direction 324, to prevent crushing, squashing and or other compression thereof.

[0148] In order to facilitate the radial translation 324 of the moveable portions 305 relative to the fixed portion 306, the first rotatable drum 301 further comprises at least one resiliently deformable member 308 arranged adjacent to the moveable portions 305, along the radial direction. In the example shown, the first rotatable drum 301 comprises a recess 309 arranged radially inwards form the moveable portions 305, and in which the at least one resiliently deformable member 308 is arranged. In the example shown in Figure 7A, for each flute 302 there are four resiliently deformable members 308, there being two resiliently deformable members 308 arranged adjacent to the moveable portion 305 at the first end 314, and another two resiliently deformable members 308 arranged adjacent to the other moveable portion 305 at the second end 315 - that is, there are two resiliently deformable members 308 for each of the moveable portions 305, and they are arranged to be spaced apart from one another along the axial direction 303. However, it is envisaged that there may be any other suitable number of at least one resiliently deformable members 308. For example, each of the flutes 302 may comprise any number of one or more resiliently deformable members 308, for example, one, two, three, four, five, six or more resiliently deformable members 308. For instance, for each of the moveable portions 305 of a respective flute 302, there may be any number of one or more resilientlydeformable members 308 per moveable portion 308. That is, there may be at least one resiliently deformable member 308 arranged adjacent to each of the moveable portions 305, to permit the radial translation 324 thereof. Furthermore, whilst in the example shown in Figures 7A and 7B, each of the resiliently deformable members 308 comprises a coil spring, it is envisaged that each of the resiliently deformable members 308 may have any other suitable form. For example, one or more of the resilient deformable members 308 may each comprise a coil spring, a compression spring, an extension spring, a flat spring, a damper, or any other suitable means for providing for resilient deformation, to facilitate the radial translation 324 of the one or more moveable portions 305.

[0149] By being resiliently deformable, the one or more resiliently deformable members 308 may provide that upon removable of the radial force 307, the one or more moveable portions 305 may then move from the second state back into the first state, by moving radially outwards back in reverse, back into the exemplary position shown in Figure 7A. In other words, each of the one or more resiliently deformable members 308 may be configured to bias the moveable portions 305 towards the first position, acting against the radial force 307. For example, referring to the example shown in Figures 7A and 7B, if each of the resiliently deformable members 308 comprises a compression spring, then when the moveable portions 305 are in the first state shown in Figure 7A, then each of the compression springs 308 is in a natural, uncompressed state. Then, when the moveable portions 305 are radially translated 324 into the second state by the radial force 307 as shown in Figure 7B, the compression springs 308 are each in a compressed state. By nature of being compression springs 308, the resiliently deformable members 308 thus bias the moveable portions 305 towards the first state, such that upon removal of the radial force 307 by moving the second rotatable drum 401 back away from the first rotatable drum 301, the compression springs 308 are caused to inherently spring back into their natural, uncompressed state, thus biasing the moveable portions 305 back into the first state.

[0150] However, it is also envisaged that the one or more resiliently deformable members 308 need not necessarily be present, and that the radial translation 324 of the one or more moveable portions 305 may be permitted, facilitated, caused and / or allowed by any other suitable means, for example by each of the one or more moveable portions 305 itself being resiliently deformable, for example by the each of the one or more moveable portions 305 comprising a generally resiliently deformable material, such as a generally soft, flexible, deformable, and / or cushioned material, and / or for example by each of the one or more moveable portions 305 comprising a generally resilientlydeformable shape or form, such as a concertinaed, folded, and / or sprung shape or form.

[0151] Figure 8 shows a segment of an exemplary first rotatable drum 301, specifically, an exemplary first flute half 302a, which comprises the first end 314, a moveable portion 305, and a fixed portion 306. Two such flute halves 302a, 302b may be arranged back to back in an end to end relationship along the axial direction 303 relative to one another, either abutting one another or spaced apart by a gap 313, for example as shown in Figures 3 and 4 and described above. Such an exemplary arrangement is shown in Figure 11. Just one flute half 302a is shown in Figure 8 and described herein, for the sake of simplicity, however it is to be understood that the two flute halves 302a, 302b may be generally identical or substantially similar to one another. It is also to be understood that in examples wherein each flute 302 comprises just one moveable portion 305, each flute 302 may be in the form illustrated in the example of Figure 8. Figure 9 shows the segment of the first rotatable drum 301 of Figure 8 in an exploded view, with the components disassembled from one another, purely for illustrative purposes.

[0152] In the example shown in Figures 8 and 9, the moveable portion 305 of the flute 302 comprises a moveable body 316, and the first rotatable drum 301 comprises a main body 317, wherein the body 316 provides the moveable portion 305 of the flute 302 and the main body 317 provides the fixed portion or remainder of the flute 302. The body 316 is moveably coupled to the main body 317 to provide for the moveable portion 305 to be moveable relative to the fixed portion 306 of the flute 302. The main body 317 of the first rotatable drum 301 comprises a receiving portion 318 which is configured to receive the body 316 of the moveable portion 305 and the one or more resiliently deformable members 308. The receiving portion 318 may be configured to limit the movement of the moveable portion 305 along the radial direction, for example to limit the extent to which the moveable portion 305 can be radially translated 324, to prevent the moveable portion 305 and hence also the one or more components 101, 102 from inadvertently being moved radially inwards too far. The body 316 of the moveable portion 305 also comprises a fluted portion 320 integrally formed with or coupled to the protruding portion 319. In the example shown, the protruding portion 319 is generally cylindrical and the fluted portion 320 is generally block shaped, although other shapes and forms are also possible, for example the protruding portion 319 and the fluted portion 320 may both be generally cylindrical. The fluted portion 320 of the body 316 of the moveable portion 305 comprises a first curved fluted surface 321, and similarly the main body 317 which comprises the fixedportion 306 comprises a second curved fluted surface 322. The first and second curved fluted surfaces 321, 322 are sized and shaped to correspond with one another along the axial direction 303. In the example shown, each of the first and second curved fluted surfaces 321, 322 has a generally curved cross-sectional profile, for example a generally semicircular cross-sectional profile. The first and second curved fluted surfaces 321, 322 are configured such that when the moveable portion 305 is in the first state, the first and second curved fluted surfaces 321, 322 are radially aligned with one another such that they provide a generally continuous curved fluted surface along the axial direction 303.

[0153] With further reference to Figure 9, the first unit 300 may also comprise a coupling means configured to couple the at least one resiliently deformable member 308 to the first rotatable drum 301. The coupling means may for example comprise at least one securing pin, which may be configured to be received through a first through hole or aperture 332 in the main body 317 of the first rotatable drum 301, and through a corresponding second through hole or aperture 333 in the body 316 of the moveable portion 305 of the flute 302.

[0154] Figure 13 shows an example of a portion of a first rotatable drum 301 which is generally similar to that shown in Figures 7A through to 12 and described above, other than in the form and arrangement of the at least one resiliently deformable member 308. In the example shown in Figure 13, for each of the one or more moveable portions 305 of a respective flute 302, there is one resiliently deformable member 308, which rather than comprising a coil spring, comprises a flat spring 308. For each of the moveable portions 305, the respective flat spring 308 is cantilevered such that that a fixed end 308a of the flat spring 308 is arranged proximate to and may be coupled to a fixed portion 306 of the respective flute 302 and a free end 308b of the flat spring 308 is configured to be deflectable along the radial direction relative to the fixed end 308a and is arranged proximate to the respective moveable portion 305a, to bias the moveable portion 305 towards its first state and to permit its radial translation 324 upon application of the radially inward force 307 by the second rotatable drum 401. In the example shown, the flat spring 308 is arranged in a recess 309 of the first rotatable drum 301 which is arranged radially inwards of the flute 302, i.e. the recess 309 extends underneath the moveable and fixed portions 305, 306. The recess 309 is sized and shaped to permit the free end 308b to deflect and / or pivot relative to the fixed end 308a, and to permit radial translation 324 of the moveable portion 305 into the recess 309.Figure 14 shows an example of a first rotatable drum 301 which is generally similar to that shown in Figures 7A through to 13 and described above, other than in the form and arrangement of the at least one resiliently deformable member 308. In the example shown in Figure 14, for each of the one or more moveable portions 305 of a respective flute 302, there is one resiliently deformable member 308, which comprises a damper 308. Each of the dampers 308 is configured to provide for radial translation 324 of the respective moveable portion 305 and to bias the respective moveable portion 305 towards its first state. In the example shown, the damper 308 is arranged in a recess 309 of the first rotatable drum 301 which is arranged radially inwards of the flute 302, i.e. the recess 309 extends underneath the moveable and fixed portions 305, 306. The recess 309 is sized and shaped to permit the damper 308 to be radially displaced, and to permit radial translation 324 of the moveable portion 305 into the recess 309. In the example shown, the damper 308 comprises a piston 326 and a chamber 327. The piston 326 is orientated to be generally parallel to the direction of the radially inward force 307, and is configured to move along the radial direction relative to and into and out of the chamber 327. Thus, when the radially inward force 307 is applied by movement of the second rotatable drum 401, as the moveable portion 305 is pushed from the first state to the second state, the piston 326 is caused to move radially inwards towards and into the chamber 327, to permit radial translation 324 of the moveable portion 305. The damper 308 may be a fluid damper, for example an air filled damper or an oil filled damper.

[0155] Figure 15 shows an example of a first rotatable drum 301 which is generally similar to that shown in Figures 7A through to 14 and described above, other than in the form and arrangement of the at least one resiliently deformable member 308. In the example shown in Figure 15, the at least one resiliently deformable member 308 comprises a cam and follower mechanism 308. The cam and follower mechanism 308 is configured to provide for radial translation 324 of each respective moveable portion 305 and to bias the respective moveable portion 305 towards its first state. In the example shown, the cam and follower mechanism 308 is arranged in a recess 309 of the first rotatable drum 301 which is arranged radially inwards of the flute 302, i.e. the recess 309 extends underneath the moveable and fixed portions 305, 306. The recess 309 is sized and shaped to permit the cam and follower mechanism 308 to be radially displaced, and to permit radial translation 324 of the moveable portion 305 of the recess 309. With reference to Figures 15 and 16, in the example shown, the cam and follower mechanism 308 comprises a cam 310 and a plurality of followers 311.The schematic view of Figure 16 shows a plurality of followers 311 which are configured to rotate with the first rotatable drum 301, each of the followers 311 corresponding with a respective one of the flutes 302, although only one set of components 101, 102 is illustrated, for simplicity. The cam 310 comprises a cam profile 328, which in the example shown, comprises a generally circular portion 329 which comprises a generally constant radius relative to the central longitudinal axis 323, and an indented portion 330 which comprises a reduced radius compared with the generally circular portion 329 relative to the central longitudinal axis 323. The followers 311 are configured to rotate relative to the cam profile 328 such that at any one time, one or more of the followers 311 and hence one or more of the corresponding flutes 302 and the corresponding sets of components 101, 102 are configured to be arranged adjacent to the indented portion 330 of the cam profile 328, whilst the remainder of the followers 311 and their respective flutes 302 and sets of components 101, 102 are arranged adjacent to the circular portion 329 of the cam profile 238. In the position shown in Figure 16, at any time, one of the followers 311 and hence one of the flutes 302 and its corresponding components 101, 102 are arranged adjacent to the indented portion 330 and are hence in a radially inward position, which may also be referred to as a pushed in position, which corresponds with this respective flute 302 and its corresponding components 101, 102 being radially pushed inwards by the radially inward force 307 by the second rotatable drum 401. The cam and follower mechanism 308 facilitates this radial translation 324 of the respective flute 302, to prevent crushing, squashing or other compression of the components 101, 102 in said flute 302 when the patch 103 is applied thereto.

[0156] Thus, as the first rotatable drum 301 rotates, the followers 311 are sequentially moved radially inwards as they move relative to the cam profile 328, such that as the second rotatable drum 401 applies a patch 103 to a set of components 101, 102 in a particular flute 302, that flute 302 is caused to radially translate 324 inwards. Then, as the first rotatable drum 301 rotates such that the second rotatable drum 401 can apply another patch 103 to the next set of components 101, 102 in the next flute 302, then said next flute 302 is caused to radially translate 324 inwards. Thus, the followers 311 are configured to follow a path set by the cam profile 328 to retract radially inwards one by one at the point that the patch 103 is applied to the relevant components 101, 102 in their respective flute 302, so that the relevant moveable portion 305 is automatically retracted radially inwards at the relevant time that the respective patch 103 is applied to the components 101, 102 received therein, to compensate for the radially inward force 307, thus causing at least a portion of atleast one of the one or more components 101, 102 to radially translate to avoid them being crushed, squashed or otherwise compressed.

[0157] The cam profile 328 need not necessarily have the shape or form shown in the example of Figure 16, but may have any other suitable shape or form. It is also envisaged that the cam profile 328 may have any number of generally circular portions 329 and indented portions 330. For example, the cam profile 328 may comprise two indented portions 330 arranged to be diametrically opposed from one another and spaced apart circumferentially by two generally circular portions 329 of constant radius. It is also envisaged that each of the one or more indented portions 330 need not necessarily be generally curved as in the example shown in Figure 16, but may be generally angular and / or linear, for example they may each comprise a generally rectangular, trapezoidal or triangular shaped indent in the cam profile 328. In the example shown in Figures 15 and 16, each of the moveable portions 305 is arranged at a first end of a respective one of the followers 311, and at the opposite end of the respective one of the followers 311, the respective follower 311 is configured to move relative to the cam profile 328.

[0158] Figure 18 shows a flowchart illustrating the steps of a method 500 of manufacturing one or more components 101, 102 of consumables 100 for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device. The method 500 comprises the use of an apparatus 200, which comprises a first unit 300 comprising a first rotatable drum 301 having a plurality of flutes 302 extending in an axial direction 303 of the first rotatable drum 301 and spaced circumferentially around a curved outer surface 304 of the first rotatable drum 301, the flutes 302 being formed in the curved outer surface 304 of the first rotatable drum 301 and each being configured to receive one or more axially-aligned components 101, 102 for manufacturing consumables 100. Each of the flutes 302 comprises a moveable portion 305 configured to move relative to the remainder of the flute 302, for example relative to a fixed portion 306 thereof. The apparatus 200 may for example be an apparatus 200 as described above in relation to Figures 7A through to 17. In step 501, the method 500 comprises transferring one or more components 101, 102 for manufacturing a consumable 100 to the first rotatable drum 301. In step 502, the method 500 comprises receiving the one or more components 101, 102 in axial alignment with the flutes 302. In step 503, the method 500 comprises applying a radially inward force 307 to at least a portion of at least one of the one or more components 101, 102. In step 504, the method 500 comprises moving the moveable portion 305 relative to the remainder of the flute 302, forexample moving the moveable portion 305 relative to the fixed portion 306 of the flute 302.

[0159] The step 503 of applying a radially inward force 307 may comprise applying a patch 103 to the one or more components 101, 102. The step 503 of applying a patch 103 to the one or more components 101, 102 may comprise moving the first unit 300 or the second unit 400 relative to the other one of the first unit 300 or the second unit 400. The step 503 of applying a patch 103 to the one or more components 101, 102 may comprise applying pressure to the patch 103.

[0160] The first rotatable drum 301 may comprise at least one resiliently deformable member 308 arranged adjacent to the moveable portion 305, for example as shown in Figures 7A, 7B and 13, and the step 504 of moving the moveable portion 305 may comprise deforming the resiliently deformable member 308. The first rotatable drum 301 may comprise a recess 309 arranged radially inwards from the moveable portion 305, and the first rotatable drum 301 may comprise a damper 308 located in the recess 309, for example as shown in Figure 14, wherein the step 504 of moving the moveable portion 305 may comprise operating the damper 308. The first rotatable drum 301 may comprise a cam and follower mechanism 308 connected to the moveable portion 305, for example as shown in Figure 15, wherein the step 504 of moving the moveable portion 305 comprises operating the cam and follower mechanism 308.

[0161] As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes: combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your- own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material); 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; and aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.According to the present disclosure, a "combustible" aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0162] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar.

[0163] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a component for use in a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a filter, a filter rod, a filter segment, a tobacco rod, a spill, an aerosol-modifying agent release component such as a capsule, a thread, or a bead, or a paper such as a plug wrap, a tipping paper or a cigarette paper.

[0164] 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.

[0165] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0166] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0167] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosolgenerating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0168] 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 aerosolgenerating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosolgenerating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a noncombustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the noncombustible aerosol provision device.

[0169] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosolgenerating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

[0170] In some embodiments, 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. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises 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.

[0171] In some embodiments, 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.

[0172] In some embodiments, the delivery system is an aerosol-free delivery system that delivers at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine..

[0173] In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device 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.

[0174] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolised. As appropriate, eithermaterial 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.

[0175] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance.

[0176] 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.

[0177] In one embodiment the active substance is a legally permissible recreational drug

[0178] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

[0179] 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.

[0180] The active substance may be CBD or a derivative thereof.

[0181] 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.

[0182] 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.

[0183] 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.

[0184] 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.

[0185] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour.

[0186] 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.

[0187] 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.

[0188] 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 alimited to eucolyptol, WS-3.

[0189] Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating 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.

[0190] 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.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.

[0191] 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 aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

[0192] 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.

[0193] 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 aerosolgenerating material.

[0194] 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.

[0195] 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 aerosolgenerating film.

[0196] The slurry may be heated to remove at least about 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt% or 90 wt% of the solvent.The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an "amorphous solid". In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating materiel comprises an aerosol-generating 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.

[0197] The amorphous solid may be substantially free from botanical material. The amorphous solid may be substantially tobacco free.

[0198] 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.

[0199] The one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of apH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0200] The material may be present on or in a support, to form 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.

[0201] A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosolmodifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as aheater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

[0202] 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 electrically-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.

[0203] 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 aerosol-modifying agent.

[0204] 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.

[0205] 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. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for the manufacture of components of a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, the apparatus comprising a first unit comprising:a first rotatable drum having a plurality of flutes extending in an axial direction of the first rotatable drum and spaced circumferentially around a curved outer surface of the first rotatable drum, the flutes being formed in the curved outer surface of the first rotatable drum and each being configured to receive one or more axially-aligned components for manufacturing a consumable;wherein each of the flutes comprises a moveable portion configured to receive at least a portion of at least one of said one or more components for manufacturing a consumable, wherein the moveable portion is configured to move relative to the remainder of the flute.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moveable portion is located at an end of the flute.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each of the flutes comprises two moveable portions.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the two moveable portions of each of the flutes are disposed at opposite ends of the respective flute.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the moveable portion of each of the flutes is configured to move relative to the remainder of the respective flute upon application of a radially inward force on at least one of the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable received in said flute.

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first unit comprises at least one resiliently deformable member disposed adjacent to the moveable portion.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first rotatable drum comprises a recess disposed radially inwards from the moveable portion, and wherein the resiliently deformable member is arranged in the recess.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the first unit comprises a coupling means configured to couple the at least one resiliently deformable member to the first rotatable drum.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the coupling means comprises at least one securing pin.

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the at least one resiliently deformable member comprises a coil spring.

11. The apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the at least one resiliently deformable member comprises a flat spring.

12. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first rotatable drum comprises a recess disposed radially inwards from the moveable portion, and wherein the first rotatable drum comprises a damper arranged in the recess.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the damper is an air filled damper or an oil filled damper.

14. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first rotatable drum comprises a cam and follower mechanism connected to the moveable portion.

15. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the moveable portion is resiliently deformable and is configured to deform relative to the remainder of the flute upon application of a radially inward force on at least one of the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable.

16. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein each of the flutes comprises a plurality of suction holes for applying a suction force to the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable to retain the one or more components in the flute, and wherein the moveable portion comprises at least one suction hole.

17. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises a second unit arranged adjacent to the first unit, wherein the second unit is configured to apply a patch to the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable, wherein the patch comprises an adhesive, and whereinapplication of the patch to at least a portion of the one or more components applies a radially inward force on the one or more components.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the second unit comprises a second rotatable drum, wherein the second rotatable drum comprises one or more suction holes on a peripheral surface of the second rotatable drum for applying a suction force to the patch to retain the patch on the peripheral surface, and wherein the patch is configured to be applied to the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable where the first rotatable drum of the first unit is at a point along its rotational range of motion at which it is arranged to be closest to the second rotatable drum of the second unit.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the first and / or second unit comprises a mechanism, wherein the mechanism is configured to move the first and / or second units relative to one another to bring the patch into contact with the one or more components for manufacturing consumable.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the mechanism is configured to apply pressure to the patch and the one or more components for manufacturing a consumable to secure the patch to the one or more components.

21. The apparatus according to any of claims 17 to 20 when dependent on claim 14, wherein the cam and follower mechanism is configured to move the moveable portion when the second unit applies the patch to the one or more components.

22. A method of manufacturing one or more components of a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device, comprising use of an apparatus, the apparatus comprising a first unit comprising a first rotatable drum having a plurality of flutes extending in an axial direction of the first rotatable drum and spaced circumferentially around a curved outer surface of the first rotatable drum, the flutes being formed in the curved outer surface of the first rotatable drum and each being configured to receive one or more axially-aligned components for manufacturing a consumable, wherein each of the flutes comprises a moveable portion configured to move relative to the remainder of the flute, the method comprising:transferring one or more components for manufacturing a consumable to the first rotatable drum;receiving the one or more components in axial alignment in the flutes;applying a radially inward force to at least a portion of at least one of the one or more components; andmoving the moveable portion relative to the remainder of the flute.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the first rotatable drum comprises at least one resiliently deformable member disposed adjacent to the moveable portion, and wherein the step of moving the moveable portion comprises deforming the resiliently deformable member.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the first rotatable drum comprises a recess disposed radially inwards from the moveable portion, and wherein the first rotatable drum comprises a damper located in the recess, and wherein the step of moving the moveable portion includes operating the damper.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the first rotatable drum comprises a cam and follower mechanism connected to the moveable portion, and wherein the step of moving the moveable portion includes operating the cam and follower mechanism.

26. The method according to any of claims 22 to 25, wherein the step of applying a radially inward force to at least a portion of the one or more components comprises applying a patch to the one or more components.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the step of applying a patch to the one or more components comprises moving the first or the second unit relative to the other one of the first or the second unit.

28. The method according to claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the step of applying a patch to the one or more components includes applying pressure to the patch.

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