Aerosol-Generating Rod Coating Process for Taste and Leak Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol generating devices face challenges in providing sufficient smoking taste and aerosol production without burning tobacco, often resulting in negative tobacco taste and material leakage when heated.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for manufacturing an aerosol generating rod using a non-tobacco material sheet with applied aerosol and tobacco components, employing a spray nozzle for uniform application and a drying process to form a rod suitable for heating-based aerosol generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If tobacco material is heated to high temperature to generate aerosols, then aerosol production increases, but negative tobacco taste occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaerosol productionVSAvoidnegative tobacco taste
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the tobacco component from direct heating by applying it as a liquid coating on the surface of the aerosol generating rod. The tobacco liquid is applied in a controlled manner (e.g., through slit nozzles or spray nozzles) to create a thin layer that releases aerosols when heated, preventing direct contact between the heating element and bulk tobacco material, thus reducing negative taste while maintaining aerosol generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies tobacco component locally as a surface coating rather than using it as the bulk material. The liquid containing tobacco component is applied uniformly or selectively to specific areas of the rod surface, creating localized zones that generate aerosols when heated, while the rest of the rod structure remains as inert carrier material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If aerosol generating material is applied to non-tobacco material sheet, then material leakage is prevented, but sufficient application amount is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial leakage preventionVSAvoidaerosol generating material amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs spray nozzles or slit nozzles to apply the liquid containing aerosol generating material and tobacco component in a controlled spray or slit flow manner. This pneumatic/hydraulic application method ensures uniform distribution and sufficient coverage of the material on the non-tobacco sheet, preventing leakage while achieving the required material quantity through precise control of spray patterns or slit flow rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Manufacturing precision

If spray nozzle is used to apply aerosol generating material, then uniform application is achieved, but application precision control becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication uniformityVSAvoidapplication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the application system into simple, modular components: spray nozzles or slit nozzles positioned at specific locations on the rod, with each nozzle contributing to uniform material distribution. This segmentation allows for straightforward control of application precision through geometric positioning and flow rate adjustment, avoiding complex control systems while achieving uniform coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents negative tobacco taste and material leakage while ensuring sufficient aerosol production and desired smoking taste by using a non-tobacco material sheet with controlled application and drying processes.

Implementation Method 1

spray a sufficient amount of the aerosol generating material on the at least one surface of the sheet of the non-tobacco material by using a spray nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray deposition: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

drying the sheet of the non-tobacco material by using a drying device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3850956B1Method for manufacturing aerosol-generation rod, and aerosol-generation article comprising aerosol-generation rod
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP3850956B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3850956B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3850956B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method of manufacturing an aerosol generating rod includes providing a sheet of a first non-tobacco material by using at least one first conveying roller; crimping the sheet of the first non-tobacco material by using a first crimping device; applying an aerosol generating material to at least one surface of the sheet of the first non-tobacco material by using a first spray nozzle; applying a liquid containing a tobacco component to at least one surface of the sheet of the first non-tobacco material by using a slit nozzle; drying the sheet of the first non-tobacco material by using a drying device; and forming the aerosol generating rod by forming the sheet of the first non-tobacco material into a rod by using a rod forming device.