Sheet Folding Apparatus for Aerosol Rod Homogeneity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for folding sheets of material into rods for aerosol generating articles are inconsistent, leading to variations in key parameters such as Resistance To Draw (RTD), which affects the quality of the aerosol generating articles.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus involving a central element and spaced apart walls that extend radially, allowing the sheet to partly fold within defined spaces before being inserted into a funnel, ensuring a more homogeneous rod formation with reduced standard deviations in key parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sheet is pulled through a funnel at high speed, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to random compression and folding
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet is pre-folded between spaced apart walls before entering the funnel, creating initial folds that guide the subsequent compression process. This preliminary folding action ensures more consistent rod formation while maintaining high-speed production
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel is divided into multiple sections with spaced apart walls creating distinct folding zones. Each wall segment guides the sheet through controlled folding sequences, transforming the random compression process into a structured multi-stage operation that improves precision without reducing productivity
2Device complexity
If the sheet is compressed randomly into a funnel, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to variations in key parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel structure is segmented into multiple zones defined by spaced apart walls, creating a progressive folding path. This segmentation transforms the simple random compression into a controlled multi-stage process while maintaining relatively simple overall device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The spaced apart walls perform preliminary folding and positioning of the sheet before it enters the main compression zone. This pre-positioning ensures consistent material distribution and fold patterns, improving RTD consistency without requiring complex control mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method to fold a sheet (11) of material into a rod for an aerosol generating article, the method comprising: providing a central element and plurality of spaced apart walls (14), the spaced apart walls radially extending outwardly from the central element (12) following one another in a circumferential direction, each spaced apart wall defining an end surface (15) separated from the end surfaces of the adjacent walls; transporting the sheet of material and putting it in contact with the end surfaces of the plurality of spaced apart walls so that the sheet of material can partly fold within spaces defined between the spaced apart walls; and inserting the sheet of material into a funnel (16) to form a rod. The present invention also relates to an apparatus (10) to fold a sheet of material into a rod for an aerosol generating article.