BR112020005578A2 - roll segment production process, apparatus for the production of roll segments, product comprising a roll - Google Patents

Abstract

  A process for producing roll segments of aerosol-generating material comprises cutting a sheet of aerosol-generating material longitudinally to produce a plurality of strands of aerosol-generating material; collecting the yarns together to form a roll of aerosol-generating material in which each of the plurality of yarns of aerosol-generating material is substantially uncoiled; and cutting the roll of aerosol-generating material into segments to produce said roll segments of aerosol-generating material. There is also disclosed an apparatus for producing segments of roll of aerosol-generating material and a product comprising a roll of aerosol-generating material. [Figure 1]

Description

PROCESS OF PRODUCTION OF ROLL SEGMENTS, APPLIANCE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ROLL SEGMENTS, PRODUCT THAT UNDERSTANDS A ROLL Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for producing roll segments of aerosol-generating material.

state of art

[0002] In a known cigarette making process, tobacco leaves are ground into thin, short strips, also known as cloth-cut tobacco. The chopped tobacco is then dispersed over a continuous network of cigarette paper. A machine, also known as a cigarette maker, folds the paper around the chopped tobacco to form a continuous roll. The roll is cut into segments of the desired length. A filter is added to each tobacco roll segment to produce the cigarette.

[0003] Tobacco items such as cigarettes, cigars and the like like to burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles, creating products that release compounds from tobacco or other materials without combustion. Examples of such products are the so-called "heat without burning" products, or tobacco heating products or devices or aerosol generating products or devices, which release heating compounds, but without burning, such as tobacco.

summary

[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for producing roll segments of aerosol-generating material, comprising: cutting a sheet of aerosol-generating material longitudinally to produce a plurality of strands of aerosol-generating material aerosol; collecting the yarns together to form a roll of aerosol-generating material in which each of the plurality of yarns of aerosol-generating material is substantially uncoiled; and cutting the roll of aerosol-generating material into segments to produce said roll segments of aerosol-generating material.

[0005] The collection may comprise: the collection of the threads together to form the roll of aerosol-generating material, in which the plurality of threads of aerosol-generating material is made up of threads substantially parallel to each other.

[0006] The collection may comprise: the collection of the wires to form the roll of aerosol-generating material in which each of the wires of aerosol-generating material is substantially straight.

[0007] The sheet of aerosol-generating material may be a sheet of tobacco.

[0008] The tobacco leaf may be a reconstituted tobacco leaf.

[0009] The sheet of aerosol-generating material may comprise glycerol.

[0010] The sheet of aerosol-generating material can have a substantially constant mass per unit length.

[0011] The process may comprise: supplying the sheet of aerosol-generating material from a spool of sheet of aerosol-generating material.

[0012] The process may comprise: supplying a mother reel of a sheet of aerosol-generating material; and cutting the mother spool to produce the spool.

[0013] The process may comprise: selecting a mass per unit length for the roll segments of aerosol-generating material; determining, based on a mass per unit area of the sheet of aerosol-generating material and based on a mass selected per unit length of the roll segments of aerosol-generating material, a spool width; and cutting the mother spool to produce a spool with the specified spool width.

[0014] The process may comprise: selecting a number of threads and / or a thread width for the roll segments of aerosol-generating material; and determining, based on the selected yarn number and / or yarn width, a cut number and / or cut spacing; and cutting the sheet of aerosol-generating material may comprise cutting the sheet of aerosol-generating material with the cut number and / or cut spacing determined.

[0015] The process may comprise: feeding the sheet of aerosol-generating material in the direction of feeding the sheet; and cutting the sheet of aerosol-generating material may comprise cutting the sheet of aerosol-generating material substantially parallel to the feed direction of the sheet.

[0016] The collection can comprise: collection of each of the wires towards an axis that rests on a plane, the plane including the feeding direction and being perpendicular to a plane defined by the plurality of wires before being collected.

[0017] The collection can comprise: the collection of each of the wires towards an axis centralized in the plurality of wires.

[0018] The collection can comprise: collection of each of the wires substantially transversely to form the roll.

[0019] The collection can include: feeding the wires through a funnel to collect them.

[0020] The process may comprise, prior to said cutting of the sheet of aerosol-generating material: feeding the sheet of aerosol-generating material through the funnel to form a roll of uncut tobacco leaf aerosol-generating material.

[0021] Each of the plurality of wires can have a width substantially in the range of 0.25 mm to 3 mm, or substantially in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0022] The process may comprise: wrapping the roll of the aerosol generating material in a wrapping material.

[0023] The wrapping material may be or comprise one or both of paper and aluminum foil.

[0024] The roll segments of aerosol-generating material can have an outer diameter substantially in the range of 5.4 mm to 7.8 mm, or substantially in the range of 6.7 mm to 7.8 mm.

[0025] The roll segments of aerosol-generating material may be consumable for an aerosol-generating device.

[0026] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for producing roll segments of aerosol-generating material, the apparatus comprising: a first cutter arranged to cut a sheet of aerosol-generating material longitudinally to produce a plurality of yarns of aerosol-generating material; a collector arranged to collect the yarns together to form a roll of aerosol-generating material, in which each of the plurality of yarns of aerosol-generating material is substantially uncoiled; and a second cutter arranged to cut the roll of aerosol-generating material into segments to produce said roll segments of aerosol-generating material.

[0027] The collector can be arranged to collect the threads to form the roll of aerosol-generating material, in which the plurality of threads of aerosol-generating material is made up of threads substantially parallel to each other.

[0028] The collector can be arranged to collect the wires to form the roll of aerosol-generating material in which each of the wires of aerosol-generating material is substantially straight.

[0029] The apparatus can be arranged to supply the sheet of aerosol-generating material from a spool of sheet of aerosol-generating material.

[0030] The first cutter can be adjustable to adjust the number and / or the width of the wires.

[0031] The first cutter can be adjustable to cut said sheet of aerosol-generating material to produce said plurality of threads of aerosol-generating material or not to cut said sheet of aerosol-generating material.

[0032] The apparatus can be arranged to feed the sheet of aerosol-generating material in the first cutter in the direction of sheet feeding; and the first cutter can be arranged to cut the sheet of aerosol-generating material substantially parallel to the feed direction of the sheet.

[0033] The collector can be arranged to collect each of the wires towards an axis that is in the foreground, the first plane including the feeding direction and being perpendicular to a background defined by the plurality of wires before being collected.

[0034] The collector may be willing to collect each wire in the direction of an axis that is centrally in the plurality of wires.

[0035] The collector can be arranged to collect each of the wires substantially transversely to form the roll.

[0036] The collector can comprise a funnel.

[0037] The first cutter may be arranged to cut lengthwise the sheet of aerosol-generating material, so as to produce the plurality of strands of aerosol-generating material, each with a width substantially in the range of 0.25 mm to 3 mm or substantially in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0038] The apparatus may comprise a wrapping arranged to wrap the roll of aerosol-generating material in wrapping material.

[0039] The wrapping material may be or comprise one or both of paper and aluminum foil.

[0040] The apparatus may be arranged to produce roll segments of aerosol-generating material with an outer diameter substantially in the range of 5.4 mm to 7.8 mm, or substantially in the range of 6.7 mm to 7.8 mm .

[0041] The roll segments of aerosol-generating material may be consumable for an aerosol-generating device.

[0042] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a product is provided comprising a roll of aerosol-generating material, wherein the roll of aerosol-generating material is formed by a plurality of longitudinal strands of aerosol-generating material, in that each of the plurality of longitudinal threads of aerosol-generating material is substantially uncoiled.

[0043] The plurality of wires can be substantially of wires parallel to each other.

[0044] Each of the plurality of threads can be substantially straight.

[0045] Each of the plurality of wires can have a width substantially in the range of 0.25 mm to 3 mm, or substantially in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0046] One or more of the strands may be or comprise tobacco.

[0047] One or more of the strands may be or comprise reconstituted tobacco.

[0048] One or more of the filaments may comprise glycerol.

[0049] The product may comprise a wrapping material wrapped around the roll of aerosol-generating material.

[0050] The wrapping material may be or comprise one or both of paper and aluminum foil.

[0051] The product can have an external diameter substantially in the range of 5.4 mm to 7.8 mm, or substantially in the range of 6.7 mm to 7.8 mm.

[0052] The product can be a consumable for an aerosol generating device.

[0053] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which are made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

[0054] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for producing tobacco roll segments, according to a first example;

[0055] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a side view of an apparatus for the production of tobacco roll segments, according to a second example;

[0056] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a tobacco leaf spool, according to an example;

[0057] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a tobacco rod segment production process, according to an example; and

[0058] Figures 5a and 5b illustrate the schematic insertion of a blade heater in a tobacco roll segment, according to an example.

Detailed Description

[0059] Referring to Figure 1, in the overview, an example of apparatus 100 for producing tobacco roll segments 126 comprises a first cutter 106, a collector 114, and a second cutter 124. The first cutter 106 is arranged to cut a tobacco leaf 104 longitudinally to produce a plurality of tobacco strands 112. The collector 114 is arranged to collect the strands 112 together to form a tobacco roll 120 wherein each of the plurality of tobacco strands 112 is substantially uncoiled . The second cutter 124 is arranged to cut tobacco roll 120 into segments to produce tobacco roll segments 126.

[0060] As explained in more detail below, the collector 114 is arranged to collect the strands 112 together to form a roll of tobacco 120 wherein each of the plurality of tobacco strands 112 is substantially uncoiled and allows for production of a number of tobacco roll segments 126 into which a blade-type heater of an aerosol generating device can be easily inserted (see, for example, Figures 5a and 5b), in use, and which facilitates the transport of volatile materials therewith, thereby reducing the loss of volatile materials when the tobacco roll segment 126 is heated.

[0061] Returning to Figure 1, the first cutter 106 is arranged to cut tobacco leaf 104.

[0062] Tobacco leaf 104 may be a leaf or network of reconstituted tobacco. The reconstituted tobacco leaves can be produced, for example, by a papermaking process, banding or extrusion. For example, the reconstituted tobacco leaf may be tobacco reconstituted on paper. Tobacco reconstituted on paper refers to tobacco material formed by a process in which the tobacco raw material is extracted with a solvent to provide an extract of soluble and a residue comprising fibrous material; and then the extract is recombined with fibrous material from the residue (usually after refining the fibrous material and, optionally, with the addition of a portion of non-tobacco fibers) by decomposing the extract into the fibrous material. The recombination process is similar to the papermaking process. The raw material can comprise or consist of one or more tobacco strands, tobacco stems and / or whole tobacco leaves. Discards, feathers and tares can be used alternatively or additionally in the raw material. It will be appreciated that the reconstituted tobacco leaf 104 formed by any process can be used.

[0063] The reconstituted tobacco leaf 104 is malleable.

[0064] Tobacco leaf 104 can be provided from a spool 102 of tobacco leaf 104. The spool 102 comprises a rod 102a around which the continuous tobacco leaf 104 is wound. The spool 102 is arranged to rotate to feed the tobacco leaf 104 from the spool 102 to the first cutter 106 along a leaf feeding direction (arrow A). In some instances, apparatus 100 may be arranged to drive the spool 102 to rotate. In other examples, the spool 102 may be free to rotate, and tobacco leaf 104 being pulled from the spool 102 by a component downstream of the apparatus, for example, a roller or drive belt (not shown in Figure 1) can cause the spool rotation.

[0065] Tobacco leaf 104 may comprise glycerol. For example, the reconstituted tobacco sheet 104 can be impregnated or otherwise composed with glycerol. When heated, the glycerol can be volatilized to form an aerosol, which can improve the user experience of an aerosol generating device, or any suitable “heat without burning” device, with which the roller segment can be used. tobacco 126.

[0066] Tobacco leaf 104 has known dimensions. For example, the width and thickness of the tobacco leaf 104 fed from the spool 102 can be constant and known. For example, tobacco leaf 104 may have a determined and constant mass per unit length. This can ensure that the tobacco roll segments 126 produced have a consistent weight per unit length. The use of a tobacco leaf 104 of known (and constant) dimensions therefore allows weight control of the resulting tobacco roll segments 126 without the need for weighing systems to weigh the tobacco roll 120 or the roll segments. tobacco

126.

[0067] The first cutter 106 is arranged to cut tobacco leaf 104 longitudinally to produce a plurality of tobacco threads 112. The tobacco threads 112 produced are elongated. The first cutter 106 comprises a cutting die 106a. The cutting die 106a comprises a plurality of circular discs 108 arranged along an axis 110. Each of the discs 108 has sharp edges. The axis 110 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the sheet feed direction (arrow A), and each disc 108 is arranged so that the cutting edge of disc 108 is substantially parallel to the sheet feed direction (arrow A). Each disc 108 is arranged to cut tobacco leaf 104 lengthwise, that is, to cut tobacco leaf 104 along its length, as tobacco leaf 104 is fed through the first cutter 106. For example, the die cutter 106a can cut tobacco sheet 104 against a support surface (not shown) disposed on an opposite side of tobacco sheet 104 to the cutting die 106a. The plurality of discs 108 act to cut tobacco leaf 104 into a plurality of substantially parallel elongated tobacco strands 112.

[0068] The number of tobacco yarns 112 produced depends on the number of cutting discs 108 that a cutting die 106 comprises. For example, a cutting die 106a comprising eight cutting discs 108 will produce a total of nine strands of tobacco. In general, a cutting die 106a comprising n cutting discs 108 will produce n + 1 tobacco threads 112.

[0069] The width of the tobacco strands 112 depends on the spacing between the consecutive cutting discs 108. The discs 108 are equally spaced along the length of the axis 110, and along the width of the tobacco leaf 104, as soon as each of the elongated tobacco strands 112 is substantially the same width. This arrangement can help to ensure the consistency of the tobacco roll 126 segments produced. The cutting die 106a can be arranged in such a way that each of the plurality of elongated tobacco strands 112 has a width substantially in the range of 0.25 mm to 3 mm, or substantially in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. This would correspond, for example, to the cutting discs 108 being spaced substantially from 0.25 mm to 3 mm or substantially from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, respectively.

[0070] The first cutter 106 can be adjustable in order to adjust the number and / or the width of the threads 112 into which the tobacco leaf 104 is cut. For example, cutting discs 108 can be adjustable on axis 110 to adjust the number of discs 108 on axis and / or to adjust the spacing between each disc 108 along axis 110. As another example, cutting die 106a can be replaceable with another cutting die 106a having a different number of discs 108 and / or different spacing between discs 108. This allows flexibility in the number and / or the width of the strands 112 in the produced tobacco roll segments 126, and therefore , flexibility in the characteristics of these tobacco roll segments 126.

[0071] Collector 114 is arranged to collect the plurality of tobacco strands 112 together to form a roll of tobacco 120. Collector 114 is a funnel 114. Funnel 114 comprises a portion of funnel 116 and a portion of stem 118. The funnel portion 116 and the stem portion 118 have a circular cross section and are coaxial. Funnel 114 is symmetrical with respect to its axis. The funnel portion 116 narrows from a relatively wide mouth 116a to the relatively narrow stem portion 118. Tobacco strands 112 are transported through funnel 114 from the funnel portion 116 to the stem portion 118. As the strands of tobacco 112 are transported through funnel 114, the narrowing diameter of funnel portion 116 collects the strands 112 together to form the tobacco roll 120.

[0072] Funnel 114 is aligned and centrally positioned in the plurality of tobacco threads 112. Funnel 114, therefore,

collects each of the strands 112 substantially transversely to form the roll 120. Specifically, the funnel 114 collects each of the strands 112 towards an axis that is centrally in the plurality of strands 112. The funnel 114 being aligned with the strands of tobacco 112 in this way can allow the strands 112 to be collected evenly and centrally in relation to funnel 114.

[0073] Funnel 114 is aligned and centrally positioned on tobacco leaf 104. Specifically, the axis towards which the threads 112 are joined by funnel 114 is in the foreground, the foreground including the feed direction (arrow A ) and being perpendicular to a background defined by the plurality of wires 112 before being joined. This alignment can help to ensure uniform tension across the plurality of wires 112 as they are collected by funnel 114.

[0074] Hopper 114 applies substantially transverse forces to strands 112 as they pass through funnel 114, whose transverse forces are directed substantially centrally to the plurality of strands 112. Tobacco strands 112 are not wound when they are brought together, i.e. , remain substantially uncoiled as they are collected (that is, during collection), that is, as they pass through the funnel

114. For example, tobacco yarns 112 are not twisted, spiraled, coiled or interlaced in relation to each other as they are collected, for example, they do not form a twisted or spiraled or helical structure or shape as they are collected. The funnel 114 therefore collects the strands 112 together to form a roll of tobacco 120 wherein each of the plurality of tobacco strands 112 is substantially uncoiled. Tobacco strands 112 remain substantially parallel to each other as they are brought together, that is, as they pass through funnel 114. Funnel 114 therefore collects the strands 112 together to form the tobacco roll 120 on which the plurality of tobacco yarns 112 have yarns substantially parallel to each other. Tobacco yarns 112 are not substantially bent, corrugated, crimped or warped or similar as they are collected, and remain substantially straight as they are collected, that is, as they pass through funnel 114. Funnel 114, therefore, collecting the strands 112 together to form the tobacco rod 120, in which each of the plurality of tobacco strands 112 is substantially straight.

[0075] The apparatus 100 comprises a package 122 arranged to wrap the tobacco roll 120 in a wrapping material

128. Wrapping 122 may, for example, be the same or similar to wrapping 222 described below with reference to Figure 2. In summary, wrapping 122 involves a continuous sheet of wrapping material 128 around a circumference of the continuous tobacco roll 120, and applies adhesive to the wrapping material 128 to seal the wrapping material 128 in place around the roll 120. The wrapping material can be or comprise, for example, one or both of paper and aluminum foil. For example, the wrapping material can be laminated paper and aluminum foil. This laminate can help prevent ignition of the tobacco roll segment 126, which can be useful, for example, where the tobacco roll segment 126 is to be used as a consumable in a "heat without burning" device, or a tobacco heating product device or an aerosol generating device.

[0076] The outside diameter of tobacco roll 120, once packaged, may depend, for example, on the mass per unit length of tobacco leaf 104 used, the thickness and width of tobacco leaf 104 used, the level of compression in the accessory during roll forming, and / or for example wrapping properties 122 and / or wrapping material 128 used. The outside diameter of the involved tobacco roll 120 can be constant during a given operating cycle of the apparatus 100. The outside diameter can be substantially in the range of 5.4 mm to 7.8 mm, or substantially in the range of 6.7 mm to 7.8 mm, for example.

[0077] The second cutter 124 is arranged to cut tobacco roll 120 (e.g., after being wrapped in wrapping material 128 by wrap 122) into segments 126 to produce tobacco roll segments 126. The second cutter 124 cuts the tobacco roll 120 transversely to produce lengths of the tobacco roll 120, that is, the segments of the tobacco roll 126. The second cutter 124 may comprise, for example, a blade (not shown) whose cutting surface cut (not shown) is arranged perpendicularly to the length of the tobacco roll 120 and is controllable for cutting through the tobacco roll 120. The tobacco leaf 104, the tobacco strands 112 and the tobacco roll 120 can progress through the apparatus 100 at a constant rate. The second cutter 124 can be arranged to cut through the continuous tobacco roll 120 at regular time intervals, thereby producing tobacco roll segments 126 of equal length. The tobacco roll segments 126 may, for example, have a length in the range of 12 mm to 60 mm. For example, tobacco roll segments 126 can be 12 mm long or 42 mm long or 60 mm long. Other lengths can be obtained, for example, by changing the range between consecutive cuts.

[0078] In use, the first cutter 106 cuts tobacco leaf 104 lengthwise to produce the plurality of tobacco strands 112. The collector 114 collects the strands 112 together to form the tobacco roll 120 on which each of the plurality of strands tobacco 112 is substantially uncoiled, for example, substantially straight. The second cutter 124 cuts the tobacco roll 120 into segments to produce the tobacco roll segments 126.

The apparatus 100 thereby produces tobacco roll segments 126, each comprising a tobacco roll 130 formed by a plurality of longitudinal tobacco threads (not shown), that is, tobacco threads extending along in a direction of the length of the tobacco roll 130, wherein each of the plurality of longitudinal threads (not shown) is substantially uncoiled.

[0080] The first cutter 106 can be adjustable to cut tobacco leaf 104 into a plurality of threads 112, or not to cut tobacco leaf 104. In use, when apparatus 100 is used for the first time for a given leaf of tobacco 104, the first cutter 106 can be adjusted so as not to cut tobacco leaf 104 into the plurality of strands 112. Uncut tobacco leaf 104 can then be fed through funnel 114 to form a tobacco roll (not shown) of the uncut tobacco leaf 104, and the resulting roll (not shown) of the uncut tobacco leaf 104 can be fed through the wrap 122 and the second cutter 124 to form segments (not shown) of the roll (not shown). uncut tobacco leaf

104. Once the roll formation (not shown) of the uncut tobacco leaf 104 is stable, for example, once some segments (not shown) of the roll (not shown) of the uncut tobacco leaf 104 have been produced, the first cutter 106 can be adjusted to cut tobacco leaf 104 into a plurality of strands 112, as described above, thereby to produce tobacco roll segments 126, each comprising a tobacco roll 130 formed of a plurality of tobacco yarns 112, wherein each of the plurality of yarns 112 is substantially uncoiled. The few segments (not shown) of the roll (not shown) of the uncut tobacco leaf 104 produced before the segments of the tobacco roll 126 comprising a plurality of tobacco strands 112 are produced, can be discarded. This can allow for a simpler and more consistent configuration of the apparatus 100 when installing or replacing tobacco leaf 104, for example, a spool 102 of tobacco leaf 104.

[0081] With reference now to Figure 2, an apparatus 200 for producing tobacco roll segments 226 is schematically illustrated according to another example. The components of the apparatus 200 illustrated in Figure 2 that are the same or similar to the components already described with reference to Figure 1 will not be described again in detail, but receive the same reference signals as in Figure 1, except increased in

100.

[0082] The apparatus 200 comprises a first cutter 206, a collector 214 and a dry cutter 224. The first cutter 206 is arranged to cut a tobacco leaf 024 lengthwise to produce a plurality of tobacco strands 212. The collector 2 14 is arranged to collect the yarns 212 together to form a tobacco rod 220 in which each of the pluralities of the tobacco yarns 212 is substantially uncoiled, for example, substantially straight. The second cutter 24 is arranged to cut the tobacco roll 20 20 into segments 2 26 to produce the tobacco roll segments 226.

[0083] The apparatus 200 comprises a spool 202 of the tobacco leaf 204. The tobacco leaf 204 is fed towards the first cutter 226 from the spool 202 of the tobacco leaf

204.

[0084] The apparatus 200 comprises a tension arrangement 205 comprising a plurality (in this example four) tension rolls 205a, 205b, 205c, 205d. The tobacco sheet 104 is fed from the spool 202 onto the tension rollers 205a, 205b, 205c, 205d, before being fed to the first cutter 206 in the sheet feed direction (arrow A). This can help to ensure that the tobacco leaf 204 has sufficient tension, for example, longitudinal tension, to be cut effectively by the first cutter 206. It can also help to smooth the tobacco leaf 104, for example, to remove any creases that may be on tobacco leaf 104.

[0085] The first cutter 206 comprises two cutting dies 206a, 206b arranged in contact with main opposite surfaces of the tobacco sheet 204. Each cutting die 206a, 206b can be the same or similar to the cutting die 106a described above with reference to Figure 1. The cutting dies 206a, 206b are arranged to press against each other and against the tobacco leaf, thereby cutting tobacco leaf 204 longitudinally into a plurality of tobacco strands 112 (the plurality of strands tobacco products 112 are distributed along a plane that runs to the page of Figure 2). For example, the cutting dies 206a, 206b can be moved from one another in a direction perpendicular to the direction of feeding of the tobacco leaf (i.e., moved in a direction that runs to the page of Figure 2).

[0086] The collector 214 comprises a funnel 214 comprising a funnel portion 216 and a stem portion 218. The axis of the funnel 114 rests centrally on the plurality of tobacco strands 112 and rests on the plane along which the plurality of tobacco strands tobacco is distributed. The plurality of tobacco yarns 112 are collected as they are transported through funnel 214 to form a tobacco roll 220.

[0087] The apparatus 200 comprises a wrapping 222 arranged to wrap the tobacco roll 220 in a wrapping material

228. Wrapping 222 may be or comprise, for example, a roller manufacturer, as known in the art, for example, a KDF filter roller (kinetic flow medium) manufacturer to control the orientation and tension wrapping material 228 .

[0088] Package 222 comprises a transmission belt 246, a spool of wrapping material 252, an accessory 240, an adhesive section 242 and a heater section 244.

[0089] The drive belt 246 is a continuous strip of flexible material wound and supported by two rollers 248a, 248b. The drive belt 246 is held taut between the rollers 248a, 248b, in order to define a generally flat top surface of the drive belt 246a. The rollers 248a, 248b are arranged to rotate about their respective axes, so that the surface of the drive belt 246a can travel between the two rollers 248a, 248b. One or both of the rollers 248a, 248b are driven to rotate (clockwise in the direction of Figure 2) about their axis, so that the upper surface of the drive belt 246a is translated (from left to right in the Figure 2).

[0090] The wrapping material spool 252 provides a continuous sheet or web of wrapping material 228 to the upper surface of the transmission belt 246a. The wrapping material 228 can be fed to the upper surface of the drive belt 246a by friction of the moving upper surface of the drive belt 246a against the wrapping material sheet 228. Therefore, the wrapping material sheet 228 is carried over the upper surface of the drive belt 246a (from left to right in the direction of Figure 2). The tobacco roll 220 is fed into the wrapping material sheet 228 on the upper surface of the transmission belt 246a. The friction between the mobile wrapping material 228 and the tobacco roll 220 may, at least in part, cause the tobacco roll 220 to be fed into the wrapping material 228 and thus move with the wrapping material 228. Alternatively or in addition, the tobacco roll 220 can be fed into the mobile wrapping material 228 by other means, such as one or more feed rolls or the like. In either case, the tobacco roll 220 is fed into the wrapping material 228, so that the tobacco roll 220 moves with (that is, at the same rate as) the wrapping material 228, which in turn moves with (that is, at the same rate as) the upper surface of the drive belt 246a.

[0091] Accessory 240, as you know, folds wrapping material 228 around tobacco roll 220 while moving through accessory 240. Accessory 240 wraps wrapping material 228 around the circumference of the wrapping roll. tobacco 220. The accessory wraps the wrapping material 228 around the tobacco roll 220 about a little more than the circumference of the tobacco roll 120, so that there is a portion where the wrapping material 228 overlaps itself (not shown).

[0092] Adhesive section 242 applies adhesive to wrapping material 228 in order to hold wrapping material 228 in place around tobacco roll 220. Specifically, adhesive section 242 applies adhesive to the part where the wrapping material 228 overlaps itself so as to secure the wrapping material 228 to itself around the tobacco roll 220.

[0093] The heating section 244 heats the tobacco roll 220, in order to assist the drying and / or curing of the adhesive. This helps to ensure that the adhesive is sufficiently dry / cured before the tobacco roll is cut into the tobacco roll segments 226.

[0094] The second cutter 224 is arranged to cut the tobacco roll 220 into segments to produce the segments of the tobacco roll 226. The second cutter 224 can be the same or similar to the second cutter 124 described above with reference to Figure

1.

[0095] In use, the first cutter 206 cuts tobacco leaf 204 longitudinally to produce the plurality of tobacco strands 212. Collector 214 collects the strands 212 to form the tobacco roll 220 in which each of the plurality of strands of tobacco tobacco 212 is substantially uncoiled. The second cutter 224 cuts the tobacco roll 220 into segments to produce the tobacco roll segments 226.

[0096] The apparatus 200 thereby produces tobacco roller segments 226, each comprising a tobacco roller 230 formed by a plurality of longitudinal tobacco threads (not shown), that is, tobacco threads that extend along a direction of the length of the tobacco roll 230, wherein each of the plurality of longitudinal threads (not shown) is substantially uncoiled, for example, substantially straight.

[0097] Similar to that described with reference to apparatus 100 of Figure 1, the first cutter 206 of apparatus 200 of Figure 2 can be adjustable to cut tobacco leaf 104 into a plurality of longitudinal supports 112 or not to cut the leaf of tobacco 104 at all. As described above, this can allow for a simpler and more consistent configuration of the apparatus 200 when installing or replacing tobacco leaf 204, for example, a reel 202 of tobacco leaf 204.

[0098] As mentioned above, in some instances tobacco leaf 104, 204 is provided from a spool 102, 202 of tobacco leaf 104, 204.

[0099] With reference to Figure 3, a reel 302a of tobacco leaf 304, which can, for example, be used as the reel

102, 202 as described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2, can be provided from a spool 370 of tobacco leaf 304. The spool 370 can be cut transversely (see dashed line 372) to produce spool 302a from tobacco leaf 304.

[0100] The mother spool 307 can be cut to produce a spool 302a with a certain width W. This provides that the tobacco sheet 304 of the spool 302a has a certain mass per unit length and therefore that the segments of the tobacco rolls (not shown in Figure 3) produced have a certain mass per unit length. Consequently, at the beginning of a manufacturing process, a mass per unit of desired length of the tobacco roll segments (not shown in Figure 3) can be selected. A spool width W can then be determined based on the mass selected per unit length for the tobacco roll segment (not shown) and based on the mass per unit area known from the tobacco sheet 304 of the mother spool 370. For For example, the mass per unit area (also referred to as weight) of tobacco leaf 304 may be 100 g / m2. The mother spool 370 can then be cut to produce a spool 302a with the determined spool width W. The spool 302a can then be used, for example, in the apparatus 100, 200 described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2, to produce tobacco roll segments (not shown in Figure 3) with the mass per unit of desired length.

[0101] The mother spool 370 can be cut several times to produce the spool 302b, 302c, 302d, 302e as desired, for example, with the same or different W spool widths. This can allow convenient and inexpensive control over the dough per spool length unit of the tobacco roll segments (not shown in Figure 3) produced.

[0102] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a flow diagram of a tobacco roll segment production process 126, 226 according to an example. For example, the process can be carried out using the apparatus 100, 200 described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2, respectively. The reference signals used in Figures 1 and 2 are therefore also used below, as appropriate.

[0103] In step S402, the process comprises cutting a tobacco leaf 104, 204 longitudinally to produce a plurality of tobacco threads 112, 212.

[0104] Tobacco leaf 104, 204 may have a substantially constant mass per unit length, may be a reconstituted tobacco leaf and / or may comprise glycerol.

[0105] The process may comprise, prior to step S402, supplying tobacco leaf 104, 204 from a spool 102, 202 of tobacco leaf 104, 204. This may comprise providing a mother spool 307 of tobacco leaf 104 , 204, 304 and cutting the mother spool to produce spool 102, 202, 302a. This alone can comprise the selection of a mass per unit length for tobacco roll segments 126, 226, determining, based on a mass per unit area of tobacco leaf 104, 204, 304 and based on mass selected per unit length for the tobacco roll segments, a spool width W and cutting the main spool 307 to produce a spool 102, 202, 302a with the determined spool width W.

[0106] The process may comprise, prior to step S402, the feeding of the tobacco leaf 104, 204, in a feeding direction of the leaf A. The cutting of the tobacco leaf 104, 204, 304 in S402 can then comprise the cutting tobacco leaf 104, 204, 304 substantially parallel to the feed direction of leaf A.

[0107] Step S402 may comprise cutting tobacco leaf 104, 204 with a cut number and / or cut spacing determined. The cut number and / or cut spacing can be determined by selecting a number of strands 112, 212 and / or the width of strands 112, 212 for tobacco roll segments 126, 226 and determining, based on the number of wires and / or the selected wire width, cut number and / or cut spacing. Each of the plurality of wires can have a width substantially in the range of 0.25 mm to 3 mm, or substantially in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0108] In step S404, the process comprises collecting the strands 112, 212 together to form a tobacco roll 112, 212, in which each of the plurality of tobacco strands 112, 212 is substantially uncoiled. Step S404 may comprise collecting the threads 112, 212 together to form the tobacco roll 120, 220, in which the plurality of tobacco threads 112, 212 is made up of substantially parallel threads and / or substantially straight. The step S204 can comprise the collection of each of the elongated threads 112, 212 substantially transversely, towards an axis that is centrally in the plurality of threads 112, 212, to form the roll 120. The axis towards which the threads 112 , 212 are assembled can be in a plane, the plane including the feed direction A and being perpendicular to a plane defined by the plurality of wires 112, 212 before being collected. Step S204 can comprise feeding wires 112, 212 through a funnel 114, 214 to collect wires 112, 212.

[0109] The process may comprise, before applying said cutting of tobacco leaf 104, 204 in step S402, feeding the tobacco leaf 104, 204 through funnel 114, 214 to form a tobacco roll (not shown) of uncut tobacco leaf 114, 214

[0110] In step S406, the process comprises cutting tobacco roll 120 (tobacco threads 112, 212) into segments to produce said tobacco roll segments 126, 226.

[0111] The process may comprise, prior to step S406, wrapping tobacco roll 120, 220 in wrapping material 128, 228. Wrapping material 128, 228 may be or comprise one or both of paper and aluminum foil . For example, wrapping material 128, 228 can be laminated paper and aluminum foil. The tobacco roll segments 126, 226 (being wrapped) can have an outer diameter substantially in the range of 5.4 mm to 7.8 mm, or substantially in the range of 6.7 mm to 7.8 mm. Tobacco roll segments 126, 226 can be consumable for an aerosol generating device.

[0112] Figure 5a schematically illustrates a tobacco roller segment 526 according to an example to be placed on a blade heater 580 of an aerosol generating device (not shown). Specifically, Figure 5a illustrates the tobacco roll segment 526 before being installed on the blade heater 580 and Figure 5b illustrates the tobacco roll segment

526 after being installed on the blade heater

580.

[0113] The tobacco roll segment 526 can be, for example, the same or similar to the tobacco roll segment 126, 226 described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2, respectively. The tobacco roll segment 526 can be produced, for example, by the apparatus 100, 200 described above in relation to Figures 1 and 2, respectively and / or by the process described above in relation to Figure 4.

[0114] With reference to Figures 5a and 5b, the tobacco roller segment 526 comprises a tobacco roller 530 formed by a plurality of longitudinal tobacco threads 512, that is, a plurality of tobacco threads 512 extending in the direction of a length of the tobacco rod 530, wherein each of the plurality of longitudinal threads 512 is substantially uncoiled. The plurality of yarns 512 is made of yarns substantially parallel to each other, substantially straight, and each extends substantially along the entire length of the tobacco roll segment 526. The tobacco roll segment 526 comprises a wrapping material 528 rolled in tobacco roll 530.

[0115] The 580 blade heater can take the form of an elongated cuboid that is significantly thinner than it is wide or long. The width of the blade heater 580 is less than the outside diameter of the tobacco roller segment 526. The blade heater 538 may comprise a resistance heater (not shown) powered by a battery (not shown) of an aerosol generating device. sorting handheld (not shown) and which is controllable by a user for heating. In some instances, the blade heater 580 may have a pointed end (not shown), in order to facilitate insertion of the blade heater into the tobacco roll segment

526.

[0116] The blade heater 580 can be inserted into the tobacco roll segment 526 (arrow B in Figure 5a) or likewise the tobacco roll segment 526 can be pushed over the blade heater 580, so that the heater from blade 580 extends longitudinally on tobacco roller segment 526 (as shown in Figure 5b).

[0117] The plurality of longitudinal threads 512 of the tobacco roll segment 526 being substantially uncoiled allows the blade heater 580 to be easily inserted into the tobacco roller segment 526. This is because the uncoiled longitudinal threads 512 have relatively little resistance to longitudinal insertion of the blade heater 580. This can provide a convenient installation or replacement of the tobacco roller segment 528 in the blade heater 580, whose tobacco roller segment 526 can be a consumable of the general aerosol generating device (not shown). This can reduce the damage to the tobacco roller segment 526 when inserting the blade heater 580 and allow a more consistent and correct placement of the tobacco roller segment 526 in relation to the blade heater 580. This can be contrasted, for example, with a hypothetical tobacco roll segment comprising longitudinal threads that are wound, for example, arranged in a helical structure: in this case the insertion of the blade heater would be restricted by threads crossing the insertion path, and the blade heater may deform and compressing portions of the tobacco, which can lead to a relatively difficult and inconsistent placement of the hypothetical tobacco roll segment and may result in an increased risk of damaging the hypothetical tobacco roll segment.

[0118] The plurality of longitudinal threads 512 of the tobacco roll segment 526 being made of threads parallel to each other and / or straight in the same way to allow the blade heater 580 to be easily inserted into the tobacco roll segment 526. In this case, the insertion axis of the blade heater 580 is parallel to the axis of each of the longitudinal threads 512, and only a small surface area of tobacco is shown at the leading edge of the blade heater 580 when it is inserted. In a manner similar to that mentioned above, this can provide a convenient installation or replacement of the tobacco roll segment 526 and / or reduce damage to the tobacco roll segment 526 and / or provide a more consistent and correct placement of the tobacco roll segment. tobacco 526 in relation to the blade heater 580. This can be contrasted, for example, with a hypothetical tobacco roll segment comprising randomly oriented cloth cut tobacco fragments or comprising beaded or wavy tobacco leaves: in this case, the insertion of a blade heater can deform and compress portions of the cloth cut tobacco or edges of the curled or wavy tobacco leaves, which can lead to a relatively difficult and inconsistent placement of the hypothetical tobacco roll segment and can result in a risk increased damage to the hypothetical tobacco roll segment.

[0119] Once the tobacco roller segment 526 is inserted over the blade heater 580 of the general aerosol generating device (not shown), the blade heater 580 can be controlled to heat (for example, by heating blade heater 580) and thus heat, but not burn, tobacco threads 512. This can release components, for example, volatile components, from tobacco threads 512. As mentioned above, tobacco threads 512 can comprise glycerol, which can be volatilized when heated by the blade heater 580 to form an aerosol.

[0120] The plurality of substantially uncoiled longitudinal threads 512 of the tobacco roll segment 526 establishes a plurality of corresponding substantially uncoiled longitudinal paths 513 through the tobacco roller segment 526, between the plurality of longitudinal threads 512. These paths 513 facilitate the transport of volatile materials released from tobacco threads 512 on heating (for example, volatile constituents of the tobacco itself or volatilized glycerol or both) through the tobacco roll segment

526. This can reduce losses of such materials as they pass through the tobacco roll segment 526, for example, the relatively short and uninterrupted paths 513 can reduce the occurrence of condensation of volatile materials back to the portions of the roll segment. tobacco 526. This can be contrasted, for example, with a hypothetical tobacco roll segment comprising randomly oriented cloth-cut tobacco fragments (as in standard cigarettes), in which the length of the path for volatilized materials to exit the tobacco roll hypothetical tobacco is relatively long. This can also be contrasted with a hypothetical segment of the tobacco roll comprising a plurality of longitudinally wound yarns, in which the path length for volatilized materials to exit the hypothetical tobacco roll is also relatively long.

[0121] As mentioned above, the wrapping material 528 can, for example, be or comprise one or both of paper and aluminum foil, for example, a laminated paper and an aluminum foil. Laminated paper and aluminum foil can be useful in preventing the tobacco roll segment 526 from being ignited by the blade heater 580.

[0122] Each of the plurality of wires 512 can have a width substantially in the range of 0.25 mm to 3 mm or substantially in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. The tobacco roll segment 526 can have an outer diameter substantially in the range of 5.4 mm to 7.8 mm, or substantially in the range of 6.7 mm to 7.8 mm. This may allow the use of a relatively large blade heater 580, thereby increasing the heating surface area of the blade heater 580, thereby increasing the rate at which the tobacco can be heated and / or the amount of tobacco that can be heated. by the 580 heater blade.

[0123] The above examples are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention.

[0124] For example, although in the above examples tobacco leaf 104, 204, 304 is described as a reconstituted tobacco leaf, this need not necessarily be the case, and in other examples, tobacco leaf 104, 204, 304 can be made of other materials. Tobacco leaf 104 may or may not comprise glycerol and may comprise other materials, such as additives or enhancers, alternatively or in addition to glycerol.

[0125] Although in some of the above examples tobacco leaf 104, 204, 304 is described as supplied from a spool 102, 202, 302, this need not necessarily be the case and can, for example, be supplied from from another device or source (not shown), said device or source is not necessarily part of the apparatus 100, 200.

[0126] Although in the examples above the first cutter 106, 206 is described as comprising an array of circular discs 108, this need not necessarily be the case and in other examples the first cutter 106, 206 can be any suitable cutter or cutting medium to cut tobacco leaf 104 longitudinally to form a plurality of tobacco strands 112, 212.

[0127] Although in the above examples of collector 114, 214 has been described as a funnel 114, 214 having a circular cross section, this does not necessarily have to be the case, and in other examples, collector 114, 214 can take different forms. For example, the collector 114, 214 can be or comprise a so-called filler injector (not shown) arranged for feeding and collecting the plurality of wires 112, 212 by means of air pressure. As another example, funnel 114, 214 does not need to be circular in its cross section, and can, for example, have another cross section such as square or rectangular. In effect, the collector can be any suitable means for collecting the threads 112, 212 together to form a tobacco roll 120, 220 wherein each of the plurality of tobacco threads 112, 212 is substantially uncoiled.

[0128] Although in the examples above, apparatus 100, 200 comprises a wrap 122, 222 arranged to wrap tobacco roll 120, 220 in wrapping material 128, 228, before the tobacco roll is cut by the second cutter 124 in the segments 126, 226 producing the tobacco roll segments 126, 226, this need not necessarily be the case and, in other examples, the apparatus 100, 200 may not comprise a wrap 122, 222, and the tobacco roll ( 120, 220 can be cut by the second cutter 124, 224 for segments 126, 226 to produce tobacco roll segments 126, 226. In this example, the produced tobacco roll segments 126, 226 do not necessarily need comprising wrapping material 128, 228.

[0129] It will be appreciated that Figures 1 and 2 illustrate schematic examples of an apparatus for producing tobacco roll segments 126, 226 according to an example, and that in other examples, apparatus 100, 200 may include additional components (or less), for example, one or more feed rolls to feed tobacco leaf 104 204 and / or plurality of threads 112, 212, one or more tension rolls to tension tobacco leaf 104 204 and / or plurality yarn 112, 212 and / or one or more transmission belts for conveying tobacco leaf 104, 204 and / or the plurality of yarn 112, 212 and / or the tobacco roll 120, 220 and / or the roll segments tobacco 120, 220.

[0130] Although in the examples above, tobacco yarns 112, 212 are described as straight and parallel to each other, this need not necessarily be the case, and in other examples, tobacco yarns 112, 212 may not be substantially straight and / or not be substantially parallel to each other. For example, tobacco yarns 112, 212 can be processed to comprise a longitudinal wave or ripple or zigzag or similar shape, or even tobacco leaf 104 can inherently comprise a longitudinal wave or wave or zigzag shape. - zag or similar or processed in such a way or configuration. In fact, the tobacco roll segment 126, 226 can comprise any tobacco roll 130, 530 formed from a plurality of longitudinal tobacco strands 112, 212, each of the plurality of longitudinal strands 112, 212 is substantially not rolled.

[0131] Although in the above examples tobacco roll segments 126, 226, 526 are described as being produced by the apparatus 100, 200 and / or by the process described with reference to Figure 3, this need not necessarily be the case and in others examples any method or apparatus suitable for producing a tobacco roll segment 126, 226, 526 comprising a tobacco roll 130, 530 formed from a plurality of longitudinal tobacco strands 112, 212, 512, each of which is plural of longitudinal threads 112, 212, 512 substantially uncoiled, can be used.

[0132] Although in some of the above examples the tobacco roll segment 126, 226, 526 is described as a consumable for a "heat without burning" device or the like comprising a 580 blade heater, this need not necessarily be the case , and in other examples, the tobacco roll segment 126, 226, 526 can be used in other devices and / or for other purposes. For example, the tobacco roll segment 126, 226, 526 can be a consumable of any aerosol generating device, for example, tobacco heating products or devices that do not necessarily comprise a 580 blade heater.

[0133] Although in the examples above tobacco leaf 102, 204, 304 is described as being or comprising tobacco, for example reconstituted tobacco, this need not necessarily be the case and in other examples leaf 104, 204, 304 may be or comprise a sheet of any aerosol-generating material. The aerosol generating material can be a material which, when heated, for example by the blade heater 580 of an aerosol generating device, produces an aerosol. For example, the sheet of aerosol-generating material 104, 204, 304 can be or comprise a flavoring substrate. The flavoring substrate 104, 204, 304 may comprise flavoring, such as tobacco flavoring or other flavor and / or may comprise glycerol or other additives or enhancers alternatively or in addition to glycerol. The flavoring substrate, with or without glycerol or other additives, can be heated to produce an aerosol.

[0134] It can be noted that, in general, an aerosol is a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or in another gas, where a colloid is a substance in which microscopically dispersed dispersed insoluble particles are suspended by another substance. On the other hand, a vapor is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical temperature, which means that, for example, the vapor can be condensed into a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature. It is to be understood that as used herein, the term aerosol includes aerosol and / or steam.

[0135] It will be appreciated that, in some examples, the roll segments of aerosol generating material 126, 226, 526 can be made from a sheet of aerosol generating material 102, 204, 304, as described above for a sheet of reconstituted tobacco 102, 204, 304, for example, by cutting the sheet of aerosol-generating material 102, 204, 304 longitudinally to produce a plurality of yarns of aerosol-generating material 112, 212, 512; collecting yarns 112, 212, 512 together to form a roll of aerosol-generating material 130, 530 in which each of the plurality of yarns of aerosol-generating material 112, 212, 512 is substantially uncoiled; and cutting the roll of aerosol-generating material 130, 530 into segments 126, 226, 526 to produce the segments of aerosol-generating material 126, 226, 526.

[0136] Similarly, it will be appreciated that a product may comprise a roll 130, 530 of aerosol generating material, wherein the roll 130, 530 of aerosol generating material is formed of a plurality of longitudinal threads 112, 212, 512 of aerosol generating material, wherein each of the plurality of longitudinal threads 112, 212, 512 of aerosol generating material is substantially uncoiled.

[0137] It will be understood that any feature described in relation to any example can be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and can also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the examples, or any combination of any another of the other examples. In addition, equivalents and modifications not described above can also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims (49)

1. Process for producing roll segments of aerosol-generating material, characterized by the fact that it comprises: cutting a sheet of aerosol-generating material longitudinally to produce a plurality of strands of aerosol-generating material; grouping the yarns together to form a roll of aerosol-generating material, wherein each of the plurality of yarns of aerosol-generating material is substantially uncoiled; and cutting the roll of aerosol-generating material into segments to produce said roll segments of aerosol-generating material. 2. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the collection comprises: collecting the wires together to form the roll of aerosol-generating material in which the plurality of wires of aerosol-generating material are substantially parallel to each other other. 3. Process according to claim 1, according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the collection comprises: collecting the wires together to form the roll of aerosol generating material in which each of the generating material wires aerosol spray is substantially straight. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sheet of aerosol-generating material is a tobacco sheet. 5. Process according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the tobacco leaf is a reconstituted tobacco leaf. 6. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet of aerosol-generating material comprises glycerol. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet of aerosol-generating material has a substantially constant mass per unit length. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: supplying the sheet of aerosol-generating material from a spool of sheet of aerosol-generating material. Process according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that it comprises: supply of a mother reel of sheet of aerosol-generating material; and cutting the mother spool to produce the spool. 10. Process according to claim 9, the process characterized by the fact that it comprises: selection of a mass per unit length for the roll segments of aerosol-generating material; determining, based on a mass per unit area of the sheet of aerosol-generating material and based on the mass selected per unit-length for the roll segments of aerosol-generating material, of a spool width; and cutting the mother spool to produce a spool with the specified spool width. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises: selecting a number of threads and / or a thread width for the roll segments of aerosol-generating material; and determining, based on the selected yarn number and / or yarn width, a cut number and / or cut spacing; wherein said cutting of the sheet of aerosol-generating material comprises: cutting of the sheet of aerosol-generating material with the cut number and / or cut spacing determined. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises: feeding the sheet of aerosol-generating material in the direction of feeding the sheet; wherein said cutting of the sheet of aerosol-generating material comprises: cutting of the sheet of aerosol-generating material substantially parallel to the feed direction of the sheet. 13. Process according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the grouping comprises: collecting each of the wires towards an axis that rests on a plane, the plane including the feed direction and being perpendicular to a defined plane by the plurality of wires before being collected. 14. Process according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the collection comprises: collection of each of the wires towards an axis that is centrally in the plurality of wires. 15. Process according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the collection comprises: collecting each of the wires substantially transversely to form the roll. 16. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the meeting comprises: feeding the wires through a funnel to collect the wires. Process according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises, before said cutting, the sheet of aerosol-generating material: feeding the sheet of aerosol-generating material through the funnel to form a roll of aerosol-generating material of uncut tobacco leaf. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that each of the plurality of wires has a width substantially in the range of 0.25 mm to 3 mm or substantially in the range of 0.5 mm to 1 , 5 mm. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it comprises: wrapping the roll of the aerosol generating material in a wrapping material. 20. Process according to claim 19, characterized in that the wrapping material is or comprises one or both of paper and aluminum foil. 21. Process according to claim 19 or claim 20, characterized in that the roll segments of aerosol-generating material have an outer diameter substantially in the range of 5.4 mm to 7.8 mm or substantially in the range of 6 , 7 mm to 7.8 mm. 22. Process according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the roll segments of aerosol-generating material are consumable by an aerosol-generating device. 23. Apparatus for producing roll segments of aerosol-generating material, characterized by the fact that the apparatus comprises: a first cutter arranged to cut a sheet of aerosol-generating material longitudinally to produce a plurality of strands of aerosol-generating material ; a collector arranged to collect the threads together to form a roll of aerosol-generating material in which each of the threads of the plurality of aerosol-generating material is substantially uncoiled; and a second cutter arranged to cut the roll of aerosol-generating material into segments to produce said roll segments of aerosol-generating material. 24. Apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that the collector is arranged to collect the wires to form the roll of aerosol-generating material, in which the plurality of wires of aerosol-generating material is made up of substantially wires parallel to each other. 25. Apparatus according to claim 23 or claim 24, characterized in that the collector is arranged to collect the wires to form the roll of aerosol-generating material in which each of the wires of aerosol-generating material is substantially straight . 26. Apparatus according to any one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the apparatus is arranged to supply the sheet of aerosol-generating material from a spool of the sheet of aerosol-generating material. 27. Apparatus according to any one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that the first cutter is adjustable in order to adjust the number and / or the width of the wires. Apparatus according to any one of claims 23 to 27, characterized in that the first cutter is adjustable for cutting said sheet of aerosol-generating material to produce said plurality of yarns of aerosol-generating material or for do not cut said sheet of aerosol-generating material. 29. Apparatus according to any one of claims 23 to 28, characterized in that the apparatus is arranged to feed the sheet of aerosol-generating material to the first cutter in the direction of sheet feeding; wherein the first cutter is arranged to cut the sheet of aerosol-generating material substantially parallel to the feed direction of the sheet. 30. Apparatus according to claim 29, characterized by the fact that the collector is willing to collect each of the direction wires of an axis that rests on the first plane, the first plane that includes the feeding direction and being perpendicular to a background defined by the plurality of wires before they are collected. 31. Apparatus according to any one of claims 23 to 30, characterized by the fact that the collector is willing to collect each of the wires towards an axis that is centrally in the plurality of wires. 32. Apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 31, characterized by the fact that the collector is arranged to collect each of the wires substantially transversely to form the roll. 33. Apparatus according to any one of claims 23 to 32, characterized by the fact that the collector comprises a funnel. 34. Apparatus according to any one of claims 23 to 33, characterized in that the first cutter is arranged to cut the sheet of aerosol-generating material longitudinally, so as to produce the plurality of strands of aerosol-generating material , each with a width substantially in the range of 0.25 mm to 3 mm, or substantially in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. 35. Apparatus according to any one of claims 23 to 34, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a wrapper arranged to wrap the roll of aerosol-generating material in a wrapping material. 36. Apparatus according to claim 35, characterized in that the wrapping material is or comprises one or both of paper and aluminum foil. 37. Apparatus according to claim 35 or claim 36, characterized in that the apparatus is arranged to produce roll segments of aerosol-generating material that have an outer diameter substantially in the range of 5.4 mm to 7, 8 mm, or substantially in the range of 6.7 mm to 7.8 mm. 38. Apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 37, characterized in that roll segments of aerosol-generating material are consumable by an aerosol-generating device. 39. Product comprising a roll of aerosol-generating material, characterized by the fact that the roll of aerosol-generating material is formed by a plurality of longitudinal threads of aerosol-generating material, wherein each of the plurality of longitudinal threads of material aerosol generator is substantially uncoiled. 40. Product according to claim 39, characterized in that the plurality of threads is substantially parallel to each other. 41. Product according to claim 39 or claim 40, characterized in that each of the plurality of yarns is substantially straight. 42. Product according to any one of claims 39 to 41, characterized in that each of the plurality of wires has a width substantially in the range of 0.25 mm to 3 mm or substantially in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. 43. Product according to any one of claims 39 to 42, characterized in that one or more of the strands is or comprises tobacco. 44. Product according to claim 43, characterized in that one or more of the strands is or comprises reconstituted tobacco. 45. Product according to any one of claims 39 to 44, characterized in that one or more of the threads comprise glycerol. 46. Product according to any of claims 39 to 45, characterized in that the product comprises a wrapping material wrapped around the roll of aerosol-generating material. 47. Product according to claim 46, characterized in that the wrapping material is or comprises one or both of paper and aluminum foil. 48. Product according to claim 46 or claim 47, characterized in that the product has an external diameter substantially in the range of 5.4 mm to 7.8 mm, or substantially in the range of 6.7 mm to 7 , 8 mm. 49. Product according to any one of claims 39 to 48, characterized in that the product is consumable by an aerosol generating device.