CN116867381A

CN116867381A - Article for aerosol provision system

Info

Publication number: CN116867381A
Application number: CN202180092232.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 本·詹金斯; 格伦·埃尔加; 理查德·赫普沃斯
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2020-12-24
Filing date: 2021-12-23
Publication date: 2023-10-10
Also published as: GB202109451D0

Abstract

The invention relates to an article (1) for use as an aerosol supply system or as part of an aerosol supply system. The article may be a combustible sol supply system or a consumable for a non-combustible sol supply system. The article includes an assembly (4) having an upstream end (41) and a downstream end (42). The assembly comprises a first material (7) and a second material (8), the second material (8) comprising an amorphous solid material (9). The amorphous solid material extends substantially longitudinally through the assembly between the upstream and downstream ends and has a length of at least about 70% of the length of the assembly between the upstream and downstream ends. The invention also relates to an assembly of articles, a non-combustible sol supply system and a method of manufacturing articles.

Description

Article for aerosol provision system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to articles, for example, articles for use as an aerosol supply system or as part of an aerosol supply system. The article may be a combustible sol supply system or a consumable for a non-combustible sol supply system. A package of articles, a non-combustible sol supply system, and a method of manufacturing an article are also described.

Background

Smoking articles, such as cigarettes (cigarettes), cigars and the like, burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are so-called "heat not burn" products or tobacco heating devices or products that release the compound by heating but not burning the smokable material.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an article is provided. The article is for use as or part of an aerosol provision system, the article comprising a component having an upstream end and a downstream end, the component comprising a first material and a second material, the second material comprising an amorphous solid material, wherein the amorphous solid material extends substantially longitudinally through the component between the upstream end and the downstream end and has a length of at least about 70% of the length of the component between the upstream end and the downstream end.

In some embodiments, the second material comprises a plurality of elongated strips of amorphous solid material, wherein the plurality of elongated strips extend substantially parallel to one another.

In some embodiments, the plurality of elongated strips comprises 2 to 50 strips, or 5 to 25 strips, or 7 to 21 strips.

In some embodiments, the second material comprises at least one strip having an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end of the strip extending to within 5mm of the upstream end of the assembly, and the downstream end of the strip extending to within 5mm of the downstream end of the assembly.

In some embodiments, the second material comprises a sheet material, and wherein the second material has a tensile strength in the machine direction of at least about 4N/15mm, and/or in the range of about 170N/15mm to about 200N/15 mm.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid material comprises a substance to be delivered. In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered is menthol.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid material comprises menthol in the range of 2mg to about 20 mg.

In some embodiments, the second material at least partially surrounds the first material.

In some embodiments, the second material is disposed within and/or wherein the second material is disposed within and substantially surrounded on all sides by the first material.

In some embodiments, the first material is an aerosol generating material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises a tobacco material.

In some embodiments, the tobacco material is cut tobacco (cut tobacco) or reconstituted tobacco material.

In some embodiments, the component forms an aerosol-generating portion of the article.

In some embodiments, the first material comprises a filter material, and optionally wherein the first material comprises a paper filter material having a density of about 0.1 to about 0.45 grams per cubic centimeter.

In some embodiments, the component forms an aerosol-modifying portion of the article.

In some embodiments, the assembly forms an aerosol-modifying portion of an article that is a combustible aerosol delivery system.

In some embodiments, the article is rod-shaped.

In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises a wrapper configured to enclose the first material and the second material.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of articles comprising a plurality of articles according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the amounts of substance to be delivered in each article differ by less than 5%.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-combustible sol supply system comprising an article according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an amorphous solid material for use in the article of any one of claims 1 to 19.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid material is configured to extend substantially longitudinally through the assembly between the upstream end and the downstream end and has a length of at least about 70% of the length of the assembly between the upstream end and the downstream end.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid material, when incorporated into the article, extends substantially longitudinally through the assembly between the upstream and downstream ends and has a length of at least about 70% of the length of the assembly between the upstream and downstream ends.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid material has a tensile strength in the range of about 2N/15mm to about 300N/15 mm.

In some embodiments, the length of the amorphous solid material is in the range of about 8mm to about 48 mm.

In some embodiments, the width of the amorphous solid material is in the range of about 0.5mm to about 3 mm.

In some embodiments, the aspect ratio of the amorphous solid material is in the range of about 2.5 to about 100.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid material is present at 0.25mg of substance to be delivered per 50mm ² Up to about 1mg of substance to be delivered/50 mm ² Within a range of (2). In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered is menthol.

In a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly for use in an article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, the assembly having an upstream end and a downstream end, the assembly comprising a first material and a second material, the second material comprising an amorphous solid material, wherein the amorphous solid material extends substantially longitudinally through the assembly between the upstream end and the downstream end and has a length of at least about 70% of the length of the assembly between the upstream end and the downstream end.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an article according to any one of claims 1 to 19, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a first material for forming into a component of an article; continuously conveying the first material through the assembly apparatus; and adding at least one continuous amorphous solid material to the first material.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises unwinding the strip of amorphous solid material from the spool and cutting the strip of amorphous solid material into a plurality of elongated strips.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises feeding a plurality of elongated strips of amorphous solid material directly to the assembly apparatus prior to the assembly forming device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises winding a plurality of elongated strips of amorphous solid material onto a spool in preparation for addition to the first material in the assembly apparatus.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of simultaneously winding the ribbon of amorphous solid material and the first material onto the same spool.

In some embodiments, the ribbon of amorphous solid material and the first material are co-wound.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of: while unwinding the ribbon of amorphous solid material and the first material from the spool.

In some embodiments, the cutting of the strip of amorphous solid material and the first material may be performed simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the first material is reconstituted tobacco.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise aligning the at least one continuous amorphous solid material with the first material prior to feeding the amorphous solid material and the first material to the component forming device of the assembly apparatus.

In some embodiments, the method may further include aligning the plurality of bands of continuous amorphous solid material with the first material and spacing across the width of the first material.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise aligning the at least one continuous amorphous solid material with the first material prior to simultaneously cutting the amorphous solid material and the first material.

In some embodiments, the method may further include aligning the plurality of bands of continuous amorphous solid material with the first material and spacing across the width of the first material such that there is a gap between adjacent bands of continuous amorphous solid material.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise aligning the at least one continuous amorphous solid material with the first material after cutting the amorphous solid material and the first material.

In some embodiments, the method may further include cutting the plurality of strips of continuous amorphous solid material into a plurality of strips to form a plurality of strip clusters, and then aligning the strip clusters with the first material and spacing across the width of the first material such that there are gaps between adjacent strip clusters of continuous amorphous solid material.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises helically winding a plurality of elongated strips of amorphous solid material onto a spool in preparation for addition to the first material in the assembly apparatus.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises twisting the plurality of elongated strips of amorphous solid material to form a rope to be fed to an assembly device prior to the assembly forming device, prior to winding the plurality of elongated strips onto the spool.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises transporting at least one strip of the first material and the amorphous solid material through the assembly forming device; forming an endless assembly; packaging the endless assembly in a wrapper; and cutting the endless assembly into discrete assemblies.

In some embodiments, the method step of cutting the endless assembly releases tension in at least one strip of amorphous solid material and the length of amorphous solid material is reduced to the end of the assembly.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises combining the component with other components of the article to form the article.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making an amorphous solid material comprising: the strip of amorphous solid material is unwound from the spool and cut into a plurality of elongated strips.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided an amorphous solid material formed by a method according to claim 41.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a consumable for use with a non-combustible sol supply device;

fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of a delivery system;

fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of a non-combustible sol supply device for generating an aerosol from the aerosol generating material of the consumable of fig. 1 or 2;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a strip of amorphous solid material;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic side view of a plurality of elongate strips forming a rope;

FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a spool of a plurality of amorphous solid elongated strips;

FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a spool of a plurality of amorphous solid elongated strips;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a cutting device for cutting amorphous solid strips;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a plurality of amorphous solid elongated strips to be fed to a consumable assembly manufacturing machine;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a second strip of material aligned over a first sheet of material;

FIG. 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol-generating assembly formed from the material arrangement shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of a plurality of second strips of material aligned over a first sheet of material;

fig. 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an aerosol-generating assembly formed from the material arrangement shown in fig. 12;

fig. 14 shows a schematic view of a portion of an apparatus for forming a delivery system; and

fig. 15 shows a schematic view of a portion of an apparatus for forming a delivery system.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to articles of manufacture for consumables used in a delivery system.

As used herein, the term "delivery system" is intended to encompass a system that delivers at least one substance to a user, and includes:

combustible aerosol supply systems such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, tobacco for pipes or self-wrapping or self-making cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable materials); and

a non-combustible aerosol provision system that releases compounds from aerosol-generating materials without burning the aerosol-generating materials, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems that use a combination of aerosol-generating materials to generate an aerosol.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a "combustible" aerosol supply system is a system in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol supply system (or components thereof) burn or burn during use to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible sol supply system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of cigarettes, cigarillos, and cigars.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to components for use in a combustible sol supply system, such as a filter, a filter rod, a filter segment, or an aerosol regulator release component.

According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol supply system is a system in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol supply system (or components thereof) do not burn or burn to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible sol supply system, such as an energized non-combustible sol supply system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also referred to as an electronic smoking device (vaping device) or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which may be heated. Each aerosol-generating material may be, for example, in solid, liquid or gel form, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the mixing system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, a tobacco or non-tobacco product.

In general, a non-combustible sol supply system may include a non-combustible sol supply device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible sol supply device.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables containing aerosol-generating materials and configured for use with non-combustible aerosol supplies. Throughout this disclosure, these consumables are sometimes referred to as articles of manufacture.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system may include a consumable receiving region, an aerosol generator and aerosol generating region, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and/or an aerosol regulator.

In some embodiments, a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device may include an aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material delivery assembly, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol regulator.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol generating material or a material that is not intended to be atomized. Depending on the circumstances, either material may comprise one or more active components, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-forming materials and/or one or more other functional materials.

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

An 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 nutrients, nootropic agents and psychoactive agents. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active may comprise, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, caffeine, vitamins (e.g., B6 or B12 or C), melatonin, cannabinoids, or components, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more ingredients, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, hemp or other plant material (botanicals).

In some embodiments, the active comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active comprises caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

As referred to herein, an active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more plant materials or components, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "plant material" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, bark, hulls, and the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally occurring in the plant material, a synthetically obtained active compound. The material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, chips, strips, flakes, etc. Exemplary plant materials are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise (star anise), hemp, cocoa, hemp, fennel, lemon grass, peppermint, spearmint, juniper berry (rooibos), chamomile (chamomile), flax, ginger, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay, licorice (licorice), green tea, mate tea (mate), orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea (e.g., green tea or black tea), thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, fennel seed (fennel), basil, bay leaf, cardamom (caramom), coriander, fennel seed (cumin), nutmeg, oregano, red pepper powder, rosemary, saffron, lavender lemon peel, peppermint, juniper (juniper), elder flower, vanilla, wintergreen, perilla, turmeric root powder, sandalwood oil, coriander leaf, bergamot, orange flower, myrtle, blackcurrant liqueur (cassis), valerian, spanish sweet pepper (pimto), nutmeg seed coating, damien (damien), marjoram (marjoram), olive, lemon mint, lemon basil, leek, caraway (carvi), verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, matrine, maca, south africa, damiana (damiana), guarana (guarana), chlorophyll, monkey tree, or any combination thereof. Peppermint may be selected from the following mint varieties: wild mint (Mentha arvensis), mentha piperita cultivars (Mentha arvensis), egyptian mint (Mentha nilaca), mentha piperita (Mentha piperita), mentha piperita cultivars (Mentha piperita citrata c.v.), mentha piperita cultivars (Mentha piperita c.v.), mentha pulegium (Mentha spicata crispa), mentha piperita (Mentha cordifolia), mentha piperita (Mentha longifolia), mentha arvensis (Mentha suaveolens variegata), mentha piperita (Mentha pulegium), mentha piperita cultivars (Mentha spicata c.v.), and Mentha piperita (Mentha suaveolens).

In some embodiments, the active comprises or is derived from one or more plant materials or components, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the plant material is tobacco.

In some embodiments, the active comprises or is derived from one or more plant materials or ingredients, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the plant materials are selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.

In some embodiments, the active comprises or is derived from one or more plant materials or ingredients, derivatives or extracts thereof, and the plant materials are selected from the group consisting of loyi Bai Si and fennel.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavoring (flavour).

As used herein, the terms "flavor" and "flavor" refer to materials that can be used to produce a desired taste, aroma, or other sensation of body (somatosensorial sensation) in an adult consumer product, as permitted by local regulations. They may include naturally occurring flavor materials, plant material extracts, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, hemp, licorice (licorice), hydrangea, eugenol, white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, green tea, menthol, japanese mint, fennel seed (pimpinella), cinnamon bark, turmeric root powder, indian spice (Indian spice), asian spice (Asian spice), herb (hereb), wintergreen tree, cherry, green tea, white tea, black tea, white tea, black tea, white tea, and black tea berries, raspberries, cranberries, peaches, apples, oranges, mangoes, citrus fruits (clementines), lemons, limes, tropical fruits, papaya, rheum officinale, grapes, durian, dragon fruits, cucumbers, blueberries, mulberries, citrus fruits, honey whisks (dragbuie), bourbon whisks, scotch whisks, juniper berries, wine agave, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera juice, cardamom, celery, bitter skin (cascarilla), nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, arabian tea leaf, naswal (naswar), betel nut leaf, shisha, pine tree, honey essence (honey), rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange flower, cherry blossom, cinnamon (cassia), caraway dried seeds, colpitis brandy (cognac), jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, behens, multi-spice, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, peppermint oil from any of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemon grass, loyi Bai Si, flax, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay tree, mate tea, orange peel, rose, tea (e.g., green tea or black tea), thyme, juniper, elder flower, basil, bay leaf, fennel seed, oregano, red pepper powder, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, peppermint, perilla, turmeric, coriander leaf, myrtle, blackcurrant liqueur, valerian, spanish sweet pepper, nutmeg seed coating, dami, marjoram, olive, lemon mint, lemon basil, leek, caraway, verbenan, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulators, sugar and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, honey (acesulfame potassium), aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives (e.g., plant, charcoal, mineral, or fresh air-freshening materials). They may be analog, synthetic or natural components or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid (e.g. oil), solid (e.g. powder) or gas.

In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises menthol, spearmint, and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises flavor components of cucumber, bilberry, citrus fruit, and/or raspberry. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises a flavor component extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent comprises a flavor component extracted from cannabis.

In some embodiments, the flavoring agents may comprise a sensate (sensite) intended to achieve a somatosensory that is typically chemically induced and perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) (in addition to or in lieu of the flavor or gustatory nerve), and these may include agents that provide thermal, cold, tingling, paralytic effects. Suitable heat-influencing agents may be, but are not limited to, vanillyl ether, and suitable coolants may be, but are not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.

An aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating an aerosol, for example, when heated, irradiated, or otherwise energized in any other manner. The aerosol-generating material may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel, which may or may not contain active substances and/or flavours. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an "amorphous solid," which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a xerogel. Amorphous solids are solid materials that can retain some fluid (e.g., liquid) within their interior. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt%, or 70wt% amorphous solids to about 90wt%, 95wt%, or 100wt% amorphous solids.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises: 1-60wt% of a gelling agent; 0.1-50wt% of an aerosol former; and 0.1 to 80wt% of a flavoring agent; wherein these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.

In some other embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises: 1-50wt% of a gelling agent; 0.1-50wt% of an aerosol former; and 30-60wt% of a flavoring agent; wherein these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.

In some other embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises: an aerosol-forming material in an amount of about 40 to 80wt% amorphous solids; a gellant and optionally a filler (i.e., in some examples the filler is present in the amorphous solid and in other examples the filler is not present in the amorphous solid), wherein the gellant and filler together are present in an amount of about 10 to 60wt% of the amorphous solid (i.e., the gellant and filler together comprise about 10 to 60wt% of the amorphous solid); and optionally, an amount of active and/or flavoring agent of up to about 20wt% amorphous solids (i.e., amorphous solids contain less than or equal to 20wt% active).

The amorphous solid material may be formed from a xerogel. It has been found that using the component ratios discussed above means that as the gel solidifies, the flavor compound stabilizes within the gel matrix, allowing higher flavor loadings to be achieved than in non-gel compositions. Flavors (e.g., menthol) are stable at high concentrations and the product has good shelf life.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may have a thickness of about 0.015mm to about 1.5 mm. Suitably, the thickness may be in the range of about 0.05mm, 0.1mm or 0.15mm to about 0.5mm, 0.3mm or 1 mm. The inventors have found that in some embodiments, a material having a thickness of 0.2mm is particularly suitable. The amorphous solid may comprise more than one layer, and the thicknesses described herein refer to the aggregate thickness of those layers.

If the amorphous solid is too thick, heating efficiency may be impaired. This adversely affects power consumption in use. Conversely, if the amorphous solid is too thin, it is difficult to manufacture and handle; very thin materials are more difficult to cast and can be brittle, compromising aerosol formation when in use.

Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 1wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt%, 25wt%, 30wt% or 35wt% to about 60wt%, 55wt%, 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt% or 35wt% of the gelling agent (all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may comprise 1-60wt%, 5-60wt%, 20-60wt%, 25-55wt%, 30-50wt%, 35-45wt%, 5-45wt%, 10-40wt%, or 20-35wt% of the gellant.

The amorphous solid may comprise a gelling agent. The gelling agent may comprise one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of cellulosic gelling agents, non-cellulosic gelling agents, guar gum, gum arabic and mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises a hydrocolloid. In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one or more compounds selected from the group comprising: alginate, pectin, starch (and derivatives), cellulose (and derivatives), gums, silica or silicone compounds, clays, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one or more of the following: alginate, pectin, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, pullulan, xanthan gum, guar gum, carrageenan, agarose, acacia, fumed silica, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), sodium silicate, kaolin, and polyvinyl alcohol. In some cases, the gelling agent comprises alginate and/or pectin, and may be combined with a hardening agent (e.g., a calcium source) during the formation of the amorphous solid. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise calcium-crosslinked alginate and/or calcium-crosslinked pectin.

The cellulose gelling agent may be selected from the group consisting of: hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, cellulose Acetate (CA), cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB), cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP), and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises (or is) one or more of the following: hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), carboxymethyl cellulose, guar gum, or acacia.

In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises (or is) one or more non-cellulosic gelling agents including, but not limited to, agar, xanthan, acacia, guar gum, locust bean gum, pectin, carrageenan, starch, alginate, and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the non-cellulosic gelling agent is alginate or agar.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises alginate and pectin, and the ratio of alginate to pectin is from 1:1 to 10:1. The ratio of alginate to pectin is typically >1:1, i.e. the alginate is present in an amount greater than the amount of pectin. In examples, the ratio of alginate to pectin is about 2:1 to 8:1, or about 3:1 to 6:1, or about 4:1.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid comprises filler in an amount of 1 to 30wt%, such as 5 to 25wt%, or 10 to 20wt% of the amorphous solid. In examples, the amorphous solids include filler in an amount greater than 1wt%, 5wt%, or 8wt% amorphous solids. In examples, the amorphous solid comprises filler in an amount of less than 40wt%, 30wt%, 20wt%, 15wt%, 12wt%, 10wt%, 5wt%, or 1wt% amorphous solid. In other examples, the amorphous solid does not include a filler.

In examples, the amorphous solid comprises a gellant and a filler (together) in an amount of about 10wt%, 20wt%, 25wt%, 30wt%, 35wt%, 40wt%, 45wt%, 50wt%, 55wt%, or about 60 wt%. In examples, the amount of gellant and filler (together) is no more than 85wt%, 80wt%, 75wt%, 70wt%, 65wt% or no more than 60wt% amorphous solids. In examples, the amorphous solids comprise an amount of amorphous solids of about 20 to 60wt%, 25 to 55wt%, 30 to 50wt%, or 35 to 45wt% of the gellant and filler (taken together).

The filler, if present, may comprise one or more inorganic filler materials such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium carbonate, as well as suitable inorganic adsorbents such as molecular sieves. The filler may include one or more organic filler materials such as wood pulp, cellulose, and cellulose derivatives. In particular cases, the amorphous solid does not contain calcium carbonate, such as chalk.

In some examples including a filler, the filler may be fibrous. For example, the filler may be a fibrous organic filler material such as wood pulp, hemp, cellulose or cellulose derivatives. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that including fibrous fillers in the amorphous solids may increase the tensile strength of the material.

In some examples, the amorphous solid does not comprise tobacco fibers. In a specific example, the amorphous solid does not comprise fibrous material.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 0.1wt%, 0.5wt%, 1wt%, 3wt%, 5wt%, 7wt%, or 10wt% to about 80wt%, 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt%, 35wt%, 30wt%, or 25wt% aerosol-forming material (all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may comprise 0.5 to 40wt%, 3 to 35wt% or 10 to 25wt% of the aerosol-forming material.

The aerosol-forming material may be used as a plasticiser. If the plasticizer content is too high, the amorphous solids may absorb water, resulting in a material that does not produce a proper consumption experience when used. If the plasticizer content is too low, the amorphous solids may be brittle and friable.

In some embodiments, the aerosol former included in the amorphous solid comprises one or more polyols, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol, and glycerol; polyhydric alcohol esters such as monoacetate, diacetate or triacetate of glycerin; and/or aliphatic esters of monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecenedioate.

In some cases, the aerosol-forming material comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol, and xylitol. In some cases, the aerosol-forming material comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of glycerin.

The amorphous solid material may comprise a flame retardant salt. As used herein, a flame retardant salt is a compound consisting of an ionic assembly of cations and anions. Salts as used herein are those salts whose anions and/or cations are effective in flame retarding. In some embodiments, the salt is an inorganic salt.

In some embodiments, the salt is a halide salt, i.e., having a halide anion. In some embodiments, the salt is a chloride salt or a bromide salt. The presence of high concentrations of chloride or bromide has been shown to be flame retardant.

In some embodiments, the salt may be an alkali metal salt, i.e., having an alkali metal cation. In some embodiments, the salt has an alkaline earth metal cation. In some embodiments, the salt has zinc cations or iron cations, such as ferric or ferrous cations. In some embodiments, the salt has an ammonium cation or a phosphonium cation (phosphonium cation).

In some embodiments, the salt may be an alkali metal halide, such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride. The salt may be an alkaline earth metal halide such as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride. The salt may be other metal halides such as zinc chloride or sodium bromide.

In some embodiments, the salt has a carboxylate anion. For example, the salt may be an alkali metal carboxylate, such as potassium citrate, potassium succinate, potassium malate, potassium acetate, potassium tartrate, potassium oxalate, sodium citrate, sodium succinate, sodium acetate, or sodium malate.

In other embodiments, the salt has an anion selected from the group consisting of: borate, carbonate, phosphate, sulfate, or sulfamate.

Factors that may influence the choice of salt will include, for example, the melting point, which preferably will be at least 450 ℃. In some embodiments, the salt is soluble in water. In some embodiments, the salt is selected to provide the desired pH for the material to which it will be added. In some embodiments, the salt will not significantly alter the pH of the material.

In some embodiments, the selected flame retardant salt may have one or more advantageous properties, such as: inert, solubility in a precursor liquid, solubility or distribution in an amorphous solid material or a precursor material of an amorphous solid material, density, or other properties known in the art.

In some embodiments, the flame retardant salt comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of: sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium bromide and/or potassium bromide.

The components of the salt may be in free base form, salt form, or as a complex, or as a solvate, based on the desired flame retardant or other physical properties. The fire retardant salt may have any density and any crystal structure.

In some embodiments, the flame retardant salt is incorporated into or added to an amorphous solid material dissolved in a solvent or liquid carrier. In some embodiments, the fire retardant salt is suspended in a liquid carrier. The solvent or liquid carrier may be an aqueous or organic liquid, and may be polar or non-polar, depending on its suitable application.

Advantageously, the liquid carrier or precursor solvent may be selected so that it is easily removed during the manufacture of the flame retardant material, leaving the flame retardant salt in or on the amorphous solid material.

In some embodiments, the liquid carrier is a liquid, including a mixture of an aqueous liquid (water) and a non-aqueous liquid (e.g., glycerin). After application of the salt, the water is removed and the glycerol will remain in the amorphous solid material where it provides flexibility and aids in aerosol formation upon heating.

The amorphous solid may comprise a colorant. The addition of a colorant can alter the visual appearance of the amorphous solid. The presence of the colorant in the amorphous solid may enhance the visual appearance of the amorphous solid and the aerosol-generating material. By adding a colorant to the amorphous solid, the amorphous solid can be color matched with other components of the aerosol-generating material or with other components of the article comprising the amorphous solid.

A variety of colorants can be used based on the desired color of the amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be white, green, red, violet, blue, brown or black in color, for example. Other colors are also contemplated. Natural or synthetic colorants such as natural or synthetic dyes, food grade colorants, and pharmaceutical-grade colorants may be used. In certain embodiments, the colorant is caramel, which can impart a brown appearance to the amorphous solid. In these embodiments, the color of the amorphous solid may be similar to the color of other components (e.g., tobacco material) in the aerosol-generating material comprising the amorphous solid. In some embodiments, the addition of a colorant to the amorphous solid makes it visually indistinguishable from other components in the aerosol-generating material.

The colorant may be incorporated during formation of the amorphous solid (e.g., when forming a slurry comprising the material forming the amorphous solid) or it may be applied to the amorphous solid after it is formed (e.g., by spraying it onto the amorphous solid).

The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-forming materials and optionally one or more other functional materials.

The aerosol generating material may comprise an acid. The acid may be an organic acid. In some of these embodiments, the acid may be at least one of a monobasic acid, a dibasic acid, and a tribasic acid. In some such embodiments, the acid may contain at least one carboxyl functionality. In some such embodiments, the acid may be at least one of an alpha-alkyd, carboxylic acid, dicarboxylic acid, tricarboxylic acid, and keto acid. In some such embodiments, the acid may be an alpha-keto acid.

In some such embodiments, the acid may be at least one of the following: succinic acid, lactic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, levulinic acid, acetic acid, malic acid, formic acid, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, propionic acid and pyruvic acid.

Suitably, the acid is lactic acid. In other embodiments, the acid is benzoic acid. In other embodiments, the acid may be an inorganic acid (inorganic acid). In some of these embodiments, the acid may be an inorganic acid (mineral acid). In some such embodiments, the acid may be at least one of the following: sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, boric acid, and phosphoric acid. In some embodiments, the acid is levulinic acid.

In embodiments wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises nicotine, the inclusion of an acid is particularly preferred. In such embodiments, the presence of the acid may stabilize dissolved species from the slurry of aerosol-generating material. The presence of the acid may reduce or substantially prevent evaporation of the nicotine during drying of the slurry, thereby reducing the loss of nicotine during manufacture.

In certain embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises a gelling agent (including a cellulosic gelling agent and/or a non-cellulosic gelling agent), an active, and an acid.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises one or more cannabinoid compounds selected from the group consisting of: cannabinol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinoic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBDA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBC), cannabinol (CBL), secondary Cannabinol (CBV), tetrahydrosecondary cannabinol (THCV), secondary Cannabinol (CBDV), secondary cannabinol (CBCV), secondary Cannabinol (CBGV), cannabinol monomethyl ether (CBGM) and cannabis allbilsin (CBE), cannabidopyranocyclone (CBT).

The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more cannabinoid compounds selected from the group consisting of: cannabidiol (CBD) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

The aerosol generating material may comprise Cannabidiol (CBD).

The aerosol-generating material may comprise nicotine and Cannabidiol (CBD).

The aerosol generating material may comprise nicotine, cannabidiol (CBD) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

The aerosol-forming material may comprise one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material may comprise one or more of the following: glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillic acid, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixtures, benzyl benzoate, tributyl essence, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. In some embodiments, the aerosol former comprises one or more polyols, such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1, 3-butanediol, and glycerol; polyhydric alcohol esters such as monoacetate, diacetate or triacetate of glycerin; and/or aliphatic esters of monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecenedioate.

The one or more other functional materials may include one or more of the following: pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers and/or antioxidants.

As used herein, the term "tobacco material" refers to any material comprising tobacco or derivatives or substitutes thereof. The term "tobacco material" may include one or more of the following: tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco material may include one or more of the following: tobacco dust, tobacco fibers, cut filler, extruded tobacco, tobacco stems, tobacco flakes, reconstituted tobacco and/or tobacco extracts.

The tobacco material may contain a filler component. The filler component is typically a non-tobacco component, i.e., a component that does not include tobacco-derived ingredients. The filler component may be non-tobacco fibers, such as wood fibers, or pulp, or wheat fibers. The filler component may also be an inorganic material such as chalk, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesia, magnesium sulfate, magnesium carbonate. The filler component may also be a non-tobacco cast material (non-tobacco cast material) or a non-tobacco extruded material. The filler component may be present in an amount of 0 to 20% by weight of the tobacco material, or in an amount of 1 to 10% by weight of the composition. In some embodiments, the filler component is absent.

The tobacco material may contain aerosol-forming material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material of the tobacco material may be glycerin, propylene glycol, or a mixture of glycerin and propylene glycol. The glycerin may be present in an amount of 10 to 20% by weight of the tobacco material, for example, in an amount of 13 to 16% by weight of the composition, or in an amount of about 14% or 15% by weight of the composition. Propylene glycol, if present, may be present in an amount of 0.1 to 0.3% by weight of the composition.

The aerosol-forming material may be included in any component of the tobacco material (e.g., any tobacco component) and/or in the filler component (if present). Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming material may be added to the tobacco material separately. In either case, the total amount of aerosol-forming material in the tobacco material may be as defined herein.

In one example, the aerosol-forming material may comprise an amorphous solid material comprising 40% menthol, 16% glycerol, 20% binder (alginate/pectin mixture), and 20% fiber (wood pulp).

A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of an aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed by a user during use. The consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material delivery component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter, and/or an aerosol regulator. The consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator (e.g. a heater) which, in use, emits heat to cause the aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol. The heater may for example comprise a combustible material, a material heatable by conduction or a susceptor. The consumable may have any shape or size suitable for a smoking device. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the consumable is rod-shaped.

An aerosol regulator is a substance typically located downstream of an aerosol-generating region that is configured to alter the aerosol generated, for example, by altering the taste, flavor, acidity, or other characteristics of the aerosol. The aerosol regulator may be provided in an aerosol regulator release assembly, the release assembly being operable to selectively release the aerosol regulator.

The aerosol regulator may be, for example, an additive or an adsorbent. The aerosol regulator may, for example, comprise one or more of the following flavours, colorants, water and carbon adsorbents. The aerosol regulator may be, for example, a solid, a liquid or a gel. The aerosol regulator may be in the form of a powder, wire or granule. The aerosol regulator may be free of filter material.

Articles, such as rod-shaped articles, are generally named according to the product length: "conventional" (typically in the range of 68-75mm, e.g., about 68mm to about 72 mm), "short" or "miniature" (68 mm or less), "king size" (typically in the range of 75-91mm, e.g., about 79mm to about 88 mm), "long" or "super-king" (typically in the range of 91-105mm, e.g., about 94mm to about 101 mm), and "super-long" (typically in the range of about 110mm to about 121 mm).

They are also named according to the product perimeter: "conventional" (about 23-25 mm), "wide" (greater than 25 mm), "elongated (slim)," semi-elongated "(about 19-22 mm)," ultra-fine-long "(about 16-19 mm), and" micro-fine-long "(less than about 16 mm).

Thus, for example, an oversized, ultra-long gauge article will have a length of about 83mm and a circumference of about 17 mm.

Each specification may be produced with different length mouthpieces. The mouthpiece length will be about 30mm to 50mm. The tipping paper connects the mouthpiece to the aerosol-generating material and is typically longer than the length of the mouthpiece, for example 3 to 10mm, such that the tipping paper covers the mouthpiece and overlaps the aerosol-generating material, for example in the form of a rod of substrate material, to connect the mouthpiece to the rod.

The articles described herein and their aerosol-generating materials and mouthpieces may be prepared, but are not limited to, in any of the above specifications.

The filamentary tow or filter material described herein may comprise cellulose acetate fiber tow. The filament bundles may also be formed using other materials for forming the fibers, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), poly (1-4 butylene succinate) (PBS), poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), starch-based materials (starch-based materials), cotton, aliphatic polyester materials, and polysaccharide polymers, or combinations thereof. The filaments may be plasticized by a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) suitable for the filaments, wherein the material is cellulose acetate filaments, or the filaments may be non-plasticized. The tow may have any suitable gauge, such as fibers having a "Y" shaped, "X" shaped or "O" shaped cross section. The fibers of the tow may have a filament denier of 2.5 to 15 denier per filament, such as 8.0 to 11.0 denier per filament, and a total denier of 5,000 to 50,000, such as 10,000 to 40,000. The cross-section of the fibers may have an isopycnic ratio L of 25 or less, preferably 20 or less, and more preferably 15 or less ² Wherein L is the perimeter of the cross section and A is the area of the cross section. Such fibers have a relatively low surface area for a given denier per filament, which improves aerosol delivery to the consumer. The filter materials described herein also include cellulose-based materials, such as paper. Such materials may have a relatively low density, such as about 0.1 to about 0.45 grams/cubic centimeter, to allow air and/or aerosols to pass through the material. Although described as a filter material, such a material may have a basic purpose, such as increasing the resistance of the assembly to suction, irrespective of the filtering itself.

Referring now to fig. 1, there is shown a schematic cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of an article 1 for use with a non-combustible sol supply device. The article 1 may be used as an aerosol supply system or as part of an aerosol supply system. The article may be a consumable of a tobacco heating product. The article 1 comprises at least one set of components 2, 3, 4. At least one set of components may be consumable components of a tobacco heating product. Each set of modules 2, 3, 4 has an upstream end 5 and a downstream end 6. The upstream and downstream ends 5, 6 are longitudinally spaced apart. That is, the upstream and downstream ends 5, 6 are spaced apart in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the assembly 2, 3, 4.

Referring to fig. 1 (embodiment of the invention), an article 1 comprises three components 2, 3, 4. The three components are a filter component 2, a heat-displacing collar component (heat displacement collar component) 3 (e.g. a hollow tube element) and an aerosol generating portion component 4. However, it will be understood that the article 1 may comprise any number of components, i.e. one or more components.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the filter assembly 2 is in the form of a cylindrical rod. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the filter assembly 2 may take other forms, as mentioned above.

In an embodiment of the invention, the filter assembly 2 is formed from a single segment 21. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the filter assembly 2 may comprise a plurality of segments 21. Each segment 21 may have a similar form as segment 41 described herein. The filter assembly 2 includes an upstream end 22 and a downstream end 23. The upstream end 22 abuts the heat displacing collar assembly 3. The downstream end 23 forms the mouth end of the filter assembly 2 from which aerosol exits the article 1 when a user draws on the filter assembly 2.

The filter assembly 2 comprises a filter material such as, for example, but not limited to, cellulose acetate tow. Alternatively or additionally, the filter assembly 2 may comprise or consist of the following materials: any filter material or filamentary tow material described herein, such as a paper filter material having a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 grams/cc. In an embodiment of the invention, the filter assembly 2 further comprises a wrapper 24. Wrapper 24 circumscribes the filter assembly. In some embodiments, wrapper 24 may be omitted.

In an embodiment of the invention, the heat-displacing collar assembly 3 is in the form of a cylindrical rod. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the heat-displacing collar assembly 3 may take other forms, as mentioned above.

In an embodiment of the invention, the heat-displaceable collar assembly 3 is formed from a single segment 31. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the heat-displacing collar assembly 3 may comprise a plurality of segments 31. Each segment 31 may have a similar form to the segments described herein. The heat-displacing collar assembly 3 is configured to cool the aerosol formed in the aerosol-generating partial assembly 4.

A heat-displacing collar assembly 3 is located between the filter assembly 2 and the aerosol generating section assembly 4. The heat-displacing collar assembly 3 includes an upstream end 32 and a downstream end 33. The upstream end 32 abuts the filter assembly 2. The downstream end 33 abuts the aerosol-generating component 4.

The heat-displacing collar assembly 3 comprises a chamber 34. The chamber 14 extends longitudinally between an upstream end 32 and a downstream end 33 of the heat-displacing collar assembly 3. In an embodiment of the invention, the chamber 34 extends from the upstream end 32 to the downstream end 33 such that the upstream and downstream ends 32, 33 of the heat displacing collar assembly 3 are open ended. In an embodiment of the present invention, chamber 34 is cylindrical. That is, the shape of the chamber 34 matches the shape of the heat-displacing collar assembly 3. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the chamber 34 may be different from the cross-sectional shape of the heat displacing collar assembly 3 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the assembly 3. The chamber 34 is defined by at least one wall 35 of the heat-displaceable collar assembly 3.

At least one wall 35 of the heat-displacing collar assembly 3 may contain a filter material such as, for example, but not limited to, cellulose acetate tow or any of the filter materials and filiform tow materials described herein. In an embodiment of the invention, the heat-displacing collar assembly 3 may further comprise a wrapper 36. The wrapper 36 constrains the thermal displacement assembly 3. In some embodiments, the wrapper 36 may be omitted, particularly in embodiments in which the wall 35 of the heat-displacing collar assembly 3 is formed of an impermeable material, such as a plastic material, for example, but not limited to, a polymer-based plastic material, such as polyethylene.

In an embodiment of the invention, the aerosol-generating component 4 is in the form of a cylindrical rod. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the form of the aerosol-generating assembly 4 may take any other form, as mentioned above.

In an embodiment of the invention, the aerosol-generating partial assembly 4 is formed from a single segment 41. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the aerosol-generating portion assembly 4 may comprise a plurality of segments. Each segment 41 may have a similar form as the segments described herein. The aerosol-generating portion assembly 4 is configured to generate an aerosol during use.

In an embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generating portion assembly 4 is located upstream of the heat displacing collar assembly 3. The aerosol-generating portion assembly 4 comprises an upstream end 41 and a downstream end 42. The downstream end 42 of the aerosol generating portion assembly 4 abuts the upstream end 32 of the heat displacing collar assembly 3.

Although described above in rod-like form, it will be appreciated that the aerosol-generating segment 4 may be provided in other forms (e.g. a plug of material, a pocket of material or a packet of material) within the article.

In an embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generating section assembly 4 further comprises a wrapper 44. The wrapper 44 circumscribes the aerosol generating assembly 4. The article 1 may also include a tipping wrapper 45 that connects one or more of the components 2, 3, 4 together. In an embodiment of the invention, the wrapper circumscribes each of the filter assembly 2, the heat-displacing collar assembly 3 and the aerosol generating portion assembly 4.

In fig. 1, the aerosol-generating portion assembly 4 of the article 1 comprises a first material 7 and a second material 8. In an embodiment of the invention, the first material 7 of the aerosol-generating component 4 comprises an aerosol-generating material as described herein. In an embodiment of the invention, the first material 7 is a tobacco material 45 as described herein. In an embodiment of the present invention, the tobacco material 45 comprises cut tobacco. The shredded tobacco mat is reconstituted tobacco of cut tobacco. Alternatively, tobacco material 45 may be any of the materials discussed herein. For example, the first material may be an amorphous solid material as described herein. In another example, the first material 7 may be a tobacco material 45, such as reconstituted tobacco material.

In an embodiment of the invention, the tobacco material 45 is arranged in a chaotic manner in the aerosol-generating partial assembly 4. That is, the tobacco material 45 is not disposed within the aerosol-generating section 4 in any particular orientation. Additionally or alternatively, the tobacco material 45 may be in the form of discrete portions, each portion having a length less than half the length of the aerosol-generating portion assembly 4. In alternative examples, the tobacco material 45 or other first material may be arranged in a non-chaotic or ordered manner, such as a plurality of strips of first material extending longitudinally through the length of the aerosol-generating component 4.

In fig. 1, the second material 8 comprises an amorphous solid material 9. The amorphous solid material 9 may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of: any material or combination of materials mentioned above.

As shown in fig. 1, the amorphous solid material 9 extends substantially longitudinally through the aerosol-generating component 4 between the upstream end 5 and the downstream end 6. That is, the amorphous solid material 9 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis a of the aerosol-generating component 4. The length of the amorphous solid material 9 is at least about 70% of the length of the aerosol-generating portion assembly 4 between the upstream and downstream ends 5, 42, 6, 43. In some embodiments, the length of the amorphous solid material 9 may be at least about 80% of the length of the aerosol-generating partial assembly 4 between the upstream and downstream ends 5, 42, 6, 43, or at least about 90% of the length of the aerosol-generating partial assembly 4. In some embodiments, the length of the amorphous solid material 9 may be in the range of about 8mm to about 70mm, for example about 10mm to about 48mm, about 12mm to about 42mm, or about 12mm to about 20 mm.

In some embodiments, the second material 8 may comprise more than one amorphous solid material 9. For example, the second material 8 may comprise a first amorphous solid material 9 comprising a first substance to be delivered and a second amorphous solid material 9 comprising a second substance to be delivered. In other embodiments, the difference between the first and second amorphous solid materials 9 may be the amount of substance they contain to be delivered, i.e. the first and second amorphous solid materials 9 may contain the same substance to be delivered, but the first amorphous solid material 9 may contain more or less of the first substance to be delivered than the second amorphous solid material 9. As will be explained in more detail below, the first and second amorphous solid materials 9 may also be provided in different forms in the assembly 4.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second material 8 comprises a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9. That is, the amorphous solid material 9 is cut into a plurality of elongated strips 10 and added to the first material 7 of the assembly 4. Preferably, a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 extend substantially parallel to each other. In addition, the plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating component 4. The parallel and longitudinal axis arrangement of the amorphous solid material 8 may help orient the first material 7 and/or help provide a flow path from the upstream end 5, 42 to the downstream end 6, 43 of the aerosol-generating component 4, which results in a greater pressure drop across the aerosol-generating component 4. When closed (i.e., not ventilated), the pressure drop across the aerosol-generating segment assembly 4 may be from about 50mmWG to about 200mmWG. When open (i.e., ventilated), the pressure drop across the aerosol-generating segment assembly 4 may be from about 20mmWG to about 100mmWG.

The plurality of elongate strips 10 may comprise 2 to 50 strips. Preferably, the plurality of elongate strips 10 may comprise from 5 to 25 strips. More preferably, the plurality of elongate strips 10 may comprise 7 to 21 strips. Each of the plurality of elongate strips 10 may have a width of about 0.1mm to about 80mm, preferably about 0.5mm to about 10 mm. More preferably, each of the plurality of slivers 10 may have a width of about 0.75mm to 5 mm. Even more preferably, each of the plurality of elongate strips 10 may have a width of about 1mm to 3 mm. Even more preferably, each of the plurality of elongate strips 10 may have a width of about 2mm to 3mm, in particular 2.25 mm.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of slivers 10 may have the same width. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, at least one elongate strip 10 of the plurality of elongate strips 10 may have a different width than at least one other elongate strip 10.

It will be appreciated that the width of each of the plurality of slivers 10 will have an effect on the pressure drop experienced by the assembly 2, 3, 4 incorporating the plurality of slivers 10. For example, the greater the width of each of the plurality of slivers, the less the pressure drop. Conversely, the smaller the width (i.e., thinner) of each of the plurality of slivers 10, the greater the pressure drop.

In some embodiments, the aspect ratio of the amorphous solid material 9 may be in the range of about 2.5 to about 100. The aspect ratio is the ratio of the length of the amorphous solid material to the width of the amorphous solid material.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second material 8 comprises at least one strip 10 having an upstream end 11 and a downstream end 12. The upstream end 11 of at least one strip 10 of the second material 8 is located within 5mm of the upstream end 5 of the assembly 4. The downstream end 12 of at least one strip 10 of the second material 8 is located within 5mm of the downstream end 6 of the assembly 4. In alternative embodiments, the upstream end 11 of the at least one strip 10 of the second material 8 may be located within about 3mm of the upstream end 5 of the assembly 4 and/or the downstream end 12 of the at least one strip 10 of the second material 8 may be located within about 3mm of the downstream end 6 of the assembly 4.

In some embodiments, the upstream end 11 of the at least one strip 10 of the second material 8 is located inside the aerosol-generating component 4. That is, the upstream end 11 of the at least one strip 10 of the second material 8 is longitudinally spaced from the upstream ends 5, 42 of the aerosol-generating component 4.

Preferably, the upstream end 11 of at least one strip 10 of the second material 8 is obscured from view through the first material 7. In some embodiments, the downstream end 12 of at least one strip 10 of the second material 8 is located inside the assembly 4. That is, the downstream end 12 of at least one strip 10 of the second material 8 is longitudinally spaced from the downstream end 6 of the assembly 4. Preferably, the downstream end 13 of at least one strip 10 of the second material 8 is obscured from view through the first material 7. From a view at the end of the aerosol-generating component 4, the strips of the second material 8 in the aerosol-generating component 4 are negatively perceived by the user by blurring the ends 11, 12 of the second material 8.

The second material 8 may comprise a sheet material. That is, the amorphous solid material 9 or the plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 may comprise sheet material. Preferably, the second material has a tensile strength in the longitudinal direction of greater than about 2N/15mm, such as greater than about 3N/15mm or greater than about 4N/15mm. Preferably, the tensile strength of the second material in the longitudinal direction is in the range of about 2N/15mm to about 300N/15 mm. More preferably, the tensile strength of the second material 8 in the longitudinal direction is in the range of about 120N/15mm to about 250N/15mm, for example about 170N/15mm to about 200N/15 mm.

The amorphous solid material 9 may contain a substance to be delivered. The substance to be delivered may be any of the substances mentioned above. The substance to be delivered may be menthol. The amorphous solid material 9 in the aerosol-generating component 4 may comprise menthol in the range of about 2mg to about 20 mg. Preferably, the amorphous solid material 9 comprises about 15g menthol.

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid material 9 may comprise 0.25mg menthol/50 mm ² Up to about 1mg menthol/50 mm ² Is not limited in terms of the range of (a).

The second material 8 may at least partially surround the first material 7. That is, in some embodiments, the amorphous solid material 8 may at least partially surround the first material 7. In some embodiments, the solid material 8 may surround the first material 7. In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 at least partially enclose the first material 7.

In some embodiments, at least one strip 10 of the second material 8 may be colored. At least one strip 10 may be coloured so that it contrasts with the colour of the first material 7. Thus, the colored at least one bar 10 indicates that the consumer article 1 comprises an amorphous solid material 9. The color of the at least one strip 10 of amorphous solid material 9 may indicate or identify the substance to be delivered through the at least one strip 10 of amorphous solid material 9. In such an embodiment, the end 11 of at least one strip 10 of amorphous solid material 9 may be visible to the consumer prior to use.

As shown in fig. 1, at least one elongated strip 10 of amorphous solid material 9 is located on the outer surface of the first material 7. At least one elongated strip 10 on the outer surface of the first material 7 has a width that partially encloses the first material. Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the article 1 and thus only shows two elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 partly surrounding the first material 7. However, it will be appreciated that more than two strips 10 may partially surround the first material 7. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a plurality of slivers 10 of amorphous solid material 9 may be distributed such that they at least partially surround the first material 7, but with gaps between adjacent slivers 10.

In some embodiments, the second material 8 may be disposed within the first material 7, as shown in fig. 1. That is, the amorphous solid material 9 may be arranged in the first material 7 such that it extends through the first material 7 and is at least partially surrounded by the first material 7. As shown in fig. 1, a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 may be disposed in the first material 7 such that the elongated strips 10 extend through the first material 7 and are at least partially surrounded by the first material 7. This may facilitate the delivery of the substance to be delivered to the user.

As described above, it will be appreciated that more than one amorphous solid material 9 may be provided in the assembly 4. For example, the first amorphous solid material 9 may at least partially surround the first material 7 and the second amorphous material 9 may be disposed within the first material 7. In another example, each amorphous solid material may at least partially surround the first material 7 and/or be disposed within the first material 7. It will be appreciated that the amorphous solid material 9 may be provided in different forms. For example, one amorphous solid material 9 may be provided as a strip of non-strip cut material and another amorphous solid material 9 provided as a plurality of elongated strips 10 (i.e., strip cut strips).

The aerosol generating portion assembly 4 described above forms an aerosol generating portion of an article for a non-combustible aerosol delivery system.

Referring now to fig. 2, an alternate embodiment of an article 50 according to the present invention is shown. The article 50 shown in fig. 2 is generally the same as the first embodiment of the article 1 described above with respect to fig. 1 and thus a detailed description will be omitted herein. In addition, the same terms and reference numbers will be retained for the same features and components of the alternative article 50 as those of the article 1 described above.

However, the second embodiment of the article 50 differs from the first embodiment of the article 1 in that the heat-displacing collar 3 is omitted and the component comprising the amorphous solid material 9 is the filter component 2.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the article 50, the first material 7 of the filter assembly 2 comprises a filter material. The filter material may include, for example, but is not limited to, cellulose acetate tow or any filter material or tow material described herein, such as cellulosic materials (e.g., paper filter material having a density of about 0.1 to about 0.45 grams/cubic centimeter).

The filter assembly 2 described above may form a filter assembly 2 for a non-combustible sol delivery system or an article of a combustible delivery system.

It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the component comprising the amorphous solid material 9 may be a thermally-displaced collar component 3.

Referring to fig. 3, a schematic side view of a non-combustible sol supply device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating portion assembly 4 of the article 1 of fig. 1 is shown. As described above, the non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating medium/material (e.g., aerosol material of the consumable 110). In general, the device 100 may be used to heat a replaceable article 110 containing an aerosol-generating medium or filter segment, such as the article 1, 50 shown in fig. 1 or fig. 2 or described elsewhere herein, to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium that is inhaled by a user of the device 100. The device 100 and the replaceable article 110 together form a system.

The device 100 includes a housing 102 (in the form of a casing) that encloses and accommodates the various components of the device 100. The device 100 has an opening 104 at one end through which an article 110 may be inserted for heating by a heating assembly (heating assembly). In use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into a heating assembly where it may be heated by one or more components of the heater assembly.

The device 100 may also include a user operable element 112, such as a button or switch, that when pressed operates the device 100. For example, the user may turn on the device 100 by operating the switch 112.

The device 100 may also contain electrical components, such as a socket/port 114, which may receive a cable to charge the battery of the device 100. For example, the receptacle 114 may be a charging port, such as a USB charging port.

Referring briefly to fig. 4, an amorphous solid material 9 is shown. The amorphous solid material 9 is in the form of a ribbon 120. The ribbon 120 of amorphous solid material 8 is wound into a spool 121, which spool 121 may be located on a spool (not shown) for feeding into an assembly apparatus (assembly apparatus) (not shown), as will be described in more detail below. The band 120 of amorphous solid material 9 is a stack of amorphous solid material 8 that has not been cut into a plurality of elongated strips.

Referring briefly now to fig. 5, there is shown an amorphous solid material 9 that has been cut into a plurality of elongate strips 10. The amorphous solid material 9 may be cut into a plurality of elongated strips 10 by a cutting device (not shown), as will be described in more detail below. As shown in fig. 5, a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 8 are twisted into ropes 130. The strands 130 of the elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 may have a tensile strength greater than the untwisted plurality of elongated strips 10 or ribbons 120 of amorphous solid material 9, which may aid in the manufacturing process. The rope 130 of amorphous solid material 9 may be wound onto a spool (not shown) and fed directly from the spool to an assembly device (not shown).

With reference to fig. 1 to 5 and the above description, it will be appreciated that the amorphous solid material 9 may be provided in the assemblies 2, 3, 4 in any of the forms described above (i.e. a belt, a plurality of slivers or a rope twisting the slivers). When more than one amorphous solid material 9 is present, it will be appreciated that the amorphous solid material 9 may be present in more than one form.

Referring briefly to fig. 6, a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 wound onto bobbins 140 are shown. After the ribbon has been cut into strips (i.e., into slivers), a plurality of slivers 10 are randomly wound onto bobbins 140. The plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 may be unwound from the spool 140 and fed directly to an assembly apparatus (not shown) during assembly manufacturing.

Referring now to fig. 7, a spool 150 is shown having a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 wound on the spool 150. In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 are helically wound on a spool 150. That is, the plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 are wound onto the spool 150 at an angle to a plane extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the spool 150. A plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous material 9 are wound from one end of the spool to the other to form a layer 151 of elongated strips 10 on the spool 150.

A sheet 152 is located between each layer 151 of the elongate strip 10 of amorphous solid material 9. The sheet 152 is configured to prevent the elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 in one layer 151 from sticking to the elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 in an adjacent layer. The sheet 152 is sacrificial. That is, the sheet 152 is removed from the amorphous solid material 9 during the manufacturing process. The sheet 152 may be formed from, for example, but not limited to, paper.

Referring now to fig. 8, an exemplary cutting device 160 configured to cut a strip 161 of amorphous solid material 9 into a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 is shown. The cutting device 160 includes at least one rotary cutter 162 coupled to a rotatable shaft 163. In an embodiment of the present invention, the shaft 163 extends substantially horizontally from the frame 164 of the cutting device 160, and at least one rotary knife extends substantially vertically from the shaft 163. Preferably, the cutting device 160 includes a plurality of cutting blades 162. A plurality of cutting knives 162 cut the strip 161 of amorphous solid material 9 into a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9.

The plurality of cutting blades 162 are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 163. The plurality of cutting knives 163 are spaced apart a distance equal to the desired width of the elongated strip 10. Preferably, the cutting knives 162 are equally spaced so that the width of the plurality of slivers 10 are equal to provide a more consistent delivery of the substance to be delivered.

The cutting device 160 further includes a support member 165 configured to support the weight of the amorphous solid material 8 when cut by the rotating knife 162. The support member 165 may be a plate that extends generally horizontally from the frame 164. The support member 165 may be slightly curved to maintain the amorphous solid material 9 under tension during the cutting process.

The support member 165 is located above the rotation shaft 163. The support member 165 includes at least one aperture or slit 166 configured to allow at least one rotary knife 162 to extend through the support member 165. The support member 165 may include one slot 166 per knife 162.

In some embodiments, the cutting device 160 may include additional rollers 167, 168. Additional rollers 167, 168 may convey the amorphous solid material 9 through the cutting device 160. Additional rollers 167, 168 may also hold the amorphous solid material 9 under tension as it passes through the cutting device 160. Cutting device 160 may include a roller 167 upstream of cutting blade 162 and a roller 168 downstream of blade 162.

The cutting device 160 may include a separation mechanism (spreading mechanism). The separating mechanism is configured to separate a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9. The separation mechanism separates the plurality of slivers 10 prior to introducing the plurality of slivers 10 into the first material 7 of the articles 1, 50. Advantageously, this reduces the bundle set (bunting) of multiple slivers. That is, the separation mechanism reduces specific concentrations or groupings of the slivers 10 in the first material 7 and helps keep them spaced apart in the first material 7.

In one example, the separation mechanism may include a roller having a curved surface. That is, the roller may have a curved surface in the form of a concave curve over its length. For example, the surface at the midpoint of the length of the roller may have a smaller radius than the surface at the ends of the length of the roller. The roller forming the separation mechanism may be a roller 168 downstream of the rotary cutter 162 in the cutting device 160.

In another embodiment, the rollers forming the separating mechanism may be provided just upstream of the apparatus for assembling the components of the articles 1, 50. This has the advantage of reducing the amount of time available for multiple strips 10 to bunch or wrap around before entering the device. In some embodiments, the separation mechanism may be formed by a device other than a female roll.

In some embodiments, the cutting device 160 may be provided as a different apparatus. The cutting device 160 may be used to cut the strip 161 of amorphous sheet material 9 into a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9, which are then wound onto bobbins, as shown in fig. 6 and 7. Alternatively, the cutting device 160 may be used to cut the strip 161 of amorphous sheet material 9 into a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 in-line. That is, the plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 exiting the cutting device 160 may be conveyed directly to a component assembly apparatus (not shown).

In some embodiments, the cutting device 160 may be provided as a module configured to be attached to an existing component assembly apparatus (not shown). It will be appreciated that the cutting device 160 shown in fig. 8 is merely exemplary and that other cutting devices may be used to cut the amorphous solid material ribbon into a plurality of elongated strips.

In one embodiment, the band 161 of amorphous solid material 9 may have a width of 18 mm. The ribbon 120 is wound on a spool and/or spool. The tape 120 is then positioned for feeding to a cutting device 160, as shown in fig. 8. In such an embodiment, the cutting device 160 may include seven cutting blades 162. Seven cutting knives 162 are configured to cut the strip 161 into eight elongated strips 10. Seven cutting knives 162 are evenly spaced to cut the strip 161 into eight elongate strips 10 each having a width of about 2.25 mm.

In embodiments in which the first material 7 is reconstituted tobacco material, the reconstituted tobacco material may be pulled through the device 160 along with the ribbon 161 of amorphous solid material 8. Thus, both the first and second materials 7, 8 can be cut into a plurality of elongated strips simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the sheet of reconstituted tobacco material may have the same width as the band 161 of amorphous solid material 9. In other embodiments, the width of the sheet of reconstituted tobacco material may be wider than the width of the band 161 of amorphous solid material 9. In such an embodiment, some of the cutters 162 may cut both the sheet of reconstituted tobacco material and the amorphous solid material 9, and some of the cutters may cut only the sheet of reconstituted tobacco material.

Referring now to fig. 9, a perspective side view of a portion of an assembly apparatus 170 for manufacturing an article component is described above. The assembly apparatus 170 includes a first material conveyor 171. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first material conveyor 171 is a cut tobacco conveyor, although it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the first material conveyor 171 may be a reconstituted tobacco conveyor, which may convey reconstituted tobacco in the form of a sheet or strip. The first material conveyor 171 may include a conveyor belt. The first material conveyor 171 may feed the first material 7 to a fitment 172 of the apparatus 170. The assembly apparatus 170 further includes a wrapping material feed 173 that includes rollers 174 that feed wrapping material 175 to the fitment 172. The apparatus 170 further includes a second material conveyor 176 configured to feed a second material to the fitting 172. The apparatus 170 may include the cutting device 160 or spools 140, 150 described above.

The method of manufacturing the article 1, 50 described above comprises the step of preparing a first material for forming the component 2, 3, 4 of the article 1, 50. For example, the first material 7 may be a tobacco material prepared by conventional drying and cutting steps. The method further comprises the step of continuously transporting the first material 7 through the assembly device 170. For example, the first material 7 may be conveyed along a conveyor belt towards the fitting. The method further comprises the step of adding at least one continuous amorphous solid material 9 to the first material 7.

By adding the amorphous solid material 9 to the first material 7 just prior to forming the assembly, the known steps of shredding the amorphous solid material 9 and adding it to the blending barrel (blending cylinder) together with the first material 7 can be avoided. For several reasons, it is advantageous to avoid the shredding and blending step of the amorphous solid material 9. First, the amorphous solid material has less loss of volatiles to be delivered as it is subjected to less kinetic excitation. Second, by controlling the delivery of the amorphous solid material 9 to the first material 7, a more uniform assembly 2, 3, 4 can be produced. The method is such that the substance to be delivered differs between the individual components 2, 3, 4 by less than 5% and in some cases by less than 3%. In addition, the amorphous solids have less chance of degrading than in the blending barrel. Finally, safety issues related to the combustion of the released substance to be delivered in the blending barrel can be avoided.

The disclosed method of forming an assembly comprising an amorphous solid material 9 enables manufacturers to produce end products with a higher content of the substance to be delivered. For example, with the same amount of amorphous solid material 9, this method has been demonstrated to enable a component to be produced that contains three times more substance to be delivered, menthol, compared to known methods. Advantageously, this means that products with higher contents of the substance to be delivered can be produced, or the amount of substance to be delivered required to produce products with a given content can be reduced, which can reduce manufacturing costs, due to the reduced loss of substance to be delivered during the manufacturing process.

In one method, a single amorphous solid material 9 is added to the first material 7. This method comprises the steps of unwinding the ribbon 120 of amorphous solid material 9 from a spool and transporting the ribbon 120 directly to the assembly equipment.

In one method, a plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 are added to the first material 7. One such method includes the steps of unwinding a ribbon 120 of amorphous solid material 9 from a spool and cutting the ribbon 120 of amorphous solid material 9 into a plurality of elongated strips 10. The cutting step may be performed by the cutting device 160 as described above.

The method of forming an article comprising a plurality of slivers 10 of amorphous solid material 9 may further comprise the step of feeding the plurality of slivers 10 of amorphous solid material 9 directly from the cutting device 160 to the assembly apparatus 170. In one method, the plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 are fed directly from the cutting device 160 to the assembly 170 immediately prior to assembly forming devices (e.g., fittings). This method is called in-line cutting.

The method of forming an article comprising amorphous solid material 9 in the form of a ribbon 120 or an elongated strip 10 may further comprise the steps of transporting the first material 7 and amorphous solid material 9 through a component forming device, forming an endless component, packaging the endless component with a wrapper, and cutting the endless component into discrete components.

The step of cutting the endless assembly releases the tension in the amorphous solid material 9 so that the length of the amorphous solid material 9 is reduced to the end of the assembly, thereby obscuring the end of the amorphous solid material when viewed.

When the first material 7 is cut tobacco, it is contemplated that the plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 may be introduced into the assembly in one of at least two ways.

In the first method, tobacco is "lifted" onto conveyor 171 and fed to fitment portion 172 where wrapper 175 is applied. A plurality of elongate strips 10 are fed to the tobacco rod forming portion of the component preparation machine. That is, a plurality of elongate strips 10 are fed to the maker to gather and form portions of the tobacco rod. Thus, a plurality of elongate strips 10 are fed together with the tobacco material. The location at which each of the plurality of slivers 10 contacts tobacco material on the conveyor belt 171 will determine the location at which each of the plurality of slivers 10 may be in the final rod assembly.

In the second method, a plurality of slivers 10 are fed with the packaging material 175 as the packaging material 175 is fed to the fitting 172. Thus, a plurality of slivers 10 are introduced adjacent to the final assembly of packaging material 175. In some embodiments, this approach may result in a substantially circumferential positioning of the plurality of slivers 10 in the final assembly.

Alternatively, when the first material 7 comprises a plurality of elongate strips of tobacco material or filter material, a plurality of elongate strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 may be added to the first material 7 in the same manner as the thread (thread) is added to the first material, i.e. gushed into the filter material or tobacco rod and positioned within the stream of filter material or tobacco rod.

As previously mentioned, in some embodiments, the first material 7 and the second material 8 are fed from separate spools and aligned and combined upstream of the cutting device 160 prior to simultaneous cutting into multiple strips. It has been found that the positioning of the tape 120 on the first material 7 can affect the positioning of the plurality of strips of the second material 8 in the final aerosol-generating assembly portion 4.

For example, referring to fig. 10-11, it can be seen that the central placement of the strip 120 of the second material 8 on the sheet of the first material 7 causes multiple strips of the second material 8 to bunch together at one location. Such clusters of multiple strips of the second material 8 are typically positioned at random distances from the center of the aerosol-generating component part 4.

In another example, referring to fig. 12-13, it can be seen that placement of the strip 120 of the second material 8 on two portions of the sheet of the first material separated by a gap causes the plurality of strips of the second material 8 to be clustered together in two different groups. The clusters of the plurality of strips of the second material 8 are typically positioned at random distances from the center of the aerosol-generating component part 4 and at random angular positions relative to each other.

Thus, by separating the second material 8 into a plurality of small bands 120 on the sheet of first material 7, the plurality of cut strips of the second material 8 are more evenly spaced apart from one another across the sheet of first material 7, and when the portion 4 is formed using a method of simultaneous strip cutting of the first and second materials 7, 8, a more even distribution of the plurality of strips of the second material 8 in the first material 7 can be achieved in the final aerosol-generating assembly portion 4. In some embodiments, multiple bands 120 of the second material 8 may be fed from multiple spools. Alternatively, a single strip may be cut into smaller strips positioned relative to the sheet of first material 7 prior to feeding to the strip cutter 160.

The placement of the second material 8 relative to the first material 7 may be determined using an apparatus 200 similar to the apparatus shown in fig. 14. The apparatus 200 comprises a first spool 201 around which the first material 7 is wrapped, and a second spool 202 around which the second material 8 is wrapped. The apparatus 200 is configured to perform simultaneous cutting of the first and second materials 7, 8 using a similar cutting device 160 as already described.

In this embodiment, the second spool 202 may have at least one degree of freedom, as indicated by the arrow in fig. 14. That is, the second spool 202 may be movable parallel to the rotational axis of the spool 202 to change the position of the second material 8 relative to the first material 7.

The apparatus may further comprise at least one rotatable guide roller 203 provided between the second spool 202 and the cutting device 160. At least one guide roller 203 may determine the material path of the second material 8 between the second spool 202 and the cutting device 160. The at least one guide roller 203 may have at least one degree of freedom. That is, at least one guide roller 203 may be movable parallel to the rotational axis of the guide roller 203 to change the position of the second material 8 relative to the first material 7. By moving the second spool 202 and the guide roller 203, the position of the strip of second material 8 in the final rod can be changed.

When two second bobbins 202 are used with their own respective guide rollers 203, the two strips 120 of the second material 8 can move relative to the first material 7 and relative to each other. Thus, when they are aligned with the first material 7, there may be a gap between the two strips of the second material 8.

In an alternative embodiment shown in fig. 15, the first and second materials 7, 8 may be configured to be cut individually. In this arrangement, the apparatus 300 may have a first cutting device 301 configured to cut the first material 7 and a second cutting device 302 to cut the second material. Furthermore, at least one guide roller 203 may be located after the second cutting device 302 and before the collector.

In this embodiment, the second spool 202 may have at least one degree of freedom. That is, the second spool 202 may be movable parallel to the rotational axis of the spool 202 to change the position of the second material 8 relative to the first material 7. In addition, in this embodiment, the second cutting device 302 may have at least one degree of freedom. That is, the cutting discs of the second cutting device 302 may be movable parallel to the rotational axis of the second cutting device 302 to vary the width of the individual strips of the second material 8.

Furthermore, at least one guide roller 203 may have at least one degree of freedom. In the embodiment shown in fig. 15, the first guide roller 304 may be movable parallel to the rotational axis of the guide roller 304 to change the position of the strip of second material 8 relative to the first material 7. In addition, the second guide roller 305 has at least two degrees of freedom. That is, the second guide roller 305 may be movable parallel to the axis of rotation of the guide roller 305 to change the position of the strip of second material 8 relative to the first material 7, and movable in other directions perpendicular to the width of the first material 7 (i.e., in directions toward and away from the first material 7) to affect the final position in the radial direction within the rod. Thus, when they are aligned with the first material 7, there may be a gap between two adjacent clusters of the plurality of strips of the second material 8.

Finally, the method may further comprise combining the component with other components to form an article.

In an alternative method of forming an article comprising a plurality of slivers 10 of amorphous solid material 9, instead of performing an in-line cut, the method may comprise the step of winding the plurality of slivers 10 of amorphous solid material 9 onto a spool after the cutting step in preparation for adding the plurality of slivers 10 of amorphous solid material 9 to the first material 7 in the assembly apparatus 170. In one method, the winding step may further include the step of helically winding the plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 onto a spool after the cutting step in preparation for adding the plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 to the first material 7 in the assembly apparatus 170. In one method, the spiral winding step may further comprise disposing a sheet between the layers of the elongated strip 10 of amorphous solid material 9.

In an alternative method, the ribbon of amorphous solid material and the first material are wound onto the same spool simultaneously. The strip of amorphous solid material and the first material may be co-wound. That is, two materials may be laminated to each other. Thus, the layers may alternate when moving in a radial direction from the spool center.

The method may further comprise the steps of: while unwinding the ribbon of amorphous solid material and the first material from the spool. When removed from the spool, the material will form a two-layer tape. The strip of amorphous solid material and the first material may be cut simultaneously. In some embodiments, the first material may be reconstituted tobacco.

In one method, the step of winding the plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 9 may further include twisting the plurality of elongated strips 10 of amorphous solid material 10 to form the rope 130 to be fed to the assembly device 170 prior to winding the plurality of elongated strips 10 onto the bobbins 140, 150.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as representative examples of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that the 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 utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of: other than those specifically described herein, suitable combinations of elements, components, features, parts, steps, modes, etc. are disclosed. In addition, the present disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. An article for use as an aerosol provision system or as part of an aerosol provision system, the article comprising a component having an upstream end and a downstream end, the component comprising a first material and a second material, the second material comprising an amorphous solid material, wherein the amorphous solid material extends substantially longitudinally through the component between the upstream end and the downstream end and has a length of at least about 70% of the length of the component between the upstream end and the downstream end.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the second material comprises a plurality of elongated strips of amorphous solid material, wherein the plurality of elongated strips extend substantially parallel to one another.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein the plurality of slivers comprises 2 to 50 strips, or 5 to 25 strips, or 7 to 21 strips.

4. The article of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second material comprises at least one strip having an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end of the strip extending to within 5mm of the upstream end of the component and the downstream end of the strip extending to within 5mm of the downstream end of the component.

5. The article of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second material comprises a sheet material, and wherein the second material has a tensile strength in the machine direction of at least about 4N/15mm, and/or in the range of about 170N/15mm to about 200N/15 mm.

6. The article of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amorphous solid material comprises a substance to be delivered.

7. The article of manufacture of claim 6, wherein the substance to be delivered is menthol.

8. The article of claim 7, wherein the amorphous solid material comprises menthol in a range of 2mg to about 20 mg.

9. The article of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second material at least partially surrounds the first material.

10. The article of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second material is disposed within the first material and/or wherein the second material is disposed within the first material and substantially surrounded on all sides by the first material.

11. The article of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first material is an aerosol generating material.

12. The article of claim 11, wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises a tobacco material.

13. The article of claim 12, wherein the tobacco material is cut tobacco or reconstituted tobacco material.

14. The article of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the component forms an aerosol-generating portion of the article.

15. The article of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first material comprises a filter material, and optionally wherein the first material comprises a paper filter material having a density of about 0.1 to about 0.45 grams per cubic centimeter.

16. The article of any one of claims 1 to 12 and 15, wherein the component forms an aerosol-modifying portion of the article.

17. The article of any one of claims 1 to 12 and 15, wherein the component forms an aerosol-modifying portion of the article as a combustible aerosol supply system.

18. The article of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the article is rod-shaped.

19. The article of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly further comprises a wrapper configured to surround the first material and the second material.

20. A kit of articles comprising the articles according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of substance to be delivered in each article differs by less than 5%.

21. A non-combustible sol supply system comprising an article according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

22. An amorphous solid material for use in the article of any one of claims 1 to 19.

23. The amorphous solid material of claim 22, wherein the amorphous solid material is configured to extend substantially longitudinally through the assembly between the upstream and downstream ends and has a length of at least about 70% of the length of the assembly between the upstream and downstream ends.

24. The amorphous solid material of claim 22, wherein the amorphous solid material extends substantially longitudinally through the assembly between the upstream and downstream ends and has a length of at least about 70% of the length of the assembly between the upstream and downstream ends when the article of any one of claims 1-19 is incorporated.

25. The amorphous solid material of any one of claims 22-24, wherein the amorphous solid material has a tensile strength in the range of about 2N/15mm to about 300N/15 mm.

26. The amorphous solid material of any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the amorphous solid material has a length in the range of about 8mm to about 48 mm.

27. The amorphous solid material of any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein the width of the amorphous solid material is in the range of about 0.5mm to about 3 mm.

28. The amorphous solid material of any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein the amorphous solid material has an aspect ratio in the range of about 2.5 to about 100.

29. The amorphous solid material of any one of claims 22-28, wherein the amorphous solid material comprises 0.25mg of substance to be delivered per 50mm ² Up to about 1mg of substance to be delivered/50 mm ² Is not limited in terms of the range of (a).

30. The amorphous solid material of claim 29, wherein the substance to be delivered is menthol.

31. An assembly for use in an article of manufacture as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, the assembly having an upstream end and a downstream end,

the assembly comprises a first material and a second material, the second material comprising an amorphous solid material, wherein the amorphous solid material extends substantially longitudinally through the assembly between an upstream end and a downstream end and has a length of at least about 70% of a length of the assembly between the upstream end and the downstream end.

32. A method of manufacturing an article according to any one of claims 1 to 19, the method comprising the steps of:

preparing a first material for forming a component of an article;

Continuously conveying the first material through an assembly apparatus; and

at least one continuous amorphous solid material is added to the first material.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of:

the strip of amorphous solid material is unwound from the spool and cut into a plurality of elongated strips.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of:

the plurality of elongated strips of amorphous solid material are fed directly to a component forming device of the assembly apparatus prior to the component forming device.

35. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of: the strip of amorphous solid material and the first material are wound simultaneously onto the same spool.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the ribbon of amorphous solid material and the first material are co-wound.

37. The method of claim 35 or claim 36, further comprising the step of:

simultaneously unwinding the strip of amorphous solid material and the first material from the spool.

38. The method of any one of claims 32 to 37, wherein cutting of the strip of amorphous solid material and the first material is performed simultaneously.

39. The method of any one of claims 35 to 38, wherein the first material is reconstituted tobacco.

40. The method of claim 32 or claim 33, wherein the at least one continuous amorphous solid material is aligned with the first material prior to feeding the amorphous solid material and the first material to a component forming device of the assembly apparatus.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein a plurality of bands of continuous amorphous solid material are aligned with the first material and spaced apart across the width of the first material.

42. The method of claim 40 or claim 41 wherein a plurality of strips of continuous amorphous solid material are aligned with the first material and spaced across the width of the first material such that there is a gap between adjacent strips of continuous amorphous solid material.

43. The method of any one of claims 40 to 42, wherein the at least one continuous amorphous solid material is aligned with the first material prior to simultaneous cutting of the amorphous solid material and the first material.

44. The method of claim 40 or claim 41, wherein the at least one continuous amorphous solid material is aligned with the first material after cutting the amorphous solid material and the first material.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the plurality of strips of continuous amorphous solid material are cut into a plurality of strips to form a plurality of strip clusters, and then the strip clusters are aligned with the first material and spaced across the width of the first material such that gaps exist between adjacent strip clusters of continuous amorphous solid material.

46. The method of claim 33 or claim 34, further comprising the step of:

the plurality of elongated strips of amorphous solid material are wound onto the spool in preparation for addition to the first material in the assembly apparatus.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the steps of:

the plurality of elongated strips of amorphous solid material are helically wound onto the spool in preparation for addition to the first material in the assembly apparatus.

48. The method of claim 46 or claim 47, further comprising the steps of:

the plurality of elongated strips of amorphous solid material are twisted to form a rope to be fed to the assembly equipment prior to the assembly forming device prior to winding the plurality of elongated strips onto the spool.

49. The method of any one of claims 32 to 48, further comprising the steps of:

Transporting at least one strip of the first material and amorphous solid material through an assembly forming device;

forming an endless assembly;

packaging the endless assembly in a wrapper; and

the endless assembly is cut into discrete assemblies.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the step of cutting the endless assembly releases tension in the at least one strip of amorphous solid material and the length of amorphous solid material is reduced to the end of the assembly.

51. The method of claim 49 or claim 50, further comprising the steps of:

the component is combined with other components of the article to form the article.

52. A method of manufacturing the amorphous solid material of any one of claims 22 to 30, the method comprising:

53. An amorphous solid material formed by the method of claim 52.