EP3897242A1

EP3897242A1 - Method for producing an inductively heatable tobacco product

Info

Publication number: EP3897242A1
Application number: EP19845812.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mario WASMUND; Ronny Buseck; Lea KOCH; Hans-Peter SCHUHMACHER; Matthias Gerlach; Michael Lüneburg; Marcus Wagner; Niclas Thiessen
Original assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH
Current assignee: Koerber Technologies GmbH
Priority date: 2018-12-20
Filing date: 2019-12-12
Publication date: 2021-10-27
Also published as: WO2020125835A1; DE102018133156A1; CN113163859A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing inductively heatable tobacco products (1), wherein the method comprises the following steps: - providing a tobacco product (1); - providing a susceptor segment (2), wherein the susceptor segment (2) has a longitudinal axis (LA) and a cross section (QS) arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis; - increasing the axial area moment of inertia of the cross section (QS) of the susceptor segment (2), in particular by changing the shape of the cross section, preferably by means of a stamping or rolling process; - positioning the susceptor segment (2) in the tobacco product (1) by moving the susceptor segment (2) and the tobacco product (1) relative to one another, as a result of which the susceptor segment (2) is inserted into the tobacco product (1).

Description

Manufacturing process of an inductively heatable tobacco product

The present invention relates to a method and a device for the manufacture of inductively heatable tobacco products for use in inductive heating devices.

Electronic heating devices are known from the prior art, which heat an aerosol-forming substrate by means of a resistance heating element. Before use, a smoke article is inserted into a cavity of the heater and thereby the aerosol-forming substrate is pushed over a heated blade of the heater. Such smoking articles are not suitable or are only suitable for use in inductive heating devices to a limited extent.

In an inductive heating device, an induction source generates an alternating electromagnetic field, which induces a voltage in a susceptor. Due to the induced voltage, we create bel currents within the susceptor material and this leads to heat development. The susceptor must be in thermal proximity to the aerosol-forming substrate, for example a tobacco substrate, in order to heat the aerosol-forming substrate and thus to release the volatile compounds.

WO 2016 184 930 A1 discloses a device and a method which inserts a susceptor material in the form of a metallic plate with a rectangular cross section in the tobacco segment of finished smoking articles, so that these smoking articles can be heated and consumed via an induction heating device.

A force is required when inserting a metallic plate into a tobacco segment. Will the force exerted on the metal plate

1

CONFIRMATION COPY If it looks too large, it can bend, kink or break. This can result in incorrect positioning of the susceptor segment within the tobacco segment or damage to the wrapping paper or the entire segment, as well as disruptions in the process flow, which can impair the operation of the processing machines.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device which ensures a positionally accurate and error-free insertion of a susceptor material into a tobacco product and which permits largely trouble-free manufacture.

The object is achieved by a method for producing inductively heatable smoking products, the method comprising the following steps:

- providing a tobacco product;

- Providing a susceptor segment, the susceptor segment comprising a longitudinal axis (LA) and a cross section (QS) oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis (LA) with an axial moment of inertia;

- Increase the axial area moment of inertia of the cross section (QS) of the susceptor segment, in particular by a change in shape of the cross section, preferably by a stamping and / or rolling process which in particular deforms;

- Positioning the shape-modified susceptor segment in the tobacco product by moving the susceptor segment and the tobacco product relative to each other, whereby the susceptor segment is inserted, in particular pressed, into the tobacco product.

With the method, a tobacco product which is already coated with wrapping paper and forms a rod-shaped article can a susceptor segment can be inserted in a simple and reliable manner. The known from the prior art impression of the susceptor segment in the tobacco-containing segment has the after that a counterforce acts on the susceptor segment, which can bend or kink this segment. This deficiency is reliably eliminated by the method step of increasing the axial area moment of inertia of the cross section and the associated increase in the rigidity of the susceptor segment. The susceptor segments can thus be positioned with greater accuracy and less damage in the tobacco-containing segment.

As an alternative to the method listed, the object is also achieved by a method for producing inductively heatable smoking articles, the method comprising the following steps:

- providing a tobacco product;

- Providing a susceptor material, the susceptor material comprising a longitudinal axis (LA) and a cross section (QS) oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis (LA) with an axial surface inertia element;

- Increase the axial area moment of inertia of the cross-section (QS) of the susceptor material, in particular by a change in shape of the cross-section, preferably by means of a stamping and / or rolling process, in particular which deforms it;

- dividing the susceptor material into several susceptor segments,

- Positioning one of the plurality of susceptor segments in the tobacco product by moving the susceptor segment and the tobacco product relative to one another, whereby the susceptor segment is inserted, in particular pressed, into the tobacco product. The two alternatives given relate to embodiments in which either a magazine with prefabricated susceptor segments or a susceptor material in the form of an endless strip, which preferably runs from a bobbin, is provided. The increase in the area moment of inertia of the cross section is preferably not carried out by applying further materials. In particular, the area moment of inertia of the cross section is increased by at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% or by more than 50%.

A preferred development of the two methods is characterized in that the increase in the axial area moment of inertia of the susceptor segment or susceptor material along the longitudinal axis (LA) is carried out by means of a substantially constant, in particular identical or sectionally different shape change in the cross section (QS). This change in shape can be implemented advantageously since the susceptor material or the susceptor segments can be processed by a drum or a roller and since a correspondingly designed susceptor segment can be introduced into a tobacco product with low resistance.

So that the tobacco product heats up evenly, the step of positioning the susceptor segment in the tobacco product preferably includes positioning the susceptor segment in a central section of the tobacco product, preferably based on the length and / or the height and / or the width and / or the through knife of the tobacco product.

An advantageous cross section of the susceptor segment is characterized in that the one formed by the change in shape Cross-section (QS) of the susceptor segment forms a positioning section which enables the position of the susceptor segment to be received in a positionally stable manner, preferably transversely to the longitudinal extent of the susceptor segment. This positioning section can be implemented in the form of at least one elevation and / or lowering of the material formed in the longitudinal extent of the susceptor segment, preferably as a guide groove and / or spring.

The susceptor segment is advantageous during the step of positioning on one or both sides, in particular over the entire area, leads. Guiding the susceptor segment when inserted into the tobacco product prevents the segment from deflecting outside of the tobacco product. The guidance of the segment ensures precise positioning of the segment when it is introduced into the tobacco product.

The length of the susceptor segment is particularly preferably smaller, greater than or equal to the length of a tobacco product. As a result, the susceptor segment can be fully positioned within the product. There are no protruding edges or ridges. If the length of the susceptor segment is greater than a segment to be heated, heat can be applied to an adjacent segment and / or a connection can be achieved in the manner of a dowel with an adjacent segment.

In order to make it easier to insert or press it into the tobacco product, the susceptor segment has a pointed and / or a first end provided with a cutting edge and a second end opposite the first end. The susceptor segment is advantageously arranged in such a way that the pointed and / or provided with a cutting edge is directed against the tobacco product. Here- by reducing the counterforce acting on the susceptor segment when inserting it and preventing the segment from buckling or bending. In a preferred embodiment of the method, the formation of the segment with a pointed and / or with a cutting edge can be included as an explicit method step, in particular for processing the segment.

In order to accelerate the manufacturing process, a preferred embodiment provides a multiplicity of tobacco products and a multiplicity of susceptor segments for positioning, each of the susceptor segments being introduced into a corresponding tobacco product, in particular being positioned in front of a tobacco product and being pressed in or indentable. This enables the process to be carried out quickly and efficiently with a large number of products.

If a large number of susceptor segments and a large number of tobacco products are provided, the relative movements each time the susceptor segment is pressed into the associated tobacco product can be implemented individually or in groups in the positioning step, in particular each group of susceptor segments being simultaneously in the assigned one Tobacco products is indented and comprises a number of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 susceptor segments. This allows the process to be advantageously implemented on a drum machine in the tobacco processing industry.

In an advantageous implementation of the method, the tobacco product is in a depression, in particular a depression, or the tobacco products in a plurality of depressions, in particular a depression. are arranged and that a step of fixing the tobacco product in a recess, in particular a trough or the tobacco products in a plurality of recesses, in particular troughs, is provided by the provision of a holding element or a plurality of holding elements. The tobacco product is fixed or blocked by the holding element in order to prevent a longitudinal axial and / or transverse axial displacement when the susceptor segment is pressed in.

The method is preferably implemented on a drum machine of the tobacco processing industry, so that the susceptor segments on a drum body are pressed into the tobacco products and this drum body comprises 10 to 200 wells, preferably 20 to 100 wells or particularly preferably 40 to 75 wells, for receiving the tobacco products . Alternatively, other conveying and processing devices can be used instead of the drum body, for example trough belts.

The listed further developments of the two methods represent individual further developments of the general inventive concept and can be used independently of one another on the two alternative methods.

The object is also achieved by a device for producing inductively heatable tobacco products comprising a first receiving section which comprises at least one depression, in particular a depression, for receiving at least one tobacco product.

a second receiving section with at least one receiving device for at least one susceptor segment,

wherein the susceptor segment has a longitudinal axis and a transverse to Longitudinal axis arranged cross section includes;

wherein the first receiving section or parts of the first receiving section and the second receiving section or parts of the second receiving section are designed to be movable relative to and against one another, and wherein the first receiving section and the second receiving section are arranged such that the at least one susceptor segment in the receiving of the second Receiving section in the at least one tobacco product in the first receiving section with a relative movement between the first and the second receiving section or parts of the receiving sections can be inserted and positioned, characterized in that the device has a device for increasing the axial area moment of inertia of the cross section of the susceptor. segments, in particular by a change in shape of the cross section, preferably by a particularly deforming stamping or rolling process; includes. The increase in the axial area moment of inertia of the cross section of the susceptor segment prevents the susceptor segment from bending and / or bending when pressed into the tobacco product. The advantages of the embodiment of the device result analogously to the embodiment of the method.

In a preferred development of the device according to the invention, the device further comprises a fixing element for fixing the at least one tobacco product in the at least one depression or depression of the first receiving section, where the fixing element ensures the position of the tobacco product in the depression or depression , preferably also during the positioning of the susceptor segment in the tobacco product. A Hal teelement can be, for example, a simple stopper, which is on a distal end of a trough, for example on the second Receiving section facing away from the distal end of a trough, is arranged so that a longitudinal movement of the tobacco product in the trough is limited by the stopper. The holding element can also comprise at least one trough for clamping the at least one tobacco product between the at least one trough of the first receiving section and the at least one trough of the holding element. In this pair of troughs, the tobacco product can be fixed, in particular clamped, over its entire length.

A preferred embodiment of the device comprises the arrangement of the first receiving section and the second receiving section on a drum body, in particular a drivable drum, of a machine of the tobacco processing industry. In this way, the impression of the susceptor segment in the tobacco product can be integrated into the production process of the tobacco product. Preferably, either the first or the second receiving section or a part thereof is movably mounted. The movable parts of the receiving sections can be controlled either by electric motors or by cam gears.

Preferably, the first receiving section includes a plurality of troughs for receiving a plurality of tobacco products and the second receiving section comprises a plurality of receptacles for receiving a plurality of susceptor segments.

The plurality of receptacles of the second receptacle section particularly preferably corresponds to the plurality of depressions of the first receptacle section. The multiplicity of receptacles for the susceptor segments can, for example, have a multiplicity of flat receptacle surfaces for receiving plate-shaped or strip-shaped susceptor Segments. Preferably, the plurality of tobacco products that are fed to the device correspond to the plurality of susceptor segments that are fed to the device. In the case of a plurality of troughs and a large number of receptacles, a large number of tobacco products, each with a susceptor segment, can preferably be provided simultaneously.

This can improve the production of inductively heated tobacco products.

To prevent the transverse axial displacement of the susceptor segment, preferably at least one receptacle of the second receiving section comprises a bearing surface for receiving the at least one susceptor segment, the contour of the receiving surface being shaped substantially corresponding to the contour of the susceptor segment, the susceptor segment preferably is held by suppression, by a clamping mechanism and / or magnetically.

If the first receiving section has a plurality of troughs, the first receiving section can comprise 10 to 200 troughs, preferably 20 to 100 troughs, particularly preferably 40 to 75 troughs for receiving the tobacco products. Accordingly, the second receiving section can comprise 10 to 200, preferably 20 to 100, more preferably 40 to 75, receptacles for receiving the susceptor segments.

Preferably, the pressing of the susceptor segment into the tobacco product is by a relative linear movement of the first receiving section and the second receiving section or by parts of the first receiving section and the second receiving section in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the at least one trough or in a direction parallel to that Longitudinal axis of the implemented at least one trough. In this embodiment there is an advantageous design of the movement mechanism, so that only individual parts of the receiving sections are to be set in a relative movement.

To implement a fast and efficient production process, the device comprises a plurality of first receiving sections, each with at least one depression or depression, in particular a number of 2, 3, 4 or 5 depressions or depression, and a plurality of second receiving portions, each with comprises at least one, in particular a number of 2, 3, 4 or 5, recordings, the relative movements of each pairing, consisting of a first receiving section and a second receiving section, taking place simultaneously or in succession and the at least one susceptor segment in each case Introduce, press in and / or position at least one tobacco product. Here, the pressing and positioning of the susceptor segment is carried out in small groups at the same time, which leads to an acceleration of the process and guarantees a higher production output.

Analogous to the device described above, the susceptor segment can be inserted on a conveyor, processing or modified sliding drum within a manufacturing machine of the tobacco processing industry. Furthermore, a susceptor segment can be inserted on both sides into a tobacco product at the opposite ends of the tobacco product, as disclosed, for example, in German patent application with application number 10 2018 1 14 404.0. The term "tobacco product" as used in this application can refer to an aerosol-forming tobacco segment or tobacco-containing segment or a filter segment provided with an aerosol-forming liquid, which in a device according to the invention and / or with the method according to the invention with a susceptor segment is provided to form an inductively heatable tobacco product or inductively heatable tobacco segment. The "tobacco product" can also be a tobacco segment that is attached to a mouthpiece, which can optionally include a filter segment and / or further segments, for example cooling or spacing segments. The filter segment and other segments can be selected in accordance with the composition of the tobacco segment. The aerosol-forming tobacco segment and the mouthpiece and possibly other segments can be assembled to form a structural unit. For example, the tobacco product can be an end product, that is, a ready-to-use consumable, such as an aerosol-producing smoking article, that can be used in combination with an electronic heating device, such as an e-cigarette or an HnB smoking device.

The tobacco product preferably has a longitudinal extent and has a circular or oval cross section. However, the tobacco product can also have the cross section of a rectangle or a polygon. The tobacco product is preferably rod-shaped. The tobacco product is or comprises a tobacco segment made of an aerosol-forming tobacco substrate. Preferably, the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate contains volatile tobacco flavors which are released from the tobacco substrate when heated. The aerosol-forming tobacco substrate can comprise or consist of a mixed tobacco cut filler or can be homogenized tobacco material. include material. Homogenized tobacco material can be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate can additionally comprise a non-tobacco-containing material, for example homogenized vegetable material that is not tobacco.

The aerosol-forming tobacco substrate is preferably a tobacco sheet, preferably crimped, crimped, folded and / or gathered, comprising tobacco material, fibers, binders and aerosol formers. Preferably, the tobacco film is a cast film, in the form of reconstituted tobacco, made using a slurry, and containing tobacco particles, fiber particles, aerosol formers, binders, and optionally flavors. A crimped, gathered tobacco sheet, for example a cast film, may have a thickness in a range between about 0.5 millimeters and about 2 millimeters, preferably between about 0.8 millimeters and about 1.5 millimeters, for example 1 millimeter . Deviations in the thickness of up to about 30 percent can occur due to manufacturing tolerances. The crimped, gathered or folded tobacco foil can be shaped into a rod-shaped tobacco segment. The tobacco foil can also be cut into narrow, 0.5 to 3 mm wide, parallel strips and gathered into a rod-shaped article.

As used herein, the term "susceptor" refers to a variety of materials that are capable of converting electromagnetic energy to heat, and includes the terms "susceptor segment" and "susceptor material". If the susceptor or the susceptor segment is in an alternating electromagnetic field, eddy currents are induced which cause the susceptor segment to heat up. If the susceptor segment is in thermal contact or in is in close thermal proximity to the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate, the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate is heated by the susceptor segment such that an aerosol is formed. The susceptor segment is preferably arranged in direct physical contact with the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate, for example within the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate.

The susceptor can be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate. Preferred susceptor materials include a metal. A preferred susceptor may comprise or consist of a ferromagnetic material, for example a ferromagnetic alloy, ferritic iron, a ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel. A suitable susceptor can be or include aluminum. Preferred susceptor materials can be heated to a temperature of more than 250 degrees Celsius.

Suitable susceptor segments or materials can comprise a non-metallic core with a metal layer arranged on the non-metallic core, for example a surface of a ceramic core that is vapor-coated with metal. A susceptor material can have an outer protective layer, for example a protective ceramic layer or a protective glass layer. The susceptor material may include a protective coating formed from a glass, a ceramic, and / or an inert metal that envelops the core of susceptor material.

The susceptor can comprise several materials, in particular a first material and a second material. The first material is in direct physical contact with the second material. The second material preferably has a Curie temperature which is lower than 500 ° C. The first material is preferably used primarily to heat the susceptor segment when the susceptor segment is arranged in a fluctuating electromagnetic field. Any suitable material can be used. For example, the first material can be aluminum or an iron material such as stainless steel. The second material is preferably used primarily to indicate when the susceptor segment has reached a certain temperature, this temperature being the Curie temperature of the second material. The Curie temperature of the second material can be used to regulate the temperature of the entire susceptor segment during operation. Therefore, the Curie temperature of the second material should be below the ignition point of the aerosol-forming substrate.

Suitable materials for the second material can include nickel and certain nickel alloys.

The first material is preferably a magnetic material with a Curie temperature that is above 500 ° C. From a heating efficiency point of view, it is desirable that the Cu temperature of the first material be above any maximum temperature to which the susceptor segment should be heated. The second Curie temperature can preferably be chosen so that it is lower than 400 ° C, preferably lower than 380 ° C or lower than 360 ° C. The second material is preferably a magnetic material that is selected to have a second Curie temperature that is substantially equal to a desired maximum heating temperature. That is, it is preferred that the second Curie temperature be approximately equal to the temperature to which the susceptor segment should be heated to produce an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate. The second Curie temperature can be, for example, in the range from 200 ° C to 400 ° C or between 250 ° C and 360 ° C. The second Curie temperature of the second material can, for example, be selected such that when heated by the susceptor segment, which has a temperature that is equal to the second Curie temperature, a total average temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate of 240 ° C. is not exceeded.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an inductively heatable smoking article is provided for use in an induction heating device. The inductively heatable smoking article comprises or consists of an inductively heatable tobacco product which is produced in the device according to the invention or with the method according to the invention. The inductively heated smoke article comprises an inductively heated tobacco segment. The inductively heated tobacco segment comprises an aerosol-forming tobacco substrate and a susceptor segment. In general, an inductively heatable smoking article is introduced into a cavity of the induction heating device, so that the susceptor segment in the tobacco segment heats up by a corresponding inductance of an energy supply electronics arranged in the induction heating device.

A tobacco segment (or tobacco product if no further segments or elements are provided) can have a segment length in a range between approximately 2 millimeters and approximately 20 millimeters, preferably between approximately 6 millimeters and approximately 15 millimeters. particularly preferably between about 8 millimeters and about 12 millimeters, in particular 10 millimeters or 12 millimeters.

The susceptor segment preferably has a length between approximately 2 mm and approximately 20 mm, more preferably between approximately 6 mm and approximately 15 mm, for example between approximately 8 mm and approximately 12 mm, such as approximately 10 mm or 12 mm.

The susceptor segment preferably has a length dimension that is greater than its width dimension and / or its thickness dimension, for example greater than twice its width dimension or its thickness dimension.

The susceptor segment can be a filament, rod, sheet or ribbon. If the susceptor segment has a constant cross-section, for example a circular cross-section, it has a preferred width or diameter between approximately 1 millimeter and approximately 5 millimeters. When the susceptor segment is in the form of a sheet or ribbon, the sheet or ribbon preferably has a substantially rectangular shape with a width, preferably between about 2 mm and about 8 mm, more preferably between about 3 mm and about 5 mm, for example 4 mm, and a thickness preferably between approximately 0.03 mm and approximately 0.15 mm, particularly preferably between approximately 0.04 mm and approximately 0.1 mm or between 0.05 mm and approximately 0.09 mm, for example 0.1 , 07 millimeters.

The invention is further described in terms of embodiments that are illustrated by the following drawings: FIG. 1 a tobacco segment and susceptor segment,

FIG. 1 b tobacco segment with an incorrectly inserted susceptor segment,

FIG. 2 a-q different cross-sectional shape of susceptor segments,

FIG. 3 tobacco product with the susceptor segment inserted correctly,

Figure 4 a-b Structure of a drum machine for inserting a

Susceptor segment,

Figure 5 second receiving section for the susceptor segment Figure 6 a-d embodiments of susceptor segments with a sharpened cutting edge and / or tip and

Figure 7 insertion drum for inserting susceptor segments into tobacco segments

Figure 1 a shows a tobacco segment 1 with a core of crimped tobacco foil, which is enclosed with wrapping paper, and a susceptor segment 2 in the form of a metal plate, which comprises a cross section QS and a longitudinal axis LA. Figure 1 b shows a damaged tobacco segment 1, the Susceptorseg element 2 when inserted into the tobacco product has not withstood the back pressure caused by the crimped core, is bent and has damaged the tobacco-containing core and the wrapping material of the tobacco segment.

Based on the knowledge that the susceptor segment 2 in the form of an elongated metal plate can bend when inserted into the tobacco product and damages the tobacco product, the cross-sectional shape of the susceptor segment 2 is adapted in such a way that the axial area moment of inertia increases. Due to the corresponding cross-sectional shape, twisting and twisting bending of the segment, as can be seen in Figure 1 b, prevented. FIG. 2 shows different cross-sectional shapes of a susceptor segment 2. The partial figures a to m show one-part susceptor segments 2.1 and the partial figures n to q show multi-part susceptor segments 2.2. The cross-sectional shape on the one hand provides increased rigidity and on the other hand this shape can act as a transverse axial positioning aid when inserted into the tobacco segment. If the susceptor segment is in a receiving section, the receiving section being adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the susceptor segment, this receiving section prevents the segment from moving axially axially when it is inserted into the tobacco product. This additional property of the changed cross-sectional shape of the segment is described in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5.

So that the susceptor segment 2, which is present as a heat source in a Ta baksegment 1, can give off the heat evenly to the tobacco segment 1 and thus efficient aerosol formation takes place, it is advantageous to insert the susceptor segment 2 in the center into the Ta bakprodukt 1. FIG. 3 shows a curved susceptor segment 2 that is inserted in the middle of a central section of a tobacco segment 1. The center of gravity FS of the cross section QS of the susceptor segment 2 is preferably located on the center M of the round cross section of the tobacco segment 1.

The basic structure of a drum machine 3 of the tobacco processing industry for producing inductively heatable Raucharti kel, wherein a susceptor segment 2 is provided, the cross-sectional area QS of the susceptor segment is changed in shape and inserted into the tobacco segment 1, is shown in Figure 4 a and b. It this is a drum machine 3, for example a combiner or multi-segment maker. The drum machine 3 shown (Figure 4 b) is in a right module 4 of the staging unit of the tobacco segments and a left module 5, which provides the susceptor segments 2 and pushes into the tobacco segments 1.

The preparation process of the tobacco segments 1 is shown in FIG. 4 a (I), the associated preparation module 4 for tobacco segments 1 being shown in FIG. 4 b and a supply store 6 with rod-shaped articles 7, preferably consisting of tobacco foil which is crimped or cut into strips with a wrapping material, for example paper, aluminum foil and / or aluminum-coated paper, is provided. The rod-shaped articles 7 can have a length between 40 mm and 350 mm, preferably between 60 mm and 150 mm, particularly preferably 120 mm and a diameter between 5 mm and 9 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 8 mm, particularly preferably 7.9 mm or 7.2 mm. From a rod-shaped article 7 several Ta baksegment 7.1 are made. From the drum 101, the rod-shaped article 7 are separated from the storage 6 and divided by the cutting blades 102 and 103. The cutting knives 102, 103 can consist of a plurality of rotating circular knives which are arranged on a shaft, so that the rod-shaped article 7 is cut into several segments 7.1, in particular 2, 4, 5, 6 or 8. In a modified embodiment, any shafts with several circular knives are to be replaced in the drum machine 3 by a corresponding number of shafts with only one circular knife. The segments 7.1 are staggered on the following drums 104, 105 and shifted one behind the other on the drums 106, 107. These segments are double length, form a conveyor line and are transferred to the drum 108. These steps are shown in Figure 4 a (1.1 - I.5). On the drum 108, the segments 7.1 are divided into segments 1 by a further cutting device 109 and spaced apart from one another by means of a complaint device 122, which can be designed, for example, as a wedge. The spacing can be between 2 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 10 mm, particularly preferably 8 mm. The spacing of the tobacco segments has the advantage that behind each segment 1 there can be a stopper (not shown here) or a holding element so that the indentation process of the susceptor segment 2 can be carried out without errors.

FIG. 4 a (II) shows the provision of a susceptor segment 2 (11.1-II.4), the deformation of the cross section QS of segment 2 (II.5), the transfer to the insertion drum 123 by means of the transfer drum 121 and the positioning in the tobacco segment 1 by pressing (II.7). By the conveyor and / or deflection rollers 1 1 1 to 1 13, a susceptor material 8, in this case a metal band from an outgoing bobbin, which is not shown here, is inserted into the left module 5 of the drum machine 3, the pair of rollers 1 14, 1 15 represents a pair of pull rollers for conveying the metal strip. By the cutting device 1 10, the metal band is cut axially axially into two tracks 9 and 10. The spacing device 116 spaces the two tracks 9, 10 in such a way that the further processing can advantageously take place. The susceptor material 8, or the two webs 9, 10 can be provided by means of a bobbin, the metal strip 31 being divided lengthwise into two metal strips 9, 10 by means of a cutting device 110, or be provided by two running bobbins, the processing step of cutting in the corresponding embodiment is omitted. On the processing device drums 1 17, 1 18, the two strips of material 9, 10 are cut into susceptor segments 2 and separated. A corre sponding cutting and separating device can be analogous to a cutting and separating device for covering paper, for example according to the German patent application

DE 10 2016 112 724 A1, in particular according to FIG. 4, or analogously to a cutting device, for example according to the application DE 10 2007 059 625 A1, in particular according to FIGS. 1, 4 and / or 5. The susceptor material 8, for example in the form of a metal strip 31, is held on a roller by suppressing or by a magnetic field and divided by a cutting or punching device. The material web can be divided up in such a way that the length of the segments 2 results from the width of the material web, or that the width of the material web forms the width of the susceptor segment 2. Alternatively, the Zerteilungsvorrich device with the drums 1 17, 1 18 can be replaced by another Zerteilungsvor direction, which comprises a laser for cutting the susceptor material into susceptor segments. After Durchlauf fen the drums 1 17, 1 18, the isolated Susceptorseg elements are passed to the drum 1 19. Optionally, after dividing the susceptor material 8 into susceptor segments 2, an oscillator can change the spacing of the susceptor segments and / or a discharge device, for example a blow-out device, can discharge defective segments. The drums 1 19, 120 act as a shape change unit, which change the cross-section QS of the susceptor segments 2 in such a way that the axial surface moment of inertia, here the longitudinal axis of the susceptor segment 2 is meant, increases to when inserted into the tobacco segment 1 Avoid bending the segment 2 and / or damage. The stamping or embossing process is done through Interaction of the drums 1 19 and 120 performed. The susceptor segment 2 is advantageously provided with a longitudinally axially extending depression, which is preferably aligned with the center of the drum body 119. After the transfer to the drum 121 (I I.6), the recess of the susceptor segment 2, due to the transfer to the following drum 121, points away from the center of the drum of the drum 121.

From the drum 108, the tobacco segments 1 arranged in pairs come onto the drum 123. On the drum 121, the individual susceptor segments 2 are arranged in pairs next to one another on two conveyor tracks and are transferred to the push-in drum 123, which the paired susceptor segments 2 into also inserted in pairs arranged tobacco segment 1. The processing step of sharpening and / or sharpening the susceptor segment 2 can take place, for example, using a laser device. By means of a device for sharpening the edge arranged on a side edge of the susceptor material 8, 31, a cutting edge can be formed, in particular a cutting edge sharpened on both sides. Some embodiments of injected and / or provided with a cutting edge 16 susceptor segments 2 are shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, this processing step can be carried out by further device parts, in particular processing drums, not shown in FIG. 4b.

The insertion of the susceptor segment 2 into the tobacco product 1 is described in detail in FIG. 7 and shows a detailed embodiment of an insertion drum 123.

After the insertion process, the tobacco segments 1 arranged in pairs next to one another are located on the drum 123 inserted susceptor segments 2, which are transferred in pairs to the transport drum 124.1. In a manufacturing process of a multi-segment product, the modules 4, 5 of the drum machine 3 can be combined with further modules in order to produce the most diverse multi-segment products. The conveyor drums 124.1 to 124.4 convey the tobacco segments 1 with a susceptor segment 2 or the intermediate products to the right edge of the drum machine 3 or the module 4 for transfer to another module or a differently designed processing, transport or packaging device. The transport direction T can be changed as desired and can also run from right to left by modifying modules 4, 5 or the module arrangement. The conveying direction T can run both horizontally and at an angle a. The drum machine 3 and / or one of the modules 4, 5 can be a detection device, in particular in the form of an eddy current measuring device according to German patent application DE 10 2016 1 15 098 A1, in the form of a metal detector, a microwave, an X-ray or a camera device , contain th, which checks the location and existence of the susceptor segment 2 within a tobacco product 1. A further detection device can check the existence and quality of the segments 2, in particular the shape-changing segments, during the provision or processing process of the susceptor segments 2. Faulty smoking articles or faulty intermediate articles are separated from the product stream by a discharge device.

The method for inserting a susceptor segment 2 into a tobacco product 1 can be implemented in a drum machine of the tobacco processing industry. The mass flow, in particular one-layered, can be continuous in sections and / or move clocked.

According to the invention, the device for inserting the susceptor segment 2 into the tobacco product 1 has a first receiving section 20 for receiving the tobacco products and a second receiving section 11 for receiving the susceptor segments 2. The susceptor segment 2 has a contour 13 which is essentially advantageous Contour 12 of the second receiving section 1 1 speaks ent. The susceptor segment 2 is thus one-sided, essentially guided over the entire surface and can advantageously be positioned by this guidance in a central section of the tobacco segment 1. A possible embodiment can be a slide-in drum 123 with features from the German patent application with the AZ

10 2018 104 956.0, which among other things reveals a radial recess offset on the lateral surface. Here, the second recording section 1 1 for the susceptor segment 2 are located on the part of the jacket surface which has a larger radius, and the tobacco product 1 on the other part which has the small radius. This ensures that the susceptor segment 2 is guided through the contour 12 of the second receiving section and is inserted into a central section of the tobacco product. The susceptor segment 2 is held by a holding device 19, in particular an opening which can be subjected to a suppressor, on the second receiving section 11. These can be a magnetic holding device, a clamping device and / or a vacuum holding device. The susceptor segment 2 can contain a further expression 17, which is guided by a tongue, groove, increase or depression 18 in the second receiving section 11 and prevents transverse axial displacement of the susceptor segment 2. In particular, the contour 13 of the susceptor segment 2 is adapted to the contour 12 of the receiving surface 212. Through this one on top of the other coordinated shape, the susceptor segment 2 is preferably self-centering on the support surface 212. This is ensured by the preferably round shape of the recess of the susceptor segment 2 and by a recess of the receiving surface 212, which is essentially adapted to the recess of the susceptor segment 2. The susceptor segment 2 has a pointed and / or provided with a cutting edge 16 first end 14 and a flat two end 15, the pointed and / or provided with a cutting edge first end 14 facing the tobacco product. The cross section QS is essentially constant in the longitudinal axial direction along the longitudinal axis LA. This allows easy indentation in the tobacco product 1 and an exact positioning during the press.

The insertion of the susceptor segment 2 can be facilitated by a special configuration of the segment. FIGS. 6 a to d show different configurations of pointed and / or with a cutting edge susceptor segments. FIG. 6 a shows a rectangular metal plate 2, the first end 14 being sharpened and provided with a cutting edge 16. FIG. 6 b shows a side view of the sharpened susceptor segment 2 shown in FIG. 6 a. The sharpening and / or sharpening of the susceptor segment 2 can be integrated as an explicit process step in the process for producing an inductively heatable smoking article. FIG. 6 c also shows a susceptor segment 2 with a sharpened cutting edge 16, the segment additionally being provided with a tip 28 arranged on the side. Through this configuration, the segment 2 performs a pulling cut when pressed into the tobacco segment 1, thereby ensuring easy penetration into the tobacco segment 1. In Figure 6 d, the tip 28 is in the middle and the cutting edge 16 is on both sides next to the tip 28 arranged. When the segment is inserted into the tobacco product, each of the two halves makes a pulling cut, which makes penetration easier. In addition to the embodiment in FIGS. 6 a and b, the cutting edges 16 can be sharpened on both sides. The tips 28 are preferably formed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the susceptor segment 2 and it is preferable to have a cutting edge that is sharpened on both sides. In this way, a particularly before partial insertion is guaranteed, since a shape-related Ver push is avoided transverse to the direction of insertion. The susceptor segments 2 shown in FIG. 6 are in particular provided with a change in shape of the cross section QS according to FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 shows an insertion drum 123 for inserting susceptor segments 2 into tobacco products 1, for example into a segment made of crimped tobacco foil. The drum 123 comprises a first receiving section 20 for receiving the tobacco products 1 and second receiving sections 11 for receiving susceptor segments 2. Each second receiving section 11 has a plurality of receptacles 22 for susceptor segments 2. In the embodiment shown, the insertion drum is on the insert 123 arranged a plurality of second receiving sections 1 1, which are controlled via a cam mechanism, for example on a lateral surface within the drum 123. The receiving sections 11 are arranged on a linear guide rail, each receiving section 11 comprising three receptacles 22. The number of receptacles 22 of the second receptacle section 11 can be different or identical for each receptacle section 11, in particular 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or at least 6 receptacles 22. An advantageous embodiment of a second receptacle section 11 comprises exactly two , three or four receptacles 22, since the insertion of the susceptor segments 2 into two, three or four tobacco products 1 take place simultaneously can, and thus increases the speed of the manufacturing process and is compatible with the requirements of implementation on drum machines of the tobacco processing industry. These receptacles 22 consist of a cantilever arm 23 and a holder 30 for fixing the susceptor segments 2. This fixing can take place by means of a receiving groove, clamping device and / or magnetic holder. The holder 30 is designed such that the height of the insertion height of the susceptor segment 2 can be adjusted manually or automatically if, for example, tobacco products 1 with different diameters are produced, for example after a machine changeover.

In an alternative embodiment, the cantilever arms 23 do not have a holder 30 for the susceptor segments 2, but instead implement the insertion of the susceptor segment 2 into the tobacco product 1 without holding the segments. The susceptor segments 2 are held on a partial area of the tonsil surface of the drum body 123 and in particular are guided in a guide device, preferably in a guide groove. This holding can take place, for example, through the guide groove, magnetism and / or suppression. In order to ensure that the susceptor segment 2 is inserted into the tobacco product 1 in the correct position, the lateral surface in this area of the drum body can be designed with a radial offset in accordance with German patent application AZ 10 2018 104 956.0.

The first receiving section 20, which is also on the outer surface of the insertion drum 123, comprises at least one trough 24 for each tobacco product 1, which is on both sides with egg ner side wall 25 and a holding element 21, which in this case as a stopper element is trained, is provided and a longitudinal axial displacement of the tobacco product 1 prevented by pushing the susceptor segments 2. The troughs 24.1-24.3 of the first receiving section 20 can be assigned to the respective second receiving sections 11 in groups.

By means of electrical drives or a cam mechanism, the segments 2 can be moved on the second receiving section relative to the first receiving section 20 in order to insert the susceptor segments 2. The susceptor segments 2 are advantageously shorter than the tobacco product 1, so that the susceptor segments do not penetrate the tobacco product. This could have a negative impact on the further machining process. The Susceptorseg elements 2 are advantageously in a groove or guide 18 (not shown in Figure 7) and are guided during insertion to avoid a transverse axial displacement of the segments 2. This guide 18 can also be designed in accordance with the part of the second receiving section 11 shown in FIG. In the following method steps, the tobacco product 1 provided with a susceptor segment 2 can advantageously be combined with other segments to form a rod-shaped article, in particular in accordance with the statements in the patent specification EP 2 996 504 B1 FIG. 3 or the publication WO 2017 153 443 FIG. 1 and 2nd

The insertion drum shown in FIG. 7 pushes susceptor segments 2 into tobacco products 1 on a single-lane conveyor line and is suitable for a single-lane finishing process. The drum machine in Figure 4 shows a two-track conveyor line, each with two susceptor segments and two tobacco products 1. The insertion drum 123 from Figure 4 has two conveyor lines, for example, by mirroring the insertion drum 123 in Figure 7 on the left side wall 29 can be set or a combination of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 with features from the German patent application with the file number 10 2017 127 593.2, in particular features from FIGS. 1-4. Here, two tracks of slides push the products or segments outwards from the center of the drum. The insertion drum 123 can according to FIG

DE 10 349 967 A1 have shifting drive types for the relative movement of the receiving sections 11, 20, in particular electric drive means or a cam-controlled drive.

According to a further embodiment, the sliding drum can contain features of the European patent application EP 1 312 270 A1, in particular a detection and discharge device according to FIG. 1 and / or in particular a sliding carriage according to FIG. 2.

Features of the exemplary embodiments listed can be replaced or combined with one another. For example, the recording of the susceptor segment 2 from FIG. 3 can be integrated into the embodiment of the insertion drum 123 according to FIG. 7.

Claims

Expectations:

1 . Method for producing inductively heatable smoking products (1), the method comprising the following steps:

- Providing a tobacco product (1);

- Providing a susceptor segment (2), the susceptor segment (2) comprising a longitudinal axis (LA) and a cross section (QS) oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis (LA) with an axial surface moment of inertia;

- Increase the axial area moment of inertia of the cross section (QS) of the susceptor segment (2), in particular by a change in shape of the cross section, preferably by a particularly deforming stamping, embossing and / or rolling process;

- Positioning the shape-modified susceptor segment (2) in the tobacco product (1) by moving the susceptor segment (2) and the tobacco product (1) relative to each other, whereby the susceptor segment (2) is inserted into the tobacco product (1), in particular pressed becomes.

2. A method for producing inductively heatable smoking products (1), the method comprising the following steps:

- Providing a tobacco product (1);

- Providing a susceptor material (2), the susceptor material (2) having a longitudinal axis (LA) and a cross section (QS) oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis (LA) with an axial surface support moment includes;

- Increase the axial area moment of inertia of the cross section (QS) of the susceptor material (2), in particular by a change in shape of the cross section, preferably by a particularly deforming stamping, embossing and / or rolling process;

- dividing the susceptor material (8, 31) into a plurality of susceptor segments 2,

- Positioning one of the several susceptor segments (2) in the tobacco product (1) by moving the susceptor segment (2) and the tobacco product (1) relative to one another, whereby the susceptor segment (2) is inserted into the tobacco product (1), in particular is pressed.

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that increasing the axial moment of inertia of the susceptor segment (2) or susceptor material (8, 31) along the longitudinal axis (LA) by means of a substantially constant, in particular identical or sectionally different shape change of the cross section (QS) is carried out.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of positioning the susceptor segment (2) in the tobacco product (1) comprises positioning the susceptor segment (2) in a central portion of the tobacco product (1), preferably based on the Length and / or height and / or width and / or diameter of the tobacco product (1).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross-section (QS) of the susceptor segment (2) formed by the change in shape forms a positioning section (17) which receives and / or center the shape of the susceptor segment (2) ) ensures ge in the positioning section 17.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the susceptor segment (2) is guided on one or both sides, in particular over the entire surface, during the positioning step.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the susceptor segment (2) is smaller, greater than or equal to the length of a tobacco product (1).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the susceptor segment (2) has a pointed and / or a first end (14) provided with a cutting edge (16) and a second end opposite the first end (14) (15) and the susceptor segment (2) is arranged such that the pointed and / or with a cutting edge (16) provided first end (14) or is directed against the tobacco product (1) during positioning.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a multiplicity of tobacco products (1) and a multiplicity of susceptor segments (2) are provided for positioning, each of the susceptor segments (2) being converted into a corresponding tobacco product (1 ) introduced, in particular positioned in front of a tobacco product (1) and pressed in or can be pressed in.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the relative movements each time the susceptor segment (2) is pressed into the assigned tobacco product (1) in the positioning step are implemented individually or in groups, in particular each group of susceptor segments (2) is simultaneously pressed into the tobacco products (1) and comprises a number of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 susceptor segments (2).

1 1 .Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tobacco product (1) in a recess, in particular a trough (24) or the tobacco products (1) in a plurality of recesses, in particular troughs (24) are arranged and that a step of fixing the tobacco product (1) in a recess, in particular a trough (24) or the tobacco product Products (1) in a plurality of wells, in particular special troughs (24) by the provision of a holding element (21) or a plurality of Hal teelemente (21).

12. Inductively heatable smoking article produced by a method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 1 1.

13. Device (3) for producing inductively heatable tobacco products (1) comprising

a first receiving section (20), which has at least one depression, in particular a depression (24), for receiving at least one tobacco product

(I) includes

a second receptacle section (11) with at least one receptacle (22) for at least one susceptor segment (2),

wherein the susceptor segment (2) comprises a longitudinal axis (LA) and a cross section (QS) arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis;

wherein the first receiving section (20) or parts of the first receiving section (20) and the second receiving section (11) or parts of the second receiving section (11) are designed to be movable relative to one another and against one another, and wherein the first receiving section (20) and the second receiving section (1 1) are arranged such that the at least one susceptor segment (2) in the receptacle (22) of the second receiving section

(II) in the at least one tobacco product (1) in the first receiving section (20) can be inserted and positioned during a relative movement between the first and the second th receiving section (20, 1 1) or parts of the receiving sections, characterized in that the device (3) has a device (1 19, 120) to increase the axial area moment of inertia of the cross-section (QS) of the susceptor segment (2), in particular by a change in shape of the cross-section, preferably by a particularly deforming stamping and / or rolling process; includes.

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that the device (3) further comprises a fixation element (21) for fixing the at least one tobacco product (1) in the at least one depression or depression of the first receiving section (20), wherein the fixing element (21) ensures the position of the tobacco product (1) in the depression or depression (24), preferably also during the positioning of the susceptor segment (2) in the tobacco product (1).

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the first receiving section (20) and the second receiving section (1 1) are arranged on a particular rotationally drivable drum body (123) of a drum machine (3) of the tobacco processing industry.

16. Device according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that at least one receptacle (22) of the second receptacle section (1 1) comprises a bearing surface (212) for receiving the at least one susceptor segment (2), the contour (12) the receiving surface essentially corresponds to the cross-section (QS) or the contour (13) of the susceptor segment (2) which is pressed into the tobacco product (1), the susceptor segment (2) or the susceptor segments (2) preferably being suppressed by a clamping mechanism, by means of clamping mechanisms and / or held magnetically.

17. Device according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the insertion of the susceptor segment (2) into the tobacco product (1) by a relative linear movement between the first receiving section (20) and the second receiving section (1 1) or between at least a part of the first receiving section (20) and / or at least a part of the second receiving section (11), preferably in a direction along the longitudinal extent of the at least one depression or depression (24) or in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the at least one a depression or trough (24) is implemented.

18. Device according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the device (3) has a plurality of first receiving sections (20) each with at least one recess or trough (24), in particular a number of 2, 3, 4 or 5 recesses or troughs (24), and a multiplicity of second receiving sections (11) each with at least one, in particular a number of 2,

3, 4 or 5, recordings (22), wherein the relative movements of each pairing, consisting of a first receiving section (20) and a second receiving section (1 1), take place simultaneously or in succession and the at least one susceptor segment (2 ) insert, press in and / or position at least one tobacco product (1).