RU2783206C2 - Aerosol generating product and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: tobacco industry.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to an aerosol generating product and to its manufacturing method. The aerosol generating product has a near end and a far end, contains an inner tubular element with a mouthpiece end and an opposite end of a heat source located at the far end of the aerosol generating product, and an outer tubular element passing from the near end of the aerosol generating product in the direction of its far end. The inner tubular element contains an inner wrapping sheet surrounding in a coaxial arrangement: a combustible heat source located in the direction of the far end of the aerosol generating product; aerosol forming substrate located further along the stream relatively to the combustible heat source; and, as a rule, an empty space between aerosol forming substrate and the mouthpiece end. The outer tubular element, as a rule, surrounds at least mouthpiece end of the inner tubular element and the empty space and ends further along the stream relatively to the heat source. The inner wrapping sheet contains a preliminary twisted part at least in an area surrounding the empty space. The arrangement provides that the far end containing the combustible heat source and aerosol forming substrate is easily moved with the possibility of sliding relatively to the outer tubular element from an extended position characterized by the first length of the product to a retracted position characterized by the second length of the product, which is less than the first length of the product, and in which the empty space is at least partially compressed to an axial compressed configuration.

EFFECT: invention is aimed at provision of an aerosol generating product with a structure containing a reduced strength area, which would prevent the creation of alternating air paths, which would be undesirable for aerosol delivery; in addition, provision of an aerosol generating device, which can be manufactured using existing production processes, and which can be produced with existing production rates.

15 cl, 7 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating article with a retractable heat source for heating an aerosol generating substrate.

In the prior art, aerosol generating articles have been proposed in which tobacco is heated rather than burned. The purpose of such "heated" aerosol generating articles is to reduce the amount of certain smoke constituents resulting from the combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco in conventional cigarettes. In a heated aerosol generating article of one known type, an aerosol is generated by heat transfer from a combustible heat source to an aerosol-generating substrate, such as tobacco. The aerosol forming substrate may be located downstream of the combustible heat source. The outer wrap sheet of the aerosol generating article may be used to surround the aerosol generating substrate and at least a portion of the combustible heat source. During use, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol generating substrate by heat transfer from the combustible heat source and are entrained in air drawn through the aerosol generating heated article from the heat source end to the mouth end. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol.

Since the combustible heat source is difficult to extinguish and may burn longer than the time to consume the aerosol generating substrate, it is advantageous to provide an aerosol generating article that can cover the combustible heat source to remove the aerosol generating article. One way to achieve this is to position the outer wrap sheet so that it has an internal recess into which a combustible heat source can be drawn. A number of holes are also known in the art to create areas of reduced strength in an aerosol generating article to assist in its compression. However, this approach introduces additional air paths that can adversely affect aerosol delivery.

WO 2017/115196 discloses an aerosol generating article having a compressible structure to draw a heat source into an internal "void space". The disclosed structure comprises an inner tubular element that contains, in order from the far, extreme end towards the proximal, mouthpiece end: a heat source, an aerosol generating substrate, a first dispersing device element, an empty space, a second dispersing device element, and a cooling aerosol element. . The inner tubular element is held within a tubular housing which contains the mouthpiece filter element. The outer wrap sheet may be glued at the junction of the inner tubular element with the tubular body, to hold the inner tubular element inside the tubular body. The inner tubular element contains a region of reduced strength, while the extreme end can be compressed inside the tubular body into an empty space.

It would be advantageous to provide an aerosol generating article having a structure containing a region of reduced strength. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol generating article that would prevent the creation of alternative air paths that would be undesirable for aerosol delivery. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide an aerosol generating article that can be manufactured using existing manufacturing processes and that can be manufactured at existing manufacturing speeds.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating article having a proximal end and a distal end is provided. An inner tubular element is provided, comprising an inner wrap sheet surrounding a combustible heat source located near the distal end of an aerosol generating article. The inner wrap sheet further surrounds an aerosol-forming substrate located downstream of the combustible heat source. The combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate are provided in a coaxial arrangement. The aerosol generating article further comprises an outer tubular element that surrounds at least a portion of the inner tubular element. The inner wrap sheet comprises a pre-rolled portion that allows the inner tubular to be deformed such that the distal end of the inner tubular is slidably movable relative to the outer tubular.

Advantageously, the prerolled portion provides a convenient mechanism for compressing the aerosol generating article and can be incorporated into existing production lines with little modification and without affecting line speed. An additional advantage of the pre-rolled portion is that a region of reduced strength, which allows for compressive deformation, is created without the introduction of additional air paths.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating article may include a mouthpiece filter at the proximal end, and the mouthpiece end of the inner tubular may be mounted on the mouthpiece filter. In some embodiments, the combustible heat source may be a carbonaceous heat source. The aerosol forming substrate may contain tobacco.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating article may include an empty space between the aerosol generating substrate and the end of the mouthpiece. The first transfer member may be positioned between the aerosol generating substrate and the empty space in an extended position. The aerosol generating article may also include a second transfer element separated from the first transfer element by a blank space in the extended position. Where first and second transfer members are provided, they may abut each other when the empty space is compressed into an axially compressed configuration. The outer tubular may extend from the proximal end of the aerosol generating article towards its distal end and surround at least the mouth end of the inner tubular and void space and terminate downstream of the heat source. The pre-rolled portion may be located at least in the region surrounding the empty space. In certain embodiments, when empty space is present, the inner tubular member is slidable from an extended position, characterized by a first article length, to a retracted position, characterized by a second article length that is less than the first article length, and in which the empty space is at least partially compressed into an axial compressed configuration. In the retracted position, the second article length may be approximately 80% or less of the first article length. In the retracted position, the second article length may be approximately 70% or less of the first article length.

The outer tubular may terminate at or downstream of the aerosol generating substrate.

In some embodiments, the outer tubular member may comprise an outer wrap sheet. The outer wrap sheet may be connected to the inner tubular element only at its mouth end. The outer wrap sheet may be connected to the inner tubular at its mouth end for a first circular turn. The outer wrap sheet can be attached to itself for a second turn. The outer wrap sheet may be attached to itself substantially along its entire length. The outer wrap sheet may be adhesively bonded to the inner wrap sheet. The outer wrap sheet may be adhesively attached to itself.

The portion of the inner tubular element located upstream of the pre-rolled portion may be pivotally displaced relative to the portion of the inner tubular element located upstream of the pre-rolled portion. The rotational offset may be 5 degrees or more. The rotational offset may be 15 degrees or more. The rotational offset may be 45 degrees or more. In the retracted position, the second article length may be approximately 90% or less of the first article length.

Also disclosed is an outer wrap sheet for use in the manufacture of an aerosol generating article. The outer wrap sheet has first and second opposite edges substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article. The width of the sheet is determined by the first and second opposite edges, that is, at least equal to twice the circumference of the inner tubular element. The outer wrap sheet is provided with a glue or adhesive application pattern, comprising a first region containing a strip of adhesive extending substantially perpendicularly from the first edge towards the second edge. The adhesive strip extends from the first edge towards the second edge for a distance equal to at least the circumference of the inner tubular element. The adhesive strip forms an adhesive bond between the outer wrap sheet and the inner tubular element only at its mouth end when wrapping around it starts from the first edge. The adhesive application scheme further comprises a second region containing an adhesive region extending substantially the entire length of the outer wrap sheet from the point where the strip ends to the second edge. The adhesive application pattern in the second region forms an adhesive bond between the first wrap and any subsequent wraps of the outer wrap sheet substantially along its entire length.

Advantageously, the specific adhesive application pattern on the outer wrap sheet provides both a strong connection of the inner tubular to the outer tubular and a non-adhesive inner region that allows compression of the inner tubular, and structural rigidity surrounding the non-adhesive portion.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an aerosol generating article having a proximal end and a distal end. The method includes providing an inner tubular member comprising an inner wrap sheet surrounding a combustible heat source positioned proximate the distal end of the aerosol generating article. The inner wrap sheet further surrounds an aerosol-forming substrate located downstream of the combustible heat source. The combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate are provided in a coaxial arrangement. The inner wrap sheet contains a pre-rolled portion. The method further includes wrapping at least a portion of the inner tubular element with an outer wrap sheet. As a result, the distal end of the inner tubular element is slidable relative to the outer tubular element.

In certain embodiments, the inner wrap sheet further surrounds the empty space between the aerosol forming substrate and the end of the mouthpiece in coaxial arrangement with them.

The wrapping of the inner tubular element may include, starting from the first edge of the outer wrapping sheet, the adhesive connection of the outer wrapping sheet with the inner tubular element only at its mouth end for the first circular turn. The wrapping may further include a second turn of the outer wrap sheet along substantially the entire length of the outer wrap sheet, thereby forming an outer tubular member. The outer tubular may extend from the proximal end of the aerosol generating article towards its distal end. Where the inner tubular contains a void, the outer tubular may surround at least the mouth end of the inner tubular and the void. The outer tubular element may terminate further downstream of the heat source. The distal end containing the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate is slidable relative to the outer tubular member from an extended position, characterized by a first article length, to a retracted position, characterized by a second article length. The second length of the product is less than the first length of the product. Sliding movement of the distal end from an extended position to a retracted position at least partially compresses the empty space into an axial compressed configuration.

The method may include providing a mouthpiece filter at the proximal end of the aerosol generating article. The mouthpiece end of the inner tubular element may be mounted on the mouthpiece filter.

The method may include performing a pre-twist on the inner tubular during the wrapping procedure. Wrapping may involve applying an outer wrap sheet by means of a rotating drum, which may involve rolling up the inner tubular by narrowing between the rotating drum on which the outer wrap sheet is temporarily attached and a fixed guide plate, the outer wrap sheet wrapping around the inner tubular and being adhered to the him while passing through the constriction. The distal end of the inner tubular that is not wrapped may rotate at a different speed relative to its closer end surrounded by the outer wrap sheet, thereby causing twisting in the inner wrap sheet of the inner tubular. Pre-rolling may be performed on the inner tubular in a rolling station prior to the wrapping procedure.

The method may include fabricating a pair of aerosol generating articles end-to-end, including providing a single mouthpiece filter element having first and second ends corresponding to the initially combined first and second mouthpiece filters. The method may include providing an inner tubular element, which includes providing first and second inner tubular elements that are mounted on respective first and second ends of a single mouthpiece filter element. Wrapping of the first and second inner tubular members may occur simultaneously. When wrapping, one outer wrap sheet may be used. The outer wrap sheet may be symmetrical about the center of the mouthpiece filter element. The outer wrap sheet may form the initially combined first and second outer tubular members. The method may include cutting the combined outer tubulars and the mouthpiece filter element to separate the combined articles into first and second aerosol generating articles.

All scientific and technical terms used in the context of this document have the meanings commonly used in the art, unless otherwise indicated. The definitions provided in this document are intended to facilitate understanding of certain terms commonly used in the context of this document.

In the context of this document, the term "aerosol generating article" refers to an article containing an aerosol generating substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol, for example, as a result of heating, combustion, or a chemical reaction.

In the context of this document, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" is used to describe a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. The aerosols generated from the aerosol-forming substrates in the aerosol-generating articles of the present invention may be visible or invisible and may contain vapors (e.g., fine particles of substances in the gaseous state, which at room temperature are usually liquid or solid), as well as gases and liquid droplets of condensed vapors.

In the context of this document, the term "sheet" means a plate element having a width and length greater than its thickness.

The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the relative positions of the elements of the aerosol generating article, described with respect to the direction of inhalation of the air flow as it is drawn through the body of the aerosol generating article, from the far end to the mouthpiece. end. In other words, as used herein, the term "upstream" is defined in relation to the air flow during use of a smoking article or an aerosol generating article, the mouth end of the article being the downstream end through which air and aerosol are drawn. The end opposite the mouth end is the upstream end.

The words "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the present invention that may provide certain advantages under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. Furthermore, the description of one or more preferred embodiments is not meant to imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the present invention, including the claims.

Throughout the description and claims of this application, the words "comprises" and "comprises" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to" and are not intended to exclude (and do not exclude) other substances, additives, components, integers or steps. ). Throughout the specification and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context requires otherwise. In particular, in cases where the singular form is used, the description of the invention should be understood to imply plurality as well as uniqueness, unless the context otherwise requires.

In FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary aerosol generating article;

in fig. 2A and 2B are schematic representations of the exemplary aerosol generating article shown in FIG. 1 in the extended and retracted positions, respectively;

in fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the first and second combined inner tubulars prior to wrapping with an outer wrap sheet;

in fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the combined aerosol generating articles before separation into first and second aerosol generating articles;

in fig. 5 is a schematic side view of wrapping the inner tubular elements with an outer wrap sheet in a wrapping station; and

in fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a partially wrapped inner tubular.

The schematic drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are for purposes of illustration and not limitation. The drawings depict one or more aspects described in the present invention. However, it should be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope of the present invention.

In FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary aerosol generating article 100 extending between the proximal end 102 and the distal end 104. An inner tubular member 105 having a mouthpiece end 107 is provided in the aerosol generating article 100. Also provided is an opposite end of the heat source located at the distal end 104 of the aerosol generating article 100. The inner tubular member 105 includes an inner wrap sheet 109. The inner wrap sheet 109 surrounds a combustible heat source 115 located towards the distal end of the aerosol generating article 100. The inner wrap sheet 109 further surrounds the aerosol forming substrate 120 located downstream of the combustible heat source 115 . The inner wrap sheet 109 further surrounds an empty space 125 located between the aerosol forming substrate 120 and the end 107 of the mouthpiece. A combustible heat source 115, an aerosol forming substrate 120, and an empty space 125 are provided in a coaxial arrangement. The aerosol generating article 100 further comprises an outer tubular member 130 extending from the proximal end 102 of the aerosol generating article 100 toward its distal end 104. The outer tubular member 130 surrounds at least the mouthpiece end 107 of the inner tubular member 105 and void space 125 The outer tubular 130 ends downstream of the heat source 115 . The inner wrap sheet 109 includes a prerolled portion 109b in at least an area surrounding the empty space 125 (see FIG. 6). The distal end 104, containing the combustible heat source 115 and the aerosol-forming substrate 120, is slidable relative to the outer tubular member 130 from an extended position characterized by a first article length (L1, see FIG. 2A) to a retracted position characterized by a second article length that is less than the first article length (L2, see FIG. 2B). As a result of the sliding movement of the distal end 104 from the extended position to the retracted position, the empty space 125 is at least partially compressed into an axially compressed configuration.

It is also shown that the aerosol generating article 100 includes first 121a and second 121b transfer elements located in the inner tubular element 105 (see FIG. 2A). The first 121a and second 121b transfer members may be spaced apart when the aerosol generating article is in the extended position. The first 121a and second 121b transfer elements are shown located at the ends of the empty space 125 between the aerosol forming substrate 120 and the mouthpiece filter 127, respectively. It is also shown that the aerosol generating article 100 comprises a transfer element 117 positioned between the combustible heat source 115 and the aerosol generating substrate 120. The transfer element 117 is surrounded within the inner wrap sheet 109.

As shown in FIG. 6, the prerolled portion 109b of the inner wrap sheet 109 may surround a portion of the respective first 121a and second 121b transfer members. To extinguish the combustible heat source 115, the distal end 104 containing the combustible heat source 115 and the aerosol forming substrate 120 is slidably movable relative to the outer tubular member 130. The distal end is slidable from an extended position characterized by a first length product (L1 in FIG. 2A) into a retracted position characterized by a second product length (L2 in FIG. 2B) that is less than the first product length, as shown in FIG. 2A and 2B. In the retracted position, void space 125 is at least partially compressed into an axially compressed configuration. The axial compressed configuration may be induced as a result of applying pressure or force at the distal end of the aerosol generating article 100, for example, when the aerosol generating article 100 "extinguishes". It is not necessary for the blank space 125 to be fully compressed. Although the transfer members 121a, 121b are disengaged in the extended position, in some cases it may be beneficial to keep the transfer members 121a, 121b disengaged when the aerosol generating article 100 is in the collapsed position, such as as shown in FIG. 2b. In other cases, it may be desirable that the first 121a and second 121b transfer elements abut against each other when the empty space 125 is compressed into an axially compressed configuration (not shown). It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the first 121a and second 121b transfer elements are not primary features; for example, the void space may be defined distally by the aerosol forming substrate 120 and proximally by the mouthpiece filter 127. Indeed, the free space 125 as such is not required. It should be understood that any axially compressible structure in the inner tubular will allow the distal end of the inner tubular to slide relative to the outer tubular to "quench" aerosol generating article 100.

The prerolled portion 109b is a preferred method of creating a region of reduced strength to allow sliding of the distal end of the inner tubular relative to the outer tubular, particularly over perforations or cut slits in the inner wrapsheet, since the prerolled portion does not provide additional paths for air in the aerosol generating article 100. Preferably, the aerosol generating articles 100 are manufactured in a butt-to-butt arrangement, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 and 4. In other words, the two aerosol generating articles 100, 100' are created as one and simultaneously before being separated by cutting through the center of the combined articles. In FIG. 3 shows the first 105 and second 105' inner tubulars prior to wrapping with the outer wrap sheet 135. In the butt-to-end configuration, one mouthpiece filter element 129 can be considered to have first and second ends that correspond to the initially combined first 127 and second 127' mouthpiece filters that are installed. at the respective proximal ends 102, 102' of the first 105 and second 105' inner tubulars. The first 127 and second 127' mouthpiece filters are located downstream of the corresponding associated void space 125, 125'. This advantageously allows the first 105 and second 105' inner tubular members to be simultaneously wrapped using a single outer wrap sheet comprising initially combined outer wrap sheets 135, 135' that are symmetrical about the center line 200 of the mouthpiece filter element 129 to form the initially combined first 130 and second 130' outer tubular elements. Once formed, the combined aerosol generating articles 100, 100' can be separated by cutting the combined outer tubulars 130, 130' and the mouthpiece filter element 129.

The coaxial arrangement of the inner tubular member 105 is best shown in FIG. 1. The inner tubular member 105 has a mouthpiece end 107 and a heat source end, and includes an inner wrap sheet 109 surrounding, in a coaxial arrangement, a combustible heat source 115 positioned toward the distal end 104 of the aerosol generating article 100; an aerosol-forming substrate 120 located downstream of the combustible heat source 115; and an empty space 125 between the aerosol-forming substrate 120 and the end 107 of the mouthpiece. The inner wrap sheet 109 includes a prerolled portion 109b at least in the region surrounding the void 125. The inner tubular member 105 is also shown to include a cover 110 at the distal end 104 located upstream of the combustible heat source 115. Lid 110 is shown abutting combustible heat source 115 and surrounded by a portion of inner wrap sheet 109. Removable lid 110 may contain a desiccant such as glycerin to absorb moisture. This prolongs the life of the components in the inner tubular member 105. The removable cover 110 can be removed by twisting the removable cover 110 to break the portion of the inner wrap sheet 109 adjacent to the cover. By removing the removable cover 110, the front portion of the combustible heat source 115 is exposed, allowing the combustible heat source 115 to be ignited. Combustible heat source 115 may be a carbonaceous heat source. Aerosol forming substrate 120 may contain tobacco.

The outer wrap sheet 135 includes first 155a and second 155b opposite edges substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 150 of the aerosol generating article 100. The longitudinal axis 150 of the aerosol generating article 100 extends between the proximal 102 and distal 104 ends of the aerosol generating article 100. The first 155a and second 155b opposing edges define between them the width of the outer wrap sheet 135. The width of the outer wrap sheet 135 is at least twice the circumference of the inner tubular 105 so that it surrounds so that it can wrap at least twice. Between the first 155a and second 155b edges, the proximal 102 and distal 103 ends of the outer wrap sheet 135 extend perpendicularly. combined along the center line 200. For simplicity, the remainder of the description will refer only to the outer wrap sheet 135. The outer wrap sheet 135' is an identical mirror image, and the same parts are indicated by the same reference numbers, but have a superscript in the form of a dash (').

The outer wrap sheet 135 is shown with an exemplary application of glue or adhesive. The adhesive application scheme shown in Fig. 3, comprises a strip of adhesive in the form of first 145a and second 145b strips of adhesive extending substantially perpendicular from first edge 155a towards second edge 155b for at least a distance equal to the circumference of inner tubular 105. First adhesive strip 145a forms an adhesive bond between the outer the wrapping sheet 135 and the inner tubular member 105 in and around the second transfer member 121b. Thus, the adhesive joint is only formed at its mouthpiece end 107 when wrapping around it starts from the first edge 155a. A second adhesive strip 145b, similar to the first strip 145a but more proximal, is used to connect the outer wrap sheet 135 to the mouthpiece filter 127. The first 145a and second 145b strips form a strip of adhesive that allows the outer wrap sheet 135 to be connected to the inner tubular 105 and the mouthpiece filter 127 only at the end 107 of the mouthpiece. Although two separate strips 145a, 145b are shown, it should be understood that other types of adhesive arrangements are included in this description, such as a single strip and discontinuous drops or lines.

The adhesive pattern is shown to further comprise a second region comprising an area of adhesive 140 extending substantially the entire length of the outer wrap sheet 135 (i.e., from the proximal end 102 to the distal end 103) from the point where the strip 145a, 145b ends , to the second edge 155b. The area of adhesive 140 forms an adhesive bond between the first turn and any subsequent turns of the outer wrap sheet 135 substantially along its entire length. While adhesives are described, other methods in the field of connecting the outer tubular element 130 to the inner tubular element 105 or to itself are included in this description. For example, perforations between sheets or the use of sealing strips can be equally effective.

While the outer tubular 130 of the aerosol generating article is shown to terminate downstream of the aerosol generating substrate 120, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such an arrangement is purely illustrative, and that arrangements where the outer tubular 130, ends at the aerosol-forming substrate 120 will be equally included in this description.

The aerosol generating article 100 may have a length and diameter similar to that of a conventional cigarette. The second article length L2 may be approximately 90% or less of the first article length. The second product length may be approximately 80% or less of the first product length. The second product length may be approximately 70% or less of the first product length.

The pre-rolled portion 109b of the inner tubular 105 may comprise a rotational offset between the upstream portion of the inner tubular relative to the pre-rolled portion 109b (hereinafter referred to as the “upstream portion”) and the downstream portion of the inner tubular. flow relative to the pre-rolled portion (hereinafter referred to as the "downstream portion"). The rotational offset between the upstream and downstream portions of the inner tubular may be approximately 5 degrees or more. The rotational offset between the upstream and downstream portions of the inner tubular may be approximately 15 degrees or more. The rotational offset between the upstream and downstream portions of the inner tubular may be approximately 45 degrees or more. The prerolled portion can be identified by a series of helical grooves and depressions formed in the inner wrap sheet circumferentially around the inner tubular member. When unfolded, the series of helical grooves and recesses will comprise a corresponding series of substantially parallel diagonal lines in the inner wrap sheet.

In FIG. 5 is a side view of the production station used to apply the prerolled portion 109b. The wrapping station is illustrated as comprising a first rotating drum 220 on which a number of outer wrap sheets 135 with an applied adhesive pattern are temporarily attached, for example, by applying a vacuum holding the non-adhesive side of each sheet 135 to the outer surface of the first rotating drum 220. Each outer wrap sheet the sheet 135 is glued, at its first edge 155a, to the inner tubular member 105. As the first rotary drum 220 rotates, each inner tubular member 105 is in turn delivered, with the outer wrap sheet 135 attached, towards the fixed guide plate 230. First rotary the drum 220 and the fixed guide plate 230 create constriction 210 and friction between the unwrapped aerosol generating article, the fixed guide plate 230 and the first rotating drum 220, causing the outer wrap sheet 135 to wrap around the inner tubular element. nta 105, thereby forming a wrapped product 100 that generates an aerosol.

The adhesive application scheme shown in Fig. 3 allows the outer wrap sheet 135 to be adhered to the inner tubular member 105 and the mouthpiece filter 127 in the first rotation. As the outer wrap sheet 135 wraps around the inner tubular member 105, a band of adhesive containing first 145a and second 145b adhesive bands connects the outer wrapper sheet 135 to the mouthpiece filter 127 and the inner tube member 105 at the end 107 of the mouthpiece. Because the upstream portion of the inner tubular 105 is not wrapped, since the distal end 103 of the outer wrap sheet 135 ends more proximally, it rotates at a different speed relative to the downstream portion of the inner tubular 105, which causes twisting in the inner wrap sheet 109 of the inner tubular element 105. The difference in thickness between the parts of the inner tubular element 105 that are surrounded by the outer wrap sheet 135 and those parts that are not surrounded create different amounts of friction. This difference in friction causes the portion of the inner tubular without any outer wrap sheet 135 wrapped around to rotate less than the portion that is surrounded by the outer wrap sheet 135, thus forming a pre-rolled portion 109b that is easily compressible.

After reaching the desired degree of twist, the outer wrap sheet 135 is wrapped around the inner tubular member 105 for a second circular turn. During the second rotation, the outer wrap sheet 135 is wrapped around the non-adhesive portion of the inner tubular member 105. The second adhesive region 140 provides a second circular revolution of the outer wrap sheet 135, forming an outer tubular member 130 that is rigid but remains easily compressible.

After the outer wrap sheet 135 has surrounded itself a second time, an aerosol generating article 100 is formed, which can be removed from the constriction 210 by the second rotating drum 240. element 105, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that this is not required. Pre-rolling can be performed at the twisting station before the wrapping station.

Although the method of manufacture has been described in the context of a single aerosol generating article 100, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that this description will apply mutatis mutandis to the manufacture of aerosol generating articles in butt configurations that may be preferred for process efficiency, it is possible to produce two products 100, 100' at the same time on the same production line. In the manufacture of aerosol-generating articles in a butt configuration, the rolled article that is removed from constriction 210 by second rotating drum 240 will comprise integral outer tubulars 130, 130'. In this case, the rolled product can be separated along the center line 200 by cutting the combined outer tubulars 130, 130' and adjacent mouthpiece filter element 129, resulting in first 100 and second 100' aerosol generating products. This cutting procedure can be performed as part of the wrapping process or at a separate cutting station.

Although the mouthpiece filter 127 and the mouthpiece filter element 129 have been included in this specification, they are not essential to the present invention. Likewise, although a removable cover 110 has been described as a method for storing an aerosol-forming substrate, a removable cover 110 is not essential to the present invention. Likewise, although the transfer element 117 has been described, it is not essential to the present invention. In addition, while the pre-rolled portion 109b has been described as being preferably formed simultaneously during wrapping of the inner tubular member 105, this is not essential to the present invention. The prerolled portion 109b of the inner wrap sheet 109 may be made in a separate twisting station and subsequently wrapped. Although the adhesive has been described as a method of attaching the outer wrap sheet 135 to the inner tubular member 105 and to itself, this is not required for the present invention and other fixation methods, including mechanical fixation methods such as perforations or surface features, are included in this description. Although the outer wrap sheet 135 is described as being glued to itself along substantially the entire length of the outer wrap sheet 135, this is not essential to the present invention. Adhesion along less than the entire length of the outer wrap sheet 135 can still provide the benefits of the present invention.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemicals, or groups described in relation to a particular aspect, embodiment, or example of the present invention should be considered applicable to any other aspect, embodiment, or example described in the context of this document, except incompatible with him. All features disclosed in this application (including any appended claims, abstract and drawings) and/or all steps of any method or process thus disclosed may be combined in any combination, except for combinations in which at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The present invention is not limited to the details of any of the above embodiments. The present invention extends to any new feature or any new combination of features disclosed in this application (including any appended claims, abstract and drawings) or to any new step or any new combination of steps of any method or process disclosed therein.

Claims (26)

1. An aerosol generating article having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising: an inner tubular member containing an inner wrap sheet surrounding in a coaxial arrangement: a combustible heat source located near the distal end of the aerosol generating article; and - an aerosol-forming substrate located downstream of the combustible heat source; and an outer tubular element surrounding at least a portion of the inner tubular element; wherein the inner wrap sheet contains a pre-rolled portion; wherein the pre-rolled portion allows the inner tubular to deform such that the distal end of the inner tubular is movable relative to the outer tubular. 2. The aerosol generating article of claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece filter at the proximal end, wherein the mouthpiece end of the inner tubular member is mounted on the mouthpiece filter. 3. The aerosol generating article of claim 2, further comprising an empty space between the aerosol generating substrate and the mouth end. 4. The aerosol generating article of claim 3, wherein the outer tubular extends from the proximal end of the aerosol generating article towards its distal end and surrounds at least the mouth end of the inner tubular and the void space and terminates downstream relative to the source of heat, while the pre-rolled part is located at least in the area surrounding the empty space. 5. An aerosol generating article according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the inner tubular element is movable from an extended position characterized by a first article length to a retracted position characterized by a second article length that is less than the first article length, and in which the void space is at least partially compressed into an axial compressed configuration. 6. An aerosol generating article according to claim 5, wherein the second length of the article is 90% or less of the first length of the article. 7. Product that generates an aerosol, according to any one of paragraphs. 2-6, in which the outer tubular element comprises an outer wrap sheet connected to the inner tubular element only at its mouth end for the first circular revolution and attached to itself for the second revolution. 8. An aerosol generating article according to claim 7, wherein the outer wrap sheet is attached to itself along its entire length for the second turn. 9. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the portion of the inner tubular element located upstream of the pre-rolled portion is rotated relative to the portion of the inner tubular element located upstream of the pre-rolled portion by 5 degrees or more. 10. A method for manufacturing an aerosol generating article having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising: providing an inner tubular member containing an inner wrap sheet surrounding in a coaxial arrangement: a combustible heat source located near the distal end of the aerosol generating article; and - a substrate that forms an aerosol located further downstream relative to the combustible heat source; wherein the inner wrap sheet contains a pre-rolled portion; and wrapping at least a portion of the inner tubular with an outer wrap sheet, the pre-rolled portion allowing the inner tubular to deform such that the distal end of the inner tubular is moved relative to the outer tubular. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the wrapping of the outer wrap sheet includes, starting from the first edge of the outer wrap sheet, adhesive connection of the outer wrap sheet with the inner tubular element only at its mouth end for the first circular turn and adhesive connection of the first turn and the second turn the outer wrap sheet along the entire length of the outer wrap sheet, thereby forming an outer tubular member extending from the proximal end of the aerosol generating article towards its distal end surrounding at least the mouth end of the inner tubular member. 12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein pre-twisting is performed on the inner tubular element during the wrapping procedure. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the wrapping procedure includes applying a wrapping sheet using a rotating drum. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the wrapping comprises rolling up the inner tubular by means of a constriction between a rotating drum on which the sheet is temporarily attached and a fixed guide plate, wherein the sheet is wrapped around and adhered to the inner tubular as it passes through the constriction, wherein the distal end of the inner member, which is not wrapped, rotates at a different speed relative to its more proximal end surrounded by the outer wrap sheet, thereby causing twisting in the inner wrap sheet of the inner tubular member. 15. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 10-14, including manufacturing a pair of aerosol generating articles end-to-end, including providing a single mouthpiece filter element having first and second ends corresponding to the initially combined first and second mouthpiece filters, wherein providing an inner tubular element includes providing the first and second inner tubular elements , which are installed at the respective first and second ends of the single filter element of the mouthpiece, while the wrapping of the first and second inner tubular elements is carried out simultaneously, using one outer wrapping sheet located symmetrically relative to the center of the filter element of the mouthpiece with the formation of initially combined first and second outer tubular elements, and the method includes cutting the combined outer tubular elements and the filter element of the mouthpiece with the separation of the combined products into the first and second products that generate aerosol.

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