RU2802863C2 - Induction heated aerosol producing rods and forming device for use in manufacturing such rods - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: aerosol generating systems.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to an inductively heated aerosol generating rod for use in an aerosol generating product. The aerosol generating rod comprises at least one cylindrical core containing at least one of the first aerosol generating substrate and the first flavouring material. The aerosol generating rod further comprises a first elongated current collector adjoining the cylindrical core part on the first side from the side along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating rod. The aerosol generating rod also contains a second elongated current collector, from the side adjacent to the cylindrical core part on the second side along the longitudinal axis of the rod, which generates an aerosol, located opposite the first side so that the cylindrical core part is located between the first elongated current collector and the second elongated current collector. In addition, the aerosol generating rod comprises a sleeve-like part located around the core part, the first current collector and the second current collector, while the sleeve contains at least one of the filling material, the second aerosol generating substrate, and the second flavouring material.

EFFECT: invention further relates to a forming device for use in the manufacture of such induction heated aerosol generating rods, the forming device comprising a core forming device, a sleeve forming device, a first second longitudinal guide and a second longitudinal guide.

15 cl, 4 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to induction heated aerosol-forming rods containing one or more aerosol-forming substrates capable of producing a respirable aerosol when heated. The invention further relates to a molding apparatus for use in the manufacture of such induction-heated aerosol-forming rods.

Generation of a respirable aerosol based on induction heating of an aerosol-forming substrate is well known in the art. To heat the substrate, it can be placed in thermal proximity to the current collector, which is inductively heated by an alternating electromagnetic field, or in direct physical contact with it. The field may be provided by an induction source that is part of the aerosol generating device. Both the current collector and the aerosol-forming substrate may be placed in an induction-heated aerosol-forming rod. Among other elements, the rod may be an integral part of an aerosol generating article in the form of a rod, which may be placed in a cylindrical receiving cavity of the aerosol generating device that contains an induction source. As part of the induction source, the device may include, for example, a helical induction coil that coaxially surrounds a cylindrical receiving cavity for the purpose of providing an alternating electromagnetic field in the cavity to heat the current collector. During operation of the device, volatile compounds are released from the heated aerosol-forming substrate in the product and become entrained in the air stream drawn through the product during the user's puff. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol.

It would be desirable to have an induction heated aerosol generating rod for use in an aerosol generating product that provides a wide variety of different aerosols. It would be desirable for such an induction heated aerosol generating rod to be compatible with existing induction heating devices containing a cylindrical receiving cavity. Moreover, it would be desirable to have a molding apparatus for use in the manufacture of such aerosol rods.

According to the present invention, an inductively heated aerosol generating rod is provided for use in an aerosol generating article (an aerosol generating article). The aerosol-forming rod contains at least one cylindrical core portion containing at least one of a first aerosol-forming substrate and a first flavor material. The aerosol-forming rod additionally contains a first elongated current collector (susceptor) adjacent to the cylindrical core part on the first side along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming rod. The aerosol-forming rod also contains a second elongated pantograph adjacent to the cylindrical core part on the second side along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming rod opposite the first side so that the cylindrical core part is located between the first oblong pantograph and the second elongated pantograph. In addition, the aerosol-forming rod includes a sleeve portion disposed around a core portion, a first susceptor, and a second susceptor, the sleeve comprising at least one of a filler material, a second aerosol-forming substrate, and second flavoring material.

Having at least two different parts within the induction heated aerosol generating rod, namely a sleeve part and a core part, advantageously allows for improved variety of aerosols produced by using different parts for different purposes. One purpose may be to provide one or more specific sensory stimulations, such as providing specific flavors, providing specific tobacco notes, providing nicotine, or providing stimulation by enhancing the appearance of aerosol formation. Such effects can be achieved by appropriately selecting the flavoring materials contained within the sleeve portion and the core portion, for example, by appropriately selecting the first aerosol-forming substrate and the second aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the first flavoring material may be homogenized tobacco, such as a molded tobacco sheet to provide tobacco content, while the second flavoring material may be an aerosol forming liquid to produce a large volume of aerosol and additional flavor components. Other specific stimulations may relate, for example, to a particular draw resistance or to a particular tactile effect known from conventional tobacco products. Such effects can be achieved by at least one of appropriate selection of the geometric shape of the sleeve portion, for example, to provide a familiar tactile sensation, and appropriate selection of filler material, for example, to provide specific retraction resistance.

Preferably, the core portion and the sleeve portion are separate physical core portions or entities separate from each other. That is, the core portion and the sleeve portion may be separate from each other. Accordingly, the core portion may be called a core body portion, and the sleeve portion may be referred to as a sleeve body portion. The core body and the sleeve body may be separate entities, that is, separate from each other. In particular, the aerosol generating article may comprise a core body part, in particular a core body part defining a core part. Likewise, the aerosol generating article may comprise a sleeve body, in particular a sleeve body defining a sleeve portion.

The presence of at least a first pantograph and a second pantograph advantageously allows for different heating zones to be provided within the aerosol generating rod. The first heating zone is provided by that portion of the heating profile of the first pantograph which extends along the longitudinal axis of the rod on the outer side of the first pantograph opposite the inner side of the first pantograph which is adjacent to the core portion. Likewise, the second heating zone is provided by that portion of the heating profile of the first pantograph which extends along the longitudinal axis of the rod on the outer side of the second pantograph opposite the inner side of the second pantograph which is adjacent to the core portion. A third heating zone is provided along the longitudinal axis of the rod in a region between the first pantograph and the second pantograph, that is, in a region that overlaps the cylindrical core portion. This third heating zone essentially results from the overlap of these portions of the heating profiles of the first pantograph and the second pantograph, which are located between the first pantograph and the second pantograph. Accordingly, the first heating zone and the second heating zone may be used to heat the sleeve portion, while the third heating zone may be used to heat the core portion. Due to the overlap of the two heating profiles, the third heating zone may reach higher temperatures than the first heating zone and the second heating zone. Advantageously, different heating temperatures can allow the release of volatile compounds from the core portion and the sleeve portion to be precisely controlled. In particular, the amount of compound released can be adjusted by selecting an appropriate combination of a particular heating temperature and a particular flavor material having a particular release temperature. Thus, different heating zones can be advantageously used to develop a wide variety of different aerosols by providing different aerosols or flavor additives in different amounts from different parts of the aerosol rod.

Moreover, the induction heated aerosol generating rod of the present invention can be used to manufacture rod-shaped aerosol generating articles that are compatible with existing induction heating aerosol generating devices containing a cylindrical receiving cavity. The use of currently available induction heating devices can thus be continued. In particular, existing induction heating devices do not require any modifications.

The first elongated pantograph may be adjacent to the cylindrical core part from the side without coupling. Likewise, the second elongated pantograph may be adjacent to the cylindrical core portion without engaging from the side. As used herein, the term “non-cohesive” refers to the arrangement of a corresponding pantograph relative to a cylindrical core portion such that the corresponding pantograph and the core portion are not fixedly or permanently attached to each other. In particular, the term “non-lockingly adjacent” should be understood to mean that the corresponding pantograph is releasably adjacent to the core portion and can be removed from the core portion in a substantially non-destructive manner. In any case, the term "adjacent without coupling" excludes a configuration in which one of the corresponding pantograph or core portion is applied to the corresponding other. In particular, “adjacent without cohesion” excludes a fixed or rigid connection between the corresponding pantograph and the core part, in particular, a chemical bond or a bond created by an adhesive, which is not related to either the core part or the corresponding pantograph. However, the abutment of the corresponding pantograph to the core portion may involve some non-permanent attachment between the core portion and the pantograph, such as some non-permanent adhesion between the core portion and the corresponding pantograph, which, for example, may exist due to the possible adhesive nature of the substrate forming aerosol. That is, “adjacent without coupling” may include “adjacent with inconsistent coupling.” The abutment of the corresponding pantograph to the cylindrical core part on the non-clutching side can be achieved simply by placing the corresponding pantograph along the core part, in particular using a molding device according to the present invention, and as further described in detail below.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” means a substrate formed from or containing an aerosol-forming material that is capable of releasing volatile compounds when heated to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate is designed to be heated rather than burned to release the volatile compounds that form the aerosol.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid, paste or liquid aerosol-forming substrate. In any of these states, the aerosol-forming substrate may contain both solid and liquid components.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material.

In this regard, the aerosol-forming substrate may contain, for example, one or more of: powder, granules, beads, pieces, thin tubes, strips or sheets containing one or more of: grass leaves, tobacco leaves, fragments of tobacco veins , reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco and expanded tobacco, and combinations thereof.

The aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise at least one aerosol-forming substance. The at least one aerosol-forming agent may be selected from polyols, glycol ethers, polyol ethers, esters and fatty acids and may contain one or more of the following compounds: glycerol, erythritol, 1,3-butylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl laurate, triacetin, meso-erythritol, diacetin-based mixture, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, ethyl vanillate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid and propylene glycol.

One or more aerosol-forming agents may be combined to obtain an advantage due to one or more properties of the combined aerosol-forming agents. For example, triacetin can be combined with glycerin and water to provide the benefit of triacetin's ability to transfer the active components and moisturizing properties of glycerin.

The aerosol-forming agent may also have humectant-type properties that help maintain a desired level of moisture in the aerosol-forming substrate when the substrate consists of a tobacco-based product, particularly one containing tobacco particles. In particular, some aerosol-forming agents are a hygroscopic material that functions as a humectant, in other words, a material that helps keep the humectant-containing tobacco substrate moist.

In particular, the aerosol-forming substrate may contain one or more aerosol-forming substances at a weight percentage in the range of 12 percent to 20 percent, preferably 16 percent to 20 percent, most preferably 17 percent to 18 percent by weight of the aerosol-forming substrate .

The aerosol-forming substrate may contain other additives and ingredients. The aerosol-forming substrate preferably contains nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain flavoring agents, in particular, additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds released when the aerosol-forming substrate is heated. The aerosol-forming substrate may also contain capsules that contain, for example, additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds, and such capsules may melt when the solid aerosol-forming substrate is heated. The aerosol-forming substrate may also contain a binder material.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is a tobacco aerosol-forming substrate, in other words, a tobacco-containing substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the substrate when heated. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain or consist of reconstituted tobacco, such as homogenized tobacco material. Homogenized tobacco material can be formed by agglomerating tobacco into particles. In particular, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise or consist of a slab of cut and blended tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise a non-tobacco material, for example, a homogenized plant material other than tobacco. Preferably, the reconstituted tobacco is made from largely blended tobacco material, particularly leaf blades, processed stems and ribs, homogenized plant material, for example, manufactured into leaf form using molding or papermaking processes. Reconstituted tobacco may also contain other cut tobacco, tobacco filler, binder, fibers or casing. The reconstituted tobacco may contain at least 25 percent lamina, more preferably at least 50 percent lamina, even more preferably at least 75 percent lamina, and most preferably at least 90 percent lamina. Preferably, the plant material is one of tobacco, mint, tea and clove. However, the plant material may also be from other plant material that has the ability to release substances when heat is applied, which can subsequently form an aerosol.

Preferably, the tobacco plant material comprises a blade of one or more of a light tobacco blade, a dark tobacco blade, an aromatic tobacco blade, and a tobacco filler. Light-colored tobacco varieties are types of tobacco that typically have large, light-colored leaves. Throughout the description, the term “light tobacco” is used for types of tobacco that have been subjected to fire-curing. Examples of light tobacco varieties are Chinese flue-cured tobacco, Brazilian flue-cured tobacco, American flue-cured tobacco such as Virginia tobacco, Indian flue-cured tobacco, flue-cured tobacco from Tanzania, or other African flue-cured tobaccos. Light tobacco is characterized by a high ratio of sugar to nitrogen. From a sensory perspective, light tobacco is a type of tobacco that, once cured, is associated with a spicy and rich sensation. As used herein, light tobacco species are those with a reducing sugar content of from about 2.5 percent to about 20 percent on a dry leaf weight basis and a total ammonia content of less than about 0.12 percent on a dry leaf basis. leaf weight. Reducing sugars contain, for example, glucose or fructose. The total ammonia content consists of, for example, ammonia and ammonia salts. Dark tobacco species are types of tobacco that typically have large, dark-colored leaves. Throughout this description, the term “dark tobacco” is used for types of tobacco that have been air-cured. Additionally, types of dark tobacco can be fermented. Types of tobacco that are used primarily for chewing, snorting, cigar and pipe blends are also included in this category. Typically, these types of dark tobacco are air-cured and possibly fermented. From a sensory perspective, dark tobacco is a type of tobacco that, when cured, is associated with the smoky flavor characteristic of dark cigars. Dark tobacco is characterized by a low sugar to nitrogen ratio. Examples of dark tobacco are Malawi burley or other types of African burley, dark cured Brazilian Galpao, sun-cured or air-cured Indonesian Kasturi. As used herein, dark tobacco species are those with a reducing sugar content of less than about 5 percent by leaf dry weight and a total ammonia content of no more than about 0.5 percent by leaf dry weight. Aromatic tobacco species are types of tobacco that often have small, light-colored leaves. Throughout the description, the term “aromatic tobacco” is used to refer to other types of tobacco that are characterized by a high content of aromatic substances, for example, essential oils. From a sensory perspective, aromatic tobacco is a type of tobacco that, after drying, is associated with a spicy and aromatic sensation. Examples of types of aromatic tobacco are Greek oriental, Turkish oriental, semi-oriental tobacco, but also fire-cured tobacco, American Burley, for example Perique, Shag, American Burley or Maryland. Tobacco filler is not a specific type of tobacco, but it includes types of tobacco that are primarily used to complement other types of tobacco used in the blend and that do not impart a particular characteristic flavor property to the final product. Examples of tobacco fillers are the stems, midribs, or stems of other types of tobacco. A specific example would be fire-cured stems from the lower petioles of a Brazilian type of fire-cured tobacco.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco web, preferably a corrugated web. The tobacco web may contain tobacco material, fiber particles, a binder material and an aerosol forming agent. Preferably, the tobacco web is a molded sheet. Molded sheet is a form of reconstituted tobacco that is formed from a suspension containing tobacco particles. The molded sheet may also contain fiber particles or an aerosol forming agent, or both fiber particles and an aerosol forming agent and a binder material, and also, for example, flavor additives. The tobacco particles may be in the form of tobacco powder having a particle size on the order of 10 micrometers to 250 micrometers, preferably on the order of 20 micrometers to 80 micrometers, or 50 micrometers to 150 micrometers, or 100 micrometers to 250 micrometers, depending on the desired sheet thickness and casting gap of the corresponding casting box. The casting gap affects the sheet thickness. The fiber particles may include tobacco stem materials, petioles or other tobacco plant material and other cellulose-based fibers, such as, for example, plant fibers, preferably wood fibers or flax fibers, or hemp fibers. The fiber particles may be selected based on the need to provide sufficient tensile strength to the molded sheet relative to a low inclusion rate, for example, an inclusion rate of about 2 percent to 15 percent. Alternatively, fibers such as plant fibers, including hemp and bamboo, or combinations of different types of fibers, can be used either with or as an alternative to the above fiber particles. The aerosol-forming agents included in the slurry forming the molded sheet or used in other aerosol-forming tobacco substrates may be selected based on one or more characteristics. From a functional point of view, the aerosol forming agent provides a mechanism that allows it to vaporize and deliver nicotine or flavor or both to the aerosol when heated to a temperature above the specific vaporization temperature of the aerosol forming agent. Different substances usually evaporate at different temperatures to form an aerosol. The aerosol forming agent may be any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds which, when used, facilitates the formation of a stable aerosol. The stable aerosol is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature for heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming agent may be selected based on its ability, for example, to remain stable at or near room temperature but be capable of vaporization at a higher temperature, for example, 40 degrees Celsius to 450 degrees Celsius, preferably 40 degrees Celsius to 250 degrees Celsius.

The corrugated tobacco sheet, such as a molded sheet, may have a thickness ranging from about 0.02 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters, preferably from about 0.08 millimeters to about 0.2 millimeters.

Preferably, in any configuration, the core portion is always used to generate the aerosol. The core portion may comprise at least one of:

- a porous substrate or foam based on tobacco fibers, wherein the tobacco fibers at least partially form the first aerosol-forming substrate;

- a porous substrate or foam based on plant fibers, wherein the plant fibers at least partially form the first aerosol-forming substrate;

- a filler containing cut tobacco material, wherein the cut tobacco material at least partially forms the first aerosol-forming substrate;

- a filler containing cut plant material, wherein the cut plant material at least partially forms the first aerosol-forming substrate;

- a liquid-retaining material comprising an aerosol-forming liquid, wherein the aerosol-forming liquid at least partially forms a first aerosol-forming substrate;

- a liquid retention material containing at least one flavoring agent, wherein the flavoring agent at least partially forms the first flavoring material;

- cellulose fibers or cellulose-based fibers containing at least one flavoring agent, wherein the flavoring agent at least partially forms the first flavoring material.

As such, the sleeve portion may contain the same configurations of materials as described above. Accordingly, the sleeve portion may comprise at least one of:

- a porous substrate or foam based on tobacco fibers, wherein the tobacco fibers at least partially form a second aerosol-forming substrate;

- a porous substrate or foam based on plant fibers, wherein the plant fibers at least partially form a second aerosol-forming substrate;

- a filler containing cut tobacco material, wherein the cut tobacco material at least partially forms a second aerosol-forming substrate;

- a filler containing cut plant material, wherein the cut plant material at least partially forms a second aerosol-forming substrate;

- a liquid-retaining material containing an aerosol-forming liquid, wherein the aerosol-forming liquid at least partially forms a second aerosol-forming substrate;

- a liquid retention material containing at least one flavoring agent, wherein the flavoring agent at least partially forms a second flavoring material;

- cellulose fibers or cellulose-based fibers;

- cellulose fibers or cellulose-based fibers containing a flavoring agent, wherein the flavoring agent at least partially forms a second flavoring material;

- expanded fibers of acetate extrusion;

- expanded plant fibers; or

- papers.

As used herein, the term “liquid retention material” refers to a high retention or high release material (HRM) designed to hold liquid. The liquid containment material is configured to inherently retain at least a portion of the liquid, which in turn is not available to be converted into an aerosol before being released from the containment. The use of a liquid containment material reduces the risk of a spill if the aerosol generating product breaks or is cracked due to the fact that the aerosol generating liquid substrate is safely contained within the containment material. Advantageously, this allows the aerosol generating rod to be leak-tight.

As used herein, the cut tobacco material may comprise at least one of tobacco blade pieces, reconstituted tobacco pieces, tobacco stem pieces, or tobacco stem pieces. Likewise, the cut plant material may comprise at least one of plant blade pieces, plant vein pieces, or plant stem pieces.

As an example, at least one of the sleeve portion and the core portion may comprise a porous substrate, such as a porous reconstituted tobacco material. In addition, the porous substrate may contain glycerin, guar, water, tobacco fibers, cellulose fibers, and natural or artificial flavorings and nicotine. The porous substrate may be provided in the form of a thin sheet material and may ultimately be formed into a sectional shape of a sleeve or core portion, as will be described in detail below with respect to the molding apparatus of the present invention. Preferably, the sheet material is corrugated or folded, or both corrugated and folded. The amount and density of the sheet material included in the forming device can be selected so that the resulting sleeve portion or core portion has a particular resistance to retraction.

As another example, at least one of the sleeve portion and the core portion may comprise a porous foam derived from naturally occurring fibers and materials, such as fibers and materials derived from plant additives or plant materials. The foam may contain tobacco or tobacco material, or alternatively may be devoid of tobacco. The porous foam may contain nicotine in its original composition. The porous foam material may contain, in particular may be impregnated or wetted with an aerosol-forming liquid. The aerosol-forming liquid may contain at least one of nicotine and at least one flavoring agent.

As another example, at least one of the sleeve portion and the core portion may comprise a molded sheet material that is corrugated and assembled, respectively, into the shape of the sleeve portion or the core portion.

As yet another example, the sleeve portion may comprise a low porosity material that contains at least one of expanded acetate fibers, expanded plant fibers, and cellulose-based fibers. The fibers may be substantially oriented in one direction, in particular in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming rod. In the aerosol-forming rod, the fibers may be compressed, but preferably only to no more than 80 percent, in particular, no more than 90 percent, of the volume of the fibers before the fibers are formed into the aerosol-forming rod. In this low compression configuration, the sleeve portion has low retraction resistance and essentially no filtration ability. As a result, the sleeve portion can advantageously be used to influence the flow of air created by the negative pressure applied to the aerosol generating article into which volatile compounds are released from the core portion. Preferably, in this configuration, the sleeve portion does not contain any aerosol-forming substrate. In particular, the sleeve portion does not contain any tobacco or tobacco material. Accordingly, aerosol formation is concentrated by the aerosol-forming substrate in the core portion. However, the sleeve portion may contain a flavoring agent that may be vaporized by the current collector and entrained in the air stream.

With respect to improving the diversity of aerosols generated, the second aerosol-forming substrate is preferably different from the first aerosol-forming substrate. The first aerosol-forming substrate and the second aerosol-forming substrate may differ from each other, for example, in at least one of content, composition, taste and texture. For example, the first aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a corrugated molded sheet, and the second aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco fibers in the form of a porous substrate or foam.

Likewise, the second flavor material is preferably different from the first flavor material. The first flavor material and the second flavor material may differ from each other, for example, in at least one of content, composition, taste and texture.

In general, the cross-section of the cylindrical core portion, as seen on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming rod, can be of any shape. Preferably, the cylindrical core portion has a rectangular or square cross-section. Preferably, the sectional shapes have at least one substantially straight edge. Thus, the cylindrical core has a plane, in particular a flat surface, which can be used as a contact surface to which the current collector is adjacent. This advantageously improves the efficiency of heat transfer from the current collector to the core part. This is particularly true if the pantograph comprises a corresponding flat surface that abuts the flat surface of the core portion as a mating part.

The cylindrical core portion may also have a triangular or star-shaped or elliptical or oval or circular or polygonal or semi-oval or semi-elliptical or semi-circular cross-section. In case the cross-section of the core portion comprises one or more curved edge portions to which one of the first pantograph or the second pantograph is adjacent, the corresponding pantograph may also be curved in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating rod, corresponding to the curved portion edges in the shape of a section of the core part to maximize the contact surface between the core part and the corresponding pantograph.

Preferably, the cross-section of the core portion is substantially constant along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol rod, within manufacturing tolerances. However, in some embodiments it may be preferable to have an intermittent cylindrical core, particularly with an intermittent current collector. This in turn allows the continuously formed strand of the aerosol rod, the details of which are described below, to be cut into individual aerosol rods without having to cut through the pantograph.

Preferably the cylindrical core part is in the form of a strip. The strip-shaped core not only provides the advantages of a flat contact surface for the susceptor as described previously, but can also be advantageous in terms of ease of manufacture through a continuous core forming process. As used herein, the term "strip-shaped core" refers to a cylindrical core that has a length extension and a width extension, both of which are greater than the thickness extent of the element. Preferably, the length extension is also greater than the width extension. In the case of a strip-shaped core portion, the receiving pantograph is preferably adjacent to the large side of the core portion. This advantageously improves heating efficiency. Preferably, the strip-shaped core portion has a rectangular cross-section. The strip-shaped core part may also have a curved rectangular cross-section, with the larger side of the corresponding pantograph being curved.

As used herein, the term "susceptor" refers to an element containing a material that is capable of being inductively heated in an alternating electromagnetic field. This may result from at least one of hysteresis losses and eddy currents induced in the pantograph, depending on the electrical and magnetic properties of the pantograph material. Hysteresis losses occur in ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic current collectors due to magnetization reversal of magnetic domains inside the material under the influence of an alternating electromagnetic field. Eddy currents can be induced if the pantograph is electrically conductive. In the case of an electrically conductive ferromagnetic current collector or an electrically conductive ferrimagnetic current collector, heat can be generated due to both eddy currents and hysteresis losses. Accordingly, the current collector may comprise a material that is at least one of electrically conductive and magnetic.

The first pantograph and the second pantograph may be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate. The preferred current collector contains metal or carbon. A preferred current collector may comprise or be composed of a ferromagnetic material, for example a ferromagnetic alloy, ferritic iron or ferromagnetic steel, or stainless steel. Another suitable current collector may contain or be composed of aluminum. Preferred pantographs may be heated to a temperature of from about 40 degrees Celsius to about 500 degrees Celsius, in particular from about 50 degrees Celsius to about 450 degrees Celsius, preferably from about 100 degrees Celsius to about 400 degrees Celsius. The current collector may also include a non-metallic core with a metal layer located on the non-metallic core, for example, metal tracks formed on the surface of the ceramic core.

At least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph may comprise a protective outer layer, such as a protective ceramic layer or a protective glass layer, enveloping the respective pantograph. At least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph may comprise a protective coating made of glass, ceramic, or inert metal that is formed over the core material of the pantograph.

At least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph may be a pantograph composed of multiple materials. In particular, a corresponding multi-material pantograph may comprise a first pantograph material and a second pantograph material. The first pantograph material is preferably optimized with respect to heat loss and thus heating efficiency. For example, the first pantograph material may be aluminum or a ferrous metal such as stainless steel. In contrast, the second pantograph material is preferably used as a temperature marker. For this purpose, the material of the second pantograph is selected in such a way as to have a Curie temperature corresponding to the specified heating temperature of the pantograph assembly. At its Curie temperature, the magnetic properties of the second current collector change from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic, which is accompanied by a temporary change in its electrical resistance. Thus, by observing the corresponding change in electric current absorbed by the induction source, it can be determined when the second susceptor material has reached its Curie temperature and thus when a predetermined heating temperature has been reached. The second susceptor material preferably has a Curie temperature that is below the ignition point of the aerosol-forming substrate, that is, preferably below 500 degrees Celsius. Suitable materials for the second pantograph material may include nickel and certain nickel alloys. Nickel has a Curie temperature ranging from approximately 354 degrees Celsius to 360 degrees Celsius depending on the nature of the impurities. A Curie temperature in this range is ideal because it is approximately the same as the temperature to which the corresponding susceptor must be heated to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate, but is still low enough to avoid local overheating or burning of the aerosol-forming substrate .

At least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph may be in the form of a pin, a rod, a filamentary fiber, or a strip. Preferably, the current collector is made in the form of a strip or has the shape of a strip. A current-collecting strip or a strip-shaped current-collecting element may be advantageous because it can be easily manufactured at low cost.

At least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph may be in the form of a pin, a rod, a filamentary fiber, or a strip. Preferably, at least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph is strip or strip-shaped. The current collector strip is advantageous because it can be easily manufactured at low cost.

As used herein, the terms "strip-shaped" and "strip" refer to an element that has an extent in length and an extent in width, both of which are greater than the extent in thickness of the element. Preferably, the length extension is also greater than the width extension. In particular, the current collector strip can be a current collector sheet, a current collector plate, a current collector sheet, a current collector strip or a current collector foil.

At least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph may have a square or rectangular or semi-oval or semi-elliptical or semi-circular cross-section as seen on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming rod. Preferably, the cross-section of the corresponding pantograph has at least one edge portion which corresponds to a cross-sectional edge portion of the core part to which the corresponding pantograph can be adjacent. In this way, a contact surface is implemented between the respective current collector and the core part, which is sufficiently large with respect to improved heat transfer.

At least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph may also have a triangular or polygonal or oval or elliptical or circular cross-section.

If at least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph has the shape of a strip, in particular a web, plate, sheet, strip or foil, the corresponding pantograph preferably has a substantially rectangular cross-section. In this case, the corresponding pantograph preferably has a width dimension that is larger than the thickness dimension, for example greater than twice the thickness dimension. Advantageously, a suitable strip-shaped pantograph has a width preferably from about 2 millimeters to about 8 millimeters, more preferably from about 3 millimeters to about 5 millimeters, and a thickness preferably from about 0.03 millimeters to about 0.15 millimeters, more preferably from about 0.03 millimeters to about 0.15 millimeters, more preferably from about 0.03 millimeters to about 0.15 millimeters. .05 millimeters to approximately 0.09 millimeters. The length of the current collecting strip can, for example, be in the range from 8 millimeters to 16 millimeters, in particular from 10 millimeters to 14 millimeters, preferably 12 millimeters.

In the case of a strip-shaped pantograph, the receiving pantograph is preferably positioned such that the large side of the pantograph is adjacent to the core portion, in particular the large side of the core portion in the case of a strip-shaped core portion. This advantageously improves heating efficiency.

In the case of a semicircular cross-section, the pantograph preferably has a width or radius of from about 0.5 millimeters to about 2.5 millimeters.

Preferably, at least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph is dimensionally stable. This means that the corresponding pantograph remains substantially undeformed during the manufacture of the aerosol-forming rod, or that any deformation of the corresponding pantograph necessary to form the aerosol-forming rod remains elastic such that the corresponding pantograph returns to its intended shape after the deforming force is removed. . For this purpose, the shape and material of the corresponding pantograph can be selected in such a way as to ensure sufficient dimensional stability. Advantageously, this ensures that the initially desired cross-sectional profile is maintained throughout the manufacture of the aerosol-forming rod. High dimensional stability reduces variation in product performance. With respect to the forming device according to the present invention, and as further described in detail below, this means that the forming device is configured such that the receiving pantograph remains substantially undeformed after passing through the forming device. This means that preferably any deformation of the corresponding pantograph necessary to form a continuous rod remains elastic, whereby the corresponding pantograph returns to its intended shape after the deforming force ceases.

At least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph may have a constant cross-section along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming rod. Alternatively, the cross-section of at least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph may vary along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating rod. For example, if at least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph is strip-shaped, at least one of the width dimension and the thickness dimension of the respective pantograph may vary along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating rod.

Preferably, the length dimension of at least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph corresponds substantially to the length dimension of the aerosol rod when measured along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol rod. The length dimension of at least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph may, for example, be in the range from 8 millimeters to 16 millimeters, in particular from 10 millimeters to 14 millimeters, preferably 12 millimeters. Moreover, the pantograph may have a length dimension equal to the length dimension of at least one of the core portion and the sleeve portion, thereby causing the core portion and the sleeve portion, respectively, to heat along their lengthwise extent. However, as mentioned above, it may be advantageous to have at least one of the first intermittent pantograph and the second intermittent pantograph, and therefore at least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph, wherein the length dimension of the corresponding pantograph is smaller than the length dimension rod forming an aerosol.

At least one of the first pantograph and the second pantograph may comprise an expanded metal sheet containing a plurality of holes extending through the sheet. As used herein, the term "expanded sheet metal" refers to a type of metal sheet in which multiple areas of reduced strength have been created, particularly multiple perforations, and which have subsequently been stretched to form a pattern of holes resulting from the stretching of multiple areas of reduced strength. strength, in particular from the many perforations.

The use of a pantograph containing expanded metal sheet provides many advantages over other types of sheet-shaped pantographs. First, the proportional ratio of the total mass and heat radiation surface of a pantograph containing an expanded metal sheet is improved compared with a pantograph containing a metal sheet without any holes. This mainly helps to save resources for the manufacture of the product. In addition, reduced mass per unit area may also be beneficial in terms of reduced overall mass of the product. Secondly, the specific manufacturing process of expanded metal sheet does not involve the generation of material waste. Third, the holes make the pantograph of the article of the present invention permeable, which improves the flow of air drawn through the article compared to an article containing an impermeable pantograph. In addition, the pantograph openings facilitate the release of material that evaporates from the heated aerosol-forming substrate into the air stream and is entrained by the air stream. Predominantly both aspects contribute to aerosol formation. Fourth, the holes in the expanded metal sheet may become filled with aerosol-forming substrate during rod manufacturing. Advantageously, this can support fixation of the pantograph within the aerosol-generating rod. As a consequence, the accuracy and stability of the placement of the pantograph inside the aerosol-generating rod is significantly improved.

As used herein, the term “holes” is to be understood as an opening that extends through the entire expanded sheet material along its thickness extent from one flat side to the opposite flat side of the expanded sheet material. Likewise, the term “perforation hole” should be understood as a perforation hole that extends through the entire sheet material along its thickness extent from one flat side to the opposite flat side of the sheet material. The term "reduced strength region" refers to a region of a metal sheet that has reduced material thickness in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the metal sheet, that is, along an extent through the thickness of the metal. The reduction in material thickness is such that when the reduced strength metal sheet is stretched, the area of reduced strength is converted into an opening through the entire expanded sheet material along its thickness extent. Moreover, the term "holes" can cover two types of holes, namely holes having a closed border, as well as holes having a partially open border. The hole having a closed boundary is completely enclosed by the material of the expanded metal sheet along the perimeter of the hole. In contrast, an opening having a partially open boundary is only partially limited by the material of the expanded metal sheet along the perimeter of the opening. If present, one or more holes having a partially open border are located on the side edge of the expanded metal sheet. That is, such holes open from the side in the direction of the side edge of the expanded metal sheet. If present, one or more holes having a partially open border may result from areas of reduced strength, in particular, perforations created in the metal sheet that extends beyond the side edge of the metal sheet, and which are subsequently stretched. Accordingly, the expanded metal sheet may comprise one of: a plurality of holes having a closed boundary; a plurality of holes having a partially open boundary; or one or more holes having a closed border, as well as one or more holes having a partially open border. The plurality of holes may be arranged in a periodic pattern, in particular a periodic offset pattern. In particular, in an offset arrangement, the plurality of holes may be arranged in a plurality of rows along a first direction, with each row extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and containing one or more holes, and wherein one or more holes in one row are offset toward one or more holes in each adjacent row.

Preferably, the first pantograph and the second pantograph and the core portion are strip-shaped. In particular, the large side of the strip-shaped receiving pantograph may be adjacent to the large side of the strip-shaped core portion. Advantageously, in this configuration, the cross-sectional shape of the core portion largely covers the heating area of the section of the corresponding strip-shaped pantograph, which improves the heating efficiency of the core portion. Even more preferably, at least one of the width dimension and the length dimension of at least one of the first strip-shaped pantograph and the second strip-shaped pantograph is equal to the width dimension or the length dimension of the strip-shaped core portion, respectively. This arrangement may also be advantageous for efficient heating of the core portion. It is also possible that at least one of the width dimension and the length dimension of at least one of the first strip-shaped pantograph and the second strip-shaped pantograph is smaller than, respectively, the width dimension and the length dimension of the strip-shaped core portion. This can help save the material of the pantograph. Alternatively, it is also possible that at least one of the width dimension and the length dimension of at least one of the first strip-shaped pantograph and the second strip-shaped pantograph is larger than the width dimension and the length dimension of the strip-shaped core portion, respectively. This may help increase the heating rate.

The core part can be symmetrically located relative to the longitudinal central axis of the rod forming the aerosol. That is, the longitudinal central axis of the cylindrical core is located coaxially with the longitudinal central axis of the aerosol-forming rod. Likewise, the first pantograph and the second pantograph may have the same dimensions and may be symmetrically located with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the aerosol rod. Either of these arrangements may be advantageous in terms of a well-balanced mass distribution of the aerosol-forming rod.

The sleeve portion preferably surrounds the core portion, the first pantograph and the second pantograph along the entire circumference of the aerosol generating rod. Likewise, the sleeve portion is preferably located along the entire length dimension of at least one of the core portion, the first pantograph and the second pantograph, preferably along the entire length dimension of all the members, the core portion, the first pantograph and the second pantograph. In this way, the sleeve-shaped part can be uniformly heated by the current collector.

In general, the cross-section of the sleeve portion, as seen on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-forming rod, may be of any suitable shape. Preferably, the sleeve-shaped part has a rectangular or square or elliptical or circular cross-section or a triangular or other polygonal outer cross-section. The inner cross-section is preferably adapted to the outer cross-sectional profile of the core portion assembly, the first pantograph and the second pantograph, both of which are adjacent to the core portion.

Preferably, the sleeve portion surrounds the first pantograph, the second pantograph and the core portion so as to form or fill, in particular completely fill, the cylindrical shape of the aerosol-forming rod. Thus, the outer cross-section of the sleeve portion preferably determines the outer cross-sectional shape of the aerosol-forming rod.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming rod has a circular or elliptical or oval cross-section. However, the aerosol-forming rod may also have a square or rectangular or triangular or other polygonal cross-section. In particular, the outer cross-sectional shape of the sleeve portion may determine the outer cross-sectional shape of the aerosol-forming rod.

The invention also provides an induction heated aerosol generating article for use with an induction heating aerosol generating device, the article comprising an aerosol generating rod in accordance with the present invention and as described herein.

As used herein, the term “aerosol generating article” refers to an article containing at least one aerosol generating substrate for use with an aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating product may be intended for a single use. The aerosol generating product may be a tobacco product. In particular, the product may be a rod-shaped product resembling cigarettes.

In addition to the aerosol generating rod, the article may further comprise various elements: a support element having a central air passage, an aerosol cooling element and a filter element. Any of these elements, or any combination thereof, may be arranged in series with respect to the aerosol-forming rod segment. Preferably, the aerosol generating rod is located at the distal end of the article. Likewise, the filter element is preferably located at the proximal end of the product. Moreover, these elements may have the same outer cross-section as the aerosol-forming rod segment.

The filter element preferably serves as a mouthpiece or as part of a mouthpiece together with an aerosol cooling element. As used herein, the term "mouthpiece" refers to the part of the article through which aerosol exits from the aerosol-generating article. The filter element preferably has an outer diameter that is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the aerosol generating article. The filter element may have an outer diameter of from 5 millimeters to 10 millimeters, for example from 6 millimeters to 8 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the filter element has an outer diameter of 7.2 millimeters plus or minus 10 percent, preferably plus or minus 5 percent. The filter element can have a length of from 5 millimeters to 25 millimeters, preferably a length of from 10 millimeters to 17 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the filter element has a length of 12 millimeters or 14 millimeters. In another preferred embodiment, the filter element has a length of 7 millimeters.

The support element may be located immediately downstream of the aerosol generating rod. The support element may be adjacent to the aerosol generating rod. The support element may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, the support element may be formed from one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: cellulose acetate; cardboard; corrugated paper such as corrugated heat-resistant paper or corrugated parchment paper; and polymeric materials such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE). In a preferred embodiment, the support element is made of cellulose acetate. The support element may comprise a hollow tubular element. In a preferred embodiment, the support element comprises a hollow cellulose acetate tube.

The support member preferably has an outer diameter that is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the aerosol generating article. The support element may have an outer diameter of from 5 millimeters to 12 millimeters, for example from 5 millimeters to 10 millimeters or from 6 millimeters to 8 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the support element has an outer diameter of 7.2 millimeters plus or minus 10 percent, preferably plus or minus 5 percent. The support element can have a length of from 5 millimeters to 15 millimeters, in particular from 6 millimeters to 12 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the support element has a length of 8 millimeters. The aerosol cooling element may be located downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate element, for example, immediately downstream of the support element, and may be adjacent to the support element.

The aerosol cooling element may be located between the support element and the filter element located at the extreme downstream end of the aerosol generating article.

In the context of this document, the term "aerosol cooling element" is used to describe an element having a large surface area and low retraction resistance, for example, from 15 mm water. Art. up to 20 mm water. Art. In use, the aerosol generated by volatile compounds released from the aerosol generating rods is drawn through the aerosol cooling element before being transported to the mouth end of the aerosol generating article.

The aerosol cooling element preferably has a porosity in the longitudinal direction of greater than 50 percent. The air flow path through the aerosol cooling element is preferably relatively unobstructed. The aerosol cooling element may be a assembled sheet or a corrugated and assembled sheet. The aerosol cooling element may comprise a sheet material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose acetate (CA) and aluminum foil or their combinations.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol cooling element comprises an assembled sheet of biodegradable material. For example, an assembled sheet of non-porous paper or an assembled sheet of biodegradable polymeric material such as, for example, polylactic acid or Mater-Bi<®> (a commercially available series of starch-based copolyesters).

The aerosol cooling element preferably comprises a PLA sheet, more preferably a corrugated assembled PLA sheet. The aerosol cooling element may be formed from a sheet having a thickness of from 10 micrometers to 250 micrometers, in particular from 40 micrometers to 80 micrometers, for example 50 micrometers. The aerosol cooling element can be made from assembled sheet having a width of from 150 millimeters to 250 millimeters. The aerosol cooling element may have a specific surface area of from 300 square millimeters per millimeter of length to 1000 square millimeters per millimeter of length, from 10 square millimeters per milligram of weight to 100 square millimeters per milligram of weight. In some embodiments, the aerosol cooling element may be formed from an assembled sheet of material having a specific surface area of approximately 35 square millimeters per milligram of weight. The aerosol cooling element may have an outer diameter of from 5 millimeters to 10 millimeters, for example 7 millimeters.

In some preferred embodiments, the length of the aerosol cooling element is from 10 millimeters to 15 millimeters. Preferably, the length of the aerosol cooling element is from 10 millimeters to 14 millimeters, for example 13 millimeters. In alternative embodiments, the length of the aerosol cooling element is from 15 millimeters to 25 millimeters. Preferably, the length of the aerosol cooling element is from 16 millimeters to 20 millimeters, for example 18 millimeters.

The article may further comprise a wrapper surrounding at least a portion of the various elements mentioned above so as to hold them together and maintain the desired cross-sectional shape of the article. Preferably, the wrapper forms at least part of the outer surface of the article. For example, the wrapper may be a paper wrapper, in particular a paper wrapper made from cigarette paper. Alternatively, the wrapper may be a foil, for example made from plastic. The wrapper may be fluid permeable, for example to allow vaporized aerosol-forming substrate to be released from the article. The fluid-permeable wrapper may also allow air to be drawn into the article through its circumference. Moreover, the wrapper may contain at least one volatile substance that is subject to activation and release from the wrapper when heated. For example, the wrapper may be impregnated with a volatile flavoring agent.

Preferably, the induction heated aerosol generating article of the present invention has a circular or elliptical or oval cross-section. However, the product may also have a square or rectangular or triangular or other polygonal cross-section.

Additional features and advantages of the aerosol generating article of the present invention have been described with respect to the aerosol generating rod and are equally applicable.

The present invention further relates to an aerosol generating system comprising an induction heated aerosol generating article according to the invention and as described herein. The system further includes an induction heating device that generates an aerosol for use with the product. The aerosol generating device includes a receiving cavity for at least partially placing the product in the receiving cavity. The aerosol generating device further comprises an induction source including at least one induction coil for generating an alternating, in particular high-frequency, electromagnetic field in the receiving cavity for induction heating of the current collector of the product when the product is placed in the receiving cavity. The at least one induction coil may be a helical induction coil that is disposed coaxially around the cylindrical receiving cavity.

The device may additionally contain a power supply and a controller for powering and controlling the heating process. As mentioned herein, the alternating, in particular high frequency, electromagnetic field can be in the range from 500 kHz to 30 MHz, in particular from 5 MHz to 15 MHz, preferably from 5 MHz to 10 MHz.

The aerosol generating device may be, for example, a device as described in WO 2015/177256 A1.

In use, the aerosol generating article is engaged with the aerosol generating device such that the current collector assembly is located in the fluctuating electromagnetic field generated by the inductor.

Additional features and advantages of the aerosol generating system of the present invention have been described with respect to the aerosol generating article and, in part, the receiving cavity.

The invention also provides a molding apparatus for use in the manufacture of induction heated aerosol rods according to the present invention and as described herein. The forming device contains:

- a core-forming device configured to collect a core material comprising at least one of a first aerosol-forming substrate and a first flavoring material into a continuous core strand such that, when passing through the core-forming device, the continuous core strand has a cross-sectional shape , corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical core part;

- a first longitudinal guide for positioning the first continuous pantograph profile relative to the continuous core thread so that, when passing through the core forming device, the first continuous pantograph profile is adjacent to the continuous core thread on the first side, the first longitudinal guide extending further downstream at least into an upstream section of the core forming device;

- a second longitudinal guide for positioning the second continuous pantograph profile relative to the continuous core thread so that, when passing through the core-forming device, the second continuous pantograph profile is adjacent to the continuous core thread on the second side opposite the first side, wherein the second longitudinal guide extends downstream into at least an upstream section of the core forming device;

- a sleeve-forming device located around at least a downstream section of the core-forming device, and configured to collect sleeve material comprising at least one of a filler material, a second aerosol-forming substrate, and a second flavoring material, in a continuous sleeve thread around a continuous core thread, a first continuous pantograph profile and a second continuous pantograph profile such that, when passing through the sleeve-forming device, the continuous sleeve thread has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the sleeve-shaped portion.

Advantageously, the molding device allows the various components of the aerosol rod to be efficiently assembled into the desired geometric shape of the aerosol rod to be manufactured. In particular, the forming device makes it possible to guarantee the precise positioning of each component in terms of position and shape within the appropriate tolerances.

To collect the core material into a continuous core strand, the core forming device preferably includes an internal funnel. In this regard, the core forming device may comprise a substantially tubular body portion. The substantially tubular body may comprise at least one tapered section, in particular at least one tapered section. Preferably, at least one tapered section is located at the upstream end of the core forming device. With respect to the longitudinal central axis of the forming device, the axial length of the at least one tapered section may be at least 10 percent, in particular at least 20 percent, preferably at least 30 percent of the axial length of the core forming device. The shape of the internal cross-section, in particular the internal cross-section of the downstream section of the core-forming device, preferably corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical core part. Preferably, collection occurs in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the core material through the core forming device. Depending on the radial position of the core portion in the aerosol-forming rod, the central axis of the inner funnel may be coaxial with the longitudinal central axis of the molding device according to the present invention.

The first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide advantageously assist in positioning the first pantograph profile and the second pantograph profile corresponding to their respective predetermined position in the final aerosol-generating rod. In addition, the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide are also advantageous from the point of view of maintaining the stability of the respective dimensional profile of the pantograph when passing through the molding device, in particular the core forming device. Even more preferably, the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide may be used to initially separate the first pantograph profile and the second pantograph profile from the core material at the upstream end of the core forming device.

At least one of the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide may comprise a guide rail or guide support having a flat guide surface for guiding a corresponding continuous pantograph profile. This can be advantageous, in particular, if the corresponding continuous pantograph profile is strip-shaped. Alternatively, at least one of the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide may comprise a guide tube. Preferably, the guide tube has an internal cross-sectional profile that substantially corresponds to the outer cross-sectional profile of the corresponding pantograph profile. This can be particularly advantageous with regard to the proper direction of the corresponding pantograph profile.

Preferably, the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide are at least partially, preferably completely, implemented by a common guide tube extending downstream into at least an upstream section of the core forming device. In this regard, the common guide tube may comprise a first guide surface and a second guide surface located on opposite sides of the common guide tube on its outer circumferential surface. The first guide surface and the second guide surface are configured to guide, respectively, the first pantograph profile and the second pantograph profile on the outer circumferential surface of the common guide tube along its longitudinal axis. In this configuration, the interior of the common guide tube may be configured to pass and guide core material therethrough. Such an arrangement can be particularly advantageous with regard to the compact design of the molding device. The common guide tube may also serve as part of the core forming device for pre-collecting core material. Preferably, the shape of the internal section of the common tube corresponds to the shape of the core part. Preferably, each of the first guide surface and the second guide surface on the outer circumference of the common guide tube is a flat guide surface, which may be advantageous in particular if the corresponding continuous pantograph profile is strip-shaped. The outer cross-sectional shape of the common guide tube is preferably rectangular or square.

According to the invention, the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide extend downstream into at least an upstream section of the core forming device. Advantageously, this may allow the first pantograph profile and the second pantograph profile to be further guided in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement through the molding device, different from the direction of the longitudinal guide. As used herein, the term "upstream section of the core-forming device" refers to the first stage of the core-forming device in which the core material is at least partially assembled but not yet in its final shape. In particular, as the core material passes through the upstream section of the core forming device, the core material is at least partially assembled into a loose arrangement. In this context, "loose" indicates that the core material at this point has not yet been assembled into a final, more compacted form. The at least partially assembled core material may be of any kind or shape, such as a rod shape, but with a lower density (or larger diameter) than the final rod shape once it has completely passed through the core forming device.

In particular, at least one of the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide and the upstream section of the core forming device may determine through which corresponding guide channel or guide tube the pantograph profile can pass. As described above, the guide channel or guide tube preferably has an internal cross-sectional profile that substantially matches the outer cross-sectional profile of the corresponding pantograph profile. This can be particularly advantageous with regard to the proper direction of the corresponding pantograph profile.

Preferably, at least one of the first pantograph profile and the second pantograph profile is not directed toward a downstream end of an upstream section or further downstream of an upstream section of the core-forming device. It may also be possible that the longitudinal guide extends even further downstream relative to an upstream section of the core-forming device.

Accordingly, at least one of the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide may be configured to guide the corresponding pantograph profile along at least 25 percent, in particular at least 50 percent, preferably at least 75 percent, more preferably along at least 90 percent or along 100 percent of the length of the core-forming device. To this end, at least one of the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide can extend along at least 25 percent, in particular along at least 50 percent, preferably along at least 75 percent, more preferably along at least 90 percent or along 100 percent of the length of the core-forming device. Preferably, the upstream end of at least one of the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide is located upstream of the upstream end of the core forming device. This ensures that the corresponding pantograph profile is precisely pre-positioned in its desired final position within the aerosol-forming rod before entering the core-forming device, that is, upstream of the core-forming device.

Likewise, the core-forming device may extend downstream into at least an upstream section of the sleeve-forming device. Advantageously, this ensures that the core material is properly positioned in the final aerosol-forming rod.

As used herein, the term "upstream section of a liner-forming device" refers to the first stage of a liner-forming device in which the liner material is at least partially assembled but not yet in its final shape. In particular, as the sleeve-forming device passes through the upstream section of the sleeve, the sleeve material is at least partially assembled into a loose arrangement. In this context, "loose" indicates that the case material at this point has not yet been assembled into a final, more compacted form. The at least partially assembled sleeve material may be of any kind or shape, in particular a rod shape, but with a lower density (or larger diameter) than the final rod shape once it has completely passed through the sleeve forming device.

As described above with respect to the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide, the core forming device may extend along at least 25 percent, in particular at least 50 percent, preferably at least 75 percent, more preferably at least 75 percent. along 90 percent or along 100 percent of the length of the device forming the sleeve. The upstream end of the core-forming device may be located on or upstream of the upstream end of the sleeve-forming device.

To adjust the position of at least one of the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide relative to the core forming device in at least one direction, the forming device may include a first movement stage. Preferably, the first moving stage is configured to adjust at least the axial position of at least one of the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide relative to the core forming device. As used herein, the term "axial" refers to the direction of movement of the pantograph profile, core material and sleeve material through the molding device, in particular, to the longitudinal central axis of the molding device. In particular, if at least one of the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide is configured to initially separate the corresponding pantograph profile from the core material on an upstream section of the core-forming device, the axial position of the corresponding longitudinal guide relative to the device can be adjusted , forming the core, allows you to adjust the axial position at which the corresponding pantograph profile and the core material come together. In addition or alternatively, the first movement can also be configured to adjust the position of at least one of the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide relative to the core forming device in at least one, in particular two, transverse directions perpendicular to the axial direction. The two transverse directions are preferably perpendicular to each other.

The first movement stage may be configured to simultaneously adjust both the position of the first longitudinal guide and the position of the second longitudinal guide relative to the core forming device. In particular, the position of the first longitudinal guide and the position of the second longitudinal guide can be connected to each other, and thus can only be adjusted together. Alternatively, the molding device may comprise two separate first movement stages, one for each of the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide for adjusting their respective position relative to the core forming device separately.

To adjust the position of the core-forming device relative to the sleeve-forming device, the molding device may include a second movement stage. Preferably, the second moving stage is configured to adjust the position of the core-forming device relative to the sleeve-forming device in at least one direction, in particular in at least one transverse direction, preferably in at least two transverse directions. The two transverse directions are preferably perpendicular to each other. As used herein, the term "transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the pantograph profile, core material and sleeve material through the molding device, in particular, to the longitudinal central axis of the molding device. In addition or alternatively, the second movement stage can also be configured to adjust the axial position of the core-forming device relative to the sleeve-forming device, that is, in a direction parallel to the direction of movement, in particular the longitudinal central axis of the molding device.

The first movement stage and the second movement stage may be part of a system of movement stages of the molding device.

To collect the sleeve material into a continuous thread of the sleeve around the continuous thread of the core and the continuous susceptor, the sleeve forming device may include an outer funnel. The outer funnel may be located around at least a downstream section of the core-forming device, that is, a section of the core-forming device located downstream of the upstream section of the core-forming device, as further defined above.

The forming device may further comprise one or more guide ribs located on the inner surface of the sleeve forming device, in particular on the inner surface of the outer funnel. Alternatively or in addition, the molding device may comprise one or more guide ribs located on the outer surface of the core forming device, in particular on the outer surface of the inner funnel. These guide ribs are configured to guide the liner material towards the downstream end of the liner forming device. Advantageously, the guide fins can help reduce unwanted heating of the liner forming device and the core forming device during the liner formation process, which may occur due to friction between the liner material and the inner surface of the liner forming device and the outer surface of the core forming device, respectively.

Preferably, one or more guide ribs are helically twisted relative to the direction of movement of the liner material through the forming device. In particular, one or more guide ribs may extend, preferably spirally, along the entire length of the core-forming device or the sleeve-forming device, respectively. As seen in a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the molding device, one or more guide ribs may have a triangular cross-section or a semi-oval or semi-elliptical cross-section. In the latter two configurations, the semi-major axis of the semi-oval or semi-elliptical cross-section is preferably located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the molding device, in particular, stably radially relative to the longitudinal central axis of the molding. The cross-section of one or more guide ribs can vary, in particular in size. For example, the cross-section of one or more guide ribs may be reduced along the direction of movement of the liner material through the molding device. Likewise, the height of the one or more guide ribs, that is, the radial extent of the one or more ribs with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the forming device, may vary, and in particular may decrease along the direction of movement of the liner material through the forming device.

One or more guide ribs may be interrupted along a lengthwise extension, that is, substantially along the direction of movement of the liner material through the forming device.

In particular, two or more guide ribs may be arranged circumferentially on the inner surface of the sleeve-forming device. Likewise, two or more guide ribs may be arranged circumferentially on the outer surface of the core-forming device.

One or more guide ribs on the inner surface of the sleeve-forming device and one or more guide ribs on the outer surface of the core-forming device may be located at different positions around the circumference. In particular, the circumferential positions of one or more guide ribs on the inner surface of the sleeve-forming device and one or more guide ribs on the outer surface of the core-forming device can be shifted by a certain rotation angle relative to the longitudinal central axis of the molding device, for example by 30 degrees or 60 degrees or 90 degrees or 120 degrees. In particular, the guide rib on the outer surface of the core-forming device can be located at a circumferential position that is between, in particular centrally, the circumferential positions of two adjacent ribs on the inner surface of the sleeve-forming device.

Alternatively, or in addition to one or more guide fins, the sleeve-forming device may include at least one of one or more cooling protrusions on an outer surface of the sleeve-forming device and one or more cooling holes in the wall of the sleeve-forming device. Advantageously, one or more cooling protrusions or one or more cooling holes may help reduce unwanted heating of the liner forming device during the liner formation process, which may arise from friction between the liner material and the inner surface of the liner forming device.

The molding device may be part of an overall manufacturing device for producing aerosol-forming rods, in particular the aerosol-forming rod of the present invention.

Accordingly, the present invention further provides a manufacturing apparatus for producing aerosol-forming rods, in particular, an aerosol-forming rod according to the present invention, wherein the manufacturing apparatus comprises a molding apparatus according to the present invention and as described herein.

Downstream of the molding device, the manufacturing device may further comprise a rod-forming device to complete, inter alia, the formation of a continuous first core thread, a second core thread, a susceptor profile, and a continuous sleeve thread into a continuous aerosol-forming rod thread. . The core forming device may comprise a sizing belt in the form of a continuous conveyor belt. The sizing tape preferably cooperates with at least one half-funnel to form the final core shape and preferably to provide a wrap around the entire core continuous strand, pantograph profile and sleeve continuous strand. Preferably, the format tape is located below the central axis of the core forming device, while at least one half-funnel is located above the central axis and therefore above the format tape.

Form tape can support the wrapper. The wrapper may be supplied by means of a wrapper supply to the upstream end of the rod forming device. The wrapper stock may, for example, comprise a roll of wrapper. Preferably, the wrapper is supported on the surface of the format tape, which faces the central axis. Thus, during operation, the wrapper automatically wraps around the continuous thread of the sleeve. The wrapper stock may also add adhesive to at least a portion of the wrapper to hold the wrapper around the sleeve portion.

At its downstream end, the rod-forming device provides a continuous thread of an aerosol-forming rod having a final rod shape, preferably also completely surrounded by a wrapper.

Downstream of the rod-forming device, the manufacturing apparatus may further comprise a cutting device for cutting a continuous strand of the aerosol-forming rod into individual induction-heated aerosol-forming rods in accordance with the present invention and as described herein.

The manufacturing device may comprise a first pantograph stock and a second pantograph stock configured to feed the first pantograph profile and the second pantograph profile, respectively, into the guide device. The pantograph stock may comprise a first unwinding unit and a second unwinding unit for unwinding, respectively, a first pantograph profile and a second pantograph profile provided on a roll.

The manufacturing device may further comprise a supply of liner material configured to supply liner material to the liner forming device. The sleeve material stock may include an unwinding unit for unwinding the sleeve material provided on the roll.

The manufacturing device may further comprise a supply of core material configured to supply core material to the core forming device. The core material stock may include an unwinding unit for unwinding the core material provided on the roll.

Downstream of at least one of the sleeve material stock, the pantograph stock, and the core material stock, the manufacturing apparatus may further comprise one or more processing units for pre-processing, respectively, the sleeve material, the first pantograph profile, the second pantograph profile, and the core material. One or more processing units may be configured to physically process, respectively, the sleeve material, the first pantograph profile, the second pantograph profile, and the core material. For example, the processing unit may be configured to corrugate the sleeve or core material, in particular the sleeve or core material comprises a molded sheet material or an acetate core. Alternatively or additionally, physical treatment of the liner or core material may include one or more of ionization treatment, corona treatment, preheating of the liner or core material.

The processing unit for, respectively, the first pantograph profile or the second pantograph profile may be configured to create a plurality of perforations in the corresponding pantograph profile and stretch the perforated pantograph profile at least along the first direction to create a corresponding extended pantograph profile that contains a plurality of holes originating from the plurality perforation holes.

The manufacturing apparatus may further comprise a tension block for adjusting the tension of the liner material and the core material, respectively.

The manufacturing apparatus may further comprise a metering unit for applying at least one of fluids, granules, particles and powders to the liner material and the core material, respectively.

The manufacturing apparatus may further comprise a corresponding intermediate storage unit for intermediate storage of the liner material and the core material, respectively.

In particular, the manufacturing apparatus may comprise at least one of a processing unit, a tension unit, a metering unit, and a buffer for each of a sleeve material and a core material.

Additional features and advantages of the article of the present invention have been described in relation to the aerosol generating rod and the aerosol generating article and are equally applicable.

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

in fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an induction heated aerosol generating article comprising an induction heated aerosol generating rod according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

in fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the product according to FIG. 1;

in fig. 3 schematically shows the manufacture of induction heated aerosol generating rods according to the present invention;

in fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a molding apparatus for use in the manufacture of induction heated aerosol rods according to FIG. 3; And

in fig. 5 shows in detail an example of the first and second current collectors of the aerosol generating rod according to FIG. 1.

In fig. 1 and fig. 2 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of an induction heated aerosol generating article according to the present invention. Article 1 is substantially rod-shaped and contains four elements that are coaxially aligned along the longitudinal axis 7 of article 1: an aerosol-forming rod 10 according to the present invention, a support element 60, an aerosol cooling element 70, and a filter element 80. Rod 10. aerosol-forming element is located at the distal end 2 of the article 1, while the filter element 80 is located at the distal end 3 of the article 1. Optionally, the article 1 may further include a distal front element 60, which can be used to cover and protect the distal forward end of the rod 10 , forming an aerosol. Each of the above elements is substantially cylindrical and they all have substantially the same diameter. In addition, the elements are surrounded by an outer wrap 90 for the purpose of holding the elements together and maintaining the desired circular cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped article 1. Preferably, the wrapper 90 is made of paper.

The rod-shaped aerosol generating article 1 may have a length of from 30 millimeters to 110 millimeters, preferably from 40 millimeters to 60 millimeters. Likewise, article 1 may have a diameter of from 3 millimeters to 10 millimeters, preferably from 5.5 millimeters to 8 millimeters.

The support member 60 may include a cardboard or cellulose based tube 62 having a central air passage 61 that allows any aerosols generated within the aerosol generating rod 10 to be mixed and homogenized. Alternatively, the support member 60 may be used to separate different aerosols generated at different locations within the aerosol generating rod until it reaches the aerosol cooling member 70.

The aerosol cooling element 70 primarily serves to reduce the temperature of the aerosol towards the proximal end 3 of the article 1. The aerosol generating element may, for example, comprise biodegradable polymeric materials, low porosity cellulose-based materials, or combinations of these and other materials.

The filter element 80 may contain standard filter materials, such as low density acetate rod.

Either the filter element 80 alone or both the aerosol cooling element 70 and the filter element 80 may serve as a mouthpiece through which the aerosol exits the aerosol generating article 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and fig. 2, the aerosol rod segment 10 has a cylindrical shape with a constant cross-section, such as a circular cross-section. As part of the product 1, the aerosol generating rod 10 may have a length of from 5 millimeters to 20 millimeters, preferably from 7 millimeters to 13 millimeters. The diameter of the aerosol generating rod 10 may range from 3 millimeters to 10 millimeters, preferably from 5.5 millimeters to 8 millimeters.

As shown in FIG. 1 and fig. 2, the aerosol-forming rod comprises at least four components: a cylindrical core portion 30 that contains at least one of a first aerosol-forming substrate and a first flavor material, a first elongated pantograph 40, and a second elongated pantograph 50 that is adjacent to the cylindrical core portion 30 along the longitudinal axis 7 of the rod 10 on opposite sides, and a sleeve portion 20 which is disposed around the core portion 30, the first pantograph 40 and the second pantograph 50 and which contains at least one of a filler material, a second substrate 21, forming an aerosol, and a second flavoring material.

In the present embodiment, the core portion 30 includes a liquid holding material 31 that is impregnated with a liquid (first) flavor material. In contrast, the sleeve portion 20 contains a filler containing cut tobacco material, wherein the cut tobacco material at least partially forms the second aerosol-forming substrate 21. In addition, the filler can be impregnated with a liquid substrate, forming an aerosol. The current collector 40 is an elongated strip made of ferromagnetic stainless steel. This material may be advantageous because it provides heat through both eddy currents and hysteresis losses. Optionally, the pantograph 40 may include a nickel coating, with the nickel primarily serving as a temperature marker as described above. In addition, pantograph 40 may include a protective coating to prevent unwanted aging of pantograph 40, such as due to corrosion of aerosol-forming substrates and flavoring materials in a humid environment.

As can be further seen in FIG. 1 and fig. 2, the first pantograph 40 and the second pantograph 50 according to the present embodiment are strip-shaped, each having a width dimension ranging from 3.5 millimeters to 8 millimeters, preferably 4 millimeters to 6 millimeters, and a thickness dimension ranging from 0.05 millimeter to 0.4 millimeter, preferably 0.15 millimeter to 0.35 millimeter. In particular, one or both of the pantographs 40, 50 may be made of an expanded metal sheet containing a plurality of holes 41, 51 extending through the sheet. An example of such pantographs 40, 50 is shown in FIG. 5 .

The core portion 30 is also in the form of a strip and has a width dimension ranging from 3.5 millimeters to 8 millimeters, preferably 4 millimeters to 6 millimeters, and a thickness dimension ranging from 0.5 millimeters to 7 millimeters, preferably 2 millimeters. millimeters to 5 millimeters. As can be further seen in FIG. 1 and fig. 12, the corresponding large side of each pantograph 40, 50 is laterally adjacent to the corresponding large side of the core portion 11. Thus, the first pantograph 40 and the second pantograph 50 are in direct physical contact with the core portion 30. Advantageously, this arrangement allows the core portion to be heated very efficiently. parts 30. In particular, the heating profiles of both pantographs 40, 50 are added due to the overlap within the common heating zone between pantographs 40, 50. In the common heating zone, the temperature is higher than in the corresponding non-overlapping parts of the heating profiles of the first pantograph 40 and the second pantograph 50. The respective non-overlapping portions of the heating profiles of the first pantograph 40 and the second pantograph 50 define a first heating zone and a second heating zone, particularly for heating the cut tobacco material (and optionally the liquid aerosol-forming substrate) in the cartridge portion 20. Advantageously, different heating zones can be effectively used to create a wide variety of different aerosols by providing different aerosols or flavor additives in different amounts from different portions 30, 20 of the aerosol generating rod 10.

The corresponding contact between the core part 30 and respectively the first pantograph 40 and the second pantograph 50 is non-cohesive, that is, the pantographs 40, 50 and the core part 30 are not fixedly attached to each other. However, the respective contact between the core portion 30 and respectively the first pantograph 40 and the second pantograph 50 may involve some kind of non-permanent attachment, for example due to the wet or moistened nature of the liquid retention material, which is impregnated with the liquid flavoring material.

The sleeve portion 20 is positioned around the core portion 30, the first pantograph 40, and the second pantograph 50 such that the cut tobacco material of the sleeve portion 20 completely fills the entire residual volume of the cylindrical rod 10. In particular, the cut tobacco material is in physical contact with the pantographs. 40, 50 in the form of a strip, essentially the large side of each pantograph 40, 50 is opposite the corresponding large side, which is adjacent to the core portion 30. Thus, the cut tobacco material can be simultaneously heated with the flavoring material in the core portion 30. Due to this, the rod 10, which forms an aerosol, allows you to simultaneously obtain aerosols and flavoring additives. This advantageously improves the diversity of aerosols generated.

The induction heated aerosol generating rods of the present invention can be manufactured using the manufacturing method and apparatus 1000 as schematically shown in FIG. 3 .

The manufacturing apparatus 1000 includes a liner material stock 200 configured to supply liner material 201 to a sleeve forming device 130 of the forming apparatus 100. The liner stock 200 includes an unwinding unit 210 for unwinding the liner material 201 provided on a roll 211. Further along flow from the unwinding unit 210, the manufacturing device 1000 further includes a buffer 220 for intermediate storage of the liner material 201, a processing unit 230 for pre-treating the liner material 201, a tensioning unit 600 for adjusting the tension of the liner material 201, and a metering unit 700. In the present embodiment, the unit 230 processing may be performed for the purpose of physically processing the liner material 201, for example, to corrugate the liner material 201. Corrugation of the sleeve material 201 may promote the formation of a sleeve portion in the molding device 100. The dispensing unit 700 may be used to apply at least one of fluids, granules, particles and powders to the sleeve material, such as a flowable flavor material.

With respect to the core portion of the aerosol rod, the manufacturing apparatus 1000 also includes a core material stock 300, which is configured to supply the core material 301 to the core forming apparatus 130 of the molding apparatus 100. The core material stock 300 includes an unwinding unit 310 for unwinding the material. 301 cores, which is provided on a roll of 311.

Likewise, the manufacturing apparatus 1000 includes a first pantograph stock 400 and a second pantograph stock 500, which are configured to feed, respectively, a continuous pantograph profile 401 and a second continuous pantograph profile 501 into the forming device 100. The first pantograph stock 400 includes a first unwinding unit 410 for unwinding a first pantograph profile 401, which is provided on a roll 411. Likewise, a second pantograph stock 500 includes a second unwinding unit 510 for unwinding a second pantograph profile 501, which is provided on a roll 411. Downstream of the unwinding blocks 410, 510, a manufacturing apparatus 1000 further comprises a first processing unit 430 and a second processing unit 530 for pre-processing the first pantograph profile 401 and the second pantograph profile 501, respectively. In the present embodiment, the first processing unit 430 and the second processing unit 530 are configured to create a plurality of perforations in the corresponding pantograph profile 401, 501 and stretch the corresponding perforated pantograph profile 401, 501 along at least a first direction, in this case in the direction of movement through a fabrication apparatus 1000 for creating an extended pantograph profile that includes a plurality of holes 441, 551 derived from a plurality of perforations. An example of such extended pantograph profiles 401, 501 is shown in FIG. 5.

To obtain an aerosol-forming rod 10 as shown in FIG. 1 and fig. 2, the sleeve material 201, the core material 301, as well as the first pantograph profile 401 and the second pantograph profile 501 are to be combined and formed to form a core portion, a first pantograph, a second pantograph, and a sleeve portion disposed around the core portion of the first pantograph and second pantograph. For this purpose, the manufacturing device 1000 includes a forming device 100, which is located downstream of the above-mentioned blocks, and into which the sleeve material 201, the core material 301, as well as the first pantograph profile 401 and the second pantograph profile 501 are simultaneously supplied, as shown in FIG. . 3.

In fig. 4 shows details of the molding device 100, with the lower portion of FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through device 100, and the top portion of FIG. 4 contains three cross sections through the device 100 at three different longitudinal positions, as indicated in the bottom portion of FIG. 4. According to the invention, the molding device 100 includes a sleeve forming device 120, a core forming device 130, and a common longitudinal guide 140, which implements (integrally) the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide for collecting, respectively, the first pantograph profile 401 and the second pantograph profile 501 .

In the present embodiment, the core forming device 130 includes an internal funnel 131, which is configured to collect the core material 301 into a continuous core strand such that, when passing through the core forming device 301, the continuous core strand has a sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of a cylindrical the core portion of the rod forming the aerosol to be manufactured. According to the radial position of the core portion in the aerosol-forming rod, the central axis of the inner funnel is coaxial with the longitudinal central axis 107 of the molding device 100.

The common longitudinal guide 140 is configured to position the first continuous pantograph profile 401 and the second continuous pantograph profile 501 relative to the continuous core thread so that they abut the continuous core thread without interlocking when passing through the inner funnel 131. In the present embodiment, the common longitudinal guide 140 includes a guide tube 141 that is coaxial with respect to the longitudinal central axis 107 of the molding device 100 and extends downstream into an upstream section of the core forming device 130. In the upstream section of the core forming device 130, the first core material and the second core material are already pre-assembled. The upstream section of the core-forming device 130 has a length 109 that is approximately 30 percent of the total length 108 of the core-forming device 130.

As can be seen at the top of FIG. 4, the guide tube 141 has a rectangular cross-section, the upper and lower outer surfaces of the guide tube 141 provide a first guide surface 142 and a second guide surface 144. Together with the side walls, the top wall and the bottom wall of the inner funnel 131, each of the guide surfaces 142, 144 forms a guide a channel 143, 145 into which the first pantograph profile 401 and the second pantograph profile 501 are fed, respectively, to initially separate them from the core material 301 in the upstream section of the core forming device 130.

In this configuration, the interior of the common guide tube 141 is configured to pass and guide the core material therethrough. Such an arrangement can be particularly advantageous with respect to the compact structure of the molding device 100. In this regard, the guide tube 141 serves as part of the core forming device for pre-collecting the core material.

At the downstream end of the longitudinal guide 140, the first pantograph profile 401 and the second pantograph profile 501 are released from the guide, allowing the pantograph profiles 401, 501 to converge with the preassembled core material in a position corresponding to their predetermined position in the final aerosol-forming rod.

To collect the sleeve material into a continuous sleeve thread around a continuous first core thread, a second core thread and a current collector, the forming device 100 includes a sleeve forming device 120. Like the core-forming device 130, the sleeve-forming device 120 also includes a funnel, which is an outer funnel 121 located around at least a downstream section of the core-forming device 130. In the present embodiment, the outer funnel 121 even extends along the entire length of the core forming device 130 so that the inner funnel 131 is completely contained within the outer funnel 121. The downstream end of the core forming device 130 opens into the downstream section a device forming a sleeve, where the sleeve material has already been pre-assembled. Thus, at the downstream end of the core forming device 130, the continuous core filament and pantograph profile - which laterally adjoin the continuous core filament - are released into the pre-assembled sleeve material. This may be advantageous with regard to the stability of placing the core portion and the current collector at their desired positions in the final aerosol-forming rod.

As further shown in FIG. 4, the forming device 100 further includes two guide ribs 180 located on the inner surface of the outer funnel 121 of the sleeve forming device 120. These guide ribs 180 are configured to guide the liner material toward the downstream end of the liner forming device 120. Advantageously, the guide ribs 180 may help reduce unwanted heating of the sleeve forming device and the core forming device during the sleeve formation process, which may occur due to friction between various parts of the molding device 100 and the sleeve material.

To adjust the position of the core portion, the first pantograph and the second pantograph within the aerosol generating rod, the molding device includes a first movement stage 171 and a second movement stage 172 operatively connected to the common longitudinal guide 140 and the core forming device 130, respectively. In the present invention, the first movement stage 171 is configured to adjust the axial position of the common longitudinal guide 140 relative to the core forming device 130 along the longitudinal central axis 107 of the molding device 100. This allows the axial position to be adjusted if the first pantograph profile 401 and the second pantograph profile 501 converge. along with pre-assembled core material. The second movement stage 172 is configured to adjust the position of the core forming device 130 relative to the sleeve forming device 120 along three directions, namely: a first direction parallel to the longitudinal central axis 107 of the molding device 100, a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis 107, and a third direction perpendicular to the second direction and the longitudinal central axis 107. Thus, the position where the continuous core thread and the current collector come together with the preassembled sleeve material can be controlled in three dimensions.

At the downstream end of the sleeve-forming device 120, a single unit of the continuous core thread, the first pantograph profile, the second pantograph profile, and the continuous core thread leaves the molding device 100. Within the whole, the continuous core thread has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the shape section of the part in the form of a sleeve, the continuous thread of the core has a sectional shape corresponding to the shape of the section of the core part, while the first pantograph and the second pantograph from the side are adjacent to the continuous thread of the core from opposite sides.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the manufacturing apparatus 100 further comprises a core forming apparatus 800 located downstream of the forming apparatus 100, which is configured to transform a single continuous core filament, a first pantograph profile, a second pantograph profile, and a sleeve continuous filament into a continuous filament. rod forming an aerosol. As described above, but not shown in FIG. 3, the core forming device 800 may include a sizing tape that interacts with at least one half-funnel to form the final core shape. The format tape may further support the wrapper supplied by a wrapper stock (not shown) to the upstream end of the core forming device 800. In operation, the wrapper is automatically wrapped around the substrate web while the substrate is gradually assembled around the sleeve portion such that a continuous strand of aerosol-forming rod, completely surrounded by the wrapper, leaves the rod-forming device 800 at the downstream end.

Downstream of the rod-forming device, the manufacturing device 1000 may further comprise a cutting device 900 for cutting a continuous strand of aerosol-forming rod into individual induction-heated aerosol-forming rods in accordance with the present invention.

Claims (42)

1. An induction heated aerosol generating rod for use in an aerosol generating article, wherein the aerosol generating rod comprises: at least one cylindrical core portion containing at least one of a first aerosol-forming substrate and a first flavor material; a first elongated susceptor adjacent laterally to the cylindrical core portion on a first side along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating rod; a second elongated susceptor adjacent laterally to the cylindrical core portion on a second side along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating rod opposite the first side such that the cylindrical core portion is located between the first elongated susceptor and the second elongated susceptor; And a sleeve-like portion located around the core portion, the first susceptor, and the second susceptor, the sleeve containing at least one of a filler material, a second aerosol-forming substrate, and a second flavor material. 2. An aerosol-forming rod according to claim 1, characterized in that the core part contains at least one of a porous substrate or foam based on tobacco fibers, wherein the tobacco fibers at least partially form the first aerosol-forming substrate; a porous substrate or foam based on plant fibers, wherein the plant fibers at least partially form the first aerosol-forming substrate; a filler containing cut tobacco material, wherein the cut tobacco material at least partially forms the first aerosol-forming substrate; a filler containing cut plant material, wherein the cut plant material at least partially forms a first aerosol-forming substrate; a liquid-retaining material including an aerosol-forming liquid, wherein the aerosol-forming liquid at least partially forms a first aerosol-forming substrate; a liquid retention material including at least one flavoring agent, wherein the flavoring agent at least partially forms the first flavoring material; cellulose fibers or cellulose-based fibers including a flavoring agent, wherein the flavoring agent at least partially forms the first flavoring material. 3. An aerosol-forming rod according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve-shaped portion contains at least one of: a porous substrate or foam based on tobacco fibers, wherein the tobacco fibers at least partially form a second aerosol-forming substrate; a porous substrate or foam based on plant fibers, wherein the plant fibers at least partially form a second aerosol-forming substrate; a filler containing cut tobacco material, wherein the cut tobacco material at least partially forms a second aerosol-forming substrate; a filler containing cut plant material, wherein the cut plant material at least partially forms a second aerosol-forming substrate; a liquid-retaining material comprising an aerosol-forming liquid, wherein the aerosol-forming liquid at least partially forms a second aerosol-forming substrate; a liquid retention material including at least one flavoring agent, wherein the flavoring agent at least partially forms a second flavoring material; cellulose fibers or cellulose-based fibers; cellulose fibers or cellulose-based fibers including a flavoring agent, wherein the flavoring agent at least partially forms a second flavoring material; expanded fibers of acetate extrusion; expanded plant fibers; or paper. 4. An aerosol-forming rod as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second aerosol-forming substrate is different from the first aerosol-forming substrate. 5. The aerosol generating rod as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first susceptor and the second susceptor comprises an expanded metal sheet containing a plurality of holes extending through the sheet. 6. An aerosol-forming rod according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the cylindrical core portion has a rectangular cross-section or a square cross-section, or a semi-elliptical cross-section, or a semi-circular cross-section. 7. An aerosol-forming rod according to any of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the cylindrical core part is symmetrically located relative to the longitudinal central axis of the aerosol-forming rod. 8. An aerosol generating rod according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the first susceptor and the second susceptor is strip-shaped, and the extension in width of the first strip-shaped susceptor and the second strip-shaped susceptor is respectively constant or changes along the longitudinal central axis of the rod forming the aerosol. 9. An aerosol generating article comprising an induction heated aerosol generating rod according to any of the preceding claims. 10. Forming device for use in the manufacture of induction heated aerosol-forming rods according to any one of claims. 1-8, wherein the molding device comprises: a core forming device configured to collect a core material comprising at least one of a first aerosol-forming substrate and a first flavoring material into a continuous core strand such that when passing through the device , forming the core, the continuous thread of the core has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical core part; a first longitudinal guide for positioning the first continuous susceptor profile relative to the continuous core strand such that, when passing through the core forming device, the first continuous susceptor profile is laterally adjacent to the continuous core strand on a first side, wherein the first longitudinal guide extends downstream along at least to an upstream section of the core forming device; a second longitudinal guide for positioning a second continuous susceptor profile relative to the continuous core strand such that, when passing through the core forming device, the second continuous susceptor profile is laterally adjacent to the continuous susceptor strand on a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second longitudinal guide extends further downstream into at least an upstream section of the core forming device; a sleeve-forming device disposed around at least a downstream section of the core-forming device, and configured to collect sleeve material comprising at least one of a filler material, a second aerosol-forming substrate, and a second flavor material, in a continuous liner thread around a continuous core thread, a first continuous susceptor profile and a second continuous susceptor profile such that, when passing through the sleeve-forming device, the continuous sleeve thread has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the sleeve-shaped portion. 11. The molding device according to claim 10, characterized in that the sleeve forming device is located around at least a downstream section of the core forming device. 12. Forming device according to any one of paragraphs. 10-11, characterized in that the core-forming device contains an inner funnel, and the sleeve-forming device contains an outer funnel. 13. Forming device according to any one of paragraphs. 10-12, characterized in that the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide are at least partially implemented by a common guide tube extending downstream into at least an upstream section of the core forming device. 14. Forming device according to any one of paragraphs. 10-13, characterized in that it additionally contains at least one of: a first movement stage for adjusting the position of at least one of the first longitudinal guide and the second longitudinal guide relative to the core forming device in at least one direction; a second movement stage for adjusting the position of the core-forming device relative to the sleeve-forming device in at least one direction. 15. Forming device according to any one of paragraphs. 10-14, characterized in that it further comprises one or more guide ribs located on at least one of the inner surface of the device forming the sleeve and the outer surface of the device forming the core.

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