JP7381473B2 - Aerosol-generating articles with retractable heat sources - Google Patents

Description

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

Aerosol-generating articles in which tobacco is heated rather than burned have been proposed in the art. One purpose of these "heated" aerosol generating articles is to reduce certain smoke components of the type produced by tobacco combustion and pyrolysis in conventional cigarettes. In one well-known type of heated aerosol-generating articles, an aerosol is generated by a combustible heat source that transfers heat to an aerosol-forming substrate (eg, containing tobacco). The aerosol-forming substrate may be located downstream of the combustible heat source. The outer wrapping sheet of the aerosol generating article may be used to surround the aerosol forming substrate and at least a portion of the combustible heat source. During use, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heat transfer from a combustible heat source and become entrained in the air drawn through the heated aerosol-generating article from the tip where the heat source is located to the mouthpiece end. . As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol.

Provides an aerosol-generating article that can cover a combustible heat source for disposal because the flammable heat source is difficult to extinguish and can burn for a longer time than the aerosol-forming substrate is depleted. It is desirable to do so. Arranging the outer wrapping sheet to include internal recesses into which a combustible heat source can be drawn is one way to accomplish this. It is also well known in the art to incorporate a series of holes within an aerosol generating article to create a region of weakness and aid in its collapse. However, this approach introduces an additional air pathway that can be detrimental to aerosol delivery.

International Patent Publication No. 2017/115196 discloses an aerosol-generating article having a collapsible structure for storing a heat source in an internal "void". The disclosed structure includes, in order from a distal tip to a proximal mouthpiece end, a heat source, an aerosol generating substrate, a first diffuser element, a cavity, a second diffuser element, and an aerosol cooling element. an inner tubular member comprising an element. An inner tubular member is retained within a tubular body that includes a mouthpiece filter element. The outer wrapping sheet may be adhered to the tubular body at the joint of the inner tubular member to retain the inner tubular element within the tubular body. The inner tubular member includes a region of weakness that allows the tip to collapse into a cavity within the tubular body.

It would be desirable to provide an aerosol generating article with a structure that incorporates areas of weakness. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article that avoids creating alternative air pathways for harmful aerosol delivery. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article that can be manufactured using existing manufacturing processes and that can be manufactured at existing manufacturing rates.

According to one aspect of the invention, an aerosol generating article is provided having a proximal end and a distal end. An inner tubular element is provided that includes an inner wrapping sheet surrounding a combustible heat source positioned toward a distal end of the aerosol generating article. The inner wrapping sheet further surrounds an aerosol-forming substrate positioned downstream of the combustible heat source. A combustible heat source and an aerosol forming substrate are provided in a coaxial arrangement. The aerosol generating article further comprises an outer tubular element surrounding at least a portion of the inner tubular element. The inner wrapping sheet includes a pre-twisted portion that allows deformation of the inner tubular element such that the distal end of the inner tubular element is slidable relative to the outer tubular element.

Advantageously, the pre-twisted portion provides a convenient mechanism for the aerosol-generating article to collapse and can be incorporated into existing manufacturing lines with little modification without affecting line speed. A further advantage of the pre-twisted section is that a region of weakness is created that allows for a collapsed deformation without introducing additional air paths.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating article may include a mouthpiece filter at the proximal end, and the mouthpiece end of the inner tubular element may be attached to the mouthpiece filter. In some embodiments, the combustible heat source is a carbonaceous heat source. The aerosol-forming substrate may include tobacco.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating article can include a cavity between the aerosol-forming substrate and the mouthpiece end. The first moving element may be located between the aerosol-forming substrate and the cavity in the expanded position. The aerosol generating article may also include a second moving element separated from the first moving element by a cavity in the expanded position. If first and second moving elements are provided, they may abut each other when the cavity is collapsed into the axially retracted configuration. The outer tubular element may extend from the proximal end of the aerosol generating article toward its distal end and surround at least the mouthpiece end and cavity of the inner tubular element, terminating downstream of the heat source. The pre-twisted portion may be at least in the region surrounding the cavity.

In certain embodiments in which a cavity is included, the inner tubular element moves from an expanded position having a first article length to a second article length that is less than the first article length and in which the cavity is It is slidable to an axially retracted configuration to an at least partially collapsed retracted position. When in the storage position, the second article length may be about 80% or less of the first article length. When in the storage position, the second article length may be about 70% or less of the first article length.

The outer tubular element may terminate at or downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate.

In some embodiments, the outer tubular element can include an outer wrapping sheet. The outer wrapping sheet may be joined to the inner tubular element only at its mouthpiece end. The outer wrapping sheet may be joined to the inner tubular element only at its mouthpiece end for the first circumferential wrap. The outer wrapping sheet can be joined to itself for the second wrap. The outer wrapping sheet may be joined to itself along substantially its entire length. The outer wrapping sheet may be adhesively bonded to the inner wrapping sheet. The outer wrapping sheet may be adhesively bonded to itself.

A portion of the inner tubular element downstream of the pre-twisted portion may be rotatably offset relative to a portion of the inner tubular element upstream of the pre-twisted portion. The rotational offset may be greater than or equal to 5 degrees. The rotational offset may be greater than 15 degrees. The rotational offset may be greater than 45 degrees. When in the storage position, the second article length may be about 90% or less of the first article length.

An outer wrapping sheet for use in manufacturing aerosol generating articles is also disclosed. The outer wrapping sheet includes first and second opposed ends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article. A width of the sheet at least equal to twice the circumference of the inner tubular element is defined by the first and second opposed ends. The outer wrapping sheet has an adhesive pattern disposed thereon comprising a first region comprising a band of adhesive extending substantially vertically from a first end to a second end. The adhesive band extends from the first end to the second end for a distance at least equal to the circumference of the inner tubular element. When wrapped starting from the first end, the adhesive band forms an adhesive bond only at the mouthpiece end between the outer wrapping sheet and the inner tubular element. The adhesive pattern further comprises a second region including a region of adhesive extending along substantially the entire length of the outer wrapping seed from the point where the strip ends to the second end. The adhesive pattern in the second region forms an adhesive bond between the first wrap and subsequent wraps of the outer wrapping sheet along substantially its entire length.

Advantageously, the specific adhesive pattern on the outer wrapping sheet provides both a firm connection of the inner tubular element to the outer tubular element, and an unbonded inner area that allows the inner tubular element to collapse. In addition, it provides structural rigidity surrounding the unbonded parts.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method of making an aerosol-generating article having a proximal end and a distal end is provided. The method includes providing an inner tubular element with an inner wrapping sheet surrounding a combustible heat source positioned toward a distal end of the aerosol generating article. The inner wrapping sheet further surrounds the aerosol forming substrate downstream of the combustible heat source. A combustible heat source and an aerosol forming substrate are provided in a coaxial arrangement. The inner wrapping sheet includes a pre-twisted section. The method further includes overlapping at least a portion of the inner tubular element with an outer wrapping sheet. As a result, the distal end of the inner tubular element is slidable relative to the outer tubular element.

In certain embodiments, an inner wrapping sheet further surrounds and is disposed coaxially with the cavity between the aerosol-forming substrate and the mouthpiece end.

Overlapping the inner tubular element includes adhering the outer wrapping sheet to the inner tubular element only at its mouthpiece end for a first circumferential wrap, starting from a first end of the outer wrapping sheet. sell. The overwrapping may further include a second wrap of the outer wrapping sheet along substantially the entire length of the outer wrapping sheet, thereby forming an outer tubular element. The outer tubular element may extend from a proximal end of the aerosol generating article toward a distal end thereof. If the inner tubular member includes a cavity, the outer tubular element may surround at least the mouthpiece end of the inner tubular element and the cavity. The outer tubular element terminates downstream of the heat source. The distal end including the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate may be slidable relative to the outer tubular element from an expanded position with a first article length to a retracted position with a second article length. . The second article length is shorter than the first article length. Sliding the distal end from the expanded position to the retracted position at least partially collapses the cavity into the axially retracted configuration.

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

The method may include applying a pre-twist to the inner tubular element during the overlapping procedure. Overwrapping may involve applying an outer wrapping sheet using a rotating drum, by clamping between the rotating drum and a fixed guide plate onto which the outer wrapping sheet is temporarily attached. The method includes rotating the inner tubular element, and the outer wrapping sheet is wrapped around the inner tubular element and adhered thereto while passing through the clamp. The distal end of the unoverlapped inner tubular element may rotate at a different rate than its more proximal end surrounded by the outer wrapping sheet, thereby inducing torsion in the inner wrapping sheet of the inner tubular element. do. A pre-twist may be applied to the inner tubular element at a twisting station prior to the overlapping procedure.

The method includes first providing a single mouthpiece filter element having first and second ends corresponding to coupled first and second mouthpiece filters. It may include a step of manufacturing. The method can include providing an inner tubular element, including providing first and second inner tubular elements attached to first and second ends, respectively, of a single mouthpiece filter element. The overlapping of the first and second inner tubular elements may be simultaneous. Overwrapping may use a single outer wrapping sheet. The outer wrapping sheet may be symmetrical about the center of the mouthpiece filter element. The outer wrapping sheet may form first and second outer tubular elements joined together. The method can include cutting the combined outer tubular element and mouthpiece filter element to separate the combined article into first and second aerosol-generating articles.

All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonly used in the art, unless specified otherwise. The definitions provided herein are provided to facilitate understanding of certain terms frequently used herein.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" means an article that includes an aerosol-forming substrate that has the ability to emit volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol, such as by heating, combustion, or chemical reaction. .

As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" is used to describe a substrate that has the ability to emit volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. The aerosol produced from the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article according to the invention may be visible or non-visible, and may be a vapor (e.g., a fine powder of a gaseous substance is normally liquid or solid at room temperature). ), as well as liquid droplets of gases and condensed vapors.

The term "sheet" as used herein means a laminar element having a width and length greater than its thickness.

The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the relative positions of elements of an aerosol-generating article described with respect to the direction of inhalation airflow as it is drawn through the body of the aerosol-generating article from the distal end to the mouthpiece end. Point. In other words, "downstream" as used herein is defined with respect to the airflow during use of a smoking or aerosol-generating article, and the mouthpiece end of the article is at the downstream end through which air and aerosol are drawn. Become. The end opposite the mouthpiece end is the upstream end.

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

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the terms "comprising" and "containing," and variations thereof, mean "including, but not limited to," other parts, additions, etc. is not intended to (and does not exclude) any thing, component, integer, or step. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, when the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating the plural as well as the singular, unless the context requires otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary aerosol-generating article. FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of the exemplary aerosol-generating article of FIG. 1 in an expanded position. FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of the exemplary aerosol-generating article of FIG. 1 in a stored position. FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the first and second joined inner tubular elements before being overlapped by an outer wrapping sheet. FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a combined aerosol-generating article prior to separation into first and second aerosol-generating articles. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the overlapping of the inner tubular element with the outer wrapping sheet at the overlap station. FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a partially wrapped inner tubular element.

The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale and are presented for illustrative purposes and are not to be considered limiting. The drawings depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other aspects not illustrated in the drawings are within the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary aerosol-generating article 100 extending between a proximal end 102 and a distal end 104. As shown in FIG. An inner tubular element 105 having a mouthpiece end 107 is provided within the aerosol generating article 100. Also provided is an opposing heat source end located at the distal end 104 of the aerosol generating article 100. Inner tubular element 105 includes an inner wrapping sheet 109. Inner wrapping sheet 109 surrounds a combustible heat source 115 positioned toward the distal end of aerosol generating article 100. Inner wrapping sheet 109 further surrounds an aerosol-forming substrate 120 positioned downstream of combustible heat source 115 . Inner wrapping sheet 109 further surrounds cavity 125 located between aerosol-forming substrate 120 and mouthpiece end 107. Combustible heat source 115, aerosol forming substrate 120 and cavity 125 are provided in a coaxial arrangement. Aerosol-generating article 100 further includes an outer tubular element 130 extending from proximal end 102 of aerosol-generating article 100 toward distal end 104 thereof. The outer tubular element 130 surrounds at least the mouthpiece end 107 and cavity 125 of the inner tubular element 105. Outer tubular element 130 terminates downstream of heat source 115. Inner wrapping sheet 109 includes at least some pre-twisted portions 109b in the area surrounding cavity 125 (see FIG. 6). The distal end 104, which includes a combustible heat source 115 and an aerosol-forming substrate 120, is inserted into the outer tubular element 130 from an expanded position having a first article length (L1, see FIG. 2A) to a first article length (L1, see FIG. 2A). The second article length (L2, see FIG. 2B) is slidable to a storage position having a second article length (L2, see Figure 2B). Sliding distal end 104 from the expanded position to the retracted position at least partially collapses cavity 125 into the axially retracted configuration.

Aerosol generating article 100 is also shown to include a first moving element 121a and a second moving element 121b located within inner tubular element 105 (see FIG. 2A). The first moving element 121a and the second moving element 121b may be spaced apart from each other when the aerosol-generating article is in the expanded position. First moving element 121a and second moving element 121b are each shown positioned at the ends of cavity 125 between aerosol-forming substrate 120 and mouthpiece filter 127. Aerosol generating article 100 is also shown to include a moving element 117 located between combustible heat source 115 and aerosol forming substrate 120. The moving element 117 is surrounded within the inner wrapping sheet 109.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pre-twisted portion 109b of the inner wrapping sheet 109 may surround a portion of each of the first moving element 121a and the second moving element 121b. Distal end 104, including combustible heat source 115 and aerosol-forming substrate 120, is slidable relative to outer tubular element 130 to extinguish combustible heat source 115. The distal end extends from an expanded position having a first article length (L1 in FIG. 2A) to a second article length (L1 in FIG. 2B) that is shorter than the first article length, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. L2). In the retracted position, cavity 125 is at least partially collapsed into an axially retracted configuration. The axially retracted configuration may be caused by pressure or force being applied to the distal end of the aerosol-generating article 100, such as when the aerosol-generating article 100 is "squeezed." It is not essential that the void 125 be completely collapsed. Although the moving elements 121a, 121b are separated in the extended position, in some cases the moving elements 121a, 121b remain separated when the aerosol-generating article 100 is in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 2B. In some cases, this is desirable. In other cases, it may be desirable for the first moving element 121a and the second moving element 121b to be adjacent to each other when the cavity 125 collapses into an axially retracted configuration (not shown). . It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the first moving element 121a and the second moving element 121b are not essential features; for example, the cavity may be distally bounded by the aerosol-forming substrate 120 and the mouthpiece filter 127. May be the proximal border. In fact, the void 125 itself is not essential. It will be appreciated that any axially compressible structure within the inner tubular element may allow the distal end of the inner tubular element to be slidable relative to the outer tubular element to "squeeze" the aerosol generating article 100. Probably.

Because the pre-twisted portions do not introduce additional air paths within the aerosol-generating article 100, the pre-twisted portions 109b are particularly advantageous compared to perforating or scoring the inner wrapping sheet. This is the preferred method of creating a region of weakness to allow the distal end to slide relative to the outer tubular element. Aerosol generating articles 100 are preferably manufactured back-to-back, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. That is, the two aerosol-generating articles 100, 100' are made integrally and simultaneously, and then separated by cutting the combined articles at the center. FIG. 3 illustrates the first inner tubular element 105 and the second inner tubular element 105' before being overlapped by an outer wrapping sheet 135. In the back-to-back configuration, a single mouthpiece filter element 129 is attached to the proximal ends 102, 102' of the first and second inner tubular elements 105, 105', respectively, and is initially coupled to the can be considered as having first and second ends corresponding to the first mouthpiece filter 127 and the second mouthpiece filter 127'. A first mouthpiece filter 127 and a second mouthpiece filter 127' are located downstream of their respective associated cavities 125, 125'. This is advantageous in that the first outer tubular element 130 and the second outer tubular element 130' are initially symmetrical along the centerline 200 of the mouthpiece filter element 129 to form a joined first outer tubular element 130 and a second outer tubular element 130'. allows simultaneous overlapping of the first inner tubular element 105 and the second inner tubular element 105' using an outer wrapping sheet 135, 135' coupled to the outer wrapping sheet 135, 135'. Once formed, the combined aerosol generating article 100, 100' may be separated by cutting through the combined outer tubular elements 130, 130' and mouthpiece filter element 129.

The coaxial arrangement of inner tubular element 105 is best shown in FIG. Inner tubular element 105 has a mouthpiece end 107 and a heat source end, with an inner wrapping sheet 109 surrounding a combustible heat source 115 positioned toward distal end 104 of aerosol generating article 100 in a coaxial arrangement; an aerosol-forming substrate 120 downstream of the sexual heat source 115 and a cavity 125 between the aerosol-forming substrate 120 and the mouthpiece end 107. Inner wrapping sheet 109 includes at least some pre-twisted portions 109b within the area surrounding void 125. Inner tubular element 105 is also shown to include a cap 110 at distal end 104 upstream of combustible heat source 115. Cap 110 is shown adjacent to combustible heat source 115 and surrounded by a portion of inner wrapping sheet 109. Removable cap 110 may include a desiccant that absorbs moisture, such as glycerin. This increases the life of the components within the inner tubular element 105. Removable cap 110 may be removed by twisting removable cap 110 and tearing the portion of inner wrapping sheet 109 adjacent the cap. Removal of the removable cap 110 exposes the front portion of the combustible heat source 115 and allows the combustible heat source 115 to ignite. The combustible heat source 115 may be a carbonaceous heat source. Aerosol-forming substrate 120 may include tobacco.

Outer wrapping sheet 135 includes first 155a and second 155b opposite ends substantially parallel to longitudinal axis 150 of aerosol generating article 100. A longitudinal axis 150 of aerosol-generating article 100 extends between proximal end 102 and distal end 104 of aerosol-generating article 100. Opposing edges of first 155a and second 155b define the width of outer wrapping sheet 135 therebetween. The width of the outer wrapping sheet 135 is at least equal to twice the circumference of the surrounding inner tubular element 105 so that it can be wrapped around at least twice. Extending perpendicularly between first edge 155a and second end 155b are proximal and distal ends 102 and 103 of outer wrapping sheet 135. It will be appreciated that when a pair of aerosol generating articles 100 are initially manufactured back-to-back using joined outer wrapping sheets, their respective proximal ends 102, 102' are joined at centerline 200. For the sake of brevity, the remaining description will be made with respect to the outer wrapping sheet 135 only. The outer wrapping sheet 135' is the same symmetrical image, and like parts are referred to by like reference numerals, but with a prime (') suffix.

Outer wrapping sheet 135 is shown with an exemplary adhesive pattern. The adhesive pattern shown in FIG. A strip of adhesive in the form of strips 145b is provided. The first strip of adhesive 145a forms an adhesive bond between the outer wrapping sheet 135 and the inner tubular element 105 in the area of and surrounding the second moving element 121b. Accordingly, an adhesive bond is formed only at the mouthpiece end 107 when wrapped around starting from the first end 155a. A second strip 145b of adhesive, similar to the first strip 145a but located more proximally, is used to join the outer wrapping sheet 135 to the mouthpiece filter 127. The first strip 145a and the second strip 145b contain a band of adhesive that allows the outer wrapping sheet 135 to be bonded to the inner tubular element 105 and mouthpiece filter 127 only at the mouthpiece end 107. Form. Although two separate strips 145a, 145b are shown, it is understood that other adhesive arrangements, such as single strips and non-continuous drops or lines, are included in this description. Probably.

The adhesive pattern extends along substantially the entire length of the outer wrapping sheet 135 (i.e., from the proximal end 102 to the distal end 103) from the point where the bands 145a, 145b terminate to the second end 155b. A second region is shown further comprising a region 140 of. Region 140 of adhesive forms an adhesive bond between the first and subsequent wraps of outer wrapping sheet 135 along substantially its entire length. Although an adhesive is described, other methods in the art for joining outer tubular element 130 to inner tubular element 105 or itself are included in this description. For example, the use of perforations or tightening bands between the sheets may be effective as well.

Although the outer tubular element 130 of the aerosol-generating article is shown terminating downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate 120, such arrangement is merely exemplary, and the arrangement in which the outer tubular element 130 terminates at the aerosol-forming substrate 120 is merely exemplary. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following are likewise encompassed by this description.

Aerosol generating article 100 can have a length and diameter similar to a conventional cigarette. The second article length, L2, may be about 90% or less of the first article length. The second article length may be about 80% or less of the first article length. The second article length may be about 70% or less of the first article length.

Pre-twisted portion 109b of inner tubular element 105 includes a portion of the inner tubular element upstream of pre-twisted portion 109b (hereinafter referred to as the “upstream portion”) and a portion of the inner tubular element downstream of the pre-twisted portion. (hereinafter referred to as the "downstream portion"). The rotational offset between the upstream and downstream portions of the inner tubular element can be about 5 degrees or more. The rotational offset between the upstream and downstream portions of the inner tubular element can be about 15 degrees or more. The rotational offset between the upstream and downstream portions of the inner tubular element can be about 45 degrees or more. The pre-twisted portion may be identified by a series of helical grooves and indentations formed in the inner wrapping sheet circumferentially around the inner tubular member. When unwrapped, the series of helical grooves and indentations will include a series of substantially parallel diagonal lines corresponding to the inner wrapping sheet.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the manufacturing station used to apply pre-twisted section 109b. The illustrated overlapping station comprises a series of outer wrapping sheets 135 having an adhesive pattern applied thereto, for example, by the application of a vacuum holding the unbonded side of each sheet 135 to the outer surface of the first rotating drum 220. It comprises a first rotating drum 220, temporarily mounted thereon. Each outer wrapping sheet 135 is adhered to the inner tubular element 105 at its first end 155a. As the first rotating drum 220 rotates, each inner tubular element 105 moves towards the fixed guide plate 230 together with the outer wrapping sheet 135. The first rotating drum 220 and the fixed guide plate 230 act as a pinch 210 such that the friction between the unwrapped aerosol-generating article and the fixed guide plate 230 and the first rotating drum 220 is such that the outer wrapping sheet 135 is Wrapping occurs around element 105, thereby forming packaged aerosol-generating article 100.

The adhesive pattern shown in FIG. 3 allows the outer wrapping sheet 135 to adhere to the inner tubular element 105 and mouthpiece filter 127 within the first circumferential wrap. When the outer wrapping sheet 135 is wrapped around the inner tubular element 105, the strip of adhesive, including the first strip 145a and the second strip 145b, wraps the outer wrapping sheet 135 around the mouthpiece filter at the mouthpiece end 107. 127 and to the inner tubular element 105. Because the distal end 103 of the outer wrapping sheet 135 terminates more proximally, the upstream portion of the inner tubular element 105 is not overlapped and thus rotates at a different speed than the downstream portion of the inner tubular element 105, which causes Twisting of the inner wrapping sheet 109 of the inner tubular element 105 is induced. The difference in thickness between the portions of the inner tubular element 105 that are surrounded by the outer wrapping sheet 135 and the portions that are not surrounded creates different amounts of friction. This difference in friction causes the portion of the inner tubular element not wrapped around the outer wrapping sheet 135 to rotate less than the portion surrounded by the outer wrapping sheet 135, thus causing the pre-twisted portion 109b to collapse more easily. create.

Once the desired amount of twist is achieved, the outer wrapping sheet 135 wraps around the inner tubular element 105 for a second circumferential wrap. During the second circumferential wrap, outer wrapping sheet 135 is wrapped around the unbonded portion of inner tubular element 105. The second region 140 of adhesive results in the second circumferential wrap of the outer wrapping sheet 135 forming a rigid yet easily collapsible outer tubular element 130.

After the outer wrapping sheet 135 surrounds itself twice, the aerosol generating article 100 is formed and can be removed from the pinch 210 by the second rotating drum 240. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that when overlapping the inner tubular elements 105 it is preferable to simultaneously apply a pre-twist to the inner tubular elements 105, but this is not required. Pre-twisting may be applied at a twisting station before the overlapping station.

Although the manufacturing process is described in the context of a single aerosol-generating article 100, this description is explained for the sake of process efficiency as two articles 100, 100' can be manufactured simultaneously within a single manufacturing line. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the same applies mutatis mutandis to aerosol generating articles manufactured in a back-to-back configuration, which may be preferred. When manufacturing aerosol-generating articles in a back-to-back configuration, the rolled article that is removed from the pinch 210 by the second rotating drum 240 comprises joined outer tubular elements 130, 130'. In this case, the rolled article is split along the centerline 200 by cutting through the combined outer tubular elements 130, 130' and the combined mouthpiece filter member 129, and the first aerosol-generating article 100 and A second aerosol generating article 100' may be provided. This cutting procedure can be performed as part of an overlapping process or at a separate cutting station.

Mouthpiece filter 127 and mouthpiece filter member 129 are included in this description, but are not essential to the invention. Similarly, although a removable cap 110 is described as a method of preserving an aerosol-forming substrate, the removable cap 110 is not essential to the invention. Similarly, although a moving element 117 is described, this is not essential to the invention. Furthermore, although the pre-twisted portion 109b is described as being preferably formed simultaneously during the overlapping of the inner tubular element 105, this is not essential to the invention. The pretwisted portion 109b of the inner wrapping sheet 109 may be added at a separate twisting station and then overlapped. Although adhesives are described as a method of securing the outer wrapping sheet 135 to the inner tubular element 105 and itself, this is not essential to the invention and other methods of securing, including mechanical securing such as perforations or surface features, are possible. The method of fixing is included in this description. Although the outer wrapping sheet 135 is described as being adhered to itself along substantially the entire length of the outer wrapping sheet 135, this is not required for the invention. Adhesion along less than the entire length of outer wrapping sheet 135 may also provide the benefits of the present invention.

A feature, integer, characteristic, compound, chemical moiety or group described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention may be used in conjunction with any other feature described herein, unless it is incompatible therewith. It should be understood that any aspect, embodiment or example may apply. All of the features disclosed herein (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and/or all steps of any method or process disclosed may include at least some of such features and/or steps. may be combined in any combination unless they are mutually exclusive. The invention is not limited to the details of the embodiments described above. The invention resides in any novelty or combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract and drawings) or any method or process disclosed. Extend interpretation to new things or arbitrary new combinations.

Claims (15)

An aerosol-generating article having a proximal end and a distal end, the article comprising:
an inner tubular element, in a coaxial arrangement;
an inner tubular element comprising: a combustible heat source positioned toward the distal end of the aerosol-generating article; and an inner wrapping sheet surrounding an aerosol-forming substrate downstream of the combustible heat source;
an outer tubular element surrounding at least a portion of the inner tubular element;
the inner wrapping sheet includes a pre-twisted portion;
The aerosol-generating article wherein the pre-twisted portion enables deformation of the inner tubular element such that the distal end of the inner tubular element is slidable relative to the outer tubular element. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece filter at the proximal end, and a mouthpiece end of the inner tubular element is attached to the mouthpiece filter. 3. The aerosol-generating article of claim 2, further comprising a cavity between the aerosol-forming substrate and the end of the mouthpiece. the outer tubular element extends from the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article toward the distal end thereof, surrounds at least the mouthpiece end and the cavity of the inner tubular element, and terminates downstream of the heat source. 4. The aerosol-generating article of claim 3, wherein the pre-twisted portion is at least within an area surrounding the void. from an expanded position in which the inner tubular element has a first article length to a configuration in which the inner tubular element has a second article length that is less than the first article length and the cavity is axially retracted; 5. The aerosol-generating article of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the aerosol-generating article is slidable to a stored position in which it is at least partially collapsed. The second article length is 90% or less of the first article length, or 80% or less of the first article length, or 70% or less of the first article length. Item 5. The aerosol-generating article according to item 5. the outer tubular element comprising an outer wrapping sheet joined to the inner tubular element only at the mouthpiece end thereof for a first circumferential wrap and to itself for a second wrap; The aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 2 to 6. 8. The aerosol-generating article of claim 7, wherein the outer wrapping sheet is joined to itself along substantially its entire length for the second wrap. the portion of the inner tubular element that is downstream of the pre-twisted portion is 5 degrees or more, or 15 degrees or more, or 45 degrees or more relative to the portion of the inner tubular element that is upstream of the pre-twisted portion; An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is rotatably offset. 1. A method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating article having a proximal end and a distal end, the method comprising:
providing an inner tubular element comprising a combustible heat source positioned toward the distal end of the aerosol-generating article and an inner wrapping sheet surrounding an aerosol-forming substrate downstream of the combustible heat source in a coaxial arrangement; And,
the inner wrapping sheet includes a pre-twisted portion;
providing an outer tubular element with an outer wrapping sheet;
overlapping at least a portion of the inner tubular element with the outer wrapping sheet such that the distal end of the inner tubular element is slidable relative to the outer tubular element; a portion allowing deformation of the inner tubular element. overlapping the outer wrapping sheet begins at a first end of the outer wrapping sheet, and for a first circumferential wrap, bonding the outer wrapping sheet to the inner tubular element only at its mouthpiece end; adhesively bonding the first circumferential wrap and the second wrap of the outer wrapping sheet along substantially the entire length of the outer wrapping sheet, thereby adhesively bonding the first circumferential wrap and the second wrap of the outer wrapping sheet along substantially the entire length of the outer wrapping sheet; 11. The method of claim 10, comprising forming an outer tubular element extending from the inner tubular element toward the distal end thereof and surrounding at least the mouthpiece end of the inner tubular element. 12. A method according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the pre-twist is applied to the inner tubular element during the overlapping step. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the overlapping step includes applying the outer wrapping sheet using a rotating drum. said overlapping step comprises rolling said inner tubular element through a pinch between said rotating drum and a fixed guide plate to which said outer wrapping sheet is temporarily attached, while said outer wrapping sheet passes through said pinch; wrapped around and adhered to said inner tubular element, said distal end of said unwrapped inner tubular element rotating at a different speed than said proximal end thereof surrounded by said outer wrapping sheet. 14. The method of claim 13, thereby inducing twisting in the inner wrapping sheet of the inner tubular element. the pair of aerosol-generating articles back-to-back, including first providing a single mouthpiece filter element having a first end and a second end corresponding to the coupled first and second mouthpiece filters; manufacturing first and second inner tubular elements attached to the respective first and second ends of the single mouthpiece filter element; wherein the overlapping of the first and second inner tubular elements is initially performed simultaneously using a single outer wrapping sheet symmetrical along the center of the mouthpiece filter element. forming first and second outer tubular elements coupled to the outer tubular elements, and the method includes cutting through the coupled outer tubular elements and the mouthpiece filter element to insert the coupled articles into the first and second aerosols. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, comprising separating into generated articles.

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