RU2816367C2 - Method of making sheet current-collecting material containing aerosol-forming gel, and dispensing system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking accessories.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to methods of applying aerosol-forming gel on current-collecting sheet material. Method of making sheet current-collecting material containing aerosol-forming gel includes steps of providing sheet current-collecting material containing at least one recess on both sides of sheet current-collecting material and applying the aerosol-forming gel to at least one recess on both sides of the sheet current collector material.

EFFECT: enabling use of sheet material for induction heating with application of a gel which forms an aerosol on two sides of the sheet material without the need to adapt a heater or an induction coil.

15 cl, 18 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a method for applying an aerosol-forming gel to a susceptor sheet material and to a dosing system for applying an aerosol-forming gel to a susceptor sheet material.

Methods are known for coating current-receiving material with a coating that forms an aerosol. This can be done to ensure that the aerosol is delivered from the coating into direct contact with the heated pantograph. It is also known to form current-receiving material into various shapes in the tobacco plug of an induction heated aerosol-generating article. This is done, for example, to improve or change the transfer of air or aerosol through the tobacco plug.

It is desirable to provide aerosol generation in an aerosol generating article used in electronic aerosol generating devices that provides high precision in aerosol delivery.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a sheet of current-receiving material containing an aerosol-forming gel. The method includes providing a sheet current-receiving material with at least one depression and applying an aerosol-forming gel to at least this depression in the sheet current-receiving material.

Preferably, the method includes providing the current collecting material sheet with at least one recess on both sides of the current collecting material sheet and applying an aerosol-forming gel to the at least one recess on both sides of the current collecting material sheet.

Preferably, the susceptor sheet material is provided with a plurality of recesses on one side of the susceptor sheet material.

Preferably, the current collecting material sheet is provided with a plurality of recesses on both sides of the current collecting material sheet.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming gel is applied to a plurality of recesses on one side of the current collecting material sheet or to a plurality of recesses on both sides of the current collecting material sheet. More preferably, an aerosol-forming gel is applied to each depression on one side of the current collector sheet, or an aerosol-forming gel is applied to each depression on both sides of the current collector sheet.

The method may further include applying different aerosol-forming gels to different depressions in the sheet current-receiving material. The different aerosol-forming gels may differ, for example, in at least one of flavor, nicotine content, alkaloids, alkaloid type, aerosol-forming agent content, aerosol-forming agent type, or aerosol-forming temperature.

Preferably, the method includes applying an aerosol-forming gel through a through-hole in at least one moving tooth of the gel dispensing device.

The moving tooth of the gel dispensing device may, for example, be a tooth of a metering rotary drum, a tooth of a metering roller, or a tooth of a metering belt.

The method may include the step of applying an aerosol-forming gel through a through hole in at least one moving tooth of a metering rotary drum containing circumferentially arranged teeth. In addition or in an alternative embodiment, the method may include applying an aerosol-forming gel through a through hole in at least one moving tooth of the metering belt and moving a sheet of current-receiving material by the metering belt.

The provision of a dispensing tape allows the transfer and application of the gel to be combined in one device.

Preferably, the metering tape comprises a series of teeth substantially conforming to the shape of the sheet current-receiving material. The teeth, for example, one, several or each tooth, contain a through hole that communicates or is configured to communicate with the gel reservoir. Preferably, the method includes the step of bringing a tooth of the metering belt into communication with the reservoir, when the tooth passes the reservoir while moving the metering belt. This allows each tooth containing a through hole to be brought into communication with the same reservoir as the reservoir passes through.

Preferably, the method includes applying an aerosol-forming gel across the width of a sheet of current-receiving material through a plurality of through holes spaced across the width of the tooth.

Preferably, the method involves continuously applying an aerosol-forming gel along the length of the sheet of current-collecting material.

Preferably, the tooth includes a plurality of through holes located along the width of the tooth. Each through hole essentially terminates at the end of a tooth. If, in some embodiments, the tooth is a tooth on a turntable drum or conveyor belt, the plurality of through holes are located along the width of the drum or belt. This can be useful because it allows the aerosol-forming gel to be applied to individual recesses located across the width of the current-receiving sheet material. The aerosol-forming gel can also be applied along the width of a depression (groove) if the depression extends across the width of the current-receiving sheet material. If, in some embodiments, the tooth is a metering roller tooth, then one or more through holes are located around the circumference of the tooth. This can be advantageous because the aerosol-forming gel can be continuously applied to elongated recesses, such as, for example, longitudinal grooves along the length of a sheet of current collecting material. The distribution of the aerosol-forming gel across the width or length of the current-receiving sheet material may be continuous across the width or length. The distribution of the aerosol-forming gel across the width or length of the current-collecting sheet material may be uniform across the width or length, with the same amount of aerosol-forming gel across the width or length.

The distribution of the aerosol-forming gel across the width or length of the current-receiving sheet material may not be continuous. The distribution of the aerosol-forming gel across the width or length of the current-receiving sheet material may not be uniform across the width or length. For example, individual droplets of aerosol-forming gel may be located across the width or length of the current collector sheet. For example, more aerosol-forming gel may be located in the central longitudinal region of the current collector sheet than in the side edge regions of the current collector sheet. The aerosol-forming gel can form an even layer in and along the recess.

The number or size of the through holes in the tooth can be adapted according to the characteristics of the aerosol-forming gel, in particular the viscosity of the aerosol-forming gel.

The method may include applying an aerosol-forming gel through a through hole in at least one moving tooth of the metering roller, wherein the moving tooth is parallel to the direction of movement of the current-collecting sheet material and rotates in the direction of movement of the current-collecting sheet material. The moving tine may be provided with a continuous through hole extending along the entire length of the tine or the entire circumference of the metering roller, respectively, for continuous application of the gel. In these embodiments, the sheet current-receiving material is provided with at least one longitudinally extending recess, for example in the form of a groove, located along the length of the current-receiving material. A pantograph containing at least one longitudinally extending recess can be easily produced by a molding process. The material formed in this way has an internal rigidity, since bending, for example, a current-collecting strip having a V-shaped or W-shaped cross-section requires more force than bending a flat strip. For example, any deformation or displacement of the pantograph in the product when cutting a continuous product into individual segments will be less likely. Pantographs with w-shaped cross sections can be provided with different types of aerosol-forming gel on the two sides of the pantograph without the risk of mixing different types of gel.

The present invention provides a dosing system for applying an aerosol-forming gel to a sheet of current-receiving material. The system contains a sheet current-receiving material containing at least one recess. The system also includes a gel dispensing device configured to apply an aerosol-forming gel into at least one recess in the sheet current-receiving material.

The use of a current-receiving material containing at least one recess makes it possible to increase the amount of current-receiving material compared to a flat current-receiving material. The amount of current collector material per length of the product in which the current collector is located can be increased. In particular, the surface area of the pantograph increases. This is beneficial since heat in the current-receiving material is preferentially and primarily generated by eddy currents. These are mainly surface currents formed in the sheet current-receiving material during inductive heating of the sheet current-receiving material. By having more surface area available per length of current collector material, more heat can be generated over that length.

The gel dispensing device of the dispensing system may comprise at least one tooth substantially corresponding to the shape of at least one recess in the current-receiving sheet material. At least one prong of the gel dispensing device may include a through hole in fluid communication with a gel reservoir containing the aerosol-forming gel. In this embodiment, the aerosol-forming gel is delivered from the gel reservoir and through the through hole of the prong and applied to the current collector sheet material. In particular, the gel is applied to at least one recess in the current-receiving material. Preferably, a tooth of the dispensing device is inserted into a recess of the current-receiving material to apply the gel. As the prong passes the recess, a portion of the aerosol-forming gel is deposited into the recess in the current-receiving material.

The through hole is in fluid communication with the gel reservoir when the aerosol-forming gel is applied to the current collector. The through hole does not need to be in constant fluid communication with the reservoir. The through hole may be brought into communication with the reservoir during or shortly before application of the aerosol-forming gel. A closure may be provided to close fluid communication between the through hole and the gel reservoir.

Preferably, the gel dispensing device comprises a plurality of teeth, wherein at least one of the plurality of teeth comprises a through hole for applying the aerosol-forming gel to the current-receiving material. More preferably, the plurality of teeth comprise a through-hole, preferably for depositing an aerosol-forming gel into the plurality of recesses in the current-receiving material. For example, all of the teeth of the dispensing device may contain a through hole. Preferably, all of the teeth comprise a through-hole for applying the aerosol-forming gel into at least a plurality of recesses in the current-receiving material. More preferably, all of the teeth include a through-hole for applying the aerosol-forming gel to all recesses in the current-receiving material.

Varying the number of teeth provided with through holes in communication with the gel reservoir provides the advantage of being able to adjust the amount of aerosol-forming gel applied along the length of the current collector material.

The through holes of the gel dispensing device may be in communication with the same reservoir. The through holes of the gel dispensing device may be in communication with different reservoirs. Different reservoirs may contain the same gel, forming an aerosol. Different reservoirs may contain different aerosol-forming gels.

Several dosing devices can be arranged in series. Preferably, the multiple dispensing devices are all in fluid communication with different gel reservoirs containing different aerosol-forming gels. In this case, the sheet current-receiving material can pass each of several dispensing devices. Using each of the dispensing devices, one, several or all of the recesses are filled with a gel that forms an aerosol. Unfilled recesses, as well as already filled recesses (optional), are filled as the current collector passes the downstream gel dispensing device. This allows you to implement various options for filling the recess. Alternatively or additionally, multiple recess fillings may be implemented.

The aerosol-forming gel or aerosol-forming gels can be pushed toward the prong by means of a pump. In some embodiments, the gel reservoir may be pressurized. Combinations of a pressurized gel and a pump can also be implemented to deliver the aerosol-forming gel to the dispensing device tine.

The dosing system, such as a reservoir or dispensing device, may include heating means for heating the gel to form an aerosol. For example, heating means may be provided to liquefy the gel.

In embodiments in which the current collecting sheet material includes at least one recess on both sides of the current collecting material sheet, the gel dispensing device is configured to apply an aerosol-forming gel to the at least one recess on both sides of the current collecting material sheet.

The gel dispensing device may comprise a rotary dispensing drum containing circumferentially arranged teeth substantially corresponding to the shape of the current collecting material, in particular the shape of depressions in the current collecting material. In some embodiments, at least one tooth in the metering rotary drum includes a through hole in fluid communication with a gel reservoir containing an aerosol-forming gel. Preferably, the circumferential teeth of the metering rotary drums are located parallel to the axis of rotation of the metering rotary drum and perpendicular to the direction of movement or the length of the sheet current-receiving material.

Preferably, the gel dispensing device comprises a pair of meshing rotary dispensing drums. Both rotary drums include teeth arranged circumferentially, the teeth engaging each other as the rotary drums rotate. At least one tooth of one metering rotary drum of a pair of metering rotary drums contains a through hole communicating with a reservoir for the aerosol-forming gel. Preferably, in the presence of a pair of meshing metering rotary drums, at least one tooth of both metering rotary drums of the pair of metering rotary drums comprises a through hole in fluid communication with the gel reservoir. Said two rotary drums of a pair of dosing rotary drums may be in fluid communication with the same or different gel reservoirs. By means of two rotary drums, the pantograph is directed between two drums with the gel applied to the pantograph.

The gel dispensing device may include a dispensing belt for moving the sheet current-receiving material. In this case, the tooth containing the through hole is a tooth of the dosing tape.

Preferably the metering belt is a toothed conveyor belt, more preferably a closed endless belt.

The gel dispensing device may comprise a metering roller comprising at least one circumferentially disposed tooth substantially corresponding to the shape of at least one longitudinally extending depression in the current receiving material and extending in the direction of rotation of the metering roller. In some embodiments, at least one tooth of the metering roller includes a through hole in fluid communication with a gel reservoir containing an aerosol-forming gel.

Preferably, the gel dispensing device comprises a pair of meshing dispensing rollers. Both metering rollers contain at least one circumferentially disposed tooth, the teeth engaging each other when the metering roller rotates in the direction of movement of the pantograph passing the two metering rollers. At least one tooth of one metering roller of a pair of metering rollers contains a through hole in communication with a reservoir for the aerosol-forming gel. Preferably, if there is a pair of meshing metering rollers, at least one tooth of both metering rollers of the pair of metering rollers includes a through hole in fluid communication with the gel reservoir. The two metering rollers of the pair of metering rollers may be in fluid communication with the same or different gel reservoirs. By means of two metering rollers, the pantograph is directed between the rollers with the gel applied to the pantograph. In embodiments with a pair of metering rollers, preferably one metering roller includes one single tooth containing a through hole in communication with the aerosol-forming gel reservoir, and the other engaging metering roller includes two teeth, each of which preferably includes a through hole in communication with a reservoir for the gel that forms an aerosol. The through holes may be continuous through holes extending around the entire circumference of the metering roller for continuous application of the gel.

Preferably, the tip of the prong containing the through hole and the bottom of the recess in the current-receiving sheet material are at least partially spaced from each other when the prong is inserted into the recess for applying the aerosol-forming gel. Preferably, the distance is selected to allow space for application of the aerosol-forming gel into the recess of the current-receiving sheet material.

This can be realized, for example, due to the fact that the tooth contains a through hole and has a flat tip. The recess contains walls that taper relative to the bottom of the recess. Thus, if a prong is fully inserted into a recess in the current-receiving material, there is some distance between the bottom of the recess and the flat tip of the prong. This is advantageous because this distance creates a gap.

In an alternative or additional embodiment, the prong may not be inserted or not fully inserted into a recess in the current collecting material such that the distance between the prong and the current collecting material leaves space for the aerosol-forming gel.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming gel is applied only to the recesses of the current-receiving material. Thus, the part of the current collecting sheet material that does not contain depressions, for example, the ridges of the current collecting material sheet having a wave-like shape, does not contain an aerosol-forming gel.

Providing the aerosol-forming gel only in the recesses has the advantage of good localization of the aerosol-forming gel. The recess provides a boundary for the aerosol-forming gel, not only during application of the aerosol-forming gel, but also after application in the final current-receiving sheet containing the aerosol-forming gel. The spreading of the gel into other parts of the current-receiving material when the gel is applied or when heated is suppressed. This is an improvement over flat current collector sheets. This is also advantageous in terms of the amount of aerosol-forming gel heated by the current-receiving material, since the size of the contact surface between the current-receiving material and the aerosol-forming gel is well defined. Providing the aerosol-forming gel in the recesses of the susceptor material also provides separate portions of the aerosol-forming gel along and across the susceptor material that can be heated individually, sequentially, or in groups. This can be used to provide various combinations and options for aerosol generation.

The method may also include providing a channel, such as a pipe, with at least one gel inlet, directing a sheet of susceptor material within and along the channel, and introducing an aerosol-forming gel through the at least one gel inlet into the channel and to the sheet of susceptor material. , directed inside and along the channel.

The gel dispensing device may suitably include a channel configured to guide the sheet current-receiving material within and along the channel. The channel includes at least one gel inlet for dispensing an aerosol-forming gel into the channel and to a sheet of current-receiving material directed within and along the channel. Preferably, the at least one gel inlet is configured to apply an aerosol-forming gel to one side, for example, the top or bottom side of the current collector material sheet.

The channel may include two or more gel inlets for dispensing an aerosol-forming gel. Preferably, two gel inlets are positioned opposite each other in the channel such that the aerosol-forming gel can be applied to both sides of the current collecting material sheet.

Two or more gel inlets may also be located on one side of the channel. Due to this, the aerosol-forming gel can accordingly be applied to one side of the current-receiving material sheet. Two or more gel inlets may be connected to the same or different gel reservoirs. Preferably, the gel inlets on one side are connected to different reservoirs, preferably containing different aerosol-forming gels. Due to this, a sequence of injections of different gels that form an aerosol can be realized. Different gels can be applied to the same recess or to different recesses.

The cross-section of the channel may substantially correspond to the width and height of the current-receiving material. Ideally, the cross-section of the channel is slightly larger than the width and height of the current-receiving material. For example, the cross-section of the channel is 5 percent to 10 percent larger than the width and height of the current-receiving material. The cross-section of the channel, for example, can be rectangular. The cross-section of the channel can also have other shapes, such as elliptical or square.

The channel may, for example, have a form in which the susceptor material, having passed through the channel, is supplied with an aerosol-forming gel on the entire side of the susceptor material. Preferably, the current collecting material is provided with an aerosol-forming gel on both sides of the current collecting material.

Preferably, the cross-section of the channel is reduced when viewed in the direction of movement of the current-receiving material passing through the channel. Preferably, the channel inlet has a cross-section that is larger than the cross-section of the sheet of current collector material to facilitate insertion of the current collector into the channel. Preferably, the channel outlet has a cross-section substantially corresponding to the cross-sectional dimensions of the sheet current-receiving material. Preferably, the channel outlet has a cross-section corresponding to the cross-sectional size of the sheet current-receiving material plus 5 percent. A small difference in cross-section can eliminate or reduce friction. In some embodiments, the channel outlet cross-section is slightly larger than the dimension of the current-receiving sheet material in the height direction. The height direction is the direction of the recess extending from the plane or imaginary plane of the current-receiving sheet material. Due to this, excess aerosol-forming gel can remain on the current collector sheet material, coating the current collector sheet material.

The channel may include an internal or external drive mechanism configured to support passage of the pantograph through the channel.

In some embodiments in which the susceptor material passes through the channel and is provided with an aerosol-forming gel as it passes through the channel, not only are the depressions in the susceptor material provided with the aerosol-forming gel, but also the flat portions or, for example, wave-shaped ridges of the susceptor material are coated with the gel , forming an aerosol.

The channel-shaped dispensing device provides the advantage that the entire surface of the current-receiving material can be coated with an aerosol-forming gel, and the current-receiving material can be supplied with large quantities of the aerosol-forming gel. In addition, depending on the physical characteristics of the aerosol-forming gel applied to the current-receiving material, the current-receiving material may be embedded in the aerosol-forming gel. The external shape of the embedded current-receiving material may be determined by the shape of the channel, in particular the internal cross-section of the channel.

The current-receiving sheet material provided with an aerosol-forming gel may be stored, for example, wound on a bobbin. The current-collecting sheet material containing the aerosol-generating gel can subsequently be unwound from a reel and used to make aerosol-generating articles, such as aerosol-generating rods.

The current-receiving sheet material provided with an aerosol-generating gel can be used directly, in particular in a flow, for the manufacture of an aerosol-generating article.

The gel dispensing device may, for example, be part of a device for generating aerosol generating rods, such as tobacco rods. Preferably, the rods are used in the manufacture of inductively heated aerosol-generating articles for aerosol-generating electronic devices, such as hand-held inductively heated devices.

The gel dispensing device comprising a channel is particularly suitable for the in-line production of current-receiving material comprising at least one recess and the formation of inductively heated aerosol-generating rods. Preferably, the channel is located within the funnel portion of the device for forming rods for producing aerosol generating articles. In such a rod forming device, an aerosol generating substrate, such as a tobacco leaf, is collected in a funnel portion into a rod. Such rod forming devices are known in the art.

The dosing device according to the present invention may be located within the funnel portion or upstream of the funnel portion. The current-receiving material containing the aerosol-generating gel exiting the gel dispensing device, in particular from the channel of the gel dispensing device, can be supplied directly to the rod forming device and into the aerosol generating substrate or other materials used in the rod forming process . The channel or channel outlet acts as a guide means as well as a positioning means for the current-receiving material sheet containing the aerosol-forming gel. In particular, by means of the channel, the current-receiving material containing the aerosol-forming gel can be positioned very precisely within the materials forming the rod, thus within the rod.

The dosing system can also be combined with a drying device. Preferably, the drying device removes liquid from the gel to make it solid on the current collector. Such a drying device may be a drying device external or internal to the dosing device. The external drying device may, for example, be a fan or heater located downstream of the metering device. The internal drying device may, for example, be a heater in the dosing device, for example built into a channel of the dosing device. Preferably, the drying device is implemented by inductively heating a sheet of current-receiving material to dry the gel and remove liquid. Preferably, release of material other than water or fluidizing material is prevented or limited to a minimum.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rod forming apparatus for making aerosol generating articles used in aerosol generating electronic devices. The rod forming device contains a dosing system according to the present invention and described herein.

In the method of the present invention, the susceptor material may be pre-fabricated or may be in-line manufactured before being supplied with the aerosol-forming gel. For example, a current-receiving material comprising at least one recess or a plurality of recesses may be supplied, for example, from a reel, and directed to a dispensing system described herein. In an alternative embodiment, the method may include passing a susceptor material, such as a flat strip or strip of susceptor material, such as a metal strip, through a susceptor forming apparatus. Thus, the previously flat sheet current-receiving material is provided with at least one recess or a plurality of recesses in the forming device.

The dispensing system may suitably comprise a susceptor forming device configured to form a sheet of susceptor material. The current-receiving material is provided with at least one recess by passing a sheet of current-receiving material through a forming device. The pantograph molding device is located upstream of the gel dispensing device. For example, a flat strip of susceptor material is fed into a susceptor forming apparatus and formed into a susceptor material comprising at least one recess in the susceptor forming apparatus. The thus formed sheet susceptor material is then further transferred to a gel dispensing device, where an aerosol-forming gel is applied to the susceptor material.

The device for forming the current collector may, for example, contain or consist of meshing rollers in the form of toothed rotary drums or forming rollers containing at least one tooth located circumferentially, the tooth extending in the direction of rotation of the forming roller. The current-receiving material, passed with force between the teeth of the rotary drums or between the teeth of the forming rollers, is deformed and provided with recesses in the form of projections and recesses or ridges and depressions in accordance with the shape of the teeth of the toothed rotary drums or forming rollers. The device for forming the current collector may also contain several pairs of engaging rollers, for example, for subsequent molding of the current collecting material. For example, individual rollers can provide the current-receiving sheet material with increasingly deeper recesses.

The gel dispensing device, comprising interlocking rotary dispensing drums, can be configured as a forming and dispensing unit. In this case, the meshing teeth of the gel dosing rotary drums then also act as forming elements.

A gel dispensing device comprising interlocking forming rollers may be configured as a forming and dispensing unit. In this case, the meshing teeth of the gel dosing rollers also act as forming elements.

The method may further include the step of passing the current collector material and the porous sheet material in parallel through the gel dispensing device. In a gel dispensing device, an aerosol-forming gel is applied to a combination of a current-receiving sheet material and a porous sheet material.

The sheet porous material may be, for example, cotton, rayon, or a tow material, such as cellulose acetate tow.

Preferably, the current collector material and the sheet porous material are passed between two gel dispensing elements, such as two gel dispensing rotary drums, two gel dispensing rollers or two dispensing belts arranged parallel and opposite each other.

The porous sheet material may assist in fixing the aerosol-forming gel to the current-receiving material. The porous sheet material may generally assist in fixing the position of the aerosol-forming gel along the combination of the porous material and the current collector due to the porosity of the porous sheet material.

The sheet porous material may have an absorbent effect on the aerosol-forming gel, particularly when the gel is applied at elevated temperatures and rather in liquid form.

The present invention also provides a sheet current-receiving material containing an aerosol-forming gel. The sheet current-receiving material contains a plurality of recesses, wherein at least one recess of the plurality of recesses in the current-receiving material is filled with an aerosol-forming gel. Preferably, some or all of the plurality of recesses are filled with an aerosol-forming gel. Preferably, the current collecting sheet material includes a plurality of recesses on both sides of the current collecting material sheet. Preferably, at least one recess on both sides of the current-receiving sheet material is filled with an aerosol-forming gel.

In embodiments with sheet wave-shaped current-receiving material, preferably only the troughs of the wave are filled with an aerosol-forming gel. Thus, only portions of the recess walls of the current-receiving material (which are filled with the aerosol-forming gel) contain the aerosol-forming gel. Depending on the level of filling of the depressions, the parts of the walls of the depressions that are not in contact with the aerosol-forming gel may be smaller or larger. Thus, preferably the wave crests, in particular the crest tips, of the current collecting material do not contain an aerosol-forming gel. Preferably, all depressions, most preferably only the depressions, on one or both sides of the current collector material contain an aerosol-forming gel. Thus, preferably all ridges on one side, more preferably all ridges on both sides of the current collector material are free of aerosol-forming gel.

In embodiments in which the susceptor sheet material is provided with at least one recess extending along the length of the susceptor sheet material, preferably the aerosol-forming gel is provided continuously and in a constant amount along the length of the at least one recess.

In embodiments in which the current collecting material sheet is provided with at least one recess extending along the length of the current collecting material sheet on both sides of the current collecting material sheet, preferably the two sides of the current collecting material sheet are provided with different types of aerosol-forming gel. Various types of gel on the two sides of the pantograph may be provided continuously and in a constant amount along the length of at least one recess on each of the two sides of the pantograph.

Preferably, a sheet current-receiving material containing one or a plurality of recesses and containing an aerosol-forming gel is produced using a dispensing device in accordance with the present invention and described herein.

As used herein, the term "susceptor" refers to a material that is capable of converting electromagnetic energy into heat. When a pantograph is placed in an alternating electromagnetic field, eddy currents are typically induced and hysteresis losses may occur, causing the pantograph to heat up. Since the pantograph is placed in thermal contact with the aerosol-forming gel, the aerosol-forming gel is heated by the pantograph, releasing fluid from the pantograph.

The current collector may be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to release the material from the gel to form an aerosol. Preferred current collectors contain metal or carbon. A preferred current collector may comprise or be composed of ferrous or ferromagnetic material, for example ferritic iron, a ferromagnetic alloy such as ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel, or aluminum. The current collector preferably contains more than 5 percent, preferably more than 20 percent, more preferably more than 50 percent or 90 percent ferromagnetic or paramagnetic materials. Preferred pantographs can be heated to a temperature of from about 150 degrees Celsius to about 300 degrees Celsius. Preferably, the pantographs can be heated to a temperature of from about 200 degrees Celsius to about 270 degrees Celsius, for example 235 degrees Celsius.

Preferably, the sheet current collecting material is an elongated metal material.

Preferably, the current collecting sheet material is a stainless steel strip. However, current collector materials may also contain graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, aluminum, niobium, Inconel alloys (nickel-chromium-based austenitic superalloys), metallized films, ceramics such as, for example, zirconia, transition metals such as, for example, iron, cobalt, nickel, or metalloid components such as, for example, boron, carbon, silicon, phosphorus, aluminum, or may be made from them.

The sheet current-receiving material has the shape of a tape. Preferably the tape has a generally rectangular shape with a width preferably from about 2 millimeters to about 8 millimeters, more preferably from about 3 millimeters to about 5 millimeters, for example 4 millimeters, and a thickness preferably from about 0.03 millimeters to about 1 millimeter, more preferably from about 0.05 millimeter to about 0.5 millimeter, for example from about 0.07 millimeter to about 0.2 millimeter. The width of the pantograph tape is less than the width or diameter of the plug in which the pantograph is located.

As a general rule, wherever the term “about” is used in connection with a specific value throughout this application, it should be understood that the value following the term “about” does not have to be exactly equal to that specific value for technical reasons. However, the term "about" when used in conjunction with a specific quantity should always be understood to include and expressly express the specific quantity following the term "about".

As used herein, the term “recess” in combination with a sheet current-receiving material implies that it contains a non-planar structure containing deformations in the form of indentations and protrusions, ridges and valleys, or similar shapes. Thus, the notch defines a protrusion on the opposite side of the current-receiving sheet material, and the ridge forms a depression on the opposite side of the current-receiving sheet material. The "recesses" may be limited in the plane of the current-receiving sheet material or may be open in the plane of the current-receiving sheet material. For example, the recess may be open towards the edges of the strip of current collecting sheet material. The limited recess is preferably round or oval in shape. The open recess preferably has the form of a groove extending in the current collecting material sheet, preferably in the longitudinal or transverse direction of the current collecting material sheet.

Preferably the recesses form a sequence of recesses. The sequence may be a regular sequence. The sequence may be an irregular sequence. The recesses may be located in one or more rows along the sheet of current-receiving material. Preferably, the recesses in the sheet current-receiving material are arranged regularly along the length of the current-receiving material. The recesses can have pointed, round or flat shapes (v-shaped, U-shaped, trapezoidal).

The sheet susceptor material may be an elongated susceptor material having a wave-like shape. The current-receiving sheet material may be a corrugated tape, with the corrugations preferably located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tape. The sheet current-receiving material may be a corrugated tape, with one or more corrugations located parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tape. Corrugations can have pointed, round or trapezoidal shapes. Thus, corrugations can have a triangular shape with pointed tips and depressions. Or the corrugations may have rounded tips and rounded valleys. Or the corrugations may have ridges and valleys with flat tips and a flat bottom.

Preferably, the sheet current collector material has a zigzag shape or a sinusoidal shape along the longitudinal or cross section. If the sheet current-collecting material has a wave-like shape, then preferably the distance between adjacent ridges or between adjacent valleys of the current-collecting material is constant. Preferably, the distance between adjacent crests and valleys is constant. Preferably, the ridges and valleys form a continuous periodic feature along the length of the current-receiving sheet material having a wave-like shape. The constant arrangement of ridges and valleys makes it possible to produce a regular continuous sheet of current-receiving material. This has the advantage that the final product, in which the sheet current-collecting material is located inside, can be characterized by a constant amount and distribution of current-collecting material over the length of the product, essentially independent of the length of the product. In particular, such end products can be produced with a constant amount and distribution of aerosol-forming gel along the length of the product, substantially independent of the length of the product.

Preferably, the depth of the recess in the current-receiving material is from 0.5 millimeter to 2.5 millimeters, more preferably from 1 millimeter to 2 millimeters, for example 1.5 millimeters. The depth of the recesses may be constant or may vary along the length of the current-receiving material. Preferably, the depths of the recesses remain constant along the length of the current collecting material.

Preferably, the height between the crest and the valley in the wave-shaped current-receiving material (from the top of the crest to the bottom of the valley) is from 0.5 millimeters to 5 millimeters, preferably from 1 millimeter to 3 millimeters, for example 2 millimeters. Preferably, the height between the crests and valleys is constant along the length of the current collecting material.

Preferably, the width of the current-receiving material sheet is greater than the depth of the recess, in particular, greater than the height between the crest and the recess in the case of a wave-shaped current-receiving material sheet.

Preferably, the current collector sheet material used in the method according to the present invention or provided in the dosing system or metering device is a continuous current collector sheet material.

Preferably, the final length of the current-receiving material sheet corresponds to the length of the plug in which the current-receiving material sheet is located. In some embodiments, the final length of the susceptor sheet may be less than the length of the plug in which the susceptor sheet is located.

Preferably, the sheet current-receiving material is centrally located in a plug, preferably a plug of an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco plug. By “in the center” we mean that it contains the longitudinal axis of the plug and is located along it.

A sheet of current-receiving material containing an aerosol-forming gel may be located in a plug containing or made of an aerosol-forming substrate. The sheet current-receiving material containing the aerosol-forming gel may also be located in a plug containing or made of a non-aerosol-forming substrate.

In particular, if the susceptor sheet material contains an aerosol-forming gel in an amount sufficient to form an aerosol for the desired application, then the plug in which the susceptor sheet material is located may be made from a non-aerosol-forming plug material. Such non-aerosol-forming plug material may, for example, be an aerosol-cooling material, a filter material, or an aerosol-directing material. For example, such materials may be paper, polylactic acid (PLA) or cellulose acetate.

Sheet susceptor material containing indentations increases the surface area and amount of susceptor material per plug length. Thus, more heat can be supplied to the plug compared to flat rectangular heating blades. Additionally, more material can be released at a certain temperature. Or the same amount of material can be released at lower temperatures. Preferably, the material released from the aerosol-forming gel is added to the material released from the plug. Direct contact of the aerosol-forming gel with the susceptor sheet material may release material as soon as the susceptor sheet material begins to heat up. Once release of material from the plug material has begun, the heat can be reduced such that a uniform and continuous aerosol delivery profile can be achieved throughout the heating of the current collector sheet material.

By "aerosol-forming gel" as used herein is meant a material or mixture of materials capable of releasing volatile compounds into the air stream passing through the article in which the current collector is located, preferably when the gel is heated. Providing a gel may be beneficial for storage and transportation or during use, since the risk of leakage from a pantograph, aerosol-generating article, or aerosol-generating device can be reduced.

Advantageously, the gel is solid at room temperature. "Solid" in this context means that the gel has a stable size and shape and does not flow. Room temperature in this context means 25 degrees Celsius.

The gel may contain an aerosol-forming agent. Ideally, the aerosol generating agent is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the pantograph. Suitable aerosol-forming agents are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerol; polyhydric alcohol esters such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof may be one or more of triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerol or polyethylene glycol.

Advantageously, the gel, for example, contains a thermoreversible gel. This means that the gel will become fluid when heated to the melting temperature and will set to become a gel again at the gelation temperature. The gelation temperature can occur at room temperature and atmospheric pressure or higher. Atmospheric pressure means pressure equal to 1 atmosphere. The melting temperature may exceed the gelation temperature. The melting point of the gel may exceed 50 degrees Celsius, or 60 degrees Celsius, or 70 degrees Celsius, and may exceed 80 degrees Celsius. Melting point in this context means the temperature at which the gel is no longer solid and begins to flow.

In certain alternative embodiments, the gel is a non-meltable gel that does not melt during use of the pantograph. In these embodiments, the gel may release the active agent at least partially at a temperature that is equal to or greater than the operating temperature of the current collector in use, but which is below the melting temperature of the gel.

Preferably, the gel has a viscosity of 50,000 to 10 pascals per second, preferably 10,000 to 1000 pascals per second, to obtain the desired viscosity.

In combination with certain embodiments, the gel contains a gelling agent. In specific embodiments, the gel contains agar, or agarose, or sodium alginate, or gellan gum, or a mixture thereof.

In specific embodiments, the gel contains water, for example, the gel is a hydrogel. In certain alternative embodiments, the gel is non-aqueous.

Preferably the gel contains an active substance. In combination with certain embodiments, the active substance contains nicotine (eg, in powder form or liquid form), or a tobacco product, or other target compound, for example, for release into an aerosol. In certain embodiments, nicotine is included in the gel along with an aerosol-forming agent. Maintaining the nicotine in the gel at room temperature is desirable to prevent leakage of nicotine from the aerosol generating article.

In specific embodiments, the gel contains solid tobacco material that releases flavor compounds when heated. Depending on specific embodiments, the solid tobacco material is, for example, one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, pieces, thin tubes, strips, or sheets containing one or more of: plant material, e.g., herbal leaves, tobacco leaves , tobacco stem fragments, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco and expanded tobacco.

There are embodiments in which the gel contains other flavoring agents, such as menthol. Menthol can be added either to the water or to the aerosol forming agent prior to formation of the gel.

In embodiments in which agar is used as a gelling agent, the gel may contain from 0.5 to 5 wt. %, preferably from 0.8 to 1 wt. % agar. Preferably, the gel additionally contains from 0.1 to 2 wt. % nicotine. Preferably, the gel additionally contains from 30 percent to 90 wt. % (or from 70 to 90 wt.%) glycerol. In certain embodiments, the remainder of the gel contains water and flavoring agents.

Preferably, the gelling agent is an agar, which has the property of melting at temperatures above 85 degrees Celsius and reverting to a gel at approximately 40 degrees Celsius. This property makes it suitable for hot environments. The gel will not melt at 50 degrees Celsius, which is useful if the system is left, for example, in a hot car in the sun. The liquid phase transition at approximately 85 degrees Celsius means the gel only needs to be heated to a relatively low temperature to cause aerosol formation, resulting in low energy consumption. It may be helpful to use only agarose, which is one of the ingredients in agar, instead of agar.

When gellan gum is used as a gelling agent, as a rule, the gel contains from 0.5 to 5 wt. % gellan gum. Preferably, the gel additionally contains from 0.1 to 2 wt. % nicotine. Preferably the gel contains from 30 percent to 99.4 wt. % glycerol. In certain embodiments, the remainder of the gel contains water and flavoring agents.

In one example, the gel contains 2 wt. % nicotine, 70 wt. % glycerol, 27 wt. % water and 1 wt. % agar.

In another example, the gel contains 65 wt. % glycerol, 20 wt. % water, 14.3 wt. % tobacco and 0.7 wt. % agar.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example 1: A method for producing a sheet current-receiving material containing an aerosol-forming gel, the method comprising: - providing a sheet of current-receiving material containing at least one recess; - applying an aerosol-forming gel to at least said recess in the sheet current-receiving material.

Example 2: The method according to Example 1, further comprising: - providing the current collecting material sheet with at least one recess on both sides of the current collecting material sheet and - applying an aerosol-forming gel to at least one said recess on both sides of the current collecting material sheet .

Example 3: A method according to any of the previous examples, further comprising applying different aerosol-forming gels to different recesses in the current-receiving sheet material, wherein the different aerosol-forming gels differ in at least one of a flavoring agent, nicotine, an aerosolizing agent and temperature of aerosol formation.

Example 4: A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the application of the aerosol-forming gel is carried out through a through hole in at least one moving tooth of the gel dispensing device.

Example 5: The method in accordance with Example 4, in which the application of the aerosol-forming gel is carried out through a through hole in at least one moving tooth of a dosing rotary drum containing teeth located circumferentially.

Example 6: The method in accordance with Example 4, in which the aerosol-forming gel is applied through a through hole in at least one moving tooth of the metering belt and the sheet current-receiving material is moved by the metering belt.

Example 7: A method according to any of the previous examples, comprising applying an aerosol-forming gel to the width of a sheet of current-receiving material through a plurality of through holes spaced across the width of the tooth.

Example 8: The method according to Example 4, comprising applying an aerosol-forming gel through a through hole in at least one moving tooth of a metering roller.

Example 9: Method according to Example 8, wherein at least one moving tooth of the metering roller is arranged parallel to the direction of movement of the current-receiving material sheet.

Example 10: A method according to any of Examples 1 to 3, comprising: providing a channel with at least one gel inlet, guiding a sheet of current-collecting material within and along the channel, introducing an aerosol-forming gel through the at least one gel inlet gel into the channel and to the sheet current-receiving material directed inside and along the channel.

Example 11: A method according to any of the previous examples, comprising: molding a pantograph sheet to include at least one recess by passing the pantograph sheet through a pantograph forming apparatus.

Example 12: The method according to Example 11, comprising forming at least one depression in a sheet of current-collecting material by passing the sheet of current-collecting material between a pair of meshing toothed turntable drums.

Example 13: The method according to Example 11, comprising forming at least one depression in a sheet of current-receiving material by passing the sheet of current-receiving material under a forming roller, wherein the forming roller comprises a circumferentially disposed tooth extending in the direction of rotation of the forming roller.

Example 14: A method according to any of the previous examples, further comprising passing the current collector sheet and the porous sheet material in parallel through a gel dispensing device, thereby applying an aerosol-forming gel to the combination of the current collector sheet and the porous sheet material.

Example 15: A dispensing system for applying an aerosol-forming gel to a sheet of susceptor material, the system comprising a sheet of susceptor material comprising at least one recess; a gel dispensing device configured to apply an aerosol-forming gel into said at least one recess of the sheet current-receiving material.

Example 16: A dispensing system according to Example 11, wherein the gel dispensing device comprises a rotary dispensing drum having circumferentially arranged teeth substantially conforming to the shape of a sheet of current-receiving material, wherein at least one tooth of the rotary dispensing drum contains a through hole in communication with in fluid communication with the gel reservoir, wherein preferably the gel dispensing device comprises a pair of meshing rotary metering drums, wherein at least one tooth of both rotary metering drums includes a through hole in fluid communication with the gel reservoir.

Example 17: A dispensing system according to 15, comprising a sheet of current-receiving material having at least one recess on both sides of the sheet of current-receiving material;

a gel dispensing device configured to apply an aerosol-forming gel into said at least one recess on both sides of the current-receiving material sheet.

Example 18: A dispensing system according to Example 17, wherein the gel dispensing device comprises a pair of meshing rotary drums containing circumferential teeth substantially conforming to the shape of a sheet of current-receiving material, wherein at least one tooth of both dispensing rotary drums of the pair of dispensing rotary drums contains a through hole in fluid communication with the gel reservoir.

Example 19: The dispensing system according to Example 15, wherein the gel dispensing device comprises a metering belt for moving the current-collecting sheet material, and the tooth is a tooth of the metering belt, wherein preferably the metering belt comprises a sequence of teeth substantially conforming to the shape of the current-collecting sheet material, each tooth in the sequence contains a through hole.

Example 20: Dispensing system according to Example 15, wherein the gel dispensing device comprises a metering roller having at least one circumferentially disposed tooth, said at least one circumferentially tooth extending in the direction of rotation of the metering roller, and

wherein said at least one tooth of the metering roller contains a through hole in fluid communication with the reservoir for the gel, and preferably the device for dispensing the gel contains a pair of engaging rollers, wherein at least one tooth of both metering rollers of the pair of metering rollers contains a through hole in fluid communication with the gel reservoir.

Example 21: A dispensing system according to any one of Examples 15 to 19, wherein the at least one recess is an elongated recess extending perpendicular to the direction of movement of the current-receiving sheet material.

Example 22: The dispensing system according to any one of Examples 15 to 20, wherein the at least one recess is an elongated recess extending parallel to the direction of movement of the current-receiving sheet material.

Example 23: The dispensing system of Example 15, wherein the gel dispensing device comprises a channel configured to guide a sheet of current-receiving material within and along the channel, the channel comprising at least one gel inlet for introducing an aerosol-forming gel into the channel and to the sheet current-receiving material directed inside and along the channel.

Example 24: Dispensing system according to example 23, in which the channel contains two gel inlets located opposite each other in the channel.

Example 25: A sheet of susceptor material containing an aerosol-forming gel, wherein the sheet of susceptor material contains a plurality of depressions, wherein at least one of the plurality of depressions in the sheet of susceptor material is filled with an aerosol-forming gel.

Example 26: The current collecting material sheet according to Example 25, comprising a plurality of recesses located on both sides of the current collecting material sheet, wherein at least one recess of the plurality of recesses on both sides in the current collecting material sheet is filled with an aerosol-forming gel.

Example 27: The current-collecting sheet material according to any of Examples 25 to 26, wherein at least some of the recesses of the plurality of recesses are elongated recesses extending along the length or width of the current-receiving material sheet.

The present invention will be further described with respect to embodiments illustrated by the following drawings, in which:

in Fig. 1 shows a current-collecting tape having the shape of a triangular wave;

in Fig. 2 shows a current-collecting tape having a sinusoidal shape;

in Fig. 3 shows the current collector according to FIG. 2 with gel in the depressions;

in Fig. 4 shows a top or bottom view of the pantograph tape with recesses in the form of protrusions and recesses;

in Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another pantograph strip with recesses in the form of projections and recesses;

in Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the forming device;

in Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of the dosing system;

in Fig. 8 shows a detail of the dosing system;

in Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of the application of the gel;

in Fig. 10 is a schematic view of a sequence with a forming device and a dosing device;

in Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the dosing tape;

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a combined forming and dispensing device with porous sheet material;

in Fig. 13 is a schematic view of a forming device and a dosing device arranged in series, followed by the formation of a core;

in Fig. 14 shows a post-dispensing system integrated into a core forming device;

in Fig. 15 shows a device for molding current-receiving material with longitudinal grooves;

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a V-shaped susceptor material filled with gel;

Fig. 17 is a schematic view of a w-shaped pantograph forming apparatus;

In FIG. 18 shows a w-shaped pantograph filled with gel on both sides of the pantograph.

In FIG. 1 shows a sheet current-receiving material 1 in a waveform having a zigzag shape. The crests 10 and troughs 11 are v-shaped and form a regular wave along the length 100 of the pantograph. The depressions 11 form recesses for applying the gel, which forms an aerosol. The ridge 10 on one side of the pantograph 1 forms a depression 11 on the opposite side of the pantograph and, accordingly, a depression on the opposite side of the pantograph. The crests 10 and troughs 11 of the waves are located perpendicular to the length of the tape 1 of the pantograph.

The height 102 of the pantograph 1 is preferably in the range from 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

The width 101 of the pantograph 1 is preferably in the range from 2 mm to 8 mm.

The distance 103 between adjacent ridges 10 or between adjacent valleys 11, for example, is in the range from 1 mm to 10 mm.

In FIG. 2 shows a sheet current-receiving material 1 having the shape of a sinusoidal wave. The ridges 10 and troughs 11 are rounded and U-shaped. The pantograph forms a regular wave along the length of the pantograph.

The height, width and distance between the ridges 10 and the valleys 11 are preferably in the same range as the sheet current-receiving material 1 shown and described in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 3 shows the current collector 1 according to FIG. 2, equipped with a gel 2 forming an aerosol. Gel 2 is located in all depressions 11 of the pantograph 1 and across the width of the pantograph 1. Gel 2 is located in all depressions 11 on both sides of the pantograph 1. Gel 2 can be the same on both sides of the pantograph 1. Gel 2 on both sides of the pantograph 1 can be different.

In FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a pantograph sheet 1 with two parallel rows of limited recesses located along the length of the pantograph strip 1. The recesses may be projections 13 and recesses 12 when viewed from above. The projections 13 and recesses 12 are located along the row, alternating.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the defined recesses are also arranged in two parallel rows along the length of the current collecting strip 1. However, one row is formed by the projections 13 and the second row is formed by the recesses 12. All or only some of the recesses 12 and the projections 13 may be filled with an aerosol-forming gel.

In FIG. 6 shows a forming apparatus comprising two forming rollers 3. The forming rollers 3 comprise circumferentially arranged teeth 30 that engage each other in a forming section 31 of the forming apparatus.

The flat current collector tape 111 is moved along the moving direction 200 and passed between two forming rollers 3. The meshing teeth 30 form the current collector tape as the tape passes between the forming rollers 3. The flat current collector tape 11 is formed into a current collector tape having a wave shape 1 in accordance with the shape teeth of the rollers 3. The shape of the teeth 30, as well as the distance of the rollers 3, can determine the wave shape of the pantograph.

In FIG. 7 shows a gel dispensing device 4 containing a dosing rotary drum 5. The dosing rotary drum 5 contains teeth 50 located around the circumference. One of the teeth contains three through holes 51 for applying gel 2. Through holes 51 extend from the tip of the tooth 50 to a centrally located shaft 52 (shown in exploded view). The shaft 52 is provided with a shaft hole 520 configured to be in fluid communication with the through holes 51. The shaft 52 is connected to the gel reservoir by a gel line 25. The gel reservoir 20, such as a gel tank, is provided with a pump 21. Using the pump 21, the gel 2 can be pumped from the gel reservoir 20 along the gel line 25 to the shaft 52 of the dosing rotary drum 5. The gel 2 is then forced through the shaft opening 520 and through holes 51 from the tooth of the rotary drum 5.

The metering rotary drum 5 is mounted on the shaft 52 and can be rotated about the shaft 52. Thus, only when the through holes 51 are aligned with the shaft hole 52, the gel flows through the through holes 51 and can be applied to one or more recesses in the current receiving material. Preferably, the location of the shaft hole 52 with the through holes 51 is consistent with the position of the tooth 50 located adjacent to or in a recess in the sheet current collector material.

Through holes can also be made in other teeth 50 of the dosing rotary drum 5.

In FIG. 8 schematically shows an individual tooth 50 of a gel dispensing device, such as the rotary dispensing drum shown in FIG. 7. The tooth 50 has a rounded ridge 10. Four through holes 51 are located equidistant along the width of the tooth.

In FIG. 9 shows the application of the gel 2 on two sides of the current-receiving material sheet 1 in a wave form.

Shown are two teeth 50 of two gel dispensing devices. One tooth 50 of one dispensing device is located above the current collector 1, and another tooth 50 of the second dispensing device is located below the current collector 1. Each tooth contains a through hole 51 in fluid communication with a gel reservoir (not shown).

To apply the gel, the tips 53 of the teeth 50 are not in contact with the pantograph 1, but are located at a distance of 15 from the bottom 110 of the depressions 11 of the pantograph 1. The distance 15 leaves space for the gel 2 to be applied to the depressions 11, such that the gel 2 remains in the depressions practically the same as when applied, and, in particular, is not pushed out of the cavity.

The teeth 50 may, for example, be the teeth of the dosing rotary drum 5 described in FIG. 7, or may be the teeth of a metering tape, as will be further described below.

Fig. 10 is a schematic graphical representation of the combination of a forming device with a sequential dosing device. A forming device comprising two toothed forming rollers 3 has already been described in connection with FIG. 6. The forming device deforms the flat current-receiving strip 111 and gives it a wave-like shape. Then the wave-shaped current collector 1 is directed between two toothed metering rotary drums 5. Preferably, the teeth of the metering rotary drums 5 have a shape and size identical to the teeth of the forming rollers 5. At least one tooth of each of the metering rotary drums 5 contains one or more through holes for applying the gel on both sides of the pantograph. The dosing rotary drum 5 including a gel supply can be implemented, for example, as shown and described in FIG. 7.

The forming device and the dosing device can be combined into a forming and dosing device. In this case, the meshing teeth of the dosing rotary drums act as forming and dosing teeth (see also Fig. 11 below).

In FIG. 11 shows a metering device comprising a metering belt 6. The metering belt 6 may be an endless belt guided around transport rollers 61.

The metering tape contains a continuous sequence of teeth 60. The distances between the teeth 60 of the metering tape 6 correspond to the distance between the wave troughs of the current collector 1 in the waveform. Due to this, the current collector 1 is moved by the dosing tape 6 while simultaneously supplying it with gel 2. The teeth 60, preferably all the teeth of the dosing tape 6, are provided with a through hole (not shown). A through hole extends from the tip 62 of the tine 60 to a gel dispenser 22 located below the dispensing belt 6. As the dispensing belt passes through the gel reservoir 22, that dispensing belt tooth which is located above the gel reservoir 22 is supplied with gel. Gel 2 is applied to the depression on the bottom of the pantograph 1. The teeth 60 of the dosing tape 6 have a flat tip 62. Between the flat tip 62 and the bottom of the depression of the pantograph 1, a space is formed for the gel 2.

In FIG. 12 shows a combined forming and dosing device. The combined forming and dispensing device contains two toothed rotary drums 5. Both dosing rotary drums 5 rotate around a center 55 where the gel 2 is located. The drums additionally contain through holes 51 from the center 55 to the tips of the teeth 50 of the drums. In FIG. 12, three through holes 51 of the upper rotary drum are equipped with gel 2, two through holes 51 of the lower rotary drum 5 are equipped with gel 2. Teeth 50, equipped with gel, are in contact with the pantograph 111, forming the pantograph and simultaneously introducing the gel into the formed depressions on both sides of the pantograph. 1.

A flat current-receiving strip 111 and a sheet of porous material 7, for example made of cotton or viscose, are located one above the other and are directed together to the dosing and forming device. Two sheets 111, 7 are passed between two metering rotary drums 5. Thus, the current collector sheet 111 is given a wave-like shape corresponding to the meshing teeth 50 of the two rotary drums 5. The porous material 7 is located parallel to the current collector 1 and can help fix the gel in its position relative to current collector 1. The porosity of the porous material may allow at least a portion of the gel to pass through the porous material.

In FIG. 13 is a forming device with meshing forming rollers 3, for example as described in FIG. 6 is positioned in flow with the metering device 8. The metering device 8 comprises a channel in the form of a pipe 80, for example with a rectangular or circular cross-sectional shape. The current collector 1, which has previously been given a wave-like shape, is guided and passed within and along the pipe 80 in the direction of movement 200. The pipe contains two gel inlets 81. The gel inlets 81 are located opposite each other on the top side and on the bottom side of the pipe 80 in substantially the same position along the path of movement of the pantograph 1. The aerosol-forming gel 2 is supplied to the two gel inlets 81 and is applied to the top side of the pantograph. 1 and the bottom side of the pantograph 1, while moving the pantograph 1 inside the pipe 80.

The pipe 80 is located in the inlet part 95 of the funnel part of the device 9 for making the rod. The pipe 80 extends into the tongue portion 96 of the funnel portion 95 of the rod making device 9. As shown in more detail in FIG. 14, a sensation-providing medium 91, for example, tobacco material such as homogenized tobacco, is directed into the funnel portion 95 and compressed therein. The rod thus formed, with the current collector 1 provided with the aerosol-forming gel 2 at the center of the rod and surrounded by the sensation medium 91, is then wrapped with a wrapper 92, such as wrapping paper.

Since the pantograph 1 is provided with an aerosol-forming gel 2, the sensing medium 91 may contain or be replaced by a receiving medium for receiving the pantograph. The receiving medium need not be or contain an aerosol-forming material used to generate the aerosol.

In FIG. 14, the dispensing device also includes two gel inlets 81. Two gel inlets 81 are located in series along the tube 80 on the underside of the tube 80. The first of the two gel inlets 81 can be used to partially fill depressions in the current collector. A second gel inlet 81 located downstream of the first gel inlet 81 can be used to completely fill the depressions. Depending on the speed of movement of the pantograph 1 through the dosing device and the supply of the gel, the amount of gel applied to the pantograph can be determined.

In FIG. 14, two gel inlets 81 are connected to a gel reservoir 20. The gel reservoir may be filled with a single aerosol-forming gel, or may contain separate tank compartments filled with two different gels. In this case, the two gel inlets 81 are preferably connected to separate compartments of the tank. This allows different gels, for example having different compositions, to be applied to the pantograph 1 in the same or different positions along the pantograph 1.

In FIG. 15 and Fig. 16 shows parts of a forming apparatus for the current-receiving material 1. The current-receiving material is supplied in the form of a flat strip 111 from a reel 130.

The belt 111 is moved along the moving direction 200 and passed under the forming roller 3 and preferably between the forming roller 3 shown in FIG. 15, and the lower shape 33 shown in FIG. 16. The lower mold 33 may be a stationary negative mold or may be part of another rotating forming roller.

The forming roller 3 has the shape of a disk and contains a circumferential tooth 30. The disk 3 is located parallel to the length of the current collector 1, and the forming roller 3 rotates against the direction 200 of movement of the current collecting material.

The meshing circumferential tooth 30 of the forming roller 3 and the v-shaped groove in the lower mold 33 form the current-receiving tape 111 as the tape passes between the forming roller 3 and the lower mold 33. A current-receiving tape with a groove extending in the longitudinal direction is formed. The pantograph has a v-shaped cross section. The groove forms a longitudinally extending depression, which is filled with a gel that forms an aerosol. The gel may be provided continuously or in sections along the groove.

The metering device for filling the recess in such a v-shaped pantograph may, for example, be a metering roller. The design and operation principle of the dosing rotary drum is described in connection with FIG. 7. However, the metering roller for dispensing a quantity of the aerosol-forming gel into a longitudinally extending groove in the current collector includes a circumferentially extending tooth that is parallel to the groove in the current collector material.

It should be understood that the forming device shown in FIG. 15 can be combined into a forming and dosing device.

In FIG. 17 shows a forming apparatus for producing a current-receiving material 1 having a w-shaped cross-section, shown in more detail in FIG. 18.

There are two forming rollers 3. One of the rollers 3 has one circumferential tooth 30, and the second roller 3 has two circumferential teeth 30. The teeth are formed along the circumference of disks located parallel to each other along the length of the forming roller 3.

The meshing teeth 30 of the two forming rollers 3 form a current-collecting strip as the strip passes between the forming rollers 3. The flat collecting strip 111 is formed into a collecting strip having a w-shaped cross-section in accordance with the shape of the teeth 30 of the rollers 3. Two longitudinally extending grooves are formed on one side of the pantograph 1, representing two recesses, and one longitudinally extending groove is formed on the opposite side of the pantograph 1, representing one recess.

In the example in FIG. 18, the recesses on one side of the pantograph 1 are filled with one type of gel 2, and the recess on the opposite side of the pantograph 1 is filled with another type of gel 2.

Also in examples in which the recesses extend along the length of the pantograph, the groove forms a recess for application of the aerosol-forming gel. The groove on one side of the pantograph 1 forms a ridge on the opposite side of the pantograph. The grooves and ridges are located parallel to the length of the current-receiving tape 1.

As is clearly seen from the examples described and shown in the application, sheet current-receiving material having various shapes of recesses can be combined with various metering devices. For example, substantially any form of susceptor sheet material provided with recesses can be fed into the channel of the gel dispenser to apply the gel, as shown in FIG. 13 and 14.

Although metering rotary drums and metering belts are generally described in combination with a susceptor sheet material having wave-shaped or elongated depressions extending perpendicular to the direction of movement of the susceptor sheet material, metering rotary drums and metering belts can also be used to apply gel to a longitudinally oriented groove in the sheet material. current-receiving material. The metering rotary drum may, for example, be configured as a disc-shaped wheel containing circumferentially arranged teeth, one, more or all of the teeth being designed to apply gel, and wherein the teeth may provide individual points of gel into grooves along the length of the pantograph. In an alternative embodiment, the metering rotary drum may be provided with a series of circumferentially arranged teeth to provide gel in a series of grooves positioned parallel in the current collector sheet, or in a groove of each of the individual collector sheets positioned parallel to each other.

Claims (22)

1. A method for manufacturing sheet current-receiving material containing an aerosol-forming gel, in which: providing a sheet current collector material comprising at least one recess on both sides of the sheet current collector material; a gel forming an aerosol is applied to said at least one recess on both sides of the sheet current-receiving material. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which different aerosol-forming gels are additionally applied to different recesses in the sheet current-receiving material, and the different aerosol-forming gels differ in at least one of the flavoring agent, nicotine, aerosol-forming substance, formation temperature aerosol. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the aerosol-forming gel is applied through a through hole in at least one moving tooth of the gel dispensing device. 4. The method according to claim 3, in which the application of the gel forming an aerosol is carried out through a through hole in at least one moving tooth of a dosing rotary drum containing teeth located around the circumference. 5. The method according to claim 3, in which the aerosol-forming gel is applied through a through hole in at least one moving tooth of the dosing tape, and the movement of the sheet current-receiving material is carried out by means of the dosing tape. 6. The method according to any of the previous paragraphs, in which the aerosol-forming gel is applied across the width of the sheet current-receiving material through a plurality of through holes located along the width of the tooth. 7. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which: provide a channel with at least one gel inlet, guide the sheet current-receiving material inside and along the channel, introducing an aerosol-forming gel through at least one gel inlet into the channel and to a sheet of current-receiving material directed within and along the channel. 8. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pantograph sheet is formed to include at least one recess by passing the pantograph sheet through a pantograph forming apparatus. 9. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising passing the susceptor sheet and the porous sheet material in parallel through a gel dispensing device, thereby applying an aerosol-forming gel to the combination of the susceptor sheet and the porous sheet material. 10. A dosing system for applying an aerosol-forming gel to a sheet current-receiving material, comprising: a current-receiving sheet material comprising at least one recess on both sides of the current-receiving material sheet; a gel dispensing device configured to apply an aerosol-forming gel into at least one recess on both sides of the current-receiving material sheet. 11. The dispensing system of claim 10, wherein the gel dispensing device comprises a pair of meshing metering rotary drums containing circumferentially arranged teeth substantially conforming to the shape of the sheet current-receiving material, wherein at least one tooth of both metering rotary drums of the pair of the dosing rotary drums contains a through hole in fluid communication with the gel reservoir. 12. The dispensing system of claim 10, wherein the gel dispensing device comprises a metering belt for moving the susceptor sheet material, and the tooth is a metering belt tooth, wherein preferably the metering belt comprises a sequence of teeth substantially conforming to the shape of the susceptor material sheet, wherein Each tooth in the sequence contains a through hole. 13. The dispensing system of claim 10, wherein the gel dispensing device comprises a channel configured to guide a sheet of current-receiving material within and along the channel, the channel comprising at least one gel inlet for introducing an aerosol-forming gel into the channel and to the sheet current-receiving material directed inside and along the channel. 14. The dosing system of claim 13, wherein the channel includes two gel inlets located opposite each other in the channel. 15. A sheet of current-collecting material comprising an aerosol-forming gel, wherein the sheet of current-collecting material comprises a plurality of recesses located on both sides of the sheet of current-receiving material, wherein at least one of the plurality of recesses on both sides in the sheet of current-receiving material is filled with an aerosol-forming gel .

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