WO2025172306A1

WO2025172306A1 - Apparatus and method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods with cut filler material

Info

Publication number: WO2025172306A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/053616
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cristian VALLUZZI; Vincenzo Riccardo FUZIO; Sergio Fernando RIBEIRO
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2024-02-12
Filing date: 2025-02-12
Publication date: 2025-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-12

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (15) for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods (5), the apparatus comprising a feeding conveyor (17), a guide element (18), and a rod-forming device (19). The feeding conveyor (17) is configured to convey cut filler material (7) towards the rod-forming device (19). The guide element (18) is configured to guide a continuous susceptor (8) towards the rod-forming device (19). The rod-forming device (19) is configured to form a rod (5) out of the cut filler material (7), the continuous susceptor (8) and a continuous sheet of wrapper material (11). The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods (5), an aerosol-generating segment (5), an aerosol-generating article (1) and the use of non-oriented, non-continuous strands of tobacco material in the continuous production of inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods (5).

Description

Apparatus and method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosolgenerating rods with cut filler material

The present invention relates an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, a method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, an aerosol-generating segment and the use of non-oriented strands of tobacco material in the continuous production of inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods.

Aerosol-generating systems based on inductively heating an aerosol-generating substrate are generally known from prior art. These systems comprise an induction source for generating an alternating electromagnetic field which induces at least one of heat generating eddy currents or hysteresis losses in a susceptor. The susceptor in turn is in thermal proximity of an aerosol-generating substrate which is capable to form an inhalable aerosol upon heating. In particular, the susceptor may be an integral part of a rod-shaped aerosol-generating article. The article comprises the aerosol-generating substrate to be heated and is configured for interaction with an aerosol-generating device comprising the induction source. Positioning of the susceptor within the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating rod requires special care as an accurate positioning is crucial for an adequate heating of the substrate and thus for an adequate aerosol formation.

The production of inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods is known from WO2018229087A1 or EP3638057B1, teaching to form the aerosol-generating rods from a continuous substrate web and a continuous susceptor profile.

WO2020125835A1 teaches to insert a susceptor segment into a previously formed aerosol-generating rod. WO2020125835A1 teaches the application to rods formed from a continuous tobacco sheet. While it is mentioned in a general statement that the aerosolgenerating rod may also comprise mixed cut filler material, it is not taught how to overcome the problems that arise when inserting a susceptor segment into a previously formed rod made of cut filler material. When the aerosol-generating rod is formed from a gathered continuous tobacco sheet, a susceptor profile can be inserted into the rod as the gathered tobacco sheet is substantially aligned with the longitudinal direction of the rod. However, the unaligned strands of cut filler material interlock with each other and thus provide a great resistance, such that a susceptor profile cannot be inserted. WO2020125835A1 does not provide a teaching enabling the skilled person to apply the teaching to rods formed of cut filler material.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods. The apparatus comprises a feeding conveyor, a guide element and a rod-forming device. The feeding conveyor is configured to convey cut filler material towards the rod-forming device, in particular in a feed of cut filler material. The guide element is configured to guide a continuous susceptor towards the rod-forming device. The rod-forming device is configured to form a rod out of the cut filler material, the continuous susceptor and a continuous sheet of wrapper material, in particular paper. The continuous susceptor and the feed of cut filler material may be conveyed parallel to each other, in particular the continuous susceptor may be conveyed inside the feed of cut filler material.

The apparatus may reduce the complexity of manufacturing inductively heatable aerosolgenerating rods. The apparatus may reduce the energy consumption in the production of inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods. The apparatus may improve the production speed of heatable aerosol-generating rods.

The feeding conveyor may comprise an endless conveyor belt. The feeding conveyor may comprise a vacuum belt. The feeding conveyor may comprise a continuous conveyor belt. The feeding conveyor, in particular the endless conveyor belt, may comprise a conveying surface. The conveying surface may comprise a plurality of holes. The conveying surface may be permeable to air.

The feeding conveyor may further comprise a suction device. The suction device may be arranged above the conveying surface. The suction device may be arranged inside the endless conveyor belt. The suction device may be configured to attach cut filler material to the endless conveyor belt. The suction device may be configured to suck cut filler material towards the endless conveyor belt. The feeding conveyor may comprise a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface may be arranged vertically below the top surface. The feeding conveyor may be configured to convey the cut filler material with the bottom surface, in particular attached to the bottom surface. The cut filler material may be arranged underneath the bottom surface. The suction device may be configured to attach the cut filler material to the bottom surface. The suction device may be configured to suck the cut filler material against the bottom surface.

Due to the movement of the endless conveyor belt, in particular the bottom surface of the endless conveyor belt, the cut filler material may be conveyed towards the rod-forming device.

The feeding conveyor may comprise a channel. The channel may be open towards the bottom side. The endless conveyor belt may run through the channel. The channel may have a U-shaped cross section.

The apparatus may further comprise a susceptor feeding device. The susceptor feeding device may be configured to convey the continuous susceptor towards the rod-forming device. The susceptor feeding device may comprise at least one jockey wheel or idle roller. The susceptor feeding device may be arranged below the feeding conveyor. The susceptor feeding device may be configured to convey the continuous susceptor inside the channel of the feeding conveyor. The susceptor feeding device, in particular the jockey wheel or idle roller, may be arranged between the susceptor bobbin and the guide element. The suction device may be configured to suck the cut filler material around the continuous susceptor.

The apparatus may further comprise a susceptor bobbin. The susceptor bobbin may be adapted to provide the continuous susceptor. The continuous susceptor may be wrapped around the susceptor bobbin. The susceptor bobbin may be arranged upstream of the feeding conveyor. The susceptor bobbin may be arranged at a lateral side of the feeding conveyor, in particular between the downstream end and the upstream end of the feeding conveyor.

The apparatus may further comprise a wrapper material bobbin, in particular a paper bobbin. The wrapper material bobbin may be adapted to provide the continuous sheet of wrapper material. The apparatus may comprise a wrapper material feeding device. The wrapper material feeding device may be configured to feed the continuous sheet of wrapper material from the wrapper material bobbin towards the rod-forming device.

The apparatus may further comprise at least one trimming disk. The at least one trimming disk may be arranged on a lateral side of the feeding conveyor. The trimming disk may be configured to remove excess cut filler material from the feeding conveyor. Due to the at least one trimming disk, the feed of cut filler material may be transformed into a predetermined width.

The apparatus may comprise two trimming disks. The two trimming disks may be arranged on opposite lateral sides of the feeding conveyor, in particular the endless conveyor belt. The trimming disks are configured to remove excess cut filler material from the feeding conveyor.

The guide element may comprise an elongated rod. The elongated rod may extend in a longitudinal direction. The elongated rod may comprise a recess extending in the longitudinal direction. The elongated rod may be hollow. The elongated rod may comprise a hole extending in the longitudinal direction. The recess or the hole may be adapted to receive the continuous susceptor. A susceptor may be inserted into the recess or the hole. The elongated rod may substantially extend in the feeding direction. The elongated rod may substantially extend in a direction parallel to the feed of cut filler material.

The guide element may be adapted to align the continuous susceptor with the cut filler material. The guide element may be adapted to align the continuous susceptor with the cut filler material to arrange the continuous susceptor in the center of the cut filler material. The term cut filler material may refer to a feed of cut filler material. The continuous susceptor may also be arranged at an offset to the center of the feed of cut filler material. The cut filler material may comprise, in particular may consist of, loose, curved and/or curled non-oriented strands. The non-oriented strands of the cut filler material may be arranged in a loose and/or nonconnected form, i.e. the strands are in particular not connected to each other.

The guide element may be arranged in front or at an upstream end of the feeding conveyor. The terms upstream and downstream may refer to the feeding direction. The feeding direction is the direction in which the susceptor and the cut filler material are conveyed or fed. An upstream location may refer to a location in front of a downstream location with respect to the feeding direction.

Within the context of the present application, the expressions after and in front of may refer to the feeding direction, if not stated otherwise.

The guide element may be arranged after or at the downstream end of the feeding conveyor. The upstream end of the feeding conveyor may be arranged in front of the downstream end of the feeding conveyor with respect to the feeding direction.

A rotating blade may be arranged in feeding direction in front (upstream) of the guide element, in particular between the at least one trimming disk and the guide element. The rotating blade may rotate around a horizontal rotation axis, in particular orthogonal to the feeding direction. The rotation axis of the rotating blade may be arranged in the center of the rotating blade. The rotating blade may be arranged below the feeding conveyor and may extend at least partially into the feeding conveyor. The rotating blade may have a diameter of 20 millimeters and 100 millimeters, preferably between 40 millimeters and 80 millimeters, more preferably between 55 millimeters and 65 millimeters, for example about 60 millimeters. The rotating blade may have a mounting portion, in particular arranged in the center of the rotating blade. The mounting portion may have a diameter of 5 millimeters and 35 millimeters, preferably between 10 millimeters and 30 millimeters, more preferably between 15 millimeters and 25 millimeters, for example about 19 millimeters. The rotating blade may have a thickness of 0.1 millimeters and 5 millimeters, preferably between 0.2 millimeters and 3.5 millimeters, more preferably between 0.3 millimeters and 2 millimeters. The rotating blade may be adapted to form a groove or recess in the flow of cut filler material, in particular to facilitate the insertion of the susceptor into the cut filler material. Doing so may reduce the friction between the cut filler material and the susceptor, in particular during insertion of the susceptor into the cut filler material. The rotating blade may be adapted to open the flow of cut filler material, in particular to facilitate the insertion of the susceptor into the cut filler material. Doing so may reduce the friction between the cut filler material and the susceptor, in particular during insertion of the susceptor into the cut filler material.

The guide element may extend into the feeding conveyor, in particular the channel of the feeding conveyor, from the upstream end or the downstream end.

The guide element may extend into or beyond the rod-forming device, in particular from the upstream end.

The apparatus may comprise at least one magnet. The at least one magnet may be arranged after the guide element with respect to the feeding direction, in particular between the guide element and the rod-forming device. The at least one magnet may extend into or beyond the rod-forming device. The at least one magnet may be adapted to align the continuous susceptor with the cut filler material, in particular to arrange the continuous susceptor in the center of the cut filler material. The at least one magnet may be arranged below or above the cut filler material.

The rod-forming device may comprise a garniture belt. The garniture belt may be an endless belt. The rod-forming device may comprise a converging element. The garniture belt may be configured to convey a continuous sheet of wrapper material, in particular paper. The converging element may be adapted to facilitate wrapping the continuous sheet of wrapper material around the cut filler material and the continuous susceptor.

The at least one magnet may be arranged above and/or below the garniture belt. The at least one magnet may be arranged above and/or below the converging element. A first magnet may be arranged above the garniture belt. A second magnet may be arranged below the garniture belt, in particular the upper surface of the garniture belt. A first magnet may be arranged above the converging element. A second magnet may be arranged below the converging element. The first and second magnets may be arranged after the guide element. The first magnet may be arranged at a first lateral side of the garniture belt. The second magnet may be arranged at a second lateral side of the garniture belt, opposite of the first lateral side. The first magnet may be arranged at a first lateral side of the converging. The second magnet may be arranged at a second lateral side of the converging element, opposite of the first lateral side.

The feeding conveyor may be inclined with respect to the garniture belt, in particular the upper surface of the garniture belt. The upper surface of the garniture belt may be substantially horizontal. The feeding conveyor, in particular the conveyor belt, may be arranged at an angle with respect to the horizontal direction. The upstream end of the feeding conveyor, in particular of the conveyor belt, may be arranged higher and the downstream end of the feeding conveyor, in particular of the conveyor belt.

The rod-forming device may be adapted to form a rod out of the cut filler material, the continuous susceptor and the continuous sheet of wrapper material.

The garniture belt may run through the converging element. The converging element may be an open tube or channel with an opening at the top. The converging element may have a U-shaped or a C-shaped cross section. The opening of the converging element may extend in the longitudinal direction of the converging element.

The converging element may have an upstream end and a downstream end. The cross section of the converging element may progressively decrease in size from the upstream end to the downstream end.

The rod-forming device may comprise a closing element. The closing element may be adapted to facilitate connecting the two longitudinal edges of the continuous sheet of wrapper material. The continuous sheet of wrapper material may have a first longitudinal edge arranged at the first lateral side, for example left side, of the continuous sheet of wrapper material. The continuous sheet of wrapper material may have a second longitudinal edge arranged at the second lateral side, for example right side, of the continuous sheet of wrapper material.

The closing element may be arranged vertically above the garniture belt. The closing element may be arranged at the downstream end of the garniture belt.

The closing element may extend into the converging element, in particular at the downstream end of the converging element. The closing element may comprise an inclined edge or inclined bottom surface. The inclined edge or inclined bottom surface may be adapted to push the longitudinal edges of the sheet of wrapper material towards each other.

The at least one magnet may be arranged between the guide element and the converging element. The at least one magnet may be arranged between the guide element and the garniture belt. The at least one magnet may extend into the garniture belt. The at least one magnet may be arranged above or below the garniture belt. The at least one magnet may extend into or beyond the converging element.

The at least one magnet may be an automatically adjustable electromagnet. The apparatus may comprise a susceptor positioning sensor. The at least one magnet may be controlled electronically using feedback from the susceptor positioning sensor. The susceptor positioning sensor may be a Hall effect sensor, a camera or an x-ray device.

The apparatus may comprise multiple magnets. The at least one magnet or the multiple magnets may be mounted in a shell. The multiple magnets, for example two magnets, may be arranged on opposite sides of the continuous susceptor, for example above and below the susceptor or left and right of the susceptor.

The apparatus may comprise a glue application device. The glue application device may be arranged at a downstream end of the rod-forming device. The glue application device may extend into the rod-forming device, in particular from the downstream end. The glue application device may be arranged above the rod-forming device. The glue application device may be adapted to add glue to at least one of the lateral edges of the continuous sheet of wrapper material.

The apparatus may comprise a heating device. The heating device may be arranged at a downstream end of the rod-forming device or the glue application device. The heating device may be configured to join the lateral edges of the continuous sheet of wrapper material together.

The distance between the guide element, in particular the downstream end of the guide element, and the heating device may be 1 millimeter to 400 millimeters, preferably 5 millimeters to 300 millimeters, more preferably 5 millimeters to 250 millimeters. The distance between the guide element, in particular the downstream end of the guide element, and the glue application device may be 1 millimeter to 400 millimeters, preferably 5 millimeters to 300 millimeters, more preferably 5 millimeters to 250 millimeters. The distance between the downstream end of the guide element and the downstream end of the converging element may be 1 millimeter to 400 millimeters, preferably 5 millimeters to 300 millimeters, more preferably 5 millimeters to 250 millimeters.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods. The method comprises the steps of feeding a cut filler material towards a rod-forming area in a feed of cut filler material, feeding a continuous susceptor towards the rod-forming area, arranging the continuous susceptor in the feed of cut filler material, in particular in the center of the feed of cut filler material, and forming a continuous rod out of the feed of cut filler material and the continuous susceptor in the rod-forming area.

The cut filler material may be a non-continuous material, in particular non-oriented strands. The cut filler material may comprise, in particular may consist of, loose, curved and/or curled non-oriented strands. The non-oriented strands of the cut filler material may be arranged in a loose and/or non-connected form, i.e. the strands are in particular not connected to each other.

The cut filler material may be fed with a feeding conveyor. The feeding conveyor may comprise an endless conveyor belt. The feeding conveyor may comprise a suction device. The feeding conveyor may comprise a vacuum belt.

The continuous susceptor may be fed from a susceptor bobbin. The continuous susceptor may be fed from the susceptor bobbin to the guide element. The continuous susceptor may be redirected between the susceptor bobbin and the guide element using a jockey wheel or idle roller.

The continuous sheet of wrapper material may be fed from a wrapper material bobbin. The continuous sheet of wrapper material may be fed onto an endless garniture belt. The endless garniture belt may convey the continuous sheet of wrapper material through a converging element.

The cut filler material may be fed from a cut filler tank. The cut filler material may be transported upwards from the cut filler tank to the feeding conveyor. The cut filler material may be sucked against the endless conveyor belt. Excess cut filler material may be removed from the feed of cut filler material using trimming disks or at least one trimming disk. The width of the feed of cut filler material may be adjusted using trimming disks.

The step of arranging the continuous susceptor in the feed of cut filler material may be performed using a guide element and or at least one magnet. The guide element may be arranged in front of the rod-forming area or in the rod-forming area. The guide element may extend into the rod-forming area. The at least one magnet may be arranged in front of or in the rod-forming area. The at least one magnet may extend into or beyond the rod-forming area. The at least one magnet may be arranged above or below the rod-forming area. The at least one magnet may be adapted to maintain the arrangement of the continuous susceptor with respect to the feed of cut filler material, in particular after the continuous susceptor has exited the guide element.

The step of arranging the continuous susceptor in the feed of cut filler material may be performed using a guide element and or at least one magnet. The guide element may arrange the continuous susceptor in the center of the feed of cut filler material. The at least one magnet may be arranged above or below the feed of cut filler material. The at least one magnet may maintain the position of the continuous susceptor with respect to the feed of cut filler material.

The guide element may be arranged at an upstream end of the feeding conveyor. The guide element may be arranged at a downstream end of the feeding conveyor. The guide element may extend into the feeding conveyor. The continuous susceptor may be fed through a guiding portion or tube of the guide element. Upon exiting the guiding portion or tube of the guide element, the continuous susceptor may be forced into the feed of cut filler material. The continuous susceptor may be conveyed through the motion of the feed of cut filler material. The continuous susceptor may be pulled into and through the rod-forming area through the motion of the feed of cut filler material.

A rotating blade may be arranged in feeding direction in front (upstream) of the guide element, in particular between the at least one trimming disk and the guide element. The rotating blade may be configured as described in relation to the first aspect of the invention above. The method may comprise forming a groove or recess in the cut filler material, in particular using the rotating blade. The method may further comprise inserting the continuous susceptor into the groove or recess formed in the cut filler material.

The method may further comprise the step of feeding a continuous sheet of wrapper material, in particular paper, towards the rod-forming area.

The step of forming the continuous rod may comprise wrapping the continuous sheet of wrapper material around the feed of cut filler material and the continuous susceptor. The step of forming the continuous rod may further comprise adding glue to at least one longitudinal edge of the continuous sheet of wrapper material and/or connecting the two longitudinal edges of the continuous sheet of wrapper material to each other.

The step of forming the continuous rod may comprise distributing the cut filler material evenly on the continuous sheet of wrapper material and arranging the continuous susceptor above the continuous sheet of wrapper material and in the cut filler material, in particular in the center of the cut filler material.

The step of forming the continuous rod may comprise using a converging element to wrap the continuous sheet of wrapper material around the feed of cut filler material and the continuous susceptor. The method may further comprise cutting the continuous rod into multiple aerosolgenerating plugs. The multiple aerosol-generating plugs may be fed to a combining area. An aerosol-generating plug of the multiple aerosol-generating plugs may be aligned with one or more elements of a front plug, a mouthpiece, a spacer tube, in particular a cardboard tube, and a filter. A second sheet of wrapper material, in particular paper, may be wrapped around the aerosol-generating plug and the one or more elements to form an aerosol-generating article. For example, the aerosol-generating plug may be arranged between a front plug on one side and a hollow tube and a filter on the other side.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating segment comprising a cut filler material and a susceptor. The cut filler material may be a non- continuous material and may comprise a plurality of non-oriented strands. The cut filler material may consist of a plurality of non-oriented strands. The susceptor may be a susceptor strip. The susceptor may be a metal strip. The cut filler material may comprise a plurality of non-oriented, non-continuous strands, in particular of tobacco material.

The aerosol-generating segment may comprise a first wrapper material that is wrapped around the cut filler material and the susceptor. The susceptor may be arranged in the cut filler material, in particular substantially in the center of the cut filler material. The first wrapper material may be paper.

The aerosol-generating segment may be an intermediate product, having a length of at least 25 millimeters, preferably at least 50 millimeters, more preferably at least 100 millimeters. The aerosol-generating segment may be adapted to be cut into aerosol-generating plugs.

The aerosol-generating segment may be an intermediate product, having a length of 25 millimeters to 150 millimeters, preferably 50 millimeters to 150 millimeters, more preferably 80 millimeters to 120 millimeters.

The aerosol-generating segment may be an intermediate product, adapted to be cut into aerosol-generating plugs. The length of the aerosol-generating segment may be twice or four or up to ten times the length of one of the aerosol-generating plugs. For example, the aerosolgenerating segment has a length of 120 millimeters and the aerosol-generating plug has a length of 12 millimeters.

The cut filler material may be not aligned with the longitudinal direction of the aerosolgenerating segment. A majority of the cut filler material, for example at least 50 percent, preferably at least 60 percent, more preferably at least 70 percent of the strands of the cut filler material, may be not aligned with the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating segment.

The cut filler material may comprise, in particular may consist of, loose, curved and/or curled non-oriented strands. The non-oriented strands of the cut filler material may be arranged in a loose and/or non-connected form, i.e. the strands are in particular not connected to each other. The aerosol-generating segment may additionally comprise a graphite-containing substrate. The graphite-containing substrate may be graphite-containing strips or graphitecontaining filaments. The graphite-containing substrate may be mixed within the cut filler material. The graphite-containing strips or filaments may be non-continuous. The graphitecontaining strips or filaments may be non-oriented. The graphite-containing strips or filaments may be loose, curved and/or curled. The graphite-containing strips or graphite-containing filaments may be not aligned with each other and/or the plurality of strands of the cut filler material.

The aerosol-generating segment may be an inductively heatable aerosol-generating rod, manufactured with the method according to the second aspect of the invention. The aerosolgenerating segment may be an inductively heatable aerosol-generating rod manufactured with the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

The aerosol-generating segment may have a length of 5 millimeters to 20 millimeters. Preferably 7 millimeters to 17 millimeter, more preferably 10 millimeters to 14 millimeters.

The aerosol-generating segment may have a diameter, in particular outer diameter, of 4.1 millimeters to 9 millimeters, preferably 6.1 millimeters to 8.2 millimeters, more preferably 6.5 millimeters to 7.5 millimeters.

The susceptor may have a length of 5 millimeters to 20 millimeters, preferably 7 millimeters to 17 millimeters, more preferably 10 millimeters to 14 millimeters. The susceptor may have a width of 3.1 millimeters to 8 millimeters, preferably 3.5 millimeters to 7 millimeters, more preferably 4.0 millimeters to 5.0 millimeters. The susceptor may have a thickness of 0.01 millimeters to 0.2 millimeters, preferably of 0.05 millimeters to 0.15 millimeters, more preferably of 0.075 millimeters to 0.1 millimeters.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-generating segment according to the third aspect of the invention. The aerosol-generating article further comprises a front plug. The aerosolgenerating article further comprises a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may be a filter. The aerosol-generating article may further comprise a second wrapper material, in particular paper or cigarette paper. The aerosol-generating segment may be arranged between the front plug and the mouthpiece. The second wrapper material may be wrapped around at least two of the front plug, the aerosol-generating segment and the mouthpiece. The second wrapper material may be wrapped around the front plug, the aerosol-generating segment and the first and/or second hollow tubes. The second wrapper material may additionally be wrapped around the mouthpiece.

The mouthpiece, the aerosol-generating segment and the front plug may be aligned in the longitudinal direction. The aerosol-generating article may comprise at least one additional segment. The at least one additional segment may be a hollow tube or two separate hollow tubes. The at least one additional segment may be arranged between the aerosol-generating segment and the mouthpiece. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a mouthpiece, a first hollow tube, a second hollow tube, the aerosol-generating segment and the front plug, for example in this particular order. A hollow tube paper may be wrapped around the one or two hollow tubes, the aerosol-generating segment and the front plug. A tipping wrapper, in particular a tipping paper, may be wrapped around the mouthpiece and the first hollow tube. The first hollow tube and/or the second hollow tube are optional.

The aerosol-generating segment may have a length of 5 millimeters to 20 millimeters, preferably 7 millimeters to 17 millimeter, more preferably 10 millimeters to 14 millimeters.

The mouthpiece or filter may have a length of 5 millimeters to 20 millimeters, preferably 7 millimeters to 17 millimeters, more preferably 10 millimeters to 14 millimeters.

The mouthpiece or filter may have a density of 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter to 0.3 grams per cubic centimeter, preferably 0.15 grams per cubic centimeter to 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter, more preferably 0.175 grams per cubic centimeter to 0.225 grams per cubic centimeter.

The first hollow tube may have a length of 5 millimeters to 20 millimeters, preferably 5 millimeters to 15 millimeters, more preferably 5 millimeters to 10 millimeters. The first hollow tube may have a density of 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter to 0.3 grams per cubic centimeter, preferably 0.15 grams per cubic centimeter to 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter, more preferably 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter to 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter.

The second hollow tube may have a length of 5 millimeters to 20 millimeters, preferably 5 millimeters to 15 millimeters, more preferably 5 millimeters to 10 millimeters. The second hollow tube may have a density of 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter to 0.3 grams per cubic centimeter, preferably 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter to 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter, more preferably 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter to 0.15 grams per cubic centimeter.

The first hollow tube may have an inner diameter of 2 millimeters to 9 millimeters, preferably 3 millimeters to 7 millimeters, more preferably 3 millimeters to 5 millimeters. The second hollow tube may have an inner diameter of 2 millimeters to 9 millimeters, preferably 3 millimeters to 7 millimeters, more preferably 3 millimeters to 5 millimeters.

The first hollow tube may be an acetate hollow tube. The second hollow tube may be an acetate hollow tube.

The inner diameter of the second hollow tube may be smaller than the inner diameter of the first hollow tube. The first hollow tube and the second hollow tube may have the same outer diameter. The front plug may have a length of 2.5 millimeters to 7 millimeters, preferably 3 millimeters to 6 millimeters, more preferably 3.5 millimeters to 5.5 millimeters. The front plug may have a density of 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter to 0.3 grams per cubic centimeter, preferably 0.15 grams per cubic centimeter to 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter, more preferably 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter to 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter.

The aerosol-generating article may have a length of 30 millimeters to 105 millimeters, preferably 35 millimeters to 95 millimeters, more preferably 40 millimeters to 85 millimeters.

The aerosol-generating article may have a circular cross-section. The aerosolgenerating segment may have a circular cross-section. The first hollow tube may have a circular cross-section. The second hollow tube may have a circular cross-section. The mouthpiece or filter may have a circular cross-section. The front plug may have a circular cross-section. The aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating segment, the first hollow tube, the second hollow tube and the front plug may have substantially the same diameter, in particular outer diameter. The aerosol-generating article may have a diameter, in particular outer diameter, of 4.1 millimeters to 9 millimeters, preferably 6.1 millimeters to 8.2 millimeters, more preferably 6.5 millimeters to 7.5 millimeters.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a use of non-oriented, in particular non-continuous, strands of tobacco material in the continuous production of inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods. The strands of tobacco material may be loose, curved and/or curled.

The expression continuous may refer to the fact that the rods are manufactured in one continuous process, in contrast to a two-step process where an aerosol-generating rod is manufactured first and a susceptor is inserted afterwards.

The tobacco material may be reconstituted tobacco material. The tobacco material may comprise an aerosol former. The tobacco material may be impregnated with an aerosol former. The aerosol former may amount to about 2 weight percent to 25 weight percent, preferably 5 weight percent to 23 weight percent, more preferably 10 weight percent to 20 weight percent. The aerosol former may be selected from the group of Glycerin, Propylene Glycol or mixtures thereof.

The following paragraphs relate to all the aspects of the inventions described above. The cut filler material may comprise non-continuous, non-oriented strands. The cut filler material may comprise conventional cigarette cut fillers, shredded tobacco, shredded reconstituted tobacco sheets, shredded cast leaf, shredded non-tobacco material or combinations thereof.

The cut filler material may comprise a plurality of non-oriented strands. The cut filler material may consist of a plurality of non-oriented strands. The non-oriented strands may not be aligned with each other and may not be aligned with an aerosol-generating rod or segment that comprises the cut filler material. The cut filler material may comprise, in particular may consist of, loose, curved and/or curled non-oriented strands. The non-oriented strands of the cut filler material may be arranged in a loose and/or non-connected form, i.e. the strands are in particular not connected to each other.

The cut filler material may comprise an aerosol former. The cut filler material may be impregnated with an aerosol former. The aerosol former may amount to about 2 weight percent to 25 weight percent, preferably 5 weight percent to 23 weight percent, more preferably 10 weight percent to 20 weight percent. The aerosol former may be selected from the group of glycerin, propylene glycol or mixtures thereof.

The length of the strands in the cut filler material may be between 1 millimeter and 50 millimeters, preferably between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters, preferably between 2 millimeters and 8 millimeters, more preferably between 3 millimeters and 5 millimeters, more preferably between 3 millimeters and 4.9 millimeters.

The width of the strands in the cut filler material may be between 0.4 millimeter to 5 millimeters, preferably between 0.8 millimeter to 2 millimeters, more preferably between 1 millimeter to 1.5 millimeters or between 0.8 millimeters to 1.2 millimeters. The width of the strands in the cut filler material may be between 0.4 millimeters and 0.89 millimeters, in more preferably between 0.5 millimeters and 0.85 millimeters.

The cut filler material may have a density of 0.8 gram to 2.5 grams per 120 millimeters rod length, preferably 1 gram to 2 grams per 120 millimeters rod length, more preferably 1.5 grams to 1 .8 grams per 120 millimeters rod length. The rod length is in particular the segment length.

The cut filler material may not be aligned with the longitudinal direction of the aerosolgenerating rod, the aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating plug and/or the aerosolgenerating segment.

A graphite-containing substrate, in particular a plurality of graphite-containing strips or graphite-containing filaments, may be added to the cut filler material. The cut filler material may comprise a graphite-containing substrate, in particular a plurality of graphite-containing strips or graphite-containing filaments. The graphite-containing strips or graphite-containing filaments may be non-oriented. The graphite-containing strips or filaments may be non- continuous. The graphite-containing strips or filaments may be loose, curved and/or curled. The graphite-containing strips or graphite-containing filaments may be not aligned with each other and/or the plurality of strands of the cut filler material.

The susceptor may comprise, in particular may be made of, metal material. The susceptor may comprise, in particular may be made of, a conductive material. The susceptor may comprise a nickel coating. The nickel coating may have a thickness of 5 micrometers to 100 micrometers, in particular 10 micrometers to 50 micrometers, more preferably 10 micrometers to 30 micrometers. The susceptor may comprise, in particular may be made of, stainless steel, in particular 304 stainless steel.

The susceptor has a width of 3.1 millimeters to 8.0 millimeters, preferably 3.5 millimeters to 7.0 millimeters, more preferably 4.0 millimeters to 5.0 millimeters. The susceptor has a thickness of 10 micrometers to 200 micrometers, preferably 50 micrometers to 150 micrometers, more preferably 75 micrometers to 100 micrometers.

The cut filler material may comprise a blend of cut and shredded tobacco. The cut filler material may be selected from the group of tobacco lamina, tobacco stem, botanicals, tobacco cast leaf sheet, reconstituted tobacco sheet or cast leaf. The cut filler material may comprise a random orientation of particles. The cut filler material may contain flavoring.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a guide element adapted to guide a continuous susceptor towards a rod-forming device. The guide element comprises a mounting portion and a guiding portion. The guiding portion comprises an elongated rod.

The elongated rod may be a tube. The tube may have a substantially oval cross-section.

The mounting portion may be adapted to adjust the position of the guide element, in particular relative to the rod-forming device.

The mounting portion may comprise at least one hole. The mounting portion may be adapted to be mounted to a corresponding mounting part of a rod-forming apparatus through the at least one hole. The mounting portion may comprise at least one long hole.

The elongated rod may have a length of 100 millimeters to 2000 millimeters, preferably 200 millimeters to 1500 millimeters, more preferably 250 millimeters to 1000 millimeters.

The cross-section of the elongated rod may have a length of 0.3 millimeters to 5 millimeters, preferably 0.3 millimeters to 4 millimeters, more preferably 0.3 millimeters to 1 millimeters.

The cross-section of the elongated rod may have a height of 2.5 millimeters to 9 millimeters, preferably 3 millimeters to 8 millimeters, more preferably 4 millimeters to 6 millimeters.

The elongated rod, in particular the tube, may have a wall thickness of 0.1 millimeters to 2 millimeters, preferably 0.1 millimeters to 1 millimeter, more preferably 0.1 millimeters to 0.75 millimeters.

The apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention may be used using method steps of the method according to the second aspect of the invention. The method according to the second aspect of the invention may be performed with an apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention. The aerosol-generating segment according to the third aspect of the invention may be manufactured using method steps of the method according to the second aspect of the invention and/or using the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention. The use of non-oriented stands of tobacco material in the continuous production of inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods according to the fifth aspect of the invention may be performed using an apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention by using method steps of the method according to the second aspect of the invention.

The expressions "first", "second", "third" and “fourth” are to be understood merely as designations for a particular element or component and may not necessarily indicate a particular order or arrangement of said components or elements. For example, the existence of a fourth element/component does not necessarily imply the existence of a first, second or third element/component, and vice versa.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non- exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example Ex1: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, the apparatus comprising a feeding conveyor, a guide element, and a rod-forming device, wherein the feeding conveyor is configured to convey cut filler material towards the rod-forming device, wherein the guide element is configured to guide a continuous susceptor towards the rod-forming device, wherein the rod-forming device is configured to form a rod out of the cut filler material, the continuous susceptor and a continuous sheet of wrapper material.

Example Ex2: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to example Ex1, wherein the feeding conveyor comprises an endless conveyor belt.

Example Ex3: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to example Ex1 or Ex2, wherein the feeding conveyor comprises a conveying surface, wherein the conveying surface comprises a plurality of holes or is permeable to air, and the feeding conveyor further comprises a suction device.

Example Ex4: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the feeding conveyor comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is arranged vertically below the top surface, wherein the feeding conveyor is configured to convey the cut filler material on the bottom surface.

Example Ex5: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the feeding conveyor comprises a channel, wherein the channel is open towards the bottom side, wherein the endless conveyor belt runs through the channel. Example Ex6: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the apparatus further comprises a susceptor bobbin, adapted to provide the continuous susceptor.

Example Ex7: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the apparatus comprises a wrapper material bobbin, adapted to provide the continuous sheet of wrapper material.

Example Ex8: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one trimming disk arranged on a lateral side of the feeding conveyor, wherein the trimming disk is configured to remove excess cut filler material from the feeding conveyor

Example Ex9: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according example Ex8, wherein the apparatus comprises two trimming disks arranged on opposite lateral sides of the feeding conveyor, wherein the trimming disks are configured to remove excess cut filler material from the feeding conveyor.

Example Ex10: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the guide element comprises an elongated rod extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the elongated rod comprises a recess extending in the longitudinal direction or a hole extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the recess or hole is adapted to receive the continuous susceptor.

Example Ex11 : Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the guide element is adapted to align the continuous susceptor with the cut filler material, in particular to arrange the continuous susceptor in the center of the cut filler material.

Example Ex12: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the guide element is arranged in front of or at an upstream end of the feeding conveyor.

Example Ex13: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the guide element is arranged after or at a downstream end of the feeding conveyor.

Example Ex14: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the guide element reaches into the rod-forming device.

Example Ex15: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one magnet, wherein the at least one magnet is arranged after the guide element, in particular between the guide element and the rod-forming device.

Example Ex16: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to example Ex15, wherein the at least one magnet is adapted to align the continuous susceptor with the cut filler material, in particular to arrange the continuous susceptor in the center of the cut filler material.

Example Ex17: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the rod-forming device comprises an endless garniture belt and a converging element.

Example Ex18: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to example Ex17, wherein the garniture belt is configured to convey a continuous sheet of wrapper material, wherein the converging element is adapted to facilitate wrapping the continuous sheet of wrapper material around the cut filler material and the continuous susceptor.

Example Ex19: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to example Ex17 or Ex18, wherein the rodforming device is adapted to form a rod out of the cut filler material, the continuous susceptor and the continuous sheet of paper.

Example Ex20: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one previous examples Ex17 to Ex19, wherein the garniture belt runs through the converging element.

Example Ex21 : Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one previous examples Ex17 to Ex20, wherein the converging element is an open tube or channel with an opening at the top, wherein the opening extends in the longitudinal direction of the converging element.

Example Ex22: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one previous examples Ex17 to Ex21 , wherein the converging element has a C-shaped or U-shaped cross section.

Example Ex23: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one previous examples Ex17 to Ex22, wherein the converging element has an upstream end and a downstream end, wherein the cross section of the converging element progressively decreases in size from the upstream end to the downstream end.

Example Ex24: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the rod-forming device comprises a closing element, wherein the closing element is adapted to facilitate connecting the two longitudinal edges of the continuous sheet of wrapper material. Example Ex25: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to example Ex24, wherein the closing element is arranged vertically above the garniture belt, in particular at the downstream end of the garniture belt.

Example Ex26: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any previous example Ex24 or Ex25, wherein the closing element extends into the converging element, in particular at the downstream end of the converging element.

Example Ex27: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one previous examples Ex24 to Ex26, wherein the closing element comprises an inclined edge or inclined bottom surface, wherein the inclined edge or inclined bottom surface is adapted to push the longitudinal edges of the sheet of wrapper material towards each other.

Example Ex28: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the at least one magnet is arranged between the guide element and the converging element, in particular in close proximity to the converging element.

Example Ex29: Apparatus, for example an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the at least on magnet extends into the converging element.

Example Ex30: Method, for example a method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, comprising following steps: feeding a cut filler material towards a rod-forming area in a feed of cut filler material; feeding a continuous susceptor towards the rod-forming area; arranging the continuous susceptor in the feed of cut filler material, in particular in the center of the feed of cut filler material; and forming a continuous rod out of the feed of cut filler material and the continuous susceptor in the rod-forming area.

Example Ex31 : Method, for example a method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to example Ex30, wherein the cut filler material is a non- continuous material.

Example Ex32: Method, for example a method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to example Ex30 or Ex31 , wherein the cut filler material is fed with a feeding conveyor, wherein the feeding conveyor comprises an endless conveyor belt.

Example Ex33: Method, for example a method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex32, wherein the continuous susceptor is fed from a susceptor bobbin. Example Ex34: Method, for example a method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex33, wherein the continuous sheet of wrapper material is fed from a wrapper material bobbin.

Example Ex35: Method, for example a method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex34, wherein the cut filler material is fed from a cut filler tank.

Example Ex36: Method, for example a method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex35, wherein the step of arranging the continuous susceptor in the feed of cut filter material is performed using a guide element and/or at least one magnet.

Example Ex37: Method, for example a method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex36, wherein the step of forming the continuous rod comprises: wrapping a continuous sheet of wrapper material around the feed of cut filler material and the continuous susceptor; adding glue to at least one longitudinal edge of the continuous sheet of wrapper material; and connecting two longitudinal edges of the continuous sheet of wrapper material to each other.

Example Ex38: Method, for example a method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex37, wherein the method further comprises: cutting the continuous rod into multiple aerosol-generating plugs; feeding the multiple aerosol-generating plugs to a combining area; aligning an aerosol-generating plug of the multiple aerosol-generating plugs with one or more elements of a front plug, a mouthpiece, a spacer tube and a filter; and wrapping a second sheet of wrapper material around the aerosol-generating plug and the one or more elements.

Example Ex39: Aerosol-generating segment comprising a cut filler material and a susceptor, wherein the cut filler material comprises, in particular consists of, a plurality of nonoriented strands, wherein the cut filler material is in particular a non-continuous material.

Example Ex40: Aerosol-generating segment according to example Ex39, wherein the aerosol-generating segment comprises a first wrapper material that is wrapped around the cut filler material and the susceptor.

Example Ex41 : Aerosol-generating segment according to example Ex39 or Ex40, wherein the susceptor is arranged in the cut filler material, in particular substantially in the center of the cut filler material.

Example Ex42: Aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex41 , wherein the aerosol-generating segment is an intermediate product having a length of at least 25 millimeters, preferably 50 millimeters, more preferably 100 millimeters, and is adapted to be cut into aerosol-generating plugs. Example Ex43: Aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex42, wherein the aerosol-generating segment is an intermediate product having a length of 25 millimeters to 150 millimeters, preferably 50 millimeters to 150 millimeters, more preferably 80 millimeters to 120 millimeters, and is adapted to be cut into aerosol-generating plugs.

Example Ex44: Aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex43, wherein the aerosol-generating segment is an intermediate product adapted to be cut into aerosol-generating plugs, wherein the length of the aerosol-generating segment is twice or four times the length of one of the aerosol-generating plugs.

Example Ex45: Aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex44, wherein cut filler material is not aligned with the longitudinal direction of the segment.

Example Ex46: Aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex45, wherein the aerosol-generating segment additionally comprises a graphite-containing substrate, in particular graphite-containing strips or graphite-containing filaments.

Example Ex47: Aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex46, wherein the aerosol-generating segment is an inductively heatable aerosol-generating rod manufactured with the method according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex38.

Example Ex48: Aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex46, wherein the aerosol-generating segment is an aerosol-generating plug manufactured with the method according to example Ex38.

Example Ex49: Article, for example and aerosol-generating article, comprising the aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex48, a front plug, a mouthpiece and a second wrapper material, wherein the aerosol-generating segment is arranged between the front plug and the mouthpiece, and wherein the second wrapper material is wrapped around at least two of the front plug, the aerosol-generating segment and the mouthpiece.

Example Ex50: Article, for example and aerosol-generating article, according to example Ex49, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises at least one additional segment, in particular a hollow tube or two separate hollow tubes, between the aerosol-generating segment and the mouthpiece.

Example Ex51 : Use of non-oriented, in particular non-continuous, strands of tobacco material in the continuous production of inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods.

Example Ex51.1 : Use of loose, curved and/or curled non-oriented strands of tobacco material in the continuous production of inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods.

Example Ex52: Use according to example Ex51 or Ex51.1 , wherein the tobacco material is reconstituted tobacco material.

Example Ex53: Use according to example Ex51 , Ex51.1 or Ex52, wherein the tobacco material comprises an aerosol-former or is impregnated with an aerosol-former. Example Ex54: Use according to any one of examples Ex51 to Ex53, wherein the aerosol-former amounts to about 2 weight percent to 25 weight percent, preferably 5 weight percent to 23 weight percent, more preferably 10 weight percent to 20 weight percent.

Example Ex55: Use according to any one of examples Ex51 to Ex54, wherein the aerosol-former is selected from the group of glycerin, propylene glycol or mixtures thereof.

Example Ex56: Apparatus according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex29, method according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex38, aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex48, article according to example Ex49 or Ex50, or use according to any one of examples Ex51 to Ex55, wherein cut filler material comprises non-continuous non-oriented strands, in particular conventional cigarette cut fillers, shredded tobacco, shredded reconstituted tobacco sheet, shredded cast leaf or shredded non-tobacco material.

Example Ex57: Apparatus according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex29, method according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex38, aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex48, article according to example Ex49 or Ex50, or use according to any one of examples Ex51 to Ex55, wherein the cut filler material comprises, in particular consists of, a plurality of non-oriented strands.

Example Ex58: Apparatus according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex29, method according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex38, aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex48, article according to example Ex49 or Ex50, or use according to any one of examples Ex51 to Ex55, wherein the length of the strands in the cut filler material is between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters, preferably between 2 millimeters and 8 millimeters, more preferably between 3 millimeters and 5 millimeters.

Example Ex59: Apparatus according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex29, method according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex38, aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex48, article according to example Ex49 or Ex50, or use according to any one of examples Ex51 to Ex55, wherein the cut filler material has a density of 0.8 grams to 2.5 grams per 120 millimeters rod length, preferably 1 gram to 2 grams per 120 millimeters rod length, more preferably 1.5 grams to 1.8 grams per 120 millimeters rod length. The rod length is in particular the segment length.

Example Ex60: Apparatus according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex29, method according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex38, aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex48, article according to example Ex49 or Ex50, or use according to any one of examples Ex51 to Ex55, wherein cut filler material is not aligned with the longitudinal direction of the rod.

Example Ex61 : Apparatus according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex29, method according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex38, aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex48, article according to example Ex49 or Ex50, or use according to any one of examples Ex51 to Ex55, wherein the susceptor comprises a Nickel coating.

Example Ex62: Apparatus according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex29, method according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex38, aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex48, article according to example Ex49 or Ex50, or use according to any one of examples Ex51 to Ex55, wherein the width of the strands in the cut filler material is between 0.4 millimeters and 5 millimeters, preferably between 0.8 millimeters and 2 millimeters, more preferably between 1 millimeter and 1.5 millimeters or between 0.8 millimeters and 1.2 millimeters.

Example Ex62.1 : Apparatus according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex29, method according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex38, aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex48, article according to example Ex49 or Ex50, or use according to any one of examples Ex51 to Ex55, wherein the width of the strands in the cut filler material is between 0.8 millimeter and 1.2 millimeter or below 0.9 millimeters, preferably between 0.4 millimeters and 0.89 millimeters, more preferably between 0.5 millimeters and 0.85 millimeters.

Example Ex63: Guide element adapted to guide a continuous susceptor towards a rodforming device, the guide element comprising a mounting portion and a guiding portion, wherein the guiding portion comprises an elongated rod.

Example Ex64: Guide element according to example Ex63, wherein the elongated rod is a tube, in particular a tube having substantially oval cross section.

Example Ex65: Guide element according to example Ex63 or Ex64, wherein the mounting portion is adapted to adjust the position of the guide element, in particular relative to the rod-forming device.

Example Ex66: Guide element according to any one of examples Ex63 to Ex65, wherein the mounting portion comprises at least one hole, wherein the mounting portion is adapted to be mounted to a corresponding mounting part of a rod-forming apparatus through the at least one hole.

Example Ex67: Guide element according to any one of examples Ex63 to Ex66, wherein the mounting portion comprises at least one long hole.

Example Ex68: Guide element according to any one of examples Ex63 to Ex67, wherein the elongated rod as a length of 100 millimeters to 2000 millimeters, preferably 200 millimeters to 1500 millimeters, more preferably 250 millimeters to 1000 millimeters.

Example Ex69: Guide element according to any one of examples Ex63 to Ex68, wherein the cross section of the elongated rod has a width of 0.3 millimeters to 5 millimeters, preferably 0.3 millimeters to 4 millimeters, more preferably 0.3 millimeters to 1 millimeter. Example Ex70: Guide element according to any one of examples Ex63 to Ex69, wherein the cross section of the elongated rod has a height of 2.5 millimeters to 9 millimeters, preferably 3 millimeters to 8 millimeters, more preferably 4 millimeters to 6 millimeters.

Example Ex71 : Guide element according to any one of examples Ex63 to Ex70, wherein the elongated rod, in particular the tube, has a wall thickness of 0.1 millimeters to 2 millimeters, preferably 0.1 millimeters to 1 millimeter, more preferably 0.1 millimeters to 0.75 millimeters.

The examples will now be further described with reference to the figures.

Example Ex72: Apparatus according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex29, method according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex38, aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex48, article according to example Ex49 or Ex50, or use according to any one of examples Ex51 to Ex55, wherein the cut filler material comprises, in particular consists of, loose, curved and/or curled non-oriented strands.

Example Ex73: Apparatus according to any one of examples Ex1 to Ex29, method according to any one of examples Ex30 to Ex38, aerosol-generating segment according to any one of examples Ex39 to Ex48, article according to example Ex49 or Ex50, or use according to any one of examples Ex51 to Ex55, wherein the non-oriented strands of the cut filler material are arranged in a loose and/or non-connected form, i.e. the strands are in particular not connected to each other.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation an aerosol-generating article according an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 2 or 4.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a guide element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a guide element according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows a side view of a guide element according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of part of the guiding portion of a guide element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic top view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation an aerosol-generating article 1 according an embodiment of the present invention. The aerosol-generating article 1 primarily extends in a longitudinal direction 100. The aerosol-generating article 1 comprises a mouthpiece in the form of a filter 2, a first hollow tube 3, a second hollow tube 4, an aerosol-generating segment 5 according to the present invention, and a front plug 6. All these components are axially aligned with each other. The first hollow tube 3 and/or the second hollow tube 4 are optional. The front plug 6 is optional. The aerosol-generating segment 5 may also be referred to as aerosolgenerating rod 5.

The aerosol-generating segment 5 comprises an aerosol-generating medium in the form of cut filler material 7 and a susceptor 8. The susceptor 8 is arranged substantially in the center of the aerosol-generating segment 1. The aerosol-generating segment 5 is heatable through the susceptor 8.

A filter plug paper 9 is wrapped around the filter 2. A hollow tube paper 10 is wrapped around the second hollow tube 4. A first wrapper material 11 is wrapped around the aerosolgenerating segment 5 or forms part of the aerosol-generating segment 5 and is wrapped around the cut filter material 7. A front plug paper 12 is wrapped around the front plug 6.

A second wrapper material 13 is wrapped around the first hollow tube 3, the second hollow tube 4, the aerosol-generating segment 5 and the front plug 6. A tipping paper 14 is wrapped around the filter 2 and the first hollow tube 13.

The aerosol-generating article 1 has a length 101 of 30 millimeters to 105 millimeters. The filter 2 has a length 102 of 5 millimeters to 20 millimeters. The first hollow tube 3 has a length 103 of 5 millimeters to 20 millimeters. The second hollow tube 4 has a length 104 of 5 millimeters to 20 millimeters. The aerosol-generating segment 5 has a length 105 of 5 millimeters to 20 millimeters. The front plug 6 has a length 106 of 2.5 millimeters to 7 millimeters. The aerosol-generating article 1 has a diameter 201 of 4.1 millimeters to 9 millimeters.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus 15 for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 15 comprises a cut filler tank 16, a feeding conveyor 17, a guide element 18 and a rod-forming device 19. Cut filler material 7 is fed from the cut filler tank 16 towards the feeding conveyor 17.

The feeding conveyor 17 is a rod suction conveyor or a vacuum conveyor and comprises a suction device 20 and an endless conveyor belt 21. The feeding conveyor 17 conveys the cut filter material 7 along the feeding direction 110 towards the rod-forming device 19 in a feed of cut filler material 22. Trimming disks 23 are arranged on opposite lateral sides of the feeding conveyor 17 to remove excess cut filler material 7 from the feeding conveyor 17. The trimming disks 23 ensure an even distribution of cut filler material 7. The feeding conveyor 17, in particular the conveyor belt 21, may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The conveyor belt 21 may decline from its upstream end to its downstream end.

The apparatus further comprises a susceptor bobbin 24. The susceptor bobbin 24 is arranged upstream of the feeing conveyor 17. A continuous susceptor 8 is fed from the susceptor bobbin 24 through the guide element 18 towards the rod-forming device 19. The guide element 18 is arranged at an upstream end of the feeding conveyor 17 and extends into the feeding conveyor 17. The guide element 18 is arranged below the conveyor belt 21 and aligns the continuous susceptor 8 with the feed of cut filler material 22. In particular, the guide element 18 is adapted to arrange the continuous susceptor 8 in the center of the feed of cut filler material 22. The cut filler material 7 is sucked around the susceptor 8 that emerges from the guide element 18 by the feeding conveyor 17, in particular the suction device 20. The susceptor 8 and the cut filler material 7 are then conveyed towards the rod-forming device 19.

The rod-forming device 19 comprises an endless garniture belt 25 that is driven by one or more drive rollers 26. The rod-forming device 19 further comprises one or more idle rollers 27 that support the endless garniture belt 25. A continuous sheet of paper 28, corresponding to the first wrapper material 11 described above, is fed from a paper bobbin 29 towards the rod-forming device 19. The continuous sheet of paper 28 rests on an upper surface of the garniture belt 25 and is conveyed by the garniture belt 25.

The cut filler material 7 and the continuous susceptor 8 are distributed evenly onto the continuous sheet of paper 29 before the continuous sheet of paper 28 is wrapped around the cut filler material 7 and the continuous susceptor 8 via the help of a converging element 30. Glue is applied to the longitudinal edges, in particular the first longitudinal edge 31 and/or the second longitudinal edge 32, of the continuous sheet of paper 28 via a glue application device 33. The continuous sheet of paper 28, the cut filler material 7 and the continuous susceptor 8 are conveyed through a heating device 34 to furnish a continuous aerosol-generating rod 35. The aerosol-generating rod 35 is then cut into multiple aerosol-generating segments 5 or aerosol-generating plugs.

A first magnet 36 and a second magnet 37 are arranged between the feeding conveyor 17 and the heating device 34. The first magnet 36 and the second magnet 37 are configured to maintain the position of the continuous susceptor 8, in particular in the center of the feed of cut filler material 22. The first magnet 36 is arranged above the feed of cut filler material 22 and above the garniture belt 25. The second magnet 37 is arranged below the feed of cut filler material 22 and below the garniture belt 25, or at least the upper surface of the garniture belt 25. Other arrangements of the first magnet 36 and the second magnet 37, or only one magnet or no magnets are also possible.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus 15 of Fig. 2 or 4 at a location between the feeding conveyor 17 and the heating device 34. The first magnet 36 and the second magnet 37 are not shown in Fig. 3. The continuous sheet of paper 28 rests on the endless garniture belt 25. The garniture belt 25 is in contact with the converging element 30. The gap in Fig. 3 between the garniture belt 25 and the converging element 30 is owed to the schematic representation to distinguish these elements from each other. The diameter of the converging element 30 decreases with respect to the feeding direction 110, such that the first longitudinal edge 31 and the second longitudinal edge 32 of the continuous sheet of paper 28 are gradually brought closer to each other in order to join the first longitudinal edge 31 and the second longitudinal edge 32 together. The cut filler material 7 initially may not have the circular shape as shown in Fig. 3, but is brought into the circular shape by converging the continuous sheet of paper 28.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus 15 according to another embodiment of the invention. The embodiment of Fig. 4 primarily differs from the embodiment of Fig. 2 in the location of the guide element 18. Thus, only the differences with respect to the embodiment of Fig. 2 are described in detail. For the other features, it is referred to the description of Fig. 2 above.

In contrast to the embodiment of Fig. 2, the susceptor bobbin 24 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 is arranged at a lateral side of the feeding conveyor 17, in particular between the upstream end and the downstream end of the feeding conveyor 17. The continuous susceptor 8 is fed from the susceptor bobbin 24 towards the downstream end of the feeding conveyor, in particular from an approximately orthogonal angle. The guide element 18 is arranged at the downstream end of the feeding conveyor 17 and may extend into the feeding conveyor 17. The guide element 18 is arranged below the continuous conveyor belt 21 of the feeding conveyor 17. The apparatus 15 further comprises a susceptor feeding device in the form of a jockey wheel 38 that is arranged in front of the guide element 18, in particular the upstream end of the guide element 18. The jockey wheel is arranged between the susceptor bobbin 24 and the guide element 18. The jockey wheel 38 is adapted to change the direction of the continuous susceptor 8 to align the continuous susceptor 8 parallel with the feed of cut filler material 22.

The continuous susceptor 8 is fed from the susceptor bobbin 24 via the jockey wheel 38 into the guide element 18. The guide element may extend into the rod-forming device 19, in particular above the garniture belt 25. The guide element 18 may extend into and/or above the converging element 30. The first magnet 36 and the second magnet 37 may be arranged after the guide element 18, in particular between the guide element 18 and the glue application device 33 and/or the heating device 34.

Figs. 5 to 7 show guide elements 18 according to different embodiments of the invention. The guide element 18 comprises a mounting portion 39 and a guiding portion 40 in the form of an elongated rod. The guiding portion 40 may have a recess or a hole. In the embodiment of Fig. 7, the guiding portion 40 is a hollow tube. The mounting portion 39 may comprise at least one hole 41 or an attachment portion 42. The mounting portion 39, in particular the at least hone hole 41 and/or the attachment portion 42, are used to attach the guide element 18 to the apparatus 15. The mounting portion 39 may be adapted to allow adjusting the position of the guide element 18 relative to the apparatus 15, in particular relative to the feeding conveyor 17 and/or the rod-forming device 19. The mounting portion 39 may further comprise at least one long hole 43.

Fig. 8 shows part of the guiding portion 40 of a guide element 18 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in particular the embodiment shown in Fig. 7. However, guiding portions 40 of the embodiments of Fig. 5 and 6 may have the same shape. The guiding portion 40 of the guide element 18 according to the embodiment of Fig. 8 is a tube 44 having an oval or circular opening 45 through which the continuous susceptor 8 is fed through. The opening 45 may have different shapes, such as a rectangular.

Fig. 9 is a schematic top view of an apparatus 15 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in particular the embodiment shown in Fig. 4. The continuous susceptor 8 is fed from the susceptor bobbin 24 through the jockey wheel 38 into the guide element 18. The feeding conveyor 17 and the cut filler tank 16 are not shown in Fig. 9. The garniture belt 25 of the rod-forming device 19 is also not shown in Fig. 9.

The guide element 18 extends into the rod-forming device 19 and into the converging element 30. The feed of cut filler material 22 is placed onto the continuous sheet of paper 28 that rests on the garniture belt 25 (not shown). The continuous sheet of paper 28 and the feed of cut filler material 22 are conveyed into and through the converging element 30 by the garniture belt 25. The continuous susceptor 8 exits the guide element 18, in particular the guiding portion 40 of the guide element 18, substantially in the center of the feed of cut filler material 22. The continuous susceptor 8 is also conveyed through the converging element 30. The continuous susceptor 8 may be forced into the feed of cut filler material 22 and may be conveyed through the motion of the feed of cut filler material 22.

The converging element 30 facilitates forming a continuous aerosol-generating rod 35 out of the feed of cut filler material 22, the continuous susceptor 8 and the continuous sheet of paper 28. At the downstream end of the converging element 30, the feed of cut filler material 22, the continuous susceptor 8 and the continuous sheet of paper 28 are fed to the glue application device 33 and the heating device 34 to join the longitudinal edges of the continuous sheet of paper 28 together.

The distance 120 between the guide element 18, in particular the downstream end of the guide element 18, and the glue application device 33 or the heating device 34 is between 1 millimeter and 400 millimeters. The distance 120 between the downstream end of the guide element 18 and the downstream end of the converging element 30 is between 1 millimeter and 400 millimeters. A first magnet 36 and/or a second magnet 37 may be arranged between the guide element 18 and the downstream end of the converging element 30. The first magnet 36 and the second magnet 37 may be arranged on opposite sides of the continuous susceptor 8, in particular above and below or opposite lateral sides of the continuous susceptor 8. Fig. 10 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus 15 according to an embodiment of the invention. The embodiment of Fig. 10 primarily differs from the embodiment of Fig. 4 in that a rotating blade 46 is arranged in feeding direction 110 between the trimming disk 23 and the guide element 18. Thus, only the differences with respect to the embodiment of Fig. 4 are described in detail. For the other features, it is referred to the description of Fig. 4 above. The rotating blade 46 may rotate around a horizontal rotation axis, in particular orthogonal to the feeding direction 110. The rotation axis of the rotating blade 46 may be arranged in the center of the rotating blade 46. The rotating blade may be arranged below the feeding conveyor 17 and may extend at least partially into the feeding conveyor 17. The rotating blade 46 may be adapted to form a groove or recess in the flow of cut filler material 7 or cut the flow of cut filler material 7, in particular to facilitate the insertion of the susceptor 8 into the cut filler material 7. Doing so may reduce the friction between the cut filler material 7 and the susceptor 8, in particular during insertion of the susceptor 8 into the cut filler material 7.

Claims

1. Apparatus for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods, the apparatus comprising a feeding conveyor, a guide element, and a rod-forming device, wherein the feeding conveyor is configured to convey cut filler material towards the rodforming device, wherein the guide element is configured to guide a continuous susceptor towards the rodforming device, wherein the rod-forming device is configured to form a rod out of the cut filler material, the continuous susceptor and a continuous sheet of wrapper material.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feeding conveyor comprises an endless conveyor belt.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the feeding conveyor comprises a conveying surface, wherein the conveying surface comprises a plurality of holes or is permeable to air, and the feeding conveyor further comprises a suction device.

4. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one trimming disk arranged on a lateral side of the feeding conveyor, wherein the trimming disk is configured to remove excess cut filler material from the feeding conveyor.

5. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, wherein the guide element comprises an elongated rod extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the elongated rod comprises a recess extending in the longitudinal direction or a hole extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the recess or hole is adapted to receive the continuous susceptor.

6. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one magnet, wherein the at least one magnet is arranged after the guide element, in particular between the guide element and the rod-forming device.

7. Apparatus according to any of the previous claims, wherein the rod-forming device comprises an endless garniture belt and a converging element.

8. Method for manufacturing inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods comprising the following steps:

- feeding a cut filler material towards a rod-forming area in a feed of cut filler material,

- feeding a continuous susceptor towards the rod-forming area,

- arranging the continuous susceptor in the feed of cut filler material, in particular in the center of the feed of cut filler material, and

- forming a continuous rod out of the feed of cut filler material and the continuous susceptor in the rod-forming area.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the cut filler material is a non-continuous material.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the cut filler material is fed with a feeding conveyor, wherein the feeding conveyor comprises an endless conveyor belt.

11. Method according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the step of forming the continuous rod comprises:

- wrapping a continuous sheet of wrapper material around the feed of cut filler material and the continuous susceptor,

- adding glue to at least one longitudinal edge of the continuous sheet of wrapper material, and

- connecting two longitudinal edges of the continuous sheet of wrapper material to each other.

12. Method according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the method further comprises:

- cutting the continuous rod into multiple aerosol-generating plugs,

- feeding the multiple aerosol-generating plugs to a combining area,

- aligning an aerosol-generating plug of the multiple aerosol-generating plugs with one or more elements of a front plug, a mouthpiece, a spacer tube and a filter, and

- wrapping a second sheet of wrapper material around the aerosol-generating plug and the one or more elements.

13. Aerosol-generating segment comprising a cut filler material and a susceptor, wherein the cut filler material is a non-continuous material and comprises, in particular consists of, a plurality of non-oriented strands.

14. Aerosol-generating article comprising the aerosol-generating segment according to claim 13, a front plug, a mouthpiece and a second wrapper material, wherein the aerosol-generating segment is arranged between the front plug and the mouthpiece, and wherein the second wrapper material is wrapped around at least two of the front plug, the aerosol-generating segment and the mouthpiece.

15. Use of non-oriented, non-continuous strands of tobacco material in the continuous production of inductively heatable aerosol-generating rods.

16. Aerosol-generating segment according to claim 13, wherein the cut filler material comprises, in particular consists of, loose, curved and/or curled non-oriented strands.

17. Use according to claim 15, wherein the strands of tobacco material are loose, curved and/or curled.