• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
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    • 专利摘要:
    method for making induction heatable tobacco columns. The method for making induction heatable tobacco columns comprises the steps of providing a continuous profile of a susceptor material and cutting the continuous profile of susceptor material into individual susceptor material segments. the method further comprises the steps of guiding an aerosol-forming tobacco substrate along a tobacco substrate merging device, positioning the individual susceptor material segments on the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate, and converging the forming tobacco substrate of aerosol to a final column format. therein, the step of positioning the individual susceptor material segments on the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate is performed before performing the step of converging the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate to its final column shape.
    公开号:BR112017020031B1
    申请号:R112017020031-7
    申请日:2016-05-19
    公开日:2021-06-29
    发明作者:Ivan Prestia；Daniele Sanna；Christian Agostini
    申请人:Philip Morris Products S.A.；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing induction heatable tobacco rods ("rods") for use in inductive heating devices.
    [0002] From the prior art, aerosol delivery systems comprising an aerosol forming substrate and an inductive heating device are known. The inductive heating device comprises an induction source that produces an alternating electromagnetic field that induces a heat-generating eddy current and hysteresis losses in a susceptor material. The susceptor is in thermal proximity to the aerosol-forming substrate, for example, a tobacco substrate. The heated susceptor, in turn, heats the aerosol-forming substrate which comprises a material that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol.
    [0003] It would be desirable to have an efficient method for making induction heatable aerosol forming tobacco rods suitable for use in induction heating devices.
    [0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing induction heatable tobacco rods is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a continuous profile of a susceptor material and cutting the continuous profile of susceptor material into individual susceptor material segments. The method further comprises the steps of guiding an aerosol-forming tobacco substrate along a tobacco substrate merging device, positioning the individual susceptor material segments on the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate, and converging the forming tobacco substrate of aerosol to a final rod shape. Therein, the step of positioning the individual susceptor material segments on the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate is performed before performing the step of converging the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate to its final rod shape.
    [0005] The continuous supply of single segment in a continuous material for the manufacture of an induction heatable tobacco rod is a very effective way for mass production of induction heatable tobacco segments. In addition, tobacco rod fabrication provides flexibility in sizing tobacco segments or induction heatable tobacco plugs, respectively, as the final tobacco segments are commonly called. Variations, for example, but not limited to: susceptor material profile shape, type of susceptor material, length of susceptor material, location of susceptor material in the tobacco substrate, type of tobacco substrate or length and lateral dimension of the stem tobacco, are attainable. Preferably, such variations can be achieved without or with only limited adaptation of the conventional tobacco rod manufacturing process, i.e. tobacco rods used to manufacture tobacco plugs for heating devices comprising conventional resistance heating elements, such as, for example, heating blades.
    [0006] The individual susceptor material segments are positioned on the tobacco substrate, while the tobacco substrate has been partially converged, but has not yet reached the final rod shape. The partially converged tobacco substrate may be a loose arrangement of joined tobacco substrate, basically of any shape or shape, or it may already have a rod shape, however, with a lower density (or larger diameter) than the rod shape. Final. By positioning the susceptor material segments on the partially converged tobacco substrate, the introduction of the susceptor material segments into the tobacco substrate is facilitated. Furthermore, due to the tobacco material already (partially) converged, the final position of the susceptor material segments on the tobacco rod is already well defined.
    [0007] As used herein, the term "susceptor" refers to a material that can convert electromagnetic energy into heat. When located in an alternating electromagnetic field, eddy currents are induced and hysteresis losses occur in the susceptor causing the susceptor to heat up. Since the susceptor is located in thermal contact or in close thermal proximity with the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate, the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate is heated by the susceptor such that an aerosol is formed. Preferably, the susceptor is disposed in direct physical contact with the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate, for example, within the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate.
    [0008] The susceptor can be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol forming substrate. Preferred susceptors comprise a metal or carbon. A preferred susceptor may comprise or consist of a ferromagnetic material, for example a ferromagnetic alloy, ferritic iron or a ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel. A suitable susceptor can be or comprise aluminum. Preferred susceptors can be heated to a temperature greater than 250 degrees Celsius. Suitable susceptors may include a non-metallic core with a metal layer disposed on the non-metallic core, for example, metallic bands formed under a surface of a ceramic core. A susceptor can have a protective outer layer, for example a protective ceramic layer or protective glass layer encapsulating the susceptor. The susceptor can include a protective coating formed of glass, ceramic or an inert metal formed under a core of susceptor material.
    The susceptor may be a multimaterial susceptor and may comprise a first susceptor material and a second susceptor material. The first susceptor material is disposed in intimate physical contact with the second susceptor material. The second susceptor material preferably has a Curie temperature that is less than 500°C. The first susceptor material is preferably used primarily to heat the susceptor when the susceptor is placed in a fluctuating electromagnetic field. Any suitable material can be used. For example, the first susceptor material can be aluminum or it can be a ferrous material such as stainless steel. The second susceptor material is preferably used primarily to indicate when the susceptor has reached a specific temperature, this temperature being the Curie temperature of the second susceptor material. The Curie temperature of the second susceptor material can be used to regulate the temperature of the entire susceptor during operation. Thus, the Curie temperature of the second susceptor material must be below the flash point of the aerosol-forming substrate. Suitable materials for the second susceptor material may include nickel and some nickel alloys.
    [00010] By providing a susceptor having at least a first and a second susceptor material, with the second susceptor material having a Curie temperature and the first susceptor material not having a Curie temperature or the first and second susceptor material having the first and second Curie temperatures distinct from each other, the heating of the aerosol forming substrate and the temperature control of the heating can be separated. The first susceptor material is preferably a magnetic material with a Curie temperature above 500°C. It is desirable from a heating efficiency standpoint that the Curie temperature of the first susceptor material be above any maximum temperature that the susceptor should be capable of being heated. The second Curie temperature can preferably be selected to be less than 400°C, preferably less than 380°C or less than 360°C. It is preferable that the second susceptor material is a magnetic material selected to have a second Curie temperature that is substantially the same as a desired maximum heating temperature. That is, it is preferable that the second Curie temperature be approximately the same as the temperature to which the susceptor must be heated in order to generate an aerosol from the aerosol forming substrate. The second Curie temperature can, for example, be within the range of 200 °C to 400 °C or between 250 °C and 360 °C. The second Curie temperature of the second susceptor material can, for example, be selected such that, after being heated by a susceptor that is at a temperature equal to the second Curie temperature, an overall average temperature of the aerosol forming substrate does not exceed 240 °C.
    [00011] Preferably, the continuous profile of the susceptor is a filament, rod, blade or band. If the susceptor profile has a constant cross section, for example a circular cross section, it has a preferred width or diameter between about 1 mm and about 5 mm. If the profile of the susceptor is in the form of a blade or band, the blade or band is preferably rectangular in shape with a width preferably between about 2 millimeters and about 8 millimeters, more preferably between about 3 millimeters and about of 5 millimeters, for example 4 millimeters and a thickness between, preferably, about 0.03 millimeters and about 0.15 millimeters, more preferably, between about 0.05 millimeters and about 0.09 millimeters, for example , 0.07mm.
    [00012] Preferably, the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate contains volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the tobacco substrate upon heating. The aerosol forming tobacco substrate may comprise or consist of mixed cut tobacco filler material or may comprise homogenized tobacco material. The homogenized tobacco material can be formed by agglomeration of the particulate tobacco. The aerosol forming substrate may further comprise a non-tobacco-containing material, for example, homogenized plant-based material other than tobacco.
    [00013] Preferably, the aerosol forming tobacco substrate is a preferably folded tobacco sheet comprising tobacco material, fibers, binder and aerosol former. Preferably, the tobacco sheet is a sheet coated with reconstituted tobacco. The coated sheet is a form of reconstituted tobacco which is formed from a paste including tobacco particles, fiber particles, aerosol former, binder and, for example, also flavorings.
    [00014] Tobacco particles can be in the form of a tobacco powder having particles in the order of 30 micrometers to 250 micrometers, preferably in the order of 30 micrometers to 80 micrometers or 100 micrometers to 250 micrometers, depending on the desired sheet thickness and the coating gap, where the coating gap typically defines the thickness of the sheet.
    [00015] Fiber particles may include tobacco stem materials, stalks or other tobacco plant material and other cellulose-based fibers such as wood fibers with a low lignin content. Fiber particles can be selected based on the desire to produce sufficient tensile strength for the coated sheet ratio versus low inclusion, for example, an inclusion ratio between approximately 2 percent to 15 percent. Alternatively, fibers such as vegetable fibers can be used with the above fiber particles or alternatively including hemp and bamboo.
    [00016] Aerosol formers included in the paste forming the coated sheet or used on other aerosol forming tobacco substrates can be chosen based on one or more characteristics. Functionally, the aerosol former provides a mechanism that allows it to be volatilized and to deliver nicotine or flavorings or both in an aerosol when heated above the specific volatilization temperature of the aerosol former. Different aerosol formers typically vaporize at different temperatures. The aerosol former may be any known suitable compound or mixture of compounds which, when in use, facilitate the formation of a dense and stable aerosol, and which is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of an inductive heating device which will be used with the induction heatable tobacco substrate. An aerosol former can be chosen based on its ability, for example, to remain stable at or near room temperature, but capable of volatilizing at a higher temperature, for example, between 40 degrees Celsius and 450 degrees Celsius.
    [00017] The aerosol former may also have humectant-like properties that help maintain a desirable level of moisture in an aerosol former substrate when the substrate is composed of a tobacco-based product, particularly including tobacco particles. In particular, some aerosol formers are a hygroscopic material that functions as a humectant, that is, a material that helps to keep a tobacco substrate containing the humectant moist.
    [00018] One or more aerosol formers can be combined to take advantage of one or more properties of combined aerosol formers. For example, triacetin can be combined with glycerin and water to harness the ability of triacetin to impart the active components and wetting properties of glycerin.
    [00019] Aerosol formers can be selected from polyols, glycol ethers, polyol ester, esters and fatty acids, and may comprise one or more of the following compounds: glycerin, erythritol, 1,3-butylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol , triethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl laurate, triacetin, mesoerythritol, a diacetin mixture, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, ethyl vanylate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid and propylene glycol.
    [00020] The aerosol forming tobacco substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients such as flavorings. Preferably, the aerosol forming tobacco substrate comprises nicotine and at least one aerosol former. The susceptor that is in thermal proximity to or in thermal or physical contact with the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate allows for more efficient heating and therefore higher operating temperatures can be achieved. The higher operating temperature allows glycerin to be used as an aerosol former which provides an improved aerosol compared to aerosol formers used in known systems.
    [00021] A crimped tobacco sheet, for example a coated sheet, may have a thickness in a range between 0.5mm and about 2mm, preferably between about 0.8mm and about 1.5mm, for example 1mm. Thickness deviations of up to about 30 percent can occur due to manufacturing tolerances.
    [00022] Preferably, the induction heatable tobacco rod has a circular or oval cross section. However, the tobacco rod can also have the cross section of a rectangle or a polygon.
    [00023] The step of positioning the individual susceptor material segments on the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate may comprise positioning the individual susceptor material segments on a central portion of the tobacco substrate. This can be favorable in view of the heat distribution in the tobacco substrate, for example, for a homogeneous and symmetrical heating distribution in the tobacco rod. The heat generated in the central portion can dissipate in radial orientation and heat the tobacco substrate around an entire circumference of the susceptor. Depending on the position and arrangement of the individual segments on the tobacco substrate, for example the distance from each other, heat can be dissipated in the tobacco substrate around the entire segment of susceptor material.
    [00024] Preferably, the central portion of the tobacco substrate is a region of the tobacco stem that spans a central axis of the tobacco stem. The segments of susceptor material are substantially longitudinally disposed within the tobacco rod. This means that a length dimension of the susceptor material segments is arranged to be approximately parallel to a longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod, for example, within plus or minus 10 degrees of the parallel longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod. Preferably, the segments of material can be positioned in a radially central position within the tobacco stem and extend along the longitudinal axis of the tobacco stem. Preferably, the individual susceptor material segments are disposed distant from one another along a longitudinal axis of the tobacco rod.
    [00025] According to another aspect of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises the step of providing the tobacco substrate with a longitudinally continuous folding structure. The step of positioning the individual susceptor segments on the tobacco substrate comprises profiling the individual susceptor segments parallel to and between the longitudinally continuous folding structure of the tobacco substrate. This can facilitate insertion and placement of the susceptor into the tobacco material.
    [00026] The tobacco substrate can be provided with a folding structure to facilitate folding the substrate to its final rod shape. Said folding structure can support regular folding and thus the manufacture of tobacco plugs with reproducible specifications. The individual susceptor segments can now be arranged between folds, preferably between two neighboring folds of the folding structure. Thereby, the individual susceptor segments can be inserted into the partially joined tobacco substrate maintaining the folded structure or evenness of said folded structure of the folded tobacco substrate. Preferably, the tobacco substrate is provided in the form of a sheet and is joined or folded into a rod shape. Preferably, the longitudinally continuous fold structure provides a wavelike cross section to the tobacco substrate.
    [00027] According to a further aspect of the method according to the invention, the step of cutting the continuous profile of susceptor material into individual susceptor material segments is performed by guiding the continuous profile of susceptor material along a surface of a cutting support. Therefore, the cutting and transport of the susceptor material or the segments of susceptor material are combined. Furthermore, by means of the cutting support, the individual segments can be prepared for introduction into the tobacco substrate. Preferably, the cutting support is a cutting wheel and the surface of the cutting support is the circumference of the cutting wheel. Preferably, cutting of the susceptor material is performed by impacting a cutting blade against the continuous profile of susceptor material, while the continuous profile of susceptor material is guided along the surface of the cutting holder. This allows fast and accurate cutting of different types of susceptor material as well. In addition, the length of a segment of susceptor material can be defined and varied by a repetition rate of cutting blade impact or by a speed of transport of the continuous profile of susceptor material along the cutting holder or by a combination of repetition rate of cutting means and speed of transport of the susceptor material.
    [00028] The individual susceptor material segments can be transported by the cutting holder to the tobacco substrate and positioned therein directly through the cutting holder. However, preferably, the method according to the invention further comprises the step of transferring the individual susceptor material segments from the cutting holder to an inserter. Preferably, the insertion device is an insertion wheel. The inserter can support a guide and exact positioning of the susceptor material segments on the tobacco substrate. For example, segments of susceptor material can be aligned with and on the tobacco substrate by the inserter. Segments of susceptor material can be guided, for example, along a recess in the inserter, for example, in the circumference of an insert wheel, or, for example, into a slot or channel formed in the inserter, by example, on and along the circumference of an insertion wheel. Preferably, by transferring the individual segments of the cutting holder onto an inserter, the segments can be separated. That is, the segments can be arranged over the insertion device, including a distance from each other. By synchronizing the inserter and the tobacco substrate, such a distance on the insertion wheel can correspond to or define the distance of the individual susceptor material segments on the induction heatable tobacco rod. A transfer from a cutting holder to an inserter may include one or several transfer steps, for example along several wheels or cylinders. Some of these cylinders can serve as turning elements for the susceptor material strip or the susceptor material segments, respectively. Therefore, an arrangement of a coil of susceptor material and a cut can be independent of a position of the segment of susceptor material cut after insertion. For example, a continuous strip of susceptor material can be arranged to lie flat against a circumference of a cutting wheel to cut the susceptor material. However, it may be preferred that for insertion, the segment of susceptor material is rotated to be inserted into the tobacco substrate with its small side up.
    [00029] According to another aspect of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises the step of forming a channel in the partially converged tobacco substrate and positioning the individual susceptor material segments in the channel. The channel can define the position of the susceptor material segments with respect to their location and insertion depth into the tobacco substrate and tobacco rod after fully converging the tobacco substrate into its final rod shape. The channel facilitates insertion of the susceptor material segments into the tobacco substrate and can ensure the positioning of the susceptor material segments without damaging, deforming or dislocating the susceptor material segments.
    [00030] Preferably, the channel in the partially converged tobacco substrate is formed by the inserter, for example by extending the inserter or a circumferential portion of the inserter onto the partially converged tobacco substrate. Thereby, the position of the susceptor material on the tobacco substrate is given by the position of the inserter. This position can be supported in view of a lateral position as well as a depth in the tobacco rod.
    [00031] The inserter may comprise a wedge-shaped portion for insertion into the partially converged tobacco substrate. For example, an insertion wheel can have a wedge-shaped circumference. The inserter or the wedge-shaped portion thereof, respectively, shifts the tobacco substrate, preferably sideways, such that the individual susceptor material segments can be positioned in the channel formed by the inserter.
    [00032] Preferably, the susceptor web profile is a susceptor web. Thus, the segments of susceptor material cut from the web are strips. Preferably, the susceptor web is provided on a spool. Preferably, a susceptor sheet width is the width of the susceptor in a final product. A profile of susceptor material in the form of a sheet makes it possible to provide heat to a tobacco rod, which heating can originate along the diameter of the rod and along the length of the rod. Hereby, a heating distribution on the tobacco rod similar to conventionally heated heating devices can be obtained which comprises heating blades, however, it requires less energy and provides all the advantages of non-contact heating (e.g. no broken blades , no residue on the heating element, separate electronic components or easy device cleaning).
    [00033] According to another additional aspect of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises the step of packaging the induction heatable tobacco rod in a wrapping material. The wrapper material wrapped around the tobacco rod can help stabilize the shape of the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate. This can also help prevent inadvertent dissociation of the tobacco substrate and the susceptor.
    [00034] In general, manufactured induction heatable tobacco rod is cut into induction heatable tobacco segments. Preferably, the cut tobacco segments are of equal length. Depending on the consumable or induction heatable smoking article to be manufactured using an induction heatable tobacco segment, a length of the segments may be varied.
    [00035] Preferably, the induction heatable tobacco rod is cut into positions between subsequent susceptor material segments in the tobacco rod. This is preferably done by synchronizing the cutting of the tobacco rod with a speed of movement of the tobacco rod. If the segments of susceptor material are disposed on the tobacco stem not directly adjacent to each other, but at a distance from each other, then preferably the stem is cut midway between two subsequent segments of susceptor material. Thus, no susceptor material is cut, and preferably each segment of susceptor material is surrounded by an equal amount of tobacco substrate. High reproducibility in tobacco segment manufacturing can be achieved.
    [00036] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an induction heatable smoking article for use in an inductive heating device. The induction heatable smoking article comprises an induction heatable tobacco segment. The induction heatable tobacco segment is a part of an induction heatable tobacco rod in which an induction heatable tobacco rod has been manufactured in accordance with the method described in this application. The induction heatable tobacco segment comprises aerosol forming tobacco substrate and a segment of susceptor material.
    [00037] In general, an induction heatable smoking article is introduced into a cavity of the inductive heating device such that heat can be induced in the susceptor material segment of the tobacco segment by a corresponding inducer of an electronic component of power supply in the inductive heating device.
    [00038] An induction heatable tobacco segment or tobacco plug (final length) achieves its desired length by cutting the induction heatable tobacco rod. Such tobacco segment may have a segment length in the range of between about 2 millimeters and about 20 millimeters, more preferably between about 6 millimeters and about 15 millimeters, for example, between about 8 millimeters and about 12 millimeters. such as 10mm or 12mm.
    [00039] The length of a segment of susceptor material can be set by the operation of the cutter. The susceptor material segment has a maximum, the same length as the tobacco plug. Preferably, the susceptor material segment is smaller than the tobacco plug. Hence, the susceptor material segment can be fully enveloped by tobacco substrate. Furthermore, a positioning of the susceptor material segment relative to the length of a final tobacco plug can provide more tolerance due to a decreased risk of an overlap of two susceptor material segments.
    [00040] The susceptor segment preferably has a length between about 2mm to about 20mm, more preferably between about 6mm to about 15mm, for example between about 8mm and about 12mm , such as 10mm or 12mm.
    [00041] Whenever the term "about" is used in relation to a specific value throughout this application, it should be understood that this value following the term "about" does not have to be exactly the specific value due to technical considerations . However, the term "about" is understood to explicitly include and disclose the respective threshold value.
    [00042] The susceptor segment preferably has a length dimension greater than its width dimension or its thickness dimension, for example greater than twice its width dimension or its thickness dimension.
    [00043] The tobacco segment or tobacco plug, respectively, can be connected to a mouthpiece, which optionally can comprise a filter plug and additional segments, for example, aerosol cooling segments or spacer segments. The induction heatable aerosol forming tobacco plug and mouthpiece and possibly additional segments can also be assembled to form a structural entity. Every time a new induction heatable tobacco plug is to be used in combination with an inductive heating device, the user is automatically provided with a new mouthpiece, which can be appreciated from a hygienic point of view. Optionally, the mouthpiece can be provided with a filter plug, which can be selected according to the composition of the tobacco plug.
    [00044] Other advantages and aspects of the smoking article have been discussed referring to the method according to the invention and therefore will not be repeated here.
    [00045] The invention will be further described with reference to embodiments, which are illustrated by means of the attached drawings, in which:
    [00046] Figure 1 schematically illustrates the method according to the invention;
    [00047] Figures 2, 3 show cross sections along a manufacturing line in different positions;
    [00048] Figure 4 shows a view in a longitudinal cross section of an induction heatable tobacco segment;
    [00049] Figure 5A is a plan view of a segment of susceptor material for use in a tobacco product;
    [00050] Figure 5B is a side view of the susceptor material segment of Figure 5A.
    [00051] In Figure 1 a continuous tobacco sheet 2 is guided along a joining device where the tobacco sheet 2 is joined from an essentially flat shape to a rod shape. Tobacco sheet 2, for example a coated sheet, can already be crimped or be crimped in-line before being joined.
    [00052] A continuous strip 1 of a susceptor material, for example a ferromagnetic stainless steel strip is provided on a coil 30. The continuous strip 1 is unwound from the coil 30 and passes a cutting and separating apparatus 5 before being inserted on the tobacco sheet 2. The cutting and separating apparatus 5 comprises a cutting wheel 51, a cutting device 52 and a feed wheel 55. In this simplified variant, only two wheels are shown. However, as explained above, further wheels or turning mechanisms for the susceptor material or the susceptor material segments can be provided for a desired position of the susceptor material segment by insertion into the tobacco sheet 2
    [00053] The unwound continuous strip 1 of susceptor material is guided along the circumference of the cutter wheel 51. The cutter 52 is arranged close to the cutter wheel 51 to cut the continuous strip on the cutter wheel 51 into segments of individual susceptor material 10. The cutting device 52 is provided with movable cutting edges for impacting the susceptor material disposed on the circumference of the cutting wheel 51. Thus, the strip 1 of the susceptor material is cut into susceptor material 10 segments in the form of individual strips. To support cutting, the circumference of the cutter wheel 51 and the cutting edges of the cutter 52 may be shaped to match. Preferably, the circumference of the cutting wheel is flat, such that the strip of susceptor material 1 can rest securely and be oriented on this circumference.
    [00054] The individual susceptor material segments 10 are transferred from the shear wheel 51 to the feed wheel 55, for example, in a circumferentially continuous slot 551 of the feed wheel 55.
    [00055] The diameter of the feed wheel 55 is greater than the diameter of the cutter wheel 51. Thus, when transferring the individual susceptor material segments, the segments are separated and arranged far apart along the circumference of the feed wheel 55. By selecting the proportion of the diameters of the two wheels 51,52 and the proportions of their rotation speed, a distance between the individual segments 10 on the feed wheel 55 and on the final tobacco rod can be selected and defined.
    [00056] In the embodiment of Figure 1, the coil 30, the cutting wheel 51 and the feed wheel 55 are arranged in the same plane. The feed wheel 55 is arranged to extend with a circumferential portion 550 in a groove 330 in an end rod formation and conveyor line 33. Tobacco sheet 201, partially but not fully joined, is guided in and along. of this groove 330. On being guided in the groove 330, the partially joined tobacco sheet 201 is provided with the segments of susceptor material 10, is then formed into a final rod shape and is wrapped in a wrapper material 202.
    [00057] As can be seen in Figure 2, at position 100, the circumferential portion 550 of the feed wheel 55 acts as an inserter for the susceptor material segments 10. The circumferential portion forms a channel in the partially joined tobacco sheet 201 , while the segments of susceptor material 10 are continuously positioned on the partially joined tobacco sheet 201. A circumferential speed of the feed wheel 55 corresponds to the transport speed of the tobacco sheet 2 in the slot 330 at the insertion position 100 disposed in a region a. upstream of the conveyor line 33. Hence, no speed difference between the feed wheel and the tobacco sheet exists in the insertion position. This ensures an accurate insertion of the 10 susceptor material segments.
    [00058] To support the insertion, the circumferential portion 550 of the feed wheel 55 is wedge-shaped for smooth insertion into sheet material 2. The feed wheel 55 forms a channel in the partially joined tobacco sheet 201 for insertion of the segments of susceptor material 10. The circumferential portion 550 of the feed wheel 55 is divided in a direction perpendicular (vertical) to the direction of transport (horizontal) of the tobacco sheet forming a slit 551 in the inserted circumferential portion 550. The slit 551 serves as a slit 551 means of guiding and positioning the susceptor material segments 10 on the tobacco sheet. Preferably, the length of the slit 551 limits a movement of the susceptor material segments 10 in a direction away from the joined tobacco sheet 201. , possibly in combination with the length of slit 551, can define the insertion depth of the susceptor material segments 10 into the final tobacco rod.
    [00059] Suction can be applied through the slit 551 or channel to cause the susceptor material segments to remain on the feed wheel 55. At the insertion position 100, suction can be stopped, such that the susceptor material segments 10 can be positioned on the partially joined tobacco sheet 201. Insertion can also be supported by a small overpressure applied to suction channel 551.
    [00060] A continuous wrapping material 202, for example a sheet or sheet of paper, is provided from below the tobacco sheet 2. The wrapping material 202 is inserted into the groove 330 of the conveyor line 33 in such a way that the partially joined tobacco sheet 201 overlaps the wrapper material 202 on the conveyor line 33. After insertion of the susceptor material segment at position 200, which is shown in more detail in Figure 3, the tobacco sheet is formed in its final rod shape and the susceptor material segment 10 is fully enveloped by the tobacco substrate. Next, the wrapper material 202 is fully wrapped around the tobacco sheet containing susceptor material forming the final induction heatable tobacco rod.
    [00061] The tobacco rod is cut between the segments of susceptor material in tobacco plugs 20 of a length which is preset by the length of the segments of susceptor material. Preferably, segment insertion and positioning is synchronized with cutting means for cutting the tobacco rod, such that the rod can be cut exactly midway between two segments of susceptor material.
    [00062] Figure 4 shows a view of a longitudinal cross-section through an induction heatable tobacco plug 20, manufactured with the method according to the invention. The susceptor material segment 10 is disposed along a longitudinal axis 300 of the tobacco plug and has a length 102 which is shorter than the length of the tobacco plug 20. Preferably, the susceptor material segment is symmetrically disposed. in the tobacco plug 20 with respect to the length of the tobacco plug as well as with respect to the cross section of the tobacco plug. The width 101 of the segment 10 is less than the diameter of the tobacco plug 20. In the induction heatable tobacco plug, the susceptor material segment 10 is completely surrounded by tobacco substrate. The tobacco substrate comprises a joined sheet of crimped homogenized tobacco material. The crimped sheet of the homogenized tobacco material preferably comprises glycerin as an aerosol former.
    [00063] The length 102 of the tobacco plug may, for example, be 12 millimeters, while the length of the susceptor material strip 10 may, for example, be 10 millimeters. The width 101 of the susceptor material strip may, for example, be 4 millimeters, with a tobacco plug diameter of 8 mm.
    [00064] Figure 5A and Figure 5B illustrate an example of a unitary multimaterial susceptor segment 10 for use in a tobacco product according to an embodiment of the invention. The segment of susceptor material 10 is in the form of an elongated strip having a length of 12 mm and a width of 4 mm. The susceptor material segment is formed from a first susceptor material 15 which is intimately coupled to a second susceptor material 14. The first susceptor material 15 is in the form of a class 430 stainless steel strip with dimensions of 12 mm per 4 mm by 25 micrometers. The second susceptor material 14 is in the form of a nickel steel strip measuring 12 mm by 4 mm by 10 micrometers. The susceptor material segment is formed by coating the nickel strip 14 to the stainless steel strip 15. The total thickness of the susceptor material segment is 35 micrometers. The susceptor material segment 10 of Figure 5 may be termed a two-layer or multi-layer susceptor material segment.
    权利要求:
    Claims (14)
    [0001]
    1. Method for manufacturing induction heatable tobacco rods, the method characterized by the fact that it comprises the steps of: - providing a continuous profile of a susceptor (1); - cutting the continuous susceptor profile into individual susceptor segments (10); - guiding an aerosol-forming tobacco substrate (2) along a tobacco substrate merging device; - positioning the individual susceptor segments on the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate (2); - converging the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate into a final rod shape, wherein the step of positioning the individual susceptor segments on the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate is performed before performing the step of converging the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate to its final rod shape.
    [0002]
    2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of positioning the individual susceptor segments (10) on the aerosol forming tobacco substrate (2) comprises positioning the individual susceptor material segments in a portion central part of the tobacco substrate.
    [0003]
    3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method further comprises the step of providing the tobacco substrate (2) with a longitudinal fold structure, and in which the step of positioning the the individual susceptor segments (10) in the tobacco substrate comprise arranging individual susceptor segments (10) parallel to and between the longitudinal fold structure of the tobacco substrate.
    [0004]
    4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of cutting the continuous susceptor profile (1) into individual susceptor segments (10) is performed by guiding the continuous susceptor profile along a surface of a cutting holder (51).
    [0005]
    5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the step of cutting the continuous susceptor profile (1) into individual susceptor segments (10) is performed by the impact of a cutting blade against the continuous profile of susceptor, while the continuous susceptor profile is guided along the surface of the cutting holder (51).
    [0006]
    6. Method according to any one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises the step of transferring the individual susceptor segments (10) from the cutting support (51) to an insertion device ( 55).
    [0007]
    7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises the step of separating the individual susceptor segments (10) by performing the step of transferring the individual susceptor material segments from the cutting support ( 51) for the insertion device (55).
    [0008]
    8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of forming a channel in the partially converged aerosol-forming tobacco substrate (201) and positioning the individual susceptor segments (10) in the channel.
    [0009]
    9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of providing a continuous profile of a susceptor (1) comprises providing a continuous sheet of susceptor material.
    [0010]
    10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises the step of packaging the induction heatable tobacco rod in a packaging material (4).
    [0011]
    11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises the step of cutting the induction heatable tobacco rod into positions between subsequent susceptor segments (10) on the tobacco rod.
    [0012]
    12. Method according to claim 11, characterized by cutting the induction-heatable tobacco rod into induction-heatable tobacco segments (20) of equal length.
    [0013]
    13. An induction-heatable smoking article, characterized in that it comprises an induction-heatable tobacco segment (20) of an induction-heatable tobacco rod manufactured in accordance with the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that by the fact that the induction heatable tobacco segment comprises aerosol-forming tobacco substrate and a susceptor segment (10).
    [0014]
    14. Induction-heatable smoking article according to claim 13, characterized in that the length of the susceptor segment (10) in the tobacco segment (20) is equal to or less than the length of the tobacco segment.
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    法律状态:
    2019-12-17| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2021-04-20| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-06-29| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 19/05/2016, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    EP15168555.9|2015-05-21|
    EP15168555|2015-05-21|
    PCT/EP2016/061170|WO2016184929A1|2015-05-21|2016-05-19|Method for manufacturing inductively heatable tobacco rods|
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