TW202023399A - Method for producing a tubular tobacco product, a tubular tobacco product, an aerosol-forming stick, and an aerosol-generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a tubular tobacco product and a tubular tobacco product and an aerosol-forming stick and an aerosol-generating device . It is provided that a method for producing a tubular tobacco product comprises at least one hollow bore (extending along the longitudinal axis of the tubular tobacco product). The method comprises the following steps: providing a tobacco composition and extruding the tobacco composition to form the tubular tobacco product, wherein the tobacco composition is extruded through a nozzle having at least one central mandrel for forming the at least one hollow bore. Furthermore, a tubular tobacco product is provided, wherein said tubular tobacco product is manufactured according to the presented method. Also provided is an aerosol-forming stick for use in an aerosol-generating device, wherein the aerosol-forming stick comprises the tubular tobacco product. Finally, the aerosol-generating device itself is provided

Description

Method for producing tubular tobacco product, tubular tobacco product, aerosol forming rod, aerosol generating device

The invention relates to a method for producing a tubular tobacco product, a tubular tobacco product, an aerosol forming rod, and an aerosol generating device.

In the field of tobacco products, there are many different methods for producing final products. Therefore, the final products of the prior art are diverse in design and function and are often different from traditional cigarettes. Traditional cigarettes include a rod made of tobacco material, and a package usually formed by covering the tobacco material with cigarette paper. At the end of the tobacco rod, a cylindrical filter (in the form of a plug) made of cellulose acetate filter paper (in the form of roll paper) is usually used to cover the filter area and the area at the end of the tobacco rod. Generally, tobacco material is made from natural tobacco leaves. Tobacco material can be pre-treated or further processed, for example, by conditioning, stemming/stripping, drying, mixing, flavoring (Saucing), and spraying flavorings. Flavoring and Cutting. In the process of tobacco production of the final product, the so-called by-products are produced from the previous threshing line. The process of obtaining by-products, such as threshing lines, primary production, composition and packaging, can be collected and used to make tobacco flakes that are very similar to natural tobacco leaves. The thin slices are then cut into strips for mixing with other types of tobacco. Generally, the ingredients of tobacco may include leaves, cut stalks, reconstituted pieces, and expanded tobacco. Tobacco stored in large bales is broken, cut into specific sizes, and mixed with other ingredients, such as Casing or Top Dressing, and adjusts the moisture content. American blended cigarettes include the above four types of tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or homogeneous sheet tobacco. It is made of soot, fines, granules, leaf ribs and stems. Reconstituted tobacco or homogeneous sheet tobacco is a paper-like sheet close to the thickness of a tobacco sheet, made of smoke, fines, particles, leaf ribs and stems. Various additives can be added. In the past, most "tobacco by-products" were wasted.

Nowadays, up to 25% of reconstituted tobacco or other tobacco substitutes are often mixed into tobacco material, which is used in, for example, traditional cigarettes produced in the manner described above. In addition to traditional cigarettes, there are many other tobacco-containing products, such as heat not burn tobacco (HnB) products or other heated tobacco products, which use devices that do not burn tobacco. In addition to burning tobacco, these tobacco products are heated and their volatile components are atomized. The design of these products is similar to combustible products, for example, tobacco products will be provided in rods, so that the rods can be placed in heating appliances. Compared with the temperature reached in traditional cigarettes, a typical heated tobacco product will heat the tobacco placed in a special device to a lower temperature. Since the temperature in traditional cigarettes can reach 800°C to 1100°C, the burning of tobacco material placed in the cigarette will release unknown or unwanted substances, which is a disadvantage of traditional cigarettes. Currently, heated tobacco products are made from reconstituted tobacco. The heated smoking product may have the form of a so-called solid tobacco plug (e.g., a cigarette), or may have a cover made of paper (one or more layers). The absorption of humectants by reconstituted tobacco is limited, and product design is restricted (for example, the need for higher humectant content). Rolling sheet tobacco is technically challenging and limited in terms of speed and tobacco sheet properties. In this context, it is known from the prior art to use extrusion technology to produce smokeable devices, and this method is usually combined with the development of the tobacco material itself.

The following text explains some of the conventional technical solutions, which can be regarded as examples of the latest technology in this field.

Patent case GB 2078087 A discloses tobacco-containing tobacco products and methods for manufacturing the same. The smoking article includes a bonded block of combustible tobacco material. The bonded block has at least one passage through the bonded block between two openings spaced on the surface. The tobacco block has a porosity that supports combustion when ignited. The density and porosity of the system roughly block the air flow through the bonding block. The smoking article is preferably a vent plug with at least one combustible material, and one or both ends of the vent plug block the passage. The tobacco substance may include non-tobacco filler particles, such as carbon or clay, and the plug may include flavoring agents.

The product is formed by forming a mixture of combustible tobacco material and a volatile liquid (for example, a mixture of water and glycerin or propylene glycol) under high pressure into discrete cohesive masses. Preferably, it is formed by extrusion to form a passage through the material, and the material is dried to form a porosity and density that substantially blocks the airflow therein to support combustion when ignited. However, this document does not disclose a method for extruding a tobacco composition to form a tubular tobacco product, wherein when the tobacco composition is extruded, at least one hole is formed in the tubular tobacco product through a nozzle having at least one mandrel. In addition, this document does not disclose the feature including at least one void extending along the longitudinal axis of the tubular tobacco product. In addition, this document does not disclose the aerosol forming rod or the aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

Patent WO 1996/03060 discloses a hollow tobacco product. This cigarette-like smoking article includes a hollow rod, which is used to guide smoke and air from the ignition end to a filter located at the mouth end of the article. The hollow rod is formed of tobacco material and/or other cellulose or bone pyrolysis materials, an adhesive and preferably an organic or inorganic salt. The materials are mixed in an aqueous solution or mixed aqueous/non-aqueous solution and then shaped, which is formed into a hollow rod shape by feeding, extruding or molding. The tobacco rod is surrounded by tobacco leaves and wrapped with cigarette paper, or directly wrapped with cigarette paper, and then combined with a filter to form a smoking product. Because the hollow passage of the rod advances the combustion within the inverted fire cone shape, the mainstream smoke is heat treated, and the amount of sidestream smoke generated is also reduced. However, this document does not disclose a method comprising extruding a tobacco composition to form a tubular tobacco product, wherein the extruded tobacco composition is passed through a nozzle having at least one mandrel to form at least one void in the tubular tobacco product. In addition, this document does not disclose that the manufactured tubular tobacco product includes voids extending along at least one longitudinal axis in the tubular tobacco product. In addition, the aerosol forming rod or the aerosol generating device according to the present invention is also not disclosed.

Patent US 4,981,522 discloses a heat-releasable flavor source for tobacco products. This flavor source as a heat-releasing aroma of tobacco products does not burn tobacco. This material includes tobacco pellets, aerosol base material (aerosol base material is heated to form aerosol), and filling material (absorbing and generating radiant heat to minimize the burning of flavors). The aromatic materials are mixed in an extruding device, and after being extruded through a die, they are cut into pellets with a substantially uniform shape. The flavor generating agent enters the cavity in the form of pellets and is included in the tubular tobacco product to generate flavor. However, this document does not disclose a method comprising extruding a tobacco composition to form a tubular tobacco product, wherein the extruded tobacco composition is passed through a nozzle having at least one mandrel to form at least one void in the tubular tobacco product. In addition, this document does not disclose the feature including at least one void extending along the longitudinal axis of the tubular tobacco product. In addition, this document does not disclose the aerosol forming rod and the aerosol generating device according to the present invention.

There is a need to stably improve the cost structure related to the production of tobacco products. In addition, there is a demand for devices that can be used for special tobacco (especially related devices for heating tobacco products). These special products have high functionality in order to provide consumers with a way they are willing to use during the heating process or generally when handling such products.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a method for producing tubular tobacco products, which provides products produced in an economical manner, while at the same time the produced products provide consumers with a cordial feeling and provide good effects during heating. In addition, the object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol-forming rod and an aerosol-generating device, which achieve the above-mentioned objects during the use stage of the produced tubular tobacco product. In addition, the method of the present invention has better flexibility in terms of the components of the tobacco composition. In particular, the method of the present invention allows the use of higher levels of aerosol forming agents, such as glycerol or propylene glycol.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for producing tubular tobacco products is provided. The product includes at least one hole (extending along the longitudinal axis of the tubular tobacco product). The method includes the following steps: providing a tobacco composition and extruding the tobacco composition to produce the tubular tobacco product. The tobacco composition is extruded through a nozzle with at least one mandrel to form at least one cavity. The proposed method is cost-effective production, because the extrusion device used has a fast and lean production effect. In addition, the tubular tobacco product produced in the proposed method has good performance in heating during the use phase. At least one hole allows heating the inner tobacco from the inside, the outside, or both of the pipe, so that the final product can be adjusted by different parameters. The proposed method can be used to produce a wide range of products, which leads to cost-effective production. In addition, the extrusion of tobacco also allows the production of tobacco tubes with various parameters and controls the characteristics of the smoke. These parameters are, for example, tobacco density (by expansion), rod hardness, amount of additives, rod shape, humidity and size. Another advantage of tobacco extrusion is that there is no loss in the process, especially when cold extrusion is used. No tobacco components are lost during the extrusion process. Finally, since the final shape can be reached during the use of the method, cost-effective production can be realized, so that the final product is suitable for use in, for example, aerosol forming rods for use in aerosol generating devices. Such an aerosol generating device may be, for example, a heating smoke device. The method proposed by the present invention can be used for cold extrusion at a temperature not exceeding 25°C or hot extrusion at a temperature not exceeding 25°C to 130°C.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a tubular tobacco product comprising at least one hollow hole (extending along the longitudinal axis of the tubular tobacco product), wherein the tubular tobacco product is manufactured according to the method of the present invention. Different products made in the same way still have the aforementioned advantages. If you do not use special equipment (such as heating smoke equipment), such products are difficult to apply to smoking.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an aerosol forming rod for an aerosol generating device is provided. The aerosol forming rod includes the tubular tobacco product of the present invention. Preferably, the aerosol forming rod further includes a filter part and an aerosol cooling element selectively located between the aerosol tubular tobacco product and the filter part. The products produced in this way also have the aforementioned advantages.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an aerosol generating device is provided. The aerosol generating device includes a receiving portion for receiving the aerosol forming rod of the present invention, and a tubular tobacco product that heats the aerosol forming rod The heating part (when fully inserted into the receiving part). The aerosol generating device further includes a fully inserted aerosol forming rod, wherein at least one of the heating part and the receiving part is designed to fit with the internal cross section and/or the external cross section of the tubular tobacco product. The products produced in this way also have the aforementioned advantages.

With the rest of the features described below and in the dependent claims, other preferred embodiments of the present invention will be clearly described.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle has more than one mandrel to form more than one void in the tubular tobacco product. In the use stage of special equipment (for example, heating smoke products), the heating of such products inside itself can have a better effect. Therefore, this benefit increases the convenience desired by consumers, and can provide heating within a desired temperature interval, so that the tobacco product has a burning and consumption state that consumers feel comfortable.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle is designed such that the forming diameter of the tubular tobacco product is 2 to 20 mm, preferably 4 to 15 mm, more preferably 5 to 12 mm. Therefore, according to the characteristics of the use setting, the corresponding design can be provided for the product, and the product has an accurate matching size according to the characteristics of the use setting, so as to facilitate the use. This usage setting can be, for example, a rod or device provided by the present invention.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one mandrel is designed to produce at least one hole with a diameter of 1.5 to 18.5 mm, preferably 2.5 to 15 mm, and even more preferably 3 to 12 mm. Therefore, the desired heating rate inside the product produced by this method can be specifically realized according to the design of the diameter. This makes it easier to promote products with certain required characteristics to consumers, and pro-consumer products can be produced by this method.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle and at least one mandrel are designed such that the average wall thickness of the produced tubular tobacco product is 0.25 to 5 mm, 0.5 to 2 mm. The aforementioned wall thickness is to ensure that the product manufactured by this method has sufficient stability during the use stage and is a product that consumers are willing to use.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle and/or at least one mandrel is designed so that the cross-section of the tubular tobacco product has a circular, elliptical, star-shaped, regular or irregular polygon, rectangle, square or trapezoid. Or a combination thereof, wherein the inner and outer shapes may be the same as or different from each other. According to the design, this method can be used to produce products that are only used in appropriate settings, and then each setting has a structure that matches the corresponding design, similar to the principle of key lock. Such a suitable setting may be, for example, a rod or device according to the invention. Therefore, this method allows the production of pro-consumer products in a cost-effective manner, because the design itself helps consumers to make adjustments during the use phase in a very simple and easy-to-use manner.

The method of the present invention may include other steps after the extrusion step (b). Preferably, the method of the present invention includes the further steps: (c) using a covering material to wrap around the outer circumferential surface of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion. This step can be performed in the cladding part located behind the extrusion part. The equipment, technology and materials used to coat traditional tobacco strands in the prior art can all be used for this. Examples of the covering material include paper, plastic, polymer material, metal foil, or a layered material including at least one of the foregoing materials. Generally, the covering material glues the overlapping edges together in the longitudinal direction to close the covering to form a continuous seam. The technology and materials of such packaging are known to those skilled in the art. For example, if the covering material is paper, a suitable glue or adhesive can be used to form the seam. If the covering material is a polymer of plastic or metal foil, the seam can be formed by heat melting, welding or heat sealing. Optionally, between the extrusion step (b) and the coating step (c), the tubular tobacco product after extrusion passes through a shaping section, wherein the outer surface of the extruded tubular tobacco is shaped into a shape before or after the coating The predetermined shape.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include an additional step: (d) cutting the extruded tubular tobacco product into a predetermined length. The selected length can be easily determined according to the needs and purpose. Therefore, by using this method in this way, different products can be produced at the same time without paying a large cost on the required equipment.

In a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, the tubular tobacco product after extrusion in step (b) is in the form of continuous spliced strands from the nozzle of the extrusion device to the device for covering and/or cutting the spliced strands The conveying is performed so that the tubular tobacco product after extrusion has a predetermined length (by step (c) and/or (d)). The transportation towards and/or through the covering part and/or the cutting part is preferably achieved by, for example, a device having a conveyor belt. Preferably, the nozzle of the extrusion device and the device for coating and/or cutting the twisted strands are spaced apart from each other, so that the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion are separated from the nozzle and the coating and/or cutting device. A sag is formed between the devices of the twisted strands. The height of the droop is h ₁ , which represents the height difference between the droop bottom point and the upper edge of the nozzle.

In the method of the present invention, at least one of the coating step and/or the cutting step is included. The extrusion speed of step (b) and the coating of step (c) and/or the cutting of step (d) are preferably mutually Synchronize. In this way, the time between extrusion and subsequent steps is kept within a constant interval, which ensures that the quality of the final product can be controlled. The aforementioned synchronization can be achieved by various measures. Preferably, the synchronization is controlled by measuring the sagging of the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion between the nozzle and the covering part and/or the cutting part. If the sagging height h ₁ exceeds a predetermined range of the threshold (for example, the minimum and maximum thresholds), the speed of at least one of extrusion and wrapping and/or cutting is adjusted so that the sagging height h ₁ returns to the threshold value. Within the predetermined range. For example, when the sagging height h _{1 is} lower than a predetermined minimum threshold, the extrusion speed is increased, the wrapping and/or cutting speed is reduced, or a combination of the least two, the sagging height h ₁ again exceeds the minimum threshold. Alternatively or additionally, when the sag height h ₁ exceeds a predetermined maximum threshold value, the extrusion speed is reduced, the wrapping and/or cutting speed is accelerated, or both are combined at least. Until the droop height h _{1 is} lower than the maximum threshold. The sagging height h ₁ can be measured by any method suitable for determining the height difference, for example, the upper edge of the nozzle and the sagging bottom point of the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion. It is best to use one or more sensors. The measuring device measures the sag height h ₁ .

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the moisture content of the tobacco composition to be extruded in step (a) is at least 5% of the total weight of the tobacco composition, preferably at least 7%, more preferably 7 % To 60%, or even more preferably 7% to 30%. During the extrusion process of the composition provided by the present invention and its various embodiments, while providing pro-consumer products can be regarded as having the same characteristics. As used herein, the term "moisture content" refers to the total water content measured using a standardized water analysis method, such as Karl Fisher titration.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a step of the method, the tobacco composition to be extruded includes: 10% to 90% of the particulate tobacco material (for example, ground tobacco by weight of the tobacco composition) , Smoke and dust), 5 to 20% by weight of binder (for example starch or Guar gum), 0% to 40% by weight of aerosol forming agent (for example, glycerin or propylene glycol) and 0 to 15% by weight of water. During the extrusion process of the composition provided by the present invention and its various embodiments, while providing pro-consumer products can be regarded as having the same characteristics.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, regarding the aerosol generating device of the present invention, at least one of the internal and external cross-sectional shapes of the tubular tobacco product of the aerosol-forming rod is not circular, and is preferably elliptical A shape, a star shape, a regular or irregular polygon, a rectangle, a square, a trapezoid, or any combination thereof, wherein the internal and external cross-sectional shapes can be the same or different. According to the design, the products specially produced by this method have suitable places for use, and then each place has a structure that matches it, similar to the principle of matching a key and a lock. In other words, the aerosol generating device includes a receiving part designed for producing products in the method according to the present invention. The principle of matching between the key and the matching lock ensures that only certain products can be inserted into a specific rod and enter the provided equipment. This pro-consumer design can help consumers locate in a very simple and easy-to-use way during the use phase. In other words, the shape of the tubular tobacco product and the components of the aerosol generating device are in contact with each other, so that the tubular tobacco product with a specific shape is suitable for a specific aerosol generating device, just like the principle of matching a key and a lock.

The invention also discloses a device for performing the aforementioned method. The device includes an extrusion device with at least one nozzle with a mandrel for forming the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion. The device further includes a cutting part for receiving and cutting the extruded tubular tobacco product to a predetermined length. The cutting part is separated from the nozzle at a certain distance, so that the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion can sag before entering the cutting part. Preferably, the device further includes a covering portion for covering the outer circumference of the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion. The covering part is arranged between the extruding device and the cutting part, and the covering part is arranged at a certain distance from the nozzle, so that the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion sag before entering the covering part. The distance between the nozzle of the extrusion device and the covering part or the cutting part is not limited to a certain distance or range. It can be ensured that the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion can form a sag without destroying the continuous twist The principle of connecting strands is selected. Preferably, this distance may be in the range of 5 cm to 50 cm. In a preferred embodiment, the device of the present invention further includes one or more sensors, which are arranged and suitable for sensing between the nozzle and the covering part of the extrusion device, or between the nozzle and cutting of the extrusion device The drooping position of the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco after extrusion.

Unless otherwise specified, the technical contents of the various embodiments of the present invention mentioned in this application can be combined with each other.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the extruding device 10 using the method of manufacturing the tubular tobacco product 34. The extrusion device 10 includes a drive system 12, a filling hopper 14, an extrusion barrel 16, a screw 18, three temperature sensors 20, eight heating zones 22, and a nozzle device 24. The nozzle device 24 may include at least one spindle 25, the central axis 25 of which is not shown in detail in the first figure. The drive system 12 is functionally connected to a screw 18, which is located approximately in the middle of the extrusion barrel 16. Figure 1 shows this connection only schematically, where the screw 18 includes ten turns 26, and the dashed line shows the center line 28 of the screw 18. Tobacco material 30 and adhesive material 32 are placed in the filler hopper 14. It is also possible to place additional materials in the filler hopper 14 so that the tubular tobacco products 34 according to the present invention can be finally extruded on the right end side 36 of the extrusion device 10 respectively. The tobacco material 30, the adhesive material 32 and the additional material can be collectively referred to as the tobacco composition 33. After the extrusion step, the tobacco composition 33 is the main part of the final product 34. Between the inner wall 38 of the extrusion barrel 16 and the screw 18 with the ring 26, the positions of the tobacco material 30 and the adhesive material 32 can be seen, where water 40 and wetting agent 42 can be added to the mixture . The water 40 and the wetting agent 42 can also be filled into the extrusion device 10 through the filling hopper 14. The four heating zones 22 are respectively at the top of the extrusion barrel 16, and the four heating zones 22 are at the bottom of the extrusion barrel 16. The heating zone 16 is only shown schematically, and may have different forms in different extrusion devices 10. Between the four heating zones 16 of the extrusion barrel 16 respectively, three temperature sensors 20 can be seen, and the three temperature sensors 20 are also only shown schematically. The holding device 44 can be seen on the right end side 36 of the extruding device 10, and the holding device 44 is placed on the left side of the nozzle device 24 in the drawing. The holding device 44 and the drive system 12 together hold the extrusion barrel 16 in a horizontal position, so that the tobacco product 34 passes through the nozzle device 24 and is finally extruded on the right end side 36 of the extrusion device 10. The nozzle device 24 has an extrusion hole through which the tobacco product 34 is extruded. In addition, the extruded holes can be technically defined so that the final tobacco product 34 can have a generally circular shape. At least one mandrel 25 is placed on the extrusion device 10 so that the final product 34 has at least one void in the cross-sectional area. In other words, the final product 34 has the form of a round tube, in which, for example, the wall thickness is 0.5 to 5 mm, or preferably 0.75 to 2 mm. The extrusion process can usually be carried out cold in the temperature range of 0°C to 25°C, or hot in the temperature range of 25°C to 130°C. In the present invention, through the combination of different temperature intervals, the temperature change affects the final product 34 in a controlled manner and in a predetermined manner during the entire process. The screw 18 may also have a twin-screw structure, and the process may be performed by, for example, a low shear rate (Sheer rate). The combination of twin screw configuration and low shear rate can bring the best results.

Figure 2 shows various possible cross-sectional shapes (internal and external shapes) of tubular tobacco products. In more detail, a circle 100, an oval 110, a star 120, a regular regular polygon 130 (or irregular polygon), a rectangle 140, a square 150, and a trapezoid 160. These shapes can be combined in any way. Therefore, the dimensions and geometric shapes shown are shown as examples only, and any shape changes can be made as required.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the aerosol forming rod 170 and the aerosol generating device 180.

Figure 4 depicts a device for performing a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention. The apparatus of Fig. 4 includes an extrusion device 10 with a nozzle 24, from which the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product 34 after extrusion can be obtained. The detailed description of this extruding device 10 is described in detail in Figure 1 and related parts of the specification.

In addition, the device in Figure 4 further includes other devices that perform additional steps of the method of the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 4 includes a covering part 300 and a cutting part 400.

The covering part 300 is designed according to the additional step (c) of the method of the present invention, and the covering material is used to cover the outer peripheral surface of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion. For the surface covered with the covering, the methods, techniques and materials used in the prior art for covering the twisted strands of traditional tobacco strands can be used. The covering material may include paper, plastic or polymer material, metal foil or a combination of metal foils, or a layered material including at least one of the foregoing materials. Usually, the covering is closed by gluing the overlapping edges together in the longitudinal direction to form a continuous seam. Those skilled in the art are well aware of these coating technologies and materials. E.g. If the covering material is paper, suitable glue or adhesive can be used to form the seam; if the covering material is a polymer of plastic or metal foil, the seam can be formed by heat melting, welding or heat sealing.

The cutting part 400 is constructed according to the requirement of cutting the extruded and wrapped tubular tobacco product into a predetermined length. Therefore, the cutting part 400 is designed to perform an additional step (d): cutting the wrapped extruded tubular tobacco product to a predetermined length. The length of this choice can be determined according to the needs.

Optionally, between the extrusion step (b) and the coating step (c), the tubular tobacco product passes through the shaping part after extrusion, wherein the outer surface of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion is shaped into a predetermined shape before coating shape.

The covering part 300, the cutting part 400, and the nozzle 24 of the extruding device 10 are at a certain distance. Therefore, from the extrusion device 10 to the covering part 300, the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product 34 after extrusion A sag is formed between the nozzle 24 and the covering part 300. The droop has a height h ₁ , which represents, for example, the height difference between the apex of the droop and the upper edge of the nozzle 24.

The equipment in Figure 4 includes a device for measuring the sag height h ₁ . Suitable designs include, for example, for measuring the sagging vertex position sensor, and for calculating the height h ₁ and a height h ₁ of said means for comparing with a predetermined threshold value. With the aforementioned height h ₁ , the extrusion speed in step (b) and the wrapping speed in step (c) and/or the cutting speed in step (d) can be synchronized with each other, and various measures can be used to achieve this synchronization. For example, the synchronization is achieved by measuring the sag height h ₁ formed by the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion between the nozzle and the coating device. If the sagging height h ₁ exceeds the predetermined threshold range 200, for example, the minimum threshold 210 and the maximum threshold 220 are set, and at least one of the extruding device 10, the covering part and/or the cutting parts 300, 400 is adjusted to make the sagging height h ₁ Return to within the predetermined threshold range 200. For example, when the sagging height h _{1 is} less than the predetermined minimum threshold 210, the speed of the extruding device 10 is increased, the wrapping part 300 and/or the cutting part 400 is decelerated, or a combination of the two, until the sagging height h _{1 is} greater than the minimum again Threshold 210. Alternatively or additionally, when the sag height h _{1 is} greater than the maximum threshold 220, the speed of the extruding device 10 is reduced, the speed of the covering part 300 and/or the cutting part 400, or a combination thereof is increased, until the sag height h _{1 is} less than The maximum threshold is 220.

10: Extrusion device 12: Drive system 14: Filling bucket 16: Extrusion barrel 18: Screw 20: Temperature sensor 22: heating zone 24: Nozzle 25: Mandrel 26: spin circle 28: Centerline 30: Tobacco material 32: Adhesive 33: Tobacco composition 34: Tubular tobacco products 36: Right end side 38: inner wall 40: water 42: Wetting agent 44: holding device 100: round 110: Oval 120: star 130: Polygon 140: rectangular 150: square 160: trapezoid 170: Aerosol Forming Rod 180: Aerosol generating device 200: Threshold range 210: minimum threshold 220: Maximum threshold 300: Coated twisted strand 400: Cut twisted strands

The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail in the following examples by means of the drawings: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an extrusion device using the method of manufacturing tubular tobacco products; Figure 2 shows various possible cross-sectional shapes (internal and external shapes) of tubular tobacco products; Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an aerosol forming rod and an aerosol generating device; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of another device using the method of manufacturing tubular tobacco products.

10: Extrusion device

12: Drive system

14: Filling bucket

16: Extrusion barrel

18: Screw

20: Temperature sensor

22: heating zone

24: Nozzle

25: Mandrel

26: spin circle

28: Centerline

30: Tobacco material

32: Adhesive

33: Tobacco composition

34: Tubular tobacco products

36: Right end side

38: inner wall

40: water

42: Wetting agent

44: holding device

Claims (19)

A method for producing a tubular tobacco product, the tubular tobacco product comprising at least one hollow hole extending along the longitudinal axis of the tubular tobacco product, the method comprising the following steps: (a) Provide a tobacco composition; and (b) Extruding the tobacco composition to form the tubular tobacco product, wherein a nozzle is used to extrude the tobacco composition, and the nozzle includes at least one mandrel to form the at least one hole in the tubular tobacco product. Such as the method of item 1 in the scope of the patent application, wherein the nozzle has more than one mandrel to form more than one hole in the tubular tobacco product. Such as the method of item 1 or 2 of the scope of patent application, wherein the nozzle and the at least one mandrel are designed so that the average wall thickness of the tubular tobacco product is 0.25 to 5 mm. Such as the method of any one of items 1 to 3 in the scope of the patent application, wherein the nozzle and/or the at least one mandrel is designed so that the cross-section on the tubular tobacco product includes: round, oval, star, regular Polygonal or irregular polygons, rectangles, squares, trapezoids, or combinations thereof, wherein the inner and outer shapes can be the same or different from each other. For example, the method of any one of items 1 to 4 in the scope of patent application further includes the following steps: (c) using a covering material to wrap around the circumference of the extruded tubular tobacco product. For example, the method of any one of items 1 to 5 in the scope of patent application further includes the following steps: (d) cutting the extruded tubular tobacco product according to a predetermined length. Such as the method of item 5 or 6 of the scope of patent application, wherein the extruded tubular tobacco product in step (b) is conveyed from the nozzle to the coating and/or cutting device in the form of continuous twisted strands , So that the extruded tubular tobacco product has a predetermined length, wherein the nozzle and the device for coating and/or cutting are spaced apart from each other, so that the twisted strands of the extruded tubular tobacco product are in the nozzle and Sagging is formed between the devices used for covering and/or cutting. Such as the method of item 7 in the scope of patent application, wherein the extrusion speed of step (b) and the coating of step (c), and/or the cutting of step (d) are synchronized with each other. Such as the method of item 8 of the scope of patent application, wherein the synchronization is realized by measuring the twisted strands of the extruded tubular tobacco product between the nozzle and the device for coating and/or cutting If the sag height exceeds the predetermined range of the threshold value, the speed of at least one of extrusion, wrapping and/or cutting is adjusted so that the sag height is within the predetermined range of the threshold value. For example, the method of item 9 of the scope of patent application, wherein when the sag height is less than a predetermined minimum threshold, increase the extrusion speed, or reduce the speed of wrapping and/or cutting, or adjust both speeds until the sag height exceeds the minimum Threshold. For example, the method of item 9 or 10 of the scope of patent application, wherein when the height of the sagging exceeds a predetermined maximum threshold, the extrusion speed is reduced, or the speed of wrapping and/or cutting is increased, or both speed adjustments are performed until the sagging height Until it falls below the maximum threshold. Such as the method of item 9, 10, or 11 in the scope of the patent application, wherein one or more sensors are used to measure the sag height. Such as the method of any one of items 1 to 12 in the scope of the patent application, wherein the moisture content of the tobacco component after extrusion in step (a) is at least 5%, preferably at least 7%, based on the total weight of the tobacco composition. %, more preferably 7% to 60%, even more preferably 7% to 30%. A tubular tobacco product is manufactured according to the method according to any one of items 1 to 13 in the scope of the patent application, and comprises at least one hole extending along the longitudinal axis of the tubular tobacco product. An aerosol-forming rod used in an aerosol-generating device, comprising the tubular tobacco product as described in item 14 of the scope of patent application; preferably, the aerosol-forming rod further includes a filter part, and optionally An aerosol cooling element is included between the tubular tobacco product and the filter part. An aerosol generating device, comprising a receiving part and a heating part, the receiving part is used to receive the aerosol forming rod as described in the scope of patent application, the heating part is when the aerosol forming rod is completely inserted into When the receiving part is used to heat the tubular tobacco product in the aerosol-forming rod, the aerosol-generating device further includes an aerosol-forming rod that is fully inserted as described in item 15 of the scope of patent application, and the receiving At least one of the portion and the heating portion is used to fit the inner and/or outer shape of the cross-section of the tubular tobacco product. A device used to implement any of the methods from items 1 to 13 in the scope of the patent application, including: An extrusion device having a nozzle with at least one mandrel for forming a twisted strand of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion; and A cutting part for receiving and cutting the extruded tubular tobacco product to have a predetermined length; Wherein, the cutting part is separated from the nozzle by a certain distance, so that the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion can sag before entering the cutting part. For example, the device of item 17 of the scope of patent application further includes a covering part for covering a periphery of the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion, and the covering part is located between the extrusion device and the cutting device. The coating part is separated from the nozzle by a certain distance, so that the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion form a sag before entering the coating part, wherein the nozzle and the bag of the extrusion device The distance between the covering part or the nozzle of the extrusion device and the cutting part is preferably between 5 and 50 cm. For example, the device of item 17 or 18 of the scope of patent application further includes one or more sensors, which are arranged and suitable for sensing between the nozzle and the covering part of the extrusion device, or the extrusion device The sag of the twisted strands of the tubular tobacco product after extrusion between the nozzle and the cutting part.

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