AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE WITH RETRACTABLE HEAT SOURCE

Abstract

An aerosol generating article (100) having a proximal end (102) and a distal end (104), comprising an inner tubular element (105) having a mouthpiece end (107) and an opposed heat source end positioned at the distal end of the aerosol generating article, and an outer tubular element (130) extending from the proximal end of the aerosol generating article towards the distal end thereof. The inner tubular element comprises an inner wrapping sheet (109) circumscribing, in a co-axial arrangement: a combustible heat source (115) positioned towards the distal end of the aerosol generating article; an aerosol-forming substrate (120) downstream of the combustible heat source; and, typically, a void space (125) between the aerosol-forming substrate and the mouthpiece end. The outer tubular element typically circumscribes at least the mouthpiece end of the inner tubular element and the void space and terminates downstream of the heat source. The inner wrapping sheet includes a pre-twisted portion (109b) at least in the region circumscribing the void space. The arrangement provides that the distal end including the combustible heat source and the aerosol-forming substrate is readily slideable relative to the outer tubular element from an extended position having a first article length (L1), to a retracted position having a second article length (L2) that is less than the first article length and in which the void space is at least partially collapsed to an axially contracted configuration.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating article having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising: an inner tubular element comprising an inner wrapping sheet circumscribing, in a co-axial arrangement: a combustible heat source positioned towards the distal end of the aerosol generating article; and an aerosol-forming substrate downstream of the combustible heat source; and an outer tubular element circumscribing at least a portion of the inner tubular element; wherein the inner wrapping sheet includes a pre-twisted portion; whereby the pre-twisted portion enables deformation of the inner tubular element so that the distal end of the inner tubular element is slideable relative to the outer tubular element.

2. The aerosol generating article according to claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece filter at the proximal end, wherein a mouthpiece end of the inner tubular element is mounted to the mouthpiece filter.

3. The aerosol generating article according to claim 2, further comprising a void space between the aerosol-forming substrate and the mouthpiece end.

4. The aerosol generating article according to claim 3, wherein the outer tubular element extends from the proximal end of the aerosol generating article towards the distal end thereof, and circumscribes at least the mouthpiece end of the inner tubular element and the void space and terminates downstream of the heat source, and wherein the pre-twisted portion is at least in the region circumscribing the void space.

5. The aerosol generating article according to claim 3, wherein the inner tubular element is slideable from an extended position having a first article length, to a retracted position having a second article length that is less than the first article length and in which the void space is at least partially collapsed to an axially contracted configuration.

6. The aerosol generating article according to claim 5, wherein the second article length is about 90% or less than the first article length, or about 80% or less than the first article length, or about 70% or less than the first article length.

7. The aerosol generating article according to claim 2, wherein the outer tubular element comprises an outer wrapping sheet joined to the inner tubular element only at the mouthpiece end thereof for a first circumferential wrap and joined to itself for a second wrap.

8. The aerosol generating article according to claim 7, wherein the outer wrapping sheet is joined to itself along substantially the whole length thereof for the second wrap.

9. The aerosol generating article according to claim 1. wherein a portion of the inner tubular element downstream of pre- twisted portion is rotationally offset relative to a portion of the inner tubular element upstream of pre-twisted portion by about 5 degrees or more, or about 15 degrees or more, or about 45 degrees or more.

10. A method of manufacturing an aerosol generating article having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising: providing an inner tubular element comprising an inner wrapping sheet circumscribing, in a co-axial arrangement: a combustible heat source positioned towards the distal end of the aerosol generating article; and an aerosol-forming substrate downstream of the combustible heat source; wherein the inner wrapping sheet includes a pre-twisted portion; and overwrapping at least a portion of the inner tubular element with an outer wrapping sheet, whereby the pre-twisted portion enables deformation of the inner tubular element so that the distal end of the inner tubular element is slideable relative to the outer tubular element.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein overwrapping the outer wrapping sheet comprises, starting from a first edge of the outer wrapping sheet, adhesively joining the outer wrapping sheet to the inner tubular element only at a mouthpiece end thereof for a first circumferential wrap and adhesively joining the first wrap and a second wrap of the outer wrapping sheet along substantially the whole length of the outer wrapping sheet, thereby forming an outer tubular element extending from the proximal end of the aerosol generating article towards the distal end thereof, circumscribing at least the mouthpiece end of the inner tubular element.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the pre-twist is applied to the inner tubular element during the overwrapping procedure.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the overwrapping procedure comprises applying the outer wrapping sheet using a rotating drum.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the overwrapping comprises rolling the inner tubular element through a pinch between the rotating drum on which the sheet is temporarily attached and a stationary guide plate, the sheet wrapping around the inner tubular element and adhering thereto during passage through the pinch, wherein the distal end of the inner element that is not overwrapped rotates at a different rate to the more proximal end thereof circumscribed by the outer wrapping sheet, thereby inducing the twist in the inner wrapping sheet of the inner tubular element.

15. The method of claim 10, comprising manufacturing a pair of aerosol generating articles back-to-back, including providing a singular mouthpiece filter element having first and second ends corresponding to initially conjoined first and second mouthpiece filters, wherein providing an inner tubular element comprises providing first and second inner tubular elements which are mounted to the respective first and second ends of the singular mouthpiece filter element, wherein the overwrapping of the first and second inner tubular elements is simultaneous, using a single outer wrapping sheet symmetrical about the centre of the mouthpiece filter element to form initially conjoined first and second outer tubular elements, the method including cutting through the conjoined outer tubular elements and the mouthpiece filter element to separate the conjoined articles into first and second aerosol generating articles.

Description

[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary aerosol generating article;

[0029] FIG. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of the exemplary aerosol generating article of FIG. 1 in extended and retracted positions respectively;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of first and second conjoined inner tubular elements before overwrapping by an outer wrapping sheet;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of conjoined aerosol generating articles before separation into first and second aerosol generating articles;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the overwrapping of inner tubular elements by an outer wrapping sheet at an overwrap station; and

[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a partially wrapped inner tubular element.

[0034] The schematic drawings are not necessarily to scale and are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. The drawings depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other aspects not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary aerosol generating article 100 extending between a proximal end 102 and a distal end 104. An inner tubular element 105 having a mouthpiece end 107 is provided in the aerosol generating article 100. Also provided is an opposed heat source end positioned at the distal end 104 of the aerosol generating article 100. The inner tubular element 105 comprises an inner wrapping sheet 109. The inner wrapping sheet 109 circumscribes a combustible heat source 115 positioned towards the distal end of the aerosol generating article 100. The inner wrapping sheet 109 further circumscribes an aerosol-forming substrate 120 positioned downstream of the combustible heat source 115. The inner wrapping sheet 109 further circumscribes a void space 125 located between the aerosol-forming substrate 120 and the mouthpiece end 107. The combustible heat source 115, aerosol-forming substrate 120 and void space 125 are provided in a co-axial arrangement. The aerosol generating article 100 further comprises an outer tubular element 130 extending from the proximal end 102 of the aerosol generating article 100 towards the distal end 104 thereof. The outer tubular element 130 circumscribes at least the mouthpiece end 107 of the inner tubular element 105 and the void space 125. The outer tubular element 130 terminates downstream of the heat source 115. The inner wrapping sheet 109 includes a pre-twisted portion 109b in at least in the region circumscribing the void space 125 (see FIG. 6). The distal end 104 including the combustible heat source 115 and the aerosol-forming substrate 120 is slideable relative to the outer tubular element 130 from an extended position having a first article length (L1, see FIG. 2A), to a retracted position having a second article length less than the first article length (L2, see FIG. 2B). Sliding the distal end 104 from an extended position to a retracted position at least partially collapses the void space 125 to an axially contracted configuration.

[0036] The aerosol generating article 100 is also shown comprising first 121a and second 121b transfer elements located within the inner tubular element 105 (see FIG. 2A). The first 121a and second 121b transfer elements may be spaced from one another when the aerosol generating article is in the extended position. The first 121a and second 121b transfer elements are shown located at the ends of the void space 125, between the aerosol-forming substrate 120 and the mouthpiece filter 127 respectively. The aerosol generating article 100 is also shown comprising a transfer element 117 located between the combustible heat source 115 and the aerosol-forming substrate 120. The transfer element 117 is circumscribed within the inner wrapping sheet 109.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, the pre-twisted portion 109b of the inner wrapping sheet 109 may circumscribe part of respective first 121a and second 121b transfer elements. To extinguish the combustible heat source 115, the distal end 104 including the combustible heat source 115 and the aerosol-forming substrate 120 is slideable relative to the outer tubular element 130. The distal end is slideable from an extended position having a first article length (L1 in FIG. 2A), to a retracted position having a second article length (L2 in FIG. 2B) less than the first article length, as shown in FIG. 2A and 2B. In the retracted position, the void space 125 is at least partially collapsed to an axially contracted configuration. The axially contracted configuration may be caused by application of a pressure or force at the distal end of the aerosol generating article 100, such as when an aerosol generating article 100 is stubbed out. It is not essential that the void space 125 be entirely collapsed. While the transfer elements 121a, 121b are separated in the extended position, in some cases it may be desirable to keep the transfer elements 121a, 121b separated when the aerosol generating article 100 is in the contracted position, such as shown in FIG. 2B. In other cases, it may be desirable that the first 121a and second 121b transfer elements abut one another when the void space 125 is collapsed to the axially contracted configuration (not shown). It would be apparent to the skilled person that the first 121a and second 121b transfer elements are not essential features; for example, the void space may be bounded distally by the aerosol-forming substrate 120, and proximally by the mouthpiece filter 127. Indeed, the void space 125 itself is not essential. It will be understood that any axially compressible structure within the inner tubular element would enable the distal end of the inner tubular element to be slideable relative to the outer tubular element for stubbing out the aerosol generating article 100.

[0038] The pre-twisted portion 109b is a preferred method of creating an area of weakness, to enable the distal end of the inner tubular element to be slideable relative to the outer tubular element, in particular over perforating or cutting slits into the inner wrapping sheet, as the pre-twisted portion does not introduce additional air paths within the aerosol generating article 100. Preferably, aerosol generating articles 100 are manufactured on a back-to-back basis, such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. That is to say, two aerosol generating articles 100, 100 are created integrally and simultaneously before being separated by cutting through the conjoined articles centrally. FIG. 3 illustrates first 105 and second 105 inner tubular elements before being overwrapped by an outer wrapping sheet 135. In the back-to-back configuration, a single mouthpiece filter element 129 can be considered to have first and second ends which correspond to initially conjoined first 127 and second 127 mouthpiece filters which are mounted to the respective proximal ends 102, 102 of first 105 and second 105 inner tubular elements. The first 127 and second 127 mouthpiece filters are located downstream of the respective associated void space 125, 125. This advantageously allows for simultaneous overwrapping of the first 105 and second 105 inner tubular elements using a single outer wrapping sheet comprising initially conjoined outer wrapping sheets 135, 135 that are symmetric about the centre line 200 of the mouthpiece filter element 129 to form initially conjoined first 130 and second 130 outer tubular elements. Once formed, the conjoined aerosol generating articles 100, 100 can be separated by cutting through the conjoined outer tubular elements 130, 130 and the mouthpiece filter element 129.

[0039] The co-axial arrangement of the inner tubular element 105 is best shown in FIG. 1. Inner tubular element 105 has a mouthpiece end 107 and a heat source end and comprises an inner wrapping sheet 109 circumscribing, in a co-axial arrangement, a combustible heat source 115 positioned towards the distal end 104 of the aerosol generating article 100; an aerosol-forming substrate 120 downstream of the combustible heat source 115 and a void space 125 between the aerosol-forming substrate 120 and the mouthpiece end 107. The inner wrapping sheet 109 includes a pre-twisted portion 109b at least in the region circumscribing the void space 125. The inner tubular element 105 is also shown comprising a cap 110 at the distal end 104, upstream of the combustible heat source 115. The cap 110 is shown abutting the combustible heat source 115 and is circumscribed by a portion of the inner wrapping sheet 109. The removable cap 110 may comprise a desiccant, such as glycerine, to absorb moisture. This prolongs the longevity of the components within the inner tubular element 105. The removable cap 110 may be removed by twisting the removable cap 110 to break the portion of the inner wrapping sheet 109 adjacent to the cap. Removal of the removeable cap 110 exposes a front portion of the combustible heat source 115 enabling the ignition the combustible heat source 115. The combustible heat source 115 may be a carbonaceous heat source. The aerosol- forming substrate 120 may comprise tobacco.

[0040] The outer wrapping sheet 135 comprises first 155a and second 155b opposed edges, substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis 150 of the aerosol generating article 100. The longitudinal axis 150 of the aerosol generating article 100 extends between the proximal 102 and distal 104 ends of the aerosol generating article 100. The first 155a and second 155b opposed edges define therebetween a width of the outer wrapping sheet 135. The width of the outer wrapping sheet 135 is at least equal to twice the circumference of an inner tubular element 105 that it is to circumscribe so that it can wrap around at least twice. Extending perpendicularly between the first 155a and second 155b edges are the proximal 102 and distal 103 ends of the outer wrapping sheet 135. It will be understood that when a pair of aerosol generating articles 100 are manufactured back-to-back with an initially conjoined outer wrapping sheet, that the respective proximal ends 102, 102 will be conjoined at the centre line 200. For simplicity, the remaining description will be in respect of the outer wrapping sheet 135 only. The outer wrapping sheet 135 is an identical mirror image and like parts are referenced by like reference signs, but suffixed with a prime ().

[0041] The outer wrapping sheet 135 is shown having an exemplary glue pattern. The glue pattern shown in FIG. 3 comprises a band of glue in the form of first 145a and second 145b strips of glue extending substantially perpendicularly from the first edge 155a towards the second edge 155b for at least a distance equal to the circumference of the inner tubular element 105. The first strip of glue 145a forms an adhesive join between the outer wrapping sheet 135 and the inner tubular element 105, in the region of and circumscribing the second transfer element 121b. The adhesive join is thus formed only at the mouthpiece end 107 thereof when wrapped therearound starting from the first edge 155a. The second strip of glue 145b, similar to the first strip 145a, but more proximally located, is used to join the outer wrapping sheet 135 to a mouthpiece filter 127. The first 145a and second 145b strips form a band of glue that allows the outer wrapping sheet 135 to be bonded to the inner tubular element 105 and mouthpiece filter 127 only at the mouthpiece end 107. While two discrete strips 145a, 145b are shown, it would be appreciated that other glue arrangements, such as a single strip and non-continuous droplets or lines are included by this description.

[0042] The glue pattern is shown further comprising a second region comprising an area of glue 140 extending along substantially the whole length of the outer wrapping sheet 135 (i.e. from the proximal end 102 to the distal end 103), from the point at which the band 145a, 145b ends to the second edge 155b. The area of glue 140 forms an adhesive join between the first wrap and any subsequent wraps of the outer wrapping sheet 135 along substantially the whole length thereof. While adhesives are described, other methods in the art of joining the outer tubular element 130 to the inner tubular element 105 or to itself are included in this description. For example, perforations between the sheets or use of tightening bands may be similarly effective.

[0043] While the outer tubular element 130 of the aerosol generating article is shown terminating downstream of the aerosol-forming substrate 120, it would be apparent to the skilled person that such an arrangement is purely exemplary and that arrangements where the outer tubular element 130 terminated at the aerosol-forming substrate 120 would be equally included by this description.

[0044] The aerosol generating article 100 may have a length and diameter similar to a conventional cigarette. The second article length, L2, may be about 90% or less than the first article length. The second article length may be about 80% or less than the first article length. The second article length may be about 70% or less than the first article length.

[0045] The pre-twisted portion 109b of the inner tubular element 105 may comprise a rotational offset between a portion of the inner tubular element upstream of the pre-twisted portion 109b (subsequently referred to as the upstream portion) and a portion of the inner tubular element downstream of the pre-twisted portion (subsequently referred to as the downstream portion). The rotational offset between the upstream and downstream portions of the inner tubular element may be about 5 degrees or more. The rotational offset between the upstream and downstream portions of the inner tubular element may be about 15 degrees or more. The rotational offset between the upstream and downstream portions of the inner tubular element may be about 45 degrees or more. The pre-twisted portion can be identified by a series of helical grooves and depressions formed in the inner wrapping sheet circumferentially disposed about the inner tubular member. When unwrapped, the series of helical grooves and depressions would comprise a corresponding series of substantially parallel diagonal lines in the inner wrapping sheet.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a side view of the manufacturing station used to apply the pre-twisted portion 109b. The overwrapping station illustrated comprises a first rotating drum 220, on which a series of outer wrapping sheets 135 with the glue pattern applied is temporarily attached, for example by the application of a vacuum holding an unglued side of each sheet 135 to an outer surface of the first rotating drum 220. Each outer wrapping sheet 135 is adhered, at the first edge 155a thereof, to an inner tubular element 105. As the first rotating drum 220 rotates, each inner tubular element 105 is brought, with outer wrapping sheet 135 attached, in turn towards a stationary guide plate 230. The first rotating drum 220 and stationary guide plate 230 act as a pinch 210 and friction between the unwrapped aerosol generating article, stationary guide plate 230 and first rotating drum 220 cause the outer wrapping sheet 135 to wrap around the inner tubular element 105 thereby forming a wrapped aerosol generating article 100.

[0047] The glue pattern shown in FIG. 3 enables the outer wrapping sheet 135 to adhere to the inner tubular element 105 and the mouthpiece filter 127 in a first circumferential wrap. As the outer wrapping sheet 135 wraps around the inner tubular element 105, the band of glue comprising first 145a and second 145b strips of glue bond the outer wrapping sheet 135 to the mouthpiece filter 127 and the inner tubular element 105 at the mouthpiece end 107. As the upstream portion of the inner tubular element 105 is not overwrappedbecause the distal end 103 of the outer wrapping sheet 135 terminates more proximallyit rotates at a different rate to the downstream portion of the inner tubular element 105, which induces the twist in the inner wrapping sheet 109 of the inner tubular element 105. The difference in thickness between the portions of the inner tubular element 105 that are circumscribed by the outer wrapping sheet 135 and those portions that are not generates different amounts of friction. This difference in friction causes the portion of the inner tubular element without any outer wrapping sheet 135 wrapped around to rotate less than the portion that is circumscribed by the outer wrapping sheet 135, thus creating the pre-twisted portion 109b that is readily collapsible.

[0048] Once the desired amount of twist has been achieved, the outer wrapping sheet 135 wraps around the inner tubular element 105 for a second circumferential wrap. During the second circumferential wrap, the outer wrapping sheet 135 is wrapped around the unglued portion of the inner tubular element 105. The second region 140 of glue results in the second circumferential wrap of the outer wrapping sheet 135 forming an outer tubular element 130 that is rigid, but remains readily collapsible.

[0049] After the outer wrapping sheet 135 has circumscribed itself a second time, the aerosol generating article 100 is formed and may be removed from the pinch 210 by a second rotating drum 240. While it is preferable to apply the pre-twist to the inner tubular element 105 simultaneously when overwrapping the inner tubular element 105, it would be apparent to the skilled person this is not essential. The pre-twist may be applied at a twisting station prior to the overwrapping station.

[0050] While the manufacturing process has been described in the context of a single aerosol generating article 100, it would be apparent to the skilled person that this description would apply mutatis mutandis to aerosol generating articles manufactured in the back-to-back configuration, which may be preferable for process efficiency, being able to produce two articles 100, 100 simultaneously within a single manufacture line. When manufacturing aerosol generating articles in the back-to-back configuration, the rolled article that is removed from the pinch 210 by the second rotating drum 240 will comprise conjoined outer tubular elements 130, 130. In this case, the rolled article can be divided along the centre line 200 by cutting through the conjoined outer tubular elements 130, 130 and conjoined mouthpiece filter member 129 to result in first 100 and second 100 aerosol generating articles. This cutting procedure can be performed as part of the overwrapping process, or at a separate cutting station.

[0051] While a mouthpiece filter 127 and mouthpiece filter member 129 have been included in this description, they are not essential to the present invention. Similarly, while a removeable cap 110 has been described as a way of preserving the aerosol-forming substrate, a removeable cap 110 is not essential to the present invention. Similarly, while a transfer element 117 has been described, it is not essential to the present invention. Further, while the pre-twisted portion 109b has been described as preferably formed simultaneously during the overwrapping of the inner tubular element 105, this is not essential to the invention. The pre-twisted portion 109b of the inner wrapping sheet 109 may be applied at a separate twisting station and subsequently overwrapped. While an adhesive has been described as a method of securing the outer wrapping sheet 135 to the inner tubular element 105 and to itself, this is not essential to the invention and other methods of fixation, including methods of mechanical fixation such as perforations or surface features, are included in this description. While the outer wrapping sheet 135 is described as being adhered to itself along substantially the whole length of the outer wrapping sheet 135, this is not essential to the invention. Adhesion along less than the whole length of the outer wrapping sheet 135 may still provide the benefit of the invention.

[0052] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.