WRAPPING PAPER PATTERN FOR AN AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE

Abstract

An aerosol-generating article comprising an outer wrapping sheet to form an outer tubular element of an aerosol-generating article that when rolled about a longitudinal axis, the outer wrapping sheet comprising a first edge comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion includes a glued section, and wherein the distal portion extends from the proximal portion at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating article having a proximal end and a distal end, the aerosol-generating article comprising: an inner tubular element comprising an inner wrapping sheet circumscribing a combustible heat source positioned towards the distal end of the aerosol-generating article; an outer wrapping sheet to form an outer tubular element of the aerosol-generating article when rolled about a longitudinal axis, the outer wrapping sheet comprising: a first edge comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion includes a glued section, and wherein the distal portion extends from the proximal portion at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

2. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion of the first edge is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

3. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the outer wrapping sheet further comprising a second edge, opposed to the first edge and comprising a second edge proximal portion and a second edge distal portion, wherein the first and second edges define a width of the sheet.

4. The aerosol-generating article of claim 3, wherein the second edge proximal portion is substantially parallel to and substantially the same length as the proximal portion of the first edge.

5. The aerosol-generating article of claim 3, wherein the second edge distal portion is substantially parallel to and substantially the same length as the distal portion of the first edge.

6. The aerosol-generating article of claim 3, wherein the outer wrapping sheet further comprises proximal and distal end edges extending between the first and second edges at respective proximal and distal ends thereof.

7. The aerosol-generating article of claim 3, wherein a first region is defined by the area of sheet between the first edge proximal portion and the second edge proximal portion, and wherein a first glue pattern, which includes the glued section, is applied to the first region.

8. The aerosol-generating article of claim 7, wherein the first glue pattern is applied across the whole extent of the first region.

9. The aerosol-generating article of claim 3, wherein a second region is defined by the area of sheet between the first edge distal portion and the second edge distal portion, and wherein the second region is split into a first zone adjacent the first edge and a second zone adjacent the second edge by a boundary line extending from the distal end edge to the first region, and wherein a second glue pattern is applied to the second zone.

10. The aerosol-generating article of claim 9, wherein the second glue pattern is applied across the whole extent of the second zone.

11. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 9, wherein the boundary line is substantially parallel to the first edge distal portion.

12. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the outer tubular element extends from the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article towards the distal end thereof.

13. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the outer wrapping sheet overwraps at least a portion of the inner tubular element.

14. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the glued section of the first edge proximal portion is adhesively joined to a proximal end of the inner tubular element.

15. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating article further comprises a void space.

16. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 15, wherein the inner wrapper includes a collapsible portion surrounding at least the void space.

17. A method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating article, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a proximal end and a distal end, the method of manufacturing the aerosol-generating article comprising the steps of: providing an inner tubular element comprising an inner wrapping sheet circumscribing a combustible heat source positioned towards the distal end of the aerosol-generating article; providing an outer wrapping sheet comprising a first edge comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion includes a glued section, and wherein the distal portion extends from the proximal portion at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis; overwrapping at least a portion of the inner tubular element with the outer wrapping sheet by, starting from the first edge of the outer wrapping sheet: adhesively joining the first edge proximal portion to the inner tubular element by bringing the glued section into contact with a proximal end of the inner tubular element; and, wrapping the outer wrapping sheet about the inner tubular element by rolling.

18. The method of any one of claim 17, wherein the overwrapping procedure comprises applying the outer wrapping sheet using a rotating drum.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the overwrapping comprises rolling the inner tubular element through a pinch between the rotating drum on which the outer wrapping sheet is temporarily attached and a stationary guide plate, the outer wrapping sheet wrapping around the inner tubular element during passage through the pinch.

20. The method of claim 17, 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

[0041] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0042] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a prior art rod and a proposed outer wrapping sheet;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary aerosol-generating article;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a rod and an outer wrapping sheet according to the invention;

[0045] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an outer wrapping sheet partially wrapped around a rod; and

[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an overwrapping station used to wrap the outer wrapping sheet around the rod.

[0047] 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.

[0048] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a prior art rod 16 and a proposed outer wrapping sheet 20. The rod 16 is arranged in a back-to-back configuration and comprises a first 15 inner tubular element having a distal end 12 and a mouthpiece filter end 11. A mouthpiece filter 10 is mounted to the first inner tubular element 15 at the mouthpiece filter end 11. The rod 16 further comprises a second inner tubular element 15 that is a mirror image of the first 15 inner tubular element, and like parts are referenced by like reference signs, but suffixed with a double prime (). Each of the first 10 and second 10 mouthpiece filters have a proximal end and the first 10 and second 10 mouthpiece filters are conjoined at their respective proximal ends to form a mouthpiece filter element 10. Each of the first 15 and second 15 inner tubular elements contain a heat source, an aerosol-forming substrate and a void (see FIG. 2). The proposed outer wrapping sheet 20 is shown in FIG. 1 as a substantially rectangular sheet having a first edge 21, a first region of glue 25 and a second region of glue 30. As the first edge 21 is brought into contact with the rod 16, the first region 25 of glue may adhere the outer wrapping sheet 20 to the first 15 and second 15 inner tubular members and the mouthpiece filter element 10. However, the glue pattern only bonds the outer wrapping sheet 20 to the inner tubular members 15, 15 near their respective mouthpiece filter ends 11, 11; because there is no glue towards the outer ends of the outer wrapping sheet at least for the initial stages of the wrapping processi.e. for at least a first wrap about the inner tubular members 15, 15.

[0049] When manufacturing aerosol-generating articles in the back-to-back configuration, a series of outer wrapping sheets are typically temporarily attached to a rotating drum, for example by a vacuum, and respective rods 16 are brought into contact with the first edge of the associated outer wrapping sheet 20. As the rotating drum rotates, each rod 16 is brought, with outer wrapping sheet 20 attached, in turn towards a stationary guide plate. The rotating drum and stationary guide plate act as a pinch and friction between the unwrapped aerosol-generating article, stationary guide plate and rotating drum cause the outer wrapping sheet 20 to wrap around the rod 16, thereby forming a wrapped aerosol-generating article. As the outer wrapping sheet 20 is initially wrapped around the rod 16 for the first wrap, only the area of the outer wrapping sheet that is glued to the rod 16 by the first region of glue 25 remains tightly bonded to the rod 16. The remaining outer wrapping sheet 20 is not adhered to the rod 16 so may remain attached to the rotating drum. This can create a tension across the first edge 21 where the adhesive is pulling the outer wrapping sheet 20 towards the rod 16 and the rotating drum is pulling the outer wrapping sheet 20 away from the rod 16. Consequently, rolled aerosol-generating articles may be formed with a conical profile, where the finished aerosol-generating article has a smaller diameter at the mouthpiece filter end 11, 11 compared to the distal end 12, 12. This will subsequently be referred to as the cone effect. When produced in the back-to-back configuration, an outer wrapping sheet member formed of two symmetrical outer wrapping sheets 20 attached at respective proximal ends can be used to simultaneously form two conjoined outer tubular elements (as shown in FIG. 1). The conjoined outer tubular element can be subsequently cut along a centreline 35 to form separate first and second aerosol-generating articles.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary aerosol-generating article 100 related to aspects of the present disclosure. The aerosol-generating article 100 extends between a proximal end 102 and a distal end 104 along a longitudinal axis 150 and comprises an inner tubular element 105 having a mouthpiece end 107 and 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 circumscribing: a combustible heat source 115 positioned towards the distal end 104 of the aerosol-generating article 100, an aerosol-forming substrate 120 positioned downstream of the combustible heat source 115, and 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, when present, void space 125 are provided in a co-axial arrangement. The portion of the inner wrapping sheet 109 circumscribing the void space can be considered a collapsible portion 109b. A mouthpiece filter 127 is provided at the proximal end 102 and is shown mounted to the inner tubular element 105 at the mouthpiece end 107. A removable cap 110 may also be mounted at the distal end of the inner tubular element 105 to help preserve the aerosol-forming substrate 115 by forming a seal at the distal end 104 of the inner tubular element 105.

[0051] The aerosol-generating article 100 is shown further comprising 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 and is formed by wrapping the outer wrapping sheet 200 around the mouthpiece filter 127 and a portion of the inner tubular element 105. The outer tubular element 130 terminates downstream of the 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 from an extended position having a first article length, for example L1, to a retracted position having a second article length less than the first article length, for example L2. The aerosol-generating article may have a length of a conventional cigarette. The aerosol-generating article may have a diameter of a conventional cigarette. Sliding the distal end 104 from an extended position to a retracted position at least partially collapses the void space 125 to an axial contracted configuration. The slideable distal end, including the combustible heat source 115 and aerosol-forming substrate 120, allows the slideable distal end to collapse into the void space from an extended position to a retracted position. The retracted position may be such that the heat source is positioned within the outer tubular element. The retracted position may be achieved by application of a pressure or force at the distal end of the aerosol-generating article 100, such as when a stubbing out action is performed. It is not essential that the void space 125 be entirely collapsed when in the axially contracted configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner tubular element 105 further comprises first 121a and second 121b transfer elements located at the ends of the void space 125. The inner tubular element 105 may further comprise a further transfer element 117 arranged between the combustible heat source 115 and the aerosol-forming substrate 120. The void space 125 provides a recess within which the distal end may collapse to cover the combustible heat source 115. In embodiments, the void space need not be a void, but may alternatively comprise any compressible region.

[0052] 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 other arrangements are possible, for example, where the outer tubular element 130 terminated at the aerosol-forming substrate 120 would be equally included by this description.

[0053] FIG. 3 illustrates an outer wrapping sheet 200 of the present invention. Because the illustrated outer wrapping sheet 200 is for wrapping a pair of inner tubular elements 105, 105 simultaneously in a back-to-back manner, the outer wrapping sheet is symmetrical about a centre line 155. For brevity, only the left-hand side of the mirrored sheet will be described. Such a single outer wrapping sheet could be used to wrap a single inner tubular element 105. As shown, the outer wrapping sheet 200 has proximal 205 and distal 210 end edges, the end edges extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 150, with first 215 and second 220 edges extending therebetween parallel to the longitudinal axis 150. The width of the sheet 200, between the first 215 and second 220 opposed edges, is at least equal to twice the circumference of the first inner tubular element 105. An intermediate line 225 extends between the first 215 edge and the second edge 220 and defines first 230 and second regions 240. The intermediate line 225 is spaced from the proximal end edge 205 by a first distance. The first distance may be in the range of 1 mm to 60 mm and preferably in the range of 5 mm to 15 mm. In this embodiment, the point at which the intermediate line 225 joins the first edge 215 divides the first edge 215 into a first proximal edge portion 215a and a first distal edge portion 215b. The intermediate line 225 may be spaced from the distal end edge 210 by a distance in the range of 6 mm to 140 mm and preferably 9 mm to 50 mm. However, in some embodiments, the start of the first distal edge portion 215b may not be coincident with the intermediate line 228. The first distal edge portion 215b is shown forming an acute angle with the longitudinal axis 150. The angle between the first distal edge portion 215b and the longitudinal axis 150 may be in the range of 1 to 40 and preferably in the range of 7 to 31. Where the intermediate line 225 joins the second edge 220, the second edge 220 may be divided into a second proximal edge portion 220a and a second distal edge portion 220b. The first region 230 is substantially covered with an adhesive in a first glue pattern suitable for bonding the outer wrapping sheet 200 to the rod 105 during the first circumferential wrap, and for bonding the proximal end of the outer wrapping sheet corresponding to the first region to itself for a second wrap.

[0054] Additionally, a boundary line 235 is shown extending between the distal end edge 210 and the intermediate line 225. The boundary line 235 may be spaced from the first edge distal portion 215b by a second distance at least equal to the circumference of the inner tubular element. The second distance may be in the range of 10 mm to 40 mm and preferably in the range of 10 mm to 25 mm. The boundary line may be spaced from the second edge distal portion 220b by a distance in the range of 5 mm to 20 mm and preferably in the range of 7 mm to 15 mm. The boundary line 235 is used to divide the second region 240 into first 240a and second 240b zones. The second zone 240b is substantially covered with an adhesive in a second glue pattern and can be considered a glued area. The adhesive is suitable for bonding the outer wrapping sheet 200 to itself during the second circumferential wrap. The adhesive applied to the first region 230 may be similar or different to that applied to the second zone 240b. The first zone 240a is left without glue and can be considered a non-glued area.

[0055] While the first proximal edge portion 215a is shown in FIG. 3 as being parallel with the longitudinal axis 150 this is not essential to the present invention. While the second distal edge portion 220b preferably forms an acute angle with the longitudinal axis 150 this is not essential to the present invention. While the second proximal edge portion 220a is shown parallel with the longitudinal axis 150 this is not essential to the present invention. While the first distal edge portion 215b is preferably parallel with the second distal edge portion 220b this is not essential to the present invention. The point where the boundary line 235 extends from the intermediate line 225 may be spaced from the second edge proximal portion 220a by a distance in the range of 6 mm to 30 mm and preferably in the range of 10 mm to 21 mm. The point where the boundary line 235 extends from the intermediate line 225 may be spaced from the first edge proximal portion 215a by a distance in the range of 9 mm to 35 mm and preferably in the range of 13 mm to 26 mm. While the distance between the first 215 and second 220 edges is preferably substantially constant, this is not essential to the present invention. While the boundary line 235 is shown parallel to the first distal edge portion 215b, this is not essential to the present invention.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer wrapping sheet 200 can be used to manufacture aerosol-generating articles in the back-to-back configuration by providing symmetrical outer wrapping sheets 200 integrally attached at their respective proximal ends 205. This allows a rod 106 comprising first 105 and second 105 inner tubular elements and a mouthpiece filter element 129 to be overwrapped simultaneously. First 105 and second 105 inner tubular elements are shown having respective mouthpiece filter ends 107, 107 and respectively distal ends 104, 104. First 105 and second 105 inner tubular elements are shown mounted to the mouthpiece filter element 129 at the respective mouthpiece filter ends 107, 107. First 105 and second 105 inner tubular elements are also shown comprising respective first 125 and second 125 void spaces. When manufacturing aerosol-generating articles in the back-to-back configuration, a mouthpiece filter element 129 comprising conjoined first 127 and second 127 mouthpiece filters may be used. As shown in FIG. 3, the second distal edge 220b may form an acute angle relative to the second proximal edge 220a. As shown in FIG. 3, the second distal edge 220b may be parallel to the first distal edge 215b. In other embodiments, the shape of the second edge may be matched to the shape of the first edge. This may avoid cutting losses. The size of the outer wrapping sheet may be selected to that the second edge is close to the first edge when wrapped around the aerosol-generating article. This may ensure the outer wrapping sheet has a single consistent diameter along its length on the finished aerosol-generating article 100. However, while this arrangement is preferable, it would be apparent to the skilled person that such an arrangement was not essential to the present invention.

[0057] As the outer wrapping sheet 200 is wrapped around the first inner tubular element 105 and the mouthpiece filter 127 for the first circumferential wrap (see also FIG. 5), the first inner tubular element 105 is initially attached to the outer wrapping sheet 200 at the first proximal edge portion 215a via the adhesive. Where included, the mouthpiece filter 127 may also be attached to the outer wrapping sheet 200. As the outer wrapping sheet 200 is wrapped around the first inner tubular element 105, the glue applied to the first region 230 adheres the outer wrapping sheet 200 to a portion of the first inner tubular element 105 at the first proximal edge portion 215a. When present, the glue applied to the first region 230 may also adhere the outer wrapping sheet 200 to the mouthpiece filter 127. As the outer wrapping sheet 200 is wrapped around the first inner tubular element 105, the first distal edge 215b is also brought into contact with the first inner tubular element 105 and the first, unglued, zone 240a is wrapped around a further portion of the first inner tubular element 105. The unglued zone 240a of the outer wrapping sheet 200 is not adhered to the first inner tubular element 105. As glue is applied across the length of the first proximal edge portion 215a, any tension generated along the first edge 215 due to the temporary attachment of the outer wrapping sheet 200 to the rotating drum 320 will pull the first distal edge 215b towards the first inner tubular element 105, enhancing the contact between the unglued zone 240a and the first inner tubular element 105. The acute angle between the first distal edge portion 215b and the first proximal edge 215a further enhances the contact between the unglued zone 240a and the first inner tubular element 105. This is in contrast to the prior art, where tension across the first edge 21 can cause the unglued area of the outer wrapping sheet 200 to separate from the first inner tubular element 105 during the overwrapping process. The present invention allows for the unglued area 240a to be wrapped tightly around the first inner tubular element 105, reducing the cone effect seen in the prior art.

[0058] While the manufacturing process has been described with a mouthpiece filter 127 it would be apparent to the skilled person this was not essential to the present invention. 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 to mutatis mutandis to manufacture of aerosol-generating articles manufactured in the back-to-back configuration, which may be preferable for process efficiency, being able to produce two articles simultaneously within a single manufacture line.

[0059] As the outer wrapping sheet 200 is wrapped around the mouthpiece filter 127 and the first inner tubular element 105 for a second circumferential wrap, the remaining glue applied to the first region 230 and the glue applied to the second zone 240b enables the outer wrapping sheet 200 to adhere to itself along substantially its own length, forming the outer tubular element. When manufactured in a back-to-back configuration, conjoined first and second outer tubular elements are formed.

[0060] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an overwrapping station used to wrap the outer wrapping sheet 200 around the rod 106. The overwrapping station typically comprises a first rotating drum 320, a passage or pinch 310 delimited by the first rotating drum 320 and a stationary guide plate 330, and a second rotating drum 340. An outer wrapping sheet 200 having the described glue pattern is typically temporarily attached to the surface of the first rotating drum 320. This temporary attachment may be created by a vacuum holding the outer wrapping sheet 200 to the surface of the first rotating drum 320. This may be achieved by incorporating an array of holes in the outer surface of the first rotating drum 320 through which air can be drawn to generate the vacuum, as is known in the art. A rod 106 is also shown attached to the first proximal edge portion 215a of the outer wrapping sheet 200. As the first rotating drum 320 rotates, the rod 106 and outer wrapping sheet 200 are brought towards a passage or pinch 310 delimited by the first rotating drum 320 and a stationary guide plate 330. As the rod 106 passes through the pinch 310, the rotation of the first rotating drum 320 rolls the rod 106 over the stationary plate 330, which causes the outer wrapping sheet 200 to wrap around the rod 106. While the overwrapping station described comprises a pinch 310 to wrap the outer wrapping sheet 200 around the rod 106, it would be apparent to the skilled person this was not essential to the invention and other methods of overwrapping known in the art may be used.

[0061] Once the outer wrapping sheet 200 is wrapped around the rod 106, an aerosol-generating article 100 is formed and may be removed from the pinch 310 by a second rotating drum 340. If manufactured in the back-to-back configuration a conjoined outer tubular element will be formed around the rod 106 and can be removed from the pinch 310 by the second rotating drum 340. In this case, the conjoined outer tubular elements may be cut along a centreline 155 through the conjoined outer tubular elements and conjoined mouthpiece filter element 129 to form first and second aerosol-generating articles 100. This arrangement is preferable, as aerosol-generating articles 100 can be manufactured using existing processes and at existing line speeds. While the overwrapping process has been described in the context of manufacturing aerosol-generating articles in the back-to-back configuration, it would be apparent to the skilled person that this description applies equally to the manufacture of aerosol-generating articles individually and that the manufacture of aerosol-generating articles in the back-to-back configuration is not essential to the present invention. The cutting of the conjoined outer tubular elements and conjoined mouthpiece filter element 129 may be performed in the overwrapping station, or at a separate cutting station.

[0062] 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.

[0063] While a mouthpiece filter 127 and mouthpiece filter element 129 have been included in this description for clarity, 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. While an adhesive has been described as a method of securing the outer wrapping sheet 200 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 200 is described as being adhered to itself along substantially the whole length of the outer wrapping sheet 200, this is not essential to the invention. Adhesion along less than the whole length of the outer wrapping sheet 200 may still provide the benefit of the invention.

[0064] Features, integers, characteristics 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.

EXAMPLES

[0065] 1. A wrapping sheet to form a tubular element of an aerosol-generating article when rolled about a longitudinal axis, the wrapping sheet comprising:

[0066] a first edge comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion includes a glued section, and wherein the distal portion extends from the proximal portion at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

2. The wrapping sheet of example 1, wherein the proximal portion of the first edge is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
3. The wrapping sheet of example 1 or example 2, further comprising a second edge, opposed to the first edge and comprising a second edge proximal portion and a second edge distal portion, wherein the first and second edges define a width of the sheet.
4. The wrapping sheet of example 3, wherein the second edge proximal portion is substantially parallel to and substantially the same length as the proximal portion of the first edge.
5. The wrapping sheet of example 3 or example 4, wherein the second edge distal portion is substantially parallel to and substantially the same length as the distal portion of the first edge.
6. The wrapping sheet of any one of examples 3 to 5, further comprising proximal and distal end edges extending between the first at second edges at respective proximal and distal ends thereof.
7. The wrapping sheet of any one of examples 3 to 6, wherein a first region is defined by the area of sheet between the first edge proximal portion and the second edge proximal portion, and wherein a first glue pattern, which includes the glued section, is applied to the first region.
8. The wrapping sheet of example 7, wherein the first glue pattern is applied across the whole extent of the first region.
9. The wrapping sheet of any one of examples 3 to 8, wherein a second region is defined by the area of sheet between the first edge distal portion and the second edge distal portion, and wherein the second region is split into a first zone adjacent the first edge and a second zone adjacent the second edge by a boundary line extending from the distal end edge to the first region, and wherein a second glue pattern is applied to the second zone.
10. The wrapping sheet of example 9, wherein the second glue pattern is applied across the whole extent of the second zone.
11. The wrapping sheet according to example 9 or example 10, wherein the boundary line is substantially parallel to the first edge distal portion.
12. A method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating article, comprising: [0067] providing a wrapping sheet according to any preceding example; [0068] providing an inner tubular element; [0069] overwrapping at least a portion of the inner tubular element with the wrapping sheet by, starting from the first edge of the wrapping sheet: [0070] adhesively joining the first edge proximal portion to the inner tubular element by bringing the glued section into contact with a proximal end of the inner tubular element; and, [0071] wrapping the wrapping sheet about the inner tubular element by rolling.
13. The method of example 12, wherein the overwrapping procedure comprises applying the wrapping sheet using a rotating drum.
14. The method of example 13, wherein the overwrapping comprises rolling the inner tubular element through a pinch between the rotating drum on which the wrapping sheet is temporarily attached and a stationary guide plate, the sheet wrapping around the inner tubular element during passage through the pinch.
15. The method of any one of examples 12 to 14, 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 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.