Abstract
An apparatus for assembling an aerosol-generating article, the apparatus including: a conveyor with a support surface configured to support at least two axially aligned rod-shaped segments of the aerosol-generating article; and a spacer, the apparatus being configured to move the spacer from a retracted position to an active position, in which the spacer provides an abutment means for the rod-shaped segments on the support surface, and the conveyor including the spacer. A method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating article is also provided.
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. An apparatus for assembling an aerosol-generating article, the apparatus comprising: a conveyor with a support surface configured to support at least two axially aligned rod-shaped segments of the aerosol-generating article; and a spacer, wherein the apparatus is configured to move the spacer from a retracted position to an active position, in which the spacer provides an abutment means for the rod-shaped segments on the support surface, and wherein the conveyor comprises the spacer.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the conveyor further comprises a storing cavity to house the spacer at least when the spacer is in the retracted position.
18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, in the retraced position, the spacer is flush with or retracted below the support surface, and, in the active position, the spacer protrudes from the support surface.
19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the conveyor further comprises a cam, and wherein the cam is configured to move the spacer from the retracted position to the active position.
20. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the conveyor further comprises a drum configured to rotate around a rotation axis.
21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the drum comprises the spacer and the drum is further configured to rotate relative to a cam, such that the spacer is rotated around the cam.
22. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the conveyor further comprises a groove forming the support surface, and wherein the groove is configured to receive the at least two axially aligned rod-shaped segments of the aerosol-generating article.
23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the spacer is arranged such that the spacer protrudes into the groove in the active position.
24. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a spring configured to bias the spacer towards the retracted position.
25. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein suction holes are provided in the support surface.
26. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the conveyor is configured to transport the at least two axially aligned rod-shaped segments along a transport direction, and wherein the at least two axially aligned rod-shaped segments are arranged orthogonal with respect to the transport direction.
27. A method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating article, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first rod-shaped segment; providing a second rod-shaped segment; axially aligning the first rod-shaped segment and the second rod-shaped segment on a support surface of a conveyor; arranging a spacer that is part of the conveyor in between the first rod-shaped segment and the second rod-shaped segment; removing the spacer, wherein a predefined distance is established in between the first rod-shaped segment and the second rod-shaped segment; and connecting the first rod-shaped segment and the second rod-shaped segment with a bridging element, such that a gap of the predefined distance is provided in between the first rod-shaped segment and the second rod-shaped segment.
28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the step of connecting the first rod-shaped segment and second rod-shaped segment with a bridging element comprises attaching the bridging element to both the first rod-shaped segment and the second rod-shaped segment, and rotating the first rod-shaped segment and the second rod-shaped segment, thereby wrapping the bridging element around the first rod-shaped segment and the second rod-shaped segment.
29. The method according to claim 27, further comprising providing a third rod-shaped segment, wherein the second rod-shaped segment is arranged between the first rod-shaped segment and the third rod-shaped segment, wherein the spacer is provided between the first rod-shaped segment and the second rod-shaped segment and a second spacer is provided between the second rod-shaped segment and the third rod-shaped segment, wherein the two spacers are removed, such that a gap of the predefined distance is established between the first rod-shaped segment and the second rod-shaped segment and a second gap of a second predefined distance is established between the second rod-shaped segment and the third rod-shaped segment, and wherein the first rod-shaped segment, the second rod-shaped segment, and the third rod-shaped segment are connected by wrapping with the bridging element.
30. The apparatus for assembling an aerosol-generating article according to claim 16, further comprising a spacer configured to establish a predefined gap between an aerosol-generating substrate segment and a filter segment, wherein the spacer is part of the conveyor.
Description
[0135] The examples will now be further described with reference to the figures.
[0136] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0137] FIG. 2 shows a plan view onto the circumferential surface of the conveyor shown on the right side of FIG. 1.
[0138] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a schematic representation of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0139] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the conveyor of FIG. 3, but in a different position.
[0140] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the conveyor shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0141] FIG. 6-10 show perspective views of a schematic representation of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the invention and how aerosol-generating articles are manufactured according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0142] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article manufactured according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0143] FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of how aerosol-generating articles are manufactured according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0144] An apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus 1 comprises a conveyor 2 and an auxiliary conveyor 3. The conveyor 2 comprises a drum 4 adapted to rotate around a rotation axis 5, extending in a longitudinal direction 100. The auxiliary conveyor 3 comprises a second drum 6 adapted to rotate around a second rotation axis 7, extending in the longitudinal direction 100. The two drums 4, 6 rotate in different directions. The conveyor 2 is adapted to wrap a bridging element 21 (not shown in FIG. 1) around rod-shaped segments 8 to form aerosol-generating articles 9. The conveyor 2, in particular the drum 4, comprises a support surface 10. The support surface 10 is adapted to support and hold the rod-shaped segments 8 and the aerosol-generating articles 9.
[0145] The apparatus 2 further comprises a contact element 11 with a counter surface 12. The counter surface 12 facilitates wrapping the bridging element 21 around the rod-shaped segments 8 to form the aerosol-generating articles 9.
[0146] FIG. 2 shows a plan view onto the support surface 10 of the conveyor 2. The conveyor 2, in particular the drum 4, comprises a plurality of grooves 13 formed on the support surface 10. The grooves 13 extend predominantly in the longitudinal direction 100 and are adapted to receive the rod-shaped segments 8. The grooves 13 are equidistantly spaced around the support surface 10 of the drum 4. Suction holes 14 are provided in the support surface 10 in the region of the grooves 13. The suction holes 14 may also be provided outside of the grooves 13, as indicated on the right side of FIG. 2. The suction holes 14 are adapted to facilitate holding the rod-shaped segments 8 and the aerosol-generating articles 9.
[0147] The conveyor 2 further comprises storing cavities 15. The storing cavities 15 open towards the grooves 13 and house spacers 16. In each groove 13, one storing cavity 15 is arranged. Each storing cavity 15 houses one spacer 16. The storing cavity 15 is arranged between the suction holes 14 in the groove 13. The spacers 16 can be moved from a retracted position, in which the respective spacer 16 is flush with the support surface 10, as indicated in the groove 13 on the right side of FIG. 2, to an active position, in which the spacer 16 protrudes from the support surface 10, as indicated in the groove 13 in the center of FIG. 2.
[0148] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the rod-shaped segments 8 comprise a first rod-shaped segment 17 and a second rod-shaped segment 18. In the active position, the spacer 16 is arranged between the first rod-shaped segment 17 and the second rod-shaped segment 18. On the left side of FIG. 2, the spacer 16 is in the retracted position to establish a gap 19 between the first rod-shaped segment 17 and the second rod-shaped segment 18.
[0149] FIGS. 3 and 4 demonstrate how the spacer 16 is moved from the retracted position to the active position. Multiple storing cavities 15 are spaced around the support surface 10 of the drum 4. Each support cavity 15 houses a spacer 16. For simplicity, only one spacer 16 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The conveyor 2 further comprises a cam 20. The cam 20 is stationary, whereas the drum 4 is rotated around the rotation axis 5. Thus, the storing cavities 15 and the spacers 16 are rotated around the cam 20.
[0150] In FIG. 3, the spacer 16 is in the retracted position. When the storing cavity 15 with the spacer 16 is aligned with the cam 20, the spacer 16 gets into contact with a distal end 30 of the cam 20 and is partially pushed out of the storing cavity 15 into the active position. In the active position, the spacer 16 protrudes from the support surface 10, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0151] FIG. 5 illustrates how the spacer 16 is moved back to the retracted position according to an embodiment of the invention. The spacer 16 comprises two flanges 26 that protrude laterally from the spacer 16. Springs 27 are arranged between the flanges 26 and the support surface 10. The storing cavities 15 of FIG. 5 are bigger compared to the storing cavities 15 in FIGS. 3 and 4 to provide space for the flanges 26 and the springs 27. The springs 27 bias the spacers 16 into the storing cavities 15 towards the retracted position, as illustrated in the top-left part of FIG. 5. When a spacer 16 is moved towards the distal end 30 of the cam 20, the distal end 30 of the cam 20 pushes the spacer 16 partially out of the storing cavity 15 against the biasing force of the springs 27 into the active position. The spacer 16 then protrudes from the supporting surface 10, as illustrated in the top-center part of FIG. 5. When the spacer 16 is moved away from the distal end 30 of the cam 20, the distal end 30 is no longer in contact with the spacer 16, such that the springs 27 push the spacer 16 back into the receiving cavity 15 into the retracted position, as illustrated in the top-right part of FIG. 5.
[0152] FIGS. 6 to 10 show a schematic overview of how the aerosol-generating articles 9 are manufactured according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 shows an empty groove 13 on the support surface 10 of the drum 4 of the conveyor 2. The drum 4 and the groove 13 on the drum 4 extend in the longitudinal direction 100. For illustration purpose, only one groove 13 is shown in FIG. 6. However, the conveyor 2 comprises multiple grooves 13. Suction holes 14 are arranged in the groove 13 and a storing cavity 15 is arranged between the suction holes 14. The storing cavity 15 houses a spacer 16, which is in the retracted position in FIG. 6. A first rod-shaped segment 17 is inserted into the groove 13, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The suction holes 14 help to hold the first rod-shaped segment 17 in the groove 13. Then, the spacer 16 is moved into the active position adjacent to the first rod-shaped segment 17, as shown in FIG. 8. The spacer 16 now protrudes from the support surface 10. As shown in FIG. 9, a second rod-shaped segment 18 is then inserted into the groove 13 adjacent to the spacer 16. The second rod-shaped segment 18 is inserted on the opposite side of the spacer 16 than the first rod-shaped segment 17. The rod-shaped segments 17, 18 may be pushed against the spacer 16, in particular by a plunger 28. In FIG. 9, only one plunger 28 that pushes the second rod-shaped segment 18 against the spacer 16 is shown. However, a second plunger may be arranged on the other side of the drum 4 to push the first rod-shaped segment 17 against the spacer 16. Instead of the plunger 28 or in addition, a guide surface 29 (not shown in FIG. 9) or air pressure may be used to push the rod-shaped segments 17, 18 against the spacer 16. The spacer 16 is then moved back into the retracted position, such that a gap 19 is established between the first rod-shaped segment 17 and the second rod-shaped segment 18, as shown in FIG. 10. The gap 19 has a predefined width, namely the width of the spacer 16. The first rod-shaped segment 17 and the second rod-shaped segment 18 are then wrapped with a bridging element 21 to form an aerosol-generating article 9. In FIGS. 6 to 10, the drum 4 remains stationary. However, the drum 4 may also rotate around a rotation axis, relative to a cam 20 to move the spacer 16 from the retracted position to the active position, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0153] A cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article 9 manufactured with a method according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 11. The aerosol-generating article 9 extends predominantly in a longitudinal direction 100 and comprises a first rod-shaped segment 17 and a second rod-shaped segment 18. The first rod-shaped segment 17 is arranged at a distance to the second rod-shaped segment 18, such that a gap 19 of a predefined width is established between the two rod-shaped segments 17, 18. The aerosol-generating article 9 further comprises a bridging element 21. The bridging element 21 is wrapped around the first rod-shaped segment 17 and the second rod-shaped segment 18, such that the gap 19 is maintained in the aerosol-generating article 9.
[0154] A method for manufacturing an aerosol-generating article 9 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 12. In step i), a rod-shaped material 22 is provided. In step ii), the rod-shaped material 22 is cut into a first rod-shaped segment 17 and a third rod-shaped segment 23. The first rod-shaped segment 17 and the third rod-shaped segment 23 are axially aligned with respect to a longitudinal direction 100 and spaced apart from each other. In step iii), a spacer 16 is then arranged adjacent to the first rod-shaped segment 17, and a second spacer 24 is arranged adjacent to the third rod-shaped segment 23. In step iv), a second rod-shaped segment 18 is inserted between the two spacers 16, 24. Thus, the two aligned spacers 16, 24 are alternatingly arranged with three aligned rod-shaped segments 17, 18, 23. Pressure may be applied from both sides of the assembly, comprising the three rod-shaped segments 17, 18, 23 and the two spacers 16, 24, to arrange the components adjacent to each other. The pressure may be provided by a stationary guide surface 29, which engages the outer end of the first rod-shaped segment 17 or the third rod-shaped segment 23, as indicated by arrows in step iv). The stationary guide surface 29 may extend at least partially along the circumference of the conveyor 2, wherein the stationary guide surface 29 may be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction 100. A second stationary guide surface (not shown in FIG. 12) may be arranged on the other side of the conveyor 2. As an alternative to a guide surface 29, the force indicated by arrows in step iv) may be provided by a plunger 28 or multiple plungers 28, as shown in FIG. 9. The plunger 28 or plungers 28 may be stationary or may rotate with the drum 4. In step v), the two spacers 16, 24 are removed such that a gap 19 is established between the first rod-shaped segment 17 and the second rod-shaped segment 18, and a second gap is established between the second rod-shaped segment 18 and the third rod-shaped segment 23. In step vi), a bridging element 21 is attached to the first rod-shaped segment 17, the second rod-shaped segment 18 and the third rod-shaped segment 23, and wrapped around these three rod-shaped segments 17, 18, 23. The bridging element 21 helps to maintain the gap 19 between the first rod-shaped segment 17 and the second rod-shaped segment 18, and the second gap 25 between the second rod-shaped segment 18 and the third rod-shaped segment 23. In step vii), a cut is made through the bridging element 21 and the second rod-shaped segment 18, such that two aerosol-generating articles 9 are formed. The cut is made substantially in the middle of the second rod-shaped segment 18. The aerosol-generating articles 9 extend predominantly in the longitudinal direction 100. In stop viii), one of the two aerosol-generating articles 9 is rotated 180 degrees, such that the two aerosol generating articles 9 are oriented in the same direction. The rotation is performed around a rotation axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 100 of the aerosol-generating articles 9.
