MANUFACTURING METHOD AND MANUFACTURING SYSTEM FOR AEROSOL GENERATING SUBSTRATE

Abstract

A manufacturing method for an aerosol generating substrate, which method includes: extruding a mixed material at room temperature to form an extruded substrate, wherein the mixed material is a component of an aerosol generating substrate; and subjecting the extruded substrate to hot air drying. The mixed material is extruded at room temperature and has good fluidity. In addition, further provided is a manufacturing system for an aerosol generating substrate.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an aerosol generating substrate, comprising: subjecting a material mixture to room temperature extrusion to form an extrusion substrate, wherein the material mixture is a component of the aerosol generation substrate; and subjecting the extrusion substrate to hot air drying.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an extrusion temperature for the room temperature extrusion is comprised between 35 C. and 70 C., or an extrusion pressure for the room temperature extrusion is comprised between 0.5 bar and 300 bar, or a temperature for the hot air drying is comprised between 50 C. and 200 C.; or a moisture content of the extrusion substrate after drying is comprised between 3% and 20%.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein an extrusion pressure for the room temperature extrusion is comprised between 20 bar and 80 bar; or a temperature for the hot air drying is comprised between 75 C. and 125 C.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the extrusion substrate has airways extending through opposite two ends of the extrusion substrate in a longitudinal direction, and wherein a flow direction of hot air is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the extrusion substrate during the hot air drying.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein after subjecting the material mixture to the room temperature extrusion to form the extrusion substrate, the method comprises: slitting the extrusion substrate.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein before subjecting the extrusion substrate to the hot air drying, the method comprises: hardening the extrusion substrate.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein a hardness of the extrusion substrate after hardening is comprised between 1 HB and 200 HB, wherein hardening the extrusion substrate comprises hardening the extrusion substrate by cooling.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the extrusion substrate is extruded in a horizontal direction; or, the extrusion substrate is extruded in a vertical direction relative to the horizontal direction; or, the extrusion substrate is extruded in an inclined direction relative to the horizontal direction.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the material mixture comprises, in parts by weight, 30 to 90 parts of plant raw materials, 1 to 15 parts of auxiliary raw materials, 5 to 30 parts of smoking agent raw materials, 1 to 10 parts of binder raw materials, and 1 to 15 parts of perfume raw materials.

10. A system for manufacturing an aerosol generating substrate, comprising: an extrusion device configured for subjecting a material mixture to room temperature extrusion to form an extrusion substrate; and a hot air drying device configured for subjecting the extrusion substrate to hot air drying.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the hot air drying device comprises: a casing having a drying chamber; a fan configured for driving air flow in the drying chamber to flow; and a heating element arranged in the drying chamber, and configured for heating the air flow in the drying chamber.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein there are at least two heating elements, and wherein the at least two heating elements are spaced apart in an up-down direction, and the extrusion substrate is conveyed between the at least two heating elements.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the extrusion substrate has airways extending through opposite two ends of the extrusion substrate in a longitudinal direction, the hot air drying device comprises a flow guide channel for guiding hot air, and the flow guide channel has an air outlet located on a side of the extrusion substrate in the longitudinal direction.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the hot air drying device comprises a conveyor belt, a surface of the conveyor belt facing the extrusion substrate is formed with a plurality of grooves, each of the grooves is configured for receiving one corresponding extrusion substrate, and at least a portion of the extrusion substrate is positioned within a respective one of the grooves.

15. The system according to claim 11, comprising: at least one of a microwave auxiliary device or an ultrasonic auxiliary device, wherein a microwave auxiliary device is located at least partially within the drying chamber, and configured for drying the extrusion substrate by emitting microwave radiation; the ultrasonic auxiliary device is located at least partially within the drying chamber, and configured for drying the extrusion substrate by emitting ultrasonic radiation.

16. The system according to claim 10, comprising a hardening device for hardening the extrusion substrate.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the hardening device comprises a housing formed with an inlet, a cold chamber, and an outlet, wherein the inlet and the outlet communicate with the cold chamber, and the cold chamber is configured for cooling and hardening the extrusion substrate.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the housing is formed with an injection opening in communication with the cold chamber to inject a refrigerant into the cold chamber.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein the housing comprises a conveyor belt, at least a portion of the conveyor belt is located within the cold chamber, the conveyor belt is configured to convey the extrusion substrate from the inlet to the outlet, a surface of the conveyor belt facing the extrusion substrate is formed with a plurality of guide grooves, each of the guide grooves is configured for receiving one extrusion substrate, and at least a portion of the extrusion substrate is located within a respective one of the guide grooves, and wherein the housing is formed with a refrigerant channel, the cold chamber is isolated from the refrigerant channel and located within the refrigerant channel, and the extrusion substrate is in contact with a wall surface of the cold chamber.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the housing comprises an outer shell and an inner shell, and wherein the cold chamber is formed in the inner shell, the inner shell is located inside the outer shell, and the inner shell and the outer shell collectively define the refrigerant channel, and wherein a smoothness of the wall surface of the cold chamber is comprised between Ra 1.2 m and Ra 0.08 m.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a flow block diagram of a manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which an extrusion substrate is extruded in a horizontal direction;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a manufacturing system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in which an extrusion substrate is extruded in a vertical direction;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a flow guide channel and a conveyor belt according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of the portion A in FIG. 4;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a die opening according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of the die opening shown in FIG. 6 and an extrusion substrate;

[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a die opening and a die base in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of an adapter, a die opening, and a die base according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a hardening device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a hardening device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0021] FIG. 12 is a semi sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] It should be noted that embodiments in the present disclosure and technical features in the embodiments can be combined with each other in the absence of conflicts, and the detailed description of the embodiments should be understood as an explanation of the purpose of the present disclosure, and should not be regarded as an undue limitation of the present disclosure.

[0023] In the present disclosure, the temperature unit C. means degrees Celsius. The pressure unit is bar. The unit m means micron.

[0024] The aerosol generating substrate is intended for generating an aerosol by heating. By way of example, the aerosol generating substrate may also be adapted to generate an aerosol in a manner of heating without combustion. That is to say, the aerosol generating substrate is heated to a temperature below an ignition point to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating substrate does not burn during the process of generating the aerosol. In some application scenarios, the aerosol generating substrate can be used to generate aerosols by ignition. The aerosol generation substrate in this application is more commonly used for generating aerosols through heating without combustion.

[0025] The aerosol generating substrate provided by embodiments of the present disclosure is used for an aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article includes the aerosol generating substrate and a functional segment. The functional segment is disposed at an end of the aerosol generating substrate along a longitudinal direction, and the functional segment comprises a filtering segment for filtering the aerosol. The filtering segment is configured to filter the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substrate.

[0026] The aerosol generating article is used for a user to suck the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating substrate. For example, the user may suck the filtered aerosol by holding the filtering segment in the mouth. The aerosol generated from the aerosol generating substrate is delivered to the filtering segment under the negative pressure caused by sucking.

[0027] The aerosol generating article is used in conjunction with an aerosol generating device having a heating component. Specifically, the heating component heats and atomizes the aerosol generating substrate to produce the aerosol.

[0028] The heating component performs heating by a variety of heating ways. By way of example, the heating ways include central heating, peripheral heating, and/or bottom heating. The central heating means that the heating component is inserted into the inside of the aerosol generating article to bake and heat the aerosol generating article from inside to outside. By way of example, the heating component can be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating substrate for heating. The peripheral heating means that the heating component is disposed at the periphery of the aerosol generating article to bake and heat the aerosol generating article from outside to inside. By way of example, the heating component can be provided on the periphery of the aerosol generating substrate for heating. The bottom heating means that the heating component is located at the bottom of the aerosol generating article, for example, in one implementation, a heating component (resistive or electromagnetic) is used to first heat the air, then the hot air bakes and heats the aerosol generating article from bottom to top (i.e. transferring heat in the form of heat convection). The bottom heating can also be achieved by transferring heat to the article through the heating component such as resistive or electromagnetic heating component in a manner of thermal conduction.

[0029] It should be noted that the bottom of the aerosol generating article is an end of the aerosol generating article that is far away from the functional segment in a longitudinal direction.

[0030] The heating mode of the heating component includes, but is not limited to, resistance heating, electromagnetic heating, infrared heating, microwave heating, or laser heating. The resistance heating and the electromagnetic heating mainly transfer heat to the substrate through thermal conduction. The Infrared heating, the microwave heating, or the laser heating mainly transfer heat to the substrate in the form of thermal radiation. That is, the heating component can heat the substrate through one or more of conduction, convection, and radiation.

[0031] In some embodiments, the functional segment may be provided with only a filtering segment.

[0032] In other embodiments, the functional segment further comprises a cooling segment located between the filtering segment and the aerosol generating substrate, and the cooling segment is used to cool the aerosol before the filtering segment filters the aerosol. The cooling segment can improve the phenomenon of burning mouth when the user sucks the aerosol.

[0033] Cooling materials used in the cooling segment include, but are not limited to, one or a combination of some of PE (polyethylene), PLA (Polylactic Acid), PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate), PP (Polypropylene), acetate fiber, propylene fiber and the like.

[0034] Filtering materials used in the filtering segment include, but are not limited to, one or a combination of some of PE (polyethylene), PLA (Polylactic Acid), PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate), PP (Polypropylene), acetate fiber, propylene fiber, and the like.

[0035] The material of the cooling segment and the material of the filtering segment may be the same or different.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing an aerosol generating substrate, and the manufacturing method includes the following operations.

[0037] S100: a material mixture is subjected to room temperature extrusion to form an extrusion substrate. The material mixture is a component of the aerosol generating substrate.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 7, the extrusion substrate 100 has the same cross-sectional shape as the aerosol generating substrate. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the extrusion substrate 100 is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating substrate. The extrusion process is used to shape the material mixture without changing the chemical properties of the material mixture.

[0039] It should be noted that the longitudinal direction refers to the extending direction of the aerosol generating substrate. For example, the aerosol generating substrate is achieved by extrusion molding, and the longitudinal direction is the extending direction of the extrusion substrate 100. The cross-sectional shape refers to the shape presented by the extrusion substrate 100 with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction as the cross section.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the material mixture is extruded at room temperature using an extrusion device 1 to form the extrusion substrate 100. The extrusion molding refers to a processing method in which through the interaction between a barrel of the extrusion device 1 and an extrusion screw 13, the material mixture is heated and plasticized, then is pushed towards a discharge port 12b by the extrusion screw 13, to pass through a die opening 14 (as shown in FIG. 6) and form an extrusion substrate 100 having a preset cross-sectional shape and corresponding airways.

[0041] During the extrusion molding process, temperature can affect the fluidity of the material mixture and the smoothness of the outer surface of the extrusion substrate 100. Room temperature extrusion can balance the fluidity of the material mixture during the extrusion process and the smoothness of the outer surface of the extrusion substrate 100.

[0042] By way of example, an extrusion temperature for the room temperature extrusion is comprised between 10 C. and 90 C. For example, the extrusion temperature for the room temperature extrusion is 10 C., 12 C., 15 C., 16 C., 18 C., 20 C., 25 C., 30 C., 40 C., 45 C., 50 C., 70 C., 75 C., 80 C., 85 C., or 90 C. If the temperature during the extrusion process is below 10 C., the fluidity of the material mixture is poor, the production speed is slow, and the efficiency is low. If the temperature during the extrusion process is higher than 90 C., the material mixture flows too fast, and the pressure of the material mixture at the discharge port 12b is too low, which is not conducive to extrusion molding and leads to a decrease in yield. Therefore, the temperature for the room temperature extrusion is comprised between 10 C. and 90 C., and the fluidity of the material mixture during the extrusion process and the smoothness of the outer surface of the extrusion substrate 100 can be balanced.

[0043] It should be noted that, in the field of extrusion, when the extrusion temperature is 90 C. or higher, the extrusion is considered as high temperature extrusion. When the extrusion temperature is below 10 C., the extrusion is considered as low temperature extrusion. The extrusion temperature is the temperature within the extrusion cavity of the extrusion device.

[0044] S200: The extrusion substrate is subjected to hot air drying.

[0045] The extrusion substrate 100 is subjected to hot air drying to reduce liquid content. If the aerosol generating substrate contains an excess amount of liquid, the aerosol generating substrate is not easy to be stored and transported, and is susceptible to deformation under force, and because the moisture is a component with a higher heat capacity, it is also prone to burning mouth during heating of the aerosol generating substrate. Accordingly, the extrusion substrate 100 contains more solvents, such as moisture, and/or other volatile lubricants, there is a need to remove the solvents and/or lubricants to obtain a dry aerosol generating substrate for use or storage.

[0046] Hot air drying refers to drying the extrusion substrate 100 with a hot air flow. The hot air flow may be in contact with the extrusion substrate 100 to transfer heat to the extrusion substrate 100 such that the solvent and/or the lubricant within the extrusion substrate 100 may heat up and become gaseous, thereby reducing the solvent content and/or the lubricant content in the extrusion substrate 100 to achieve the purpose of drying the extrusion substrate 100.

[0047] In the manufacturing method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the material mixture is subjected to the room temperature extrusion, the material mixture has good fluidity, the surface smoothness of the extrusion substrate 100 is good, and the extrusion molding effect is good, thereby ensuring good extrusion efficiency and fast production speed, and improving the yield rate. The hot air drying enables batch drying of the extrusion substrate 100 at a fast drying speed, and the moisture content of the extrusion substrate 100 is reduced by the hot air drying, so as to facilitate storage and use of the aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating substrate obtained by the room temperature extrusion and the hot air drying is a one-piece formed structure. In this way, during use of the aerosol generating substrate, for example, after being heated and sucked or after being stopped being heated, the aerosol generating substrate is an integrated medium, and the problem of disintegration and falling is not easy to occur.

[0048] By way of example, in one embodiment, referring to FIG. 7, the aerosol generating substrate is formed with airways 100a extending through opposite two ends of the aerosol generating substrate in the longitudinal direction. The airflow may flow longitudinally from one end of the aerosol generating substrate to another end of the aerosol generating substrate. In this way, the gas flow formed by the aerosol and carried by the air can flow more smoothly, and the gas flow resistance is smaller, which can significantly reduce the sucking resistance during the sucking process and improve the sucking experience.

[0049] In one embodiment, the airways 100a may be formed inside the aerosol generating substrate or on an outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating substrate.

[0050] In one embodiment, the airway 100a is a linear airway 100a extending along a straight line. The linear airway 100a is easy to mold, and the manufacturing difficulty can be reduced. The flow resistance of the airflow within the linear airway 100a is relatively small.

[0051] In one embodiment, the airway 100a is a curved airway 100a, and at least some of hole segments of the curved airway 100a are curved in shape with non-zero curvature. The curved airway 100a can increase the flow path of the airflow to a large extent without significantly increasing the length of the aerosol generating substrate, and can prolong the contact time of the airflow with the hole wall surface of the curved airway 100a, thereby improving the aerosol extraction rate.

[0052] In one embodiment, the curved airway 100a is a spiral line in shape. That is, the three-dimensional shape of the curved airway 100a is a spatial spiral line shape. For example, in the extrusion process, the spiral curved airway may be formed by rotating the die opening 14. A line connecting an arbitrary point of the spiral curved airway 100a to the starting point has an inclination angle with respect to the axis thereof. The spiral curved airway 100a can greatly prolong the flow path of the airflow, and can, in the case where the aerosol precipitates from the aerosol generating substrate into the curved airway 100a, increase the flow speed of the aerosol in the aerosol generating substrate, thereby improving the impact force of the airflow, allowing the aerosol to be uniformly mixed, improving the uniformity of the aerosol, and improving the smoking feeling of the user.

[0053] It should be understood that the extrusion substrate 100 has the same cross-sectional shape as the aerosol generating substrate, and the extrusion substrate 100 is a semi-finished product of the aerosol generating substrate. In the case of the aerosol generating substrate having airways 100a, the extrusion substrate 100 also has the same airways 100a.

[0054] The cross-sectional shape of the airway 100a located inside the aerosol generating substrate is not limited, for example, the cross-sectional shape may be a circular shape, a polygonal shape (including but not limited to triangle, square, rhombus, etc.), an elliptical shape, a running track shape, or a special shape, herein the special shape refers to other symmetrical or non-symmetrical shapes other than the shapes listed above.

[0055] The cross-sectional shape of the airway 100a located on the outer circumferential surface of the aerosol generating substrate may be a semicircular shape, a semi-elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, or a special shape, herein the special shape refers to other symmetrical or asymmetrical shapes other than the shapes listed above.

[0056] The airway 100a is not limited in number, and there is one airway or there are a plurality of airways 100a. The term a plurality of refers to the number including two or more.

[0057] It should be noted that micropores exist inside the aerosol generating substrate, for example, for the aerosol generating substrate of the particle combination, gaps between the particles constitute micropores. However, the airway 100a described herein is different from the micropore. The airway 100a described herein is a hole in a macroscopic sense, the micropore is a pore in a microscopic sense, and the dimensions such as a cross-sectional area and a length of the airway 100a are much larger than that of the micropore. Since the airway 100a is mainly processed by, a designed mold, for example, the die opening, dimensions such as the cross-sectional area and length of the airway 100a can be changed according to the design requirements, and the dimension of the micropore is determined by the gap between the particles. For example, if the material mixture is granular materials, the extrusion substrate formed by extrusion molding from the material mixture has micropores, and dimensions such as the cross-sectional areas and lengths of the micropores are naturally formed through extrusion process and raw material components. After the material mixture is added to the extrusion chamber and flows out of the mouth of the die, it expands to form micropores.

[0058] In one embodiment, the operation that the material mixture is subjected to the room temperature extrusion through the extrusion device to form the extrusion substrate, comprises the following operation.

[0059] S110: a plurality of raw materials are mixed into the material mixture.

[0060] S120: the material mixture is added into the extrusion device.

[0061] In this embodiment, a plurality of raw materials such as plant raw materials, auxiliary raw materials and smoking agent raw materials are mixed in advance to form slurry, and then the slurry is added into the extrusion device 1 for extrusion molding. That is, a slurry feeding mode is adopted, and the advantage of the slurry feeding mode is that the mixed materials have good consistency, and the uniformity and stability of the product can be ensured.

[0062] In one embodiment, the operation that the material mixture is subjected to the room temperature extrusion through the extrusion device 1 to form the extrusion substrate 100, comprises the following operation

[0063] S130: A plurality of raw materials are respectively added into a plurality of feed ports of the extrusion device to form the material mixture in the extrusion device.

[0064] In this embodiment, a plurality of raw materials such as plant raw materials, auxiliary raw materials, and smoking agent raw materials are fed into the extrusion device 1 in modules, and the raw materials are mixed in the extrusion device 1. That is, the modular feeding mode is adopted.

[0065] By way of example, one of the plurality of feed ports 12c is a solid material feed port 12c for adding solid material, and one of the plurality of feed ports 12c is a liquid material feed port 12c for adding liquid material, the liquid material feed port 12c being located downstream of the solid material feed port 12c in the flow direction of the raw material. When feeding, the solid material is first added through the solid material feed port 12c, and the liquid material is added when the solid material reaches the liquid material feed port 12c. In addition, the feeding amount and the feeding speed can also be determined according to the production speed of the apparatus and the proportion of raw material formula. The advantage of this modular feeding mode is that the cost of raw material pretreatment can be reduced, the continuity of the production process can be ensured, and the production efficiency of the product can be improved.

[0066] In some embodiments, the extrusion device 1 comprises a feed screw 11 rotatably disposed in the feed port. The feed screw 11 can further homogenize the raw materials, and can better ensure continuous and stable feeding of the raw materials.

[0067] In one embodiment, the material mixture comprises, in parts by weight, 30 to 90 parts of plant raw materials, 1 to 15 parts of auxiliary raw materials, 5 to 30 parts of smoking agent raw materials, 1 to 10 parts of binder raw materials, and 1 to 15 parts of perfume raw materials. Specifically, the total weight parts of the plant raw materials, the auxiliary raw materials, the smoking agent raw materials, the binder raw materials, and the perfume raw materials are 100 parts.

[0068] The plant raw material is used to generate aerosols when being heated. The auxiliary raw material is used to provide skeleton support for the plant material. The smoking agent raw material is used to produce a large amount of smoke when being heated. The binder raw material is used to bind the component material. The perfume raw material provides a characteristic aroma. In this way, the plant raw material and the smoking agent raw material can ensure the amount of aerosol generated, while the perfume raw material can improve the release of aroma during sucking to improve user experience. The auxiliary raw material can not only improve the fluidity of the material mixture, but also make the aerosol generating substrate have a porous structure, so as to facilitate the extraction and flow of the aerosol. The binder raw material ensures that the plant raw material powder and the auxiliary agent form a stable mixture, to avoid a loose structure.

[0069] In one embodiment, the plant raw materials are powders formed after crushing of one or a combination of some of tobacco leaf raw materials, tobacco leaf fragments, tobacco stalks, tobacco powders, flavored plants and the like. Plant raw materials are the core source of fragrance, and endogenous substances in plant raw materials can give users physiological satisfaction. Endogenous substances such as alkaloids enter the human blood and promote the pituitary gland to produce dopamine, thus obtaining physiological satisfaction.

[0070] In one embodiment, the auxiliary raw material may be one or a combination of some of an inorganic filler, a lubricant, and an emulsifier. The inorganic filler includes one of or a combination of some of heavy calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, zeolite, attapulgite, talc, and diatomaceous earth. The inorganic filler can provide skeleton support for the plant raw material, and the inorganic filler also have micropores, which can improve the porosity of the aerosol generating substrate, thereby increasing the release rate of the aerosol.

[0071] The lubricant may include one of or a combination of some of candelilla wax, carnauba wax, shellac, sunflower wax, rice bran, beeswax, stearic acid, and palmitic acid. The lubricant can increase the fluidity of the plant raw material powder, reduce the friction between the plant raw material powders, make the overall density of the plant raw material powder distribution more uniform, reduce the pressure required in the extrusion molding process, and reduce the wear of the die opening 14.

[0072] The emulsifier may include one of or a combination of some of polyglycerol fatty acid esters, Tween-80, and polyvinyl alcohol. To a certain extent, the emulsifier can slow down the loss of aroma substances during storage, increase the stability of aroma substances and improve the sensory quality of products.

[0073] In one embodiment, the smoking agent raw material may comprise: one of or a combination of some of a monohydric alcohol (such as menthol); polyols (such as propylene glycol, glycerol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and tetraethylene glycol); esters of polyols (such as glyceryl triacetate, triethyl citrate, glyceryl diacetate mixture, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, glycerin tributyrate); monocarboxylic acids; dicarboxylic acids; polycarboxylic acids (such as lauric acid, myristic acid) or aliphatic esters of polycarboxylic acids (such as dimethyl dodecanedioate, dimethyl tetradecanedioate, erythritol, 1,3-butanediol, tetraethylene glycol, triethyl citrate, propylene carbonate, ethyl laurate, Triactin, meso-erythritol, glyceryl diacetate mixture, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, ethyl vanilate, glyceryl tributyrate, lauryl acetate).

[0074] In one embodiment, the binder raw material is in close contact with the component raw material by interface wetting to generate an intermolecular attraction force, thereby playing a role of binding the component raw material such as a powder, a liquid, or the like. The binder raw material may be non-ionized modified viscous polysaccharides extracted from natural plants, including one of or a combination of some of tamarind polysaccharides, guar gum, and modified cellulose (such as carboxymethyl cellulose). The binder is used to bind the particles together, thereby making them not easy to loosen. In addition, this improves the water resistance of the aerosol generating substrate and is harmless to the human body.

[0075] In one embodiment, the perfume raw material is used to provide a characteristic aroma, such as a dry hay aroma, a roasted sweet aroma, or solid or liquid substances of nicotine. The perfume raw material may include one of or a combination of some of tobacco, aroma plant extracts, extractums, essential oils, and neat oils. The perfume raw material may include a monomeric aroma substance, for example, one of or a combination of some of megastigmatrienone, neophytadiene, geraniol, and nerole.

[0076] In one embodiment, the extrusion temperature for the room temperature extrusion is comprised between 35 C. and 70 C. For example, the extrusion temperature for the room temperature extrusion is 35 C., 36 C., 37 C., 40 C., 45 C., 50 C., 55 C., 60 C., 65 C., 68 C., or 70 C. During the room temperature extrusion, the higher the extrusion temperature, the greater the energy consumption, while a lower extrusion temperature can affect extrusion efficiency. The extrusion temperature for the room temperature extrusion comprised between 35 C. and 70 C. can balance the energy consumption and the extrusion efficiency.

[0077] In one embodiment, the extrusion pressure for the room temperature extrusion is comprised between 0.5 bar and 300 bar. By way of example, the extrusion pressure for the room temperature extrusion is 0.5 bar, 35 bar, 40 bar, 45 bar, 50 bar, 55 bar, 60 bar, 65 bar, 70 bar, 75 bar, 80 bar, 85 bar, 90 bar, 95 bar, 100 bar, 150 bar, 200 bar, 250 bar, 280 bar or 300 bar. The extrusion pressure can affect the shape, surface smoothness, yield, and production rate of the extrusion substrate 100. When the extrusion pressure is less than 0.5 bar, the molding rate of the extrusion substrate 100 is low, the defect rate increases, which in turn slows down the production rate and increases production costs. When the extrusion pressure is greater than 300 bar, the transmission structure of extrusion device 1 has a high load (i.e., high torque is required), resulting in a reduced service life of extrusion device 1.

[0078] It should be noted that the extrusion pressure refers to the pressure at the discharge port (such as at the adapter or the die opening) of the extrusion device.

[0079] In one embodiment, the extrusion pressure for the room temperature extrusion is comprised between 20 bar and 80 bar. By way of example, the extrusion pressure for the room temperature extrusion is 20 bar, 22 bar, 25 bar, 30 bar, 36 bar, 39 bar, 44 bar, 52 bar, 60 bar, 64 bar, 68 bar, 71 bar, 75 bar, 78 bar or 80 bar. When the extrusion pressure is less than 20 bar, the improvement in molding rate is not significant. When the extrusion pressure is greater than 80 bar, the energy consumption of the extrusion device 1 increases significantly, while the molding rate does not change much. Therefore, the extrusion pressure for the room temperature extrusion is comprised between 1 bar and 30 bar, which can balance molding rate and energy consumption.

[0080] By way of example, in one embodiment, the temperature for hot air drying is comprised between 50 C. and 200 C. For example, the temperature for hot air drying is 50 C., 60 C., 63 C., 65 C., 70 C., 72 C., 74 C., 85 C., 90 C., 95 C., 100 C., 128 C., 130 C., 135 C., 140 C., 145 C., 150 C., 160 C., 170 C., 180 C., 190 C. or 200 C. When the temperature for hot air drying is less than 50 C., the drying time is long, the production efficiency is low, the hot air drying device 2 occupies a large area, and the equipment cost is high. When the temperature for hot air drying is greater than 200 C., the moisture on the surface of the extrusion substrate 100 evaporates rapidly, while the moisture inside the extrusion substrate 100 evaporates slowly, resulting in rapid shrinkage of the outer surface of the extrusion substrate 100, which is not conducive to the uniformity and stability of the morphology and components of the extrusion substrate 100. Further, the aroma components and active substances such as plant alkaloids and/or smoking agents in the material mixture are easily lost by heat, so that the manufacturing cost is high, the quality of the finished aerosol generating substrate is reduced, and the user experience is reduced.

[0081] By way of example, in one embodiment, the temperature for hot air drying is comprised between 75 C. and 125 C. For example, the temperature for hot air drying is 75 C., 76 C., 80 C., 81 C., 82 C., 83 C., 86 C., 91 C., 94 C., 96 C., 98 C., 99 C., 101 C., 105 C., 106 C., 110 C., 120 C., or 125 C. When the hot air drying adopts the above temperatures, the extrusion substrate 100 can be dried slowly at low temperature. Under the condition of ensuring high drying efficiency, the evaporation speed of the liquid inside the extrusion substrate 100 tends to be consistent with the evaporation speed of the liquid on the outer surface of the extrusion substrate 100, thus reducing the probability that the morphology of the extrusion substrate 100 changes with the hot air drying, and the aroma components and effective substances such as plant alkaloids and/or smoking agents in the material mixture are not easily lost by heat, so that the aroma components and effective substances can be retained as much as possible to ensure the quality of the finished aerosol generating substrate.

[0082] In one embodiment, the moisture content of the extrusion substrate 100 after being dried is comprised between 3% and 20%. Preferably, the moisture content of the extrusion substrate 100 after being dried is comprised between 4% and 13%. By way of example, the moisture content of the extrusion substrate 100 after being dried is 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 11%, 13%, 15%, 16%, 18%, or 20%. When the moisture content of the extrusion substrate 100 after being dried is less than 3%, not only the dried extrusion substrate 100 is fragile in the subsequent production and processing, resulting in a high subsequent production defect rate of the dried extrusion substrate 100, thereby increasing the production cost; but also during the heating and sucking process, more offensive odor is generated from the aerosol generating substrate, which affects the sucking experience. When the moisture content of the dried extrusion substrate 100 is greater than 20%, the moisture content of the aerosol in the dried extrusion substrate 100 is high during the heating and sucking process, and the phenomenon of burning mouth is easy to occur during the sucking process, thus reducing the sucking experience.

[0083] In one embodiment, the extrusion substrate 100 has airways 100a through opposite two ends thereof in the longitudinal direction, and the flow direction of the hot air is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the extrusion substrate 100 during the hot air drying process. The hot air can not only contact the outer circumferential surface of the extrusion substrate 100, but also enter the airways 100a, so that the contact area between the hot air and the extrusion substrate 100 can be increased, to improve the drying efficiency.

[0084] In one embodiment, after the material mixture is subjected to the room temperature extrusion to form the extrusion substrate, the manufacturing method comprises the following operation.

[0085] S300: The extrusion substrate is slit.

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the extrusion substrate 100 may be slit by a slitting device 6 such that the extrusion substrate 100 reaches a set length. The extrusion substrate 100 can be cut into multiple media segments, so that each of the media segments have a set length. In this way, the media segments can be adapted to a subsequent hot air drying device 2, thereby reducing the requirements for the subsequent device.

[0087] It is understood that the specific numerical value of the set length is not limited, and the set length can be set according to the condition of the aerosol generating substrate or according to the apparatus condition of the manufacturing system.

[0088] In some embodiments, the extrusion substrate 100 subjected to the room temperature extrusion is of a continuous structure. That is, during the extrusion process, the extrusion substrate 100 is continuously extruded such that the extrusion substrate 100 has a continuous structure. Continuous extrusion allows improved extrusion efficiency, followed by slitting the extrusion substrate 100 into multiple media segments to shorten the substrate.

[0089] In some embodiments, the extrusion substrate 100 is in a segmented configuration of a preset length. That is, during the extrusion process, when the extrusion substrate 100 reaches the preset length, it will naturally disconnect. For example, when the extrusion substrate 100 reaches the preset length, it leaves the die opening 14 due to itself reaching a critical value. In this way, the preset length of the extrusion substrate 100 may be the length of the aerosol generating substrate. The extrusion substrate 100 may also not be slit, so that the slitting device 6 can be omitted and the equipment cost can be reduced.

[0090] It should be understood that the preset length may be greater than, less than or equal to the set length.

[0091] It should be noted that, in some embodiments, S300 may be performed before S200, that is, the extrusion substrate 100 may be slit before hot air drying the extrusion substrate 100. In some embodiments, S300 may be performed after S200, that is, the extrusion substrate 100 may be slit after hot air drying the extrusion substrate 100.

[0092] By way of example, in one embodiment, the manufacturing method includes: S500 of shape correction of the extrusion substrate. The shape correction refers to a circumference correction and/or a straightness correction of the extrusion substrate 100 by a jig. The straightness refers to the degree of bending in the longitudinal direction of the extrusion substrate 100.

[0093] Since the texture of the extrusion substrate 100 extruded by room temperature extrusion molding is generally relatively soft, the circumference of the extrusion substrate 100 may be deformed and/or the extrusion substrate 100 may be bent in the longitudinal direction, during the manufacturing of the extrusion substrate 100, for example, during the slitting of the extrusion substrate 100 by the slitting device 6. Thus, the circumference and/or straightness of the extrusion substrate 100 may be corrected by the jig.

[0094] It is noted that, S500 may be performed in any case where shape correction is desired after S100, and S500 may be performed one or more times during the entire manufacturing process of the aerosol generating substrate. For example, S500 may be performed before and/or after S300. As another example, S500 may be performed before S200.

[0095] In one embodiment, before subjecting the extrusion substrate to hot air drying, the manufacturing method comprises the following operation.

[0096] S400: The extrusion substrate is hardened.

[0097] Since the material mixture is a solid-liquid mixture, the hardness of the extrusion substrate 100 after room temperature extrusion is low, which makes the extrusion substrate 100 after room temperature extrusion easily deformed, and thus it is difficult to maintain the morphology of the extrusion substrate 100. In order to improve the stability of the morphology of the extrusion substrate 100 and facilitate the subsequent production process, the extrusion substrate 100 is hardened to improve its hardness.

[0098] In some embodiments, the hardness of the extrusion substrate 100 before hardening is comprised between 0 HB and 100 HB (including 0 HB and 100 HB), which makes the extrusion substrate 100 before hardening soft and easily deformable.

[0099] In one embodiment, the hardness of the hardened extrusion substrate 100 is comprised between 1 HB and 200 HB. Preferably, the hardness of the hardened extrusion substrate 100 is comprised between 40 HB and 120 HB. By way of example, the hardness of the hardened extrusion substrate 100 is 1 HB, 10 HB, 20 HB, 30 HB, 40 HB, 50 HB, 55 HB, 60 HB, 70 HB, 80 HB, 85 HB, 90 HB, 95 HB, 100 HB, 110 HB, 120 HB, 130 HB, 140 HB, 150 HB, 160 HB, 170 HB, 180 HB, 190 HB, or 200 HB. In this hardness range, the morphology of the hardened extrusion substrate 100 can be well maintained, to prevent the outer surface of the hardened extrusion substrate 100 from adhering to other structures. The hardened extrusion substrate 100 can be easily slit, and the slit extrusion substrate 100 is less likely to be deformed, and the end face formed by slitting is neat and complete.

[0100] More preferably, the hardness of the extrusion substrate 100 before cooling and hardening may be from 1 HB to 60 HB (including 1 HB and 60 HB). The hardness of the extrusion substrate 100 after cooling and hardening may be from 40 HB to 120 HB (including 40 HB and 120 HB), and the hardness of the extrusion substrate 100 after hot air drying may be from 40 HB to 300 HB (including 40 HB and 300 HB). Preferably, the hardness of the extrusion substrate 100 after hot air drying may be from 80 HB to 250 HB (including 80 HB and 250 HB).

[0101] It is noted that HB is Brinell hardness.

[0102] In one embodiment, hardening the extrusion substrate includes the following operation.

[0103] The extrusion substrate is hardened by cooling.

[0104] Specifically, the extrusion substrate 100 is placed at a cooling ambient temperature for cooling and hardening, the cooling ambient temperature being lower than the hardening temperature of the extrusion substrate 100.

[0105] By way of example, the hardening temperature of the extrusion substrate 100 is from 100 C. to 60 C. (including 100 C. and 60 C.), and preferably the hardening temperature of the extrusion substrate 100 may be from 30 C. to 40 C. (including 30 C. and 40 C.).

[0106] The cooling ambient temperature is comprised between 270 C. and 60 C. (including 270 C. and 60 C.). Preferably, the cooling ambient temperature is comprised between 100 C. and 40 C. (including 100 C. and 40 C.).

[0107] In one embodiment, the temperature of the extrusion substrate 100 before hardening is comprised between 0 C. and 40 C., and the temperature of the extrusion substrate 100 after hardening is comprised between 50 C. and 5 C. By way of example, the temperature of the extrusion substrate 100 after hardening is 50 C., 45 C., 40 C., 39 C., 35 C., 30 C., 25 C., 20 C., 15 C., 10 C., 5 C., 0 C., 1 C., 3 C., or 5 C.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the extrusion substrate 1000 is extruded in a horizontal direction. For example, the discharge port 12b is arranged in the horizontal direction, and the die opening 14 may be provided in the horizontal direction. By way of example, for an extrusion substrate 100 having curved, e.g., spiral, airways 100a, the extrusion substrate 100 is extruded in the horizontal direction and then can, by rotating the die opening, directly enter the next device. The horizontal extrusion can reduce the direct release of the stress generated by the extrusion substrate 100 after rotating (the generated stress can be eliminated by heating), thereby improving the yield of the aerosol generating substrate having the spiral airways 100a.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the extrusion substrate 100 is extruded in a vertical direction relative to the horizontal direction. For example, the discharge port 12b faces downward, the extrusion direction is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and the die opening 14 may be disposed in the vertical direction. That is, the extrusion substrate 100 is extruded in the direction of gravity. By way of example, for the extrusion substrate 100 having the linear airways 100a, the extrusion substrate 100 is extruded in the vertical direction, which can improve the yield, reduce the input cost of the extrusion device 1, and further reduce the occupied area of the extrusion device 1.

[0110] In one embodiment, the extrusion substrate 100 is extruded in an inclined direction relative to the horizontal direction. The inclined direction means that an angle between the extrusion direction of the extrusion substrate 100 and the horizontal plane is greater than 0 and less than 90. The inclined extrusion not only reduces the extrusion pressure of the material mixture, but also facilitates the space design of other devices, such as the hot air drying device 2.

[0111] The manufacturing method of the present disclosure is shown below by way of several specific embodiments, and is specifically described as follows.

[0112] In a first embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate is obtained by S100, S400, S300, and S200 in order. In this embodiment, extrusion molding is achieved by S100, and the extrusion substrate 100 is hardened by S400, the hardness of the extrusion substrate 100 can be increased by hardening so as to perform slitting by S300, and finally the moisture content of the extrusion substrate 100 is reduced by S200 to obtain a finished aerosol generating substrate.

[0113] In a second embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate is obtained by S100, S300, and S200 in order. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment lies in that the hardening step is removed, that is, the extrusion substrate 100 extruded from the extrusion device 1 can be directly slit. In the case where the length of the aerosol generating substrate is short, the hardening step can be omitted if the slight deformation caused by the slitting has no effect on subsequent production.

[0114] In a third embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate is obtained by S100, S200, and S300 in order. The difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment lies in that the sequence of the hot air drying step and the slitting step is exchanged. In this embodiment, the extrusion substrate 100 extruded from the extrusion device 1 is first subjected to hot air drying and then is slit. The extrusion substrate 100 may undergo volume shrinkage after hot air drying, and the consistency of longitudinal dimensions of aerosol generating substrates after slitting can be improved by hot air drying first and then slitting.

[0115] In a fourth embodiment, the aerosol generating substrate is obtained by S100 and S200 in order. The difference between fourth embodiment and the first embodiment lies in that the hardening step and the slitting step are removed, that is, the extrusion substrate 100 is subjected to hot air drying to obtain a finished aerosol generating substrate. By way of example, the extrusion substrate 100 is extruded in a vertical direction, and when the extrusion substrate 100 reaches a preset length (for example, the extrusion substrate 100 reaches a critical value), the extrusion substrate 100 will naturally detach (disconnect). The preset length of the extrusion substrate 100 is the length required for the aerosol generating substrate. In this way, the hardening step and the slitting step can be eliminated, thereby reducing the subsequent processing process and reducing the production cost.

[0116] In one embodiment, the manufacturing method includes the following operation.

[0117] A wrapping layer is wrapped around an outer surface of the aerosol generating substrate by a wrapping device.

[0118] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the aerosol generating substrate enters the wrapping device 7, which wraps the wrapping layer around the outer surface of the aerosol generating substrate.

[0119] The wrapping layer includes, but is not limited to, one of or a combination of some of fiber paper, metal foil, metal foil composite fiber paper, polyethylene composite fiber paper, PE (Polyethylene), and PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate).

[0120] In some embodiments, after the wrapping layer is wrapped around the outer surface of the aerosol generating substrate, the aerosol generating substrate may be combined with the functional segment, to form an aerosol generating article.

[0121] In other embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate may first be combined with the functional segment, and then a wrapping layer is wrapped around an outer surface of each of the aerosol generating substrate and the functional segment, to form an aerosol generating article.

[0122] In still other embodiments, a wrapping layer can be first wrapped around the outer surface of the aerosol generating substrate, then the aerosol generating substrate is combined with the functional segment and a wrapping layer is further applied, to form an aerosol generating article. That is, the outer surface of the aerosol generating substrate may be wrapped with multiple wrapping layers.

[0123] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a system for manufacturing an aerosol generating substrate. The manufacturing system includes an extrusion device 1 and a hot air drying device 2.

[0124] The extrusion device 1 is configured for subjecting a material mixture to room temperature extrusion to form an extrusion substrate 100.

[0125] The hot air drying device 2 is configured for subjecting the extrusion substrate 100 to hot air drying.

[0126] In the manufacturing system provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, if the extrusion temperature is too low, the fluidity of the material mixture will be poor, the production speed and efficiency of extrusion device 1 will be slow, and the torque required by extrusion device 1 at this temperature will be high, which will affect the service life of the equipment. If the extrusion temperature is too high, the energy consumption of extrusion device 1 will be high, resulting in an increase in production costs. In the case of hot air drying, the shrinkage rate of the extrusion substrate 100 is small, the drying time is short, and the continuous production can be facilitated. The combination of the room temperature extrusion and the hot air drying results in low equipment cost investment and continuous production, with high production efficiency and low manufacturing cost; the extrusion substrate 100 is uniform and stable, and has high processability.

[0127] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hot air drying device 2 includes a casing 21, a fan 22 and a heating element 23. The casing 21 has a drying chamber 21a. The fan 22 is configured for driving air flow in the drying chamber 21a to flow. The heating element 23 is provided in the drying chamber 21a and is configured for heating the air flow in the drying chamber 21a. In this way, the heating element 23 generates heat to heat the air flow in the drying chamber 21a.

[0128] In some embodiments, there are at least two heating elements, the at least two heating elements are spaced apart in the up-down direction and the extrusion substrate is conveyed between the at least two heating elements. In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there are two heating elements 23, the two heating elements 23 are spaced apart in the up-down direction, and the extrusion substrate 100 is conveyed between the two heating elements 23. In this way, the two heating elements 23 simultaneously bake the extrusion substrate 100 from above and below, so that the extrusion substrate 100 can be heated evenly, the morphological stability of the extrusion substrate 100 can be improved, the dewatering efficiency can be improved, and the load of a single heating element 23 can be reduced. In other embodiments, the number of heating elements can be two or more, and the number of heating devices can be flexibly set according to the transmission length direction of the hot air drying device 2 and the length of the heating device.

[0129] In some embodiments, only one heating element 23 may be provided. When the heating efficiency of the heating element 23 is high, a good drying effect can be achieved.

[0130] The structural shape of the heating element 23 is not limited, and by way of example, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the heating element 23 has a plate-like structure. The heating element 23 may be in the form of a flat plate or a curved plate. The heating element 23 having a plate-like structure may be arranged in the horizontal direction. That is, the thickness direction of the heating element 23 having the plate-like structure is perpendicular to the horizontal direction.

[0131] The heating element 23 includes but is not limited to resistive heating.

[0132] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the hot air drying device 2 comprises a conveyor belt 25, a surface of the conveyor belt 25 facing the extrusion substrate 100 is formed with a plurality of grooves 25a arranged at intervals along a conveying direction of the conveyor belt 25, each groove 25a is configured for receiving one corresponding extrusion substrate 100, at least a portion of the extrusion substrate 100 is positioned within the groove 25a. By way of example, the plurality of grooves 25a are arranged at intervals along a conveying direction of the conveyor belt 25, and a length direction of the groove 25a intersects the conveying direction. Both ends in the length direction of the groove 25a run through both ends in a width direction of the conveyor belt 25. On the one hand, a wall surface of the groove 25a may restrict movement of the extrusion substrate 100 to avoid displacement of the extrusion substrate 100 during conveyance. On the other hand, each of the grooves 25a is configured for receiving one extrusion substrate 100, and the grooves 25a can prevent a plurality of extrusion substrates 100 from contacting and adhering. In other embodiments, after slitting the extrusion substrate 100, multiple extrusion substrates 100 can be placed in each groove 25a, end faces of the extrusion substrates 100 are spaced apart, and the extrusion substrates 100 in adjacent grooves 25a can be prevented from adhering to each other. Preferably, one extrusion substrate can be placed in one groove 25a.

[0133] In one embodiment, the groove 25a is formed with a placement opening. The extrusion substrate 100 is placed into the groove 25a through the placement opening.

[0134] By way of example, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 25a is not limited, and the cross-sectional shape of the groove 25a may be semi-circular, semi-elliptical, or the like.

[0135] In some embodiments, the hot air drying device 2 may also include a clamp configured for clamping the extrusion substrate 100 to secure the extrusion substrate 100 on the conveyor belt 25. The clamp restricts movement of the extrusion substrate 100 relative to the conveyor belt 25. By way of example, the clamp is formed with a clamping groove for receiving the extrusion substrate 100.

[0136] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the casing 21 is formed with a conveying inlet 21b and a conveying outlet 21c both communicating with the drying chamber 21a, and at least a portion of the conveyor belt 25 is provided in the drying chamber 21a. The conveyor belt 25 is configured to convey the extrusion substrate 100 from the conveying inlet 21b to the conveying outlet 21c. By way of example, the portion of conveyor belt 25 located inside the casing 21 is positioned between two heating elements 23. The extrusion substrate 100 is placed onto the conveyor belt 25 through the conveying inlet 21b and is conveyed by the conveyor belt 25 to the conveying outlet 21c. The conveyance of the extrusion substrate 100 can be achieved by the conveyor belt 25.

[0137] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 4, the extrusion substrate 100 has airways 100a extending through opposite two ends of the extrusion substrate 100 in the longitudinal direction, the hot air drying device 2 includes a flow guide channel 24 for guiding the hot air, and an air outlet 24a of the flow guide channel 24 is located on a side of the extrusion substrate 100 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the air outlet 24a of the flow guide channel 24 faces openings of the airways 100a of the extrusion substrate 100. In this way, the air flow blown from the air outlet 24a of the flow guide channel 24 can enter the airways 100a through the openings of the airways 100a. For example, in the hot air drying process, the flow direction of the hot air is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the extrusion substrate 100. Thus, the contact area between the hot air and the extrusion substrate 100 can be increased, and the drying efficiency can be improved.

[0138] By way of example, in one embodiment, referring to FIG. 4, the outlet of the fan 22 is connected to the air inlet 24b of the flow guide channel 24 so that the air flow from the fan 22 can flow out of the air outlet 24a of the flow guide channel 24. The heating element 23 may be provided in the flow guide channel 24, or the heating element 23 may be provided in an enclosure of the fan 22.

[0139] It is to be understood that an air blowing direction of the air outlet 24a of the flow guide channel 24 may be inclined at a certain angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the extrusion substrate 100, so that the inner and outer surfaces of the extrusion substrate 100 can be heated at the same time, which can improve the drying efficiency.

[0140] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the manufacturing system comprises a microwave auxiliary device 3 located at least partially within the drying chamber 21a, and the microwave auxiliary device 3 dries the extrusion substrate 100 by emitting microwave radiation. Microwave radiation drying means that the polar molecules inside the extrusion substrate 100 are violently vibrated by microwaves to generate heat to promote the volatilization of moisture in the extrusion substrate 100, which can reduce the hot air drying temperature, reduce the drying time, and improve the retention rate of aroma components and effective substances in the aerosol generating substrate.

[0141] By way of example, in some embodiments, microwave irradiation drying may be employed prior to or simultaneously with hot air drying.

[0142] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the manufacturing system comprises an ultrasonic auxiliary device 4 located at least partially within the drying chamber 21a, and the ultrasonic auxiliary device 4 dries the extrusion substrate 100 by emitting ultrasonic radiation. Ultrasonic radiation drying means that the moisture inside the extrusion substrate 100 generates cavitation effect by ultrasonic waves, to reduce the moisture volatilization temperature, and promote moisture volatilization, thereby reducing the hot air drying temperature, reducing the drying time, and improving the retention rate of aroma components and effective substances in the aerosol generating substrate.

[0143] By way of example, in some embodiments, ultrasonic irradiation drying may be performed prior to or simultaneously with hot air drying.

[0144] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a microwave auxiliary device 3 may be provided above or below any heating element 23. In this way, the microwave auxiliary device 3 emits a wider range of microwaves, such as electromagnetic waves, so that the extrusion substrate 100 can be heated more uniformly.

[0145] In one embodiment, microwave auxiliary devices 3 may be provided on both sides of the conveyor belt 25 in the width direction thereof. In this way, the microwave auxiliary device 3 emits microwaves such as electromagnetic waves with less energy loss, so that the overall heating rate can be increased.

[0146] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an ultrasonic auxiliary device 4 may be disposed above or below any heating element 23. In this way, the ultrasonic auxiliary device 4 emits a wider range of ultrasonic waves, so that the extrusion substrate 100 can be heated more uniformly.

[0147] In one embodiment, ultrasonic auxiliary devices 4 may be provided on both sides of the conveyor belt 25 in the width direction thereof. In this way, the ultrasonic auxiliary device 4 emits ultrasonic waves with less energy loss, so that the overall heating rate can be improved.

[0148] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7, the extrusion device 1 includes an extrusion cylinder 12, an extrusion screw 12, and a die opening 14. The extrusion cylinder 12 includes an extrusion cavity 12a for accommodating a material mixture and a discharge port 12b communicating with the extrusion cavity 12a. The extrusion screw 13 is rotatably disposed within the extrusion cavity 12a. The die opening 14 is provided at the discharge port 12b, and the extrusion screw 13 pushes the material mixture out of the die opening 14 to form the extrusion substrate 100. The extrusion screw 13 is configured to push the material mixture toward the discharge port 12b. By way of example, during rotation of the extrusion screw 13, the material mixture can flow along a threaded channel in the circumferential surface of the extrusion screw 13 toward the discharge port 12b. The die opening 14 is configured for forming an extrusion substrate 100 having a set cross-sectional shape.

[0149] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 8, the extrusion device 1 includes a die base 15, and the die opening 14 is disposed on the die base 15. The die base 15 provides a mounting position for the die opening 14.

[0150] In one embodiment, the die base 15 is connected to the discharge port 12b. In this way, the material mixture is extruded through the die opening 14. The die base 15 can collect the material mixture from the discharge port 12b

[0151] In one embodiment, one die opening 13 is provided on a single die base 15. That is to say, a single-base single-opening is adopted. In this way, the size of the extrusion screw 13 may be small.

[0152] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of die openings 14 are provided on a single die base 15. That is, a single-base multi-opening is adopted. After the material mixture passes through the plurality of die openings 14, a plurality of extrusion substrates 100 are simultaneously formed. Thus, the production efficiency can be improved and mass production can be achieved.

[0153] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 9, there are a plurality of die bases 15, the extrusion device 1 includes an adapter 16, the plurality of die bases 15 are provided on the adapter 16, and the adapter 16 is connected to the discharge port 12b. That is to say, multi-base multi-opening is adopted. The multi-base multi-opening allows for installation of more die openings 14 than the single-base multi-opening, thereby forming more extrusion substrates 100 at the same time. In this way, the production efficiency can be improved, and this is more suitable for mass production.

[0154] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 10, the manufacturing system comprises a hardening device 5 for hardening the extrusion substrate 100. The hardening device 5 is configured for hardening the extrusion substrate 100 to improve its hardness. The hardening device 5 is located downstream of the extrusion device 1 along the flow direction of the extrusion substrate 100.

[0155] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 10, the hardening device 5 includes a housing 51. The housing 51 is formed with an inlet 51a, a cold chamber 51b and an outlet 51c. The inlet 51a and the outlet 51c each communicate with the cold chamber 51b. The cold chamber 51b is configured to cool and harden the extrusion substrate 100. The extrusion substrate 100 enters the cold chamber 51 through the inlet 51b, and after cooling and hardening in the cold chamber 51b, it flows out of the housing 51 through the outlet 51c.

[0156] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 10, the housing 51 is formed with an injection opening 51d that communicates with the cold chamber 51b to inject a refrigerant into the cold chamber 51b. The refrigerant in the cold chamber 51b can contact the extrusion substrate 100 to absorb the heat of the extrusion substrate 100, thereby cooling and hardening the extrusion substrate 100. In this way, the outer surface of the extrusion substrate 100 can be rapidly cooled and hardened, so that the stability of the morphology of the extrusion substrate 100 can be maintained, continuous production can be facilitated, and production efficiency can be improved.

[0157] The refrigerant may be liquid, gaseous, or solid. By way of example, the refrigerant includes, but is not limited to, liquid nitrogen, liquid air, and the like.

[0158] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 10, the injection opening 51d may be formed on an upper surface of the housing 51. In this way, the refrigerant can enter the cold chamber 51b from top to bottom to contact the extrusion substrate 100 located on the conveyor belt 52.

[0159] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 10, the hardening device 5 includes a conveyor belt 52, at least a portion of conveyor belt 52 is located inside the cold chamber 11b. The conveyor belt 52 is configured to transport the extrusion substrate 100 from the inlet 51 to the outlet 51. The extrusion substrate 100 is placed on the conveyor belt 52 through the inlet 51 and transported by the conveyor belt 52 to the outlet 51. The continuous transport of the extrusion substrate 100 can be achieved through the conveyor belt 52, so that the extrusion substrate 100 can continuously be hardened by the hardening device 5, thereby achieving continuous production. A surface of the conveyor belt 52 facing the extrusion substrate 100 is formed with a plurality of guide grooves 52a, each guide groove 52a is configured for receiving one extrusion substrate 100, and at least a portion of the extrusion substrate 100 is positioned within the guide groove 52a. On the one hand, the wall surface of the guide groove 52a may restrict movement of the extrusion substrate 100 to avoid displacement of the extrusion substrate 100 during conveyance. On the other hand, each guide groove 52a is configured for receiving one extrusion substrate 100, and the guide groove 52a can prevent a plurality of extrusion substrates 100 from contacting and adhering.

[0160] By way of example, the length direction of the guide groove 52a is the same as the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 52. The plurality of guide grooves 52a are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the conveyor belt 52.

[0161] In one embodiment, the guide groove 52a is formed with a depositing opening. The extrusion substrate 100 is deposited into the guide groove 52a through the depositing opening.

[0162] By way of example, the cross-sectional shape of the guide groove 52a is not limited, and the cross-sectional shape of the guide groove 52a may be semi-circular, or semi-elliptical.

[0163] By way of example, in one embodiment, referring to FIG. 10, the injection opening 5d extends in the direction intersecting with the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 52.

[0164] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the housing 51 is formed with a refrigerant channel 51e, the cold chamber 51b and the refrigerant channel 51e are isolated from each other, the cold chamber is located in the refrigerant channel 51e, and the extrusion substrate 100 is in contact with the wall surface of the cold chamber 51b. That is, the refrigerant is not in contact with the extrusion substrate 100. The refrigerant flows in the refrigerant channel 51e, and heat is transferred between the extrusion substrate 100 and the refrigerant through the wall surface of the cold chamber 51b. This can avoid the problems of expansion, deformation and cracking of the extrusion substrate 100 after rapid cooling caused by direct contact of the extrusion substrate 100 with the refrigerant.

[0165] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the housing 51 includes an outer shell 511 and an inner shell 512 in which a cold chamber 51b is formed, the inner shell 512 is positioned inside the outer shell 511, and the inner shell and the outer shell collectively define a refrigerant channel 51e. The housing 51 has a double shell structure, the refrigerant channel 51e defined by the outer shell 511 and the inner shell 512 is configure for flow of the refrigerant, the cold chamber 51b and the refrigerant channel 51e are isolated by the inner shell 512, and the extrusion substrate 100 is in contact with the inner surface of the inner shell 512 to transfer heat to the refrigerant through the inner shell 512.

[0166] In one embodiment, the smoothness of the wall surface of the cold chamber 51b is comprised between Ra 1.2 m and Ra 0.08 m. Ra refers to the average surface roughness value, which is used to indicate the finish and roughness of a surface. By way of example, the smoothness of the wall surface of the cold chamber 51b is Ra 1.2 m, Ra 1.1 m, Ra 1.0 m, Ra 0.5 m, Ra 0.3 m, Ra 0.1 m or Ra 0.08 m. The wall surface of the cold chamber 51b is a smooth surface, and the friction force between the wall surface of the cold chamber 51b and the outer surface of the extrusion substrate 100 is very small, which will not cause deformation of the extrusion substrate 100.

[0167] In one embodiment, the hardening device 5 includes a refrigerant supplier connected to the injection opening 51d or connected to the refrigerant channel 51e. That is, the refrigerant supplier is configured for injecting the refrigerant into the injection opening 51d. Alternatively, the refrigerant supplier is configured for injecting refrigerant into the refrigerant channel 51e.

[0168] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the manufacturing system includes a slitting device 6 having a slitting tool 61. The slitting tool slits the extrusion substrate 100 by physical contact or non-physical contact.

[0169] Physical contact refers to that the extrusion substrate 100 is slit by the direct contact of the slitting tool 61 with the extrusion substrate 100. For example, the slitting tool 61 may be a rotary hob, a cutting blade, a cutting line, a roller cutter, or an extrusion.

[0170] The non-physical contact refers to that the slitting tool 61 does not need to be in direct contact with the extrusion substrate 100, but rather the extrusion substrate 100 is slit by the substance released from the slitting tool 61. For example, the slitting tool 61 releases a laser, plasma, air knife, or water jet by which the extrusion substrate 100 is cut.

[0171] It is noted that, the manufacturing system employed in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be used in the manufacturing method of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the description of embodiments of the manufacturing system is similar to the description of any one of embodiments of the manufacturing method, and has the same beneficial effects as the embodiments of the manufacturing method. For the technical details not disclosed in the manufacturing method in the embodiments of the present disclosure, please refer to the description of the embodiments of the extrusion device 1, the hot air drying device 2, the hardening device 5, and the slitting device 6 of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0172] In the description of the present disclosure, descriptions with reference to the terms in one embodiment, in some embodiments, in other embodiments, in still other embodiments or by way of example mean that specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiments or examples are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the present disclosure, the schematic expression of the above terms is not necessarily directed to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can combine different embodiments or examples described in the present disclosure and features of different embodiments or examples without contradicting each other.

[0173] The above description merely involves preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, and various modifications and variations may be made to those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent substitution, and improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present disclosure are included within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.