A component for a delivery system and a method and apparatus for manufacturing a component for a delivery system

Abstract

A component for an article for use in or as an aerosol provision system, including a body having a crimped sheet of cellulose-based material. The crimped sheet of cellulose-based material includes a first region with a first level of crimping and a second region, longitudinally offset from the first region, having a second level of crimping which is different from the first level of crimping. An article including the component, a method for manufacturing the component, and an apparatus configured for manufacturing the component are also described.

1 . A component for an article for use in or as an aerosol provision system, the component comprising a body comprising a crimped sheet of cellulose-based material, wherein the crimped sheet comprises a first region with a first level of crimping and a second region, longitudinally offset from the first region, comprising a second level of crimping different from the first level of crimping. 
     
     
         2 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second region is between 3 mm and 30 mm in length. 
     
     
         3 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein the level of crimping differs based on the depth and/or spacing of the crimping. 
     
     
         4 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein the level of crimping differs based on the pressure and/or temperature at which the crimping is applied. 
     
     
         5 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein the level of crimping is greater in the first region, and the first region is at a longitudinal end of the component. 
     
     
         6 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one object is embedded in one of the first or second regions and a crimping factor applied to the sheet material forming said one of the first or second regions is lower than a crimping factor applied to the sheet material forming the other of the first or second regions. 
     
     
         7 . A component according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one object is a tubular element and/or an aerosol-modifying agent release component. 
     
     
         8 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein an object is embedded in the first region. 
     
     
         9 . A component according to  claim 8 , wherein the object comprises a tubular element or an aerosol-modifying agent. 
     
     
         10 . A component according to  claim 9 , wherein the object comprises a tubular element and the tubular element extends to a longitudinal end of the component. 
     
     
         11 . A component according to  claim 8 , wherein a second object is embedded in the first or second region. 
     
     
         12 . A component according to  claim 11 , wherein the second object comprises a tubular element or an aerosol-modifying agent release component. 
     
     
         13 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein the component forms the mouthpiece of a single article. 
     
     
         14 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose based material is paper, optionally wherein the paper is formed from wood-pulp. 
     
     
         15 . A component according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second objects are separated by a gap of between 0.5 mm and 30 mm, or between 1 mm and 20 mm, or between 1 mm and 15 mm. 
     
     
         16 . A component according to  claim 15 , wherein the body extends into said gap. 
     
     
         17 . A component according to  claim 7 , wherein the object is spaced from a longitudinal end of the component by at least 5 mm, or at least 8 mm, or at least 10 mm. 
     
     
         18 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body of cellulose-based material comprises gathered sheet material, and said gathered sheet material comprises cut out portions. 
     
     
         19 . An article for use in or as an aerosol provision system, the article comprising a component according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing a component for an article for use in an aerosol provision system, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a feed of sheet material;   applying a crimp pattern to a first portion of said sheet material, the crimp pattern comprising a series of substantially parallel ridges and grooves and being scaled by a first crimp factor;   applying a crimp pattern to a second portion of said sheet material, the crimp pattern being scaled by a second crimp factor, wherein the first and second crimp factors are selected from one of heat, pressure, spacing or depth; and   gathering said sheet material to form a body of material comprising a first region with a first level of crimping and a second region, longitudinally offset from the first region, comprising a second level of crimping different from the first level of crimping.   
     
     
         21 . An apparatus configured for manufacturing a component in accordance with  claim 1 , comprising:
 a crimp roller for applying a crimp pattern to a sheet material, the crimp pattern comprising a series of substantially parallel ridges and grooves; and   a garniture assembly for gathering said sheet material to form a body of material comprising a first region with a first level of crimping and a second region, longitudinally offset from the first region, comprising a second level of crimping different from the first level of crimping.