Aerosol-generating rod production using a curved and tapered contact surface

Abstract

A method for producing an aerosol-generating rod is provided, including: conveying a web material over a contact surface of a contact body such that the web material is in contact with the contact surface, the contact surface being curved around an axial direction and tapered along the axial direction, and a continuous portion of the contact surface spanning at least an angle of 90 degrees around the axial direction; dispensing an additive through at least one additive dispensing opening provided in the contact surface; and conveying the web material through a converging device provided downstream of the contact body, the web material being formed into a rod within the converging device. A device for producing an aerosol-generating rod is also provided.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for producing an aerosol-generating rod, comprising:
 conveying a web material over a contact surface of a contact body such that the web material is in contact with the contact surface, wherein the contact surface is curved around an axial direction and tapered along the axial direction, and wherein a continuous portion of the contact surface spans at least an angle of 90 degrees around the axial direction;   dispensing an additive through at least one additive dispensing opening provided in the contact surface; and   conveying the web material through a converging device provided downstream of the contact body, wherein the web material is formed into a rod within the converging device.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein lateral sides of the web material are deformed with respect to a central portion of the web material due to the web material conforming to a shape of the contact surface when the web material is conveyed over the contact surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the web material is conveyed over the contact surface such that only one side of the web material is in contact with the contact surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the contact body has a conical shape. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the additive is dispensed through multiple additive dispensing openings provided at different angular positions around the axial direction. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising conveying a susceptor through the contact body. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 ,
 wherein the susceptor is conveyed through a susceptor guide, and   wherein the susceptor guide extends beyond the contact body along the axial direction.   
     
     
         23 . A device for producing an aerosol-generating rod, comprising:
 an additive application assembly comprising a contact body defining a contact surface, wherein at least one additive dispensing opening is provided in the contact surface;   a conveyor system configured to convey a web material over the contact surface such that the web material is in contact with the contact surface; and   a converging device provided downstream of the additive application assembly,   wherein the contact surface is curved around an axial direction,   wherein the contact surface is tapered along the axial direction,   wherein the additive application assembly further comprises a susceptor guide configured to guide a susceptor,   wherein the susceptor guide extends beyond the contact body towards the converging device, and   wherein the conveyor system is further configured to convey the web material through the converging device to form the web material within the converging device around the susceptor into the rod.   
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least one additive dispensing opening comprises multiple additive dispensing openings provided at different angular positions around the axial direction. 
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein a continuous portion of the contact surface spans at least an angle of 90 degrees around the axial direction. 
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein the susceptor guide extends at least partially through the contact body. 
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 23 ,
 wherein the susceptor guide comprises a susceptor exit opening, and   wherein the susceptor exit opening is at least one of provided upstream of the converging device and provided downstream of the contact body.   
     
     
         28 . A contact surface that has at least one additive dispensing opening provided therein, the contact surface being configured to apply, in a process for manufacturing an aerosol-generating rod, an additive onto a web material and to pre-shape the web material before the web material enters a converging device where the web material is shaped into the rod, wherein the contact surface is curved around an axial direction and tapered along the axial direction, and wherein a continuous portion of the contact surface spans at least an angle of 90 degrees around the axial direction.