Abstract: A method of manufacturing a consumable unit for use with an inhalation device is disclosed. The method comprises providing a dose of aerosolisable material to a container of the consumable unit; positioning a closure over an end of the container; and securing the closure to the container. Apparatus for manufacturing a consumable unit for use with an inhalation device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A consumable for a non-combustible aerosol provision system extends along an axis and comprises a mouthpiece at a first end of the consumable, a first plug adjacent to the mouthpiece along the axis, a second plug at a second end of the consumable, the second end opposite the first end along the axis, a rod of braided absorbent material between the first plug and the second plug along the axis, and a wrapper wrapped around the braided absorbent material, the first plug, the second plug and the mouthpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article (10). The article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate (12) and a region (14) positioned longitudinally relative to the aerosol generating substrate. The region comprises a rod segment (16) formed from a plurality of elongate strips (17) of sheet material (18) extending longitudinally through said rod segment. The present invention also relates to a segment of sheet material for a rod segment. The segment of sheet material comprises a segment of a web (44) of sheet material (18) of discrete length comprising a plurality of elongate strips (17) and a band (22) of sheet material extending transversely to the plurality of elongate strips. The plurality of elongate strips extend from the band of sheet material. The present invention also relates to an apparatus (40) for manufacturing rod segments and a method of forming a rod segment.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a sub component on a consumable unit for use with an inhalation device including a machine tray support for locating a machine tray of consumable units arranged in an array; a clamp holding a support web including an array of sub components in a position above the machine tray support; and a punch having protrusions configured to engage the array of sub components by displacement of the punch toward the machine tray support to separate the sub components from the support web and locate the sub components on the consumable units, wherein the protrusions include a first protrusion having a first height and a second protrusion having a second height, the second height being greater than the first height, so that the second protrusion engages a sub component before the first protrusion engages a sub component when the punch moves toward the machine tray support.

Abstract: Equipment for the automated assembly of consumable units for use in an inhalation device from components that include a mouthpiece, a container defining a chamber for aerosolisable material, and a closure for the chamber, is disclosed. The equipment comprise at least one assembly line having one or more assembly stations that each comprises tooling for performing an assembly operation on the components, and a transport system for supplying the components to the assembly stations and advancing the components through the assembly stations in a sequence to assemble at least part of the device from the components. A process for the serial production of consumable units for use with an inhalation device is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is described a cartridge for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol generating material. The cartridge includes a first body defining a first chamber and aerosol generating material is located within the first chamber. The first body includes a first base including a sheet of heat conductive material and has a first outer surface and at least a major portion of the first outer surface is for contacting a first heating surface of a heater of the apparatus for heating the aerosol generating material within the first chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device; a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device and the consumable; and a kit comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device and the consumable. The consumable comprises a support, aerosol generating material, and a protection element wherein; the aerosol generating material is at least partially supported on at least one surface of the support; the support comprises at least one surface and at least one fixing zone; the or each fixing zone is located on one or more surface of the support; the area extending between the outermost edges of the or each fixing zone includes at least a portion of the aerosol generating material; and the protection element is affixed to at least one fixing zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a consumable (100) for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device; a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device and the consumable; and a kit comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device and the consumable.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a sub component on a consumable unit for use with an inhalation device including a machine tray support for locating a machine tray of consumable units arranged in an array; a clamp holding a support web including an array of sub components in a position above the machine tray support; and a punch having protrusions configured to engage the array of sub components by displacement of the punch toward the machine tray support to separate the sub components from the support web and locate the sub components on the consumable units, wherein the protrusions include a first protrusion having a first height and a second protrusion having a second height, the second height being greater than the first height, so that the second protrusion engages a sub component before the first protrusion engages a sub component when the punch moves toward the machine tray support.

Abstract: A modular apparatus for performing a sequence of assembly operations on components of an inhalation device, the apparatus including a set of workstations, each workstation being configured to perform a different assembly operation of the sequence of operations; wherein each workstation includes a machine tray support to locate a machine tray in which components for assembly are received, the machine tray support being configured to guide the machine tray located in the machine tray support into a predetermined position in the workstation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article (10). The article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate (12) and a region (14) positioned longitudinally relative to the aerosol generating substrate. The region comprises a rod segment (16) formed from a plurality of elongate strips (17) of sheet material (18) extending longitudinally through said rod segment. The present invention also relates to a segment of sheet material for a rod segment. The segment of sheet material comprises a segment of a web (44) of sheet material (18) of discrete length comprising a plurality of elongate strips (17) and a band (22) of sheet material extending transversely to the plurality of elongate strips. The plurality of elongate strips extend from the band of sheet material. The present invention also relates to an apparatus (40) for manufacturing rod segments and a method of forming a rod segment.

Abstract: There is described a cartridge for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol generating material. The cartridge includes a first body defining a first chamber and aerosol generating material is located within the first chamber. The first body includes a first base including a sheet of heat conductive material and has a first outer surface and at least a major portion of the first outer surface is for contacting a first heating surface of a heater of the apparatus for heating the aerosol generating material within the first chamber.

Abstract: An inner frame blank for a pack of tobacco industry products, where the inner frame blank is foldable to form an inner frame for holding a group of tobacco industry products, and the inner frame blank has a first major panel and a second major panel joined to opposing edges of a central panel such that the first and second major panels are foldable relative to the central panel to form opposing sides of the inner frame, and where the inner frame blank also has an aperture in at least the central panel that defines an extraction opening for removing tobacco industry products from within the inner frame when the inner frame blank is folded to form the inner frame.

Abstract: There is described a cartridge for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol generating material. The cartridge includes a first body defining a first chamber and aerosol generating material is located within the first chamber. The first body includes a first base including a sheet of heat conductive material and has a first outer surface and at least a major portion of the first outer surface is for contacting a first heating surface of a heater of the apparatus for heating the aerosol generating material within the first chamber.

Abstract: Equipment for the automated assembly of consumable units for use in an inhalation device from components that include a mouthpiece, a container defining a chamber for aerosolisable material, and a closure for the chamber, is disclosed. The equipment comprise at least one assembly line having one or more assembly stations that each comprises tooling for performing an assembly operation on the components, and a transport system for supplying the components to the assembly stations and advancing the components through the assembly stations in a sequence to assemble at least part of the device from the components. A process for the serial production of consumable units for use with an inhalation device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a consumable unit for use with an inhalation device is disclosed. The method comprises providing a dose of aerosolisable material to a container of the consumable unit; positioning a closure over an end of the container; and securing the closure to the container. Apparatus for manufacturing a consumable unit for use with an inhalation device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tipping paper feed assembly (1) for use in smoking article manufacture. The tipping paper feed assembly (1) comprising a first feed device adapted to supply a first tipping paper web (4) that is fed into apparatus for smoking article manufacture, and a second feed device adapted to supply a second tipping paper web (11). The tipping paper feed assembly (1) also comprises a splice mechanism (12) adapted to attach the first and second tipping paper webs (4, 11) together for changeover between the first and the second feed devices. The tipping paper feed device (1) also comprises a registration system configured to register features of each tipping paper web (4, 11) prior to attaching said first and second tipping paper webs together with said features in register.

Abstract: An inner frame blank for a pack of tobacco industry products, where the inner frame blank is foldable to form an inner frame for holding a group of tobacco industry products, and the inner frame blank has a first major panel and a second major panel joined to opposing edges of a central panel such that the first and second major panels are foldable relative to the central panel to form opposing sides of the inner frame, and where the inner frame blank also has an aperture in at least the central panel that defines an extraction opening for removing tobacco industry products from within the inner frame when the inner frame blank is folded to form the inner frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a drum (18) for a tobacco industry product manufacturing apparatus. The drum (18) comprises an axis (19) about which it rotates and a seat (23) adapted to carry components of tobacco industry products during use. The seat (23) is movable in a direction towards the axis (19) of the drum (18) in response to said components being pressed against the seat during use.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a circumferential slit in a tobacco industry rod article is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a drum and a rolling hand spaced apart from one another so as to form a space for a tobacco industry rod article, and a cutting element extending into the space and configured to form a circumferential slit in the tobacco industry rod article.