Abstract: An apparatus for handling rods of aerosol-generating material. The apparatus comprises rotatable drum having a plurality of elongate flutes provided around an outer surface of the drum and extending in an axial direction of the drum. Each flute includes one or more suction holes extending from a surface of a respective flute into communication with an associated vacuum duct within the drum and a control flange. The drum rotates relative to the control flange in use. The control flange comprises a first aperture connected to a vacuum source, and a second aperture connected to a source of pressurised gas. As the drum rotates relative to the control flange, the vacuum ducts are in fluid communication with the first aperture over a first range of rotation of the drum to apply a negative pressure to the vacuum ducts.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling rods of aerosol-generating material. The apparatus comprises a rotatable drum having a plurality of elongate flutes provided around an outer surface of the drum and extending in an axial direction of the drum. The rotatable drum comprises a circumferential groove in the outer surface and intersecting the flutes and a guide member comprising a longitudinal arm having a guide surface at a first end thereof. An airflow is outlet located at the guide surface and an airflow passage in fluid communication with the airflow outlet. The airflow passage is connected to a supply of pressurised gas to supply pressurised gas to the airflow outlet. The guide member is disposed with the guide surface at least partially received within the groove and configured to expel gas from the airflow outlet onto rods carried in the flutes.

Abstract: A sheet of aerosol generating material includes a plurality of elongate partial cuts extending through at least 55% of a thickness of the sheet. At least some of the elongate partial cuts are configured to rupture to form a plurality of elongate strips of aerosol generating material having at least one burred edge. The invention also relates to a component of an article formed from a sheet of aerosol generating material, and an article including the component. The invention further relates to an apparatus for and a method of manufacturing a sheet of aerosol generating material and rods of aerosol generating material.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a sheet of aerosol generating material includes a first cutting element having a cutting edge and a second cutting element. The first cutting element is rotatable about its central axis and the second cutting element that is rotatable about its central axis. The central axis of the first cutting element and the central axis of the second cutting element are spaced apart by an initial pre-defined distance. The first and second cutting elements are configured to cut a sheet of aerosol generating material as it is conveyed between the first and second cutting elements. The apparatus further includes a housing configured to support the first cutting element relative to the second cutting element. The housing includes an anti-backlash gear coupled to the first cutting element. The housing is adjustable to move the first cutting element relative to the second cutting element to set a new pre-defined distance between the central axes of the first and second cutting elements.

Abstract: An article includes a rod of aerosol generating material. The rod of aerosol generating material is formed from a plurality of elongate strips of aerosol generating material extending longitudinally through said rod. Each of the plurality of elongate strips is connected to at least one other of the plurality of elongate strips by a connection portion. The connecting portion includes over 20% of the length of each elongate strip. The invention also relates to a method of forming a rod of aerosol generating material of an article. The invention also relates to an apparatus for manufacturing rods of aerosol generating material of an article.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for manufacturing articles for use as or in an aerosol provision system as well as an apparatus and methods for applying a substance in liquid form to a substrate, such as a sheet material wrapper for an article for use as or in an aerosol provision system. The apparatus includes a rod forming portion which forms one or more portions of sheet material into a rod. A first applicator applies a first substance in liquid form to the one or more portions of sheet material. An air flow nozzle also supplies a heated flow of air to the rod forming portion. A substance in liquid form can be applied to a substrate with an apparatus including a conduit and at least one nozzle. The conduit and/or nozzle are heated to a temperature greater than the melting point of the substance.

Abstract: An article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device can include a continuous rod of aerosol-generating material and a coil disposed around the rod of aerosol-generating material. The coil can include heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. A wrapper can be arranged to surround the aerosol-generating material and a coil can be disposed around the wrapper. The article can include a rolled sheet having a spiral cross-section, the rolled sheet including aerosol-generating material and a mesh including heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. Also, an article can include a continuous rod of aerosol-generating material and one or more bodies disposed in an axial region of the rod, the axial region extending along the longitudinal axis of the rod, wherein the one or more bodies have a circular cross-section and have a diameter in the range 0.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for measuring a laser focus spot size, which includes a two-dimensional image detector and an imaging system which forms a magnified image of a focus spot located an object plane onto the image detector. The imaging system includes at least an objective lens. A sealed liquid container is secured over a part of the objective lens such as the optical surface of the objective lens is immersed in the liquid (e.g. water) within the container. The liquid container has a window through which the laser beam enters. An image processing method is also disclosed which processes the image obtained by the image detector to obtain the focus spot size while implementing an algorithm that corrects for the effect of ambient vibration.

Abstract: A ball valve includes a valve body. The valve body is driven to rotate through a drive train that includes a planetary gear set. A gear of the planetary gear set is integrally formed with the valve body. In an embodiment, a ring gear of the planetary gear set is integrally formed with the valve body.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for measuring a laser focus spot size, which includes a two-dimensional image detector and an imaging system which forms a magnified image of a focus spot located an object plane onto the image detector. The imaging system includes at least an objective lens. A sealed liquid container is secured over a part of the objective lens such as the optical surface of the objective lens is immersed in the liquid (e.g. water) within the container. The liquid container has a window through which the laser beam enters. An image processing method is also disclosed which processes the image obtained by the image detector to obtain the focus spot size while implementing an algorithm that corrects for the effect of ambient vibration.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for measuring a laser focus spot size, which includes a two-dimensional image detector and an imaging system which forms a magnified image of a focus spot located an object plane onto the image detector. The imaging system includes at least an objective lens. A sealed liquid container is secured over a part of the objective lens such as the optical surface of the objective lens is immersed in the liquid (e.g. water) within the container. The liquid container has a window through which the laser beam enters. An image processing method is also disclosed which processes the image obtained by the image detector to obtain the focus spot size while implementing an algorithm that corrects for the effect of ambient vibration.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for measuring a laser focus spot size, which includes a two-dimensional image detector and an imaging system which forms a magnified image of a focus spot located an object plane onto the image detector. The imaging system includes at least an objective lens. A sealed liquid container is secured over a part of the objective lens such as the optical surface of the objective lens is immersed in the liquid (e.g. water) within the container. The liquid container has a window through which the laser beam enters. An image processing method is also disclosed which processes the image obtained by the image detector to obtain the focus spot size while implementing an algorithm that corrects for the effect of ambient vibration.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for measuring a laser focus spot size, which includes a two-dimensional image detector and an imaging system which forms a magnified image of a focus spot located an object plane onto the image detector. The imaging system includes at least an objective lens. A sealed liquid container is secured over a part of the objective lens such as the optical surface of the objective lens is immersed in the liquid (e.g. water) within the container. The liquid container has a window through which the laser beam enters. An image processing method is also disclosed which processes the image obtained by the image detector to obtain the focus spot size while implementing an algorithm that corrects for the effect of ambient vibration.

Abstract: A ball valve includes a valve body. The valve body is driven to rotate through a drive train that includes a planetary gear set. A gear of the planetary gear set is integrally formed with the valve body. In an embodiment, a ring gear of the planetary gear set is integrally formed with the valve body.

Abstract: Leash assemblies for use in leading and controlling dogs and/or other animals, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a leash assembly includes a connection member configured to be coupled to a harness or collar worn by an animal. A lead line is slidably coupled to the connection member and can include a first loop and a second loop configured to be grasped by a handler. A first stop member is coupled to the first loop and a second stop member is coupled to the second loop. The stop members are sized and shaped to prevent the first and second loops from sliding entirely through the connection member. This arrangement permits the handler to lead the animal by grasping the first loop, the second loop, or each of the first and second loops.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for measuring a laser focus spot size, which includes a two-dimensional image detector and an imaging system which forms a magnified image of a focus spot located an object plane onto the image detector. The imaging system includes at least an objective lens. A sealed liquid container is secured over a part of the objective lens such as the optical surface of the objective lens is immersed in the liquid (e.g. water) within the container. The liquid container has a window through which the laser beam enters. An image processing method is also disclosed which processes the image obtained by the image detector to obtain the focus spot size while implementing an algorithm that corrects for the effect of ambient vibration.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for measuring a laser focus spot size, which includes a two-dimensional image detector and an imaging system which forms a magnified image of a focus spot located an object plane onto the image detector. The imaging system includes at least an objective lens. A sealed liquid container is secured over a part of the objective lens such as the optical surface of the objective lens is immersed in the liquid (e.g. water) within the container. The liquid container has a window through which the laser beam enters. An image processing method is also disclosed which processes the image obtained by the image detector to obtain the focus spot size while implementing an algorithm that corrects for the effect of ambient vibration.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for measuring a laser focus spot size, which includes a two-dimensional image detector and an imaging system which forms a magnified image of a focus spot located an object plane onto the image detector. The imaging system includes at least an objective lens. A sealed liquid container is secured over a part of the objective lens such as the optical surface of the objective lens is immersed in the liquid (e.g. water) within the container. The liquid container has a window through which the laser beam enters. An image processing method is also disclosed which processes the image obtained by the image detector to obtain the focus spot size while implementing an algorithm that corrects for the effect of ambient vibration.