Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for use with an RLC resonance circuit for inductive heating of a susceptor of an aerosol generating device. The apparatus is arranged to determine a resonant frequency of the RLC resonance circuit; and determine, based on the determined resonant frequency, a first frequency for the RLC resonance circuit for causing the susceptor to be inductively heated, the first frequency being above or below the determined resonant frequency. The apparatus may be arranged to control a drive frequency of the RLC resonance circuit to be at the determined first frequency in order to heat the susceptor. Also disclosed is an aerosol generating device including the apparatus.

Abstract: A consumable for use with an aerosol provision system, the consumable including a section formed from a rolled corrugated sheet material, wherein a surface of one or more of the corrugations of the rolled corrugated sheet material abuts a corresponding surface of an adjacent corrugation.

Abstract: There is provided an aerosol provision system comprising a power source; an aerosol generating component; and, control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to control the power source and the aerosol generating component to provide a selection between at least: a predetermined aerosolization profile; and a variable aerosolization period, to be applied to aerosol generating material.

Abstract: An article for use with an apparatus for heating aerosol generating material to volatize at least one component of the aerosol generating material to generate an inhalable aerosol. The article can include a first section defining a cavity that contains aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol generating material partially fills the cavity. The article is configured to receive in the cavity a heating element of the apparatus. The aerosol generating material is arranged to be displaceable within the cavity with respect to the heating element. The article can include a first section containing aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol generating material includes a plurality of pieces of material comprising tobacco. The article includes a first plug defining a first end of the first section, wherein the first plug includes tobacco.

Abstract: A die or die assembly for forming a bundle of fibres into a rod or tube includes a body defining a passage for conducting the bundle fibres through the die from an inlet to an outlet, a constriction in the passage having an entrance shaped to form the fibres of the bundle into a desired configuration as the bundle passes through the die, and one or more conduits through which a treatment fluid e.g. steam, for curing the bundle of fibres may be introduced into the passage, and wherein at last one conduit is arranged to discharge fluid in the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the constriction to facilitate passage of the fibres through the die and reduce the risk of blockage.

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: There is disclosed a separator drum (13) for tobacco industry product assembly apparatus. The separator drum has a plurality of segments (29, 30) arranged to form at least a part of a peripheral surface of the separator drum. Each segment has at least one flute (31) and at most four flutes (31). Each flute (31) is adapted to carry a rod of aerosolisable material (2) as the separator drum rotates during use. Each segment (29, 30) is slidably mounted to the separator drum (13) for axial movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a sheet of aerosol-generating material includes a laser generator configured such that a laser emitted by the laser generator cuts the sheet as the sheet of aerosol-generating material is conveyed along a conveyance path. An apparatus for manufacturing a sheet of aerosol-generating material including the apparatus for cutting a sheet of aerosol-generating material is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a consumable having a sheet of aerosol-generating material formed into a wrapped rod and having a distal end for insertion into an aerosol generating device including a heating element that is received within the aerosol-generating material at the distal end of the rod. A portion of the sheet of aerosol generating material at the distal end of the rod is cut into strips extending from said distal end of the wrapped rod.

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: Equipment for forming a tubular rod from a bundle of fibrous material comprising a mandrel constructed to form a space within the bundle of fibres; the mandrel includes a passage for delivering a treatment fluid to facilitate the formation of the fibres into a tubular structure as the fibre bundle as the bundle passes over the mandrel.

Abstract: A method of, and equipment for gathering fibres entrained a gas stream, for example by melt blowing, comprises an enclosure having an inlet, through which a gas stream carrying entrained fibres may be directed into the enclosure, a fibre outlet from which an assembly of gathered fibres may be withdrawn from the enclosure and an exhaust outlet through which gas may pass out of the enclosure. The enclosure is constructed to provide a pathway for the fibres from the inlet to the fibre outlet in which surplus gas in the gas stream is separated from the entrained fibres and directed to the exhaust outlet, thereby reducing turbulence in the fibres in the enclosure which may affect the quality of the finished assembly.

Abstract: Equipment for forming a tubular rod of fibrous material comprises: a gathering station constructed to receive a continuous supply of fibres and to gather the fibres into a bundle as the fibres advance through the equipment; a divider arranged in the path of the fibres through the equipment and constructed to from a cleft along the length of the bundle as it advances through the equipment; a mandrel positioned in the path of the bundle of fibres in alignment with the divider and constructed to form the cleft into a passage through the bundle of fibres as the bundle of fibres advances over the mandrel; and a die constructed and arranged to cooperate with the mandrel to form the fibres in a tubular configuration around the mandrel.

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: Disclosed is an induction coil arrangement for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The induction coil arrangement includes a plate having opposite first and second sides, a first flat spiral coil of electrically-conductive material mounted on the first side of the plate, and a second flat spiral coil of electrically-conductive material mounted on the second side of the plate.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating component for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device includes a first sheet including aerosol-generating material and a second sheet including heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. A wrapper including paper circumscribes the first and second sheets and has a permeability below 500 Coresta units. Corresponding methods of manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: A die or die assembly for forming a bundle of fibres into a rod or tube includes a body defining a passage for conducting the bundle fibres through the die from an inlet to an outlet, a constriction in the passage having an entrance shaped to form the fibres of the bundle into a desired configuration as the bundle passes through the die, and one or more conduits through which a treatment fluid e.g. steam, for curing the bundle of fibres may be introduced into the passage, and wherein at last one conduit is arranged to discharge fluid in the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the constriction to facilitate passage of the fibres through the die and reduce the risk of blockage.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a braided absorbent material (50) for a consumable of a non-combustible aerosol provision system is disclosed. It comprises braiding strands of material (52) around the outside of a continuous rod of absorbent material (54) to form a continuous rod of braided material; and cutting the continuous rod of braided material into lengths of braided absorbent material. Each length of braided absorbent material includes at least a portion of the rod of absorbent material. A braided absorbent material comprising strands of material braided around the outside of a rod of absorbent material is also disclosed. The absorbent material (54) is capable of wicking aerosol generating material. The stands of material (52) may be magnetic metal wire to be used in an induction heating system, or may be flavour impregnated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for use with an RLC resonance circuit for inductive heating of a susceptor of an aerosol generating device. The apparatus is arranged to determine a resonant frequency of the RLC resonance circuit; and determine, based on the determined resonant frequency, a first frequency for the RLC resonance circuit for causing the susceptor to be inductively heated, the first frequency being above or below the determined resonant frequency. The apparatus may be arranged to control a drive frequency of the RLC resonance circuit to be at the determined first frequency in order to heat the susceptor. Also disclosed is an aerosol generating device including the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an induction coil arrangement for use with an apparatus for heating smokable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokable material. The induction coil arrangement includes a plate having opposite first and second sides, a first flat spiral coil of electrically-conductive material mounted on the first side of the plate, and a second flat spiral coil of electrically-conductive material mounted on the second side of the plate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thermal insulator includes providing an inner wall which is configured to at least partially define a heating zone for receiving aerosol-generating material, wherein the inner wall includes heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, and providing an outer wall surrounding the inner wall at least partially along its length, an insulation region being formed between the inner wall and the outer wall, the inner wall and outer wall having different materials. The method can also include attaching a portion of a first joining material to the inner wall under atmospheric pressure, attaching a portion of a second joining material to the outer wall under atmospheric pressure, evacuating the insulation region to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, and closing the insulation region by joining the first joining material and second joining material to each other.