Abstract: The invention relates to an aerosol-generating substrate production apparatus (1), comprising: a first conveyor (14) having at least a first conveyor surface (19), a second conveyor (21) having at least a second conveyor surface (27), wherein the first conveyor surface (19) provides a support for an aerosol-generating material (3), wherein the first conveyor surface (19) extends along a transport path (100), wherein the second conveyor surface (27) extends at least locally along the transport path (100), such that the aerosol-generating material (3) is formed to an aerosol-generating substrate (4) in between the first conveyor surface (19) and the second conveyor surface (27). The invention further relates to a method of producing an aerosol-generating substrate (4) and a use of a first corrugated conveyor belt (17) for forming an aerosol-generating material (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing an extrudate 9 comprising an aerosol-generating material 23, the apparatus comprising an extruder 1, wherein the extruder 1 comprises an inlet 2 and an outlet 5, wherein the inlet 2 is adapted to receive a mixture 3, wherein the outlet 5 is adapted to extrude the mixture 3 to form the extrudate 9, wherein the outlet 5 includes a die component 10, wherein the die component 10 is adapted to form an extrudate 9 comprising an aerosol-generating material 23, and wherein the die component 10 is adapted to provide the extrudate 9 with a cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A charger if provided for an aerosol-generating device, the charger including: a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating device and an insertion mechanism, the insertion mechanism including an insertion stage configured to insert the aerosol-generating device into the cavity, and a charging stage configured to move the aerosol-generating device into a charging position, and the insertion mechanism being configured to automatically initiate operation of the charging stage at an end of operation of the insertion stage. A kit including the charger, and a method for charging the aerosol-generating device, are also provided.

Abstract: A method for enhancing hardness of a filter for a smoking article includes disposing a plug wrap about filter material; and applying a hardness-enhancing coating composition to the plug wrap after the plug wrap has been disposed about the filter material to enhance the hardness of the filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to monitor tobacco material to detect insect infestation, the method comprising: —providing tobacco material in a closed space; —measuring the concentration of a semiochemical in the air present in the closed space; —comparing the measured concentration of the semiochemical with a threshold; and—lowering the temperature of the closed space if the concentration of the semiochemical is higher than the threshold.

Abstract: A charger for charging an aerosol-generating device is provided, the charger including: a housing defining a cavity to receive the device to be charged, the cavity having an opening; at least one electrical contact disposed in the cavity; and a cover including a plurality of moveable elements actuatable between open and closed positions, each of the moveable elements having an inner surface facing the cavity when in the closed position, at least a portion of the inner surface of at least one of the moveable elements defines a profiled engagement member having leading and trailing edges, and the profiled engagement member slopes into, or towards, the cavity when the respective moveable element is in the closed position, the slope increasing in a direction from the leading to the trailing edge. An aerosol-generating system including the charger and the device, and a method of using the system are also provided.

Abstract: The forming apparatus comprises a feed path for continuously feeding a continuous tow material along a transport direction, a forming device connected to a downstream end of the feed path and adapted to form the continuous tow material into a continuous tubular rod. The forming device comprises a tubular element adapted to allow the continuous tow material to pass through the tubular element to form the continuous tubular rod and a steam generator adapted to generate overheated steam. The steam generator is in fluid connection with the tubular element to provide overheated steam to the continuous tow material. The forming device further comprises several fluid conduits to provide overheated steam from the steam generator to several injection sites arranged along a length of the tubular element, wherein at least one fluid conduit of the several fluid conduits comprises a temperature control unit including a temperature sensor and a temperature influencer.

Abstract: A closed-loop system for controlling a position of a susceptor in an aerosol-generating article, the system comprising: a supply for continuous sheet material, a supply for a continuous susceptor, a crimping device for crimping the continuous sheet material, a shaping device for gathering the continuous sheet material and for forming the continuous sheet material with inserted continuous susceptor into a continuous rod. The system also comprises a cutting device for cutting the continuous rod into aerosol-generating articles and a control unit comprising an output control for detecting a condition of the susceptor in an aerosol-generating article, and for comparing a detected condition with quality specifications.

Abstract: The forming apparatus comprises a feed path for continuously feeding a continuous tow material along a transport direction, a forming device connected to a downstream end of the feed path and adapted to form the continuous tow material into a continuous tubular rod. The forming device comprises a tubular element adapted to allow the continuous tow material to pass through the tubular element to form the continuous tubular rod and a steam generator adapted to generate overheated steam. The steam generator is in fluid connection with the tubular element to provide overheated steam to the continuous tow material. The forming device further comprises several fluid conduits to provide overheated steam from the steam generator to several injection sites arranged along a length of the tubular element, wherein at least one fluid conduit of the several fluid conduits comprises a temperature control unit including a temperature sensor and a temperature influencer.

Abstract: A charging case for an aerosol-generating device, the charging case including a case connector for receiving electrical power from an external source, a plurality of case cavities, a mounting section for connecting the aerosol-generating device to the charging case, and a case control unit. Each of the plurality of case cavities being configured to receive at least one of a plurality of power sources. The case control unit arranged to charge a first one of the plurality of power sources via the case connector using electrical power from the external power source and charge the aerosol-generating device connected to the mounting section via a second one of the plurality of power sources, or via the case connector using electrical power from the external power source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for casting a sheet of a material containing alkaloids, the method comprising: —forming a slurry of the material containing alkaloids, the slurry having a viscosity value; —storing the slurry in a first tank; —providing a first flow-path and a second flow-path for fluid communication between the first tank and a casting box, the first flow-path comprising a first pump and the second flow-path comprising a second pump; —directing the slurry either along the first flow-path or along the second flow-path from the first tank to the casting box, defining a flow of slurry through the first flow-path or through the second flow-path, on the basis of the viscosity value of the slurry; and —casting the slurry to obtain a sheet of material containing alkaloids. The invention further relates to a casting apparatus for the production of a sheet of material containing alkaloids.

Abstract: The method for shaping a continuous web material (1) into a rod comprises providing a continuous web material (1) having a glass transition temperature below 150 degree Celsius and gathering the continuous web material (1) from a flat shape into a rod-shape by means of a shaping device (2). The method further comprises providing a cooling means (34) providing a temperature below four degree Celsius, cooling a material contact surface of the shaping device (2) to a surface temperature below four degree Celsius, and cooling the continuous gathered web material by the cooled material contact surface in contact with the continuous gathered web material. Also provided is an apparatus for shaping a continuous web material (1).

Abstract: An inductively heatable aerosol-generating article for an inductively heating aerosol-generating device is provided, including at least one aerosol-forming substrate and at least one susceptor in thermal proximity to the aerosol-forming substrate or thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate, the susceptor including an expanded metal sheet including a plurality of openings through the sheet. A method for manufacturing an inductively heatable aerosol-generating article is also provided. An apparatus for manufacturing a susceptor of an inductively heatable aerosol-generating article is also provided.

Abstract: An aerosol generating substrate element is circumscribed by exactly two paper layers that do not extend beyond an aerosol generating substrate. The aerosol generating substrate includes from about 10% to about 30% glycerine by weight. The first paper wrapper and the second paper wrapper have a combined thickness in a range from about 60 micrometres to about 200 micrometres. The first paper wrapper does not overlap itself and a second paper wrapper does not overlap itself.

Abstract: A transmission shaft and a roller comprising a pair of connectable portions (M, F) for connecting a transmission shaft (5, 8) and a roller (4, 7) to be driven by torque exerted through the transmission shaft (5, 8). The pair of connectable portions (M, F) comprise a male portion (M) provided on one of the transmission shaft (5, 8) and roller (4, 7) and a complementary female portion (F) provided on the other of the roller (4, 7) and transmission shaft (5, 8). The male portion (M) has a longitudinal axis of rotation (X) and tapers inwardly from a proximal end to a distal end. The male portion (M) has a non-circular cross section.

Abstract: A charging case for an aerosol-generating device, the charging case including a case connector for receiving electrical power from an external source, a plurality of case cavities, a mounting section for connecting the aerosol-generating device to the charging case, and a case control unit. Each of the plurality of case cavities being configured to receive at least one of a plurality of power sources. The case control unit arranged to charge a first one of the plurality of power sources via the case connector using electrical power from the external power source and charge the aerosol-generating device connected to the mounting section via a second one of the plurality of power sources, or via the case connector using electrical power from the external power source.

Abstract: A charger for charging an aerosol-generating device is provided, the charger including: a housing defining a cavity to receive the device to be charged, the cavity having an opening; at least one electrical contact disposed in the cavity; and a cover rotationally slidable relative to the opening between open and closed positions, an inner surface of the cover facing the cavity when the cover is in the closed position, at least a portion of the inner surface of the cover defines a profiled engagement member having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the profiled engagement member sloping into, or towards, the cavity when the cover is in the closed position, a slope increasing in a direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the profiled engagement member. An aerosol generating system and a method of operating an aerosol-generating system are also provided.

Abstract: A charger for charging an aerosol-generating device is provided, the charger including: a housing defining a cavity to receive the device to be charged, the cavity having an opening; at least one electrical contact disposed in the cavity; and a cover slidable relative to the opening between open and closed positions, an inner surface of the cover facing the cavity when the cover is in the closed position, at least a portion of the inner surface of the cover defines a profiled engagement member having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and the profiled engagement member slopes into, or towards, the cavity when the respective moveable element is in the closed position, the slope increasing in a direction from the leading to the trailing edge. An aerosol-generating system including the charger and the device, and a method of using the system are also provided.

Abstract: A system is provided, including an aerosol-generating device including a heating chamber to receive an aerosol-generating article of a first type, the article including an aerosol-forming substrate; and an adapter element to be inserted into the heating chamber and configured to have an outer shape to be at least partly inserted into the chamber, the adapter element having a cavity extending along a longitudinal axis of the adapter element, the cavity being configured so that an aerosol-generating article of a second type having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the article of the first type is insertable into the cavity and thereby into the heating chamber, and the adapter element including a detection element configured to enable identification, by the device, of a type of the adapter element inserted into the heating chamber. A set of adapter elements, a kit, and a method are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a bobbin and a bobbin. The bobbin includes a plurality of windings of a continuous laminated sheet having at least one layer of alkaloids containing material and at least one layer of a first protective material. The at least one layer of alkaloids containing material and the at least one layer of a first protective material define an adhesion surface between them. The first protective material is selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyester, or paper.