The present disclosure relates to a method for curling an open tubular end of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article. The present disclosure further relates to an aerosol- or smoke-generating article. The present disclosure further relates to a curling head for curling aerosol- or smoke-generating articles. The present disclosure further relates to an apparatus for manufacturing aerosol- or smoke-generating articles.

In the field of manufacturing aerosol- or smoke-generating articles, for example inhaler articles, it is known to provide a deformable tubular element and to fold a distal end of the deformable tubular element inwards by about 90 degrees to at least partially close the distal end of the deformable tubular element. A capsule comprising an active substance may be retained within the tubular element. It may be desired to not fully close the distal end of the article, but to have an open central aperture that allows for a puncturing means to be inserted therethrough for puncturing a cartridge or capsule retained within the hollow tubular element.

Due to manufacturing tolerances, the lengths of folded ends of may vary from article to article. This may cause an uneven optical appearance of different articles within a package which may be unpleasant. This may also result in varying diameters of a central aperture in a partly closed article. When an aperture is too large, this may cause the capsule to fall out of the tubular element. When an aperture is too small, puncturing may not be possible. Similarly, when an aperture is too large, this may cause other elements, for example tobacco material, to fall out of the tubular element of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article.

The hollow tubular element may be made of a thin and thus fragile material to reduce manufacturing costs. A folded distal end made from thin material may exhibit only little rigidity.

It would be desirable to provide a method and a device for reproducibly and automatically manufacturing an aerosol- or smoke-generating article. It would be desirable to provide a method and a device for manufacturing an aerosol- or smoke-generating article at sufficiently high speed. It would be desirable to provide a method and a device for manufacturing aerosol- or smoke-generating articles with a uniform appearance of the closed distal ends of the articles.

It would be desirable to provide a method and a device for manufacturing a structurally reinforced aerosol- or smoke-generating article. It would be desirable to provide a method and a device for manufacturing an aerosol- or smoke-generating article with a circular cross-section with only little to zero ovality. It would be desirable to improve insertion of an aerosol- or smokegenerating article into a piercing device.

It would be desirable to provide a method and a device for manufacturing an aerosol- or smoke-generating article, wherein the manufacturing method can be implemented in existing manufacturing lines used for production of aerosol- or smoke-generating articles. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol- or smoke-generating article that allows for, or improves, attachment of another element to an end portion of the article.

According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for curling an open tubular end of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article. The method may comprise providing a curling surface. The method may comprise providing an aerosol- or smokegenerating article comprising an open tubular end. The method may comprise curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article by advancing the curling surface towards the aerosol- or smoke-generating article and, simultaneously, rotating the curling surface.

According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for curling an open tubular end of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article. The method comprises providing a curling surface. The method comprises providing an aerosol- or smoke-generating article comprising an open tubular end. The method comprises curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article by advancing the curling surface towards the aerosol- or smoke-generating article and, simultaneously, rotating the curling surface.

A method for reproducibly and automatically manufacturing an aerosol- or smokegenerating article is provided. A method for manufacturing an aerosol- or smoke-generating article at sufficiently high speed is provided.

By curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article, the open tubular end may be at least partly closed. An at least partly closed end may avoid that an inserted element, for example a capsule, can fall out of the article.

By curling the open tubular end, the tubular end may be at least partly closed without folding the open tubular end. By curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smokegenerating article, a method for manufacturing aerosol- or smoke-generating articles with a uniform appearance of the closed distal ends of the articles may be provided.

By curling the open tubular end, a curled edge of the tubular end with increased rigidity may be provided. A method for manufacturing a structurally reinforced aerosol- or smokegenerating article may be provided. The curled edge may provide an increased hardness to a distal end of the article. The distal end of the article comprising the curled edge may be less prone to be pressed from a round shape into an oval shape. For example, a structurally reinforced curled end of an inhaler article comprising a capsule may be provided which may be advantageously less prone to deformation or damage when being inserted into a piercing device for puncturing the capsule. By curling the open tubular end, a method for manufacturing an inhaler article for improved insertion of the inhaler article into a piercing device may be provided.

By curling the open tubular end, an aerosol- or smoke-generating article with a highly circular cross-section with only little or none ovality may be provided. Rotational movement around a center axis during curling may be beneficial for providing a circular end without ovality. A round shape may improve insertion of an inhaler article into a piercing device.

By curling the open tubular end, an increased edge surface may be provided. A surface area of the curled edge perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the article may be increased in comparison to the surface area provided by the thickness of the wall of the uncurled open tubular end. The increased surface area of the curled edge may advantageously allow for, or improve, attachment of another element to the end portion of the article. For example, an increased gluing area may be provided by the increased surface area. An increased gluing area may facilitate gluing of an additional element, for example a disk element, to the curled end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article.

The step of ‘curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article by advancing the curling surface towards the aerosol- or smoke-generating article and, simultaneously, rotating the curling surface’ may comprise 'curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article by advancing the curling surface towards the aerosol- or smoke-generating article and, simultaneously, rotating the curling surface around an axis of rotation’.

The step of ‘curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article by advancing the curling surface towards the aerosol- or smoke-generating article and, simultaneously, rotating the curling surface’ may comprise 'curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article by advancing the curling surface towards the aerosol- or smoke-generating article and, simultaneously, rotating the curling surface for a plurality of turns around an axis of rotation’.

The axis of rotation may be arranged at an angle of less than 90 degrees, preferably less than 45 degrees, more preferably less than 20 degrees, more preferably less than 10 degrees, more preferably less than 5 degrees, more preferably less than 1 degree, with respect to the direction of advancement of the curling surface towards the aerosol- or smokegenerating article. The axis of rotation may be arranged in parallel to the direction of advancement of the curling surface towards the aerosol- or smoke-generating article.

The open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article may comprise, or may consist of, a cellulose-based material, for example paper or cardboard.

The open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article may comprise, or may consist of, wrapping paper.

The thickness of the wall of the open tubular end may be between 100 micrometers and 150 micrometers, preferably between 1 10 micrometers and 140 micrometers, more preferably between 120 micrometers and 130 micrometers. The wall of the open tubular end may be made of cardboard and may have a thickness of between 100 micrometers and 150 micrometers, preferably between 1 10 micrometers and 140 micrometers, more preferably between 120 micrometers and 130 micrometers.

The curled end may comprise a curled edge. A thickness of the curled edge may be measured in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article.

The thickness of the curled edge may be between 0.5 millimeter and 2.5 millimeters, preferably between 1 .0 millimeter and 2.0 millimeters, more preferably between 1 .2 millimeters and 1.8 millimeters, more preferably between 1.4 millimeters and 1.6 millimeters. The thickness of the curled edge may be about 1 .5 millimeters.

For example, the external diameter of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article may be about 7.2 millimeters and the curled end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article may comprise a central aperture having a width of about 4.2 millimeters such that the thickness of the of the curled edge is about 1 .5 millimeters.

At least a portion of the curled edge of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article may provide a higher thickness then the uncurled wall of the open tubular end. At least a portion of the curled edge of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article may provide a higher density then the uncurled tubular wall. By the simultaneous advancement and rotation of the curling surface, the method of curling the open tubular end of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article differs from other methods of folding or bending the open tubular end of an aerosol- or smokegenerating article. The resulting curled edge of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article differs from a folded or bent tubular end of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article. Due to the treatment by the simultaneously advancing and rotating the curling surface, the shape and structure of a curled end differs from the shape and structure of an at least partly closed end of an article that has been at least partly closed by conventional folding or bending methods.

The method for curling the open tubular end of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article may be implemented in existing manufacturing lines used for production of aerosol- or smokegenerating articles.

The curling surface may be concavely shaped and, optionally, may comprise a concave curvature. The curling surface may be arranged rotationally symmetric around a center axis. The step of curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article may comprise advancing the curling surface along the center axis towards the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article and, simultaneously, rotating the curling surface around the center axis. During the step of curling, the center axis of the curling surface and a longitudinal center axis of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article may be aligned along a common axis. The curling surface may be a smooth surface, for example a metal surface which may be polished. The curling surface may comprise one or both of steel and brass.

The curling surface may be linearly advanced towards the aerosol- or smokegenerating article over a distance of between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters, preferably of between 3 millimeters and 7 millimeters, more preferably of about 5 millimeters.

The curling surface may be linearly advanced towards the aerosol- or smokegenerating article at a speed of between 1 millimeter per second and 10 millimeters per second, preferably between 3 millimeters per second and 7 millimeters per second, more preferably about 5 millimeters per second.

The curling surface may be linearly advanced towards the aerosol- or smokegenerating article at a force of between 1 Newton and 20 Newtons, preferably between 3 Newtons and 15 Newtons, more preferably between 5 Newtons and 10 Newtons.

The curling surface may be rotated at a speed of between 50 rounds per minute and 2.000 rounds per minute, preferably between 100 rounds per minute and 1.500 rounds per minute, more preferably between 300 rounds per minute and 1 .200 rounds per minute.

The curling surface may be a curling surface of a curling head as described herein.

The method may comprise, before the step of curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article, a step of inserting a capsule into the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article.

The method may comprise, before the step of curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article, a step of pretreating the open tubular distal end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article. The pretreatment may comprise wetting the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article with an aqueous solution, for example in form of a spray mist. The aqueous solution may be water-based and may comprise additives. The open tubular end may be only slightly wetted. By wetting the open tubular end, the humidity of the tubular wall of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article may be increased.

The pretreatment may comprise treating the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smokegenerating article with vapor or steam. The pretreatment may comprise heating the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article, for example to temperatures in the range of 30 °C to 200 °C.

The pretreatment may improve curling of the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smokegenerating article. The pretreatment may particularly improve curling of the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article when the open tubular end comprises cardboard or paper.

The pretreatment may increase the elasticity of the edge.

The invention further relates to an aerosol- or smoke-generating article comprising at least one curled end, preferably a curled distal end. The aerosol- or smoke-generating article may be obtained by the method for curling an open tubular end of an aerosol- or smokegenerating article as described herein.

The curled distal end may comprise a convex curvature. A radius of curvature of the convex curvature may be between 1 .3 millimeters and 2.3 millimeters, preferably between 1 .6 millimeters and 2.0 millimeters, more preferably between 1.7 millimeters and 1.9 millimeters, more preferably about 1 .8 millimeters. The curled distal end may have a rounded shape.

The curled distal end may comprise a curled edge circumscribing a central aperture. The curled edge may be a rounded edge.

The curled distal end may be made from cardboard or paper, for example wrapping paper.

The aerosol- or smoke-generating article may comprise a capsule. The capsule may comprise one or more nicotine salts.

The capsule may contain pharmaceutically active particles. For instance, the pharmaceutically active particles may comprise nicotine. The pharmaceutically active particles may have a mass median aerodynamic diameter of about 5 micrometres or less, or in a range from about 0.5 micrometres to about 4 micrometres, or in a range from about 1 micrometres to about 3 micrometres. The capsule may comprise one or more nicotine salts.

The capsule may contain nicotine particles comprising nicotine (also referred to as “nicotine powder” or “nicotine particles”) and optionally particles comprising flavour (also referred to as “flavour particles). The capsule may contain a predetermined amount of nicotine particles and optional flavour particles. The capsule may contain enough nicotine particles to provide at least 2 inhalations or “puffs”, or at least about 5 inhalations or “puffs”, or at least about 10 inhalations or “puffs”. The capsule may contain enough nicotine particles to provide from about 5 to about 50 inhalations or “puffs”, or from about 10 to about 30 inhalations or “puffs”. Each inhalation or “puff” may deliver from about 0.1 mg to about 3 mg of nicotine particles to the lungs of the user or from about 0.2 milligrams to about 2 milligrams of nicotine particles to the lungs of the user or about 1 milligram of nicotine particles to the lungs of the user.

The nicotine particles may have any useful concentration of nicotine based on the particular formulation employed. The nicotine particles may have at least about 1 weight- percent nicotine up to about 30 weight-percent nicotine, or from about 2 weight-percent to about 25 weight-percent nicotine, or from about 3 weight-percent to about 20 weight-percent nicotine, or from about 4 weight-percent to about 15 weight-percent nicotine, or from about 5 weight-percent to about 13 weight-percent nicotine. Preferably, about 50 to about 150 micrograms of nicotine may be delivered to the lungs of the user with each inhalation or “puff”.

The capsule may hold or contain at least about 5 milligrams of nicotine particles or at least about 10 milligrams of nicotine particles. The capsule may hold or contain less than about 900 milligrams of nicotine particles, or less than about 300 milligrams of nicotine particles, or less than 150 milligrams of nicotine particles.

The capsule may hold or contain from about 5 milligrams to about 300 milligrams of nicotine particles or from about 10 milligrams to about 200 milligrams of nicotine particles.

When flavour particles are blended or combined with the nicotine particles within the capsule, the flavour particles may be present in an amount that provides the desired flavour to each inhalation or “puff” delivered to the user.

The nicotine particles may have any useful size distribution for inhalation delivery preferentially into the lungs of a user. The capsule may include particles other than the nicotine particles. The nicotine particles and the other particles may form a powder system.

The capsule may hold or contain at least about 5 milligrams of a dry powder (also referred to as a powder system) or at least about 10 milligrams of a dry powder. The capsule may hold or contain less than about 900 milligrams of a dry powder, or less than about 300 milligrams of a dry powder, or less than about 150 milligrams of a dry powder. The capsule may hold or contain from about 5 milligrams to about 300 milligrams of a dry powder, or from about 10 milligrams to about 200 milligrams of a dry powder, or from about 25 milligrams to about 100 milligrams of a dry powder.

The dry powder or powder system may have at least about 40 percent, or at least about 60 percent, or at least about 80 percent, by weight of the powder system comprised in nicotine particles having a particle size of about 5 micrometres or less, or in a range from about 1 micrometre to about 5 micrometres.

The particles comprising nicotine may have a mass median 5 aerodynamic diameter of about 5 micrometres or less, or in a range from about 0.5 micrometres to about 4 micrometres, or in a range from about 1 micrometre to about 3 micrometres or in a range from about 1.5 micrometres to about 2.5 micrometres. The mass median aerodynamic diameter is preferably measured with a cascade impactor.

The particles comprising flavour may have a mass median aerodynamic diameter of about 20 micrometres or greater, or about 50 micrometres or greater, or in a range from about 50 to about 200 micrometres, or from about 50 to about 150 micrometres. The mass median aerodynamic diameter is preferably measured with a cascade impactor.

The dry powder may have a mean diameter of about 60 micrometres or less, or in a range from about 1 micrometre to about 40 micrometres, or in a range from about 1.5 micrometres to about 25 micrometres. The mean diameter refers to the mean diameter per mass and is preferably measured by laser diffraction, laser diffusion or an electronic microscope.

Nicotine in the powder system or nicotine particles may be a pharmaceutically acceptable free-base nicotine, or nicotine salt, or nicotine salt hydrate. Useful nicotine salts or nicotine salt hydrates include nicotine pyruvate, nicotine citrate, nicotine aspartate, nicotine lactate, nicotine bitartrate, nicotine salicylate, nicotine fumarate, nicotine mono-pyruvate, nicotine glutamate or nicotine hydrochloride, for example. The compound combining with nicotine to form the salt or salt hydrate may be chosen based on its expected pharmacological effect.

The nicotine particles preferably include an amino acid. Preferably, the amino acid may be leucine such as L-leucine. Providing an amino acid such as L-leucine with the particles comprising nicotine, may reduce adhesion forces of the particles comprising nicotine and may reduce attraction between nicotine particles and thus reduce agglomeration of nicotine particles.

Similarly, adhesion forces to particles comprising flavour may also be reduced thus agglomeration of nicotine particles with flavour particles is also reduced. The powder system described herein thus may be a free-flowing material and possess a stable relative particle size of each powder component even when the nicotine particles and the flavour particles are combined.

Preferably, the nicotine may be a surface modified nicotine salt where the nicotine salt particle comprises a coated or composite particle. A preferred coating or composite material may be L-leucine. One particularly useful nicotine particle may be nicotine bi 5 tartrate with L- leucine.

The powder system may include a population of flavour particles. The flavour particles may have any useful size distribution for inhalation delivery selectively into the mouth or buccal cavity of a user.

The powder system may have at least about 40 percent, or at least about 60 percent, or at least about 80 percent, by weight of the population of flavour particles of the powder system comprised in particles having a particle size of about 20 micrometres or greater. The powder system may have at least about 40 percent or at least about 60 percent, or at least about 80 percent, by weight of the population of flavour particles of the powder system comprised in particles having a particle size of about 50 micrometres or greater. The powder system may have at least about 40 percent or at least about 60 percent, or at least about 80 percent, by weight of the population of flavour particles of the powder system comprised in particles having a particle size in a range from about 50 micrometre to about 150 micrometres.

The particles comprising flavour may include a compound to reduce adhesion forces or surface energy and resulting agglomeration. The flavour particle may be surface modified with an adhesion reducing compound to form a coated flavour particle. One preferred adhesion reducing compound may be magnesium stearate. Providing an adhesion reducing compound such as magnesium stearate with the flavour particle, especially coating the flavour particle, may reduce adhesion forces of the particles comprising flavour and may reduce attraction between flavour particles and thus reduce agglomeration of flavour particles. Thus, agglomeration of flavour particles with nicotine particles may also be reduced. The powder system described herein thus may possess a stable relative particle size of the particles comprising nicotine and the particles comprising flavour even when the nicotine particles and the flavour particles are combined. The powder system preferably may be free flowing.

Conventional formulations for dry powder inhalation contain carrier particles that serve to increase the fluidization of the active particles since the active particles may be too small to be influenced by simple airflow though the inhaler. The powder system may comprise carrier particles. These carrier particles may be a saccharide such as lactose or mannitol that may have a particle size greater than about 50 micrometres. The carrier particles may be utilized to improve dose uniformity by acting as a diluent or bulking agent in a formulation.

The powder system utilized with the nicotine powder delivery system described herein may be carrier-free or substantially free of a saccharide such as lactose or mannitol. Being carrier-free or substantially free of a saccharide such as lactose or mannitol may allow the nicotine to be inhaled and delivered to the user’s lungs at inhalation or airflow rates that are similar to typical smoking regime inhalation or airflow rates.

The nicotine particles and a flavour may be combined in a single capsule. As described above, the nicotine particles and a flavour may each have reduced adhesion forces that result in a stable particle formulation where the particle size of each component does not substantially change when combined. Alternatively, the powder system includes nicotine particles contained within a single capsule and the flavour particles contained within a second capsule.

The nicotine particles and flavour particles may be combined in any useful relative amount so that the flavour particles are detected by the user when consumed with the nicotine particles.

Preferably, the nicotine particles and flavour particles form at least about 90 weight- percent or at least about 95 weight-percent or at least about 99 weight-percent or 100 weight- percent of the total weight of the powder system.

The invention further relates to a curling head for curling an open tubular end of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article. The curling head may comprise a longitudinal center axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The curling head may comprise a circular opening located centrally at the proximal end and defining a recess towards the distal end. The recess may be arranged for insertion of an open hollow tubular element of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article into the recess. At least a portion of a sidewall of the recess may be arranged as a curling surface. The curling surface may comprise a concave curvature.

The invention further relates to a curling head for curling an open tubular end of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article. The curling head comprises a longitudinal center axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The curling head comprises a circular opening located centrally at the proximal end and defining a recess towards the distal end. The recess is arranged for insertion of an open hollow tubular element of an aerosol- or smokegenerating article into the recess. At least a portion of a sidewall of the recess is arranged as a curling surface. The curling surface comprises a concave curvature.

A basic shape of the recess may be bowl-shaped or dome-shaped.

A basic shape of the curling head may be rotationally symmetric with respect to the longitudinal center axis.

The curling head may comprise a curling mechanism configured for linearly advancing the curling head along the longitudinal center axis and, simultaneously, rotating the curling head around the longitudinal center axis. The curling mechanism may be driven by one or more motors. The curling mechanism may comprise means for transmitting power from the one or more motors to the curling head.

The curling mechanism may be configured for linearly advancing the curling head over a distance of between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters, preferably of between 3 millimeters and 7 millimeters, more preferably of about 5 millimeters.

The curling mechanism may be configured for linearly advancing the curling head at a speed of between 1 millimeter per second and 10 millimeters per second, preferably between 3 millimeters per second and 7 millimeters per second, more preferably about 5 millimeters per second.

The curling mechanism may be configured for linearly advancing the curling head at a force of between 1 Newton and 20 Newtons, preferably between 3 Newtons and 15 Newtons, more preferably between 5 Newtons and 10 Newtons.

The curling mechanism may be configured for rotating the curling head at a speed of between 50 rounds per minute and 2.000 rounds per minute, preferably between 100 rounds per minute and 1 .500 rounds per minute, more preferably between 300 rounds per minute and 1 .200 rounds per minute.

A maximum diameter of the circular opening may be between 5 millimeters and 10 millimeters, preferably between 6 millimeters and 9 millimeters.

A base of the recess may comprise a centrally arranged protrusion extending along the longitudinal center axis towards the proximal end.

The centrally arranged protrusion may be cone-shaped. The centrally arranged protrusion may be pin-shaped. A pin-shape may be described as a cone shape, wherein the lateral surface comprises a concave curvature.

The centrally arranged protrusion may be shaped as a truncated pin or cone.

The centrally arranged protrusion may be hourglass-shaped. A length of the centrally arranged protrusion may be between 0.3 millimeter and 3 millimeters, preferably between 0.5 millimeter and 2 millimeters, more preferably between 0.8 millimeter and 1.2 millimeters, more preferably about 1 millimeter.

At least a portion of a sidewall of the centrally arranged protrusion may be arranged as a curling surface. The curling surface of the sidewall of the recess may be a first curling surface and the curling surface of the sidewall of the centrally arranged protrusion may be a second curling surface. The second curling surface may comprise a concave curvature.

A maximum depth of the recess parallel to the longitudinal axis may be between 1 millimeter and 15 millimeters, preferably between 4 millimeters and 10 millimeters, more preferably between 5 millimeters and 8 millimeters.

A radius of curvature of the concave curvature of one or both of the first and second curling surfaces may be between 10% and 40%, preferably between 20% and 30%, more preferably about 25%, of a maximum diameter of the circular opening. As used herein, the “radius of curvature of the concave curvature” may relate to one or both of the first and second curling surfaces. Radii of curvature of the concave curvature of the first and second curling surfaces may be identical or may be different.

The invention further relates to an apparatus for manufacturing aerosol- or smokegenerating articles, comprising a curling station for curling an open tubular end of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article. The curling station comprises a curling head as described herein.

The apparatus may comprise a capsule insertion station for inserting a capsule into the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article before curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article by means of the curling station.

As used herein, the term “aerosol- or smoke-generating article” comprises conventional smoke-generating articles like conventional cigarettes or cigars. As used herein, the term “aerosol- or smoke-generating article” comprises aerosol-generating articles which comprise an aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-generating device may be provided to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosolforming substrate are volatilised without burning the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosolgenerating article may comprise a heating element, for example a susceptor element. The aerosol-forming substrate may be present in solid form or in liquid form. As used herein, the term “aerosol- or smoke-generating article” comprises inhaler articles, for example dry powder inhalers.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-forming substrate’ relates to a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol or a vapor. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be in solid form or may be in liquid form. The terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapor’ are used synonymously. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of a liquid held in a liquid storage portion of the aerosol-generating article. The liquid storage portion may contain a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively or in addition, the liquid storage portion may contain a solid aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the liquid storage portion may contain a suspension of a solid aerosol-forming substrate and a liquid. Preferably, the liquid storage portion contains a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The nicotine-containing aerosolforming substrate may be a nicotine salt matrix.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant-based material. The aerosolforming substrate may comprise tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material including volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised tobacco material. Homogenised tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. An aerosolformer is any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of a dense and stable aerosol and that is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the temperature of operation of the device. Suitable aerosol-formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1 , 3-butanediol. Preferably, the aerosol former is glycerine. Where present, the homogenised tobacco material may have an aerosolformer content of equal to or greater than 5 percent by weight on a dry weight basis, and preferably from 5 percent to 30 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients, such as flavourants.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating device’ refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol.

As used herein, when used in conjunction with the aerosol- or smoke-generating article or a part or portion thereof, the term ‘proximal’ refers to a user-end, or mouth-end, and the term ‘distal’ refers to the end opposite to the proximal end. Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example E1 : A method for curling an open tubular end of an aerosol- or smokegenerating article, comprising steps of providing a curling surface; providing an aerosol- or smoke-generating article comprising an open tubular end; and curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article by advancing the curling surface towards the aerosol- or smoke-generating article and, simultaneously, rotating the curling surface.

Example E2: The method according to Example E1 , wherein the curling surface is concavely shaped and is arranged rotationally symmetric around a center axis, and wherein the step of curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article comprises advancing the curling surface along the center axis towards the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article and, simultaneously, rotating the curling surface around the center axis.

Example E3: The method according to Example E1 or Example E2, wherein, a wall of the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article is made from cardboard or paper.

Example E4: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein advancing the curling surface towards the aerosol- or smoke-generating article comprises linearly advancing the curling surface over a distance of between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters, preferably of between 3 millimeters and 7 millimeters, more preferably of about 5 millimeters.

Example E5: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein advancing the curling surface towards the aerosol- or smoke-generating article comprises linearly advancing the curling surface at a speed of between 1 millimeter per second and 10 millimeters per second, preferably between 3 millimeters per second and 7 millimeters per second, more preferably about 5 millimeters per second.

Example E6: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein advancing the curling surface towards the aerosol- or smoke-generating article comprises linearly advancing the curling surface at a force of between 1 Newton and 20 Newtons, preferably between 3 Newtons and 15 Newtons, more preferably between 5 Newtons and 10 Newtons.

Example E7: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the curling surface is rotated at a speed of between 50 rounds per minute and 2.000 rounds per minute, preferably between 100 rounds per minute and 1.500 rounds per minute, more preferably between 300 rounds per minute and 1 .200 rounds per minute.

Example E8: The method according to any of the preceding examples, comprising, before the step of curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article, inserting a capsule into the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article, preferably wherein the capsule comprises one or more nicotine salts.

Example E9: The method according to any of the preceding examples, comprising, before the step of curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article, a step of pretreating the open tubular distal end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article.

Example E10: The method according to Example E9, wherein the step of pretreating comprises wetting the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article with an aqueous solution.

Example E11 : An aerosol- or smoke-generating article comprising a curled distal end.

Example E12: The aerosol- or smoke-generating article according to Example E1 1 obtained by the method of any of Examples E1 to E10.

Example E13: The aerosol- or smoke-generating article according to Example E11 or Example E12, wherein the curled distal end comprises a curled edge circumscribing a central aperture.

Example E14: The aerosol- or smoke-generating article according to any of Examples E1 1 to E13, wherein the curled distal end is made from cardboard or paper.

Example E15: The aerosol- or smoke-generating article according to any of Examples E1 1 to E14, comprising a capsule, preferably wherein the capsule comprises one or more nicotine salts.

Example E16: The aerosol- or smoke-generating article according to any of Examples E1 1 to E15, wherein the curled distal end comprises a convex curvature.

Example E17: The aerosol- or smoke-generating article according to Example E16, wherein a radius of curvature of the convex curvature is between 1.3 millimeters and 2.3 millimeters, preferably between 1 .6 millimeters and 2.0 millimeters, more preferably between 1.7 millimeters and 1.9 millimeters, more preferably is about 1.8 millimeters.

Example E18: A curling head for curling an open tubular end of an aerosol- or smokegenerating article, comprising a longitudinal center axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a circular opening located centrally at the proximal end and defining a recess towards the distal end, wherein the recess is arranged for insertion of an open hollow tubular element of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article into the recess, and wherein at least a portion of a sidewall of the recess is arranged as a curling surface comprising a concave curvature.

Example E19: The curling head according to Example E18, wherein a basic shape of the recess is bowl-shaped or dome-shaped.

Example E20: The curling head according to Examples E18 or Examples E19, wherein a basic shape of the curling head is rotationally symmetric with respect to the longitudinal center axis.

Example E21 : The curling head according to any of Examples E18 to E20, comprising a curling mechanism configured for linearly advancing the curling head along the longitudinal center axis and, simultaneously, rotating the curling head around the longitudinal center axis.

Example E22: The curling head according to Example E21 , wherein the curling mechanism is configured for linearly advancing the curling head over a distance of between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters, preferably of between 3 millimeters and 7 millimeters, more preferably of about 5 millimeters.

Example E23: The curling head according to Example E21 or Example E22, wherein the curling mechanism is configured for linearly advancing the curling head at a speed of between 1 millimeter per second and 10 millimeters per second, preferably between 3 millimeters per second and 7 millimeters per second, more preferably about 5 millimeters per second.

Example E24: The curling head according to any of Examples E21 to E23, wherein the curling mechanism is configured for linearly advancing the curling head at a force of between 1 Newton and 20 Newtons, preferably between 3 Newtons and 15 Newtons, more preferably between 5 Newtons and 10 Newtons.

Example E25: The curling head according to any of Examples E21 to E24, wherein the curling mechanism is configured for rotating the curling head at a speed of between 50 rounds per minute and 2.000 rounds per minute, preferably between 100 rounds per minute and 1 .500 rounds per minute, more preferably between 300 rounds per minute and 1 .200 rounds per minute.

Example E26: The curling head according to any of Examples E18 to E25, wherein a maximum diameter of the circular opening is between 5 millimeters and 10 millimeters, preferably between 6 millimeters and 9 millimeters.

Example E27: The curling head according to any of Examples E18 to E26, wherein a base of the recess comprises a centrally arranged protrusion extending along the longitudinal center axis towards the proximal end.

Example E28: The curling head according to Example E27, wherein the centrally arranged protrusion is pin-shaped. Example E29: The curling head according to Example E27, wherein the centrally arranged protrusion is hourglass-shaped.

Example E30: The curling head according to any of Examples E27 to E29, wherein a length of the centrally arranged protrusion is between 0.3 millimeter and 3 millimeters, preferably between 0.5 millimeter and 2 millimeters, more preferably between 0.8 millimeter and 1 .2 millimeters, more preferably about 1 millimeter.

Example E31 : The curling head according to any of Examples E27 to E30, wherein at least a portion of a sidewall of the centrally arranged protrusion is arranged as a curling surface comprising a concave curvature.

Example E32: The curling head according to any of Examples E18 to E31 , wherein a maximum depth of the recess parallel to the longitudinal axis is between 1 millimeter and 15 millimeters, preferably between 4 millimeters and 10 millimeters, more preferably between 5 millimeters and 8 millimeters.

Example E33: The curling head according to any of Examples E18 to E32, wherein a radius of curvature of the concave curvature is between 10% and 40%, preferably between 20% and 30%, more preferably about 25%, of a maximum diameter of the circular opening.

Example E34: An apparatus for manufacturing aerosol- or smoke-generating articles, comprising a curling station for curling an open tubular end of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article, the curling station comprising a curling head according to any of Examples E18 to E33.

Example E35: The apparatus according to Example E34, comprising a capsule insertion station for inserting a capsule into the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smokegenerating article before curling the open tubular end of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article by means of the curling station.

Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figs. 1 A and 1 B show a method for curling an open tubular end of an aerosol- or smokegenerating article;

Fig. 1 C shows the article obtained by the method of Figs. 1 A and 1 B;

Figs. 2A and 2B show a method for curling an open tubular end of an aerosolgenerating article;

Figs. 3A to 3F show differently shaped curling heads; and

Fig. 4 shows a curling head. Figs. 1 A and 1 B show a method for curling an open tubular end of an aerosolgenerating article. Fig. 1 A shows a cross-sectional view of a curling head 10 in proximity to an aerosol-generating article 30 before the step of curling.

The curling head 10 comprises a longitudinal center axis 12 extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The curling head 10 comprises a circular opening located centrally at the proximal end and defining a recess 14 extending from the proximal end in a direction towards the distal end of the curling head 10. The recess 14 is arranged for insertion of an open hollow tubular element 32 of the aerosol-generating article 30 into the recess 14. A portion of a sidewall of the recess 14 is arranged as a first curling surface 16. The first curling surface 16 comprises a concave curvature.

The basic shape of the curling head 10 is rotationally symmetric with respect to the longitudinal center axis 12. The basic shape of the recess 14 is bowl-shaped. The recess 14 is rotationally symmetric with respect to the longitudinal center axis 12.

A base of the recess 14 comprise a centrally arranged protrusion 18 extending along the longitudinal center 12 axis towards the proximal end of the curling head 10. The centrally arranged protrusion 18 is pin-shaped. The sidewall of the centrally arranged protrusion 18 is arranged as a second curling surface 20 comprising a concave curvature. The centrally arranged protrusion 18 is rotationally symmetric with respect to the longitudinal center axis 12.

The aerosol-generating article 30 comprises a capsule 34 located within the hollow tubular element 32. The capsule 34 has been inserted via an open distal end 36 of the hollow tubular element 32. The aerosol-generating article 30 further comprises a mouthpiece filter 38 at a proximal end of the aerosol-generating article 30.

The center axis 12 of the curling head 10, which is, at the same time, the center axis of the first curling surface 16 and of the second curling surface 20, is aligned along a common axis with a longitudinal center axis 40 of the aerosol-generating article 30.

Fig. 1 B shows a cross-sectional view of the curling head 10 and the aerosol-generating article 30 at a moment in time at the end of the step of curling the open tubular end of the aerosol-generating article 30. The curling head 10 has been advanced along the center axis 12 towards the open tubular end of the aerosol-generating article 30 as indicated by arrow 70. Simultaneously, to advancing the curling head 10 as indicated by arrow 70, the curling head 10 has been rotated around the center axis 12 as indicated by arrow 72.

Fig. 1 C shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol-generating article 30 comprising a curled distal end 42 obtained by the method of Figs. 1A and 1 B. The curled distal end 42 is arranged rotationally symmetric around the longitudinal center axis 40 of the aerosolgenerating article 30.

By the curling method, the open distal end 36 of the aerosol-generating article of Fig. 1A has been partly closed. The curled distal end 42 of the aerosol-generating article 30 is partly closed such that the capsule 34 is securely retained within the hollow tubular element 32.

The curled distal end 42 comprises a rounded curled edge 44 and a central aperture 46. The basic shape of the curled distal end 42 is resembling that of a donut. The basic shape of the curled distal end 42 fits to the corresponding shape of the first and second curling surfaces 16, 20 shown in Figs. 1 A and 1 B. The first and second curling surfaces 16, 20 are concavely curved and the curled distal end 42 is correspondingly convexly curved.

The open central aperture 46 allows for a puncturing means to be inserted therethrough for puncturing the capsule 34 retained within the hollow tubular element 32. The rounded curled edge 44 provides additional rigidity to the distal end of the aerosol-generating article 30. This may improve user handling. For example, when a user inserts the aerosol-generating article 30 into a piercing device, the structurally reinforced article is less prone to being deformed or damaged.

The curling method also reproducibly provides aerosol-generating articles 30 with a uniform appearance of the partly closed curled distal ends 42 of the articles 30. By the curling method, the distal ends may always be brought into the same shape. It may thus be compensated for initial variations in lengths of the open distal ends 36 of the articles 30, which may be initially present due to manufacturing tolerances. This may be different to prior art methods, where open distal ends of articles with length variations are folded to be closed or partly closed. In these prior art methods, different lengths due to manufacturing tolerances may result in different lengths of folded flaps which may in turn result in a non-uniform appearance of the articles.

Figs. 2A and 2B show a method for curling an open tubular end 36 of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article 30. Fig. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of a curling head 10 in proximity to the aerosol- or smoke-generating article 30 before the step of curling. The longitudinal center axes 12, 40 of the aerosol- or smoke-generating article 30 and the curling head 10 are brought into alignment.

Before curling, as shown in Fig. 2A, the hollow tubular element 32 comprises an open distal end 36. The hollow tubular element 32 circumscribes an aerosol- or smoke-generating object 48. For example, the aerosol- or smoke-generating object 48 may be loose tobacco and the aerosol- or smoke-generating article 30 may be a combustible cigarette or cigar. For example, the aerosol- or smoke-generating object 48 may be a tobacco material with a high aerosol-former content and the aerosol- or smoke-generating article 30 may be a heat-not- burn aerosol-generating article. For example, the aerosol- or smoke-generating object 48 may be a capsule comprising nicotine salts and the aerosol- or smoke-generating article 30 may be an inhaler article. The aerosol- or smoke-generating article 30 further comprises a proximal portion 50. For example, the proximal portion 50 may be a mouthpiece element and may comprise a filter material.

The curling head 10 comprises a curling surface 16 comprising a concave curvature. The curling surface 16 assumes a hemispherical shape. Double-ended arrow 52 indicates a half of the length of the circumference of the hemisphere.

Fig. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the curling head 10 and the aerosol- or smokegenerating article 30 at the end of the step of curling. The curling head 10 has been linearly advanced along the center axis 12 towards the open tubular end of the aerosol-generating article 30 as indicated by arrow 70. Double-ended arrow 54 indicates the distance over which the curling head 10 has been advanced. Simultaneously, to advancing the curling head 10 as indicated by arrow 70, the curling head 10 has been rotated around the center axis 12 as indicated by arrow 72.

The curled aerosol-generating article 30 of Fig. 2B comprises a partly closed distal end with a rounded curled edge 44 and a central aperture 46.

For example, during curling, the curling head 10 may be linearly advanced over a distance 54 of 5.0 millimeters. The half of the length of the circumference of the hemisphere 52 may be 5.2 millimeters. The resulting width 56 of the central aperture 46 may be about 0.4 millimeters.

Figs. 3A to 3F show cross-sections of differently shaped curling heads 10 for curling an open tubular end of an aerosol- or smoke-generating article. The curling heads 10 of Figs. 3A to 3F are rotationally symmetric with respect to the center axis 12. A basic shape of a recess 14 of each of the curling heads 10 of Figs. 3A to 3F is bowl-shaped.

Fig. 3A shows a curling head 10 without any central protrusion and comprising only a first curling surface 16. Each of the curling heads 10 shown in Figs. 3B to 3F comprises a first curling surface 16 and a centrally arranged protrusion 18 providing a second curling surface 20.

The central protrusion 18 of the curling head 10 of Fig. 3B is pin-shaped. The central protrusions 18 of the curling heads 10 of Figs. 3C and 3D are shaped as truncated pins, where portions of the tip of the pin shown in Fig. 3B are removed.

The central protrusion 18 of the curling head 10 of Fig. 3E is shaped as a small and thin pin.

The central protrusion 18 of the curling head 10 of Fig. 3F is hourglass-shaped.

Fig. 4 shows a curling head 10 having a centrally arranged protrusion 18 shaped as a truncated pin, similar to the curling head shown in Fig. 3B. A maximum diameter of the circular opening defining the recess 14 is indicated by double-ended arrow 58. A maximum depth of the recess 14 parallel to the longitudinal axis 12 is indicated by double-ended arrow 60. A length of the centrally arranged protrusion 18 is indicated by double-ended arrow 62 and extends between the base of the recess 14 and the proximal end of the central protrusion 18.

The first and second curling surfaces 16, 20 are both concavely curved and have the same radius of curvature as indicated by double ended arrow 64.

For example, the diameter 58 may be 7.2 millimeters, the depth 60 may be 6.0 millimeters, the length 62 of protrusion 18 may be 1.0 millimeter, and the radius of curvature 64 may be 1 .8 millimeters.