EP4501140A1 - Tubular body - Google Patents

Tubular body Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4501140A1
EP4501140A1 EP22935370.1A EP22935370A EP4501140A1 EP 4501140 A1 EP4501140 A1 EP 4501140A1 EP 22935370 A EP22935370 A EP 22935370A EP 4501140 A1 EP4501140 A1 EP 4501140A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sheet material
tubular body
adhesive layer
vent holes
positioning
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22935370.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4501140A4 (en
Inventor
Katsuya TAMURA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Japan Tobacco Inc
Original Assignee
Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Japan Tobacco Inc filed Critical Japan Tobacco Inc
Publication of EP4501140A1 publication Critical patent/EP4501140A1/en
Publication of EP4501140A4 publication Critical patent/EP4501140A4/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/46—Making paper tubes for cigarettes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/005—Treatment of cigarette paper
    • A24C5/007—Perforating
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/14—Machines of the continuous-rod type
    • A24C5/24—Pasting the seam
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES OF CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter tips or filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces of cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/025—Final operations, i.e. after the filter rod forming process
    • A24D3/0258—Means for making grooves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES OF CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter tips or filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces of cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/04—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES OF CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter tips or filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces of cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/04—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure
    • A24D3/043—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure with ventilation means, e.g. air dilution

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a tubular body.
  • a double-layered tube (tubular body) manufactured from first and second material strip portions is known (see, for example, PTL 1).
  • This double-layered tube is applicable, for example, to a flavor generating article for use in a non-combustible flavor inhaler for inhaling flavor or the like without combusting any material, or to a combustible smoking article.
  • the second material strip portion is disposed around the first material strip portion, and the first and second material strip portions have abutment edges wound to be shifted from each other in a circumferential direction. Furthermore, in this tube, a positioning adhesive and a joint adhesive (collectively referred to as an adhesive) are provided on the entire surface or almost the entire surface between the first material strip portion and the second material strip portion.
  • this application includes incorporating the tube into a semifinished product of the flavor generating article or the smoking article, then irradiating the tube with laser beams from an outer circumference toward an inner circumference of the tube and combusting a material of the tube at irradiated spots. Consequently, vent holes extending through the tube can be formed intermittently over an entire circumference of the tube in a circumferential direction.
  • an adhesive is provided on the entire surface or almost the entire surface between a first material strip portion and a second material strip portion. Therefore, when forming the vent holes, combustion ash of the adhesive may close the vent holes.
  • paper constituting the tube is, for example, organic wood pulp (almost pure cellulose from which lignin, hemicellulose, and the like contained in trees are removed) and an inorganic filler (calcium carbonate), and the combustion ash generated by irradiation with laser beams is mainly calcium carbonate.
  • the adhesive is, for example, a kneaded material of modified starch, vinyl acetate or ethylene vinyl acetate, which is an organic polymer, alcohols and water, and the combustion ash generated by the irradiation with laser beams contains organic polymers left over from combustion.
  • the combustion ash in the vent holes formed at spots to which the adhesive is applied is a mixture of calcium carbonate and organic polymers and is stickier and more likely to close the vent holes than calcium carbonate-dominant combustion ash in the vent holes formed at spots to which the adhesive is not applied.
  • the present invention has been made to solve at least some of such problems as described above, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a tubular body capable of inhibiting combustion ash of an adhesive from closing vent holes if the vent holes are formed.
  • a tubular body in a first aspect of the present invention, includes a first sheet material that has a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to an axial direction, a second sheet material that is provided on an outer circumference of the first sheet material and that has a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction, an adhesive layer that is provided between the first sheet material and the second sheet material and that bonds the first sheet material and the second sheet material to each other, and a plurality of vent holes formed in a circumferential direction of the tubular body through the first sheet material and the second sheet material, wherein the plurality of vent holes including at least one first vent hole in which the adhesive layer is exposed to a hole inner surface of the vent hole, and at least one second vent hole in which the adhesive layer is not exposed to the hole inner surface of the vent hole.
  • the plurality of vent holes includes the at least one first vent hole in which the adhesive layer is exposed to the hole inner surface of the vent hole, and the at least one second vent hole in which the adhesive layer is not exposed to the hole inner surface of the vent hole. Consequently, probability of forming the vent hole at a spot provided with the adhesive layer can be reduced, and combustion ash of an adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent holes.
  • the first sheet material and the second sheet material are shifted from each other and stacked such that ends of the first and second sheet materials in the circumferential direction do not overlap each other
  • the first sheet material includes a first body portion, and a first extending portion extending from the first body portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the opposing second sheet material
  • the second sheet material includes a second body portion, and a second extending portion extending from the second body portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the opposing first sheet material
  • the adhesive layer includes a positioning adhesive layer that bonds the first body portion and the second body portion to each other, and a joint adhesive layer that bonds the first extending portion and the second extending portion to each other
  • the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern of a positioning glue applied linearly.
  • the positioning adhesive layer bonding the first body portion of the first sheet material and the second body portion of the second sheet material to each other has the adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied linearly, an amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with a case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface.
  • the positioning glue is applied linearly in two or more lines.
  • the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied linearly in two or more lines, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface.
  • the positioning glue is applied in a straight line.
  • the positioning adhesive layer since the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied in two or more straight lines, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface.
  • the positioning glue is applied in a straight line parallel to the axial direction.
  • the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied in two or more straight lines parallel to the axial direction, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface.
  • the positioning glue is applied in a straight line perpendicular to the axial direction.
  • the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied in two or more lines perpendicular to the axial direction, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface.
  • the positioning glue is applied spirally along the axial direction.
  • the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied spirally along the axial direction, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface.
  • each of the first sheet material and the second sheet material is paper.
  • the first sheet material and second sheet material made of paper can improve processability of the tubular body.
  • the number of vent holes in the plurality of vent holes is 12 or more and 30 or less.
  • the ninth aspect of the present invention by setting the number of the vent holes in the plurality of vent holes to 12 or more and 30 or less, the probability of forming the vent hole at the spot provided with the adhesive layer can be reduced, and combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent holes, while introducing sufficient air into an interior.
  • the number of vent holes in the plurality of vent holes is 21 or less.
  • the probability of forming the vent hole at the spot provided with the adhesive layer can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent holes, while introducing sufficient air into the interior.
  • the number of vent holes in the first vent holes is 6 or less.
  • the eleventh aspect of the present invention by setting the number of the vent holes in the first vent holes to 6 or less, the probability of forming the vent hole at the spot provided with the adhesive layer can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent holes, while introducing sufficient air into the interior.
  • a ratio of the number of vent holes in the first vent holes to the total number of vent holes in the plurality of vent holes is less than 1/4.
  • the probability of forming the vent hole at the spot provided with the adhesive layer can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent holes, while introducing sufficient air into the interior.
  • the plurality of vent holes is formed in two or more rows along the axial direction.
  • the thirteenth aspect of the present invention by forming the plurality of vent holes in two or more rows along the axial direction, more air can be introduced into the interior as compared with a case where the plurality of vent holes is formed in one row.
  • a tubular body according to the present invention may be applied, for example, to a flavor generating article for use in a non-combustible flavor inhaler for inhaling flavor or the like without combusting any material.
  • the tubular body according to the present invention may be applied to a combustible smoking article.
  • Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a flavor generating article to which a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.
  • a flavor generating article 10 includes a tobacco-containing segment 11 and a mouthpiece segment 12.
  • the mouthpiece segment 12 includes a cooling segment 13, a center hole segment 14, and a filter segment 15.
  • the tobacco-containing segment 11 is heated and inhaled from an end of the filter segment 15.
  • a position of the center hole segment 14 is not limited to a position shown in Fig. 1 and, for example, the position of the center hole segment 14 may be replaced with that of the filter segment 15.
  • the center hole segment 14 may be omitted.
  • the tobacco-containing segment 11 includes a tobacco filler 210 containing tobacco and an aerosol source, and a tubular wrapper 220 wrapping the tobacco filler 210.
  • the tobacco filler 210 may further contain a volatile flavoring ingredient, water, and the like.
  • a size of tobacco for use as a filler or a method of preparing the tobacco is not particularly limited.
  • the cooling segment 13 includes a tubular body 100.
  • a plurality of vent holes 140 extending through walls of both the tubular body and the mouthpiece lining paper is formed concentrically in a circumferential direction of the tubular body 100.
  • Each vent hole 140 is a hole for promoting inflow of air from outside by user's inhalation, and the inflow of air cools aerosol generated in the tobacco filler 210 and reduces aerosol concentration.
  • a diameter (delivery length) of the vent hole 140 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.
  • the center hole segment 14 includes a filling layer 310 having a hollow portion and a first inner plug wrapper 320 wrapping the filling layer 310.
  • the filling layer 310 can be, for example, a rod into which cellulose acetate fibers are highly densely filled and a plasticizer containing triacetin is added and cured.
  • the hollow portion has a diameter that is not particularly limited and that may be, for example, from 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Since the filling layer 310 has a high fiber filling density, air, and aerosol flow only through the hollow portion during inhaling, and barely flow in the filling layer 310. Since the filling layer 310 includes the hollow portion, an amount of aerosol to be filtered can be reduced, the aerosol containing flavor ingredients generated by heating the flavor generating article 10.
  • the filter segment 15 includes a filter medium 330, and a tubular second inner plug wrapper 340 wrapping the filter medium 330.
  • the filter medium 330 may be a solid plug filled with a porous material. Since the filter segment 15 includes the solid plug, a delivery amount of aerosol can be appropriately adjusted by filtering the aerosol containing the flavor ingredients generated by heating the flavor generating article 10.
  • the center hole segment 14 and the filter segment 15 are connected to each other with an outer plug wrapper 350.
  • the outer plug wrapper 350 may be, for example, cylindrical paper.
  • the tobacco-containing segment 11, the cooling segment 13, and the connected center hole segment 14 and filter segment 15 are wrapped in the mouthpiece lining paper 400 and mutually connected, the mouthpiece lining paper having an inner surface with a glue such as vinyl acetate glue applied thereto.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tubular body along arrows I-I shown in Fig. 2 .
  • Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tubular body of Fig. 3 developed in the circumferential direction.
  • the tubular body 100 includes a first sheet material 110, a second sheet material 120, an adhesive layer 130, and vent holes 140.
  • the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 have a circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to an axial direction.
  • the second sheet material 120 is provided on an outer circumference of the first sheet material 110.
  • the adhesive layer 130 is provided between the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120, to bond the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 to each other.
  • first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 may be made of paper or cardboard. Therefore, processability of the tubular body 100 can be improved. Note that the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 may have an elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction.
  • the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 are positioned to be shifted from each other and stacked such that ends of the materials in the circumferential direction do not overlap each other.
  • the first sheet material 110 includes a first body portion 111, and a first extending portion 112 extending from the first body portion 111 in the circumferential direction with respect to the opposing second sheet material 120.
  • the first body portion 111 is a portion opposing the second sheet material 120 in Fig. 4 .
  • the second sheet material 120 includes a second body portion 121 and a second extending portion 122 extending from the second body portion 121 in the circumferential direction to the opposing first sheet material 110.
  • the second body portion 121 is a portion opposing the first sheet material 110 in Fig. 4 .
  • the adhesive layer 130 includes a positioning adhesive layer 131 and a first joint adhesive layer 132 that bond the first body portion 111 and the second body portion 121 to each other, and a second joint adhesive layer 133 (joint adhesive layer) that bonds the first extending portion 112 and the second extending portion 122 to each other.
  • the first joint adhesive layer 132 does not necessarily need to be provided, and the positioning adhesive layer 131 may function as the first joint adhesive layer 132.
  • the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133 may be made of a kneaded material of modified starch, vinyl acetate or ethylene vinyl acetate, which is an organic polymer, alcohols, and water.
  • the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133 are not limited to the above and may be made of another adhesive.
  • the tubular body 100 is formed by applying the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133 onto the second sheet material 120, stacking the first sheet material 110 and molding a tubular shape.
  • the positioning adhesive layer 131 applied to the second sheet material 120 has an adhesive pattern of a positioning glue (adhesive) applied linearly. Additionally, the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133 may be applied to the first sheet material 110 in place of the second sheet material 120.
  • a plurality of vent holes 140 is formed in the circumferential direction of the tubular body 100 through the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120.
  • the positioning adhesive layer 131 applied to the second sheet material 120 has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue (adhesive) applied linearly
  • the plurality of vent holes 140 includes a first vent hole 141 in which the adhesive layer 130 is exposed to a hole inner surface of a vent hole 140, and a second vent hole 142 in which the adhesive layer 130 is not exposed to the hole inner surface of the vent hole 140.
  • the first vent hole 141 is formed through the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120, together with any of the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133.
  • the second vent hole 142 is formed through the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 at a spot that is not provided with any of the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133.
  • the plurality of vent holes 140 includes at least one first vent hole 141 in which the adhesive layer 130 is exposed to the hole inner surface of the vent hole 140, and at least one second vent hole 142 in which the adhesive layer 130 is not exposed to the hole inner surface of the vent hole 140, so that probability of forming the vent hole 140 at a spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and combustion ash of an adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140.
  • the flavor generating article 10 to which the tubular body 100 is applied can be inhibited from deteriorating in quality.
  • Fig. 5 is a developed view showing a second sheet material of a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the second sheet material 120 includes a positioning adhesive layer 131 to which a positioning glue is applied in two straight lines parallel to the axial direction.
  • the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied in two straight lines parallel to the axial direction, an amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with a case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface. Furthermore, the probability of forming the vent hole 140 at the spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140.
  • Fig. 6 is another developed view showing a second sheet material of a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • a second sheet material 120 includes a positioning adhesive layer 131 of a positioning glue applied spirally along an axial direction.
  • the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied spirally along the axial direction, an amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface. Furthermore, the probability of forming the vent hole 140 at the spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140.
  • Fig. 7 is another developed view showing a second sheet material of a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • a second sheet material 120 includes a positioning adhesive layer 131 to which a positioning glue is applied in three straight lines parallel to an axial direction.
  • the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied in three straight lines parallel to the axial direction, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface. Furthermore, the probability of forming the vent hole 140 at the spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140.
  • Fig. 8 is another developed view showing a second sheet material of a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • a second sheet material 120 includes a positioning adhesive layer 131 to which a positioning glue is applied in three straight lines perpendicular to an axial direction.
  • the positioning glue may be applied in two lines, or four or more lines.
  • the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied in three straight lines perpendicular to an axial direction, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface. Furthermore, the probability of forming the vent hole 140 at the spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140.
  • the number of vent holes 140 in a plurality of vent holes 140 is preferably 12 or more and 30 or less, more preferably 21 or less.
  • the probability of forming the vent hole 140 at the spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140, while introducing sufficient air into an interior.
  • the number of first vent holes 141 is 6 or less. By setting the number of the first vent holes 141 to 6 or less, the probability of forming the vent hole 140 at the spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140, while introducing sufficient air into the interior.
  • a ratio of the number of the first vent holes 141 to the total number of the plurality of vent holes 140 is preferably less than 1/4.
  • the plurality of vent holes 140 may be formed in two or more rows along the axial direction. By forming the plurality of vent holes 140 in two or more rows along the axial direction, more air can be introduced into the interior as compared with a case where the plurality of vent holes 140 are formed in one row.
  • reduction in amount of adhesive applied also reduces cost. Furthermore, the reduction in amount of adhesive applied reduces glue residue of the adhesive adhering to a manufacturing apparatus of the tubular body 100 and also reduces risk of stopping the manufacturing apparatus, so that a time for removing the glue residue can be shortened, and productivity of the tubular body 100 can be improved.
  • FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a tubular body manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • a sheet material 24 having an appropriate width is drawn from a bobbin (not shown) of a sheet material feeding device 22 in a conveying direction 34 and conveyed in a longitudinal direction via a plurality of direction changing rollers 41.
  • the sheet material 24 is cut out in the longitudinal direction in a cutting-out part 23. Specifically, the sheet material 24 is cut out into the first sheet material 110 having a first width and the second sheet material 120 having a second width.
  • the cut-out first sheet material 110 and second sheet material 120 are conveyed in parallel via the direction changing rollers 41 and separated from each other with a lateral conveying roller 32.
  • a gluing part 25 applies the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133 (see Fig. 4 ) over an entire length in the longitudinal direction (applying step).
  • the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern of a positioning glue (adhesive) applied linearly (see Figs. 5 to 8 ).
  • a humidification nozzle 26 humidifies the second sheet material 120 (humidification step).
  • the humidification nozzle 26 injects water onto the surface of the second sheet material 120 with the positioning adhesive layer 131 applied thereto. Note that the humidification nozzle 26 may inject alcohol onto the second sheet material 120 in place of water or spray steam onto the second sheet material 120.
  • spots of the second sheet material 120 with the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133 applied thereto and the other spots have an equivalent humidity.
  • the material can be uniformly deformed, and the tubular body 100 having a high roundness can therefore be obtained.
  • first sheet material 110 separated from the second sheet material 120, is conveyed and positioned to be shifted in a lateral direction with respect to the conveying direction by a position shifting section 29.
  • a pair of tensile rollers 28 integrates the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 (bonding step).
  • the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 are shifted from each other and bonded such that ends of the materials in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction do not overlap each other.
  • the positioning adhesive layer 131 and the first joint adhesive layer 132, applied to the second sheet material 120 bond the first body portion 111 and the second body portion 121 to each other (see Fig. 4 ).
  • the tubular body manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a sensor that detects the ends of the first sheet material 110 and second sheet material 120 in the width direction, and a control mechanism for controlling an amount of position shift between the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120.
  • the first sheet material 110 and second sheet material 120, shifted from each other and bonded, are conveyed to a molding device 30.
  • a molding device 30 an endless molding belt 43 is guided endlessly via a plurality of direction changing rollers 41.
  • the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 conveyed to the molding device 30 are pressed onto the molding belt 43 by a pressing part 44.
  • the molding device 30 molds the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 into a tubular continuous body 31, for example, by a known method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-121628 (molding step).
  • the second joint adhesive layer 133 applied to the second sheet material 120 bonds the first extending portion 112 and the second extending portion 122 to each other (see Fig. 4 ).
  • first sheet material 110 and second sheet material 120 molded into the tubular continuous body 31 are heated by a heating part 37, to thereby cure the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133. Furthermore, the second sheet material 120 humidified by the humidification nozzle 26 is also dried in the heating part 37.
  • a cutting part 38 cuts, to a predetermined length, the first sheet material 110 and second sheet material 120 molded into the tubular continuous body 31 (cutting step), to form the tubular body 100.
  • the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 may be replaced with each other.
  • the tubular body 100 is incorporated into a semi-finished product of the flavor generating article or the smoking article and then irradiated with laser beams from an outer circumference toward an inner circumference of the tubular body 100, and the materials at irradiated spots are combusted, to form a plurality of vent holes 140 extending through the tubular body 100 intermittently over an entire circumference in the circumferential direction.
  • FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing experimental results of humidification conditions in a tubular body manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Such an experiment was performed by changing the humidification conditions when the positioning glue was applied, onto the second sheet material 120, in three straight lines parallel to the axial direction (see Fig. 7 ).
  • Fig. 11 shows humidification conditions for each adhesive pattern in the tubular body manufacturing apparatus 1.
  • Fig. 12 shows the result of comparison with a conventional product in terms of the application amount of the positioning adhesive layer 131 in the tubular body 100.
  • the application amount of the positioning adhesive layer 131 can be reduced by 80% as compared with the conventional product (application amount of 100 g/500 m (24 mg/line)). Furthermore, in the tubular body 100 to which the positioning glue is applied in two lines, the application amount of the positioning adhesive layer 131 can be reduced by 75% as compared with the conventional product.
  • the tubular body 100 (see Fig. 6 ) with the positioning glue applied, to the second sheet material 120, spirally along the axial direction and a tubular body 100 (see Fig. 5 ) with the positioning glue applied, to the second sheet material 120, in two straight lines parallel to the axial direction were manufactured and measured for various physical properties.
  • Fig. 13 shows results of comparison of the standard product with the conventional product in terms of various physical properties of the tubular body 100.
  • the physical properties of the tubular body 100 immediately after the formation of the tubular body 100 and after 24 hours were measured in consideration of influence of humidification by the humidification nozzle 26, for the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied spirally and the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied in two lines. In addition, moisture was measured after one week.
  • the tubular body 100 has a weight equivalent to that of the conventional product immediately after formed and tends to be lighter in weight due to decrease in moisture with elapse of time. It was also confirmed that a circumference length and hardness have a value varying with the decrease in moisture with elapse of time.
  • both the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied spirally and the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied in two lines have roundness equivalent to that of the standard product. Furthermore, both the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied spirally and the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied in two lines have the same structure of a joint portion between the first extending portion 112 and the second extending portion 122 as in the conventional product and therefore indicate a value of joint peel strength equal to that of the conventional product.
  • an area of the positioning adhesive layer 131 to 10% or more and 50% or less of an area of an overlapping portion between the first body portion and the second body portion, a tubular body capable of suppressing an adhering defect between the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 and having excellent roundness and less influence on flavor and smoking taste can be obtained.

Landscapes

  • Adhesives Or Adhesive Processes (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Adhesive Tapes (AREA)

Abstract

This tubular body comprises: a first sheet-shaped material that has a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial direction; a second sheet-shaped material that is provided to the outer circumference of the first sheet-shaped material and that has a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial direction; an adhesive layer that is provided between the first sheet-shaped material and the second sheet-shaped material and that adheres the first sheet-shaped material and the second sheet-shaped material to each other; and a plurality of vent holes that pass through the first sheet-shaped material and the second sheet-shaped material and that are formed in the circumferential direction of the tubular body. The plurality of vent holes include at least one first vent hole in which the adhesive layer is exposed to an inner surface of the vent hole, and at least one second vent hole in which the adhesive layer is not exposed to the inner surface of the vent hole.

Description

    TECHNICAL FIELD
  • The present invention relates to a tubular body.
    • BACKGROUND ART
  • Conventionally, a double-layered tube (tubular body) manufactured from first and second material strip portions is known (see, for example, PTL 1). This double-layered tube is applicable, for example, to a flavor generating article for use in a non-combustible flavor inhaler for inhaling flavor or the like without combusting any material, or to a combustible smoking article.
  • In this tube, the second material strip portion is disposed around the first material strip portion, and the first and second material strip portions have abutment edges wound to be shifted from each other in a circumferential direction. Furthermore, in this tube, a positioning adhesive and a joint adhesive (collectively referred to as an adhesive) are provided on the entire surface or almost the entire surface between the first material strip portion and the second material strip portion.
    • CITATION LIST PATENT LITERATURE
  • PTL 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-93867
    • SUMMARY OF INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM
  • When a tube described in PTL 1 is applied to a flavor generating article or a smoking article, this application includes incorporating the tube into a semifinished product of the flavor generating article or the smoking article, then irradiating the tube with laser beams from an outer circumference toward an inner circumference of the tube and combusting a material of the tube at irradiated spots. Consequently, vent holes extending through the tube can be formed intermittently over an entire circumference of the tube in a circumferential direction.
  • Here, in the tube described in PTL 1, an adhesive is provided on the entire surface or almost the entire surface between a first material strip portion and a second material strip portion. Therefore, when forming the vent holes, combustion ash of the adhesive may close the vent holes.
  • Specifically, paper constituting the tube is, for example, organic wood pulp (almost pure cellulose from which lignin, hemicellulose, and the like contained in trees are removed) and an inorganic filler (calcium carbonate), and the combustion ash generated by irradiation with laser beams is mainly calcium carbonate.
  • In contrast, the adhesive is, for example, a kneaded material of modified starch, vinyl acetate or ethylene vinyl acetate, which is an organic polymer, alcohols and water, and the combustion ash generated by the irradiation with laser beams contains organic polymers left over from combustion.
  • Therefore, the combustion ash in the vent holes formed at spots to which the adhesive is applied is a mixture of calcium carbonate and organic polymers and is stickier and more likely to close the vent holes than calcium carbonate-dominant combustion ash in the vent holes formed at spots to which the adhesive is not applied.
  • If the tube with the vent holes closed is applied to the flavor generating article or the smoking article, air is not introduced from the vent holes into the flavor generating article or the smoking article. Consequently, aerosol generated by heating the flavor generating article or by combusting the smoking article is not cooled, and aerosol concentration is not reduced. There is therefore concern that the flavor generating article or the smoking article deteriorates in quality.
  • The present invention has been made to solve at least some of such problems as described above, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a tubular body capable of inhibiting combustion ash of an adhesive from closing vent holes if the vent holes are formed.
    • SOLUTION TO PROBLEM
  • In a first aspect of the present invention, a tubular body is provided. This tubular body includes a first sheet material that has a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to an axial direction, a second sheet material that is provided on an outer circumference of the first sheet material and that has a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction, an adhesive layer that is provided between the first sheet material and the second sheet material and that bonds the first sheet material and the second sheet material to each other, and a plurality of vent holes formed in a circumferential direction of the tubular body through the first sheet material and the second sheet material, wherein the plurality of vent holes including at least one first vent hole in which the adhesive layer is exposed to a hole inner surface of the vent hole, and at least one second vent hole in which the adhesive layer is not exposed to the hole inner surface of the vent hole.
  • According to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of vent holes includes the at least one first vent hole in which the adhesive layer is exposed to the hole inner surface of the vent hole, and the at least one second vent hole in which the adhesive layer is not exposed to the hole inner surface of the vent hole. Consequently, probability of forming the vent hole at a spot provided with the adhesive layer can be reduced, and combustion ash of an adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent holes.
  • For a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the first sheet material and the second sheet material are shifted from each other and stacked such that ends of the first and second sheet materials in the circumferential direction do not overlap each other, the first sheet material includes a first body portion, and a first extending portion extending from the first body portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the opposing second sheet material, the second sheet material includes a second body portion, and a second extending portion extending from the second body portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the opposing first sheet material, the adhesive layer includes a positioning adhesive layer that bonds the first body portion and the second body portion to each other, and a joint adhesive layer that bonds the first extending portion and the second extending portion to each other, and the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern of a positioning glue applied linearly.
  • According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the positioning adhesive layer bonding the first body portion of the first sheet material and the second body portion of the second sheet material to each other has the adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied linearly, an amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with a case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface.
  • For a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the positioning glue is applied linearly in two or more lines.
  • According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied linearly in two or more lines, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface.
  • For a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the positioning glue is applied in a straight line.
  • According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied in two or more straight lines, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface.
  • For a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the positioning glue is applied in a straight line parallel to the axial direction.
  • According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied in two or more straight lines parallel to the axial direction, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface.
  • For a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the positioning glue is applied in a straight line perpendicular to the axial direction.
  • According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied in two or more lines perpendicular to the axial direction, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface.
  • For a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the positioning glue is applied spirally along the axial direction.
  • According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied spirally along the axial direction, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface.
  • For an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, each of the first sheet material and the second sheet material is paper.
  • According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the first sheet material and second sheet material made of paper can improve processability of the tubular body.
  • For a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the number of vent holes in the plurality of vent holes is 12 or more and 30 or less.
  • According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, by setting the number of the vent holes in the plurality of vent holes to 12 or more and 30 or less, the probability of forming the vent hole at the spot provided with the adhesive layer can be reduced, and combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent holes, while introducing sufficient air into an interior.
  • For a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, the number of vent holes in the plurality of vent holes is 21 or less.
  • According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, by setting the number of the vent holes in the plurality of vent holes to 12 or more and 21 or less, the probability of forming the vent hole at the spot provided with the adhesive layer can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent holes, while introducing sufficient air into the interior.
  • For an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, the number of vent holes in the first vent holes is 6 or less.
  • According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, by setting the number of the vent holes in the first vent holes to 6 or less, the probability of forming the vent hole at the spot provided with the adhesive layer can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent holes, while introducing sufficient air into the interior.
  • For a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, a ratio of the number of vent holes in the first vent holes to the total number of vent holes in the plurality of vent holes is less than 1/4.
  • According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, by setting the ratio of the number of the vent holes in the first vent holes to the total number of the vent holes in the plurality of vent holes to less than 1/4, the probability of forming the vent hole at the spot provided with the adhesive layer can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent holes, while introducing sufficient air into the interior.
  • For a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the plurality of vent holes is formed in two or more rows along the axial direction.
  • According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, by forming the plurality of vent holes in two or more rows along the axial direction, more air can be introduced into the interior as compared with a case where the plurality of vent holes is formed in one row.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
    • Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a flavor generating article to which a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.
    • Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention.
    • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tubular body along arrows I-I shown in Fig. 2.
    • Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the tubular body of Fig. 3 developed in a circumferential direction.
    • Fig. 5 is a developed view showing a second sheet material of a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention.
    • Fig. 6 is another developed view showing a second sheet material of a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention.
    • Fig. 7 is still another developed view showing a second sheet material of a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention.
    • Fig. 8 is a further developed view showing a second sheet material of a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention.
    • Fig. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a tubular body manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
    • Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing experimental results of humidification conditions in a tubular body manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
    • Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing humidification conditions for each adhesive pattern in a tubular body manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
    • Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an amount of adhesive applied in a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention in comparison with a conventional product.
    • Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing various physical properties of a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention in comparison of a standard product with the conventional product.
    DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
  • Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, identical, or corresponding components are denoted with the same signs and duplicate descriptions are omitted. A tubular body according to the present invention may be applied, for example, to a flavor generating article for use in a non-combustible flavor inhaler for inhaling flavor or the like without combusting any material. The tubular body according to the present invention may be applied to a combustible smoking article.
  • Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a flavor generating article to which a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in Fig. 1, a flavor generating article 10 includes a tobacco-containing segment 11 and a mouthpiece segment 12. The mouthpiece segment 12 includes a cooling segment 13, a center hole segment 14, and a filter segment 15.
  • In use, the tobacco-containing segment 11 is heated and inhaled from an end of the filter segment 15. Note that a position of the center hole segment 14 is not limited to a position shown in Fig. 1 and, for example, the position of the center hole segment 14 may be replaced with that of the filter segment 15. Furthermore, in the flavor generating article 10 shown in Fig. 1, the center hole segment 14 may be omitted.
  • The tobacco-containing segment 11 includes a tobacco filler 210 containing tobacco and an aerosol source, and a tubular wrapper 220 wrapping the tobacco filler 210. The tobacco filler 210 may further contain a volatile flavoring ingredient, water, and the like. A size of tobacco for use as a filler or a method of preparing the tobacco is not particularly limited.
  • The cooling segment 13 includes a tubular body 100. In the tubular body 100 and mouthpiece lining paper 400 described later, a plurality of vent holes 140 extending through walls of both the tubular body and the mouthpiece lining paper is formed concentrically in a circumferential direction of the tubular body 100. Each vent hole 140 is a hole for promoting inflow of air from outside by user's inhalation, and the inflow of air cools aerosol generated in the tobacco filler 210 and reduces aerosol concentration. A diameter (delivery length) of the vent hole 140 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.
  • The center hole segment 14 includes a filling layer 310 having a hollow portion and a first inner plug wrapper 320 wrapping the filling layer 310. The filling layer 310 can be, for example, a rod into which cellulose acetate fibers are highly densely filled and a plasticizer containing triacetin is added and cured.
  • The hollow portion has a diameter that is not particularly limited and that may be, for example, from 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Since the filling layer 310 has a high fiber filling density, air, and aerosol flow only through the hollow portion during inhaling, and barely flow in the filling layer 310. Since the filling layer 310 includes the hollow portion, an amount of aerosol to be filtered can be reduced, the aerosol containing flavor ingredients generated by heating the flavor generating article 10.
  • The filter segment 15 includes a filter medium 330, and a tubular second inner plug wrapper 340 wrapping the filter medium 330. The filter medium 330 may be a solid plug filled with a porous material. Since the filter segment 15 includes the solid plug, a delivery amount of aerosol can be appropriately adjusted by filtering the aerosol containing the flavor ingredients generated by heating the flavor generating article 10.
  • The center hole segment 14 and the filter segment 15 are connected to each other with an outer plug wrapper 350. The outer plug wrapper 350 may be, for example, cylindrical paper. Furthermore, the tobacco-containing segment 11, the cooling segment 13, and the connected center hole segment 14 and filter segment 15 are wrapped in the mouthpiece lining paper 400 and mutually connected, the mouthpiece lining paper having an inner surface with a glue such as vinyl acetate glue applied thereto.
  • Hereinafter, the tubular body 100 shown in Fig. 1 will be described in detail. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tubular body along arrows I-I shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tubular body of Fig. 3 developed in the circumferential direction.
  • As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the tubular body 100 includes a first sheet material 110, a second sheet material 120, an adhesive layer 130, and vent holes 140. The first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 have a circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to an axial direction. The second sheet material 120 is provided on an outer circumference of the first sheet material 110. The adhesive layer 130 is provided between the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120, to bond the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 to each other.
  • Each of the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 may be made of paper or cardboard. Therefore, processability of the tubular body 100 can be improved. Note that the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 may have an elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction.
  • Here, the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 are positioned to be shifted from each other and stacked such that ends of the materials in the circumferential direction do not overlap each other. The first sheet material 110 includes a first body portion 111, and a first extending portion 112 extending from the first body portion 111 in the circumferential direction with respect to the opposing second sheet material 120. The first body portion 111 is a portion opposing the second sheet material 120 in Fig. 4.
  • The second sheet material 120 includes a second body portion 121 and a second extending portion 122 extending from the second body portion 121 in the circumferential direction to the opposing first sheet material 110. The second body portion 121 is a portion opposing the first sheet material 110 in Fig. 4.
  • The adhesive layer 130 includes a positioning adhesive layer 131 and a first joint adhesive layer 132 that bond the first body portion 111 and the second body portion 121 to each other, and a second joint adhesive layer 133 (joint adhesive layer) that bonds the first extending portion 112 and the second extending portion 122 to each other. The first joint adhesive layer 132 does not necessarily need to be provided, and the positioning adhesive layer 131 may function as the first joint adhesive layer 132.
  • The positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133 may be made of a kneaded material of modified starch, vinyl acetate or ethylene vinyl acetate, which is an organic polymer, alcohols, and water. The positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133 are not limited to the above and may be made of another adhesive.
  • The tubular body 100 is formed by applying the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133 onto the second sheet material 120, stacking the first sheet material 110 and molding a tubular shape. Here, the positioning adhesive layer 131 applied to the second sheet material 120 has an adhesive pattern of a positioning glue (adhesive) applied linearly. Additionally, the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133 may be applied to the first sheet material 110 in place of the second sheet material 120.
  • A plurality of vent holes 140 is formed in the circumferential direction of the tubular body 100 through the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120. Here, since the positioning adhesive layer 131 applied to the second sheet material 120 has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue (adhesive) applied linearly, the plurality of vent holes 140 includes a first vent hole 141 in which the adhesive layer 130 is exposed to a hole inner surface of a vent hole 140, and a second vent hole 142 in which the adhesive layer 130 is not exposed to the hole inner surface of the vent hole 140.
  • Specifically, the first vent hole 141 is formed through the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120, together with any of the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133. Furthermore, the second vent hole 142 is formed through the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 at a spot that is not provided with any of the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133.
  • As described above, the plurality of vent holes 140 includes at least one first vent hole 141 in which the adhesive layer 130 is exposed to the hole inner surface of the vent hole 140, and at least one second vent hole 142 in which the adhesive layer 130 is not exposed to the hole inner surface of the vent hole 140, so that probability of forming the vent hole 140 at a spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and combustion ash of an adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140. As a result, the flavor generating article 10 to which the tubular body 100 is applied can be inhibited from deteriorating in quality.
  • Fig. 5 is a developed view showing a second sheet material of a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 5, the second sheet material 120 includes a positioning adhesive layer 131 to which a positioning glue is applied in two straight lines parallel to the axial direction.
  • Thus, since the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied in two straight lines parallel to the axial direction, an amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with a case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface. Furthermore, the probability of forming the vent hole 140 at the spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140.
  • Note that the adhesive pattern of the positioning adhesive layer 131 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 is another developed view showing a second sheet material of a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 6, a second sheet material 120 includes a positioning adhesive layer 131 of a positioning glue applied spirally along an axial direction.
  • Thus, since the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied spirally along the axial direction, an amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface. Furthermore, the probability of forming the vent hole 140 at the spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140.
  • Fig. 7 is another developed view showing a second sheet material of a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 7, a second sheet material 120 includes a positioning adhesive layer 131 to which a positioning glue is applied in three straight lines parallel to an axial direction.
  • Thus, since the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied in three straight lines parallel to the axial direction, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface. Furthermore, the probability of forming the vent hole 140 at the spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140.
  • Fig. 8 is another developed view showing a second sheet material of a tubular body according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 8, a second sheet material 120 includes a positioning adhesive layer 131 to which a positioning glue is applied in three straight lines perpendicular to an axial direction. The positioning glue may be applied in two lines, or four or more lines.
  • Thus, since the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern of the positioning glue applied in three straight lines perpendicular to an axial direction, the amount of adhesive applied can be reduced as compared with the case where the positioning adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface. Furthermore, the probability of forming the vent hole 140 at the spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140.
  • Here, the number of vent holes 140 in a plurality of vent holes 140 is preferably 12 or more and 30 or less, more preferably 21 or less. By setting the number of the vent holes 140 in the plurality of vent holes 140 to 12 or more and 30 or less, more preferably 21 or less, the probability of forming the vent hole 140 at the spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140, while introducing sufficient air into an interior.
  • It is also preferable that the number of first vent holes 141 is 6 or less. By setting the number of the first vent holes 141 to 6 or less, the probability of forming the vent hole 140 at the spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140, while introducing sufficient air into the interior.
  • Furthermore, a ratio of the number of the first vent holes 141 to the total number of the plurality of vent holes 140 is preferably less than 1/4. By setting the ratio of the number of the first vent holes 141 to the total number of the plurality of vent holes 140 to less than 1/4, the probability of forming the vent hole 140 at the spot provided with the adhesive layer 130 can be reduced, and the combustion ash of the adhesive can be inhibited from closing the vent hole 140, while introducing sufficient air into the interior.
  • Note that the plurality of vent holes 140 may be formed in two or more rows along the axial direction. By forming the plurality of vent holes 140 in two or more rows along the axial direction, more air can be introduced into the interior as compared with a case where the plurality of vent holes 140 are formed in one row.
  • Furthermore, by reducing the amount of adhesive applied by use of the second sheet materials 120 shown in Figs. 5 to 8, adhesive ingredients generated by heating or combusting from the tubular body 100 applied to a flavor generating article or a smoking article are reduced, and flavor of the flavor generating article or smoking taste of the smoking article is inhibited from deteriorating.
  • In addition, reduction in amount of adhesive applied also reduces cost. Furthermore, the reduction in amount of adhesive applied reduces glue residue of the adhesive adhering to a manufacturing apparatus of the tubular body 100 and also reduces risk of stopping the manufacturing apparatus, so that a time for removing the glue residue can be shortened, and productivity of the tubular body 100 can be improved.
  • Next, a method for manufacturing the tubular body 100 will be described. Fig. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a tubular body manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. In a tubular body manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 9, a sheet material 24 having an appropriate width is drawn from a bobbin (not shown) of a sheet material feeding device 22 in a conveying direction 34 and conveyed in a longitudinal direction via a plurality of direction changing rollers 41.
  • The sheet material 24 is cut out in the longitudinal direction in a cutting-out part 23. Specifically, the sheet material 24 is cut out into the first sheet material 110 having a first width and the second sheet material 120 having a second width. The cut-out first sheet material 110 and second sheet material 120 are conveyed in parallel via the direction changing rollers 41 and separated from each other with a lateral conveying roller 32.
  • After the direction changing rollers 41 change a direction of the second sheet material 120, a gluing part 25 applies the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133 (see Fig. 4) over an entire length in the longitudinal direction (applying step). Here, the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern of a positioning glue (adhesive) applied linearly (see Figs. 5 to 8).
  • Subsequently, a humidification nozzle 26 humidifies the second sheet material 120 (humidification step). The humidification nozzle 26 injects water onto the surface of the second sheet material 120 with the positioning adhesive layer 131 applied thereto. Note that the humidification nozzle 26 may inject alcohol onto the second sheet material 120 in place of water or spray steam onto the second sheet material 120.
  • Thus, spots of the second sheet material 120 with the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133 applied thereto and the other spots have an equivalent humidity. In a subsequent step of molding the second sheet material 120 into a tubular shape, the material can be uniformly deformed, and the tubular body 100 having a high roundness can therefore be obtained.
  • In contrast, the first sheet material 110, separated from the second sheet material 120, is conveyed and positioned to be shifted in a lateral direction with respect to the conveying direction by a position shifting section 29. Afterward, a pair of tensile rollers 28 integrates the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 (bonding step).
  • Consequently, the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 are shifted from each other and bonded such that ends of the materials in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction do not overlap each other. Specifically, the positioning adhesive layer 131 and the first joint adhesive layer 132, applied to the second sheet material 120, bond the first body portion 111 and the second body portion 121 to each other (see Fig. 4).
  • Note that the tubular body manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a sensor that detects the ends of the first sheet material 110 and second sheet material 120 in the width direction, and a control mechanism for controlling an amount of position shift between the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120.
  • Next, the first sheet material 110 and second sheet material 120, shifted from each other and bonded, are conveyed to a molding device 30. In the molding device 30, an endless molding belt 43 is guided endlessly via a plurality of direction changing rollers 41. The first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 conveyed to the molding device 30 are pressed onto the molding belt 43 by a pressing part 44.
  • Afterward, the molding device 30 molds the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 into a tubular continuous body 31, for example, by a known method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-121628 (molding step). In this step, the second joint adhesive layer 133 applied to the second sheet material 120 bonds the first extending portion 112 and the second extending portion 122 to each other (see Fig. 4).
  • Subsequently, the first sheet material 110 and second sheet material 120 molded into the tubular continuous body 31 are heated by a heating part 37, to thereby cure the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first joint adhesive layer 132 and the second joint adhesive layer 133. Furthermore, the second sheet material 120 humidified by the humidification nozzle 26 is also dried in the heating part 37.
  • Next, a cutting part 38 cuts, to a predetermined length, the first sheet material 110 and second sheet material 120 molded into the tubular continuous body 31 (cutting step), to form the tubular body 100. In the tubular body manufacturing apparatus 1, the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 may be replaced with each other.
  • Subsequently, the tubular body 100 is incorporated into a semi-finished product of the flavor generating article or the smoking article and then irradiated with laser beams from an outer circumference toward an inner circumference of the tubular body 100, and the materials at irradiated spots are combusted, to form a plurality of vent holes 140 extending through the tubular body 100 intermittently over an entire circumference in the circumferential direction.
  • Next, results of various experiments performed by use of the tubular body manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described. First, an experiment was performed to find out appropriate humidification conditions by the humidification nozzle 26. Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing experimental results of humidification conditions in a tubular body manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Such an experiment was performed by changing the humidification conditions when the positioning glue was applied, onto the second sheet material 120, in three straight lines parallel to the axial direction (see Fig. 7).
  • As shown in Fig. 10, when the tubular body 100 was manufactured while changing the humidification conditions from level 1 to level 9 for a water content, an injection pressure, and a distance from the humidification nozzle 26 to the second sheet material 120 (humidification nozzle distance), it was confirmed that level 6 (water content of 6.34 mg/line, injection pressure of 0.05 MPa, humidification nozzle distance of 17 mm) was appropriate in roundness and circumferential length.
  • Subsequently, according to the level 6 shown in Fig. 10, when manufacturing the tubular body 100 (see Fig. 6) with the positioning glue applied, onto the second sheet material 120, spirally along the axial direction, bonding of the first extending portion 112 and the second extending portion 122 by the second joint adhesive layer 133 (see Fig. 4) was not appropriately performed.
  • Then, an experiment was performed on the tubular body 100 (see Fig. 6) with a positioning glue applied spirally along the axial direction to the second sheet material 120, while changing the water content. As a result, it was confirmed that a water content of 28.20 mg/line is appropriate for the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied spirally. Fig. 11 shows humidification conditions for each adhesive pattern in the tubular body manufacturing apparatus 1.
  • Next, an experiment was performed while changing an application amount of the positioning adhesive layer 131, for the tubular body 100 (see Fig. 6) with the positioning glue applied, to the second sheet material 120, spirally along the axial direction, and the tubular body 100 (see Fig. 5) with the positioning glue applied, to the second sheet material 120, in two straight lines parallel to the axial direction.
  • As a result, it was confirmed that an application amount of 20 g/500 m (4.8 mg/line) is appropriate for the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied spirally, and 25 g/500 m (3.0 mg/line × 2) is appropriate for the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied in two lines. Fig. 12 shows the result of comparison with a conventional product in terms of the application amount of the positioning adhesive layer 131 in the tubular body 100.
  • As shown in Fig. 12, in the tubular body 100 to which the positioning glue is applied spirally, the application amount of the positioning adhesive layer 131 can be reduced by 80% as compared with the conventional product (application amount of 100 g/500 m (24 mg/line)). Furthermore, in the tubular body 100 to which the positioning glue is applied in two lines, the application amount of the positioning adhesive layer 131 can be reduced by 75% as compared with the conventional product.
  • Subsequently, on the humidification conditions and with the application amount of the positioning adhesive layer 131 as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the tubular body 100 (see Fig. 6) with the positioning glue applied, to the second sheet material 120, spirally along the axial direction and a tubular body 100 (see Fig. 5) with the positioning glue applied, to the second sheet material 120, in two straight lines parallel to the axial direction were manufactured and measured for various physical properties. Fig. 13 shows results of comparison of the standard product with the conventional product in terms of various physical properties of the tubular body 100.
  • Here, the physical properties of the tubular body 100 immediately after the formation of the tubular body 100 and after 24 hours were measured in consideration of influence of humidification by the humidification nozzle 26, for the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied spirally and the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied in two lines. In addition, moisture was measured after one week.
  • As shown in Fig. 13, it was confirmed that the tubular body 100 has a weight equivalent to that of the conventional product immediately after formed and tends to be lighter in weight due to decrease in moisture with elapse of time. It was also confirmed that a circumference length and hardness have a value varying with the decrease in moisture with elapse of time.
  • It was also confirmed that both the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied spirally and the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied in two lines have roundness equivalent to that of the standard product. Furthermore, both the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied spirally and the tubular body 100 with the positioning glue applied in two lines have the same structure of a joint portion between the first extending portion 112 and the second extending portion 122 as in the conventional product and therefore indicate a value of joint peel strength equal to that of the conventional product.
  • In addition, by setting an area of the positioning adhesive layer 131 to 10% or more and 50% or less of an area of an overlapping portion between the first body portion and the second body portion, a tubular body capable of suppressing an adhering defect between the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 and having excellent roundness and less influence on flavor and smoking taste can be obtained.
  • As described above, embodiments of the present invention have been described, and the embodiments of the above-described invention are for facilitating understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from its gist, and the present invention includes equivalents thereto. Furthermore, respective components described in the claims and the specification can be combined or omitted to such an extent that at least some of the above-described issues can be solved or at least some of effects are achieved.
    • REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
    • 1
    tubular body manufacturing apparatus
    10
    flavor generating article
    11
    tobacco-containing segment
    12
    mouthpiece segment
    13
    cooling segment
    14
    center hole segment
    15
    filter segment
    22
    sheet material feeding device
    23
    cutting-out part
    24
    sheet material
    25
    gluing part
    26
    humidification nozzle
    28
    pair of tensile rollers
    29
    position shifting section
    30
    molding device
    31
    tubular continuous body
    32
    lateral conveying roller
    34
    conveying direction
    37
    heating part
    38
    cutting part
    41
    direction changing rollers
    43
    molding belt
    44
    pressing part
    100
    tubular body
    110
    first sheet material
    111
    first body portion
    112
    first extending portion
    120
    second sheet material
    121
    second body portion
    122
    second extending portion
    130
    adhesive layer
    131
    positioning adhesive layer
    132
    first joint adhesive layer
    133
    second joint adhesive layer
    140
    vent hole
    141
    first vent hole
    142
    second vent hole
    210
    tobacco filler
    220
    wrapper
    310
    filling layer
    320
    first inner plug wrapper
    330
    filter medium
    340
    second inner plug wrapper
    350
    outer plug wrapper
    400
    mouthpiece lining paper

Claims (13)

  1. A tubular body comprising:
    a first sheet material that has a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to an axial direction,
    a second sheet material that is provided on an outer circumference of the first sheet material and that has a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction,
    an adhesive layer that is provided between the first sheet material and the second sheet material and that bonds the first sheet material and the second sheet material to each other, and
    a plurality of vent holes formed in a circumferential direction of the tubular body through the first sheet material and the second sheet material,
    wherein the plurality of vent holes including at least one first vent hole in which the adhesive layer is exposed to a hole inner surface of the vent hole, and at least one second vent hole in which the adhesive layer is not exposed to the hole inner surface of the vent hole.
  2. The tubular body according to claim 1, wherein the first sheet material and the second sheet material are shifted from each other and stacked such that ends of the first and second sheet materials in the circumferential direction do not overlap each other,
    the first sheet material includes a first body portion, and a first extending portion extending from the first body portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the opposing second sheet material,
    the second sheet material includes a second body portion, and a second extending portion extending from the second body portion in the circumferential direction with respect to the opposing first sheet material,
    the adhesive layer includes a positioning adhesive layer that bonds the first body portion and the second body portion to each other, and a joint adhesive layer that bonds the first extending portion and the second extending portion to each other, and
    the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern of a positioning glue applied linearly.
  3. The tubular body according to claim 2, wherein the positioning glue is applied linearly in two or more lines.
  4. The tubular body according to claim 3, wherein the positioning glue is applied in a straight line.
  5. The tubular body according to claim 4, wherein the positioning glue is applied in a straight line parallel to the axial direction.
  6. The tubular body according to claim 4, wherein the positioning glue is applied in a straight line perpendicular to the axial direction.
  7. The tubular body according to claim 2, wherein the positioning glue is applied spirally along the axial direction.
  8. The tubular body according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the first sheet material and the second sheet material is paper.
  9. The tubular body according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the number of vent holes in the plurality of vent holes is 12 or more and 30 or less.
  10. The tubular body according to claim 9, wherein the number of vent holes in the plurality of vent holes is 21 or less.
  11. The tubular body according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the number of vent holes in the first vent holes is 6 or less.
  12. The tubular body according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a ratio of the number of vent holes in the first vent holes to the total number of vent holes in the plurality of vent holes is less than 1/4.
  13. The tubular body according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the plurality of vent holes is formed in two or more rows along the axial direction.
EP22935370.1A 2022-03-31 2022-03-31 TUBE BODY Pending EP4501140A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2022/016387 WO2023188225A1 (en) 2022-03-31 2022-03-31 Tubular body

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4501140A1 true EP4501140A1 (en) 2025-02-05
EP4501140A4 EP4501140A4 (en) 2026-04-08

Family

ID=88199858

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22935370.1A Pending EP4501140A4 (en) 2022-03-31 2022-03-31 TUBE BODY

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20250009010A1 (en)
EP (1) EP4501140A4 (en)
JP (1) JP7748539B2 (en)
KR (1) KR20240171124A (en)
WO (1) WO2023188225A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8469035B2 (en) 2008-09-18 2013-06-25 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Method for preparing fuel element for smoking article
JP2012507287A (en) 2008-10-31 2012-03-29 アール・ジエイ・レイノルズ・タバコ・カンパニー Chipping materials for filter cigarettes
JP2013102764A (en) 2011-11-14 2013-05-30 Masanori Murakami Tobacco smoke diffusion-restraining device
US20150157052A1 (en) 2013-12-05 2015-06-11 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Smoking article and associated manufacturing method
DE102016124051A1 (en) 2016-12-12 2018-06-14 Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh Doppellagiges tube of the tobacco processing industry and method for producing such a tube
DE102017101929A1 (en) 2017-02-01 2018-08-02 Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh Method for producing a strand of the tobacco processing industry and strand forming device
WO2020070874A1 (en) 2018-10-05 2020-04-09 日本たばこ産業株式会社 Production method for heated smoking article
IT201800009358A1 (en) * 2018-10-11 2020-04-11 Gd Spa Multilayer tubular and relative machine and method for its realization
EP3971345B1 (en) * 2019-05-13 2024-10-16 Japan Tobacco Inc. Non-combustion-heating flavor inhaling article and electric-heating flavor inhaling system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP4501140A4 (en) 2026-04-08
JPWO2023188225A1 (en) 2023-10-05
KR20240171124A (en) 2024-12-06
JP7748539B2 (en) 2025-10-02
US20250009010A1 (en) 2025-01-09
WO2023188225A1 (en) 2023-10-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR102608154B1 (en) Electrically-heating type smoking article including gel state aerosol generating medium cartridge
US11058145B2 (en) Smoking article having filter with hollow tube segment
KR102841359B1 (en) Aerosol-generating articles and aerosol-generating article forming devices
RU2718896C2 (en) Aerosol-generating article and method of making aerosol-generating articles
KR102361549B1 (en) Smoking article with a mouth end cavity and ventilation
TWI623273B (en) Method of forming smoking articles with mouth end cavities
KR20240017030A (en) Method of manufacturing gel receptor rods for electrically heated type disposable smoking article
KR102529130B1 (en) Liquid cartridge insertable into electrically-heating type smoking article and electrically-heating type smoking article including the above
JP7333329B2 (en) High total denier cellulose acetate tow for hollow and non-wrap filters
KR20210132686A (en) Induction heating aerosol-forming rods and forming apparatus for use in the manufacture of such rods
KR102525020B1 (en) Tobacco granules and manufacturing method thereof, and a smoking article including the tobacco granules
KR20110096560A (en) Filter of smoking articles
KR20140098764A (en) Smoking article with a ventilated mouthpiece comprising first and second airflow pathways
CN113329643A (en) Liquid cartridge insertable into an electrically heated smoking article, electrically heated smoking article comprising the same, and aerosol-generating device and system therefor
RU2352228C1 (en) Device for production of rodlike smoking products
JP7699663B2 (en) Flavor stick, non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation product, and method for manufacturing flavor stick
CN118613178A (en) Aerosol-generating article having a packaging comprising an adhesive
CN116887706A (en) Aerosol-generating articles having packaging including raised portions
EP4501140A1 (en) Tubular body
US20250040594A1 (en) Cigarette filter including lyocell tow and production method thereof
EP3945869B1 (en) Method and machine for making a sub-unit of a smoking article
CN108471803B (en) Filter manufacturing equipment
WO2023188226A1 (en) Apparatus for producing flavor-generating article and method for producing flavor-generating article
WO2023105707A1 (en) Manufacturing device and manufacturing method for filler element used in flavor inhalation article
JP7641401B2 (en) Flavor stick, non-combustion heating flavor inhalation product, and method for manufacturing flavor stick

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20241024

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20260310

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: A24C 5/46 20060101AFI20260304BHEP

Ipc: A24D 3/02 20060101ALI20260304BHEP

Ipc: A24D 3/04 20060101ALI20260304BHEP