EP4640085A1 - Flavor inhalation article, and filter segment for flavor inhalation article - Google Patents

Flavor inhalation article, and filter segment for flavor inhalation article

Info

Publication number
EP4640085A1
EP4640085A1 EP22969110.0A EP22969110A EP4640085A1 EP 4640085 A1 EP4640085 A1 EP 4640085A1 EP 22969110 A EP22969110 A EP 22969110A EP 4640085 A1 EP4640085 A1 EP 4640085A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
segment
sheet material
filter
perforated
flavor
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
EP22969110.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Takuya Akahane
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 EP4640085A1 publication Critical patent/EP4640085A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • A24D3/041—Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure with adjustable means for modifying the degree of filtration of the filter
    • 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
    • A24D3/06—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/061—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters containing additives entrapped within capsules, sponge-like material or the like, for further release upon smoking
    • 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
    • A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
    • A24D1/02—Cigars; Cigarettes with special covers
    • A24D1/027—Cigars; Cigarettes with special covers with ventilating means, e.g. perforations
    • 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
    • A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
    • A24D1/20—Cigarettes specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
    • 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
    • A24D3/0204—Preliminary operations before the filter rod forming process, e.g. crimping, blooming
    • 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
    • A24D3/0229—Filter rod forming processes
    • A24D3/0233—Filter rod forming processes by means of a garniture
    • 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
    • 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
    • A24D3/17—Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
    • 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
    • A24D3/18—Mouthpieces of cigars or cigarettes; Manufacture thereof
    • 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
    • A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
    • A24D1/02—Cigars; Cigarettes with special covers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flavor inhalation article and a filter segment for a flavor inhalation article.
  • a filter segment for a flavor inhalation article is formed to adjust filter performance such as the amount of filtration of a fluid flowing through the filter segment to a user from a flavor-generating segment.
  • the filter segment adjusts the amount of filtration, etc. of the fluid by means of an arrangement comprising multiple filter materials having different capabilities, for example, which are joined in a direction of flow of the fluid.
  • the objective of the present invention lies in providing a flavor inhalation article and a filter segment for a flavor inhalation article, which are capable of adjusting the amount of filtration, etc. of a fluid by means of regions having different capabilities that are formed by a single member.
  • a flavor inhalation article comprises: a flavor-generating segment, and a filter segment provided on a downstream side of the flavor-generating segment.
  • the filter segment includes: a filter material, and a wrapper which wraps an outer side of the filter material to form the filter segment as a rod.
  • the filter material is formed by a sheet member including: a perforated region which is partially perforated, and a hole-free region which is not perforated.
  • a flavor inhalation article 10 comprises: a flavor-generating segment (rod segment) 12; a mouthpiece segment (rod segment) 14 provided on a downstream side of the flavor-generating segment 12; and a tipping paper 16 joining the flavor-generating segment 12 and the mouthpiece segment 14.
  • the flavor-generating segment 12 and the mouthpiece segment 14 are preferably each formed as a rod having a substantially cylindrical shape (substantially circular cross section). That is to say, the flavor-generating segment 12 and the mouthpiece segment 14 each constitute either a rod or a rod segment. It should be noted that a filter segment 20, a tip-end plug 42, and a flavor-generating portion 44, etc., which will be described later, also constitute either a rod or a rod segment.
  • the flavor inhalation article 10 may be a heat-not-burn product which heats the aerosol-generating segment 12 without burning the aerosol-generating segment 12, or may be a burn-type product which burns the flavor-generating segment 12. Furthermore, the flavor inhalation article 10 may also be a no-heat no-burn product.
  • the flavor-generating segment 12 is formed as a cylindrical rod obtained by wrapping an appropriate filling material with a wrapping paper. Various types of filling materials may be used.
  • Shredded tobacco or a tobacco sheet material, etc. may be used as the filling material in a heat-not-burn flavor-generating segment 12, for example.
  • the wrapping paper may be filled with shredded tobacco obtained by shredding dried tobacco leaf to a width of 0.8 mm-1.2 mm.
  • a sheet material may be formed by grinding dried tobacco leaf to an average particle size of around 20 ⁇ m-200 ⁇ m and then homogenizing the ground tobacco, and the wrapping paper may be filled with shreds of the homogenized sheet having a width of 0.8 mm-1.2 mm.
  • the wrapping paper may also be filled with the sheet material which has been gathered, folded or rolled, rather than being shredded.
  • the wrapping paper may also be filled with the sheet material which has been shredded into short strip shapes, either concentrically or so that a longitudinal direction of the short strips is parallel to the longitudinal direction of a rod of the flavor-generating segment 12.
  • the flavor-generating segment 12 may generate an aerosol as it is heated.
  • An aerosol source such as glycerol, propylene glycol or 1,3-butanediol is preferably added as part of the filling material in order to promote aerosol generation.
  • the amount of aerosol source which is added is preferably 5 wt%-50 wt%, and more preferably 10 wt%-30 wt% with respect to the dry weight of the filling material.
  • the aerosol-generating segment 12 may further comprise a flavoring such as menthol.
  • Shredded tobacco or a tobacco sheet material, etc. may be used as the filling material of a burn-type flavor-generating segment 12, similarly to the filling material of a heat-not-burn flavor-generating segment 12.
  • the wrapping paper may be filled with shredded tobacco obtained by shredding dried tobacco leaf to a width of 0.8 mm-1.2 mm.
  • a sheet material may be formed by grinding dried tobacco leaf to an average particle size of around 20 ⁇ m-200 ⁇ m and then homogenizing the ground tobacco, and the wrapping paper may be filled with shreds of the homogenized sheet having a width of 0.8 mm-1.2 mm.
  • the wrapping paper may also be filled with the sheet material which has been gathered, folded or rolled, rather than being shredded.
  • the wrapping paper may also be filled with the sheet material which has been shredded into short strip shapes, either concentrically or so that the longitudinal direction of the short strips is parallel to the longitudinal direction of a tobacco rod.
  • the length of the rod of the flavor-generating segment 12 may be set as appropriate.
  • the length of the rod of the flavor-generating segment 12 is preferably 15 mm-70 mm, for example.
  • the diameter of the rod of the flavor-generating segment 12 is roughly constant from a tip end face (the end face of the flavor-generating segment 12 on the opposite side to a mouthpiece end 14b) 12a to a rear end face 12b, and may be set as appropriate.
  • the diameter of the rod of the flavor-generating segment 12 is preferably 4 mm-10 mm, and more preferably 6 mm-8 mm, for example.
  • the mouthpiece segment 14 comprises the filter segment (rod segment) 20 in this embodiment.
  • a sheet material 30 for the filter segment 20 may employ a material such as a paper material, a nonwoven fabric or a resin material, for example, which is processed into a cylindrical shape in this embodiment.
  • the filter segment 20 has functions such as adjusting the amount of air which is mixed when a user inhales the aerosol, etc., and also lightening the flavor and lightening nicotine and tar, etc.
  • the filter segment 20 need not have all of these functions.
  • the filter segment 20 may demonstrate a function of preventing the tobacco filling material from falling out while controlling a filtration function.
  • the mouthpiece segment 14 may have a cooling segment 46 when formed as part of a heat-not-burn flavor inhalation article 10. This will be described later in a second variant example of a second embodiment (see fig. 17 ). That is to say, this embodiment describes a case in which the mouthpiece segment 14 and the filter segment 20 constitute the same component.
  • the length of the rod of the mouthpiece segment 14 is preferably 10 mm-50 mm, and more preferably around 25 mm-30 mm, for example.
  • the diameter of the rod of the mouthpiece segment 14 is roughly constant from the tip end face 14a to the rear end face (mouthpiece end) 14b, and is preferably 4 mm-10 mm, and more preferably 6 mm-8 mm, for example.
  • the flavor-generating segment 12 and the mouthpiece segment 14 have the same diameter or roughly the same diameter, and, with the rear end face 12b of the flavor-generating segment 12 and the tip end face 14a of the mouthpiece segment 14 placed against each other, the tipping paper 16 is wrapped around the outer circumference including the rear end face 12b of the flavor-generating segment 12 and the tip end face 14a of the mouthpiece segment 14. Consequently, the flavor inhalation article 10 is formed with the rod of the flavor-generating segment 12 and the rod of the mouthpiece segment 14 in axial alignment.
  • the filter segment 20 includes: a filter material 22, and a wrapper (wrapping paper) 24 which wraps an outer side of the filter material 22 to form the filter segment 20 as a rod.
  • the filter material 22 of the filter segment 20 is formed by processing the sheet material 30 shown in fig. 2 , which has perforated regions (first segments) 32 which are partially perforated, and hole-free regions (second segments) 34 which are not perforated.
  • the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34 are arranged adjacently in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the sheet material 30.
  • the filter material 22 of the filter segment 20 is formed by processing one segment S of the sheet material 30, which comprises a perforated region 32 and a hole-free region 34 (to be described later).
  • the filter segment 20 is formed from a filter assembly (rod assembly) 18 which is, e.g., four or six times the length of the filter segment 20 that is actually used, by means of a rod production apparatus 50 which will be described later.
  • the filter segment 20 is then formed by cutting the filter assembly 18 to predetermined lengths at predetermined positions. That is to say, the filter segment 20 is formed by two-stage cutting, for example.
  • the first stage constitutes a step of cutting the filter assembly 18, which is obtained by crimping the continuous sheet material 30 and wrapping the sheet material 30 with the wrapper 24, to, e.g., four or six times the length of the filter segment 20 that is actually used as part of the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • the second stage constitutes a step of cutting the filter segment 20 which is four or six times the desired length, to the length of the filter segment 20 that is actually used as part of the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • Four or six filter segments 20 can therefore be formed from the filter assembly 18 by cutting of the filter assembly 18 in the second stage. Cutting of the filter assembly 18 in the second stage may be performed by making cuts multiple times.
  • an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is defined in fig. 2 .
  • a direction along the X axis is the axial direction of the sheet material 30 (the longitudinal direction before cutting) and is a conveyance direction.
  • a direction along the Y axis is the width direction of the sheet material 30.
  • a direction along the Z axis is the thickness direction of the sheet material 30.
  • the filter material 22 is formed by processing the sheet material 30 shown in fig. 2 .
  • the filter material 22 is formed by processing a paper sheet material, a nonwoven fabric sheet material, or a resinous sheet material 30, for example.
  • This embodiment describes an example in which the filter material 22 is formed by a paper sheet material 30, which is to say an example of a paper filter.
  • the paper sheet material 30 is a paper obtained by papermaking from wood pulp, for example.
  • the paper filter is obtained by using the paper sheet material 30 as the filter material 22, and by wrapping the outer side of the filter material 22 with the wrapping paper 24 in order to form a rod shape, making a biodegradable filter which is excellent in terms of biodegradability.
  • the width of the sheet material 30 in the width direction is formed to an appropriate size, such as 150 mm-250 mm, for example.
  • the width is adjusted according to the thickness of the sheet material 30 or the diameter of the filter segment 20 which is produced, etc.
  • the material, width in the width direction, and thickness are adjusted according to the function thereof.
  • the perforated regions 32 and hole-free regions 34 are formed alternately, i.e., repeatedly, along the longitudinal direction of the sheet material 30.
  • the sheet material 30 is formed by repeating segments S, each of which constitutes a set comprising one perforated region 32 and a hole-free region 34 adjacent to said perforated region 32.
  • the longitudinal direction of the sheet material 30 is a direction lying along the direction in which the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34 are adjacently arranged.
  • the width direction of the sheet material 30 is a direction intersecting the direction in which the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34 are adjacently arranged, and is preferably a direction orthogonal thereto.
  • the length of the rod of the filter segment 20 is formed as the length of one segment S of the sheet material 30 combining one perforated region 32 and one hole-free region 34, for example.
  • the hole-free regions 34 of the sheet material 30 are formed as closed regions (zones) with no holes penetrating in the Z axis direction at any position of a region defined by the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the sheet material 30.
  • a plurality of openings (opening edges) 33) penetrating in the Z axis direction are formed in the perforated regions 32 of the sheet material 30.
  • a plurality of openings 33 having the same shape are formed at intervals in the width direction in each perforated region 32.
  • the plurality of openings 33 are formed at equal intervals in the width direction as substantially rectangular holes having the same shape and the same size.
  • the openings 33 are formed with an appropriate shape, such as a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially circular shape, or a substantially elliptical shape, in addition to a substantially rectangular shape.
  • none of the edge portions of the plurality of openings 33 have corners.
  • a portion of the openings 33 may be formed at both ends of the sheet material 30 in the width direction, but the openings 33 are preferably not formed at both ends of the sheet material 30 in the width direction, in order to suppress catching on a bundle guide 74 (see fig. 4 ), for example, of the rod production apparatus 50 when the sheet material 30 is formed as a rod.
  • the sheet material 30 may be perforated by the perforated regions 32 over any extent of perforation (area inside the openings 33). If there is excessive perforation, however, there is less filtration material (solid portion) when the sheet material 30 is formed into the rod of the filter segment 20, and there is also a drop in hardness of the rod of the filter segment 20. When there is less filtration material (solid portion), there is a reduction in the strength of the rod of the filter segment 20, leading to a possible reduction in production suitability during production.
  • the extent of perforation of the sheet material 30 by the perforated regions 32 is suitably around 5%-70%, for example, of the area of the region defined by the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the sheet material 30, and is preferably around 10%-50%.
  • the lower limit of the extent of the perforated regions 32 may vary depending on how low the manufacturer of the filter segment 20 needs the filtration properties to be.
  • the upper limit of the extent of the perforated regions 32 may vary depending on the degree of hardness of the filter segment 20 required by the manufacturer of the filter segment 20, and also production suitability.
  • a length ratio of the hole-free region 34 and the perforated region 32 in the longitudinal direction of the rod of the filter segment 20 is appropriately adjusted in a range of 1:5-5:1, or a range of 2:3-3:2, etc.
  • the hole-free region 34 and the perforated region 32 may have a length ratio of 1:1, i.e., they may have the same length.
  • the length ratio of the hole-free region 34 and the perforated region 32 may be appropriately set by the manufacturer of the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • One segment S of the sheet material 30 forms the filter material 22 of the filter segment 20.
  • one segment S of the sheet material 30 is gathered in the width direction (Y axis direction) of the sheet material so that the longitudinal direction of the rod of the filter segment 20 follows the direction in which the perforated region 32 and the hole-free region 34 are adjacently arranged, a creping treatment (crimping) such as folding is performed, and a cylindrical rod is formed from the filter material 22.
  • a large number of lines are formed along the X axis direction, and these lines are formed into mountain folds and valley folds, whereby the width in the width direction of one segment S of the sheet material 30 is reduced while the longitudinal length of said one segment S is maintained, and a cylindrical rod is formed from the filter material 22.
  • the outer circumference of the cylindrical filter material 22 is then wrapped with the wrapper 24, and the filter segment 20 is thereby formed as a cylindrical rod or rod segment.
  • the picture on the left-hand side of fig. 3 shows an end face of the filter segment 20 as seen from the hole-free region 34 side of the filter material 22, and the picture on the right-hand side of fig. 3 shows an end face of the filter segment 20 as seen from the perforated region 32 side of the filter material 20.
  • the end face on the hole-free region 34 side of the filter material 22 shown in the picture on the left-hand side of fig. 3 has fewer "voids", i.e., fewer holes, than the end face on the perforated region 32 side of the filter material 22 shown in the picture on the right-hand side of fig. 3 .
  • the perforated region 32 is therefore formed along the axial direction of the rod of the filter segment 20 as a region of low airflow resistance where the density of the filter material 22 is lower than in the hole-free region 34.
  • the hole-free region 34 is formed along the axial direction of the rod of the filter segment 20 as a region of high airflow resistance where the density of the filter material 22 is higher than in the perforated region 32.
  • the perforated region 32 and the hole-free region 34 are thus adjacently arranged along the axial direction of the rod of the filter segment 20, whereby a region of relatively low airflow resistance and a region of relatively high airflow resistance are formed by the filter material 22 of one segment S of one sheet material 30.
  • the outer circumference of the sheet material 30 can be wrapped with one wrapper 24 in order to maintain the shape of the rod of the filter segment 20, while regions having a plurality of (such as two) different filtration capabilities, etc. are formed along the axial direction of the rod of the filter segment 20 by means of one filter material 22.
  • the rod of the filter segment 20 it is therefore possible to dispense with connecting a plurality of (such as two) filter segments wrapped with respective wrapping papers in order to form regions having different filtration capabilities, and it is also possible to dispense with the production operation to wrap outer circumferences of a plurality of filter segments with wrappers (wrapping papers).
  • the mouthpiece end 14b of the flavor inhalation article 10 is then preferably formed by the hole-free region 34 (the picture on the left-hand side of fig. 3 ) of the filter material 22 of the filter segment 20. That is to say, the perforated region 32 is disposed along the axial direction of the filter segment (rod) 20 on the upstream side (the flavor-generating segment 12 side) of the hole-free region 34.
  • the hole-free region 34 i.e., the high filtration region, is therefore disposed at a position that includes the mouthpiece end 14b of the filter segment 20, and the perforated region 32 is disposed at a position away from the mouthpiece end 14b toward the flavor-generating segment 12 side.
  • the airflow resistance at positions along the longitudinal direction of the filter segment 20 can be adjusted by one member (the filter material 22 of one segment S of the sheet material 30), and a region of low airflow resistance can be formed due to the presence of the perforated region 32.
  • This embodiment thus makes it possible to provide a flavor inhalation article 10 fitted with such a filter segment 20.
  • the airflow resistance of the filter material 22 of the filter segment 20 not only depends on the choice of sheet material 30, but is also adjusted by, for instance, setting a creping depth (see fig. 5A and 5B ) afforded by a pair of creping rollers 64a, 64b of a creping unit (crimping unit) 64 of the production apparatus 50 (see fig. 4 ) which will be described later.
  • a difference in airflow resistance per 1 mm of rod of the filter segment 20 between the first segment (perforated region) 32 and the second segment (hole-free region) 34 is suitably 0.5 mmH 2 O/mm-10 mmH 2 O/mm, and preferably 1 mmH 2 O/mm-5 mmH 2 O/mm.
  • Any wrapping paper may be used for the wrapper 24.
  • a wrapping paper having a larger basis weight may be used in order to maintain an appropriate hardness of the filter segment 20.
  • the basis weight of the wrapper 24 is suitably 30 gsm or greater, preferably 50 gsm, and more suitably 100 gsm or less.
  • the tipping paper 16 may be thickened in order to maintain hardness of the filter segment 20 of the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • the production apparatus 50 for producing such a filter segment 20 will be described below with the aid of fig. 4-8 .
  • XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is defined in fig. 4 in the same way as for the sheet material 30 shown in fig. 2 .
  • the X axis direction is a direction in which the sheet material 30 is conveyed from a feed unit 62, which will be described later, toward a cutting unit 58.
  • the production apparatus 50 for producing a rod for the flavor inhalation article 10 comprises: a supply unit 52 for supplying the sheet material 30, a treatment unit 54 for treating the sheet material 30, a rod-forming unit (rod rolling unit) 56, a rod cutting unit 58, and a rod optical inspection device (inspection unit) 60.
  • the supply unit 52, treatment unit 54, rod-forming unit 56, rod cutting unit 58, and optical inspection device 60 are controlled by means of a control unit which is not depicted.
  • control device for controlling the production apparatus 50 preferably performs appropriate control, such as feedback control, for example, of the supply unit 52, treatment unit 54, rod-forming unit 56, and rod cutting unit 58, based on information from a control unit 60c (to be described later) of the optical inspection device 60.
  • control device for controlling the production apparatus 50 also preferably controls at least one of the following, based on the information from the control unit 60c (to be described later) of the optical inspection device 60, for example: supply of the sheet material 30 by the supply unit 52, crimping of the sheet material 30 by the creping unit (crimping unit) 64 (to be described later) of the treatment unit 54, punching of the sheet material 30 by a punching unit 66 which will be described later, formation of the rod by the rod-forming unit 56, and cutting of the rod by the rod cutting unit 58.
  • the supply unit 52 supplies the hole-free sheet material 30, or the sheet material 30 which is formed in advance with the perforated regions 32 and hole-free regions 34, for conveyance in a predetermined direction.
  • the supply unit 52 comprises a bobbin 52a, a dancer unit 52b, and an auxiliary roller 52c.
  • a hole-free sheet material 30 formed without the perforated regions 32 (openings 33) is wound on the bobbin 52a around a shaft 52a1 parallel to the Y axis direction, for example.
  • the original length of the sheet material 30 (the length of the sheet material 30 wound on the bobbin 52a) is set at an appropriate length, such as a length of 50 m-100 m or greater.
  • the sheet material 30 is fed out in a predetermined direction (to the dancer unit 52b) from the bobbin (base paper roller) 52a which rotates as the shaft 52a1 rotates.
  • the sheet material 30 is fed out in the longitudinal direction of the sheet material 30 while longitudinal movement is controlled, such as controlling the sheet material 30 to a constant speed and a constant tension, for example.
  • the dancer unit 52b is provided on the downstream side of the bobbin 52a of the supply unit 52 and on the upstream side of the feed unit 62 (to be described later) of the treatment unit 54.
  • the dancer unit 52b adjusts the sheet material 30 so as to reduce changes in the tension of the sheet material 30 caused by changes in diameter of the bobbin 52a, and changes in the feed rate of the sheet material 30, etc.
  • the dancer unit 52b comprises a plurality of upper rollers 52b1 and a plurality of lower rollers 52b2.
  • the sheet material 30 is passed in a zigzag form between the upper and lower rollers 52b1, 52b2 of the dancer unit 52b.
  • the auxiliary roller 52c is provided on the downstream side of the dancer unit 52b.
  • the auxiliary roller 52c changes the orientation of the sheet material 30 that has passed through the dancer unit 52b toward the feed unit 62 which will be described later.
  • the treatment unit 54 performs a preliminary operation to form the sheet material 30 as a rod, while also forming regions for varying the airflow resistance in one segment S.
  • the treatment unit 54 comprises, along the flow of the paper sheet material 30, for example, the feed unit 62, the creping unit 64, the punching unit 66, an auxiliary roller 54a, and an adding unit 68.
  • the feed unit 62 causes the sheet material 30 to move downstream while the sheet material 30 is held at an appropriate tension in the X axis direction.
  • the feed unit 62 comprises a pair of feed rollers 62a, 62b, for example.
  • the upper roller 62a of the feed unit 62 is formed, for example, by two rubber rollers arranged side-by-side on the left and right in the depthwise direction of the page in fig. 4 .
  • the lower roller 62b is formed by a metal roller having a flat surface, for example.
  • Threads are formed on the surfaces of the two rubber rollers of the upper roller 62a, and when the feed rollers 62a, 62b rotate, both widthwise ends of the sheet material 30 are spread in a transverse direction (Y axis direction) so as to move further apart, and unintended creases are prevented from being formed at this point in time.
  • the creping unit (crimping unit) 64 for subjecting the sheet material 32 a creping treatment is provided on the downstream side of the feed unit 62.
  • the creping unit 64 crimps the sheet material 30 conveyed from the supply unit 52.
  • the creping unit 64 comprises the pair of creping rollers 64a, 64b.
  • the creping rollers 64a, 64b are utilized in order to form longitudinal creases in the sheet material 30 along the X axis direction, which make it easier to form the filter segment 20 as a rod. That is to say, the creping unit 64 forms linear pleats along the longitudinal direction in order to facilitate folding of the sheet material 30 when the sheet material 30 is formed into a rod.
  • the pair of creping rollers 64a, 64b comprise: rotary shafts 6411, 6421 parallel to each other in the Y axis direction; and a plurality of projections (disc-shaped members) 6412, 6422.
  • the upper rotary shaft 6411 is a first rotary shaft
  • the lower rotary shaft 6421 is a second rotary shaft.
  • a plurality of first projections 6412 are provided on the first rotary shaft 6411
  • a plurality of second projections 6422 are provided on the second rotary shaft 6421.
  • the plurality of projections 6412, 6422 are each suitably formed as disc-shaped members having the same diameter. It should be noted that adjacent projections 6412, 6422 are separated by predetermined intervals in the width direction (Y axis direction) of the sheet material 30, for example.
  • the first rotary shaft 6411 and the second rotary shaft 6421 are capable of moving closer together and further apart from each other while remaining parallel to each other in the width direction (Y axis direction) of the sheet material 30.
  • the plurality of first projections 6412 protrude from the first rotary shaft 6411 by roughly the same amount.
  • the plurality of first projections 6412 are separated by predetermined intervals in the width direction.
  • the plurality of second projections 6422 protrude from the second rotary shaft 6421 by roughly the same amount.
  • the plurality of second projections 6422 are separated by predetermined intervals in the width direction.
  • distances (reference sign D1 in fig. 5A and reference sign D2 in fig. 5B ) between top portions 6412a of the first projections 6412 and top portions 6422a of the second projections 6422 along the direction of approach and separation of the first rotary shaft 6411 and the second rotary shaft 6421 constitute amounts of mating.
  • the distances D1, D2 are suitably around 1 mm or less, for example.
  • the creping depth is interchangeable with the distance in the Z axis direction between the tops 6412a, 6422a of the projections 6412, 6422 of the pair of creping rollers 64a, 64b.
  • a comparison of the distance D1 in fig. 5A and the distance D2 in fig. 5B shows that the distance D2 is greater.
  • the creping depth of the sheet material 30 is greater in the example shown in fig. 5B than in the example shown in fig. 5A .
  • the interval between the first rotary shaft 6411 and the second rotary shaft 6421 of the creping unit 64 has a fixed positional relationship while the sheet material 30 is undergoing the creping treatment.
  • the depth of mating (distances D1, D2) between the projections 6412, 6422 is adjusted, and the depth of the longitudinal creases along the X axis direction which are formed in the sheet material 30, or the degree of stretch of the sheet material 30 is varied.
  • the depth of mating between the projections 6412, 6422 it is then possible to adjust the airflow resistance in one segment S of the filter material 22.
  • the pair of creping rollers 64a, 64b need not be rotated about the rotary shafts 6411, 6421, provided that the sheet material 13 is moved smoothly downstream between the top portions 6412a of the first projections 6412 and the top portions 6422a of the second projections 6422.
  • the pair of creping rollers 64a, 64b of the creping unit 64 should therefore each be formed as creping instruments.
  • the punching unit 66 is disposed on the downstream side of the creping unit 64.
  • the punching unit 66 punches portions of the sheet material 30 conveyed (supplied) from the supply unit 52.
  • the punching unit 66 punches the portions of the sheet material 30 in order to form the plurality of openings 33, thereby forming the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34.
  • This embodiment describes a case in which the punching unit 66 is disposed on the downstream side of the creping unit 64 along the direction of conveyance of the sheet material 30. It is also suitable for the punching unit 66 to be disposed on the upstream side of the creping unit 64.
  • the punching unit 66 and the creping unit 64 may have a positional relationship such that either is arranged on the upstream side or the downstream side, but the creping unit 64 is preferably arranged on the upstream side and the punching unit 66 is preferably arranged on the downstream side.
  • the sheet material 30 is stretched as the sheet material 30 passes through the creping unit 64. The position of punching is therefore easy to control by punching the sheet material 30 with the punching unit 66 after the sheet material 30 has been stretched. If the punching unit 66 is disposed upstream of the creping unit 64, on the other hand, tension is sufficiently applied to the sheet material 30 during conveyance, so it is easy to punch the openings 33.
  • the punching unit 66 comprises, for example, an upper roller (first roller) 66a, and a lower roller (second roller) 66b.
  • the punching unit 66 forms the plurality of openings 33 having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size in the sheet material 30 when the sheet material 30 passes between the upper and lower rollers 66a, 66b. That is to say, the sheet material 30 having the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34 (see fig. 2 ) is formed by forming the plurality of openings 33 having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size in the hole-free sheet material 30.
  • the upper roller 66a has blades (see fig. 6C ) for appropriately cutting the sheet material 30.
  • the lower roller 66b is formed as a metal roll having no unevenness, for example.
  • the sheet material 30 is conveyed between the upper roller 66a and the lower roller 66b while the conveyance speed of the sheet material 30 is controlled by means of the feed unit 62, and the sheet material 30 is punched when it is pinched between the upper roller 66a and the lower roller 66b so that predetermined openings 33 are formed in succession. That is to say, sets (segments S) of perforated regions 32 and hole-free regions 34 are repeatedly formed in the sheet material 30.
  • the blades are formed to punch the sheet material 30 so that the pieces of paper which are punched out do not have corners. That is to say, the blades are formed in a shape such that the openings 33 are punched in an annular shape without corners. The blades of the punching unit 66 therefore prevent the pieces of paper which are punched out from being left joined to the sheet material 30.
  • Fig. 6A shows a first example (method employing a flexible die 66c).
  • Fig. 7 shows a second example (method employing a rotary die).
  • the punching unit 66 shown in fig. 6A comprises a metallic upper roller (punching roller 66a) to which the flexible die 66c (see fig. 6B ) is magnetically attached, and a lower roller (anvil roller) 66b.
  • the flexible die 66c comprises a thin metal sheet of around 0.45 mm which is etched or machined, and cutting blades 66d formed in the shape of the openings 33 are provided on the surface of the metal sheet in order to punch the openings 33.
  • the flexible die 66c is magnetically attached to the magnetic upper roller 66a when the openings 33 in the sheet material 30 are punched.
  • Two flexible dies 66c are normally affixed to the upper roller 66a.
  • two flexible dies 66c are used adjacently in the circumferential direction or axial direction of the upper roller 66a. The whole of the upper roller 66a is then covered by the flexible dies 66c.
  • the flexible dies 66c should be set on the upper roller 66a in such a way that the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34 are repeatedly formed in the same shape along the longitudinal direction of the sheet material 30.
  • numerous holes 66e communicating with a suction unit (suction source) 67 are suitably formed in the lower roller (anvil roll) 66b as punched piece removal portions for removing punched pieces of the sheet material 30 which has been partially perforated by the punching unit 66. That is to say, the numerous holes (punched piece removal portions) 66e are provided in the punching unit 66. These holes 66e are suitably provided to match the shape of the openings 33 which are to be punched.
  • the sheet material 30 is sandwiched between the cutting blades of the flexible die 66c formed in the shape of the openings 33 and the periphery of the holes 66e in the lower roller 66b so that the openings 33 are formed in the sheet material 30, and pieces of paper in the shape of the openings 33 which have been punched are attached by suction to the periphery of the holes 66e.
  • the assembly may be formed less expensively when the upper roller 66a and the flexible die 66c shown in fig. 6A are used than when the upper roller 66a constituting the rotary die shown in fig. 7 is used. It is difficult to punch relatively thick materials when the flexible die 66c shown in fig. 6A is used. It may not be possible to properly punch a sheet material 30 having a thickness of 0.5 mm or greater, for example, although this also depends on the material thereof, and the punched pieces of paper may not detach from the cutting blades of the flexible die 66c.
  • the upper roller 66a is formed as a rotary die.
  • Predetermined cutting blades 66f for forming the openings 33 in the sheet material 30 are formed in the upper roller (rotary die) 66a by machining a metal roll, for example. This generally enables the upper roller 66a to be used for relatively thick sheet materials 30. When the cutting blades 66f become less sharp, the cutting blades 66f can be resharpened so that the upper roller (rotary die) 66a can be reused.
  • holes 66g which are comparable in size with or slightly smaller than the punched pieces of paper are formed as punched piece removal portions on the inside of the cutting blades 66f of the upper roller (rotary die) 66a. These holes 66g communicate with the suction unit (suction source) 67.
  • the sheet material 30 is sandwiched between the cutting blades 66f formed in the shape of the openings 33 and the lower roller 66b so that the openings 33 are formed in the sheet material 30, and pieces of paper in the shape of the openings 33 which have been punched pass through the holes 66g and are collected inside the upper roller (rotary die) 66a.
  • the collected pieces of paper are removed along a rotary shaft, for example, of the upper roller 66a, for example, after the upper roller 66a and the lower roller 66b have stopped rotating.
  • a separation unit for separating the pieces of paper from the air stream produced by suction may equally be provided between the holes 66g and a communication path of the suction unit (suction source) 67.
  • holes 66e (punched piece removal portions) communicating with the suction unit 67 may also be provided in the lower roller (anvil roll) 66b shown in fig. 7 , similarly to the holes 66e formed in the lower roller (anvil roll) 66b shown in fig. 6A .
  • the suction-attachment of the pieces of paper is released when the lower roller (anvil roll) 66b has been moved downward, whereby the pieces of paper in the shape of the openings 33 which were attached by suction to the periphery of the holes 66e fall off the lower roller 66b at a predetermined location, and are collected in a tray (not depicted) or the like which serves as a punched piece removal portion.
  • a suction unit (suction source) 67 may be further installed as a punched piece removal portion on the downstream side of the punching unit 66, in order to recover the pieces of paper.
  • suction source suction source
  • a suction unit (suction source) 67 may be further installed as a punched piece removal portion on the downstream side of the punching unit 66, in order to recover the pieces of paper.
  • pressurized air may be jetted from above the sheet material 30, and pieces of paper may be recovered by suction below the sheet material 30, for example.
  • the adding unit 68 is installed on the downstream side of the punching unit 66 in this embodiment.
  • the adding unit 68 comprises a liquid adding unit 68a and a granule adding unit 68b in this embodiment.
  • the adding unit 68 may add an additive to the filter material 22 of the sheet material 30 when the filter material 22 undergoes the creping treatment and is formed as a cylindrical rod, for example.
  • a liquid may be added, granules (a solid) may be added, or both may be added as the additive.
  • the adding unit 68 is not used in this embodiment. It will therefore be assumed that the sheet material 30 passes through the liquid adding unit 68a and the granule adding unit 68b of the adding unit 68 without stopping.
  • the adding unit 68 will be described in the second embodiment (see fig. 15A-16B).
  • the rod-forming unit 56 is disposed on the downstream side of the adding unit 68. That is, the rod-forming unit 56 is provided on the downstream side of the punching unit 66 and the creping unit 64.
  • the rod-forming unit 56 forms the sheet material 30 into a rod having a substantially circular cross section, which is to say a rod having a substantially cylindrical external appearance, with the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34 arranged alternately along the axial direction.
  • the rod-forming unit 56 comprises a wrapping paper supply mechanism 72, a bundling guide 74, a wrapping glue gun 76, and tongs 78.
  • the wrapping paper supply mechanism 72 supplies, along with the sheet material 30, a sheet-like member 24a supplied from a bobbin 72a on which the sheet-like member 24a is wound, to the bundling guide 74. It should be noted that the sheet-like member 24a will form the wrapper 24 which is wrapped around the filter material 22 when the filter segment 20 is formed.
  • the bundling guide 74 is formed so that a passageway thereof becomes narrower from upstream toward the downstream side.
  • the bundling guide 74 forms the sheet material 30 into approximately a cylindrical rod as the sheet material 30 passes through the bundling guide 74.
  • the sheet material 30 is deformed into roughly a bellows shape correspondingly with the longitudinal creases (linear pleats) formed by the creping unit 64 while the width of the bundling guide 74 through which the sheet material 30 passes becomes narrower from upstream toward the downstream side.
  • the sheet material 30 is narrowed in a regular manner and the shape of the sheet material 30 approaches that of a cylindrical rod.
  • the bundling guide 74 wraps the outer circumference of the sheet material 30, which is close to the shape of the rod, with the sheet-like member 24a as the sheet material 30 moves from upstream toward the downstream side. That is to say, the bundling guide 74 surrounds the outer circumference of the narrowed sheet material 30 (filter material 22) with the sheet-like member 24a forming the wrapper 24, and brings the sheet material 30 close to the shape of a cylindrical rod.
  • the widthwise end face of the sheet-like member 24a that has passed through the bundling guide 74 is then coated with glue from the wrapping glue gun 76.
  • the tongs 78 are then provided on the downstream side of the wrapping glue gun 76.
  • the tongs 78 bond the end faces of the sheet-like member 24a forming the wrapper 24.
  • the shape of the filter assembly 18 which may be formed as the filter segments 20 is therefore maintained by means of the tongs 78. That is to say, the rod-forming unit 56 of the production apparatus 50 is capable of rolling up the sheet material 30 into the form of a filter assembly (rod assembly) with the sheet-like member 24a forming the wrapper 24.
  • the cutting unit 58 then successively cuts the continuous rod rolled up by the tongs 78 to predetermined lengths. At this time, the cutting unit 58 cuts rods having at least one each of the perforated region 32 and the hole-free region 34.
  • the production apparatus 50 is therefore capable of producing a filter assembly 18 having a predetermined length. It should be noted that this embodiment describes an example in which the cutting unit 58 produces a filter assembly 18 having a predetermined length, such as a length which is four or six times that of the filter segment 20, for example, but filter segments 20 may be directly produced from the continuous rod-shaped member rolled up by the tongs 78, without the filter assembly 18 being produced.
  • the optical inspection device 60 for optical inspection of the rod of the filter assembly 18 is provided on the downstream side of the cutting unit 58.
  • the optical inspection device 60 comprises: a light-emitting unit 60a; a light-receiving unit 60b for receiving the light irradiated from the light-emitting unit 60a and passing through the filter assembly (rod) 18; and a control unit 60c for controlling the light-emitting unit 60a and the light-receiving unit 60b.
  • the light-emitting unit 60a is a light source such as an LED light source, for example.
  • the light-receiving unit 60b is an imaging element of a camera, or a detector for detecting light, such as a photodiode.
  • the control unit 60c is a computer comprising, in physical terms, a memory such as RAM or ROM, a processor (arithmetic circuit) such as a CPU, a communication interface, and an information storage portion such as a hard disk. Examples of the control unit 60c which may be cited include a personal computer, a cloud server, and a tablet terminal, etc.
  • the control unit 60c functions by causing the processor to execute programs stored in the memory.
  • the control unit 60c When a camera is used as the light-receiving unit 60b, the control unit 60c outputs pixel values (light intensity) for each pixel, for example, based on optical information (received light information) received by the light-reception unit 60b.
  • the filter assembly 18 contains different amounts of the sheet material 30 along the longitudinal direction in the perforated regions 32 where the sheet material 30 has been punched and in the hole-free regions 34 where the sheet material 30 has not been punched, therefore producing a difference in transmitted light intensity. That is to say, each filter assembly 18 comprises repeating first light-transmission portions 18a and second light-transmission portions 18b having lower light transmittance than the first light-transmission portions 18a.
  • the first light-transmission portions 18a correspond to the perforated regions 32, and the second light-transmission portions 18b correspond to the hole-free regions 34.
  • the control unit 60c can therefore identify boundaries between the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34 of the filter material 22 in the filter assembly 18 based on the intensity of light (received light information) received by the light-receiving unit 60b from the light-emitting unit 60a through the filter assembly 18.
  • the filter assembly 18 can be inspected by the optical inspection device 60 which checks the transmitted light intensity in this way.
  • control unit 60c can output the positions and lengths of the first light-transmission portions 18a (perforated regions 32), and the positions and lengths of the second light-transmission portions 18b (hole-free regions 34) between one end and another end of the filter assembly 18.
  • the control unit 60c outputs whether or not the plurality of perforated regions 32 and the plurality of hole-free regions 34 are each set at the desired preset length.
  • control unit 60c detects that the plurality of perforated regions 32 and the plurality of hole-free regions 34 each have the desired preset length, for example, the control device of the production apparatus 50 performs control (feedback control) to maintain the state of control of each device in the production apparatus 50 (supply unit 52, treatment unit 54, rod-forming unit 56, rod cutting unit 58, etc.).
  • control unit 60c detects that the plurality of perforated regions 32 and the plurality of hole-free regions 34 deviate from the desired preset lengths
  • the control device of the production apparatus 50 controls (feedback-controls) the state of control of each device of the production apparatus 50 so that the plurality of perforated regions 32 and the plurality of hole-free regions 34 each have the desired preset length.
  • the control unit 60c therefore controls the supply of the sheet material 30 by means of the supply unit 52 for supplying the sheet material 30, and punching of the sheet material 30 by the punching unit 66, based on signals sent from the light-receiving unit 60b to the control unit 60c.
  • the control unit 60c can not only ascertain the positions and lengths of the plurality of perforated regions 32 and the plurality of hole-free regions 34 in the filter assembly 18, but can also perform quality management in respect of the filter material 22 (sheet material 30) formed into a cylindrical shape.
  • the control unit 60c can provide output indicating that the substantially cylindrical filter material 22 in the filter assembly 18 is held inside the sheet-like member 24a forming the wrapper 24 with a substantially constant quality.
  • the control unit 60c can provide output indicating that the filter material 22 in the filter assembly 18 is held inside the sheet-like member 24a forming the wrapper 24 with a substantially constant quality. Conversely, if variations in the light transmittance in the plurality of first light-transmission portions 18a and/or the plurality of second light-transmission portions 18b exceed a predetermined threshold range, variations in filtration performance may be produced when the filter segment 20 is used. The control unit 60c therefore provides output indicating that the filter material 22 in the filter assembly 18 is held inside the sheet-like member 24a forming the wrapper 24 with inadequate quality.
  • control unit 60c may compare variations in light intensity among a plurality of filter assemblies 18, based on information of light from the light-emitting unit 60a which is received by the light-receiving unit 60b (light transmittance of the first light-transmission portions 18a and/or the second light-transmission portions 18b). At this time, the control unit 60c may compare quality among a plurality of filter assemblies 18.
  • measurements employing light emission by the light-emitting unit 60a and light reception by the light-receiving unit 60b may be carried out by means of imaging periodically performed at appropriate time intervals by means of the imaging element, etc. of the camera, and then image processing, or by continuous measurement of changes in light intensity.
  • the control unit 60c can thus output whether or not the filter assembly 18 is formed in the desired state, based on signals sent from the light-receiving unit 60b. That is to say, the optical inspection device 60 can output whether or not the filter assembly 18 is formed in a desired state.
  • the devices in the production apparatus 50 are feedback-controlled on the basis of this output from the control unit 60c, enabling stable quality to be maintained.
  • the production apparatus 50 according to this embodiment is therefore capable of producing filter assemblies 18 of stable quality.
  • optical inspection device 60 is disposed on the downstream side of the rod cutting unit 58, and filter assemblies 18 cut to a predetermined length such as four or six times that of the filter segment 20 are checked.
  • the optical inspection device 60 may equally be disposed on the upstream side of the rod cutting unit 58.
  • the optical inspection above may be carried out in a state in which the filter material 22 formed by means of the tongs 78 has been wrapped with the sheet-like member 24a forming the wrapper 24.
  • Each filter assembly 18 is further cut in order to form filter segments 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • the filter assembly 18 is therefore cut to form the filter segment 20, before the filter segment 20 is joined to the flavor-generating segment 12 by way of the tipping paper 16.
  • the optical inspection device 60 may apply marks at cutting positions on the outer circumferential surface of the sheet-like member 24a of the filter assembly 18 indicating boundaries between perforated regions 32 and hole-free regions 34.
  • the apparatus for cutting the filter assembly 18 can easily ascertain cutting positions on the filter assembly 18, that is, can easily ascertain positions at which the filter assembly 18 should be cut in order to obtain a plurality of filter segments 20.
  • Using the results of the inspection by the optical inspection device 60 therefore makes it possible to reduce the work of detecting positions for cutting the filter assembly 18 by the apparatus for cutting the filter assembly 18.
  • Filter segments 20 each having at least one perforated region 32 and hole-free region 34 can thus be obtained by suitably cutting the filter assembly 18.
  • One end of the filter segment 20 is formed by the hole-free region 34 as the mouthpiece end 14b of the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • the tip end face 14a of the filter segment 20 is placed against the rear end face 12b of the flavor-generating segment 12 of the flavor inhalation article 10, and the region including the tip end face 14a of the filter segment 20 and the rear end face 12b of the flavor-generating segment 12 is wrapped with the tipping paper 16 to thereby produce the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • This embodiment therefore makes it possible to provide a flavor inhalation article 10 and a filter segment 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10, which are capable of adjusting the amount of filtration, etc. of a fluid by means of regions (perforated region 32 and hole-free region 34) having different capabilities that are formed by a single member (filter material 22).
  • the bobbin 52a is formed by winding the hole-free sheet material 30, and the perforated regions 32 are formed by means of the production apparatus 50.
  • the bobbin 52a may equally be formed by winding a sheet material 30 in which the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34 are formed beforehand.
  • the filter segment 20 can also be formed by using such a sheet material 30 in which the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34 are formed beforehand.
  • the punching unit 66 need not be present in the production apparatus 50, or the upper and lower rollers 66a, 66b may be removed.
  • the production apparatus 50 may also produce a rod assembly or a rod segment for a flavor inhalation article 10, in addition to the filter segments 20.
  • a tobacco sheet material is used as the sheet material 30
  • a tobacco rod comprising the perforated region 32 having the openings 33, and the hole-free region 34 is produced.
  • the tobacco sheet material undergoes the creping treatment in the same way as the sheet material 30 described above, and a rod of the flavor-generating segment 12 is formed by wrapping with a wrapping paper instead of the wrapper 24.
  • an acetate tow filter for example, may be used as the filter material 22 of the filter segment 20, instead of using the treated sheet material 30.
  • suitable additives may be added to the tobacco sheet material serving as the sheet material 30, similarly to the additives in the filter material 22 (to be described later) which are added by the adding unit 68 (see fig. 4 ).
  • a cooling segment 46 can also be produced by using a cooling sheet material 30, but this will be described later in a third embodiment.
  • This embodiment makes it possible to provide: a production apparatus 50 capable of producing a rod (rod assembly 18 and rod segment 20 obtained by cutting the rod assembly 18) for a flavor inhalation article 10, which is capable of adjusting the state of a fluid flowing from upstream to downstream, for example, by means of regions having different capabilities that are formed by a single member; and also to provide a method for producing a rod (rod assembly 18 and rod segment 20 obtained by cutting the rod assembly 18) for a flavor inhalation article 10.
  • the openings 33 in the perforated region 32 are formed at equal intervals in the width direction.
  • the openings 33 in the perforated region 32 may equally be formed randomly in the width direction.
  • the arrangement of the openings 33 in the perforated region 32 should be a suitably uniform arrangement, and should not be excessively unbalanced.
  • the filter material 22 of the filter segment 20 has one perforated region 32 and two hole-free regions 34 as one segment S of the sheet material 30.
  • the tip end face 14a and the mouthpiece end 14b of the filter segment 20 may both be formed as hole-free regions 34.
  • One segment S of the sheet material 30 for the filter segment 20 may also have two perforated regions 32 and one hole-free region 34, although this is not depicted.
  • the length of the rod of the filter segment 20 was formed as the length of one segment S of the sheet material 30 combining one perforated region 32 and one hole-free region 34, for example.
  • the length of the rod of the filter segment 20 may be set as appropriate: it may be formed as the combined length of one perforated region 32 and two hole-free regions 34, as shown in fig. 10 , or it may be formed as the combined length of two perforated regions 32 and two hole-free regions 34, although this is not depicted. That is to say, the range defined as one segment S of the sheet material 30 may be set, as appropriate.
  • the filter material 22 serving as the rod of the filter segment 20 may therefore have various arrangements, including a "hole-free region 34 - perforated region 32 - hole-free region 34" arrangement (see fig. 10 ), and a "perforated region 32 - hole-free region 34 - perforated region 32" arrangement (not depicted).
  • This variant example therefore makes it possible to provide a flavor inhalation article 10 and a filter segment 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10, which are capable of adjusting the amount of filtration, etc. of a fluid by means of regions (perforated region 32 and hole-free region 34) having different capabilities that are formed by a single member (sheet material 30). Furthermore, this variant example makes it possible to provide a production apparatus 50 capable of producing a rod segment (rod) 20 for this flavor inhalation article 10, and a method for producing the rod segment (rod) 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • Filter segments 20 having different lengths and different properties may also be obtained from one filter assembly 18 by adjusting cutting positions of a filter assembly (rod assembly) 18 formed by repeating one given segment S in the axial direction. That is to say, a filter segment (rod segment) 20 having one each of a perforated region 32 and a hole-free region 34 as one set, a filter segment (rod segment) 20 having one perforated region 32 and two hole-free regions 34 as one set, and a filter segment (rod segment) 20 having one perforated region 32 and one hole-free region 34 as one set, etc. are formed.
  • the filter segment (rod segment) 20 can be formed with hole-free regions 34 at both longitudinal ends thereof by cutting each hole-free region 34 of the filter assembly (rod assembly) 18 through the middle in the longitudinal direction. Filter segments 20 having different lengths and different properties may therefore be obtained from one filter assembly 18 by adjusting cutting positions of a filter assembly (rod assembly) 18 formed by repeating one certain segment S in the axial direction.
  • one segment S of the sheet material 30 for the filter segment 20 has two perforated regions 32, 36 which are different perforated regions, and a hole-free region 34 will be described next as a second variant example with the aid of fig. 11 .
  • a region (separate perforated region) 36 having a different amount of perforation (%) from the perforated region 32 may be formed on the upstream side, for example, along the longitudinal direction of the sheet material 30. That is to say, one segment S of the sheet material 30 also suitably comprises one perforated region 32, one hole-free region 34, and a further separate perforated region 36.
  • This variant example therefore makes it possible to provide a flavor inhalation article 10 and a filter segment 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10, which are capable of adjusting the amount of filtration, etc. of a fluid by means of regions (perforated region 32 and hole-free region 34) having different capabilities that are formed by a single member (sheet material 30). Furthermore, this variant example makes it possible to provide a production apparatus 50 capable of producing a rod segment (rod) 20 for this flavor inhalation article 10, and a method for producing the rod segment (rod) 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • this variant example described an example in which one region of one segment S is formed as a hole-free region 34.
  • the perforated region 36 having a relatively small amount of perforation as compared to the perforated region 32 may also be provided instead of the hole-free region 34. This makes it possible to obtain a filter segment 20 having lower airflow resistance while maintaining the appearance of the mouthpiece end 14b.
  • the separate perforated region 36, perforated region 32, and hole-free region 34 are arranged side-by-side in that order from the upstream side of the filter segment 20 toward the downstream side (mouthpiece end 14b side), for example, as described in the second variant example above (see fig. 11 ).
  • the separate perforated region 36 and the perforated region 32 are adjacently arranged, and the perforated region 32 and the hole-free region 34 are adjacently arranged along the axial direction of the filter segment 20.
  • a capsule (seamless capsule) 38 which is ruptured by the user's fingers or teeth at the user's preferred timing is implanted in the perforated region 32.
  • the amount of perforation (surface area ratio in terms of openings 33) of the perforated region 36 is assumed to be 30%
  • the amount of perforation (surface area ratio in terms of openings 33) of the perforated region 32 is assumed to be 70%
  • the regions 36, 32 are continuous along the longitudinal direction of the rod of the filter segment 20.
  • one capsule 38 may be placed in the perforated region 32 which has the greatest amount of perforation among the three regions 36, 32, 34, for example.
  • the capsule 38 is formed by means of a dropping method, for example.
  • the diameter of the capsule 38 is suitably 3 mm-6 mm, for example.
  • the capsule 38 may be implanted when the filter segment 20 is produced.
  • the capsule 38 has a structure in which a content liquid comprising a flavoring which is an example of contents is encapsulated in a film.
  • the capsule 38 is formed as a substantially spherical body, for example.
  • the film-forming material comprises starch and a gelling agent, for example. Gellan gum or gelatine is used as the gelling agent, for example.
  • the film-forming material may further comprise a gelling aid. Calcium chloride is used as the gelling aid, for example.
  • the film-forming material may further comprise a plasticizer. Glycerol and/or sorbitol is used as the plasticizer.
  • the film-forming material may further comprise a colorant.
  • the capsule 38 may also include solid contents such as granules instead of or as well as the liquid.
  • flavourings contained in the content liquid of the capsule 38 examples include menthol and plant essential oils, etc.
  • a medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride (MCT) for example, may be used as a solvent for the flavoring contained in the content liquid.
  • the content liquid may further contain other additives such as pigments, emulsifiers and thickeners.
  • the capsule 38 When the capsule 38 is implanted in the filter material 22 using the production apparatus 50, for example, the capsule 38 is introduced into the perforated region 32 of the filter material 22 at a measured timing, between a terminal end of the bundling guide 74 shown in fig. 4 and a position at which the sheet-like member 24a forming the wrapper 24 is coated with glue from the wrapping glue gun 76.
  • the optical inspection device 60 may be used to confirm whether or not the capsule 38 has been introduced at the desired position, i.e., into the perforated region 32 of the filter material 22. If the capsule 38 has not been introduced into the perforated region 32 of the filter material 22, the timing for introduction of the capsule 38 into the perforated region 32 of the filter material 22 may be adjusted. Alternatively, the timing for introduction of the capsule 38 into the perforated region 32 of the filter material 22 may be adjusted by means of feedback control each time the filter assembly 18 is checked using the optical inspection device 60.
  • the filter segment 20 of the flavor inhalation article 10 may thus contain the capsule 38.
  • This variant example therefore makes it possible to provide a flavor inhalation article 10 and a rod segment (filter segment) 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10, which are capable of adjusting the amount of filtration, etc. of a fluid by means of regions (perforated regions 32, 36 and hole-free region 34) having different capabilities that are formed by a single member (sheet material 30). Furthermore, this embodiment makes it possible to provide a production apparatus 50 capable of producing a rod segment (rod) 20 for this flavor inhalation article 10, and a method for producing the rod segment (rod) 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • This variant example described an example in which the filter material 22 comprises the perforated region 36, but the perforated region 36 is not necessarily needed in a structure where the capsule 38 is implanted inside the filter material 22.
  • a fourth variant example relating to the configuration of the filter segment 20 will be described next with the aid of fig. 13A and 13B .
  • This variant example is a further variant example of the third variant example.
  • the capsule 38 is also suitably provided inside a segment 26 in which a paper tube or acetate tow is wrapped with a wrapper 27, separately to the filter segment 20 formed by the filter material 22. That is to say, the segment 26 comprises, in order from the inside toward the outside: the capsule 38, an intermediate member 26a such as a paper tube or acetate tow, and a wrapper 26b.
  • the segment 26 is suitably disposed on the flavor-generating segment 12 side, which is the opposite side to the mouthpiece end 14b.
  • the tip end face of the segment 26 constitutes the tip end face 14a of the mouthpiece segment 14, abutting the rear end face 12b of the flavor-generating segment 12.
  • a rear end face of the segment 26 is then set against the tip end face of the filter segment 20.
  • the rear end face of the filter segment 20 constitutes the mouthpiece end 14b of the mouthpiece segment 14.
  • the segment 26 and the filter segment 20 are further wrapped with a wrapper 28, forming the mouthpiece segment 14.
  • the outer circumference of the rear end face 12b of the flavor-generating segment 12 and the tip end face 14a of the mouthpiece segment 14 is wrapped with the tipping paper 16 in a state in which the rear end face 12b of the flavor-generating segment 12 and the tip and face 14a of the mouthpiece segment 14 placed against each other.
  • the flavor inhalation article 10 is consequently formed.
  • This variant example therefore makes it possible to provide a flavor inhalation article 10 and a rod segment (filter segment) 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10, which are capable of adjusting the amount of filtration, etc. of a fluid by means of regions (perforated region 32 and hole-free region 34) having different capabilities that are formed by a single member (sheet material 30). Furthermore, this variant example makes it possible to provide a production apparatus 50 capable of producing a rod segment (rod) 20 for this flavor inhalation article 10, and a method for producing the rod segment (rod) 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • the segment 26 containing the capsule 38 is also suitably provided on the mouthpiece end 14b side of the filter segment 20.
  • the filter material 22 of the filter segment 20 is not visible to the user.
  • the positional relationship of the perforated region 32 and the hole-free region 34 of the filter segment 20 is therefore such that either may lie on the flavor-generating segment 12 side.
  • the filter segment 26 shown in fig. 13B may be used as a measure so that "voids" are not disposed on the mouthpiece 14b side. It is thus possible to form the mouthpiece segment 14 as a multi-segment filter by further providing the separate segment 26 on the rear end side (mouthpiece end 14b side) of the filter segment 20, and wrapping the segments 20, 26 with the wrapper (shaping paper) 28.
  • the segment 20 forms regions having different properties along the longitudinal direction, and it would therefore be general practice to wrap each segment having a specific property with a wrapper.
  • the segment 20 according to this variant example may form regions having different properties along the longitudinal direction simply by using one wrapper 24. It is therefore possible to reduce the number of turns of wrappers as compared to a normal case. Consequently, even if the separate segment 26 is connected to the filter segment 20, it is possible to suppress thickening of the outer circumference of the mouthpiece segment 14 due to the wrapper 28.
  • the separate segment 26 may therefore be disposed upstream or downstream of the filter segment 20 produced by using the sheet material 30 having the perforated region 32, and the mouthpiece segment 14 may be formed as a multi-segment filter.
  • the perforated regions 32 of the sheet material 30 shown in fig. 14 are formed as a plurality of openings 33 which are circular holes formed in two stages along the longitudinal direction (X axis direction) of the sheet material 30.
  • the plurality of openings 33 which are circular holes are in two stages along the longitudinal direction, but it is also suitable for the openings 33 to be in multiple stages, such as three or more stages, in the longitudinal direction of the sheet material 30.
  • Upstream-side (-X axis direction side) openings 33 and downstream-side (+X axis direction side) openings 33 are arranged in rows in the width direction (Y axis direction) in one perforated region 32 of this variant example. Furthermore, the plurality of upstream-side (-X axis direction side) openings 33 and the plurality of downstream-side (+X axis direction side) openings 33 are offset from each other in the width direction (Y axis direction).
  • the sheet material 30 may be formed so that a plurality of such circular openings 33 are formed by the punching unit 66 (see fig. 4 ) of the production apparatus 50 described above.
  • a sheet material 30 in which the circular openings 33 shown in fig. 14 have been formed beforehand may be wound on the bobbin 52a.
  • the positions, sizes and shapes, etc. of the perforated regions 32 of the sheet material 30 are thus appropriately set according to the filter segment 20 for a flavor inhalation article 10 which is to be produced.
  • This variant example therefore makes it possible to provide a flavor inhalation article 10 and a rod segment (filter segment) 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10, which are capable of adjusting the amount of filtration, etc. of a fluid by means of regions (perforated region 32 and hole-free region 34) having different capabilities that are formed by a single member (sheet material 30). Furthermore, this variant example makes it possible to provide a production apparatus 50 capable of producing a rod segment (rod) 20 for this flavor inhalation article 10, and a method for producing the rod segment (rod) 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • any shape is permissible for the shapes of perforations in the perforated region 32, i.e., the shapes of the openings 33.
  • the openings 33 do not have corners, they may be beveled, have a rounded shape, or else be circular or elliptical, etc. This facilitates punching and removal by suction when the sheet material 30 is punched.
  • the openings 33 may have corners, although there is a possibility that the corners of the punched pieces of paper will be left joined to the sheet material 30 when the sheet material 30 has been punched, it is possible to limit occurrences of the punched piece of paper being left joined to the sheet material by beveling the openings 33 or adopting openings 33 having a rounded shape, rather than having corners.
  • a second embodiment will be described with the aid of fig. 15A-15B .
  • This embodiment is a variant example of the first embodiment, and identical members or members having identical functions to the members described in the first embodiment, including its variant examples, will be assigned the same reference signs and will not be described again in detail.
  • Fig. 15A is a schematic diagram showing a flavor inhalation article 10 according to this embodiment.
  • the upstream side and the downstream side in the structure of the filter segment 20 of the flavor inhalation article 10 are opposite to those of the structure of the filter segment 20 of the flavor inhalation article 10 shown in fig. 1 .
  • Fig. 15B is a diagram in which the liquid adding unit 68a of the production apparatus 50 according to this embodiment and the sheet material 30 are seen from above the liquid adding unit 68a and the sheet material 30.
  • the liquid adding unit 68a comprises a first nozzle 681, for example.
  • a plurality of ejection portions of the first nozzle 681 continuously eject a first additive (e.g., a first liquid) L1 having an appropriate viscosity along regions R1 following the longitudinal direction of the sheet material 30 including the openings 33 which have been punched by the punching unit 66 (see fig. 4 ).
  • a first additive e.g., a first liquid
  • the first additive L1 is a liquid at temperatures higher than normal atmospheric temperature, such as 60°C or greater, for example, and suitably has properties of solidifying or becoming more viscous than at the time of ejection from the first nozzle 681 when the temperature falls to normal atmospheric temperature.
  • the first additive L1 As the first additive L1 is continuously ejected from the first nozzle 681 while the sheet material 30 is conveyed in the longitudinal direction, the first additive L1 passes through the inside of the openings 33 in the regions R1 in the Z axis direction (vertical direction), and the first additive L1 therefore does not adhere to the inside of the openings 33. At least some of the first additive L1 therefore passes through the inside of the openings 33 in the perforated regions 32. That is to say, the first additive L1 does not adhere to the inside of the openings 33 in the perforated regions 32 according to this embodiment. Moreover, the first additive L1 adheres to opening edges of the openings 33 in the perforated regions 32, at the boundary between the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34.
  • the hole-free regions 34 between the adjacent openings 33 in the regions R1 following the longitudinal direction of the sheet material 30 are closed in the Z axis direction (vertical direction.
  • the first additive L1 therefore adheres to the hole-free regions 34.
  • the first additive L1 is therefore added to the hole-free regions 34.
  • the first additive L1 therefore adheres to the hole-free regions 34 and does not adhere to the perforated regions 32 along the longitudinal direction of the sheet material 30. Accordingly, a region where the first additive L1 has adhered (hole-free region 34) and a region where the first additive L1 has not adhered (perforated region 34) can be formed in one segment S (filter material 22) of the sheet material 30 shown in fig. 2 .
  • the method of adding the first additive L1 to the sheet material 30, which is part of the method for producing a filter segment (rod segment) 20 of this embodiment, comprises supplying the first additive L1 alternately to the perforated regions 32 and hole-free regions 34 of the sheet material 30 being conveyed along the conveyance direction, while the position at which the first additive L1 is sprayed is fixed. Since the first additive L1 is allowed to pass through the inside of the openings 33 in the perforated regions 32, the first additive L1 can be caused to adhere to the hole-free regions 34 without the first additive L1 being caused to adhere to the inside of the openings 33 in the perforated regions 32 simply by fixing the position of the nozzle 681 and continuously ejecting the first additive L1, e.g.
  • the tip end face 14a side of the mouthpiece segment 14 can be formed as the hole-free region 34 to which the first additive L1 adheres, and the rear end face (mouthpiece end) 14b side of the mouthpiece segment 14 can be formed as the perforated region 32 to which the first additive L1 does not adhere, in the filter segment 20 shown in fig. 15A . Accordingly, the user can suitably experience the flavor of the first additive L1 when the user holds the mouthpiece end 14b of the flavor inhalation article 10 in their mouth and inhales.
  • first additive L1 may also be added to the closed regions between the openings 33, including the opening edges of the openings 33 formed in the perforated region 32 at intervals in the width direction of the sheet material 30.
  • the sheet material 30 including the liquid added from the liquid adding unit 68a when used as a paper filter, a segment containing only a small amount of the first additive (liquid) L1 should be arranged on the downstream side in order to suppress leakage of liquid.
  • the perforated region 32 to which the first additive L1 does not adhere is therefore suitably disposed on the downstream side of the hole-free region 34 to which the first additive L1 adheres, on the mouthpiece end 14b side of the filter segment 20.
  • a liquid-resistant wrapper (wrapping paper) 24 is suitably used when a liquid is used as the first additive L1.
  • the first additive L1 should selectively exhibit filtration performance with respect to specific components.
  • the filter material 22 sheet material 30
  • the first additive L1 should be a liquid capable of phenol adsorption.
  • a polyol, polypropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol glyceryl ether, polybutylene glycol, diglycerol, sorbitan fatty acid ester, glycerol fatty acid ester, polyglycerol fatty acid ester, propylene glycol fatty acid ester, or polyethylene glycol, etc. is used with a paper filter material 22.
  • the liquid serving as the first additive L1 preferably has a relatively high viscosity.
  • the viscosity of the liquid is suitably 1 cP-20,000 cP, and more suitably 1000 cP-10,000 cP.
  • the viscosity of the liquid is suitably 1 cP-20,000 cP, and more suitably 1000 cP-10,000 cP.
  • the sheet material 30 it is possible to ensure that the first additive L1 adheres to the hole-free regions 34 and that the first additive L1 does not adhere to the perforated regions 32 because the liquid passes through the openings 33 when the liquid is continuously ejected directly downward from the nozzle 681 as the sheet material 30 is moved along the longitudinal direction, for example.
  • This makes it possible to form the perforated regions 32 as regions to which the first additive L1 is not added, and to form the hole-free region 34 as regions to which the first additive L1 is added.
  • the manufacturer of the filter assembly 18 can thus adjust addition or otherwise of the first additive L1 using the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34.
  • the amount of the first additive (liquid) L1 which is added is suitably 1 mg-100 mg, and more suitably 5 mg-50 mg, for example, for one filter segment 20.
  • the liquid that has passed through the openings 33 is recovered by means of a tray 683 (see fig. 4 ) or the like directly below the nozzle 681, so the liquid can be reused, such as being resupplied to the nozzle 681.
  • This embodiment therefore makes it possible to provide a flavor inhalation article 10 and a filter segment 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10, which are capable of adjusting the amount of filtration, etc. of a fluid by means of regions (perforated region 32 and hole-free region 34) having different capabilities that are formed by a single member (sheet material 30). Furthermore, this embodiment makes it possible to provide a production apparatus 50 capable of producing a rod segment (rod) 20 for this flavor inhalation article 10, and a method for producing the rod segment (rod) 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • this embodiment makes it possible to provide a rod segment 20 for a flavor inhalation article 10, and a method for producing a rod segment 20 for a flavor inhalation article 10, which enable regions (perforated region 32 and hole-free region 34) having different amounts of additive L1 added thereto to be formed by a single member (sheet material 30).
  • this embodiment described an example in which the first additive L1 is adhered to the sheet material 30 while the nozzle 681 is fixed.
  • the nozzle 681 does not necessarily have to be fixed provided that the nozzle 681 is moved in a predetermined direction in relation to the sheet material 30.
  • the first additive L1 is added to a paper sheet material 30, but the first additive L1 may also be similarly added to a nonwoven fabric sheet material, a resinous sheet material, or a tobacco sheet material, having each of the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34. That is to say, the sheet material 30 applied to the first adding unit 68a of the production apparatus 50 is suitably selected from a paper material, a nonwoven fabric material, a resin material, and a tobacco sheet material, etc.
  • the granule adding unit 68b shown in fig. 4 adds flavoring granules, activated carbon, microcapsules, or other granules to the sheet material 30.
  • the granule adding unit 68b comprises a travel guide 691, and a granule supply unit 692 provided directly above the travel guide 691.
  • the travel guide 691 conveys the sheet material 30 at a predetermined speed, for example.
  • the granule supply unit 692 selectively adds granules to the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34, for example.
  • the abovementioned activated carbon is added as the granules.
  • the density of the activated carbon is appropriately set. Some of the activated carbon drops down through the openings 33, for example, in the sheet material 30. The activated carbon which has dropped down is collected in a tray or the like.
  • the activated carbon is used to absorb moisture and tar, in the same way as what is known as a charcoal filter.
  • the activated carbon is suitably formed at a higher density in the hole-free regions 34 than in the perforated regions 32.
  • the microcapsules are formed with a smaller grain size than the capsule 38 (see fig. 12 ) which is crushed by the user.
  • the grain size of the microcapsules is suitably around 0.3 mm-4 mm, for example.
  • the microcapsules may contain a flavoring which is released by gradually melting the microcapsules from the outside with heat conduction, for example.
  • the first additive L1 may adhere to the perforated region 32, but the amount of adhesion thereof may be kept lower than in the hole-free region 34.
  • the perforated region 32 to which little first additive L1 adheres is therefore suitably disposed on the mouthpiece end 14b side of the filter segment 20.
  • the granules are added to a paper sheet material 30, but the granules may also be similarly added to a nonwoven fabric sheet material, a resinous sheet material, or a tobacco sheet material, having each of the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34. That is to say, the sheet material 30 applied to the second adding unit 68b of the production apparatus 50 is suitably selected from a paper material, a nonwoven fabric material, a resin material, and a tobacco sheet material, etc.
  • the first additive L1 is assumed to be added after the openings 33 have been formed in the sheet material 30 along the flow of the production apparatus 50.
  • the first additive L1 may be added in the longitudinal direction of a hole-free sheet material 30, after which the openings 33 may be formed by using the punching unit 66 described above.
  • such a production method also enables the first additive L1 to be intermittently added (adhered) in the longitudinal direction of the sheet material 30.
  • a first variant example of the second embodiment will be described with the aid of fig. 16 .
  • Fig. 16 is a view in which the sheet material 30 is seen from above.
  • the liquid adding unit 68a comprises, for example, a second nozzle 682 in addition to the first nozzle 681 described above.
  • the second nozzle 682 continuously ejects a second additive (e.g., a second liquid) L2 having an appropriate viscosity along regions R2 following the longitudinal direction including the areas between openings 33 which have been punched by the punching unit 66.
  • the second additive L2 is therefore added to the sheet material 30.
  • the second additive L2 is a liquid at temperatures higher than normal atmospheric temperature, such as 60°C or greater, for example, and suitably has properties of solidifying or becoming more viscous than at the time of ejection when the temperature falls to normal atmospheric temperature.
  • the first additive (liquid) L1 suitably has a higher viscosity than the second additive (liquid) L2.
  • the first additive L1 which has adhered to edge portions of the openings 33 (boundaries between perforated regions 32 and hole-free regions 34) is less likely to fall from the openings 33. It is therefore also possible to limit dropping of the first additive L1 and adhesion to the production apparatus 50 after the adding unit 68 when the sheet material 30 is conveyed downstream.
  • the second additive L2 has a relatively low viscosity, it often adheres only to the closed regions of the sheet material 30. The second additive L2 is therefore prevented from dropping from the sheet material 30 and adhering to the production apparatus 50 after the adding unit 68.
  • the second additive L2 As the second additive L2 is continuously ejected from the second nozzle 682 while the sheet material 30 is conveyed in the longitudinal direction, the second additive L2 continuously adheres to the regions R2 along the longitudinal direction of the regions R2. That is to say, the second additive L2 continuously adheres along the longitudinal direction of the sheet material 30.
  • the method of adding the second additive L2 to the sheet material 30, which is part of the method for producing a filter segment (rod segment) 20 of this variant example, comprises supplying the second additive L2 alternately to the perforated regions 32 and hole-free regions 34 of the sheet material 30 being conveyed along the conveyance direction, while the position at which the second additive L2 is supplied is fixed in relation to the position at which the first additive L1 is supplied.
  • addition of the second additive L2 to the sheet material 30 comprises causing the second additive L2 to adhere to both the hole-free regions 34 and the areas of the perforated regions 32 away from the openings 33 in the sheet material 30 being conveyed along the conveyance direction, while the position at which the second additive L2 is supplied is fixed in relation to the position at which the first additive L1 is supplied.
  • the second additive L2 can be caused to adhere to the areas between the openings 33 in the perforated regions 32 and the second additive L2 can also be caused to adhere to the hole-free regions 34 simply by fixing the position of the nozzle 682 and continuously ejecting the second additive L2, e.g. downward, from the nozzle 682.
  • the sheet material 30 undergoes the creping treatment in the width direction and the filter material 22 is formed as the filter segment 20, it is possible to form the area of the filter segment 20 from the tip end face 14a side to the rear end face (mouthpiece end) 14b side of the mouthpiece segment 14 as a region to which the second additive L2 is adhered, for example. Accordingly, the user can suitably experience the flavor of the second additive L2 when the user holds the mouthpiece end 14b of the flavor inhalation article 10 in their mouth and inhales. This enables a longer opportunity for the flavor generated by the flavor-generating segment 12 to contact the flavor component from the second additive L2.
  • the liquid adding unit 68a may also selectively eject the first additive L1 and the second additive L2 onto the sheet material 30 from the first nozzle 681 and the second nozzle 682. That is to say, the liquid adding unit 68a may eject the first additive L1 onto the sheet material 30 only from the first nozzle 681, or may eject the second additive L2 onto the sheet material 30 only from the second nozzle 682 without ejecting the first additive L1 from the first nozzle 681.
  • first additive L1 and/or the second additive L2 are/is added to a paper sheet material 30, but the first additive L1 and/or the second additive L2 may also be similarly added to a nonwoven fabric sheet material, a resinous sheet material, or a tobacco sheet material, having each of the perforated regions 32 and the hole-free regions 34. That is to say, the sheet material 30 applied to the first adding unit 68a of the production apparatus 50 is suitably selected from a paper material, a nonwoven fabric material, a resin material, and a tobacco sheet material, etc.
  • This variant example therefore makes it possible to provide a flavor inhalation article 10 and a filter segment 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10, which are capable of adjusting the amount of filtration, etc. of a fluid by means of regions (perforated region 32 and hole-free region 34) having different capabilities that are formed by a single member (sheet material 30). Furthermore, this variant example makes it possible to provide a rod segment 20 for a flavor inhalation article 10, and a method for producing a rod segment 20 for a flavor inhalation article 10, which enable regions (perforated region 32 and hole-free region 34) having different amounts of additive L1 added thereto to be formed by a single member (sheet material 30).
  • a third embodiment will be described with the aid of fig. 17 .
  • This embodiment mainly describes an example of a heat-not-burn inhalation article 10.
  • An example in which a tip-end plug 42 is formed as a rod segment using the sheet material 30 described in the first embodiment will now be described.
  • the flavor-generating segment 12 comprises the tip-end plug 42 and a flavor-generating portion 44.
  • the flavor-generating portion 44 of this embodiment is formed in the same way as the flavor-generating segment 12 described in the first embodiment, for example.
  • the tip-end plug 42 is provided on the upstream side of the flavor-generating portion 44.
  • the tip-end plug 42 is used for the purpose of preventing a tobacco material from falling out, for example.
  • the tip-end plug 42 of this embodiment is formed in the same way as the filter segment 20 described in the first embodiment. That is to say, the tip-end plug 42 comprises the cylindrical filter material 22, and the wrapper 24 covering the outer circumference of the filter material 22. Furthermore, the perforated region 32 and the hole-free region 34 are arranged adjacently in the tip-end plug 42. The region including the tip end face 12a is formed by the perforated region 32. The extent of perforation of the sheet material 30 forming the filter material 22 of this embodiment may be such that the area of the openings 33 in the perforated region 32 is greater or smaller than when the filter material 22 is used as the filter segment 20. Furthermore, liquid additives (first liquid additive L1 and second liquid additive L2) and granular additives may or may not be added, for example.
  • the region including the tip end face 12a of the tip-end plug 42 is formed by the perforated region 32.
  • the hole-free region 34 and the flavor-generating portion 44 are joined in this embodiment.
  • the mouthpiece segment 14 is provided on the rear end side of the flavor-generating portion 44.
  • the mouthpiece segment 14 in this embodiment comprises a cooling segment 46 and a filter segment 48.
  • the filter segment 48 may employ the filter segment 20 described in the first embodiment, or may employ a filter segment in which acetate tow, etc. has been formed into a rod shape and the outer circumference thereof is wrapped with the wrapper 24, for example.
  • the mouthpiece segment 14 suitably comprises the cooling segment 46 between the rear end face 12b of the flavor-generating segment 12 and the tip end face of the filter segment 20. That is to say, the cooling segment 46 is suitably positioned on the downstream side of the flavor-generating segment 12.
  • a vapor from an aerosol substrate or a flavor source which has been heated and vaporized is cooled when it is introduced into the cooling segment 46, and thereby condensed (formed into an aerosol).
  • the cooling segment 46 preferably cools the vapor of the aerosol substrate or the flavor source generated by the flavor-generating segment 12 without removing a large amount thereof.
  • the cooling segment 46 is a hollow member in which an external air introduction hole is formed in a paper tube processed into a cylindrical shape.
  • the inside of a paper tube processed into a cylindrical shape is preferably also filled with a cooling sheet material.
  • the cooling sheet material used in the cooling segment 46 suitably employs a sheet material which may be produced in roughly the same way as production of the filter segment 20 from the sheet material 30 described in the first embodiment, for example.
  • the adding unit 68 described above may not be necessary when the cooling segment 46 is produced by the production apparatus 50.
  • one or more air circulation channels are provided in a flow direction of the cooling segment 46, making it possible to achieve low-level filtration of components, while also providing cooling by means of the cooling sheet material.
  • the airflow resistance of the cooling segment 46 when it is filled with this cooling sheet material is preferably 0 mmH 2 O/mm-30 mmH 2 O/mm.
  • the total surface area of the cooling sheet material may be 300 mm 2 /mm-1000 mm 2 /mm. This surface area is the surface area per length (mm) of the cooling sheet material in the air flow direction.
  • the total surface area of the cooling sheet material is preferably 400 mm 2 /mm or greater and more preferably 450 mm 2 /mm or greater, while preferably being 600 mm 2 /mm or less, and more preferably 550 mm 2 /mm or less.
  • the cooling segment 46 preferably has a suitably large surface area in order to contact the aerosol.
  • the cooling sheet material may be formed by a sheet which is a thin material that is creased and then fluted, gathered and folded in order to form channels in the flow direction. The more folds or flutes within a given volume of the element, the greater the total surface area of the cooling sheet material.
  • the thickness of the cooling sheet material may be 5 ⁇ m-500 ⁇ m, and may be 10 ⁇ m-250 ⁇ m, for example.
  • the cooling sheet material is suitably formed from a material having a specific surface area of 10 mm 2 /mg-100 mm 2 /mg.
  • the specific surface area of the constituent material may be approximately 35 mm 2 /mg.
  • the specific surface area may be determined by taking account of the material of a cooling sheet material having a known width and thickness.
  • the material of the cooling sheet material may be polylactic acid with an average thickness of 50 ⁇ m and a variation of ⁇ 2 ⁇ m.
  • the specific surface area and the density may likewise be calculated if the material of the cooling sheet material is already known to have a width of between 200 mm and 250 mm, for example.
  • the paper serving as the cooling sheet material preferably has a basis weight of 30 g/m 2 -100 g/m 2 , and a thickness of 20 ⁇ m-100 ⁇ m. From the perspective of reducing removal of the flavor source component and aerosol substrate component in the cooling segment 46, the paper serving as the cooling sheet material preferably has low air permeability, and an air permeability of 10 CORESTA units or less is preferred.
  • the cooling effect may also be increased by utilizing heat absorption by a coating or heat of solution associated with a change of phase, by coating the paper serving as the cooling sheet material with a polymer coating such as polyvinyl alcohol or a polysaccharide coating such as pectin.
  • a polymer coating such as polyvinyl alcohol or a polysaccharide coating such as pectin.
  • This embodiment therefore makes it possible to provide a flavor inhalation article 10 and a filter segment 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10, which are capable of adjusting the amount of filtration, etc. of a fluid by means of regions (perforated region 32 and hole-free region 34) having different capabilities that are formed by a single member (sheet material 30). Furthermore, this embodiment makes it possible to provide a production apparatus 50 capable of producing a rod segment (rod) 20 for this flavor inhalation article 10, and a method for producing the rod segment (rod) 20 for the flavor inhalation article 10.
  • the cooling segment (cooling rod segment) 46 of the mouthpiece segment 14 may be formed by subjecting the cooling sheet material to a creping treatment and forming the cooling sheet material into a cylindrical rod shape, by using the production apparatus 50 described in the first embodiment.
  • the production apparatus 50 described in the first embodiment may be capable of rolling various types of sheet materials, which are used for the cooling segment 46 described in this embodiment or used for the flavor-generating segment (tobacco sheet material) 12, etc., together with the sheet-like member 24a forming the wrapper 24, in order to form the sheet materials as cylindrical rod segments.
  • a flavor inhalation article comprising:
  • the flavor inhalation article as disclosed in any one of addenda 1 to 3, wherein the perforated region of the sheet material for the filter material is perforated over 5-70% of a width direction which, in an extended state of the sheet material, intersects a direction defined by the upstream side and the downstream side of the flavor inhalation article.
  • a filter segment for a flavor inhalation article comprising:
  • the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified in various ways at the implementation stage within a scope that does not depart from the essential point of the present invention.
  • the embodiments may be implemented in suitable combinations, in which case the combined effects thereof are achieved.
  • the embodiments further include various inventions, and various inventions may be extracted using combinations selected from the plurality of constituent requirements disclosed. For example, if the problem can still be solved and the effects can still be achieved when some of the constituent requirements are deleted from the constituent requirements disclosed as a whole in the embodiments, then a configuration from which those constituent requirements have been deleted may be extracted as an invention.

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  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
  • Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)
EP22969110.0A 2022-12-19 2022-12-19 Flavor inhalation article, and filter segment for flavor inhalation article Pending EP4640085A1 (en)

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PCT/JP2022/046671 WO2024134721A1 (ja) 2022-12-19 2022-12-19 香味吸引物品、及び、香味吸引物品用のフィルタセグメント

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EP4640085A1 true EP4640085A1 (en) 2025-10-29

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EP22969110.0A Pending EP4640085A1 (en) 2022-12-19 2022-12-19 Flavor inhalation article, and filter segment for flavor inhalation article

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EP (1) EP4640085A1 (https=)
JP (1) JPWO2024134721A1 (https=)
KR (1) KR20250122493A (https=)
CN (1) CN120282720A (https=)
WO (1) WO2024134721A1 (https=)

Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019106625A1 (en) 2017-12-03 2019-06-06 Montrade S.P.A. Device and method for the production of smoking article and the smoking article obtained
WO2021246310A1 (ja) 2020-06-02 2021-12-09 株式会社 東亜産業 喫煙具用のシート材、基材形成体、カートリッジ、及びシート材の製造装置

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DE341966C (https=) *
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GB425869A (en) * 1934-07-07 1935-03-22 Muller J C & Co Improvements in or relating to cigarettes
DE1082845B (de) * 1953-08-04 1960-06-02 Paul A Mueller Filter fuer Tabakwaren, insbesondere Zigaretten
GB795534A (en) * 1954-10-05 1958-05-28 Olin Mathieson Improvements in or relating to a method and apparatus for making a filter for tobacco smoke
US2941533A (en) * 1957-10-10 1960-06-21 Charles P Crawford Filter for cigarettes
US3640287A (en) * 1969-09-22 1972-02-08 Reynolds Tobacco Co R Filter construction and method of forming same
US4047536A (en) * 1974-06-19 1977-09-13 Asfour Emil S Method of making cigarettes and a cigarette made according thereto
US4100845A (en) * 1975-05-15 1978-07-18 Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. Kg Method and machine for producing filter elements for tobacco smoke
JPH0697982B2 (ja) * 1989-09-14 1994-12-07 株式会社三條機械製作所 紙製フイルターロッド製造装置
GB2503644A (en) * 2012-05-03 2014-01-08 British American Tobacco Co Filter
CN109160355A (zh) * 2018-10-31 2019-01-08 云南中烟工业有限责任公司 一种卷烟滤棒
WO2021176524A1 (ja) * 2020-03-02 2021-09-10 日本たばこ産業株式会社 フィルタ、喫煙物品、及び、香味吸引物品

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019106625A1 (en) 2017-12-03 2019-06-06 Montrade S.P.A. Device and method for the production of smoking article and the smoking article obtained
WO2021246310A1 (ja) 2020-06-02 2021-12-09 株式会社 東亜産業 喫煙具用のシート材、基材形成体、カートリッジ、及びシート材の製造装置

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See also references of WO2024134721A1

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN120282720A (zh) 2025-07-08
JPWO2024134721A1 (https=) 2024-06-27
WO2024134721A1 (ja) 2024-06-27
KR20250122493A (ko) 2025-08-13

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