JP2017533720A - Method for manufacturing a filter element for a smoking device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an element (7) for an aerosol-generating product, and in particular a filter plug element (7) for a smoking device. The method includes the steps of processing the bulk filter material 8 to provide or form a substantially continuous strand (D) of the bulk filter material (8), and a continuous filter rod (R). Covering or wrapping a substantially continuous strand (D) of the filter material (8) with at least one layer (9) of sheet material, and before and / or before the covering or wrapping step And forming a perforation or hole in the layer (9) of sheet material covering the continuous filter rod (R). [Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing or making a filter element for an aerosol-generating product. Aerosol-producing products are such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, or the like, which are generally simply referred to herein as “smoking devices” for the sake of brevity. The present invention also relates to a filter element obtained or manufactured by the method of the present invention and an aerosol generating product such as a smoking device comprising the filter element.

  As will be appreciated, cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and the like are configured to produce an aerosol in the form of smoke for use by consumers. For this reason, in this disclosure, smoking devices are also generally referred to as “aerosol-generating products”.

  In the tobacco processing industry, technology is continually being developed to improve the manufacture and performance of cigarettes and other smoking articles. For example, improving manufacturing efficiency to reduce costs and / or increase productivity is a consistent goal in the industry. Similarly, improving the product itself in terms of consumer use is a consistent goal.

  Therefore, in view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide the tobacco processing industry with a new and / or improved method for producing aerosol generating products, particularly filter elements for smoking devices.

  According to the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing or making a filter element for an aerosol generating product, such as a smoking article as recited in claim 1. Advantageous and / or preferred features of the invention are cited in the dependent claims and explained below.

  Thus, according to one aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing or producing a filter element for an aerosol-generating product, in particular to provide or form the following steps: a substantially continuous strand of filter material. Processing the bulk filter material; covering or wrapping substantially continuous strands of the filter material with at least one layer of sheet material to form an elongated filter member; and strands of the filter material Forming a perforation or a hole in the elongated filter member before and / or after the step of covering or wrapping. A method of manufacturing or producing a filter plug element for a smoking device is provided.

  In this way, the present invention provides a new and improved method or technique for forming or introducing holes or perforations in a filter element or filter “plug” of a smoking article. A perforation or hole formed in the filter element or filter plug of the smoking device allows air to be drawn into the filter element from the side so that, during use, the aerosol generating substance (e.g., Providing ventilation that allows air to be drawn from the side into the main or mainstream flow of aerosol (e.g. smoke) produced from cigarettes. The transverse air flow is mixed with the main aerosol / smoke flow in the axial direction through the filter, creating turbulence rather than laminar flow. Thereby, with respect to the filter element, the filtration efficiency can be improved and / or the adjustment for lowering the pressure can be easily performed. If one or more flavor elements and / or indicator elements are provided in the filter plug or filter element, the air flow generated by the perforations or holes is the interaction of flavors in the filter element or by the mainstream smoke or The adsorption rate can be increased. Also, the perforations or holes can provide a capillary effect that distributes liquid flavors or liquid indicators faster, thereby allowing the mainstream aerosol / smoke to release taste components more quickly or more effectively and homogeneously. be able to. Perforations or holes that are separately formed on the outside of the smoking device, such as by forming perforations or holes in the filter element during manufacture or production of the filter element, such as during manufacture or assembly of the smoking device itself Visibility of perforations or holes that are considered to be worse can be minimized, and most of them can be difficult to see.

  In a preferred embodiment, forming a perforation or hole comprises forming the perforation or hole in a layer of sheet material that covers or wraps the elongated filter member. When performing or performing the step of forming perforations or holes after covering or wrapping the strand of filter material with a layer of sheet material, the perforations or holes are preferably formed through the layer of sheet material. In addition, it is formed in or through the filter material covered or wrapped with at least one layer of sheet material. This not only ensures a good flow path for the lateral air flow entering the main flow of smoke through the filter material, but also improves the distribution of the liquid flavor or liquid indicator through the filter material. In order to enhance, the capillary effect will be enhanced.

  In a preferred embodiment, each individual or each individual filter element is formed as a rod element or plug element of filter material such as acetylcellulose tow or fiber and is covered by at least one layer of sheet material known as “plug wrap”. Or wrapped or surrounded. The sheet material may be porous (eg paper) or non-porous (eg plastic film or coated paper). Thus, the step of forming perforations or holes in the rod element of the filter material is then the axial or mainstream flow of aerosol / smoke through the filter material in the plug wrap or the filter material surrounded by the plug wrap. Preferably, it comprises providing perforations or holes in at least one layer of the sheet material, ie in the plug wrap, in communication with the flow. Individual filter rod elements or plug elements are typically produced by manufacturing a continuous or long filter member and then cutting the long filter member into a plurality of short elements. Each of the short elements is typically a uniform length. Thus, producing a continuous or long rod prior to cutting preferably covers and / or surrounds the filter material (eg, acetylcellulose tow or fiber) of a continuous or long filter rod. Forming a plurality of perforations or holes in at least one layer of the surrounding sheet material or plug wrap. Thereafter, individual or individual plug or rod elements of filter material are cut from the elongated filter member.

  Using perforated chip paper and plug wrap, it is difficult to maintain tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide (TNCO) levels. In particular, since the change in the porosity of the chip paper takes a long time, there may be a depreciation cost for the stock of used chip paper. Further, changes over time of plug wrap or pressure drops over time of the filter can also affect costs. This is because the plug wrap is accompanied by an inventory option that will be limited as above. The method of the present invention addresses these problems with the possibility of changing the number of perforations or holes and the respective depth of the perforations or holes to mimic the change in plug wrap porosity at a constant cost. To deal with. In this way, the tip paper inventory and depreciation costs are reduced because the filter element or plug aeration can be varied while maintaining the tip paper porosity constant over a sufficient range to maintain the TNCO level. It is.

  In one preferred embodiment, the sheet material or plug wrap covering or wrapping the long filter member may be pre-perforated. In other words, the sheet material is perforated prior to the step of covering or wrapping substantially continuous strands of filter material with the sheet material.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the long filter member generally comprises either a continuous predetermined length of filter rods or filter rod members, and the continuous predetermined length of filter rods or filter rod members are a plurality of A method comprising cutting into individual or individual filter elements, each individual or individual filter element being configured to be assembled with each tobacco rod element to form a smoking article. In this embodiment, the step of forming perforations or holes in the layer of sheet material is performed or performed prior to the cutting step. Thus, each individual or individual filter element for an individual smoking device already has perforations or holes for ventilation when produced or manufactured.

  In a particularly preferred embodiment, the elongate filter member is generally a continuous filter rod, a method comprising cutting the continuous filter rod into a plurality of elongate rod members of a predetermined length. Next, preferably the step of forming perforations or holes in the layer of sheet material or plug wrap covering or wrapping the strands of filter material is carried out or carried out on a long rod member of a predetermined length. However, it should be noted that the step of forming perforations or holes in a layer of sheet material or plug wrap that covers or surrounds strands of filter material may be performed or performed selectively on successive filter rods.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is randomly formed and / or arranged in a layer of sheet material or plug wrap that covers or wraps the strands of filter material. Alternatively or additionally, perforations or holes may be formed or arranged in a uniform or regular arrangement in the layer of sheet material or plug wrap that covers or wraps the strands of filter material. Preferably, the perforations or holes are distributed and / or formed around the outer surface or outer periphery of the elongated filter member. Further, perforations or holes may be formed and / or distributed along the longitudinal region of the elongated filter member.

  In a preferred embodiment, the step of forming perforations or holes in a layer of sheet material or plug wrap covering or wrapping strands of filter material comprises moving the elongate filter member relative to the perforation or hole forming device. For example, rotating the elongate filter members about their major axes. Preferably, the perforation device or hole forming device comprises at least one laser beam, more preferably a plurality of laser beams from a laser source such as a pulsed or continuous laser source. For this reason, the perforation or the hole may be formed by at least one laser beam. To communicate with the mainstream flow through the filter material, the laser light may cut or cut at least one layer of the sheet material or plug wrap to penetrate the sheet material or plug wrap or form a perforation. May be. By controlling the laser setting, a circular or cylindrical hole having a minimum diameter or a predetermined small diameter and having a controllable depth can be created. The at least one laser beam is typically movable with respect to the element of the filter material, for example along the longitudinal direction and / or in the transverse direction with respect to the elongated filter member. Such relative movement allows a variety of different patterns to be generated in the perforations or holes formed in the filter element.

  In a preferred embodiment, the perforation device or hole forming device includes a beam splitter device to generate multiple laser beams from a single laser source (eg, a continuous laser source or a pulsed laser source). May be. In this connection, the beam splitter device may include a prism and / or one or more mirrors. In order to transmit each individual laser beam and direct each individual laser beam from the laser source to the filter element, the beam splitter device may preferably comprise a plurality of optical fibers. Optical fibers are highly practical in terms of transmitting multiple laser beams because they are flexible and relatively inexpensive. The ends of the optical fibers can be arranged on the long filter member in a predetermined arrangement or pattern for transmitting laser light. Accordingly, in order to simultaneously form a plurality of perforations or holes in the filter member at intervals, the optical fiber for the plurality of laser beams is preferably directed to the length or spread of the long filter member, and the Arranged around and / or along the length or extent.

  In a particularly preferred embodiment, the beam splitter apparatus comprises a fiber optic support configured to receive and hold a respective free end of the optical fiber such that laser light from each individual optical fiber is directed to the long axis of the filter element. including. Thus, the optical fiber support may be configured to hold the optical fiber such that laser light is emitted from the support in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the length or major axis of the filter material elements. Thereby, a straight cylindrical hole is formed by this perpendicular orientation of the laser light with respect to the filter material. Alternatively or in addition, the optical fiber support supports the optical fiber so that the laser light is emitted from the optical fiber to define a conical busbar having its apex on the long axis of the long filter member. It may be configured to. In this way, when the laser beam is angled or tilted with respect to the filter member, a tilted hole is formed.

  According to another aspect, the present invention provides a filter element for an aerosol-generating product manufactured or obtained by any of the methods of the above embodiments, particularly a filter plug element for a smoking device.

  According to a further aspect, the present invention provides an aerosol generating product assembled with the inventive filter element described above, in particular a smoking device comprising an elongated rod element of an aerosol generating material, for example a tobacco rod.

  In a preferred embodiment, the elongate element of aerosol generating material uses the filter element to place the end of the filter element (eg, plug element) on the end of the elongate element of aerosol generating material (eg, tobacco rod element). Adjoining and / or abutting and joining or fixing the elements together via at least one layer of sheet material or packaging covering or wrapping the elements, at least in the region of the end where they abut Assembled by. At least one layer of this sheet material or package that joins or secures the elements together in the assembly step typically comprises paper known as “chip paper”, although other materials may be considered. Since the filter element is perforated prior to assembly of the tobacco rod to form the smoking device, it is also possible to use chip paper that is pre-perforated with several perforations or holes. . A few perforations or holes are those that are hardly visible or obvious to the consumer if they do not approach and observe. In this way, it is possible to eliminate the formation of perforations or holes that simultaneously pass through both the tip paper and the plug wrap from the method for manufacturing a smoking tool.

  For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like parts.

The schematic perspective view of the structure of the smoking tool (for example, cigarette) obtained by the method which concerns on preferable embodiment. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a smoking device (for example, a cigarette) manufactured by a method according to a preferred embodiment. The schematic side view of the production system for producing the filter rod for using for manufacture of a smoking implement. 1 is a schematic side view of a filter rod produced for use in a method according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of another filter rod for use in the method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the method of embodiment of this invention roughly.

  The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate certain embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention and many of the attendant advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description.

  General and / or well-understood elements that may be useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments are not necessarily drawn to facilitate a more abstract illustration of the embodiments. It is understood that it is not. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to the same scale with respect to each other. It is further understood that certain acts and / or steps in the method embodiments may be described or depicted in a particular order of events, while those of ordinary skill in the art would be aware of such ordering It will be understood that specificity is not actually required. Unless otherwise specified herein, unless otherwise specified, each corresponding inquiry and research field is given such terms and expressions, so the terms and expressions used herein are: It is also understood to have the usual meaning.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the basic configuration or structure of a smoking device 1 (in this case a cigarette) according to a preferred embodiment is schematically shown. The smoking device 1 comprises an elongate, generally cylindrical rod element 2 of an aerosol generating material 3 (especially a smoking material such as chopped tobacco). The aerosol generating material 3 is covered or wrapped with a layer 4 of sheet material in the form of cigarette paper. The layer of the cigarette paper sheet 4 is typically formed on the body or main part of the cut tobacco 3 via at least one fine line 5 of adhesive or glue applied to the overlapping area 6 of the cigarette paper. Fixed around. In addition to the rod element 2 of the cut tobacco 3, the smoking device 1 comprises an elongate, generally cylindrical filter rod element or plug element 7 of a filter material 8, such as acetylcellulose tow. The filter material 8 is covered or wrapped with a layer 9 of sheet material commonly referred to as plug wrap. Furthermore, the plug wrap sheet layer 9 is typically secured around the body of the filter material 8 via an adhesive or glue 10 applied to the overlapping region 11 of the plug wrap 9. If the filter rod element or plug element 7 comprises a fragile capsule of liquid flavor and / or liquid taste-modifying substance embedded in the filter material 8, the plug wrap sheet 9 may cause uncontrollable transport of liquid through it or To avoid leakage, it may be chosen to be non-porous.

  During the manufacture or manufacture of the cigarette 1, the rod element 2 of the chopped tobacco 3 and the plug element 7 of the filter material 8 are arranged so that the end 12 of the chopped tobacco rod element 2 is adjacent to the end 13 of the filter plug element 7 and / or It is arranged substantially in a straight line so as to abut. Next, one or more layers 14 of paper sheet or packaging, commonly known as chip paper, are used to join or secure the chopped tobacco rod element 2 and the filter plug element 7 together. In this regard, the chip paper layer 14 covers or wraps their elements 2, 7 in the region of their abutting ends 12, 13 and is applied along the edge region 16 of the layer 14. Alternatively, it is fixed to each of the cut tobacco rod element 2 and the filter plug element 7 via a fine glue wire 15. A layer 14 of chip paper sheets typically completely covers the filter plug element 7, as shown in FIG.

  Still referring to FIG. 1, according to the method of making and manufacturing the cigarette 1, before the chopped tobacco rod element 2 and the filter plug element 7 are assembled and joined together with the layer 14 of the sheet of chip paper, Both the plug of filter material 8 and the sheet material or plug wrap layer 9 surrounding the filter material 8 of the filter plug 7 have regular arrays of perforations or holes 17 formed in them. Can be understood. Although the plug wrap layer 9 can be understood to include perforations or holes 17 before the layer 9 wraps around the cylindrical body of the filter element 8, this figure merely illustrates the structure of the filter element 7. This is not necessarily the case. In practice, perforations or holes 17 may also be formed in the plug flap layer 9 after the layer 9 has wrapped and secured around the body of the filter material 8 during the fabrication of the plug element 7.

  As shown in FIG. 1, perforations or holes 17 are formed or arranged in rows extending around the filter plug element 7 in the central region of the filter plug element 7.

  Since the plug wrap layer 9 in the filter plug element 7 is already perforated and has holes 17 when the filter element 7 is assembled and assembled with the chopped tobacco element 2, the two elements 2 of the cigarette 1. , 7 can be joined or fixed using a pre-perforated layer 14 of chip paper. In this regard, the pre-perforated layer 14 of chip paper will typically have a relatively small number of perforations or holes 18, but these may not be close- Is hardly visible or apparent to the consumer. Nonetheless, these perforations or holes 18 in the chip paper layer 14 allow air to pass through the perforations or holes 17 in the plug wrap layer 9 so that the filter plug element 7 has sufficient air from the lateral direction. Can flow in. By using pre-perforated chip paper, the formation of perforations or holes that pass through both the chip paper and the plug wrap can be eliminated from the method of manufacturing a smoking device. As shown in FIG. 2, the chip paper layer 14 effectively conceals or obscure the perforations or holes 17 in the plug wrap layer 9, so that the perforations or holes 18 are simply removed when the consumer approaches. Only one thin row or line is visible. When the consumer sucks the near end of the filter element 7 in use, the axial or mainstream flow of aerosol or smoke S from the cut tobacco 3 is in the long axis direction of the smoking device 1 (ie, in the direction of the arrow). It is sucked in and sucked inward and passes through the filter element 7. At the same time, an air flow is also sucked in through the perforations or holes 17, 18 from the lateral direction, which mixes with the mainstream flow 19 to create turbulence and spirals through the filter element 7. Create a flow path.

  Referring to FIGS. 3-5 of the drawings, the step of forming perforations or holes 17 in the filter element 7, in particular the plug of filter material 8 and the layer 9 of sheet material or plug wrap surrounding the filter material 8, It may be carried out during the manufacture of the element 7. In this regard, individual or individual filter rod elements 7 are cut from a continuous filter rod R or elongated filter rod member 20 (eg, as schematically shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). . The continuous filter rod R or elongate filter rod member 20 is typically used in the manufacture of standard corrugated acetylcellulose filters commonly used in the tobacco industry, schematically illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Manufactured or produced in a dedicated filter production machine or machine 30 for the purpose. The step of drilling the filter plug element 7, in particular the plug wrap layer 9, also uses randomly oriented acetylcellulose fibers as obtained by a German manufacturer Hauni made marine filter machine. Note that it is carried out in the filter rod element 7 produced in this way.

  In the first stage A of the filter production procedure, the filter material 8 comprising acetylcellulose tow is processed and prepared. First, the filter tow 8 is drawn from a bulk feed 8 ', such as a bale pack, into a generally continuous strand or ribbon D, and then a series of banding jets 31, 31', 31 '', pre-tension rollers 32, carried through the block rolling roller 33. In this first stage A, the filter tow 8 is stretched or loosened to give maximum surface area in the acetylcellulose fibers. In the second stage B of the filter production procedure, the generally continuous strand or ribbon D of the filter tow 8 passes through the plasticizer addition unit 34. In the unit, a plasticizer such as triacetin is added (eg, by spraying) to the plurality of fibers to enhance the adhesion between the fibers.

  On the outlet side of the plasticizer addition unit 34, the filter tow 8 passes through the transport roller 35 and proceeds to the rod production stage C, which is the third stage of the filter production procedure. In this position, the strands of the filter tow 8 are connected via the guide device 36, in particular so-called “stuffs”, in order to form or provide a strand D of substantially continuous filter tow fibers 8 with the desired circular cross section. It is conveyed via a trumpet-shaped guide device having an “adget” or transport jet 36 ′. At this stage, a capsule, pellet or thread of flavor material (which may or may not contain an indicator substance) may be introduced into the strand D of the filter material 8. At the same time, a sheet or layer 9 of plug wrap material is drawn from the bulk roll 37 and fed to the towed fiber strands D by means of rollers.

  The adhesive is typically applied to the layer 9 of plug wrap material by the application nozzle 38 when the layer 9 of plug wrap material comes into contact with the strand of filter material 8 and is wrapped around the strand. The adhesive usually bonds or fixes the plug wrap 9 to the filter material 8, and may be applied to the plug wrap material 9 as a single-line adhesive or a multi-line adhesive. It may be applied in a pattern or non-linear application pattern (eg, circular, wavy, or curled). In order to seal the plug wrap 9 on or around the rod-shaped strand D of the filter material 8 formed in the guide device 36, the glue seam 10 is preferably provided at the outlet of the guide device 36. Is applied to the overlapping region 11 of the plug wrap 9. However, in some cases, the seam line may be placed simultaneously with glue application at the nozzle 38 location.

  Next, the continuous filter rod R, formed with strands D of filter material 8 that are consequently covered with a layer 9 of plug wrap, seals or bonds the rod 8 wrapped in the final desired shape. Therefore, it passes through the seal chamber 39.

  A layer 9 of plug wrap material wrapped around or covering the filter tow 8 helps to maintain the filter rod in the desired cylindrical form. When emerging from the sealing chamber 39, the continuous rod R of filter material 8 is inspected in the inspection station 41 and then transported to the cutting station 42. The rod R is cut into a rod member 20 of a predetermined length at the cutting station 42, for example, as shown in FIGS. Next, each of the rod members 20 is subjected to a perforation or hole forming step in the hole forming device 40.

  The perforation or hole forming apparatus 40 includes a laser source for generating laser light and a beam splitter that divides a single laser light into a plurality of laser lights. The beam splitter of the perforation forming device 40 includes a plurality of optical fibers, and each of the optical fibers transmits and directs each laser beam to the filter rod member 20. In this regard, the optical fiber is mounted in a support member that holds the respective free end of the optical fiber. The optical fibers are arranged in a row or a grid directed to the position of the extension of the rod member 20 and are arranged around and / or along the extension of the rod member 20. As described above, the plurality of laser beams emitted from the end portions of the respective optical fibers are directed in the long axis direction of the filter rod member 20, pass through the plug wrap layer 9 surrounding the periphery of the rod member 20, and The perforations or holes 17 can be cut or burned (eg, preferably at even intervals). By controlling the laser settings such as output and operation time, it is possible to control parameters, for example, the depth of the perforations 17 to be formed. In fact, it is desirable not only to penetrate the plug layer 9 covering the periphery of the filter material 8 but also to penetrate the fibers of the filter tow 8 towards the center of the rod member 20. The fiber optic support member may be movable relative to the filter rod member 20 to produce the desired arrangement of perforations or holes 17, and / or more preferably, the filter rod member 20 may be, for example, The support member may be movable in the major axis direction and / or the rotation direction around the major axis.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the perforations or holes 17 formed in the filter rod member 20 (and thus each of the filter elements 7) are around the filter rod member 20 and along the length of the rod member 20. They may be arranged in a rectangular arrangement or a regular arrangement and a dense arrangement. In an alternative embodiment in FIG. 5, the perforations or holes 17 formed in the filter rod member 20 are such that each filter element 7 cut from the filter rod member 20 has a single circumferential row of perforations or holes 17. 21 may be arranged as a continuous circumferential row evenly spaced along the filter rod member 20. In a further alternative described above with respect to FIG. 1, each filter element 7 may include a continuous row 21 of perforations or holes 17, for example, at the circumference in that particular region.

  A perforation or hole 17 is formed in the layer 9 of plug wrap sheet around the tow material 8 and extends into the filter plug element 7 from the capsule along and through the filter element 7. It can function as a capillary or a pathway to help transport liquid flavors. Thus, perforations or holes 17 can help activate the indicator and expedite distribution in the filter element 7 for release into the shaft or mainstream smoke 19. In addition, the lateral air flow through the perforations or holes 17 facilitates receiving more flavor molecules into the mainstream smoke 19, thereby allowing more smoke to pass through the filter element 7. A turbulent flow is generated. Forming the perforations or holes 17 in the plug wrap element 9 also depends on the number and extent of perforations that effectively change the porosity for the pre-perforated chip paper product. Can be easily imitated.

  After a perforation or hole forming procedure in the hole forming device 40, the rod member 20 may be inspected again at the inspection station 41 and then transported by the transport device 43 to the storage buffer 44 or other cutting station. At the cutting station, the rod member 20 is cut into individual filter elements 7, which are then stored in a storage buffer.

  Referring now to FIG. 6 of the drawings, a method for manufacturing a filter plug element 7 for a smoking device 1 according to the present invention is accompanied by numbered boxes I-IV in the figure showing the steps of the method. , Schematically shown. In particular, the first box I shows the step of providing a bulk supply 8 'of filter material, such as acetylcellulose tow, for processing as shown in FIG. The second box II shows the step of processing the bulk filter material 8 to form a substantially continuous strand D of filter material 8. The filter material 8 is preferably treated, guided and shaped to have a generally cylindrical cross section. Next, the third box III of the schematic diagram in FIG. 6 shows a substantially continuous strand of filter material 8 using at least one layer of sheet material or plug wrap to form a long filter element. A step of covering (eg wrapping) D is shown. The elongate filter element may be a generally continuous length of filter rod R or elongate filter rod member 20. The fourth box IV forms perforations or holes 17 in the layer 9 of sheet material or plug wrap that covers the elongated filter members R, 20 before and / or after the step of covering the strands D of the filter material 8. Is shown. In this regard, the sheet material layer 9 on the roll 37 may be pre-perforated. Alternatively or additionally, the step of forming perforations or holes 17 in the layer 9 of plug wrap sheet material may comprise a plurality of individual or It may be carried out or carried out on the elongated filter members R, 20 before being cut to make the individual filter elements 7.

  While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various alternative and / or equivalent embodiments exist. It should be understood that the exemplary embodiment or embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description provide those skilled in the art with convenient guidance for practicing at least one exemplary embodiment, and are within the scope and scope of the appended claims. It will be understood that various modifications can be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments without departing from their legal equivalents. In general, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

  In this document, “comprise”, “comprising”, “include”, “including”, “contain”, “include” “Containing”, “have”, “having”, and any variations thereof, are referred to methods, apparatus, apparatus or systems described herein. Other elements, features, parts or steps or such processes, methods, instruments, or equipment not limited to those features, parts, elements, or steps, but explicitly listed It will be understood that it is intended to be understood to include other specific elements, features, parts or steps. Wax. Further, as used herein, the terms “a” and “an” are intended to be understood as meaning one or more unless otherwise specified. Yes. Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. are used merely as symbols and are not intended to impose numerical requirements or are important for their objects. It is not intended to establish a specific ranking for gender.

1 Smoking equipment,
2 chopped tobacco long elements or chopped tobacco rod elements,
3 aerosol-generating material or chopped tobacco,
4 layers of sheet material or cigarette paper,
5 Glue or glue line,
6 overlap area of cigarette paper,
7 Long element or plug element of filter material,
8 Filter material or acetylcellulose tow,
8 'Supply or bale of filter material,
9 Sheet material or plug wrap layer,
10 Glue or glue line,
11 Overlap area of plug wrap,
12 End of chopped tobacco rod element,
13 end of filter plug element,
14 layers of material or sheet of chip paper,
15 Glue or glue line,
16 Edge region of chip paper layer or sheet,
17 perforations or holes in the plug wrap layer,
18 Perforations or holes in the layer of chip paper,
19 axial or mainstream flow of aerosol or smoke,
20 Filter rod member,
21 rows of perforations or holes,
30 Filter production apparatus or machine,
31 Banding jet,
31 'banding jet,
31 '' banding jet,
32 pre-tension roller,
33 Rolling roller,
34 Plasticizer addition unit,
35 transport rollers,
36 Guide device or trumpet-shaped guide,
36 'transport jet or "stuffer" jet,
37 Bulk roller,
38 applicator nozzle,
39 Sealing chamber,
40 perforation forming device or hole forming device,
41 Inspection station for rod measurement / observation,
42 cutting station,
43 Conveying devices for filter elements or rod members,
44 Storage buffer,
S aerosol or smoke,
D strand of filter material,
R Continuous filter rod.

Claims (15)

Processing the bulk filter material (8) to provide or form a substantially continuous strand (D) of the filter material (8);
Covering a substantially continuous strand (D) of filter material (8) with at least one layer (9) of sheet material to form an elongated filter member (R, 20);
Forming perforations or holes (17) in the elongated filter member (R, 20) before and / or after the step of covering the strands (D) of the filter material (8).
Method for producing a filter element (7) for an aerosol-generating product (1), in particular a filter plug element (7) for a smoking device. The step of forming the perforations or holes (17) forms the perforations or holes (17) in at least one layer (9) of sheet material covering or wrapping the elongate filter member (R, 20). To be prepared,
The method of claim 1. The sheet material (37) constituting the layer (9) is pre-perforated prior to covering the substantially continuous strand (D) of the filter material (8) with the sheet material (37). Formed,
The method according to claim 1 or 2. Forming the perforations or holes (17) is performed after covering or wrapping the strand (D) of the filter material (8) with at least one layer (9) of sheet material;
Said perforations or holes (17) are preferably in the filter material (8) covered or encased by at least one layer (9) of sheet material as well as the layer (9) of sheet material. Formed through material (8),
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The long filter member (R, 20) includes a filter rod (R) or a filter rod member (20) having a substantially continuous predetermined length,
The method
Cutting said continuous length of filter rod (R) or filter rod member (20) into a plurality of individual or individual filter elements (7);
Each of the filter elements (7) is configured to be assembled with each rod element (2) of an aerosol generating material (3), such as chopped tobacco, to form a smoking device (1),
Forming a perforation or hole (17) in the layer of sheet material (9) is performed before the cutting step;
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The long filter member (R, 20) includes a continuous filter rod (R),
The method
Cutting the continuous filter rod (R) into a long rod member (20) having a predetermined length;
Forming a perforation or hole (17) in the layer (9) of sheet material is performed or performed on the elongated rod member (20);
6. A method according to any one of claims 1-5. The perforations or holes (17) are randomly formed or arranged in the layer (9) of sheet material and / or the perforations or holes (17) are uniform or regular in the layer (9) Formed or arranged in,
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The perforations or holes (17) are arranged or formed around the continuous filter rod (R) or elongated rod member (20) and / or the perforations or holes (17) are the continuous Arranged or formed in the long axis direction of the filter rod (R) or the long rod member (20),
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The step of forming perforations or holes (17) in the sheet material layer (9) comprises the step of forming a continuous filter rod (R) or elongated rod member (20) into a perforation forming device or a hole forming device (40) Preferably, the filter rod (R) or the long rod member (20) is rotated around the long axis of the filter rod (R) or the long rod member (20). Including steps,
9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The step of forming perforations or holes (17) comprises at least a layer (9) of the sheet material after the sheet material has covered or wrapped the filter material (8) of the filter rod (R). Irradiating a single laser beam, thereby forming the perforations or holes (17) with the at least one laser beam;
10. A method according to any one of claims 1-9. Said at least one laser beam is movable relative to said filter rod (R) or filter rod member (20), preferably movable along the major axis direction and / or in the major axis direction Can move laterally,
The method of claim 10. The perforation forming device or hole forming device (40)
A laser source;
A beam splitter device for generating a plurality of laser beams from the laser source;
A plurality of optical fibers that transmit and direct each laser beam to the filter rod (R) or the filter rod member (20);
The optical fiber so that the laser light from each individual optical fiber is directed to the layer (9) of sheet material that is arranged adjacent to and covers the filter rod (R) or the filter rod member (20) An optical fiber support configured to receive and retain each free end of
12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims. Cutting the long filter member (R, 20) into a plurality of individual or individual filter elements (7),
Each of the plurality of individual or individual filter elements (7) is configured to be assembled with an element (2) of an aerosol generating material (3), in particular a chopped tobacco rod element;
The filter material (8) comprises acetylcellulose tow, and the layer (9) of the sheet material is porous or non-porous, preferably comprises paper;
The method according to claim 1. Produced or obtained by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
Filter element (7) for the aerosol-generating product (1), in particular a filter plug element for smoking articles. Comprising an elongate element (2) of aerosol generating material (3), such as cigarette, assembled with a filter element (7) according to claim 14.
Aerosol-generating products (1), especially smoking articles.