JP7482784B2 - Manufacturing method of smoking article - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing smoking articles.

Smoking articles such as cigarettes having a tobacco rod, a cooling segment, and a filter segment have traditionally been manufactured using multiple tipping papers. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing smoking articles by wrapping multiple components with multiple tipping papers. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a polylactic acid filter, a hollow filter, and a tobacco rod are arranged adjacent to each other in this order and wrapped with a second tipping paper, and then a mouthpiece filter is arranged adjacent to the polylactic acid filter end of the wrapped components and wrapped with a first tipping paper. However, this method is characterized in that, since air leakage occurs when a gap occurs at the joint between the components, the polylactic acid filter is not completely covered with the second tipping paper, and an uncovered portion is provided at the tip of the polylactic acid filter.

International Publication No. 2017/081144

The method described in Patent Document 1 requires precise control of the size of the tipping paper, which places constraints on production. In particular, the inventors have found that in the method of Patent Document 1, when a smoking article is manufactured through a step of inverting a member wrapped with a second tipping paper, unless the size of the tipping paper is controlled quite precisely, manufacturing becomes extremely difficult. Furthermore, including multiple steps of connecting with tipping paper may result in damage to the rod. In view of these circumstances, the present invention has an objective of providing a method for efficiently manufacturing smoking articles.

The inventors have solved the above problem by performing the step of connecting with tipping paper only once. That is, the above problem is solved by the present invention described below.
[Aspect 1] A method for producing a smoking article comprising a tobacco rod, a tobacco segment including a cooling segment, and a filter segment, comprising:
(A) preparing a double-length tobacco rod having a length twice that of the tobacco rod and separable at a central portion in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a double-length tobacco segment including two cooling segments abutting both ends of the double-length tobacco rod;
(B) separating the double length tobacco segment at the center to produce a pair of separated tobacco segments, and inverting the separated tobacco segments so that they are spaced apart and have the same longitudinal axis and the cooling segments face each other;
(C) preparing a double-length filter segment having a length twice that of the filter segment, and disposing the double-length filter segment in the spaced apart portion such that both ends of the double-length filter segment abut against the cooling segment side ends of the tobacco segment to prepare a composite segment;
(D) wrapping the composite segment with a sheet of tipping paper to integrate it, thereby producing a double-length smoking article having twice the length of the smoking article; and (E) cutting the double-length smoking article at its longitudinal center to produce a smoking article.
[Aspect 2] The manufacturing method according to aspect 1, wherein step (A) further comprises the step of adding a flavoring to the double-length tobacco rod.
[Embodiment 3] The manufacturing method according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein step (A) further comprises wrapping the double-length tobacco rod in a wrapper.
[Aspect 4] The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the wrapper is a paper containing a fragrance.
[Aspect 5] A manufacturing method according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein step (A) is a step of preparing a double-length tobacco segment including a double-length tobacco rod having a length twice that of the tobacco rod, and two cooling segments abutting both ends of the double-length tobacco rod, and cutting the double-length tobacco segment in its longitudinal center, thereby preparing a double-length tobacco segment.
[Aspect 6] The method of any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the filter segment comprises an acetate filter and a center hole filter.
[Aspect 7] A manufacturing method according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the smoking article comprises, in the downstream direction, a tobacco rod, a cooling segment, and a filter segment, in that order.
[Aspect 8] The manufacturing method according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the diameter of the tobacco rod is larger than the diameter of the adjacent members.
[Aspect 9] The manufacturing method according to aspect 8, wherein the diameter of the tobacco rod is 0.05 to 0.15 mm larger than the diameter of the adjacent members.
[Embodiment 10] The manufacturing method according to embodiment 8, wherein the diameter of the tobacco rod is 0.5 to 2.5% larger than the diameter of the adjacent members.
[Aspect 11] The manufacturing method according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein the rigidity of the member adjacent to the tobacco rod is greater than the rigidity of the tobacco rod.
[Aspect 12] A manufacturing method according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the cooling segment comprises a paper tube having a plurality of openings in the circumferential direction.
[Aspect 13] The manufacturing method according to aspect 12, wherein the cooling segment comprises a paper tube, and further comprises a step of providing a plurality of openings in the circumferential direction of the paper tube by laser processing.
[Embodiment 14] The step (D) is a step carried out by preparing a precursor in which a part of the tip paper is adhered to the circumferential surface of the composite segment, disposing the precursor between a rolling drum and a rolling hand provided opposite the circumferential surface of the precursor, and rotating the precursor on the circumferential surface of the rolling drum;
A manufacturing method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 13, wherein a portion of the rolling drum or rolling hand facing the tobacco rod portion has a recess for forming a gap between the rolling drum or rolling hand and the tobacco rod portion.

The present invention provides a method for efficiently producing smoking articles.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a smoking article. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a manufacturing method of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of step (A) of the production method of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for measuring stiffness. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out the manufacturing method of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of step (B). FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of step (D). FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of step (D).

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a smoking article comprising a tobacco rod, a cooling segment, and a filter segment. The present invention will be described in detail below. In the present invention, X to Y include the end values X and Y.

1. Smoking Article The smoking article of the present invention comprises a tobacco rod, a cooling segment, and a filter segment. Figure 1(i) shows one embodiment of the smoking article of the present invention. In the figure, 100 is a smoking article, 1 is a tobacco rod, 3 is a cooling segment, 5 is a filter segment, and 7 is a tipping paper.

(1) Tobacco Rod A tobacco rod is a substantially cylindrical member for generating flavor and aroma components contained in tobacco raw materials, and includes a tobacco filler and a cigarette paper that wraps around it. The tobacco filler is not limited, and can be, for example, tobacco shreds, tobacco sheets, etc. Specifically, tobacco shreds obtained by cutting dried tobacco leaves to a width of 0.8 to 1.2 mm can be filled into the cigarette paper. Dried tobacco leaves can also be crushed and homogenized to an average particle size of about 20 to 200 μm, processed into a sheet, and then cut into a width of 0.8 to 1.2 mm and filled into the cigarette paper. The sheet can be gathered, folded, or spirally wound without being cut into pieces, and filled into the cigarette paper. The sheet can also be cut into strips and filled into the cigarette paper concentrically or with the longitudinal direction of the strips parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod.

The tobacco rod 1 may generate an aerosol when heated. In order to promote the generation of aerosol, it is preferable to add an aerosol source such as glycerin, propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, or other polyol to the tobacco filler. The amount of the aerosol source added is preferably 5 to 50% by weight, more preferably 10 to 30% by weight, based on the dry weight of the tobacco filler. In addition, the tobacco rod may contain a flavoring such as menthol. The length of the tobacco rod 1 is not limited, but is preferably 15 to 25 mm. Its diameter is also not limited, but is preferably 6.5 to 7.5 mm. However, if the rigidity of the adjacent member is higher than the rigidity of the tobacco rod, it is preferable that the diameter of the tobacco rod is larger than the diameter of the adjacent member. This is because deformation of the tobacco rod can be reduced. From this perspective, it is preferable that the diameter of the tobacco rod is 0.5 to 2.5% larger than the diameter of the adjacent member, and more preferably 1.0 to 2.0% larger. In terms of actual dimensions, it is preferable that the diameter of the tobacco rod is about 0.05 to 0.15 mm larger than the diameter of the adjacent member. The adjacent components include a cooling segment and a filter segment.

As disclosed in paragraphs 0010 to 0014 of the specification of JP2016-523565A, "rigidity" in the present invention means the resistance when a member deforms. The rigidity can be obtained from the change in diameter before and after a load F is applied to the side surface of the tobacco rod. In FIG. 4, if the diameter of the tobacco rod before the load F is applied is Ds and the diameter after the load is applied is Dd, the amount of depression is d=Ds-Dd, and the rigidity is defined by the following formula. The same applies to other members.
Stiffness (%) = Dd/Ds x 100

(2) Cooling Segment The cooling segment is a member for cooling the flavor components and aerosols generated in the tobacco rod 1. The cooling segment 3 may be a hollow paper tube. The paper tube is preferably made of cardboard, which has higher rigidity than cigarette paper or tipping paper. The paper tube may have openings (ventilation). A plurality of openings are preferably provided along the circumference of the paper tube. From the viewpoint of work efficiency, the openings are preferably provided by subjecting the completed smoking article to laser processing. The cooling segment 3 may also be filled with a gathered sheet to improve heat exchange efficiency. The dimensions of the cooling segment 3 are not limited, but the length is preferably 15 to 25 mm, and the diameter is preferably 5.5 to 7.5 mm. However, when the rigidity of the member adjacent to the cooling segment 3 is lower than the rigidity of the cooling segment 3, the diameter of the cooling segment 3 is preferably 0.5 to 2.5% smaller than the diameter of the adjacent member, and preferably 1.0 to 2.0% smaller. In general, when the cooling segment 3 has a cardboard-made paper tube, the rigidity of the segment is higher than the rigidity of the tobacco rod.

(3) Filter Segment The filter segment is a member equipped with a filter. As the filter, known filter members such as acetate filters and paper filters can be used. The paper filter is a filter filled with paper, which is prepared by processing paper with a crepe roller or the like to give it wrinkles and wrapping it with plug winding paper. The acetate filter is a filter filled with cellulose acetate fibers. As shown in FIG. 1(ii), the filter segment 5 preferably includes a filter 51 and a center hole filter 53. As the center hole filter , for example, an acetate filter with a space in the center can be used. The length of the filter segment 5 is not limited, but is preferably 10 to 20 mm. When both a center hole filter and an acetate filter are arranged as the filter segment, the order is not limited. In addition, each member may be wrapped with a filter wrapping paper (filter inner wrapper), and the members may be connected with a filter molding paper (filter outer wrapper). The diameter of the filter segment is not limited, but it is preferable that the filter segment has a diameter approximately the same as that of other segments other than the tobacco rod. This is because the occurrence of tearing and wrinkles in the tip paper can be suppressed.

(4) Tipping Paper Tipping paper refers to paper used to connect two or more of the tobacco rod, the cooling segment, and the filter segment. Meanwhile, cigarette paper refers to paper for wrapping the individual components that constitute the tobacco rod, the cooling segment, or the filter segment. For example, as described above, when the filter segment includes a center hole filter and an acetate filter, the paper wrapping the center hole filter and the paper wrapping the acetate filter are both cigarette paper.

The base paper used for the tipping paper and wrapping paper is not limited, and examples thereof include those using cellulose fibers. Such cellulose fibers may be either plant-derived or chemically synthesized, or may be a mixture of these. Examples of plant-derived fibers include pulp such as flax fiber, wood fiber, and seed fiber. Unbleached colored pulp that has not been bleached may be used, but bleached pulp bleached with a bleaching agent such as an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent is preferably used to achieve a white, clean appearance.

In the case of ordinary cigarette wrapping paper, alkali metal citrates and the like are used as ordinary combustion modifiers (combustion improvers, etc.) that can affect the spontaneous combustion rate of the wrapping paper. In the present invention, it is preferable to use a heated smoking article rather than a combustion-type, and in this case, since there is no need to burn the wrapping paper, the wrapping paper does not need to contain a combustion modifier.

The lower limit of the basis weight of the cigarette paper is preferably 30 g/ ^m2 or more, more preferably 35 g/ ^m2 or more, and even more preferably 40 g/ ^m2 or more. The upper limit is preferably 65 g/ ^m2 or less, and more preferably 50 g/ ^m2 or less. The lower limit of the basis weight of the tipping paper is preferably 20 g/ ^m2 or more, more preferably 25 g/ ^m2 or more, and even more preferably 30 g/ ^m2 or more. The upper limit is preferably 50 g/ ^m2 or less, more preferably 45 g/ ^m2 or less, and even more preferably 40 g/ ^m2 or less. The basis weight can be measured by the method specified in JIS P8124.

2. Manufacturing method An outline of this process is shown in FIG. 2. In the figure, "w" indicates double length. For example, 5w indicates a double length filter segment. The manufacturing method of the present invention can be carried out using any device, but it is preferable to carry out the method using a device equipped with multiple drums as shown in FIG. 5, which supplies each member from above. It is preferable that one drum has one function rather than multiple functions. This is because it can reduce the occurrence of defects in high-speed manufacturing. Each process will be described below using the case where this device is used as an example. There may be one or more drums having the functions of supplying, receiving, transporting, or separating in each unit.

(1) Step A
In this step, a double-length tobacco rod 1w' having twice the length of the tobacco rod 1 and separable at its longitudinal center, and a double-length tobacco segment 10w including two cooling segments 3 abutting both ends of the double-length tobacco rod 1w' are prepared. This step may be performed by preparing a double-length tobacco rod 1w having twice the length of the tobacco rod and a double-length tobacco segment including two cooling segments 3 abutting both ends of the double-length tobacco rod 1w, and cutting the double-length tobacco segment at its longitudinal center. For example, this step can be performed in the first unit 81 to the third unit 83 in FIG. 5. 81f is a supply device for the cooling segments 3, 81p is a take-out drum, and 81s is a separation drum. The pair of cooling segments 3 supplied from the supply device 81f are transferred to a holding section provided on the circumferential surface of the take-out drum 81p. The pair of cooling segments 3 are then transferred to the separation drum 81s, where they are transported and separated from each other at the holding section.

In the second unit 82, 82f is a supply device for the double-length tobacco rod 1w, 82t is a transfer drum, 82p is an extraction drum, and 82a is a take-up drum. A pair of cooling segments 3 arranged at a distance from each other are directly transferred to the transfer drum 82t. Meanwhile, the double-length tobacco rod 1w supplied from the supply device 82f is transferred to a holding section provided on the circumferential surface of the take-up drum 82p, and then transferred to the take-up drum 82a. At that time, the double-length tobacco rod 1w is arranged in the spaced apart portion of the pair of cooling segments 3 so that both ends of the double-length tobacco rod 1w abut against the ends of the cooling segments 3.

In the third unit 83, 83c is a cutter drum, 83c' is a cutter, and 83s is a separation drum. The double-length tobacco rod 1w is delivered to the cutter drum 83c, and cut by the cutter 83c' at the center in the longitudinal direction of the double-length tobacco rod 1w.

In this process, the double-length tobacco rod 1w or the separable double-length tobacco rod 1w' may be wrapped with a wrapper. The wrapper is a sheet-like member, and examples thereof include paper and polymer sheets. Examples of the paper include known ones such as tipping paper, and examples of the polymer sheets include biodegradable polymer sheets such as polylactic acid sheets. For example, by wrapping with a decorated wrapper, a smoking article with a decorated upstream portion can be provided (see FIG. 3 (2)). In addition, a flavoring may be added to the double-length tobacco rod 1w or the separable double-length tobacco rod 1w'. For example, by wrapping the double-length tobacco rod 1w or the like with a wrapper containing a flavoring, a smoking article containing a flavoring upstream portion can be provided (see FIG. 3 (1)). The flavoring is not limited, and a known flavoring such as menthol can be used. The amount of the flavoring added is also not limited, and may be a known amount. In FIG. 3, F is the portion to which the flavoring is added, and F' is paper containing the flavoring. In this way, this process makes it possible to provide a function in the upstream portion when the smoking article is made.

(2) Process B
In this process, the double-length tobacco segment 1w is separated at the center to form a pair of separated tobacco segments 10, which are then inverted so that the tobacco rod 1 portion is located on the outside, the longitudinal axes of both segments are the same, and the cooling segments 3 are arranged at a distance from each other so as to face each other. This process can be performed in the fourth unit 84 in FIG. 5. 84i and 84i' are inverting drums. The inversion mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The guide G on the inverting drum 84i is a holding portion that holds the tobacco segment 10, and is installed so as to be rotatable on the drum around one corner. The tobacco segment 10 held by the guide G shown by the dotted line moves to a position shown by a solid line as the inverting drum 84i rotates. Next, the tobacco segment 10 is transferred to the guide G' shown by the dotted line on the inverting drum 84i'. The guide G' slides on the inverting drum 84i' and moves to a position shown by a solid line where the distance between the pair of tobacco segments 10 is a desired value. In this manner, the pair of tobacco segments 10 is inverted.

(3) Step C
In this step, a double-length filter segment 5w having a length twice that of the filter segment 5 is prepared, and both ends of the double-length filter segment 5w are arranged in the spaced apart portion so as to abut against the ends of the tobacco segment 10 on the cooling segment 3 side, to prepare a composite segment. This step can be performed by the fifth unit 85 in FIG. 5. In the figure, 85f is a supply device for the double-length filter segment 5w, 85p is a take-up drum, and 85a is a take-up drum. The segment prepared in the previous step is delivered to the take-up drum 85a. Meanwhile, the double-length filter segment 5w supplied from the supply device 85f is delivered to a holder provided on the circumferential surface of the take-up drum 85p, and then delivered to the take-up drum 85a. At this time, the double-length filter segment 5w is arranged in the spaced apart portion between a pair of tobacco segments 10 so that both ends of the double-length filter segment 5w abut against the ends of the tobacco segments 10, to form a composite segment 90.

(4) Step D
In this step, the composite segments are wrapped and integrated with one piece of tipping paper 7 to obtain the double-length smoking article 100w. As the tipping paper, paper normally used in the field can be used. The tipping paper may be coated with a known adhesive, which integrates the composite segments that were in a separable state into an inseparable state. In this case, the tipping paper 7 does not need to cover the entire area of the tobacco rod 1. When the length of the tobacco rod 1 is X, the area covered by the tipping paper 7 is preferably an area starting from the joint surface between the tobacco rod 1 and the cooling segment 3 and ending at a position 0.2X to 0.4X in the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rod 1. If the area covered by the tipping paper 7 is in this range, there is an advantage that the thermal conductivity can be increased when the tobacco rod 1 is heated from the outside.

In conventional methods, multiple components were combined to prepare a segment and then wrapped in tipping paper each time, requiring multiple sheets of tipping paper. However, in the present invention, a single sheet of tipping paper composite segment is wrapped, which avoids the unevenness in the product that occurs when multiple sheets of tipping paper are used, and reduces the rate of defective products produced during manufacturing.

This step can be carried out in the sixth unit 86 in FIG. 5. In the figure, 86f is a supplying device for the tipping paper 7, 86t is a transfer drum, 86r is a rolling drum, and 86h is a rolling hand. The rolling drum is a drum having a holding part for holding a member on a circumferential surface, and is provided with a holding part that allows a member such as a segment to rotate around its longitudinal central axis. The rolling hand is a means arranged opposite to the circumferential surface of the rolling drum, and for forming a gap having a certain distance between the rolling drum and the surface. The composite segment 90 is transferred to the transfer drum 86t, and then transferred to the rolling drum 86r. Meanwhile, a part of the tipping paper 7 supplied from the supplying device 86f is adhered to the circumferential surface of the segment on the rolling drum 86r, and a precursor 92 is formed (see FIG. 7). The precursor 92 includes the tipping paper 7 adhered to the composite segment 90 like a flag. That is, a part of the tipping paper 7 is adhered to the circumferential surface of the composite segment 90, but the other part is free. The precursor 92 is fixed to a holder on the circumferential surface of the rolling drum 86r by suction or the like, and is transferred to a gap formed between the rolling drum 86r and the rolling hand 86h . When passing through this gap, the entire circumferential surface of the precursor 92 is wrapped with tipping paper 7, and a double-length smoking article 100w is formed (see FIG. 7).

As mentioned above, in the present invention, it is preferable that the diameter of the tobacco rod 1 is larger than the diameter of the cooling segment 3 adjacent thereto. In this case, if the surfaces of the rolling drum 86r and the rolling hand 86h are flat, the surfaces will come into excessive contact with the tobacco rod 1 (FIG. 8(1)), causing an impact on the tobacco rod 1 and causing the filler to fall, a problem known as "top-drop". Furthermore, twisting due to the difference in circumference occurs, resulting in defects such as wrinkles in the product. Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 8(2) and (3), it is preferable to provide a recess on the surface of the rolling drum 86r or the rolling hand 86h facing the tobacco rod 1 to form a gap between the tobacco rod 1. Although FIGS. 8(2) and (3) show an embodiment in which a recess is provided on the rolling hand 86h, the recess may be provided on the rolling drum 86r or on both. The depth of the recess (T in FIGS. 8(2) and (3)) is adjusted as appropriate, but it is preferable that it is 0.05 to 0.15 mm. It is not necessary to provide this recess on the entire surface facing the tobacco rod 1. As shown in Fig. 8, the recesses may be provided on a part of the surface facing the tobacco rod 1. However, in order to reliably bond the tobacco rod to another member with the tipping paper, it is preferable that no recesses exist near the boundary between the two members.

(4) Step E
In this step, the double-length smoking article 100w is cut at the center in the longitudinal direction. This step produces a pair of smoking articles 100. This step may further include a step of inverting one of the smoking articles 100 to align the directions of the two smoking articles 100.

This process can be carried out in the seventh unit 87 in Figure 5. In the figure, 87c is a cutter drum, 87c' is a cutter, and 87a is a take-up drum. The double-length smoking article 100w is delivered to the cutter drum 87c and cut at its longitudinal center to form the smoking article 100. The smoking article 100 is delivered to the take-up drum 87a, separated, and isolated as a product.

In the present invention, even if other components having a smaller diameter are placed adjacent to the tobacco rod, defects such as rolling jams can be avoided, and good rolling can be performed. In addition, since only one sheet of tipping paper is used, it is also advantageous in terms of cost. Furthermore, in conventional methods using multiple pieces of tipping paper, steps are created in the smoking article, so measures such as providing steps in the drum are necessary, but such measures are not necessary with the manufacturing method of the present invention.

[Example 1]
The following materials were prepared:
A double-length tobacco rod with a diameter of 7.0 mm and a length of 40.0 mm (manufactured by Japan Tobacco Inc.)
A paper tube with a diameter of 6.9 mm and a length of 20.0 mm as a cooling segment A double-length filter segment with a diameter of 6.9 mm, consisting of a center hole filter (8.0 mm)/double-length acetate filter (14.0 mm)/center hole filter (8.0 mm) A tip paper of 24.0 mm x 80.0 mm

A separable double-length tobacco rod was placed at the longitudinal center, and a paper tube was placed at each end to obtain a separable double-length tobacco segment (step A). The separable double-length tobacco segment was separated at the longitudinal center to prepare a pair of separated tobacco segments, which were then inverted and placed apart (step B). At this time, the tobacco rod portion was positioned on the outside and the longitudinal axes of both segments were the same. A double-length filter segment was placed at the separated portion so that both ends abutted against the ends of the tobacco segment on the cooling segment side to obtain a composite segment (step C). The composite segment was wrapped and integrated with a sheet of tipping paper to obtain a double-length smoking article having a length twice that of the smoking article (step D). The double-length smoking article was cut at its longitudinal center to obtain two smoking articles (step E).

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 tobacco rod 1w double-length tobacco rod 1w' separable double-length tobacco rod 3 cooling segment 5 filter segment 5w double-length filter segment 51 acetate filter 53 center hole filter
7 Tipping paper 10 Tobacco segment

F: Fragrance-added portion F': Fragrance-containing paper-wrapped portion

80 Manufacturing equipment

81 First unit 81f Supply device 81s Separation drum

82 Second unit 82f Supply device 82t Transfer drum 82p Take-out drum 82a Take-up drum

83 Third unit 83c Cutter drum 83C' Cutter

84 Fourth unit 84i Reversing drum 84'i Reversing drum

85 Fifth unit 85f Supply device 85p Take-out drum 85a Take-up drum

86 Sixth unit 86f Tip paper supply device 86t Transfer drum 86r Rolling drum 86h Rolling hand

87 Seventh unit 87c Cutter drum 87c' Cutter 87a Take-off drum

90 Composite segment 92 Precursor

100 smoking article 100w double length smoking article

Claims (12)

1. A method for producing a smoking article comprising a tobacco rod and a tobacco segment, including a cooling segment, and a filter segment, comprising:
(A) preparing a double-length tobacco rod having a length twice that of the tobacco rod and separable at its longitudinal center, the double-length tobacco rod including two cooling segments abutting both ends of the double-length tobacco rod, the double-length tobacco rod being separable at its longitudinal center ;
(B) separating the double length tobacco segment at the center to produce a pair of separated tobacco segments, and inverting the separated tobacco segments so that they are spaced apart and have the same longitudinal axis and the cooling segments face each other;
(C) preparing a double-length filter segment having a length twice that of the filter segment, and disposing the double-length filter segment between the cooling segments of the pair of tobacco segments such that both ends of the double-length filter segment abut against the cooling segment-side ends of the tobacco segments to prepare a composite segment;
(D) wrapping the composite segment with a sheet of tipping paper to integrate it, thereby producing a double-length smoking article having twice the length of the smoking article; and (E) cutting the double-length smoking article at its longitudinal center to obtain a smoking article,
the stiffness of the cooling segment adjacent to the tobacco rod is greater than the stiffness of the tobacco rod; and the diameter of the tobacco rod is greater than the diameter of the adjacent cooling segment.
Production method. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein step (A) further comprises the step of adding a flavoring to the double-length tobacco rod. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein step (A) further comprises a step of wrapping the double-length tobacco rod with a wrapper. The manufacturing method according to claim 3, wherein the wrapper is a paper containing a fragrance. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein step (A) is a step of preparing a double-length tobacco segment including a double-length tobacco rod having a length twice that of the tobacco rod and two cooling segments abutting both ends of the double-length tobacco rod, and cutting the double-length tobacco segment at its longitudinal center, thereby preparing a double-length tobacco segment that can be separated at its longitudinal center . The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the filter segment comprises an acetate filter and a center hole filter. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the smoking article comprises a tobacco rod, a cooling segment, and a filter segment, in that order. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the diameter of the tobacco rod is 0.05 to 0.15 mm larger than the diameter of the adjacent cooling segment . A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the diameter of the tobacco rod is 0.5 to 2.5% larger than the diameter of the adjacent cooling segment . The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cooling segment comprises a paper tube having a plurality of openings in the circumferential direction. The manufacturing method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of forming a plurality of openings in the circumferential direction of the paper tube by laser processing, the cooling segment being provided with a paper tube. the step (D) is a step carried out by preparing a precursor in which a part of the tip paper is adhered to the circumferential surface of the composite segment, disposing the precursor between a rolling drum and a rolling hand provided opposite to the circumferential surface of the rolling drum, and rotating the precursor on the circumferential surface of the rolling drum;
The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a portion of the rolling drum or rolling hand facing the tobacco rod has a recess for forming a gap between the rolling drum or rolling hand and the tobacco rod.

Images