Filter segment, aerosol-generating article, and aerosol generation system

Abstract

This filter segment for an aerosol-generating article comprises: a filter segment filler that is formed to be hollow or solid; a filter wrapper around which the filter segment filler is wrapped; and an inner sheet that is provided between the inner side of the filter wrapper and the filter segment filler and is disposed so as to circumferentially cover at least a portion of the filter segment filler. The basis weight of the inner sheet is higher than that of the filter wrapper. The circumferential ends of the inner sheet are not bonded to each other.

Description

Filter segments, aerosol products, and aerosol generation systems

[0001] The present invention relates to filter segments, aerosol products, and aerosol generation systems.

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-31948 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-505166 disclose filters that form a channel between an inner first wrapper and an outer second wrapper.

[0003] Generally, reducing the packing density of the filter media (packing material) placed within the filter wrapper of a filter segment reduces the hardness of the filter segment compared to before the packing density of the filter media was reduced.

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a filter segment capable of ensuring appropriate hardness depending on the filter material placed within the filter wrapper, an aerosol product having the filter segment, and an aerosol generation system having the aerosol product.

[0005] A filter segment for an aerosol product according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a hollow or solid filter segment filler, a filter wrapper around which the filter segment filler is wound, and an inner sheet provided between the inside of the filter wrapper and the filter segment filler, and arranged to cover at least a portion of the filter segment filler in the circumferential direction. The basis weight of the inner sheet is greater than the basis weight of the filter wrapper. The circumferential ends of the inner sheet are not adhered to each other.

[0006] A schematic diagram showing a non-combustion heating type aerosol generation system (electric heating type flavor generation system) according to the first embodiment. A schematic diagram showing a rod used in the non-combustion heating type aerosol generation system according to this embodiment. A schematic diagram of the rod according to this embodiment viewed from the mouthpiece end side. A schematic diagram showing a measurement method for measuring the hardness of a filter segment. A schematic diagram showing an apparatus for measuring the hardness of a filter segment shown in Figure 4, and a measurement method using the apparatus. A schematic diagram showing an example of a filter segment according to the first modified example. A schematic diagram showing a different example of a filter segment according to the first modified example, different from Figure 6. A schematic diagram showing a different example of a filter segment according to the first modified example, different from Figures 6 and 7. A schematic diagram showing a filter segment according to the second modified example. A diagram showing the inner sheet of the filter segment shown in Figure 9 unfolded. A diagram showing the inner sheet of the filter segment shown in Figure 9 unfolded, different from Figure 10A. A diagram showing the inner sheet of the filter segment shown in Figure 9 unfolded, different from Figures 10A and 10B. A diagram showing the inner sheet of the filter segment shown in Figure 9 unfolded, different from Figures 10A to 10C. Figure 9 shows the inner sheet of the filter segment unfolded, in a state different from Figures 10A to 10D. Figure 9 shows the inner sheet of the filter segment unfolded, in a state different from Figures 10A to 10E. Figure 9 shows the inner sheet of the filter segment unfolded, in a state different from Figures 10A to 10F. Figure 9 shows the inner sheet of the filter segment unfolded, in a state different from Figures 10A to 10G. Schematic diagram showing the manufacturing apparatus for the filter segment shown in Figure 9. Table showing some of the compositions of the filter segments related to Comparative Examples 1 and 2, and the filter segments related to Examples 1-4. Graph showing the hardness of the filter segments of Comparative Example 1 and Examples 1 and 2 when the width of the filter segment filler in Figure 12 is 200 mm. Graph showing the roundness of the filter segments of Comparative Example 1 and Examples 1 and 2 when the width of the filter segment filler in Figure 12 is 200 mm. Graph showing the hardness of the filter segments of Comparative Example 2 and Examples 3 and 4 when the width of the filter segment filler in Figure 12 is 160 mm.A graph showing the roundness of the filter segments of Comparative Example 2 and Examples 3 and 4 when the width of the filter segment packing material in Figure 12 is 160 mm. A schematic diagram showing a cigarette according to the second embodiment.

[0007] Preferred embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0008] (First Embodiment) The non-combustion heating type aerosol generation system (electric heating type flavor generation system) 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a non-combustion heating type aerosol generation system 10 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a rod 14 used in the non-combustion heating type aerosol generation system 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the filter segment 74 on the suction end 14b side of the rod 14 according to this embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a measurement method for measuring the hardness of the filter segment 74. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an apparatus for measuring the hardness of the filter segment 74 shown in Figure 4, and a measurement method using that apparatus.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the non-combustion heating type aerosol generation system (electric heating type aerosol generation system) 10 according to this embodiment differs from traditional cigarettes in that it does not involve combustion, and the user can inhale the aerosol generated from the filler material 54a, which will be described later, by heating the filler material 54a, for example by electric heating.

[0012] The non-combustion heating type aerosol generation system 10 includes a heater 12 and a rod (aerosol product) 14 that can be attached to and detached from the housing 22 of the heater 12. The heater 12 is reused, and the rod 14 is discarded after one use.

[0013] The heater 12 heats the aerosol generation segment 54, which will be described later, to the desired temperature. The heater 12 includes a box-shaped housing 22, a battery unit (e.g., a secondary battery) 24, a heat transfer section (heat transfer tube) 30, a heater 32 provided around the heat transfer section 30, and a control circuit 34.

[0014] The heat transfer section 30 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape using a metal material.

[0015] The heater 32 is composed of a general heating element such as a nichrome wire. The heater 32 is arranged around the heat transfer section 30, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The heating method of the heater 32 is not limited to using Joule heating due to electrical resistance; for example, it may be an induction heating (IH) method or a method using chemical reactions such as oxidation heat. The heater may also be configured to heat the aerosol generation segment 54 from the inside. Even in these cases, the heater 32 can heat the aerosol generation segment 54 without burning it.

[0016] The control circuit 34 receives power from the battery unit 24 and controls the heater 32 and the like. The control circuit 34 controls the heater 32 to heat the aerosol generation segment 54 of the rod 14, which will be described later, to, for example, 150°C to 400°C, preferably 250°C to 350°C.

[0017] The rod 14 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is a non-combustible aerosol product. The rod 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example, with a tip 14a and a mouthpiece end 14b, and is used as a non-combustible heating type aerosol product or flavor product. The tip 14a of the rod 14 is inserted into the heater 12. The mouthpiece end 14b of the rod 14 protrudes to the outside of the heater 12 when the rod 14 is inserted into the heater 12, and can be held in the mouth of a user.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the rod 14 has an upstream segment 42 and a downstream segment 44.

[0019] In this embodiment, the upstream segment 42 includes a tip segment 52 and an aerosol generation segment 54. Both the tip segment 52 and the aerosol generation segment 54 are formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0020] The downstream segment 44 is a collective term for all segments located downstream from the downstream end of the aerosol generation segment. In this embodiment, the downstream segment 44 includes an intermediate segment 62 and a mouthpiece segment 64. Furthermore, the mouthpiece segment 64 comprises a hollow segment 72 and a filter segment 74. The hollow segment 72 and the filter segment 74 are covered with a mouthpiece wrapper 64a.

[0021] The mouthpiece wrapper 64a may be, for example, cylindrical paper. The thickness of the mouthpiece wrapper 64a is not particularly limited, and is usually between 20 μm and 140 μm. The basis weight of the mouthpiece wrapper 64a is not particularly limited, and is usually between 20 gsm and 100 gsm. The air permeability of the mouthpiece wrapper 64a is not particularly limited, and is usually between 0 cholesta units and 30,000 cholesta units. The mouthpiece wrapper 64a may be water-resistant paper, oil-resistant paper, non-permeable paper, or highly permeable paper. The mouthpiece wrapper 64a may use the same paper as the filter wrapper 74b, or a different paper. The form of the mouthpiece wrapper 64a is not particularly limited, and may include one or more rows of adhesive seams.

[0022] The tip segment 52 of the upstream segment 42, the aerosol generation segment 54, and the intermediate segment 62 of the downstream segment 44 are covered and connected by the first tip paper 82. The intermediate segment 62 and mouthpiece segment 64 of the downstream segment 44 are covered and connected by the second tip paper 84. The downstream side of the first tip paper 82 is covered by the upstream side of the second tip paper 84. Therefore, the first tip paper 82 and the second tip paper 84 overlap in some areas.

[0023] The first tip paper 82 is used as a wrapper to connect multiple segments, covering at least a portion of the upstream segment 42. Preferably, the first tip paper 82 extends from the upstream end (tip 14a) of the rod 14 toward the suction end 14b. All segments may be connected using only the first tip paper 82, in which case the second tip paper 84 may be omitted. If the second tip paper 84 is provided, the second tip paper 84 may have the same configuration as the first tip paper 82, or it may be different.

[0024] The second tip paper 84 connects multiple segments and is used as a wrapper, with at least a portion of it located in the outermost layer. The second tip paper 84 is a wrapper that covers at least a portion of the downstream segment 44 and connects multiple segments, and it is preferable that it basically extends from the suction end 14b of the rod 14 toward the tip 14a.

[0025] The composition of the second chip paper 84 is not particularly limited and can be in a general form. Specifically, for example, the second chip paper 84 may have pulp as its main component.

[0026] The basis weight of the second chip paper 84 is not particularly limited, but is usually 20 gsm or more and 70 gsm or less, preferably 30 gsm or more and 50 gsm or less. The thickness of the second chip paper 84 is not particularly limited, but is usually 30 μm or more and 80 μm or less, preferably 35 μm or more and 55 μm or less. The air permeability of the second chip paper 84 is not particularly limited, but is usually 0 cholesta units or more and 30,000 cholesta units or less, and may be 0 cholesta units. The air permeability of the second chip paper 84 is a value measured in accordance with ISO 2965:2009, and is measured per 1 cm² area per minute when the differential pressure between both sides of the paper is 1 kPa. ２ Flow rate of gas passing through (cm ３ It is expressed as follows: 1 cholesterol unit (1 cholesterol unit, 1 C.U.) is measured in cm² under 1 kPa. ３ / (min・cm) ２ )

[0027] The second chip paper 84 may contain a filler. The second chip paper 84 is preferably made of calcium carbonate, in particular from the viewpoint of improving whiteness and opacity and increasing the heating rate.

[0028] The second chip paper 84 may have various additives added to it. The second chip paper 84 may, for example, contain a water resistance enhancer. The water resistance enhancer may include a wet strength enhancer (WS agent) and a sizing agent.

[0029] A coating agent may be added to at least one of the front and back surfaces of the second chip paper 84. There are no particular restrictions on the coating agent, but a coating agent that can form a film on the surface of the paper and reduce liquid permeability is preferred.

[0030] A portion of the outer surface of the second tip paper 84 may be covered with lip-release material.

[0031] The tip segment 52 has a tip segment filling portion 52a, such as a paper filter, and a tip segment wrapper 52b that covers the outside of the filling portion 52a. The tip segment 52 is located at the tip 14a of the rod 14 and is configured to cover the upstream end of the aerosol generating segment 54.

[0032] The tip segment filling section 52a can be made of a material that is generally usable as a filter material for the rod 14. The tip segment filling section 52a may be, for example, paper, plastic film, cellulose acetate, or nonwoven fabric. The tip segment filling section 52a is preferably made of paper.

[0033] The material of the tip segment wrapper 52b is not particularly limited, and known materials can be used. The tip segment wrapper 52b may contain fillers such as calcium carbonate.

[0034] The aerosol-generating segment 54 includes a filler 54a containing a flavor source such as tobacco, and a paper segment wrapper (wrapping paper) 54b formed by wrapping the filler 54a in a cylindrical shape, for example.

[0035] The filling material 54a is not particularly limited, and the first aerosol generation segment filling material or the second aerosol generation segment filling material described later can be used.

[0036] First, among the filling materials 54a, the first aerosol generation segment filling material (also simply referred to as the "first tobacco filling material") will be described. The tobacco shredding material contained in the first aerosol generation segment filling material is not particularly limited, and known materials such as laminar or midrib can be used. Further, dried tobacco leaves are pulverized so that the average particle size is 20 μm or more and 200 μm or less to obtain a tobacco pulverized product, and a sheet processed from a homogenized product thereof (hereinafter also simply referred to as a homogenized sheet) may be shredded. Furthermore, a so-called strand type in which a homogenized sheet having a length similar to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generation segment 54 is shredded substantially horizontally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generation segment 54 and filled into the aerosol generation segment 54 may be used.

[0037] There are a plurality of conventional methods for manufacturing the homogenized sheet, that is, a method for processing tobacco leaves into a homogenized sheet by pulverization. The first is a method of producing a papermaking sheet using a papermaking process. The second is a method in which an appropriate solvent such as water is mixed with the pulverized tobacco leaves and homogenized, and then the homogenized product is thinly cast on a metal plate or a metal plate belt and dried to produce a cast sheet. The third is a method in which an appropriate solvent such as water is mixed with the pulverized tobacco leaves and homogenized, and then extruded and molded into a sheet shape to produce a rolled sheet. The fourth is a method of obtaining a tobacco extract from the pulverized tobacco leaves and molding the obtained tobacco extract into a sheet shape to produce an extract sheet.

[0038] In addition, a non-woven fabric-like tobacco sheet may be used for the homogenized sheet.

[0039] The first aerosol generation segment filling material may include tobacco shredding and / or a homogenized sheet, an aerosol base material, and a flavor composition.

[0040] The type of the aerosol base material is not particularly limited, and extract substances from various natural products and / or their constituent components can be selected according to the use. Examples of the aerosol base material include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3 - butanediol, and mixtures thereof.

[0041] The homogenized sheet may contain tobacco ground material (tobacco leaves) and an aerosol base material. Further, the homogenized sheet may contain any components such as a binder, fibers, a pH adjuster, medium - chain fatty acids, a fragrance composition, etc.

[0042] The type of the aerosol base material contained in the homogenized sheet is not particularly limited, and the same materials as the above - mentioned aerosol base materials can be used.

[0043] The fibers contained in the homogenized sheet may be, for example, of plant origin.

[0044] Examples of the binder contained in the homogenized sheet include guar gum, xanthan gum, CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose), CMC - Na (sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose), etc.

[0045] Here, as an example, it has been described that the first aerosol - generating segment filler is the first tobacco filler, but it is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the first aerosol - generating segment filler may be a first non - tobacco plant filler containing non - tobacco plants. The non - tobacco plants are not particularly limited, and for example, plants used as herbs or spices can be used. Specific examples of plants used as herbs or spices include dill seed, rosemary, star anise, clove, oregano, ginger, chamomile, etc. In addition, regarding the matters described above for the first aerosol - generating segment filler (the first tobacco filler), they can also be applied to the first non - tobacco plant filler by replacing the tobacco ground material (tobacco leaves) with non - tobacco plant ground material.

[0046] The second aerosol-generating segment filler consists of a sheet-like aerosol-generating segment filler. The sheet-like aerosol-generating segment filler may be, for example, a homogenized tobacco sheet, or paper, plastic film, cellulose acetate, or nonwoven fabric. In particular, when using paper, plastic film, cellulose acetate, or nonwoven fabric, they may further contain any materials such as an aerosol base material or fragrance.

[0047] In the following description, an example is given where the second aerosol-generating segment filler is composed of a homogenizing sheet. The homogenizing sheet may be the same as the one exemplified in the first aerosol-generating segment filler. The homogenizing sheet may contain tobacco plants or non-tobacco plants. In the second aerosol-generating segment filler, the number of homogenizing sheets to be filled may be one or two or more. The type of homogenizing sheet may be one or two or more with different compositions or manufacturing methods. The filler may be the same as the one exemplified in the first aerosol-generating segment filler. In this embodiment, if multiple homogenizing sheets are used, all of the homogenizing sheets may have the same composition or physical properties, or some or all of the homogenizing sheets may have different compositions or physical properties. The second aerosol-generating segment filler may be arranged in any form, such as a crimped form or multiple homogenizing sheets arranged concentrically.

[0048] The aerosol-generating segment 54 may also contain a fragrance-containing material in which a fragrance is encapsulated in a polysaccharide gel, in addition to the filler material 54a. The fragrances mentioned above can be used as the fragrance composition contained in the fragrance-containing material. By incorporating the fragrance-containing material into the aerosol-generating segment, variations in the amount of fragrance delivered from puff to puff are suppressed from the early to late stages of smoking, and a good flavor can be continuously obtained.

[0049] The gel may be made using thickening polysaccharides, cellulose derivatives, gums, etc.

[0050] The fragrance-containing material may, for example, be placed on the inside and / or outside of the segment wrapper 54b around which the flavor source is wrapped, or the segment wrapper 54b may be impregnated or coated with the fragrance-containing material before drying, or the fragrance-containing material before drying or after drying may be blended into the filler. When the fragrance-containing material is placed on the inside and / or outside of the segment wrapper 54b around which the flavor source is wrapped, the emulsion slurry can be applied to the segment wrapper 54b, or the emulsion slurry can be sequentially cast onto a substrate and dried to process it into a fragrance-containing sheet, around which the flavor source can be wrapped. A segment wrapper 54b impregnated with the fragrance-containing material can be made by impregnating the segment wrapper 54b with the emulsion slurry and drying it. Furthermore, when the fragrance-containing material is blended into the filler, the slurry can be applied to or impregnated into a homogenization sheet or shredded tobacco and dried to produce the filler. Alternatively, the fragrance-containing composition, once dried, may be chopped or pulverized and mixed with other fillers.

[0051] Rod 14 may contain any fragrance composition. The fragrance composition may contain one or more fragrances. Alternatively, the fragrance composition may contain one or more fragrances and an aerosol base material. The aerosol base material may be one of the above / below-mentioned materials, or it may be ethanol, water, etc. The fragrance composition may also contain emulsifiers, stabilizers, antioxidants, pH adjusters, etc. The type of fragrance applied to the article is not particularly limited, but menthol is preferred.

[0052] The fragrance composition may be included in any segment and / or filler material within the article. For example, it may be included in the aerosol-generating segment 54. When the fragrance composition is included in the aerosol-generating segment 54, for example, the fragrance composition may be added in any proportion and amount to the aforementioned chopped material, homogenization sheet, or a filler material obtained by mixing them in any ratio. By adding these fragrance compositions to the aerosol-generating segment 54, the flavor of the aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating segment 54 can be adjusted, improving the user experience. The fragrance composition may also be added to any desired segment other than the aerosol-generating segment 54. For example, the fragrance composition may be added to the tip segment, the middle segment, or the mouthpiece segment. In particular, when the fragrance composition is incorporated into the mouthpiece segment, the fragrance composition may be included in the filter material, or in a destructible capsule, etc.

[0053] The composition of the segment wrapper 54b is not particularly limited and can be in a general form. Specifically, for example, the segment wrapper 54b can be mainly composed of pulp.

[0054] In addition to the pulp mentioned above, the segment wrapper 54b may contain a filler. Calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, kaolin, etc., can be used as the filler, but calcium carbonate is preferred from the viewpoint of enhancing flavor and whiteness.

[0055] Various additives other than the base paper and filler may be added to the segment wrapper 54b. For example, a water resistance enhancer may be added to the segment wrapper 54b to improve water resistance. Water resistance enhancers may include wet strength enhancers (WS agents) and sizing agents.

[0056] A coating agent may be added to at least one of the two surfaces of the segment wrapper 54b, which is its front and back surfaces. There are no particular restrictions on the coating agent, but a coating agent that can form a film on the surface of the paper and reduce the permeability of liquids is preferred.

[0057] Furthermore, since the upstream end of the aerosol generation segment 54 is covered by the tip segment 52, it is possible to prevent the filler material 54a of the aerosol generation segment 54 from falling from the rod 14. In addition, it is possible to suppress the leakage of vapor or aerosol generated in the aerosol generation segment 54 to the upstream side of the aerosol generation segment 54.

[0058] The intermediate segment 62 is positioned adjacent to the aerosol generation segment 54 and the hollow segment 72 or filter segment 74 (if there is no hollow segment 72). The intermediate segment 62 is usually a rod-shaped member with a cavity in which the circumferential cross-section is hollow (empty), such as a cylinder. The intermediate segment 62 is formed, for example, from a paper tube.

[0059] The intermediate segment 62 is preferably provided with an internal structure having a large total surface area. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the intermediate segment 62 may be formed from a sheet of thin material that is wrinkled, pleated, gathered, and folded to form a channel.

[0060] The intermediate segment 62 may have ventilation V provided concentrically in its circumferential direction. Furthermore, if the concentrically arranged ventilation V is considered as a single group of openings, there may be one such group or two or more.

[0061] In this embodiment, the ventilation V is formed, for example, on the second tip paper 84.

[0062] The hollow segment 72 may be formed from either a hollow segment filler 72a having one or more hollow sections, or from a paper tube without the hollow segment filler 72a, or from a selective combination of these. If the hollow segment 72 consists of two or more segments, the two or more segments may be wound together using a segment wrapper (not shown). The hollow segment 72 may also be a paper tube without the hollow segment filler 72a.

[0063] The hollow segment filler 72a forms a hollow channel. Because the hollow segment filler 72a has a high fiber packing density, when the user sucks it up, air and aerosols flow only through the channel portion of the packed layer 72a, and hardly any flow occurs inside the hollow segment filler 72a.

[0064] The filter segment 74 is located at the suction end of the rod 14. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the filter segment 74 comprises a filter segment filler 74a, a filter wrapper 74b around which the filter segment filler 74a is wound, and an inner sheet 74c provided between the inside of the filter wrapper 74b and the filter segment filler 74a.

[0065] The filter material used in the filter segment filler 74a is not particularly limited as long as it has the function of a general filter. General functions of a filter include, for example, adjusting the amount of air mixed when the user inhales aerosols, reducing flavor, and reducing nicotine and tar, but the filter material used in the filter segment filler 74a does not need to have all of these functions. Furthermore, in the rod 14 (electric heated tobacco product) according to this embodiment, which tends to have fewer components produced and a lower filling rate of tobacco filler 54a compared to conventional cigarette products, one of the important functions of the filter segment filler 74a is to prevent the tobacco filler from falling while suppressing the filtration function.

[0066] In this embodiment, the filter segment filler 74a is preferably a sheet material such as paper or nonwoven fabric. Here, an example of a sheet material such as paper or nonwoven fabric that has been crimped will be described as the filter segment filler 74a. Below, an example in which the filter segment filler 74a is a paper filter will be mainly described.

[0067] The appearance of the filter segment packing material 74a may be hollow (approximately cylindrical) or solid (approximately columnar). Here, we will describe the filter segment packing material 74a assuming it is solid.

[0068] The basis weight of the filter segment packing material 74a is preferably, for example, 15 to 60 gsm, more preferably 20 to 50 gsm, and even more preferably 25 to 40 gsm. The thickness of the filter segment packing material 74a is preferably, for example, 20 to 500 μm, more preferably 25 to 250 μm, and even more preferably 30 to 100 μm. The packing density of the filter segment packing material 74a is 0.1 g / cc (g / cm³). ３ The amount is preferably 0.15 g / cc or less, and more preferably 0.12 g / cc or less.

[0069] The filter wrapper 74b is preferably made of, for example, paper, nonwoven fabric, or a cellulose-based sheet.

[0070] The filter wrapper 74b is used from the viewpoint of improving strength and structural rigidity. The form of the filter wrapper 74b is not particularly limited and may include a seam (joint) 78 containing one or more rows of adhesive. The adhesive is not particularly limited but may include a vinyl acetate adhesive or a hot melt adhesive, and the hot melt adhesive may further contain polyvinyl alcohol.

[0071] The material of the filter wrapper 74b is not particularly limited and any known material can be used, including paper, and may contain fillers such as calcium carbonate. The thickness of the filter wrapper 74b is not particularly limited and is usually between 20 μm and 140 μm. The basis weight of the filter wrapper 74b is not particularly limited and is usually between 20 gsm and 100 gsm. The air permeability of the filter wrapper 74b is not particularly limited and is usually between 0 cholesta units and 30,000 cholesta units. The filter wrapper 74b may or may not be coated. The filter wrapper 74b may be water-resistant paper, oil-resistant paper, non-permeable paper, or highly permeable paper.

[0072] The inner sheet 74c is made of paper, nonwoven fabric, film, or the like. The inner sheet 74c is particularly preferably made of a paper sheet. The inner sheet 74c is arranged to cover at least a portion of the filter segment packing material 74a in the circumferential direction.

[0073] The basis weight of the inner sheet 74c is preferably, for example, 70 to 200 gsm, and more preferably 80 to 150 gsm. The thickness of the inner sheet 74c is preferably, for example, 80 to 250 μm, and more preferably 100 to 200 μm. The density of the inner sheet 74c is, for example, 0.7 to 1.5 g / cm³. ３ Preferably, the concentration is 0.8 to 1 g / cm³. ３ It is even more preferable that this be the case.

[0074] The width of the inner sheet 74c (length perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rod 14), that is, the width of the inner sheet 74c when unfolded, is smaller than the width of the filter wrapper 74b (length perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rod 14), that is, the width of the filter wrapper 74b when unfolded. Furthermore, the circumferential ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c (ends in the width direction when the inner sheet 74c is unfolded) are not adhered (not fixed) to each other. It is also preferable that the width direction ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c do not overlap, but are spaced apart and facing each other, or are in contact (butted together). For this reason, as shown in Figure 3, it is preferable that the inner sheet 74c is approximately C-shaped when the filter segment 74 is viewed from the rear end of the rod 14. The gap between the width direction ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c is preferably 10% or less of the circumference, and preferably 5% or less. Furthermore, the gap between the widthwise ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c may be zero. The widthwise ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c do not need to overlap. Alternatively, the widthwise ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c do not need to be facing outwards (towards the filter wrapper 74b) due to abutting against each other.

[0075] Incidentally, the tab stiffness in the circumferential direction of the inner sheet 74c is preferably 0.15 to 0.7 mN·m. The tab stiffness can be measured, for example, using a tab stiffness tester (manufactured by Cellierian Co., Ltd. / QTM08467). For example, for a paper sample with a width of 30 mm and a length of 70 mm (usually in the CD direction of the paper sample), the value measured by the tab stiffness tester is used.

[0076] It is preferable that the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheet 74c and the seam portion 78 or the inner peripheral surface of the filter wrapper 74b are adhered to each other, but they may not be adhered.

[0077] The air permeability resistance of the filter segment 74 formed in this way is, for example, preferably 0.1 to 2 mmHg ２ / mm, and more preferably 0.1 to 1 mmHg ２ / mm.

[0078] The total length of the rod 14 is, for example, 60 mm, the upstream segment 42 is, for example, 20 mm, and the downstream segment 44 is, for example, 40 mm.

[0079] The length of the tip segment 52 of the upstream segment 42 is 6 mm, and the length of the aerosol generation segment 54 is 14 mm. The length of the intermediate segment 62 of the downstream segment 44 is 20 mm, and the length of the mouthpiece segment 64 is 20 mm. Among the mouthpiece segment 64, the length of the hollow segment 72 is 12 mm, and the length of the filter segment 74 is 8 mm. The length from the suction port end 14b to the ventilation V is, for example, 25.5 mm.

[0080] Incidentally, the downstream tip paper (second tip paper) 84 including the suction port 14b is, for example, 35 mm, and the upstream tip paper (first tip paper) 82 including the tip 14a of the rod 14 is, for example, 30 mm, and a part of it is covered by the downstream tip paper 84.

[0081] By the way, the hardness of the filter segment 74 can be obtained based on the following formula (1) using the equipment shown in FIG. 5.

[0082] The method for measuring the hardness of the filter segment 74 in the direction perpendicular to the major axis (central axis) of the filter segment 74, as represented by the following equation (1), is described below.

[0083] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, Ds represents the diameter of the cross-section of the filter segment 74 in the direction perpendicular to the long axis before the load F is applied. Dd represents the diameter of the cross-section of the filter segment 74 in the direction perpendicular to the long axis when the load F is applied to the filter segment 74. The load F is a load applied to the filter segment 74 in the direction perpendicular to its long axis under the conditions of a compressive load of 3 N / mm and a compression time of 10 seconds. The hardness of the filter segment 74 in the direction perpendicular to its long axis is closer to 100.0% the harder it is.

[0084] The stiffness of the filter segment 74 in the direction perpendicular to the long axis is calculated by the following steps (i) to (iii).

[0085] (i) Determine the diameter Ds of the cross-section of the filter segment 74 in a direction perpendicular to the long axis before applying the load F.

[0086] (ii) A load F of 3 N / mm and a compression time of 10 seconds is applied to the filter segment 74 in a direction perpendicular to its long axis, and Dd is calculated by subtracting the depth to which it is pushed in by the load F from Ds. The load F is applied to the filter segment 74 by pressing a plunger 101 (diameter 12 mm) of a device such as the SODIM-H hardness module (manufactured by SODIM) shown in Figure 5 against the filter segment 74.

[0087] (iii) From Ds and Dd, calculate the hardness of the filter segment 74 in the direction perpendicular to the major axis based on equation (1).

[0088] The calculation formula is: Hardness (%) in the direction perpendicular to the major axis of the filter segment 74 = (Dd / Ds) × 100 (1).

[0089] The hardness of the filter segment 74 depends on user preference, but it is preferable to have a hardness of 80% or more, and more preferably 85% or more. Furthermore, it is preferable that the hardness of the filter segment 74 be 95% or less.

[0090] In this embodiment, the basis weight of the inner sheet 74c is greater than that of the filter wrapper 74b. Therefore, using thick paper, high-density paper, and high-rigidity paper for the inner sheet 74c makes it easier to ensure the overall rigidity of the filter segment 74. On the other hand, when using such paper, if a seam is provided in the inner sheet 74c, the thickness of the seam reduces the overall roundness of the filter segment 74. If the inner sheet 74c is made into a butt joint structure where the ends 76a and 76b do not overlap, the effect of the thickness of the seam can be eliminated.

[0091] Here, the paper filter, which is the filter segment packing material 74a, is a filter with a high filtration rate. In the future, considering the impact on the environment, there is a possibility of replacing, for example, the acetate filter with a paper filter. In the rod 14 used in the non-combustion heating type aerosol generation system 10, appropriate low filtration is required. If low filtration is to be achieved with a paper filter as the filter segment packing material 74a, it is necessary to reduce the packing density of the filter segment packing material (paper filter) 74a that serves as the filter medium. That is, when aiming for the same filtration rate, if the filter segment packing material 74a is a sheet material such as paper or nonwoven fabric, the overall hardness of the filter segment 74 tends to be lower compared to when the filter segment packing material 74a is acetate tow. To compensate for this decrease in the overall hardness of the filter segment 74, it is effective to use a filter segment 74 having an inner sheet 74c as described in this embodiment.

[0092] In other words, when a filter segment 74 with a relatively low packing density and relatively low filtration is required, the overall hardness of the filter segment 74 will be low. In this case, by using an inner sheet 74c, as in the filter segment 74 of this embodiment, a filter segment 74 with appropriate hardness can be obtained.

[0093] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a filter segment 74 that can ensure appropriate hardness depending on the filter material arranged in the filter wrapper, an aerosol product 14 having the filter segment 74, and an aerosol generation system 10 having the aerosol product 14.

[0094] Next, we will explain the roundness of the filter segment 74. The roundness can be obtained based on the following equation (2).

[0095] For example, the roundness of the end face of the filter segment 74 is measured using the SODIM-D diameter module with Laser (manufactured by SODIM) or an alternative device (more than 100 scans per second).

[0096] Furthermore, the diameter of each test piece (filter segment 74) is scanned using a laser, and the roundness is calculated from the maximum, minimum, and average values ​​to obtain the value.

[0097] The formula for calculation is: Roundness (%) = (1 - (Maximum diameter - Minimum diameter) / Average diameter) × 100 (2)

[0098] The roundness of the filter segment 74, that is, the roundness of the suction end 14b on the rod 14, is preferably 85% or more, and more preferably 90% or more. Furthermore, the roundness of the filter segment 74, that is, the roundness of the suction end 14b on the rod 14, is even more preferably 100%, or close to that upper limit.

[0099] According to the embodiments 1 and 3 shown in Figures 12, 13B, and 14B, which will be described later, the roundness of the filter segment 74, that is, the roundness of the suction end 14b on the rod 14, can be ensured to be 85% or more.

[0100] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a filter segment 74 that can ensure appropriate hardness and appropriate roundness depending on the filter material arranged in the filter wrapper, an aerosol product 14 having the filter segment 74, and an aerosol generation system 10 having the aerosol product 14.

[0101] The above configuration of the rod 14 is just one example; the upstream segment 42 may lack the tip segment 52 and consist only of the aerosol-generating segment 54. Furthermore, the aerosol-generating segment 54 may comprise multiple segments.

[0102] Furthermore, the downstream segment 44 may lack the intermediate segment 62 and consist only of the mouthpiece segment 64. The mouthpiece segment 64 may consist only of the filter segment 74. In other words, the rod 14 may consist only of one or more aerosol generating segments 54 and the filter segment 74.

[0103] (First Modification) The first modification of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 6 to 8.

[0104] Figures 6 to 8 are schematic diagrams showing examples of filter segments 74 according to the first modified example, respectively.

[0105] As described above, using thick, high-density, and highly rigid paper for the inner sheet 74c makes it easier to ensure the overall rigidity of the filter segment 74 even if the filling density of the filter segment filler 74a is appropriately low. On the other hand, the appearance (roundness) of the filter segment 74 is ensured by the seam portion 78 of the filter wrapper 74b. If the ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c are far from the seam portion 78 of the filter wrapper 74b, the elastic force (restoring force) of the ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c may make it easier to see from the appearance whether the ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c are in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the filter wrapper 74b. In addition, this condition may make it easier for the user to understand the position of the ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c relative to the filter wrapper 74b by touch when gripping the filter segment 74c.

[0106] For example, as shown in Figure 6, it is preferable that the ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c be positioned directly below the seam portion 78 of the filter wrapper 74b. That is, the opposing or abutting positions of the inner sheet 74c are within the range of the position (seam position) of the seam portion 78 of the filter wrapper 74b. In this case, the increased strength due to the overlap of the two filter wrappers 74b, i.e., the elastic force of the inner sheet 74c directly below the seam portion 78, suppresses deformation of the ends 76a and 76b due to the elastic force of the inner sheet 74c, and suppresses contact between the ends 76a and 76b and the inner surface of the filter wrapper 74b. For this reason, in the example shown in Figure 6, it is possible to improve the roundness while maintaining the overall hardness of the filter segment 74 to the same extent as in the example shown in Figure 3.

[0107] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, for example, one end (one end) 76a of the inner sheet 74c is offset by an appropriate angle +θ from the end (inner end) 78a of the filter wrapper 74b that is closer to the seam portion 78. Also, as shown in Figure 8, for example, the other end (the other end) 76b of the inner sheet 74c is offset by an appropriate angle -θ from the end (outer end) 78b of the filter wrapper 74b that is closer to the seam portion 78. The further the positional relationship between the seam portion 78 of the filter wrapper 74b and the ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c, the greater the deformation of the filter wrapper 74b by the ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c tends to be. It is preferable that the angle θ is within a range of about ±30°. That is, it is preferable that the opposing or abutting position of the inner sheet 74c is at a position where the angle θ from the inner end of the seam portion 78 of the filter wrapper 74b is ±30° or less. With a deviation of this angle θ, the ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c are located close to the seam portion 78, and deformation of the filter wrapper 74b due to the ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c can be suppressed.

[0108] According to this modified example, it is possible to provide a filter segment 74 that can ensure appropriate hardness depending on the filter material placed in the filter wrapper, and can also have appropriate roundness, an aerosol product 14 having the filter segment 74, and an aerosol generation system 10 having the aerosol product 14.

[0109] (Second Modification) A second modification of the filter segment 74 will be described using Figures 9 to 11.

[0110] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the filter segment 74. Figures 10A to 10H show the inner sheet 74c of the filter segment 74 shown in Figure 9 in an unfolded state, respectively. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing apparatus 150 for the filter segment 74 shown in Figure 9.

[0111] The filter segment 74 shown in Figure 9 is made of the same material as that shown in Figure 3. The inner sheet 74c shown in Figure 9 is provided with a processed portion 76c that reduces the elastic force of the inner sheet 74c compared to the example shown in Figure 3, making it easier to maintain the inner sheet 74c as a perfect circle. The processed portion 76c is patterned to adjust its hardness. By applying the pattern processing of the processed portion 76c to the inner sheet 74c, the rigidity of the inner sheet 74c itself can be adjusted, making it easier to position the inner sheet 74c around the outer circumference of the filter segment filler 74a.

[0112] Examples of the workpiece portion 76c are shown in Figures 10A to 10H. Figures 10A to 10H show the inner sheet 74c unfolded. The flow direction (left side) of the inner sheet 74c in Figures 10A to 10H is the direction in which it flows when supplied from the bobbin 174a as shown in Figure 11 and formed as the filter segment 74.

[0113] In the example shown in Figure 10A, the workpiece portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c has numerous cuts of appropriate length along the flow direction (X-axis direction) of the inner sheet 74c. For example, the length of the cuts in the workpiece portion 76c is 0.5 mm, and the distance between the rear cuts is 0.3 mm. Also, the distance between adjacent cuts in the width direction is, for example, 0.1 mm.

[0114] Each notch may or may not penetrate the inner sheet 74c. If the notches in the inner sheet 74c do not penetrate, the notches may be on the inner circumference or the outer circumference when the inner sheet 74c covers the filter segment packing material 74a. The processed portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c may be embossed or debossed. This is also true in Figures 10B to 10H.

[0115] In the example shown in Figure 10B, the workpiece portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c has notches that are inclined with respect to the flow direction (X-axis direction) of the inner sheet 74c. It is preferable that each notch is parallel. The length of each notch is, for example, about 0.5 mm.

[0116] In the example shown in Figure 10C, the workpiece portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c has a number of holes (round holes) formed at appropriate intervals along the flow direction of the inner sheet 74c, and at appropriate intervals in a cross direction (width direction) perpendicular to the flow direction, for example. When each hole is a round hole, the diameter of the hole is about 0.1 mm. For example, the spacing between holes in the workpiece portion 76c along the flow direction of the inner sheet 74c is, for example, about 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, and the spacing between adjacent holes in the width direction is, for example, 0.1 mm.

[0117] In the example shown in Figure 10D, the notches in the workpiece portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c are each formed in a roughly U-shape. The pair of ends of the roughly U-shape drawn in a single stroke by the notches in the workpiece portion 76c face the end 76a side of the inner sheet 74c. The pair of ends may also face the end 76b side of the inner sheet 74c. In these cases, when the sheet-like member 130c, described later, is cut to an appropriate length to form the inner sheet 74c, even if the notches are cut, there is no annular portion, so chips are less likely to be produced.

[0118] In the example shown in Figure 10E, the cuts in the processed portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c are formed as appropriate curved patterns. The cuts in the processed portion 76c have a component that follows the flow direction and a component that intersects the flow direction. When the sheet-like member 130c, described later, is cut to an appropriate length to form the inner sheet 74c, even if the cuts are cut, there is no annular portion, so chips are less likely to be produced.

[0119] In the example shown in Figure 10F, the notches in the processed portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c are not evenly formed between the ends 76a and 76b, but are provided in two rows spaced apart in the Y-axis direction along the X-axis direction.

[0120] In the example shown in Figure 10G, the notches in the workpiece portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c are not evenly formed between the ends 76a and 76b, but are provided in two rows spaced apart in the Y-axis direction along the X-axis direction.

[0121] The cuts shown in Figure 10F and Figure 10G are oriented in different directions.

[0122] In the example shown in Figure 10H, the notches in the processed portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c are provided only near the ends 76a and 76b. The notches in the processed portion 76c are provided in two rows spaced apart in the Y-axis direction along the X-axis direction, which is the same as the notches shown in Figures 10F and 10G. If the inner sheet 74c has appropriate rigidity, providing the processed portion 76c, i.e., the notches, near the ends 76a and 76b makes the area near the ends 76a and 76b softer. For this reason, such a filter segment 74 makes it easier to press the ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c against the inner surface of the filter wrapper 74b, and makes it easier to orient the ends 76a and 76b of the inner sheet 74c so that they face each other.

[0123] Therefore, by adjusting the way the processed portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c of the filter segment 74 is provided, that is, by adjusting the way the notches are made, it is possible to make the filter segment 74 closer to a perfect circle.

[0124] On the other hand, if there is no processed portion 76c, the elastic force (restoring force) of the inner sheet 74c will act, and there is a possibility that it will still have an effect on the roundness of the filter segment 74. By forming a processed portion 76c appropriately on the inner sheet 74c, that is, by applying a pattern, it is possible to improve the overall hardness of the filter segment 74 while achieving an appropriate degree of roundness.

[0125] Furthermore, regardless of how the notches in the workpiece portion 76c are made as shown in Figures 10A to 10H, when the inner sheet 74c is cut in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction (Y-axis direction), chips are less likely to be generated.

[0126] The workpiece 76c is not limited to these, but could include, for example, embossing, debossing, half-cutting, cutting, weakening lines, or crimping, as described later.

[0127] When forming a filter segment 74 using an inner sheet 74c having a workpiece portion 76c as shown in Figure 9, a channel (air layer) may be formed between the outer surface of the inner sheet 74c and the inner surface of the filter wrapper 74b. A space (air layer) may be formed between the outer surface of the inner sheet 74c and the inner surface of the filter wrapper 74b, with some parts in contact and others not. Relatively high-temperature aerosols may pass through the filter segment 74 and transfer heat to the user's lips. These spaces created by the air layer can block the heat and suppress the transfer of heat to the user's lips. For example, if a material that is relatively thick but has low density is used as the inner sheet 74c, the shape of the workpiece portion 76c is likely to remain. Therefore, when forming a space with an air layer and blocking heat from relatively high-temperature aerosols with the filter segment 74, it is preferable to use a material that is relatively thick but has low density.

[0128] The manufacturing apparatus 150 for the filter segment 74 will be described with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the manufacturing apparatus 150 for manufacturing the filter segment 74 of the flavor product according to this modified example.

[0129] Figure 11 defines the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. The X-axis direction is the direction in which the sheet material 130a, which will become the filter segment packing material 74a, is transported from the feed section 162 (described later) toward the cutting section 158.

[0130] As shown in Figure 11, the rod manufacturing apparatus 150 for the non-combustion heating type aerosol generation system 10 includes a sheet material 130a supply unit 152, a sheet material 130a processing unit 154, a rod forming unit (upper part of the rod winding) 156, and a rod cutting section 158. Here, the rod is a filter segment 74. The supply unit 152, processing unit 154, rod forming unit 156, and rod cutting section 158 are controlled by a control device (not shown).

[0131] The supply unit 152 supplies the sheet material 130a so as to transport it in a predetermined direction. The supply unit 152 includes a bobbin 152a, a dancer unit 152b, and an auxiliary roller 152c.

[0132] In this embodiment, the sheet material 130a is wound around the axis of a shaft 152a1 that is, for example, parallel to the Y-axis direction on the bobbin 152a. The original length of the sheet material 130a (the length of the sheet material 130a wound on the bobbin 152a) is formed to an appropriate length, such as 50m to 100m or more. The sheet material 130a is fed out in a predetermined direction (dancer unit 152b) from the bobbin (raw paper roll) 152a, which rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 152a1. The sheet material 130a is fed out in the longitudinal direction of the sheet material 130a while its movement in the longitudinal direction is controlled, for example, by constant speed or constant tension.

[0133] The width of the sheet material 130a is, for example, 200 mm, but it may be larger or smaller.

[0134] The dancer unit 152b is located downstream of the bobbin 152a and upstream of the feed section 162 of the processing unit 154, which will be described later. The dancer unit 152b adjusts the sheet material 130a to minimize changes in the tension of the sheet material 130a caused by changes in the diameter of the bobbin 152a, changes in the feed speed of the sheet material 130a, etc. The dancer unit 152b passes the sheet material 130a through in a zigzag pattern.

[0135] An auxiliary roller 152c is provided downstream of the dancer unit 152b. The auxiliary roller 152c changes the orientation of the sheet material 130a that has passed through the dancer unit 152b toward the feed section 162, which will be described later.

[0136] The processing unit 154 performs preliminary work to form the sheet material 130a as part of the filter segment 74 of the rod 14, and also forms regions in one segment 74 to change the airflow resistance. The processing unit 154 has a feed section 162, a crimp section 164, and an additive section 166 along the flow of the sheet material 130a, which is made of, for example, paper.

[0137] The feed section 162 moves the sheet material 130a downstream while the sheet material 130a has appropriate tension in the X-axis direction.

[0138] Downstream of the feed section 162, a crimping section (crimping section) 164 is provided for crimping the sheet material 130a. The crimping section 164 crimps the sheet material 130a that is conveyed from the supply section 152. The crimping section 164 is used to form longitudinal wrinkles along the X-axis direction on the sheet material 130a, which makes it easier to form the sheet material 130a into a rod shape. In other words, the crimping section 164 creates creases along the longitudinal direction to make it easier to fold the sheet material 130a when forming it into a rod.

[0139] An additive section 166 is provided downstream of the crimped section 164. The additive section 166 has a liquid additive section 166a and a granular additive section 166b. The additive section 166 may add an additive to the filter segment packing material 74a of the sheet material 130a when the sheet material 130a is crimped and formed into a cylindrical rod. The additive may be a liquid, a granule (solid), or both. In this modified example, the additive section 166 may not be used. Therefore, the sheet material 130a may pass through the liquid additive section 166a and / or the granular additive section 166b of the additive section 166 without passing through.

[0140] A rod forming section 156 is provided downstream of the additive section 166. The rod forming section 156 forms the sheet material 130a into a rod with a substantially circular cross-section, that is, a substantially cylindrical appearance, and a long length along the axial direction. The rod forming section 156 includes a first supply mechanism 172 for supplying the sheet-like member 130b that will become the filter wrapper 74b, a second supply mechanism 174 for supplying the sheet-like member 130c that will become the inner sheet 74c, and a wrapping section 176.

[0141] The first supply mechanism 172 supplies the sheet-like member 130b supplied from the bobbin 172a to the wrapping section 176 together with the sheet material 130a. The sheet-like member 130b becomes the filter wrapper 74b around which the filter segment filler 74a is wound when forming the filter segment 74.

[0142] The second supply mechanism 174 includes a bobbin 174a around which the sheet-like member 130c is wound, and a processing unit 174b that processes the sheet-like member 130c supplied from the bobbin 174a into a workpiece 76c of the inner sheet 74c. The processing unit 174b forms a workpiece 76c on the sheet-like member 130c, for example, as illustrated in Figures 10A to 10H.

[0143] The second supply mechanism 174 then supplies the sheet-like member 130c to the wrapping section 176 together with the sheet material 130a and the sheet-like member 130b. The sheet-like member 130c becomes a roughly C-shaped inner sheet 74c that is placed between the filter segment filler 74a and the filter wrapper 74b when forming the filter segment 74.

[0144] Furthermore, the width of the sheet-like member 130c that becomes the inner sheet 74c is smaller than the width of the sheet-like member 130b that becomes the filter wrapper 74b.

[0145] The wrapping section 176 is formed such that the passage diameter narrows as it moves from upstream to downstream. As the wrapping section 176 moves from upstream to downstream, it narrows the width through which the sheet material 130a passes, and deforms the planar sheet material 130a into a roughly bellows shape, for example, according to the longitudinal wrinkles along the X-axis formed by the crimped section 164. The sheet material 130a is then regularly or randomly compressed, and its shape approaches that of a cylindrical rod.

[0146] In the wrapping section 176, as you move from upstream to downstream, you wrap the outer circumference of the sheet material 130a that is closer to the rod with the sheet material 130c so that the ends 76a and 76b do not overlap. Also, as you move from upstream to downstream, you wrap the outer circumference of the sheet material 130c with the sheet material 130b.

[0147] Then, in the wrapping section 176, adhesive is applied to one end face in the width direction of the sheet-like member 130b, and the end faces of the sheet-like members 130b are joined together by the adhesive. In this way, the rod forming section 156 of the manufacturing apparatus 150 can wind up the sheet material 130a into a continuous filter rod 180 with the sheet-like member 130c that will become the inner sheet 74c and the sheet-like member 130b that will become the wrapper 74b.

[0148] The cutting section 158 then cuts the filter continuous rod 180 so as to be perpendicular to the axial direction of the filter continuous rod 180. The cutting section 158 sequentially cuts the filter continuous rod 180, which has been wound up by the wrapping section 176 of the rod forming section 156, to predetermined lengths to obtain filter segments 74.

[0149] As described above, the cutting section 158 cuts the filter continuous rod 180 at predetermined lengths perpendicular to the axial direction of the filter continuous rod 180 to obtain filter segments 74. In this case, even if the workpiece portion 76c is formed to penetrate the inner sheet 74c, a closed shape is not formed in the example shown in Figures 10A to 10H. Therefore, when using the sheet-like member 130c according to the example shown in Figures 10A to 10H, in order to form filter segments 74 of a predetermined length, the cutting section 158 prevents some of the chips from falling off the sheet-like member 130c and becoming debris.

[0150] The processing section 174b may also be configured as a crimping section that crimps the sheet-like member 130c, similar to the crimping section 164 that crimps the sheet material 130a. In this case, the crimping depth of the sheet material 130a by the crimping section 164 is deeper than the crimping depth of the sheet-like member 130c that becomes the inner sheet 74c by the processing section 174b. Alternatively, the crimping spacing of the sheet material 130a by the crimping section 164 is narrower than the crimping spacing of the sheet-like member 130c that becomes the inner sheet 74c by the processing section 174b. Thus, the processed portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c is not limited to the examples shown in Figures 10A to 10H, and may be crimped in any other way. By performing the above-described crimping on the sheet material 130a, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of pores in the cylindrically formed filter segment filler 74a at the suction end 14b of the filter segment 74.

[0151] Furthermore, if the processing section 174b of the second supply mechanism 174 is not used, the filter segment manufacturing apparatus 150 can produce a filter segment 74 in which the inner sheet 74c does not have a processed section 76c, as shown in Figures 3, 6 to 8.

[0152] Furthermore, in the wrapping section 176 of the filter segment 74 manufacturing apparatus 150, the positional relationship between the widthwise ends of the sheet-like member 130c that will become the inner sheet 74c and the widthwise ends of the sheet-like member 130b that will become the filter wrapper 74b can be adjusted. Therefore, by using the filter segment 74 manufacturing apparatus 150, for example, the filter segments 74 shown in Figures 3, 6 to 9 can be obtained.

[0153] [Examples] Figure 12 shows a table of the presence / absence of the inner sheet 74c in the filter segment 74 and the presence / absence of the processed portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c. Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Examples 1-4 will be described here. The material of the filter segment filler 74a and the material of the filter wrapper 74b are common to Comparative Examples 1 and 2 and Examples 1-4. The material of the filter segment filler 74a has a basis weight of 25 g / m². ２It is a paper with a thickness of 65 μm and an air permeability of 12000 Cholesta units. The material of the filter wrapper 74b has a basis weight of 27 g / m². ２ It is a paper with a thickness of 45 μm and a breathability of 0, a Cholesta unit. The material of the inner sheet 74c has a basis weight of 82 g / m². ２ It is a paper with a thickness of 100 μm and a breathability of 0 Cholesta units.

[0154] The sheet width (width along the Y-axis direction of the sheet material 130a) of the filter segment filler 74a before processing in Comparative Example 1 and Examples 1 and 2 is 200 mm, and the crimp depth of the filter segment filler 74a is 0.5 mm. Also, the amount of filter segment filler 74a is the same in Comparative Example 1 and Examples 1 and 2.

[0155] The sheet width of the filter segment filler 74a before processing in Comparative Example 2 and Examples 3 and 4 was 160 mm, and the crimp depth of the filter segment filler 74a was 0.7 mm. Furthermore, the amount of filter segment filler 74a was the same in Comparative Example 2 and Examples 3 and 4.

[0156] The inner diameter of the filter wrappers 74b in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 is the same, and the inner diameter of the filter wrappers 74b in Examples 1-4 is also the same.

[0157] The density of the filter segment packing material 74a in Examples 1 and 2 is the same, and the density of the filter segment packing material 74a in Examples 3 and 4 is the same.

[0158] Furthermore, the density of the filter segment packing material 74a in Comparative Example 2, Examples 3, and 4 is lower compared to Comparative Example 1, Examples 1, and 2.

[0159] Figure 13A shows the hardness of the filter segments 74 of Comparative Example 1 and Examples 1 and 2 when the sheet width (width along the Y-axis direction of the sheet material 130a) of the filter segment filler 74a before processing is 200 mm. Figure 13B shows the roundness of the filter segments 74 of Comparative Example 1 and Examples 1 and 2 when the sheet width of the filter segment filler 74a before processing is 200 mm.

[0160] As shown in Figure 13A, when the filter segment 74 uses the same filter segment filler 74a and the same filter wrapper 74b, the presence of an inner sheet 74c makes the filter segment 74 harder compared to the case without the inner sheet 74c. In this way, the hardness of the filter segment 74 can be adjusted by the presence or absence of the inner sheet 74c.

[0161] Furthermore, compared to the filter segment 74 of Example 1, which lacks the processed portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c, the hardness of the filter segment 74 of Example 2, which has the processed portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c, is reduced. In this way, the hardness of the filter segment 74 can be adjusted by the presence or absence of the processed portion 76c of the inner sheet 74c.

[0162] As shown in Figure 13B, comparing Comparative Example 1 and Examples 1 and 2, the roundness is lower when the inner sheet 74c is present compared to when it is absent. On the other hand, comparing Examples 1 and 2, even when the inner sheet 74c is present, if the workpiece portion 76c is present, the roundness of the filter segment 74 can be brought closer to that of Comparative Example 1, where the inner sheet 74c is absent, compared to when the workpiece portion 76c is absent.

[0163] Figure 14A shows the hardness of the filter segments 74 of Comparative Example 2 and Examples 3 and 4 when the sheet width of the filter segment filler 74a before processing is 160 mm. Figure 14B shows the roundness of the filter segments 74 of Comparative Example 2 and Examples 3 and 4 when the sheet width of the filter segment filler 74a before processing is 160 mm.

[0164] As shown in Figure 14A, when the filter segment 74 uses the same filter segment filler 74a and the same filter wrapper 74b, the presence of an inner sheet 74c makes the filter segment 74 harder compared to the case without the inner sheet 74c. In this way, the hardness of the filter segment 74 can be adjusted by the presence or absence of the inner sheet 74c.

[0165] Furthermore, compared to the case of the filter segment 74 in Example 3, where the inner sheet 74c has no processed portion 76c, the hardness of the filter segment 74 in Example 4, where the inner sheet 74c has a processed portion 76c, is reduced. In this way, the hardness of the filter segment 74 can be adjusted by the presence or absence of the processed portion 76c on the inner sheet 74c.

[0166] As shown in Figure 14B, comparing Comparative Example 2 and Examples 3 and 4, the roundness is lower when the inner sheet 74c is present compared to when it is absent. On the other hand, comparing Examples 3 and 4, even when the inner sheet 74c is present, if the workpiece portion 76c is present, the roundness of the filter segment 74 can be brought closer to that of Comparative Example 2, where the inner sheet 74c is absent, compared to when the workpiece portion 76c is absent.

[0167] Referring to Figures 13A and 14A, the hardness of the filter segment 74 can be 80% or more, or 85% or more, depending on the user's preference. On the other hand, it is preferable that the hardness of the filter segment 74 be 95% or less. That is, even when the amount of filter segment packing material 74a is reduced in Examples 3 and 4 compared to Examples 1 and 2, and the density of the filter material is lowered to achieve low filtration, the filter segment 74 can maintain an appropriate hardness. Therefore, referring to Figures 13B and 14B, the roundness of the filter segment 74, that is, the roundness of the suction end 14b on the rod 14, can be 85% or more, or 90% or more. Furthermore, it is even more preferable that the roundness of the filter segment 74, that is, the roundness of the suction end 14b on the rod 14, be 100%, or close to that upper limit.

[0168] (Second Embodiment) The combustion-type aerosol product 214 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 15. This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and components having the same function as those described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as much as possible, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0169] The aerosol product (rod) 214 according to this embodiment, shown in Figure 15, is, for example, a cigarette. For example, the aerosol product (rod) 214 has an aerosol generating segment 54 and a filter segment 74. The outer periphery of the aerosol generating segment 54 and the filter segment 74 is covered with tip paper 84.

[0170] Generally, the filter segment 74 of the cigarette article 214 is required to have higher filtration performance than the filter segment 74 of the rod 14 described in the first embodiment. Let's assume that the filter segment 74 of article 214 and the filter segment 74 of the rod 14 described in the first embodiment are the same size. In this case, for example, the width of the sheet material 130a described using Figures 12 and 13 should be greater than 200 mm, and the packing density of the filter segment packing material 74a inside the filter wrapper 74b and inner sheet 74c should be greater than the packing density of the filter segment packing material 74a of the rod 14 described in the first embodiment. The packing density of the filter segment 74 of article 214 is 0.12 g / cc (g / cm³). ３ It is preferable that the amount is 0.20 g / cc or less, and above 0.20 g / cc.

[0171] In this case, the filter segment 74 of article 214 can exhibit higher filtration performance than the filter segment 74 of rod 14 described in the first embodiment.

[0172] On the other hand, the filter segment 74 of article 214 may be harder than the filter segment 74 of rod 14 described in the first embodiment, in order to increase the packing density. In this case, the hardness of the filter segment 74 can be adjusted by appropriately selecting the inner sheet 74c, such as making the density of the inner sheet 74c lower than the density of the inner sheet 74c of the filter segment 74 of rod 14 described in the first embodiment. It is preferable that the circumferential taper stiffness of the inner sheet 74c be 0.15 to 0.7 mN·m.

[0173] The airflow resistance of the filter segment 74 of article 214 is, for example, 0.1 to 7 mmH. ２It is preferable that the ratio be 0 / mm.

[0174] Therefore, according to this embodiment, a filter segment 74 is provided that can ensure appropriate hardness depending on the filter material (filter segment packing material 74a) arranged in the filter wrapper 74b, and an aerosol product 214 having the filter segment 74 is provided. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a filter segment 74 is provided that can ensure appropriate hardness depending on the filter material arranged in the filter wrapper 74b and also have appropriate roundness, and an aerosol product 214 having the filter segment 74 is provided.

[0175] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways during implementation without departing from its essence. Furthermore, each embodiment may be combined as appropriate, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Moreover, the above embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by selecting combinations from the multiple constituent elements disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and effects obtained even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, then the configuration with these deleted constituent elements can be extracted as an invention.

[0176] Based on the embodiments described above, the following can be said.

[0177] [Note 1] A filter segment for aerosol products comprising: a hollow or solid filter segment filler; a filter wrapper around which the filter segment filler is wound; and an inner sheet provided between the inside of the filter wrapper and the filter segment filler, and arranged to cover at least a portion of the filter segment filler in the circumferential direction, wherein the basis weight of the inner sheet is greater than that of the filter wrapper, and the circumferential ends of the inner sheet are not adhered to each other.

[0178] [Note 2] The filter segment described in Note 1, wherein the width of the inner sheet is smaller than the width of the filter wrapper.

[0179] [Note 3] The filter segment described in Note 1 or Note 2, wherein one end and the other end of the inner sheet are spaced apart and facing each other, or are in contact with each other.

[0180] [Note 4] The filter segment as described in Note 3, wherein the filter wrapper is provided with a seam portion that fixes the ends of the filter wrappers together, and the opposing or abutting positions of the inner sheet are located at a position of ±30° or less from the inner end of the seam portion of the filter wrapper.

[0181] [Note 5] The filter segment as described in Note 3, wherein the filter wrapper has a seam portion that fixes the ends of the filter wrappers together, and the opposing or abutting positions of the inner sheet are within the range of the seam position of the filter wrapper.

[0182] [Note 6] The filter segment according to any one of Notes 1 to 5, wherein the basis weight of the inner sheet is 70 gsm or more, preferably 80 gsm or more.

[0183] [Note 7] The filter segment according to any one of Notes 1 to 6, wherein the density of the inner sheet is 0.7 g / cc or more, preferably 0.8 g / cc or more.

[0184] [Note 8] The inner sheet is patterned for hardness adjustment, as described in any one of Notes 1 to 7.

[0185] [Note 9] The filter segment according to any one of Notes 1 to 8, wherein the packing density of the filter segment packing material is 0.1 g / cc or more and 0.15 g / cc or less, preferably 0.12 g / cc or less.

[0186] [Note 10] The filter segment packing material is a filter segment according to any one of Notes 1 to 9, formed from a sheet material.

[0187] [Note 11] The filter segment according to Note 10, wherein the sheet material and the inner sheet are each crimped, and the crimp depth of the sheet material is deeper than the crimp depth of the inner sheet, or the crimp spacing of the sheet material is narrower than the crimp spacing of the inner sheet.

[0188] [Note 12] An aerosol product comprising an aerosol generating segment and a filter segment according to any one of Notes 1 to 11.

[0189] [Note 13] A non-combustible aerosol product comprising an aerosol generating segment, a filter segment described in any one of Notes 1 to 11, and an intermediate segment disposed between the aerosol generating segment and the filter segment.

[0190] [Appendix 14] An aerosol generation system comprising the aerosol product described in Appendix 12 or Appendix 13, and a heater for heating the aerosol generation segment to a target temperature.

[0191] 10...Non-combustion heating type aerosol generation system, 12...Heater, 14...Rod, 14a...Tip, 14b...Inlet end, 22...Housing, 24...Battery unit, 30...Heat transfer section, 32...Heater, 34...Control circuit, 42...Upstream segment, 44...Downstream segment, 52...Tip segment, 52a...Tip segment filling section, 52b...Tip segment wrapper, 54...Aerosol generation segment, 54a...Filler material, 54b...Segment wrapper, 62...Intermediate segment, 64...Mouthpiece segment, 64a...Mouthpiece wrapper, 72...Hollow segment, 72a...Filling layer, 72a...Hollow segment filler, 74...Filter segment, 74a...Filter segment filler, 74b...Filter wrapper, 74c...Inner sheet, 76a, 76b...Ends, 76c...Workpiece, 78...Seam, 78a, 78b...Ends, 82...Upstream tip paper, 84...Downstream tip paper.

Claims

1. A filter segment for aerosol products comprising: a hollow or solid filter segment filler; a filter wrapper around which the filter segment filler is wound; and an inner sheet provided between the inside of the filter wrapper and the filter segment filler, and arranged to cover at least a portion of the filter segment filler in the circumferential direction, wherein the basis weight of the inner sheet is greater than that of the filter wrapper, and the circumferential ends of the inner sheet are not adhered to each other.

2. The filter segment according to claim 1, wherein the width of the inner sheet is smaller than the width of the filter wrapper.

3. The filter segment according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one end and the other end of the inner sheet are spaced apart and facing each other, or are in contact with each other.

4. The filter segment according to claim 3, wherein the filter wrapper is provided with a seam portion for fixing the ends of the filter wrapper together, and the opposing or abutting position of the inner sheet is located at a position of ±30° or less from the inner end of the seam portion of the filter wrapper.

5. The filter segment according to claim 3, wherein the filter wrapper has a seam portion that fixes the ends of the filter wrapper together, and the opposing or abutting positions of the inner sheet are within the range of the seam position of the filter wrapper.

6. The filter segment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the basis weight of the inner sheet is 70 gsm or more, preferably 80 gsm or more.

7. The filter segment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the density of the inner sheet is 0.7 g / cc or more, preferably 0.8 g / cc or more.

8. The filter segment according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inner sheet is subjected to a pattern processing for hardness adjustment.

9. The filter segment according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the packing density of the filter segment packing material is 0.1 g / cc or more and 0.15 g / cc or less, preferably 0.12 g / cc or less.

10. The filter segment according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the filter segment packing material is formed of a sheet material.

11. The filter segment according to claim 10, wherein the sheet material and the inner sheet are each crimped, and the crimp depth of the sheet material is deeper than the crimp depth of the inner sheet, or the crimp spacing of the sheet material is narrower than the crimp spacing of the inner sheet.

12. An aerosol product comprising an aerosol generating segment and a filter segment according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A non-combustible aerosol product comprising an aerosol generating segment, a filter segment according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and an intermediate segment disposed between the aerosol generating segment and the filter segment.

14. An aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol product according to claim 12 or claim 13, and a heater for heating the aerosol generation segment to a target temperature.

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