Machine and method for producing rods for use in aerosol generating articles

Abstract

To secure the quality of a rod and an aerosol generation article by preventing biting, winding and breakage of a sheet caused by the characteristics of the sheet by a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A manufacturing machine (2) of a rod (1) used for an aerosol generating article (80) includes a sheet feeding section (10) configured to feed a sheet (4) used for the rod (1) to a conveying path (14), and a sheet processing section (20) configured to process the sheet (4) by a pair of rollers (22A, 22B) configured to sandwich and convey the sheet (4) in the conveying path (14), wherein at least one of the pair of rollers (22A, 22B) has an injection port (44) configured to inject a compression gas.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine and method for producing rods for use in aerosol production products. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a filter web crimping device that uses a pair of rollers to form a crepe web with vertical wrinkles (crimped portions). This device is equipped with a clogging detection sensor that detects the presence of foreign matter, such as web fragments, in the tooth grooves (recesses) of the crepe roller. When the clogging detection sensor detects foreign matter clogging in the tooth grooves, this device separates the pair of rollers. The device also includes a cleaning unit that cleans the tooth grooves. This cleaning unit uses a scraper that fits into the tooth grooves to scrape out foreign matter from the tooth grooves, and an air nozzle that sprays compressed air toward the scraper to blow away and remove the foreign matter. This prevents the crepe web from getting caught or wrapped around the tooth grooves due to the accumulation of foreign matter, and ultimately prevents damage to the crepe roller. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-204683 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Sheet-like webs used in aerosol products are used as fillers or cigarette papers for rods with various functions, such as the filter rods described in Patent Document 1, as well as for tobacco rods. Such sheets are formed from paper, nonwoven fabric, tobacco sheets, activated carbon-containing paper, films, etc., and have a wide variety of properties. For example, if a sheet has certain properties, when the sheet is processed while being conveyed between a pair of rollers, the sheet may partially stick to the rollers, get caught, and become wrapped around the rollers, which may ultimately cause the sheet to tear.

[0005] In Patent Document 1, a pair of rollers are separated and foreign matter is scraped out and removed from the grooves of the rollers with a scraper, thereby preventing the sheet from getting caught or wrapped around the rollers and thereby preventing damage to the rollers. However, separating the rollers and using a scraper makes the device more complicated, so there is a need for a simpler configuration that not only removes foreign matter from the rollers but also prevents the sheet from getting caught, wrapped around, and tearing due to the characteristics of the sheet as described above, thereby ensuring the quality of the rod and ultimately the aerosol product.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a manufacturing machine and manufacturing method for rods used in aerosol products that have a simple configuration and can ensure the quality of the rods, and ultimately the aerosol products, by preventing the sheets from getting caught, wrapped around, and tearing due to their characteristics. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the rod manufacturing machine for use in the aerosol product of the present invention comprises a sheet supply section that supplies the sheet to be used for the rod to a conveying path, and a sheet processing section that processes the sheet using a pair of rollers that sandwich and convey the sheet in the conveying path, at least one of the pair of rollers having an injection port for injecting compressed gas.

[0008] In addition, the method for manufacturing a rod used in an aerosol product of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a rod used in an aerosol product, and includes a sheet supply step of supplying a sheet to be used in the rod to a conveying path, and a sheet processing step of processing the sheet by a pair of rollers that sandwich and convey the sheet in the conveying path, and the sheet processing step includes an injection process of injecting compressed gas from an injection port formed in at least one of the pair of rollers. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The rod manufacturing machine and manufacturing method used for the aerosol product of the present invention have a simple configuration and can prevent the sheet from getting caught, wrapped around, or torn due to its characteristics, thereby ensuring the quality of the rod and, ultimately, the aerosol product. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a rod manufacturing machine. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a rod. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the crimp roller as seen from the direction AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol product. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol product according to another embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a meshing portion according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a manufacturing machine 2 for manufacturing rods 1 used in aerosol products, and Fig. 2 shows a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing method for rods 1. The manufacturing machine 2 includes, in order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of a sheet 4, which is the material for rods 1, a sheet supply section 10, a sheet processing section 20, a gathering section 30, a wrapping section 40, and a cutting section 50. The sheet supply section 10 includes a roll 6 around which the sheet 4 is wound, a plurality of guide rollers 8, a plurality of dancer rollers 9, and a feed roller 12.

[0012] Each guide roller 8 guides the sheet 4 along the conveying path 14. Each dancer roller 9 is allowed to move up and down and applies tension to the sheet 4 on the conveying path 14. The feed roller 12 pulls and pays out the sheet 4 from the roll 6 via each guide roller 8 and each dancer roller 9. When the production of the rod 1 starts, the sheet supply section 10 configured in this manner continuously pays out the sheet 4 from the roll 6 via each roller 8, 9, 12 and supplies it to the conveying path 14 in the manufacturing machine 2 (S1: sheet supply step).

[0013] The sheet 4 is formed from paper, nonwoven fabric, tobacco sheet, activated carbon-containing paper, film, etc. The sheet 4 is not particularly limited, but may have at least one of the following characteristics: a thickness of 500 μm or more, a binder, or an aerosol base material content of 10% by weight or more. A sheet 4 having these characteristics is prone to jamming when a conventional crimp roller is used. Next, the sheet processing section 20 processes the sheet 4 using a pair of rollers 22A and 22B that sandwich and transport the sheet 4 on the transport path 14 (S2: sheet processing step).

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the crimp roller 22. In this embodiment, a pair of rollers 22A and 22B constitute the crimp roller 22, which forms crimped portions 4a in the sheet 4 when the sheet 4 is conveyed along the conveyance path 14 while sandwiching the rollers 22A and 22B. The roller 22A, one of the rollers constituting the crimp roller 22, has a circumferentially protruding ridge 24 formed on its peripheral surface. The roller 22B, the other of the rollers constituting the crimp roller 22, has a circumferentially protruding ridge 26 formed on its peripheral surface, in which the ridge 24 is positioned. The ridge 24 and the ridge 26 form meshing portions 28 that mesh with each other across the conveyance path 14, and the sheet 4 passes through the meshing portions 28, thereby forming the crimped portions 4a in the sheet 4. The meshing portions 28 are formed along the rotation axes 42a and 42b of the pair of rollers 22A and 22B, i.e., along the width direction Y, which is perpendicular to the conveyance direction X of the sheet 4. That is, comb teeth in which ridges 24 and recesses 26 are alternately formed in the width direction Y are formed on each of the pair of rollers 22A and 22B.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the meshing portions 28. When the sheet 4 is nipped and conveyed along the conveying path 14 in the sheet processing step S2, the meshing portions 28 crimp the sheet 4, forming multiple crimped portions 4a in the sheet 4 (P1: crimping process). The crimping process is a process for forming an uneven pattern on the sheet 4, and by performing this crimping process, the crimped portions 4a are formed in the sheet 4 as uneven wrinkles. Here, in the sheet processing step S2 of this embodiment, compressed gas is injected from an injection port 44 formed in at least one of the pair of rollers 22A, 22B (P2: injection process). In this embodiment, the injection port 44 is formed in each of the grooves 26 of the rollers 22A, 22B. More specifically, the injection port 44 opens in a circular shape on the bottom surface 26a of the grooves 26.

[0016] Specific dimensions of the crimp roller 22 will be described below. The ridges 24 are formed to have a height H and a width W. The recesses 26 are formed to have a depth d (the same as the height H of the ridges 24) and a width W1. The injection ports 44 opening in the bottom surfaces 26a of the recesses 26 have a diameter D and are formed at positions a width W2 from the side surfaces 24a of the ridges 24 located on both sides of the injection port 44. The ridges 24 are erected at a pitch P in the width direction Y of the roller 22A, and the ridges 24 and the recesses 26 mesh with each other at an engagement depth d1.

[0017] Specific values ​​are: height H (depth d): 1.65 mm, width W: 0.3 mm, width W1: 0.75 mm (or 1.2 mm, 2.5 mm), diameter D: 0.5 mm (or 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm, 1.0 mm, 2.0 mm), width W2: 0.125 mm (varies depending on diameter D), pitch P: 1.05 mm (or 1.5 mm, 2.8 mm), d1: 0.5 mm (or 0.1 mm, 1.0 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.6 mm). Note that the above values ​​are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate within or near the ranges of the values ​​described. For example, pitch P may be in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, preferably in the range of 0.7 mm to 2 mm, and more preferably in the range of 0.8 mm to 1.3 mm. The ratio of width W to width W1 within one pitch may be in the range of 1:9 to 2:1, preferably in the range of 2:8 to 1:1, and more preferably in the range of 3:7 to 4:6.

[0018] FIG. 5 shows a side view of roller 22A. A plurality of ejection ports 44 are opened in the bottom surfaces 26a of the plurality of grooves 26. In the case shown in FIG. 5, the ejection ports 44 of grooves 26 adjacent to each other in the width direction Y are formed at positions offset from each other in the circumferential direction Z of roller 22A. The compressed gas ejected from the ejection ports 44 is, for example, compressed air, and is supplied into roller 22A through a gas path 46 formed in the rotation shaft 42a. Note that while FIG. 5 shows roller 22A as a representative, roller 22B is configured in the same way.

[0019] 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the crimp roller 22 as viewed from the direction AA in FIG. 3. Each roller 22A, 22B has a supply section 48 formed therein that supplies compressed gas to the injection ports 44. Each supply section 48 is a space that communicates with the gas paths 46 formed in the rotary shafts 42a, 42b, respectively. Each roller 22A, 22B also has a number of axial holes 52 drilled therein along the axial direction (width direction Y) of the rotary shafts 42a, 42b. Each roller 22A, 22B also has a first communication hole 54 that connects the supply section 48 to the axial holes 52, and a second communication hole 56 that connects the axial holes 52 to the injection ports 44.

[0020] A cylindrical first adjustment member 60 having a C-shaped cross section and a circumferentially cutout portion 58 is attached to the inner circumferential surface of each supply unit 48. The first adjustment member 60 is rotatable around the rotation shafts 42a and 42b, as indicated by the bold arrows. In the sheet processing step S2, the first adjustment member 60 injects the compressed gas supplied to the injection ports 44 only from the injection ports 44 positioned in a predetermined circumferential surface region R1 of the rollers 22A and 22B (P3: first adjustment process). The circumferential surface region R1 is formed on the discharge side of the sheet 4 of the rollers 22A and 22B. The compressed gas is injected from the supply unit 48 through the first communication hole 54, the axial hole 52, and the second communication hole 56 in this order in the circumferential surface region R1.

[0021] On the other hand, compressed gas is not injected from the injection ports 44 other than those in the circumferential region R1 because the first communication holes 54 are blocked by the first adjustment member 60. Since the circumferential region R1 is formed at a position corresponding to the notch 58, the position of the circumferential region R1 can be adjusted by rotating the first adjustment member 60, and therefore the injection ports 44 from which compressed gas is injected can be selected. Furthermore, each of the rollers 22A, 22B has a hood 62 that partially covers the circumferential surface of the rollers 22A, 22B on the discharge side of the sheet 4 of the rollers 22A, 22B, and an exhaust section 64 that exhausts air from the inside of the hood 62.

[0022] In sheet processing step S2, exhaust section 64 collects dust (such as paper dust and fine powder of filler) generated during processing of sheet 4 on the discharge side of rollers 22A and 22B where sheet 4 is carried out, and removes the dust by exhausting it from rollers 22A and 22B via exhaust tube 66 (P4: dust removal process). Rollers 22A and 22B are formed with a diameter D1 at bottom surface 26a of recessed ribs 26, a diameter D2 of axial holes 52, a pitch P1 that is the spacing between nozzles 44, a circumferential angle α at which nozzles 44 are arranged, and a number N of nozzles 44. The specific values ​​are: diameter D1: 180 mm, hole diameter D2: 12.1 mm (or 5 mm), pitch P1: 31.4 mm (or 9.42 mm), circumferential angle α: 20 degrees (or 6 degrees), and number N: 18 (or 60). The above numerical values ​​are merely examples, and can be changed appropriately within the ranges of the numerical values ​​described or in the vicinity thereof.

[0023] 7 shows a cross-sectional view of roller 22A. A second adjustment member 68 capable of closing or opening each of the second communication holes 56 in the axial hole 52 is attached inside roller 22A, where the injection ports 44 are formed. The second adjustment member 68 injects compressed gas supplied from the supply unit 48 only from the injection ports 44 positioned in a predetermined width region R2 in the width direction Y of roller 22A (P5: second adjustment process). The width region R2 is formed approximately in the center of the axial hole 52 in the width direction Y, and the compressed gas is injected from the injection ports 44 in width region R2 after passing from the supply unit 48 through the first communication hole 54, the axial hole 52, and the second communication hole 56 in that order.

[0024] On the other hand, compressed gas is not injected from the injection ports 44 outside of width region R2 because the second communication holes 56 are blocked by the second adjustment members 68. More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 7, two second adjustment members 68 are positioned on either side of the axial hole 52 in the width direction Y. Therefore, compressed gas is injected only from the injection ports 44 in width region R2, which are formed approximately in the center of the axial hole 52 in the width direction Y. The second adjustment members 68 are configured to be movable in the width direction Y either integrally or separately as shown by the thick arrows. By moving one or more second adjustment members 68, the position of width region R2 can be adjusted, and therefore the injection ports 44 from which compressed gas is to be injected can be selected.

[0025] While Fig. 7 shows roller 22A as a representative example, roller 22B is configured similarly. Also, in Fig. 5, the injection ports 44 are formed at positions offset from one another in the circumferential direction Z of roller 22A. However, this is not limiting, and as shown in Fig. 7 (as well as Fig. 4), the injection ports 44 may be formed side by side in the width direction Y without being offset from one another in the circumferential direction Z. Also, the first adjustment process P3 and the second adjustment process P5 may be performed before the injection process P2. Also, the second adjustment process P5 may be performed before the first adjustment process P3.

[0026] Meanwhile, after passing through the sheet processing section 20 performed as described above, the sheet 4 reaches the gathering section 30. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the gathering section 30 gathers the sheet 4 that has been crimped in the sheet processing section 20 in the width direction Y (see Figure 3), in other words, gathers and bundles the sheet 4 together to reduce its diameter, thereby forming a converging rod 70 (S3: gathering step).

[0027] Specifically, the gathering section 30 includes, in order from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the conveying path 14, a liquid addition booth 32, a granule addition unit 34, a trumpet guide 36, and tongs 38. The liquid addition booth 32 sprays a liquid additive onto the sheet 4 before gathering (P7: liquid addition process). The additive is a liquid containing, for example, a plasticizer or a fragrance. The granule addition unit 34 includes a hopper 34a and a spreading roller 34b. Granules are stored in the hopper 34a, and the spreading roller 34b spreads the granules supplied from the hopper 34a onto the sheet 4 before gathering (P8: granule addition process). The granules are granular additives and include, for example, particles of activated carbon or a fragrance.

[0028] The trumpet guide 36 is cylindrical, and its inner circumferential surface gradually narrows in diameter from the upstream side of the conveying path 14. The trumpet guide 36 randomly gathers the sheet 4 conveyed along the conveying path 14, reducing its diameter into a rod-like shape, and then discharges the sheet 4 toward the cylindrical tongues 38. As the gathered rod-shaped sheet 4 passes through the tongues 38, the diameter of the rod-shaped sheet 4 is further reduced, forming it into a convergent rod 70. Next, the wrapping section 40 wraps the convergent rod 70 formed in the gathering section 30 with a supplied wrapping paper 72 while reducing its diameter, forming a continuous rod 74 (S4: wrapping step). Next, the cutting section 50 cuts the continuous rod 74 formed in the wrapping section 40 into individual rods 1 (S5: cutting step). The rods 1 thus produced are used as various segments that constitute the aerosol product.

[0029] Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a rod 1, and Fig. 9 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol production article 80 including the rod 1. As shown in Fig. 8, the rod 1 is formed by gathering and reducing the diameter of a sheet 4 having a large number of crimped portions 4a formed therein, and wrapping the sheet with a wrapper paper 72. The aerosol production article 80 shown in Fig. 9 (hereinafter simply referred to as article 80) is of a non-combustion heating type, and is composed of an aerosol-generating segment 82, a cooling segment 84, and a mouthpiece segment 86. The segments 82, 84, and 86 are arranged side by side in the axial direction and butt against each other, and are wrapped with tipping paper 88 to form the article 80.

[0030] The aerosol-generating segment 82 is heated by a heater in an electronic device (aerosol generator) (not shown), which causes the components of the aerosol-generating raw material 82a, which is the filler of the aerosol-generating segment 82, to volatilize. The aerosol-generating raw material 82a may be, for example, shredded tobacco, shredded tobacco sheet, or a gathered tobacco sheet. The aerosol-generating raw material 82a may also be a sheet made from tobacco-free pulp to which a flavoring agent has been added, a shredded sheet made from a non-tobacco plant, or one of these sheets folded into a corrugated shape.

[0031] The cooling segment 84 is, for example, a cylindrical paper tube formed from a single or double paper web, and forms an airflow path in the article 80. A plurality of vent holes 84a are formed on the circumferential surface of the cooling segment 84 for drawing air into the article 80 when the article 80 is inhaled. The components volatilized from the aerosol-generation segment 82 are cooled by the air drawn in through the vent holes 84a in the cooling segment 84 to form an aerosol, and the user inhales the aerosol that has passed through the mouthpiece segment 86. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the rod 1 is used as a mouthpiece segment 86 in which a sheet 4 having crimped portions 4a is filled as a filtering material. Note that the rod 1 can also be used as the aerosol-generation segment 82 or the cooling segment 84 by selecting the material of the sheet 4.

[0032] FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol-producing article 80 according to another embodiment. In this article 80, a rod 1 is used as a tip segment 90 located at the tip of the article 80 adjacent to the aerosol-generating segment 82. In this case, the sheet 4 may be a paper web or a nonwoven fabric. When the sheet 4 is a nonwoven fabric, a dry nonwoven fabric in which plant pulp is bonded together with a water-soluble binder is preferably used. The plant pulp may also be wood pulp from a non-tobacco plant. When the rod 1 is used as the tip segment 90 as shown in FIG. 10, a liquid additive is preferably sprayed onto the sheet 4 before gathering in the liquid addition process P7 described above.

[0033] The additive soaked in the tip segment 90 is heated together with the aerosol-generating segment 82 by the heater of the electronic device, causing the additive components to volatilize. The additive may be, for example, a flavor liquid, which may contain tobacco extract. Furthermore, because the tip segment 90 is positioned at the tip of the article 80, it also functions as a support segment, preventing the aerosol-generating raw material 82a from spilling from the aerosol-generating segment 82. Although not shown, the rod 1 can also be used as a mouthpiece segment or a cooling segment in a combustion-heated aerosol product.

[0034] As described above, the rod 1 manufacturing machine 2 of the embodiment includes the sheet supply section 10 where the sheet supply step S1 is performed and the sheet processing section 20 where the sheet processing step S2 is performed. The pair of rollers 22A, 22B has an injection port 44 for injecting compressed gas during the injection process P2. When the pair of rollers 22A, 22B conveys and processes the sheet 4, the sheet 4 may partially stick to and become jammed between the rollers 22A, 22B due to characteristics of the sheet 4, such as its adhesiveness, thickness, and uneven density. Even in such cases, by injecting compressed gas from the injection port 44, it is possible to not only remove foreign matter from the rollers 22A, 22B but also to eliminate the sticking and jamming of the sheet 4 between the rollers 22A, 22B with a simple configuration. Therefore, by using a simple configuration, it is possible to prevent jamming, winding, and tearing of the sheet due to the characteristics of the sheet, thereby ensuring the quality of the rod 1 and ultimately the aerosol product.

[0035] Furthermore, the ejection port 44 is formed in the groove 26. Since the sheet 4 is likely to stick to or get caught in the rollers 22A and 22B at the groove 26, by forming the ejection port 44 in the groove 26, it is possible to more reliably prevent the sheet 4 from getting caught, wrapped around, or torn.

[0036] Furthermore, the ejection ports 44 are formed at positions offset from each other in the circumferential direction Z in the grooves 26 adjacent to each other in the width direction Y. This makes it possible to efficiently eliminate sticking and jamming of the sheet 4 over the entire area of ​​the grooves 26 in the circumferential direction Z with a small number of ejection ports 44. Therefore, the number of ejection ports 44 formed can be reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the rollers 22A, 22B.

[0037] Furthermore, in the first adjustment process P3, the first adjustment member 60 injects the compressed gas supplied from the supply unit 48 only from the injection ports 44 positioned in a predetermined circumferential area R1 in the circumferential direction of the rollers 22A and 22B. More specifically, the first adjustment member 60 forms the circumferential area R1 on the discharge side of the sheet 4 on the rollers 22A and 22B, and is capable of adjusting the position of the circumferential area R1. This effectively prevents the sheet 4 from sticking or getting caught after processing and discharging the sheet 4 from the rollers 22A and 22B. Furthermore, the circumferential area R1 can be easily positioned in a portion of the sheet 4 where sticking or getting caught is likely to occur. This further reliably prevents the sheet from getting caught, wrapped around the rollers, and tearing.

[0038] Furthermore, by providing the first adjustment member 60, of the multiple nozzles 44, only the nozzles 44 located in the peripheral region R1 are utilized. This reduces the amount of compressed gas used and allows the pressure of the compressed gas sprayed from the nozzles 44 to be maintained at a high level with a small amount of compressed gas. Therefore, the amount of compressed gas used can be significantly reduced while reliably eliminating sticking and jamming of the sheet 4 with high-pressure compressed gas, thereby reducing the operating costs of the crimp roller 22 and, ultimately, the manufacturing machine 2.

[0039] Furthermore, in the second adjustment process P5, the second adjustment member 68 injects the compressed gas supplied from the supply unit 48 only from the nozzles 44 positioned in a predetermined width region R2 in the width direction Y of the rollers 22A and 22B. More specifically, the second adjustment member 68 can adjust the position of the width region R2. As a result, of the multiple nozzles 44, only the nozzles 44 positioned in the width region R2 are utilized depending on the width of the sheet 4 in the width direction Y. This reduces the amount of compressed gas used and allows the pressure of the compressed gas injected from the nozzles 44 to be maintained at a high level with a small amount of compressed gas. Therefore, even when processing sheets 4 of different widths, the amount of compressed gas used can be effectively reduced while reliably eliminating sticking and jamming of the sheet 4 with high-pressure compressed gas, thereby effectively reducing the operating costs of the crimp roller 22.

[0040] Furthermore, hood 62 partially covers the circumferential surfaces of rollers 22A, 22B on the discharge side of sheet 4, and exhaust section 64 exhausts air from inside hood 62. As a result, in dust removal process P4, paper dust generated as sheet 4 is crimped by crimp roller 22 can be captured inside hood 62 and efficiently collected and removed on the discharge side of sheet 4. Furthermore, dust including paper dust accumulated in grooves 26 can be scattered with the injection of compressed gas, captured inside hood 62, and efficiently collected and removed on the discharge side of sheet 4.

[0041] Furthermore, the sheet 4 has at least one of the following characteristics: a thickness of 500 μm or more, contains a binder, and contains 10% by weight or more of an aerosol base material. When a sheet 4 having such characteristics is supplied in the sheet supply step S1 and processed by the crimp rollers 22 in the sheet processing step S2, the aforementioned effects are achieved, thereby more effectively preventing the sheet 4 from getting caught in the rollers 22A and 22B, wrapping around them, and tearing of the sheet 4. Note that in this embodiment, it is also possible to use a sheet 4 that does not have the above characteristics.

[0042] This concludes the description of the embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the pair of rollers 22A, 22B in the above embodiment are crimp rollers 22 that form crimped portions 4a in the sheet 4 by means of the meshing portion 28 in the crimping process P1 when the sheet 4 is sandwiched between them and conveyed along the conveying path 14. However, this is not a limitation, and the pair of rollers 22A, 22B may also constitute slit rollers 92.

[0043] 11, in the slit roller 92, a blade 94 is attached to the top surface of at least one of the ridges 24 of the pair of rollers 22A, 22B (only roller 22B in the case of FIG. 8). In this case, in the sheet processing step S2, when the sheet 4 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 22A, 22B and conveyed, a cutting process P6 (see FIG. 2) is performed in which the blade 94 cuts the sheet 4. This makes it possible to form a sheet 4 having slits 96, and it is possible to form a sheet 4 in a variety of processing modes, not limited to crimped portions 4a. The blade 94 may be formed only on a portion of the ridges 24 in the circumferential direction Z, or may be formed over the entire ridges 24 in the circumferential direction Z.

[0044] Furthermore, the slit roller 92 may be configured such that one of the pair of rollers 22A, 22B is an anvil roller and the other is a rotary die cutter. In this case, the anvil roller is a receiving roller having a smooth outer peripheral surface without any irregularities, while the rotary die cutter is formed with convex portions (protruding ridges) and concave portions (protruding ridges), and the injection ports 44 are formed in the concave portions. Furthermore, the manufacturing machine 2 may be provided with both the crimp roller 22 and the slit roller 92.

[0045] Furthermore, the sheet 4 may be used for the rod 1, and its use is not limited to a filler for the rod 1. For example, the sheet 4 having the above-described slits 96 formed therein can also be used as the above-described wrapping paper 72 used to wrap the rod 1. In this case, the shape, size, and number of the slits 96 formed in the sheet 4 can be adjusted by changing the shape, size, and number of the blades 94. By using the sheet 4 having the adjusted slits 96 as the wrapping paper 72 for the rod 1, it is possible to control, for example, the breathability of the rod 1.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the injection port 44 is formed on both of the pair of rollers 22A and 22B. However, it is sufficient that the injection port 44 is formed on at least one of the pair of rollers 22A and 22B. The injection port 44 is preferably formed on the bottom surface 26a of the groove 26, but may be formed in other locations. For example, the injection port 44 may be formed on the side surface 24a of the protrusion 24 (in other words, the side surface of the groove 26) shown in FIG. 4 or on the top surface of the protrusion 24. The shape of the injection port 44 is not limited to a circle, but may be rectangular, elongated, elliptical, triangular, or the like. The second communication holes 56 communicating with the injection port 44 may be drilled along the radial direction of the pair of rollers 22A and 22B as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the second communication holes 56 may be drilled at an angle offset from the radial direction, thereby adjusting the drilling angle of the second communication holes 56. This allows the injection angle of the compressed gas injected from the injection port 44 to be adjusted.

[0047] Furthermore, the ridges 24 preferably have a rectangular cross section with corners as shown in Figure 4, but the corners may be chamfered or the cross section may be triangular. In other words, the ridges 24 can have various shapes depending on the desired shape of the crimped portions 4a, and similarly, various shapes can be used for the recesses 26. Furthermore, the ridges 24 and recesses 26 may be subjected to a surface treatment or coating to reduce the influence of the adhesive properties of the sheet 4 and effectively prevent the sheet 4 from sticking or getting caught.

[0048] For example, a preferred coating is a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, and more preferred is a coating that has a high hardness of 9H or more, high oil and water repellency, and forms a thin film of 1 μm or less. Other possible coatings include Blastron coating, WPC treatment (registered trademark), ceramic coating, dichron coating, and nitriding.

[0049] Furthermore, the first adjustment member 60 injects compressed gas supplied from the supply unit 48 only from the nozzles 44 located in a predetermined circumferential region R1, and the second adjustment member 68 injects compressed gas supplied from the supply unit 48 only from the nozzles 44 located in a predetermined width region R2. To achieve this function, in the above embodiment, the supply unit 48 is formed inside each roller 22A, 22B, and the first adjustment member 60 and the second adjustment member 68 are also movably disposed inside each roller 22A, 22B. However, various mechanisms can be envisioned to achieve the above function. For example, the supply unit 48 may be formed on a side end surface of each roller 22A, 22B, and compressed gas may be supplied from that side end surface only to specific nozzles 44. In this case, too, compressed gas can be injected from selected regions by moving the first adjustment member 60 and the second adjustment member 68.

[0050] Furthermore, part or all of the above-described embodiments can be expressed by the description of each aspect shown below. (Aspect 1) 1. A machine for manufacturing rods for use in aerosol products, comprising: a sheet supply section that supplies a sheet to be used in the rod to a conveying path; a sheet processing section that processes the sheet by a pair of rollers that sandwich and transport the sheet in the transport path; Equipped with A machine for manufacturing rods for use in aerosol products, wherein at least one of the pair of rollers has a nozzle for spraying compressed gas.

[0051] (Aspect 2) The pair of rollers form a meshing portion where a convex ridge protruding from a peripheral surface of one of the rollers in a circumferential direction and a concave ridge where the convex ridge is positioned in a circumferential direction on the peripheral surface of the other roller mesh with each other across the conveyance path, and the sheet is processed by passing through the meshing portion, The rod manufacturing machine for aerosol products according to aspect 1, wherein the injection port is formed in the groove. (Aspect 3) The meshing portions are formed in a plurality in the width direction along the rotation axes of the pair of rollers, A rod manufacturing machine for aerosol products according to aspect 2, wherein the injection ports are formed in multiple grooves, and in grooves adjacent to each other in the width direction, the injection ports are formed at positions offset from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0052] (Aspect 4) The roller on which the injection port is formed is a supply unit that supplies the compressed gas to the injection port; a first adjustment member that injects the compressed gas supplied from the supply unit only from the injection port positioned in a predetermined circumferential surface area in the circumferential direction of the roller; Equipped with A rod manufacturing machine for aerosol product described in any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the first adjustment member forms the circumferential surface area on the sheet discharge side of the roller and is capable of adjusting the position of the circumferential surface area.

[0053] (Aspect 5) The ejection ports are formed in a plurality in the width direction along the rotation axis of the roller, The roller on which the injection port is formed is a supply unit that supplies the compressed gas to the injection port; a second adjustment member that injects the compressed gas supplied from the supply unit only from the injection port positioned in a predetermined width region in the width direction of the roller; Equipped with A rod manufacturing machine for use in an aerosol product according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the second adjustment member is capable of adjusting the position of the width region.

[0054] (Aspect 6) The roller on which the injection port is formed is a hood that partially covers a circumferential surface of the roller on the sheet discharge side of the roller; an exhaust section that exhausts the inside of the hood; 6. A machine for producing rods for use in the aerosol product according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: (Aspect 7) A machine for manufacturing rods for use in aerosol products according to any one of aspects 2 to 6, wherein the pair of rollers are crimp rollers that form crimped portions in the sheet by the interlocking portions when the sheet is sandwiched between the rollers and transported along the transport path. (Aspect 8) The pair of rollers are slit rollers having blades formed on the ridges, and when the sheet is sandwiched between the rollers and conveyed along the conveying path, the blades cut into the sheet to form slits in the sheet, in a machine for manufacturing rods used in aerosol products according to any one of aspects 2 to 6.

[0055] (Aspect 9) 1. A method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product, comprising: a sheet supplying step of supplying a sheet to be used for the rod to a conveying path; a sheet processing step of processing the sheet by a pair of rollers that sandwich and transport the sheet in the transport path; Including, The method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product, wherein the sheet processing step includes a spraying process in which compressed gas is sprayed from a spray nozzle formed in at least one of the pair of rollers.

[0056] (Aspect 10) A method for producing a rod for use in an aerosol product according to claim 9, wherein the sheet supplying step supplies the sheet having at least one of the following characteristics: a thickness of 500 μm or more; containing a binder; and containing 10% by weight or more of an aerosol base material.

[0057] (Aspect 11) 11. The method for producing a rod for use in an aerosol product according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the sheet processing step comprises a crimping process in which crimps are formed in the sheet by the pair of rollers. (Aspect 12) A method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product described in any one of aspects 9 to 11, wherein the sheet processing step includes a first adjustment process in which the compressed gas is ejected only from the ejection ports positioned in a predetermined circumferential surface area in the circumferential direction of the roller.

[0058] (Aspect 13) A method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product described in any one of aspects 9 to 12, wherein the sheet processing step includes a second adjustment process in which the compressed gas is ejected only from the ejection ports positioned in a predetermined width region in the width direction along the rotation axis of the roller. (Aspect 14) A method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product described in any one of aspects 9 to 13, wherein the sheet processing step includes a dust removal process on the discharge side of the sheet on the roller to collect and remove dust generated during processing of the sheet. (Aspect 15) 15. The method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product according to any one of aspects 9 to 14, wherein the sheet processing step comprises a cutting process in which the pair of rollers cuts the sheet to form a slit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 rod 2 Manufacturing machine 4 seats 4a crimped part 10 Sheet Supply Section 14 Transport Route 20 Sheet Processing Section 22 Crimp Roller 22A Roller 22B Laura 24 Convex strips 26 Concave line 28 Meshing part 42a Rotation axis 42b Rotation axis 44 Nozzle 48 Supply section 60 First adjustment member 62 Food 64 Exhaust section 68 Second adjustment member 80 Aerosol products 92 Slit Roller 94 blades 96 Slit Y width direction Z circumferential direction R1 peripheral area R2 width area S1 Sheet supply step S2 Sheet processing step P1 Crimping Process P2 injection process P3 First Adjustment Process P4 Dust removal process P5 Second Adjustment Process P6 Cutting process

Claims

1. A machine for manufacturing rods for use in aerosol products, comprising: a sheet supply section that supplies a sheet to be used in the rod to a conveying path; a sheet processing section that processes the sheet by a pair of rollers that sandwich and transport the sheet in the transport path; Equipped with A machine for manufacturing rods used in aerosol products, wherein at least one of the pair of rollers has a nozzle for spraying compressed gas.

2. The pair of rollers form a meshing portion where a convex ridge protruding from a peripheral surface of one of the rollers in a circumferential direction and a concave ridge where the convex ridge is positioned in a circumferential direction on the peripheral surface of the other roller mesh with each other across the conveyance path, and the sheet is processed by passing through the meshing portion, The machine for manufacturing rods for aerosol products according to claim 1 , wherein the injection holes are formed in the grooves.

3. The meshing portions are formed in a plurality in the width direction along the rotation axes of the pair of rollers, 3. The machine for manufacturing rods for use in aerosol products according to claim 2, wherein the injection ports are formed in a plurality of the recesses, and in the recesses adjacent in the width direction, the injection ports are formed at positions offset from each other in the circumferential direction.

4. The roller on which the injection port is formed is a supply unit that supplies the compressed gas to the injection port; a first adjustment member that injects the compressed gas supplied from the supply unit only from the injection port positioned in a predetermined circumferential surface area in the circumferential direction of the roller; Equipped with A rod manufacturing machine for aerosol product articles as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first adjustment member forms the circumferential surface area on the sheet discharge side of the roller and is capable of adjusting the position of the circumferential surface area.

5. The ejection ports are formed in a plurality in the width direction along the rotation axis of the roller, The roller on which the injection port is formed is a supply unit that supplies the compressed gas to the injection port; a second adjusting member for injecting the compressed gas supplied from the supply unit only from the injection port positioned in a predetermined width region in the width direction of the roller; Equipped with The machine for manufacturing rods for use in aerosol products according to claim 1 , wherein the second adjustment member is capable of adjusting the position of the width region.

6. The roller on which the injection port is formed is a hood that partially covers a circumferential surface of the roller on the sheet discharge side of the roller; an exhaust section that exhausts the inside of the hood; 6. A machine for producing rods for use in the aerosol product of any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

7. 7. A machine for manufacturing rods for use in aerosol products according to claim 2, wherein the pair of rollers are crimp rollers that form crimped portions in the sheet by the interlocking portions when the sheet is sandwiched between the rollers and transported along the transport path.

8. 7. A machine for manufacturing rods for use in aerosol products according to claim 2, wherein the pair of rollers are slit rollers having blades formed on the ridges, and when the sheet is sandwiched and transported along the transport path, the blades cut into the sheet to form slits in the sheet.

9. 1. A method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product, comprising: a sheet supplying step of supplying a sheet to be used for the rod to a conveying path; a sheet processing step of processing the sheet by a pair of rollers that sandwich and transport the sheet in the transport path; Including, The method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product, wherein the sheet processing step includes a spraying process in which compressed gas is sprayed from a spray nozzle formed in at least one of the pair of rollers.

10. 10. The method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product according to claim 9, wherein the sheet supply step supplies the sheet having at least one of the following characteristics: a thickness of 500 μm or more; containing a binder; and containing 10% by weight or more of an aerosol base material.

11. 11. The method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the sheet processing step includes a crimping process in which crimps are formed in the sheet by the pair of rollers.

12. 12. A method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the sheet processing step includes a first adjustment process for injecting the compressed gas only from the injection ports positioned in a predetermined peripheral surface area in the circumferential direction of the roller.

13. 13. A method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the sheet processing step includes a second adjustment process in which the compressed gas is ejected only from the ejection ports positioned in a predetermined width region in the width direction along the rotation axis of the roller.

14. 14. A method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the sheet processing step includes a dust removal process at the sheet discharge side of the roller for collecting and removing dust generated in processing the sheet.

15. 15. A method for manufacturing a rod for use in an aerosol product according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the sheet processing step comprises a cutting process in which the pair of rollers cuts the sheet to form slits.

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