Packing element, packing element manufacturing apparatus, and packing element manufacturing method

Abstract

This filler element 6 is used in a flavor inhaler 1, and comprises: a folded part 36 in which one sheet 34 composed of a nonwoven fabric has been folded in the width direction Z intersecting the longitudinal direction X thereof, and the diameter thereof has been reduced to a size not greater than the diameter of the filler element 6; and wrapping paper 18 that is wrapped on the folded part 36. The sheet 34 is subjected to a compression process in which at least a portion thereof in the width direction Z is compressed, such that if the total of the widths D1 of the compressed sections of the sheet 34 in the width direction Z is defined as the total compressed width Dt1 of the sheet 34, the ratio of the total compressed width Dt1 relative to the sheet width Ds of the sheet in the width direction Z is a prescribed ratio.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packing element, an apparatus for producing a packing element, and a method for producing a packing element. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing a filter element for use in cigarettes. This filter element is formed by stacking two or more sheets having a filtering function as filter materials with a certain width offset, folding each of the stacked sheets into an S-shape or a Z-shape, and then squeezing and rolling up into a cylindrical shape. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 44-3727 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The filter element can be used in flavor inhalation articles including combustion-heating cigarettes as described in Patent Document 1, as well as non-combustion-heating flavor inhalation articles. The packing density of the filter material packed in the filter element significantly affects the airflow resistance when a user inhales the flavor inhalation article, and thus the smoking taste obtained by the user. If the packing density of the filter element decreases, gaps and cavities are generated in the filter element, and the smoking taste and appearance of the flavor inhalation article are significantly impaired. In other words, the packing density of the filter element is an important factor in ensuring the quality of the flavor inhalation article.

[0005] In the manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, when changing the specifications of the flavor inhalation article and the filter element used therein, in order to adjust the packing density of the filter element, it is necessary to prepare multiple sheets and change the number of each sheet, adjust the offset width of each stacked sheet, or change the specifications of the sheet itself.

[0006] As described above, conventionally, there are a wide variety of parameters for managing the packing density of a filter element formed by packing a sheet, in other words, a packing element used in a flavor inhalation article, making it difficult to easily and precisely control the packing density of the packing element in accordance with the required specifications.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a packing element, a packing element manufacturing apparatus, and a packing element manufacturing method that allow easy and high-precision control of the packing density. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a filling element in one embodiment is a filling element used in an aroma inhalation article, and comprises a folded portion in which a sheet made of nonwoven fabric is folded in a width direction intersecting with its longitudinal direction to reduce its diameter to less than the diameter of the filling element, and a wrapping paper wrapped around the folded portion, and the sheet is subjected to a pressing process to press at least a portion in the width direction, and when the total width of the sheet pressed in the width direction is defined as the total pressed width of the sheet, the ratio of the total pressed width to the sheet width in the width direction is a predetermined ratio.

[0009] The manufacturing device for a filling element according to one embodiment is a manufacturing device for a filling element used in a flavor inhalation article, and includes a sheet processing section for processing a single sheet made of a nonwoven fabric while transporting it on a transport path, a folding section for folding the sheet processed in the sheet processing section in a width direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction during the sheet transport process on the transport path to form a folded rod having a diameter reduced to or less than the diameter of the filling element, a wrapping section for wrapping the folded rod formed in the folding section with a wrapping paper to form a filling rod, and a cutting section for cutting the filling rod formed in the wrapping section into filling elements. and a cross-sectional section, each of the sheet processing sections is composed of a pair of rollers, and includes a plurality of roller sets in which each pair of rollers sandwiches and transports a sheet in a transport path, at least one of the pair of rollers constituting each roller set has a protruding ridge formed around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the roller, and the ridge is subjected to a pressing process to press at least a portion of the sheet in the width direction, and when the sum of the widths of the pressing areas where the sheet is pressed by the ridges in the width direction is defined as the total pressing width of the sheet, the ratio of the total pressing width to the sheet width in the width direction is adjusted to a predetermined ratio.

[0010] A manufacturing method of a filling element according to one embodiment is a manufacturing method of a filling element used in an aroma inhalation article, and includes a sheet processing step of processing a single sheet made of nonwoven fabric while transporting it, a folding step of folding the sheet processed in the sheet processing step in a width direction intersecting with its longitudinal direction during the sheet transport process to form a folded rod with a diameter reduced to less than the diameter of the filling element, a wrapping step of wrapping the folded rod formed in the folding step with wrapping paper to form a filling rod, and a cutting step of cutting the filling rod formed in the wrapping step into filling elements, in which a pressing process is performed in which at least a portion of the sheet in the width direction is pressed during the sheet transport process in the sheet processing step, and in the pressing process, when the sum of the widths of the pressing areas where the sheet is pressed is defined as the total pressing width of the sheet, the ratio of the total pressing width to the sheet width of the sheet in the width direction is adjusted to a predetermined ratio. Effect of the Invention

[0011] The packing density of the packing elements can be easily and precisely controlled. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation article. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation article according to a modified example. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a combustion heating type flavor inhalation article. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a combustion heating type flavor inhalation article according to a modified example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a combustion heating type flavor inhalation article according to another modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 shows an end face of the packing element. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sheet before processing. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sheet that has been subjected to a stretching process. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a sheet that has been subjected to a pressing process. [Figure 10] 10 is a partially enlarged view of an end face of the sheet in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a perspective view of the packing element formed by being reduced in diameter from the state of FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fold-in portion in which an additive is placed. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the packing element formed by being reduced in diameter from the state of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fold-out portion in which a capsule is placed. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the packing element formed by being reduced in diameter from the state of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a manufacturing apparatus for a packing element. [Figure 18]1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for manufacturing a packing element. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first roller set holding a sheet. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the roller of FIG. 19. [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first roller set. [Figure 22] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the second roller set. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the third roller set. [Figure 24] 24 is a diagram showing an end surface of a sheet having passed through each roller set of FIGS. 21 to 23. FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a transport jet. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 shows an end face of a transport jet. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the trumpet guide. [Figure 29] FIG. 4 is a view showing an end face of the trumpet guide. [Diagram 30] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] <Flavor suction articles> Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a non-combustion heating type flavor inhalation article 1 (hereinafter also referred to as the article). The article 1 is composed of a flavor element 2, a tubular element 4, and a filling element 6, in that order from the left side (the tip side of the article 1) as viewed in Fig. 1. The flavor element 2 is formed by filling it with a flavor raw material 8.

[0014] The device (flavor inhaler) used to heat the flavor element 2 includes, for example, a needle-shaped heater 10. Only the heater 10 of the device is shown in Fig. 1. The article 1 is set in the device, and the heater 10 is inserted into the flavor element 2 to heat it. This causes the flavor components of the flavor raw material 8 to volatilize.

[0015] Conductive materials such as metal plates or metal particles may be mixed into the flavor raw material 8 filled in the flavor element 2. This conductive material is heated by an induced current when the device generates a magnetic field, and the heated conductive material heats the flavor element 2, causing the flavor components of the flavor raw material 8 to volatilize.

[0016] The flavor raw material 8 is, for example, shredded tobacco, a tobacco sheet, or a tobacco sheet folded in a gathered shape. The flavor raw material 8 may be a sheet made of pulp not containing tobacco to which flavoring has been added, a shredded sheet made of a non-tobacco plant, or such a sheet folded in a gathered shape. The periphery of the flavor raw material 8 is wrapped in cigarette paper 12.

[0017] The tubular element 4 forms an airflow path in the article 1 and is formed, for example, from a cylindrical paper tube 14. The paper tube 14 is formed from a single or double paper web. The filling element 6 is a filter body filled with a filling material 16. The filling material 16 is formed by folding a single sheet 34 made of nonwoven fabric. The periphery of the filling element 6 is wrapped with wrapping paper 18.

[0018] The elements 2, 4, and 6 are arranged coaxially in the axial direction X and butted against each other to form a continuum. The elements 2, 4, and 6 are connected to each other by wrapping tipping paper 20 around the circumferential surface of the continuum. Air vents 22 are formed in the tubular element 4 and the tipping paper 20 to take in air into the article 1 when the article 1 is inhaled. The air taken into the article 1 from the outside through the air vents 22 cools the flavor components of the flavor elements 2 and the volatile components of the additives described below, facilitating the aerosolization of these components.

[0019] Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a non-combustion heating type article 1 according to a modified example. This article 1 has a filling element 6 in the same position as in Fig. 1, and further has a filling element 6 in an adjacent position opposite to the tubular element 4 of the flavor element 2, i.e., at the tip of the article 1. The filling element 6 at the tip is connected to the flavor element 2 by a wrapping paper 24. The heater 10 is inserted into the flavor element 2 through the filling element 6 at the tip.

[0020] At this time, the filling element 6 at the tip prevents the flavor raw material 8 from spilling from the flavor element 2 onto the base of the heater 10. In other words, the filling element 6 at the tip functions as a support segment that supports the flavor raw material 8 filled in the flavor element 2 in the article 1 so as not to spill onto the heater 10. This prevents the flavor raw material 8 from spilling out and contaminating the area around the base of the heater 10 of the device.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a combustion heating type article 1. This article 1 is composed of a flavor element 2 and a filling element 6, in that order from the tip side, and the flavor components of the flavor raw material 8 are volatilized by igniting and heating the flavor element 2. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a combustion heating type article 1 according to a modified example. This article 1 is composed of a flavor element 2, a filter element 26, and a filling element 6, in that order from the tip side. The filter element 26 is formed by wrapping a wrapping paper 30 around a filter material 28, such as acetate tow, different from the filling material 16 of the filling element 6. The filter element 26 is connected to the filling element 6 by a wrapping paper 32.

[0022] Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of another modified combustion heating article 1. This article 1 is composed of, in order from the tip side, a flavor element 2, a filling element 6, and a filter element 26, and is a pattern in which the arrangement of the filter element 26 and the filling element 6 of the article 1 in Fig. 4 is changed, and the other configuration is the same as that of the article 1 in Fig. 4.

[0023] <Filling element> 6 shows an end face of the filling element 6. The filling material 16 of the filling element 6 is a single sheet 34, the main raw material of which is a dry nonwoven fabric in which plant pulp is bonded together with a water-soluble binder. The plant pulp may be wood pulp from a non-tobacco plant. Alternatively, the sheet 34 may be formed by impregnating the nonwoven fabric with ground tobacco or an extract of a tobacco plant.

[0024] In this case, flavor components derived from tobacco plants can be volatilized not only from the flavor elements 2 but also from the filling elements 6. That is, the filling elements 6 using the sheets 34 made of nonwoven fabric containing tobacco powder or tobacco extract have the function of not only the filter element that serves as a filter body but also the function of the flavor elements 2.

[0025] The sheet 34 is folded in the width direction Z a predetermined number of times, for example, about three or four times, to reduce its diameter, thereby forming a folding rod 90, which will be described later, and is then cut to form the folding portion 36. The width direction Z is a direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction X of the sheet 34 (the same direction as the axial direction X).

[0026] The circumferential surface of the folded-in portion 36 is wrapped with the wrapping paper 18, and both ends of the wrapping paper 18 are glued and wrapped to form the stuffing element 6. By folding one sheet 34 to form the folded-in portion 36 and thus the stuffing element 6, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of sheets 34 and change the number of sheets 34, adjust the offset width of the stacked sheets 34, or change the specifications of the sheets 34 themselves, as in the conventional method, in order to adjust the packing density of the packing element 6.

[0027] Therefore, compared to the conventional case, the packing density of the packing elements 6 can be easily and accurately controlled. Furthermore, by subjecting the sheet 34 to a treatment to be described later, the folded-in portion 36 can further optimize the packing density of the sheet 34 as the packing material 16, and can more effectively prevent the occurrence of gaps and cavities in the packing elements 6.

[0028] 7 shows a perspective view of sheet 34 before treatment. Sheet 34 is formed from nonwoven fabric that is entangled without being woven, and therefore has almost irreversible extensibility in the longitudinal direction X and has raised portions 38 on the front and back surfaces. Sheet 34 has a thickness t including raised portions 38.

[0029] <Sheet stretching treatment> FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the sheet 34 that has been stretched. As the sheet 34 is stretched and lengthened in the longitudinal direction X, the thickness t of the sheet 34 decreases to a smaller value t1. Furthermore, as the sheet 34 is lengthened in the longitudinal direction X and the surface area of ​​the sheet 34 increases, the density (fleece density) of the napped portion 38 on the front and back surfaces of the sheet 34 decreases. By adjusting the degree of stretching of the sheet 34, the thickness and nap density of the entire sheet 34 can be controlled. Therefore, it is possible to form the folded-in portion 36 having a plurality of different packing densities, and thus the packing elements 6, using one type of sheet 34.

[0030] <Sheet pressing process> Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the sheet 34 that has been subjected to a pressing process. Fig. 10 shows a partial enlarged view of an end face of the sheet 34 in Fig. 9. The sheet 34 is subjected to a pressing process in which at least a part of the sheet 34 in the width direction Z is pressed. The sheet 34 shown in Fig. 6, which is an example of a pressing form, has a number of pressed regions A1 each having a width D1 in the width direction Z and a number of non-pressed regions A2 each having a width D2 in the width direction Z formed along the longitudinal direction X, as shown in Fig. 7.

[0031] The non-pressed area A2 is an area of ​​the sheet 34 other than the pressed area A1, and includes an incompletely pressed inclined surface and a flat surface that is not pressed at all. When the sum of the widths D1 of the pressed areas S1 where the sheet 34 is pressed in the width direction Z is defined as the total pressed width Dt1 of the sheet 34, the ratio of the total pressed width Dt1 to the width of the sheet 34 in the width direction Z, i.e., the sheet width Ds, is a predetermined ratio. This predetermined ratio is set to 50% or less.

[0032] In the pressed area A1 of the sheet 34, the thickness t1 is reduced to a smaller thickness t2 by pressing. In addition, the raised portion 38 is crushed, so that the raised density on the front and back surfaces of the sheet 34 in the pressed area A1 is extremely reduced. On the other hand, the non-pressed area A2 of the sheet maintains the thickness t1 and raised density almost equal to those after the stretching process.

[0033] By adjusting the formation range of the pressed area A1 of the sheet 34 and setting the ratio of the total pressed width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds to a predetermined ratio, that is, by adjusting the pressing degree of the sheet 34, it is possible to control the thickness and nap density of the entire sheet 34. Therefore, it is possible to easily form the folded-in portions 36 having a plurality of different filling densities, and further the filling elements 6, using one type of sheet 34.

[0034] Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the folded-in portion 36. Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the filling element 6 formed by shrinking the diameter from the state shown in Fig. 11. As a result of folding the sheet 34, the folded-in portion 36 has an opening 40 formed in the axial direction X at a part of the circumferential direction of the folded-in portion 36. The opening 40 is closed by shrinking the folded-in portion 36 with the opening 40 formed therein and wrapping it with the wrapping paper 18, thereby forming the filling element 6 shown in Fig. 12.

[0035] In this way, by folding one sheet 34 to form the folded-in portion 36, it is no longer necessary to prepare multiple sheets 34 and change the number of sheets 34, adjust the offset width of each stacked sheet 34, or change the specifications of the sheets 34 themselves, as was done in the conventional method, in order to adjust the packing density of the packing elements 6.

[0036] Therefore, the packing density of the packing elements 6 can be easily and accurately controlled. In addition, the packing density of the packing elements 6 can be optimized by adjusting the number of times a single sheet 34 is folded, the folding form, or the degree of diameter reduction of the folded portion 36. Therefore, the generation of gaps or cavities in the packing elements 6 can be prevented, and the quality of the article 1 can be ensured.

[0037] Furthermore, when stretching and pressing the sheet 34, the parameters for managing the packing density of the filling elements 6 are only the settings of the degree of stretching and the degree of pressing for one sheet 34. This makes it possible to control the packing density of the filling elements 6 even more easily and with high precision. Furthermore, by further optimizing the packing density of the filling elements 6 through the stretching and pressing of the sheet 34, it is possible to more effectively prevent the occurrence of gaps and cavities in the filling elements 6, thereby improving the reliability of ensuring the quality of the article 1.

[0038] In particular, when pressing the sheet 34, the predetermined ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds is set to 50% or less. This allows the raised portions 38 to remain in the sheet 34 at more than 50% of the sheet width Ds, thereby preventing an extreme decrease in the raised density of the sheet 34 and more reliably preventing the occurrence of gaps and cavities in the filling elements 6.

[0039] <Placement of additives in the folded part> 13 shows a perspective view of the folded-in portion 36 in which the additive 42 is arranged. The folded-in portion 36 has an opening 40 that opens in the axial direction X of the folded-in portion 36 in a part of its circumferential direction, and the additive 42 is arranged inside the folded-in portion 36 through the opening 40. This allows the additive 42 to be arranged at an appropriate position of the packing element 6 while optimizing the packing density of the packing element 6.

[0040] Furthermore, in the folded-in portion 36, a U-shaped cross-sectional recess 44 is formed, which is connected to the opening 40 and recessed to the center of the folded-in portion 36 in the radial direction Y. The additive 42 is disposed in the axial direction X of the recess 44 through the opening 40. This allows the additive 42 to be reliably disposed in the center of the folded-in portion 36 in the radial direction Y.

[0041] Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of the filling element 6 formed by contracting the diameter from the state shown in Fig. 13. When the folded-in portion 36 is contracted and wrapped with the wrapping paper 18, the opening 40 is blocked. Therefore, the additive 42 does not protrude from the folded-in portion 36, and the filling element 6 in which the additive 42 is disposed inside the folded-in portion 36 can be easily and reliably formed. In addition, when the folded-in portion 36 is contracted, the recessed stripe 44 in which the additive 42 is disposed is filled with the sheet 34.

[0042] This ensures that the additive 42 is positioned at the center of the fold-in portion 36 in the radial direction Y. Also, the components of the additive 42 can be uniformly evaporated in the radial direction Y from the center of the packing element 6 in the radial direction Y. This improves the reliability of ensuring the quality of the packing element 6 and, in turn, the article 1. The additive 42 may be a liquid additive that is sorbed in the grooves 44, or may be a thread that is placed in the grooves 44. When a thread is placed, the thread is impregnated with a liquid additive.

[0043] The additive 42 may be a conductive member in the form of a thread or a long, thin plate. The filling element 6 using the sheet 34 made of nonwoven fabric containing ground tobacco or tobacco extract has the function of the flavor element 2. The conductive member is heated by an induced current when the device generates a magnetic field, and the heated conductive member heats the filling element 6, causing the flavor components derived from the tobacco plant contained in the filling element 6 to volatilize.

[0044] <Capsule placement in the fold-out section> 15 shows a perspective view of the folding portion 36 in which a capsule 46 is disposed. The capsule 46 has an outer shell formed from an easily breakable material, and the outer shell encapsulates an additive. By forming an opening 40 in the folding portion 36, the capsule 46 can be disposed at a predetermined position inside the folding portion 36 through the opening 40. The capsule 46 is disposed, for example, at a central position in the axial direction X of the folding portion 36.

[0045] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the filling element 6 formed by contracting the diameter from the state shown in Fig. 15. When the folded-in portion 36 is contracted and wrapped with the wrapping paper 18, the opening 40 is closed. Therefore, the capsule 46 does not protrude from the folded-in portion 36, and the filling element 6 in which the capsule 46 is disposed inside the folded-in portion 36 can be easily and reliably formed. In addition, when the folded-in portion 36 is contracted, the recessed ribs 44 are filled with the sheet 34, and the sheet 34 is tightly attached to the periphery of the capsule 46.

[0046] This allows the capsule 46 to be reliably fixed at a predetermined position in the axial direction X at the center of the radial direction Y of the folded-in portion 36. In addition, the additive components released from the capsule 46 can be uniformly volatilized in the radial direction Y from the center of the radial direction Y of the filling element 6. This ensures the quality of the filling element 6 and, ultimately, the article 1.

[0047] In addition, since the capsule 46 is fixed in close contact with the sheet 34 at the center of the fold-in portion 36 in the radial direction Y, the user can easily crush the capsule 46 with his / her fingers to release the additive, improving the convenience for the user. The additive constituting the additive 42 sorbed in the grooves 44, the additive impregnated in the threads, and the additive encapsulated in the capsule 46 are, for example, flavoring agents such as menthol, and may further include activated carbon, an aerosol bulking agent, etc.

[0048] Instead of the capsule 46, a substantially spherical conductive member may be used. One or more conductive members are arranged in the filling element 6. The filling element 6, which uses a sheet 34 made of a nonwoven fabric impregnated with tobacco powder or tobacco extract, has the function of the flavor element 2. The conductive member is heated by an induced current when the device generates a magnetic field, and the heated conductive member heats the filling element 6, causing the flavor components derived from the tobacco plant contained in the filling element 6 to volatilize.

[0049] <Manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method for filling element> Fig. 17 shows a schematic diagram of a manufacturing apparatus 50 for the packing element 6, and Fig. 18 shows a flow chart illustrating a manufacturing method for the packing element 6. The manufacturing apparatus 50 includes a sheet supply section 52, a sheet processing section 54, a folding section 56, a wrapping section 58, and a cutting section 60.

[0050] When the production of the filling elements 6 is started, the sheet supply section 52 supplies one continuous sheet 34 made of nonwoven fabric to the conveying path 62 (S1: sheet supply step). Next, the sheet processing section 54 processes the sheet 34 while conveying it on the conveying path 62 (S2: sheet processing step).

[0051] The sheet processing section 54 includes a first roller set 64, a second roller set 66, and a third roller set 68, and a control unit 70. Each of the roller sets 64, 66, and 68 includes a pair of rollers Ra and Rb, and conveys the sheet 34 on the conveying path 62 by sandwiching the sheet 34 between the pair of rollers Ra and Rb.

[0052] At least one of the rotation shafts of the pair of rollers Ra, Rb constituting each roller set 64, 66, 68 is connected to the drive shaft of a motor (not shown) and is rotated and driven individually by each motor. Each motor is electrically connected to a control unit 70. The rotation speed of each roller set 64, 66, 68 is controlled via each motor by a signal from the control unit 70.

[0053] The control unit 70 adjusts the difference in rotation speed between the roller sets 64, 66, and 68, thereby adjusting the difference in conveying speed of the sheet 34 between the roller sets 64, 66, and 68. As a result, in the sheet processing step, the stretching process shown in FIG. 8 is performed on the sheet 34 (P1: stretching process).

[0054] Specifically, the rotation speed of a downstream roller set (second roller set 66 or third roller set 68) is made faster than the rotation speed of an upstream roller set (for example, first roller set 64) in the conveying path 62. This makes the conveying speed of the sheet 34 in the downstream roller set faster than the conveying speed of the sheet 34 in the upstream roller set, and the sheet 34 is stretched in the longitudinal direction X between the upstream roller set and the downstream roller set.

[0055] 19 is a perspective view of the first roller set 64 sandwiching the sheet 34. The roller Ra has a number of protruding ridges 72 formed around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the roller Ra. Each ridge 72 forms a pressed area A1 on the sheet 34. In association with the formation of each ridge 72, a number of grooves 74 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the roller Ra. Each groove 74 forms a non-pressed area A2 on the sheet 34.

[0056] In the process of conveying the sheet 34, the ridges 72 bite into the surface of the sheet 34 and press the sheet 34, in other words, grip the sheet 34, so that the sheet 34 is fed from the first roller set 64 toward the second roller set 66. As a result, in the sheet processing step, the pressing process shown in Fig. 9 is performed on the sheet 34 (P2: pressing process).

[0057] 20 shows a partially enlarged cross section of the roller Ra in FIG. 19. A pressing surface 76 is formed at the tip of the protruding strip 72. The pressing surface 76 has a width D3 in the width direction Z of the roller Ra (the same as the axial direction of the roller Ra). A bottom surface 78 is formed in the groove strip 74. The groove strip 74 has a width D4 in the width direction Z. The width D3 of the pressing surface 76 is equal to the width D1 of the pressing area A1 of the sheet 34 shown in FIG. 10. Furthermore, the width D4 of the groove strip 74 of the roller Ra is equal to the width D2 of the pressing area A2 of the sheet 34 shown in FIG. 10.

[0058] 21 to 23 show examples of combinations of rollers Ra and Rb constituting each roller set 64, 66, 68. FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of the first roller set 64. In this first roller set 64, as shown in FIG. 19, a large number of ridges 72 are formed over the entire area of ​​the roller Ra in the width direction Z and over the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the roller Ra. FIG. 22 shows a cross-sectional view of the second roller set 66. In this second roller set 66, ridges 72 having a width larger than that of FIG. 21 are formed at both ends of the roller Ra in the width direction Z and over the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the roller Ra.

[0059] Figure 23 shows a cross-sectional view of the third roller set 68. In this third roller set 68, three ridges 72 having the same width as in Figure 21 are formed at three locations, one at the center and one at both ends in the width direction Z of the roller Ra, and all around the outer circumferential surface of the roller Ra. Also, in this third roller set 68, three ridges 72 having the same width as in Figure 22 are formed at three locations, one at the center and one at both ends in the width direction Z of the roller Rb, and all around the outer circumferential surface of the roller Rb.

[0060] In this manner, at least one of the pair of rollers Ra, Rb constituting each of the roller sets 64, 66, 68 has a protruding rib 72 formed around the entire outer periphery of the roller to grip and convey the sheet 34. Each of the protruding ribs 72 is subjected to a pressing process for pressing at least a portion of the sheet 34 in the width direction Z, thereby carrying out the pressing process described above.

[0061] Fig. 24 shows an end face of the sheet 34 that has passed through each of the roller sets 64, 66, 68 in Figs. 21 to 23. When the sum of the widths D1 of the pressing areas A1 where the sheet 34 is pressed by the ridges 72 in the width direction Z is defined as the total pressing width Dt1 of the sheet 34, the ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds is adjusted to a predetermined ratio. As described above, this predetermined ratio is 50% or less. Here, as shown in Fig. 24, the pressing area A1 is formed at the center in the width direction Z of the back surface of the sheet 34 by being pressed by the ridges 72 of the roller Rb of the third roller set 68.

[0062] Meanwhile, at the center in the width direction Z of the surface of the sheet 34, a pressing area A1 is formed by the convex ribs 72 of the roller Ra of the first roller set 64 and the roller Ra of the third roller set 68. The width D1 of the pressing area A1 formed by the convex ribs 72 of the roller Rb of the third roller set 68 is larger than the width D1 of the pressing area A1 formed by the convex ribs 72 of the roller Ra of the first roller set 64 and the roller Ra of the third roller set 68.

[0063] 24, the width D1 of the pressing area A1 formed by the ridges 72 of the roller Rb of the third roller set 68 is added to the total pressing width Dt1, and the width D1 of the pressing area A1 formed by the ridges 72 of the roller Ra of the first roller set 64 and the roller Ra of the third roller set 68 is not added to the total pressing width Dt1. In other words, when the pressing areas A1 formed by the roller sets 64, 66, 68 overlap in the width direction Z, the width D1 of the larger pressing area A1 is added to the total pressing width Dt1 as a representative.

[0064] The ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds can be set to a desired predetermined ratio by previously adjusting the area of ​​the pressing surface 76 of the ridges 72 formed on each roller set 64, 66, 68, the number of ridges 72, the formation range of the ridges 72, etc. In detail, in each roller set 64, 66, 68, taking into consideration the formation range of the overlapping ridges 72 in the width direction Z of the sheet 34, the area of ​​the pressing surface 76 of the ridges 72, the number of ridges 72, the formation range of the ridges 72, etc. that contribute to the total pressing width Dt1 of the sheet 34 are adjusted.

[0065] This makes it possible to adjust the ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds. The gripping force of the ridges 72 on the sheet 34 can be adjusted by changing the gap between the pair of rollers Ra and Rb, the protruding height of the ridges 72, the area of ​​the pressing surface 76 of the ridges 72, the number of ridges 72, etc. Optimizing the gripping force of the ridges 72 on the sheet 34 improves the accuracy of the stretching process.

[0066] Next, in the folding section 56, during the conveyance of the sheet 34 in the conveying path 62, the sheet 34 processed in the sheet processing section 54 is folded in the width direction Z to form a folding rod 90 having a diameter reduced to the diameter of the filling element 6 or less (S3: folding step). The folding rod 90 becomes the folding portion 36 when the filling rod 98 formed in a later step is cut to become the filling element 6.

[0067] During the folding process of the sheet 34, the folding section 56 forms an opening 40 that opens in the axial direction X of the folding rod 90 at a portion of the circumferential direction of the folding rod 90. Furthermore, the folding section 56 forms a recessed rib 44 that is connected to the opening 40 and has a U-shaped cross section and is recessed to the center of the folding rod 90 in the radial direction Y. Specifically, the folding section 56 includes, in order from the upstream side of the conveying path 62, a preliminary folding guide 80, a transport jet 82, a trumpet guide 84, and a tongue 86.

[0068] 25 shows a front view of the preliminary folding guide 80. The preliminary folding guide 80 includes a guide roller 80a and a rotating shaft 80b that rotatably supports the guide roller 80a. During the process of conveying the sheet 34 in the conveying path 62, the guide roller 80a comes into contact with the center of the sheet 34 in the width direction Z from below. This causes the sheet 34 to bend in an upward convex shape in the thickness direction.

[0069] Fig. 26 shows a cross-sectional view of transport jet 82, and Fig. 27 shows the upstream end face of transport jet 82 in transfer path 62. Transport jet 82 is cylindrical and has a large diameter section 82a on the upstream side of transfer path 62 and a small diameter section 82b continuing to large diameter section 82a. The inner circumferential surface 82c of transport jet 82 is tapered in a stepped manner from large diameter section 82a to small diameter section 82b.

[0070] A baffle plate 88 is provided inside the transport jet 82 from the inner peripheral surface 82c toward the center in the radial direction. The transport jet 82 pulls in the curved sheet 34 that has passed through the preliminary folding guide 80 with air accompanied by wind pressure, folds the sheet 34 a predetermined number of times in the width direction Z between the baffle plate 88, and reduces its diameter when the sheet is transported from the large diameter portion 82a to the small diameter portion 82b. This forms a folding rod 90.

[0071] Fig. 28 shows a cross-sectional view of the trumpet guide 84, and Fig. 29 shows the upstream end face of the trumpet guide 84 in the transport path 62. The trumpet guide 84 is cylindrical and has an inner circumferential surface 84a whose diameter gradually decreases from the upstream side of the transport path 62. Inside the trumpet guide 84, a baffle plate 92 is erected from the inner circumferential surface 84a toward the center in the radial direction. Each baffle plate 88, 92 is installed inside the transport jet 82 and the trumpet guide 84, extending along the axial direction thereof.

[0072] In the trumpet guide 84, the folding rod 90 that has passed through the transport jet 82 is released together with air accompanied by wind pressure, and the fibers of the folding rod 90 are loosened and opened by the dissipation of air accompanying this release. In addition, the folding rod 90 formed by the transport jet 82 passes through the trumpet guide 84 while sandwiching the baffle plate 92. As a result, the folded state of the folding rod 90 formed by the transport jet 82 is maintained in the trumpet guide 84 as well.

[0073] In this manner, the transport jet 82 and the trumpet guide 84 have baffles 88, 92 extending from their inner circumferential surfaces 82c, 84a toward the center in the radial direction, respectively. The curved sheet 34 passing through the preliminary folding guide 80 is subjected to air accompanied by wind pressure and folded between the baffles 88, 92 to form a folding rod 90. When the sheet 34 is folded between the baffles 88, 92, the aforementioned opening 40 and grooves 44 are formed in a portion of the circumferential direction of the folding rod 90.

[0074] 30 shows a cross-sectional view of the tongue 86. The tongue 86 is cylindrical and has an inner peripheral surface 86a that is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the filling element 6. The folding rod 90 that has passed through the trumpet guide 84 is reduced in diameter to equal to or smaller than the diameter of the filling element 6 in the tongue 86, the opening 40 is closed, and the recessed ribs 44 are filled with the sheet 34.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 17, the folding section 56 includes an additive supply unit 94. The additive supply unit 94 has a nozzle 94a for supplying the additive 42. The nozzle 94a is inserted into both the transport jet 82 and the trumpet guide 84. The additive supply unit 94 supplies the additive 42 from the nozzle 94a to the inside of the folding rod 90 through the opening 40 at least before the folding rod 90 is transported to the tongue 86 (P3: additive supply process). In detail, the additive supply unit 94 supplies the additive 42 through the opening 40 along the axial direction X of the groove 44.

[0076] The folding section 56 also includes a capsule supply unit 96. The capsule supply unit 96 includes a cylindrical rotating holder 96a, and the capsule 46 is held in the rotating holder 96a. The capsule supply unit 96 rotates the rotating holder 96a at least before the folding rod 90 is conveyed to the tongs 86, and intermittently drops and supplies the capsule 46 held in the rotating holder 96a into the inside of the folding rod 90 through the opening 40 (P4: capsule supply process). In detail, the capsule supply unit 96 supplies the capsule 46 to a predetermined position in the axial direction X of the concave streak 44 through the opening 40, for example, to a central position in the axial direction X when the folding section 36 is reached.

[0077] 17, the wrapping section 58 supplies the wrapping paper 18 and wraps the folded rod 90 formed in the folding section 56 with the wrapping paper 18 to form a stuffing rod 98 (S4: wrapping step). Next, the cutting section 60 cuts the stuffing rod 98 formed in the wrapping section 58 into stuffing elements 6 (S5: cutting step), and the production of the stuffing elements 6 is completed.

[0078] As described above, the filling element 6 of the embodiment includes the folding portion 36 and the wrapping paper 18 wrapped in the folding portion 36. The folding portion 36 is formed by folding one sheet 34 made of nonwoven fabric in the width direction Z to reduce its diameter to or less than the diameter of the filling element 6, and the sheet 34 constituting the folding portion 36 is subjected to a pressing process that presses at least a portion of it in the width direction Z, and the ratio of the total pressed width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds in the width direction Z is a predetermined ratio.

[0079] By adjusting the degree of pressing the sheet 34, it is possible to form the fold-in portions 36 having a plurality of different packing densities, and thus the filling elements 6, using one type and one sheet 34. Furthermore, when only pressing the sheet 34, the parameter for managing the packing density of the filling elements 6 is only the setting of the degree of pressing the single sheet 34. Therefore, the packing density of the filling elements 6 can be easily and accurately controlled. Furthermore, by optimizing the packing density of the filling elements 6, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of gaps or cavities in the filling elements 6, thereby ensuring the quality of the article 1.

[0080] Furthermore, by setting the predetermined ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds to 50% or less, it is possible to leave the raised portion 38 of more than 50% of the sheet width Ds in the sheet 34. Therefore, an extreme decrease in the raised density of the sheet 34 is suppressed, and the occurrence of gaps and cavities in the filling elements 6 can be more reliably prevented.

[0081] The sheet processing section 54 provided in the manufacturing apparatus 50 of the embodiment includes roller sets 64, 66, and 68, and a protruding rib 72 protruding over the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of at least one of a pair of rollers Ra, Rb constituting each of the roller sets 64, 66, and 68 is formed. The protruding rib 72 performs a pressing process for pressing at least a part of the sheet 34 in the width direction Z, and the ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds in the width direction Z is adjusted to a predetermined ratio.

[0082] This pressing process is performed as a pressing process in the sheet processing step during the conveyance of the sheet 34. This allows the degree of pressing of the sheet 34 to be easily adjusted during the conveyance of the sheet 34. Therefore, the packing density of the filling elements 6 can be easily and accurately controlled. Also, as described above, by setting the predetermined ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds to 50% or less, an extreme decrease in the nap density of the sheet 34 is suppressed, so that the occurrence of gaps and cavities in the packing elements 6 can be more reliably prevented.

[0083] The folding section 56 provided in the manufacturing apparatus 50 of the embodiment includes a preliminary folding guide 80, a transport jet 82, a trumpet guide 84, and a tongue 86. As the sheet 34 passes through these parts of the folding section 56 during the conveying process of the sheet 34, the desired folding rod 90, and therefore the desired filling element 6, can be reliably formed.

[0084] More specifically, the transport jet 82 and the trumpet guide 84 have baffles 88 and 92 extending from their inner circumferential surfaces 82c and 84a toward the center in the radial direction, respectively. The curved sheet 34 passing through the transport jet 82 and the trumpet guide 84 is folded by air with wind pressure between the baffles 88 and 92, and is formed into a folding rod 90.

[0085] That is, when folding the sheet 34, each of the baffles 88, 92 functions as a portion that starts folding the sheet 34 and maintains the folded state of the sheet 34. Therefore, by providing each of the baffles 88, 92, the desired folding rod 90, and therefore the desired filling element 6, can be formed more reliably.

[0086] Although the description of the embodiment is finished above, the above embodiment is not limited and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the number, shape, and formation range of the ridges 72 are not limited to the described embodiment and various modifications are possible. The ridges 72 may be formed on both the rollers Ra and Rb, or may be formed only on the roller Ra or only on the roller Rb.

[0087] The number of roller sets provided in the sheet processing section 54 is not limited to the three roller sets 64, 66, and 68 described above, and may be at least a plurality of roller sets required for performing the stretching process. The ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds is preferably 50% or less, but may exceed 50% depending on the specifications of the sheet 34 and the required specifications of the filling element 6.

[0088] In addition, it is not necessary to subject the sheet 34 to both the stretching treatment and the pressing treatment, and the sheet 34 may be subjected to only one of the stretching treatment and the pressing treatment depending on the specifications of the sheet 34 and the required specifications of the filling elements 6. In addition, depending on the specifications of the sheet 34 and the required specifications of the filling elements 6, there may be cases where neither the stretching treatment nor the pressing treatment is performed.

[0089] In addition, it is not necessary to place both the additive 42 and the capsule 46 inside the folded-in portion 36, and only one of the additive 42 and the capsule 46 may be placed depending on the specifications of the filling element 6. In addition, as shown in Figures 6 and 12, depending on the specifications of the filling element 6, there may be cases where nothing is placed inside the folded-in portion 36.

[0090] In addition, the folding section 56 is not limited to the above-described configuration as long as it can form the folding rod 90. In addition, the additive supply unit 94 is not limited to the above-described configuration as long as it can perform an additive supply process. In addition, the capsule supply unit 96 is not limited to the above-described configuration as long as it can perform a capsule supply process. In addition, the configuration of the article 1 and the positions and number of the filling elements 6 in the article 1 are not limited to the forms described. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 Flavor suction article 6 Filling Elements 18 Scroll Paper 34 sheets 36 Folding section 50 Manufacturing equipment 54 Sheet Handling Section 56 Fold-in Section 58 Wrapping Section 60 Cutting Section 62 Transport Route 64, 66, 68 Roller Set 70 Control Unit 80 Extra folding guide 82 Transport Jet 84 Trumpet Guide 86 Tongs 88, 92 Baffle plate 90 Folding Rod 98 Filling Rod Ra, Rb Roller X Longitudinal direction Z width direction

Claims

1. A filling element for use in a flavor inhalation article, comprising: A folded portion in which a single sheet made of a nonwoven fabric is folded in a width direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction thereof to reduce its diameter to less than or equal to the diameter of the filling element; A wrapping paper to be wrapped in the folded portion; Equipped with The sheet is subjected to a pressing process to press at least a portion of the sheet in the width direction, and when the total width of the sheet pressed in the width direction is defined as the total pressed width of the sheet, the ratio of the total pressed width to the sheet width of the sheet in the width direction is a predetermined ratio.

2. The packing element of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined percentage is 50% or less.

3. An apparatus for manufacturing a filling element for use in a flavor inhalation article, comprising: a sheet processing section for processing a single sheet made of nonwoven fabric while conveying the sheet along a conveying path; A folding section that folds the sheet processed in the sheet processing section in a width direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the sheet during the sheet transport process in the transport path to form a folding rod having a diameter reduced to less than a diameter of the filling element; a wrapping section for wrapping the folded rod formed in the folding section with a wrapping paper to form a stuffed rod; a cutting section for cutting the filler rod formed in the wrapping section into the filler elements; Equipped with The sheet processing section includes a plurality of roller sets each including a pair of rollers, and each pair of rollers sandwiches and transports the sheet along the transport path; At least one of the pair of rollers constituting each of the roller sets has a protruding ridge formed on an outer circumferential surface of the roller, The protrusions are formed by performing a pressing process to press at least a part of the sheet in the width direction, A filling element manufacturing apparatus, wherein when the sum of the widths of the pressing areas in which the sheet is pressed by the convex ribs in the width direction is defined as the total pressing width of the sheet, the ratio of the total pressing width to the sheet width of the sheet in the width direction is adjusted to a predetermined ratio.

4. The apparatus for manufacturing a packing element according to claim 3 , wherein the predetermined percentage is 50% or less.

5. The fold-in section comprises: a preliminary folding guide that curves the sheet in a thickness direction during the sheet conveyance process in the conveyance path; a cylindrical transport jet that draws in the curved sheet that has passed through the preliminary folding guide by air with wind pressure and folds the sheet a predetermined number of times in the width direction to form the folding rod; A cylindrical trumpet guide in which the folding rod that has passed through the transport jet is discharged together with the air accompanied by the wind pressure, and the fibers of the folding rod are loosened and opened by the dissipation of the air accompanying this discharge; a cylindrical tongue for reducing the diameter of the folding rod that has passed through the trumpet guide to a diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter of the filling element; 5. An apparatus for producing a packing element according to claim 3 or 4, comprising:

6. The transport jet and the trumpet guide each have a baffle plate extending from an inner peripheral surface of the transport jet and the trumpet guide toward a radial center thereof, The apparatus for manufacturing a filling element according to claim 5, wherein the curved sheet passing through the transport jet and the trumpet guide is folded between the baffles by air accompanied by the wind pressure to form the folded rod.

7. A method for producing a filling element for use in a flavor inhalation article, comprising the steps of: a sheet processing step of processing a single sheet made of nonwoven fabric while conveying it; A folding step in which, during the conveying process of the sheet, the sheet processed in the sheet processing step is folded in a width direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction to form a folded rod having a diameter reduced to less than the diameter of the filling element; a wrapping step of wrapping the folded rod formed in the folding step with a wrapping paper to form a stuffed rod; a cutting step of cutting the filler rod formed in the wrapping step into the filler elements; Including, In the sheet processing step, a pressing process is performed in a process of conveying the sheet, in which at least a part of the sheet in the width direction is pressed, A method for manufacturing a filling element, wherein in the pressing process, when the sum of the widths of the pressing areas where the sheet is pressed is defined as the total pressing width of the sheet, the ratio of the total pressing width to the sheet width of the sheet in the width direction is adjusted to a predetermined ratio.

8. The method for producing a packing element according to claim 7 , wherein the predetermined percentage is 50% or less.

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