Flavor inhalation article

Abstract

A flavor inhalation article 1 comprises: a flavor source 11; a filter positioned downstream of the flavor source 11; and a connection member 30 provided so as to cover at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of at least one of the flavor source 11 or the filter. The connection member 30 includes: a small diameter part 32 provided over a specific region predetermined in the longitudinal direction of the filter; and a large diameter part 31 provided adjacent to the small diameter part 32 in the longitudinal direction and forming a step part 33 together with the small diameter part 32. The step part 33 is formed so that the large diameter part 31 protrudes further outward than the small diameter part 32. An opening part of a communication path 40 for providing communication between the outside and the inside is formed in a predetermined specific range from an end portion of the small diameter part 32 on the large diameter 31 side or in the wall surface of the step part 33.

Description

Flavor suction article

[0001] The present disclosure relates to flavor inhalation articles.

[0002] For example, the cigarette described in Patent Document 1 comprises a filter part including a plurality of filter sections, base paper around which each filter section is individually wrapped, and molding paper around which the filter sections around which these base papers are wrapped are integrally wound; a tobacco part in which tobacco material is wrapped in cigarette paper; and tipping paper that butts the filter part and the tobacco part together at their ends and wraps the entire filter part and the base end of the tobacco part to connect them together.

[0003] WO2013 / 124954

[0004] A flavor inhalation article is generally cylindrical with a uniform diameter, and therefore tends to move longitudinally and fall out of an ashtray when placed in the ashtray. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a flavor inhalation article that is less likely to move longitudinally.

[0005] A first feature of the present disclosure, which has been completed to achieve this objective, is a flavor inhalation article comprising: a flavor source; a filter located downstream of the flavor source; and an exterior member arranged to cover at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of at least one of the flavor source and the filter, wherein the exterior member has a first portion arranged over a predetermined region in the longitudinal direction of the filter; and a second portion arranged adjacent to the first portion in the longitudinal direction and forming a step portion with the first portion, wherein the step portion is formed so that the second portion protrudes outward from the first portion, and an opening of a communication passage connecting the outside and the inside is formed in a predetermined range from an end of the first portion on the second portion side or in a wall surface of the step portion. Here, the second portion may be arranged upstream of the first portion. Furthermore, the first portion may be arranged at a downstream end of the portion covering the outer circumferential surface of the filter. Furthermore, the communication passage may be formed in a portion more than 8 mm from the downstream end face of the filter. The communication passage may be a through hole formed in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, such that the outer side is the first portion side and the inner side is the second portion side. The first portion may be provided upstream of the second portion. The second portion may be provided at a downstream end of the filter. The communication passage may be a through hole formed in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, such that the outer side is the first portion side and the inner side is the second portion side. The longitudinal size of the second portion may be 8 mm or more. A plurality of the second portions may be provided. The longitudinal sizes of the plurality of second portions may be the same or different from each other. The outer surface sizes of the plurality of second portions may be the same or different from each other. One of the plurality of second portions may be provided at the upstream end or downstream end of a portion covering the outer peripheral surface of the filter. The plurality of second portions may be provided at a position spaced from the upstream end or downstream end of the portion covering the outer peripheral surface of the filter.Furthermore, the first section and the plurality of second sections may form a plurality of stepped sections, and the communication path may be formed corresponding to at least one of the stepped sections. Furthermore, a plurality of first sections may be provided. Furthermore, the longitudinal sizes of the plurality of first sections may be the same or different. Furthermore, the outer surface sizes of the plurality of first sections may be the same or different. Furthermore, a plurality of stepped sections may be formed by the plurality of first sections and at least one second section, and the communication path may be formed corresponding to at least one of the stepped sections. Furthermore, the step in the stepped section may be 40 μm or more. Furthermore, the exterior member may include a connecting member wound so as to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of a first winding member wound around the flavor source and at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of a second winding member wound around the filter, and connecting the first winding member and the second winding member, and the first section and the second section may be formed on the connecting member. The exterior member may include a first winding member wound around the flavor source and a second winding member wound around the filter, and the first and second portions may be formed on at least one of the first winding member and the second winding member. The exterior member may include a first winding member wound around the flavor source, a second winding member wound around the filter, and a connecting member wound so as to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first winding member and at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second winding member and connect the first and second winding members, and the first portion may be formed on the first winding member or the second winding member, and the second portion may be formed on the connecting member.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a flavor inhalation article that is difficult to move in the longitudinal direction can be provided.

[0007] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a flavor inhalation article according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a manner in which a through-hole is formed; FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a state in which the flavor inhalation article is placed on an ashtray; FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a state in which a user is holding the flavor inhalation article; FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a modified coupling member; FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to a second embodiment; FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a state in which the flavor inhalation article is placed on an ashtray; FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a first modified coupling member; FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a second modified coupling member; (A) and (B) are views showing an example of a schematic configuration of a modified communication path in the second modified coupling member; (A) and (B) are views showing an example of a schematic configuration of a modified communication path in the third modified coupling member; (A) and (B) are views showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to a third embodiment; (A) and (B) are views showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to a fourth embodiment; (B) are views showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to a fifth embodiment; (C) are views showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to a sixth embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article according to a seventh embodiment; (A) is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a communication passage according to a first modified example of the communication passage; (B) is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a communication passage according to a second modified example of the communication passage; (A) is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a step portion according to a first modified example of the step portion; and (B) is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a step portion according to a second modified example of the step portion.

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0009] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a longitudinal section of the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment. The flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment includes a substrate 10, a filter 20, and a connecting member 30 connecting the substrate 10 and the filter 20. The flavor inhalation article 1 can be exemplified as, for example, a cigarette that generates smoke by burning tobacco leaves, or a non-combustion heat-type smoking article that releases tobacco components together with added glycerin by heating. The substrate 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape. Hereinafter, the direction of the center line CL of the substrate 10 may be referred to as the "center line direction." The flavor inhalation article 1 is wound around the connecting member 30 so as to integrate the substrate 10 and the filter 20, arranged in that order, in the center line direction. Hereinafter, one end side in the centerline direction (left side in FIG. 2 ) may be referred to as the first side, and the other end side in the centerline direction (right side in FIG. 2 ) may be referred to as the second side. The first side is the end side that is ignited or heated during inhalation and is the upstream side in the flow of aerosol during inhalation. The second side is the opposite side to the first side, the end side that the user holds in their mouth for inhalation (the mouthpiece end side) and is the downstream side in the flow of aerosol during inhalation. A cross section along the centerline direction is referred to as a "longitudinal cross section," and a cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the centerline direction is defined as a "transverse cross section." The transverse cross section of the flavor inhalation article 1 is substantially circular, and its circumference can be adjusted appropriately depending on the size of the product, but is typically 16 mm to 27 mm, and preferably 21 mm to 25 mm. If the transverse cross section is not circular, the circumference is assumed to be a circle having the same area as the cross section, and the circumference of that circle is used. The size of the flavor inhalation article 1 in the center line direction can be changed appropriately according to the size of the product, but is usually 40 mm or more and 100 mm or less, and preferably 50 mm or more and 85 mm or less.

[0010] (Substrate 10) The substrate 10 is a portion that generates an aerosol upon combustion or heating, and includes a flavor source 11 and a cigarette paper 12 (an example of a first wrapping member) that covers the outer periphery of the flavor source 11. The substrate 10 is formed into a cylindrical shape with the centerline direction as the longitudinal direction by wrapping the flavor source 11 in the cigarette paper 12. However, the shape of the substrate 10 is not limited to a cylindrical shape. The flavor source 11 can be, for example, a tobacco-derived flavor source, such as a processed product obtained by molding tobacco shreds or tobacco raw materials into granules, sheets, or powder. The flavor source 11 may also include a non-tobacco-derived flavor source made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, herbs, etc.). For example, the flavor source 11 may include a flavoring. The type of flavoring is not particularly limited, and menthol is particularly preferred from the viewpoint of imparting a favorable flavor. These flavorings may be used alone or in combination. The flavor source 11 is not limited to a solid, and may be, for example, a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or a liquid such as water. The cross-sectional area and centerline size of the base material 10, and the content of the flavor source 11 can be appropriately changed according to the size of the flavor inhalation article 1.

[0011] Furthermore, when the flavor source 11 is derived from tobacco, the type of tobacco used is not particularly limited, and various known types can be used. Examples of types of tobacco include flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, oriental tobacco, native tobacco, other Nicotiana tabacum varieties, Nicotiana rustica varieties, and mixtures thereof. Mixtures are used by appropriately blending various varieties to achieve the desired flavor. Furthermore, even when the flavor source 11 is derived from tobacco, it may contain extracts and / or components thereof from various natural products depending on the intended use. Examples of extracts and / or components thereof include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and mixtures thereof.

[0012] Furthermore, when the flavor source 11 is a processed product obtained by forming tobacco shreds or tobacco raw materials into a sheet (hereinafter referred to as "tobacco sheet"), it can be appropriately manufactured by known methods such as papermaking, slurrying, rolling, etc. Furthermore, the tobacco sheet may be produced by grinding dried tobacco leaves to obtain tobacco grounds, homogenizing this using known means, and then processing it into a sheet. The number of tobacco sheets may be one or two or more. The two or more tobacco sheets may all have the same composition or physical properties, or some or all of the tobacco sheets may have different compositions or physical properties. Furthermore, the thickness of each tobacco sheet may be the same or different.

[0013] In the case where the flavor source 11 is composed of a single tobacco sheet, for example, a tobacco sheet having one side of the same size as the size of the base material 10 in the center line direction is filled in a state where it is folded back multiple times horizontally to the center line direction of the base material 10 (so-called gathered sheet). Another example is a tobacco sheet having one side of the same size as the size of the base material 10 in the center line direction is filled in a state where it is wound in a direction perpendicular to the center line direction of the base material 10.

[0014] In a case where the flavor source 11 is composed of two or more tobacco sheets, for example, a plurality of tobacco sheets, each having a side size approximately the same as the size of the substrate 10 in the center line direction, are packed in a state of being wound in a direction perpendicular to the center line direction of the substrate 10 so as to be concentrically arranged. "Concentrically arranged" means that the centers of all the tobacco sheets are arranged at approximately the same position. The flavor source 11 may also be a shredded tobacco sheet. Furthermore, the flavor source 11 may be a so-called strand type, in which tobacco sheets having a size approximately the same as the size of the substrate 10 in the center line direction are shredded approximately horizontally to the center line direction and packed.

[0015] The configuration of the cigarette paper 12 is not particularly limited and can be any common embodiment, such as one containing pulp as the main component. The pulp may be made from wood pulp such as softwood pulp or hardwood pulp, or may be made by mixing non-wood pulp commonly used in cigarette papers 12 for tobacco products, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, or esparto. Pulp types that can be used include chemical pulp produced by kraft cooking, acidic, neutral, or alkaline sulfite cooking, soda cooking, etc., ground pulp, chemi-ground pulp, and thermomechanical pulp. The cigarette paper 12 tightly wraps around the outer periphery of the substrate 10. The paper wrapper 12 is a flax paper of about 5 to 100 CORESTA (defined as the amount of air measured in cubic centimeters that passes through one square centimeter of material, e.g., a paper sheet, per minute at a pressure drop of 1.0 kilopascal), more preferably about 10 to 45 CORESTA, and has a density of about 23 to 35 grams per square meter (g / m ２ ) basis weight, more preferably about 23 to 30 g / m ２ and has about 23 to 35% by weight, more preferably 28 to 33% by weight, of a filler (preferably calcium carbonate). The wrapping paper 12 contains sodium citrate or other combustion improver, with preferred levels of sodium citrate ranging from 0 to about 2.6% by weight of the paper.

[0016] The shape of the wrapping paper 12 used to produce the substrate 10 can be, for example, a square or a rectangle. When wrapping the flavor source 11 in the wrapping paper 12 into a cylindrical shape, for example, an end of the wrapping paper 12 and an end of the wrapping paper 12 on the opposite side are overlapped by about 2 mm in the circumferential direction and glued together to form a cylindrical paper tube shape in which the substrate 10 is filled. The size of the wrapping paper 12 can be determined depending on the size of the substrate 10.

[0017] A coating agent may be added to at least one of the two surfaces, the front and back surfaces, of the wrapping paper 12. There are no particular limitations on the coating agent, but it may be an agent that can form a film on the surface of the paper and reduce liquid permeability. Examples of the coating agent include alginic acid and its salts (e.g., sodium salts), polysaccharides such as pectin, cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and nitrocellulose, starch and its derivatives (e.g., ether derivatives such as carboxymethyl starch, hydroxyalkyl starch, and cationic starch, and ester derivatives such as starch acetate, starch phosphate, and starch octenyl succinate).

[0018] (Filter Unit) The filter unit 20 is located on the second side (downstream side) of the base unit 10. The filter unit 20 has a filter 21 through which the aerosol passes and a wrapping paper 22 (an example of a second wrapping member) wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the filter 21. The filter unit 20 is formed into a cylindrical shape with the center line direction as the longitudinal direction by wrapping the filter 21 around the wrapping paper 22. However, the filter unit 20 is not limited to a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the filter unit 20 is connected to the base unit 10 by being wound around the end of the second side of the base unit 10 using a connecting member 30. When a user inhales an aerosol, the aerosol generated by the flavor source 11 of the base unit 10 passes through the filter 21 and is inhaled by the user.

[0019] The filter 21 is not particularly limited as long as it includes a filter material and has the general functions of a filter. Examples of the general functions of a filter include reducing nicotine and tar, as well as reducing unpleasant sensations such as irritation. The filter material constituting the filter 21 is, for example, a cylindrically shaped filler made of acetate, charcoal, cellulose fiber, nonwoven fabric, pulp paper, or the like. Alternatively, a paper filter filled with sheet-like pulp paper may be used.

[0020] The wrapping paper 22 may be made primarily of pulp. Pulp may be made from wood pulp, such as softwood pulp or hardwood pulp, or may be made by blending non-wood pulp, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, or esparto, which are commonly used in tobacco wrapping papers. These pulps may be used alone or in any combination of two or more types. The wrapping paper 22 may also contain a filler, such as calcium carbonate.

[0021] The wrapping paper 22 may be of any configuration, including one or more rows of seams containing adhesive. The adhesive may include a hot melt adhesive, which may further include polyvinyl alcohol. The wrapping paper 22 may be coated or uncoated, but is preferably coated with a desired material to provide functions such as strength and structural rigidity. The wrapping paper 22 may also be porous paper having multiple pores and providing breathability.

[0022] The shape of the wrapping paper 22 used to produce the filter unit 20 can be, for example, a square or rectangular. When the filter 21 is wound with the wrapping paper 22 into a cylindrical shape, for example, an end of the wrapping paper 22 and an end of the wrapping paper 22 on the opposite side are overlapped by about 2 mm in the circumferential direction and glued together to form a cylindrical paper tube shape in which the filter 21 is filled. The size of the wrapping paper 22 can be determined depending on the size of the filter unit 20. Note that the filter unit 20 may not have a wrapping paper 22, and a connecting member 30 may be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the filter 21.

[0023] (Connecting member 30) The connecting member 30 is wound so as to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the base member 10 and at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the filter member 20, and connects the base member 10 and the filter member 20. The connecting member 30 according to the first embodiment is wound so as to cover the second-side end of the base member 10 and the entire filter member 20. The shape of the connecting member 30 before being wound can be, for example, a square or a rectangle.

[0024] The material of the connecting member 30 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a material containing pulp as a main component. Pulp may be made from wood pulp such as softwood pulp or hardwood pulp, or may be made by mixing non-wood pulp commonly used in cigarette paper for tobacco products, such as flax pulp, hemp pulp, sisal pulp, or esparto. These pulps may be used alone or in any combination of two or more types in any ratio.

[0025] In addition to the materials described above, the connecting member 30 may contain fillers, such as calcium carbonate, to improve whiteness and opacity and increase the heating rate. In addition to the materials and fillers described above, the connecting member 30 may contain various auxiliary agents, such as a water resistance improver including a wet strength agent (WS agent) and a sizing agent. These fillers may be used alone or in combination.

[0026] A coating agent may be added to at least one of the two surfaces, the front and back surfaces, of the connecting member 30. The coating agent is not particularly limited, but a coating agent capable of forming a film on the surface and reducing liquid permeability is preferred. A portion of the outer surface of the connecting member 30 may be coated with a known lip release material. The lip release material refers to a material configured to help the lips and the connecting member 30 easily separate without substantial adhesion when the user holds the second end of the flavor inhalation article 1 between their mouths. The lip release material may include, for example, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, etc. For example, the outer surface of the connecting member 30 may be coated with the lip release material by applying an ethyl cellulose-based or methyl cellulose-based ink to the outer surface of the connecting member 30.

[0027] The connecting member 30 has a large diameter portion 31 with a larger outer diameter and a small diameter portion 32 with a smaller outer diameter, which are cylindrical portions with the same inner diameter but different outer diameters. The large diameter portion 31 and the small diameter portion 32 are integrally molded, with the large diameter portion 31 being located on the first side (upstream side) of the small diameter portion 32. The small diameter portion 32 can be formed, for example, by embossing the base material that forms the connecting member 30 so that its outer diameter is smaller than that of the large diameter portion 31. For example, the small diameter portion 32 can be formed by pressing the portion of the base material that corresponds to the small diameter portion 32 with a heated relief printing plate.

[0028] With the above configuration, the connecting member 30 has a step portion 33 at the boundary between the large diameter portion 31 and the small diameter portion 32. The step portion 33 has a wall surface 35 that is perpendicular to the center line direction. The step portion 33 is formed in a portion corresponding to the filter portion 20. That is, the step portion 33 is formed around the filter portion 20. In other words, the position of the step portion 33 in the center line direction overlaps with the position where the filter portion 20 is provided. Furthermore, the step portion 33 is formed at a position 9 mm or more away from the end face of the filter portion 20 on the second side in the center line direction to the first side.

[0029] The step portion (e.g., step portion 33) is a portion having a wall surface (e.g., wall surface 35) perpendicular to the center line direction, which is provided at the boundary between adjacent large diameter portions (e.g., large diameter portion 31) and small diameter portions (e.g., small diameter portion 32). In other words, the two adjacent portions separated by the step portion (e.g., step portion 33) are configured by the large diameter portion (e.g., large diameter portion 31) which is the portion with the larger diameter, and the small diameter portion (e.g., small diameter portion 32) which is the portion with the smaller diameter.

[0030] Furthermore, openings 41 of through holes 34 that communicate between the outside and the inside are formed in a predetermined range A in the small diameter portion 32 from the end of the large diameter portion 31 (in other words, the wall surface 35). A plurality of through holes 34 are formed along the circumferential direction. The predetermined range A can be, for example, a range within 0.5 mm from the end of the large diameter portion 31. Note that the manner in which the openings 41 of the through holes 34 are formed in the predetermined range A is not limited to an embodiment in which the entire openings 41 of the through holes 34 are within the predetermined range A; it is sufficient that at least a portion of the openings 41 of the through holes 34 is included in the predetermined range A.

[0031] 3 is a diagram showing an example of how the through-holes 34 are formed. For example, one method for forming the through-holes 34 is to wind the connecting member 30 around the wrapper paper 22 of the filter unit 20, and then irradiate a predetermined range A of the small diameter portion 32 with laser light L. When irradiating the laser light L, as shown in FIG. 3 , the laser light L is irradiated in a direction inclined with respect to the center line direction. In other words, the laser light L is irradiated onto the small diameter portion 32 in a direction that forms an acute angle with the center line of the small diameter portion 32. This is to prevent the laser light L from irradiating the large diameter portion 31.

[0032] When the small diameter portion 32 is irradiated with the laser light L, the intensity of the laser light L is preferably adjusted to an intensity that also forms the through-hole 23 that penetrates the wrapper paper 22. This simultaneously forms the through-hole 34 in the connecting member 30 and the through-hole 23 in the wrapper paper 22. The through-hole 34 in the connecting member 30 and the through-hole 23 in the wrapper paper 22 then form a communication passage 40 that communicates between the outside of the flavor inhalation article 1 and the filter 21 arranged inside. However, the method of forming the communication passage 40 constituted by the through-hole 34 in the connecting member 30 and the through-hole 23 in the wrapper paper 22 is not limited to a laser. For example, electrical discharge or a needle may be used.

[0033] (Communicating Passage 40) The communicating passage 40 connects the outside and the inside of the flavor inhalation article 1. Therefore, the communicating passage 40 allows air from outside the flavor inhalation article 1 to flow into the inside during inhalation. The shape of the communicating passage 40 can be, for example, a cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylindrical shape, a polygonal prism shape, or a rounded polygonal prism shape. The position of the communicating passage 40 in the center line direction is preferably formed in a region more than 8 mm from the end face of the filter unit 20 on the opposite side (downstream side) from the substrate unit 10. In other words, the position of the communicating passage 40 in the center line direction is preferably formed in a region more than 8 mm from the end face on the mouth end side where the user holds the flavor inhalation article 1 in their mouth. The region 8 mm or less from the end face on the mouth end side is the region where the user is expected to hold the flavor inhalation article 1 in their mouth. Therefore, by forming the communicating passage 40 in a region more than 8 mm from the end face on the mouth end side, it is possible to prevent the communicating passage 40 from being blocked by the lips.

[0034] The presence of the communication passage 40 that connects the outside and the inside of the flavor inhalation article 1 allows air to flow from the outside into the inside of the filter unit 20 when a user inhales the flavor inhalation article 1. This makes it possible to adjust the concentration of the inhaled flavor components and aerosol. It also makes it possible to lower the temperature of the steam and air flowing in from the substrate unit 10. Note that when the substrate unit 10 is burned or heated, steam generated with aerosol as condensation nuclei comes into contact with air from the outside and its temperature drops, liquefying, thereby accelerating the generation of aerosol.

[0035] The intensity of the laser light irradiated after the connecting member 30 is wound around the wrapping paper 22 of the filter section 20 may be an intensity that penetrates the connecting member 30 but does not penetrate the wrapping paper 22. Even in such a case, if the wrapping paper 22 is porous paper having a plurality of pores and exhibiting breathability, the through-holes 34 of the connecting member 30 and the pores of the wrapping paper 22 form a communication passage 40 that connects the outside of the flavor inhalation article 1 with the filter 21 arranged inside.

[0036] Furthermore, if the wrapper paper 22 is porous paper having a plurality of pores and exhibiting breathability, the through holes 34 may be formed before the connecting member 30 is wound onto the wrapper paper 22 of the filter unit 20. In other words, the connecting member 30 with the through holes 34 formed therein may be wound onto the wrapper paper 22 of the filter unit 20. There are no particular limitations on the method for forming the through holes 34 in the connecting member 30 before winding the connecting member 30 onto the wrapper paper 22. For example, a substrate that forms the base of the connecting member 30 may be irradiated with laser light L in a direction that forms an acute angle with the surface of the connecting member 30, as shown in FIG.

[0037] As described above, the flavor inhalation article 1 includes the flavor source 11, the filter 21 located downstream of the flavor source 11, and the connecting member 30 (an example of an exterior member) provided so as to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surfaces of the flavor source 11 and the filter 21. The connecting member 30 has a small diameter portion 32 (an example of a first portion) provided over a predetermined region in the longitudinal direction of the filter 21, and a large diameter portion 31 (an example of a second portion) provided adjacent to the small diameter portion 32 in the longitudinal direction and forming a step portion 33 with the small diameter portion 32. The step portion 33 is formed so that the large diameter portion 31 protrudes outward beyond the small diameter portion 32, and an opening 41 of a communication passage 40 communicating between the outside and the inside is formed in a predetermined range A from the end of the small diameter portion 32 on the large diameter portion 31 side (in other words, the wall surface 35).

[0038] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the flavor inhalation article 1 is placed on the ashtray 1000. The flavor inhalation article 1 has a large diameter portion 31 and a small diameter portion 32 that form a step portion 33, and the large diameter portion 31 is provided upstream of the small diameter portion 32. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, the first side end of the large diameter portion 31 is caught on the end of the arc-shaped groove 1001 formed in the ashtray 1000. Therefore, the flavor inhalation article 1 is unlikely to move in the longitudinal direction from the groove 1001 of the ashtray 1000. As a result, the flavor inhalation article 1 is prevented from falling off the ashtray 1000.

[0039] Furthermore, when the large diameter portion 31 of the flavor inhalation article 1 is in surface contact with the surface of the groove 1001 of the ashtray 1000, the small diameter portion 32 tends to float from the surface of the groove 1001. This causes the mouthpiece end held in the user's mouth to easily float from the surface of the groove 1001, making it less likely for dirt or the like to adhere to the mouthpiece end. Whether or not the step portion 33 is present in the connecting member 30 can be determined using the following method. That is, measurement using a well-known surface roughness measuring device can be exemplified. Another example is measuring the distance from the inner circumferential surface of the connecting member 30, in other words, the contact surface with the outer circumferential surface of the wrapper paper 22 of the filter section 20, to the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 31 (the thickness of the large diameter portion 31) and the distance from the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 32 (the thickness of the small diameter portion 32).

[0040] Furthermore, in the flavor inhalation article 1, an opening 41 of a through hole 34 communicating between the outside and the inside is formed in a predetermined range A (for example, within 0.5 mm) from the end of the small diameter portion 32 on the large diameter portion 31 side. The through hole 34, together with the through hole 23 formed in the wrapping paper 22, constitutes a communication path 40 communicating between the outside of the flavor inhalation article 1 and the inside of the filter section 20. Furthermore, when the wrapping paper 22 is porous paper having a plurality of pores and exhibiting breathability, the through hole 34, together with the plurality of pores in the wrapping paper 22, constitutes the communication path 40.

[0041] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a user holds the flavor inhalation article 1. The flavor inhalation article 1 configured as described above can provide the user with a desired flavor with a high degree of accuracy. That is, even if the user holds the stepped portion 33 with their fingers during inhalation as shown in FIG. 5, the opening 41 of the communication passage 40 (through hole 34) formed in the small diameter portion 32 is unlikely to be blocked.

[0042] If the opening 41 of the communication passage 40 were to be blocked, it might be impossible to take in the amount of air necessary to provide the desired flavor into the flavor inhalation article 1 through the communication passage 40, and therefore the desired flavor might not be provided to the user. In contrast, in the flavor inhalation article 1, the opening 41 of the communication passage 40 is unlikely to be blocked, and therefore the amount of air necessary to provide the desired flavor can be taken in through the communication passage 40. Therefore, the flavor inhalation article 1 can provide the user with the desired flavor.

[0043] In the flavor inhalation article 1, the step S (see FIG. 2) in the step portion 33 is preferably 40 μm or more. That is, the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the large diameter portion 31 is preferably 80 μm or more larger than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 32. This makes it highly unlikely that the opening 41 of the communication passage 40 (through hole 34) will be blocked by the user's finger even if the step portion 33 is held by the user's finger. The step S in the step portion 33 is preferably 50 μm or more, and more preferably 55 μm or more.

[0044] In the flavor inhalation article 1, the small diameter portion 32 is provided at the downstream end of the portion covering the outer peripheral surface of the filter 21. In other words, the downstream end of the small diameter portion 32 is the side that the user holds in their mouth for inhalation. This makes it difficult for adjacent small diameter portions 32 provided on the opening side of the box to come into contact with each other when multiple flavor inhalation articles 1 are stored in the box. As a result, the flavor inhalation article 1 makes it easy for the user to take out one flavor inhalation article 1 from a box in which multiple flavor inhalation articles 1 are stored.

[0045] Furthermore, in the flavor inhalation article 1, the communication passage 40 is a through-hole 34 formed in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction so that the outer side is on the small diameter portion 32 side and the inner side is on the large diameter portion 31 side. As a result, even if the predetermined range A from the end of the small diameter portion 32 on the large diameter portion 31 side is small, such as within 0.5 mm, the through-hole 34 can be formed with high accuracy. Furthermore, by introducing air flowing in the opposite direction to the air flowing through the flavor inhalation article 1 from the communication passage 40, the air can be more easily mixed within the flavor inhalation article 1, the temperature of the steam and air flowing in from the substrate portion 10 can be further lowered, and the generation of aerosol can be further promoted.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a modified example of the connecting member 30. While the connecting member 30 illustrated in FIG. 2 and other figures includes one large-diameter portion 31 and one small-diameter portion 32, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , a second large-diameter portion 36 having an outer diameter larger than that of the small-diameter portion 32 may be provided on the second side (downstream side) of the small-diameter portion 32. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the second large-diameter portion 36 may be provided at the end (downstream end) of the filter unit 20 on the second side in the centerline direction. By providing the second large-diameter portion 36 at the downstream end, the second large-diameter portion 36 is held in the mouth when the user inhales. Therefore, compared to when the small-diameter portion 32 is provided at the downstream end of the filter unit 20 and held in the mouth, the surface area of ​​the portion held in the mouth is larger, making it less likely to be torn by saliva. The size of the second large diameter portion 36 in the center line direction may be the same as or different from the size of the large diameter portion 31 in the center line direction. The outer diameter of the second large diameter portion 36 may be the same as or different from the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 31. In other words, the size of the outer surface of the second large diameter portion 36 may be the same as or different from the size of the outer surface of the large diameter portion 31.

[0047] <Second embodiment> Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article 2 according to a second embodiment. The flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment is different from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in that it has a connecting member 230 corresponding to the connecting member 30. Hereinafter, the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment will be described in terms of differences from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same parts as those in the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0048] Connecting member 230 differs in that small diameter portion 232, which corresponds to small diameter portion 32, is provided upstream of large diameter portion 231, which corresponds to large diameter portion 31. Small diameter portion 232 is wound around the second end of substrate portion 10 and the first end of filter portion 20, and large diameter portion 231 is wound around the second end of filter portion 20. The longitudinal size of large diameter portion 231 is 8 mm or more. In other words, large diameter portion 231 is provided over a range of 8 mm or more from the end face on the end side that the user holds in their mouth for suction to the first side. This allows large diameter portion 231 to be held in their mouth.

[0049] A step 233 is provided at the boundary between the large diameter portion 231 and the small diameter portion 232. The step 233 has a wall surface 235 that is perpendicular to the center line direction. The step 233 is formed in a position corresponding to the filter unit 20. The step 233 is formed at a position more than 8 mm toward the first side from the end face on the second side in the center line direction of the filter unit 20.

[0050] An opening 241 of a through-hole 234 that communicates between the outside and the inside is formed in the small-diameter portion 232 within a predetermined range A from the end of the large-diameter portion 231. A plurality of through-holes 234 are formed along the circumferential direction. For example, the predetermined range A may be a range within 0.5 mm from the end of the large-diameter portion 231. Furthermore, to prevent the opening 241 of the through-hole 234 from being blocked by the lips, the predetermined range A is preferably an area more than 8 mm from the end face on the suction mouth end side.

[0051] The method for forming the through hole 234 is the same as the method for forming the through hole 34 according to the first embodiment described with reference to Fig. 3. However, the direction in which the laser light L is irradiated is symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the center line direction, and the laser light L is irradiated onto the small diameter portion 232 in a direction that forms an acute angle with the center line of the small diameter portion 232. This prevents the laser light L from being irradiated onto the large diameter portion 231.

[0052] When the small diameter portion 232 is irradiated with the laser light L, the intensity of the laser light L is adjusted to an intensity that also forms the through-hole 23 penetrating the wrapping paper 22, so that the through-hole 234 of the connecting member 230 and the through-hole 23 of the wrapping paper 22 form a communication passage 240 that connects the outside of the flavor inhalation article 2 with the filter 21 arranged inside. Alternatively, the communication passage 240 may be formed by the through-hole 234 of the connecting member 230 and the pores of the wrapping paper 22.

[0053] As described above, the flavor inhalation article 2 includes the flavor source 11, the filter 21 located downstream of the flavor source 11, and the connecting member 230 (an example of an exterior member) provided so as to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surfaces of the flavor source 11 and the filter 21. The connecting member 230 has a small diameter portion 232 (an example of a first portion) provided over a predetermined region in the longitudinal direction of the filter 21, and a large diameter portion 231 (an example of a second portion) provided adjacent to the small diameter portion 232 in the longitudinal direction and forming a step portion 233 with the small diameter portion 232. The step portion 233 is formed so that the large diameter portion 231 protrudes outward beyond the small diameter portion 232, and an opening 241 of a communication passage 240 communicating between the outside and the inside is formed in a predetermined range A from the end of the small diameter portion 232 on the large diameter portion 231 side.

[0054] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the flavor suction article 2 is placed on the ashtray 1000. The flavor suction article 2 has a large diameter portion 231 and a small diameter portion 232 that form a step portion 233, and since the large diameter portion 231 is provided downstream of the small diameter portion 232, as shown in Fig. 8, the step portion 233 is caught on the end of the arc-shaped groove 1001 formed in the ashtray 1000. Therefore, the flavor suction article 2 is unlikely to move in the longitudinal direction from the groove 1001 of the ashtray 1000. As a result, the flavor suction article 2 is prevented from falling off the ashtray 1000.

[0055] 7 , in the flavor inhalation article 2, an opening 241 of a through hole 234 communicating between the outside and the inside is formed in a predetermined range A (for example, within 0.5 mm) from the end of the small diameter portion 232 on the large diameter portion 231 side. The through hole 234, together with the through hole 23 formed in the wrapping paper 22, constitutes a communicating path 240 communicating between the outside of the flavor inhalation article 2 and the inside of the filter section 20. When the wrapping paper 22 is porous paper having a plurality of pores and exhibiting breathability, the through hole 234, together with the plurality of pores in the wrapping paper 22, constitutes the communicating path 240.

[0056] In the flavor inhalation article 2 configured as described above, even if the user holds the step portion 233 with his / her fingers when inhaling, the opening 241 of the communication passage 240 (through hole 234) formed in the small diameter portion 232 is unlikely to be blocked, so that the desired flavor can be provided to the user with a high degree of certainty.

[0057] Furthermore, in the flavor inhalation article 2, the large diameter portion 231 is provided at the downstream end of the filter 21. Therefore, the large diameter portion 231 is held in the mouth when the user inhales. Therefore, with the flavor inhalation article 2, the surface area of ​​the portion held in the mouth is larger than when, for example, the small diameter portion 232 is provided at the downstream end of the filter 21 and held in the mouth, making it less likely to be torn by saliva.

[0058] In the flavor inhalation article 2, the communication passage 240 is the through hole 234 and the through hole 23 formed in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction so that the outer side is the small diameter portion 232 side and the inner side is the large diameter portion 231 side. The direction in which the communication passage 240 is formed is a direction in which outside air is taken in at an acute angle with the direction in which the aerosol flows, so that outside air can be taken in with high accuracy.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a first modified example of the connecting member 230. The connecting member 230 illustrated in FIG. 7 and other figures is configured with one large-diameter portion 231 and one small-diameter portion 232, but is not particularly limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , a second small-diameter portion 237 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter portion 231 may be provided on the second side (downstream side) of the large-diameter portion 231. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the second small-diameter portion 237 may be provided at the end (downstream end) of the filter unit 20 on the second side in the center line direction. By providing the second small-diameter portion 237, when multiple flavor inhalation articles 2 are housed in a box, adjacent second small-diameter portions 237 provided on the opening side of the box are less likely to come into contact with each other. As a result, it becomes easier for the user to remove one flavor inhalation article 2 from a box containing multiple flavor inhalation articles 2. The size of the second small diameter portion 237 in the center line direction may be the same as or different from the size of the small diameter portion 232 in the center line direction. The outer diameter of the second small diameter portion 237 may be the same as or different from the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 232. In other words, the size of the outer surface of the second small diameter portion 237 may be the same as or different from the size of the outer surface of the small diameter portion 232.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a second modified example of the connecting member 230. As shown in FIG. 10 , a second large diameter portion 236 having an outer diameter larger than that of the second small diameter portion 237 may be provided on the second side (downstream side) of the second small diameter portion 237. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , the second large diameter portion 236 may be provided at the end (downstream end) of the filter unit 20 on the second side in the centerline direction. By providing the second large diameter portion 236 at the downstream end, the second large diameter portion 236 is held in the mouth when the user inhales. Therefore, compared to when the second small diameter portion 237 is provided at the downstream end of the filter unit 20 and held in the mouth, the surface area of ​​the portion held in the mouth is larger, making it less likely to be torn by saliva. Note that the size of the second large diameter portion 236 in the centerline direction may be the same as or different from the size of the large diameter portion 231 in the centerline direction. The outer diameter of the second large diameter portion 236 may be the same as or different from the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 231. In other words, the size of the outer surface of the second large diameter portion 236 may be the same as or different from the size of the outer surface of the large diameter portion 231.

[0061] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing an example of a schematic configuration of a modified communication passage 240 in a second modified coupling member 230. In the second modified coupling member 230, a small diameter portion 232, a large diameter portion 231, a second small diameter portion 237, and a second large diameter portion 236 are provided in this order from the first side to the second side in the center line direction. As a result, in addition to a step portion 233 provided at the boundary between the small diameter portion 232 and the large diameter portion 231, a second step portion 242 is provided at the boundary between the large diameter portion 231 and the second small diameter portion 237, and a third step portion 243 is provided at the boundary between the second small diameter portion 237 and the second large diameter portion 236. The second step portion 242 and the third step portion 243 have a second wall surface 252 and a third wall surface 253, respectively. In the above configuration, the communication passage 240 may be formed such that an opening 241 of the communication passage 240, which connects the outside of the flavor inhalation article 2 with the filter 21 arranged inside, is formed in the second small diameter portion 237. For example, as shown in Fig. 11(A) , the communication passage 240 may be formed such that the opening 241 is within a predetermined range A from the end of the second small diameter portion 237 on the large diameter portion 231 side (in other words, the second wall surface 252). Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 11(B) , the communication passage 240 may be formed such that the opening 241 is within a predetermined range A from the end of the second small diameter portion 237 on the second large diameter portion 236 side (in other words, the third wall surface 253).

[0062] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a third modified example of the connecting member 230. The third modified example of the connecting member 230 differs from the second modified example of the connecting member 230 shown in FIG. 10 in the following respects; the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 12 , a third small diameter portion 239 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the second large diameter portion 236 may be provided on the second side (downstream side) of the second large diameter portion 236. For example, as shown in FIG. 12 , the third small diameter portion 239 may be provided at the end (downstream end) of the filter unit 20 on the second side in the center line direction. By providing the third small diameter portion 239 at the downstream end, when multiple flavor inhalation articles 2 are housed in a box, adjacent third small diameter portions 239 provided on the opening side of the box are less likely to come into contact with each other. As a result, it becomes possible for the user to easily remove one flavor inhalation article 2 from a box containing multiple flavor inhalation articles 2. The size of the third small diameter portion 239 in the center line direction may be the same as or different from the size of the second small diameter portion 237 in the center line direction. The outer diameter of the third small diameter portion 239 may be the same as or different from the outer diameter of the second small diameter portion 237. In other words, the size of the outer surface of the third small diameter portion 239 may be the same as or different from the size of the outer surface of the second small diameter portion 237.

[0063] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a schematic configuration of a modified communication passage 240 in a third modified coupling member 230. In the third modified coupling member 230, a small diameter portion 232, a large diameter portion 231, a second small diameter portion 237, a second large diameter portion 236, and a third small diameter portion 239 are provided in this order from the first side to the second side in the center line direction. As a result, in addition to the stepped portion 233, the second stepped portion 242, and the third stepped portion 243, a fourth stepped portion 244 is provided at the boundary between the second large diameter portion 236 and the third small diameter portion 239. The fourth stepped portion 244 has a fourth wall surface 254. In the above configuration, the communication passage 240 may be formed so that an opening 241 of the communication passage 240 that communicates the outside of the flavor inhalation article 2 with the filter 21 arranged inside is formed in the second small diameter portion 237 or the third small diameter portion 239. For example, as shown in Fig. 13(A) , the communication passage 240 may be formed so that the opening 241 is within a predetermined range A from the end of the second small diameter portion 237 on the large diameter portion 231 side. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 13(B) , the communication passage 240 may be formed so that the opening 241 is within a predetermined range A from the end of the second small diameter portion 237 on the second large diameter portion 236 side.

[0064] <Third embodiment> Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article 3 according to a third embodiment. The flavor inhalation article 3 according to the third embodiment is different from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in that a connecting member 330 corresponding to the connecting member 30 is provided. Hereinafter, the flavor inhalation article 3 according to the third embodiment will be described in terms of differences from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same parts as those in the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] The connecting member 330 according to the third embodiment is formed by stacking multiple sheet members. The connecting member 330 has a step portion 333 at the boundary between a large diameter portion 331 corresponding to the large diameter portion 31 and a small diameter portion 332 corresponding to the small diameter portion 32, by varying the number of stacked sheet members. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 , the connecting member 330 has a first sheet member 351 wound around the connecting member 330 to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the base member 10 and at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the filter unit 20, and a second sheet member 352 wound around the connecting member 330 to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first sheet member 351. The first sheet member 351 and the second sheet member 352 may be formed from the same material as the connecting member 30 according to the first embodiment.

[0066] The first sheet member 351 is wound in the same region as the region in which the connecting member 30 according to the first embodiment is wound. The second sheet member 352 is wound around the portion of the first sheet member 351 that forms the large diameter portion 331. As a result, a step portion 333 is formed on the first sheet member 351 between the portion where the second sheet member 352 is wound and the portion where it is not wound. The step portion 333 has a wall surface 335 that is perpendicular to the center line direction.

[0067] Then, a through hole 334 is formed by irradiating a portion of the first sheet member 351 within a predetermined range A from the end of the second sheet member 352 with laser light L. The through hole 334 forms a communication passage 340 together with the through hole 23 of the paper roll 22 or the pores of the paper roll 22.

[0068] In the flavor inhalation article 3 described above, the second sheet member 352 is laminated on the first sheet member 351, but the number of laminated sheets is not particularly limited and may be three or more. In the flavor inhalation article 3 described above, the step portion 333 is formed by laminating the second sheet member 352 on the first sheet member 351. However, instead of laminating the second sheet member 352, the step portion 333 may be formed by thickly applying the lip release material described above. That is, the lip release material may be applied thickly to the portion of the first sheet member 351 where the large diameter portion 331 is to be formed. Alternatively, the lip release material may be applied thickly only to the region near the portion where the step portion 333 is to be formed. Furthermore, the material applied to the first sheet member 351 to form the step portion 333 is not limited to the lip release material and may be, for example, varnish.

[0069] In addition, the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment may be adapted to form a step portion 333 at the boundary between the large diameter portion 331 and the small diameter portion 332 by varying the number of stacked sheet members.

[0070] <Fourth embodiment> Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article 4 according to a fourth embodiment. The flavor inhalation article 4 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in that a step portion 433 corresponding to the step portion 33 is formed by a filter portion 420 corresponding to the filter portion 20 and a connecting member 430 corresponding to the connecting member 30. Hereinafter, the flavor inhalation article 4 according to the fourth embodiment will be described in terms of differences from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same parts as those in the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] The filter unit 420 includes the filter 21 and a wrapper 422 that corresponds to the wrapper 22 and is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the filter 21. The wrapper 422 differs from the connecting member 430 in that a portion on the second side relative to the wrapper 22 is not covered by the connecting member 430. The connecting member 430 differs from the connecting member 30 in that it is provided from the second-side end face of the filter unit 420 to a position 9 mm or more away from the first side. In other words, the connecting member 430 differs from the connecting member 30 in that it is not provided between the second-side end face of the filter unit 420 and a position 9 mm or more away from this end face. Therefore, the wrapper 422 is exposed to the outside at the second-side end of the filter unit 420.

[0072] With the above-described configuration, a step 433 is formed on the paper roll 422 between a portion where the connecting member 430 is wrapped and a portion where it is not wrapped. In other words, the step 433 is formed so that the second portion 431, which is the portion of the paper roll 422 where the connecting member 430 is wrapped, protrudes outward more than the first portion 432, which is the portion of the paper roll 422 where the connecting member 430 is not wrapped. The second portion 431 is formed by the paper roll 422 and the connecting member 430. The step 433 also has a wall surface 435 that is perpendicular to the center line direction.

[0073] Then, a through-hole 423 is formed by irradiating a laser beam L to a portion of the wrapper paper 422 of the filter part 420 within a predetermined range A from the second end face of the connecting member 430 using the method described with reference to Fig. 3. The through-hole 423 functions as a communication passage 440 that communicates between the outside of the flavor inhalation article 4 and the filter 21 arranged inside.

[0074] As described above, the flavor inhalation article 4 includes the flavor source 11, the filter 21 located downstream of the flavor source 11, and the connecting member 430 and wrapper paper 422 as an example of an exterior member provided to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the flavor source 11 or the filter 21. The connecting member 430 and the wrapper paper 422 have a first portion 432 provided over a predetermined region in the longitudinal direction of the filter 21, and a second portion 431 provided adjacent to the first portion 432 in the longitudinal direction and forming a step portion 433 with the first portion 432. The step portion 433 is formed such that the second portion 431 protrudes outward beyond the first portion 432, and an opening 441 of a communication passage 440 communicating between the outside and the inside is formed in a predetermined range A from the end of the first portion 432 on the second portion 431 side (in other words, the wall surface 435).

[0075] The flavor inhalation article 4 configured as described above is unlikely to move longitudinally from the groove 1001 of the ashtray 1000, similar to the flavor inhalation article 1, and therefore the flavor inhalation article 4 is prevented from falling off the ashtray 1000. Furthermore, in the flavor inhalation article 4, even if the user holds the stepped portion 433 with his or her fingers during inhalation, the opening 441 of the communication passage 440 formed in the first portion 432 is unlikely to be blocked, and therefore the desired flavor can be provided to the user with high certainty.

[0076] <Fifth embodiment> Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article 5 according to a fifth embodiment. The flavor inhalation article 5 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment in that a step portion 533 corresponding to the step portion 233 is formed by a base portion 510 corresponding to the base portion 10 and a connecting member 530 corresponding to the connecting member 30. Hereinafter, the flavor inhalation article 5 according to the fifth embodiment will be described in terms of differences from the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be used for the same parts as the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0077] The substrate portion 510 has a flavor source 11 and cigarette paper 512 corresponding to the cigarette paper 12. The cigarette paper 512 differs from the cigarette paper 12 in that a through-hole 513, which will be described later, is formed therein. The connecting member 530 differs from the connecting member 230 in that a step portion 233 is not provided. A step portion 533 is formed on the cigarette paper 512 of the substrate portion 510 between a portion where the connecting member 530 is wrapped and a portion where the connecting member 530 is not wrapped. In other words, the step portion 533 is formed so that a second portion 531, which is a portion of the cigarette paper 512 where the connecting member 530 is wrapped, protrudes outward more than a first portion 532, which is a portion of the cigarette paper 512 where the connecting member 530 is not wrapped. The second portion 531 is constituted by the cigarette paper 512 and the connecting member 530. The step portion 533 has a wall surface 535 that is perpendicular to the center line direction.

[0078] A through-hole 513 is formed in the cigarette paper 512 at a location within a predetermined range A from the first end face of the connecting member 530 using a method similar to the method for forming the through-hole 234 according to the second embodiment. The through-hole 513 functions as a communication passage 540 that connects the outside of the flavor inhalation article 5 with the flavor source 11 arranged inside.

[0079] As described above, the flavor inhalation article 5 includes the flavor source 11, the filter 21 located downstream of the flavor source 11, and the connecting member 530 and wrapping paper 512 as an example of an exterior member provided to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the flavor source 11 or the filter 21. The connecting member 530 and the wrapping paper 512 have a first portion 532 provided across a predetermined region in the longitudinal direction, and a second portion 531 provided adjacent to the first portion 532 in the longitudinal direction and forming a step portion 533 with the first portion 532. The step portion 533 is formed such that the second portion 531 protrudes outward more than the first portion 532, and an opening 541 of a communication passage 540 communicating between the outside and the inside is formed in a predetermined range A from the end of the first portion 532 on the second portion 531 side.

[0080] The flavor inhalation article 5 configured as described above is unlikely to move longitudinally from the groove 1001 of the ashtray 1000, similar to the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment, and therefore the flavor inhalation article 5 is prevented from falling off the ashtray 1000. Furthermore, in the flavor inhalation article 5, even if the user holds the stepped portion 533 with their fingers during inhalation, the opening 541 of the communication passage 540 formed in the first portion 532 is unlikely to be blocked, and therefore the desired flavor can be provided to the user with high reliability.

[0081] <Sixth embodiment> Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article 6 according to a sixth embodiment. The flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment in that a step portion 633 corresponding to the step portion 33 is provided in a filter portion 620 corresponding to the filter portion 20. Hereinafter, the flavor inhalation article 6 according to the sixth embodiment will be described in terms of differences from the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same parts as those in the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] The flavor inhalation article 6 includes a substrate portion 10, a filter portion 620, and a connecting member 630 corresponding to the connecting member 30. The filter portion 620 has a filter 21 and a wrapping paper 622 corresponding to the wrapping paper 22. The wrapping paper 622 has a large diameter portion 631 with a larger outer diameter and a small diameter portion 632 with a smaller outer diameter, which are cylindrical portions having the same inner diameter but different outer diameters. The large diameter portion 631 and the small diameter portion 632 are integrally molded, and the large diameter portion 631 is located on the first side (upstream side) of the small diameter portion 632. The small diameter portion 632 can be formed, for example, by embossing the substrate that serves as the base of the wrapping paper 622.

[0083] With the above configuration, the roll paper 622 has a step portion 633 at the boundary between the large diameter portion 631 and the small diameter portion 632. The step portion 633 has a wall surface 635 perpendicular to the centerline direction. Furthermore, a through hole 634 communicating between the outside and the inside is formed in the small diameter portion 632 within a predetermined range A from the end of the large diameter portion 631. A plurality of through holes 634 are formed along the circumferential direction by irradiating the laser light L using the method described with reference to FIG. 3 . The predetermined range A can be, for example, a range within 0.5 mm from the end of the large diameter portion 631. The through hole 634 functions as a communication passage 640.

[0084] The connecting member 630 is wound so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the second-side end of the base member 10 and at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the first-side end of the filter member 620, thereby connecting the base member 10 and the filter member 620. The connecting member 630 is wound so as to cover the portion of the filter member 620 that is on the first side relative to the stepped portion 633. As a result, the portion of the filter member 620 that is on the second side relative to the stepped portion 633 is exposed to the outside. The second-side end of the filter member 620 may be covered with the above-mentioned lip release material.

[0085] As described above, the flavor inhalation article 6 includes the flavor source 11, the filter 21 located downstream of the flavor source 11, and the wrapper paper 622 as an example of an exterior member provided to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the flavor source 11 or the filter 21. The wrapper paper 622 has a small diameter portion 632 (an example of a first portion) provided over a predetermined region in the longitudinal direction of the filter 21, and a large diameter portion 631 (an example of a second portion) provided adjacent to the small diameter portion 632 in the longitudinal direction and forming a step portion 633 with the small diameter portion 632. The step portion 633 is formed such that the large diameter portion 631 protrudes outward beyond the small diameter portion 632, and an opening 641 of a communication passage 640 communicating between the outside and the inside is formed in a predetermined range A from the end of the small diameter portion 632 on the large diameter portion 631 side.

[0086] The flavor inhalation article 6 configured as described above is unlikely to move longitudinally from the groove 1001 of the ashtray 1000, similar to the flavor inhalation article 1 according to the first embodiment, and therefore the flavor inhalation article 6 is prevented from falling off the ashtray 1000. Furthermore, in the flavor inhalation article 6, even if the user holds the stepped portion 633 with his or her fingers during inhalation, the opening 641 of the communication passage 640 formed in the small diameter portion 632 is unlikely to be blocked, and therefore the desired flavor can be provided to the user with high reliability.

[0087] The method for forming the step portion 633 in the roll 622 is not limited to embossing. For example, similar to the connecting member 330 according to the third embodiment, the roll 622 having the step portion 633 formed therein may be constructed by stacking a plurality of sheet members. Alternatively, the step portion 633 may be formed by applying a thick layer of the lip release material or varnish described above to the area of ​​the roll 622 where the large diameter portion 631 is to be formed.

[0088] <Seventh embodiment> Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a flavor inhalation article 7 according to a seventh embodiment. The flavor inhalation article 7 according to the seventh embodiment differs from the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment in that a step portion 733 corresponding to the step portion 233 is provided in a base material portion 710 corresponding to the base material portion 10. Hereinafter, the flavor inhalation article 7 according to the seventh embodiment will be described in terms of differences from the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment, and the same reference numerals will be used for the same parts as the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0089] The flavor inhalation article 7 includes a substrate portion 710, a filter portion 20, and a connecting member 730 corresponding to the connecting member 230. The substrate portion 710 includes a flavor source 11 and a wrapping paper 712 that covers the outer periphery of the flavor source 11. The wrapping paper 712 includes a large-diameter portion 731 with a larger outer diameter and a small-diameter portion 732 with a smaller outer diameter, which are cylindrical portions having the same inner diameter but different outer diameters. The large-diameter portion 731 and the small-diameter portion 732 are integrally molded, and the large-diameter portion 731 is located on the second side (downstream) of the small-diameter portion 732. The small-diameter portion 732 can be formed, for example, by embossing the substrate that serves as the base of the wrapping paper 712.

[0090] With the above-described configuration, the wrapping paper 712 has a step portion 733 at the boundary between the large diameter portion 731 and the small diameter portion 732. The step portion 733 has a wall surface 735 that is perpendicular to the center line direction. A through hole 734 that communicates between the outside and the inside is formed in the small diameter portion 732 within a predetermined range A that is determined from the end of the large diameter portion 731. A plurality of through holes 734 are formed along the circumferential direction by irradiating the laser light L using the method described in the second embodiment. The predetermined range A can be, for example, a range within 0.5 mm from the end of the large diameter portion 731. The through hole 734 functions as a communication passage 740.

[0091] Similar to the connecting member 230 according to the second embodiment, the connecting member 730 is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the second-side end of the base member 710 and the periphery of the filter unit 20, connecting the base member 710 and the filter unit 20. The connecting member 730 is wound around the base member 710 so as to cover a portion of the base member 710 on the second side of the stepped portion 733.

[0092] As described above, the flavor inhalation article 7 includes the flavor source 11, the filter 21 located downstream of the flavor source 11, and the wrapper paper 712 as an example of an exterior member provided to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the flavor source 11. The wrapper paper 712 has a small diameter portion 732 (an example of a first portion) provided across a predetermined region in the longitudinal direction of the filter 21, and a large diameter portion 731 (an example of a second portion) provided adjacent to the small diameter portion 732 in the longitudinal direction and forming a step portion 733 with the small diameter portion 732. The step portion 733 is formed such that the large diameter portion 731 protrudes outward beyond the small diameter portion 732, and an opening 741 of a communication passage 740 communicating between the outside and the inside is formed in a predetermined range A from the end of the small diameter portion 732 on the large diameter portion 731 side.

[0093] The flavor inhalation article 7 configured as described above is unlikely to move longitudinally from the groove 1001 of the ashtray 1000, similar to the flavor inhalation article 2 according to the second embodiment, and therefore the flavor inhalation article 7 is prevented from falling off the ashtray 1000. Furthermore, in the flavor inhalation article 7, even if the user holds the stepped portion 733 with their fingers during inhalation, the opening of the opening 741 of the communication passage 740 formed in the small diameter portion 732 is unlikely to be blocked, and therefore the desired flavor can be provided to the user with high reliability.

[0094] The method for forming the stepped portion 733 in the wrapping paper 712 is not limited to embossing. For example, similar to the connecting member 330 according to the third embodiment, the wrapping paper 712 having the stepped portion 733 formed therein may be configured by stacking a plurality of sheet members. Furthermore, the stepped portion 733 may be formed by applying a thick layer of the lip release material or varnish described above to the area of ​​the wrapping paper 712 where the large diameter portion 731 is to be formed.

[0095] <Modifications of the communicating passages 40, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, and 740> As described above, the communicating passages 40, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, and 740 are formed so that an opening (e.g., opening 41) is located in the smaller diameter portion (e.g., small diameter portion 32) of two portions adjacent to each other with a step portion (e.g., step portion 33) interposed therebetween, but are not limited to this. Below, modifications of the communicating passages 40, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, and 740 will be described using the communicating passage 40. The modified examples of the communication passages 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, and 740 are similar to the modified example of the communication passage 40, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] 19A is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a communicating passage 51 according to a first modified example of the communicating passage 40. FIG. 19B is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a communicating passage 52 according to a second modified example of the communicating passage 40. In the communicating passage 51 according to the first modified example, an opening 51 a is formed in the wall surface 35 of the stepped portion 33. For example, the communicating passage 51 can be formed by irradiating the wall surface 35 of the stepped portion 33 with laser light L from the outside. In the communicating passage 52 according to the second modified example, an opening 52 a is formed in the small diameter portion 32 of the stepped portion 33 and the wall surface 35. For example, the communicating passage 52 can be formed by irradiating the connection portion between the small diameter portion 32 of the stepped portion 33 and the wall surface 35 with laser light L from the outside.

[0097] In addition, in a flavor suction article having a plurality of step portions (for example, the flavor suction article 2 having the connecting member 230 relating to the third modified example has a step portion 233, a second step portion 242, a third step portion 243, and a fourth step portion 244), the communicating passage (for example, the communicating passage 240) may be formed corresponding to one step portion of the plurality of step portions, or may be formed corresponding to a plurality of step portions of the plurality of step portions.

[0098] <Modifications of step portion 33, step portion 233, step portion 333, step portion 433, step portion 533, step portion 633, step portion 733> In a step portion (e.g., step portion 33), the outer peripheral surface of a small diameter portion (e.g., small diameter portion 32) is parallel to the center line direction and the wall surface (e.g., wall surface 35) is a surface perpendicular to the center line direction, so that the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion (e.g., small diameter portion 32) and the wall surface (e.g., wall surface 35) are perpendicular to each other, but are not particularly limited to this aspect. Below, modifications of step portion 33, step portion 233, step portion 333, step portion 433, step portion 533, step portion 633, step portion 733 will be described using step portion 33. The modified examples of the step portion 233, the step portion 333, the step portion 433, the step portion 533, the step portion 633, and the step portion 733 are similar to the modified example of the step portion 33, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] FIG. 20(A) is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a step portion 833 according to a first modified example of the step portion 33. FIG. 20(B) is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a step portion 933 according to a second modified example of the step portion 33. The step portion 833 according to the first modified example has a wall surface 835 that is inclined with respect to the center line direction. The wall surface 835 shown in FIG. 20(A) is a surface that forms an obtuse angle with the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 32. Therefore, the step portion 833 according to the first modified example is formed so that the wall surface 835 and the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 32 form an obtuse angle. However, although not shown, the wall surface 835 and the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 32 may also be formed so that an acute angle is formed. In addition, the communicating passage 40 may have the opening 41 formed in the wall surface 835, similar to the communicating passage 51 of the first modified example, or may have the opening 41 formed in the small diameter portion 32 and the wall surface 835, similar to the communicating passage 52 of the second modified example.

[0100] In the step portion 933 according to the second modification, the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 932 is inclined with respect to the center line direction. In the step portion 933 shown in FIG. 20(B), the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 932 is inclined with respect to the center line direction so that the wall surface 35 perpendicular to the center line direction and the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 932 form an obtuse angle. However, although not shown, the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 932 may be inclined with respect to the center line direction so that the wall surface 35 and the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 932 form an acute angle. Furthermore, the communicating passage 40 may have an opening 41 formed in the wall surface 35, similar to the communicating passage 51 according to the first modification, or may have the opening 41 formed in the small diameter portion 932 and the wall surface 35, similar to the communicating passage 52 according to the second modification.

[0101] <Summary> The present disclosure includes the following configurations: (1) A flavor inhalation article including a flavor source, a filter located downstream of the flavor source, and an exterior member arranged to cover at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of at least one of the flavor source or the filter, wherein the exterior member has a first portion arranged over a predetermined region in the longitudinal direction of the filter, and a second portion arranged adjacent to the first portion in the longitudinal direction and forming a step portion with the first portion, wherein the step portion is formed so that the second portion protrudes outward beyond the first portion, and an opening of a communication passage connecting the outside and the inside is formed within a predetermined range from an end of the first portion on the second portion side or on a wall surface of the step portion. (2) The flavor inhalation article described in (1), wherein the second portion is arranged upstream of the first portion. (3) The flavor inhalation article described in (2), wherein the first portion is arranged at the downstream end of the portion covering the outer circumferential surface of the filter. (4) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the communication passage is formed at a position more than 8 mm from the downstream end face of the filter. (5) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the communication passage is a through-hole formed in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, with the outer side facing the first portion and the inner side facing the second portion. (6) The flavor inhalation article according to (1), wherein the first portion is provided upstream of the second portion. (7) The flavor inhalation article according to (6), wherein the second portion is provided at the downstream end of the filter. (8) The flavor inhalation article according to (6) or (7), wherein the communication passage is a through-hole formed in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, with the outer side facing the first portion and the inner side facing the second portion. (9) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (6) to (8), wherein the size of the second portion in the longitudinal direction is 8 mm or more. (10) The flavor inhalation article according to (1), wherein a plurality of the second sections are provided. (11) The flavor inhalation article according to (10), wherein the longitudinal sizes of the plurality of second sections are the same as or different from each other. (12) The flavor inhalation article according to (10) or (11), wherein the outer surface sizes of the plurality of second sections are the same as or different from each other.(13) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (10) to (12), wherein one of the plurality of second sections is provided at the upstream end or the downstream end of the portion covering the outer peripheral surface of the filter. (14) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (10) to (12), wherein the plurality of second sections are provided at positions spaced apart from the upstream end or the downstream end of the portion covering the outer peripheral surface of the filter. (15) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (10) to (14), wherein the first section and the plurality of second sections form a plurality of stepped sections, and the communication passage is formed corresponding to at least one of the stepped sections. (16) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1), (10) to (15), wherein a plurality of the first sections are provided. (17) The flavor inhalation article according to (16), wherein the longitudinal dimensions of the plurality of first sections are the same or different from each other. (18) The flavor inhalation article according to (16) or (17), wherein the sizes of the outer surfaces of the plurality of first sections are the same or different from one another. (19) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (16) to (18), wherein the plurality of first sections and at least one second section form a plurality of stepped sections, and the communication path is formed corresponding to at least one of the stepped sections. (20) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (19), wherein the step in the stepped section is 40 μm or more. (21) The flavor inhalation article according to any one of (1) to (20), wherein the exterior member has a connecting member wound so as to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of a first winding member wound around the flavor source and at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of a second winding member wound around the filter, and connects the first winding member and the second winding member, and the first section and the second section are formed on the connecting member. (22) A flavor inhalation article described in any one of (1) to (20), wherein the outer casing has a first winding member wound around the flavor source and a second winding member wound around the filter, and the first part and the second part are formed in at least one of the first winding member and the second winding member.(23) A flavor inhalation article described in any one of (1) to (20), wherein the exterior member has a first winding member wound around the flavor source, a second winding member wound around the filter, and a connecting member wound so as to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first winding member and at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second winding member, and connects the first winding member and the second winding member, and the first part is formed in the first winding member or the second winding member, and the second part is formed in the connecting member.

[0102] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7... flavor inhalation article, 10... substrate portion, 11... flavor source, 12, 512, 712... wrapping paper, 20... filter portion, 21... filter, 22, 422, 622... wrapping paper, 23, 34, 234, 334, 423, 513, 634, 734... through-hole, 30, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 7 30... connecting member; 31, 231, 331, 631, 731... large diameter portion; 32, 232, 332, 632, 732... small diameter portion; 33, 233, 333, 433, 533, 633, 733... step portion; 40, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740... communicating passage; 431, 531... second portion; 432, 532... first portion

Claims

1. A flavor inhalation article comprising: a flavor source; a filter located downstream of the flavor source; and an exterior member arranged to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of at least one of the flavor source or the filter, wherein the exterior member has a first portion arranged over a predetermined region in the longitudinal direction of the filter, and a second portion arranged adjacent to the first portion in the longitudinal direction and forming a step portion with the first portion, wherein the step portion is formed so that the second portion protrudes outward beyond the first portion, and an opening of a communication passage connecting the outside and the inside is formed within a predetermined range from the end of the first portion on the second portion side, or on the wall surface of the step portion.

2. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1, wherein the second section is provided upstream of the first section.

3. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 2, wherein the first portion is provided at the downstream end of the portion covering the outer peripheral surface of the filter.

4. A flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication passage is formed at a location more than 8 mm from the downstream end face of the filter.

5. A flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication passage is a through hole formed in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, with the outer side being the first part side and the inner side being the second part side.

6. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1, wherein the first section is provided upstream of the second section.

7. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 6, wherein the second portion is provided at a downstream end of the filter.

8. A flavor inhalation article according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the communication passage is a through hole formed in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, with the outer side being the first part side and the inner side being the second part side.

9. The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second portion has a longitudinal size of 8 mm or more.

10. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the second portions are provided.

11. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 10, wherein the longitudinal dimensions of the plurality of second portions are the same as or different from one another.

12. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the sizes of the outer surfaces of the plurality of second portions are the same as or different from each other.

13. A flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein one of the plurality of second sections is provided at the upstream end or downstream end of the portion covering the outer peripheral surface of the filter.

14. A flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the plurality of second portions are provided at positions spaced apart from the upstream end or the downstream end of the portion covering the outer peripheral surface of the filter.

15. A flavor inhalation article described in any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the first portion and a plurality of the second portions form a plurality of step portions, and the communicating passage is formed corresponding to at least one of the step portions of the plurality of step portions.

16. The flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 and 10 to 15, wherein a plurality of the first portions are provided.

17. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 16, wherein the longitudinal dimensions of the plurality of first portions are the same as or different from one another.

18. The flavor inhalation article according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the sizes of the outer surfaces of the plurality of first portions are the same as or different from each other.

19. A flavor inhalation article described in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein a plurality of the step portions are formed by a plurality of the first portions and at least one of the second portions, and the communicating passage is formed corresponding to at least one of the step portions of the plurality of the step portions.

20. A flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the step in the step portion is 40 μm or more.

21. A flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the exterior member has a connecting member wound so as to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of a first winding member wound around the flavor source and at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of a second winding member wound around the filter, connecting the first winding member and the second winding member, and the first part and the second part are formed on the connecting member.

22. A flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the exterior member has a first winding member wound around the flavor source and a second winding member wound around the filter, and the first part and the second part are formed on at least one of the first winding member and the second winding member.

23. A flavor inhalation article according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the exterior member comprises: a first winding member wound around the flavor source; a second winding member wound around the filter; and a connecting member wound so as to cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first winding member and at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second winding member, and connecting the first winding member and the second winding member; wherein the first portion is formed on the first winding member or the second winding member, and the second portion is formed on the connecting member.

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