Method for producing aerosol-generating article

Abstract

This method for producing an aerosol-generating article (1) comprises: a first continuous body formation step (S1) for forming two first continuous bodies (50); a first separation step (S2) for separating the two first continuous bodies (50); a first supply step (S3) for forming a second continuous body (60); a first lapping step (S4) for forming a first joined body (70); a first cutting step (S5) for forming two divided bodies (80); a first inversion step (S6) for inverting the two divided bodies (80) in the axial direction (A); a second separation step (S7) for separating the two divided bodies (80) in the axial direction (A); a second supply step (S8) for forming the third continuous body (90); a second lapping step (S9) for forming a second joined body (100); and a second cutting step (S10) for cutting the second joined body (100) to form two aerosol-generating articles (1).

Description

Method for producing an aerosol product

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing an aerosol product.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing a smoking article (aerosol-producing article) including a functional segment, a tobacco rod, a cooling segment, and a filter segment. In this manufacturing method, as shown in Figure 5 of Patent Document 1, the tobacco rod (aerosol-producing segment) and the cooling segment are supplied with the same length as when the article is constructed.

[0003] International Publication No. 2020 / 070872

[0004] When segments of the same length as those used to construct the articles are fed into an article-making machine, the relatively short length of the segments tends to make them difficult to handle. Specifically, during each step of feeding, separating, cutting, and inverting the segments, the segments may roll and change their orientation because they are too small, or may be blown off because they are too light, or may become misaligned when aligning with other segments. Because these problems result in a decrease in the quality of the finished article, there is a need to improve the quality of aerosol-produced products, including smoking articles, by preventing the rolling, shedding, and misalignment of segments during the article-making process.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a method for manufacturing an aerosol product that can improve the quality of the aerosol product by preventing the segments from rolling, falling off, or shifting out of position.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a method for producing an aerosol product in which a tip segment, an aerosol-generation segment, a cooling segment, and a mouthpiece segment are joined in this order along an axial direction, and the method includes a first continuum forming step of forming two first continua in which the aerosol-generation segment and the cooling segment are aligned in the axial direction from a double-length aerosol-generation segment having a length twice that of the aerosol-generation segment and a double-length cooling segment having a length twice that of the cooling segment; a first spacing step of separating the two first continua in the axial direction with the aerosol-generation segments facing each other; a first supply step of supplying a double-length tip segment having a length twice that of the tip segment between the two first continua separated in the first spacing step and aligning them in the axial direction to form a second continuum; and The method includes a first wrapping step of wrapping the outer peripheral surface of the continuous body with first tipping paper to form a first combined body; a first cutting step of cutting the first combined body at the center in the axial direction to form two divided bodies; a first inverting step of inverting the two divided bodies formed in the first cutting step in the axial direction so that the cooling segments face each other; a second separating step of separating the two inverted divided bodies in the axial direction; a second supplying step of supplying a double-length mouthpiece segment having twice the length of the mouthpiece segment between the two divided bodies separated in the second separating step and aligning them in the axial direction to form a third continuous body; a second wrapping step of wrapping the outer peripheral surface of the third continuous body with second tipping paper to form a second combined body; and a second cutting step of cutting the second combined body at the center in the axial direction to form two aerosol product articles.

[0007] According to the above-described embodiment, rolling, falling off, and displacement of the segments are prevented, and the quality of the aerosol product is improved.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an aerosol product; Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing method of an aerosol product according to a first embodiment; Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing method of an aerosol product according to a second embodiment; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of an aerosol product according to a third embodiment; Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing method of an aerosol product according to a third embodiment.

[0009] The manufacturing method of an aerosol product according to each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol product (hereinafter also referred to simply as article 1). The article 1 includes an aerosol-generating segment 2, a cooling segment 4, a mouthpiece segment 6, and a tip segment 8. The aerosol-generating segment 2 is formed by wrapping a filler material 10 in cigarette paper 12. The filler material 10 includes, for example, a crimped sheet impregnated with a flavor liquid or a tobacco extract, tobacco shreds, flavor particles, an aerosol base material, etc. The article 1 is a non-combustion heating type in which the aerosol-generating segment 2 is heated without combustion, and the aerosol-generating segment 2 generates an aerosol by being heated by a heater in a device (not shown). The cooling segment 4 is, for example, a paper tube, and has a hollow portion 14 for cooling the aerosol generated in the aerosol-generating segment 2.

[0010] The mouthpiece segment 6 is formed, for example, by filling it with filter material 16 and wrapping it in cigarette paper 18, and has a mouth end 20 for inhaling the aerosol cooled in the cooling segment 4. The mouthpiece segment 6 may also be provided with a center hole segment having a cavity in its radial center. The tip segment 8 is formed by wrapping a filler material 22 in cigarette paper 24. The filler material 22 includes, for example, a crimped sheet impregnated with a flavor liquid or tobacco extract, a nonwoven fabric, flavor particles, etc. The mouth end 20 side of the mouthpiece segment 6 is defined as the downstream side, and the tip segment 8 side of the article 1 is defined as the upstream side, when viewed in the direction of airflow within the article 1 during inhalation (puffing).

[0011] The article 1 is formed by joining the tip segment 8, the aerosol-generation segment 2, the cooling segment 4, and the mouthpiece segment 6 in this order along the axial direction A of the article 1. More specifically, the tip segment 8, the aerosol-generation segment 2, and the cooling segment 4 are joined by wrapping their outer peripheries with a first tipping paper 26. In this embodiment, the cooling segment 4 is formed with an uncoated region 28 that is not wrapped with the first tipping paper 26, and a covered region 30 that is wrapped with the first tipping paper 26.

[0012] The uncoated region 28 is formed at the downstream end of the cooling segment 4 and has an uncoated length L1 in the axial direction A. The coated region 30 is formed in the remaining upstream region of the cooling segment 4 and has a coated length L2 in the axial direction A. The coated length L2 can be selected from 25%, 50%, 75%, etc. of the length L of the cooling segment 4 in the axial direction A. More specifically, if the length L of the cooling segment 4 is 20 mm, the coated length L2 can be selected from 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, etc. As is clear from FIG. 1 , the tip segment 8 and the aerosol-generation segment 2 are wrapped with the first tipping paper 26 over their entire lengths in the axial direction A, and there are no exposed regions in these segments 8, 2.

[0013] The mouthpiece segment 6 and the cooling segment 4 are joined by wrapping them with the second tipping paper 32. At this time, an overlapping region 34 is formed in the cooling segment 4, where the second tipping paper 32 overlaps the first tipping paper 26. The overlapping region 34 has an overlapping length L3 in the axial direction A of the cooling segment 4. When the length L of the cooling segment 4 is 20 mm, the overlapping length L3 is preferably 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less. Furthermore, a plurality of ventilation holes 36 that communicate between the outside of the article 1 and the hollow portion 14 are perforated in the uncovered region 28 of the cooling segment 4 along the circumferential direction of the cooling segment 4. In other words, the ventilation holes 36 are not formed in the overlapping region 34.

[0014] 2 is an explanatory diagram of a manufacturing method according to a first embodiment of the article 1. The first embodiment discloses a manufacturing method in which a manufacturing machine for the article 1 is not directly connected on the manufacturing line to a winding machine for manufacturing the double-length aerosol-generating segments 2W, which will be described later, so to speak, a non-directly connected machine. As disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the manufacturing machine for the article 1 is composed of a supply device for supplying each segment and each tipping paper, which will be described later, and various drums for supplying, separating, cutting, and inverting each segment, and performs the following steps S1 to S11.

[0015] [S1] First Continuum Formation Step When the production of the article 1 is started, first, in step S1, two first continua 50 are formed from a double-length aerosol-generation segment 2W, which is twice the length of the aerosol-generation segment 2, and a double-length cooling segment 4W, which is twice the length of the cooling segment 4, with the aerosol-generation segment 2 and the cooling segment 4 aligned in the axial direction A. More specifically, in step S1 of this embodiment, the following processes P1 to P5 are performed.

[0016] (P1) First Supply Process When step S1 is started, first in process P1, a double-length cooling segment 4W is supplied. (P2) First Cutting Process Next, in process P2, the double-length cooling segment 4W is cut in the center in the axial direction A to form two cooling segments 4.

[0017] (P3) Separation Process Next, in process P3, the two cooling segments 4 formed in process P2 are separated in the axial direction A. (P4) Second Supply Process Next, in process P4, a double-length aerosol-generation segment 2W is supplied between the two cooling segments 4 separated in process P3, and these are aligned in the axial direction A to form a pre-continuum 40. (P5) Second Cutting Process Next, in process P5, the pre-continuum 40 is cut in the center in the axial direction A. As a result, the two first continua 50 described above are formed in step S1.

[0018] [S2] First Separation Step Next, in step S2, the two first continua 50 are separated in the axial direction A with the aerosol-generation segments 2 facing each other. [S3] First Supply Step Next, in step S3, a double-length tip segment 8W having twice the length of the tip segment 8 is supplied between the two first continua 50 separated in step S2, and these are aligned in the axial direction A to form a second continuum 60.

[0019] [S4] First Wrapping Step Next, in step S4, the outer peripheral surface of the second continuum 60 is wrapped with the first tipping paper 26 to form the first combined body 70. Also in step S4, uncoated regions 28, which are not wrapped with the first tipping paper 26, are formed at both ends of the second continuum 60 in the axial direction A. Also in step S4, a coated region 30, which has the aforementioned coating length L2 and is wrapped with the first tipping paper 26, is formed on the cooling segment 4 constituting the second continuum 60. Also in step S4, to form the first combined body 70, at least the aerosol-generating segments 2 of the second continuum 60, specifically the two aerosol-generating segments 2 and the double-length tip segment 8W, are wrapped with the first tipping paper 26 over the entire length in the axial direction A.

[0020] [S5] First Cutting Step: Next, in step S5, the first combined body 70 is cut in the center in the axial direction A to form two divided bodies 80. [S6] First Reversing Step: Next, in step S6, the two divided bodies 80 formed in step S5 are reversed in the axial direction A so that the cooling segments 4 face each other. [S7] Second Separating Step: Next, in step S7, the two reversed divided bodies 80 are separated in the axial direction A. Note that steps S7 and S6 may be performed simultaneously.

[0021] [S8] Second Supply Step Next, in step S8, a double-length mouthpiece segment 6W having twice the length of the mouthpiece segment 6 is supplied between the two divided bodies 80 separated in step S7, and these are aligned in the axial direction A to form a third continuum 90. [S9] Second Wrapping Step Next, in step S9, the outer peripheral surface of the third continuum 90 is wrapped with second tipping paper 32 to form a second combined body 100. Also in step S9, an overlapping region 34 is formed in which the second tipping paper 32 overlaps the first tipping paper 26 by the aforementioned overlapping length L3.

[0022] [S10] Second Cutting Step Next, in step S10, the second combined body 100 is cut in the center in the axial direction A to form two articles 1. [S11] Second Reversing Step Next, in step S11, one of the two articles 1 formed in step S10 is reversed in the axial direction A. The articles 1, now lined up in the same orientation, are transported to a predetermined facility such as a packaging section.

[0023] As described above, the method for manufacturing the article 1 of this embodiment includes at least the aforementioned steps S1 to S10. In the first continuum formation step S1, a double-length aerosol-generating segment 2W and a double-length cooling segment 4W are supplied. Furthermore, in the first supply step S3, a double-length tip segment 8W is supplied, and in the second supply step S8, a double-length mouthpiece segment 6W is supplied. By supplying segments twice the length required to construct the article 1, the difficulty of handling the segments during the manufacture of the article 1 is overcome. Specifically, in each step of supplying, separating, cutting, and inverting the segments, problems such as the segments rolling and changing their orientation due to being too small, the segments being blown off and falling off due to being too light, or the segments being misaligned when aligned with other segments are prevented. Therefore, the number of defective articles 1 manufactured due to such problems can be reduced, thereby improving the quality of the article 1.

[0024] Furthermore, the first continuum formation step S1 of this embodiment includes the aforementioned processes P1 to P5. Because the manufacturing machine for the article 1 of this embodiment is a machine not directly connected to the hoisting machine that produces the double-length aerosol generation segment 2W, the first supply process P1 can supply the double-length cooling segment 4W instead of the double-length aerosol generation segment 2W. As a result, the segment inversion process is not performed in the first continuum formation step S1, and segment misalignment due to inversion cannot occur. This further improves the quality of the article 1. Furthermore, by not performing the inversion process, the manufacturing process for the article 1 can be simplified, thereby improving the productivity of the article 1.

[0025] Furthermore, since the object to be inverted in the first inversion step S6 is the divided body 80 that is joined by the first tipping paper 26, misalignment of the segments due to inversion cannot occur, thereby further improving the quality of the product 1. Furthermore, if the second separation step S7 and the first inversion step S6 are performed simultaneously, the manufacturing process of the product 1 can be further simplified, thereby further improving the productivity of the product 1.

[0026] Furthermore, in the first wrapping step S4, uncovered regions 28 that are not wrapped with the first tipping paper 26 are formed at both ends of the second continuum 60 in the axial direction A. As a result, even if the first tipping paper 26 meanders slightly relative to the outer peripheral surface of the second continuum 60 when wrapping the second continuum 60 with the first tipping paper 26, the widthwise end of the first tipping paper 26 will not extend beyond the end of the second continuum 60 in the axial direction A. Therefore, there is no need to strictly control the width dimension of the first tipping paper 26, and there is no need to strictly monitor whether the first tipping paper 26 meanders, which further improves the productivity of the article 1.

[0027] In the first wrapping step S4, the cooling segments 4 constituting the second continuum 60 are wrapped with the first tipping paper 26 to form a coated region 30 having a coating length L2. By setting the coating length L2 to a preferred value, such as the aforementioned 5 mm (25% of the length L of the cooling segments 4), 10 mm (50% of the length L), or 15 mm (75% of the length L), it is possible to effectively prevent the cooling segments 4 from falling off the first combined body 70 when the first combined body 70 is formed. This further improves the quality of the article 1.

[0028] In the first wrapping step S4, when forming the first combined body 70, at least the aerosol-generating segment 2 of the second continuum 60 is wrapped with the first tipping paper 26 over the entire length in the axial direction A. This prevents the aerosol-generating segment 2 from being exposed in the article 1 and being covered with the first tipping paper 26. This increases the rigidity of the article 1, thereby further improving the quality of the article 1.

[0029] Furthermore, in the second wrapping step S9, the second tipping paper 32 overlaps the first tipping paper 26 by an overlap length L3 to form an overlap region 34. As a result, the entire outer peripheral surface of the article 1 is covered by the first tipping paper 26 or the second tipping paper 32, further increasing the rigidity of the article 1. Furthermore, by presetting the overlap length L3 to a preferred value or more, for example, the aforementioned 3 mm or more, slight meandering of the second tipping paper 32 relative to the outer peripheral surface of the third continuum 90 is permitted when wrapping the third continuum 90 with the second tipping paper 32. Therefore, the meandering of the second tipping paper 32 does not result in a situation where a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cooling segment 4 is exposed and not covered by the second tipping paper 32.

[0030] Furthermore, by presetting the overlap length L3 to a preferred value or less, for example, the aforementioned 10 mm or less, the overlap region 34 is prevented from reaching near the downstream end of the cooling segment 4, thereby preventing the formation of the vent hole 36 in the overlap region 34. If the vent hole 36 is formed in the overlap region 34, the first tipping paper 26 and the second tipping paper 32 must be consistently perforated using a laser beam or the like. This increases the amount of paper dust generated by perforating the tipping paper by twice the normal amount, raising concerns about equipment contamination. Furthermore, consistently perforating both sheets of tipping paper makes it difficult to form the vent hole 36 with the desired dimensions, which could degrade the quality of the product 1. This problem is avoided by forming the vent hole 36 in the uncovered region 28.

[0031] Furthermore, by presetting the overlap length L3 to a preferred value or less, for example, the aforementioned 10 mm or less, the overlap region 34 is prevented from extending to the aerosol-generation segment 2 upstream of the cooling segment 4. When the overlap region 34 is formed in the aerosol-generation segment 2, a portion of the aerosol-generation segment 2 is covered not only by the first tipping paper 26 but also by the second tipping paper 32. Therefore, when the aerosol-generation segment 2 is heated by the heater of the device, the second tipping paper 32 in the overlap region 34 becomes an additional heating target, reducing the heating efficiency of the aerosol-generation segment 2 and ultimately changing the aerosol volatilization behavior. Furthermore, the glue used to wrap the second tipping paper 32 may be heated and volatilized, potentially affecting the smoking taste of the article 1. This problem does not occur if the overlap length L3 is presetting to a preferred value or less, for example, the aforementioned 10 mm or less.

[0032] The method for manufacturing the article 1 of this embodiment also includes a second inversion step S11 in which one of the two articles 1 formed in the second cutting step S10 is inverted in the axial direction A. This allows the two articles to be transported side by side in the same orientation, thereby enabling efficient collection and packaging of the manufactured articles 1. This further improves the productivity of the articles 1.

[0033] Second Embodiment Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing method according to a second embodiment of the article 1. In the following description of each embodiment, features different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and features similar to those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings and descriptions and will not be described again. The second embodiment also discloses a manufacturing method in which a manufacturing machine for manufacturing the article 1 is directly connected on the manufacturing line to a hoisting machine for manufacturing the double-length aerosol-generating segment 2W, i.e., a directly connected machine.

[0034] [S1] First Continuum Formation Step When the production of the article 1 is started, first, in step S1, as in the first embodiment, two first continua 50 are formed from a double-length aerosol-generation segment 2W, which is twice the length of the aerosol-generation segment 2, and a double-length cooling segment 4W, which is twice the length of the cooling segment 4, with the aerosol-generation segment 2 and the cooling segment 4 aligned in the axial direction A. More specifically, in step S1 of this embodiment, the following processes P101 to P106 are performed.

[0035] (P101) First supply process When step S1 is started, first in process P101, a double-length aerosol-generation segment 2W is supplied. (P102) First cutting process Next, in process P102, the double-length aerosol-generation segment 2W is cut in the center in the axial direction A to form two aerosol-generation segments 2.

[0036] (P103) Separation process Next, in process P103, the two aerosol-generation segments 2 formed in process P102 are separated in the axial direction A. (P104) Second supply process Next, in process P104, a double-length cooling segment 4W is supplied between the two aerosol-generation segments 2 separated in process P103, and these are aligned in the axial direction A to form a pre-continuum 110.

[0037] (P105) Second Cutting Process Next, in process P105, the pre-continuum 110 is cut in the center in the axial direction A. As a result, the two first continua 50 described above are formed in step S1. (P106) Inversion Process Next, in process P106, the two first continua 50 are inverted in the axial direction A so that the aerosol-generating segments 2 face each other. As a result, each first continuum 50 is aligned in the same orientation as in the first embodiment. After process P106, steps S2 to S11 are performed, similar to those in the first embodiment. Note that the inversion process P106 and the subsequent first separation step S2 may be performed simultaneously. Details of steps S2 to S11 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0038] As described above, in the method for manufacturing the article 1 of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a double-length aerosol-generation segment 2W and a double-length cooling segment 4W are supplied in the first continuum-forming step S1. Furthermore, a double-length tip segment 8W is supplied in the first supplying step S3, and a double-length mouthpiece segment 6W is supplied in the second supplying step S8. By supplying segments twice the length of the length used to construct the article 1 in this way, the handling of the segments involved in the manufacture of the article 1 is facilitated, and rolling, falling off, and misalignment of the segments are prevented, thereby improving the quality of the article 1.

[0039] Furthermore, the first continuum formation step S1 of this embodiment includes the above-described processes P101 to P106. The manufacturing machine for the article 1 of this embodiment is a direct-connection machine directly connected to a hoisting machine that manufactures the double-length aerosol generation segment 2W. This allows the double-length aerosol generation segment 2W to be supplied more smoothly and quickly in the initial first supply process P101 than in the first embodiment. Therefore, the productivity of the article 1 can be improved. Furthermore, as described above, the first separation step S2 and the inversion process P106 can be performed simultaneously. In this case, the manufacturing process for the article 1 can be further simplified, thereby further improving the productivity of the article 1. Note that the steps S2 to S11 performed in the second embodiment, which are similar to those in the first embodiment, also achieve the same effects as those in the first embodiment.

[0040] Third Embodiment Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an article 1 according to a third embodiment. The article 1 of this embodiment includes the same segments 2, 4, 6, and 8 as those of the first embodiment, and further includes a functional segment 120 between the tip segment 8 and the aerosol-generating segment 2. The functional segment 120 is added to impart various functions to the article 1 and is formed by wrapping a filler material 122 with cigarette paper 124. The filler material 122 may include, for example, pulp paper impregnated with a flavoring liquid or tobacco extract, a nonwoven fabric, or other non-tobacco sheets that do not contain tobacco, flavor particles, etc. Furthermore, the pulp paper, nonwoven fabric, and non-tobacco sheets may be subjected to additional processing, such as crimping.

[0041] 5 is an explanatory diagram of a manufacturing method according to a third embodiment of the article 1. In this embodiment, after steps S1 and S2 of the first embodiment are performed, the following steps S101 to S104 are performed to incorporate the functional segment 120 into the article 1. [S101] Third Supply Step First, in step S101, a double-length functional segment 120W having twice the length of the functional segment 120 is supplied between the two first continua 50 spaced apart in step S2, and these are aligned in the axial direction A to form a fourth continuum 130.

[0042] [S102] Third Cutting Step: Next, in step S102, the fourth continuum 130 is cut at its center in the axial direction A to form two fifth continuums 140. [S103] Third Separation Step: Next, in step S103, the two fifth continuums 140 formed in step S102 are separated in the axial direction A. Here, the fifth continuum 140 can be treated similarly to the first continuum 50 of the first embodiment in the sense that a plurality of segments are aligned in the axial direction A. After step S103, steps S3 to S11 similar to those of the first embodiment are performed on the fifth continuum 140 instead of the first continuum 50. Note that in FIG. 5 , the fifth continuum 140 shown in step S102 is replaced with the first continuum 50 in step S103, and steps S3 to S11 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

[0043] As described above, in the manufacturing method of the article 1 of this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, in the first continuum formation step S1, a double-length aerosol-generating segment 2W and a double-length cooling segment 4W are supplied. In addition, in the first supply step S3, a double-length tip segment 8W is supplied, and in the second supply step S8, a double-length mouthpiece segment 6W is supplied. In addition, in the third supply step S101, a double-length function segment 120W is supplied. In this way, by supplying segments twice the length used to construct the article 1, handling of the segments in the manufacture of the article 1 is facilitated, and rolling, falling off, and misalignment of the segments are prevented, thereby improving the quality of the article 1. Note that steps S3 to S11, which are similar to those of the first embodiment but performed in the third embodiment, also achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0044] The above description of each embodiment is complete, but the above embodiments are not limiting and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, as a modification of the third embodiment, the third supplying step S101 may form the fourth continuum 130 by supplying a double-length functional segment 120W between the two divided bodies 80 separated in step S7. In this case, too, the third cutting step S102 cuts the fourth continuum 130 at the center in the axial direction A to form two fifth continuums 140, and then the third separating step S103 separates the two fifth continuums 140 in the axial direction A.

[0045] After step S103, steps S8 to S11 similar to those of the first embodiment are sequentially performed on the fifth continuum 140 instead of the divided body 80. The third embodiment and its modified example may also be performed simultaneously. That is, instead of the first continuum 50 and / or the divided body 80, the steps described above for forming the first continuum 50 and / or the divided body 80 are sequentially performed on the fifth continuum 140. That is, the double-length functional segment 120W can be supplied before wrapping the fifth continuum 140 or the divided body 80 with the first tipping paper 26 or the second tipping paper 32. This allows two or more functional segments 120 (which may have different functions) to be added to an article 1 including a tip segment 8, an aerosol-generation segment 2, a cooling segment 4, and a mouthpiece segment 6, thereby enabling the manufacture of articles 1 with various configurations.

[0046] Furthermore, part or all of the above-described embodiments can be expressed by the description of each aspect shown below. (Aspect 1) A method for producing an aerosol product in which a tip segment, an aerosol-generation segment, a cooling segment, and a mouthpiece segment are joined in this order along an axial direction, the method comprising: a first continuum forming step of forming two first continua from a double-length aerosol-generation segment having a length twice that of the aerosol-generation segment and a double-length cooling segment having a length twice that of the cooling segment, with the aerosol-generation segment and the cooling segment being aligned in the axial direction; a first separation step of separating the two first continua in the axial direction with the aerosol-generation segments facing each other; a first supply step of supplying a double-length tip segment having a length twice that of the tip segment between the two first continua separated in the first separation step, and aligning them in the axial direction to form a second continuum; a first wrapping step of wrapping the outer periphery of the second continuum with first tipping paper to form a first combined body; and a first cutting step of cutting the center of the first combined body in the axial direction to form two divided bodies. A method for manufacturing an aerosol product, comprising: a first inverting step of inverting the two divided bodies formed in the first cutting step in the axial direction so that the cooling segments face each other; a second separating step of separating the two inverted divided bodies in the axial direction; a second supplying step of supplying a double-length mouthpiece segment having twice the length of the mouthpiece segment between the two divided bodies separated in the second separating step and aligning them in the axial direction to form a third continuous body; a second wrapping step of wrapping the outer surface of the third continuous body with second tipping paper to form a second combined body; and a second cutting step of cutting the second combined body in the center in the axial direction to form two aerosol product products.

[0047] (Aspect 2) The method for producing an aerosol product described in Aspect 1, wherein the first continuum forming step includes: a first supply process for supplying the double-length cooling segment; a first cutting process for cutting the double-length cooling segment in the center in the axial direction to form two cooling segments; a separating process for separating the two cooling segments formed in the first cutting process in the axial direction; a second supply process for supplying the double-length aerosol generation segment between the two cooling segments separated in the separating process and aligning them in the axial direction to form a pre-continuum; and a second cutting process for cutting the pre-continuum in the center in the axial direction to form two first continua.

[0048] (Aspect 3) The method for producing an aerosol product described in Aspect 1, wherein the first continuum forming step includes: a first supply process for supplying the double-length aerosol generation segment; a first cutting process for cutting the double-length aerosol generation segment at the center in the axial direction to form two aerosol generation segments; a separating process for separating the two aerosol generation segments formed in the first cutting process in the axial direction; a second supply process for supplying the double-length cooling segment between the two aerosol generation segments separated in the separating process and aligning them in the axial direction to form a pre-continuum; a second cutting process for cutting the pre-continuum at the center in the axial direction to form two first continua; and an inversion process for inverting the two first continua in the axial direction so that the aerosol generation segments face each other.

[0049] Aspect 4: The method of manufacturing an aerosol product according to aspect 3, wherein the first spacing step and the inversion process are performed simultaneously. Aspect 5: The method of manufacturing an aerosol product according to aspect 1, wherein the second spacing step and the first inversion step are performed simultaneously.

[0050] (Aspect 6) The method for manufacturing an aerosol product according to Aspect 1, wherein the first wrapping step forms uncovered regions that are not wrapped with the first tipping paper at both ends of the second continuum in the axial direction. (Aspect 7) The method for manufacturing an aerosol product according to Aspect 6, wherein the first wrapping step forms covered regions that are wrapped with the first tipping paper and have a predetermined covering length on the cooling segment.

[0051] (Aspect 8) The method for manufacturing an aerosol product article according to Aspect 7, wherein the first wrapping step wraps at least the aerosol-generating segment of the second continuum with the first tipping paper over the entire length in the axial direction to form the first combined body. (Aspect 9) The method for manufacturing an aerosol product article according to Aspect 1, wherein the second wrapping step forms an overlapping region in which the second tipping paper overlaps the first tipping paper with a predetermined overlap length. (Aspect 10) The method for manufacturing an aerosol product article according to Aspect 1, including a second inversion step in which one of the two aerosol product articles formed in the second cutting step is inverted in the axial direction.

[0052] (Aspect 11) The aerosol product further comprises a functional segment, and the method further includes a third supplying step of supplying a double-length functional segment having twice the length of the functional segment between at least one of two of the first continua and two of the divided bodies and aligning them in the axial direction to form a fourth continuum; a third cutting step of cutting the fourth continuum in the center in the axial direction to form two fifth continua; and a third separating step of separating the two fifth continua in the axial direction, wherein each of the steps from the formation of at least one of the first continuum and the divided body onwards is performed sequentially on the fifth continuum instead of at least one of the first continuum and the divided body.

[0053] 1 aerosol product 2 aerosol generation segment 2W double-length aerosol generation segment 4 cooling segment 4W double-length cooling segment 6 mouthpiece segment 6W double-length mouthpiece segment 8 tip segment 8W double-length tip segment 26 first tipping paper 28 uncoated region 30 coated region 32 second tipping paper 34 overlap region 40 pre-continuum 50 first continuum 60 second continuum 70 first connected body 80 divided body 90 third continuum 100 second connected body 110 pre-continuum 120 functional segment 120W double-length functional segment 130 fourth continuum 140 fifth continuum A axial direction L2 coated length L3 overlap length S1 first continuum forming step S2 first separation step S3 first supply step S4 first wrapping step S5 First cutting step S6 First reversing step S7 Second separating step S8 Second supplying step S9 Second lapping step S10 Second cutting step S11 Second reversing step P1 First supply process P2 First cutting process P3 Separating process P4 Second supply process P5 Second cutting process P101 First supply process P102 First cutting process P103 Separating process P104 Second supply process P105 Second cutting process P106 Reversing process S101 Third supply step S102 Third cutting step S103 Third separating step

Claims

1. A method for producing an aerosol product in which a tip segment, an aerosol-generation segment, a cooling segment, and a mouthpiece segment are joined in this order along an axial direction, the method comprising: a first continuum forming step of forming two first continua from a double-length aerosol-generation segment having a length twice that of the aerosol-generation segment and a double-length cooling segment having a length twice that of the cooling segment, with the aerosol-generation segment and the cooling segment aligned in the axial direction; a first separation step of separating the two first continua in the axial direction with the aerosol-generation segments facing each other; a first supply step of supplying a double-length tip segment having a length twice that of the tip segment between the two first continua separated in the first separation step, and aligning them in the axial direction to form a second continuum; a first wrapping step of wrapping the outer periphery of the second continuum with first tipping paper to form a first combined body; and a first cutting step of cutting the center of the first combined body in the axial direction to form two divided bodies. A method for manufacturing an aerosol product, comprising: a first inverting step of inverting the two divided bodies formed in the first cutting step in the axial direction so that the cooling segments face each other; a second separating step of separating the two inverted divided bodies in the axial direction; a second supplying step of supplying a double-length mouthpiece segment having twice the length of the mouthpiece segment between the two divided bodies separated in the second separating step and aligning them in the axial direction to form a third continuous body; a second wrapping step of wrapping the outer surface of the third continuous body with second tipping paper to form a second combined body; and a second cutting step of cutting the second combined body in the center in the axial direction to form two aerosol product products.

2. The method for producing an aerosol product according to claim 1, wherein the first continuum forming step includes: a first supply process for supplying the double-length cooling segment; a first cutting process for cutting the double-length cooling segment at its axial center to form two cooling segments; a separating process for separating the two cooling segments formed in the first cutting process in the axial direction; a second supply process for supplying the double-length aerosol generation segment between the two cooling segments separated in the separating process and aligning them in the axial direction to form a pre-continuum; and a second cutting process for cutting the pre-continuum at its axial center to form two first continua.

3. The method for producing an aerosol product according to claim 1, wherein the first continuum forming step includes: a first supply process for supplying the double-length aerosol generation segment; a first cutting process for cutting the double-length aerosol generation segment at its axial center to form two aerosol generation segments; a separating process for separating the two aerosol generation segments formed in the first cutting process in the axial direction; a second supply process for supplying the double-length cooling segment between the two aerosol generation segments separated in the separating process and aligning them in the axial direction to form a pre-continuum; a second cutting process for cutting the pre-continuum at its axial center to form two first continua; and an inversion process for inverting the two first continua in the axial direction so that the aerosol generation segments face each other.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said first spacing step and said inversion process are performed simultaneously.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said second spacing step and said first inverting step are performed simultaneously.

6. The method for manufacturing an aerosol product according to claim 1, wherein the first wrapping step forms uncovered areas at both ends of the second continuous body in the axial direction that are not wrapped with the first tipping paper.

7. The method for producing an aerosol product according to claim 6, wherein the first wrapping step forms a covering region on the cooled segment wrapped with the first tipping paper having a predetermined covering length.

8. A method for producing an aerosol product as described in claim 7, wherein the first wrapping step involves wrapping at least the aerosol-generating segment of the second continuous body with the first tipping paper over the entire axial length to form the first combined body.

9. The method for manufacturing an aerosol product according to claim 1, wherein the second wrapping step forms an overlap region in which the second tipping paper overlaps the first tipping paper with a predetermined overlap length.

10. A method for producing an aerosol product article according to claim 1, further comprising a second inversion step of inverting one of the two aerosol product articles formed in the second cutting step in the axial direction.

11. The method for producing an aerosol product according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol product further comprises a functional segment, and further comprises: a third supplying step of supplying a double-length functional segment having twice the length of the functional segment between at least one of two of the first continua and two of the divided bodies and aligning them in the axial direction to form a fourth continuum; a third cutting step of cutting the fourth continuum at the center in the axial direction to form two fifth continua; and a third separating step of separating the two fifth continua in the axial direction, wherein the steps subsequent to the formation of at least one of the first continuum and the divided body are performed sequentially on the fifth continuum instead of at least one of the first continuum and the divided body.

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