CN118434306A

CN118434306A - Filling element, filling element manufacturing device, and filling element manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: CN118434306A
Application number: CN202180105026.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 池田纯一郎; 盐谷洋辅
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 2021-12-16
Filing date: 2021-12-16
Publication date: 2024-08-02
Also published as: WO2023112256A1; JPWO2023112256A1; US20240324662A1; EP4449900A1; KR20240101958A

Abstract

The filling element 6 is used for the flavor absorbing article 1, and the filling element 6 includes: a folding portion 36, wherein the folding portion 36 folds one sheet 34 made of nonwoven fabric in a width direction Z intersecting with a longitudinal direction X thereof and reduces the diameter thereof to a diameter smaller than that of the filling element 6; and the roll paper 18, the roll paper 18 is wrapped around the folded portion 36, the folded portion 36 has an opening 40 that opens in the axial direction X of the folded portion 36 at a part of the circumferential direction thereof, and the additive 42 is disposed inside the folded portion 40 through the opening 40.

Description

Filling element, filling element manufacturing device, and filling element manufacturing method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a filler element, a device for manufacturing the filler element, and a method for manufacturing the filler element.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing a filter element for cigarettes. The filter element is formed by overlapping two or more sheets having a filtering function as a filter material with a certain width being shifted, bending each of the overlapped sheets into an S-shape or a Z-shape, and then pressing and rolling the sheet into a cylindrical shape.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent publication No. 44-3727

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

The filter element is also used for a non-combustion heating type flavor-absorbing article, in addition to the flavor-absorbing article including the combustion heating type cigarette described in patent document 1. The packing density of the filter material packed in the filter element has a large influence on the ventilation resistance when the user sucks the flavor-sucking article, and further on the smoke flavor obtained by the user. If the packing density of the filter element is reduced, gaps or voids are generated in the filter element, and the smoke flavor and appearance of the flavor-absorbing article are greatly impaired. That is, the packing density of the filter element becomes an important factor in ensuring the quality of the flavor-absorbing article.

In the manufacturing method described in patent document 1, when changing the specifications of the flavor-absorbing article and the filter element used therein, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of sheets in order to adjust the packing density of the filter element, change the number of sheets, adjust the width of the overlapping sheets, or change the specifications of the sheets themselves.

As described above, in the past, parameters for controlling the packing density of a filter element formed by packing sheets, in other words, a packing element used for a flavor-absorbing article, have been varied, and therefore it has been difficult to easily and precisely control the packing density of the packing element according to a required specification. In addition, in the manufacturing method described in patent document 1, it is not particularly considered to dispose the additive in the filler element, and therefore it is difficult to dispose the additive in an appropriate position of the filler element while optimizing the filling density of the filler element.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a filler element, a filler element manufacturing apparatus, and a filler element manufacturing method, which can easily and highly accurately control the filling density and can dispose an additive at an appropriate position of the filler element.

Technical scheme for solving technical problems

In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the filling element is a filling element for a flavor-absorbing article, comprising: a folding portion for folding a sheet of nonwoven fabric in a width direction intersecting a longitudinal direction thereof and reducing the diameter thereof to a diameter equal to or smaller than that of the filling element; and a roll paper wrapped around the folded portion, wherein a part of the folded portion in the circumferential direction thereof has an opening portion that opens in the axial direction of the folded portion, and an additive is disposed inside the folded portion through the opening portion.

An apparatus for manufacturing a filling element for a flavor-absorbing article according to one embodiment includes: a sheet processing section that processes a sheet of nonwoven fabric while conveying the sheet on a conveying path; a folding zone for folding the sheet processed in the sheet processing zone in a width direction crossing a longitudinal direction thereof during the conveying of the sheet on the conveying path, to form a folding rod having a diameter reduced to a diameter smaller than that of the filling member; the wrapping area wraps the folding-in rod formed in the folding-in area by using roll paper to form a filling rod; and a cutting zone for cutting the filling rod formed in the wrapping zone into the filling element, wherein the folding zone forms an opening part which is opened in the axial direction of the folding rod at a part of the circumferential direction of the folding rod during the folding of the sheet, and the folding zone further comprises an additive supply unit for supplying additive into the folding rod through the opening part.

A method of manufacturing a filling member for a flavor-absorbing article according to one embodiment includes: a sheet processing step of conveying a sheet of nonwoven fabric and processing the sheet; a folding step of folding the sheet processed in the sheet processing step in a width direction intersecting a longitudinal direction thereof during a sheet conveying process to form a folding bar having a diameter reduced to a diameter smaller than that of the filling member; a wrapping step of wrapping the folding rod formed in the folding step with a roll paper to form a filling rod; and a cutting step of cutting the filling rod formed in the wrapping step into the filling element, wherein in the folding step, an opening portion that opens in the axial direction of the folding rod is formed in a part of the circumferential direction of the folding rod during folding of the sheet, and further an additive supplying step of supplying the additive into the folding rod through the opening portion is performed.

Effects of the invention

The packing density of the packing element can be easily and highly accurately controlled, and the additive can be disposed at an appropriate position of the packing element.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a non-combustion heating type fragrance absorbing article.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a non-combustion heating type flavor-absorbing article according to a modification.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a combustion heating type fragrance absorbing article.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a combustion heating type flavor-absorbing article according to a modification.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the combustion heating type flavor-absorbing article.

Fig. 6 is a view showing an end face of the filler member.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the sheet before processing.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a sheet subjected to a stretching treatment.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a sheet subjected to the pressing process.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged partial view of the end face of the sheet of fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the folded portion.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the filler element formed by reducing the diameter from the state of fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a folded portion in which an additive is disposed.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the filler element formed by reducing the diameter from the state of fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the folded portion in which the capsule is disposed.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the filler element formed by reducing the diameter from the state of fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a schematic view of a device for manufacturing a filler element.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a filler element.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the first roller group sandwiching the sheet.

Fig. 20 is an enlarged partial view of a cross section of the roller of fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the first roller set.

Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the second roller set.

Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the third roller set.

Fig. 24 is a view showing an end surface of a sheet passing through each of the roller groups of fig. 21 to 23.

Fig. 25 is a front view of the preliminary folding guide.

Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a delivery nozzle.

Fig. 27 is a view showing an end face of the transfer nozzle.

Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the trumpet guide.

Fig. 29 is a view showing an end surface of the trumpet guide.

Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the clamp.

Detailed Description

< Fragrance absorbing article >

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a non-combustion heating type flavor extracting article 1 (hereinafter also referred to as article). The article 1 is composed of the fragrance element 2, the tubular element 4, and the filling element 6 in this order from the left side (the front end side of the article 1) as viewed in fig. 1. The fragrance element 2 is formed by filling a fragrance raw material 8.

The device (fragrance absorber) used for heating the fragrance element 2 is provided with a needle-shaped heater 10, for example. Only the heater 10 of the device is shown in fig. 1. The article 1 is set in the apparatus, and the heater 10 is inserted into the fragrance element 2 to heat the article. Thereby, the flavor component of the flavor raw material 8 volatilizes.

Further, a conductive member such as a metal plate or metal particles may be mixed in the flavor raw material 8 filled in the flavor element 2. The conductive member is heated by an induction current by a magnetic field generated by the device, and the heated conductive member heats the fragrance element 2, whereby the fragrance component of the fragrance raw material 8 volatilizes.

The flavor material 8 is, for example, cut tobacco, a cut tobacco product, or a product obtained by folding a tobacco sheet into a folded shape. The flavor material 8 may be a material obtained by adding a flavor to a sheet formed of a pulp containing no cigarette, a material obtained by cutting a sheet formed of a non-cigarette plant, or a material obtained by folding these sheets into a folded shape. The peripheral surface of the fragrance raw material 8 is wound up by the roll paper 12.

The tubular element 4 forms an air flow path in the article 1, for example by a cylindrical paper tube 14. The paper tube 14 is formed from a single or double ply web. The filler element 6 is a filter body filled with a filler material 16. The filler material 16 is formed by folding a sheet 34 of nonwoven fabric. The peripheral surface of the filler element 6 is rolled up by the roll paper 18.

The elements 2, 4, 6 are coaxially aligned in the axial direction X and are abutted to form a continuous body. The elements 2, 4, 6 are connected to each other by winding the tipping paper 20 around the peripheral surface of the continuous body. The tubular element 4 and the tipping paper 20 are formed with ventilation holes 22 for taking in air into the article 1 when the article 1 is sucked. By the air taken into the article 1 from the outside through the vent hole 22, the flavor component of the flavor element 2 and the volatile component of the additive described later are cooled, and the aerosolization of these components is promoted.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a non-combustion heating type article 1 according to a modification. The article 1 is provided with a filling element 6 at the same position as in fig. 1, and further provided with a filling element 6 at a position adjacent to the opposite side of the flavor element 2 from the tubular element 4, i.e., at the front end of the article 1. The front filler element 6 is connected to the fragrance element 2 by a roll of paper 24. The heater 10 penetrates the filling element 6 at the tip end and inserts the fragrance element 2.

At this time, the filler element 6 at the tip suppresses the fragrance raw material 8 from being scattered from the fragrance element 2 to the root of the heater 10. That is, the filler element 6 at the tip end functions as a support section for supporting the article 1 so that the flavor raw material 8 filled in the flavor element 2 does not scatter on the heater 10 side. This can prevent the root periphery of the heater 10 of the device from being contaminated by the dropped flavor raw material 8.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the article 1 of combustion heating type. The article 1 is composed of the flavor element 2 and the filling element 6 in this order from the front end side, and the flavor element 2 is ignited and heated to volatilize the flavor component of the flavor raw material 8. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a combustion heating type article 1 according to a modification. The article 1 is composed of the fragrance element 2, the filter element 26 and the filling element 6 in this order from the front end side. The filter element 26 is formed by winding a roll of paper 30 on a filter material 28, such as acetate tow, that is different from the filler material 16 of the filler element 6. The filter element 26 is connected to the filler element 6 by a roll paper 32.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a combustion heating type article 1 according to another modification. The article 1 is composed of the fragrance element 2, the filling element 6, and the filter element 26 in this order from the front end side, and has a mode in which the arrangement of the filter element 26 and the filling element 6 of the article 1 in fig. 4 is changed, and other configurations are the same as those of the article 1 in fig. 4.

< Filling element >

Fig. 6 shows the end face of the filler element 6. The filler 16 of the filler element 6 is a sheet 34, and the main material of the sheet 34 is a dry nonwoven fabric in which plant pulp is bonded to each other with a water-soluble adhesive. Plant pulp wood pulp may be used as non-tobacco plant. The sheet 34 may be formed by incorporating a crushed tobacco plant or an extract of a tobacco plant into a nonwoven fabric.

In this case, not only the flavor element 2 but also the filling element 6 can volatilize flavor components derived from tobacco plants. That is, the filler 6 using the sheet 34 made of nonwoven fabric containing the crushed product of cigarettes or the extract of cigarettes has not only the function of a filter element serving as a filter but also the function of the flavor element 2.

The sheet 34 is folded in the width direction Z a predetermined number of times, for example, three or four times, and reduced in diameter to form a folding bar 90 to be described later, and further cut to form the folded portion 36. The width direction Z is a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction X (the same direction as the axis direction X) of the sheet 34.

The filler member 6 is formed by wrapping the peripheral surface of the folded-in portion 36 with the roll paper 18, and gluing and wrapping both ends of the roll paper 18. By folding 1 sheet 34 into a folded portion 36 to form the filler 6, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of sheets 34 as in the prior art to adjust the filling density of the filler 6 to change the number of sheets 34, to adjust the width of each sheet 34 to be overlapped, or to change the specification of each sheet 34 itself.

Therefore, the packing density of the packing element 6 can be controlled easily and with high accuracy as compared with the conventional case. The folded portion 36 further optimizes the packing density of the sheet 34 as the filler 16 by performing the processing described below on the sheet 34, and can more effectively prevent the occurrence of gaps and voids in the filler element 6.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the sheet 34 before processing. The sheet 34 is formed of nonwoven fabric wound without being woven, and therefore has substantially irreversible stretchability in the longitudinal direction X, and has raised portions 38 on the front and rear surfaces. The sheet 34 has a thickness t that includes raised portions 38.

< Stretching treatment of sheet >

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the sheet 34 subjected to the stretching treatment. The sheet 34 is elongated in the longitudinal direction X by the elongation treatment, and the thickness t of the sheet 34 is reduced to a smaller t1. Further, as the sheet 34 becomes longer in the longitudinal direction X, the surface area of the sheet 34 becomes larger, and thus the density (fluffing density) of the fluffing portions 38 on the front and rear surfaces of the sheet 34 is reduced. By adjusting the degree of stretching of the sheet 34, the thickness and fuzzing density of the sheet 34 as a whole can be controlled. Thus, it is possible to form the folded-in portion 36 having a plurality of filling densities using one and one sheet 34, thereby forming the filling member 6.

< Pressing treatment of sheet >

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the sheet 34 subjected to the pressing process. Fig. 10 shows a partial enlarged view of the end face of the sheet 34 of fig. 9. The sheet 34 is subjected to a pressing process of pressing at least a part in the width direction Z. As shown in fig. 10, the sheet 34 shown in fig. 9, which is an example of the pressing method, is formed with a plurality of pressing areas A1 having a width D1 in the width direction Z and a plurality of non-pressing areas A2 having a width D2 in the width direction Z over the longitudinal direction X.

The non-pressing area A2 is an area other than the pressing area A1 in the sheet 34, and includes an inclined surface that is not completely pressed and a flat surface that is not completely pressed. When the total of the widths D1 of the pressing areas A1 of the pressing sheet 34 in the width direction Z is defined as the total pressing width Dt1 of the sheet 34, the ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds, which is the width of the sheet 34 in the width direction Z, is defined. The predetermined ratio is set to 50% or less.

The pressing area A1 of the sheet 34 is reduced in thickness t1 to a smaller t2 by pressing. Further, the raised portion 38 is flattened, so that the raised density on the front and rear surfaces of the sheet 34 in the pressing area A1 is extremely reduced. On the other hand, the non-pressed region A2 of the sheet substantially maintains the thickness t1 and the fuzzing density after the stretching treatment.

By adjusting the formation range of the pressing area A1 of the sheet 34, the ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds is set to a predetermined ratio, that is, by adjusting the pressing degree of the sheet 34, the thickness and the fuzzing density of the entire sheet 34 can be controlled. Thus, the folded-in portion 36 having a plurality of filling densities can be easily formed using one and one sheet 34, thereby forming the filling member 6.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the folded-in portion 36. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the filler element 6 formed by reducing the diameter from the state of fig. 11. As a result of the folded portion 36 folding the sheet 34, an opening 40 is formed in a part of the folded portion 36 in the circumferential direction in the axial direction X. The packing element 6 shown in fig. 12 is formed by reducing the diameter of the folded portion 36 formed with the opening 40 and then wrapping the folded portion with the roll paper 18 to thereby close the opening 40.

In this way, by folding one piece of sheet 34 into the folded portion 36, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of pieces of sheet 34 to change the number of pieces of sheet 34, to adjust the width of the overlapped pieces of sheet 34, or to change the specification of the sheet 34 itself in order to adjust the packing density of the packing element 6 as in the prior art.

Therefore, the packing density of the packing element 6 can be easily and highly accurately controlled. In addition, the packing density of the packing element 6 can be optimized by adjusting the number of folds of one sheet 34, the folding method, or the degree of diameter reduction of the folded portion 36. Therefore, the occurrence of gaps and voids in the filler element 6 can be prevented, and therefore the quality of the article 1 can be ensured.

In the case of performing the stretching process and the pressing process of the sheet 34, the parameters for managing the packing density of the packing element 6 are only the settings of the stretching degree and the pressing degree for one sheet 34. Therefore, the packing density of the packing element 6 can be controlled more easily and with high accuracy. Further, by further optimizing the filling density of the filling element 6 by the stretching process and the pressing process of the sheet 34, the occurrence of gaps and voids in the filling element 6 can be more effectively prevented, and the reliability of ensuring the quality of the article 1 can be improved.

In particular, when the sheet 34 is subjected to the pressing process, the predetermined ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds is 50% or less. Accordingly, since the raised portions 38 having the sheet width Ds exceeding 50% can be left in the sheet 34, an extreme drop in the raised density of the sheet 34 can be suppressed, and the occurrence of gaps and voids in the filler element 6 can be prevented more reliably.

< Arrangement of additives to fold-in portion >

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the folded portion 36 provided with the additive 42. The folded portion 36 has an opening 40 that opens in a part of the circumferential direction thereof in the axial direction X of the folded portion 36, and an additive 42 is disposed inside the folded portion 36 through the opening 40. Thereby, the additive 42 can be arranged at an appropriate position of the filler element 6 while optimizing the filling density of the filler element 6.

Further, a concave strip 44 having a U-shape in cross section, which is continuous with the opening 40 and is recessed to the center of the folded portion 36 in the radial direction Y, is formed in the folded portion 36. The additive 42 is disposed through the opening 40 in the axial direction X of the concave strip 44. Thus, the additive 42 can be reliably disposed in the center of the folded portion 36 in the radial direction Y.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the filler element 6 formed by reducing the diameter from the state of fig. 13. When the folded portion 36 is contracted and wrapped by the roll paper 18, the opening 40 is closed. Therefore, the additive 42 is not exposed from the folded portion 36, and the filler element 6 having the additive 42 disposed inside the folded portion 36 can be easily and reliably formed. When the folded portion 36 is reduced in diameter, the concave strip 44 provided with the additive 42 is filled with the sheet 34.

Thus, the additive 42 is reliably located at the center in the radial direction Y of the folded-in portion 36. In addition, the components of the additive 42 can be uniformly volatilized from the center of the filler element 6 in the radial direction Y. Therefore, the reliability of the quality assurance of the filling element 6 and the article 1 is improved. The additive 42 may be an additive composed of a liquid adsorbed to the concave stripes 44, or may be a wire disposed on the concave stripes 44. In the case of arranging the wire, the wire is impregnated with an additive composed of a liquid.

The additive 42 may be a linear or elongated conductive member having a flat plate shape. The filler element 6 using the sheet 34 composed of nonwoven fabric containing the crushed cigarette material and the cigarette extract has the function of the flavor element 2. The conductive member is heated by an induction current by a magnetic field generated by the apparatus, and the heated conductive member heats the filling element 6, whereby the flavor component derived from the tobacco plant contained in the filling element 6 volatilizes.

< Arrangement of capsules in fold-in portion >

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the folded portion 36 in which the capsule 46 is disposed. The shell of the capsule 46 is formed of a frangible material with the additive being contained by the shell. By forming the opening 40 in the folded portion 36, the capsule 46 can be placed at a predetermined position through the opening 40 inside the folded portion 36. The capsule 46 is disposed, for example, at a central position in the axial direction X of the tuck-in portion 36.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the filler element 6 formed by reducing the diameter from the state of fig. 15. When the folded portion 36 is contracted and wrapped by the roll paper 18, the opening 40 is closed. Therefore, the capsule 46 is not exposed from the folded portion 36, and the filling member 6 having the capsule 46 disposed inside the folded portion 36 can be easily and reliably formed. When the folded portion 36 is reduced in diameter, the concave strip 44 is filled with the sheet 34, and the sheet 34 is closely adhered to the periphery of the capsule 46.

Thus, the capsule 46 is reliably fixed to the predetermined position in the axial direction X at the center in the radial direction Y of the folded portion 36. In addition, the components of the additive released from the capsule 46 can be volatilized uniformly in the radial direction Y from the center of the radial direction Y of the filling member 6. Therefore, the quality of the filling element 6 and the article 1 can be ensured.

Further, since the capsule 46 is tightly fixed to the sheet 34 at the center of the folded portion 36 in the radial direction Y, the user can easily perform a work of crushing the capsule 46 with a finger to release the additive, and thus the user's convenience is improved. The additive constituting the additive 42 adsorbed to the concave stripes 44, the additive impregnated in the thread, and the additive contained in the capsule 46 are, for example, a flavoring agent such as menthol, and may contain activated carbon, an aerosol extender, and the like.

Instead of the capsule 46, a substantially spherical conductive member may be used. The conductive member is disposed in one or more of the filler elements 6. The filler element 6 using the sheet 34 composed of nonwoven fabric containing the crushed cigarette material and the cigarette extract has the function of the flavor element 2. The conductive member is heated by an induction current by a magnetic field generated by the apparatus, and the heated conductive member heats the filling element 6, whereby the flavor component derived from the tobacco plant contained in the filling element 6 volatilizes.

< Manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of filling element >

Fig. 17 is a schematic view of the apparatus 50 for manufacturing the filler element 6, and fig. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing the filler element 6. The manufacturing apparatus 50 includes a sheet supply section 52, a sheet processing section 54, a folding section 56, a wrapping section 58, a cutting section 60, and the like.

When the production of the filler element 6 is started, the sheet feeding section 52 feeds one continuous sheet 34 made of nonwoven fabric to the conveying path 62 (S1: sheet feeding step). Next, the sheet processing section 54 performs processing while conveying the sheet 34 on the conveying path 62 (S2: sheet processing step).

The sheet processing zone 54 includes a first roller set 64, a second roller set 66, a third roller set 68, and a control unit 70. Each of the roller groups 64, 66, 68 is composed of a pair of rollers Ra, rb, and is conveyed by each pair of rollers Ra, rb in the conveying path 62 with the sheet 34 interposed therebetween.

At least one rotation shaft of a pair of rolls Ra and Rb constituting each roll set 64, 66 and 68 is coupled to a drive shaft of a motor, not shown, and is driven to rotate by each motor. Each motor is electrically connected to the control unit 70. The rotational speed of each roller group 64, 66, 68 is controlled by each motor according to a signal from the control unit 70.

The control unit 70 adjusts the difference in the transport speed of the sheet 34 between the roller groups 64, 66, 68 by adjusting the difference in the rotational speed between the roller groups 64, 66, 68. Thus, in the sheet processing step, the sheet 34 is subjected to the stretching process (P1: stretching step) shown in fig. 8.

Specifically, the rotational speed of the downstream roller group (the second roller group 66 or the third roller group 68) in the conveying path 62 is made larger than the rotational speed of the upstream roller group (for example, the first roller group 64). Thus, the conveyance speed of the sheet 34 in the downstream roller group is greater than the conveyance speed of the sheet 34 in the upstream roller group, and the sheet 34 extends in the longitudinal direction X between the upstream roller group and the downstream roller group.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the first roller group 64 sandwiching the sheet 34. The roller Ra is formed with a plurality of ribs 72 protruding over the entire outer peripheral surface of the roller Ra. The pressing area A1 is formed in the sheet 34 by each ridge 72. A plurality of groove strips 74 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the roller Ra along with the formation of the respective convex strips 72. A non-pressing area A2 is formed in the sheet 34 by each groove 74.

During the conveyance of the sheet 34, each of the protruding strips 72 bites into the surface of the sheet 34 to press the sheet 34, in other words, pinch the sheet 34, thereby discharging the sheet 34 from the first roller group 64 toward the second roller group 66. Thus, in the sheet processing step, the sheet 34 is subjected to the pressing process (P2: pressing step) shown in fig. 9.

Fig. 20 shows a partially enlarged cross section of the roll Ra of fig. 19. A pressing surface 76 is formed at the protruding end of the protruding strip 72. The pressing surface 76 has a width D3 in the width direction Z of the roller Ra (the same as the axial direction of the roller Ra). A bottom surface 78 is formed on the groove strip 74. The groove strip 74 has a width D4 in the width direction Z. The width D3 of the pressing surface 76 is equal to the width D1 of the pressing area A1 of the sheet 34 shown in fig. 10. The width D4 of the groove strip 74 of the roller Ra is equal to the width D2 of the non-pressing area A2 of the sheet 34 shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 21 to 23 show a combination example of the rolls Ra and Rb constituting each roll set 64, 66, and 68. Fig. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of the first roller set 64. In the first roller group 64, as shown in fig. 19, a plurality of protruding strips 72 are formed over the entire width direction Z of the roller Ra and over the entire outer peripheral surface of the roller Ra. Fig. 22 shows a cross-sectional view of the second roller set 66. In the second roller group 66, the convex strips 72 having a larger width than in the case of fig. 21 are formed at both ends in the width direction Z of the roller Ra and over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the roller Ra.

Fig. 23 shows a cross-sectional view of the third roller set 68. In the third roller group 68, three ridges 72 having the same width as in the case of fig. 21 are formed at three portions at the center and at the both ends in the width direction Z of the roller Ra, respectively, and are formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the roller Ra. In the third roller group 68, the ridge 72 having the same width as in the case of fig. 22 is formed in one of three portions at the center and both ends in the width direction Z of the roller Rb, and is formed over the entire periphery of the roller Rb.

In this way, the convex strips 72 protruding over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of each roller are formed on at least one of the pair of rollers Ra, rb constituting each roller group 64, 66, 68 so as to be capable of conveying the sheet 34 therebetween. Each of the convex strips 72 performs the pressing process of pressing at least a part of the sheet 34 in the width direction Z, thereby performing the aforementioned pressing process.

Fig. 24 shows an end surface of the sheet 34 passing through each of the roller groups 64, 66, 68 of fig. 21 to 23. When the total of the widths D1 of the pressing areas A1 in which the sheet 34 is pressed by the convex strips 72 in the width direction Z is defined as the total pressing width Dt1 of the sheet 34, the ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds is adjusted to a predetermined ratio. The predetermined ratio is 50% or less as described above. As shown in fig. 24, a pressing area A1 is formed in the center of the back surface of the sheet 34 in the width direction Z by pressing the convex strip 72 of the roller Rb of the third roller group 68.

On the other hand, in the center of the surface of the sheet 34 in the width direction Z, a pressing area A1 is formed by each ridge 72 of the roller Ra of the first roller group 64 and the roller Ra of the third roller group 68. The width D1 of the pressing area A1 formed by the convex strips 72 of the roller Rb of the third roller group 68 is larger than the width D1 of the pressing area A1 formed by the respective convex strips 72 of the roller Ra of the first roller group 64 and the roller Ra of the third roller group 68.

In this case, in the case of fig. 24, the width D1 of the pressing area A1 formed by the convex strips 72 of the roller Rb of the third roller group 68 is added to the total pressing width Dt1, and the width D1 of the pressing area A1 formed by the roller Ra of the first roller group 64 and the convex strips 72 of the roller Ra of the third roller group 68 is not added to the total pressing width Dt 1. That is, when the pressing areas A1 formed by the roller groups 64, 66, 68 overlap in the width direction Z, the width D1 of the pressing area A1 on the larger side is represented and added to the total pressing width Dt 1.

By preliminarily adjusting the area of the pressing surface 76 of the convex strip 72, the number of convex strips 72, the formation range of the convex strips 72, and the like formed in each of the roller groups 64, 66, and 68, the ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds can be set to a desired predetermined ratio. Specifically, in each of the roller groups 64, 66, 68, the area of the pressing surface 76 of the ridge 72, the number of the ridge 72, the formation range of the ridge 72, and the like contributing to the total pressing width Dt1 of the sheet 34 are adjusted in consideration of the formation range of the ridge 72 overlapping in the width direction Z of the sheet 34.

Thereby, the ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds can be adjusted. The holding force of the ridge 72 against the sheet 34 can be adjusted by changing the gap between the pair of rollers Ra and Rb, the protruding height of the ridge 72, the area of the pressing surface 76 of the ridge 72, the number of the ridge 72, and the like. By optimizing the clamping force of the ridge 72 to the sheet 34, the accuracy of the stretching process is improved.

Next, the tuck-in region 56 tucks in the sheet 34 processed in the sheet processing region 54 in the width direction Z during the conveyance of the sheet 34 in the conveyance path 62, thereby forming a tuck-in lever 90 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the filler 6 (S3: tuck-in step). When the filling rod 98 formed in the subsequent step is cut to become the filling element 6, the tuck-in rod 90 becomes the tuck-in portion 36.

In addition, the tuck-in region 56 forms an opening 40 that opens throughout the axial direction X of the tuck-in lever 90 at a part of the circumferential direction of the tuck-in lever 90 during the tucking-in of the sheet 34. Further, the fold-in region 56 forms a concave bar 44 connected to the opening 40 and recessed to the center in the radial direction Y of the fold-in lever 90 in a cross-sectional U-shape. Specifically, the folding-in region 56 includes, in order from the upstream side of the conveying path 62, a preliminary folding-in guide 80, a conveying nozzle 82, a trumpet-shaped guide 84, a clamp 86, and the like.

Fig. 25 shows a front view of the preliminary folding guide 80. The preliminary folding guide portion 80 includes a guide roller 80a and a rotation shaft 80b rotatably supporting the guide roller 80 a. During the conveyance of the sheet 34 in the conveyance path 62, the guide roller 80a contacts the center of the sheet 34 in the width direction Z from the lower side. Thereby, the sheet 34 is curved in a convex shape on the upper side in the thickness direction thereof.

Fig. 26 shows a cross-sectional view of the transfer nozzle 82, and fig. 27 shows an upstream end surface of the transfer nozzle 82 in the transfer path 62. The delivery nozzle 82 has a cylindrical shape, and has a large diameter portion 82a on the upstream side of the delivery path 62, and a small diameter portion 82b connected to the large diameter portion 82 a. The inner peripheral surface 82c of the delivery nozzle 82 is stepped from the large diameter portion 82a to the small diameter portion 82b.

A baffle 88 is provided upright from the inner peripheral surface 82c toward the radial center in the transfer nozzle 82. The transfer nozzle 82 is folded in the width direction Z a predetermined number of times with the baffle 88 interposed therebetween while introducing the curved piece 34 passing through the preliminary folding guide 80 by air accompanying wind pressure, and further reduces the diameter when being transferred from the large diameter portion 82a to the small diameter portion 82 b. Thereby, the tuck-in lever 90 is formed.

Fig. 28 shows a cross-sectional view of the trumpet guide 84, and fig. 29 shows an end surface of the trumpet guide 84 on the upstream side of the conveyance path 62. The trumpet guide 84 is cylindrical and has an inner peripheral surface 84a that gradually reduces in diameter from the upstream side of the conveyance path 62. Further, a baffle 92 is provided inside the trumpet guide 84 so as to stand from the inner peripheral surface 84a toward the radial center. The baffles 88 and 92 extend in the axial direction of the transfer nozzle 82 and the trumpet guide 84.

In the trumpet guide 84, the folding bar 90 passing through the transfer nozzle 82 is released together with the air accompanying the wind pressure, and the fibers of the folding bar 90 are opened by dissipation of the air accompanying the release, thereby opening the fibers. In addition, the tuck-in lever 90 formed by the transfer nozzle 82 sandwiches the baffle 92 and passes through the trumpet guide 84. Thereby, the folded-in state of the folding-in lever 90 formed by the transfer nozzle 82 is also maintained in the trumpet guide 84.

In this way, the transfer nozzle 82 and the trumpet guide 84 are provided with the baffles 88 and 92, respectively, standing from the inner peripheral surfaces 82c and 84a toward the radial center thereof. The bending piece 34 of the preliminary folding guide 80 is folded by air accompanying wind pressure with the respective baffles 88 and 92 interposed therebetween, and is formed as a folding bar 90. When the sheet 34 is folded with the respective flaps 88 and 92 interposed therebetween, the opening 40 and the concave strip 44 are formed at a part of the folding bar 90 in the circumferential direction.

Fig. 30 shows a cross-sectional view of the clamp 86. The clamp 86 has a tubular shape and has an inner peripheral surface 86a having a diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter of the filling member 6. The tuck-in bar 90, which has passed the trumpet guide 84, is reduced in diameter at the clamp 86 to below the diameter of the filling member 6, blocking the opening 40 and filling the concave strip 44 with the sheet 34.

As shown in fig. 17, the tuck-in region 56 is provided with an additive supply unit 94. The additive supply unit 94 has a nozzle 94a for supplying the additive 42. The nozzle 94a is inserted into both the transfer nozzle 82 and the trumpet guide 84. The additive supply unit 94 supplies the additive 42 from the nozzle 94a to the inside of the folding bar 90 through the opening 40 at least before the folding bar 90 is conveyed to the clamp 86 (P3: additive supply step). Specifically, the additive supply unit 94 supplies the additive 42 through the opening 40 in the axial direction X of the concave strip 44.

The folding zone 56 is further provided with a capsule supply unit 96. The capsule supply unit 96 includes a cylindrical rotary holder 96a, and the capsule 46 is held by the rotary holder 96 a. The capsule supply means 96 intermittently drops and supplies the capsule 46 held by the rotating holder 96a into the folding bar 90 through the opening 40 while rotating the rotating holder 96a at least before the folding bar 90 is conveyed to the clamp 86 (P4: capsule supply step). Specifically, the capsule supply unit 96 supplies the capsule 46 to a predetermined position in the axial direction X of the concave strip 44, for example, a central position in the axial direction X when the capsule supply unit becomes the folded portion 36 through the opening 40.

Next, as shown in fig. 17, the roll paper 18 is supplied to the wrapping area 58, and the tuck-in lever 90 formed in the tuck-in area 56 is wrapped with the roll paper 18 to form a filling lever 98 (S4: wrapping step). Next, the cutting section 60 cuts the filling rod 98 formed in the wrapping section 58 into the filling element 6 (S5: cutting step), and the manufacturing of the filling element 6 is completed.

As described above, the filling member 6 of the embodiment includes the folded-in portion 36 and the roll paper 18 wrapped around the folded-in portion 36. The tuck-in portion 36 is formed by tucking in the width direction Z a single sheet 34 made of nonwoven fabric and reducing the diameter to a diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter of the filler element 6. By folding one sheet 34 into the folded portion 36, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of sheets 34 to change the number of sheets 34, adjust the width of the overlapped sheets 34, or change the specification of the sheets 34 themselves in order to adjust the packing density of the packing element 6 as in the prior art.

Therefore, the packing density of the packing element 6 can be controlled easily and with high accuracy as compared with the conventional case. In addition, the packing density of the packing element 6 can be optimized by adjusting the number of folds of one sheet 34, the folding method, or the degree of diameter reduction of the folded portion 36. Therefore, the occurrence of gaps and voids in the filler element 6 can be prevented, and therefore the quality of the article 1 can be ensured.

Further, the folded portion 36 has an opening portion 40 that opens in the axial direction X of the folded portion 36 at a part of the circumferential direction thereof. The additive 42 is disposed inside the folded portion 36 through the opening 40. Thereby, the additive 42 can be disposed at an appropriate position of the filler element 6 while optimizing the filling density of the filler element 6.

The folded portion 36 has a concave strip 44 connected to the opening 40 and recessed to the center of the folded portion 36 in the radial direction Y in a U-shape in cross section. The additives 42 are disposed throughout the axial direction X of the concave bars 44. Thus, the additive 42 can be reliably disposed at the center of the folded portion 36 in the radial direction Y.

In addition, the components of the additive 42 can be uniformly volatilized from the center of the filler element 6 in the radial direction Y. Therefore, the reliability of the quality assurance of the filling element 6 and the article 1 is improved. The additive 42 may be an additive composed of a liquid adsorbed to the concave stripes 44, or may be a wire disposed on the concave stripes 44. In the case of arranging the wire, the additive composed of the liquid is impregnated in the wire.

The folding-in region 56 provided in the manufacturing apparatus 50 according to the embodiment forms the opening 40 during folding-in of the sheet 34, and includes the additive supply unit 94. The additive supply unit 94 supplies the additive 42 to the inside of the folding bar 90 through the opening 40. The supply of the additive 42 through the opening 40 by the additive supply unit 94 is performed in the additive supply step of the folding step. Thus, the additive 42 can be easily placed in the appropriate position of the filler element 6 while folding the sheet 34 in the folding process of the sheet 34.

In addition, the fold-in region 56 forms a concave bar 44 connected to the opening 40 and recessed to the center in the radial direction Y of the fold-in lever 90 in a cross-sectional U-shape. The additive supply unit 94 supplies the additive 42 through the opening 40 in the axial direction X of the concave strip 44. The additive 42 is supplied to the concave strip 44 through the opening 40 by the additive supply unit 94 in the additive supply step of the folding step. Thus, the additive 42 can be reliably disposed in the center of the folded portion 36 in the radial direction Y.

The tuck-in region 56 includes a preliminary tuck-in guide 80, a transfer nozzle 82, a trumpet guide 84, and a clamp 86. During the transport of the sheet 34, the sheet 34 passes these points of the fold-in region 56, whereby the desired fold-in lever 90 and thus the desired filling element 6 can be reliably formed.

More specifically, the delivery nozzle 82 and the trumpet guide 84 are provided with baffles 88, 92, respectively, standing from their inner peripheral surfaces 82c, 84a toward the radial center. The curved sheet 34 passing through the transfer nozzle 82 and the trumpet guide 84 is folded by air accompanied by wind pressure through the respective baffles 88, 92, and is formed as a folding bar 90 having the opening 40 and the concave strip 44.

That is, each of the flaps 88 and 92 functions as a portion that starts folding of the sheet 34 and maintains the folded state of the sheet 34 when the sheet 34 is folded. Therefore, by providing the respective baffles 88, 92, the tuck-in lever 90 with the additive 42 disposed thereon can be formed more reliably, and the filler element 6 with the additive 42 disposed thereon can be formed.

The embodiments described above have been described, but the embodiments described above are not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the number, shape, and formation range of the protruding strips 72 are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. The ridge 72 may be formed on both the rolls Ra and Rb, or may be formed on only the roll Ra or Rb.

The number of the roller groups provided in the sheet processing section 54 may be at least a plurality in order to perform the stretching step, and is not limited to the three groups of the roller groups 64, 66, and 68 described above. The ratio of the total pressing width Dt1 to the sheet width Ds is preferably 50% or less, but may be more than 50% depending on the specification of the sheet 34 and the required specification of the filler 6.

It is not necessarily required to perform both the stretching process and the pressing process on the sheet 34, and only one of the stretching process and the pressing process may be performed on the sheet 34 according to the specification of the sheet 34 and the required specification of the filler 6. Depending on the specifications of the sheet 34 and the required specifications of the filler 6, both the stretching process and the pressing process may not be performed.

It is not necessarily required to dispose both the additive 42 and the capsule 46 in the folded portion 36, and only one of the additive 42 and the capsule 46 may be disposed according to the specifications of the filling element 6. As shown in fig. 6 and 12, there may be a case where nothing is placed inside the folded portion 36 depending on the specifications of the filler element 6.

The tuck-in region 56 is not limited to the above-described structure, as long as the tuck-in lever 90 can be formed. The additive supply means 94 is not limited to the above configuration as long as the additive supply process can be performed. The capsule supply unit 96 is not limited to the above configuration as long as the capsule supply process can be performed. The structure of the article 1 and the positions and the number of the filling members 6 in the article 1 are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

Description of the reference numerals

1: A fragrance absorbing article; 6: a filler element; 18: winding paper; 34: a sheet; 36: a folding portion; 40: an opening; 42: additives (additives, threads); 44: concave strips; 50: a manufacturing device; 54: a sheet processing zone; 56: a fold-in region; 58: a wrapping area; 60: a cutting region; 62: a conveying path; 80: preparing a folding guide; 82: a delivery nozzle; 84: a horn guide; 86: a clamp; 88. 92: a baffle; 90: folding the rod; 94: an additive supply unit; 98: a filler rod; x: an axial direction; y: radial direction; z: in the width direction.

Claims

1. A filling element for a flavour extracting article, comprising:

A folding portion for folding a sheet of nonwoven fabric in a width direction intersecting a longitudinal direction thereof and reducing the diameter thereof to a diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter of the filling element; and

A roll paper wrapped around the tuck-in portion;

The folded portion has an opening portion that opens in the axial direction of the folded portion at a part of the circumferential direction thereof, and an additive is disposed inside the folded portion through the opening portion.

2. The packing element of claim 1, wherein,

The folded portion has a concave strip which is connected with the opening portion and is recessed to the center of the folded portion in the radial direction and has a U-shaped cross section,

The additive is disposed throughout the axial direction of the concave strip.

3. The packing element of claim 2, wherein,

The additive is an additive composed of a liquid adsorbed to the concave strip.

4. A packing element according to claim 2 or 3, wherein,

The additive is a wire disposed in the concave strip, the wire being impregnated with an additive composed of a liquid.

5. A manufacturing device for a filling element for a flavor-absorbing article, comprising:

A sheet processing section that processes a sheet of nonwoven fabric while conveying the sheet on a conveying path;

A folding zone for folding the sheet processed in the sheet processing zone in a width direction intersecting a longitudinal direction thereof during conveyance of the sheet on the conveyance path, to form a folding bar having a diameter reduced to or below a diameter of the filling member;

A wrapping area for wrapping the folding bar formed in the folding area with roll paper to form a filling bar; and

A cutting region which cuts the filling rod formed in the wrapping region into the filling element;

the folding-in region is formed with an opening portion that opens in the axial direction of the folding-in lever at a part of the circumferential direction of the folding-in lever during folding-in of the sheet, and is further provided with an additive supply means that supplies additive to the inside of the folding-in lever through the opening portion.

6. The apparatus for manufacturing a filling member according to claim 5, wherein,

The folding-in region forms a concave strip which is connected with the opening part and is recessed to the radial center of the folding-in rod in a U-shaped cross section during the folding-in process of the sheet,

The additive supply unit supplies the additive through the opening in the axial direction of the concave strip.

7. The apparatus for manufacturing a filling member according to claim 6, wherein the folding-in region comprises:

a preliminary folding guide that bends the sheet in a thickness direction thereof during conveyance of the sheet on the conveyance path;

A tubular transfer nozzle that introduces the sheet, which has passed the bending of the preliminary folding guide, by air accompanying wind pressure and folds the sheet a predetermined number of times in the width direction, to form the folding bar;

A tubular horn guide that releases the folding bar having passed through the transfer nozzle together with the air accompanying the wind pressure, and opens the fibers of the folding bar by releasing the fibers by dissipation of the air accompanying the release;

A tubular clamp that reduces the diameter of the tuck-in rod that passed through the trumpet guide to below the diameter of the filling member.

8. The apparatus for manufacturing a filling member according to claim 7, wherein,

The delivery nozzle and the trumpet guide have a baffle plate erected from the inner peripheral surfaces of the delivery nozzle and the trumpet guide toward the radial center, respectively,

The curved sheet passing through the transfer nozzle and the trumpet guide is folded by air accompanying the wind pressure with the respective baffles interposed therebetween, and the folding bar having the opening and the concave strip is formed.

9. A method of manufacturing a filler element for a fragrance absorbing article, comprising:

A sheet processing step of conveying a sheet of nonwoven fabric and processing the sheet;

A folding step of folding the sheet processed in the sheet processing step in a width direction intersecting a longitudinal direction thereof during a conveyance of the sheet to form a folding bar having a diameter reduced to a diameter smaller than a diameter of the filling member;

A wrapping step of wrapping the folding-in lever formed in the folding-in step with roll paper to form a filling lever; and

A cutting step of cutting the filling rod formed in the wrapping step into the filling member;

in the folding step, an opening portion that opens in the axial direction of the folding bar is formed at a part of the circumferential direction of the folding bar in the folding process of the sheet, and an additive supplying step of supplying an additive to the inside of the folding bar through the opening is further performed.

10. The method of manufacturing a filler element of claim 9, wherein,

In the folding step, a concave strip which is connected with the opening and is recessed to the radial center of the folding rod is formed in a U-shaped cross section in the folding process of the sheet,

In the additive supplying step, the additive is supplied through the opening in the axial direction of the concave strip.