FILTER, FLAVOR INHALATION ARTICLE COMPRISING SAID FILTER, AND DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAID FILTER

A filter used in a flavor inhalation article, wherein: the filter comprises a sheet filling part in which sheets comprising a web material are gathered in a width direction Y intersecting the longitudinal direction X of the sheets and are reduced in size to or below the diameter of the filter, and a rolled paper in which the sheet filling part is wrapped; and the sheets have first crimped regions in which a prescribed number of crimped parts are formed by implementing a crimping treatment on a partial region extending over the entire longitudinal direction X.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a filter, a flavor inhalation article comprising the filter, device for producing the filter, and a method for producing the filter.

BACKGROUND ART

A method for manufacturing a variable crimped web material is disclosed in PTL 1. This method includes the steps of feeding a continuous web material, crimping a first region of the web material at a first crimping value, and crimping a second region of the web material adjacent to the first region at a second crimping value. The web material is crimped using a set of two rollers. Each roller is corrugated across its width, that is, in the axial direction of the roller.

Furthermore, each roller is corrugated along its circumference, that is, in the circumferential direction of the roller. The corrugations in the axial direction of the rollers interleave with each other to crimp the web material. In detail, troughs of the corrugations formed along the outer circumferential surface of each roller crimp the web material at the first crimp value, and the peaks of the corrugations formed along the outer circumferential surface of each roller crimp the web material at the second crimp value.

Thus, crimped web material having regions of varied crimp values along the length of the web material is formed in a single operation. That is, according to PTL 1, as illustrated inFIG.2of PTL 1, the regions of varied crimp values are formed in the web material by varying an engagement depth of the corrugations of each roller.

The corrugations are linear protrusions and linear recesses formed throughout the circumference of the outer circumferential surface of each roller in the circumferential direction, and the linear protrusions and the linear recesses are formed with a predetermined pitch in the axial direction of each roller. Thus, the number of engagement parts where the linear protrusions and the linear recesses are engaged with each other is fixed. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG.3of PTL 1, although the crimp value is varied by varying the depth of engagement between the linear protrusions and the linear recesses, many crimped parts shaped in a uniform wave shape of protrusions and recesses are formed throughout the web material in the longitudinal direction of the web material so as to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals in an airflow directing element formed of the crimped web material, in other word, a filter.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

When the web material according to PTL 1 is used in a filter material of a flavor inhalation article (hereinafter, simply referred to as an article), the void ratio of the filter reduces and the draw resistance of the filter increases due to formation of many crimped parts having a uniform shape in the web material. Accordingly, an inhaling force required for a user to inhale the article increases. Thus, the amount of a flavor component that the user can take from the article1per puff may reduce, so-called an inhalation response from the article may be degraded, and smoke taste may be degraded.

Furthermore, it is unavoidable that the crimped parts have a uniform shape of the linear protrusions or the linear recesses. Thus, filter having variations cannot be formed. Furthermore, when many crimped parts having the uniform shape are formed in the web material, the stiffness of the filter reduces, and accordingly, the filter may bend. Furthermore, due to formation of many crimped parts having the uniform shape in the web material, a large amount of material powder (paper dust in the case of paper web) is generated when a crimping treatment is performed on the web material. Since a large amount of the material powder significantly contaminates facilities, the load of cleaning the facilities increases, and accordingly, productivity of the filter reduces.

The present invention is made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a filter, a flavor inhalation article including the filter, and a device and a method for producing the filter that improve the quality of the filter and the flavor inhalation article due to reduction of draw resistance and improvement of stiffness and that allow achievement of variations of the filter and the flavor inhalation article produced with improved productivity.

Solution to Problem

In order to achieve the above-described object, a filter according to an aspect is used in a flavor inhalation article. The filter includes a sheet filling part formed by performing gathering in a width direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of a sheet formed of a web material so as to reduce a diameter to a value smaller than or equal to a diameter of the filter and a rolled paper with which the sheet filling part is wrapped. When a crimping treatment is performed on a partial region of the sheet in the longitudinal direction, the sheet has a first crimped region in which a predetermined number of crimped parts are formed.

A flavor inhalation article according to an aspect includes the above-described filter.

A device for producing a filter according to an aspect produces a filter used in a flavor inhalation article. The device includes a sheet processing section configured to process a sheet formed of a continuous web material while transporting the sheet through a transport path, a gathering section configured to perform gathering, in a width direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the sheet, on the sheet having been processed in the sheet processing section, the gathering being performed, in a transport process of the sheet through the transport path, to form a sheet filling rod having a diameter reduced to a value smaller than or equal to a diameter of the filter, a wrapping section configured to wrap, with rolled paper, the sheet filling rod having been formed in the gathering section, the wrapping being performed so as to form a filter rod, and a cutting section configured to cut, into the filter, the filter rod having been formed in the wrapping section. The sheet processing section includes a roller set configured to pinch and transport the sheet with a first roller and a second roller through the transport path. Protruding parts are formed in the first roller, the protruding parts protruding in parts of an outer circumferential surface of the first roller in a circumferential direction. Recessed parts are formed in parts of an outer circumferential surface of the second roller in the circumferential direction in the second roller, the recessed parts to be engaged with the protruding parts. The roller set forms engagement parts where the protruding parts and the recessed parts are engaged with each other with the sheet interposed between the protruding parts and the recessed parts when the sheet is pinched and transported, the roller set having first engagement regions in partial regions of the outer circumferential surfaces in circumferential directions, a predetermined number of the engagement parts being formed in the first engagement regions. The first engagement regions form a first crimped region having a predetermined number of crimped parts corresponding to the engagement parts in number when a crimping treatment is performed on a partial region of the sheet in the longitudinal direction.

A method for producing a filter according to an aspect produces a filter used in a flavor inhalation article. The method includes the steps of processing a sheet formed of a continuous web material while transporting the sheet, in a transport process of the sheet, performing gathering, in a width direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the sheet, on the sheet having been processed in the processing of the sheet, the gathering being performed to form a sheet filling rod having a diameter reduced to a value smaller than or equal to a diameter of the filter, wrapping the sheet filling rod having been formed in the performing of the gathering with rolled paper to form a filter rod, and cutting, into the filter, the filter rod having been formed in the wrapping. In the transport process of the sheet in the processing of the sheet, crimping processing is performed to form a first crimped region having a predetermined number of crimped parts by performing a crimping treatment on a partial region of the sheet in a longitudinal direction of the sheet.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The filter, the flavor inhalation article including the filter, and the device and the method for producing the filter can be provided. With these, the quality of the filter can be improved due to reduction of the draw resistance of the filter and improvement of the stiffness of the filter, the productivity of the filter can be improved, and further, variations can be achieved.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1illustrates a cross-sectional view of a non-burning heating-type flavor inhalation article1(hereinafter, also referred to as an article). The article1includes, for example, a flavor element2, a tubular element4, and a filter6. When the flavor element2, the tubular element4, and the filter6are arranged side by side so as to butt against each other in this order in an axial direction X and wrapped with tipping paper8, the article1is formed. The flavor element2is formed by wrapping a flavor material10with rolled paper12.

When the flavor element2is heated with a heater of a device (flavor inhaler, not illustrated) during use of the article1, a flavor component of the flavor material10is volatilized and dispersed. A conductive member such as a metal plate or a metal particle may be mixed in the flavor material10. In this case, the device generates a magnetic field due to the existence of the conductive member, and the flavor element2is heated by an induced current of the magnetic field.

The flavor material10is, for example, shredded tobacco, a cut cigarette sheet, or folded cigarette sheet into a gathered shape. The flavor material10may be a sheet which is formed from pulp not containing tobacco and to which a flavor is added, a sheet formed of a non-tobacco plant and cut, or one of these sheets folded into a wavy shape.

The tubular element4is, for example, a paper tube having a cylindrical shape formed of a single or double paper web and defines an airflow channel in the article1. A plurality of air holes14are formed in a circumferential surface of the tubular element4to bring air into the article1while inhaling with the article1. The flavor component volatilized from the flavor element2becomes an aerosol when cooled by the air taken from the outside into the article1via each of the air holes14. The user of the article1inhales this aerosol.

The filter6is a filtering body formed by wrapping a sheet filling part16with the rolled paper18. The sheet filling part16is integrally formed from a first filling part20and a second filling part22. The first filling part20is positioned on the downstream side of the airflow channel in the filter6and has an inhalation port end6aof the filter6. The second filling part22is positioned on the upstream side of the airflow channel in the filter6and adjacent to the first filling part20in the axial direction X of the filter6.

FIG.2illustrates a perspective view of a sheet24serving as a filter material before the sheet is processed. The filter material of the filter6is a single sheet24formed of a paper web (web material). The sheet24has, for example, a rectangular shape in plan view. A transport direction of the sheet24in a manufacturing process, which will be described later, is defined as a longitudinal direction X of the sheet24(the same direction as the axial direction X of the filter6), and a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction X is defined as a width direction Y of the sheet24.

The sheet24has a first crimped region26in a partial region in the longitudinal direction X and a second crimped region28in a region adjacent to the first crimped region26of the sheet24in the longitudinal direction X. An area A1of the first crimped region26is smaller than or equal to an area A2of the second crimped region28. The sheet filling part16illustrated inFIG.1is formed by performing a crimped treatment on the sheet24and, in addition, by performing gathering in the width direction Y, in other words, by pulling and binding so as to reduce the diameter to a value smaller than or equal to the diameter of the filter6. Accordingly, the length of the first filling part20is smaller than or equal to the length of the second filling part22in the axial direction X.

FIG.3illustrates a perspective view of the sheet24on which the crimped treatment has been performed. A predetermined number of crimped parts30are formed in the first crimped region26by performing the crimping treatment. The crimping treatment is creping processing in which the sheet24is shaped so that the sheet24has recesses and protrusions while the recesses are spaced apart from each other and the protrusions are spaced apart from each other. The crimped parts30are protruding or recessed fine wrinkles formed in the sheet24. When the crimped parts30are formed in the sheet24, elastic crepe paper is formed. The crimped parts30are defined as recessed parts recessed in various shapes relative to a flat surface of the sheet24or protruding parts protruding in various shapes relative to the flat surface of the sheet24.

In the case illustrated inFIG.3, the crimped parts30of the first crimped region26are longitudinal linear recesses30aextending in the longitudinal direction X of the sheet24. For example, seven longitudinal linear recesses30aare formed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the width direction Y of the sheet24in the first crimped region26. A smaller number of crimped parts30than the number of the crimped parts30in the case of the first crimped region26are formed in the second crimped region28by performing the crimping treatment. In the case illustrated inFIG.3, the crimped parts30of the second crimped region28are longitudinal linear recesses30ahaving the same shape as those in the case of the first crimped region26. For example, two longitudinal linear recesses30aare formed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the width direction Y of the sheet24in the second crimped region28.

FIG.4illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the filter6in the first filling part20.FIG.5illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the filter6in the second filling part22. The first filling part20is formed by performing the gathering in the width direction Y on the first crimped region26having each of the crimped parts30illustrated inFIG.3. The second filling part22is formed by performing the gathering in the width direction Y on the second crimped region28having each of the crimped parts30illustrated inFIG.3.

The first filling part20is formed by performing the gathering on the first crimped region26having a large number of the crimped parts30compared to that of the second filling part22. Thus, compared to the second filling part22, the first filling part20has a reduced void ratio and an increased draw resistance. Meanwhile, the second filling part22is formed by performing the gathering on the second crimped region28having a small number of the crimped parts30compared to that of the first filling part20. Thus, compared to the first filling part20, the second filling part22has an increased void ratio and a reduced draw resistance.

Specifically, the draw resistance of the sheet filling part16per unit length in the axial direction X is preferably set such that the draw resistance of the first filling part20is higher than or equal to 1.5 times the draw resistance of the second filling part22. Here, the draw resistance of the filter6used in the non-burning heating-type article1tends to be set to a comparatively small value. Accordingly, when both the first and second filling parts20and22have comparatively small draw resistances, measurement of the draw resistance becomes difficult.

In this case, a plurality of first filling parts20cut out from sheet filling parts16are prepared, a continuous body is formed by connecting the first filling parts20in the axial direction X, and the draw resistance of this continuous body is measured. Then, the draw resistance of the first filling part20per unit length is calculated from the measured value. A similar continuous body is formed for the second filling part22, and the draw resistance of the second filling part22per unit length is calculated from the draw resistance of this continuous body. In this way, even when the comparison in the draw resistance between the first and second filling parts20and22is difficult due to excessively small measured values of the draw resistance, it can be confirmed that the draw resistance of the first filling part20is higher than or equal to 1.5 times the draw resistance of the second filling part22.

FIG.6generally illustrates a device for producing40the filter6.FIG.7illustrates a flowchart explaining a method for producing the filter6. The device for producing40includes a sheet supplying section42, a sheet processing section44, a gathering section46, a wrapping section48, a cutting section50, an inspecting section52, and the like.

When production of the filter6is started, the sheet supplying section42supplies the continuous sheet24formed of a paper web to a transport path54(S1: sheet supplying step). Next, the sheet processing section44processes the sheet24while transporting the sheet24through the transport path54(S2: sheet processing step). The sheet processing section44includes a roller set56and a control unit58.

The roller set56includes a first roller60and a second roller62. In the transport path54, the first and second rollers60and62transport the sheet24while pinching the sheet24. A rotation shaft of at least one of the first and second rollers60and62is connected to a drive shaft of a motor (not illustrated) and rotated by the motor. The motor is electrically connected to the control unit58. The rotation speed of the first and second rollers60and62is controlled by using the motor based on a signal from the control unit58.

FIG.8illustrates a perspective view of the roller set56pinching the sheet24. In the first roller60, linear protrusions (protruding parts)64that protrude in parts of an outer circumferential surface in a circumferential direction Z are formed. In the second roller62, linear recesses (recessed parts)66to be engaged with the linear protrusions64are formed in parts of an outer circumferential surface in the circumferential direction Z. When the roller set56pinches and transports the sheet24, the first and second rollers60and62rotate in arrow directions indicated inFIG.8, the linear protrusions64and the linear recesses66are engaged with each other with the sheet24interposed therebetween, and engagement parts68are formed in the roller set56.

FIG.9illustrates a schematic view of the outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second rollers60and62. The roller set56has first engagement regions70in which predetermined numbers of engagement parts68are formed in partial regions of the outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second rollers60and62in the circumferential direction Z. In the first engagement regions70, the crimping treatment is performed on partial regions of the sheet24in the longitudinal direction X by using the engagement parts68. The roller set56also has second engagement regions72in regions adjacent to the first engagement regions70of the respective outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second rollers60and62in the circumferential direction Z of the outer circumferential surfaces.

FIG.10illustrates an enlarged sectional view of the engagement parts68of the first engagement region70.FIG.11illustrates an enlarged sectional view of the engagement parts68of the second engagement region72. The number of the engagement parts68is smaller in the second engagement region72than in the first engagement region70As illustrated inFIG.8, the second engagement regions72perform the crimping treatment on a region of the sheet24adjacent to the first crimped region26in the longitudinal direction X, that is, the second crimped region28. For example, two engagement parts68are formed in the second engagement region72. As illustrated inFIG.3, as the crimped parts30corresponding to the engagement parts68in number, two longitudinal linear recesses30aare formed in the second crimped region28of the sheet24.

FIG.12illustrates a perspective view of the roller set56when the sheet24is fed further from the state illustrated inFIG.8. For example, seven engagement parts68are formed in the first engagement region70. As illustrated inFIG.3, as the crimped parts30corresponding to the engagement parts68in number, seven longitudinal linear recesses30aare formed in the first crimped region26of the sheet24. Thus, in sheet processing step S2, the first crimped region26having the predetermined number of crimped parts30corresponding to the engagement parts68in number is formed in the sheet24(P1: crimping processing).

In crimping processing P1, in addition, the second crimped region28having a smaller number of the crimped parts30than in the case of the first crimped region26is formed in the sheet24. An area A3(seeFIG.9) of the first engagement region70in each of the first and second rollers60and62is smaller than or equal to an area A4(seeFIG.9) of the second engagement region72in each of the first and second rollers60and62. Thus, as described above, the area A1of the first crimped region26is smaller than or equal to the area A2of the second crimped region28. In other words, the length of the first filling part20is smaller than or equal to the length of the second filling part22in the axial direction X.

Next, referring toFIGS.6and7, in a transport process of the sheet24through the transport path54, the gathering section46performs gathering, in the width direction Y, on the continuous sheet24having been processed in the sheet processing section44. The gathering is performed to form a sheet filling rod74having a diameter reduced to a value smaller than or equal to the diameter of the filter6(S3: gathering step). The sheet filling rod74forms the sheet filling part16in which the first filling part20and the second filling part22are integral, when, in a later step, the sheet filling rod74is formed in a filter rod76and, after that, cut into the filter6.

In detail, the gathering section46includes a liquid adding booth78, a granule adding unit80, a trumpet guide82, a tongue84, and the like in order from the upstream side in the transport direction through the transport path54. In the liquid adding booth78, a liquid additive is sprayed to the sheet24before the gathering (P2: liquid adding processing). The additive is a liquid that contains, for example, a plasticizer and a flavor. The granule adding unit80includes a hopper80aand a dispersing roller80b.

The hopper80astores granules, and the dispersing roller80bdisperses the granules supplied from the hopper80aonto the sheet24before the gathering. The granules are granular additives and contain, for example, granules of activated carbon and the flavor. Both the trumpet guide82and the tongue84have respective cylindrical shapes. The diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the trumpet guide82gradually reduces from the upstream side of the transport path54.

The trumpet guide82randomly performs the gathering on the sheet24transported through the transport path54while reducing the diameter of the sheet24such that the sheet24has a rod shape, and releases the sheet24toward the tongue84. When the rod-shaped sheet24on which the gathering has been performed passes through the tongue84, the diameter of the rod-shaped sheet24further reduces to a value smaller than or equal to the diameter of the filter6, and formed into the sheet filling rod74.

Next, the wrapping section48wraps the sheet filling rod74with the supplied rolled paper18to form the filter rod76(S4: wrapping step). Next, the cutting section50cuts the filter rod76into the filter6having a predetermined length to form the filter6(S5: cutting step). Next, the inspecting section52inspects a ratio R between the lengths, in the axial direction X, of the first filling part20and the second filling part22in the sheet filling part16of the filter6(S6: inspecting step).

As a result of cutting the filter rod76in cutting step S5, many filters6having the same length in the axial direction X are formed. Since each of the filters6has the same length, the ratio R between the lengths of the first and second filling parts20and22included in the filter6is inspected in inspecting step S6. This inspection is performed by, for example, radiating inspection light such as transmission infrared light to a circumferential surface of the filter6and performing image recognition on an image having been captured. The lengths of the first and second filling parts20and22may be directly inspected instead of the ratio R.

Next, in the inspecting section52, whether the inspected ratio R is a predetermined first threshold T1is determined (S7: determining step). The first threshold T1is set to be a predetermined value in accordance with specifications of the filter6or a predetermined allowable range. When a determination result is true (Yes) and R=T1holds, it is determined that the lengths of the first filling part20and the second filling part22in the axial direction X are desired correct values.

In other words, it is determined that the lengths, in the longitudinal direction X, of the first crimped region26and the second crimped region28of the sheet24included in the sheet filling part16are desired correct values, and the inspection and production of the filter6end. In contrast, when the determination result is false (No) and R=T1does not hold, it is determined that the length of at least one of the first filling part20and the second filling part22in the axial direction X is excessively large or excessively small.

In other words, it is determined that the lengths, in the longitudinal direction X, of the first crimped region26and the second crimped region28of the sheet24included in the sheet filling part16are incorrect. In this case, since the quality of the filter6is not reliably obtained, correction of the crimping treatment in crimping processing P1is required. The inspecting section52is electrically connected to the control unit58of the sheet processing section44.

When it is determined that the ratio R is not the first threshold T1in determining step S7, the inspecting section52transmits the difference between the ratio R and the first threshold T1to the control unit58. Based on the difference between the ratio R and the first threshold T1, the control unit58controls a rotation speed Vr of at least one of the first roller60and the second roller62(S8: control step). As a result, in order to correct the ratio R to the first threshold T1, crimping processing P1is performed in the first and second crimped regions26and28of the sheet24in the sheet processing section44.

As has been described, the filter6according to the embodiment includes the sheet filling part16and the rolled paper18wrapped around the sheet filling part16. The sheet filling part16is formed by performing the gathering in the width direction Y on the sheet24formed of a paper web to reduce the diameter to a value smaller than or equal to the diameter of the filter6. The sheet24included in the sheet filling part16has the first crimped region26. In the first crimped region26, the predetermined number of the crimped parts30are formed by performing the crimping treatment on the partial regions of the sheet24in the longitudinal direction X.

That is, the sheet filling part16obtained by performing the gathering on the first crimped region26having the crimped parts30is formed only in the partial regions in the longitudinal direction X of the sheet24. In this way, in a region of the sheet24adjacent to the first crimped region26, the crimped parts30can be formed such that the number of the crimped parts30in the adjacent region is different from the number of the crimped parts30in the first crimped region26, the crimped parts30having a different shape from the shape of the crimped parts30in the first crimped region26can be formed, or it is allowed that no crimped part30is formed.

When the above-described flexibility is imparted to the crimping treatment of the sheet24, the void ratio and the draw resistance of the filter6can be optimized, and accordingly, smoke taste of the article1can increase. Furthermore, when the number and the shape of the crimped parts30formed in the sheet24are changed, the filter6having variations can be formed in one operation and the stiffness of the filter6can be improved.

Furthermore, when the number of crimped parts30formed in the sheet24reduces, and the amount of paper dust generated in association with the formation of the crimped parts30reduces, the load of cleaning facilities can reduce. Thus, productivity of the filter6can be improved. Furthermore, since the sheet filling part16having different crimped forms can be formed in one operation from the continuous sheet24, individual filter elements having different crimped forms are not necessarily combined to form the filter6. Thus, the productivity of the filter6can be further improved.

Furthermore, in the case where the above-described combining is performed, when the lengths of the filter elements in the axial direction X are small, the filter elements may be rolled while the filter elements are transported. When the rolled filter elements are combined, a defective filter6may be produced. However, since the sheet filling part16having different crimped forms can be formed in one operation from the continuous sheet24, the combining itself becomes unnecessary. Thus, the productivity of the filter6can be further improved and the quality of the filter6can be reliably obtained.

More specifically, the sheet24has the second crimped region28in a region of the sheet24adjacent to the first crimped region26in the longitudinal direction X. The number of the crimped parts30formed in the second crimped region28is smaller than the crimped parts30formed in the first crimped region26. In this way, compared to the case where the same number of the crimped parts30as the number of the crimped parts30in the first crimped region26are formed in an entire region of the sheet24, the draw resistance of the filter6can reduce, the stiffness of the filter6can be improved, and improvement of the productivity of the filter6can be achieved.

In detail, when the draw resistance of the filter6reduces, an inhaling force required for the user to inhale the article1reduces. Thus, the amount of the flavor component that the user can take per puff increases, an inhalation response from the article1is improved, and further, smoke taste of the article1is improved. Furthermore, when the void ratio of the filter6increases, the flavor material10of the flavor element2may pass through the void of the filter6so as to be put into the mouth of the user during the inhalation of the article1.

However, with the filter6, in association with the formation of the first filling part20having many crimped parts30, the risk of putting the flavor material10into the mouth reduces, and the quality of the article1is improved. Furthermore, in association with the formation of the second filling part22having a comparatively small number of the crimped parts30, the stiffness of the filter6is improved, in particular, the stiffness in the radial direction of the filter6is improved. This leads to reduction of the risk of bending, for example, the middle of the filter6is bent when the article1is inserted into the device. Accordingly, the quality of the article1is improved.

Furthermore, the article1gives the impression to the user that the stiffness of the filter6is high, in other words, the filter6is hard. This can present to the user a feel of the article1, and further, a high-quality feel of the article1. Furthermore, the area A1of the first crimped region26is smaller than or equal to the area A2of the region of the sheet24adjacent to the first crimped region26in the longitudinal direction X, that is, the second crimped region28according to the embodiment. Thus, the length of the first filling part20formed from the first crimped region26is smaller than or equal to the length of the second filling part22formed from the second crimped region28.

Here, when the length of the first filling part20with a larger number of the crimped parts30is smaller than or equal to the length of the second filling part22with a smaller number of the crimped parts30, the amount of filtering of the flavor component can be reduced in the filter6. In particular, the non-burning heating-type article1volatilizes small amount of the flavor component in the flavor element2compared to the burning heating-type article1. Accordingly, the amount of filtering of the flavor component in the filter6is preferably reduced as much as possible.

Accordingly, in the case where the filter6is used in the non-burning heating-type article1, when the length of the first filling part20is smaller than or equal to the length of the second filling part22, in other words, the area A1of the first crimped region26is smaller than or equal to the area A2of the second crimped region28, the amount of the flavor component that the user can take from the article1increases, the inhalation response from the article1is improved, and further, smoke taste of the article1is improved.

Furthermore, the draw resistance, per unit length, of the sheet filling part16of the first filling part20in the axial direction X is higher than or equal to 1.5 times the draw resistance of the second filling part22. Thus, there can be a certain degree of difference in draw resistance between the first filling part20and the second filling part22. Accordingly, the draw resistance of the entirety of the filter6can be easily optimized by changing the lengths of the first filling part20and the second filling part22.

Furthermore, the first filling part20is positioned on the downstream side of the second filling part22in the airflow channel and has the inhalation port end6aof the filter6. Thus, in the article1, a neat end surface of the first filling part20which has many crimped parts30, on which the crimping treatment has been performed in a tight manner, and which has small and uniform voids is exposed as the inhalation port end6a. Accordingly, compared to the case where an end surface of the second filling part22having coarse and large voids is exposed, the appearance of the article1is improved.

Furthermore, the first filling part20is positioned on the downstream side of the second filling part22in the airflow channel. Thus, the first filling part20is disposed at a position spaced apart from the flavor element2with the second filling part22interposed therebetween. That is, the first filling part20having a higher filtering performance than that of the second filling part22is not adjacent to the flavor element2. This prevents the flavor component that has just been volatilized in the flavor element2and has not been cooled and aerosolized from passing through the first filling part20having the high filtering performance and being excessively filtered.

As has been described, in particular with the non-burning heating-type article1, the amount of the flavor component volatilized in the flavor element2is comparatively small. Accordingly, when the first filling part20is positioned on the downstream side of the second filling part22in the airflow channel, the amount of the flavor component that the user can take from the article1increases, the inhalation response from the article1is improved, and further, smoke taste of the article1is improved.

Furthermore, the sheet processing section44of the device for producing40includes the roller set56that includes the first and second rollers60and62. When the roller set56pinches and transports the sheet24, the linear protrusions64of the first roller60and the linear recesses66of the second roller62are engaged with each other with the sheet24interposed therebetween. Thus, the engagement parts68are formed in the roller set56. The roller set56has the first engagement regions70in which the predetermined numbers of engagement parts68are formed in the partial regions of the outer circumferential surfaces in the circumferential direction Z.

The first engagement regions70form the first crimped region26in the sheet24in crimping processing P1of sheet processing step S2. Furthermore, the roller set56has the second engagement regions72in regions of the outer circumferential surfaces adjacent to the first engagement regions70in the circumferential direction Z. The second engagement regions72have a smaller number of the engagement parts68than the number of the engagement parts68in the first engagement regions70. The second engagement regions72form the second crimped region28in the sheet24in crimping processing P1of sheet processing step S2.

Thus, in the transport process of the sheet24, the first and second crimped regions26and28can be easily formed in the sheet24, and further, the first and second filling parts20and22can be easily formed in the sheet filling part16of the filter6. Furthermore, the area A3of the first engagement regions70is smaller than or equal to the area A4of the region of the outer circumferential surfaces of the roller set56adjacent to the first engagement regions70, that is, the second engagement regions72according to the embodiment. Thus, the area A1of the first crimped region26can be smaller than or equal to the area A2of the second crimped region28.

Furthermore, the inspecting section52of the device for producing40inspects, in inspecting step S6, the ratio R between the lengths, in the axial direction X, of the first filling part20and the second filling part22of the sheet filling part16of the filter6and determines, in determining step S7, whether the ratio R is the first threshold T1. When it is determined that, in determining step S7, the ratio R is not the first threshold T1, a rotation speed Vr of at least one of the first roller60and the second roller62is controlled in control step S8based on the difference between the ratio R and the first threshold T1.

Although it is in a very small amount, the sheet24may extend in crimping processing P1. The amounts of extension may accumulate after the elapse of long time and lead to a defect of the article1in that at least one of the lengths of the first filling part20and the second filling part22in the axial direction X is excessively large or excessively small. The defect caused by the extension of the sheet24can be corrected when steps S6to S8described above are performed, and the quality of the article1can be improved.

Although the description of the embodiment is completed with the above description, the above-described embodiment is not limiting and can be changed in a various manner without departing from the gist. For example, a crinkling pattern in the first or second crimped region26or28, the shape of the crimped parts30, or the area A1or A2of the first or second crimped region26or28is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The crinkling patterns in the first and second crimped regions26and28, the shape of the crimped parts30, and the areas A1and A2of the first and second crimped regions26and28are allowed to be changed in a various manner. In this way, the flexibility of the crimping treatment on the sheet24is further improved, and accordingly, optimization of the draw resistance of the filter6, diversification of the filter6, improvement of the stiffness of the filter6, and improvement of the productivity of the filter6can be more effectively achieved.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.13, the sheet24may have a non-crimped region86having no crimped parts30in a region of the sheet24adjacent to the first crimped region26in the longitudinal direction X. In this case, as illustrated inFIGS.14and15, the roller set56has non-engagement regions88without an engagement part68in regions adjacent to the first engagement regions70of the outer circumferential surfaces in the circumferential direction Z. The non-engagement region88forms the non-crimped region86in the sheet24in sheet processing step S2.

The sheet24may have the second crimped region28in a region of the sheet24adjacent to the first crimped region26in the longitudinal direction X. In the second crimped region28, the crimping treatment is performed so as to form the crimped parts30having a smaller recessed area than that in the first crimped region26. For example, in the case illustrated inFIG.16, the crimped parts30formed in the second crimped region28are recessed parts in a dot shape in plan view of the sheet24, and specifically, the crimped parts30are rectangular recessed parts30bhaving a rectangular shape in section.

In this case, as illustrated inFIG.17, a plurality of rectangular protruding parts90are formed in the second engagement region72of the first roller60. A plurality of rectangular recessed parts92to be engaged with the protruding parts90are formed in the second engagement region72of the second roller62. When the roller set56pinches and transports the sheet24, the first and second rollers60and62rotate, the protruding parts90and the recessed parts92are engaged with each other with the sheet24interposed therebetween, and the engagement parts68are formed in the roller set56.

As illustrated inFIG.18, an engagement area of the engagement parts68formed in the second engagement regions72of the roller set56is smaller than that of the engagement parts68in the first engagement regions70(seeFIG.10). The second engagement regions72form the second crimped region28in the sheet24in crimping processing P1of sheet processing step S2such that the second crimped region28has a plurality of rectangular recessed parts30bhaving a smaller recessed area than that of the first crimped region26. When the gathering is performed on this second crimped region28, the second filling part22is formed.

In the case illustrated inFIG.19, the crimped parts30formed in the second crimped region28are protruding parts in a dot shape in plan view of the sheet24, and specifically, the crimped parts30are triangular protruding parts30chaving a triangular shape in section. As illustrated inFIG.20, a plurality of triangular recessed parts94are formed in the second engagement region72of the first roller60. A plurality of triangular protruding parts96to be engaged with the recessed parts94are formed in the second engagement region72of the second roller62. When the roller set56pinches and transports the sheet24, the first and second rollers60and62rotate, the recessed parts94and the protruding parts96are engaged with each other with the sheet24interposed therebetween, and the engagement parts68are formed in the roller set56.

As illustrated inFIG.21, an engagement area of the engagement parts68formed in the second engagement regions72of the roller set56is smaller than that of the engagement parts68in the first engagement regions70(seeFIG.10). The second engagement regions72form the second crimped region28in the sheet24in crimping processing P1of sheet processing step S2such that the second crimped region28has a plurality of triangular protruding parts30chaving a smaller protruding area than that of the first crimped region260. When the gathering is performed on this second crimped region28, the second filling part22is formed. When the recessed parts94are changed to protruding parts and the protruding parts96are changed to recessed parts, the triangular protruding parts30ccan be changed to triangular recessed parts.

In the case illustrated inFIG.22, the crimped parts30formed in the second crimped region28of the sheet24are lateral linear recesses30dextending in the width direction Y of the sheet24. As illustrated inFIG.23, for example, two linear protrusions98extending in the width direction Y are formed in the first engagement region70of the first roller60. For example, two linear recesses100to be engaged with the linear protrusions98are formed in the second engagement region72of the second roller62. When the roller set56pinches and transports the sheet24, the first and second rollers60and62rotate, the linear recesses98and the linear protrusions100are engaged with each other with the sheet24interposed therebetween, and the engagement parts68are formed in the roller set56.

As illustrated inFIG.24, an engagement area of the engagement parts68formed in the second engagement regions72of the roller set56is smaller than that of the engagement parts68in the first engagement regions70(seeFIG.10). The second engagement regions72form the second crimped region28in the sheet24in crimping processing P1of sheet processing step S2such that the second crimped region28has, for example, two lateral linear recesses30dhaving a smaller recessed area than that of the first crimped region26. When the gathering is performed on this second crimped region28, the second filling part22is formed.

Furthermore, the type or the configuration of the article1including the filter6or the number, the position, or the length, in the axial direction X, of the first or second filling part20or22in the filter6is not limited to the embodiment having been described.FIGS.25to31schematically illustrate examples of the non-burning heating-type article1different from that illustratedFIG.1. These articles1include the flavor element2that is non-burning and to be heated. In the case illustrated inFIG.25, the length of the second filling part22included in the filter6is about twice to three times the length of the first filling part20.

In the case illustrated inFIG.26, the article1does not include the tubular element4, and the length of the second filling part22is about seven times the length of the first filling part20. In the case illustrated inFIG.27, the article1further includes a second filter104that is disposed between the tubular element4and the filter6and contains activated carbon102. The granules of the activated carbon102are wrapped with a filter material such as acetate tow in the second filter104. In the case illustrated inFIG.28, the article1further includes a third filter108which is disposed on the downstream side of the filter6in the airflow channel. A capsule106is disposed in the third filter108. Additives such as a flavor liquid are included in the capsule106, and the capsule106is wrapped with a filter material such as acetate tow in the third filter108.

In the case illustrated inFIG.29, the sheet filling part16is formed by disposing, in the axial direction X, a plurality of combinations, for example, two combinations of the second filling part22and the first filling part20alternately in this order from the upstream side of the airflow channel. In the case illustrated inFIG.30, the article1does not include the tubular element4, and the sheet filling part16includes the second filling part22between two first filling parts20. The length of the second filling part22is about four times the length of the first filling part20.

In the case illustrated inFIG.31, the article1includes two filters6. The second filling parts22are positioned outside the tubular element4on the left and right in the axial direction X with the tubular element4interposed therebetween. Furthermore, the first filling parts20are positioned outside the second filling parts22on the left and right in the axial direction X. The second filling parts22having a small number of the crimped parts30or having a small recessed area improve the strength of the filter6in the radial direction. In contrast, the first filling parts20having a large number of the crimped parts30or having a large recessed area improve buckling strength of the filter6in the axial direction X. Accordingly, the first filling part20may be positioned on the upstream side of the second filling part22in the airflow channel depending on the configuration of the article1.

Meanwhile, the filter6according to the embodiment can be applied to a burning heating-type article1.FIGS.32to35schematically illustrate examples of the burning heating-type article1. These articles1include the flavor element2to be heated when burning as a result of ignition but do not include the tubular element4. In the case illustrated inFIG.32, the length of the second filling part22is about four times the length of the first filling part20.

In the case illustrated inFIG.33, the length of the first filling part20is greater than the length of the second filling part22. In the case illustrated inFIG.34, the article1further includes the second filter104that is disposed between the flavor element2and the filter6and contains the granules of the activated carbon102.

Furthermore, the length of the first filling part20is about twice the length of the second filling part22. In the case illustrated inFIG.35, the article1further includes the third filter108disposed on the downstream side of the filter6. The capsule106is disposed in the third filter108. Furthermore, the length of the first filling part20is greater than the length of the second filling part22.

The burning heating-type article1volatilizes a greater amount of the flavor component in the flavor element2compared to that of the non-burning heating-type article1. Accordingly, the necessity to reduce the amount of filtering the flavor component with the filter6is reduced. Accordingly, when, in particular, the filter6is used in the burning heating-type article1, depending on the filtering performance of the filter6required for the article1, as illustrated inFIGS.33to35, the length of the first filling part20may be set to be greater than the length of the second filling part22, in other words, the area A1of the first crimped region26may be set to be greater than the area A2of the second crimped region28.

A plurality of roller sets56may be provided in the sheet processing section44, and three or more crimped regions may be formed in the sheet24so as to form three or more filling parts for the sheet24in the sheet filling part16. The sheet24may be formed of a web material other than the paper web.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1flavor inhalation article2flavor element4tubular element6filter16sheet filling part18rolled paper20first filling part22second filling part24sheet26first crimped region28second crimped region30crimped part30alongitudinal linear recess (crimped part)30brectangular recessed part (dot-shaped recessed part, crimped part)30ctriangular protruding part (dot-shaped protruding part, crimped part)30dlateral linear recess (crimped part)40device for producing44sheet processing section46gathering section48wrapping section50cutting section54transport path56roller set60first roller62second roller64linear protrusion of first roller (protruding part)66linear recess of second roller (recessed part)74sheet filling rod76filter rod86non-crimped region90protruding part of first roller92recessed part of second roller94recessed part of first roller96protruding part of second roller98linear protrusion of first roller (protruding part)100linear recess of second roller (recessed part)102activated carbon104second filter106capsule108third filterA1area of first crimped regionA2area of region of sheet adjacent to first crimped region (second crimped region or non-crimped region)A3area of first engagement regionA4area of regions adjacent to first engagement regions of outer circumferential surfaces of first roller and second roller (second engagement regions or non-engagement regions)P1crimping processingR ratioS2sheet processing stepS3gathering stepS4wrapping stepS5cutting stepS6inspecting stepS7determining stepS8control stepT1first thresholdX longitudinal direction of sheet, axial direction of filter, transport direction of sheet, sheet filling rod, and filterY width direction of sheetZ circumferential direction of outer circumferential surfaces of first roller and second roller