Method of manufacturing cigarette suppressing spread of burn and apparatus for manufacturing cigarette suppressing spread of burn

An apparatus includes a unit which forms burn control agent coated regions on a web of a wrapping paper transferred by a wrapping paper transfer unit at a plurality of positions separated from each other in the longitudinal or in the width direction of the web, a unit which supplies chopped tobacco leaves to the wrapping paper after formation of the coated regions, a roll-up unit which rolls up the wrapping paper on which the chopped tobacco leaves are supplied, and a cigarette cutting unit which cuts the rolled-up wrapping paper together with the chopped tobacco leaves in a predetermined length of the cigarette in the longitudinal direction thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cigarette which suppresses a spread of burn and an apparatus for manufacturing a cigarette which suppresses a spread of burn.

2. Description of the Related Art

A cigarette which suppresses a spread of burn is a cigarette structured such that, if it is left not to be smoked after it is lighted, the lighted cigarette ceases to burn, or a cigarette structured such that, if it is erroneously dropped onto a combustible material while the cigarette is left not to be smoked after it is lighted and the lighted cigarette continues to burn, the heat of the burning cigarette is spread into the the combustible material and the burning cigarette case to burn before it burns the combustible material. The cigarette which suppresses the spread of burn has been well known by, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2783803.

In the burn spread suppressing cigarette, which is disclosed in the Japanese Patent specification described above, burn control agent is coated on a tobacco wrapping paper sheet at a plurality of annular regions positioned apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a longitudinal direction of the cigarette. If the burn spread suppressing cigarette is left not to be smoked after an end of the cigarette to be lighted is lighted, the burn of the cigarette is extinguished when the burn of the cigarette reaches the annular region of the burn control agent. On the other hand, if the cigarette is smoked continuously after it is lighted, the burn of the cigarette is not extinguished by the burn control agent even when the burn reaches the annular region of the burn control agent.

In the conventional burn spread suppressing cigarette which is structured as described above, an ordinary burn like in an ordinary cigarette is maintained between the adjacent annular regions of the burn control agent. Therefore, if the conventional burn spread suppressing cigarette is erroneously left on a combustible material and burns ordinarily between the adjacent annular regions of the burn control agent, it does not burn the combustible material but it severely scorches the combustible material depending on a kind of the combustible material, before the burn reaches the annular region of the burn control agent and is extinguished by the burn control agent.

This invention is derived from above described circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a cigarette which suppresses a spread of burn and an apparatus for manufacturing a cigarette which suppresses a spread of burn, in the cigarette manufactured by this method or this apparatus, when the lighted cigarette is erroneously left on a combustible material, burn of the cigarette is cased, heat of the burning cigarette is spread into a combustible material and does not only burn but also scorch the combustible material, or even if the heat of the burn scorches the combustible material the scorch does not become more severe than in the past.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a burn spread suppressing cigarette comprises:

transferring a wrapping paper for a cigarette;

forming a burn control agent coated region on the transferred wrapping paper;

supplying chopped tobacco leaves to the wrapping paper on which the burn control agent coated regions is formed;

rolling up the wrapping paper on which the chopped tobacco leaves are supplied, together with the chopped tobacco leaves; and

cutting the rolled-up wrapping paper rolled up, together with the chopped tobacco leaves, to correspond to the longitudinal length of the cigarette.

In the burn spread suppressing cigarette manufactured by the method described above, it is possible to set freely a time required for the lighted cigarette to be ceased after the lighted cigarette is left, and to set freely a burn temperature even if the lighted cigarette is not ceased and continue to burn, by controlling a width of the burn control agent coated region and the number of forming of the burn control agent coated region.

As a result of this, even if the burn spread suppressing cigarette is erroneously left on a combustible material and burns ordinarily, the burn of the cigarette is ceased by the burn control agent or heat of the burn is spread into the combustible material without burn of the combustible material so that the burning cigarette does not scorch the combustible material or, even if the material is scorched, the scorch does not more severe than in the prior art.

Needless to say, in the method as described above, the transferred wrapping paper is a long web before it is cut for individual cigarettes. And, it is possible to form accurately the burn control agent coated region in a desired pattern, in the desired number and in a desired density by forming the burn control agent coated region while the long web-like wrapping paper is transferred.

In the method as described above, it is desirable that, in the formation of the burn control agent coated region, a formation of the burn control agent coated region is performed in synchronism with a cutting operation of the rolled-up wrapping paper.

It is desirable for the method as described above, that the method further comprises an inspection of the burn control agent coated region performed between the formation of the burn control agent coated region and the supply of the chopped tobacco leaves, the inspection inspecting a distribution (including a pattern and the number) and density of the burn control agent coated region formed on the wrapping paper.

The burn control agent coated region can be formed accurately in a desired pattern, in the desired number and in a desired density by forming the burn control agent coated region on the wrapping paper of the transferred long web, in the formation of the burn control agent coated region. And, in the inspection of the burn control agent coated region, the distribution (including the pattern and the number) and density of the burn control agent coated region formed as described above can be inspected accurately.

In this case, in the inspection of the burn control agent coated region, a light is projected on one surface of the wrapping paper for the cigarette after formation of the burn control agent coated region, the light transmitted through the wrapping paper for the cigarette is detected in a side of the other surface of the wrapping paper after formation of the burn control agent coated region, and the distribution and density of the burn control agent coated region formed on the wrapping paper is inspected on a basis of intensity distribution of the transmitted light.

In the method as described above, it is desirable that the burn control agent coated region is formed on a surface of the wrapping paper, the surface becoming an inner surface when the wrapping paper is rolled up for a cigarette.

As a result of this, an outer appearance of the burn spread suppressing cigarette looks like that of the conventional cigarette, a possibility of damaging the burn control agent coated region formed on the wrapping paper for some reasons during storage of the cigarette becomes low remarkably.

In the method as described above, a plurality of burn control agent bands may be formed to extend in a direction which becomes a longitudinal direction when the wrapping paper is rolled up for a cigarette.

In the method as described above, it is desirable that a plurality of bands of the burn control agent are formed to extend intermittently in the direction which becomes the longitudinal direction when the wrapping paper is rolled up for a cigarette, with a predetermined gap in the longitudinal direction.

The predetermined gap noted above can be in correspond to the longitudinal length of the individual cigarette. In this case, it is desirable that the burn control agent coated region is not formed on a portion of the wrapping paper, the portion of the wrapping paper becoming a head of the cigarette when the wrapping paper is rolled up to the cigarette, and the head having a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette.

This results from that the cigarette is rarely left immediately after the head of the cigarette is lighted, and a lightening of the head of the burn spread suppressing cigarette will not be rendered poor.

According to experiments conducted by the inventors of this invention, it is desirable that the predetermined length is set within a range between about 10 mm and about 25 mm.

Further, since the transfer direction of the wrapping paper is a direction in which becomes a longitudinal direction when the wrapping paper is rolled up for a cigarette, it is desirable that, in the formation of the burn control agent coated region, a roller is in contact with the transferred wrapping paper and is rotated in the transfer direction, a burn control agent coated region transfer area corresponding to the burn control agent coated region is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the roller, and the burn control agent supplied form a burn control agent applying device is applied to the outer circumferential surface of the roller by the burn control agent applying device.

The roller is used in the formation of the burn control agent coated region, the width and the diameter (i.e., the circumferential length of the outer circumferential surface) of the roller can be change easily. Therefore, the burn control agent coated region transfer area formed on the outer circumferential surface of the roller can be changed easily.

Alternatively, in the formation of the burn control agent coated region, a nozzle member can be in contact with or is positioned close to the transferred wrapping paper, a plurality of nozzle holes can be formed in the nozzle member, and the burn control agent can be supplied from a burn control agent supply device to the nozzle member.

When the nozzle member provided with a plurality of nozzle holes is used in the formation of the burn control agent coated region, the timing at which the nozzle holes of the nozzle member eject the burn control agent can be changed easily. As a result of this, in a case that the plurality of bands of the burn control agent are formed intermittently with the predetermined gap in the direction which becomes the longitudinal direction when the wrapping paper is rolled up for a cigarette, the longitudinal length of the predetermined gap can be changed easily, compared with in the case that the formation of the burn control agent coated region uses the roller noted above.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for manufacturing a burn spread suppressing cigarette comprises:

a wrapping paper transfer unit which transfers a wrapping paper for a cigarette;

a burn control agent coated region forming unit which forms a burn control agent coated region on the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit;

a chopped tobacco leaf supply unit which supplies chopped tobacco leaves to the wrapping paper on which the burn control agent coated region is formed by the burn control agent coated region forming unit;

a roll-up unit which rolls up the wrapping paper on which the chopped tobacco leaves are supplied from the chopped tobacco leaf supplying unit, together with the chopped tobacco leaves to form a cigarette; and

a cigarette cutting unit which cuts the rolled up wrapping paper, which is rolled up together with the chopped tobacco leaves by the roll-up unit for a cigarette, in a predetermined longitudinal length of the cigarette.

That is, the apparatus as described above manufactures a burn spread suppressing cigarette by the method as described above, so that the cigarette manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus can enjoy all technical advantages that can be obtained by the cigarette manufactured by the method as described above.

Needless to say, in the apparatus as described above, the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit is a long web before the wrapping paper is cut into individual cigarettes.

In the apparatus as described above, it is desirable that the burn control agent coated region forming unit forms the burn control agent coated region on the wrapping paper in synchronism with a cutting operation of the rolled-up wrapping paper performed by the cigarette cutting unit.

In the apparatus as described above, it is desirable that the manufacturing apparatus further comprises a burn control agent coated region inspecting unit which inspects a distribution (including the pattern and the number) and density of the burn control agent coated region formed on the wrapping paper after formation of the burn control agent coated region on the wrapping paper by the burn control agent coated region forming unit and before supply of the chopped tobacco leaves performed by the chopped tobacco leaf supply unit.

The burn control agent coated region can be formed accurately in a desired pattern, in the desired number and in a desired density by forming the burn control agent coated region on the wrapping paper of the long web transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit, by the burn control agent coated region forming unit. And, the inspecting unit can inspect accurately the distribution (including the pattern and the number) and density of the burn control agent coated region formed as described above.

In this case, the burn control agent coated region inspecting unit can project a light on one surface of the wrapping paper for a cigarette after formation of the burn control agent coated region, can detect the light transmitted through the wrapping paper for the cigarette in a side of the other surface of the wrapping paper sheet after formation of the burn control agent coated region, and can inspect the distribution and density of the burn control agent coated region formed on the wrapping paper on a basis of intensity distribution of the transmitted light.

In the apparatus as described above, it is desirable that the burn control agent coated region forming unit is arranged to be in contact with the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit, and comprises a wrapping paper shift unit which selectively shifts the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit to be brought into contact with the burn control agent coated region forming unit.

In this case, it is desirable that the wrapping paper shift unit shifts the wrapping paper to separate from the burn control agent coated region forming unit while the transfer of the wrapping paper by the wrapping paper transfer unit is stopped.

In the apparatus as described above, it is desirable that the burn control agent coated region forming unit forms the burn control agent coated region on that surface of the wrapping paper which becomes an inner surface when the wrapping paper is rolled up for a cigarette.

As a result of this, an outer appearance of the burn spread suppressing cigarette looks like that of the conventional cigarette, and a possibility of damaging the burn control agent coated region formed on the wrapping paper for some reasons during storage of the cigarette becomes low remarkably.

In the apparatus as described above, the burn control agent coated region forming unit can form a plurality of bands of the burn control agent to extend in a direction which becomes a longitudinal direction with the wrapping paper is rolled up for a cigarette.

In the apparatus as described above, the burn control agent coated region forming unit can form a plurality of bands of the burn control agent to extend intermittently in the direction which becomes the longitudinal direction when the wrapping paper is rolled up for a cigarette, with a predetermined gap in the longitudinal direction.

The predetermined gap noted above can be in correspond to the longitudinal length for the individual cigarette. In this case, it is desirable that the burn control agent coated region is not formed on a position of the wrapping paper, the portion of the wrapping paper becoming a head of the cigarette when the wrapping paper is rolled up to the cigarette, and the head having a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette.

This results from that the cigarette is rarely left immediately after the head of the cigarette is lighted, and a lightening of the head of the burn spread suppressing cigarette will not be rendered poor.

According to experiments conducted by the inventor of the present invention, it is desirable that the predetermined length is set within a range between about 10 mm and about 25 mm.

Further, since the transfer direction of the wrapping paper is a direction which becomes a longitudinal direction when the wrapping paper is rolled up for a cigarette, it is possible that the burn control agent coated region forming unit includes a roller that is in contact with the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit and is rotated in the transfer direction of the wrapping paper, a burn control agent coated region transfer area corresponding to the burn control agent coated region and formed on the outer circumferential surface of the roller, and a burn control agent applying device which supplies the burn control agent onto the outer circumferential surface of the roller and applies the burn control agent to the outer circumferential surface of the roller.

Alternatively, the burn control agent coated region forming unit includes a nozzle member which is in contact with or is positioned close to the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit, a plurality of nozzle holes formed in the nozzle member, and a burn control agent supply device which supplies the burn control agent to the nozzle member.

Where the burn control agent coated region forming unit uses the roller, the width and the diameter (i.e., the circumferential length of the outer circumferential surface) of the roller can be change easily. Therefore, the burn control agent coated region transfer area formed on the outer circumferential surface of the roller can be changed easily.

Where the burn control agent coated region forming unit uses the nozzle member noted above, the timing at which the nozzle holes of the nozzle member eject the burn control agent can be changed easily. As a result of this, in a case that a plurality of bands of the burn control agent are formed intermittently with the predetermined gap in the direction which becomes the longitudinal direction when the wrapping paper is rolled up for a cigarette, by the burn control agent coated region forming unit, the longitudinal length of the predetermined gap can be changed easily, compared within the case that the burn control agent coated region forming unit uses the roller noted above.

In following descriptions, an apparatus for manufacturing a cigarette which suppresses a spread of burn, by a manufacturing method of the burn spread suppressing cigarette, the method being according to one embodiment of the present invention, together with various modifications of the manufacturing apparatus, will be explained in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At first, with reference toFIG. 1, an entire structure of a cigarette manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a cigarette which suppresses a spread of burn will be described schematically, the apparatus manufacturing the burn spread suppressing cigarette by a method of manufacturing the burn spread suppressing cigarette and, the method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A structure of the apparatus for manufacturing a burn spread suppressing cigarette shown inFIG. 1is equal to a structure of a conventional cigarette manufacturing apparatus with excepting a cigarette wrapping paper manufacturing device10and a cigarette wrapping paper inspecting unit11. The device10is used for manufacturing a cigarette wrapping paper suppressing a spread of burn, and the unit11is used for inspecting the cigarette wrapping paper suppressing a spread of burn.

The burn spread suppressing cigarette manufacturing apparatus shown inFIG. 1comprises an air permeable transfer unit12which transfers chopped tobacco leaves. The chopped tobacco leaf transfer unit12uses an air permeable transfer belt. A passageway member14which is used for supplying chopped tobacco leaves extends from a chopped tobacco leaf supply source (not shown) to the chopped tobacco leaf transfer unit12. The chopped tobacco leaves are transferred by an air stream from the chopped tobacco leaf supply source (not shown) to the chopped tobacco leaf transfer unit12through the chopped tobacco leaf supply passageway member14.

The chopped tobacco leaves supplied from the chopped tobacco leaf supply source are pressed on the chopped tobacco leaf transfer unit12at an end of the chopped tobacco leaf supply passageway member14by the air stream and forms a slender band having a predetermined width and extending along a center line in the transfer direction (longitudinal direction) of the chopped tobacco leaf transfer unit2.

An end of a main portion of a wrapping paper transfer unit18which transfers a cigarette wrapping paper from a cigarette wrapping paper supply source16is positioned at another end E of the chopped tobacco leaf transfer unit12in the transfer direction. In this embodiment, a roll20of a long web which is used as a raw material of the cigarette wrapping paper and from which a cigarette wrapping paper sheet for an individual cigarette is cut is rotatably arranged in the wrapping paper supply source16, and the long web20awithdrawn from the roll20by the main portion of the wrapping paper transfer unit18is transferred to the above described end of the main portion of the unit18via a slackening preventing mechanism.

In this embodiment, the main portion of the wrapping paper transfer unit18includes a large number of pairs of tension rollers, pairs of guide rollers and pairs of driving rollers.

An additional roll20′ which is the same as the roll20is also arranged rotatable in the wrapping paper supply source16. A starting end of a web20′aof the additional roll20′ faces the long web20awithdrawn from the roll20by the wrapping paper transfer unit18, at an automatic joining machine21. If a final end of the web20asupplied from the roll20is detected by the automatic joining machine21, the automatic joining machine21joins the starting end of the web20′aof the additional roll20′ to the final end of the web20aof the roll20. As a result of this, the web20′aof the additional roll20′ is transferred toward the above described end of the main portion of the wrapping paper transfer unit18in succession to the web20aof the roll20.

The wrapping paper transfer unit18has a wrapping paper supporting and transferring device22arranged in a downstream of the end of the main portion. In this embodiment, the wrapping paper supporting and transferring device22uses transfer belt22asupported by a plurality of guide rollers and driving rollers, and the web20aor20′acoming from the end of the main portion is laid on an upper horizontal moving portion of the transfer belt22aand is transferred by the transfer belt22a.

A tongue shaped member (not shown) is arranged at the end E of the chopped tobacco leaf transfer unit12in the transfer direction, and the chopped tobacco leaves are led by the tongue shaped member at the end E onto the web20aor20′aon the upper horizontal moving portion of the transfer belt22a. The transfer direction of the web20aor20′aby the upper horizontal moving portion of the transfer belt22ais equal to the transfer direction of the chopped tobacco leaves transferred by the chopped tobacco leaf transfer unit12, and the center line of the transfer direction of the chopped tobacco leaf transfer unit12corresponds in a vertical direction to the center line of the transfer direction of the upper horizontal moving portion of the transfer belt22a. Therefore, the chopped tobacco leaves led by the tongue member from the end E of the chopped tobacco leaf transfer unit12in the transfer direction onto the web20aor20′aon the upper horizontal moving portion of the transfer belt22ais deposited on the web20aor20′ato form a slender band extending along the center line of the transfer direction of the web20aor20′a.

A roll-up unit23is arranged along the upper horizontal moving portion of the transfer belt22a. The roll-up unit23rolls the web20aor20′aon which the chopped tobacco leaves are deposited to form the slender band on the upper horizontal moving portion of the transfer belt22a, up to the shape of a cigarette, i.e., in the form of a long cylinder, while the upper horizontal moving portion of the transfer belt22ais advanced.

The roll-up unit23includes roll-up devices24a,24b, a paste applying device25, and a paste drying device26, and these devices are arranged along the transfer direction of the upper horizontal moving portion. The first roll-up device24astands both side portions of the web20aor20′aon which the chopped tobacco leaves are deposited to form a slender band on the upper horizontal moving portion, up to form a substantially U-shaped cross section and, then, curls one of the side portions to wrap the chopped tobacco leaves of the slender band. The paste applying device25applies a paste to the edge of another of the side portions of the web20aor20′athat still have been stood up. The second roll-up device24bcurls the remained stood side portion of the web20aor20′a, on the edge of which the paste has been applied, onto the edge of the curled side portion that has been curled tubular as described above to fix the edge of the secondary curled side portion to the edge of the firstly curled side portion with the paste. As a result of this, the web20aor20′ais formed into a long cylindrical rod CB with the chopped tobacco leaves being held therein.

The long rod CB is passed through the paste drying device26to dry the paste, and, then, the rod CB is cut into a plurality of cigarettes CG each having a predetermined length by a cutting unit28arranged close to the paste drying device26.

That is, the transfer direction of the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper which is transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit18, is a longitudinal direction of the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper after the web20aor20′ais rolled up in the form of the long rod CB for cigarettes.

The above described structure of the apparatus for manufacturing a burn spread suppressing cigarette shown inFIG. 1, is the same as the structure of the conventional cigarette manufacturing apparatus.

The apparatus10for manufacturing a cigarette wrapping paper suppressing the spread of burn, has a novel structure in the burn spread suppressing cigarette manufacturing apparatus shown inFIG. 1, and comprises a unit30which forms a burn control agent coated region, the unit30being used in combination with the main portion of the wrapping paper transfer unit18.

Next, the structure of the burn control agent coated region forming unit30will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 2in addition to FIG.1. InFIG. 2, the burn control agent coated region forming unit30of the manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a burn spread suppressing cigarette shown inFIG. 1, is shown in an enlarged fashion together with various members and mechanisms near around the unit30.

The burn control agent coated region forming unit30forms a burn control agent coated region in a desired pattern on a surface of the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper transferred by the main portion of the wrapping paper transfer unit18, by applying a burn control agent for controlling a burn of the wrapping paper of the cigarette CG, the surface of the long web20aor20′aon which the burn control agent coated region is formed being located inside when the web20aor20′ais rolled up to make the long rod for cigarettes. In this embodiment, the burn control agent coated region forming unit30forms a plurality of burn control agent coated regions of a plurality of bands of a burn control agent on the surface of the web20aor20′awhich will be located inside as described above, and these bands extend in the direction which will become a longitudinal direction when the web20aor20′ais rolled up to make the long rod for cigarettes, i.e., extend in the transfer direction of the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit18in this embodiment.

The burn control agent coated region forming unit30comprises a roller30aand a burn control agent applying device30b. The roller30ais capable of contact with one surface of the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper transferred by the main portion of the wrapping paper transfer unit18and is rotatable in the transfer direction, and the burn control agent applying device30bsupplies a burn control agent onto the outer circumferential surface of the roller30aand applies the burn control agent to the outer circumferential surface of the roller30a. The roller30ais rotated by a rotation driving source (not shown) included in the apparatus for manufacturing a burn spread suppressing cigarette shown inFIG. 1in a rotating direction and at a peripheral speed conforming with the transfer direction and transfer speed of the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper.

The above described one surface of the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper with which the roller30ain contact becomes an inside surface when the long web20aor20′ais rolled up with holding of the chopped tobacco leaves to form the long rod for cigarettes.

The burn control agent applying device30bincludes a burn control agent tank32, a pump34with a control means connected to the burn control agent tank32, and a burn control agent applying member36. The applying member36is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the roller30aand applies the burn control agent supplied from the burn control agent tank32by the pump34with the control means onto the outer circumferential surface of the roller30a.

The wrapping paper transfer unit18includes a wrapping paper position control device18aand a wrapping paper shift unit18b, both of which are arranged in the vicinity of the roller30aof the unit30. The position control device18acontrols the position of the long web20aor20′arelative to the outer circumferential surface of the roller30ain the width direction of the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper. And, the wrapping paper shift unit18bshifts the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit18to be brought into contact with or to be separated from the outer circumferential surface of the roller30a, selectively. While the apparatus for manufacturing a burn spread suppressing cigarette shown inFIG. 1is not operated, the wrapping paper shift unit18bseparates the web20aor20′afrom the outer circumferential surface of the roller30a, as denoted by a two dots chain line in FIG.2. On the other hand, while the apparatus for manufacturing a burn spread suppressing cigarette, shown inFIG. 1, is operated, the wrapping paper shift unit18bmakes the web20aor20′abeing in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the roller30a, as denoted by a solid line in FIG.1.

Now, the structure of the roller30aincluded in the burn contract agent coated region forming unit30will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B.FIG. 3Ais a side view showing in an enlarged fashion the roller30a, the burn control agent applying device36, and the long web20aof the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit18, the roller30aand the applying device36being included in the burn control agent coated region forming unit30. On the other hand,FIG. 3Bis a front view showing the roller30a, the burn control agent applying device36and the web20a, all of which are shown in FIG.3A.

Burn control agent coated region transfer areas are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the roller30ato correspond to the pattern and the number of the burn control agent coated regions to be formed on one surface of the web20bor20′bby the burn control agent coated region forming unit30. In this embodiment, a plurality of band-shaped burn control agent coated region transfer areas38are formed on the outer circumferential surface and extend in the circumferential direction. The band-shaped transfer areas38are arranged in the width direction to correspond to a plurality of bands20bof burn control agent to be formed on the web20aor20′ato extend in the transfer direction of the web20aor20′a.

The number of the burn control agent coated region transfer areas38, the width of each of the burn control agent coated region transfer areas38, and the distance between the adjacent burn control agent coated region transfer areas38correspond to the number of the bands20bof the burn control agent, the width of each of the bands20band the distance between the adjacent bands20b, respectively, to be formed on one surface of the web20aor20′aby the burn control agent coated region forming unit30.

The length of each of the plural burn control agent coated region transfer areas38can be set within the range of the length of the outer circumferential surface of the roller30ain its circumferential direction.

FIGS. 4A,4B,4C and4D show various examples of a plurality of bands of the burn control agent which are formed on one surface of the long web20aof the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit30, by the various burn control agent coated region transfer areas38on the outer circumferential surface of the roller30a. A reference letter L shown in these Figures denotes the length of a single cigarette CG which is prepared by cutting the long rod CB for cigarettes by the cutting unit28in a predetermined length after the wrapping paper forming the web20ais rolled up by the roll-up unit23shown inFIG. 1to form the long rod for cigarettes.

FIG. 4Ashows a plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent formed continuously in the transfer direction of the web20afrom the leading end to the trailing end of the long web20aof the wrapping paper. The plural continuous bands20bof the burn control agent are obtained by continuously forming a plurality of burn control agent transfer regions38on the outer circumferential surface of the roller30ain the circumferential direction.

FIG. 4Bshows a plurality of groups each having a plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent, these groups being formed intermittently with a first predetermined gap therebetween in the transfer direction of the web20a(that is, the longitudinal direction of the web20aof the wrapping paper after the wrapping paper is rolled up by the roll-up device23shown inFIG. 1to form the long rod CB for cigarettes) between the leading end and the trailing end of the long web20aof the wrapping paper. The distance between the adjacent two first gaps corresponds to the length 2L for two cigarettes CG.

The plural groups of the bands20bof the burn control agent formed intermittently with the first predetermined gap of the distance Y therebetween and shown inFIG. 4Bcan be formed by interposing the first predetermined gap of the distance Y into the plurality of continuous burn control agent coated region transfer areas38for the continuous burn control agent coated regions shown inFIG. 4Aat every positions located away from each other by the length 2L in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the roller30a, in this case the roller30ahaving a circumferential length of an integral number of times as much as the length 2L for two cigarettes CG.

The distance Y between two adjacent groups of the plural bands20bof the burn control agent in the longitudinal direction can be set freely.

FIG. 4Cshows a plurality of groups each having a plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent, these groups being formed intermittently with the first predetermined gap therebetween in the transfer direction of the web20a, that is, the longitudinal direction of the web20aof the wrapping paper after the wrapping paper is rolled up by the roll-up device23shown inFIG. 1to form the long rod CB for cigarettes, between the leading end and the trailing end of the long web20aof the wrapping paper. But, the distance between the adjacent two first gaps inFIG. 4Cis one half of that between the adjacent two first gaps in FIG.4B and corresponds to the length L of a single cigarette CG. Further, it is possible to section the distance corresponding to the length L into desirable more short distances.

Also, in this case, the distance Y between two adjacent groups of the plural bands20bof the burn control agent in the longitudinal direction can be set freely.

The plural groups of the bands20bof the burn control agent formed intermittently with the first predetermined gap of the distance Y therebetween and shown inFIG. 4Ccan be formed by interposing the first predetermined gap of the distance Y into the plural continuous burn control agent coated region transfer areas38for the continuous burn control agent coated regions20bshown inFIG. 4Aat every positions located away from each other by the length L in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the roller30a, in this case the roller30ahaving a circumferential length of an integral number of times as much as the length L for the single cigarette CG.

Also, the plural groups of the bands20bof the burn control agent formed intermittently with the first predetermined gap of the distance Y therebetween and shown inFIG. 4Ccan be formed by firstly interposing the first predetermined gap of the distance Y into the plural continuous burn control agent coated region transfer areas38for the continuous burn control agent coated regions20bshown inFIG. 4Aat every positions located away from each other by the length 2L in circumferential direction on the outer circumference of the roller30a, and by secondly further interposing the first predetermined gap of the distance Y into one group of the plural firstly sectioned burn control agent coated regions20bas described above at a center of the group in the circumferential direction of the outer circumference of the roller30a, in this case the roller30ahaving a circumferential length of an integral number of times as much as the length L of the single cigarette.

FIG. 4Dshows a plurality of groups each having a plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent, these groups being formed intermittently with a second predetermined gap therebetween in the transfer direction of the web20a(that is, the longitudinal direction of the web20aof the wrapping paper after the wrapping paper is rolled up by the roll-up device23shown inFIG. 1to form the long rod CB for cigarettes between the leading end and the trailing end of the long web20aof the wrapping paper. It should be noted that the second predetermined gap includes a X distance portion and a ½·Y distance portion. The X distance portion corresponds to a head (an end to be lighted) of the cigarette CG after the long web20aof the wrapping paper is rolled up to form the long rod CB for cigarettes by the wrapping paper roll-up unit23shown in FIG.1and the long rod CB is cut into a plurality of cigarettes CG each having the predetermined length by the cutting unit28. This means that the burn control agent coated regions of the bands20bare not formed on the wrapping paper of the cigarette CG at the head of the cigarette CG by the distance X in the longitudinal direction thereof.

The distance X noted above can be set freely within a range of between about 10 mm and about 25 mm.

The ½·Y distance portion corresponds to an end of the cigarette CG, the end being opposite to the head (the end to be lighted) of the cigarette CG after the long web20aof the wrapping paper is rolled up to form the long rod CB for cigarettes by the wrapping paper roll-up unit23shown in FIG.1and the long rod CB is cut into a plurality of cigarettes CG each having the predetermined length by the cutting unit28. This means that the burn control agent coated regions of the bands20bare also not formed on the wrapping paper of the cigarette CG at the end of the cigarette located opposite to the head thereof by the distance ½·Y in the longitudinal direction thereof.

In the web20ashown in each ofFIGS. 4B and 4C, the portion of the distance Y between one group of the plural bands20bof the burn control agent and the succeeding group of the plural bands20bof the burn control agent in the longitudinal direction provides a zone of a distance ½·Y on which the burn control agent is not coated, on one end portion or both end portions of the cigarette CG after the long web20aof the wrapping paper is rolled up by the wrapping paper roll-up unit23shown in FIG.1and the long rod CB is cut into a plurality of cigarettes CG each having the predetermined length by the cutting unit28. This means that the burn control agent coated regions of the bands20bare not formed on one end portion or the both end portions of the wrapping paper of the cigarette CG by the distance ½·Y in the longitudinal direction thereof.

The ½·Y distance zone on which the burn control agent is not coated prevents the cutting unit28from coming into contact with the bands20bof the burn control agent and from lowering the sharpness thereof when the long rod CB of wrapping paper for cigarettes is cut into cigarettes CG by the cutting unit28.

FIG. 4Eshows the cigarette CG with a filter FL in a manner that a chip paper of the filter FL is cut to open. The cigarette CG is formed by rolling up the web20aof the wrapping paper shown inFIG. 4Dto hold the chopped tobacco leaves T by the roll-up unit23shown inFIG. 1to form a long rod CB for cigarettes and, then, by cutting the long rod CB into a plurality of cigarettes CG each having the predetermined length by the cutting unit28, and the chip paper CP of the filter FL is attached to the ½·Y distance zone, on which the burn control agent is not coated, at the end portion of the cigarette CG located opposite to the head (the end to be lighted) thereof.

The zone of the prescribed distance X, on which the bands20bof the burn control agent are not formed and which is located at the head (the end to be lighted) of the cigarette CG, prevents lighting of the head from deteriorating and also prevents the taste of several initial puffs of the cigarette CG immediately after the lighting from deteriorating by an influence of the bands20bof the burn control agent. The plural groups each having the plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent and shown inFIG. 4Dare formed with the second predetermined gap having the X+½·Y distance on the long web20a, by forming each of the plurality of burn control agent coated region transfer areas38on the outer circumferential surface of the roller30aas follows, the second predetermined gap providing the zone on which the plural bands of the burn control agent are not coated on the head of the wrapping paper of the cigarette CG after the long web20ais rolled up by the roll-up unit23shown inFIG. 1to make the long rod CB for cigarettes and then the long rod CB is cut into the plurality of cigarettes CG each having the predetermined length by the cutting unit28. The plural groups of the bands20bof the burn control agent formed intermittently with the second predetermined gap of the distance X+½·Y therebetween and shown inFIG. 4Dcan be formed by the second predetermined gap of the distance X+½·Y into the plural burn control agent coated region transfer areas38for the continuous burn control agent coated regions20bshown inFIG. 4Aat every positions located away from each other by the length L in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the roller30a, in this case the roller30ahaving a circumferential length of an integral number of times as much as the length L of the single cigarette CG.

According to a principle of the present invention, each of the groups each having a plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent and formed intermittently as shown inFIG. 4Dmay be further sectioned into desirable more small groups.

A structure of a modification of the burn control agent coated region forming unit30of the manufacturing apparatus for a burn spread suppressing cigarette shown inFIG. 1will now be described in detail with reference to FIG.1and FIG.5. And,FIG. 5shows in an enlarged fashion the modification30′ of the burn control agent coated region forming unit30together with various members and mechanisms located near around the modification30′.

The modified unit30′ for forming a burn control agent coated region includes a nozzle member40and a burn control agent supply device42. The nozzle member40is in contact with or is positioned close to one surface of the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper transferred by the main portion of the wrapping paper transfer unit18, and the burn control agent supply device42supplies the burn control agent to the nozzle member40.

The burn control agent supply device42includes a burn control agent tank42bwith a pressurizing device42a, a pump42c, a control device42dconnected to the pump42c, a synchronizing device42econnected to the control device42d, and a burn control agent transfer tube42fwhich transfers the burn control agent from the pump42cto the nozzle member40.

A structure of the nozzle member40of the modified burn control agent coated region forming unit30′ will now be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 6A,6B and6C. Herein,FIG. 6Ais a side view showing in an enlarged fashion the nozzle member40shown inFIG. 5,FIG. 6Bis a front view showing the nozzle member40shown inFIG. 6A, andFIG. 6Cis a side view showing an end surface of a wrapping paper facing portion40aof the nozzle member40as viewed in a direction exactly opposite to the side view shown in FIG.6A.

The wrapping paper facing portion40aof the nozzle member40has a cylindrical shape and extends in parallel to one surface of the web20aor20′ain the width direction of the web20aor20′atransferred by the main portion of the wrapping paper transfer unit18. The cylindrical wrapping paper facing portion40ais in contact with or is positioned close to the one surface of the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper. A plurality of nozzle holes40bare formed in the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion40a. In this embodiment, the nozzle holes40bare arranged to correspond to the arrangement of the plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent on one surface of the web20aor20′ain a width direction thereof, these bands20bformed by the modified burn control agent coated region forming unit30′ on the web20aor20′ato extend in the transfer direction of the web20aor20′a.

The number of plural nozzle holes40b, the diameter of each nozzle hole40band the distance between the adjacent two nozzle holes40bcorrespond respectively to the number of plural bands20bof the burn control agent coated regions, the width of each band20band the distance between the adjacent two bands20b, these burn control agent coated regions being to be formed on one surface of the web20aor20′aby the modified burn control agent coated region forming unit30′.

The synchronizing device42eincluded in the burn control agent supply device42supplies a control signal to the control device42dto make the control device42dcontrol the operation of the pump42c. The pump42cmakes the nozzle member40apply the burn control agent through the plural nozzle holes40bto the web20aor20′atransferred by the main portion of the wrapping paper transfer unit18to form a plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent each having a desired length in the transfer direction of the web20aor20′aon a portion of the web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper. The portion of the web20aor20′acorresponds to the cigarette CG which is formed by rolling up the web20aor20′atogether with the chopped tobacco leaves by the roll-up device23to form the long rod CB for cigarettes and, then, by cutting the long rod CB into the cigarettes CB by the cutting unit28, in the manufacturing apparatus for a burn spread suppressing cigarette shown in FIG.1. And, the desired length of the bands20bis set on the basis of the longitudinal length of each cigarette CG.

The synchronizing device42emay use an encoder mounted to, for example, the guide or support roller included in the wrapping paper transfer unit18.

The control device42dcontrols the operation of the pump42cin synchronism with the transferred distance of the web20aor20′acorresponding to the length of one cigarette CG in the wrapping paper transfer unit18, the transferred distance of the web20aor20′abeing detected by the synchronizing device42eand being informed from the device42eto the control device42d. As a result of this, the nozzle member40can form the plurality of desired bands20bof the burn control agent on one surface of the web20aor20′aby applying the burn control agent through the plural nozzle holes40b, as shown in, for example, FIG.6B.

The modified burn control agent coated region forming unit30′, as in the case of using the roller30aof the burn control agent coated region forming unit30described previously with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, can also form various kinds of patterns of the burn control agent coated regions including the plural bands of the burn control agent shown inFIGS. 4Ato4D on the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper.

Various kinds of substances that can be used as the burn control agent are known in the art and includes, for example, proteins such as gelatin, casein, albumin, and gluten; polysaccharides each performing a thickening function such as starch, xanthane gum (echo gum), locust bean gum, guar gum (guar pack), tragacanth gum, tara gum, tamalindo seed polysaccharides (glyroid), karaya gum, gum arabic, pulran, dextrin, cyclodextrin, (oligoseven), and gutty; polysaccharides performing a gelling function such as carrageenan, curdlan, agar, gelatin, farselran, pectin, jeram gum, and kelco gel; lipids such as lecithin; natural high molecular weight derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), methyl cellulose (MC), propylene glycol alginate ester (PGA), and a processed starch such as starch phosphate; synthetic high molecular weight compounds such as poly (sodium acrylate) and various high molecular weight emulsifying agents; inorganic ammonium salts such as ammonium chloride, ammonium hydrogen phosphate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium bromide and ammonium sulfate; inorganic hydroxides such as barium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, and aluminum hydroxide; and inorganic salt flame retardants such as sodium borate, boric acid, zinc chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride and sodium sulfate. These combustion control agents can be used singly or in the form of a mixture of at least two kinds of these combustion control agents.

The inspecting unit11which is used for inspecting a wrapping paper for a burn spread suppressing cigarette and which has a novel structure in the manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a burn spread suppressing cigarette shown inFIG. 1, will now be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 7to9in addition to FIG.1.

InFIGS. 7to9,FIG. 7is a side view schematically showing a structure of the inspecting unit11which inspects a wrapping paper for a burn spread suppressing cigarette;FIG. 8Ais a plan view schematically showing how the cigarette wrapping paper inspecting unit shown inFIG. 7inspects a plurality of bands20bof a burn control agent formed on the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit18shown inFIG. 1, the bands formed by the manufacturing apparatus10shown inFIG. 1for a burn spread suppressing cigarette;FIG. 8Bshows results of inspection performed as shown inFIG. 8Aby the inspecting unit11which inspects the wrapping paper for a burn spread suppressing cigarette; andFIG. 9shows results of various inspections that can be performed by the cigarette wrapping paper inspecting unit11shown in FIG.7.

As shown inFIG. 7, the inspecting unit11which inspects a wrapping paper for a burn spread suppressing cigarette includes a light source50and a light intensity detecting device52. The light source50is positioned to face one surface of the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit18shown inFIG. 1, on the one surface of which a desired pattern of the plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent are formed by the manufacturing device10which is shown in FIG.1and manufactures a wrapping paper for a burn spread suppressing cigarette. And, the light intensity detecting device52is positioned to face another surface of the web20aor20′aopposite to the above described one surface thereof and detects the intensity of the light projected from the light source50and transmitted through the web20aor20′a.

The light source50is a line-shaped lighting device extending in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit18. In other words, the line-shaped lighting device forming the light source50extends in the width direction of the web20aor20′aas denoted by one-dot chain line shown inFIG. 8Aso as to light the one surface of the web20aor20′awith a uniform intensity of illumination in the width direction of the web20aor20′a.

The light intensity detecting device52is a line sensor which is arranged in the side of the other surface of the web20aor20′ain symmetry with the light source50arranged in the side of the one surface of the web20aor20′a, and which extends in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the long web20aor20′aof the wrapping paper transferred by the wrapping paper sheet transfer unit18, i.e., extending in the width direction of the web20aor20a, as denoted by the one-dot chain line shown in FIG.8A. The detecting device52uses a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) to detect the intensity of the transmitting light.

The line sensor acting as the light intensity detecting device52may be replaced with a plurality of spot sensors which are arranged in the side of the other surface of the web20aor20′ain symmetry with the light source50arranged in the side of the one surface of the web20aor20′a, and which corresponds to only a plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent on the web20aor20′aon a line extending in the width direction of the web20aor20′a.

A signal processing device54which processes a signal outputted from the light intensity detecting device52is connected to the light intensity detecting device52, and a defective article discarding device is connected to the signal processing device54. Usually, the defective article discarding device is combined with a filter connecting device which connects a filter to the cigarette CG supplied from the cigarette manufacturing apparatus with a chip paper.

FIG. 8Bshows the results of detection when the light intensity detecting device52detects the intensity of the light transmitting through the plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent formed on the web20ashown in FIG.8A. The results of detection are shown as the outputs of the line sensor of the light intensity detecting device52at the positions in the width direction of the web.

As apparent fromFIG. 8B, the intensity of the light is weaker in the range WB in which the web20ais present in the width direction of the web than in the outside WO of the web20a. The intensity of the light is further weakened in small ranges WC corresponding to the plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent included in the range WB in which the web20bis present.

The density of each of the bands20bof the burn control agent corresponding to the small ranges WC can be known from the degree of output in each of the small ranges WC, the width of each of the bands20bof the burn control agent corresponding to the small ranges WC can be known from the outputs in each of the small ranges WC, and the number of bands20bof the burn control agent formed on the web20acan be known from the number of small ranges WC included in the range WB in which the web20ais present. Further, the distribution of the plurality of bans20bof the burn control agent in the width direction on the web20acan be known from the distribution of the plurality of small ranges WC within the range WB in which the web20ais present. More further, the distance in the width direction between the adjacent two bands20bof the burn control agent formed on the web20acan be known from the distance in the width direction between the adjacent two small ranges WC within the range WB in which the web20ais present.

FIG. 9shows the results of inspection in which the output from the line sensor of the light intensity detecting device52is converted into a binary signal by the signal processing device54so that various defects of the wrapping paper in respect of the coating of the burn control agent and the connecting point of the wrapping papers are judged.

In an example of the defective position, it is judged that a single band20bof the burn control agent among a predetermined number of bands20bof the burn control agent, which must be in a predetermined density and must be arranged in a predetermined arrangement in the width direction of the web20a, is deviated from its predetermined position in the width direction of the web, on a basis of the output from the line sensor of the light intensity detecting device52along the width direction of the web.

In an example in which the coating was not applied, it is judged that a single band20bof the burn control agent among a predetermined number of bands20bof the burn control agent, which must be in a predetermined density and must be arranged in a predetermined arrangement in the width direction of the web20a, was not formed (coated), on a basis of the output from the line sensor of the light intensity detecting device52along the width direction of the web.

In an example of the defective width, it is judged that a single band20bof the burn control agent among a predetermined number of bands20bof the burn control agent, which must be in a predetermined density and must be arranged in a predetermined arrangement in the width direction of the web20a, failed to have a width of a predetermined value, on a basis of the output from the line sensor of the light intensity detecting device52along the width direction of the web.

Further, in an example of the defective coating amount, it is judged that two bands20bof the burn control agent among predetermined number of bands20bof the burn control agent, which must be in a predetermined density and must be arranged in a predetermined arrangement, failed to have densities of predetermined values, on a basis of the output from the line sensor of the light intensity detecting device52along the width direction of the web. In this example, one of the two defective bands20bof the burn control agent has a density exceeding the upper threshold value of a predetermined range of the density, and it is detected by the line sensor as the sensor detects the lower limit TD of a predetermined output range corresponding to the predetermined range of the density. Also, the other defective band20bof the burn control agent has a density failing to reach the lower threshold value of the predetermined range of the density, and it is detected by the line sensor as the sensor detects the upper limit TU of the predetermined output range corresponding to the predetermined range of the density. This means that the density of the other defective band20bis lower than the predetermined range of the density.

In an example of a detection of a connecting point of wrapping papers, the connecting point at which the leading end of the long web20′ of the secondly supplied wrapping paper is connected by the automatic connecting device22to the trailing end of the long web20of the firstly supplied wrapping paper in the wrapping paper supply source16shown inFIG. 1, is detected on a basis of that all of the output levels in the connecting point at the bands20bof the burn control agent on the web20aand at zones out of the bands20bon the web20aare uniformly lower than those in points other than the connecting point at the bands20band at zones out of the bands20bon the web20a, the bands20bmust being in a predetermined density and must be arranged in a predetermined arrangement in the width direction of the web20a.

When the signal processing device54has detected the above described various defects of the predetermined number of bands20bof the burn control agent, which must be formed in a predetermined density and in a predetermined arrangement on the long web20or20′ of the wrapping paper, or the connecting points between the two long webs20and20′ of the wrapping papers on the basis of the output generated from the light intensity detecting device52, the cigarette CG having a portion of the wrapping paper which includes each of the above described various defects or the connecting portion can be excluded from the non-defective normal cigarettes CG by the above described defective article discarding device (not shown) utilizing a structure equal to the synchronizing device42eused in the modified unit30′ for forming a burn control agent coated region shown inFIG. 5, just after the cigarettes CG are formed by cutting the long rod CB by the cutting unit28shown in FIG.1.

Needless to say, the signal processing device54can detect the presence or absence of each of the plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent in the direction which is the longitudinal direction of the long web20or20′ of the wrapping paper when the web20aor20′ais rolled up to produce the long rod CB for cigarettes CG, that is, in the transfer direction of the web20aor20′atransferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit18in the embodiment shown in the drawings on the basis of the output from the light intensity detecting device52, while the web20or20′ is transferred at a predetermined speed by the wrapping paper transfer unit18.

Therefore, the length of that portion in which each of the plural bands20bof the burn control agent is not present in the web20aor20′ain the direction which is to be the longitudinal direction as described above can be known from the time during which the light intensity detecting device52does not detect each of the plural bands20bof the burn control agent and the transfer speed of the web20or20′ transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit18. Further, it is possible to detect the distance of a portion of the web20aor20′aon the portion of which the plural bands20bof the burn control agent are not formed in the transfer direction of the web20aor20′a, that portion corresponding to the head of the individual cigarette CG prepared by rolling up the long web20or20′ of the wrapping paper to make the long rod CB for cigarettes and by cutting the long rod.

Further, it is possible to detect the specific values of the above described predetermined distance and further to detect that the above described predetermined distance is set to fall within a range between about 10 mm and about 25 mm.

Needless to say, according to an aspect of the invention, the method of manufacturing a burn spread suppressing cigarette, of the present invention, form the plurality of bands20bof the burn control agent on the web20aor20′atransferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit18at desired intervals in the direction which is the longitudinal direction when the web20aor20′ais rolled up to prepare the long rod CB for cigarettes by the roll-up unit23such that each band20bextends over the entire length or a predetermined length of the cigarette in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cigarette, as shown in FIG.10A.

In this case, it is desirable that the plural circumferentially extending bands20bof the burn control agent are formed on that surface of the web20or20′ which becomes an inner surface when the web20or20′ is rolled up by the roll-up device23to provide the long rod CB for cigarettes.

These plural circumferentially extending bands20bof the burn control agent are formed in the burn control agent coated region forming unit30as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3Bby forming burn control agent coated region transfer areas on the outer circumference of the roller30aat a plurality of positions separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the roller30ato extend along the center line of the rotation of the roller30a. Also, in the burn control agent coated region forming unit30′ as shown inFIGS. 6Ato6C, the circumferentially extending plural bands20bof the burn control agent are formed by shortening the ejection time for ejecting the burn control agent from the plurality of nozzle holes40bof the nozzle member40onto the web20or20′ transferred by the wrapping paper transfer unit18.

Further, the burn control agent coated region formed on the web20or20′ may be an aggregation of a large number of small dots as shown in FIG.10B. The burn control agent coated region of the aggregation of a large number of small dots may extend on the web20aor20′ain a direction perpendicular to the direction which becomes the longitudinal direction when the web20or20′ is rolled up by the roll-up unit23to form the long rod CB for cigarettes, as shown in FIG.10B. Alternatively, the burn control agent coated region of the aggregation of a large number of small dots may extend in the direction which becomes the longitudinal direction when the web20or20′ is rolled up by the roll-up unit23to form the long rod CB for cigarettes, as shown in FIG.4E. Further, the number of the band-like burn control agent coated regions, each formed by the aggregation of a large number of small dots, may be set freely and the boundary of each of the band-like burn control agent coated regions may be unclear. Still further, the burn control agent coated regions may be formed on the web20aor20′ain various distributions (including the pattern and the number) other than the band-like shape.

The burn control agent coated region of the aggregation of a large number of small dots of the burn control agent allows a more precise burn control.