WO2024084627A1 - Production machine and production method for hollow rod used in flavor inhalation article - Google Patents

Production machine and production method for hollow rod used in flavor inhalation article Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024084627A1
WO2024084627A1 PCT/JP2022/038946 JP2022038946W WO2024084627A1 WO 2024084627 A1 WO2024084627 A1 WO 2024084627A1 JP 2022038946 W JP2022038946 W JP 2022038946W WO 2024084627 A1 WO2024084627 A1 WO 2024084627A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
additive
path
hollow
hollow rod
forming
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PCT/JP2022/038946
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
純一郎 池田
裕仁 成田
学 屋代
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日本たばこ産業株式会社
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Application filed by 日本たばこ産業株式会社 filed Critical 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority to PCT/JP2022/038946 priority Critical patent/WO2024084627A1/en
Publication of WO2024084627A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024084627A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a manufacturing machine and method for hollow rods used in flavor inhalation products.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses a filter element for use in an aerosol-generating article.
  • This filter element has a hollow portion, and a flavoring agent is added in a direct stack to the peripheral surface of the hollow portion.
  • a manufacturing machine for manufacturing a filter rod which is a continuous body of this filter element, has a tubular element having an inlet for introducing filter material and an outlet for outputting the filter rod, and a rod-shaped element having a nozzle for discharging the flavoring agent. By arranging the nozzle on the outer surface of the rod-shaped element, the flavoring agent can be added directly to the peripheral surface of the hollow portion.
  • the filter rod manufacturing machine described above supplies flavoring (in other words, additive) to the circumferential surface of the hollow portion from the injection hole, which is the opening of the nozzle, in a tubular element (in other words, molding unit) through which the filter material (in other words, rod material) passes. Therefore, in the molding unit, the rod material is in a state where it can come into contact with the injection hole, which may temporarily block the injection hole with the rod material, and the additive may not be injected properly from the injection hole. This makes it impossible to uniformly add the desired amount of additive to the circumferential surface of the hollow portion, and makes it difficult to ensure a stable quality of the hollow rod.
  • flavoring in other words, additive
  • the present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide a machine for manufacturing hollow rods for use in flavor inhalation articles, and a method for manufacturing the same, capable of producing hollow rods of stable quality.
  • one embodiment of a hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in flavor inhalation articles includes a supply section that continuously pays out rod material and supplies it to a conveying path, a molding section that converges, reduces, and molds the rod material during the conveying process of the rod material in the conveying path to form a continuous body of hollow rods, and a cutting section that cuts the continuous body formed in the molding section to a predetermined length to form hollow rods.
  • the molding section includes a molding unit having a molding path through which the rod material passes, a mandrel that is disposed in the molding path and cooperates with the molding path to form a hollow portion penetrating the continuous body in the axial direction, and an addition unit that is attached to the upstream end of the mandrel located upstream in the conveying path and supplies additive to the peripheral surface of the hollow portion in the molding path.
  • the mandrel is formed inside the mandrel along the axial direction and has an additive flow path through which the additive supplied from the addition unit flows, a peripheral wall that forms the additive flow path, an injection hole that penetrates the peripheral wall and through which the additive flowing in the additive flow path is injected, and a cover that covers the injection hole while allowing the injection of the additive from the injection hole.
  • a method for manufacturing a hollow rod is a method for manufacturing a hollow rod for use in a flavor inhalation article, and includes a supply step in which rod material is continuously unwound and supplied to a conveying path, a molding step in which the rod material is converged, reduced in diameter, and shaped to form a continuous body of hollow rods during the conveying process of the rod material in the conveying path, and a cutting step in which the continuous body formed in the molding step is cut to a predetermined length to form hollow rods.
  • the molding step includes a molding process in which the rod material passes through a molding path in which a mandrel is arranged, thereby forming a continuous body having a hollow portion, and an addition process in which an additive is sprayed from an injection hole formed in the mandrel onto the peripheral surface of the hollow portion, and the addition process involves spraying the additive from the injection hole in a state in which the rod material is not in contact with the injection hole.
  • the hollow rods manufactured using the above-mentioned manufacturing machine and manufacturing method can have the desired amount of additives evenly added to the circumferential surface of the hollow portion, ensuring stable quality.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hollow filter manufacturing machine. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a hollow filter.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a molded section.
  • FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a continuous hollow filter body.
  • 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of a first member and a second member according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first member and a second member connected in the molding unit according to the first embodiment.
  • 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the molding unit as seen from the direction AA in FIG. 6.
  • 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of a first member and a second member according to a second embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a first member and a second member connected in a molding unit according to a second embodiment.
  • 13A to 13C are cross-sectional views of a first member, a cover member, and a second member according to a third embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a first member, a cover member, and a second member connected in a molding unit according to a third embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a manufacturing machine 2 for a hollow filter 1, which is an example of a hollow rod
  • FIG. 2 shows a flow chart explaining a manufacturing method for the hollow filter 1.
  • the manufacturing machine 2 and a manufacturing method for the hollow filter 1 using the manufacturing machine 2 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the hollow filter 1 is used as one element of a combustion type or non-combustion type flavor inhalation article.
  • the hollow filter 1 of this embodiment is a so-called non-wrapped filter in which the filter material (rod material) 4 is thermoformed without being wrapped in wrapping paper, and functions as a filter body for a flavor inhalation article.
  • the filter material 4 is, for example, a fiber bundle of acetate tow made of cellulose acetate.
  • the manufacturing machine 2 includes a filter material 4 supply section 6, a molding section 8, and a cutting section 10.
  • the supply section 6 continuously pays out the filter material 4 and supplies it to the conveying path 12 (S1: supply step).
  • a first addition unit 14 that adds additives to the filter material 4 is disposed on the conveying path 12 between the supply section 6 and the molding section 8.
  • the additive is, for example, a plasticizer such as triacetin, and the first adding unit 14 adds the additive evenly to the filter material 4 before it converges (P1: first adding process).
  • the first adding unit 14 may be disposed in the supply section 6.
  • the filter material 4 supplied to the conveying path 12 is conveyed to the forming section 8 via conveying rollers 16 or the like.
  • the forming section 8 includes a transport jet 18, a trumpet guide 20, a forming unit 22, a mandrel 24, and a second addition unit (addition unit) 26. With these components, the forming section 8 converges, shrinks, and shapes the filter material 4 during the process of transporting the filter material 4 on the transport path 12 to form a continuous body 28 of hollow filters 1 (S2: forming step).
  • Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the molding section 8
  • Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hollow filter 1 continuum 28.
  • the transport jet 18 is cylindrical, with an air inlet passage 30 opening at its outer periphery. Intake air accompanied by wind pressure is introduced from the air inlet passage 30 into the cylindrical transport jet 18, and the filter material 4 is drawn in and converged by the intake air (P2: convergence process).
  • the trumpet guide 20 is cylindrical, with an air discharge passage 32 opening at its outer periphery.
  • Air accompanied by wind pressure is released from inside the trumpet guide 20 through the air discharge path 32, and the filter material 4 that has passed through the transport jet 18 is defibrated and reduced in diameter by the released air (P3: diameter reduction process).
  • the molding unit 22 is formed with a molding path 22a through which the filter material 4 reduced in diameter by the trumpet guide 20 passes.
  • the filter material 4 passes through the molding path 22a in which the mandrel 24 described below is arranged, and a continuous body 28 of hollow filters 1 having a hollow portion 34 is formed (P3: molding process).
  • an endless garniture belt 21 is arranged to run together with the filter material 4 in the molding path 22a.
  • the garniture belt 21 is arranged so that it can run on the molding path 22a via conveying rollers 23.
  • mandrels 24 are arranged in the substantial radial center of the inside of each of the transport jet 18 and the trumpet guide 20 and the molding path 22a of the molding unit 22.
  • the mandrel 24 cooperates with the forming path 22a to form a hollow portion 34 that penetrates the continuous body 28 in the axial direction.
  • the forming unit 22 is also provided with a heater 36 for thermoforming the continuous body 28.
  • the heater 36 thermoforms the continuous body 28 by blowing steam (shown by a dashed line) from a thermoforming tube 38 built into the forming unit 22.
  • the molding unit 22 is also provided with a cooler 40 that cools the continuous body 28 after it has been thermoformed by the heater 36.
  • the cooler 40 blows compressed air (indicated by a dashed line) from a cooling pipe 42 built into the molding unit 22 to cool the thermoformed continuous body 28. This forms a non-wrapped continuous body 28 that is not wrapped in wrapping paper, and thus a non-wrapped hollow filter 1.
  • the second addition unit 26 is attached to the upstream end 24a of the mandrel 24 located on the upstream side of the conveying path 12.
  • the second addition unit 26 is, for example, a spray gun that atomizes and supplies the additive.
  • the mandrel 24 is formed by connecting, in order from the upstream end 24a side, a tubular member 44, a first member 46, and a second member 48 in the axial direction.
  • An additive flow path 50 which will be described later, is formed inside each of the tubular member 44 and the first member 46.
  • the additive supplied from the second addition unit 26 and flowing through the additive flow path 50 is sprayed onto the peripheral surface 34a of the hollow portion 34, as shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 3, at the connection point between the first member 46 and the second member 48 positioned in the molding path 22a.
  • the second addition unit 26 supplies the additive to the peripheral surface 34a of the hollow portion 34 in the molding path 22a via the additive flow path 50 in the molding step S2 shown in FIG. 2 (P5: second addition process (addition process)).
  • P5 second addition process (addition process)
  • the additive is injected from the injection hole 54, which will be described later, in a state where the filter material 4 is not in contact with the injection hole 54.
  • the molding unit 22 has a portion of the first member 46 and the second member 48 positioned on the molding path 22a, and a garniture belt 21 that runs on the molding path 22a while covering the filter material 4. That is, a portion of the mandrel 24 and the garniture belt 21 are positioned so as to overlap on the molding path 22a.
  • the cutting section 10 cuts the continuum 28 formed in the molding section 8 to a predetermined length to form the hollow filter 1 (S3: cutting step), completing the manufacture of the hollow filter 1.
  • FIG. 5 shows cross-sectional views of the first member 46 and the second member 48 according to the first embodiment.
  • Fig. 6 shows cross-sectional views of the first member 46 and the second member 48 connected in the molding unit 22 according to the first embodiment.
  • the first member 46 has an additive flow passage 50, a peripheral wall 52, an injection hole 54, and a cover 56.
  • the additive flow passage 50 is formed inside the mandrel 24, i.e., inside the first member 46, along the axial direction, and the additive supplied from the second addition unit 26 flows through it.
  • the peripheral wall 52 forms the additive flow passage 50.
  • the injection hole 54 penetrates the peripheral wall 52, and the additive flowing through the additive flow passage 50 is injected.
  • the cover 56 is cylindrical and covers the injection holes 54 while allowing the additive to be injected from the injection holes 54.
  • the second member 48 is formed with an upstream end 58 located on the upstream side of the transport path 12, and the first member 46 is formed with a downstream end 60 located on the downstream side of the transport path 12.
  • the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 is detachably connected to the downstream end 60 of the first member 46.
  • the cover 56 has a connection portion 64 that is connected circumferentially to the peripheral wall 52.
  • the connection portion 64 has an outer peripheral surface (first outer peripheral surface) 64a that tapers toward the upstream side of the conveying path 12.
  • the connection portion 64 is formed by welding.
  • a channel 66 through which the additive flows is formed between the cover 56 and the injection hole 54.
  • the channel 66 has an opening 68 on the downstream side of the conveying path 12.
  • the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 has an outer peripheral surface (second outer peripheral surface) 58a that is tapered toward the upstream side of the conveying path 12 and is reduced in diameter to a diameter smaller than the inner peripheral surface 56a of the cover 56.
  • the downstream end 60 of the first member 46 and the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 are detachably connected by a screw connection.
  • the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 has a male thread portion 58b on the outer periphery on the tip side.
  • the downstream end 60 of the first member 46 has a female threaded portion 60a on its inner circumferential surface connected to the additive flow path 50, into which the male threaded portion 58b can be screwed.
  • the male threaded portion 58b By screwing the male threaded portion 58b into the female threaded portion 60a, the first member 46 and the second member 48 are detachably connected.
  • the tubular member 44 and the first member 46 are detachably connected by a screw connection similar to the connection between the first member 46 and the second member 48.
  • FIG. 7 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the molding unit 22 as seen from the A-A direction in FIG. 6.
  • the additive supplied in an atomized state from the second addition unit 26 through the additive flow path 50 is sprayed radially and uniformly from the injection hole 54 covered by the cover 56 through the opening 68 of the channel 66 onto the peripheral surface 34a of the continuum 28.
  • the additive is added without the injection hole 54 being blocked by the filter material 4 and without impeding the transport of the filter material 4 in the molding path 22a.
  • the manufacturing machine 2 for the hollow filter 1 of this embodiment is provided with a cover 56 that covers the injection hole 54 on the mandrel 24.
  • the manufacturing method for the hollow filter 1 of this embodiment also includes the supply step S1, molding step S2, and cutting step S3 described above, and the molding step S2 includes the molding process P4 and second addition process P5 described above.
  • the additive is injected from the injection hole 54 in a state where the filter material 4 is not in contact with the injection hole 54.
  • the filter material 4 does not come into contact with the injection hole 54, and the injection hole 54 is prevented from being blocked by the filter material 4. Therefore, the additive is injected from the injection hole 54 in an optimal manner, and the desired amount of additive can be uniformly added to the peripheral surface 34a of the hollow portion 34, so that the quality of the hollow filter 1 can be stably ensured.
  • the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 is detachably connected to the downstream end 60 of the first member 46.
  • the first member 46 mainly has the function of supplying additive from the second addition unit 26 to the molding path 22a via the additive flow path 50.
  • the second member 48 has the function of forming the hollow portion 34 of the continuum 28 and thus the hollow filter 1 into a desired diameter and cross-sectional shape.
  • the cover 56 also has a connection portion 64, and the connection portion 64 has an outer peripheral surface 64a that tapers toward the upstream side of the conveying path 12. This effectively prevents the cover 56 from interfering with the flow of the filter material 4 in the molding path 22a, thereby further stabilizing the quality of the hollow filter 1.
  • connection portion 64 is formed by welding, the boundary between the outer peripheral surface 64a of the connection portion 64 and the peripheral wall 52 can be formed with a smooth welded surface.
  • connection portion 64 does not have a mechanical connection structure, the outer diameter of the cover 56 can be made as small as possible. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the cover 56 from interfering with the flow of the filter material 4 in the molding path 22a, and the quality of the hollow filter 1 can be further stabilized.
  • a channel 66 through which the additive flows is formed between the cover 56 and the injection hole 54, and the channel 66 has an opening 68 on the downstream side of the conveying path 12.
  • the additive injected from the injection hole 54 is guided to the opening 68 in the channel 66, and is sprayed evenly onto the peripheral surface 34a of the hollow portion 34 toward the downstream side, which is in the same direction as the flow direction of the filter material 4. This makes it possible to further stabilize the quality of the hollow filter 1.
  • the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 has an outer peripheral surface 58a that is tapered toward the upstream side of the conveying path 12 and that is reduced in diameter to a diameter smaller than that of the inner peripheral surface 56a of the cover 56. This makes it possible to prevent the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 from interfering with the flow of additive sprayed from the opening 68 of the channel 66 onto the peripheral surface 34a of the hollow portion 34 and the flow of the filter material 4 in the molding path 22a. This makes it possible to further stabilize the quality of the hollow filter 1.
  • the downstream end 60 of the first member 46 and the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 are detachably connected by a screw connection. This allows the first member 46 and the second member 48 to be easily attached and detached. Specifically, a male threaded portion 58b is formed on the upstream end 58 of the second member 48, and a female threaded portion 60a into which the male threaded portion 58b can be screwed is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the downstream end 60 of the first member 46 that is connected to the additive flow passage 50.
  • the first member 46 and the second member 48 are detachably connected by screwing the male thread portion 58b into the female thread portion 60a.
  • the downstream end portion 60 of the first member 46 has an opening with the male thread portion 58b formed on the inner circumferential surface that is connected to the additive flow path 50. This allows easy access to the inside of the first member 46 from the opening of the downstream end portion 60 of the first member 46 when the second member 48 is removed from the first member 46. Therefore, additives that have adhered or accumulated around the injection hole 54 can be easily cleaned, improving the maintainability of the mandrel 24 and, ultimately, the manufacturing machine 2.
  • the second addition unit 26 is a spray gun, and the additive is atomized in advance by the spray gun and supplied to the additive flow path 50. This makes it possible to suppress a pressure rise in the additive flow path 50 compared to when a liquid additive is supplied from the second addition unit 26, pressurized in the additive flow path 50 by a pressurizing means, and sprayed from the spray hole 54. This makes it possible to suppress damage to the mandrel 24 caused by high pressure in the additive flow path 50, and to suppress leakage of the additive from the additive flow path 50, improving the reliability of the manufacturing machine 2.
  • a portion of the mandrel 24 and the garniture belt 21 are positioned so as to overlap in the forming path 22a. This allows the formation of the hollow portion 34 by the mandrel 24 and the external shaping of the continuum 28 by the garniture belt 21 to be performed simultaneously in the forming path 22a. Therefore, compared to a case in which the formation of the hollow portion 34 and the external shaping of the continuum 28 are performed in different locations, it is possible to reduce the size of the manufacturing machine 2, in particular the length dimension along the conveying path 12 of the manufacturing machine 2.
  • FIG. 8 shows cross-sectional views of a first member 46 and a second member 48 according to the second embodiment.
  • Fig. 9 shows cross-sectional views of a first member 46 and a second member 48 connected in a molding unit 22 according to the second embodiment.
  • features different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and features similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings and description thereof may be omitted.
  • the additive flow path 50 of the first member 46 is blocked by the downstream end 60, and a male threaded portion 60b is formed on the outer periphery of the tip side of the downstream end 60 of the first member 46. Meanwhile, a recess is formed at the tip of the upstream end 58 of the second member 48, and a female threaded portion 58c into which the male threaded portion 60b can be screwed is formed on the inner circumferential surface of this recess.
  • the cover 56 is formed so that the filter material 4 does not come into contact with the injection hole 54, as in the first embodiment. This prevents the injection hole 54 from being blocked by the filter material 4, and ensures a stable quality of the hollow filter 1.
  • the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained with the features common to the first embodiment.
  • Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of each of the first member 46, the cover member 70, and the second member 48 according to the third embodiment.
  • Fig. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the first member 46, the cover member 70, and the second member 48 connected in the molding unit 22 according to the third embodiment.
  • features different from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described, and features that are the same as those in the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings and description thereof may be omitted.
  • the first member 46 and the second member 48 are connected via a cylindrical cover member 70.
  • a part of the additive flow path 50 is perforated in the upstream end 58 of the second member 48, and an injection hole 54 is formed through the peripheral wall 72 of the upstream end 58 where the additive flow path 50 is formed.
  • the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 is inserted into the downstream end 74 of the cover member 70.
  • the peripheral wall of the downstream end 74 functions as a cover 56 that covers the injection hole 54.
  • a female thread 76a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upstream end 76 of the cover member 70, and a seal member 78 is fitted into the step downstream of the female thread 76a on this inner peripheral surface.
  • the seal member 78 ensures airtightness between the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 and the cover member 70 when the upstream end 58 is inserted into the cover member 70, and also functions to prevent the upstream end 58 from coming off the cover member 70.
  • the female threaded portion 76a of the cover member 70 can be screwed into the male threaded portion 60b formed on the outer periphery of the tip side of the downstream end portion 60 of the first member 46.
  • the upstream end portion 58 of the second member 48 is inserted into the cover member 70 and locked with the seal member 78, and the male threaded portion 60b is further screwed into the female threaded portion 76a, thereby removably connecting the second member 48, cover member 70, and first member 46.
  • the filter material 4 does not come into contact with the injection hole 54 due to the formation of the cover 56. This prevents the injection hole 54 from being blocked by the filter material 4, and ensures a stable quality of the hollow filter 1.
  • the same effects as in the first and/or second embodiments can be obtained in terms of the features common to the first and/or second embodiments.
  • the cover 56 is cylindrical, but as long as it covers the injection hole 54 while allowing injection of additive from the injection hole 54 and the filter material 4 does not come into contact with the injection hole 54, the cover 56 can be in various shapes other than cylindrical.
  • the second adding unit 26 may also supply additives other than plasticizers, such as fragrances, and may supply additives in the form of solid particles rather than liquids. The same applies to the additives supplied by the first adding unit 14.
  • the additives supplied by the second adding unit 26 may be the same as the additives supplied by the first adding unit 14, or may be different.
  • the filter material 4 of the hollow filter 1 is not limited to acetate tow fiber bundles, and materials of various shapes and materials can be used.
  • the above-mentioned manufacturing machine 2 and manufacturing method can also be applied to hollow rods other than the hollow filter 1 that are used as one element of a flavor inhalation article.
  • the above-mentioned manufacturing machine 2 and manufacturing method can also be applied to the manufacture of flavor rods in which a hollow portion 34 is formed by converging, reducing the diameter, and shaping a flavor material (which may or may not include tobacco material) as a rod material.
  • a machine for manufacturing a hollow rod for use in a flavor inhalation article comprising: a feed section for continuously feeding the rod material to the conveying path; a forming section for converging, reducing, and forming the rod material to form a continuous hollow rod during the course of conveying the rod material on the conveying path; a cutting section for cutting the continuous body formed in the forming section to a predetermined length to form the hollow rod;
  • the forming section comprises: a forming unit having a forming passage through which the rod material passes; a mandrel disposed in the forming path and cooperating with the forming path to form a hollow portion passing through the continuous body in an axial direction; an additive unit attached to an upstream end of the mandrel located upstream in the conveying path, the additive unit supplying an additive to a peripheral surface of the hollow portion in the molding path;
  • the mandrel is an additive flow passage formed inside the mandre
  • the mandrel is a first member having the additive flow path, the injection hole, and the cover, and having a downstream end portion located on the downstream side of the transport path; a second member having an upstream end portion located on the upstream side of the transport path,
  • the cover has a connection portion that is connected to the peripheral wall in a circumferential direction,
  • the hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in a flavor inhalation article according to aspect 2, wherein the connection portion has a first outer circumferential surface that is tapered toward the upstream side of the transport path.
  • the downstream end of the first member and the upstream end of the second member are detachably connected by a screw connection.
  • the upstream end of the second member has a male thread portion on an outer periphery of a tip side thereof,
  • the downstream end of the first member has an inner circumferential surface connected to the additive flow path, and has a female threaded portion into which the male threaded portion can be screwed.
  • the adding unit is a spray gun that atomizes and supplies the additive.
  • the molding unit has a garniture belt in which a portion of the first member and the second member are positioned in the molding path and which runs along the molding path while covering the rod material.
  • a method for manufacturing a hollow rod for use in a flavor inhalation article comprising the steps of: A supply step of continuously paying out the rod material and supplying it to the conveying path; a forming step of converging, reducing, and forming the rod material to form a continuous body of the hollow rod during the conveyance of the rod material in the conveyance path; a cutting step of cutting the continuous body formed in the molding step to a predetermined length to form the hollow rod,
  • the molding step includes: a molding process in which the rod material passes through a molding path in which a mandrel is disposed, thereby forming the continuous body having a hollow portion; and an additive process for injecting an additive onto a peripheral surface of the hollow portion from an injection hole formed in the mandrel,
  • the method for manufacturing a hollow rod for use in a flavor inhalation article includes a step of spraying the additive from the spray hole in a state where the rod material is not in contact with the spray hole, in the addition process.

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Abstract

Provided is a production machine (2) for a hollow rod (1), the production machine (2) comprising a supplying section (6) for a rod material (4), a forming section (8) for forming a continuous body (28) of the hollow rod (1), and a cutting section (10) for cutting the continuous body (28) to a predetermined length to form the hollow rod (1). The forming section (8) includes a forming unit (22) including a forming path (22a), a mandrel (24) for forming a hollow part (34) that passes through in the axial direction of the continuous body (28), and an addition unit (26) for supplying an additive to the circumferential surface (34a) of the hollow part (34) in the forming path (22). The mandrel (24) includes an additive flow channel (50) through which the additive flows, injection holes (54) that pass through a circumferential wall (52) of the additive flow channel (50) to inject the additive, and a cover (56) for covering the injection holes (54) while allowing the injection of the additive from the injection holes (54).

Description

香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機及び製造方法Machine and method for manufacturing hollow rods for use in flavor inhalation articles
　本発明は、香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機及び製造方法に関する。 The present invention relates to a manufacturing machine and method for hollow rods used in flavor inhalation products.
　特許文献１には、エアロゾル発生物品に用いるフィルタ要素が開示されている。このフィルタ要素は、中空部を備え、中空部の周面には風味剤が直積添加される。また、このフィルタ要素の連続体であるフィルタロッドを製造する製造機は、フィルタ材料を導入する入口と、フィルタロッドを出力する出口とを有する管状要素と、風味剤を排出するためのノズルを有するロッド状の要素とを備えている。ノズルがロッド状の要素の外表面に配置されることにより、中空部の周面に風味剤を直接添加することができる。 Patent Document 1 discloses a filter element for use in an aerosol-generating article. This filter element has a hollow portion, and a flavoring agent is added in a direct stack to the peripheral surface of the hollow portion. In addition, a manufacturing machine for manufacturing a filter rod, which is a continuous body of this filter element, has a tubular element having an inlet for introducing filter material and an outlet for outputting the filter rod, and a rod-shaped element having a nozzle for discharging the flavoring agent. By arranging the nozzle on the outer surface of the rod-shaped element, the flavoring agent can be added directly to the peripheral surface of the hollow portion.
特表２０２０－５０８０７５号公報JP 2020-508075 A
　前述したフィルタロッドの製造機は、フィルタ材料（換言するとロッド材料）が通過する管状要素（換言すると成形ユニット）において、ノズルの開口部である噴射孔から、中空部の周面に風味剤（換言すると添加剤）を供給する。従って、成形ユニットにおいて、ロッド材料が噴射孔に接触し得る状態となるため、ロッド材料で噴射孔が一時的に塞がれ、噴射孔からの添加剤の噴射が好適に行われないおそれがある。これでは、所望量の添加剤を中空部の周面に均一に添加することができず、中空ロッドの品質を安定的に確保できない。 The filter rod manufacturing machine described above supplies flavoring (in other words, additive) to the circumferential surface of the hollow portion from the injection hole, which is the opening of the nozzle, in a tubular element (in other words, molding unit) through which the filter material (in other words, rod material) passes. Therefore, in the molding unit, the rod material is in a state where it can come into contact with the injection hole, which may temporarily block the injection hole with the rod material, and the additive may not be injected properly from the injection hole. This makes it impossible to uniformly add the desired amount of additive to the circumferential surface of the hollow portion, and makes it difficult to ensure a stable quality of the hollow rod.
　本発明は、このような課題に鑑みてなされたもので、品質が安定した中空ロッドを製造することができる、香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機及びその製造方法を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide a machine for manufacturing hollow rods for use in flavor inhalation articles, and a method for manufacturing the same, capable of producing hollow rods of stable quality.
　上記の目的を達成するべく、一形態に係る中空ロッドの製造機は、香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機であって、ロッド材料を連続的に繰り出して搬送経路に供給する供給セクションと、搬送経路におけるロッド材料の搬送過程にて、ロッド材料を収束、縮径、及び成形して中空ロッドの連続体を形成する成形セクションと、成形セクションで形成された連続体を所定長さに切断して中空ロッドを形成する切断セクションとを備え、成形セクションは、ロッド材料が通過する成形路を有する成形ユニットと、成形路に配置され、成形路と協働して、連続体の軸方向に貫通した中空部を形成するマンドレルと、搬送経路における上流側に位置するマンドレルの上流端部に取り付けられ、成形路において中空部の周面に添加剤を供給する添加ユニットとを備え、マンドレルは、マンドレルの内部に軸方向に沿って形成され、添加ユニットから供給される添加剤が流れる添加剤流路と、添加剤流路を形成する周壁と、周壁を貫通し、添加剤流路を流れる添加剤が噴射される噴射孔と、噴射孔からの添加剤の噴射を許容しつつ噴射孔を覆うカバーとを有する。 In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of a hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in flavor inhalation articles includes a supply section that continuously pays out rod material and supplies it to a conveying path, a molding section that converges, reduces, and molds the rod material during the conveying process of the rod material in the conveying path to form a continuous body of hollow rods, and a cutting section that cuts the continuous body formed in the molding section to a predetermined length to form hollow rods. The molding section includes a molding unit having a molding path through which the rod material passes, a mandrel that is disposed in the molding path and cooperates with the molding path to form a hollow portion penetrating the continuous body in the axial direction, and an addition unit that is attached to the upstream end of the mandrel located upstream in the conveying path and supplies additive to the peripheral surface of the hollow portion in the molding path. The mandrel is formed inside the mandrel along the axial direction and has an additive flow path through which the additive supplied from the addition unit flows, a peripheral wall that forms the additive flow path, an injection hole that penetrates the peripheral wall and through which the additive flowing in the additive flow path is injected, and a cover that covers the injection hole while allowing the injection of the additive from the injection hole.
　一形態に係る中空ロッドの製造方法は、香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造方法であって、ロッド材料を連続的に繰り出して搬送経路に供給する供給ステップと、搬送経路におけるロッド材料の搬送過程にて、ロッド材料を収束、縮径、及び成形して中空ロッドの連続体を形成する成形ステップと、成形ステップで形成された連続体を所定長さに切断して中空ロッドを形成する切断ステップとを含み、成形ステップは、マンドレルが配置された成形路をロッド材料が通過することにより、中空部を有する連続体を形成する成形プロセスと、マンドレルに形成された噴射孔から中空部の周面に添加剤を噴射する添加プロセスとを含み、添加プロセスは、噴射孔にロッド材料が非接触となる状態で、噴射孔からの添加剤の噴射が行われる。 A method for manufacturing a hollow rod according to one embodiment is a method for manufacturing a hollow rod for use in a flavor inhalation article, and includes a supply step in which rod material is continuously unwound and supplied to a conveying path, a molding step in which the rod material is converged, reduced in diameter, and shaped to form a continuous body of hollow rods during the conveying process of the rod material in the conveying path, and a cutting step in which the continuous body formed in the molding step is cut to a predetermined length to form hollow rods. The molding step includes a molding process in which the rod material passes through a molding path in which a mandrel is arranged, thereby forming a continuous body having a hollow portion, and an addition process in which an additive is sprayed from an injection hole formed in the mandrel onto the peripheral surface of the hollow portion, and the addition process involves spraying the additive from the injection hole in a state in which the rod material is not in contact with the injection hole.
　前述した製造機及び製造方法で製造した中空ロッドは、所望量の添加剤を中空部の周面に均一に添加することができるため、品質を安定的に確保することができる。 The hollow rods manufactured using the above-mentioned manufacturing machine and manufacturing method can have the desired amount of additives evenly added to the circumferential surface of the hollow portion, ensuring stable quality.
中空フィルタの製造機の概略図である。FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hollow filter manufacturing machine. 中空フィルタの製造方法を説明するフローチャートである。4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a hollow filter. 成形セクションの横断面図である。FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a molded section. 中空フィルタの連続体の縦断面図である。FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a continuous hollow filter body. 第１実施形態に係る第１部材及び第２部材のそれぞれの横断面図である。3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of a first member and a second member according to the first embodiment. 第１実施形態に係る成形ユニットにおいて接続された第１部材及び第２部材の横断面図である。FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first member and a second member connected in the molding unit according to the first embodiment. 図６のＡ－Ａ方向から見た成形ユニットの縦断面図である。7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the molding unit as seen from the direction AA in FIG. 6. 第２実施形態に係る第１部材及び第２部材のそれぞれの横断面図である。10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of a first member and a second member according to a second embodiment. 第２実施形態に係る成形ユニットにおいて接続された第１部材及び第２部材の横断面図である。FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a first member and a second member connected in a molding unit according to a second embodiment. 第３実施形態に係る第１部材、カバー部材、及び第２部材のそれぞれの横断面図である。13A to 13C are cross-sectional views of a first member, a cover member, and a second member according to a third embodiment. 第３実施形態に係る成形ユニットにおいて接続された第１部材、カバー部材、及び第２部材の横断面図である。FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a first member, a cover member, and a second member connected in a molding unit according to a third embodiment.
　図１は、中空ロッドの一例である中空フィルタ１の製造機２の概略図を示し、図２は、中空フィルタ１の製造方法を説明するフローチャートを示す。以下、図１及び図２を参照して、製造機２と製造機２を使用した中空フィルタ１の製造方法とについて説明する。中空フィルタ１は、燃焼型、或いは非燃焼型の香味吸引物品の一要素として用いられる。 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a manufacturing machine 2 for a hollow filter 1, which is an example of a hollow rod, and FIG. 2 shows a flow chart explaining a manufacturing method for the hollow filter 1. Below, the manufacturing machine 2 and a manufacturing method for the hollow filter 1 using the manufacturing machine 2 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The hollow filter 1 is used as one element of a combustion type or non-combustion type flavor inhalation article.
　本実施形態の中空フィルタ１は、フィルタ材料（ロッド材料）４を巻紙でラッピングしないで熱成形した、いわゆるノンラップフィルタであり、香味吸引物品の濾過体としての機能を有する。フィルタ材料４は、例えば、酢酸セルロールからなるアセテート・トウの繊維束である。 The hollow filter 1 of this embodiment is a so-called non-wrapped filter in which the filter material (rod material) 4 is thermoformed without being wrapped in wrapping paper, and functions as a filter body for a flavor inhalation article. The filter material 4 is, for example, a fiber bundle of acetate tow made of cellulose acetate.
　製造機２は、フィルタ材料４の供給セクション６、成形セクション８、及び切断セクション１０を備えている。中空フィルタ１の製造が開始されると、供給セクション６は、フィルタ材料４を連続的に繰り出して搬送経路１２に供給する（Ｓ１：供給ステップ）。供給セクション６と成形セクション８との間の搬送経路１２には、フィルタ材料４に添加剤を添加する第１添加ユニット１４が配置されている。 The manufacturing machine 2 includes a filter material 4 supply section 6, a molding section 8, and a cutting section 10. When the production of the hollow filter 1 starts, the supply section 6 continuously pays out the filter material 4 and supplies it to the conveying path 12 (S1: supply step). A first addition unit 14 that adds additives to the filter material 4 is disposed on the conveying path 12 between the supply section 6 and the molding section 8.
　添加剤は、例えばトリアセチンなどの可塑剤であり、第１添加ユニット１４は、収束前のフィルタ材料４に満遍なく添加剤を添加する（Ｐ１：第１添加プロセス）。なお、第１添加ユニット１４は供給セクション６に配置しても良い。搬送経路１２に供給されたフィルタ材料４は、搬送ローラ１６などを介して成形セクション８に搬送される。 The additive is, for example, a plasticizer such as triacetin, and the first adding unit 14 adds the additive evenly to the filter material 4 before it converges (P1: first adding process). The first adding unit 14 may be disposed in the supply section 6. The filter material 4 supplied to the conveying path 12 is conveyed to the forming section 8 via conveying rollers 16 or the like.
　成形セクション８は、トランスポートジェット１８、トランペットガイド２０、成形ユニット２２、マンドレル２４、及び第２添加ユニット（添加ユニット）２６を備えている。成形セクション８は、これらの構成要素により、搬送経路１２におけるフィルタ材料４の搬送過程にて、フィルタ材料４を収束、縮径、及び成形して中空フィルタ１の連続体２８を形成する（Ｓ２：成形ステップ）。 The forming section 8 includes a transport jet 18, a trumpet guide 20, a forming unit 22, a mandrel 24, and a second addition unit (addition unit) 26. With these components, the forming section 8 converges, shrinks, and shapes the filter material 4 during the process of transporting the filter material 4 on the transport path 12 to form a continuous body 28 of hollow filters 1 (S2: forming step).
　図３は、成形セクション８の横断面図を示し、図４は、中空フィルタ１の連続体２８の縦断面図を示す。トランスポートジェット１８は、筒状をなし、その外周部にエア導入路３０が開口されている。トランスポートジェット１８の筒内には、エア導入路３０から風圧を伴う引込エアが導入され、これに伴いフィルタ材料４が引込エアにより引き込まれつつ収束される（Ｐ２：収束プロセス）。トランペットガイド２０は、筒状をなし、その外周部にエア放出路３２が開口されている。 Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the molding section 8, and Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the hollow filter 1 continuum 28. The transport jet 18 is cylindrical, with an air inlet passage 30 opening at its outer periphery. Intake air accompanied by wind pressure is introduced from the air inlet passage 30 into the cylindrical transport jet 18, and the filter material 4 is drawn in and converged by the intake air (P2: convergence process). The trumpet guide 20 is cylindrical, with an air discharge passage 32 opening at its outer periphery.
　トランペットガイド２０の筒内からは、エア放出路３２を介して風圧を伴う放出エアが放出され、これに伴いトランスポートジェット１８を通過したフィルタ材料４が放出エアにより解繊されつつ縮径される（Ｐ３：縮径プロセス）。成形ユニット２２には、トランペットガイド２０にて縮径されたフィルタ材料４が通過する成形路２２ａが形成されている。後述するマンドレル２４が配置された成形路２２ａをフィルタ材料４が通過することにより、中空部３４を有する中空フィルタ１の連続体２８が形成される（Ｐ３：成形プロセス）。 Air accompanied by wind pressure is released from inside the trumpet guide 20 through the air discharge path 32, and the filter material 4 that has passed through the transport jet 18 is defibrated and reduced in diameter by the released air (P3: diameter reduction process). The molding unit 22 is formed with a molding path 22a through which the filter material 4 reduced in diameter by the trumpet guide 20 passes. The filter material 4 passes through the molding path 22a in which the mandrel 24 described below is arranged, and a continuous body 28 of hollow filters 1 having a hollow portion 34 is formed (P3: molding process).
　成形ユニット２２には、成形路２２ａにおいてフィルタ材料４とともに走行する無端状のガニチャーベルト２１が配置されている。ガニチャーベルト２１は、搬送ローラ２３を介して成形路２２ａを走行可能に配置される。また、トランスポートジェット１８及びトランペットガイド２０の各筒内と、成形ユニット２２の成形路２２ａとには、これらの実質的な径方向中央にマンドレル２４が配置されている。 In the molding unit 22, an endless garniture belt 21 is arranged to run together with the filter material 4 in the molding path 22a. The garniture belt 21 is arranged so that it can run on the molding path 22a via conveying rollers 23. In addition, mandrels 24 are arranged in the substantial radial center of the inside of each of the transport jet 18 and the trumpet guide 20 and the molding path 22a of the molding unit 22.
　図４にも示すように、マンドレル２４は、成形路２２ａと協働して、連続体２８の軸方向に貫通した中空部３４を形成する。また、成形ユニット２２には、連続体２８を熱成形するためのヒータ３６が設けられている。ヒータ３６は、成形ユニット２２に内蔵された熱成形管３８からスチーム（破線で示す）を吹き付けて連続体２８を熱成形する。 As also shown in FIG. 4, the mandrel 24 cooperates with the forming path 22a to form a hollow portion 34 that penetrates the continuous body 28 in the axial direction. The forming unit 22 is also provided with a heater 36 for thermoforming the continuous body 28. The heater 36 thermoforms the continuous body 28 by blowing steam (shown by a dashed line) from a thermoforming tube 38 built into the forming unit 22.
　また、成形ユニット２２には、ヒータ３６で熱成形された後の連続体２８を冷却するクーラ４０が設けられている。クーラ４０は、成形ユニット２２に内蔵された冷却管４２から圧縮エア（一点鎖線で示す）を吹き付け、熱成形された連続体２８を冷却する。これにより、巻紙でラッピングしないノンラップの連続体２８、ひいてはノンラップの中空フィルタ１が形成される。 The molding unit 22 is also provided with a cooler 40 that cools the continuous body 28 after it has been thermoformed by the heater 36. The cooler 40 blows compressed air (indicated by a dashed line) from a cooling pipe 42 built into the molding unit 22 to cool the thermoformed continuous body 28. This forms a non-wrapped continuous body 28 that is not wrapped in wrapping paper, and thus a non-wrapped hollow filter 1.
　第２添加ユニット２６は、搬送経路１２における上流側に位置するマンドレル２４の上流端部２４ａに取り付けられている。第２添加ユニット２６は、例えば、添加剤を霧化して供給するスプレーガンである。また、マンドレル２４は、上流端部２４ａの側から順に、管状部材４４、第１部材４６、及び第２部材４８をこれらの軸方向に接続して形成されている。管状部材４４及び第１部材４６のそれぞれの内部には、後述する添加剤流路５０が形成される。 The second addition unit 26 is attached to the upstream end 24a of the mandrel 24 located on the upstream side of the conveying path 12. The second addition unit 26 is, for example, a spray gun that atomizes and supplies the additive. The mandrel 24 is formed by connecting, in order from the upstream end 24a side, a tubular member 44, a first member 46, and a second member 48 in the axial direction. An additive flow path 50, which will be described later, is formed inside each of the tubular member 44 and the first member 46.
　第２添加ユニット２６から供給されて添加剤流路５０を流れた添加剤は、成形路２２ａに位置付けられた第１部材４６と第２部材４８との接続箇所において、図３に実線矢印で示すように、中空部３４の周面３４ａに吹き付けられる。第２添加ユニット２６は、図２に示す成形ステップＳ２において、添加剤流路５０を介し、成形路２２ａにおいて中空部３４の周面３４ａに添加剤を供給する（Ｐ５：第２添加プロセス（添加プロセス））。第２添加プロセスＰ５は、後述の噴射孔５４にフィルタ材料４が非接触となる状態で、噴射孔５４からの添加剤の噴射が行われる。 The additive supplied from the second addition unit 26 and flowing through the additive flow path 50 is sprayed onto the peripheral surface 34a of the hollow portion 34, as shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 3, at the connection point between the first member 46 and the second member 48 positioned in the molding path 22a. The second addition unit 26 supplies the additive to the peripheral surface 34a of the hollow portion 34 in the molding path 22a via the additive flow path 50 in the molding step S2 shown in FIG. 2 (P5: second addition process (addition process)). In the second addition process P5, the additive is injected from the injection hole 54, which will be described later, in a state where the filter material 4 is not in contact with the injection hole 54.
　また、図３に示したように、成形ユニット２２は、成形路２２ａに、第１部材４６の一部と第２部材４８とが位置付けられるとともに、フィルタ材料４を覆いながら成形路２２ａを走行するガニチャーベルト２１を有する。すなわち、成形路２２ａには、マンドレル２４の一部とガニチャーベルト２１との双方が重複して位置付けられる。切断セクション１０は、成形セクション８で形成された連続体２８を所定長さに切断して中空フィルタ１を形成し（Ｓ３：切断ステップ）、中空フィルタ１の製造が終了する。 As shown in FIG. 3, the molding unit 22 has a portion of the first member 46 and the second member 48 positioned on the molding path 22a, and a garniture belt 21 that runs on the molding path 22a while covering the filter material 4. That is, a portion of the mandrel 24 and the garniture belt 21 are positioned so as to overlap on the molding path 22a. The cutting section 10 cuts the continuum 28 formed in the molding section 8 to a predetermined length to form the hollow filter 1 (S3: cutting step), completing the manufacture of the hollow filter 1.
＜第１実施形態＞
　図５は、第１実施形態に係る第１部材４６及び第２部材４８のそれぞれの横断面図を示す。図６は、第１実施形態に係る成形ユニット２２において接続された第１部材４６及び第２部材４８の横断面図を示す。第１部材４６は、添加剤流路５０、周壁５２、噴射孔５４、及びカバー５６を有する。 First Embodiment
Fig. 5 shows cross-sectional views of the first member 46 and the second member 48 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 shows cross-sectional views of the first member 46 and the second member 48 connected in the molding unit 22 according to the first embodiment. The first member 46 has an additive flow passage 50, a peripheral wall 52, an injection hole 54, and a cover 56.
　添加剤流路５０は、マンドレル２４の内部、すなわち第１部材４６の内部に、軸方向に沿って形成され、第２添加ユニット２６から供給される添加剤が流れる。周壁５２は、添加剤流路５０を形成する。噴射孔５４は、周壁５２を貫通し、添加剤流路５０を流れる添加剤が噴射される。 The additive flow passage 50 is formed inside the mandrel 24, i.e., inside the first member 46, along the axial direction, and the additive supplied from the second addition unit 26 flows through it. The peripheral wall 52 forms the additive flow passage 50. The injection hole 54 penetrates the peripheral wall 52, and the additive flowing through the additive flow passage 50 is injected.
　噴射孔５４は、周壁５２の周方向に沿って複数設けられる。カバー５６は、筒状をなし、噴射孔５４からの添加剤の噴射を許容しつつ噴射孔５４を覆う。第２部材４８には、搬送経路１２における上流側に位置する上流端部５８が形成され、第１部材４６には、搬送経路１２における下流側に位置する下流端部６０が形成されている。第２部材４８の上流端部５８は、第１部材４６の下流端部６０に着脱可能に接続される。 Multiple injection holes 54 are provided along the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 52. The cover 56 is cylindrical and covers the injection holes 54 while allowing the additive to be injected from the injection holes 54. The second member 48 is formed with an upstream end 58 located on the upstream side of the transport path 12, and the first member 46 is formed with a downstream end 60 located on the downstream side of the transport path 12. The upstream end 58 of the second member 48 is detachably connected to the downstream end 60 of the first member 46.
　カバー５６は、周壁５２の周方向に亘って接続される接続部６４を有する。接続部６４は、搬送経路１２における上流側に向けてテーパ状に縮径された外周面（第１外周面）６４ａを有する。本実施形態の場合、接続部６４は、溶接により形成される。さらに、カバー５６と噴射孔５４との間には、添加剤が流れるチャネル６６が形成されている。チャネル６６は、搬送経路１２における下流側に開口部６８を有する。 The cover 56 has a connection portion 64 that is connected circumferentially to the peripheral wall 52. The connection portion 64 has an outer peripheral surface (first outer peripheral surface) 64a that tapers toward the upstream side of the conveying path 12. In this embodiment, the connection portion 64 is formed by welding. Furthermore, a channel 66 through which the additive flows is formed between the cover 56 and the injection hole 54. The channel 66 has an opening 68 on the downstream side of the conveying path 12.
　第２部材４８の上流端部５８は、搬送経路１２における上流側に向けてテーパ状に、且つカバー５６の内周面５６ａよりも小径となるまで縮径された外周面（第２外周面）５８ａを有する。また、第１部材４６の下流端部６０と、第２部材４８の上流端部５８とは、ねじ接続により着脱可能に接続される。本実施形態の場合、第２部材４８の上流端部５８は、その先端側の外周に雄ねじ部５８ｂを有する。 The upstream end 58 of the second member 48 has an outer peripheral surface (second outer peripheral surface) 58a that is tapered toward the upstream side of the conveying path 12 and is reduced in diameter to a diameter smaller than the inner peripheral surface 56a of the cover 56. The downstream end 60 of the first member 46 and the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 are detachably connected by a screw connection. In this embodiment, the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 has a male thread portion 58b on the outer periphery on the tip side.
　一方、第１部材４６の下流端部６０は、添加剤流路５０に連なる内周面に、雄ねじ部５８ｂが螺合可能な雌ねじ部６０ａを有する。雌ねじ部６０ａに雄ねじ部５８ｂを螺合することにより、第１部材４６と第２部材４８とが着脱可能に接続される。なお、管状部材４４と第１部材４６とは、第１部材４６と第２部材４８との接続と同様のねじ接続により着脱可能に接続される。 On the other hand, the downstream end 60 of the first member 46 has a female threaded portion 60a on its inner circumferential surface connected to the additive flow path 50, into which the male threaded portion 58b can be screwed. By screwing the male threaded portion 58b into the female threaded portion 60a, the first member 46 and the second member 48 are detachably connected. The tubular member 44 and the first member 46 are detachably connected by a screw connection similar to the connection between the first member 46 and the second member 48.
　図７は、図６のＡ－Ａ方向から見た成形ユニット２２の縦断面図を示す。第２添加ユニット２６から霧化状態で添加剤流路５０を経て供給された添加剤は、カバー５６で覆われた噴射孔５４から、チャネル６６の開口部６８を経て連続体２８の周面３４ａに放射状に均一に吹き付けられる。添加剤の添加は、フィルタ材料４によって噴射孔５４が塞がれることなく、且つ成形路２２ａにおけるフィルタ材料４の搬送が妨げられることなく行われる。 FIG. 7 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the molding unit 22 as seen from the A-A direction in FIG. 6. The additive supplied in an atomized state from the second addition unit 26 through the additive flow path 50 is sprayed radially and uniformly from the injection hole 54 covered by the cover 56 through the opening 68 of the channel 66 onto the peripheral surface 34a of the continuum 28. The additive is added without the injection hole 54 being blocked by the filter material 4 and without impeding the transport of the filter material 4 in the molding path 22a.
　以上のように、本実施形態の中空フィルタ１の製造機２は、マンドレル２４に噴射孔５４を覆うカバー５６を設けている。また、本実施形態の中空フィルタ１の製造方法は、前述した、供給ステップＳ１，成形ステップＳ２、及び切断ステップＳ３を含み、成形ステップＳ２は、前述した、成形プロセスＰ４、及び第２添加プロセスＰ５を含み、第２添加プロセスＰ５は、噴射孔５４にフィルタ材料４が非接触となる状態で、噴射孔５４からの添加剤の噴射が行われる。 As described above, the manufacturing machine 2 for the hollow filter 1 of this embodiment is provided with a cover 56 that covers the injection hole 54 on the mandrel 24. The manufacturing method for the hollow filter 1 of this embodiment also includes the supply step S1, molding step S2, and cutting step S3 described above, and the molding step S2 includes the molding process P4 and second addition process P5 described above. In the second addition process P5, the additive is injected from the injection hole 54 in a state where the filter material 4 is not in contact with the injection hole 54.
　これにより、成形ユニット２２において、フィルタ材料４が噴射孔５４に接触することはなく、フィルタ材料４で噴射孔５４が塞がれることが防止される。従って、噴射孔５４からの添加剤の噴射が好適に行われ、所望量の添加剤を中空部３４の周面３４ａに均一に添加することができるため、中空フィルタ１の品質を安定的に確保することができる。 As a result, in the molding unit 22, the filter material 4 does not come into contact with the injection hole 54, and the injection hole 54 is prevented from being blocked by the filter material 4. Therefore, the additive is injected from the injection hole 54 in an optimal manner, and the desired amount of additive can be uniformly added to the peripheral surface 34a of the hollow portion 34, so that the quality of the hollow filter 1 can be stably ensured.
　また、第２部材４８の上流端部５８は、第１部材４６の下流端部６０に着脱可能に接続される。ここで、第１部材４６は、主として添加剤流路５０を介して第２添加ユニット２６から成形路２２ａに添加剤を供給する機能を有する。一方、第２部材４８は、連続体２８ひいては中空フィルタ１の中空部３４を所望の直径や断面形状に成形する機能を有する。第１部材４６と第２部材４８とを着脱可能としたことにより、第２部材４８を異なる直径や異なる縦断面形状のものに容易に交換することができる。従って、本実施形態の製造機２は、種々の大きさ及び形状の中空部３４を有する多様な中空フィルタ１を製造することができる。 Furthermore, the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 is detachably connected to the downstream end 60 of the first member 46. Here, the first member 46 mainly has the function of supplying additive from the second addition unit 26 to the molding path 22a via the additive flow path 50. On the other hand, the second member 48 has the function of forming the hollow portion 34 of the continuum 28 and thus the hollow filter 1 into a desired diameter and cross-sectional shape. By making the first member 46 and the second member 48 detachable, the second member 48 can be easily replaced with one having a different diameter or a different longitudinal cross-sectional shape. Therefore, the manufacturing machine 2 of this embodiment can manufacture a variety of hollow filters 1 having hollow portions 34 of various sizes and shapes.
　また、カバー５６は接続部６４を有し、接続部６４は、搬送経路１２における上流側に向けてテーパ状に縮径された外周面６４ａを有する。これにより、カバー５６によって成形路２２ａにおけるフィルタ材料４の流れが妨げられることを効果的に抑制可能となるため、中空フィルタ１の品質のさらなる安定化を図ることができる。 The cover 56 also has a connection portion 64, and the connection portion 64 has an outer peripheral surface 64a that tapers toward the upstream side of the conveying path 12. This effectively prevents the cover 56 from interfering with the flow of the filter material 4 in the molding path 22a, thereby further stabilizing the quality of the hollow filter 1.
　また、接続部６４が溶接により形成されることにより、接続部６４の外周面６４ａと周壁５２との境界を滑らかな溶接面で形成可能である。また、接続部６４に機械的な接続構造を有しないため、カバー５６の外径を極力小さくすることができる。従って、カバー５６によって成形路２２ａにおけるフィルタ材料４の流れが妨げられることをより一層効果的に抑制可能となるため、中空フィルタ１の品質のさらなる安定化を図ることができる。 In addition, because the connection portion 64 is formed by welding, the boundary between the outer peripheral surface 64a of the connection portion 64 and the peripheral wall 52 can be formed with a smooth welded surface. In addition, because the connection portion 64 does not have a mechanical connection structure, the outer diameter of the cover 56 can be made as small as possible. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the cover 56 from interfering with the flow of the filter material 4 in the molding path 22a, and the quality of the hollow filter 1 can be further stabilized.
　また、カバー５６と噴射孔５４との間には、添加剤が流れるチャネル６６が形成され、チャネル６６は、搬送経路１２における下流側に開口部６８を有する。これにより、噴射孔５４から噴射された添加剤は、チャネル６６において開口部６８に誘導され、フィルタ材料４の流れ方向と同一方向となる下流側に向けて中空部３４の周面３４ａに均一に吹き付けられる。従って、中空フィルタ１の品質のさらなる安定化を図ることができる。 A channel 66 through which the additive flows is formed between the cover 56 and the injection hole 54, and the channel 66 has an opening 68 on the downstream side of the conveying path 12. As a result, the additive injected from the injection hole 54 is guided to the opening 68 in the channel 66, and is sprayed evenly onto the peripheral surface 34a of the hollow portion 34 toward the downstream side, which is in the same direction as the flow direction of the filter material 4. This makes it possible to further stabilize the quality of the hollow filter 1.
　また、第２部材４８の上流端部５８は、搬送経路１２における上流側に向けてテーパ状に、且つカバー５６の内周面５６ａよりも小径となるまで縮径された外周面５８ａを有する。これにより、チャネル６６の開口部６８から中空部３４の周面３４ａに吹き付けられる添加剤の流れと、成形路２２ａにおけるフィルタ材料４の流れとが、第２部材４８の上流端部５８によって妨げられることを抑制可能である。従って、中空フィルタ１の品質のさらなる安定化を図ることができる。 The upstream end 58 of the second member 48 has an outer peripheral surface 58a that is tapered toward the upstream side of the conveying path 12 and that is reduced in diameter to a diameter smaller than that of the inner peripheral surface 56a of the cover 56. This makes it possible to prevent the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 from interfering with the flow of additive sprayed from the opening 68 of the channel 66 onto the peripheral surface 34a of the hollow portion 34 and the flow of the filter material 4 in the molding path 22a. This makes it possible to further stabilize the quality of the hollow filter 1.
　また、第１部材４６の下流端部６０と、第２部材４８の上流端部５８とは、ねじ接続により着脱可能に接続される。これにより、第１部材４６と第２部材４８との着脱を容易に行うことができる。具体的には、第２部材４８の上流端部５８には雄ねじ部５８ｂが形成され、第１部材４６の下流端部６０の添加剤流路５０に連なる内周面には、雄ねじ部５８ｂが螺合可能な雌ねじ部６０ａが形成される。 The downstream end 60 of the first member 46 and the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 are detachably connected by a screw connection. This allows the first member 46 and the second member 48 to be easily attached and detached. Specifically, a male threaded portion 58b is formed on the upstream end 58 of the second member 48, and a female threaded portion 60a into which the male threaded portion 58b can be screwed is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the downstream end 60 of the first member 46 that is connected to the additive flow passage 50.
　雌ねじ部６０ａに雄ねじ部５８ｂを螺合することにより、第１部材４６と第２部材４８とが着脱可能に接続される。また、本実施形態の場合、第１部材４６の下流端部６０は、添加剤流路５０に連なる内周面に雄ねじ部５８ｂが形成されて開口している。これにより、第１部材４６から第２部材４８を取り外した状態で、第１部材４６の下流端部６０の開口から第１部材４６の内部に容易にアクセス可能である。従って、噴射孔５４の周辺に付着、或いは堆積した添加剤を容易に清掃可能となるため、マンドレル２４、ひいては製造機２のメンテナンス性が向上する。 The first member 46 and the second member 48 are detachably connected by screwing the male thread portion 58b into the female thread portion 60a. In addition, in the case of this embodiment, the downstream end portion 60 of the first member 46 has an opening with the male thread portion 58b formed on the inner circumferential surface that is connected to the additive flow path 50. This allows easy access to the inside of the first member 46 from the opening of the downstream end portion 60 of the first member 46 when the second member 48 is removed from the first member 46. Therefore, additives that have adhered or accumulated around the injection hole 54 can be easily cleaned, improving the maintainability of the mandrel 24 and, ultimately, the manufacturing machine 2.
　また、第２添加ユニット２６がスプレーガンであり、添加剤は、スプレーガンにより予め霧化されて添加剤流路５０に供給される。これにより、第２添加ユニット２６から液体の添加剤を供給し、添加剤流路５０において加圧手段で加圧して噴射孔５４から噴射する場合に比して、添加剤流路５０の圧力上昇を抑制することができる。従って、添加剤流路５０が高圧になることによるマンドレル２４の破損や、添加剤流路５０からの添加剤の漏洩を抑制することができ、製造機２の信頼性を向上することができる。 The second addition unit 26 is a spray gun, and the additive is atomized in advance by the spray gun and supplied to the additive flow path 50. This makes it possible to suppress a pressure rise in the additive flow path 50 compared to when a liquid additive is supplied from the second addition unit 26, pressurized in the additive flow path 50 by a pressurizing means, and sprayed from the spray hole 54. This makes it possible to suppress damage to the mandrel 24 caused by high pressure in the additive flow path 50, and to suppress leakage of the additive from the additive flow path 50, improving the reliability of the manufacturing machine 2.
　また、成形路２２ａには、マンドレル２４の一部とガニチャーベルト２１との双方が重複して位置付けられる。これにより、マンドレル２４による中空部３４の形成と、ガニチャーベルト２１による連続体２８の外形成形とが成形路２２ａにおいて同時に行われる。従って、中空部３４の形成と連続体２８の外形成形とを異なる箇所で行う場合に比して、製造機２の小型化、特に、製造機２の搬送経路１２に沿った長さ寸法の短縮を実現することができる。 In addition, a portion of the mandrel 24 and the garniture belt 21 are positioned so as to overlap in the forming path 22a. This allows the formation of the hollow portion 34 by the mandrel 24 and the external shaping of the continuum 28 by the garniture belt 21 to be performed simultaneously in the forming path 22a. Therefore, compared to a case in which the formation of the hollow portion 34 and the external shaping of the continuum 28 are performed in different locations, it is possible to reduce the size of the manufacturing machine 2, in particular the length dimension along the conveying path 12 of the manufacturing machine 2.
＜第２実施形態＞
　図８は、第２実施形態に係る第１部材４６及び第２部材４８のそれぞれ横断面図を示す。図９は、第２実施形態に係る成形ユニット２２において接続された第１部材４６及び第２部材４８の横断面図を示す。なお、本実施形態の説明においては、主として第１実施形態と異なる特徴を説明し、第１実施形態と同様の特徴については図面に同じ符号を付して説明を省略することがある。 Second Embodiment
Fig. 8 shows cross-sectional views of a first member 46 and a second member 48 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 9 shows cross-sectional views of a first member 46 and a second member 48 connected in a molding unit 22 according to the second embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, features different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and features similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings and description thereof may be omitted.
　本実施形態においては、第１実施形態の場合と異なり、第１部材４６は、添加剤流路５０が下流端部６０により塞がれ、第１部材４６の下流端部６０の先端側の外周には雄ねじ部６０ｂが形成されている。一方、第２部材４８の上流端部５８の先端には凹所が形成され、この凹所の内周面には雄ねじ部６０ｂが螺合可能な雌ねじ部５８ｃが形成されている。雌ねじ部５８ｃに雄ねじ部６０ｂを螺合することにより、第１部材４６と第２部材４８とが着脱可能に接続される。 In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the additive flow path 50 of the first member 46 is blocked by the downstream end 60, and a male threaded portion 60b is formed on the outer periphery of the tip side of the downstream end 60 of the first member 46. Meanwhile, a recess is formed at the tip of the upstream end 58 of the second member 48, and a female threaded portion 58c into which the male threaded portion 60b can be screwed is formed on the inner circumferential surface of this recess. By screwing the male threaded portion 60b into the female threaded portion 58c, the first member 46 and the second member 48 are detachably connected.
　本実施形態の場合にも、カバー５６が形成されることにより、第１実施形態の場合と同様に、フィルタ材料４が噴射孔５４に接触することはない。従って、フィルタ材料４で噴射孔５４が塞がれることが防止され、中空フィルタ１の品質を安定的に確保することができる。その他、本実施形態の場合にも、第１実施形態と共通する特徴において、第１実施形態の場合と同様の効果を得ることができる。 In the present embodiment, the cover 56 is formed so that the filter material 4 does not come into contact with the injection hole 54, as in the first embodiment. This prevents the injection hole 54 from being blocked by the filter material 4, and ensures a stable quality of the hollow filter 1. In addition, in the present embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained with the features common to the first embodiment.
＜第３実施形態＞
　図１０は、第３実施形態に係る第１部材４６、カバー部材７０、及び第２部材４８のそれぞれの横断面図を示す。図１１は、第３実施形態に係る成形ユニット２２において接続された第１部材４６、カバー部材７０、及び第２部材４８の横断面図を示す。なお、本実施形態の説明においては、主として第１及び第２実施形態と異なる特徴を説明し、第１及び第２実施形態と同じ特徴については図面に同じ符号を付して説明を省略することがある。 Third Embodiment
Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of each of the first member 46, the cover member 70, and the second member 48 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the first member 46, the cover member 70, and the second member 48 connected in the molding unit 22 according to the third embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, features different from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described, and features that are the same as those in the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings and description thereof may be omitted.
　本実施形態においては、第１部材４６と第２部材４８とは、筒状のカバー部材７０を介して接続されている。また、第２部材４８の上流端部５８には、添加剤流路５０の一部が穿孔され、この添加剤流路５０が形成される上流端部５８の周壁７２に、噴射孔５４が貫通して形成される。第２部材４８の上流端部５８は、カバー部材７０の下流端部７４に挿入される。これにより、下流端部７４の周壁が噴射孔５４を覆うカバー５６として機能する。 In this embodiment, the first member 46 and the second member 48 are connected via a cylindrical cover member 70. In addition, a part of the additive flow path 50 is perforated in the upstream end 58 of the second member 48, and an injection hole 54 is formed through the peripheral wall 72 of the upstream end 58 where the additive flow path 50 is formed. The upstream end 58 of the second member 48 is inserted into the downstream end 74 of the cover member 70. As a result, the peripheral wall of the downstream end 74 functions as a cover 56 that covers the injection hole 54.
　カバー部材７０の上流端部７６の内周面には雌ねじ部７６ａが形成され、この内周面の雌ねじ部７６ａよりも下流側の段差にはシール部材７８が嵌入されている。シール部材７８は、第２部材４８の上流端部５８をカバー部材７０に挿入したときの上流端部５８とカバー部材７０との気密性を確保するとともに、カバー部材７０からの上流端部５８の抜け止めとして機能する。 A female thread 76a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upstream end 76 of the cover member 70, and a seal member 78 is fitted into the step downstream of the female thread 76a on this inner peripheral surface. The seal member 78 ensures airtightness between the upstream end 58 of the second member 48 and the cover member 70 when the upstream end 58 is inserted into the cover member 70, and also functions to prevent the upstream end 58 from coming off the cover member 70.
　カバー部材７０の雌ねじ部７６ａは、第１部材４６の下流端部６０の先端側の外周に形成された雄ねじ部６０ｂに螺合可能である。第２部材４８の上流端部５８をカバー部材７０に挿入してシール部材７８で係止させ、さらに雌ねじ部７６ａに雄ねじ部６０ｂを螺合することにより、第２部材４８、カバー部材７０、及び第１部材４６が着脱可能に接続される。 The female threaded portion 76a of the cover member 70 can be screwed into the male threaded portion 60b formed on the outer periphery of the tip side of the downstream end portion 60 of the first member 46. The upstream end portion 58 of the second member 48 is inserted into the cover member 70 and locked with the seal member 78, and the male threaded portion 60b is further screwed into the female threaded portion 76a, thereby removably connecting the second member 48, cover member 70, and first member 46.
　本実施形態の場合にも、カバー５６が形成されることにより、第１及び第２実施形態の場合と同様に、フィルタ材料４が噴射孔５４に接触することはない。従って、フィルタ材料４で噴射孔５４が塞がれることが防止され、中空フィルタ１の品質を安定的に確保することができる。その他、本実施形態の場合にも、第１実施形態及び／又は第２実施形態と共通する特徴において、第１実施形態及び／又は第２実施形態の場合と同様の効果を得ることができる。 In the present embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, the filter material 4 does not come into contact with the injection hole 54 due to the formation of the cover 56. This prevents the injection hole 54 from being blocked by the filter material 4, and ensures a stable quality of the hollow filter 1. In addition, in the present embodiment, the same effects as in the first and/or second embodiments can be obtained in terms of the features common to the first and/or second embodiments.
　以上で本発明の各実施形態についての説明を終えるが、本発明は上記各実施形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々の変更ができるものである。例えば、上記実施形態において、カバー５６は筒状をなしているが、噴射孔５４からの添加剤の噴射を許容しつつ噴射孔５４を覆い、フィルタ材料４が噴射孔５４に接触しないのであれば、カバー５６は筒状以外の種々の形状が想定され得る。 This concludes the explanation of each embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the cover 56 is cylindrical, but as long as it covers the injection hole 54 while allowing injection of additive from the injection hole 54 and the filter material 4 does not come into contact with the injection hole 54, the cover 56 can be in various shapes other than cylindrical.
　また、第２添加ユニット２６は、可塑剤以外の添加剤、例えば香料を供給しても良いし、液体に限らず、固体粒子の添加剤を供給しても良い。第１添加ユニット１４が供給する添加剤も同様である。また、第２添加ユニット２６が供給する添加剤は、第１添加ユニット１４が供給する添加剤と同じであっても良いし、異なっていても良い。 The second adding unit 26 may also supply additives other than plasticizers, such as fragrances, and may supply additives in the form of solid particles rather than liquids. The same applies to the additives supplied by the first adding unit 14. The additives supplied by the second adding unit 26 may be the same as the additives supplied by the first adding unit 14, or may be different.
　また、中空フィルタ１のフィルタ材料４は、アセテート・トウの繊維束に限らず、種々の形状及び材質の材料を使用可能である。また、前述した製造機２及び製造方法は、香味吸引物品の一要素として用いられる、中空フィルタ１以外の中空ロッドにも適用可能である。例えば、前述した製造機２及び製造方法は、ロッド材料としての香味材料（たばこ材料を含む場合も含まない場合もあり得る）を収束、縮径、及び成形して中空部３４を形成した香味ロッドの製造にも適用され得る。 Furthermore, the filter material 4 of the hollow filter 1 is not limited to acetate tow fiber bundles, and materials of various shapes and materials can be used. Furthermore, the above-mentioned manufacturing machine 2 and manufacturing method can also be applied to hollow rods other than the hollow filter 1 that are used as one element of a flavor inhalation article. For example, the above-mentioned manufacturing machine 2 and manufacturing method can also be applied to the manufacture of flavor rods in which a hollow portion 34 is formed by converging, reducing the diameter, and shaping a flavor material (which may or may not include tobacco material) as a rod material.
　さらに、上記各実施形態の一部又は全部は、以下に示す各態様の記載により表現され得る。
（態様１）
　香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機であって、
　ロッド材料を連続的に繰り出して搬送経路に供給する供給セクションと、
　前記搬送経路における前記ロッド材料の搬送過程にて、前記ロッド材料を収束、縮径、及び成形して前記中空ロッドの連続体を形成する成形セクションと、
　前記成形セクションで形成された前記連続体を所定長さに切断して前記中空ロッドを形成する切断セクションと
を備え、
　前記成形セクションは、
　前記ロッド材料が通過する成形路を有する成形ユニットと、
　前記成形路に配置され、前記成形路と協働して、前記連続体の軸方向に貫通した中空部を形成するマンドレルと、
　前記搬送経路における上流側に位置する前記マンドレルの上流端部に取り付けられ、前記成形路において前記中空部の周面に添加剤を供給する添加ユニットと
を備え、
　前記マンドレルは、
　前記マンドレルの内部に軸方向に沿って形成され、前記添加ユニットから供給される前記添加剤が流れる添加剤流路と、
　前記添加剤流路を形成する周壁と、
　前記周壁を貫通し、前記添加剤流路を流れる前記添加剤が噴射される噴射孔と、
　前記噴射孔からの前記添加剤の噴射を許容しつつ前記噴射孔を覆うカバーと
を有する、香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。 Furthermore, some or all of the above embodiments can be expressed by the description of each aspect shown below.
(Aspect 1)
A machine for manufacturing a hollow rod for use in a flavor inhalation article, comprising:
a feed section for continuously feeding the rod material to the conveying path;
a forming section for converging, reducing, and forming the rod material to form a continuous hollow rod during the course of conveying the rod material on the conveying path;
a cutting section for cutting the continuous body formed in the forming section to a predetermined length to form the hollow rod;
The forming section comprises:
a forming unit having a forming passage through which the rod material passes;
a mandrel disposed in the forming path and cooperating with the forming path to form a hollow portion passing through the continuous body in an axial direction;
an additive unit attached to an upstream end of the mandrel located upstream in the conveying path, the additive unit supplying an additive to a peripheral surface of the hollow portion in the molding path;
The mandrel is
an additive flow passage formed inside the mandrel along the axial direction, through which the additive supplied from the additive unit flows;
A peripheral wall that forms the additive flow path;
an injection hole penetrating the peripheral wall and through which the additive flowing through the additive flow passage is injected;
and a cover that covers the injection hole while allowing the additive to be injected from the injection hole.
（態様２）
　前記マンドレルは、
　前記添加剤流路、前記噴射孔、及び前記カバーを有し、前記搬送経路における下流側に位置する下流端部が形成された第１部材と、
　前記搬送経路における上流側に位置する上流端部が形成された第２部材と
を含み、
　前記第２部材の前記上流端部は、前記第１部材の前記下流端部に着脱可能に接続される、態様１に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。 (Aspect 2)
The mandrel is
a first member having the additive flow path, the injection hole, and the cover, and having a downstream end portion located on the downstream side of the transport path;
a second member having an upstream end portion located on the upstream side of the transport path,
The hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in a flavor inhalation article according to claim 1, wherein the upstream end of the second member is detachably connected to the downstream end of the first member.
（態様３）
　前記カバーは、前記周壁の周方向に亘って接続される接続部を有し、
　前記接続部は、前記搬送経路における上流側に向けてテーパ状に縮径された第１外周面を有する、態様２に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。 (Aspect 3)
The cover has a connection portion that is connected to the peripheral wall in a circumferential direction,
The hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in a flavor inhalation article according to aspect 2, wherein the connection portion has a first outer circumferential surface that is tapered toward the upstream side of the transport path.
（態様４）
　前記接続部は、溶接により形成される、態様３に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。
（態様５）
　前記カバーと前記噴射孔との間には、前記添加剤が流れるチャネルが形成され、
　前記チャネルは、前記搬送経路における下流側に開口部を有する、態様４に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。 (Aspect 4)
The machine for manufacturing a hollow rod for use in a flavor inhalation article according to claim 3, wherein the connection portion is formed by welding.
(Aspect 5)
A channel through which the additive flows is formed between the cover and the injection hole,
The hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in a flavor inhalation article according to claim 4, wherein the channel has an opening on a downstream side of the conveying path.
（態様６）
　前記第２部材の上流端部は、前記搬送経路における上流側に向けてテーパ状に、且つ前記カバーの内周面よりも小径となるまで縮径された第２外周面を有する、態様５に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。
（態様７）
　前記第１部材の前記下流端部と、前記第２部材の前記上流端部とは、ねじ接続により着脱可能に接続される、態様６に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。 (Aspect 6)
A hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in a flavor inhalation article as described in aspect 5, wherein the upstream end of the second member has a second outer peripheral surface that is tapered toward the upstream side of the conveying path and is reduced in diameter to a diameter smaller than that of the inner peripheral surface of the cover.
(Aspect 7)
The downstream end of the first member and the upstream end of the second member are detachably connected by a screw connection.
（態様８）
　前記第２部材の前記上流端部は、その先端側の外周に雄ねじ部を有し、
　前記第１部材の前記下流端部は、前記添加剤流路に連なる内周面に、前記雄ねじ部が螺合可能な雌ねじ部を有する、態様７に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。
（態様９）
　前記添加ユニットは、前記添加剤を霧化して供給するスプレーガンである、態様１に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。 (Aspect 8)
The upstream end of the second member has a male thread portion on an outer periphery of a tip side thereof,
The downstream end of the first member has an inner circumferential surface connected to the additive flow path, and has a female threaded portion into which the male threaded portion can be screwed.
(Aspect 9)
The hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in a flavor inhalation article according to claim 1, wherein the adding unit is a spray gun that atomizes and supplies the additive.
（態様１０）
　前記成形ユニットは、前記成形路に、前記第１部材の一部と前記第２部材とが位置付けられるとともに、前記ロッド材料を覆いながら前記成形路を走行するガニチャーベルトを有する、態様２に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。 (Aspect 10)
The molding unit has a garniture belt in which a portion of the first member and the second member are positioned in the molding path and which runs along the molding path while covering the rod material.
（態様１１）
　香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造方法であって、
　ロッド材料を連続的に繰り出して搬送経路に供給する供給ステップと、
　前記搬送経路における前記ロッド材料の搬送過程にて、前記ロッド材料を収束、縮径、及び成形して前記中空ロッドの連続体を形成する成形ステップと、
　前記成形ステップで形成された前記連続体を所定長さに切断して前記中空ロッドを形成する切断ステップと
を含み、
　前記成形ステップは、
　マンドレルが配置された成形路を前記ロッド材料が通過することにより、中空部を有する前記連続体を形成する成形プロセスと、
　前記マンドレルに形成された噴射孔から前記中空部の周面に添加剤を噴射する添加プロセスと
を含み、
　前記添加プロセスは、前記噴射孔に前記ロッド材料が非接触となる状態で、前記噴射孔からの前記添加剤の噴射が行われる、香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造方法。 (Aspect 11)
A method for manufacturing a hollow rod for use in a flavor inhalation article, comprising the steps of:
A supply step of continuously paying out the rod material and supplying it to the conveying path;
a forming step of converging, reducing, and forming the rod material to form a continuous body of the hollow rod during the conveyance of the rod material in the conveyance path;
a cutting step of cutting the continuous body formed in the molding step to a predetermined length to form the hollow rod,
The molding step includes:
a molding process in which the rod material passes through a molding path in which a mandrel is disposed, thereby forming the continuous body having a hollow portion;
and an additive process for injecting an additive onto a peripheral surface of the hollow portion from an injection hole formed in the mandrel,
The method for manufacturing a hollow rod for use in a flavor inhalation article includes a step of spraying the additive from the spray hole in a state where the rod material is not in contact with the spray hole, in the addition process.
　　１　　中空フィルタ（中空ロッド）
　　２　　製造機
　　４　　フィルタ材料（ロッド材料）
　　６　　供給セクション
　　８　　成形セクション
　１０　　切断セクション
　１２　　搬送経路
　２１　　ガニチャーベルト
　２２　　成形ユニット
２２ａ　　成形路
　２４　　マンドレル
２４ａ　　マンドレルの上流端部
　２６　　第２添加ユニット（添加ユニット、スプレーガン）
　２８　　連続体
　３４　　中空部
３４ａ　　周面
　４６　　第１部材
　４８　　第２部材
　５０　　添加剤流路
　５２　　周壁
　５４　　噴射孔
　５６　　カバー
　５８　　第２部材の上流端部
５８ａ　　第２部材の上流端部の外周面（第２外周面）
５８ｂ　　第２部材の上流端部の雄ねじ部
　６０　　第１部材の下流端部
６０ａ　　第１部材の下流端部の雌ねじ部
　６４　　カバーの接続部
６４ａ　　カバーの接続部の外周面（第１外周面）
　６６　　チャネル
　６８　　開口部
　Ｓ１　　供給ステップ
　Ｓ２　　成形ステップ
　Ｓ３　　切断ステップ
　Ｐ４　　成形プロセス
　Ｐ５　　第２添加プロセス（添加プロセス） 1. Hollow filter (hollow rod)
2 Manufacturing machine 4 Filter material (rod material)
6: Supply section 8: Forming section 10: Cutting section 12: Conveying path 21: Garniture belt 22: Forming unit 22a: Forming path 24: Mandrel 24a: Upstream end of mandrel 26: Second dosing unit (dosing unit, spray gun)
28 Continuum 34 Hollow portion 34a Circumferential surface 46 First member 48 Second member 50 Additive flow path 52 Circumferential wall 54 Injection hole 56 Cover 58 Upstream end portion 58a of second member Outer peripheral surface of the upstream end portion of the second member (second outer peripheral surface)
58b: Male thread portion at the upstream end of the second member 60: Downstream end of the first member 60a: Female thread portion at the downstream end of the first member 64: Connection portion of the cover 64a: Outer peripheral surface of the connection portion of the cover (first outer peripheral surface)
66 Channel 68 Opening S1 Supply step S2 Forming step S3 Cutting step P4 Forming process P5 Second addition process (addition process)

Claims (11)

  1. 　香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機であって、
    　ロッド材料を連続的に繰り出して搬送経路に供給する供給セクションと、
    　前記搬送経路における前記ロッド材料の搬送過程にて、前記ロッド材料を収束、縮径、及び成形して前記中空ロッドの連続体を形成する成形セクションと、
    　前記成形セクションで形成された前記連続体を所定長さに切断して前記中空ロッドを形成する切断セクションと
    を備え、
    　前記成形セクションは、
    　前記ロッド材料が通過する成形路を有する成形ユニットと、
    　前記成形路に配置され、前記成形路と協働して、前記連続体の軸方向に貫通した中空部を形成するマンドレルと、
    　前記搬送経路における上流側に位置する前記マンドレルの上流端部に取り付けられ、前記成形路において前記中空部の周面に添加剤を供給する添加ユニットと
    を備え、
    　前記マンドレルは、
    　前記マンドレルの内部に軸方向に沿って形成され、前記添加ユニットから供給される前記添加剤が流れる添加剤流路と、
    　前記添加剤流路を形成する周壁と、
    　前記周壁を貫通し、前記添加剤流路を流れる前記添加剤が噴射される噴射孔と、
    　前記噴射孔からの前記添加剤の噴射を許容しつつ前記噴射孔を覆うカバーと
    を有する、香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。     A machine for manufacturing a hollow rod for use in a flavor inhalation article, comprising:
    a feed section for continuously feeding the rod material to the conveying path;
    a forming section for converging, reducing, and forming the rod material to form a continuous hollow rod during the course of conveying the rod material on the conveying path;
    a cutting section for cutting the continuous body formed in the forming section to a predetermined length to form the hollow rod;
    The forming section comprises:
    a forming unit having a forming passage through which the rod material passes;
    a mandrel disposed in the forming path and cooperating with the forming path to form a hollow portion passing through the continuous body in an axial direction;
    an additive unit attached to an upstream end of the mandrel located upstream in the conveying path, the additive unit supplying an additive to a peripheral surface of the hollow portion in the molding path;
    The mandrel is
    an additive flow passage formed inside the mandrel along the axial direction, through which the additive supplied from the additive unit flows;
    A peripheral wall that forms the additive flow path;
    an injection hole penetrating the peripheral wall and through which the additive flowing through the additive flow passage is injected;
    and a cover that covers the injection hole while allowing the additive to be injected from the injection hole.
  2. 　前記マンドレルは、
    　前記添加剤流路、前記噴射孔、及び前記カバーを有し、前記搬送経路における下流側に位置する下流端部が形成された第１部材と、
    　前記搬送経路における上流側に位置する上流端部が形成された第２部材と
    を含み、
    　前記第２部材の前記上流端部は、前記第１部材の前記下流端部に着脱可能に接続される、請求項１に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。     The mandrel is
    a first member having the additive flow path, the injection hole, and the cover, and having a downstream end portion located on the downstream side of the transport path;
    a second member having an upstream end portion located on the upstream side of the transport path,
    The hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in a flavor inhalation article according to claim 1 , wherein the upstream end of the second member is detachably connected to the downstream end of the first member.
  3. 　前記カバーは、前記周壁の周方向に亘って接続される接続部を有し、
    　前記接続部は、前記搬送経路における上流側に向けてテーパ状に縮径された第１外周面を有する、請求項２に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。     The cover has a connection portion that is connected to the peripheral wall in a circumferential direction,
    The hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in a flavor inhalation article according to claim 2 , wherein the connection portion has a first outer circumferential surface whose diameter is reduced in a tapered manner toward an upstream side in the transport path.
  4. 　前記接続部は、溶接により形成される、請求項３に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。 The hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in the flavor inhalation article according to claim 3, wherein the connection portion is formed by welding.
  5. 　前記カバーと前記噴射孔との間には、前記添加剤が流れるチャネルが形成され、
    　前記チャネルは、前記搬送経路における下流側に開口部を有する、請求項４に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。     A channel through which the additive flows is formed between the cover and the injection hole,
    The hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in a flavor inhalation article according to claim 4 , wherein the channel has an opening on a downstream side of the conveying path.
  6. 　前記第２部材の上流端部は、前記搬送経路における上流側に向けてテーパ状に、且つ前記カバーの内周面よりも小径となるまで縮径された第２外周面を有する、請求項５に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。 The machine for manufacturing a hollow rod for use in a flavor inhalation article according to claim 5, wherein the upstream end of the second member has a second outer circumferential surface that is tapered toward the upstream side of the transport path and is reduced in diameter to a diameter smaller than that of the inner circumferential surface of the cover.
  7. 　前記第１部材の前記下流端部と、前記第２部材の前記上流端部とは、ねじ接続により着脱可能に接続される、請求項６に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。 The hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in a flavor inhalation article according to claim 6, wherein the downstream end of the first member and the upstream end of the second member are detachably connected by a screw connection.
  8. 　前記第２部材の前記上流端部は、その先端側の外周に雄ねじ部を有し、
    　前記第１部材の前記下流端部は、前記添加剤流路に連なる内周面に、前記雄ねじ部が螺合可能な雌ねじ部を有する、請求項７に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。     The upstream end of the second member has a male thread portion on an outer periphery of a tip side thereof,
    The hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in a flavor inhalation article according to claim 7, wherein the downstream end of the first member has an inner circumferential surface connected to the additive flow path, the inner circumferential surface having a female thread portion into which the male thread portion can be screwed.
  9. 　前記添加ユニットは、前記添加剤を霧化して供給するスプレーガンである、請求項１に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。 The hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in the flavor inhalation article according to claim 1, wherein the additive unit is a spray gun that atomizes and supplies the additive.
  10. 　前記成形ユニットは、前記成形路に、前記第１部材の一部と前記第２部材とが位置付けられるとともに、前記ロッド材料を覆いながら前記成形路を走行するガニチャーベルトを有する、請求項２に記載の香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造機。 The hollow rod manufacturing machine for use in a flavor inhalation article according to claim 2, wherein the molding unit has a garniture belt that positions a portion of the first member and the second member on the molding path and runs on the molding path while covering the rod material.
  11. 　香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造方法であって、
    　ロッド材料を連続的に繰り出して搬送経路に供給する供給ステップと、
    　前記搬送経路における前記ロッド材料の搬送過程にて、前記ロッド材料を収束、縮径、及び成形して前記中空ロッドの連続体を形成する成形ステップと、
    　前記成形ステップで形成された前記連続体を所定長さに切断して前記中空ロッドを形成する切断ステップと
    を含み、
    　前記成形ステップは、
    　マンドレルが配置された成形路を前記ロッド材料が通過することにより、中空部を有する前記連続体を形成する成形プロセスと、
    　前記マンドレルの噴射孔から前記中空部の周面に添加剤を噴射する添加プロセスと
    を含み、
    　前記添加プロセスは、前記噴射孔に前記ロッド材料が非接触となる状態で、前記噴射孔からの前記添加剤の噴射が行われる、香味吸引物品に用いる中空ロッドの製造方法。     A method for manufacturing a hollow rod for use in a flavor inhalation article, comprising the steps of:
    A supply step of continuously paying out the rod material and supplying it to the conveying path;
    a forming step of converging, reducing, and forming the rod material to form a continuous body of the hollow rod during the conveyance of the rod material in the conveyance path;
    a cutting step of cutting the continuous body formed in the molding step to a predetermined length to form the hollow rod,
    The molding step includes:
    a molding process in which the rod material passes through a molding path in which a mandrel is disposed, thereby forming the continuous body having a hollow portion;
    and an additive process for injecting an additive onto a peripheral surface of the hollow portion from an injection hole of the mandrel,
    The method for manufacturing a hollow rod for use in a flavor inhalation article includes a step of spraying the additive from the spray hole in a state where the rod material is not in contact with the spray hole, in the addition process.
PCT/JP2022/038946 2022-10-19 2022-10-19 Production machine and production method for hollow rod used in flavor inhalation article WO2024084627A1 (en)

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS59227286A (en) * 1983-06-02 1984-12-20 ア−ル・ジエイ・レノルズ・タバコ・カンパニ− Tobacco filter, method and apparatus for producing the same
WO2011114440A1 (en) * 2010-03-16 2011-09-22 日本たばこ産業株式会社 Filter manufacturing machine
US20170325496A1 (en) * 2014-11-21 2017-11-16 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Apparatus and Method for Filter Manufacture

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS59227286A (en) * 1983-06-02 1984-12-20 ア−ル・ジエイ・レノルズ・タバコ・カンパニ− Tobacco filter, method and apparatus for producing the same
WO2011114440A1 (en) * 2010-03-16 2011-09-22 日本たばこ産業株式会社 Filter manufacturing machine
US20170325496A1 (en) * 2014-11-21 2017-11-16 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Apparatus and Method for Filter Manufacture

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