JP7748539B2 - Cylindrical body - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cylindrical body.

Two-layered small tubes (cylindrical bodies) manufactured from first and second strips of material are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). These two-layered small tubes can be used, for example, in flavor-generating articles used in non-combustion flavor inhalers for inhaling flavors without burning the material, or in combustible smoking articles.

In this small tube, the second material strip portion is disposed around the first material strip portion, and the abutting edges of the first and second material strip portions are wound around the small tube so that they are offset from each other in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, a positioning adhesive and a seam adhesive (collectively referred to as adhesive) are applied over the entire surface or almost the entire surface of the small tube between the first and second material strip portions.

JP 2018-93867 A

When the small tube body described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a flavor-generating article or a smoking article, the small tube body is incorporated into a semi-finished flavor-generating article or smoking article, and then a laser beam is irradiated from the outer circumference of the small tube body toward the inner circumference, burning the material at the irradiated points, thereby forming air vents that penetrate the small tube body intermittently around the entire circumference.

In the small tube described in Patent Document 1, the adhesive is applied over the entire surface or almost the entire surface between the first material strip portion and the second material strip portion. Therefore, when forming the ventilation hole, there is a risk that the combustion ash of the adhesive will clog the ventilation hole.

Specifically, the paper that makes up the small tube body is made of, for example, organic wood pulp (almost pure cellulose with the lignin, hemicellulose, etc. contained in trees removed) and inorganic filler (calcium carbonate), and the combustion ash produced by irradiating it with a laser beam is mainly composed of calcium carbonate.

In contrast, adhesives are, for example, mixtures of organic polymers such as modified starch, vinyl acetate, or ethylene vinyl acetate with alcohols and water, and the combustion ash produced by irradiating the laser beam mixes with the remaining organic polymers.

As a result, the combustion ash in the ventilation holes formed in areas where adhesive has been applied is a mixture of calcium carbonate and organic polymers, and is more sticky and more likely to clog the ventilation holes than the combustion ash, which is mainly composed of calcium carbonate, in ventilation holes formed in areas where adhesive has not been applied.

When a small tube with a blocked ventilation hole is used in a flavor-generating article or smoking article, air is not introduced into the flavor-generating article or smoking article through the ventilation hole, so the aerosol generated by heating the flavor-generating article or burning the smoking article is not cooled, and the aerosol concentration is not reduced. This could result in a deterioration in the quality of the flavor-generating article or smoking article.

The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the problems described above, and aims to obtain a cylindrical body that can prevent the combustion ash of the adhesive from clogging the ventilation hole when the ventilation hole is formed.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body comprises a first sheet-like material having a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction; a second sheet-like material arranged around the periphery of the first sheet-like material and having a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction; an adhesive layer arranged between the first and second sheet-like materials and bonding the first and second sheet-like materials together; and a plurality of ventilation holes extending through the first and second sheet-like materials in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body, the plurality of ventilation holes including at least one first ventilation hole in which the adhesive layer is exposed on the inner surface of the ventilation hole and at least one second ventilation hole in which the adhesive layer is not exposed on the inner surface of the ventilation hole.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the multiple ventilation holes have at least one first ventilation hole in which the adhesive layer is exposed on the inner surface of the ventilation hole, and at least one second ventilation hole in which the adhesive layer is not exposed on the inner surface of the ventilation hole. This reduces the probability of a ventilation hole being formed where the adhesive layer is provided, and prevents the combustion ash of the adhesive from clogging the ventilation hole.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the first sheet-like material and the second sheet-like material are stacked with a staggered relationship so that their circumferential ends do not overlap, the first sheet-like material has a first main body portion and a first extension portion extending from the first main body portion in the circumferential direction relative to the opposing second sheet-like material, the second sheet-like material has a second main body portion and a second extension portion extending from the second main body portion in the circumferential direction relative to the opposing first sheet-like material, the adhesive layer has a positioning adhesive layer that bonds the first main body portion and the second main body portion to each other and a seam adhesive layer that bonds the first extension portion and the second extension portion to each other, and the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern in which positioning glue is applied in a linear pattern.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the positioning adhesive layer that bonds the first main body portion of the first sheet-like material and the second main body portion of the second sheet-like material to each other has an adhesive pattern in which the positioning glue is applied in a linear pattern, thereby reducing the amount of adhesive that needs to be applied compared to when the positioning adhesive layer is applied over the entire surface.

In the third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the positioning adhesive is applied in the form of two or more lines.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern in which positioning glue is applied in two or more lines, thereby reducing the amount of adhesive applied compared to when the positioning adhesive layer is applied over the entire surface.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the positioning adhesive is applied in a linear manner.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern in which positioning glue is applied in two or more straight lines, thereby reducing the amount of adhesive applied compared to when the positioning adhesive layer is applied over the entire surface.

In the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the positioning glue is applied in a straight line parallel to the axial direction.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern in which positioning glue is applied in two or more straight lines parallel to the axial direction, thereby reducing the amount of adhesive applied compared to when the positioning adhesive layer is applied over the entire surface.

In the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the positioning glue is applied in a straight line perpendicular to the axial direction.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern in which positioning glue is applied in two or more straight lines perpendicular to the axial direction, thereby reducing the amount of adhesive applied compared to when the positioning adhesive layer is applied over the entire surface.

In the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the positioning glue is applied spirally along the axial direction.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern in which the positioning glue is applied spirally along the axial direction, thereby reducing the amount of adhesive applied compared to when the positioning adhesive layer is applied over the entire surface.

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to seventh aspects, the first sheet material and the second sheet material are each paper.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the workability of the cylindrical body can be improved by constructing the first sheet-like material and the second sheet-like material from paper.

In the ninth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to eighth aspects, the number of ventilation holes in the plurality of ventilation holes is 12 or more and 30 or less.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, by setting the number of ventilation holes in the plurality of ventilation holes to 12 or more and 30 or less, it is possible to introduce sufficient air into the interior while reducing the probability of ventilation holes being formed at the location where the adhesive layer is provided, thereby preventing the combustion ash of the adhesive from clogging the ventilation holes.

In the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, the number of ventilation holes in the plurality of ventilation holes is 21 or less.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, by setting the number of ventilation holes in the plurality of ventilation holes to between 12 and 21, it is possible to introduce sufficient air into the interior while reducing the probability of ventilation holes being formed at locations where adhesive layers are provided, thereby preventing the combustion ash of the adhesive from clogging the ventilation holes.

In the 11th form of the present invention, in any of the 1st to 10th forms, the number of ventilation holes in the first ventilation hole is 6 or less.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, by setting the number of ventilation holes in the first ventilation hole to six or less, sufficient air can be introduced into the interior while reducing the probability of ventilation holes being formed at the location where the adhesive layer is provided, thereby preventing the combustion ash of the adhesive from clogging the ventilation holes.

In the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to eleventh aspects, the ratio of the number of ventilation holes in the first ventilation hole to the total number of ventilation holes in the multiple ventilation holes is less than 1/4.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, by setting the ratio of the number of ventilation holes in the first ventilation hole to the total number of ventilation holes in the multiple ventilation holes to less than 1/4, it is possible to introduce sufficient air into the interior while reducing the probability of ventilation holes being formed at the location where the adhesive layer is provided, and to prevent the combustion ash of the adhesive from clogging the ventilation holes.

In the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to twelfth aspects, the multiple ventilation holes are formed in two or more rows along the axial direction.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, by forming multiple ventilation holes in two or more rows along the axial direction, more air can be introduced into the interior compared to forming multiple ventilation holes in a single row.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a flavor-generating article to which a cylindrical body according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cylindrical body according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical body taken along the line II in FIG. 2. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical body of FIG. 3 developed in the circumferential direction. FIG. 2 is a development view showing a second sheet material of a cylindrical body according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is another developed view showing the second sheet material of the cylindrical body according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is another developed view showing the second sheet material of the cylindrical body according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is another developed view showing the second sheet material of the cylindrical body according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a cylindrical body manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing experimental results of humidification conditions in a cylindrical body manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing humidification conditions for each bonding pattern in the cylindrical body manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the amount of adhesive applied to a cylindrical body according to an embodiment of the present invention in comparison with a conventional product. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing various physical properties of the cylindrical body according to one embodiment of the present invention in comparison with a standard product and a conventional product.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, identical or corresponding components will be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. The cylindrical body of the present invention may be applied to a flavor-generating article used in, for example, a non-combustion flavor inhaler for inhaling flavors without burning a material. The cylindrical body of the present invention may also be applied to a combustion-type smoking article.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a flavor-generating article to which a cylindrical body according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in Figure 1, the flavor-generating article 10 comprises a tobacco-containing segment 11 and a mouthpiece segment 12. The mouthpiece segment 12 comprises a cooling segment 13, a center hole segment 14, and a filter segment 15.

During use, the tobacco-containing segment 11 is heated and suction is applied through the end of the filter segment 15. The position of the center hole segment 14 is not limited to the position shown in Figure 1; for example, the positions of the center hole segment 14 and the filter segment 15 may be interchanged. Furthermore, in the flavor-generating article 10 shown in Figure 1, the center hole segment 14 may be omitted.

The tobacco-containing segment 11 has a tobacco filler 210 containing tobacco and an aerosol source, and a tubular wrapper 220 that covers the tobacco filler 210. The tobacco filler 210 may further contain volatile flavoring ingredients, water, etc. There are no particular restrictions on the size of the tobacco used as the filler or its preparation method.

The cooling segment 13 is composed of a cylindrical body 100. The cylindrical body 100 and the mouthpiece lining paper 400 (described later) are formed with a plurality of ventilation holes 140 that penetrate the walls of both bodies, concentrically arranged around the circumference of the cylindrical body 100. The ventilation holes 140 are holes that facilitate the inflow of air from the outside when the user inhales. This inflow of air cools the aerosol generated in the tobacco filler 210 and reduces the aerosol concentration. The diameter (distance across) of the ventilation holes 140 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

The center hole segment 14 is composed of a filling layer 310 having a hollow portion and a first inner plug wrapper 320 that covers the filling layer 310. The filling layer 310 can be, for example, a rod made of cellulose acetate fibers packed at a high density and hardened by the addition of a plasticizer containing triacetin.

The diameter of the hollow portion is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Because the packed fiber density of the packed layer 310 is high, air and aerosol flow only through the hollow portion during inhalation, with very little flow within the packed layer 310. The presence of a hollow portion in the packed layer 310 reduces the amount of aerosol containing flavor components generated by heating the flavor-generating article 10 that is filtered.

The filter segment 15 includes a filter medium 330 and a cylindrical second inner plug wrapper 340 that encases the filter medium 330. The filter medium 330 may be a solid plug filled with a porous material. By including a solid plug in the filter segment 15, the aerosol containing flavor components generated by heating the flavor-generating article 10 can be filtered, thereby appropriately adjusting the amount of aerosol delivered.

The center hole segment 14 and the filter segment 15 are connected to each other by an outer plug wrapper 350. The outer plug wrapper 350 may be, for example, a cylindrical piece of paper. The tobacco-containing segment 11, the cooling segment 13, and the connected center hole segment 14 and filter segment 15 are connected to each other by wrapping them with a mouthpiece lining paper 400 coated with a vinyl acetate glue or other adhesive on the inner surface.

The cylindrical body 100 shown in Figure 1 will now be described in detail. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a cylindrical body according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical body taken along the arrows I-I shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical body of Figure 3 unfolded in the circumferential direction.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the cylindrical body 100 comprises a first sheet-like material 110, a second sheet-like material 120, an adhesive layer 130, and an air vent 140. The first sheet-like material 110 and the second sheet-like material 120 have a circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction. The second sheet-like material 120 is provided on the outer periphery of the first sheet-like material 110. The adhesive layer 130 is provided between the first sheet-like material 110 and the second sheet-like material 120, and bonds the first sheet-like material 110 and the second sheet-like material 120 to each other.

The first sheet-shaped material 110 and the second sheet-shaped material 120 may each be made of paper or cardboard. This improves the processability of the cylindrical body 100. The first sheet-shaped material 110 and the second sheet-shaped material 120 may also have an elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction.

Here, the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 are stacked with a staggered arrangement so that their circumferential ends do not overlap. The first sheet material 110 has a first main body portion 111 and a first extension portion 112 that extends from the first main body portion 111 in the circumferential direction relative to the opposing second sheet material 120. The first main body portion 111 is the portion that faces the second sheet material 120 in Figure 4.

The second sheet material 120 has a second main body portion 121 and a second extension portion 122 extending from the second main body portion 121 in the circumferential direction relative to the opposing first sheet material 110. The second main body portion 121 is the portion facing the first sheet material 110 in Figure 4.

The adhesive layer 130 includes a positioning adhesive layer 131 and a first seam adhesive layer 132 that bond the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 121 together, and a second seam adhesive layer 133 (seam adhesive layer) that bonds the first extension portion 112 and the second extension portion 122 together. Note that the first seam adhesive layer 132 does not necessarily have to be provided, and the positioning adhesive layer 131 may function as the first seam adhesive layer 132.

The positioning adhesive layer 131, the first seam adhesive layer 132, and the second seam adhesive layer 133 may be composed of a mixture of organic polymers such as modified starch, vinyl acetate, or ethylene vinyl acetate with alcohols and water. The positioning adhesive layer 131, the first seam adhesive layer 132, and the second seam adhesive layer 133 are not limited to the above and may be composed of other adhesives.

The cylindrical body 100 is formed by applying a positioning adhesive layer 131, a first seam adhesive layer 132, and a second seam adhesive layer 133 to a second sheet-like material 120, then layering the first sheet-like material 110 on top of it, and then molding it into a cylindrical shape. Here, the positioning adhesive layer 131 applied to the second sheet-like material 120 has an adhesive pattern in which positioning glue (adhesive) is applied in a linear pattern. Note that the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first seam adhesive layer 132, and the second seam adhesive layer 133 may be applied to the first sheet-like material 110 instead of the second sheet-like material 120.

A plurality of ventilation holes 140 are formed circumferentially around the cylindrical body 100, penetrating the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120. Here, the positioning adhesive layer 131 applied to the second sheet material 120 has an adhesive pattern in which positioning glue (adhesive) is applied in a linear pattern, so the plurality of ventilation holes 140 include first ventilation holes 141 in which the adhesive layer 130 is exposed on the inner surface of the ventilation hole 140, and second ventilation holes 142 in which the adhesive layer 130 is not exposed on the inner surface of the ventilation hole 140.

Specifically, the first ventilation hole 141 is formed through the first sheet-like material 110 and the second sheet-like material 120 together with the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first seam adhesive layer 132, or the second seam adhesive layer 133. The second ventilation hole 142 is formed through the first sheet-like material 110 and the second sheet-like material 120 at a location where none of the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first seam adhesive layer 132, or the second seam adhesive layer 133 is provided.

In this way, the multiple ventilation holes 140 have at least one first ventilation hole 141 where the adhesive layer 130 is exposed on the inner surface of the ventilation hole 140, and at least one second ventilation hole 142 where the adhesive layer 130 is not exposed on the inner surface of the ventilation hole 140. This reduces the probability of the ventilation hole 140 being formed where the adhesive layer 130 is provided, and prevents the combustion ash of the adhesive from clogging the ventilation hole 140. As a result, deterioration in the quality of the flavor-generating article 10 to which the cylindrical body 100 is applied can be prevented.

Figure 5 is an exploded view showing the second sheet material of a cylindrical body according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, the second sheet material 120 has a positioning adhesive layer 131 on which two lines of positioning glue are applied in a straight line parallel to the axial direction.

In this way, the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern in which two lines of positioning glue are applied in straight lines parallel to the axial direction, which allows for a reduction in the amount of adhesive applied compared to when the positioning adhesive layer is applied over the entire surface. This also reduces the likelihood of vent holes 140 being formed where the adhesive layer 130 is applied, preventing the vent holes 140 from being blocked by ash from burning the adhesive.

The adhesive pattern of the positioning adhesive layer 131 is not limited to that shown in Figure 5. Figure 6 is another developed view showing the second sheet material of a cylindrical body according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 6, the second sheet material 120 has a positioning adhesive layer 131 to which positioning glue is applied in a spiral pattern along the axial direction.

In this way, the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern in which the positioning glue is applied spirally along the axial direction, which makes it possible to reduce the amount of adhesive applied compared to when the positioning adhesive layer is applied over the entire surface. This also reduces the likelihood of vent holes 140 being formed where the adhesive layer 130 is applied, thereby preventing the vent holes 140 from being blocked by ash from burning the adhesive.

Figure 7 is another developed view showing the second sheet material of a cylindrical body in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, the second sheet material 120 has a positioning adhesive layer 131 on which three lines of positioning glue are applied in a straight line parallel to the axial direction.

In this way, the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern in which three lines of positioning glue are applied in straight lines parallel to the axial direction, which allows for a reduction in the amount of adhesive applied compared to when the positioning adhesive layer is applied over the entire surface. This also reduces the likelihood of vent holes 140 being formed where the adhesive layer 130 is applied, preventing the vent holes 140 from being blocked by burning ash from the adhesive.

Figure 8 is another developed view showing the second sheet material of a cylindrical body according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 8, the second sheet material 120 has a positioning adhesive layer 131 to which three lines of positioning glue are applied in a straight line perpendicular to the axial direction. Note that two lines of positioning glue may be applied, or four or more lines of positioning glue may be applied.

In this way, the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern in which three lines of positioning glue are applied in a straight line perpendicular to the axial direction, which makes it possible to reduce the amount of adhesive applied compared to when the positioning adhesive layer is applied over the entire surface. It also reduces the likelihood of vent holes 140 being formed where the adhesive layer 130 is applied, preventing the vent holes 140 from being blocked by combustion ash from the adhesive.

Here, the number of ventilation holes 140 in the plurality of ventilation holes 140 is preferably 12 or more and 30 or less, and more preferably 21 or less. By making the number of ventilation holes 140 in the plurality of ventilation holes 140 12 or more and 30 or less, and more preferably 21 or less, it is possible to introduce sufficient air into the interior while reducing the probability of ventilation holes 140 being formed in the locations where the adhesive layer 130 is provided, and to prevent the combustion ash of the adhesive from clogging the ventilation holes 140.

It is also preferable that the number of first ventilation holes 141 be six or less. By limiting the number of first ventilation holes 141 to six or less, sufficient air can be introduced into the interior while reducing the probability of ventilation holes 140 being formed where the adhesive layer 130 is provided, thereby preventing the combustion ash of the adhesive from clogging the ventilation holes 140.

It is also preferable that the ratio of the number of first ventilation holes 141 to the total number of multiple ventilation holes 140 is less than 1/4. By making the ratio of the number of first ventilation holes 141 to the total number of multiple ventilation holes 140 less than 1/4, sufficient air can be introduced inside while reducing the probability of ventilation holes 140 being formed at locations where adhesive layers 130 are provided, and preventing the ventilation holes 140 from being blocked by combustion ash from the adhesive.

The multiple ventilation holes 140 may be formed in two or more rows along the axial direction. By forming the multiple ventilation holes 140 in two or more rows along the axial direction, more air can be introduced into the interior compared to when multiple ventilation holes 140 are formed in a single row.

In addition, by reducing the amount of adhesive applied using the second sheet-like material 120 shown in Figures 5 to 8, the adhesive components generated by heating and combustion from the cylindrical body 100 applied to the flavor-generating article or smoking article are reduced, thereby suppressing deterioration of the flavor and taste of the flavor-generating article or smoking article.

Furthermore, reducing the amount of adhesive applied reduces costs. Also, reducing the amount of adhesive applied reduces the amount of adhesive residue adhering to the manufacturing equipment for the cylindrical body 100, thereby reducing the risk of the manufacturing equipment being shut down and shortening the time required to clean the residue, thereby improving the productivity of the cylindrical body 100.

Next, a method for manufacturing the cylindrical body 100 will be described. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing a cylindrical body manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the cylindrical body manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 9, a sheet material 24 of an appropriate width is drawn out in the conveying direction 34 from a bobbin (not shown) of the sheet material supply device 22, and conveyed longitudinally via multiple direction-changing rollers 41.

The sheet material 24 is cut longitudinally in the cutting section 23. Specifically, the sheet material 24 is cut into a first sheet material 110 having a first width and a second sheet material 120 having a second width. The cut first sheet material 110 and second sheet material 120 are transported in parallel via a direction-changing roller 41 and separated from each other by a lateral transport roller 32.

After the second sheet material 120 is redirected by the redirecting roller 41, the gluing unit 25 applies a positioning adhesive layer 131, a first seam adhesive layer 132, and a second seam adhesive layer 133 (see Figure 4) along the entire longitudinal length (application process). Here, the positioning adhesive layer 131 has an adhesive pattern in which positioning glue (adhesive) is applied in a linear pattern (see Figures 5 to 8).

Next, the second sheet material 120 is moistened by the moistening nozzle 26 (moistening process). The moistening nozzle 26 sprays water onto the surface of the second sheet material 120 on which the positioning adhesive layer 131 is applied. Note that the moistening nozzle 26 may spray alcohol onto the second sheet material 120 instead of water, or may spray steam onto the second sheet material 120.

This makes the humidity at the areas where the positioning adhesive layer 131, first seam adhesive layer 132 and second seam adhesive layer 133 of the second sheet material 120 are applied equal to that at other areas, and when the second sheet material 120 is molded into a cylindrical shape in a later process, it can be deformed uniformly, resulting in a cylindrical body 100 with high circularity.

Meanwhile, the first sheet material 110 is conveyed while separated from the second sheet material 120, and is displaced laterally relative to the conveying direction by the position shifting unit 29. The first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 are then integrated by the tension roller pair 28 (adhesion process).

As a result, the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 are bonded together with their widthwise ends offset from one another so that they do not overlap. Specifically, the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 121 are bonded together by a positioning adhesive layer 131 and a first seam adhesive layer 132 applied to the second sheet material 120 (see Figure 4).

In addition, the cylindrical body manufacturing apparatus 1 may be provided with a sensor for detecting the widthwise ends of the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120, and a control mechanism for controlling the amount of positional deviation between the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120.

Next, the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120, which have been bonded together and offset from each other, are transported to the forming device 30. In the forming device 30, an endless forming belt 43 is guided endlessly via a plurality of direction-changing rollers 41. The first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 transported to the forming device 30 are pressed against the forming belt 43 by the pressing section 44.

The first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 are then formed into a cylindrical continuous body 31 in a forming device 30 using a known method, for example, as described in JP 2018-121628 A (forming process). At this time, the first extension portion 112 and the second extension portion 122 are bonded to each other by a second seam adhesive layer 133 applied to the second sheet material 120 (see Figure 4).

Next, the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 formed into the cylindrical continuous body 31 are heated by the heating section 37, thereby hardening the positioning adhesive layer 131, the first seam adhesive layer 132, and the second seam adhesive layer 133. In addition, the second sheet material 120 moistened by the moistening nozzle 26 is also dried in the heating section 37.

Next, the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 formed into the cylindrical continuous body 31 are cut to a predetermined length by the cutting unit 38 (cutting process), forming the cylindrical body 100. Note that in the cylindrical body manufacturing apparatus 1, the first sheet material 110 and the second sheet material 120 may be interchangeable.

The cylindrical body 100 is then incorporated into a semi-finished product such as a flavor-generating article or a smoking article, and a laser beam is irradiated from the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 100 to the inner periphery, burning the material at the irradiated points, thereby forming multiple air vents 140 that penetrate the cylindrical body 100 intermittently around the entire circumference.

Next, we will explain the results of various experiments conducted using the cylindrical body manufacturing apparatus 1. First, we conducted experiments to find appropriate humidification conditions for the humidification nozzle 26. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the experimental results of humidification conditions in a cylindrical body manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Here, experiments were conducted by changing the humidification conditions for the case where three lines of positioning glue were applied to the second sheet material 120 in straight lines parallel to the axial direction (see Figure 7).

As shown in Figure 10, cylindrical bodies 100 were manufactured by changing the humidification conditions from level 1 to level 9 in terms of water amount, spray pressure, and distance from the humidification nozzle 26 to the second sheet material 120 (humidification nozzle distance).It was confirmed that level 6 (water amount 6.34 mg/tube, spray pressure 0.05 MPa, humidification nozzle distance 17 mm) was appropriate in terms of circularity and circumferential length.

Next, a cylindrical body 100 (see Figure 6) was manufactured using level 6 shown in Figure 10, in which positioning glue was applied spirally along the axial direction to the second sheet material 120. However, the adhesion between the first extension portion 112 and the second extension portion 122 (see Figure 4) by the second seam adhesive layer 133 was not performed properly.

Therefore, experiments were conducted on a cylindrical body 100 (see Figure 6) in which positioning glue was applied spirally along the axial direction to the second sheet material 120, with varying amounts of water. As a result, it was confirmed that a water amount of 28.20 mg/tube was appropriate for a cylindrical body 100 in which positioning glue was applied spirally. Figure 11 shows the humidification conditions for each adhesive pattern in the cylindrical body manufacturing apparatus 1.

Next, experiments were conducted on a cylindrical body 100 (see Figure 6) in which positioning glue was applied in a spiral pattern along the axial direction to the second sheet-like material 120, and a cylindrical body 100 (see Figure 5) in which two lines of positioning glue were applied in straight lines parallel to the axial direction to the second sheet-like material 120, by varying the amount of application of the positioning adhesive layer 131.

As a result, it was confirmed that for a cylindrical body 100 with a spirally applied positioning glue, an application amount of 20 g/500 m (4.8 mg/roll) is appropriate, and for a cylindrical body 100 with two rolls of positioning glue applied, an application amount of 25 g/500 m (3.0 mg/roll x 2) is appropriate. Figure 12 shows the results of comparing the application amount of the positioning adhesive layer 131 on the cylindrical body 100 with that of a conventional product.

As shown in Figure 12, the cylindrical body 100 with the positioning glue applied in a spiral pattern can reduce the amount of positioning adhesive layer 131 applied by 80% compared to conventional products (application amount 100 g/500 m (24 mg/roll)). Furthermore, the cylindrical body 100 with two lines of positioning glue applied can reduce the amount of positioning adhesive layer 131 applied by 75% compared to conventional products.

Next, using the humidification conditions and application amount of the positioning adhesive layer 131 shown in Figures 11 and 12, a cylindrical body 100 (see Figure 6) in which the positioning glue was applied spirally along the axial direction to the second sheet material 120, and a cylindrical body 100 (see Figure 5) in which two lines of positioning glue were applied linearly parallel to the axial direction to the second sheet material 120 were manufactured, and various physical properties were measured. The results of comparing the various physical properties of the cylindrical body 100 with those of a standard product and a conventional product are shown in Figure 13.

Here, for the cylindrical body 100 with the positioning glue applied in a spiral pattern and the cylindrical body 100 with two lines of positioning glue applied, the physical properties were measured immediately after the cylindrical body 100 was formed and 24 hours later, taking into account the effects of humidification using the humidifying nozzle 26. The moisture content was also measured one week later.

As shown in Figure 13, immediately after the cylindrical body 100 was formed, it had the same weight as the conventional product, but it was confirmed that the moisture content decreased over time, and the weight tended to become lighter. It was also confirmed that the moisture content decreased over time, and the values of the circumference length and hardness also changed.

It was also confirmed that the circularity of both the cylindrical body 100 with the positioning glue applied in a spiral pattern and the cylindrical body 100 with two strands of positioning glue applied was equivalent to that of the standard product. Furthermore, because the structure of the joint between the first extension portion 112 and the second extension portion 122 is the same as that of the conventional product, the joint peel strength was equivalent to that of the conventional product for both the cylindrical body 100 with the positioning glue applied in a spiral pattern and the cylindrical body 100 with two strands of positioning glue applied.

Furthermore, by setting the area of the positioning adhesive layer 131 to be 10% or more and 50% or less of the area of the overlapping portion between the first main body portion and the second main body portion, poor adhesion between the first sheet-shaped material 110 and the second sheet-shaped material 120 can be suppressed, and a cylindrical body with excellent circularity and little impact on flavor and smoking taste can be obtained.

The above describes embodiments of the present invention. However, the above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from its spirit, and the present invention includes equivalents. Furthermore, the components described in the claims and specification may be combined or omitted to the extent that at least some of the above-mentioned problems can be solved or at least some of the effects can be achieved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Cylindrical body manufacturing apparatus 10... Flavor-generating product 11... Tobacco-containing segment 12... Mouthpiece segment 13... Cooling segment 14... Center hole segment 15... Filter segment 22... Sheet-like material supply device 23... Cutting section 24... Sheet-like material 25... Gluing section 26... Moisturizing nozzle 28... Pulling roller pair 29... Position shifting section 30... Forming device 31... Cylindrical continuous body 32... Lateral conveying roller 34... Conveying direction 37... Heating section 38... Cutting section 41... Direction changing roller 43... Forming belt 44... Pressing section 100... Cylindrical body 110... First sheet-like material 111... First main body section 112... First extension section 120... Second sheet-like material 121... Second main body section 122... Second extension section 130... Adhesive layer 131... Positioning adhesive layer 132...First seam adhesive layer 133...Second seam adhesive layer 140...Ventilation hole 141...First ventilation hole 142...Second ventilation hole 210...Tobacco filler 220...Wrapper 310...Filling layer 320...First inner plug wrapper 330...Filter material 340...Second inner plug wrapper 350...Outer plug wrapper 400...Mouthpiece lining paper

Claims (14)

A cylindrical body,
A first sheet-shaped material having a circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction;
a second sheet material provided on the outer periphery of the first sheet material, the second sheet material having a circular or elliptical cross section perpendicular to the axial direction;
an adhesive layer provided between the first sheet material and the second sheet material, which adheres the first sheet material and the second sheet material to each other;
a plurality of ventilation holes formed in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body, each of the ventilation holes penetrating both the first sheet material and the second sheet material;
The plurality of ventilation holes include at least one first ventilation hole in which the adhesive layer is exposed to an inner surface of the ventilation hole, and at least one second ventilation hole in which the adhesive layer is not exposed to an inner surface of the ventilation hole.
Cylindrical body. The cylindrical body according to claim 1,
The first sheet material and the second sheet material are stacked with a shift between them so that their circumferential ends do not overlap,
The first sheet of material has a first main body portion and a first extension portion extending from the first main body portion in a circumferential direction relative to the opposing second sheet of material,
The second sheet material has a second main body portion and a second extension portion extending from the second main body portion in a circumferential direction relative to the opposing first sheet material,
the adhesive layer includes a positioning adhesive layer that adheres the first body portion and the second body portion to each other, and a joint adhesive layer that adheres the first extension portion and the second extension portion to each other,
The positioning adhesive layer has an adhesive pattern in which positioning glue is applied in a linear pattern.
Cylindrical body. The cylindrical body according to claim 2,
The positioning adhesive is applied in two or more lines.
Cylindrical body. The cylindrical body according to claim 3,
The positioning adhesive is applied in a linear pattern.
Cylindrical body. The cylindrical body according to claim 4,
The positioning adhesive is applied in a straight line parallel to the axial direction.
Cylindrical body. The cylindrical body according to claim 4,
The positioning adhesive is applied in a linear shape perpendicular to the axial direction.
Cylindrical body. The cylindrical body according to claim 2,
The positioning glue is applied spirally along the axial direction.
Cylindrical body. The cylindrical body according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
the first sheet-like material and the second sheet-like material are each paper;
Cylindrical body. The cylindrical body according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The number of the ventilation holes in the plurality of ventilation holes is 12 or more and 30 or less.
Cylindrical body. The cylindrical body according to claim 9,
the number of vent holes in the plurality of vent holes is 21 or less;
Cylindrical body. The cylindrical body according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The number of the first ventilation holes is 6 or less.
Cylindrical body. The cylindrical body according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
a ratio of the number of the first vent holes to the total number of the plurality of vent holes is less than ¼;
Cylindrical body. The cylindrical body according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The plurality of ventilation holes are formed in two or more rows along the axial direction.
Cylindrical body. A flavor-generating product comprising the cylindrical body according to any one of claims 1 to 13.