FLAVOR INHALATION ARTICLE

Abstract

A flavor inhalation article 1 comprises: a flavor element 2 which is heated without involving combustion; and a tubular element 4 which forms an airflow channel. The tubular element 4 is equipped with a cylindrical hollow paper tube 26 and a paper liner 28 disposed inside the paper tube 26 in such a manner as to lie along the axial direction X of the paper tube 26. The total of the cross-sectional length of the liner 28 in the diametrical direction Y of the paper tube 26 is greater than the inner diameter d of the paper tube 26.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a flavor inhaling article.

BACKGROUND ART

PTL 1 describes a non-combustion-heating aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article, in other words, a flavor inhaling article, includes a flavor element and a filter element that are adjacent to each other. The flavor element is formed so as to be filled with, for example, a tobacco raw material. The filter element is formed so as to be filled with a filter material and has a hollow part at the center in the radial direction. A flavor component is sorbed to an inner periphery of the hollow part. When a heater of a device (flavor inhaler) heats the flavor element, a volatilized flavor component is cooled by the filter element, with the result that an aerosol of the flavor component is generated, and a user inhales the aerosol.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT application) No. 2020-508075

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In a non-combustion-heating flavor inhaling article, as compared to a heat-burn article, a heating temperature of the flavor element is low. For this reason, the flavor component that volatilizes from the flavor element reduces, and a generated aerosol of the flavor component also reduces. A filter element described in PTL 1 has a hollow part, and a flavor component is sorbed to an inner periphery of the hollow part. However, a filter material serving as a filtrating body is present around the hollow part, so part of the flavor component volatilized in the flavor element is cooled in the hollow part and aerosolized; however, a remaining part of the flavor component can be filtrated before being aerosolized in the filter material. Therefore, the flavor component supplied to a user may further reduce.

For this reason, to aerosolize a flavor component volatilized from a flavor element before filtration and supply the aerosolized flavor component to a user, it is conceivable to use not a filter element but a tubular element, such as a paper core, as a cooling segment adjacent to the flavor element. However, with a simple paper core, a volatilized flavor component just passes therethrough with airflow, so an aerosol is hard to be generated, and it is not possible to provide a cooling segment suitable for a non-combustion-heating flavor inhaling article.

The present invention is made in view of such a problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a flavor inhaling article capable of supplying a user with a flavor component of a flavor element with a minimum reduction and having a cooling segment function in place of a filter element.

Solution to Problem

To achieve the above object, a flavor inhaling article according to an aspect is a flavor inhaling article including a flavor element to be heated without burning and a tubular element having an airflow path. The tubular element includes a hollow paper core having a cylindrical shape and a paper liner disposed in the paper core over the paper core in an axis direction. A total cross-sectional length of the liner in a tube radial direction of the paper core is greater than an inside diameter of the paper core.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

It is possible to provide a flavor inhaling article capable of supplying a user with a flavor component of a flavor element with a minimum reduction and having a cooling segment function in place of a filter element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a flavor inhaling article.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a flavor inhaling article according to another embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a tubular element.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view when a paper core is developed in a tube radial direction.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a tubular element according to another embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a tubular element according to a further another embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view when the paper core of FIG. 3 is developed in the tube radial direction.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a tubular element in a different embodiment (a liner longitudinal section has a zigzag shape).

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a tubular element in a different embodiment (a liner longitudinal section has a zigzag shape of another embodiment).

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a tubular element in a different embodiment (a liner longitudinal section has a zigzag shape of further another embodiment).

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a tubular element in a different embodiment (a liner longitudinal section has a star shape).

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a tubular element in a different embodiment (a liner longitudinal section has independent three liners each having a circular shape).

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a manufacturing apparatus for a tubular element.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart that illustrates a manufacturing method for a tubular element.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a rotary tube.

FIG. 16 is a graph that shows the percentage of flavor raw material dropping out of a flavor element.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a testing machine with which the results of FIG. 16 are obtained.

FIG. 18 is a graph that shows a maximum load at which a tubular element buckles when pressed in its axis direction.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a testing machine with which the results of FIG. 18 are obtained.

FIG. 20 is a graph that shows a maximum load at which a liner buckles when pressed in its axis direction.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a testing machine with which the results of FIG. 20 are obtained.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a testing machine for a temperature measurement test on an article.

FIG. 23 is a graph that shows a time-series temperature change at measurement points P1, P2, and P3 in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 shows cross-sectional views of articles respectively used in Comparative Examples and Examples of a flavor component delivery test.

FIG. 25 is a graph that shows a delivery amount of flavor component in time series for each number of puffs in each article of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is an image diagram of a tubular element of Example 2 of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is an image diagram of a flavor element of Comparative Example 1 of FIG. 24.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

<Flavor Inhaling Article>

Hereinafter, a flavor inhaling article 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaling article 1. The flavor inhaling article 1 (hereinafter, also referred to as article) is of a non-combustion-heating type and is made up of a flavor element 2, a tubular element 4, a first filter element 6, and a second filter element 8 in order from the left side in FIG. 1. The flavor element 2 is formed so as to be filled with a flavor raw material 10.

A device (flavor inhaler) used to heat the flavor element 2 includes, for example, a needle-shaped heater 12. Only the heater 12 of the device is shown in FIG. 1. The article 1 is set in the device, and the heater 12 is inserted into the flavor element 2 to heat the flavor element 2. Thus, a flavor component impregnated in the flavor raw material 10 of the flavor element 2 or contained as granules volatilizes to vaporize. The flavor element 2 may be a tobacco rod containing a tobacco raw material as the flavor raw material 10. A tobacco raw material is, for example, cut tobacco or shredded tobacco sheet.

The first filter element 6 is a filtrating body filled with a filter raw material 14, such as acetate tow and nonwoven fabric sheet, and a hollow part 16 is formed at the center in the radial direction. The second filter element 8 is a filtrating body filled with a filter raw material 14 similar to the first filter element 6 or different from the first filter element 6. The peripheral surface of the flavor element 2 and the peripheral surfaces of the first and second filter elements 6, 8 are respectively wrapped with wrapping papers 18.

The elements 2, 4, 6, 8 are coaxially arranged and disposed so as to be butted to each other, and the elements 2, 4, 6, 8 are connected to each other by wrapping the peripheral surface of the serial body made up of the elements 2, 4, 6, 8 with a tipping paper 20. The tubular element 4 and the tipping paper 20 each have an air hole 22 for taking air into the article 1 during inhalation of the article 1. With air taken from outside into the article 1 via the air holes 22, a flavor component of the flavor element 2 and a volatile component of an additive (described later) are cooled, and aerosolization of these components is facilitated. The configuration of a filter element serving as a filtrating body is not limited to the one including the first and second filter elements 6, 8.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an article 1 according to another embodiment. The article 1 includes a third filter element 24 adjacent to the flavor element 2 on an opposite side to the tubular element 4. The third filter element 24 is formed so as to be filled with a filter raw material 14 similar to the first and second filter elements 6, 8 or different from the first and second filter elements 6, 8. The third filter element 24 is positioned such that the third filter element 24 contacts with the flavor raw material 10 of the flavor element 2 or can contact with the flavor raw material 10 of the flavor element 2 and is connected to the flavor element 2 by the tipping paper 20.

When the heater 12 is inserted into the flavor element 2 so as to extend through the third filter element 24, the third filter element 24 suppresses dropping of the flavor raw material 10 out of the flavor element 2 toward the proximal end side of the heater 12. In other words, the third filter element 24 functions as a support segment for supporting the flavor raw material 10 filling the flavor element 2 such that the flavor raw material 10 does not drop toward the heater 12 side in the article 1. Thus, it is possible to suppress soiling of the heater 12 of the device around its proximal end with the dropped flavor raw material 10.

The tubular element 4 is disposed adjacent to the flavor element 2 on an opposite side to the distal end side of the article 1 and has an airflow path in the article 1. The tubular element 4 includes a hollow paper core 26 having a cylindrical shape and a paper liner 28 disposed in the paper core 26 over the paper core 26 in an axis direction X.

<Tubular Element>

Hereinafter, the tubular element 4 of the article 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 11. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tubular element 4. The liner 28 is formed such that a single-ply paper web is curved in an S-shape in a direction of an inside diameter d of the paper core 26, that is, the tube radial direction Y, and the cross section of the liner 28 in the tube radial direction Y, that is, the longitudinal section of the liner 28 has an S-shape.

The liner 28 has a paper thickness of 0.05 mm to 1 mm, preferably 0.08 mm to 0.5 mm, or further preferably 0.1 mm to 0.15 mm, and has a basis weight of 80 gsm (grams per square meter) to 120 gsm. The paper core 26 is made from a double-ply paper web obtained by stacking and bonding an inner paper web 30 and an outer paper web 32 via a bonding portion 34. The liner 28 may be formed from a double-ply paper web.

The tubular element 4 cools a flavor component volatilized in the flavor element 2 by heat of the heater 12 to aerosolize the flavor component. Cooling and aerosolization of a flavor component are efficiently performed when the volatilized flavor component contacts with the surface of the liner 28 in a space ensured in the paper core 26. The liner 28 is quickly heated by the heater 12 adjacent to the liner 28. Therefore, when a flavor agent is sorbed to the liner 28 as one type of additive, the flavor component volatilized from the liner 28 is efficiently cooled to be aerosolized in the space ensured in the paper core 26.

The total cross-sectional length of the liner 28 in the tube radial direction Y of the paper core 26 is greater than the inside diameter d of the paper core 26. More preferably, the total cross-sectional length of the liner 28 in the tube radial direction Y of the paper core 26 is greater than or equal to twice the inside diameter d of the paper core 26. Thus, the surface area of the liner 28 increases, with the result that cooling and aerosolization of the flavor component are further efficiently performed. In this way, in the article 1, the tubular element 4 functions as a cooling segment that immediately cools a flavor component volatilized in the flavor element 2 or the liner 28 to aerosolize the flavor component.

The tubular element 4 functions as the cooling segment to facilitate aerosolization of the flavor component before the flavor component reaches the first and second filter elements 6, 8. For this reason, adsorption and filtration of a flavor component before being aerosolized by fibers of the first and second filter elements 6, 8 are suppressed. Therefore, in the non-combustion-heating article 1, even when the heating temperature of the flavor element 2 is relatively low, it is possible to reduce the filtration amount of flavor component in the first and second filter elements 6, 8, and the flavor component of the flavor element 2 is supplied to a user with a minimum reduction.

Since the tubular element 4 adjacent to the flavor element 2 includes the liner 28, the liner 28 is positioned at a location at which the liner 28 contacts with the flavor raw material 10 of the flavor element 2 or a location at which the liner 28 can contact with the flavor raw material 10. When the heater 12 is inserted into the flavor element 2, the liner 28 suppresses drop of the flavor raw material 10 toward the tubular element 4 out of the flavor element 2. In other words, in the article 1, the tubular element 4 functions as a support segment that supports the flavor raw material 10 filling the flavor element 2 so as not to drop.

An additive is sorbed to the liner 28. The additive contains, for example, a flavor component, activated carbon, an aerosol filler, and the like. Since the liner 28 is made of paper, a sorption region and sorption area of additive in the liner 28 can be easily changed as compared to when an additive is sorbed to the flavor raw material 10 of the flavor element 2. For this reason, it is possible to easily adjust the sorption amount of additive and adjust the release amount of components of the additive, by extension, the delivery amount of components of the additive to a user. In other words, in the article 1, the tubular element 4 functions as a flavor component delivery segment that easily makes it possible to control delivery of additive to a user, for example, flavor component delivery.

Both ends of the liner 28 in the tube radial direction Y are respectively bonded by bonding portions 36 to an inner periphery 26a of the paper core 26. The bonding portions 36 are formed by applying adhesive over the liner 28 in the axis direction X with a width of about 1 mm to 2 mm at both ends of the liner 28 and curing the adhesive. Thus, the liner 28 is fixed to the paper core 26, so a drop of the liner 28 is suppressed, and the buckling strength of the tubular element 4 is enhanced, so the function of the tubular element 4 as a support segment is enhanced. The bonding portion 36 may be formed only at one end of the liner 28 in the tube radial direction Y.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view when the paper core 26 is developed in the tube radial direction Y. The inner paper web 30 and the outer paper web 32 make up a double-ply paper web 27. The inner paper web 30 and the outer paper web 32 each have a strip shape with substantially the same width in a developed width direction Z and have, for example, a paper thickness and a basis weight in the same range as the liner 28.

The inner paper web 30 and the outer paper web 32 are disposed so as to be shifted in position from each other in the width direction Z. An inner periphery 32a of the outer paper web 32 in a state of the paper core 26 and an outer periphery 30a of the inner paper web 30 in a state of the paper core form an overlapping part 38 at which the inner periphery 32a and the outer periphery 30a partially overlap each other.

Adhesive is applied to an inner peripheral edge 32b that is a region of the inner periphery 32a of the outer paper web 32, other than the overlapping part 38. The inner peripheral edge 32b to which adhesive is applied and an outer peripheral edge 30b that is a region of the outer periphery 30a of the inner paper web 30, other than the overlapping part 38, are overlapped, and the adhesive is cured, with the result that a seam bonding portion 40 is formed (see FIG. 3).

In this way, the inner paper web 30 and the outer paper web 32 are disposed so as to be shifted in position from each other in the width direction Z, and the double-ply paper web 27 in which the overlapping part 38, the inner peripheral edge 32b, and the outer peripheral edge 30b are formed is curved and bonded at the seam bonding portion 40. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the paper core 26 is formed such that the inner paper web 30 and the outer paper web 32 are bonded at the seam bonding portion 40 without unevenness.

Therefore, an outer periphery 26b of the paper core 26 has a smooth surface without unevenness, so the quality of the tubular element 4 improves. In addition, since the paper core 26 is formed from the double-ply paper web 27, the buckling strength of the tubular element 4 is enhanced, and the function of the tubular element 4 as a support segment is enhanced, as compared to a case where the paper core 26 is formed from a single-ply paper web.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a tubular element 4 according to another embodiment of FIG. 3. When the width of the liner 28 in the tube radial direction Y (width direction Z) is formed with a greater size, the bonding portions 36 may be formed not at the ends of the liner 28 but near curved parts forming the S-shape of the liner 28 as shown in FIG. 5. In other words, adhesive just needs to be applied over the liner 28 in the axis direction X in an area of the liner 28, which can contact with the inner periphery 26a of the paper core 26.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a tubular element 4 according to another embodiment of FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a sectional view when the paper core 26 of FIG. 6 is developed in the tube radial direction Y. As shown in FIG. 6, the paper core 26 may be formed from a single-ply paper web 29. As shown in FIG. 7, with the single-ply paper web 29, the overlapping part 38 and the seam bonding portion 40 are formed as shown in FIG. 6 by overlapping an inner peripheral edge 29a to which adhesive is applied and an outer peripheral edge 29b to which no adhesive is applied. A step occurs at the seam bonding portion 40; however, at least the liner 28 is fixed to the paper core 26. Therefore, a drop of the liner 28 is suppressed, and the buckling strength of the tubular element 4 is enhanced, so the function of the tubular element 4 as a support segment is enhanced.

FIGS. 8 to 12 each schematically show a longitudinal section of the tubular element 4 having the liner 28 according to an embodiment different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Each figure schematically shows an embodiment in which the paper core 26 is formed from a single-ply paper web. FIG. 8 shows the tubular element 4 having the liner 28 of which the longitudinal section has a zigzag shape. In the liner 28, the zigzag shape is formed with substantially the same width in the tube radial direction Y, and protruding parts 28a of the zigzag shape are not in contact with the inner periphery 26a of the paper core 26.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tubular element 4 having the liner 28 with a zigzag shape according to another embodiment. In the liner 28, all the protruding parts 28a forming the zigzag shape extend to a location at which the protruding parts 28a contact with the inner periphery 26a of the paper core 26 or a location at which the protruding parts 28a can contact with the inner periphery 26a. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tubular element 4 having the liner 28 with a zigzag shape according to another embodiment.

In the liner 28, adjacent liner parts located at the center of the zigzag shape contact with each other. About the contact part of the liner parts, the other liner parts expand in a fan shape along the tube radial direction Y, and the protruding parts 28a formed at the liner part at the center location and the expanded liner parts extend to a location at which the protruding parts 28a contact with the inner periphery 26a of the paper core 26 or a location at which the protruding parts 28a can contact with the inner periphery 26a.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tubular element 4 having the liner 28 of which a longitudinal section has a star shape. In the liner 28, all the protruding parts 28a forming a star shape contact with or can contact with the inner periphery 26a of the paper core 26. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of a tubular element having the liner 28 made up of three independent liners 28A, 28B, 28C, each of which a longitudinal section has a circular shape. The liners 28A, 28B, 28C are spaced apart from one another; however, any of the liners 28A, 28B, 28C contacts with or can contact with the inner periphery 26a of the paper core 26.

In any of the liners 28 of FIGS. 8 to 12, as in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the total sectional length of the liner 28 in the tube radial direction Y of the paper core 26 is greater than the inside diameter d of the paper core 26 and more preferably greater than or equal to twice the inside diameter d of the paper core 26. Therefore, even in the case of the liners 28 shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, similar operation and advantageous effects to those of the above-described liner 28 having an S-shape are obtained.

<Manufacturing Apparatus and Manufacturing Method for Tubular Element>

Hereinafter, a manufacturing apparatus 50 for the tubular element 4 and a manufacturing method for the tubular element 4 using the manufacturing apparatus 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 50 for the tubular element 4. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for illustrating the manufacturing method for the tubular element 4.

The manufacturing apparatus 50 includes a first paper web supply section 52, a first paper web cutting section 54, a lateral conveying section 56, a gluing section 58, a position shifting section 60, a heating section 62, a tube forming section 64, a second paper web supply section 66, a second paper web cutting section 68, a liner forming section 70, a cutting section 72, and the like.

When manufacturing of the tubular element 4 is started, a first paper web 74 is withdrawn from a bobbin (not shown) on which a paper roll is set, in the first paper web supply section 52. The first paper web 74 is conveyed along a first conveying path 78 while being guided via rollers 76 (S1: first paper web supply step). Subsequently, in the first paper web cutting section 54, the first paper web 74 is cut into the inner paper web 30 and the outer paper web 32 each having a strip shape over the range in the longitudinal direction (S2: first paper web cutting step).

Subsequently, in the lateral conveying section 56, the cut inner paper web 30 and outer paper web 32 are separated from each other and are respectively conveyed to a first conveying path 78a and a first conveying path 78b bifurcated from the first conveying path 78 (S3: lateral conveying step). Subsequently, in the gluing section 58, regions that will be the overlapping part 38 and inner peripheral edge 32b of the outer paper web 32 are glued (S4: gluing step).

Subsequently, the inner paper web 30 and the outer paper web 32 merge at a pair of tension rollers 80 and conveyed along the first conveying path 78 merged again. Subsequently, in the position shifting section 60, the inner paper web 30 is shifted in position in the width direction that intersects with the conveying direction with respect to the outer paper web 32 (S5: position shifting step). The inner paper web 30 and the outer paper web 32 are overlapped in a state of shifted in position to form the overlapping part 38.

Subsequently, in the heating section 62, adhesive applied to the overlapping part 38 is cured by the heat of a heater to form the bonding portion 34 (S6: heating step). To reliably cure the adhesive, after the overlapping part 38 is caused to pass through the heating section 62, a cooling step in which then caused to pass through a cooling section (not shown) may be performed. As long as the adhesive is reliably cured, the overlapping part 38 does not need to be caused to pass through the heating section 62 or the cooling section.

The inner paper web 30 and the outer paper web 32 are formed into the flat double-ply paper web 27 in which the overlapping part 38 is bonded at the bonding portion 34 and united. The double-ply paper web 27 is conveyed to the tube forming section 64. The manufacturing apparatus 50 further includes a seam gluing section 82. The seam gluing section 82 is provided between the heating section 62 and the tube forming section 64. Application of adhesive to the inner peripheral edge 32b may be performed not in the gluing section 58 but in the seam gluing section 82.

When manufacturing of the tubular element 4 is started, the following step S10 to step S12 are performed in parallel with the above-described step S1 to step S6. Initially, in the second paper web supply section 66, a second paper web 88 is withdrawn from a bobbin (not shown) on which a paper roll is set. The second paper web 88 is conveyed along a second conveying path 90 while being guided via the rollers 76 (S10: second paper web supply step).

Subsequently, in the second paper web cutting section 68, the second paper web 88 is cut into a strip-shaped strip paper web 92 over the range in the longitudinal direction (S11: second paper web cutting step). In the second paper web cutting step, the second paper web 88 is cut into the strip paper web 92 of which the total sectional length of the paper core 26 in the tube radial direction Y is greater than the inside diameter d of the paper core 26 and more preferably cut into the strip paper web 92 of which the total sectional length is greater than or equal to twice the inside diameter d of the paper core 26.

Subsequently, in the liner forming section 70, by applying frictional force to both end edges of the strip paper web 92 in the tube radial direction Y, the strip paper web 92 is continuously formed into the liner 28 of which the longitudinal section has an S-shape over the range in the longitudinal direction (S12: liner forming step). More specifically, the liner forming section 70 includes a rotary tube 94 shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary tube 94. The rotary tube 94 is rotatably supported on a support member 96 via bearings 98 and receives the strip paper web 92 while rotating. The rotary tube 94 has an inlet 94a for receiving the strip paper web 92, an outlet 94b for discharging a formed liner 28 toward the tube forming section 64, and an inner periphery 94c gradually reduced in diameter from the inlet 94a toward the outlet 94b.

In the liner forming section 70, at the time of receiving the strip paper web 92, both end edges of the strip paper web 92 contact with the inner periphery 94c of the inlet 94a. Thus, frictional force is applied to both end edges of the strip paper web 92, and the strip paper web 92 is curved into an S-shape to form curved parts and is formed into the liner 28 of which the longitudinal section has an S-shape.

The inlet 94a has an opening edge 94d having an opening diameter D that is 30% to 80% of the paper width of the strip paper web 92. The opening edge 94d is a region included in the inner periphery 94c. Thus, in the initial stage of receiving the strip paper web 92, it is possible to reliably apply frictional force to both end edges by bringing both end edges of the strip paper web 92 into contact with the opening edge 94d. Therefore, the strip paper web 92 can be reliably formed into the S-shaped liner 28.

The inner periphery 94c of the rotary tube 94 is subjected to surface treatment with an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of 5 μm to 30 μm. Thus, when both end edges of the strip paper web 92 contact with the inner periphery 94c (including the opening edge 94d) of the inlet 94a, frictional force can be further effectively applied to both end edges. Therefore, the strip paper web 92 can be reliably formed into the S-shaped liner 28.

The liner forming section 70 includes an adder 100 for adding an additive to the liner 28. The additive may contain a flavor component, activated carbon, an aerosol filler, and the like. The adder 100 adds an additive to a predetermined sorption region and sorption area of the liner 28 and sorbs the additive to the liner 28 (P1: adding process). The additive may be added in advance to the strip paper web 92 or the second paper web 88 before being formed into the liner 28.

In the tube forming section 64, the second conveying path 90 merges with the first conveying path 78, and the liner 28 formed in the liner forming section 70 is received. Subsequently, the tube forming section 64 continuously wraps the liner 28 with the double-ply paper web 27 formed by overlapping the first paper web 74 and continuously forms the double-ply paper web 27 into a hollow paper core 26 having a cylindrical shape. Thus, a tubular rod 102 in which the liner 28 is disposed in the paper core 26 over the paper core 26 in the axis direction X is formed (S7: tube forming step).

Specifically, the tube forming section 64 includes a forming bed 104. The forming bed 104 is disposed along the first conveying path 78, and an approaching portion of an endless garniture belt 106 is disposed on the forming bed 104. A return portion of the garniture belt 106 outside the forming bed 104 is guided by the rollers 76 and wound around a drive drum 108. The drive drum 108 is rotated by the driving force of an electric motor (not shown). Rotation of the drive drum 108 causes the approaching portion of the garniture belt 106 to run along a first conveying direction 78.

The double-ply paper web 27 is guided onto the approaching portion of the garniture belt 106 and is placed on the garniture belt 106. A pressing member 110 is provided above a starting end of the forming bed 104. The pressing member 110 presses the double-ply paper web 27 against the groove bottom of a forming groove formed in the forming bed 104. Thus, the double-ply paper web 27 runs together with the garniture belt 106 with frictional force on the garniture belt 106, the double-ply paper web 27 is continuously formed into a U-shape, and is finally formed into the paper core 26 wrapping the liner 28.

The tube forming section 64 includes an applicator 112 for applying adhesive to the liner 28. The applicator 112 applies adhesive to both ends of the liner 28 in the tube radial direction Y at least before the tubular rod 102 is formed (P2: gluing process). The applicator 112 may apply adhesive to only one end of the liner 28 in the tube radial direction Y. The applicator 112 may be disposed in the liner forming section 70, and adhesive may be applied to the liner 28 in the course of forming the liner 28. Adhesive is not limited to being applied to both ends or one end of the liner 28 and may be applied over the liner 28 in the axis direction X in an area of the liner 28, which contacts with the inner periphery 26a of the paper core 26.

The tube forming section 64 includes a heater 114 for heating adhesive applied to the liner 28. The heater 114 forms the bonding portion 34 and the seam bonding portion 40 by curing the adhesive applied to the liner 28 by heating (P3: heating process). To reliably cure the adhesive, the adhesive may be passed through a cooler (not shown) after passage of the heater 114. As long as adhesive is reliably cured, the heater 114 or the cooler does not need to be provided.

In this way, the liner 28 is bonded to the inner periphery 26a of the paper core 26, with the result that the tubular rod 102 formed by uniting the paper core 26 with the liner 28 is formed. Subsequently, in the cutting section 72, the tubular rod 102 is cut into a predetermined length, and the tubular element 4 is formed (S8: cutting step). Thus, manufacturing of the tubular element 4 ends.

<Support Segment Function Test>

The graph of FIG. 16 shows the percentage of the flavor raw material 10 dropping out of the flavor element 2. In Example 1, the article 1 in which the flavor element 2 and the tubular element 4 made up of the paper core 26 and the liner 28 are connected is used. In Comparative Example 1, the article 1 in which the flavor element 2 and the tubular element 4 made up of only the paper core 26 are connected is used. The basis weight of paper web used for the tubular element 4 of Example 1 and the basis weight of paper web used for the tubular element 4 of Comparative Example 1 each are 82 gsm. The filling amount of the flavor raw material 10 with which the flavor element 2 of Example 1 is filled and the filling amount of the flavor raw material 10 with which the flavor element 2 of Comparative Example 1 is filled each are 260 mg or greater.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a testing machine with which the results of FIG. 16 are obtained. The testing machine is a device including a pin-shaped heater 12. The diameter D1 of the heater 12 is 2 mm, and the length L of the heater 12 is 18 mm. In this test, when the flavor element 2 of Example 1 or the flavor element 2 of Comparative Example 1 is inserted into the heater 12 in the arrow direction, the percentage of the flavor raw material 10 dropping out of the flavor element 2 (dropping percentage) of the flavor raw material 10 filling the flavor element 2 is measured with the testing machine.

As shown in FIG. 16, the dropping percentage of Example 1 is about 4%, and the dropping percentage of Comparative Example 1 is about 28%. With the tubular element 4 having the liner 28 according to Example 1, as compared to the tubular element 4 with no liner 28 according to Comparative Example 1, a support segment function for supporting the flavor raw material 10 such that the flavor raw material 10 does not drop toward the tubular element 4 is enhanced to about a septuple. From these results, it turned out that the tubular element 4 having the liner 28 effectively functions as a support segment for suppressing dropping of the flavor raw material 10 at the time when the heater 12 is inserted into the flavor element 2.

<Buckling Strength Test for Tubular Element>

FIG. 18 is a graph that shows a maximum load at which the tubular element 4 buckles when pressed in its axis direction. In Example 1, the tubular element 4 made up of the paper core 26 and the liner 28 (without the bonding portion 36 of the liner 28) is used. In Example 2, the tubular element 4 made up of the paper core 26 and the liner 28 (with the bonding portion 36 of the liner 28) is used. In Comparative Example 1, the tubular element 4 made up of only the paper core 26 (single-ply paper web) is used. In Comparative Example 2, the tubular element 4 made up of only the paper core 26 (double-ply paper web) is used. The paper thickness of paper web used for the tubular element 4 of each of Examples and Comparative Examples ranges from 0.1 mm to 0.13 mm, and the basis weight ranges from 82 gsm to 100 gsm. The same applies to the following tests.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a testing machine with which the results of FIG. 18 are obtained. The testing machine includes a cylindrical columnar pusher 116. The diameter D2 of the pusher 116 is 15 mm that is greater than the diameter of the tubular element 4. In this test, with this testing machine, the pusher 116 is lowered in the arrow direction to push one end of the tubular element 4 upright in the axis direction X, and a maximum load at which the tubular element 4 buckles is measured at this time. Thus, the buckling strength of the overall tubular element 4 is measured. The lowering rate of the pusher 116 is 20 mm/min, and a lowering distance from one end of the tubular element 4 of the pusher 116 is 2 mm.

As shown in FIG. 18, the maximum load of Example 1 is about 68 N, and the maximum load of Example 2 is about 61 N. On the other hand, the maximum load of Comparative Example 1 is about 23 N, and the maximum load of Comparative Example 2 is about 38 N. As is apparent from the results of Example 1 and Example 2, the buckling strength of the tubular element 4 is slightly higher when the liner 28 is not bonded to the inner periphery 26a of the paper core 26. This is because, when the liner 28 is not bonded to the paper core 26, displacement of the liner 28 is allowed with respect to the paper core 26 when pressed, and the paper core 26 and the liner 28 individually generate reaction force against pressing force, with the result that a pressing force is dispersed.

As is apparent from the results of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, when the paper core 26 is made up of the double-ply paper web 27 in which the inner paper web 30 and the outer paper web 32 are placed on top of each other, the buckling strength of the tubular element 4 is enhanced to about 1.7 times. With the tubular element 4 having the liner 28 according to Example 1, as compared to the tubular element 4 made up of only the paper core 26 according to Comparative Example 1, the buckling strength of the tubular element 4 is enhanced to about three times. With the tubular element 4 having the liner 28 according to Example 1, as compared to the tubular element 4 made up of only the paper core 26 of the double-ply paper web 27 according to Comparative Example 2, the buckling strength of the tubular element 4 is enhanced to about 1.8 times.

There are concerns that the article 1 buckles in the tubular element 4 by insertion resistance at the time when the flavor element 2 is inserted into the heater 12 of the device. However, from the above-described results, it turned out that the buckling strength of the tubular element 4 is significantly enhanced by providing the liner 28 with a curved part in the tubular element 4. It also turned out that the buckling strength of the tubular element 4 is further enhanced by forming the paper core 26 from the double-ply paper web 27.

<Buckling Strength Test for Liner>

FIG. 20 is a graph that shows a maximum load at which the liner 28 buckles when pressed in its axis direction X. In Example 1, the tubular element 4 made up of the paper core 26 and the liner 28 with no bonding portion 36 is used. In Example 2, the tubular element 4 made up of the paper core 26 and the liner 28 having the bonding portion 36 is used. In Comparative Example 1, the tubular element 4 made up of the paper core 26 and the liner 28 having a non-curved strip shape is used. In Example 3, the tubular element 4 made up of the paper core 26 and the liner 28 made of a double-ply paper web is used.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a testing machine with which the results of FIG. 20 are obtained. The testing machine includes a cylindrical columnar pusher 116. The diameter D3 of the pusher 116 is 5 mm that is less than the diameter of the tubular element 4. In this test, with this testing machine, the pusher 116 is lowered in the arrow direction to push one end of the tubular element 4 upright in the axis direction X, and a maximum load (buckling strength) at which the tubular element 4 buckles is measured at this time. The lowering rate of the pusher 116 is 20 mm/min, and a lowering distance from one end of the tubular element 4 of the pusher 116 is 2 mm.

As shown in FIG. 20, the maximum load of Example 1 is about 4.6 N, the maximum load of Example 2 is about 4.9 N, and the maximum load of Example 3 is about 8.2 N. On the other hand, the maximum load of Comparative Example 1 is about 0.8 N. As is apparent from the results of Example 1 and Example 2, the buckling strength of the liner 28 is greater when the liner 28 is bonded to the inner periphery 26a of the paper core 26. This is because, when the liner 28 is bonded to the paper core 26, pressing force applied to the liner 28 is also distributed to the paper core 26.

As is apparent from Example 1, Example 2, and Comparative Example 1, when the liner 28 is formed in an S-shape, the buckling strength of the liner 28 is enhanced to about 5.7 times to about 6.1 times as compared to when the liner 28 is formed in a strip shape with no curved part. With the liner 28 made of the double-ply paper web 27 according to Example 3, as compared to the liner 28 made of the single-ply paper web according to Example 1, the buckling strength of the liner 28 is enhanced to about 1.8 times.

There are concerns that the article 1 buckles in the liner 28 of the tubular element 4 by insertion resistance at the time when the flavor element 2 is inserted into the heater 12 of the device. However, from the above-described results, it turned out that the buckling strength of the liner 28 is significantly enhanced by providing the liner 28 with a curved part in the tubular element 4. It turned out that, when the liner 28 has the bonding portion 36 and the liner 28 is further made from the double-ply paper web, the buckling strength of the liner 28 is further enhanced.

<Temperature Measurement Test for Article>

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a testing machine for a temperature measurement test for the article 1. The graph of FIG. 23 shows a time-series temperature change at measurement points P1, P2, and P3 in FIG. 22. The testing machine heats the peripheral surface of the flavor element 2 of the article 1 shown in FIG. 1 with the heater 118 and measures a temperature at the measurement point P1 located near the flavor element 2 in the tubular element 4, a temperature at the measurement point P2 located at the center of the tubular element 4 in the axis direction, and a temperature at the measurement point P3 located near the first filter element 6 in the tubular element 4.

As shown in FIG. 23, at time about 40 seconds after the start of the test, the temperature at the measurement point P1 is about 145° C., the temperature at the measurement point P2 is about 90° C., and the temperature at the measurement point P3 is about 50° C. At time about 180 seconds after the start of the test, the temperature at the measurement point P1 is about 145° C., the temperature at the measurement point P2 is about 65° C., and the temperature at the measurement point P3 is about 42° C. At time about 240 seconds after the start of the test, the temperature at the measurement point P1 is about 140° C., the temperature at the measurement point P2 is about 60° C., and the temperature at the measurement point P3 is about 40° C.

Since the measurement point P1 is closest to the heater 118, the temperature rapidly increases in the initial stage and is maintained at a high temperature over a long time as a whole as compared to the measurement points P2, P3. The temperature at each of the measurement points P1 to P3 exhibits hunting; however, hunting at the measurement point P1 is smoother than those at the measurement points P2, P3. From these results, it turned out that, when an additive is sorbed to the liner 28 of the tubular element 4, a sorption region of the additive is maintained at a relatively high temperature from an initial stage if the sorption region is formed at a location close to the heater 118 as much as position, that is, a location in the liner 28 adjacent to the flavor element 2 near the flavor element 2, and volatilization, by extension, aerosolization, of the additive can be continuously facilitated.

<Flavor Component Delivery Test>

FIG. 24 shows cross-sectional views of articles 1 respectively used in Comparative Examples and Examples of a flavor component delivery test. This test measures the amount of flavor component delivered from an end surface of the first filter element 6 or the second filter element 8 to outside each of the articles 1 according to different embodiments by inhaling (puffing) the end surface while heating the peripheral surface of the flavor element 2 of the article 1 with the heater 118.

The article 1 according to Comparative Example 1 is made up of the flavor element 2 (tobacco rod) containing a flavor component, the tubular element 4 made up of only the paper core 26, the first filter element 6, and the second filter element 8 to which a flavor component is sorbed. The article 1 according to Comparative Example 2 is made up of the flavor element 2 (tobacco rod), the tubular element 4 made up of only the paper core 26, the first filter element 6, and the second filter element 8 to which a flavor component is sorbed.

The article 1 according to Comparative Example 3 is made up of the flavor element 2 (tobacco rod), the tubular element 4 made up of only the paper core 26, and the first filter element 6 to which a flavor component is sorbed. The article 1 according to Example 1 is made up of the flavor element 2 (tobacco rod), the tubular element 4 made up of the paper core 26 and the liner 28 having a folded shape and to which a flavor component is sorbed, and the first filter element 6 to which a flavor component is sorbed. The article 1 according to Example 2 is made up of the flavor element 2 (tobacco rod), the tubular element 4 made up of the paper core 26 and the liner 28 having an S-shape and to which a flavor component is sorbed, and the first filter element 6 to which a flavor component is sorbed. Menthol is used as a flavor component to be sorbed.

The graph of FIG. 25 shows a delivery amount of flavor component in time series for each number of puffs in each article 1 of FIG. 24. The line graph located at the top of the graph shown in FIG. 25 represents the temperature of the heater 118, and the right-side ordinate axis of the graph indicates a temperature scale. The article 1 according to Example 2 delivers a largest amount of flavor component that is about 0.57 mg/stk at the first puff. “stk” that is a component of the unit means one stroke of inhalation operation of the article 1, that is, one puff.

The article 1 according to Example 2 delivers at least a flavor component of larger than or equal to 0.1 mg/stk over a period from the initial stage of puff to the terminal stage of puff. With the article 1 according to Example 1, the flavor component delivery amount at the first puff is slightly smaller than that of the article 1 according to Example 2; however, a change in flavor component delivery amount with an increase in the number of puffs is almost the same as that of the article 1 according to Example 2.

FIG. 26 is an image diagram of the tubular element 4 according to Example 2. In Example 2, as shown in the drawing, when a flavor component 120 is sorbed to a location in the liner 28 near the flavor element 2, heat of the heater 118 for heating the flavor element 2 is easily transferred to the flavor component 120. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 26, the flavor component 120 early volatilizes to be an aerosol 122, and a large amount of flavor component 120 can be supplied to a user in the initial puff stage.

In addition, since the liner 28 of Example 2 has a simple S-shape, wider space is ensured in the paper core 26, and air permeability of the paper core 26 increases as compared to the liner 28 having a folded shape according to Example 1. With an increase in the air permeability of the paper core 26, volatilization and aerosolization of the volatilized flavor component 120 are facilitated, so the flavor component delivery amount at the first puff is slightly larger in Example 2 than in Example 1.

FIG. 27 is an image diagram of the flavor element 2 according to Comparative Example 1. The flavor element 2 according to Comparative Example 1 is in a dense state where a tobacco raw material 124 filling a space around the flavor component 120 is present, so the air permeability in the flavor element 2 decreases. In Comparative Example 1, volatilization and aerosolization of the flavor component 120 delay in the initial stage of puff due to a decrease in air permeability, and the flavor component delivery amount at the first puff is about 0.35 mg/stk that is about 60% of Example 2.

However, in Comparative Example 1, with a lapse of time and an increase in the number of puffs, the flavor element 2 is heated by the heater 118 to gradually increase in temperature, and volatilization and aerosolization of the flavor component 120 in the flavor element 2 are gradually facilitated. In addition, due to the heated airflow, volatilization and aerosolization of the flavor component sorbed to the second filter element 8 are also facilitated. Therefore, a flavor component delivery amount at around the eighth puff to the eleventh puff is larger than those in the case of Example 1 and Example 2.

In Comparative Example 2 and Comparative Example 3, a flavor component is contained in only the first filter element 6 or the second filter element 8, spaced apart from the flavor element 2. For this reason, it takes time until airflow is heated by the heater 118. There is also an inconvenience that the flavor component is filtrated in the first filter element 6 or the second filter element 8. Therefore, in the case of Comparative Example 2 and Comparative Example 3, the amount of volatilization of the flavor component itself is small, and the delivery amount of flavor component remains small even with a lapse of time and an increase in the number of puffs.

From these results, a flavor component is preferably added and sorbed also to the liner 28 of the tubular element 4 adjacent to the flavor element 2 rather than a flavor component is added and sorbed to only the flavor element 2 that is a direct heating target of the heater 118. It is preferable to add and sorb a flavor component also to the liner 28 of the tubular element 4 adjacent to the flavor element 2 rather than adding and sorbing a flavor component to only the first filter element 6 or the second filter element 8, spaced apart from the flavor element 2. Thus, it is possible to further efficiently supply a larger amount of flavor component to a user.

As described above, the article 1 according to the embodiment includes the flavor element 2 to be heated without burning, and the tubular element 4 having an airflow path. The tubular element 4 includes the hollow paper core 26 having a cylindrical shape, and the paper liner 28 disposed in the paper core 26 over the paper core 26 in the axis direction X. The total sectional length of the liner 28 is greater than the inside diameter d of the paper core 26.

Thus, with the liner 28 having no filtration function, a flavor component volatilized in the flavor element 2 can be provided to a user with a minimum reduction. In addition, since the total sectional length of the liner 28 is greater than the inside diameter d of the paper core 26, a curved part is formed in the liner 28, so a large surface area of the liner 28 can be ensured. Therefore, it is possible to implement a cooling segment function with which a flavor component volatilized in the flavor element 2 is immediately cooled at the surface of the liner 28 and aerosolized.

When the tubular element 4 is disposed adjacent to the flavor element 2, it is possible to implement a support segment function with which dropping of the flavor raw material 10 filling the flavor element 2 is suppressed by the liner 28. In addition, an additive, specifically, a flavor component, activated carbon, an aerosol filler, and the like, can be sorbed to the liner 28. In this case, sorption of an additive to the liner 28 is easy, and it is possible to implement a flavor component delivery segment function with which the delivery of additive, for example, flavor component delivery, to a user is made controllable by changing the sorption region and sorption area of the additive in the liner 28.

The area of the liner 28, which can contact with the inner periphery 26a of the paper core 26, is bonded to the inner periphery 26a of the paper core 26 over the liner 28 in the axis direction X. Thus, the liner 28 is fixed to the paper core 26, so a drop of the liner 28 is suppressed, and the buckling strength of the tubular element 4 is enhanced, so the function of the tubular element 4 as a support segment is enhanced.

The paper thickness of the liner 28 ranges from 0.05 mm to 1 mm, and the basis weight of the liner 28 ranges from 80 gsm to 120 gsm. Thus, the buckling strength of the liner 28 is enhanced, so the function of the liner 28, by extension, the tubular element 4, as a support segment is enhanced. Alternatively, the paper thickness and the basis weight may be implemented by forming the liner 28 from a double-ply paper web.

The total sectional length of the liner 28 in the tube radial direction Y is greater than or equal to twice the inside diameter d of the paper core 26. Thus, the area of the liner 28 further increases, so the functions of the above-described cooling segment, support segment, and flavor component delivery segment can be further enhanced.

Since the cross section of the liner 28 in the tube radial direction Y has a continuous S-shape that is a simple shape, manufacturing of the liner 28 is easy. With a simple shape, the above-described various operation and advantageous effects can be obtained while making it possible to sufficiently use the airflow path in the paper core 26 as a space to volatilize and aerosolize a flavor component or the like.

The description of the embodiment has been described above; however, the above-described embodiment is not restrictive and may be modified into various forms without departing from the purport. For example, in the liner forming step, a method of applying frictional force to both ends of the strip paper web 92 is not limited to the above-described embodiment that uses the rotary tube 94.

The configuration of the article 1 and the position of the tubular element 4 in the article 1 are not limited to the above-described embodiments. However, as described above, the tubular element 4 is preferably disposed at a location adjacent to the flavor element 2 that is a heating target. The article 1 does not always include a filter element, and the flavor element 2 does not need to contain a tobacco raw material. The shape of the liner 28 is not limited to the S-shape or the illustrated shape as long as the above-described conditions are satisfied.

As is apparent from the results of <Buckling Strength Test for Tubular Element> and <Buckling Strength Test for Liner>, when the buckling strength of the tubular element 4 needs to be enhanced, the paper core 26 of the tubular element 4 may be made from the double-ply paper web 27, and the liner 28 may be formed from the double-ply paper web. In addition, as is apparent from the results of <Flavor Component Delivery Test>, an additive containing a flavor component, such as a flavoring agent, is preferably added and sorbed to the liner 28 of the tubular element 4 adjacent to the flavor element 2 that is a heating target. However, the tubular element 4 does not always need to be disposed adjacent to the flavor element 2 and just needs to be disposed at a relatively close location.

As is turned out from the results of <Temperature Measurement Test for Article>, to facilitate volatilization, by extension, aerosolization of an additive, a region for sorbing an additive to the liner 28 is preferably a location that is a heating target, close to the flavor element 2 as much as possible, and becomes a high temperature, that is, the flavor element 2 side or one end of the liner 28, which can contact with the flavor element 2. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. The sorption region and sorption area of the liner 28 for an additive can be variously changed according to the specifications of the article 1.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• • 1 flavor inhaling article
  • 2 flavor element
  • 4 tubular element
  • 26 paper core
  • 26a inner periphery
  • 28 liner
  • d inside diameter
  • X axis direction
  • Y tube radial direction

Claims

1. A flavor inhaling article comprising: a flavor element to be heated without burning; and a tubular element having an airflow path, wherein

the tubular element includes a hollow paper core having a cylindrical shape, and a paper liner disposed in the paper core over the paper core in an axis direction, and a total cross-sectional length of the liner in a tube radial direction of the paper core is greater than an inside diameter of the paper core.

2. The flavor inhaling article according to claim 1, wherein the tubular element is disposed adjacent to the flavor element.

3. The flavor inhaling article according to claim 1, wherein an additive is sorbed to the liner.

4. The flavor inhaling article according to claim 1, wherein an area of the liner, which can contact with an inner periphery of the paper core, is bonded to the inner periphery of the paper core over the liner in the axis direction.

5. The flavor inhaling article according to claim 1, wherein a paper thickness of the liner ranges from 0.05 mm to 1 mm.

6. The flavor inhaling article according to claim 1, wherein a basis weight of the liner ranges from 80 gsm to 120 gsm.

7. The flavor inhaling article according to claim 1, wherein a total cross-sectional length of the liner in the tube radial direction is greater than or equal to twice the inside diameter of the paper core.

8. The flavor inhaling article according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the liner in the tube radial direction has an S-shape.