Filler element, filler element manufacturing method, and filler element manufacturing device

Abstract

This filler element 6 is used in a flavor inhaler 1 , and comprises: a folded part 36 in which one sheet 34 composed of a nonwoven fabric has been folded in the width direction Z intersecting the longitudinal direction X thereof, and the diameter thereof has been reduced to a size not greater than the diameter of the filler element 6 ; and wrapping paper 18 that is wrapped on the folded part 36 . The sheet 34 is subjected to a drawing process in the longitudinal direction X.

1 . A filler element used in a flavor inhaler, the filler element comprising:
 a folded part formed by folding a single sheet formed of a nonwoven fabric in a width direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the sheet such that the folded part has a diameter reduced to a value smaller than or equal to a diameter of the filler element; and   wrapping paper wrapped around the folded part,   wherein a drawing process is performed on the sheet in the longitudinal direction.   
     
     
         2 . A filler element manufacturing device, a filler element used in a flavor inhaler, the device comprising:
 a sheet processing section configured to process a single sheet formed of a nonwoven fabric while transporting the sheet through a transport path;   a folding section configured to fold, in a transport process of the sheet through the transport path, the sheet in a width direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the sheet, the sheet having been processed in the sheet processing section, thereby to form a folded rod such that the folded rod has a diameter reduced to a value smaller than or equal to a diameter of the filler element;   a wrapping section configured to wrap, with wrapping paper, the folded rod having been formed in the folding section, thereby to form a filler rod; and   a cutting section configured to cut, into the filler element, the filler rod having been formed in the wrapping section,   wherein the sheet processing section includes   a plurality of roller sets, the roller sets each including a pair of rollers and each configured to pinch and transport the sheet through the transport path with the pair of rollers, and   a control unit configured to perform a drawing process in which the sheet is drawn in the longitudinal direction by adjusting a difference in transport speed of the sheet between the roller sets.   
     
     
         3 . The filler element manufacturing device according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the folding section includes a preliminary folding guide configured to curve the sheet in a thickness direction of the sheet in the transport process of the sheet through the transport path,   a cylindrical transport jet configured to form the folded rod by folding, a predetermined number of times in the width direction, the curved sheet having passed through the preliminary folding guide while pulling the sheet by using air with a wind pressure,   a cylindrical trumpet guide to which the folded rod having passed through the transport jet is released together with the air with the wind pressure and which is configured to loosen and open a fabric of the folded rod by using dissipation of the air due to the release, and   a cylindrical tongue configured to reduce a diameter of the folded rod having passed through the trumpet guide to the value smaller than or equal to the diameter of the filler element.   
     
     
         4 . The filler element manufacturing device according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the transport jet includes a baffle plate that stands erect on an inner circumferential surface of the transport jet toward a center of the transport jet in a radial direction, and the trumpet guide includes a baffle plate that stands erect on an inner circumferential surface of the trumpet guide toward a center of the trumpet guide in a radial direction, and   wherein the curved sheet passing through the transport jet and the trumpet guide is folded due to reception of the air with the wind pressure with the baffle plate of the transport jet and the baffle plate of the trumpet guide interposed between portions of the sheet, thereby being formed into the folded rod.   
     
     
         5 . A filler element manufacturing method, a filler element used in a flavor inhaler, the method comprising the steps of:
 processing a single sheet formed of a nonwoven fabric while transporting the sheet;   folding, in a transport process of the sheet, the sheet in a width direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the sheet, the sheet having been processed in the processing of the sheet, thereby to form a folded rod such that the folded rod has a diameter reduced to a value smaller than or equal to a diameter of the filler element;   wrapping, with wrapping paper, the folded rod having been formed in the folding, thereby to form a filler rod; and   cutting, into the filler element, the filler rod having been formed in the wrapping,   wherein, in the processing of the sheet, drawing processing in which the sheet is drawn in the longitudinal direction is performed in the transport process of the sheet.