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

Abstract

This filler element is used in a flavor inhaler, and comprises: a folded part in which one sheet 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; and wrapping paper that is wrapped on the folded part. A section of the folded part in the circumferential direction thereof has an opening that is open along the axial direction X of the folded part, and an additive is placed on the interior of the folded part via the opening.

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 the folded part has an opening open in an axial direction of the folded part at part in a circumferential direction of the folded part, and   an additive is placed inside the folded part through the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The filler element according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the folded part has a linear recess having a U-shaped section, the linear recess being continuous with the opening and recessed to a center of the folded part in a radial direction, and   the additive is placed in an axial direction of the linear recess.   
     
     
         3 . The filler element according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the additive is an addition agent including a liquid subjected to sorption to the linear recess.   
     
     
         4 . The filler element according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the additive is a thread placed in the linear recess, and   the thread is impregnated with an addition agent including a liquid.   
     
     
         5 . 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, in a process of folding the sheet, the folding section forms an opening open in an axial direction of the folded rod at part in a circumferential direction of the folded rod, and   wherein the folding section further includes an additive supplying unit configured to supply an additive into the folded rod through the opening.   
     
     
         6 . The filler element manufacturing device according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein, in the process of folding the sheet, the folding section forms a linear recess having a U-shaped section, the linear recess being continuous with the opening and recessed to a center of the folded rod in a radial direction, and   the additive supplying unit supplies the additive in an axial direction of the linear recess through the opening.   
     
     
         7 . The filler element manufacturing device according to  claim 6 ,
 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 the 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.   
     
     
         8 . The filler element manufacturing device according to  claim 7 ,
 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 having the opening and the linear recess.   
     
     
         9 . 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 folding, an opening open in an axial direction of the folded rod is formed at part in a circumferential direction of the folded rod in a process of folding the sheet, and   wherein, also in the folding, additive supplying processing is performed to supply an additive into the folded rod through the opening.   
     
     
         10 . The filler element manufacturing method according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein, in the folding, a linear recess having a U-shaped section is formed in the process of folding the sheet, the linear recess being continuous with the opening and recessed to a center of the folded rod in a radial direction, and   wherein, in the additive supplying processing, the additive is supplied in the axial direction of the linear recess through the opening.