JP6359117B2 - Tow band manufacturing method and tow band manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tow band manufacturing method and a tow band manufacturing apparatus.

  In this document, the terms “filament”, “yarn”, “tow band”, “filament denier”, “total denier”, and “clogging amount” are defined as follows.

  “Filament” refers to one fiber (single fiber) spun out of one spinning hole.

  “Yarn” refers to one fiber bundle (aggregate of single fibers) obtained by uniting a plurality of filaments spun in one spinning cylinder.

  The “tow band” refers to a bundle of many filaments obtained by uniting all the yarns equivalent to the spinning cylinder, that is, all the filaments spun by all the spinning machines.

  “Filament denier” is the fineness of a filament (single fiber) represented by mass (g) per unit length of 9000 m, and is hereinafter also referred to as “FD”. The FD of the toe band means the fineness of one filament constituting the toe band.

  “Total denier” is the fineness of the tow band expressed by mass (g) per unit length of 9000 m, and is hereinafter also referred to as “TD”.

  The “clogging amount” is the net weight of the tow band filled in one filter rod.

  As a material of a cigarette filter (also referred to as “plug” or “chip filter”), for example, a tow band using cellulose acetate fiber is used.

  “Wt%” in the description relating to the weight of acetone, water and volatile components contained in the plurality of filaments refers to the weight ratio of the plurality of filaments to the dry weight.

  When producing a tow band, as an example, cellulose acetate is dissolved in an organic solvent to prepare a spinning dope. A spinning dope is supplied to a spinning machine equipped with a plurality of spinning cylinders, and the spinning dope is discharged from a large number of spinning holes of a spinneret arranged in each spinning cylinder to spin a plurality of filaments. The tow band is obtained by collecting the plurality of filaments and crimping the plurality of filaments with a crimping machine. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a tow band and a manufacturing method thereof.

  When producing a cigarette filter, as an example, a tow band is opened and a plasticizer is added to form a cylindrical shape. The outer periphery of the tow band is wound with a wrapping paper and cut into a predetermined length to form a filter rod. The filter rod is further cut to a predetermined length to obtain a cigarette filter.

JP 7-316975 A JP 2007-78652 A JP 2006-144176 A

  By the way, if any of the plurality of filaments included in the tow band is damaged, a fine filament (also referred to as “fly”) made of short single fibers may be generated when the tow band is opened. is there. This filamentous body may absorb the plasticizer in the manufacturing process (winding process) of the cigarette filter. And it can mix in a filter rod as an impurity in the state which absorbed the plasticizer. In this case, the plasticizer contained in the filaments dissolves cellulose acetate filaments and generates melt holes called melt holes, which may lead to quality degradation.

  Therefore, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 3, a technique has been developed in which water is added to a filament to plasticize it, thereby reducing the burden on the filament during crimping and making the filament difficult to damage. However, the effect is not sufficient, and there is still room for improvement.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said subject, Comprising: It aims at reducing the malfunction by the filamentous body of a toe band.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a method for producing a tow band according to one aspect of the present invention includes a spinning step of spinning a plurality of filaments using a spinning solution containing acetone, and the plurality of strands spun in the spinning step. A roll feeding step in which the filament is brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the godet roll, the godet roll is driven to send it downstream in the conveying direction, and after the roll feeding step, water is attached to the plurality of filaments to crimp A hydrating step for adjusting the amount of water contained in the plurality of filaments when crimped by a machine, and a residual volatile component contained in the plurality of filaments after the roll feeding step and before the hydrating step. A spinning step comprising: a measuring step for measuring the amount; and a crimping step for crimping the plurality of filaments with the crimping machine after the hydrofitting step. In, on the basis of the measurement result of the measuring step, and adjusts the acetone content in the said plurality of filaments upon contact with the godet roll.

  In addition, a tow band manufacturing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a spinning machine that spins a plurality of filaments using a spinning solution containing acetone, and a peripheral surface of the plurality of filaments spun by the spinning machine. A godet roll driven to send the plurality of filaments to the downstream side in the conveying direction, a crimper for crimping the plurality of filaments, and the plurality of filaments fed by the godet roll Water is attached to the water adhering device for adjusting the water contained in the plurality of filaments when crimped by a crimping machine, and the water adhering device is supplied with water from the godet roll. A measuring device that measures a residual amount of volatile components contained in the plurality of filaments before being processed, and the spinning machine is based on a measurement result of the measuring device More acetone amount contained in the plurality of filaments at the time of contact with the godet roll is configured to be adjustable.

  According to each aspect of the present invention described above, the filament can be appropriately plasticized by adding an appropriate amount of acetone to the plurality of filaments in contact with the godet roll. Accordingly, when a plurality of filaments come into contact with the godet roll and are conveyed by the godet roll, even if an external force such as tension or friction force reaches the filament, the filament exhibits flexibility and is hardly damaged. Moreover, the filament can be plasticized with the acetone and an appropriate amount of water by adjusting the moisture content of the filament when contacting the crimper. Therefore, when a plurality of filaments are crimped by a crimping machine, the plurality of filaments are crimped while being prevented from being damaged. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of a filamentous body can be suppressed and a filament can be crimped appropriately, and a tow band can be obtained.

  Here, as a result of the inventors' investigation, the ratio of water and acetone contained in the plurality of filaments measured at the first position (for example, the position near the godet roll) in the filament conveyance direction is determined to be the second position ( For example, it is found that there is a correlation with the ratio of water and acetone contained in a plurality of filaments measured at a position downstream of the godet roll in the transport direction and upstream of the crimper in the transport direction). ing. Therefore, for example, by measuring the residual amount of volatile components contained in the plurality of filaments at the first position, water and acetone contained in the plurality of filaments are maintained at appropriate amounts at the second position. Can be inspected. Based on the measurement result of the residual amount of the volatile component, the operator can manage each amount of acetone and water contained in the plurality of filaments. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately crimp a plurality of filaments and to suppress the occurrence of filaments.

  As a result, problems due to the toe band filament can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the toe band manufacturing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a partially expanded view which shows the structure of the crimped toe band. It is a graph which shows each component ratio in the volatile component contained in a filament. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the volatile component contained in a filament, and the generation amount of the filamentous body which generate | occur | produces when opening the tow band using a filament. It is a figure which shows the structure of a filter rod manufacturing apparatus. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the mixing rate of the damaged filament in a tow band, and the generation amount of a filament. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the residual amount of the total volatile component contained in the several filament of a comparative example, and the generation amount of the filament at the time of filter rod manufacture. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the residual amount of the total volatile component contained in the several filament of an Example, and the generation amount of the filament at the time of filter rod manufacture.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment>
[Tow Band Manufacturing Equipment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the tow band manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a mixer 2, a filter 3, a spinning machine 4, a crimper 5, a dryer 6, a pair of transport rolls 7, a packing machine 8, A hydrogenation apparatus 13 and a measuring device 16 are provided.

  The mixer 2 has a container and a stirrer disposed in the container, and mixes the spinning dope containing the material of the filament F, the organic solvent, and the like charged in the container. The material of the filament F includes cellulose acetate. The organic solvent includes acetone. The mixer 2 is used for the purpose of adjusting the spinning dope. The filter 3 is used for the purpose of filtering the spinning dope prepared by the mixer 2 to remove impurities.

  The spinning machine 4 includes a plurality of spinning cylinders 11 arranged side by side, a spinneret 12 disposed in each spinning cylinder 11, and a metering pump (not shown). Each spinning cylinder 11 is a long cylindrical body that extends vertically. The spinneret 12 is provided at the upper end of the spinning cylinder 11. Each of the spinning cylinders 11 is provided with an air passage 11a communicating with each other. A blower 11b for supplying air to the inside of the spinning tube 11 and an air adjusting unit 11c for adjusting the temperature and humidity of the air supplied to the inside of the spinning tube 11 are arranged in the air passage 11a. . A predetermined number of plural spinning holes 12 a are formed in the spinneret 12. In the toe band manufacturing apparatus 1, the FD of the filament F is adjusted to a predetermined range by adjusting the peripheral shape and size of the spinning hole 12 a of the spinneret 12.

  When performing the spinning process of spinning filaments, for example, based on the dry spinning method, the spinning stock solution is sent to each spinneret 12 by a metering pump (not shown), and spinning is performed downward from the spinning hole 12a inside the spinning cylinder 11. Dispense the stock solution. At this time, using the blower 11b and the air adjusting unit 11c, the air adjusted to a predetermined temperature and humidity is supplied into the spinning cylinder 11 through the air passage 11a to cool the discharged spinning stock solution. And, a part of the volatile components contained in the spinning dope is volatilized and dried. Thereby, a plurality of filaments F are spun. Volatile components contained in the spinning dope include water and organic solvents including acetone. The volatilization amount of the volatile component can be adjusted by changing the drying condition of the filament F. For drying conditions of the filament F, for example, the temperature and humidity of the air fed into the spinning cylinder 11 are adjusted using the air adjusting unit 11c, and the supply amount of the air fed into the spinning cylinder 11 is adjusted using the blower 11b. It can be changed by adjusting.

  As shown in FIG. 1, it is not essential that the spinning cylinders 11 communicate with each other through the single air passage 11 a. For example, each of the spinning cylinders 11 may be provided with an air passage 11a that communicates with the air adjusting unit 11c.

  An oiling device 14, a godet roll 15, a guide member 9, and a converging means 10 are disposed on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the plurality of filaments F below each spinning cylinder 11. The oiling device 14 is used for the purpose of imparting slipperiness to the plurality of filaments F by attaching an oil emulsion containing a fiber oil agent and water to the plurality of filaments F. The godet roll 15 is also referred to as a feed roll, and is used for the purpose of forming a yarn Y by bringing a plurality of filaments F, to which the oil emulsion is adhered, into contact with the peripheral surface, and uniting them together. The united yarn Y (a plurality of filaments F) is conveyed downstream by driving the godet roll 15 in the roll feeding step. The united yarn Y (the plurality of filaments F) conveyed downstream by the godet roll 15 in this way is guided to the guide member 9 by being brought into contact with one or more guide members 9, and further downstream. It is conveyed to. The guide member 9 is a member that contacts the united yarn Y (a plurality of filaments F), and includes a guide pin as an example. In the present embodiment, one or more guide members 9 are arranged on the downstream side of the godet roll 15 in the conveying direction of the united yarn Y (a plurality of filaments F). The plurality of yarns Y conveyed from each of the godet rolls 15 are converged in a band shape by the converging means 10 and conveyed to the crimper 5 side.

  As an example, the measuring device 16 includes a near-infrared spectrophotometer (NIRS), and includes a measuring unit 16a that measures near-infrared rays and a display unit 16b that displays measurement results. In the toe band manufacturing apparatus 1, the measuring device 16 is arranged between the godet roll 15 and the water adhering apparatus 13 in the conveying direction of the yarn Y (multiple filaments F), more specifically, the converging means 10 and the water adhering apparatus 13. And used for the purpose of measuring the residual amount of volatile components contained in the yarn Y (multiple filaments F). The measuring unit 16a is a volatile component (water, acetone, a component of fiber oil, etc.) contained in the yarn Y (multiple filaments F) that is unloaded from the focusing means 10 and conveyed to the crimper 5. It is arranged so that the residual amount of (including) can be measured. As an example, the measuring device 16 measures the residual amount of the volatile component contained in the plurality of filaments F as a total amount obtained by summing the residual amount for each component. The display unit 16b displays the measurement result by the measurement unit 16a as a measurement value or a graph created by arranging a plurality of measurement values.

  The water soaking device 13 is a device that attaches a predetermined amount of water to a yarn Y from a hollow nozzle (not shown) having a slit-shaped opening, and a blower or head tank (not shown) is connected to the nozzle via a pipe. Water is supplied to the nozzle by the pressure of the blower or the head pressure of the head tank. Pure water is suitable as the water to be introduced. In the toe band manufacturing apparatus 1, the water soaking apparatus 13 is disposed between the measuring device 16 and the crimper 5 in the yarn Y conveying direction.

  The crimper 5 is a stuffing box type, and includes a pair of rolls 5a and 5b, a pair of plate-like members 5c and 5d, and an urging member 5e. In FIG. 1, the crimper 5 conveys the yarn Y (filament F) from the left side to the right side. The rolls 5a and 5b are drive rolls having the same configuration as an example, and are also referred to as nip rolls or push rolls. The rolls 5a and 5b are axially supported such that their axial axes are arranged in parallel and the circumferential surfaces of the rolls 5a and 5b are opposed to each other. Nip points A1 and A2 are formed at contact portions of the peripheral surfaces of the rolls 5a and 5b. The pair of plate-like members 5c and 5d has their respective plate surfaces facing in the vertical direction on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the yarn Y, and each end portion 5c1 and 5d1 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the yarn Y. It arrange | positions so that it may adjoin to roll 5a, 5b. The pair of plate-like members 5c and 5d is combined with a pair of side wall members (not shown) extending in the vertical direction to constitute a crimper box 5f. The urging member 5e is urged so as to press the plurality of yarns Y toward the plate surface of the plate-like member 5d. As an example, the urging member 5e is configured as a plate-like body, and is connected to the plate-like member 5c at an end portion 5e1 located on the upstream side in the yarn Y conveyance direction. As a result, the urging member 5e swings up and down with the connecting portion with the plate member 5c as the swing center P. In the urging member 5e, the outlet side end portion 5e2 located on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the yarn Y presses the plate surface of the plate-like member 5d by applying a pressing force of a diaphragm valve (not shown) by air supply. Is biased in the direction. Therefore, the urging member 5e is arranged so that a predetermined crimp pressure is applied to the plurality of yarns Y in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the yarn Y and the axial direction of the pair of rolls 5a and 5b. .

  When performing the crimping process, a plurality of yarns Y to be conveyed are passed between the pair of rolls 5a and 5b, and a predetermined nip pressure is applied to the plurality of yarns Y at the nip points A1 and A2. A plurality of yarns Y are extruded from the rolls 5a and 5b. Thereby, a fine crimp is applied to the plurality of yarns Y. The plurality of yarns Y are conveyed downstream in the crimper box 5f by driving the rolls 5a and 5b. At this time, since the urging member 5e applies a crimping pressure to the plurality of yarns Y, the plurality of yarns Y slightly stay in the crimper box 5f. During the stay, the plurality of yarns Y are further crimped by being folded while meandering in a waveform toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction inside the crimper box 5f. When the plurality of yarns Y are carried out of the crimper box 5f, the plurality of yarns Y are further crimped by the crimp pressure applied from the urging member 5e. Thus, in the crimping machine 5, a plurality of yarns Y are crimped in stages. Thereby, a toe band TB0 is formed.

  FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing the configuration of the crimped toe band TB0. As shown in FIG. 2, the toe band TB is crimped so that peak portions TBa and valley portions TBb are alternately formed in the yarn Y conveyance direction. As an example, the crimper 5 is set so that the number of crimps of a plurality of yarns Y is 30 or more and 35 or less per 25 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tow band TB0 carried out from the crimper 5 is subjected to a drying process by a dryer 6, whereby residual solvent and water are removed to some extent. Thereby, the tow band TB is obtained.

  The dried tow band TB is transported between a pair of transport rolls 7, folded into a bale by the packing machine 8, and compressed and packed. The toe band TB is used for manufacturing a filter rod using a filter rod manufacturing apparatus 20 described later.

  Here, in the tow band manufacturing apparatus 1, the amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments F when contacting the godet roll 15 is 2 wt% or more and 17 wt% or less, with the target value being set inside the spinning cylinder 11. Filament F drying conditions are set. As an example, the drying condition includes an operation of adjusting any one of the spinning speed, the air supply amount from the outside to the inside of the spinning cylinder 11, and the internal temperature of the spinning cylinder 11. Furthermore, in the tow band manufacturing apparatus 1, when the plurality of filaments F are first crimped by the crimper 5, the amount of water contained in the plurality of filaments F is 20 wt% or more and 50 wt% or less. As a target value, the amount of moisture to be attached to the plurality of filaments F in the water soaking apparatus 13 is set. As an example, the amount of moisture is determined by the number of rotations of the blower when water is supplied to the nozzle of the water soaking apparatus 13 by the pressure of the blower, or the water pressure by the head pressure of the head tank to the nozzle. The operation of adjusting one of the flow control valves for adjusting the flow rate when supplying the gas.

  In this embodiment, when the filament F contacts the peripheral surface of the godet roll 15, the filament F is plasticized by containing an appropriate amount of acetone. Accordingly, when the filament F is conveyed in contact with the godet roll 15 and the guide member 9 in order, even if an external force such as tension or friction force is applied to the filament F, the filament F exhibits flexibility and is not easily damaged.

  Further, when the crimping machine 5 is first crimped, the plurality of filaments F in the plurality of yarns are plasticized by containing appropriate amounts of water and acetone. Therefore, when crimping a plurality of filaments F with the crimper 5, when external forces such as nip pressure and crimp pressure reach the filament F, or when folding a plurality of yarns Y inside the crimper box 5f, Even when the frictional force or the like from the inner wall of the crimper box 5f reaches the filament F, the plurality of filaments F exhibit flexibility and are not easily damaged. Thereby, when crimping several filament F with the crimper 5, it can crimp appropriately, preventing damage.

  Due to recent changes in cigarette preferences, so-called “slim type”, “super slim type”, “ultra super slim type”, etc., cigarettes having a diameter smaller than that of general cigarettes are commercially available. As a tow band TB for producing these thin cigarette filters, a tow band TB having a small TD and a large FD (for example, TD is 10,000 to 22000 and FD is 6 to 10). When manufacturing, it may be difficult to crimp a plurality of filaments F. Even in such a case, according to the present embodiment, the filament F is plasticized by containing an appropriate amount of water and acetone (hereinafter, these two are referred to as “plasticizer”). Is less susceptible to damage and can be crimped well. Thereby, the tow band TB which crimped the several filament F appropriately and suppressed generation | occurrence | production of a filamentous body can be obtained.

  Here, the volatile components contained in the plurality of filaments F are caused by the drying condition of the plurality of filaments F, or the contact of the plurality of filaments F with any of the godet roll 15, the guide member 9, and the focusing means 10. May be deprived and reduced.

  FIG. 3 is a graph showing the ratio of each component in the volatile components contained in the filament. FIG. 3 shows three different patterns of measurement results C1, C2, and C3 that can be considered as measurement results by the measuring instrument 16. In each of the measurement results C1, C2, and C3, each component ratio of water, acetone, and the fats and oils in the fiber oil agent of the oil emulsion in the volatile components contained in the plurality of filaments F is shown.

  Depending on the state of the plurality of filaments F, the residual amount of volatile components contained in the plurality of filaments F is the measurement value N1 of the measurement result C1, the measurement value N2 of the measurement result C2, and the measurement value N3 of the measurement result C3. Like, it fluctuates to a different value. Here, according to the study by the inventors, in a normal production line for tow bands, at least the ratio of each component of water and acetone in the residual amount of each volatile component is substantially constant, and in the conveying direction of the filament F, the first Each ratio of water and acetone contained in the plurality of filaments F measured at the position is correlated with the ratio measured at the second position. Further, in order to effectively reduce the generation amount of the filamentous body, the amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments F in contact with the godet roll 15 is kept at 2% by weight or more as at least the minimum reference amount. It is known from experiments conducted by the inventors.

  In the first embodiment, based on these findings, when manufacturing the tow band TB, a measurement process for measuring the residual amount of volatile components contained in the plurality of filaments F is performed after the roll feeding process and before the water soaking process. . Thereby, the operator determines whether the amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments F when contacting the godet roll 15 is maintained at 2% by weight or more of the minimum reference amount and 17% by weight or less of the maximum reference amount. inspect.

  Specifically, for example, for the volatile component contained in the plurality of filaments F in contact with the godet roll 15, the operator determines the ratio of each component of water and acetone in the total volatile component, such as a gas chromatography device. It grasps beforehand using a means. Thereafter, the operator measures the residual amount of the volatile component contained in the yarn Y (a plurality of filaments F) carried out from the converging means 10 and transported to the water soaking apparatus 13 side by the measuring device 16. The measurement result of the residual amount of the volatile component is displayed on the display unit 16b. Even if the measuring device 16 does not measure the amount of acetone itself in the residual amount of the volatile component, the operator confirms the residual amount of the volatile component displayed on the display unit 16b, The amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments F can be calculated by performing a simple calculation based on the component ratio of acetone obtained using the means. As described above, the operator adjusts the drying condition of the spinning solution by supplying air to the spinning cylinder 11 based on the measurement result of the measuring device 16, so that the amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments F is adjusted. Can be adjusted. Specifically, in the spinning machine 4, the amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments F when contacting the godet roll 15 can be adjusted by the operator adjusting either the blower 11b or the air adjusting unit 11c. Therefore, the operator can manage the amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments F.

  In addition, the operator confirms the residual amount of the volatile component displayed on the display unit 16b, and in the same manner as the above-described calculation of the acetone amount, the operator uses the water component ratio previously obtained by means such as a gas chromatography device. The amount of moisture contained in the plurality of filaments F can be calculated by performing a simple calculation based on this. In this way, the operator adjusts the amount of water contained in the plurality of filaments F by readjusting the oiling device 14 or the hydrogenation device 13 as necessary based on the measurement result of the measuring device 16. Is possible. Therefore, the operator can manage the amount of water contained in the plurality of filaments F.

[Relationship between residual amount of volatile components and generation amount of filamentous material]
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the volatile component contained in the filament and the amount of filamentous material generated when a tow band formed using the filament is opened. Specifically, the graph shows a residual amount of volatile components contained in the plurality of filaments F when the plurality of filaments F come into contact with the godet roll 15 (hereinafter, “remaining volatile components” And the amount of filamentous material generated when the tow band TB comprising a plurality of filaments F is opened is shown. The residual amount of volatile components is shown as a measured value measured by the measuring device 16. The environmental conditions for measuring the residual amount of volatile components with the measuring device 16 were set to the environmental conditions (room temperature 25 ° C.) of a normal tow band production line. The moisture content contained in the plurality of filaments F when the plurality of filaments F were first crimped by the crimper 5 was adjusted to be 20 wt% or more and 50 wt% or less.

  As shown in the graph of FIG. 4, when the residual amount of volatile components is small, the amount of filamentous material generated is large. As the residual amount of volatile components increases, the amount of filaments generated decreases rapidly. When the residual amount of volatile components reaches the measured value N5, the amount of filaments generated becomes the minimum value F2. In the range of the confirmation test conducted by the inventors, it has been found that even if the residual amount of the volatile component exceeds the measured value N5 to some extent, the generation amount of the filament remains in the vicinity of the minimum value F2. F1 in FIG. 4 is the generation amount of the filamentous material when the residual amount of the volatile component is the measured value N4. As an example, the upper limit of the allowable range of the filamentous material generation amount when the tow band is actually produced is shown. .

  Another confirmation test conducted by the inventors is that when the residual amount of the volatile component is larger than the measured value N6 slightly exceeding the measured value N5, it becomes difficult to crimp the plurality of filaments F in the crimper 5. I understood. As one of the reasons, it is considered that when the residual amount of the volatile component increases, the amount of the plasticizer in the volatile component increases and the filament F is excessively plasticized. Such excessive plasticization of the filament F may make it difficult to apply appropriate tension to the plurality of filaments F when the filament F is crimped or when the tow band TB is opened.

  One of the reasons why fluctuations in the residual amount of volatile components affect the amount of filaments generated and the crimp of filament F is due to the appearance of acetone, an effective plasticizer for filament F. Can be considered. Since the component ratio of acetone in the residual amount of volatile components is almost constant as described above, suppose that the component ratio of acetone when the residual amount of volatile components is N4 is X1% by weight, and the residual amount of volatile components Assuming that the component ratio of acetone when N is N6 is X2% by weight, the component ratio of acetone when the filament F is in contact with the godet roll 15 is set in the range of X1% by weight to X2% by weight. It is considered that the generated amount can be suppressed within an allowable range of F1 or less, and a plurality of filaments F can be crimped well. According to another confirmation test conducted by the inventors, when the spinning solution temperature at the time of spinning was set to 120 ° C. or more and 150 ° C. or less as the production conditions for normal tow bands, X1 was 2% by weight and X2 was 17% by weight. %Met. Therefore, it can be said that the component ratio of acetone when the filament F is in contact with the godet roll 15 is preferably in the range of 2 wt% to 17 wt%, for example.

  Next, manufacture of the filter rod using the tow band TB will be described with reference to the configuration of the filter rod manufacturing apparatus.

[Filter rod manufacturing equipment]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the filter rod manufacturing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 5, the filter rod manufacturing apparatus 20 includes a first fiber opening jet device 21, a second fiber opening jet device 22, a pretension roll 23, a first fiber opening roll 24, and a second fiber opening. A roll 25, a third fiber opening jet device 26, a spray booth 27, a feed roll 28, a transport jet device 29, a funnel 30, a cylindrical body 32, and a rotating blade 33 are provided.

  When manufacturing the filter rod, first, the bale-like tow band TB is unwound from the packing box B, and the tow band TB is passed through the first opening jet device 21 and the second opening jet device 22 in this order. Open TB. As a result, the plurality of filaments F in the toe band TB are spread thinly, and the width of the toe band TB is adjusted. Next, the tow band TB is passed between the pair of rolls 23 a and 23 b in the pretension roll 23. At this time, with the pretension roll 23, a constant tension is applied to the toe band TB, and between the pair of rolls 24a, 24b in the first opening roll 24 and a pair of rolls 25a in the second opening roll 25, The tow band TB is sequentially passed between 25b. At this time, by changing the rotation speeds of the first spread roll 24 and the second spread roll 25, the tow band TB is further opened and the width of the tow band TB is adjusted by the difference in the rotation speed. Furthermore, the width of the toe band TB is adjusted by opening the toe band TB when passing through the third spread jet device 26.

  Thus, a plasticizer such as triacetin is attached to the tow band TB that has been sufficiently opened in a plurality of stages by spraying at the spray booth 27. Thereafter, the tow band TB is transported between the feed rolls 28, and inside the cylindrical transport jet device 29, the tow band TB is compressed into a cylindrical shape with a predetermined filling amount and molded. Next, the formed columnar tow band TB is fed into the conical funnel 30 and the wrapping paper 31 is wound around the outer periphery of the columnar tow band TB. Subsequently, the wrapping paper 31 is attached to the toe band TB with an adhesive inside the cylinder 32. A plurality of filter rods FR are manufactured by cutting the tow band TB and the wrapping paper 31 into a predetermined length (for example, a length of about 100 mm or more and 120 mm or less) by the rotating blade 33. The obtained filter rod FR is further cut into a predetermined length and used as a cigarette filter.

  This cigarette filter is configured by compressing a predetermined amount of the tow band TB into a cylindrical shape, but since the tow band TB is crimped well by the crimping machine 5, there is a variation in ventilation resistance (PD) and ventilation resistance. Both (PDCv) are suppressed. Therefore, if the cigarette filter is used, a cigarette that is easy to suck can be manufactured with stable quality.

  When the tow band TB having the damaged filament F is opened, a filamentous body is easily generated. When this filamentous material is mixed with the cigarette filter in a state of absorbing the plasticizer, the plasticizer dissolves the filament F, and there is a possibility that a melting hole called a melt hole is generated and the quality is deteriorated. In this embodiment, since the generation of the filamentous body is suppressed, the amount of the filamentous body mixed into the cigarette filter is small, and the possibility of generating melt holes is low. Therefore, a high quality cigarette can be manufactured.

<Confirmation test>
[Test 1]
Based on the crimping process of the above embodiment, a tow band was produced using a plurality of filaments made of cellulose acetate fibers. Of the plurality of filaments contained in the tow band, a predetermined amount of filaments were damaged to such an extent that they were not cut. At this time, samples of a plurality of tow bands were produced by changing the amount of damaged filaments contained in the tow band.

  Using a plurality of tow band samples, filter rods were produced based on the filter rod manufacturing process described in the above embodiment. At this time, the filter rod manufacturing apparatus was continuously operated for 15 minutes, and the generation amount (mg / 15 min) of the filaments generated in the filter rod manufacturing apparatus during the operation time was confirmed. FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the mixing rate of damaged filaments contained in the tow band and the amount of filaments generated.

  As shown in FIG. 6, it was found that when the mixing rate of damaged filaments was high, the amount of filamentous material increased when a filter rod was produced using a tow band. When the mixing rate of damaged filaments contained in the tow band is high, the amount of the filamentous body is increased, which increases the possibility that the filamentous body that has absorbed the plasticizer is mixed into the filter rod and a melt hole is generated.

  Accordingly, when the tow band TB is manufactured as in the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a filament by adding a plasticizer to the plurality of filaments F at a predetermined timing and plasticizing the plurality of filaments F. It is considered to be particularly effective for the purpose of effectively preventing the occurrence of melt holes caused by the filaments and obtaining a high-quality cigarette.

[Test 2]
Next, in the tow band manufacturing apparatus, the amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments when contacting the godet roll was set to be 2 wt% or more and 17 wt% or less. Then, the difference in the amount of filaments generated in the example in which a predetermined amount of water was applied to the filament F immediately before contacting the crimper and the comparative example in which no water was applied was examined.

  The tow band manufacturing apparatus 1 was used as the tow band manufacturing apparatus of the example. In the hydrogenation apparatus 13, when the plurality of filaments are first crimped by the crimper 5, the water application apparatus is such that the amount of water contained in the plurality of filaments is 20 wt% or more and 50 wt% or less. 13 and oiling device 14 were set. Further, based on the measurement result of the measuring instrument 16, the residual amount of volatile components contained in the plurality of filaments when contacting the godet roll 15 is about 17 wt% or more and about 33 wt% or less. The amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments at the time of contact was set to be 2% by weight to 17% by weight. Thereby, a plurality of samples of the tow band of the example were obtained. Using each sample of the tow band of the example, the filter rod manufacturing apparatus 20 was continuously operated for 15 minutes to manufacture a filter rod. Each time a filter rod was manufactured, the amount of filamentous material (mg / 15 min) generated during operation of the filter rod manufacturing apparatus 20 was measured.

  As the tow band manufacturing apparatus of the comparative example, the one having a configuration in which the water soaking apparatus 13 is removed from the tow band manufacturing apparatus 1 was used. Similarly to the example, based on the measurement result of the measuring device 16, the amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments when contacting the godet roll 15 was set to be 2 wt% or more and 17 wt% or less. The adjustment of the amount of moisture contained in the plurality of filaments when the plurality of filaments were first crimped by the crimper 5 was not particularly performed. Thereby, a plurality of samples of the tow band of the comparative example were obtained. Each time a filter rod was manufactured using each sample of the tow band of the comparative example, the amount of filamentous material (mg / 15 min) generated during operation of the filter rod manufacturing apparatus 20 was measured in the same manner as in the example.

  FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the residual amount of the total volatile components contained in the plurality of filaments of the comparative example and the amount of filaments generated during the production of the filter rod. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the residual amount of the total volatile components contained in the plurality of filaments of the example and the amount of filaments generated during the production of the filter rod. The vertical axes of the graphs shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 have the same scale. Moreover, the “average value” shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 indicates the average value of the amount of filamentous material generated in a plurality of samples of Examples or Comparative Examples.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in any of the examples and comparative examples, the amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments when contacting the godet roll is set to 2% by weight or more and 17% by weight or less to form a filamentous shape. The generation amount of the body is suppressed to some extent. However, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, in the comparative example, when the residual amount of the volatile component is around 20% by weight, the amount of the filamentous body generated is relatively large. In addition, it was found that the variation in the amount of generation of the filamentous body of the comparative example was larger than the variation of the amount of generation of the filamentous body of the example. The amount of filamentous material generated in each sample of the example is less variable than the amount of filamentous material generated in each sample of the comparative example, and the average value of the amount of filamentous material generated in the example is the same as that of the comparative example. The result of being suppressed from the average value of the amount of filaments generated was obtained.

  In the tow band manufacturing apparatuses of the comparative example and the example, the oil emulsion is attached to a plurality of filaments by the oiling apparatus. However, from the results shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in order to suppress the occurrence of the filamentous body, when a plurality of filaments are first crimped by a crimping machine, a predetermined amount of water is used by using a water impregnation device or the like. It is considered that it is effective to adjust so as to be included in the plurality of filaments. Therefore, as in the embodiment, water is attached to the plurality of filaments so that the amount of water when the plurality of filaments are first crimped by the crimping machine is 20 wt% or more and 50 wt% or less. It is considered that the amount of filamentous material generated can be effectively suppressed by performing the hydrogenation step.

  As described above, according to each aspect of the present invention, there is an excellent effect capable of reducing the problems caused by the tow band filaments. Therefore, the present invention is beneficial when widely applied as a tow band manufacturing method and a tow band manufacturing apparatus capable of exhibiting the significance of this effect.

F Filament FD Filament Denier TB Tow Band TD Total Denier 1 Tow Band Manufacturing Equipment 4 Spinning Machine 5 Crimping Machine 5a, 5b Roll (Nip Roll or Push Roll)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Guide member 11 Spinning cylinder 11b Blower 11c Air control part 13 Hydrogenation apparatus 15 Godet roll (feed roll)
16 Measuring instrument

Claims (12)

A spinning step of spinning a plurality of filaments using a spinning solution containing acetone;
A roll feeding step of bringing the plurality of filaments spun in the spinning step into contact with a peripheral surface of a godet roll, and driving the godet roll to send it downstream in the conveying direction;
After the roll feeding step, water is attached to the plurality of filaments to adjust the amount of water contained in the plurality of filaments when crimped by a crimping machine;
A measuring step for measuring a residual amount of volatile components contained in the plurality of filaments after the roll feeding step and before the water soaking step;
A crimping step of crimping the plurality of filaments with the crimping machine after the hydrogenation step;
In the spinning step, a method for producing a tow band, wherein the amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments when contacting the godet roll is adjusted based on the measurement result of the measurement step.   In the spinning step, the amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments when contacting the godet roll is 2 wt% or more and 17 wt% or less of the weight ratio with respect to the dry weight of the plurality of filaments, The method for producing a tow band according to claim 1, wherein the amount of acetone is adjusted.   In the hydrogenation step, the water content is adjusted to 20 wt% or more and 50 wt% or less of a weight ratio with respect to a dry weight of the plurality of filaments based on a measurement result of the measurement step. A method for producing the tow band as described.   The tow band according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein after the roll feeding step and before the measuring step, the plurality of filaments are brought into contact with one or more guide members and guided downstream in the conveying direction. Manufacturing method.   In the spinning step, by supplying air to the inside of the spinning cylinder, a part of the spinning solution is dried to spin the plurality of filaments, and the drying condition of the spinning solution by adjusting the air supply is adjusted. The method for producing a tow band according to claim 1, wherein the amount of acetone is adjusted.   The tow band according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the toe band has a total denier of 10,000 or more and 22,000 or less and a filament denier of 6 or more and 15 or less. A spinning machine for spinning a plurality of filaments using a spinning solution containing acetone;
A godet roll driven to bring the plurality of filaments spun by the spinning machine into contact with a peripheral surface and to send the plurality of filaments to the downstream side in the conveying direction;
A crimping machine for crimping the plurality of filaments;
A water impregnation device that adjusts the amount of water contained in the plurality of filaments when crimped by a crimping machine by attaching water to the plurality of filaments sent by the godet roll;
A measuring device that is sent from the godet roll and measures the residual amount of volatile components contained in the plurality of filaments before water is attached to the water soaking apparatus,
The tow band manufacturing apparatus, wherein the spinning machine is configured such that the amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments when contacting the godet roll can be adjusted based on a measurement result of the measuring instrument.   The amount of acetone contained in the plurality of filaments in contact with the godet roll is adjusted to 2 wt% or more and 17 wt% or less of a weight ratio with respect to a dry weight of the plurality of filaments. Tow band manufacturing equipment.   The amount of water contained in the plurality of filaments when crimped by the crimper is adjusted to 20% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less of a weight ratio with respect to a dry weight of the plurality of filaments. The tow band manufacturing apparatus according to 7 or 8.   One or more guide members arranged to guide the plurality of filaments downstream in the transport direction between the godet roll and the measuring device in the transport direction of the plurality of filaments, The tow band manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9.   The spinning machine includes a spinning cylinder, and a part of the spinning solution is dried by air supplied to the inside of the spinning cylinder to spin the plurality of filaments, and the spinning solution is supplied by the air. The tow band manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the amount of acetone can be adjusted by adjusting drying conditions. The spinning machine has a blower for supplying air into the spinning cylinder, and an air adjusting unit for adjusting either the temperature or humidity of the air,
The tow band manufacturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the amount of acetone can be adjusted by adjusting any of the blower and the air adjusting unit.

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