Tube filter production device and tube filter production method

A tube filter production method for producing a smoking article tube filter, the tube filter production method comprising:

• guiding at least one filter tow to be formed into a shape of a tubular rod by using a tube filter exterior forming case that defines an outer shape of the tubular rod and a tube filter forming bar that defines a hollow inside the tubular rod;
• spraying steam onto the at least one filter tow through a steam nozzle in communication with an inner portion of the tube filter exterior forming case to harden the at least one filter tow in the shape of the tubular rod;
• supplying a flavoring liquid or a moisturizing liquid supplied from a duct inside the tube filter forming bar to the hollow of the tubular rod through a flavoring nozzle formed at a downstream end of the tube filter forming bar;
• and
• simultaneously conveying the tubular rod discharged from the tube filter exterior forming case by a conveying member and discharging air and moisture inside the tubular rod to the outside of the tubular rod,
• wherein the tube filter forming bar includes:
• a forming bar body portion which has a first duct extending in a longitudinal direction of the tube filter forming bar;
• a forming bar tip which is coupled to a downstream end of the forming bar body portion and has a second duct that is in fluid communication with the first duct;
• and
• the flavoring nozzle formed in a downstream end of the forming bar tip and configured to deliver a flavoring liquid or a moisturizing liquid supplied through the first duct and the second duct to the hollow of the tubular rod,
• wherein the supplying comprises ejecting the flavoring liquid or the moisturizing liquid in a radial direction such that the flavoring liquid or moisturizing liquid is absorbed into an entire region of the inner side surface of the tubular rod,
• wherein the tube filter forming bar extends downstream to protrude from a downstream end of the tube filter exterior forming case, and
• wherein the flavoring nozzle is disposed in a region that overlaps with the conveying member in a travel path of the filter tows.