US Patent 7285214 Honeycomb structure and method of manufacturing the same

There are disclosed a honeycomb structure which is preferably usable as a filter, for example, for trapping particulates in an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, boiler or the like or for filtering liquids such as city water and sewage and in which an increase of a pressure loss at a use time is inhibited. A honeycomb structure 1 comprises: two end surfaces 5 consisting of first and second end surfaces; a porous body 2 in which a plurality of fluid channels 3 extending to a second end surface 5b from a first end surface 5a are formed; and plugging members 4 for plugging end portions 6 on end surfaces 5 side of the fluid channels 3. One or more of first fluid channels 3a are formed in a shape in which an opening area (area (S1)) in the first end surface 5a is larger than a sectional area (area (S2)) vertical to a central axis in a position in a predetermined depth from the first end surface 5a and in which a sectional area (area (S3)) vertical to the central axis in a middle between the first end surface 5a and the position in the predetermined depth gradually decreases to the area (S2) from the area (S1).