Biodegradable Filter Material Using Fine Fibers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cigarette smoke filters, particularly those made from cellulose acetate tow, are costly and slow to degrade, and existing alternatives do not effectively address the need for efficient filtration and affordability.
Innovation Solution
A filter material comprising fine fibers with diameters between 3 µm and 10 µm, primarily made from cellulose acetate and/or derivatives, combined with biodegradable materials like polylactic acid and polyvinyl alcohol, which are produced through centrifuge or dry spinning, offering enhanced filtration efficiency and degradability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cellulose acetate tow is used as filter material, then filtration function is provided, but manufacturing cost is high and degradation is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fiber diameter parameter from conventional sizes to fine fibers (3-10 μm), which improves filtration efficiency while using cost-effective materials. This parameter change allows achieving better filtration performance without necessarily increasing material cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining cellulose acetate with biodegradable polymers (PLA, PBS, PVOH, PBAT, PGA, PHB) to create a filter material that maintains filtration effectiveness while reducing manufacturing cost and improving degradability
2Reliability
If cellulose acetate tow is used as filter material, then filtration function is provided, but degradation rate is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cellulose acetate with biodegradable polymers (PLA, PBS, PVOH, PBAT, PGA, PHB) to create a composite filter material that maintains filtration effectiveness while significantly improving degradation rate. The biodegradable components break down more quickly than conventional cellulose acetate tow
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition parameters by incorporating biodegradable polymers with different degradation characteristics, allowing optimization of both filtration function and degradation rate through material selection and proportioning
3Reliability
If fine fibres with diameter 3-10 μm are used, then filtration efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the fiber diameter parameter within the 3-10 μm range to achieve high filtration efficiency while managing pressure drop. By selecting specific diameter values within this range and controlling fiber distribution, the patent balances filtration performance with acceptable pressure characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different fiber densities and diameters within the filter material. This allows high filtration efficiency in critical areas while maintaining lower pressure drop in other regions, optimizing overall filter performance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The filter material achieves significant filtration efficiency for nicotine-free dry particulate matter and nicotine, with an acceptable pressure drop, while being more affordable and sustainable than conventional options, and degrades quicker, maintaining consistent smoke taste.
Implementation Method 1
the fine fibres are produced by centrifuge spinning or by dry spinning
Implementation Method 2
the fine fibres are produced by centrifuge spinning or by dry spinning
Implementation Method 3
The filter material achieves significant filtration efficiency for nicotine-free dry particulate matter and nicotine
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to filter material for inclusion in a smoking article, said filter material comprising a base material comprising or made from fibres having a first diameter or mean diameter, and fine fibres having a diameter or mean diameter which is smaller than the first diameter, wherein the filter material comprises more than 10% by weight and/or by volume fine fibres or wherein the diameter or mean diameter of the fine fibres is between about 1.0 µm and about 1.5 µm. The invention also relates to filters or filter elements comprising the filter material, smoking articles comprising the same, and use of the filter material in smoke filtration.