Breakable Capsule Moisture Barrier for Smoking Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breakable capsules in smoking devices, typically made of gelatin, lose their breakability due to moisture exposure, making it difficult for smokers to rupture them during smoking, as the crush strength exceeds 2.5 kp, which is too high for effective release.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating selected hydrocolloids in the outer shell or applying a moisture barrier layer, such as gellan gum and a hydrophobic coating, to maintain the capsule's breakability even in moist conditions, with a crush strength of 0.5 to 2.5 kp and minimal deformation, ensuring the capsule can be ruptured during smoking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If gelatin is used as the capsule shell material, then the capsule has good storage stability, but it softens during smoking due to moisture exposure, losing its breakability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite shell structure combining gelatin with hydrophobic materials (waxes, oils, or hydrophobic polymers) to create a material that maintains both storage stability and moisture resistance. This composite approach allows the capsule to retain its structural integrity during storage while preventing moisture penetration during smoking, thus preserving breakability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the shell by incorporating hydrophobic substances at specific concentrations (0.1-10% w/w of hydrophobic material per capsule). This parameter change alters the shell's interaction with moisture, preventing softening while maintaining the original gelatin-based structure's storage stability.
2Strength
If the capsule shell is made strong to maintain integrity, then it resists moisture better, but the crush strength exceeds 2.5 kp making it difficult to rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydrophobic properties locally at the shell surface or interface where moisture contact occurs, rather than making the entire shell uniformly strong. This localized approach provides moisture resistance where needed while keeping the overall crush strength below 2.5 kp, maintaining ease of rupture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent carefully controls the shell strength parameters by adjusting the gelatin concentration, cross-linking degree, and hydrophobic additive content to achieve an optimal balance: sufficient strength to resist moisture penetration but weak enough to rupture under finger pressure with crush strength < 2.5 kp.
3Ease of operation
If the capsule shell is made soft to facilitate rupture, then it can be easily broken, but it loses structural integrity when exposed to moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite shell where gelatin provides the soft, rupture-friendly base material while hydrophobic additives (waxes, oils, or polymers) form a protective network that maintains structural integrity during moisture exposure. The combination allows the shell to remain soft enough for easy rupture while gaining moisture resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates hydrophobic materials in advance into the shell structure to pre-protect against moisture softening. This beforehand cushioning prevents moisture from penetrating and degrading the gelatin structure, ensuring the shell maintains its intended softness and rupture characteristics throughout the smoking process.
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 solution ensures that the breakable capsules remain functional and can be easily ruptured during smoking, releasing the core effectively, with a crush strength and deformation within the desired range, even after exposure to moisture, enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the outer shell or outer coating of the capsule has the ability to retard degradation of the capsule due to the water brought into the smoking device by a smoker
Data Source
AI summary
A smoking device includes a recipient or able to receive burning products, preferably tobacco, and a filter element connected to the recipient, wherein the filter includes at least one breakable capsule, the capsule having a initial crush strength from 0.5 to 2.5 kp, and keeping a crush strength from 0.5 to 2.5 kp and a deformation of less than two third of its diameter prior to rupture after having been submitted to a smoking test. The invention is also relating to the capsule suitable for being incorporated in a smoking device, and to the process of manufacture of the capsule.