Capsule With Grooved End Wall For Smoking Filter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional capsules made of synthetic resin require significant force to break, making it difficult for users to easily release the encapsulated liquid into a smoking article filter.

Innovation Solution

A capsule with a tubular shape and elastically deformable end walls featuring groove-shaped thin-walled regions that intersect at multiple points, allowing for easy breaking with minimal force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If capsules are made of synthetic resin to encapsulate hydrophilic liquids and maintain shape stability, then shape stability and suitability for hydrophilic liquids are improved, but breaking force required increases making operation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidbreaking easiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The end wall of the capsule is segmented into multiple thin-walled regions arranged in a grid pattern, creating numerous small segments that can break independently. This segmentation allows the capsule to break with minimal force while maintaining the overall structural integrity and shape stability of the synthetic resin capsule during normal use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule employs local quality differentiation by making only the end wall thin-walled while keeping the circumferential wall thick-walled. This creates a localized breaking zone with reduced wall thickness that requires minimal force to break, while the thick circumferential wall maintains the capsule's shape stability and containment function during storage and handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If water-soluble capsules are used to easily break and release liquid, then breaking easiness is improved, but they cannot encapsulate hydrophilic liquids effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreaking easinessVSAvoidsuitability for hydrophilic liquids
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule employs local quality differentiation by making only the end wall thin-walled while keeping the circumferential wall thick-walled. This creates a localized breaking zone with reduced wall thickness that requires minimal force to break, while the thick circumferential wall maintains the capsule's shape stability and containment function during storage and handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the wall thickness parameter locally in the end wall to create thin-walled regions that are easy to break. This parameter change enables the capsule to transition from a stable containment state to a broken release state with minimal applied force, while the material composition remains suitable for hydrophilic liquids throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables efficient release of the liquid into the filter, enhancing the smoking experience by simplifying the breaking process and improving flavor delivery.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the end walls is elastically deformable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

groove-shaped thin-walled regions that are formed of straight lines or curved lines are provided in the one end wall to intersect at two or more intersecting points

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFracture mechanics: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentEP2982254B1Capsule for smoking article, filter in which said capsule for smoking article is installed, and smoking article provided with said filter
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP2982254B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2982254B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2982254B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

In a capsule for a smoking article in a substantially tubular shape that is installed in a filter for the smoking article, a tubular circumferential wall, and a pair of end walls that respectively close both ends of the circumferential wall are included, a liquid is encapsulated in an interior, at least one of the end walls is elastically deformable, and groove-shaped thin-walled regions formed of straight lines or curved lines are provided in the one end wall to meet at two or more meeting points.