Regenerated Cellulose Substrate for Aerosol Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerosol delivery devices face challenges in efficiently storing and transporting aerosol precursor compositions, which affects the formation and release of aerosols, particularly in devices that aim to provide improved moisture control and increased storage capacity.

Innovation Solution

The use of a substrate formed from regenerated cellulose fibers with a multi-lobal cross-section and hydrophobic additives, configured in multiple layers for enhanced storage and release of aerosol precursor compositions, in conjunction with a heater for vaporization, to improve the aerosol delivery device's performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a substrate is formed from regenerated cellulose fibers with multi-lobal cross-section and hollow structure, then the storage capacity for aerosol precursor composition is significantly increased, but the device complexity increases due to multi-layer configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacity for aerosol precursor compositionVSAvoidsubstrate structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate utilizes regenerated cellulose fibers with hollow, substantially cylindrical cross-sections and multi-lobal structures that create extensive porous networks. These porous fibers provide increased internal volume for aerosol precursor composition storage while maintaining a compact external form factor, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate combines multiple layers of regenerated cellulose fibers with different properties: hydrophilic layers for aerosol precursor absorption and storage, and hydrophobic layers for moisture control and selective permeability. This composite structure achieves enhanced storage capacity while using natural cellulose-based materials that simplify manufacturing compared to synthetic alternatives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If hydrophobic additives are incorporated into regenerated cellulose fibers, then moisture control is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture controlVSAvoidsubstrate manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate incorporates hydrophobic additives into regenerated cellulose fibers to modify the hydrophilicity parameter of specific layers. This creates a gradient structure where hydrophilic layers maximize aerosol precursor absorption while hydrophobic layers provide moisture control and prevent unwanted liquid migration, achieving reliable moisture control through parameter optimization rather than complex manufacturing processes.

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

The substrate exhibits a significantly increased storage capacity for aerosol precursor compositions, allowing for efficient aerosol formation and release, with a loading capacity of at least 2000% relative to its initial dry weight, and a basis weight of about 100 gsm to 250 gsm, enhancing the overall performance of the aerosol delivery device.

Implementation Method 1

The substrate comprises a second layer comprising the regenerated cellulose fibers that include a hydrophobic additive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

a heater operatively arranged for vaporization of the aerosol forming liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a substrate at least partially formed from regenerated cellulose fibers; an aerosol forming liquid retained by the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3599914B1Aerosol delivery device including substrate with improved absorbency properties
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3599914B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3599914B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3599914B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5D

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices (100), methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides substrates for use in storing an aerosol precursor liquid and/or transporting the liquid to a heater (134,230,330,430,830) for vaporization. The substrates can be formed form fibers (500) that can provide improved absorbency and/or transport qualities. Multi-layer substrates (700) are also disclosed and can include a high absorbency layer (760) and a hydrophobic layer (770).