Regenerated Cellulose Filter Composition to Prevent Ink Spreading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellulose acetate-based cigarette filters have slow biodegradability and the addition of polymer additives like triethyl citrate, triacetin, and polyethylene glycol to regenerated cellulose-based fibers leads to ink spreading and potential classification as disposable plastic products, compromising biodegradability and regulatory compliance.
Innovation Solution
A smoking article filter using regenerated cellulose tow with a monomolecular additive, such as polyhydric alcohols like ethylene and propylene glycol oligomers, dispersed within the fibers to maintain phenol reduction performance while preventing ink spreading and avoiding classification as disposable plastic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If polymer additives (triethyl citrate, triacetin, polyethylene glycol) are added to regenerated cellulose tow to reduce phenolic compounds, then phenol reducing performance is improved, but ink spreading occurs on tipping paper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the additive from polymer (high molecular weight) to monomolecular (low molecular weight) compounds. Specifically, it uses monomolecular compounds with molecular weights of 100-1000, such as ethylene glycol oligomers and propylene glycol oligomers, to replace polymer additives like PEG. This parameter change reduces the molecular size enough to prevent ink spreading while maintaining the phenol reducing functionality through hydrogen bonding and solubility mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs low molecular weight monomolecular compounds instead of high molecular weight polymers. These smaller molecules (molecular weight 100-1000) are more readily biodegradable and less likely to persist in the environment, aligning with the disposable nature of cigarette filters while avoiding the ink spreading problems associated with polymer additives.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If polymer additives are added to regenerated cellulose tow to reduce phenolic compounds, then phenol reducing performance is improved, but the filter may be classified as a disposable plastic product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter from polymer (high molecular weight) to monomolecular (low molecular weight 100-1000) compounds. This parameter change ensures the additive is more readily biodegradable and less likely to be classified as plastic, while maintaining phenol reducing performance through mechanisms like hydrogen bonding and solubility in the cellulose matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses low molecular weight monomolecular compounds that are more readily biodegradable than polymer additives. These small molecules (molecular weight 100-1000) align with the disposable nature of cigarette filters and are less likely to be classified as persistent plastic materials, ensuring compliance with biodegradability regulations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrophobic additives are added to hydrophilic regenerated cellulose-based fibers, then phenol reducing performance is improved, but the additive leaks toward the tipping paper causing ink spreading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the hydrophobicity parameter of the additive by using monomolecular compounds with molecular weights of 100-1000, such as ethylene glycol oligomers and propylene glycol oligomers. These smaller molecules have different solubility and interaction characteristics compared to larger polymer additives, allowing them to be retained within the hydrophilic cellulose fiber matrix through hydrogen bonding and solubility mechanisms without leaking to the tipping paper.
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 provides excellent biodegradability, effective phenol reduction, and minimizes ink spreading, ensuring compliance with biodegradability regulations and maintaining phenol reducing performance without being classified as a disposable plastic product.
Implementation Method 1
a monomolecular additive dispersed as a phenol reducing material in the regenerated cellulose tow
Implementation Method 2
regenerated cellulose-based fibers, such as lyocell fibers, having excellent biodegradability
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
A smoking article filter and a smoking article including the same are provided. The smoking article filter includes a filter portion including regenerated cellulose tow including regenerated cellulose-based fibers and a monomolecular additive dispersed in the regenerated cellulose tow.