Sensor-Guided Cigar Humidification With Needle Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for treating and storing cigars and other tobacco products fail to provide controlled humidity levels, as they rely on atmospheric moisture absorption, which is impractical and cannot detect the actual moisture level within the tobacco product, leading to inconsistent conditions that vary by tobacco type and consumer preference.
Innovation Solution
A handheld treatment device with a closable receptacle and a hollow needle for injecting fluid into the tobacco product, equipped with sensors to monitor and control humidity, temperature, and other parameters, allowing for precise conditioning of the smoking article before consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If moisture is supplied by a moist sponge or hydrogel in a humidor, then the atmosphere in the humidor achieves a certain moisture level, but the actual moisture level in the tobacco product cannot be detected or controlled
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is introduced as an intermediary element that can be inserted into the tobacco product to directly measure its internal moisture level. This sensor acts as a mediator between the treatment device and the tobacco product, providing real-time feedback on the actual moisture content rather than inferring it from atmospheric conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides feedback information about the actual moisture level in the tobacco product to the control device. This feedback loop enables the system to monitor and adjust the treatment process based on real-time measurements, ensuring precise control of moisture content.
2Manufacturing precision
If a needle is used to inject fluid into the tobacco product, then controlled humidification is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The injection needle and sensor are combined into a single integrated probe that can be inserted into the tobacco product simultaneously. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining precise control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe serves multiple functions: it acts as both an injection needle for delivering moisture and a sensor for measuring moisture levels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the device design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If humidity is controlled individually for each tobacco product, then optimal conditions for specific cigars are achieved, but the treatment time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic control capabilities where treatment parameters can be adjusted in real-time based on sensor feedback from each individual tobacco product. This allows the system to adapt to different product types and moisture levels automatically, optimizing treatment for each article without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor-equipped device enables the tobacco product to essentially monitor its own moisture level and guide the treatment process. The product's own characteristics (detected by the sensor) determine the treatment parameters, allowing each product to receive customized treatment without requiring complex external control.
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 individual and controlled treatment of tobacco products to meet specific humidity and temperature requirements, ensuring optimal conditions for different types of cigars and consumer preferences, improving the preservation and enjoyment of cigars.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor in the form of two electrically conductive elements is provided, which, in use, are inserted into the smoking article at two different positions. The sensor is adapted to measure the electrical resistance or capacitance between the two conductive elements.
Implementation Method 2
The sensor is adapted to measure the electrical resistance or capacitance between the two conductive elements. The measured value indicates the moisture level in the smoking article.
Implementation Method 3
The sensor is adapted to measure the electrical resistance or capacitance between the two conductive elements. The measured value indicates the moisture level in the smoking article.
Data Source
AI summary
An analysis and/or treatment device (100) for at least one smoking article (60). comprising a closable receptacle (4) for receiving the at least one smoking article (60) therein; a reservoir (62) for a fluid treatment material (8, 9); a hollow injection needle. (2) interiorly insertable into the smoking article (60) received in the receptacle (4) and operably connected to the reservoir (62); means (3) for moving the treatment material (9) from the reservoir (62) through the needle (2) into the interior of the smoking article (60); and at least one sensor means (15) provided in the receptacle (4) for detecting at least one parameter characterizing a property of the smoking article (60) and/or characterizing the treatment conditions in the receptacle (4). A method for applying a treatment to a smoking article (60), wherein the smoking article (60) is enclosed by a receptacle (4), and a treatment material (8,9) is inserted into the receptacle (4) and directly into the interior of the smoking article (60) as a function of parameters measured by sensor means (1), said parameters being indicative of at least one of the temperature and the humidity in the receptacle (4) and the smoking article (60).