Cigarette Filter Composite Fiber Adsorbent Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for incorporating adsorbent materials into cigarette filters are inefficient and messy, often involving loose powders or slurries that are inconsistent and wasteful.

Innovation Solution

The use of composite fiber structures within cigarette filters, where a carrier fiber is embedded with an adsorbent fiber, such as carbonaceous fibers, to facilitate cleaner and more efficient insertion of adsorbent materials, including biodegradable fibers that can alter the smoke's character or carry additives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If adsorbent materials are inserted as loose powders or slurries, then the insertion process is simple, but the process is inconsistent, wasteful, and messy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion process simplicityVSAvoidinsertion consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adsorbent material is pre-loaded into capsules before insertion into the filter element. This preliminary action of encapsulating the material allows for controlled, consistent delivery during the insertion process, eliminating the mess and inconsistency associated with loose powders while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Capsules serve as an intermediary carrier between the adsorbent material and the filter element. The capsule structure enables precise positioning and controlled release of the material, improving manufacturing precision without complicating the overall insertion process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If granules of carbonaceous material are used, then the adsorbent capacity is improved, but the insertion process becomes more complex and messy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadsorbent capacityVSAvoidinsertion process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Granules of carbonaceous material are pre-loaded into capsules during manufacturing. This preliminary encapsulation action allows the complex task of handling granules to be completed once, simplifying the actual insertion process into the filter element while maintaining the high adsorbent capacity of the granular form

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule acts as an intermediary that contains the granular carbonaceous material, enabling easy handling and insertion without the complexity and mess associated with directly manipulating loose granules. The capsule protects the granules until they are needed in the filter element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach allows for consistent and efficient delivery of adsorbent materials into cigarette filters, improving the process of smoke filtration and potentially enhancing the smoking experience by altering the smoke's properties.

Implementation Method 1

a cigarette filter for removing gas phase constituents from mainstream cigarette smoke as the smoke is drawn through the filter, the filter including an activated carbon fiber filter section containing a bundle of activated carbon fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP2537427B1Cigarette filter having composite fiber structures
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 R J REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
  • EP2537427B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2537427B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2537427B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A cigarette filter (26) is provided, comprising at least one filter segment (32) having one or more composite fiber structures (60) imbedded therein, the composite fiber structure (60) comprising a carrier fiber connected to an adsorbent fiber, the adsorbent fiber comprising an adsorbent material.