Cigarette Package Oxygen Absorption for Sealing Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging methods for cigarettes fail to efficiently reduce oxygen levels within sealed packages in a timely and cost-effective manner, leading to oxidation and deterioration of tobacco, which affects the quality and longevity of cigarettes, and require expensive inert gas systems and complex machinery.
Innovation Solution
A package design with oxygen-absorbing means integrated into the sealed envelope in fluid communication with the cigarettes, using chemically active materials like iron powder or granules within a breathable bag, which absorbs oxygen without extending production cycle times or requiring expensive gas management systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional oxygen evacuation systems are used, then oxygen removal is achieved, but the process requires tens of seconds to several minutes which is incompatible with normal wrapping speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygen-absorbing means are placed inside the package before sealing, allowing oxygen absorption to begin immediately upon sealing without requiring prolonged evacuation time. This preliminary placement enables the chemical absorption process to start instantly, resolving the conflict between oxygen removal effectiveness and wrapping speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical vacuum evacuation systems with chemical oxygen absorption materials (such as iron powder or other oxygen-absorbing compounds). This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical evacuation equipment and long processing times, enabling high-speed wrapping while effectively reducing oxygen levels through chemical reaction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If inert gas introduction systems are used to protect tobacco from oxidation, then oxidation protection is achieved, but expensive gas management systems and complex machinery are required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of introducing inert gas to displace oxygen, the patent extracts and removes oxygen directly from the package headspace using oxygen-absorbing materials. This extraction approach eliminates the need for expensive inert gas storage, handling, and introduction systems, while still achieving effective oxidation protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses relatively inexpensive, single-use oxygen-absorbing packets or coatings that are placed inside each package. These disposable oxygen absorbers are much cheaper than inert gas systems and complex gas management infrastructure, making the solution economically viable for high-volume cigarette packaging.
3Reliability
If modified atmosphere packaging with nitrogen is used, then tobacco preservation is improved, but the cost of stored and consumed inert gas increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful presence of oxygen into a beneficial process by using oxygen-absorbing materials that chemically react with and remove oxygen. This approach eliminates the need for costly inert gas consumption while maintaining effective tobacco preservation, turning the original problem (oxygen presence) into the solution mechanism.
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 solution effectively maintains low oxygen levels within the package for an extended period, preserving cigarette quality without the need for complex gas management systems, reducing production costs, and allowing for traditional wrapping processes to maintain high production speeds.
Implementation Method 1
a package of cigarettes provided with means for the absorption of free oxygen arranged in fluid communication with the group of cigarettes to reduce the amount of oxygen within the sealed envelope
Implementation Method 2
the free oxygen in the atmosphere of the sealed package deteriorates, over time, the tobacco contained therein, this is because the oxidizing action of free oxygen affects the organoleptic qualities of the tobacco
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a package (1) of cigarettes, comprising a group (111) of cigarettes, a stiffening element (21) at least partly enclosing the group (111) of cigarettes on two opposite first and second sides of the group (111) of cigarettes, and a sealed envelope (11) made from a sheet of heat-sealable type, the envelope (11) enclosing the group (111) of cigarettes and the stiffening element (21); the package further comprises means (51) for the absorption of free oxygen arranged in fluid communication with the group (111) of cigarettes to reduce the amount of free oxygen within the sealed envelope (11).