Low Ignition Propensity Cigarette Paper Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing low ignition propensity cigarette papers face challenges in maintaining coating composition dryness and characteristics, which affect the reduction of oxygen inflow during combustion, leading to inconsistent extinguishing of cigarettes.

Innovation Solution

A low ignition propensity cigarette paper is developed with a coating composition comprising a mixture of hydrophobic starch and hydrophilic starch in specific weight ratios (18 wt% to 22 wt%: 8 wt% to 12 wt%), including metallic salts, which creates a porosity structure of micrometer-size and nanometer-size pores to control oxygen inflow effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a coating composition is applied to reduce porosity for lowering ignition propensity, then oxygen inflow is reduced and cigarette extinguishing is improved, but the coating composition loses dryness and coating characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecigarette extinguishing consistencyVSAvoidcoating composition dryness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating by incorporating hydrophobic starch (such as amylose-rich starch or starch modified with hydrophobic groups) alongside hydrophilic starch. This parameter change allows the coating to maintain appropriate dryness while still achieving the desired porosity reduction for reliable cigarette extinguishing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite coating material consisting of both hydrophobic starch and hydrophilic starch components. This composite structure combines the water-repellent properties of hydrophobic starch with the binding and film-forming capabilities of hydrophilic starch, maintaining coating integrity and dryness while achieving consistent porosity control for reliable extinguishing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If starch coating is applied to control porosity, then oxygen inflow during combustion is reduced, but the coating composition characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxygen inflow controlVSAvoidcoating composition characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the starch coating parameters by using hydrophobic starch with specific molecular structure characteristics (such as high amylose content or hydrophobic modifications) that provide better control over oxygen permeation while maintaining coating stability and preventing characteristic deterioration during manufacturing and combustion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If porosity is reduced to extinguish cigarette combustion, then oxygen supply to tobacco is limited, but coating dryness is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion controlVSAvoidcoating dryness
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite starch coating system where hydrophobic starch provides water resistance and coating stability while hydrophilic starch contributes to film formation and porosity control. This composite approach enables effective combustion temperature control through limited oxygen supply while preserving coating dryness and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution improves the dryness and maintains the coating characteristics of the cigarette paper, ensuring consistent reduction in oxygen inflow and effective extinguishing of cigarettes by controlling porosity and elastic modulus, enhancing the overall performance of the low ignition propensity cigarette.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of pores including a micrometer-size pore and a nanometer-size pore, wherein the hydrophobic starch and the hydrophilic starch cover the micrometer-size pore and the nanometer-size pore

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity control: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

a coating portion including a hydrophobic starch and a hydrophilic starch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 3

a coating portion including a hydrophobic starch and a hydrophilic starch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilic effect: Hydrophile

Implementation Method 4

when the combustion of the cigarette reaches a band portion, the amount of oxygen inflow to the cut tobacco leaf is reduced, and thus, the cigarette may be extinguished

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion control: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP2877044B1Low ignition propensity cigarette paper and cigarette using the same
Publication Date: 2017.02.01 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP2877044B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2877044B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2877044B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A low ignition propensity cigarette paper includes a coating portion including a hydrophobic starch and a hydrophilic starch, and a plurality of pores including a micrometer-size pore and a nanometer-size pore, wherein the hydrophobic starch and the hydrophilic starch cover the micrometer-size pore and the nanometer-size pore.