Cigarette Patch Design Preventing Glue Combustion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cigarettes with adhesive patches connecting the filter and active portion can lead to inhalation of harmful substances produced by the combustion of glue, which smokers may not notice when smoking past the normal limit.

Innovation Solution

A cigarette design where the patch has a non-adhesive first portion wrapped around the active portion and an adhesive second portion glued to the filter, with optional treatments for reduced air permeability and flammability, preventing the combustion of glue and maintaining structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If an adhesive patch is used to connect the filter and active portion, then structural integrity is improved, but harmful combustion products are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidharmful combustion products
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patch is divided into two distinct portions: a non-adhesive first portion that contacts the active portion and a second portion that may be adhesive. This segmentation allows the adhesive material to be isolated from the combustion zone, preventing harmful substance generation while maintaining structural integrity through the LIP treatment on the first portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive substance is extracted or removed from the first portion of the patch that contacts the active portion. By eliminating the adhesive from the combustion zone, the invention prevents the generation of harmful combustion products while still providing structural connection through the non-adhesive portion treated with LIP material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the patch is wrapped around the active portion with adhesive, then connection stability is improved, but inhalation of harmful substances occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidinhalation of harmful substances
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the patch are given different properties: the first portion contacting the active portion is made non-adhesive and treated with LIP material to prevent harmful substance generation, while the second portion may retain adhesive properties for connection stability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stable connection and harmful substance prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

A non-adhesive intermediate portion acts as a mediator between the active portion and any adhesive elements. This intermediate layer prevents direct contact between combustion products and adhesive substances, thereby eliminating harmful inhalation while maintaining connection stability through the intermediary structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If adhesive substance is applied to the patch, then structural connection is improved, but self-extinguishing capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural connectionVSAvoidself-extinguishing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patch is segmented into a non-adhesive first portion treated with LIP material for self-extinguishing and a second portion where adhesive may be applied for structural connection. This segmentation allows both self-extinguishing capability and structural connection to coexist without interfering with each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The LIP treatment is applied locally to the first portion of the patch that contacts the active portion, while the adhesive substance is confined to the second portion. This local application of different properties ensures that self-extinguishing capability is maintained at the critical combustion interface while structural connection is provided by the adhesive portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Prevents inhalation of harmful combustion products and ensures self-extinguishing, maintaining the cigarette's structural integrity and preventing burning down to the filter.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive substance is spread on the inside surface of the second portion 4b of the patch 4, so as to define a stable, uniform connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

when it is reached by the burning section of the cigarette

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP3416505B1Cigarette and method for making the cigarette
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 GD SPA
  • EP3416505B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2D
  • EP3416505B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A cigarette comprising a filter (2), an active portion (3) for releasing a substance to be inhaled and a patch (4) connecting the active portion (3) and the filter (2) to each other; the patch (4) has a first annular end portion (4a) wrapped freely around the active portion (3), and a second, annular portion (4b), adjacent to the first annular portion (4b) and glued around the filter (2) and the active portion (3).