Dual-Rod Tobacco Filter with Movable Additive Capsule
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tobacco smoke filters lack an interactive sensory experience and do not provide the smoker with control over the release of flavouring agents, and there is a need to differentiate authentic products from counterfeits in the cigarette industry.
Innovation Solution
A tobacco smoke filter with a longitudinally extending core comprising two rods of filtering material and a cavity in between, where a freely moving receptacle for an additive creates audible and palpable vibrations, enhancing sensory experience and potentially aiding in anti-counterfeiting through distinctive vibrational frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a capsule is embedded in conventional filtering material, then the filter provides basic flavour delivery, but the smoker lacks control over flavour release timing and there is no sensory interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into separate functional components: two rods of filtering material with a cavity between them, and a separate frangible capsule containing the flavouring agent. The capsule is positioned in the cavity but not fixed to the rods, allowing it to remain as a distinct, movable element that the smoker can independently activate by applying pressure.
2Reliability
If a capsule is fixed in the filter, then the structure is stable, but there is no audible or palpable feedback to enhance sensory experience
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is designed to be dynamically positioned within the cavity rather than being permanently fixed. It is free to move and shift within the cavity space, creating movement and vibration when the filter is handled. This dynamic positioning provides audible rattling sounds and palpable vibrations that enhance the smoker's sensory experience while maintaining reliability through the cavity constraints.
3Ease of manufacture
If the filter uses conventional single rod structure, then manufacturing is simple, but it lacks distinctive characteristics for anti-counterfeiting
Solution Approach 1:
The filter employs an asymmetric dual-rod structure with a cavity between the rods, rather than a conventional single rod design. This asymmetric configuration creates distinctive vibrational frequencies and handling characteristics that can serve as authentication features. The unusual structure is simple enough to manufacture but provides reliable anti-counterfeiting capability through its distinctive physical properties.
4Quantity of substance
If the capsule occupies most of the cavity space, then flavour delivery is maximized, but the capsule cannot move freely to create vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is designed to occupy a significant but not complete portion of the cavity space. This partial occupation provides sufficient volume for the flavouring agent while leaving enough clearance for the capsule to move and vibrate freely within the cavity. The design achieves optimal balance between flavour capacity and mobility by allowing the capsule to shift position without being constrained by tight fits.
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 filter provides a unique sensory experience with increased flavour delivery and distinct vibrational frequencies that can help deter counterfeiting by offering a distinct auditory and tactile sensation.
Implementation Method 1
The movement of the receptacle is audible and palpable. It can be sensed (e.g. heard or felt as a vibration) by the user. The movement of the capsule or capsules in all directions within the cavity generates vibrations, the frequencies of which can vary depending on the number, size and composition of capsules as well as the length and circumference of the cavity and the weight, opacity and composition of the wrapper
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising: a longitudinally extending core which includes first and second longitudinally extending rods of tobacco smoke filtering material, wherein the first rod of tobacco smoke filtering material is distanced longitudinally from the second rod of tobacco smoke filtering material; a wrapper engaged around the first and second longitudinally extending rods such that the wrapper defines a cavity between the first and second rods of tobacco smoke filtering material; and at least one receptacle for an additive located in the cavity, wherein the maximum width or diameter of the receptacle for an additive is less than half the maximum diameter of the cavity and the void space remaining in the cavity is greater than 50% of the volume of the cavity, the receptacle being free to move within the cavity.