E-vaping Mouth-end Insert for Flavor Delivery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

E-vaping devices face challenges in adding flavorants without adverse reactions with other ingredients in the pre-vapor formulation, leading to degradation and loss of flavor, especially when mixing multiple flavorants.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating flavorants, taste compounds, and aromas into a solid matrix within the mouth-end insert or add-on tip of e-vaping devices using thermoplastic polymers like polypropylene or polyethylene, ensuring they are homogeneously distributed and resistant to heat, allowing for improved flavor delivery and sensory experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If flavorants are added to the pre-vapor formulation, then flavor delivery is improved, but adverse reactions and degradation occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor deliveryVSAvoidformulation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the flavor delivery function from the pre-vapor formulation by placing flavorants in a distinct mouth-end insert component. This segmentation allows the formulation to remain stable while the insert provides flavor delivery independently, eliminating adverse reactions between flavorants and formulation ingredients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mouth-end insert acts as an intermediary component between the pre-vapor formulation and the user's mouth. It contains the flavorants in a separate matrix that interfaces with the vapor without direct mixing, mediating the flavor delivery while preventing chemical interactions with the formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple flavorants are mixed together, then flavor variety is improved, but degradation and loss of flavor occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor varietyVSAvoidflavor loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple flavorants are segmented into separate regions or compartments within the mouth-end insert matrix. This physical separation prevents harmful interactions between different flavorants while still allowing them to be delivered together, preserving flavor integrity and preventing degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the mouth-end insert matrix contain different flavorants with locally optimized properties. Each local region maintains the quality and stability of its specific flavorant while the overall insert provides diverse flavor delivery through its multi-component structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If flavorants are added directly to the storage container, then flavor delivery is improved, but adverse reactions with ingredients occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor deliveryVSAvoidadverse reactions
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mouth-end insert serves as an intermediary barrier between the pre-vapor formulation in the storage container and the user's mouth. It contains flavorants in a separate matrix that delivers flavor without direct contact or mixing with formulation ingredients, eliminating the pathway for adverse reactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flavorants are extracted from the pre-vapor formulation system and placed into a separate mouth-end insert component. This extraction removes the source of adverse reactions while preserving the flavor delivery function, as the insert interfaces with vapor without requiring direct mixing with formulation ingredients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 method minimizes flavor loss, provides better control over flavor delivery, and allows for the combination of previously incompatible flavorants, enhancing the sensory experience for users by ensuring flavors and aromas remain intact and evenly distributed during device operation.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one or more flavorants, one or more taste compounds and one or more aromas being homogeneously distributed throughout the mouth-end insert

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHomogeneous distribution:

Implementation Method 2

the at least one or more flavorants, one or more taste compounds and one or more aromas being embedded within the solid matrix

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3481238B1E-vaping devices with flavored mouth-end insert
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
  • EP3481238B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3481238B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3481238B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

There is provided a method of manufacturing a flavored portion, the method comprising providing a matrix material (S100), and providing at least one of one or more flavorants, one or more taste compounds and one or more aromas (S110). The method further comprises forming a mixture by mixing the matrix material with the at least one of the one or more flavorants, one or more taste compounds and one or more aromas (S120), and forming the flavored portion by performing a fabricating process using the mixture (S130).