Encapsulated Additive Roll for Vaping Cartridge Vapor Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic vaping devices lack a method to effectively enhance the vapor quality by controlled release of additives such as flavorants, pH adjusting agents, and nicotine, which are difficult to incorporate into pre-vapor formulations due to stability and storage issues.

Innovation Solution

A cartridge design featuring a roll of material coated or impregnated with encapsulated additives, including a shell layer and inner core, which releases the additives in response to heat and moisture, allowing for controlled vapor enhancement between the heating element and the mouthpiece.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additives are incorporated into pre-vapor formulations, then vapor quality and flavor profile are improved, but stability and storage issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor qualityVSAvoidformulation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The additive is divided into an inner core containing the additive substance and an outer shell layer that encapsulates it. This segmentation allows the additive to be stored separately from the pre-vapor formulation in a stable state, then released when needed through the shell dissolution mechanism upon heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The additive is pre-encapsulated in a shell structure before use. This preliminary encapsulation protects the additive from degrading or reacting during storage, maintaining formulation stability, while the shell is designed to dissolve under heating conditions to release the additive when vaporization occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If additives are released into vapor, then flavor and vapor quality are enhanced, but undesired chemical reactions and additive loss occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor qualityVSAvoidchemical reactions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shell layer acts as an intermediary between the additive and the heating element/vapor environment. It controls the release of the additive by dissolving under heat, preventing direct contact between the additive and other substances that could cause unwanted chemical reactions, while still allowing the additive to be released into the vapor for flavor enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shell material is selected to undergo a parameter change (dissolution) in response to temperature changes during vaping. This controlled parameter change allows the additive to be released at the appropriate time and rate, enhancing vapor quality while minimizing unwanted reactions through controlled release rather than direct exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If encapsulated additives are used, then controlled release is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrolled releaseVSAvoidcartridge structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulated additive structure is designed to release the additive automatically in response to the heating process without requiring additional control mechanisms. The shell dissolves under the heat applied during normal vaping operation, providing self-controlled release that enhances ease of operation while avoiding the need for complex additional release control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 enables a customizable vaping experience by ensuring consistent and controlled release of additives, improving vapor quality and flavor profile, while preventing undesired chemical reactions and additive loss.

Implementation Method 1

The battery is electrically connected to the heater, such that the heater heats to a temperature sufficient to convert the pre-vapor formulation to a vapor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The encapsulated additive may include at least one shell layer and an inner core. The encapsulated additive may be configured to release the additive in response to one or more release activation mechanisms, such as heat and moisture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

the heating element is configured to generate a vapor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3439492B1Electronic vaping device
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
  • EP3439492B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3439492B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3439492B1 patent drawingFigure 4~8

AI summary

A cartridge (70) of an electronic vaping device (60) includes a roll of material (210) that is impregnated with or includes a coating of at least one additive. The roll of material is positioned between a heater (14) and a mouth-end insert (8). The additive may include a flavorant, a pH adjusting agent, a vapor former, tobacco material, and nicotine. The roll of material (210) may be formed of a sheet of material (260). A plurality of sheets of material (260) may be included in a kit (500).