Encapsulated Flavorant Pellets for E-Vaping Shelf Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
In e-vaping devices, flavorants or aromas often react with other ingredients, leading to degradation of the pre-vapor formulation and reduced shelf life, as they are typically added directly to the storage container.
Innovation Solution
A removable or fixed segment with an ingredient matrix, comprising pellets made of starch, cellulosic material, or polymer, where flavorants, taste compounds, aromas, acids, and nicotine are encapsulated, allowing controlled release and attachment to various parts of the e-vaping device via connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flavorants or aromas are added directly to the storage container, then the pre-vapor formulation can be easily prepared, but the shelf life of the pre-vapor formulation decreases due to degradation from reactions between flavorants and other ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The ingredient matrix is divided into multiple pellets that are separately encapsulated within the matrix structure. Each pellet contains specific flavorants, aromas, or other ingredients that are physically separated from the pre-vapor formulation until the moment of use, preventing premature reactions and extending shelf life while maintaining ease of manufacture through the modular pellet approach
Solution Approach 2:
The ingredient matrix acts as an intermediary carrier that holds flavorants and aromas in a protected state. The matrix material serves as a mediator between the flavorants and the pre-vapor formulation, releasing them controlled manner during use while preventing harmful interactions during storage, thus extending shelf life without complicating the manufacturing process
2Device complexity
If flavorants or aromas are added directly to the storage container, then the formulation can be simplified, but degradation of the pre-vapor formulation and flavorants occurs due to chemical reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation is segmented into distinct functional components: the pre-vapor formulation in the storage container and the flavorant-containing pellets within the ingredient matrix. This segmentation prevents direct contact between flavorants and other ingredients that cause degradation, maintaining formulation simplicity while eliminating harmful chemical reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The ingredient matrix serves as a protective intermediary that isolates flavorants from degrading ingredients. The matrix material mediates the interaction between flavorants and the pre-vapor formulation, allowing controlled release during use while preventing harmful chemical reactions during storage, thus reducing degradation without significantly increasing formulation complexity
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 prevents degradation by encapsulating flavorants and nicotine within a matrix that absorbs and stabilizes them, ensuring a consistent sensory experience and extended shelf life by controlling the release of these components during use.
Implementation Method 1
A removable or fixed segment with an ingredient matrix, comprising pellets made of starch, cellulosic material, or polymer, where flavorants, taste compounds, aromas, acids, and nicotine are encapsulated, allowing controlled release
Data Source
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AI summary
A removable segment (300) of an e-vaping device (60), the removable segment comprising: a matrix; and at least one of a flavorant, a taste compound, an aroma, an acid, a vapor former, tobacco or nicotine encapsulated in the matrix; the removable segment being removably attachable to at least one of a cartridge (70), another removable segment, a power source (72), or a mouth-end insert of the e-vaping device via at least one connector (74).