Tobacco Filter Unit Identification for Verified Disposal Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for disposing of used filters from smokable tobacco products do not effectively document their disposal, leading to environmental pollution and lack of accountability.
Innovation Solution
Equipping the filter unit with a data carrier, such as a magnetically encoded identifier or RFID transponder, to enable automatic identification and verification, allowing documentation of disposal through comparison with a database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a data carrier with identifier is added to the filter unit, then disposal documentation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data carrier is embedded within the filter unit structure, with the identifier integrated into the filter material or mouthpiece. This nesting approach adds the documentation capability while minimizing external additions, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The data carrier acts as an intermediary element that bridges the filter unit and the disposal documentation system. By separating the identification function into this dedicated component, the core filter unit remains relatively simple while achieving reliable disposal tracking through the intermediary data carrier.
2Extent of automation
If magnetic encoding or RFID transponder is used for identification, then automatic reading capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The identification function is extracted as a separate data carrier component that can be manufactured independently and then integrated into the filter unit. This allows specialized magnetic or RFID components to be produced using established processes and assembled into the final product, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining automatic reading capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs well-established magnetic encoding or RFID parameters that are already standardized in the industry. By using these proven parameters and technologies rather than developing new identification methods, the automatic reading capability is achieved while leveraging existing manufacturing expertise and processes.
3Ease of operation
If the identifier is made visible or accessible from outside, then reading ease is improved, but product appearance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The data carrier is nested within the filter unit structure, with the identifier embedded in the filter material or mouthpiece rather than displayed externally. This allows the identifier to remain accessible to the reading device while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the filter unit from the user's perspective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces visual identification mechanisms with magnetic or electromagnetic field-based reading. This substitution allows the identifier to be read through the filter material without requiring visual visibility, thus maintaining product appearance while enabling easy automatic reading through the mouthpiece or filter structure.
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
Ensures reliable documentation of filter unit disposal, facilitating deposit systems and tax refunds, while preventing fraud and contamination, and maintaining the product's appearance and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The reader has a magnetic head to read the data carrier in order to read the magnetically encoded identifier
Implementation Method 2
an identifier stored in the memory of an RFID transponder, for example, an NFC transponder
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A device (8) for disposing of a used filter unit (4) of a smokable tobacco product (1) has a compartment (9) for receiving the filter unit (4). The device (8) also has a reader (11) configured to automatically read an identifier of the filter unit (4) from a data carrier (7) of the filter unit (4) when the filter unit (4) is located in the compartment (9). The device (8) also has a communication unit (12, 13) configured to compare the read identifier with a reference code stored in a database (15) and, depending on the result of the comparison, to generate at least one electrical signal.