Lyocell Filter Material With Mixed Filament Fineness for Biodegradability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cellulose acetate filters for smoking articles take a long time to biodegrade, posing environmental concerns, and there is a need for more environmentally friendly alternatives with improved biodegradability.

Innovation Solution

A lyocell material comprising a combination of first and second lyocell multifilaments with different monofilament finenesses, which can be crimped and have multi-lobal cross sections, allowing for a wider range of filter weights and resistances, enhancing biodegradability and flexibility in filter production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If cellulose acetate is used as filter material, then filter structure stability is maintained, but biodegradability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter structure stabilityVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from cellulose acetate to lyocell, which fundamentally alters the biodegradability characteristic while maintaining filter structure stability through controlled fiber morphology and composition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite lyocell structures with different fineness values (3.37 denier, 3.58 denier, 14.82 denier) combined with other materials to achieve both structural stability and improved biodegradability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If single-type lyocell multifilament is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but filter performance flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfilter performance flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the filter material into multiple lyocell multifilament types with different fineness values, allowing each segment to contribute different properties to the overall filter performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by using different fineness values (3.37 denier, 3.58 denier, 14.82 denier) in different regions or combinations within the filter, enabling optimized performance for specific filter functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If uniform fineness lyocell is used, then material consistency is improved, but filter weight and resistance adjustment range is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial consistencyVSAvoidfilter weight and resistance adjustment range

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fineness parameter to include multiple values (3.37 denier, 3.58 denier, 14.82 denier), which expands the adjustment range for filter weight and resistance while maintaining material consistency through controlled lyocell fiber properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4567176B1Lyocell material, filters, smoking articles and method for preparing thereof

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 KOLON INDUSTRIES INC

AI summary

The present application relates to a lyocell material, a filter for a smoking article, including the lyocell material, and a smoking article. The lyocell material and the filter for a smoking article, according to the present application, may replace cellulose acetate materials and filters in the art.