Lyocell Tow Filter Material With Low Moisture Regain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellulose acetate filters for smoking articles take a long time to biodegrade, posing environmental concerns due to their persistence in landfills, and there is a need for a more environmentally friendly and biodegradable alternative with improved properties such as low moisture regain.
Innovation Solution
A bale of lyocell tow is developed with a moisture regain of 8% or less, wrapped in a packaging wrapper, which includes a resilient polymer film, and is used to create a filter with high hardness and low moisture absorption, suitable for smoking articles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cellulose acetate is used as filter material, then the filter maintains structural integrity, but biodegradability is poor and environmental persistence is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from cellulose acetate to lyocell, which fundamentally alters the biodegradability characteristic while maintaining filter functionality. This material substitution enables the filter to biodegrade within 4 weeks in soil conditions, resolving the environmental persistence issue without sacrificing structural integrity during use.
2Reliability
If lyocell tow with conventional moisture regain is used, then the filter is biodegradable, but moisture absorption causes hardness reduction and softening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies moisture control treatment to reduce the moisture regain parameter of lyocell tow from conventional levels (typically 12-14%) to 8% or less. This parameter modification prevents excessive moisture absorption that would otherwise cause hardness reduction and softening, while preserving the material's biodegradability characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary moisture control treatment during the tow preparation stage, before the filter manufacturing process. This preliminary action ensures that the lyocell tow starts with optimized moisture content, preventing subsequent hardness issues during filter assembly and use, while maintaining biodegradability.
3Strength
If lyocell tow moisture regain is reduced to 8% or less, then filter hardness is maintained, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a moisture control treatment as an intermediary process step between tow production and filter manufacturing. This intermediary treatment efficiently reduces moisture regain to 8% or less using controlled environmental conditions and processing techniques, achieving the desired hardness without requiring overly complex manufacturing systems.
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
The lyocell filter exhibits improved biodegradability, maintains hardness, and reduces moisture-induced softening, enhancing user satisfaction and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a packaging wrapper wrapping the compressed lyocell tow, wherein a moisture regain of the lyocell tow is 8 % or less
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to: a bale of lyocell tow; a filter for a smoking article including the lyocell tow; and a smoking article. The bale of lyocell tow and the filter for a smoking article according to the present application can replace conventional bales of cellulose acetate tow and filters in the art.