Oxygen Scavenger Adhered to Pouch Material for E-Vaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pouches containing consumable items, such as e-vaping cartridges, face degradation due to oxygenation, which affects the flavor system and overall quality of the items, as existing solutions fail to effectively maintain a low oxygen environment within the pouch.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a gas and moisture impermeable pouch with an integrated oxygen scavenger, where the scavenger is adhered to the pouch material and enclosed with the consumable item, reducing oxygen levels to 2% or less within 30 days by using iron fragments in a polymer matrix and a light-sensitive activator to bind with free-oxygen, activated by exposure to a light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an oxygen scavenger is added to the pouch, then oxygen levels are reduced to preserve the consumable item, but the pouch material becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygen scavenger is integrated into the pouch material by adhering it to the inner surface, merging two separate components into a unified structure. This combining approach reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the oxygen scavenging function, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch material serves multiple functions: it provides the sealed enclosure for the consumable item and simultaneously serves as the substrate for the oxygen scavenger. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, addressing the complexity issue while maintaining effective oxygen level control.
2Reliability
If the oxygen scavenger is adhered to the pouch material, then the scavenger remains in position to effectively scavenge oxygen, but the adhering process adds manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygen scavenger is adhered to the pouch material before the pouch is sealed and before the consumable item is placed inside. This preliminary action ensures proper positioning of the scavenger while allowing it to be integrated into the pouch structure, reducing the complexity of subsequent manufacturing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhering process utilizes changes in temperature and pressure parameters to bond the oxygen scavenger to the pouch material. By controlling these physical parameters during the adhering process, the manufacturing complexity is managed while ensuring reliable positioning of the scavenger for effective oxygen scavenging.
3Reliability
If a light-sensitive activator is used to activate the oxygen scavenger, then oxygen scavenging is activated upon light exposure, but the pouch design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygen scavenger system is designed to be self-activating through the incorporation of a light-sensitive activator that automatically responds to light exposure. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external activation systems or complex control mechanisms, thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable activation of the oxygen scavenging process.
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 solution effectively reduces oxygen levels within the pouch, mitigating oxidation and preserving the flavor system and quality of consumable items by maintaining a low oxygen environment, as demonstrated by reduced chemical indicators of degradation and improved performance of e-vaping cartridges.
Implementation Method 1
a light-sensitive activator to bind with free-oxygen to activate the oxygen scavenger following an exposure to a light source
Implementation Method 2
using iron fragments in a polymer matrix and a light-sensitive activator to bind with free-oxygen
Implementation Method 3
applying heat to the joined ends of the pouch material to bring the joined ends to a temperature between about 137° C. and 205° C.
Implementation Method 4
applying heat to the oxygen scavenger and pressing the oxygen scavenger against at least one first portion of an inner surface of the pouch material
Data Source
AI summary
The method includes adhering an oxygen scavenger to a pouch material, the pouch material being gas and moisture impermeable, and joining ends of the pouch material to form a sealed inner cavity, the sealed inner cavity containing at least one first portion of the oxygen scavenger.