Oxygen-Sequestering Polymer Portions for Vaping Device Shelf-Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic vaping devices face issues with oxidation of pre-vapor formulations due to exposure to oxygen, leading to reduced shelf-life and degradation of components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a material comprising a polymer and an ultraviolet (UV) activated oxygen sequestering agent, such as 1,2 polybutadiene or a three-phase blend, into portions of the vaping device to absorb oxygen and prevent oxidation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional materials are used in the vaping device housing and components, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but oxidation of pre-vapor formulations occurs and shelf-life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by incorporating oxygen sequestering agents (such as iron oxide, copper oxide, or organic peroxides) into polymer matrices (such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polystyrene) to create composite materials that simultaneously provide structural integrity and oxygen scavenging functionality. This resolves the contradiction by extending shelf-life through oxidation prevention while maintaining manageable device complexity through integrated material design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the device materials by incorporating specific oxygen sequestering agents in controlled amounts (typically 0.1-10% by weight) into the polymer structure. This parameter change enables the material to actively scavenge oxygen and prevent oxidation, thereby extending shelf-life without fundamentally altering the basic polymer structure or manufacturing processes.
2Reliability
If oxygen sequestering agents are incorporated into device portions, then oxidation is prevented and shelf-life is extended, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing oxygen sequestering agents with polymers during the material manufacturing stage to create pre-formulated composite materials with consistent oxygen scavenging properties. This preliminary preparation ensures uniform distribution of the active agent throughout the material, reducing variability and maintaining reliable oxidation prevention while simplifying downstream manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating oxygen sequestering agents in specific portions of the device where oxidation risk is highest, such as in components directly contact with pre-vapor formulations or in sealed chambers. This targeted approach ensures effective oxidation prevention in critical areas while using simpler materials in non-critical areas, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring uniform high precision throughout the entire device.
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 extends the shelf-life of the vaping device by up to 1 year by reducing oxidation and degradation of pre-vapor formulations.
Implementation Method 1
Existing electronic vaping devices face issues with oxidation of pre-vapor formulations due to exposure to oxygen
Implementation Method 2
Incorporation of a material comprising a polymer and an ultraviolet (UV) activated oxygen sequestering agent, such as 1,2 polybutadiene or a three-phase blend, into portions of the vaping device to absorb oxygen and prevent oxidation
Implementation Method 3
The oxygen sequestering agent is an ultraviolet (UV) activated oxygen sequestering agent
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic vaping device includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction, a reservoir in the housing, the reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation, a heater in the housing, the heater configured to heat the pre-vapor formulation, at least one portion formed of a material including at least one polymer and at least one oxygen sequestering agent, and a power supply.