Perforated Biodegradable Wrapper for Tobacco Smoke Filter Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tobacco smoke filters, such as Pop-a-Tip filters, require dexterity to extract and result in litter due to non-biodegradable transparent overwraps, making them inconvenient for users and environmentally unfriendly.

Innovation Solution

A product rod comprising a plurality of individual tobacco smoke filters abutted end to end with a wrapper including perforations, allowing easy extraction and reducing litter by using a biodegradable paper wrapper that forms part of the filter tip.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a transparent overwrap is used to wrap the filter, then the filter can be held in place and packaged, but it creates litter and environmental pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter packagingVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wrapper material is changed from non-biodegradable transparent plastic to biodegradable paper, fundamentally altering the material parameter to enable environmental decomposition while maintaining the wrapping function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The wrapper is designed as a temporary, disposable component that serves its purpose during packaging and extraction, then decomposes naturally, replacing permanent plastic with a short-lived biodegradable material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If individual filters are extracted from the product rod, then users can use them conveniently, but conventional filters require dexterity and are difficult to extract

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter extractionVSAvoidextraction mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The product rod is segmented into individual filter units separated by perforations, allowing each filter to be independently extracted through simple pulling motion without requiring complex mechanisms or user dexterity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The perforated wrapper acts as an intermediary that facilitates easy separation by providing a predetermined break point, mediating between the bundled filters and the user's extraction action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a common wrapper is used around multiple filters, then packaging is simplified and costs are reduced, but the wrapper must be removed or disposed of

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging efficiencyVSAvoidwrapper waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The wrapper is merged with the filter structure by positioning it to extend over the junctions between filters, transforming it from a separate packaging component into an integrated part of the filter assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wrapper material is recovered and retained as useful filter material rather than discarded, extending its utility from temporary packaging to functional filter component that contributes to smoke filtration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP3440947B1Tobacco smoke filter and method of production

Publication Date: 2022.10.26 ESSENTRA FILTER PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT CO PTE LTD

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AI summary

A product rod (1) comprising a plurality of individual tobacco smoke filters (3) or filter elements abutted end to end; and a wrapper (5) engaged around the plurality of filters (3) or filter elements, the wrapper (5) including perforations (7).