Natural Plant Filter Rods via Single-Screw Extrusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cigarette filter rods are limited by their simple form and function, high production costs, environmental pollution due to non-degradable materials, and ineffective flavoring methods, which hinder industrial application and consumer satisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A molding apparatus with a single-screw extrusion system and cooling setting system is used to produce low-cost, degradable cigarette filter rods from natural plant materials, incorporating a unique screw design and adhesive application to create hollow or flavored filter rods with improved air permeability and flavor retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If natural plant materials are used to make cigarette filter rods, then environmental friendliness and cost are improved, but manufacturing complexity and process difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental pollutionVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by using natural plant particles instead of traditional cellulose acetate, and adjusts processing parameters such as particle size distribution, moisture content, and binding agent ratios to achieve both environmental friendliness and manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite filter rod structures by combining natural plant particles with binding agents and optional flavoring agents, forming a multi-component material system that maintains structural integrity while being environmentally friendly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional cellulose acetate materials are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but environmental degradation and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adopts natural plant materials that are biodegradable and can be disposed of without environmental harm, replacing expensive and persistent cellulose acetate materials while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized processing procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If extracted or synthesized flavors are added to filter rods, then flavoring effect is improved, but cost and flavor lasting ability become uncertain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflavoring effectVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the filter rod material itself to provide flavoring through natural plant particles that inherently contain aromatic compounds, eliminating the need for additional extracted or synthesized flavor additives and reducing overall cost while improving flavor reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If hollow core composite rods are produced, then smoke dilution rate is improved, but production cost and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoke dilution rateVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the filter rod into functional segments including hollow core sections and solid sections, where the hollow core provides smoke dilution while the solid sections provide filtration, achieving improved smoke dilution rate through a cost-effective segmented structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables one-step molding of cigarette filter rods with enhanced hardness, air permeability, and flavor retention, reducing production costs and environmental impact while providing a more sustainable and consumer-friendly product.

Implementation Method 1

a single-screw extrusion system includes a feeder and an extruder; the extruder includes a cylinder, a heater is arranged outside the cylinder, a screw is arranged inside the cylinder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExtrusion: Extrusion

Implementation Method 2

a heater is arranged outside the cylinder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

the cooling setting system includes a round tube and a cooler; the cooler is arranged outside the round tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 4

incorporating a unique screw design and adhesive application to create hollow or flavored filter rods

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS12133550B2Molding apparatus, cigarette filter rod and preparation method thereof

Publication Date: 2024.11.05 CHINA TOBACCO HUNAN IND CORP

AI summary

A molding apparatus, a cigarette filter rod and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The molding apparatus comprises a single-screw extrusion system and a cooling setting system. The single-screw extrusion system comprises a feeder and an extruder. The feeder is arranged on the extruder. The extruder comprises a cylinder. A heater is arranged outside the cylinder. A screw is arranged inside the cylinder, and a mouth mold is arranged at one end of the cylinder. The cooling setting system comprises a round tube and a cooler. The cooler (6) is arranged outside the round tube. One end of the round tube is butted with the mouth mold of the extruder; and multiple groups of grooves are formed on threads of the head of the screw.