Stimulus-Responsive Pouch Indicators for Product Integrity Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smokeless tobacco products lack indicators for product integrity and environmental conditions, and there is a need for innovative formats that provide sensory feedback during use.
Innovation Solution
Pouched products incorporating chromogenic materials and electronic components that respond to stimuli such as pH changes, moisture, and mechanical compression, along with the ability to relay information to portable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chromogenic materials and electronic components are integrated into pouched products, then real-time feedback on product integrity and environmental conditions is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines chromogenic materials and electronic components into a single integrated pouch system. The chromogenic material is embedded within the pouch structure, while electronic components are integrated into the pouch assembly, allowing both visual and electronic sensing functions to coexist in one unified product format. This merging approach enables simultaneous monitoring of product integrity and environmental conditions without requiring separate monitoring devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the product container, the chromogenic indicator, the electronic sensor interface, and the communication gateway. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate monitoring devices and reduces overall system complexity while providing comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
2Loss of information
If chromogenic materials are embedded in porous pouch material, then product integrity feedback is provided, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous pouch material as the base structure and embeds chromogenic materials within the porous matrix. The porous structure provides natural channels and surfaces for material incorporation, allowing the chromogenic material to be distributed throughout the pouch wall thickness. This approach maintains manufacturing feasibility while ensuring uniform distribution of the indicator material.
Solution Approach 2:
The chromogenic material is strategically positioned in specific regions of the pouch wall where it can most effectively monitor product integrity. By concentrating the indicator material in key areas rather than uniformly throughout, the patent achieves effective monitoring while reducing manufacturing complexity and material usage.
3Loss of information
If electronic components are disposed on pouch surface, then real-time feedback capability is enhanced, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic components are pre-assembled and tested before being integrated into the pouch. The pouch structure is designed with predetermined locations and mounting features that facilitate easy component placement. This preliminary preparation simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing on-site assembly complexity and ensuring proper positioning of electronic components.
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
Provides real-time feedback on product integrity and environmental conditions, enhancing user experience and ensuring product quality.
Implementation Method 1
a chromogenic material or an electronic component, wherein the chromogenic material and the electronic component are responsive to a stimulus
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are pouched products including a chromogenic material or an electronic component, wherein the chromogenic material and the electronic component are responsive to a stimulus. The stimulus may be a change in pH, a change in temperature, or exposure to moisture. Such pouched products can be employed to detect various changes associated with the pouched product.