Pullulan-Coated Activated Carbon Filter for Smoke Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cigarette filters with charcoal adsorb secondary flavorants, leading to flavor deterioration and reduced smoke component adsorption, while existing solutions fail to effectively utilize deodorants during smoking.
Innovation Solution
A cigarette filter comprising particulate activated carbon coated with a pullulan film, which suppresses flavorant adsorption during storage and activates adsorption during smoking by dissolving with polar components in mainstream smoke.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a charcoal (activated carbon) filter is used to adsorb cigarette mainstream smoke components, then smoke component adsorption is improved, but flavorant is adsorbed and flavor deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The activated carbon surface is modified with specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, or carbonyl groups) to create localized regions with different adsorption properties. This selective surface modification allows the filter to differentiate between adsorbing harmful smoke components and preserving flavorant compounds, resolving the contradiction between adsorption capability and flavor preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite activated carbon materials combining carbon base material with surface-modifying compounds containing oxygen functional groups. This composite structure provides both the high adsorption capacity of activated carbon and the selective interaction properties of the functional groups, enabling simultaneous smoke component removal and flavorant preservation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If deodorant is encapsulated in capsules to eliminate smoke odor after smoking, then smoke odor elimination is improved, but deodorant cannot function during smoking
Solution Approach 1:
The deodorant functional groups are pre-installed on the activated carbon surface before the cigarette is smoked. This preliminary preparation allows the deodorant to be immediately active during smoking rather than requiring capsule destruction after smoking, extending the functional duration from post-smoking only to throughout the entire smoking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The deodorant function is extracted from the capsule format and integrated directly into the activated carbon structure itself. This eliminates the need for capsule destruction and allows continuous deodorant activity during smoking, resolving the timing limitation of the capsule-based approach.
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
Maintains flavor delivery and enhances smoke component adsorption, preventing flavorant loss and improving smoke filtration efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the secondary flavorant migrates to and is adsorbed on the charcoal, resulting in a partial deterioration of the flavor and taste
Implementation Method 2
a pullulan film supported by the particulate activated carbon... dissolving with polar components in mainstream smoke
Implementation Method 3
particulate activated carbon and a glucan film supported by the particulate activated carbon
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The present invention provides a cigarette mainstream smoke component adsorbent including particulate activated carbon (12), and a glucan film (14) supported by the particulate activated carbon (12). Also, the present invention provides a cigarette filter including the cigarette mainstream smoke component adsorbent.