Rotatable Dual-Wrapper Mouthpiece for Variable Smoking Ventilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smoking articles with variable ventilation mechanisms often result in inconsistent levels of ventilation, leading to high waste during manufacturing due to variations in the fully closed position, which can be undesirable.

Innovation Solution

A smoking article design featuring a mouthpiece circumscribed by two substantially air-impermeable wrappers that are rotatable between low and high ventilation configurations, ensuring a minimum level of ventilation in the low configuration and maximum in the high configuration, without a fully closed position, thereby maintaining consistency and reducing waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a variable ventilation mechanism is provided in the mouthpiece, then consumers can adjust the level of ventilation, but inconsistent levels of ventilation occur leading to high waste during manufacturing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of ventilation levelVSAvoidconsistency of ventilation level

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation control mechanism is segmented into two independent wrappers (first and second wrappers) that can rotate relative to each other. Each wrapper has airflow pathways that can be independently aligned or misaligned, creating discrete ventilation levels. This segmentation allows for consistent manufacturing of each wrapper component while achieving variable ventilation through their relative positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mouthpiece employs dynamic wrappers that can rotate between different angular positions to vary ventilation levels. The wrappers transition between a low ventilation configuration (misaligned pathways) and a high ventilation configuration (aligned pathways), enabling adjustable ventilation without compromising manufacturing consistency of the individual wrapper components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If wrappers are made substantially air-impermeable, then ventilation control is improved, but a minimum baseline level of ventilation must still be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation control capabilityVSAvoidminimum ventilation guarantee

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wrappers are designed with localized airflow pathways at specific positions rather than being uniformly permeable or impermeable. The first and second wrappers each have pathways positioned such that when misaligned, they provide a controlled minimum ventilation level, and when aligned, they provide maximum ventilation. This local quality approach allows air-impermeable wrappers to still guarantee minimum ventilation through their geometric configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the mouthpiece is designed with two rotatable wrappers, then ventilation adjustability is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation adjustment rangeVSAvoidstructure of mouthpiece

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both the first and second wrappers serve multiple functions: they provide structural enclosure of the mouthpiece, contain airflow pathways for ventilation control, and act as rotatable adjustment mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the enhanced ventilation adjustability provided by the dual-wrapper design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design provides a consistent baseline level of ventilation in the low configuration and maximum ventilation in the high configuration, reducing waste and allowing consumers to adjust nicotine-free dry particulate matter and tar delivery during smoking.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second wrappers are rotatable relative to one another between a low ventilation configuration and a high ventilation configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

provide the filters or mouthpieces of combustible and non-combustible smoking articles with ventilation in order to mix the mainstream smoke produced during use of the smoking articles with ambient air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVentilation mixing:

Data Source

PatentEP2785207B1Smoking article with a ventilated mouthpiece comprising first and second airflow pathways

Publication Date: 2019.06.05 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA

Figure 1~3b
Figure 4~5

AI summary

A smoking article (10, 30, 40, 50, 70) with variable ventilation comprises a mouthpiece (12) circumscribed by a first wrapper (24) and a second wrapper(25). The first wrapper (24) and the second wrapper (25) are substantially air impermeable and are movable relative to one another between a low ventilation configuration and a high ventilation configuration. The mouthpiece (12) comprises a first airflow pathway (18, 19) through the first wrapper (24) or the second wrapper (25) and a second airflow pathway (26) through the first wrapper (24) or the second wrapper(25). In the low ventilation configuration airflow into the mouthpiece (12) through the first airflow pathway (18, 19) is restricted and airflow into the mouthpiece (12) through the second airflow pathway (26) is substantially unrestricted. In the high ventilation configuration airflow into the mouthpiece (12) through the first airflow pathway (18, 19) and the second airflow pathway (26) is substantially unrestricted.