Solid-State Aerosol Formulation Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol-generating systems face issues with leakage of formulations due to their liquid state at standard temperature and pressure, which can lead to storage and transportation challenges and reduced shelf-life.
Innovation Solution
A formulation with a melting point between 60 degrees Celsius and 300 degrees Celsius, comprising aerosol formers like glycerine and propylene glycol, and polymers such as polyvinyl acetate and polyethylene glycol, which transitions to a liquid upon heating and solidifies upon cooling, reducing leakage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a liquid formulation is used in an aerosol-generating system, then the formulation can be easily vaporized to generate aerosol, but the formulation is prone to leakage during storage and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the formulation from liquid to solid by incorporating polymers and adjusting composition, thereby reducing leakage risk during storage while maintaining vaporization capability during use through heating
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation utilizes phase transition between solid and liquid states: it remains solid at storage temperature to prevent leakage, and transitions to liquid when heated during aerosol generation, enabling both reliable storage and effective operation
2Productivity
If a liquid formulation is used in an aerosol-generating system, then the formulation flows easily for atomization, but the shelf-life is reduced due to leakage and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation's physical state is changed from liquid to solid through polymer incorporation, which prevents leakage and degradation during storage, thereby extending shelf-life while maintaining atomization efficiency through controlled heating
3Reliability
If the formulation is kept solid at storage temperature, then leakage is prevented, but it must be heated to become liquid for aerosol generation
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation is designed to undergo phase transition from solid to liquid at heating temperatures during aerosol generation. This approach accepts the energy requirement for heating as necessary to enable the phase change that allows both leakage prevention during storage and effective atomization during use
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 formulation effectively minimizes leakage during storage and transportation by remaining solid at standard conditions and efficiently vaporizing upon heating, thereby enhancing the shelf-life and performance of aerosol-generating systems.
Implementation Method 1
The formulation may have a melting point of between 60 degrees Celsius and 300 degrees Celsius
Implementation Method 2
an atomiser configured to generate an inhalable aerosol from a formulation... heat and vaporise the formulation to generate an aerosol
Data Source
AI summary
A formulation for an aerosol-generating system is provided, the formulation including: one or more aerosol formers; and one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of: polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, polydioxanone, polycaprolactone, polyethylene, polypropylene glycol, and starch, in which the formulation has a melting point of between 100 degrees Celsius and 300 degrees Celsius. An aerosol-generating article for the aerosol-generating system, and an aerosol-generating system, are also provided.