Starch-Based Multi-Channel Airflow Unit for Stable Smoke Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling materials for heat-not-burn cigarettes, particularly those based on polylactic acid, suffer from poor performance and limited temperature reduction capabilities, leading to high smoke temperatures and discomfort during smoking.
Innovation Solution
A preparation method for a starch-based multi-channel airflow unit involving controlled temperature zones and mixing processes, including gelatinization of starch and addition of polyol, to create a material with improved thermoplastic properties and efficient heat absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a polylactic acid film is used as a smoke cooling material, then the cooling effect is improved, but the material is easy to shrink when heated and the overall cooling effect is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of polylactic acid (PLA) as the base polymer and starch as a filler additive. This composite structure combines the thermoplastic properties and heat absorption capability of PLA with the dimensional stability and cooling enhancement provided by starch, resolving the contradiction between cooling effect and dimensional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the starch content parameter within a specific range (1-10 parts by mass per 100 parts of PLA) to achieve the best balance between cooling effect and dimensional stability. By controlling the starch addition amount and using specific starch types (corn starch, potato starch, or sweet potato starch), the material maintains stability while enhancing cooling performance.
2Device complexity
If the heat-not-burn cigarette length is kept short, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cooling time and distance are limited resulting in high smoke temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of polylactic acid during heating. PLA undergoes phase transition at specific temperatures, absorbing heat in the process and effectively cooling the smoke. This allows for strong cooling effect within a compact structure, maintaining short cigarette length while reducing smoke temperature through the material's inherent phase change behavior.
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 method results in a cooling material with a stable molecular structure, effective aroma preservation, and enhanced cooling effect up to 120°C, facilitating comfortable smoking experiences.
Implementation Method 1
melting a polylactic acid, wherein a temperature of a first temperature control zone is 135°C to 145°C, a temperature of a second temperature control zone is 175°C to 185°C, a temperature of a third temperature control zone is 190°C to 200°C
Implementation Method 2
enhanced cooling effect up to 120°C
Implementation Method 3
gelatinizing a starch-based material, adding the starch-based material in the third temperature control zone, and fully mixing
Implementation Method 4
extruding out the mixed material by twin screws, sizing in vacuum, cooling and sizing, and winding and cutting
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a starch-based multi-channel airflow unit and a preparation method and an application thereof. The preparation method of the present invention comprises the following steps: melting a polylactic acid, wherein a temperature of a first temperature control zone is 135°C to 145°C, a temperature of a second temperature control zone is 175°C to 185°C, a temperature of a third temperature control zone is 190°C to 200°C, and a temperature of a fourth temperature control zone is 175°C to 185°C; gelatinizing a starch-based material, adding the starch-based material in the third temperature control zone and fully mixing the mixture; adding a polyol in the third temperature control zone, and fully mixing the mixture; and extruding out the mixed material through twin screws, sizing in vacuum, cooling and sizing, and winding and cutting to obtain the starch-based multi-channel airflow unit. According to the preparation method of the present invention, a damage of a molecular structure of the polylactic acid in a melting and mixing process is reduced by sizing a specific temperature for heating in the four zones in the material melting and mixing process, so that polylactic acid molecules are sufficiently molten but not decomposed, thus achieving an effect of stable structure. The prepared starch-based cooling material has an excellent thermoplastic performance, is convenient for processing and molding, has an excellent strong cooling effect and can have a cooling effect of 120°C.