Tobacco Ash Composite Coating for Moisture-Resistant Smoke Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing heated cigarette sheets result in high moisture absorption, yellow spots, uneven smoke release, and equipment blockages due to the use of hygroscopic atomizing agents, making it difficult to process under ambient humidity conditions and affecting smoking quality.

Innovation Solution

A three-stage coating process using an adhesive paste preparation tank and trough mixer, combined with specific inorganic materials and hydrophobic agents, to create a composite material with reduced moisture absorption and improved atomization uniformity, allowing processing under higher humidity levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If atomizing agents (glycerin and propylene glycol) are added to improve smoke quantity and consumer experience, then smoking performance is improved, but moisture absorption increases causing agglomeration, material blocking, and quality defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoke quantityVSAvoidmoisture absorption resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds the atomizing agent within the porous structure of inorganic material particles. The inorganic material particles serve as containers that hold the atomizing agent inside their porous network, preventing direct contact with external moisture while allowing controlled release during heating. This nesting structure resolves the contradiction by protecting the hygroscopic atomizing agent from environmental moisture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining inorganic material particles (providing moisture resistance and porous structure) with atomizing agents (providing smoke generation). This composite structure allows the inorganic material to protect the atomizing agent from moisture while maintaining the atomizing agent's functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between smoke quality and moisture resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If thick paste method or rolling method is used to add atomizing agent to tobacco, then smoking effect is improved, but processing difficulty increases due to equipment blockage and high humidity requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoking effectVSAvoidprocessing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes inorganic material particles with porous structures to carry the atomizing agent. The porous structure allows the atomizing agent to be distributed throughout the particle interior, creating a form that is less prone to blocking equipment during processing. The porous nature also allows for controlled release without requiring strict humidity control, easing manufacturing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and distribution parameters of the atomizing agent by incorporating it into inorganic material particles. This transformation from free-flowing liquid to enclosed porous structure modifies the processing characteristics, reducing blockage tendencies and allowing processing under more relaxed humidity conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If atomizing agent is sprayed or coated on tobacco surface, then smoke release is improved, but uniformity deteriorates due to uneven distribution and localized concentration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoke releaseVSAvoiduniformity of distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by distributing the atomizing agent uniformly throughout the interior of inorganic material particles rather than concentrating it on the surface. Each particle becomes a uniform micro-unit with consistent atomizing agent distribution, ensuring even smoke release when heated. This internal uniformization resolves the contradiction between effective smoke release and distribution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 reduces moisture absorption, prevents yellow spots, and enhances smoking taste by improving atomization uniformity and flavor release, enabling production under relaxed humidity conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an inorganic material having a porous structure... to prepare an adhesive paste

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

mixing the adhesive paste with a hydrophobic agent to realize second-stage coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP4684653A1Adhesive paste@ground tobacco ash composite material, preparation thereof, and uses thereof in novel tobacco product and tobacco sheet
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 CHINA TOBACCO HUNAN IND CORP
  • EP4684653A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4684653A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4684653A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present application relates to the field of preparation of novel tobacco sheets, and in particular to a preparation method for an adhesive paste @ ground tobacco ash composite material. The preparation method comprises: performing first-stage coating on a vaporizing agent and an inorganic material in an adhesive paste preparation tank to prepare an adhesive paste; then mixing the adhesive paste with a hydrophobic agent, so as to achieve second-stage coating, and then performing third-stage coating on the adhesive paste obtained by the second-stage coating and ground tobacco ash in a trough mixer to prepare the adhesive paste @ ground tobacco ash composite material. The present application further comprises the composite material prepared by means of the preparation method, and uses of the composite material in a novel tobacco and a tobacco sheet. In the present application, the preparation method can effectively mitigate the problem of moisture absorption of the sheet, and can promote the uniform and effective release of the vaporizing agent.