Water-Soluble Polymeric Insert for Biodegradable Cigarette Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cigarette filters do not readily degrade after disposal, posing environmental concerns, and existing biodegradable solutions may not effectively break down in the presence of liquid water at various temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A smoking article filter incorporating a polymeric insert made from a water-soluble material with a compressibility of less than 100 N per 1.5 mm, formed from water-soluble polymers like starch and polyvinyl alcohol, which dissolves quickly in water, facilitating the filter's disintegration and degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional filter materials (cellulose acetate) are used, then the filter provides adequate structural support and filtration, but the filter does not readily degrade after disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The filter combines cellulose acetate fibres with water-soluble biodegradable polymer fibres (starch, polyvinyl alcohol, or gelatin) to create a composite filter material. The cellulose acetate provides structural support and filtration, while the water-soluble polymer component enables the filter to disintegrate and biodegrade when exposed to moisture after disposal, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and environmental degradation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing biodegradable materials are used in the filter, then the filter can degrade after disposal, but the materials may not effectively break down in the presence of liquid water at various temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies water-soluble polymers with controlled molecular weights and solubility characteristics that ensure reliable breakdown in liquid water across various temperatures. The polymer content is optimized at 1-20% by weight of the filter material, and the fibre diameter is controlled at 1-50 micrometers to maximize surface area and dissolution rate, ensuring consistent biodegradation performance under different environmental conditions
3Strength
If the polymeric insert wall thickness is increased, then the filter provides better structural support, but the insert becomes less compressible and harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies optimal wall thickness parameters for the polymeric insert (0.5-2.0 mm) that balance structural support requirements with manufacturability. The water-soluble polymer compressibility is controlled at 50-150 mm³/g to ensure the insert can be properly formed during manufacturing while maintaining adequate mechanical strength for filter support
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 water-soluble polymeric insert rapidly breaks down in contact with water, enhancing the degradation rate of the filter, allowing it to disintegrate and biodegrade more efficiently, reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
formed of a water soluble polymeric material comprising one or more water soluble polymers, wherein the filter is circumscribed by a filter wrapper and wherein the filter wrapper is fused to the outer surface of the polymeric insert by means of the polymeric material forming the polymeric insert
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A smoking article (10) comprises a polymeric insert (24) having a compressibility of less than about 100 N per 1.5 mm and formed of a dissolvable polymeric material comprising one or more water soluble polymers. Preferably, the polymeric insert within the smoking article (10) is in the form of a flow restriction element including a transverse barrier (28) with at least one orifice (38).