Automatic Bottom Packaging Cover for Hygienic Waste Disposal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current packaging for stick-shaped goods like cigarettes and tobacco sticks is bulky, difficult to assemble, and lacks provisions for hygienic disposal of waste products, such as cigarette butts and used filter inserts.

Innovation Solution

A cover with an automatic base that folds flat for easy storage and transportation, featuring adhesive and closure flaps that interlock to form a stable floor, and a design that allows easy conversion into a waste container, along with a blank for producing such covers that can be easily folded and glued into a ready-to-use state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the covering is made with a fixed base and bottom flaps, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of stacking and storage is worsened because the base obstructs the folding process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of stacking and storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic automatic bottom that forms only when needed. The bottom closure flaps remain flat and non-obstructive during storage, then automatically form a stable base when the covering is erected, providing structural stability only when required for use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bottom closure flaps are pre-positioned in a flat state that allows easy stacking and storage. The automatic bottom formation is prepared in advance through the hinge connections and adhesive flap design, so that when the covering is erected, the base forms automatically without requiring additional assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the covering is designed to be easily folded for storage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the load-bearing capacity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of foldingVSAvoidload-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The covering structure is designed to be flexible and foldable during storage, then transforms into a rigid, load-bearing structure when erected. The automatic bottom formation creates a stable base that can support the weight of waste products, while the hinge connections allow easy folding when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The covering structure supports itself through the automatic bottom formation mechanism. When erected, the bottom closure flaps automatically form a stable base that bears the load, eliminating the need for external support structures or complex assembly mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If the covering requires complex machinery for setup, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the productivity is worsened due to time-consuming assembly processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup precisionVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The covering is pre-designed with hinge connections and adhesive flaps positioned to automatically form the bottom when erected. This preliminary arrangement of components ensures that no complex assembly machinery is needed during setup, while still achieving precise and stable bottom formation through the automatic mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The covering structure performs its own assembly through the automatic bottom formation mechanism. When the covering is erected, the bottom closure flaps automatically connect to form a stable base, eliminating the need for external assembly machinery and significantly improving setup speed and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If the covering lacks an automatic bottom, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation is worsened because the base cannot be quickly formed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidspeed of base formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom closure flaps are pre-positioned and hinged to the side walls in advance, with adhesive flaps ready to connect. This preliminary arrangement allows the bottom to form automatically and quickly when the covering is erected, without requiring complex assembly mechanisms or additional steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The covering structure automatically forms its own bottom through the hinge connections and adhesive flap design. When erected, the bottom closure flaps self-connect to form a stable base, eliminating the need for manual assembly or complex mechanisms while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables easy stacking, quick assembly, and efficient storage and transport of the packaging, while providing a hygienic means to manage waste products by converting the cover into a compact waste container.

Implementation Method 1

The bottom closure flaps hinged to the respective front or rear wall each have at least one adhesive flap hinged via a corresponding bending line, wherein the adhesive flaps are designed such that they can each be connected to a corresponding bottom closure flap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4169843A1Wrapper for a package, blank for forming a wrapper and set consisting of wrapper and package
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 MAYR MELNHOF KARTON
  • EP4169843A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4169843A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4169843A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a covering (10) for a box (12) for storing goods, in particular rod-shaped goods such as cigarettes, smoking products with filter inserts, smoking products with tobacco sticks and the like, comprising at least a bottom area (14), a front and back wall (16, 18) and side walls (20, 22) connecting the front and back walls (16, 18), wherein these form a container-like receiving area (26) for receiving the box (12) and wherein the covering (10) has at least one opening (28) or recess for receiving items into the receiving area (26), wherein the bottom area (14) comprises several bottom closure tabs (30, 32, 34, 36) to form an automatic bottom (38).The invention further relates to a blank for producing a covering (10) for a box (12) for storing goods, and to a set consisting of a covering (10) and a box (12) to be covered therewith for storing goods.