Bevelled Edge Container with Curved Junction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers for consumer goods, such as smoking articles, often suffer from structural damage and visual imperfections during assembly due to the folding of rounded or beveled edges, leading to holes or gaps at junctions, which affect both the appearance and strength of the container.

Innovation Solution

A laminar blank is used to form a container with modified edge portions, where beveled and curved edges are designed such that their free edges trace each other's profile when assembled, preventing visible holes or gaps, and utilizing creasing lines and ablated lines to enhance the folding process without requiring significant changes to existing machinery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If creasing lines or score lines are provided at the areas forming the edges of the container to round off or chamfer corners, then the container gains a distinctive appearance and progressive bending between adjacent walls, but holes or gaps can form at the junction between adjacent rounded or bevelled edges, impacting visual perception and structural strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverounded or bevelled edge appearanceVSAvoidjunction integrity at edge intersections
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the blank with specific crease patterns and edge configurations before folding. The blank includes first and second modified edges with predetermined crease lines that guide the folding process, ensuring that adjacent rounded or bevelled edges meet precisely at their junctions without forming holes or gaps. This pre-planned configuration prevents structural defects before assembly occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional packing apparatus and techniques are used for assembly, then existing machinery can be utilized, but the container may be structurally damaged during folding of the blank to form the container

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with existing machineryVSAvoidstructural integrity during assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical parameters of the blank, specifically the configuration of crease lines and edge geometries. The blank includes specific crease patterns and modified edges with controlled dimensions and angles that allow conventional folding machinery to operate without causing structural damage. These parameter modifications enable standard equipment to achieve precise, damage-free assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Shape

If adjacent rounded or bevelled edges form an orthogonal angle, then the container has a distinctive appearance, but the strength and finish of the container may be impacted during folding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorthogonal angle between edgesVSAvoidcontainer strength at edge junction
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains the orthogonal angle between adjacent rounded or bevelled edges while preventing strength loss through preliminary action. The blank is pre-configured with specific crease lines and edge modifications that ensure precise alignment and meeting of edges at 90-degree angles during folding. This pre-planned configuration allows the distinctive orthogonal appearance to be achieved without compromising structural strength at the junctions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3350099B1Container with a bevelled edge and an adjacent transverse curved edge
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
  • EP3350099B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3350099B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3350099B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

A container for consumer goods and a laminar blank (300) for forming such a container. The laminar blank defines a portion of the container, which comprises: a first planar wall (322); a second planar wall (314) connected to the first planar wall (322) by a first modified edge portion (3140) forming a bevelled edge portion of the container; and a third planar wall (316) connected to the first planar wall (322) by a second modified edge portion (3130) forming a curved edge portion of the container. The longitudinal direction of the first modified edge portion (3140) being transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second modified edge portion (3130); the first modified edge portion (3140) and the second modified edge portion (3130) forming, when the container is assembled from the laminar blank, adjacent edge portions of the container meeting at a junction.