Sliding Box-and-Sleeve Container With Hidden Locking Flaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers for consumer goods, such as aerosol generating articles, often face issues with lids inadvertently opening during transport, leading to potential product loss and compromised freshness, and the manufacturing process is not cost-effective.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring an inner box with side flaps that engage with the outer sleeve to form a locking mechanism, ensuring the inner box remains locked until intended use, with a hidden locking mechanism to prevent inadvertent opening and using laminar blanks for cost-effective manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional hinged lid container is used, then the container structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the lid may inadvertently open during transport causing product loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid closure reliabilityVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is pre-configured with locking elements positioned to automatically engage with the inner box at predetermined locations, ensuring the lid remains securely closed during transport without requiring additional manual locking actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A separate locking mechanism with locking elements acts as an intermediary between the lid and the inner box, providing secure engagement that prevents inadvertent opening while maintaining the simplicity of the basic hinged lid structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent opening, then the container security is improved, but the manufacturing cost and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer securityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into separate locking elements that can be independently positioned and engaged at multiple locations on the inner box, allowing for scalable manufacturing and assembly while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking elements are designed to automatically engage with the inner box structure without requiring additional fastening operations or complex assembly steps, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining secure locking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the locking mechanism is made visible on the outer surface, then the locking function is clear to users, but the aesthetic appearance and smooth outer surface are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking function visibilityVSAvoidouter surface smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The locking elements are nested within recesses or integrated into the outer surface structure of the container, allowing the locking mechanism to function while maintaining a smooth and aesthetically pleasing outer appearance without protruding elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS12509274B2Container having box and sleeve with locking mechanism

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA

AI summary

A container (1) for consumer goods, the container comprises an outer sleeve (20) and inner box (10) disposed within the outer sleeve (20), and configured to slide within the outer sleeve (20) between: a first position, in which the interior of the inner box (10) cannot be accessed by a user; and a second position, in which the interior of the inner box (10) can be accessed by a user. The container (1) having a locking mechanism for preventing the inner box (10) from sliding from the first position to the second position, when the inner box (10) is in the first position in the outer sleeve (20).