Cellulose Smoking Packet With Tear Tape and Moisture Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoking article packets are not biodegradable and lack sustainability due to the use of impermeable materials like plastic or metal, which are difficult to recycle, and they struggle to balance ease of access with environmental friendliness.
Innovation Solution
A packet design using a cellulose-based wrapper with a transverse tear tape and moisture barrier coating, combined with a cellulose-based outer casing, ensures easy access while maintaining environmental sustainability by utilizing materials that are biodegradable and recyclable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional aluminium foil is used as a packet, then manufacturing cost is low and ease of manufacture is good, but the packet bursts easily during filling and the sealing rim is irregular
Solution Approach 1:
The packet comprises a composite structure with an inner layer of metallised material (such as aluminium foil) and an outer layer of heat-shrinkable material (such as polyolefin). This composite structure combines the barrier properties of the metallised layer with the mechanical strength and heat-shrinkage capabilities of the outer layer, preventing packet bursting during filling while maintaining manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies heat treatment to the packet after filling, which causes the heat-shrinkable outer layer to shrink and conform to the container shape. This parameter change (temperature application) improves packet integrity and creates a regular sealing rim without requiring changes to the base manufacturing process.
2Productivity
If the packet is filled and sealed immediately without heat treatment, then manufacturing time is short and productivity is high, but the packet does not shrink to form a regular sealing rim
Solution Approach 1:
The packet is designed with pre-applied adhesive on the sealing rim before filling. This preliminary action ensures that when the packet is subsequently heat-treated, the adhesive is already in position to create a regular, clean seal as the heat-shrinkable material contracts around the container.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat treatment is applied after filling to trigger the heat-shrinkage of the outer layer. This parameter change (temperature increase) causes the packet to shrink uniformly, forming a regular sealing rim while maintaining high manufacturing efficiency through a simple post-filling step.
3Device complexity
If a single-layer aluminium foil packet is used, then device complexity is low and manufacturing is simple, but the packet is prone to bursting and has poor sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The packet uses a composite structure with an inner metallised layer providing barrier properties and an outer heat-shrinkable layer providing mechanical strength and sealability. This composite approach improves sealing performance and prevents bursting while adding only one additional functional layer, maintaining relative simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer heat-shrinkable layer serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical strength to prevent bursting, enables heat-shrinkage for regular sealing rim formation, and works with the adhesive layer to create reliable seals. This multi-functionality improves performance without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 solution provides an environmentally friendly packet that is easy to open and maintains the integrity of the contents, reducing environmental impact while ensuring effective sealing and protection from external elements.
Implementation Method 1
the packet is heat treated to shrink the packet around the container
Implementation Method 2
The packet includes an adhesive layer which may be heat activated
Implementation Method 3
The packet comprises a metallised material such as aluminium foil and an outer layer of heat-shrinkable material
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A packet (10) for smoking articles is disclosed. The packet comprises an outer casing (12) comprising a main body (14) and a lid (16). The main body comprises: a front panel (18); a rear panel (20); a bottom panel (22); a first side panel (24); and a second side panel (26) which cooperatively define a main compartment having an opening (28) opposite to the bottom panel. A hinge (30) is formed between the lid and the rear panel of the main body such that the lid is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The packet further comprises a substantially cuboidal pouch (32) comprising: a front major portion (110); a rear major portion (112); a top minor portion (114); a bottom minor portion (116); a first side portion (118); and a second side portion (120), wherein the pouch is received within the main compartment such that the pouch protrudes from the main compartment through the opening, wherein the pouch is completely contained within the outer casing when the lid is in the closed position, and wherein the pouch comprises a cellulose-based wrapper (122). A tear tape (34) attached to the pouch and arranged to extend around the pouch in a transverse direction with respect to the length of the pouch such that the tear tape is positioned above the hinge. The tear tape is configured to be pulled by a user to separate a top section of the pouch from a bottom section of the pouch.