Cigarette Box Lateral Push-Out Opening Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cigarette boxes lack visual appeal and innovative opening/closing mechanisms, failing to capture customers' interest.
Innovation Solution
A cigarette box design featuring an outer case with a push window and a movable inner case that protrudes laterally when pushed, allowing for a unique sideways opening and closing mechanism, enhanced by a stopper system to control the turning angle and a pull-up mouth for easy access to cigarettes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional hinged-lid package is used for a cigarette box, then the structure is simple and familiar to users, but the package lacks visual appeal and does not arouse customers' interest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static hinged-lid structure into a dynamic push-out mechanism where the inner case moves laterally relative to the outer case. This dynamic opening/closing action creates visual interest and novelty while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of a straightforward push-window interface and lateral movement path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from the conventional vertical opening motion (hinged-lid) to a lateral horizontal motion (push-out). This dimensional change in the opening direction provides a fresh user experience and enhanced visual appeal without significantly complicating the overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an inner shell is made pivotably movable within an outer shell for swinging movement, then the opening mechanism becomes more innovative, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the inner case pivoting within the outer case (conventional approach), the patent inverts the relationship by having the inner case move laterally in a straight line through a push-window. This inversion simplifies the mechanism by eliminating complex pivoting joints while achieving innovative opening action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pivotable movement concept and replaces it with a simpler lateral translation mechanism. By taking out the complex swinging motion and substituting it with direct linear movement constrained by guide walls, the innovation is maintained while complexity is reduced.
3Ease of operation
If retaining flaps are added to restrict the lid's opening movement, then the opening movement is controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-service control mechanisms where the inner case's lateral movement is automatically constrained by the guide walls formed by the outer case. The stopper elements provide automatic positioning without requiring additional active control systems, maintaining operational control while minimizing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin guide walls and stopper elements that provide necessary constraints with minimal material and structure. These thin film-like constraints effectively control the opening movement without adding significant bulk or complexity to the overall design.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cigarette box has an outer case (2) provided in a portion of a bottom wall (14) thereof with a movable base (22) capable of turning around a hinge (20), and an inner case (4) disposed in the outer case (2), the inner case (4) holding an inner pack of cigarettes. The inner case (4) is connected to the movable base (22) only at a bottom wall (26) thereof, and protrudes from an open face (6) of the outer case (2) in a lateral direction of the outer case (2) when turned around the hinge (22) together with the movable base (22), which opens the cigarette box.