Cigarette Pack Collar Embossing for Block Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cigarette packs struggle to accommodate cigarette blocks of varying dimensions due to the low material rigidity of standard collars, leading to instability and play within the receiving space.

Innovation Solution

The collar features dome-like organs formed by material deformation, such as embossing, which reduce the cross-section of the box part to match the dimensions of the cigarette block, providing stable support and secure fit through protrusions on both sides and attachment to the box part walls with glue, ensuring the cigarette block is held firmly during packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If standard cuts for collars are used, then the collar can be easily manufactured, but the material rigidity is relatively low causing tabs to lose support function after short time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollar manufacturingVSAvoidsupport function duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state of the collar material by applying heat and pressure to transform it from a soft, flexible state to a hardened, rigid state. This parameter change in material rigidity allows the collar to maintain its support function for extended periods while still being manufacturable through standard processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure where the collar combines two material states: the base material remains relatively soft for manufacturability, while the embossed tabs are transformed into a hardened composite with enhanced rigidity. This composite approach allows different parts of the same component to have different mechanical properties suited to their specific functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cross section of the box part is reduced to accommodate different cigarette block dimensions, then the receiving space can be adapted, but the collar material rigidity must be increased to maintain support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceiving space adaptationVSAvoidcollar material rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies parameter changes locally to the collar tabs through embossing, which transforms the material from soft to hard state. This localized parameter change enables the collar to provide sufficient support strength for adapted receiving spaces without requiring the entire collar to be made from high-rigidity material, thus maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Shape

If embossed lettering is used to reduce the cross section, then the appearance can be modified, but the receiving space cannot be effectively adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross section modificationVSAvoidreceiving space adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses embossed tabs with curved, dome-like shapes that protrude into the receiving space. These three-dimensional curved structures effectively reduce the cross-sectional dimensions of the receiving space to match different cigarette block sizes, providing genuine adaptability rather than just superficial shape modification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The embossed tabs are pre-formed during collar manufacturing to create the reduced cross-section geometry. This preliminary action ensures the receiving space is pre-adapted to specific cigarette block dimensions before the collar is assembled into the box, enabling effective space adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively adapts the receiving space to accommodate cigarette blocks of different sizes with minimal play, maintaining stability and preventing slipping, while the embossed curvatures and glue points ensure secure positioning and support.

Implementation Method 1

the collar has dome-like organs formed by material deformation, in particular by embossing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMaterial deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

the collar is attached to walls of the box part by means of glue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

the cigarette block is connected to the box part during the packaging process by means of a glue point, preferably made of hot glue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHot melt adhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2844572B1Pack for cigarettes
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 FOCKE & CO (GMBH & CO KG)
  • EP2844572B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2844572B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2844572B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a packaging for cigarettes (26) comprising a box part (11) and a cover (12) which is pivotably arranged on the box part (11), the box part (11) forming a receiving chamber for a cigarette block (25), and a collar (13) being arranged in the box part (11), which collar protrudes from the top-open box part (11) and is enclosed by the cover when the cover (12) is in closed position, the collar (13) having means for reducing the size of the receiving chamber, in particular of the cross-section, of the box part (11). The invention is characterised in that the collar (13) has elements (31, 32) formed by material deformation, in particular embossment, in order to reduce the size of the receiving chamber, in particular of the cross-section, of the box part (11) according to the dimensions of the cigarette block (25).