Cigarette Collation Stability via Aligned Row Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cigarette collations face challenges in stability when cigarettes are removed, leading to potential damage or breakage, and are not easily adjustable to varying numbers of cigarettes, resulting in inefficient packing and increased risk of skidding within the pack.
Innovation Solution
A collation of cigarettes arranged in a specific pattern with rows extending in perpendicular directions, where two adjacent rows without offset stabilize the collation, allowing for adjustment to different numbers of cigarettes while maintaining stability and preventing skidding, using a liner for added stability and ease of handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cigarettes are arranged in staggered rows with offset to achieve high packing efficiency, then packing efficiency is improved, but stability is worsened when cigarettes are removed
Solution Approach 1:
The collation is segmented into different row types: complete rows with n cigarettes and reduced rows with n-1 cigarettes. This segmentation allows the structure to adapt to different total cigarette numbers while maintaining stability through the alternating pattern of full and reduced rows.
Solution Approach 2:
Different rows have different local structures: some rows have offset arrangement while adjacent rows have aligned centers. This local variation in arrangement quality creates interlocking patterns that maintain overall stability even when individual cigarettes are removed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cigarettes are arranged in fixed pattern to maintain stability, then stability is improved, but adaptability to various numbers of cigarettes is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The collation structure is made dynamic by allowing the number of cigarettes in reduced rows to vary (n-1 or n-2) while maintaining the alternating row pattern. This dynamic adjustment capability enables adaptation to different total cigarette counts without compromising the stabilizing alternating structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The alternating row structure serves multiple functions: it provides stability through interlocking patterns, enables adaptation to various cigarette numbers by adjusting reduced row configurations, and maintains consistent geometric relationships. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between fixed stability and adaptive versatility.
3Quantity of substance
If cigarettes are arranged with offset in all rows to achieve compact packing, then packing efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into handling complete rows and reduced rows differently. Complete rows can be formed using standard offset arrangements, while reduced rows use simplified aligned arrangements. This segmentation reduces overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining high packing efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to a collation (1) of cigarettes (2) extending in a first, second and third spatial direction (X, Y, Z), which are all perpendicular to each other, wherein the collation (1) comprises a plurality of parallel cigarettes (2) all arranged with their longitudinal axis (L) parallel to the third spatial direction (Z), wherein the cigarettes (2) are arranged in at least six rows (4) each comprising a defined number m of cigarettes and the rows (4) extend in the first spatial direction (X) and are arranged above each other in the second spatial direction (Y) forming the collation (1) with a rectangular cross section (1a) in a sectional plane (A) spanned by the first and second spatial direction (X, Y), wherein the centers (6) of the cigarettes (2) of each row (4) with regard to the sectional plane (A) are displaced in the first spatial direction (X) with respect to the centers (6) of the cigarettes (2) of the directly adjacent rows (4) in the second spatial direction (Y). The invention is characterized in that at least two adjacent rows (8) each comprising n cigarettes (2) are arranged with the centers (6) of their cigarettes (2) directly above the centers (6) of the cigarettes (2) of the other of the two adjacent rows (8) and in the second spatial direction (Y) the adjacent rows (8) are arranged between at least two other cigarette rows (4).