Cigarette Pack End Wall Stability via Oblique Support Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shell and slide type cigarette packs experience instability due to non-pressure-stable end walls, which can pivot into the pack under pressure, especially during foil wrapping, additional printing, or transportation.

Innovation Solution

The end wall is supported by at least one obliquely directed support element, ensuring it rests on multiple elements and preventing sliding, with the support elements arranged on both side walls to maintain stability and avoid friction during opening and closing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the end wall is made non-pressure-stable to allow flexibility during assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the stability of the pack structure deteriorates causing the wall to pivot into the pack under pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The end wall is divided into a support area and a non-support area, with support elements positioned at specific locations to provide localized stability while maintaining overall flexibility during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Support elements are introduced as intermediary components between the end wall and the pack interior, acting as mediators that prevent the wall from pivoting into the pack while allowing controlled movement during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If support elements are added to stabilize the end wall, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Support elements are positioned at specific local areas of the end wall where stability is most needed, rather than uniformly across the entire structure, providing targeted support with minimal added complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire end wall rigid and pressure-stable, the invention inverts the approach by making specific localized areas supportive while allowing the rest of the wall to remain flexible and non-pressure-stable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the support elements are positioned to maximize wall stability, then the stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to friction during opening and closing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Support elements are positioned in localized areas that provide stability without interfering with the sliding motion of the pack, distinguishing between areas requiring support and areas requiring movement freedom

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pack structure is segmented into support zones and movement zones, with support elements confined to specific locations that stabilize the end wall while leaving the sliding interface between inner and outer packs free from friction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3853136B1Packet for products of the cigarette industry
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 FOCKE & CO (GMBH & CO KG)
  • EP3853136B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3853136B1 patent drawingFigure 4~9
  • EP3853136B1 patent drawingFigure 10~13

AI summary

The invention relates to a packet for cigarettes, having an outer packet (11) and an inner packet (12) arranged movably in the outer packet (11) for opening or closing of the packet (10). The inner packet (12) is configured to receive at least one product group as packet content (27), and the inner package (12) is formed from a blank (28) made of packaging material, and the blank (28) has a plurality of walls and, in a position at least partially surrounding the packet contents, extends at least partially along preferably all lateral surfaces of the packet contents of the packaging (27). According to the invention, at least one end wall (31, 34) of the blank (28) of the inner packet (12) is supported by at least one support element (39, 40) of the blank (28) in the position at least partially surrounding the packet contents (27).