Cigarette Pack Filling Element Accompany Flap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid packs of cigarettes with a hinged lid and a filling element face challenges in maintaining the aroma and humidity of cigarettes due to the limitations of reclosable labels, which are difficult to properly close when the inner wrap has a reduced thickness, leading to difficulties in cigarette extraction.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an accompanying flap on the filling element that protrudes from the front wall, ensuring the reclosable label remains tangent to the upper wall even when the lid is open, preventing uncontrolled detachment and allowing for a larger extraction opening without compromising closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the inner wrap has reduced thickness to accommodate the filling element, then the pack structure is improved and cigarette preservation is enhanced, but the reclosable label becomes difficult to properly close and cigarette extraction becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepack structureVSAvoidcigarette extraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a longitudinal dimension to the label closure system by providing a longitudinal sealing portion that extends along the upper wall of the inner wrap. This transforms the closure mechanism from a purely transverse operation to one that involves both transverse and longitudinal dimensions, allowing the label to be properly closed even with reduced wrap thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The reclosable label is divided into distinct functional portions: a transverse sealing portion for closing the extraction opening and a longitudinal sealing portion for maintaining the seal along the upper wall. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, resolving the conflict between reduced thickness and proper closure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the extraction opening of the wrap is reduced to allow proper label closure, then the reclosable label can be properly closed, but cigarette extraction becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabel closureVSAvoidcigarette extraction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different sealing qualities to different portions of the label. The transverse sealing portion provides strong closure across the extraction opening, while the longitudinal sealing portion provides continuous sealing along the upper wall. This local differentiation of sealing properties allows the label to function properly without restricting the extraction opening size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the transverse dimension of the extraction opening is increased to facilitate cigarette extraction, then cigarette extraction is easier, but the reclosable label becomes devoid of guide and deforms towards the inside of the lid preventing regular closure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecigarette extractionVSAvoidlabel closure uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal sealing portion acts as an intermediary element between the transverse sealing portion and the upper wall of the inner wrap. It provides a guiding function that directs the transverse sealing portion during the closing operation, preventing deformation and ensuring uniform closure even with larger extraction openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The longitudinal sealing portion is预先 positioned along the upper wall to establish a guide path before the transverse sealing operation occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that the label follows the correct closure trajectory and prevents deformation during the closing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4067258A1Rigid pack of smoking articles provided with a filling element
Publication Date: 2022.10.05 GD SPA
  • EP4067258A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4067258A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4067258A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A pack (1) of smoking articles comprising: a wrap (2) which wraps a group of smoking articles and comprises an extraction opening (20) for articles; a reclosable label (3) fixed to the inner wrap (2); an outer container (4) which houses the inner wrap (2), has a thickness (S1) greater than the thickness (S2) of the inner wrap (2); a lid (5) which is hinged to the outer container (4); a box-shaped filling element (6) which is inserted into the outer container (4) to compensate for the difference in thickness between the outer container (4) and the inner wrap (2). The reclosable label (3) comprises an end (30) connected to the lid (5). The filling element (6) comprises an accompanying flap (60) which protrudes from the front wall (61) of the filling element (6) towards the front wall (41) of the outer container (4) to keep the reclosable label (3) folded towards the front wall (41) of the outer container (4).