Cigarette Pack Inner Structure with Integrated Actuation Tab

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cigarette packaging designs are material-intensive and complex, making them costly and difficult to produce using efficient packaging machines, while also failing to maintain aroma and moisture sealing effectively.

Innovation Solution

The design features a separate actuation tab attached directly to the inner pack, with a closure tab and adhesive covering the removal opening, and the inner pack consists of two thin cardboard blanks that can be produced using standard folding box processes, allowing for efficient production and maintaining aroma and moisture tightness without additional inner wrapping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a multi-part pack with separate inner wrapping and film sealing is used, then aroma and moisture sealing is improved, but material cost and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearoma and moisture sealingVSAvoidpack structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the inner packaging and sealing functions into a single integrated cartón structure. The cartón includes integrated closure tabs (first and second closure tabs) that are part of the same blank, eliminating the need for separate inner wrapping and film sealing components. This merging maintains sealing reliability while reducing structural complexity and material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cartón serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural containment, aroma and moisture sealing, and includes integrated closure mechanisms. The single blank design performs both packaging and sealing functions that previously required separate components, reducing overall pack complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a multi-part pack with separate inner wrapping and film sealing is used, then aroma and moisture sealing is improved, but production efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearoma and moisture sealingVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated cartón design allows the entire packaging structure to be formed from a single blank, enabling production on standard folding box machines rather than requiring complex multi-component assembly equipment. This merging of functions into one component significantly improves production efficiency while maintaining sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If additional inner wrapping and film sealing are used, then aroma and moisture sealing is improved, but material cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearoma and moisture sealingVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates redundant materials by integrating sealing functions into the cartón structure itself. The first and second closure tabs, along with the removal opening design, provide aroma and moisture sealing without requiring additional inner wrapping or film layers, thus reducing total material usage while maintaining sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design reduces material costs and enables production on efficient packaging machines while ensuring aroma and moisture sealing, creating a cost-effective and efficient packaging solution.

Implementation Method 1

an actuation tab provided with (permanent) adhesive to form a protruding closing edge or edge strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2310300B1(cigarette) pack and process and device for producing it
Publication Date: 2013.11.06 FOCKE & CO (GMBH & CO KG)
  • EP2310300B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2310300B1 patent drawingFigure 5~9
  • EP2310300B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

An aroma-tight and moisture-tight pack for cigarettes (10) comprises an inner pack (12) made from cardboard, which is dense as a result of appropriate treatment, or a comparable packaging material and an outer pack (13) in the form of a hinge-lid box, but without a collar. A cigarette group (11) is positioned directly, i.e. without an inner envelope, in the inner pack (12). An upper region of the inner pack, specifically in the region of a lid (15) of the outer pack (13), is provided with a special opening aid. The whole surface area of a closure tab (39) of the inner pack (12) is covered by an actuating tab (42) which is in the form of tape and is made from a separate blank.