Cigarette Pack Opening Tab with Weakening Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cigarette packs with tubular packaging face issues of stability and content removal, where the opening mechanism can accidentally open too far, potentially damaging the pack.
Innovation Solution
A cigarette pack design featuring a collar that surrounds the contents in a C- or U-shape, with a thermally sealable outer wrapping, and an actuation tab that prevents excessive opening by integrating a U-shaped weakening line into the fin seam, ensuring the pack remains intact during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the opening tab is made larger and more prominent to improve ease of opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of the pack opening too far and being destroyed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weakening line is pre-formed in the film to guide the opening process. When the opening tab is pulled, the film automatically follows the predetermined weakening line path, preventing uncontrolled opening beyond the intended amount while still allowing easy initiation of opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The weakening line acts as an intermediary element between the opening tab and the main pack structure. It provides a controlled failure path that allows the opening tab to be pulled without transmitting excessive force to the longitudinal sealing seam, thus protecting pack integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the outer wrapping is made more secure to improve pack stability, then the stability is improved, but the ease of removing contents decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer wrapping is segmented into different functional zones: a secure longitudinal sealing seam for stability, a controlled transverse sealing seam for content removal, and a weakening line for guided opening. This segmentation allows each zone to fulfill its specific function without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the outer wrapping have different properties: the longitudinal sealing seam has high strength for stability, the transverse sealing seam has moderate strength for controlled opening, and the weakening line has low strength for easy tab separation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall stability and local ease of opening.
3Reliability
If the transverse sealing seam is made stronger to prevent accidental opening, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of intentional opening decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse sealing seam is pre-prepared with a weakening line that creates a controlled failure path. This preliminary action ensures that when opening is initiated, the film will separate along the weakening line rather than requiring excessive force to break the sealing seam, maintaining both reliability and ease of opening.
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 design enhances the stability and secure removal of cigarettes by preventing accidental over-opening of the pack, maintaining the integrity of the packaging and ensuring easy access to the contents.
Implementation Method 1
an outer wrapping, in particular made of preferably aroma- and moisture-tight thermally sealable film
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a pack for cigarettes, having pack contents, in particular a cigarette group (11), enclosed in the manner of a tubular-bag pack by an outer wrapper (12), in particular made of preferably aroma-tight and moisture-tight, thermally sealable sheet material. The invention provides that the outer wrapper (12) has a repeated-use opening means (13), and that the pack contents are covered, at least in certain regions, by a collar (26) made of material which can be subjected to heat and pressure, the collar being in the form of an inner blank which extends over the entire length of the pack contents. The invention also relates to a suitable method and corresponding apparatuses for producing such packs.