Cigarette Pack Overwrap Removal via Segmented Tear Band and Hinged Lid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rigid cigarette packets face difficulties in completely removing the overwrap, especially the lower portion, which is complicated and often compromises the seal when using existing methods like tilting the tear band, weakening notches, or additional tear-open bands, leading to increased equipment costs and loss of protection against external agents.
Innovation Solution
A cigarette packet design with a hinged lid and a tear-open band positioned higher than the front edge of the lid, combined with a pre-weakened line in the overwrap that extends towards the lower wall, allowing easy removal of both overwrap portions without compromising the seal, facilitated by a neutral area within the longitudinal seal to enhance weakening without exposing the inside to the outside.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If weakening notches are produced in the lower portion of the overwrap, then the complete removal of the overwrap is facilitated, but the integrity of the plastic material is compromised and the seal protection function is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The overwrap is divided into two separate portions: an upper portion connected to the tear-open band and a lower portion connected to the hinged lid. This segmentation allows the upper portion to be removed easily via the tear band while the lower portion remains attached to the lid, maintaining seal integrity while facilitating partial overwrap removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged lid is pre-configured to be detachable from the outer container. This preliminary design allows the lower portion of the overwrap to be easily removed by simply opening the hinged lid, without requiring weakening notches that would compromise the seal. The detaching action is prepared in advance through the hinged lid mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the tear band is tilted and arranged along a diagonal of the cigarette packet, then the complete removal of the overwrap is facilitated, but significant changes to the tear band application unit are required resulting in very high equipment costs
Solution Approach 1:
The overwrap removal function is segmented between two separate mechanisms: the tear-open band for the upper portion and the hinged lid for the lower portion. This allows both components to use standard, existing equipment configurations rather than requiring expensive modifications to the tear band application unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the entire overwrap removal system with expensive diagonal tear band arrangements, the solution applies a simpler partial action: using the existing tear band for the upper portion and adding a hinged lid mechanism for the lower portion, achieving complete removal without excessive equipment investment.
3Ease of operation
If additional secondary tear-open bands are applied to the overwrap, then the complete removal of the overwrap is facilitated, but significant changes to the tear band application unit are required resulting in very high equipment costs
Solution Approach 1:
The overwrap removal function is divided between the tear-open band system and the hinged lid system. This segmentation avoids the need for complex additional tear bands while still enabling complete overwrap removal through the coordinated action of both mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged lid acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates the removal of the lower overwrap portion without requiring direct modification of the tear band application unit. The lid serves as a mediating element that connects the user's opening action to the overwrap removal function.
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
Enables simple and quick removal of the entire overwrap while maintaining the seal's integrity and reducing production costs by utilizing existing equipment with minimal modifications.
Implementation Method 1
it comprises a longitudinal seal, produced by joining, via a heat seal, the two flaps of the wrapping sheet to one another
Implementation Method 2
especially when the overwrap has been well stretched around the outer container using a heat shrinking treatment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A pack (1) for smoking articles has: an outer container (2); an overwrap (14) that surrounding and wrapping the outer container (2) and consisting of a wrapping sheet (15), which was folded around the outer container (2) and was stabilized by means of at least one heat seal; and a tear-open band (16), which is coupled to the overwrap (14) and is designed to be pulled in order to divide the overwrap (14) into a first portion (17), which is not connected to the tear-open band (16), and a second portion (18), which is integral to the tear-open band (16). The wrapping sheet (15) has two opposite flaps (20, 21), which overlap and are heat-sealed to one another so as to form a longitudinal seal (22). The lower portion (17) of the overwrap (14) has at least one pre-weakened line (26), which helps tear it, originates close to an edge of the first portion (17), and is arranged near the longitudinal seal (22).