Cigarette Pack Overwrap Tear Band and Pre-Weakened Lines
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cigarette packets with hinged lids face challenges in complete overwrap removal, leading to incorrect recycling due to the difficulty in separating the lower portion of the overwrap, which is exacerbated by heat shrinking and the integrity compromise of existing solutions that attempt to facilitate removal.
Innovation Solution
A cigarette packet design with a tear-open band positioned higher than the front edge of the lid and pre-weakened lines in the overwrap, allowing for easy separation of both upper and lower overwrap portions without compromising the seal, encouraging correct recycling and easy production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the overwrap is heat shrunk around the outer container to confer a pleasant look, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the ease of complete overwrap removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The overwrap is segmented into two distinct portions: an upper portion connected to the tear-open band and a lower portion not connected to it. The pre-weakened line creates a separation point between these portions, allowing the lower portion to be easily removed as a separate unit after the upper portion is torn away, solving the problem of complete removal while maintaining the heat-shrunk aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 2:
A pre-weakened line is created in the lower portion of the overwrap during the manufacturing process, before the product reaches the consumer. This preliminary action of creating a weakness point ensures that when users pull the tear-open band, the lower portion will naturally break away along the pre-weakened line, making complete removal as easy as removing the upper portion
2Ease of operation
If weakening notches are produced in the lower portion of the overwrap to facilitate complete removal, then the ease of overwrap removal is improved, but the seal integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-weakened line is applied locally and selectively only to the lower portion of the overwrap, while the upper portion and the seal areas maintain their full integrity. This localized weakening allows easy removal of the lower portion without compromising the seal function of the upper portion, resolving the contradiction between ease of removal and seal integrity
3Ease of operation
If the tear band is tilted along a diagonal of the cigarette packet to facilitate complete overwrap removal, then the ease of overwrap removal is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution changes the physical parameter of the lower overwrap portion by introducing a pre-weakened line, rather than changing the geometric parameter of the tear band orientation. This parameter change in the material structure allows easy removal without requiring complex diagonal band application, resolving the contradiction between ease of removal and device complexity
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
Ensures complete removal and correct recycling of the overwrap, maintaining the seal's integrity and simplifying production by adjusting the tear-open band placement and incorporating pre-weakened lines, thus promoting environmental responsibility and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
produce, in the lower portion of the overwrap, weakening notches that trigger the breakage of the lower portion of the overwrap
Implementation Method 2
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) having a lower wall (6), a front wall (7), a rear wall (8), and two side walls (9); a lid (4) hinged to the outer container (2) along a hinge and having an upper wall (10), a front wall (11), a rear wall (12), and two side walls (13); an overwrap (14) surrounding and wrapping the outer container (2) and the lid (4) and consisting of a wrapping sheet (15), which was folded around the outer container (2) and the lid (4) 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 lower portion (17), which is not connected to the tear-open band (16), and an upper portion (18), which is integral to the tear-open band (16). The lid (4) has a front edge (24) delimiting the front wall (11) at the bottom, and two side edges (25), each delimiting a side wall (13) at the bottom and connecting an end of the front edge (24) to an end of the hinge (5). The tear-open band (16) is arranged between the upper wall (10) of the lid (4) and the front edge (24) of the lid (4) so that the upper portion (18) of the overwrap (14) is smaller than the lid (4) and the lower portion (17) of the overwrap (14) partially covers the lid (4).