Child-Resistant Cigarette Packaging Closure Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant cigarette packaging solutions are ineffective, have design flaws, are difficult to manufacture, inefficient, costly, and complex in use.
Innovation Solution
A cigarette packaging closure comprising an inner tube and an outer tube, where the inner tube is configured to slide inside the outer tube, and a top cap that can be lifted off when the outer tube slides relative to the inner tube, requiring a sufficient downward force to access the cigarettes, making it difficult for children to open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing child-resistant cigarette packaging solutions are used, then child resistance is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging closure is divided into separate components: an inner tube containing cigarettes, an outer tube, and a cap assembly. The inner tube can be removed from the outer tube, and the cap can be removed from the inner tube independently. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively providing child-resistant functionality, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube is nested within the outer tube, and the cap is nested on the inner tube. This nesting arrangement creates a compact packaging closure that provides child-resistant protection through the layered structure without requiring complex mechanisms. The nested design maintains simplicity while achieving the child-resistant function.
2Reliability
If existing child-resistant cigarette packaging solutions are used, then child resistance is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the packaging closure into separate inner tube, outer tube, and cap components, each part can be manufactured independently using simple processes. The components are then assembled by basic joining operations, making the overall manufacturing process easier and less costly while maintaining child-resistant functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging closure is designed as a disposable unit with simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured and discarded after use. This approach prioritizes ease of manufacture and cost-effectiveness over reusable designs, resolving the contradiction between child resistance and ease of manufacture.
3Reliability
If existing child-resistant cigarette packaging solutions are used, then child resistance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation into separate components allows the cap to be removed from the inner tube and the inner tube to be removed from the outer tube as separate operations. This simplifies the opening process for adults while maintaining child-resistant protection, as children cannot perform the coordinated sequence of removals required to access cigarettes.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging closure transitions from a static sealed state to a dynamic multi-step opening sequence. The cap can be removed from the inner tube, and then the inner tube can be removed from the outer tube, creating a dynamic opening process that is simple for adults but difficult for children, thus resolving the contradiction between child resistance and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a child-resistant cigarette packaging closure. The cigarette packaging closure includes an inner tube, an outer tube, and a top cap. The inner tube is configured to removably retain at least one cigarette inside the inner periphery of the inner tube. The inner tube is configured to be slidably positioned inside the outer tube. The top cap is configured to be lifted off the open end of the outer tube when the outer tube slides relative to the inner tube. The cigarette packaging closure is configured to be accessed by a user capable of applying sufficient force, thereby ensuring that the children's accessibility of the cigarette(s) is placed inside the inner periphery of the inner tube.