Cigarette Packet Overwrap Removable Portion Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rigid packets of cigarettes with hinged lids face challenges in ensuring the integrity of the packaging, as they can be fraudulently refilled and reopened without a clear indication of the first opening, especially in the absence of a stamp.
Innovation Solution
A packet design featuring a removable portion on the side wall of the lid, connected to the overwrap by a tearable weakening line and hot glue, which is automatically removed when the overwrap is opened, creating a visible indication of the first opening and maintaining packaging integrity without the need for a stamp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stamp is used to indicate first opening, then packaging integrity can be ensured, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the integrity indication function from a separate stamp component and integrates it into the overwrap itself. The overwrap is designed with a specific geometry where removal automatically indicates first opening, eliminating the need for a separate stamp and its associated manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The overwrap serves multiple functions: it protects the packaging, provides a tamper-evident indication of first opening, and eliminates the need for a separate stamp component. By making the overwrap itself the integrity indicator through its geometric design, the system reduces component count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining or improving reliability.
2Reliability
If a stamp is used to indicate first opening, then packaging integrity can be ensured, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the integrity indication function from an expensive separate stamp component and embeds it into the basic overwrap structure. This eliminates the need for additional stamp manufacturing, application equipment, and materials, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining packaging integrity through the overwrap's inherent geometric design.
Solution Approach 2:
The overwrap is designed as a disposable component that serves its protective and indication functions and is then removed. By integrating the integrity indication into this single-use overwrap rather than requiring a permanent or semi-permanent stamp, the system reduces manufacturing costs while ensuring reliability through the overwrap's designed geometry.
3Ease of operation
If the overwrap is removed completely, then access to cigarettes is enabled, but packaging integrity indication becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The overwrap is pre-designed with a specific geometric configuration that creates an automatic indication mechanism. Before removal, the overwrap's geometry is intact; upon removal, the absence or altered geometry of the overwrap itself provides the integrity indication, eliminating the need for separate indication mechanisms and enabling both easy access and reliable indication.
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 allows for a simple and inexpensive manufacturing process while ensuring that the first opening is clearly marked, preventing fraudulent refilling and maintaining the integrity of the packaging, even without a stamp.
Implementation Method 1
A packet for smoking articles with an overwrap (18) which surrounds and encloses an outer container (2), is formed by a wrapping sheet of transparent plastic material and is provided with a tear-open band (19) which is grasped and pulled by the user to divide (cut) the overwrap (18) into two portions and therefore allows a simple and rapid removal at least of a portion of the overwrap (18). A removable portion (21) which is initially coplanar with the remaining part of the side wall (13) is stably connected to the overwrap (18) by means of a hot activable glue (23) so that, when the overwrap (18) is removed (at least a portion of the overwrap (18)), the removable portion (21) is also removed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A packet (1) for smoking having: a group (15) of smoking articles; an outer container (2), which has a plurality of walls (6-13); an inner wrap (14), which encloses the group (15) of smoking articles and is housed in the outer container (2); and an overwrap (18), which surrounds and wraps the outer container (2). A wall (13) of the outer container (2) has at least one removable portion (21), which is delimited by a tearable weakening line (22) and is stably connected to the overwrap (18) so as to be separated from the wall (13) of the outer container (2), by tearing, when the overwrap (18) is at least partially removed.