Cigarette Wrap Reusable Closing Portion Support Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid packets of cigarettes with hinged covers face issues due to the narrow reusable closing portion, which can protrude and cause aesthetic and functional problems, and result in difficulty in extracting cigarettes due to reduced opening width.
Innovation Solution
A wrap for smoking articles with a reusable closing portion, featuring a support element and re-stick glue that allows the closing portion to be separable and re-stickable, preventing protrusion and ensuring easy opening and closing without altering the packaging machine processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closing portion is made significantly tighter than the inner wrap to prevent protrusion, then the aesthetic appearance and functional reliability are improved, but the width of the extraction opening is reduced, making it difficult to extract cigarettes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the wrap structure into three main segments: the inner wrap containing cigarettes, the closing portion with re-stick glue, and the support element (cardboard or paperboard). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the support element provides structural backing that prevents the closing portion from protruding while the inner wrap maintains its original dimensions for easy cigarette extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element acts as an intermediary component between the inner wrap and the closing portion. It is applied to the outer surface of the inner wrap at the closing portion area, providing the necessary structural support to prevent protrusion without affecting the inner wrap's overall dimensions or the extraction opening width.
2Shape
If the closing portion width is reduced to fit within the inner wrap boundaries, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the closing portion may become pinched or locked between the outer casing and inner wrap, making it impossible to lift and re-seal correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The support element serves as a mediator that enables the closing portion to extend beyond the inner wrap boundaries. By providing structural support on the outer surface, it allows the closing portion to have sufficient width for easy lifting and re-sealing without causing protrusion issues, as the support element manages the boundary relationship.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is applied locally only at the closing portion area on the outer surface of the inner wrap. This localized application provides structural support exactly where needed - at the closing portion - without affecting other parts of the inner wrap, thereby maintaining both aesthetic appearance and operational ease.
3Reliability
If the closing portion is made tighter to prevent accidental protrusion, then the functional reliability is improved, but the width of the extraction opening is reduced, increasing difficulty in extracting cigarettes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the functional responsibilities: the support element handles the protrusion prevention function locally at the closing portion area, while the inner wrap maintains its original dimensions and extraction opening width. This segmentation allows the extraction opening to remain sufficiently wide for easy cigarette extraction while the closing portion gets the structural support it needs.
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 solution ensures a seamless and aesthetically pleasing opening mechanism, preventing the closing portion from protruding and maintaining the extraction opening width, thus simplifying the extraction of cigarettes and maintaining the production efficiency of existing packaging machines.
Implementation Method 1
applying, to the outer surface of the sheet of wrap, the closing portion, which has a re-stick glue on the inner face facing the sheet of wrap
Implementation Method 2
A sheet of overwrap made of a transparent plastic material (normally cellophane or polypropylene) is wrapped around the outer wrap and sealed by means of heat-sealing to preserve the humidity and aroma of the tobacco
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A wrap (3) for smoking articles, which encloses a group (14) of smoking articles and has, at the top and at the front, a first extraction opening (15) obtained through the wrap (3) by means of a "U"-shaped through cut (16). The first extraction opening (15) is normally closed by a reusable closing portion (17), which consists of the part of the wrap (3) surrounded by the through cut (16) and it can be lifted to free the first extraction opening (15) and then lowered again to engage the first extraction opening (15). A support element (18) is comprised, which is arranged inside the wrap (3) at the first extraction opening (15), it is glued to the wrap (3) at least by means of a re-stick glue (20), and it has a second extraction opening (19), which is smaller than the first extraction opening (15) and it is entirely contained in the first extraction opening (15).