Container With Debossed RFID Element Affixing Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers for consumer goods with embedded radio frequency elements face challenges in manufacturing complexity, pliability, and stacking stability due to the added thickness, which complicates transportation and packing processes.

Innovation Solution

A container formed from a laminar blank with a debossed or ablated affixing area for a three-dimensional element, allowing the element to project beyond the surface while maintaining even thickness, and using a thickness compensating means like a coating layer or patch member to ensure stability and ease of stacking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a three-dimensional element with discernible thickness is affixed to the container surface, then the radio frequency identification function is achieved and anti-counterfeiting capability is improved, but the pliability of the blank decreases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-counterfeiting capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a debossed area with reduced thickness specifically at the location where the three-dimensional element needs to be affixed. This localized thinning allows the element to be mounted without significantly increasing the overall blank thickness, thereby maintaining pliability while enabling RFID functionality. The debossed area serves as a targeted modification rather than a global change to the blank structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves the thickness issue by transitioning from a two-dimensional surface mounting problem to a three-dimensional solution using a debossed area. By creating a localized depression in the blank, the element can be affixed in a way that minimizes its projection beyond the blank surface, effectively managing the thickness dimension while maintaining the functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a three-dimensional element with discernible thickness is affixed to the container surface, then radio frequency identification is enabled, but stacking stability deteriorates and transportation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio frequency identificationVSAvoidstacking stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The debossed area creates a localized region of reduced thickness that accommodates the three-dimensional element without causing a significant increase in overall blank thickness. This localized approach ensures that the blank maintains its flatness and stacking stability while still enabling RFID functionality through the affixed element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a three-dimensional element with discernible thickness is affixed to the container surface, then anti-counterfeiting functionality is achieved, but the external surface area available for branding is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-counterfeiting functionalityVSAvoidexternal surface area for branding
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By creating a debossed area with reduced thickness, the patent enables the three-dimensional element to be affixed with minimal projection beyond the blank surface. This localized thinning approach allows the element to be mounted in a space-efficient manner, preserving maximum external surface area for branding and printed information while still achieving the anti-counterfeiting function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3275794B1Improved container of consumer articles comprising an element of discernible thickness
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
  • EP3275794B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3275794B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A container for consumer goods is formed from a laminar blank having a blank thickness; and a three dimensional element having a thickness from about 50 micrometres to about 500 micrometres. An inner surface of a first wall of the container comprises an affixing area for at least partly receiving the element, the affixing area comprising a debossed or ablated area having a residual thickness less than the blank thickness. The element is affixed to the container by means of adhesive provided on the debossed or ablated zone of the affixing area.