Customized Container Surface Design via Segmented Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems do not adequately allow consumers to create and produce containers for consumer goods with individually customized designs.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus that enables users to customize the surface design of containers by selecting and applying design elements to dedicated areas using a memory for design data, reading identification marks, a user interface, and an application unit for printing, allowing for brand-specific customization and graphic modification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a system allows consumers to individually design and customize container surfaces with selected design elements, then product customization and consumer engagement are enhanced, but device complexity and manufacturing process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer customizationVSAvoidcustomization system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container surface is divided into dedicated surface areas that are pre-defined and segmented for specific customization purposes. Each dedicated surface area can be independently customized with different design elements, allowing modular customization without requiring complex system-wide changes. The container panels are also segmented into specific regions (front panel, back panel, side panels) with dedicated surface areas on each, enabling localized customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container is prepared in advance with dedicated surface areas that are pre-defined and ready for customization. These dedicated surface areas are predetermined spaces on the external surface of container panels that are suitable for modification. By pre-defining these areas, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time surface analysis and preparation, simplifying the customization process while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system provides libraries of design elements and allows selection and application to dedicated surface areas, then design variety and user interaction are improved, but processing time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign element selectionVSAvoidcustomization processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Design elements are pre-stored in libraries within the system memory, and dedicated surface areas are pre-defined on container panels before the customization process begins. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid customization execution, as the system only needs to retrieve pre-stored design elements and apply them to pre-defined surface areas, significantly reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses digital copies of design elements stored in memory that can be rapidly reproduced and applied to dedicated surface areas. Instead of creating custom designs from scratch during the customization process, the system retrieves and applies pre-existing design element copies, which accelerates the customization process while maintaining design variety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If the apparatus includes reading means for identification marks, user interface, display means, and application units, then customization precision and brand-specific control are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign application precisionVSAvoidapparatus component complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Identification marks are pre-placed on containers, and dedicated surface areas are pre-defined during container manufacturing. This preliminary preparation enables the reading means to quickly locate and identify specific surface areas without complex real-time analysis, improving precision while reducing the complexity of the control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Identification marks serve as intermediaries between the container and the reading means, providing a simple and reliable mechanism for the system to identify and locate dedicated surface areas. This intermediary approach simplifies the interaction between the apparatus components and the container, improving precision without requiring complex direct recognition systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2153412B1Apparatus and method for providing a container with a customized design
Publication Date: 2013.07.03 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA
  • EP2153412B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2153412B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2153412B1 patent drawingFigure 5~13

AI summary

An apparatus for providing a container (3) having at least one surface with a customized design, comprises: a memory containing at least one set of data comprising a plurality of design elements (320, 321, 322); a user interface (10) comprising interface means and display means enabling the consumer to interact with the apparatus to allow the generation of a customized design of at least one surface of a virtual whitepack through selection and placement of at least one of the design elements (320, 321, 322) and through visual representation of the selected at least one design element (320, 321, 322) on the at least one surface of the virtual whitepack, an application unit (13) for applying the customized design of the at least one surface of the virtual whitepack to at least one surface of a whitepack (4) so as to obtain the container (3) having the at least one surface with the customized design, and a logic control unit (12) to which the memory, the user interface and the application unit are connected.