Container Tactile Surface Friction Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional containers for elongate smoking articles have smooth surfaces that minimize friction with manufacturing machinery, leading to reduced efficiency and lack of tactile differentiation, making it desirable to create containers with novel textured surfaces that can be produced using existing machinery without significant modifications.
Innovation Solution
A container with high friction surface regions having a coefficient of friction between 0.63 and 2, achieved through coatings such as fiber layers or rubberized materials, and optionally combined with low friction areas for unique tactile experiences, which can be integrated into existing laminar blanks and manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the container surface is made smooth to minimize friction with manufacturing machinery, then machine speed and efficiency are maximized, but the container lacks tactile differentiation and consumer appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The container surface is divided into different regions with different friction characteristics. High friction regions (with coefficients between 0.63 and 2.0) are created in specific areas such as finger contact zones, while other areas maintain lower friction to facilitate manufacturing. This local differentiation allows the container to provide tactile feedback and consumer appeal in user interaction areas without compromising overall manufacturing efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If high friction surface regions are added to the container to enhance tactile experience, then consumer appeal and tactile differentiation are improved, but friction with manufacturing machinery increases reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
High friction surface regions are localized to specific areas of the container that are intended for consumer interaction, such as finger contact zones and gripping surfaces. The friction coefficient in these localized regions is increased to between 0.63 and 2.0 through applications like rubberized coatings, fibrous materials, or textured surfaces. Other areas of the container maintain conventional smooth surfaces with lower friction coefficients, thereby minimizing interference with manufacturing machinery while providing enhanced tactile experience where needed.
3Ease of operation
If the entire container surface is textured to provide tactile feedback, then consumer appeal is maximized, but friction with manufacturing machinery increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of texturing the entire container surface, the invention applies textured or high-friction surface treatments only to specific localized regions that are intended for consumer interaction. These high friction regions (with coefficients between 0.63 and 2.0) are strategically placed in areas such as finger contact zones, while the remainder of the container surface maintains a smooth finish suitable for manufacturing. This selective approach provides tactile feedback where needed without significantly increasing overall friction with manufacturing machinery.
4Productivity
If conventional smooth surfaces are used for the container, then manufacturing efficiency is maximized, but the container lacks novel texture and appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates localized high friction surface regions with coefficients between 0.63 and 2.0 in specific areas such as finger contact zones, while maintaining smooth surfaces in other areas. These textured regions can be created through various methods including rubberized coatings, fibrous applications, or embossed patterns, providing novel tactile and visual characteristics without compromising overall manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The container surface combines different material properties in different regions. High friction areas utilize composite structures such as rubberized coatings applied over paper or cardboard substrates, or fibrous materials bonded to the surface. These composite constructions provide enhanced tactile characteristics and visual appeal in specific regions while the base container material maintains conventional smooth surface properties suitable for manufacturing.
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 high friction surface regions provide a distinct tactile experience and increased resistance during opening and closing, enhancing the container's functionality and user interaction while maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a surface of the container includes at least one high friction surface region having a coefficient of friction of between about 0.63 and about 2
Data Source
AI summary
A container having a surface including at least one high friction surface region having a coefficient of friction of between about 0.63 and about 2. Optionally, the at least one high friction surface region includes a coating layer, which may include fibers. The surface of the container may further include at least one low friction surface region having a coefficient of friction of less than 0.5, or preferably less than 0.3.