Conversion-Linked Tobacco Trays for Hermetic Dense Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems in the tobacco industry face challenges in efficiently transporting and storing tobacco products while maintaining hermetic conditions to protect against external factors and optimizing storage density, without the need for new transport trays.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising transport trays connected by conversion elements with mounting, connecting, and stabilizing means, and a cover that forms a rigid transport module, allowing for hermetic storage and vertical stacking, using existing trays and existing loading and unloading devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If transport trays are connected to form a transport module, then storage density is optimized, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage densityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the transport function into modular units by connecting multiple transport trays to form a transport module. Each tray remains an independent functional unit while being combined to increase storage capacity and density, allowing flexible configuration based on space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple transport trays are merged into a single transport module through connection elements, creating an integrated structure that optimizes storage density. The merged module functions as a unified transport unit while maintaining the individual tray structures for hermetic sealing and product protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover is added to form a hermetic seal, then protection against external factors is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against external factorsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A cover element is introduced as a flexible sealing structure that forms a hermetic seal with the transport trays. This thin film-like cover provides protection against external factors such as dust, moisture, and contamination while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through its flexible nature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides hermetic sealing to protect against external factors, structural support for the transport module, and facilitates the connection between trays. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If conversion elements with mounting and connecting means are used, then the stability of the transport module is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of transport moduleVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion elements are designed with nested mounting means and connecting means, where smaller components are integrated within or attached to larger structures. This nesting approach provides stable connections between trays while simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Conversion elements act as intermediary components between the transport trays, providing standardized mounting and connecting means. These intermediaries simplify the connection process and ensure stability without requiring complex direct attachments between trays, thereby easing manufacturing while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Loss of substance

If existing trays are reused instead of creating new ones, then environmental impact is reduced, but the adaptability to different storage configurations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidadaptability to storage configurations
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces dynamic connection capabilities through conversion elements that can be selectively mounted and disconnected. This allows existing trays to be reconfigured into different transport module configurations adapted to various storage spaces and requirements, while still utilizing the same tray structures, thereby maintaining environmental benefits through reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Existing trays are designed with universal conversion elements and connection interfaces that enable them to function in multiple storage configurations. The same tray can be part of different module sizes and arrangements, providing adaptability to various storage needs while avoiding the need to manufacture new specialized trays for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4652861A1System and apparatus of tobacco industry, and conversion element and cover
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 INTERNATIONAL TOBACCO MACHINERY POLAND SP ZOO
  • EP4652861A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4652861A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4652861A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The subject of the application is a tobacco industry system comprising a transport module (40) consisting of transport trays of the tobacco industry (10) connected using conversion elements (20) mounted on side walls (11) of the transport trays (10); a conversion unit (70) for changing the integration state of the transport module (40); a machine for changing the filling state of individual trays (10) separated from the transport module (40). The subject of the application is also a conversion element (20) and a conversion module cover (30).