Curved Edge Locking Tab for Hinged Smoking Package
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hinged-lid packages for smoking articles often suffer from deformation and 'smiling' issues, where the lid partially opens, leading to damage and contents escaping, due to inadequate locking mechanisms that cause stress on hinges and snag the articles during closure.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring a locking tab and engagement recess with continuously curved edges, allowing mutual engagement in a hooking fashion, providing secure closure and reduced stress on hinges, with the locking mechanism engaging only when the lid is fully closed, preventing accidental opening and 'smiling'.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a prior locking mechanism with a tongue and gap is used, then the lid can be locked, but the forces required to disengage create stresses in the hinge and between the lid wall and tab, reducing lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tab features a curved engagement edge that follows a continuously curved line, allowing smooth rotational engagement and disengagement. This curvature distributes forces evenly during the locking and unlocking actions, eliminating sudden force changes and shock loads on the hinge, thereby preserving hinge strength while maintaining reliable lid locking.
2Reliability
If a prior locking mechanism is used, then the lid can be held partially closed, but it does not completely resolve the 'smiling' problem and may allow contents to escape
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to engage automatically when the lid approaches the closed position, before any potential smiling or opening occurs. The curved engagement edge ensures positive engagement that completely prevents the lid from partially opening, securing the contents firmly in place and eliminating the smiling problem entirely.
3Reliability
If a prior locking mechanism is used, then the lid can be locked, but sudden changes in force during opening cause shock to the hinge, increasing wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The curved engagement edge of the locking tab enables gradual, smooth disengagement during lid opening. Instead of sudden force changes, the curvature allows the locking tab to rotate out of the engagement recess progressively, eliminating shock loads and minimizing wear on the hinge, thereby extending the hinge lifespan while maintaining reliable locking.
4Reliability
If a prior locking mechanism is used, then the lid can be secured, but the mechanism can snag the smoking articles during closure, causing tearing and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tab and engagement recess are positioned and dimensioned to engage locally without interfering with the smoking articles. The curved engagement edge ensures that the locking action occurs in a localized area away from the articles, preventing snagging, tearing, or deformation while maintaining effective lid securing.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
There is provided a package for storing smoking articles as well as blank or set of blanks for forming the package and a method of forming the package from the blank or set of blanks. The package comprises: a body comprising a plurality of walls defining a volume for storing the smoking articles, including a front wall and a rear wall substantially opposite the front wall, and an opening for accessing the volume and inserting or removing any smoking articles stored therein; a lid for closing the opening of the body, the lid comprising a plurality of walls and being hinged on the rear wall of the body, allowing the lid to be moved between a closed position and an open position; a locking tab; an engagement recess for engaging with the locking tab when the lid is in the closed position; wherein the locking tab is connected to one of either (a) the front wall of the body of the package or (b) an inner side of a front wall of the lid, and the engagement recess is located on the other one of either (a) the front wall of the body of the package, or (b) the inner side of the front wall of the lid; and wherein the locking tab and the engagement recess each have a respective engagement edge for mutual engagement between the locking tab and the engagement recess, wherein the engagement edge of at least one of the locking tab and the engagement recess follows a curved line.