Double Hinged Connector for Smoking Pack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container designs for smoking articles with a Jacob's ladder arrangement are complex to manufacture, requiring separate joining blanks or structures.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring two hingedly connected packs with a separate connector system, comprising panels hingedly connected along edges, allowing packs to pivot between positions while maintaining a compact form factor, and utilizing retention means for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate joining blanks or structures are used to connect packs in a Jacob's ladder arrangement, then the connection is secure, but the manufacturing process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connector components into a single integrated blank that is formed from one piece of material. The blank includes first and second straps that are initially connected and can be separated to form the connector structure, eliminating the need for multiple separate joining blanks or structures while maintaining secure connection between packs.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated blank is segmented into functional regions: a first region providing the first strap, a second region providing the second strap, and a weakened section between them. This segmentation allows the single blank to provide separate functional elements (straps) that can be separated and positioned independently while originating from a unified structure, simplifying manufacturing while ensuring secure connection.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used to form the connector, then the connector can be securely assembled, but the number of manufacturing steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector blank is pre-formed with the straps and weakened section in specific configurations before assembly. The first and second regions are adjoined by the weakened section in advance, and the cut portions are pre-positioned. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid assembly where the straps are simply separated and attached to the packs without requiring complex multi-step manufacturing processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single sheet material blank is used with separable regions, then manufacturing is simplified, but the precision of strap positioning must be high
Solution Approach 1:
The weakened section acts as an intermediary element between the first and second regions of the blank. This intermediate structure provides a controlled separation point that guides the splitting process, ensuring that the first and second straps are positioned accurately relative to each other and to the packs. The cut portions extending from the weakened section to the edges further define the separation geometry, maintaining precision while simplifying the overall blank formation.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A container for smoking articles comprises at least two hingedly connected packs, each for housing a separate bundle of smoking articles. The container comprises: a first pack having a first wall; a second pack having a first wall; and a separate connector (10). The separate connector comprises: a first panel (12) with opposed first and second edges; a second panel (14) comprising a first sub-panel (16) hingedly connected to the first panel (12) along the first edge and a second sub-panel (18) hingedly connected to the first sub-panel (14) along a first fold line; and a third panel (20) comprising a first sub-panel (22) hingedly connected to the first panel (12) along the second edge and a second sub-panel (24) hingedly connected to the first sub-panel (22) along a second fold line. The first panel (12) of the separate connector (10) is affixed to the first wall of the first pack and the second sub-panels (14, 24) of the second (14) and third (20) panels of the separate connector (10) are affixed to the first wall of the second pack.