Expandable Spacer for Aerosol Container Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to efficiently manage the disposal of used aerosol-generating articles, particularly those that are electrically heated, as they maintain the same size before and after use, making disposal difficult and contributing to littering.
Innovation Solution
A container with an expandable spacer that separates used and unused consumer goods, utilizing an inner liner and a pivotable lid, allowing easy insertion and expansion to accommodate used items without increasing the container's size, and optionally incorporating odor-absorbing materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the container maintains the same size before and after use (like conventional cigarettes), then the disposal becomes difficult and contributes to littering, but changing the size would require a larger container structure
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs an expandable partition that can dynamically change its volume. The partition includes expandable elements that allow it to expand when used articles are disposed of, accommodating the used articles while maintaining a compact form when not in use. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between reducing littering and avoiding increased container size.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable partition is nested within the container structure, allowing it to be compact when not in use and expand when needed. The partition can be collapsed into a compact form that fits within the container's footprint, and then expanded to accommodate used articles, effectively nesting the expansion mechanism within the original container boundaries.
2Ease of operation
If the container separates used and unused consumer goods, then the disposal management improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into at least two compartments: a first compartment for unused consumer goods and a second compartment for used articles. The expandable partition creates this segmentation, allowing easy separation and management of used and unused goods. This segmentation simplifies disposal management while adding minimal structural complexity through the use of a collapsible partition mechanism.
3Quantity of substance
If the container accommodates used articles which maintain the same size as before use, then the container volume must increase, but increasing the container size makes it less convenient
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable partition dynamically adjusts the volume of the second compartment to accommodate used articles. When articles are disposed of, the partition expands to provide necessary space, and when not in use, it contracts to minimize the container's overall volume. This dynamic volume adjustment allows the container to accommodate used articles without permanently increasing its size.
Solution Approach 2:
The container utilizes parameter changes in the partition's volume and configuration. The partition can change its physical state between expanded and collapsed forms, altering the available space for used articles without changing the container's external dimensions. This parameter change allows flexible accommodation of used articles while maintaining a compact storage form.
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
Facilitates convenient and responsible disposal of used aerosol-generating articles by maintaining a compact form factor while keeping used and unused goods separate, reducing odor transmission, and requiring no external structures for disposal.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable spacer (60) positioned within the box between the first and second bundles of consumer goods. The expandable spacer includes a first side wall (61), a second side wall (63) and a bottom wall (65) spanning between the first and second side walls
Implementation Method 2
In some particularly disclosed containers, the expandable spacer may include odour absorbents which may advantageously reduce the odour or taste transmission of the used consumer goods on the unused consumer goods
Data Source
Figure 1~4
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Figure 8~10
AI summary
The container may comprise a box, a lid, at least a first bundle and a second bundle of consumer goods, and an expandable spacer. The expandable spacer comprises at least one spacer weakening line. The at least one spacer weakening line is provided on the spacer bottom wall. The expandable spacer has an initial size that is defined by an initial distance between the first side wall and the second side wall of the expandable spacer for containing a predetermined number of consumer goods. The spacer weakening line is configured to break when more than the predetermined number of consumer goods are inserted between the expandable spacer walls so that the first and the second side walls of the expandable spacer are spaced further apart. Methods of using disclosed containers are also disclosed.