Hinge-Lid Container Spacer Panel for Wrinkle-Free Film
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hinge-lid cigarette packs face issues due to the increased thickness at the lower region of the front wall of the lid portion caused by an inner lid flap, leading to misalignment and creases or wrinkles in polymeric film over wrappers, which complicates manufacturing and transport.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spacer panel on the inner surface of the box portion that extends across the upper part of the front wall, which compensates for the thickness difference and reinforces the container, allowing for reduced material thickness or elimination of an inner frame, and formed from a one-piece folded laminar blank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an inner lid panel is folded through 180 degrees and affixed to the inner surface of the lid front wall panel to provide reinforcement, then the lid portion is reinforced and retention means can be provided, but the lower region of the front wall of the lid portion has increased thickness compared to the upper region of the front wall of the box portion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the front wall structure into two separate segments: the lid front wall panel and the box front wall panel. By separating these panels and allowing independent thickness control, the lid can be reinforced through the inner lid panel while the box portion maintains its original thickness, thus resolving the thickness uniformity issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by providing reinforcement only where needed - the inner lid panel is affixed to the lid front wall panel to strengthen the lid portion, while the box front wall panel remains unaffected. This localized reinforcement approach allows the lid to gain strength without forcing the entire front wall structure to have uniform thickness.
2Shape
If the lower edge of the lid portion abuts the upper edge of the box portion in the closed position, then the container provides a neat appearance, but creases or wrinkles form in polymeric film over wrappers due to the thickness differential
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the front wall into separate lid and box panels, the invention allows each panel to maintain its own thickness characteristics. The lid front wall panel can accommodate the inner lid panel reinforcement while the box front wall panel remains at original thickness, enabling both panels to abut neatly without creating thickness differential that would cause over wrapper creases.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary structure - the separate box front wall panel - that mediates between the reinforced lid portion and the over wrapper. This intermediary panel absorbs the thickness variation by being a distinct element, preventing the transmission of thickness differential to the over wrapper surface.
3Strength
If a separate inner frame is used to provide interference engagement and reinforcement, then the container gains structural strength and prevents accidental opening, but the device complexity increases with multiple separate laminar cardboard blanks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of the inner frame and the front wall structure by making the front wall panels integral parts of the single laminar cardboard blank. The box front wall panel and lid front wall panel are formed from the same blank, eliminating the need for a separate inner frame while maintaining reinforcement and interference engagement functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The front wall panels serve multiple functions: they provide structural reinforcement, create interference engagement for the inner frame, maintain neat appearance, and prevent accidental opening. By making these panels integral to the main blank, the invention achieves multi-functionality without increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge-lid container finding particular application as a hinge-lid pack or carton for elongate smoking articles such as cigarettes, which includes a box portion; a lid portion hinged to the box portion across a rear wall thereof for pivotal movement between an pen position and a closed position; a flap extending across a lower part of the inner surface of a front wall of the lid portion; and a spacer panel extending across at least an upper part of the inner surface of a front wall of the box portion. The spacer panel, which preferably depends from and is folded about the upper edge of the front wall of the box portion, has a free edge that extends across the inner surface of the front wall of the box portion and does not project from the box portion into space covered by the lid portion in the closed position.