Hinged Lid Packet With Tongue Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pocket-sized packets for small products, such as cigarettes, lack sufficient surface area for advertising and have safety issues with the lid opening inadvertently, are complex and costly to produce, and do not effectively protect the contents when closed.

Innovation Solution

A pocket-sized packet design featuring a container with a hinged lid and a tongue mechanism that prevents involuntary opening, providing additional surface area for writing and protecting the contents, while allowing one-handed operation and maximizing available space for advertisements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the lid is made with lateral stiffening folds to increase rigidity, then the structural strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelid rigidityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is divided into two functional parts: a flat wall portion for advertising space and hinged connection, and separate lateral elements for structural support. This segmentation allows the rigidifying elements to be simplified while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral elements of the lid serve multiple functions: they provide structural rigidity to prevent collapsing, enable hinging connection to the container, and cooperate with the tongue to prevent inadvertent opening. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for complex separate stiffening structures.

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

2Device complexity

If the lid structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then the device complexity is reduced, but the lid may collapse or lack structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlid structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral elements of the lid are pre-configured with specific geometric shapes that inherently provide structural support. This preliminary design ensures the simplified lid structure maintains integrity without requiring complex assembly or additional reinforcing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lid structure applies rigidity locally where needed through specifically shaped lateral elements, rather than uniformly throughout the entire lid. This allows the majority of the lid surface to remain flat and simple for advertising purposes while maintaining structural integrity at critical locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the tongue width is increased to better cover the compartment opening, then the protection of contents is improved, but the ease of opening with one hand deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent protectionVSAvoidone-handed opening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tongue dimensions are optimized to specific parameter ranges: width slightly greater than the internal distance between lid lateral elements for effective engagement, and length substantially equal to or slightly less than the bottom wall for adequate coverage. These parameter changes balance protection and operability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The tongue is designed as a mobile element that can move between covering and uncovering positions. This dynamic design allows the tongue to provide protection when closed while being easily movable to allow one-handed opening when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the tongue is made mobile to allow easy opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety against inadvertent opening deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoidsafety against inadvertent opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tongue is preliminarily positioned in a closed state where it engages with the lid lateral elements to prevent inadvertent opening. This preliminary anti-action counteracts any forces that might accidentally open the packet while allowing deliberate user action to overcome the engagement and open the packet intentionally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP2800703B1Pocket-sized packet to contain small-sized products
Publication Date: 2016.08.03 GIMA TT SPA
  • EP2800703B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2800703B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP2800703B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

Pocket-sized packet comprising a container (11), having a plurality of walls (15, 16, 18, 19) that define an internal compartment (20) suitable to contain small goods, and a lid (12, 112) hinged on said container (11). A tongue (25) is hinged on an upper edge (26) of the container (11).