Inner Container Slide Rail and Tab Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing side-slide packs for smoking articles are affected by external pressures, leading to unreliable sliding mechanisms and visible bulging of the outer container, which is aesthetically undesirable and functional.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a slide rail and tab mechanism positioned inwardly within the outer container, where the tab loops over the slide rail, providing a closed and two open positions, and using double-layered panels to conceal and protect these components, enhancing reliability and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the slide rail and tab are positioned on the outer wall of the outer container, then the sliding mechanism is easily accessible and operable, but the mechanism is affected by external pressures and creates visible bulging in the outer wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of sliding mechanismVSAvoidreliability of sliding mechanism under external pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The slide rail and tab mechanism is nested within the outer container, positioned inwardly of the outer wall. The tab is received within a slot in the outer container, creating a nested arrangement where the sliding components are housed inside the container structure rather than on its exterior surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding mechanism transitions from a two-dimensional surface arrangement on the outer wall to a three-dimensional internal arrangement within the container volume. The tab slides within the slot in an internal plane, moving away from the outer surface into the container's interior space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the slide rail and tab are positioned on the outer wall of the outer container, then the sliding mechanism is easily visible to users, but this creates an aesthetically undesirable appearance with visible bulging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of sliding mechanism to userVSAvoidaesthetic appearance of outer container

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The slide rail and tab mechanism is nested within the outer container, positioned inwardly of the outer wall. The tab is received within a slot in the outer container, creating a nested arrangement where the sliding components are housed inside the container structure rather than on its exterior surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding mechanism transitions from a two-dimensional surface arrangement on the outer wall to a three-dimensional internal arrangement within the container volume. The tab slides within the slot in an internal plane, moving away from the outer surface into the container's interior space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the slide rail and tab are positioned inwardly of the outer wall, then the mechanism is protected from external factors and less visible, but the mechanism may be less accessible to users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of sliding mechanism from external factorsVSAvoidaccessibility of sliding mechanism to user

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The slide rail and tab mechanism is nested within the outer container, positioned inwardly of the outer wall. The tab is received within a slot in the outer container, creating a nested arrangement where the sliding components are housed inside the container structure rather than on its exterior surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding mechanism transitions from a two-dimensional surface arrangement on the outer wall to a three-dimensional internal arrangement within the container volume. The tab slides within the slot in an internal plane, moving away from the outer surface into the container's interior space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3595982B1Package for smoking articles

Publication Date: 2021.05.05 JT INTERNATIONAL SA

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4

AI summary

A package for smoking articles is disclosed comprising an inner container (4, 104) and an outer container (6, 106). The inner container is slidable relative to the outer container, and the inner container includes at least one compartment for holding a plurality of smoking articles. A slide rail can be provided as a slot (10) in the inner container (4) or as a folded flap (110) on the outer container (106). A tab can be provided on the outer container or a tab (116) can be provided on the inner container for sliding on the slide rail. The sliding interaction between the tab (116) and the slot (10) or flap (110) is provided inwardly of an outer wall (17, 117) of the outer container (6, 106).