Inner Spacer Element for Secure Consumer Article Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for elongate consumer articles, such as smoking articles, fail to securely retain the articles in place as the empty space within the container increases due to progressive removal of items, leading to displacement and potential damage during transport.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring an inner spacer element with a top, bottom, and back spacer panel that divides the space to create a smaller front compartment, securely holding consumer articles in place by positioning them away from the back wall and allowing for adjustable retention and easy access when the lid is opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the container size is larger than the volume occupied by consumer articles, then the container can accommodate more articles or provide packaging flexibility, but the remaining consumer articles are more likely to move around and be shaken during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior is segmented into two compartments by an intruder element: a first compartment that moves with the lid and a second compartment that remains stationary relative to the box. This segmentation allows the container to maintain larger overall volume while providing a stable compartment for article retention, resolving the contradiction between container size and article stability.
2Reliability
If consumer articles are held securely in place, then damage during transport is reduced, but the container design becomes more complex requiring additional retention mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is merged with the lid structure itself. The intruder element is connected to the lid, so that opening the lid automatically changes the retention mechanism's configuration. This merging eliminates the need for separate, complex retention devices while maintaining article stability, resolving the contradiction between security and simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention system is made dynamic through the movable intruder element that transitions between two positions: a first position when the lid is closed that provides retention, and a second position when the lid is open that facilitates article removal. This dynamic behavior allows simple structure to achieve complex retention functionality, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
3Reliability
If an inner spacer element is added to retain articles, then article movement is minimized, but the manufacturing process and equipment modification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The intruder element serves multiple functions: it acts as a spacer to define compartment boundaries, provides the retention mechanism through its movable connection to the lid, and facilitates article removal when the lid is open. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the manufacturing process, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A container (10) for consumer articles comprises a box portion (12) comprising a box bottom wall (24) and a box back wall (22); a lid portion (14) connected to the box portion along a lid hinge line (38); and an inner spacer element (16) mounted within the box portion. The inner spacer element (16) comprises a top spacer panel (40) affixed to the inner surface of the lid portion (14); a bottom spacer panel (44) positioned against the inner surface of the box bottom wall (24); and a back spacer panel (42) extending between the top spacer panel and the bottom spacer panel. When the lid is in the closed position, the back spacer panel (42) is spaced apart from the box back wall (22) to define a front compartment (48) for consumer articles within the box portion. The back spacer panel (42) comprises a spacer hinge line (46), which is positioned below the lid hinge line (38) when the lid portion (14) is in a closed position.