Microsuction Closure for Consumer Goods Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for consumer goods, particularly smoking articles, face challenges in maintaining the lid in a closed position during normal handling, with existing mechanisms deteriorating after repeated use and allowing air and moisture changes, and loose materials sticking to adhesives, compromising the closure effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A container with a microsuction structure comprising a microsuction layer, a polymeric film layer, and an adhesive layer, which provides a secure closure mechanism that remains effective without significant deterioration, even after repeated use, and prevents loose materials from sticking, using a laminate structure that can be integrated into existing packaging designs without major modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If retention cuts or temporary adhesive are provided on the lid or box, then the lid remains in the closed position during normal handling, but the closure mechanism deteriorates and becomes less effective after several repetitions of opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical closure mechanisms (retention cuts, adhesives) with a microsuction-based closure system. The microsuction structure creates secure closure through suction forces generated by micro-cavities, eliminating the need for mechanical interlocking parts or adhesive materials that deteriorate with repeated use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a microsuction structure comprising a layer of porous material with micro-cavities. This porous structure enables the lid to adhere to the box through suction forces when brought into contact, providing reliable and durable closure that maintains effectiveness over repeated opening and closing cycles.
2Reliability
If adhesive is provided on the lid or box, then the lid remains secured in closed position, but loose material from consumer goods becomes stuck to the adhesive, compromising closure effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces adhesive-based closure with a microsuction-based closure system. The microsuction structure secures the lid through physical suction forces rather than chemical adhesion, preventing loose material from the consumer goods from sticking to the closure mechanism and compromising its effectiveness.
3Reliability
If retention mechanism is added to the container, then the lid remains securely closed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a relatively simple microsuction structure comprising a porous layer with micro-cavities applied to the lid or box surface. This structure provides reliable closure without requiring complex mechanical interlocking parts, multiple components, or intricate assembly procedures, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving effective closure.
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
The microsuction structure effectively secures the lid in a closed position, maintaining freshness and preventing air and moisture changes, while being easy to open and close, and does not suffer from the issues of adhesion deterioration or material sticking, thus enhancing the container's functionality and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
a microsuction structure is provided on the first surface of the housing, the first surface of the lid, or both the first surface of the housing and the first surface of the lid, for securing the first surface of the lid to the first surface of the housing when the lid is in the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A container (100) for consumer goods comprises: a housing (20) having an opening for accessing the consumer goods; and a lid (40) connected to the housing (20) and movable relative to the housing (20) between a closed position in which the lid (40) covers the opening and an open position in which the opening is uncovered. A first surface of the lid (40) is disposed adjacent to a first surface of the housing (20) when the lid is in the closed position, and a microsuction structure (60) is provided for securing the first surface of the lid (40) to the first surface of the housing (20) when the lid (40) is in the closed position. The microsuction structure (60) is formed of a microsuction layer (68); a polymeric film layer (66) underlying the microsuction layer; and an adhesive layer (64) affixing the microsuction structure to the corresponding first surface of the lid or housing.