Multi-Layer Smoking Articles Box for Protected Easy Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smoking article storage solutions fail to provide adequate protection while allowing easy removal of electronic cigarettes and accessories, often requiring tight packaging that complicates access.

Innovation Solution

A multi-layered storage box design with contact edges at opposing sides of each layer, providing vertical support without central friction, allowing easy access and minimizing space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electronic cigarette is tightly held within the box for protection during transport, then the protection function is improved, but the ease of access for the user to remove the electronic cigarette deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection functionVSAvoidease of access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage box is divided into multiple layers: a first storage layer element at the bottom and a second storage layer element at the top. The first storage layer element contains the electronic cigarette, while the second storage layer element contains accessories. This segmentation allows the electronic cigarette to be tightly held in the first layer for protection during transport, while the second layer can be easily removed to access the electronic cigarette, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If display boxes separate loose parts from each other to prevent friction, then the protection function is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection functionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first storage layer element and second storage layer element are designed as separate removable components that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The first storage layer element includes a recess for the electronic cigarette, and the second storage layer element includes a recess for accessories. These merged components provide protection by separating loose parts while maintaining simplicity through their modular design, avoiding the need for complex internal structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple layered storage structure is implemented, then the storage capacity and organization are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The first storage layer element and second storage layer element are designed with universal features that can be manufactured using standard processes. Each layer includes a recess structure that can accommodate different items (electronic cigarette in the first layer, accessories in the second layer). The layers can be manufactured separately and then assembled, which simplifies the manufacturing process while providing multi-functional storage capacity, thus resolving the contradiction between storage versatility and manufacturing complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3931118B1Smoking articles storage box
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 JT INTERNATIONAL SA
  • EP3931118B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3931118B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3931118B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a smoking articles storage box (1), comprising an outer container (10) having a base portion (12) and a lid portion (14); a first storage layer element (20), arranged within the base portion (12) at a lower level; and at least one higher-level element (30, 40), removably arranged within the base portion (12) at a higher level; wherein the first storage layer element (20) comprises a first contact edge (24) at one side and a second contact edge (26) at the opposite side thereof, and wherein the first and second contact edges (24, 26) form support elements for the at least one higher-level element (30, 40) within the storage box (1).