Outer Wrapper Opening Tab for Consumer Goods Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wrapped packages of consumer goods, such as smoking articles, often require additional materials and processes for tear tapes, which complicate the opening process and increase production costs, as the outer wrapper is typically shrink-wrapped tightly around the container, making it difficult for consumers to access the contents.
Innovation Solution
A wrapped package design featuring an outer wrapper with a longitudinal overlapping region and a transverse opening cut that creates an opening tab, allowing the wrapper to be easily removed without tear tapes, using conventional wrapping techniques and materials, and facilitating the alignment of pre-cut opening cuts for efficient production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tear tape is added to the outer wrapper, then the opening process is facilitated, but the device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the tear tape component from the packaging system. Instead of adding a separate opening aid, the solution uses the existing overlapping edges of the outer wrapper itself as the opening mechanism, thereby removing the need for additional components while maintaining ease of opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping edges of the outer wrapper serve multiple functions: they provide structural integrity for sealing the package and simultaneously serve as the opening mechanism when pulled. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate tear tapes while maintaining both sealing and opening capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If tear tape is used, then the outer wrapper can be opened, but additional materials and imaging apparatus are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the tear tape material and associated quality control imaging apparatus from the production process. The opening capability is achieved using only the existing outer wrapper material and its overlapping edge structure, thereby simplifying manufacturing and eliminating additional material requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer wrapper's overlapping edges are designed to serve themselves as both the sealing mechanism and the opening mechanism. The structure is self-sufficient, requiring no additional materials or specialized quality control equipment to verify opening functionality.
3Reliability
If the outer wrapper is shrink wrapped tightly, then the package integrity is maintained, but the consumer cannot easily access the contents
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the outer wrapper into overlapping sections with defined edges that can be easily separated. The overlapping region is divided into distinct portions that can be pulled apart, allowing the wrapper to maintain integrity when sealed while enabling easy separation for access.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping edges are designed to transition from a static sealed state to a dynamic opening state. When pulled, the edges dynamically separate along the overlapping region, allowing the wrapper to maintain integrity at rest while enabling easy access when activated by the consumer.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A wrapped package (10) of consumer goods comprises: a filled package (12) containing one or more consumer goods; and an outer wrapper (14), wrapped around the filled package such that first (16a) and second (16b) opposed edges of the outer wrapper overlap with each other along a longitudinal overlapping region (18) extending across a first side of the package. The outer wrapper (14) is provided with a opening cut (22) extending transversely all of the way across the longitudinal overlapping region (18) to define an opening tab (24) in the outer wrapper (14).