Paper-Based Cigarette Packet Sealing for Regulatory Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cigarette packaging made from plastics materials are not compliant with regulations in certain countries that prohibit contact with coated materials, limiting their use.

Innovation Solution

A cigarette packet casing formed from paper-based packaging material, with folding tabs connected by seams, using a unilateral coating for integral connection, and optionally including a vapor barrier coating, to create a recyclable and compliant packaging solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a plastic-based packaging material is used for the casing, then the packet provides good sealing and protection, but it violates regulatory requirements in certain countries that prohibit contact with coated materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidregulatory compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from plastic-based to paper-based packaging material. This fundamental material substitution eliminates the regulatory compliance issue while maintaining the necessary sealing and protection functions through the paper-based material's inherent properties and seam construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure combining paper-based material with sealing elements and vapor barrier layers. This composite approach allows the packaging to achieve both regulatory compliance (through paper-based material) and functional requirements (through integrated sealing and barrier components)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If a paper-based packaging material is used for the casing, then the packet becomes easier to recycle and regulatory compliant, but it requires specialized sealing methods to achieve equivalent protection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidsealing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies sealing elements and vapor barrier coatings to the paper-based packaging material before final assembly. This preliminary preparation of sealing surfaces enables the paper-based material to achieve plastic-equivalent sealing performance without requiring complex post-assembly sealing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sealing elements and vapor barrier layers as intermediary components between the paper-based packaging material and the cigarette group. These intermediaries provide the necessary sealing and protection functions that paper-based material alone cannot achieve, while maintaining simplicity in the overall manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11878856B2Packet for cigarette industry products, and method for producing same

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 FOCKE & CO (GMBH & CO KG)

AI summary

A packet for cigarette industry products, having a casing which at least partially surrounds a group of cigarette industry products as the packet content, wherein the casing is formed from a packaging material, and wherein folding tabs of the packaging material are connected to one another by seams, in which the casing is formed from a paper-based packaging material, and a corresponding method.