Cigarette Pouch Compartment Sealing for Secure Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bags for the cigarette industry with additional compartments risk accidental loss of contents when removing items from the main pocket, as the compartment opening is a mirror image of the main bag opening.

Innovation Solution

The compartment is continuously closed on one side edge with a sealing seam, and another side edge is partially closed with a side sealing seam, featuring an access opening on an unsealed side edge, and can be further secured with closure means like adhesive tape or Velcro, with an optional punching aid for easy opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the compartment opening is made the same as the main bag opening for ease of access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as contents can accidentally enter the compartment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of access to compartmentVSAvoidprevention of accidental content mixing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bag structure is segmented into distinct access paths: the main bag opening for removing contents and a separate compartment access opening for adding items. This segmentation prevents accidental mixing while maintaining ease of access to both functions through dedicated openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A closure means (such as a flap or latch) acts as an intermediary element between the compartment opening and the interior. This intermediary prevents unintended entry of contents into the compartment while allowing intentional access when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the compartment is fully sealed to prevent accidental entry, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in accessing the compartment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of accidental content mixingVSAvoidease of access to compartment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The compartment has different opening characteristics at different locations: one opening faces the main bag opening (for controlled access) and another opening is positioned at the bottom (for easy item placement). This local differentiation allows reliable sealing while maintaining operational ease through strategically positioned access points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the compartment opening is positioned at the bottom for easy item placement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as items can accidentally fall into the compartment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of item placement in compartmentVSAvoidprevention of accidental item entry
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compartment is designed with a bottom opening that allows easy item placement, but a closure means is preliminarily positioned to prevent accidental entry. The closure can be activated before items are placed or automatically engages to prevent unintended access, thus maintaining both ease of placement and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4450419A1Pouch for cigarette industry products and method for producing such a pouch
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 FOCKE & CO (GMBH & CO KG)
  • EP4450419A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4450419A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4450419A1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to a pouch (10) for products of the cigarette industry, wherein the pouch (10) has a pocket (11) for receiving the pouch contents, and wherein the pocket (11) has an opening (12) for adding and removing the pouch contents, and wherein the opening (12) can be covered by a pouch flap (13) of the pouch (10), and wherein the pouch flap (13) has a compartment (16) for receiving further items (17, 18). According to the invention, the compartment (16) is preferably completely closed at a side edge facing the opening (12) of the pouch (11), in particular by a sealing seam (19), and at least one other side edge of the compartment (16) is at least partially closed, in particular by a lateral sealing seam (20), and an access opening (21) is arranged at an unsealed side edge of the compartment (16). The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing corresponding pouches (10).