Push-Open Inner Sleeve Pack With Pivoting Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge-lid containers for consumer goods, such as smoking articles, lack innovative designs for opening and closing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A pack design featuring pivotally connected front and back covers with an inner sleeve that moves between positions to open and close, utilizing a slot for manual operation, and optionally includes a click lock for secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hinge-lid containers are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the opening and closing mechanism lacks innovation and user convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into distinct components: outer box, inner sleeve, front cover, back cover, and connecting panels. This segmentation allows each part to perform specific functions independently while working together as a unified system, enabling the innovative opening mechanism without overwhelming complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The inner sleeve is nested within the outer box, with the front and back covers forming a protective outer shell. This nested structure allows the inner sleeve to move independently within the constrained space of the outer box, enabling the push-to-open mechanism while maintaining a compact overall form factor
2Ease of operation
If the inner sleeve moves between positions to open and close the container, then user convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front connecting panel merges the functionality of both the front cover and the inner sleeve by being pivotally connected to both components. This single panel serves as the mechanical link that transfers motion from the inner sleeve to the front cover, eliminating the need for separate hinge mechanisms and reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of pulling the front cover open as in conventional designs, the user pushes the inner sleeve forward, which through the pivotal connecting panels, causes the front and back covers to pivot open. This inverted action sequence simplifies the user gesture while achieving the same functional result
3Ease of operation
If a slot is added for manual operation, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slot is extracted as a separate feature from the main body of the outer box, allowing it to be formed independently during the manufacturing process. This extraction approach enables the slot to be created using standard die-cutting or punching operations on sheet material, minimizing additional manufacturing steps and complexity
Data Source
AI summary
In an example embodiment, a pack for tobacco articles comprises an inner sleeve, and an outer box comprising front and back covers that allow access to the inner sleeve when the outer box is opened. The inner sleeve can include a front connecting panel pivotally connecting a front wall of the inner sleeve to an inner surface of the front cover and a back connecting panel pivotally connecting a back wall of the inner sleeve to an inner surface of the back cover. A slot in the outer box is configured to allow opening of the outer box by applying pressure against a bottom wall of the inner sleeve.