Push-Pull Cigarette Box with V-Notch Opening Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cigarette boxes lack novelty in their opening and closing mechanism and visual appeal, failing to capture users' interest.

Innovation Solution

A cigarette box design featuring a push-pull wall that can be pulled out and pushed back into the box body, creating a unique opening mechanism and a fin-shaped knob for operation, along with a V-shaped notch and folding line for forming a rhombic opening, providing a novel external appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a conventional hinged-lid package is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the visual appeal and user interest are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual appealVSAvoidopening mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The push-pull wall is designed to be movable between a pushed-in state (when not in use) and a pulled-out state (when opening is needed). This dynamic element transforms the static box into an interactive object, providing both visual appeal through its movement and functional utility for accessing cigarettes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The box is divided into functional segments: the box body, the movable push-pull wall, and the fin-shaped knob. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while contributing to the overall aesthetic and operational novelty of the design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a push-pull wall with knob is added, then the opening mechanism becomes novel and visually appealing, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening operationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fin-shaped knob is designed to be easily graspable by fingers, allowing users to operate the push-pull wall without requiring tools or complex mechanisms. The knob itself serves as both a structural element and an operational interface, enabling users to pull the wall out for opening and push it in for closing through simple manual action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the push-pull wall is made movable, then the opening and closing mechanism becomes unique, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening mechanism versatilityVSAvoidfolding line precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The push-pull wall utilizes folding lines that allow it to change its geometric configuration between pushed-in and pulled-out states. By designing appropriate folding lines and notches, the structure can adapt its shape and position without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, as the folding mechanism provides inherent flexibility in the transition between states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1923328B1Cigarette box and blank for the same

Publication Date: 2010.12.15 JAPAN TOBACCO INC

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AI summary

A cigarette box has a V-shaped notch (6) cut in an edge of a top wall thereof, a push-pull wall (8) forming one side wall thereof, and a fin-shaped knob (10) provided on the outer surface of the push-pull wall (8). When the push-pull wall (8) is pulled out of the cigarette box, an upper end thereof is shaped like the letter V forming a rhombic opening (12) in cooperation with the notch (6). On the other hand, when the push-pull wall (8) is pushed into the cigarette box, the upper end thereof coincides with the notch (6), forming an oppositely directed V shape and closing the opening (12).