Reinforced Tear Zone for Tamper-Proof Outer Wrapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tamper-proof outer wrappers often tear partially when attempting to remove the plastic wrapper from a package, leading to incomplete unwrapping.

Innovation Solution

A reinforced tear zone is created using multiple layers of wrapping material with a tear tape affixed between them, sealed around the inner tear tape, and angled cuts to form a tab for easy engagement, ensuring the tear zone does not break when pulled, and perforated portions along the sides facilitate smooth unwrapping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a tear tape is used to open the outer wrapping, then the opening process becomes easier, but the tear zone may break when pulled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening easeVSAvoidtear zone strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple layers of wrapping material with a tear tape affixed between them. The layered composite structure provides both the ease of tearing (through the tear tape) and the necessary strength (through the multiple wrapped layers) to prevent breakage during the pulling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting by placing the tear tape between multiple layers of wrapping material, with each layer nested around the previous one. This nested multi-layer construction allows the tear tape to function while being protected and reinforced by the surrounding layers, preventing breakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If the wrapping material is made thin for easy wrapping, then the wrapping process becomes simpler, but the wrapper may tear during removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrapping simplicityVSAvoidwrapper integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by creating a multi-layer wrapping structure where thin layers are combined to achieve both ease of wrapping and sufficient strength. The composite nature of multiple thin layers provides the necessary reliability to prevent tearing during removal while maintaining wrapping simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If perforated portions are added to facilitate unwrapping, then the unwrapping process becomes smoother, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunwrapping smoothnessVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by adding perforated portions that divide the wrapping material into separable sections. These perforations create predetermined break lines that guide the unwrapping process, making it smoother and more controlled while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8561378B2Opening device for outer wrapping and method for forming

Publication Date: 2013.10.22 PHILIP MORRIS USA INC

AI summary

Provided is a tamper proof outer wrapping with a reinforced tear zone. The reinforced tear zone includes a tear tape affixed between two layers of the wrapping material. A perforated line runs parallel to the reinforced tear zone on each of the reinforced tear zone. A tab is formed at one end of the reinforced tear zone. The tab is pulled to separate the reinforced tear zone from the remaining wrapping material and open remove the outer wrapping. The wrapping can be used on packages containing smoking articles such as cigarettes or orally consumed products such as candy or pouched tobacco products.