Re-sealable Pull Tab for Dual-Box Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cigarette packaging designs fail to provide an effective re-sealable solution that preserves freshness, prevents contamination, and minimizes waste while ensuring easy access to the product.
Innovation Solution
A container with a rigid outer box and inner box, featuring a hinged lid and a re-sealable pull tab with permanent and re-stick adhesives, which covers the opening when closed and peels away for access, using a paper liner and vent to prevent spillage and air trapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinged lid is used to provide access to the inner container, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of sealing is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
A pull tab with re-stick adhesive acts as an intermediary between the hinged lid and the inner container opening. The pull tab bridges the gap created by the hinged lid opening, providing a reliable seal over the opening while allowing easy access through the lid mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is segmented from the hinged lid structure itself. Instead of relying solely on the lid to seal, the system divides the sealing function into a separate pull tab component that can independently seal the opening while the lid provides access.
2Reliability
If a label with tacky substance is used for sealing, then reliability of sealing is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive property of the pull tab is made dynamic through the use of re-stick adhesive. The adhesive strength can be adjusted - strong enough to seal reliably when closed, but weak enough to allow easy peeling and re-sealing when needed, transforming a static sealing mechanism into a dynamic one.
3Ease of operation
If the opening is fully exposed for access, then ease of operation is improved, but object-affected harmful factors are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The pull tab is pre-positioned to cover the opening before access is needed. When the consumer finishes using the product, the pull tab can be re-applied to the opening to prevent contamination and preserve freshness, performing the protective action in advance before harm can occur.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a durable, cost-effective packaging that simplifies the opening process, reduces waste, and protects the product from physical damage while maintaining freshness and preventing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
the pull tab including re-stick adhesive on an underside thereof, the re-stick adhesive providing a seal around the opening when the hinged lid is closed
Implementation Method 2
a lower zone of re-stick adhesive on the first side of the strip, the lower zone extending upwardly from a lower (bottom) edge of the strip and separated from the upper zone by an adhesive-free gap
Data Source
AI summary
A container for consumer goods includes a rigid outer box, a rigid inner box, and a pull tab arranged over a pre-cut opening in the inner box. The pull tab includes a paper liner larger than the pre-cut opening such as a piece of bundle wrap with a paper layer of the bundle wrap contacting the consumer goods inside the box. The outer box has a hinged lid permanently attached to a connecting tab of the pull tab whereby opening the hinged lid simultaneously opens the opening in the inner box by lifting the pull tab. The pull tab includes a re-stick adhesive arranged in a single zone which adheres the piece of bundle wrap to cover the opening and the re-stick adhesive outward of the piece of bundle wrap allows the pull tab to reseal to the outer surface of the inner box.