Rigid Cigarette Package With Sliding Inner Container
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid cigarette packages with hinged lids face difficulties in extracting cigarettes, especially when the group is small in size or contains slim cigarettes, due to complex handling and potential crushing from elastic deformation of lifting devices, and require multiple packing machines for production, increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A rigid cigarette package design featuring a sliding inner container within a cup-shaped outer container, where a connection tab mechanism allows automatic longitudinal movement of the inner container relative to the outer container using the lid's rotation, eliminating elastic deformation and enabling easy extraction without stressing the cigarettes, and can be produced using standard packing machines with minimal modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid lifting device is used to automatically lift cigarettes when lid is opened, then cigarette extraction is facilitated, but elastic deformation during lid rotation causes high force requirements and cigarette crushing
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is divided into multiple rigid panels (first panel, second panel, third panel) connected by hinge lines, allowing segmented movement that transforms rotational force into vertical lifting without elastic deformation. Each panel acts as an independent rigid element that pivots at defined hinge locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge lines act as intermediaries between the lid and the lifting device panels, transferring rotational motion from the lid into controlled vertical displacement of the cigarette pack. The hinge lines enable force transmission without requiring elastic deformation of the lifting device itself.
2Ease of operation
If elastic deformation of lifting device is used during lid rotation, then lid movement is enabled, but cigarette crushing occurs due to pushing force on adjacent cigarettes
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is segmented into multiple rigid panels connected by hinge lines, replacing elastic deformation with controlled rigid body motion. Each panel maintains its shape while pivoting at hinge lines, eliminating the pushing forces that cause cigarette crushing.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting device uses composite construction with multiple rigid panels and hinge connections, creating a mechanism that combines rigidity for structural integrity with articulated joints for controlled movement, avoiding the need for elastic materials that cause deformation-induced crushing.
3Force
If flexible lifting device is used to avoid elastic deformation, then lid handling is improved, but bi-directional movement of cigarette group is not achieved requiring manual pushing
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device uses segmented rigid panels that can move in both directions through hinge articulation. The multi-panel construction allows automatic lowering during lid closure by reversing the lifting sequence, eliminating the need for manual cigarette pushing while maintaining low force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting device transitions from static or purely flexible designs to a dynamic rigid mechanism with hinge joints that enable controlled bidirectional movement. The panels pivot at hinge lines to automatically lift during opening and lower during closing, providing full automation without requiring elastic deformation.
4Ease of operation
If complex lifting mechanism is used to achieve automatic bidirectional movement, then cigarette extraction is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is segmented into three simple rigid panels connected by hinge lines, creating a mechanism that achieves automatic bidirectional movement through basic geometric principles rather than complex components. The simplicity of each panel and hinge connection reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining full automation capability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A rigid package (1) for tobacco articles with a hinged lid having: a group (2) of tobacco articles; an inner container (3) which houses the group (2) of tobacco articles; an outer container (4) which houses the inner container (3) in a movable manner, so as to allow the inner container itself (3) to move relative to the outer container (4); a hinged lid (9); and a moving mechanism, which moves the inner container (3) relative to the outer container (4) using the rotation movement of the lid (9) and has a rigid connection tab (19), which connects a wall (17) of the inner container (3) inner to a wall (11; 12; 13) of the lid (9); a lower wall (15) of the inner container (3) has an extension (45) that is coplanar to the lower wall (15) and extends from the opposite side of the rear wall (17) of the inner container (3) relative to the lower wall (15).