Rigid One-Piece Box for Loose Smokable Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pouches of fine-cut tobacco are not suitable for sale in existing vending machines or point of sale fixtures used for cigarette packs, lacking the rigidity and self-supporting structure of conventional cigarette packs.
Innovation Solution
A rigid, self-supporting box formed from a one-piece blank with a receptacle portion containing loose smokable material, featuring a movable flap and integral closure tongue, allowing for secure storage and easy access, with retention means to maintain the flap in a folded position, and designed to resemble conventional cigarette packs for compatibility with existing retail systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a flexible plastic pouch is used to contain loose smokable material, then the pouch is easy to manufacture and close, but it lacks rigidity and cannot be displayed in existing cigarette vending machines or point of sale fixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The box is formed from a one-piece blank that is divided into functional segments: a receptacle portion for containing the smokable material and a flap portion for closure. The flap is further segmented with upstanding side walls that can be folded along score lines to provide structural support and prevent material loss, transforming a simple pouch into a rigid, self-supporting container suitable for vending machine display.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid box structure is created to resemble cigarette packs, then compatibility with existing retail systems is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex requiring multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure formed from one-piece blank. The receptacle portion, closure flap, and retention side walls are all formed from the same blank and connected through folding along score lines, eliminating the need for separate components while achieving the rigid, cigarette-pack-like appearance needed for compatibility with existing retail display systems.
3Ease of operation
If the flap is extended outwardly to provide a handling surface, then consumers can easily handle and roll the smokable material, but the flap may allow material to fall off or be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds vertical dimension to the flap by forming upstanding side walls that extend upward from the flap surface. These three-dimensional retaining walls create boundaries that prevent smokable material from falling off the extended flap while still allowing consumers to access and handle the material easily on the flat flap surface for rolling operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A box (2) (62) containing loose smokable material (4) formed from a one-piece blank comprises: a receptacle portion (6) containing loose smokable material (4) and having an access opening; a flap (8) integral with the receptacle portion (6) ; and a pair of opposed upstanding walls (30) integral with the flap (8) and extending at least part-way along the sides thereof . The flap (8) is moveable between a folded position, in which the flap (8) is folded at least partly around the receptacle portion (6) and overlies the opening, and an extended position, in which the flap (8) extends outwardly from the receptacle portion (6) . The box (62) may further comprise an integral closure tongue (64) connected to the receptacle portion (6) and moveable between a closed position, in which the closure tongue (64) covers the opening and loose smokable material contained in the receptacle portion (6) is inaccessible, and an open position, in which loose smokable material (4) contained in the receptacle portion (6) is accessible through the opening. The loose smokable material (4) may be loose fine-cut tobacco for forming roll your own (RYO) or make your own (MYO) cigarettes and the box (2) (62) may be of substantially the same size and shape as a conventional cigarette pack.