Rigid Package Sliding Lid Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing of existing rigid cigarette packages with hinged lids is laborious and complex due to the need for precise positioning of partially transparent and translucent panels, which limits productivity.

Innovation Solution

A rigid cigarette package design featuring a sliding inner container within a parallelepiped-shaped outer container with a cup-shaped lid, where the inner container slides linearly and is lifted automatically by a rotation mechanism, eliminating the need for complex panel positioning and allowing for simpler manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a partially transparent and partially translucent panel is used to create optical interaction with underlying print, then visual display effect is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to precise positioning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual display effectVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the partially transparent and partially translucent panel from the structure, eliminating the need for precise positioning between the panel and underlying print. The visual display effect is achieved through the sliding mechanism itself, which reveals or conceals the print on the front wall based on the inner container's position, rather than using optical properties of a separate panel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a transparent/translucent panel to create visual effects, the patent inverts the approach by using an opaque sliding mechanism where the print is directly visible or hidden based on the sliding position. The visual display is achieved through mechanical revelation rather than optical transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Manufacturing precision

If high positioning accuracy is required for panel alignment, then optical interaction quality is improved, but productivity decreases due to complex wrapping process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidhourly productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the panel entirely, the patent eliminates the positioning accuracy requirement between panel and print. The sliding mechanism provides inherent alignment through its mechanical structure, allowing for faster, less precise manufacturing processes while maintaining the visual display function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding mechanism itself provides the alignment function that previously required separate panel positioning. The mechanical structure of the sliding container automatically ensures proper alignment between the front wall and outer container, eliminating the need for high-precision positioning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a sliding inner container mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the sliding mechanism: it serves as both the container structure and the opening/closing mechanism. The inner container slides within the outer container to simultaneously achieve both protection and easy access, eliminating the need for separate hinged lids or complex opening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding inner container performs multiple functions: it protects the contents, provides easy opening and closing through sliding motion, and creates the visual display effect by revealing or concealing the front wall print. This multi-functional design reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3328745B1Rigid package with a hinged lid
Publication Date: 2019.05.29 GD SPA
  • EP3328745B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3328745B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3328745B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A rigid package (1) for tobacco articles with a hinged lid having: a group (2) of articles; an inner container (3) which houses the group of articles (2); an outer container (4), which houses the inner container (3) in a movable manner; a hinged lid (9); a collar (22) connected to the outer container (4); and a lifting mechanism (19), which moves the inner container (3) relative to the outer container (4) and to the collar (22) by using the rotation movement of the lid (9) between a lowered position and an extracted position; a front wall (16) of the inner container (3) has a graphic sign (27), which is covered by the collar (22) when the lid (9) is in the closed position, namely when the inner container (3) is in the lowered position, and is visible when the lid (9) is in the open position, namely when the inner container (3) is in the extracted position.