Slide and Shell Container Guide Slit Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide and shell containers for consumer goods, such as cigarettes, are difficult to open and lack stability, leading to inaccurate sliding movements and potential disassembly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a guide slit in the shell with a guide means that engages with the slide, enhancing sliding accuracy and stability, and using a cover panel to facilitate one-handed opening and closing, while allowing for different materials and designs for improved aesthetics and manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the inner slide is guided by the inner walls of the outer shell, then the sliding movement is constrained, but the opening process becomes difficult and the container lacks stability
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance function is segmented from the shell walls into separate guide means (guide panels and guide portions) that are distinct structural elements. This segmentation allows the guide means to be specifically designed for both stability and ease of operation, with guide portions providing precise engagement and guide panels offering a large grasping surface for easy opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide means acts as an intermediary element between the slide and the shell, mediating the interaction between these two components. The guide portions engage with the guide slit to provide stability and guidance, while the guide panels provide a large surface area for easy grasping and opening, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If no guide means is used, then the container structure is simpler, but the sliding movement becomes inaccurate and the container may disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The guide means is applied locally at specific positions where guidance is needed - the guide portions are positioned to engage with the guide slit for accurate sliding, while the guide panels are positioned to provide grasping surfaces. This local application of guidance features provides the necessary precision without requiring complex guidance systems throughout the entire container structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide means is nested within the overall container structure, with guide panels and guide portions integrated into the slide assembly that moves within the shell. This nesting allows the guide means to provide precise sliding control while maintaining a relatively simple overall container construction with only two main blanks (shell and slide).
3Reliability
If the guide means is made from a separate part, then the sliding engagement can be optimized with different materials, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The guide means combines multiple functions into a single integrated component structure - the guide panels and guide portions work together as a unified guide system. This merging allows for optimized sliding engagement through material selection while maintaining manufacturing efficiency by treating the guide means as an integrated assembly that can be manufactured from one blank of flat material.
4Shape
If the cover panel covers the guide slit completely, then the aesthetic appearance is improved and no opening is needed in the shell, but the manufacturing of the guide means becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The guide means is designed and prepared in advance as an integrated component with guide panels and guide portions that will cover the guide slit when assembled. This preliminary design of the guide means allows it to serve both aesthetic and functional purposes - covering the guide slit for improved appearance while providing the necessary guidance structure, without requiring complex modifications to the shell.
Data Source
AI summary
A slide and shell container comprising a shell, and a slide, which is movable in the shell along a sliding path from a closed position to an open position, wherein in the closed position the interior of the container is inaccessible, and wherein in the open position the interior of the container is accessible. The shell comprises a guide slit, extending along the sliding path, wherein a guide means of the slide engages with the guide slit. Further, a single blank for forming a slide and a single blank for forming a guide means is disclosed.