Sliding Panel Container for Expanded Information Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard containers for consumer goods, such as smoking articles, have limited surface area for displaying information, restricting the amount of graphics and text that can be communicated to consumers.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a slidable inner housing with an external panel that moves along the outer sleeve as the housing transitions from a closed to an open position, increasing the visible surface area for information display by revealing previously covered areas on the sleeve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the container size is increased to provide more surface area for information display, then the information display area is improved, but the container complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the external panel movable relative to the inner housing. The panel transitions from a concealed position (when the container is closed) to a visible position (when the container is opened), allowing the display area to dynamically expand without increasing the container's physical dimensions. This resolves the contradiction by providing more information display area while maintaining a compact container structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the dimensionality change principle by adding temporal dimension to the information display. Instead of expanding the display area in spatial dimensions (which would increase container size), the invention allows the display area to grow over time as the container is opened and the external panel becomes visible. This provides additional display surface area without increasing the container's footprint.
2Area of stationary object
If additional panels are added to increase information display area, then the information display capability is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the container into distinct components: the inner housing and the external panel. This allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes, and then assembled together. The external panel can be produced independently and then attached to the inner housing, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while still providing increased information display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the nesting principle by placing the external panel within the confines of the inner housing when closed. The panel is positioned such that it does not extend beyond the housing boundaries in the closed state, allowing the container to be manufactured and assembled in a compact form. The panel is then revealed by opening the container, providing additional display area without complicating the nesting structure.
3Area of stationary object
If the external panel extends beyond the container edges in closed position, then the information display area is maximized, but the container cannot be displayed or sold in conventional units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the external panel's visibility dynamic rather than static. In the closed position, the panel is concealed within the housing boundaries, ensuring compatibility with conventional display units. When the container is opened, the panel dynamically transitions to a visible state, providing expanded information display area. This temporal visibility resolves the contradiction between maintaining compact dimensions and maximizing display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-positioning the external panel within the inner housing before the container is opened. The panel is prepared in a concealed state that maintains compatibility with standard display and storage units. The information display expansion occurs as a subsequent action when the container is opened and the panel is revealed, allowing the container to fit conventional units while still providing enhanced display capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3b
AI summary
A container (10) comprises an outer sleeve (12); an inner housing (14) contained within the outer sleeve (12) and moveable relative thereto between a closed position and an open position; an external panel (30) visible on the outer sleeve (12) and mounted for movement along a first wall (16) of the outer sleeve (12); and a linking device (28) connecting the external panel (30) to the inner housing (14) such that movement of the inner housing (14) between the closed position and the open position brings about movement of the external panel (30) along the first wall (16) of the outer sleeve (12).