Swing-Open Package Lid Hinge Mechanism for Easy Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional swing-open type packages are inconvenient for handling and reorientation of the lid, as the lid must be turned upside down and aligned perfectly with the box body for closure, which complicates the opening and closing process.

Innovation Solution

A swing-open type package design featuring a movable rear wall portion connected by a hinge to the box body, a connection flap on the lid, and a support flap that allows the lid to swing and tilt, providing easy access and stable closure, with optional sound generation for proper alignment confirmation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lid is made as a separate removable part, then the box body can be opened to access articles, but the lid becomes inconvenient to handle and requires perfect alignment for closure

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of opening and closing the packageVSAvoidComplexity of lid handling and alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is merged with the box body through a hinge connection, forming a unified swing-open structure. This eliminates the need for separate handling and perfect alignment, as the lid remains attached to the box body throughout the opening and closing process, automatically maintaining proper orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge joint introduces dynamic movement capability, allowing the lid to swing between closed and open positions while remaining connected. This dynamic connection enables easy opening and closing operations without requiring the lid to be completely removed and repositioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the lid is completely removed from the box body, then articles can be easily accessed, but the lid must be turned upside down and reoriented for closure

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSpeed of article accessVSAvoidTime for lid reorientation and alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge connection merges the lid and box body into a single operational unit, eliminating the time-consuming steps of removing, reorienting, and aligning the lid. The lid swings open for immediate article access and swings back for automatic realignment and closure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge pre-positions the lid in the correct orientation relative to the box body, so that when the lid is swung open and then closed, it automatically returns to the proper alignment without requiring user intervention for reorientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a hinge connection is provided between the lid and box body, then the lid remains connected for easy handling, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of lid handlingVSAvoidStructural complexity of the package
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rear wall of the box body is segmented to include a movable rear wall portion that forms part of the hinge mechanism. This segmentation allows the hinge to be integrated into the box body structure itself, rather than adding a separate hinge component, thereby reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable rear wall portion serves multiple functions: it forms part of the box body structure, provides the hinge joint mechanism, and enables the swing-open functionality. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate hinge components, reducing structural complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

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

4Area of moving object

If the lid is made to swing open with a large opening angle, then access space is maximized, but the closure alignment becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccess space when openedVSAvoidEase of lid closure alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge connection provides dynamic movement that allows the lid to swing to various opening angles, maximizing access space when needed. The same dynamic connection ensures that when the lid is swung back, it naturally returns to the closed position with proper alignment, eliminating the alignment difficulty that would exist with rigid fixed-angle structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates easy handling and opening/closing of the package by maintaining lid connection to the box body, providing a large access space and clear closure indication through a clicking sound, enhancing user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a movable rear wall portion formed by a part of the rear wall of the box body and joined to the bottom wall of the box body by a hinge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

a connection flap jointed to an upper edge of the movable rear wall portion by a fold line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFolding: Folding

Implementation Method 3

a support flap connecting the transverse wall and the inner surface of the upper wall of the lid, the support flap having hinges at the connecting potions with respect to the transverse wall and the inner surface of the upper wall of the lid, respectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP2256048B1Swing-open type package
Publication Date: 2013.11.06 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP2256048B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2256048B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2256048B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A swing-open type package has a box body (10), a lid (12) to be put onto the box body (10) from above, and a swing device connecting the lid (12) and the box body (10), the swing device including a movable rear wall portion (36) formed by a part of a rear wall of the box body (10), and a support flap (44) connecting the lid (12) and a transverse wall (21) of the box body (10), and enables a swing motion of the lid (12) when a front wall of the lid (12) is raised from the boxy body (10) so that the swing motion causes the lid (12) to tilt and open wide.