Tamper-Evident Packaging with Breakable Lid Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging for aerosol-generating articles requires additional non-eco-friendly overwrapping materials for tamper evidence, increasing production costs and consumer inconvenience, while also not being sustainable.

Innovation Solution

A packaging design featuring a pivotable lid attached via a breakable second attachment section with strategically placed cutting lines that ensure the packaging remains closed until opened, providing tamper evidence without the need for external overwrapping, using a foldable material blank with specific cutting patterns to facilitate easy opening and reduce material waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an additional flexible overwrapping material is used to enclose the outer box for tamper evidence, then tamper evidence capability is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper evidence capabilityVSAvoidpackaging structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the tamper evidence function with the packaging structure itself by incorporating a breakable seal section that is an integral part of the box. The seal section includes breaking lines formed directly in the packaging material, eliminating the need for separate overwrapping materials. When the seal is broken, it provides visible tamper evidence while maintaining a simple single-structure packaging design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The breakable seal section serves multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the packaging to maintain freshness, provides tamper evidence when broken, and guides the opening process. The breaking lines are designed to create visible separation that indicates both opening and potential tampering, making the seal structure universally functional for multiple packaging requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If an additional flexible overwrapping material is used for tamper evidence, then tamper evidence capability is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper evidence capabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the tamper evidence feature with the existing packaging material, eliminating the need for separate overwrapping materials. The breaking lines are formed directly in the box structure during manufacturing, reducing material costs and simplifying the production process while maintaining effective tamper evidence capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If an additional flexible overwrapping material is used to enclose the outer box, then tamper evidence capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional unpackaging steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper evidence capabilityVSAvoidunpackaging convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the tamper evidence function from a separate overwrapping material and integrates it directly into the packaging structure. The breakable seal section with breaking lines is formed as part of the box itself, allowing consumers to open the packaging by simply breaking the seal without needing to remove additional overwrapping layers, thereby improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If an additional flexible overwrapping material is used for tamper evidence, then tamper evidence capability is improved, but environmental sustainability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper evidence capabilityVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the tamper evidence function with the primary packaging material, eliminating the need for separate plastic overwrapping materials. The breakable seal section is formed from the same material as the box structure, reducing material waste and improving environmental sustainability while maintaining effective tamper evidence capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4077147B1Tamper evident packaging

Publication Date: 2023.10.11 JT INTERNATIONAL SA

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a packaging for aerosol-generating articles comprising a packaging body extending in a length direction, a width direction and a height direction and a lid attached to the packaging body via a first attachment section. The lid being pivotable with respect to the packaging body for opening and closing the packaging. The lid is further attached to the packaging body in a second attachment section, wherein the second attachment section comprises an inner surface and an outer surface facing the inner surface. The second attachment section is breakable and comprises at least a first and a second breaking line, wherein one breaking line extends from the inner surface towards the outer surface without reaching the outer surface and another breaking line extends from the outer surface towards the inner surface without reaching the inner surface. The second attachment section (6) has a predetermined width (w) from the inner surface (62) to the outer surface (72) and both the first and second breaking lines and/or cut extends at least over 50% of that width. The invention also relates to a foldable material blank to form such packaging..