Tobacco Pack Laminate with Offset Cuts for Resealable Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cigarette packs require a separate adhesive label for forming an extraction opening, which complicates the manufacturing process and increases material usage and costs.
Innovation Solution
A laminate material with offset first and second cuts in the outer and inner layers, respectively, allows the formation of a cover flap that can be used to re-close the opening, eliminating the need for a separate label and reducing material usage by integrating the label into the laminate itself.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate adhesive label is used to form the extraction opening, then the opening can be formed and reclosed, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the extraction opening formation function and the reclosure function into a single integrated laminate structure. The laminate includes an outer layer with a first cut defining an outer layer region, and an inner layer with a second cut defining an inner layer region that lies within the outer layer region. Pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied in the peripheral region between the first and second cuts, allowing the laminate to be peeled back to form an opening and then reclosed by re-adhering the peripheral region, eliminating the need for a separate adhesive label.
Solution Approach 2:
The laminate structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the barrier material wrapping, defines the extraction opening through its cut regions, provides the adhesive mechanism for reclosure through the pressure-sensitive adhesive in the peripheral region, and forms the recloseable flap structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components like adhesive labels, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the resealable opening mechanism.
2Reliability
If a separate adhesive label is used, then the extraction opening can be formed, but material usage and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the barrier material and the adhesive reclosure mechanism into a single laminate structure. The peripheral region containing the pressure-sensitive adhesive is an integral part of the laminate, located between the first cut in the outer layer and the second cut in the inner layer. This integration eliminates the need for separate adhesive labels, reducing material usage while ensuring reliable extraction opening formation and reclosure.
3Ease of operation
If the laminate is designed with offset cuts in inner and outer layers, then a cover flap is formed for re-closing, but the adhesive application becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pressure-sensitive adhesive specifically in the peripheral region between the first and second cuts, rather than uniformly across the entire laminate. This localized adhesive application is strategically positioned to provide reclosure functionality only where needed - in the region that will form the recloseable flap - simplifying the manufacturing process by limiting adhesive application to a specific functional zone while enabling the re-close mechanism.
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
This solution simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces material requirements, and enhances the packaging's cost-effectiveness and environmental impact by eliminating the need for a separate label and ensuring a secure, resealable opening mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the laminate further comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive between the inner layer and the outer layer such that said peripheral region re-adheres when the lid is rotated into its closed position
Implementation Method 2
a permanent adhesive region between the inner layer and the outer layer in said inner layer region
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5
AI summary
Pack (27) having a group of tobacco industry products wrapped in a laminate (2) to form a bundle (22). The pack has a base (28) containing the bundle, and a lid (30) mounted to the base for rotation between open and closed positions. The laminate has an outer layer (3) having a first cut (5) that defines an outer layer region bounded by said first cut and, an inner layer (4) having a second cut (6) that defines an inner layer region bounded by said second cut. A part of the outer layer region is attached to an inside surface of the lid such that, as the lid is rotated into its open position, the inner and outer layer regions are lifted causing the inner and outer layers to delaminate in a peripheral region (15) between the first and second cuts and an opening (19).