Wireless Power Receiver Coil in Consumer Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container designs for consumer goods, such as cigarette packs, lack effective means to communicate with consumers without adding complexity to manufacturing processes or requiring additional components.
Innovation Solution
A container with a multilayer wrapper containing a conductive layer forming a wireless power transfer receiver coil, allowing an electronic device to be powered externally and communicate with consumers, while minimizing modifications to existing manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a marker comprising magnetic resonating means is provided on the outer housing or applied to the outer surface of a foil wrapping material, then the marker becomes detectable by means of an electromagnetic field, but the manufacturing process complexity increases and additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the marker function with the existing wrapper structure by integrating conductive layers directly into the wrapper's multilayer construction. The conductive layers are formed as part of the wrapper manufacturing process itself, merging the communication function with the packaging structure rather than adding separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapper structure serves multiple functions: it protects the consumer goods, provides structural integrity, and simultaneously acts as the communication interface through its integrated conductive layers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate marker components while maintaining consumer communication capability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If an electronic device is powered by an internal power supply within the container, then the device can operate continuously, but the container size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply function from the container itself and relocates it to an external power supply unit. The container now only contains the electronic device and necessary circuitry, while power is supplied externally through connections to the conductive layers in the wrapper, reducing container volume and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive layers in the wrapper serve as an intermediary mechanism that transfers power from an external power supply to the electronic device. This intermediary approach allows the device to operate for extended periods without an internal battery, as power can be replenished externally through the wrapper's conductive structure.
3Productivity
If traditional manufacturing processes are used for forming the container, then production efficiency is maintained, but the means to communicate with consumers is limited to colours, text, graphics, shape, and surface texture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the wrapper by incorporating conductive layers with specific resistance values and patterns. These parameter changes enable the wrapper to function as an electronic communication interface while being integrated into existing manufacturing processes that form multilayer wrappers with metallic coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/visual communication methods (colours, text, graphics) with an electronic system based on electromagnetic fields. The conductive layers in the wrapper create electrical circuits that can be activated to provide dynamic electronic communication with consumers, substituting static visual elements with programmable electronic displays or indicators.
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
Enables novel consumer communication without adding complexity to manufacturing, eliminates the need for internal power supplies, and allows for flexible orientation and activation of electronic devices at the point of sale.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one conductive layer forms at least one power transfer receiver coil configured to wirelessly receive a supply of electrical energy
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
There is provided a container (30) of consumer goods, the container (30) comprising a wrapped bundle of consumer goods (10) comprising a wrapper (16) wrapped around one or more consumer goods. The wrapper (16) comprises a folded laminar blank comprising at least one carrier layer (12) and at least one conductive layer (13), the at least one conductive layer (13) forming at least one power transfer receiver coil (14) configured to wirelessly receive a supply of electrical energy. The container (30) further comprises an outer housing (31) containing the wrapped bundle of consumer goods (10), and an electronic device (38) connected to the at least one power transfer receiver coil (14) to receive the supply of electrical energy.