Wrapper Machine Readable Indicia for Consumer Product Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging for consumer products, such as smoking articles, faces challenges in updating machine readable indicia like bar codes when product information changes, leading to the need for replacing or discarding packaging, as the information encoded in these indicia becomes outdated or incorrect.
Innovation Solution
Applying machine readable indicia to the wrapper of the container instead of directly on the container itself, allowing for easy updating or replacement of the information without modifying the container, and enabling the surface area for brand or consumer information printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If machine readable indicia are applied directly on the container, then the indicia can be easily applied, but the container cannot be reused when information changes and surface area for brand information is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the packaging system into two distinct parts: the container (for brand information) and the wrapper (for machine readable indicia). This segmentation allows each component to serve its specific function independently, enabling the wrapper to be updated without affecting the container's brand information printing area.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapper acts as an intermediary layer between the consumer information requirements and the container. By placing machine readable indicia on the wrapper rather than directly on the container, the wrapper mediates the information delivery function while preserving the container's surface area for brand information.
2Ease of manufacture
If machine readable indicia are applied directly on the container, then the application process is simple, but updating information requires modifying or discarding the container
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the packaging into container and wrapper components, the system allows the wrapper to be independently updated. The wrapper can be manufactured with updated machine readable indicia and applied to existing containers, maintaining ease of manufacture while dramatically improving adaptability for information updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapper introduces dynamic flexibility to the packaging system. While the container remains static, the wrapper can be easily replaced to reflect changing information requirements, making the overall system adaptable without compromising manufacturing simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If machine readable indicia are applied on the container surface, then the indicia are directly accessible, but the surface area for consumer information printing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of functions between container and wrapper ensures that machine readable indicia on the wrapper do not compete with brand information on the container for surface area. Both can be optimized independently for their respective purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the machine readable indicia from the container surface to the wrapper layer, effectively adding a dimensional layer to the packaging system. This allows machine readable indicia to be applied without reducing the container's surface area available for brand information.
Data Source
AI summary
A wrapped container of consumer products bearing one or more machine readable indicia is disclosed, wherein the machine readable indicia are applied to the wrapper. The portion of the wrapper to which the machine readable indicia are applied may be substantially transparent and the surface of the container behind the machine readable indicia substantially neutral. Alternatively, the portion of the wrapper to which the machine readable indicia are applied may be substantially opaque. A method of providing a wrapped container of consumer products comprises wrapping a container of consumer products with a wrapper; and applying one or more machine readable indicia to the wrapper.