Clear Container With Angled Alignment Walls For UPC Label Obscurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging methods for multiple articles often disturb the articles' preferred display position during shipping, and fail to effectively obscure individual UPC labels while maintaining product visibility.
Innovation Solution
A box-shaped container with 45° alignment walls to position articles at an angle, obscuring UPC labels from the front and using a label to cover the back, while allowing product information to be visible through transparent walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If opaque or colored paper backing is used to cover individual bar code labels, then the UPC labels are obscured, but the product visibility and display condition are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into transparent and opaque segments: transparent walls allow product visibility while opaque sections (flaps, alignment walls, paper insert) specifically block UPC labels. This segmentation allows different parts of the container to serve different functions - visibility versus obscurement - resolving the contradiction between showing the product and hiding the barcode.
2Stability of the object's composition
If shrink wrap is used to stabilize articles during shipping, then the articles are held in position, but the display condition is compromised and UPC labels remain visible
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using shrink wrap that covers the front view, the invention uses alignment walls that extend from the bottom at angles (45 degrees) to create obscurement in a different spatial dimension. The walls project upward and forward to block the line of sight to the UPC labels while leaving the front display area open and visible.
3Strength
If hard plastic containers are used to protect contents, then the articles are protected, but the shipping process still disturbs articles from their preferred display position
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment walls serve as intermediary structures between the container walls and the articles. These walls extend inward from the container walls at specific angles to physically guide and position the articles in their preferred display orientation, preventing disturbance during shipping while maintaining protection.
4Illumination intensity
If articles are positioned upright for display, then the product information is visible, but the individual UPC bar codes can be scanned by merchants
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs asymmetric positioning of opaque elements relative to the articles. The alignment walls and flaps are positioned to create asymmetric obscurement that specifically targets the UPC label area while leaving the symmetric front display area (product information, branding) fully visible. This asymmetric design allows selective visibility - hiding only the barcode while showing everything else.
Data Source
AI summary
A container for holding a plurality of articles each of which have a UPC code on a rear side. The container has a pair of alignment walls which extend from the bottom at an angle to the front wall. The alignment walls hold the articles at an angle to the front wall so that the UPC code is not visible from the front of the container.