Article Carrier Corner Structure for Nesting and Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article carriers, such as cartons and trays, face challenges in minimizing material usage, optimizing packing density, and ensuring secure transportation of articles while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible article carrier tray design featuring a base panel with hingedly connected side and end walls, and corner structures comprising corner panels, web panels, and securing panels, allowing for efficient assembly, nesting, and secure article containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If carriers are transported in an erected condition, then they are ready for immediate use, but they occupy more space and have lower packing density
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is designed to be dynamically transformable between an erected condition (ready for use) and a collapsed flat state (compact for transport). The hinge connections and corner structures enable the carrier to transition between these two states, allowing optimization of either readiness or space efficiency depending on the operational phase.
2Strength
If carriers are designed with complex corner structures for strength, then they can hold larger weights, but they are more difficult to assemble and nest
Solution Approach 1:
The corner structure is segmented into multiple functional panels (corner panel, web panel, securing panel) that are hingedly connected. This segmentation allows each panel to perform a specific function while maintaining overall structural strength, and enables the corner to collapse flat for easy nesting without requiring complex fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner structure is designed to nest within itself when collapsed, with the securing panel fitting between the end wall and side wall. This nested configuration reduces the overall complexity of assembly and storage while maintaining the strength required for weight-bearing applications.
3Loss of substance
If material usage is minimized for cost and environmental reasons, then production costs decrease, but the strength and security of the carrier may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is divided into multiple panels connected by hinges, allowing material to be distributed efficiently throughout the structure. Each panel can be optimized for its specific function, minimizing material usage while maintaining overall strength and security for holding articles.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier or carton for packaging a plurality of articles and to a blank for forming the same. The present disclosure provides an article carrier in the form of a tray, the tray comprising a base panel and a pair of opposed side walls hingedly connected thereto. The carrier comprises a pair of opposed end walls hingedly connected to the base panel. The carrier further comprises at least one corner structure coupling one of the pair of opposed side walls to one of the pair of opposed end walls. The corner structure comprises a corner panel extending between an end wall and a side wall in an erected carrier and hingedly connected to one of said end wall or said side wall by a first hinged connection in the form of a first fold line. The corner structure comprises a web panel hingedly connected to the corner panel by a second hinged connection in the form of a second fold line. The corner structure comprises a securing panel hingedly connected to the web panel by a third hinged connection in the form of a third fold line.