Article Carrier Retention Structure With Friction Flap Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cartons for carrying multiple articles face challenges in minimizing material usage, ensuring secure retention, and maintaining structural strength while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Innovation Solution
The design of an article carrier with a pair of spaced apart panels, featuring an engaging panel and a cover panel hingedly connected by a side panel, includes an annular series of engaging tabs and a friction flap coupled by connecting tabs, which engages and retains articles through a combination of tabs and flaps without adhesive attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional top-gripping carriers with tabs struck from apertures are used, then article retention is achieved, but material usage increases and structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining structure is segmented into discrete connecting tabs that link the friction flap to the panel, and engaging tabs that contact the article. This segmentation allows material to be distributed only where needed for retention, eliminating unnecessary material in traditional aperture designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential retention function from the traditional aperture structure and relocates it to a friction flap with connecting tabs. By taking out the aperture and replacing it with a friction-based flap system, material is eliminated while retention capability is preserved through the friction engagement mechanism.
2Strength
If more material is used to increase structural strength, then carrier durability improves, but material waste increases and cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The friction flap and connecting tabs are designed with local quality - the flap material properties and tab geometry are optimized specifically at the retention location to provide maximum strength where needed. This localized reinforcement eliminates the need for overall material increases throughout the entire carrier structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier utilizes composite construction with the friction flap, connecting tabs, and panel working together as an integrated retention system. This composite approach distributes structural loads efficiently across different components, achieving high structural strength without requiring excessive material in any single component.
3Reliability
If adhesive attachment is used to secure the friction flap, then retention reliability improves, but manufacturing complexity and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The friction flap is designed to be self-securing through its connecting tabs that mechanically link to the panel. The structure uses its own geometry and friction engagement with the article to maintain retention reliability, eliminating the need for external adhesives or additional fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the chemical bonding mechanism of adhesives with a mechanical connection system using connecting tabs. This mechanical substitution simplifies manufacturing by eliminating adhesive application steps while maintaining reliable retention through the tab-to-panel mechanical linkage.
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
The solution provides secure article retention with minimal material usage, enhancing structural strength and environmental sustainability by reducing waste, while allowing efficient transportation and access to the contents.
Implementation Method 1
a friction flap for frictionally engaging the article
Data Source
AI summary
An article carrier for engaging at least one article has spaced apart panels including an engaging panel and a cover panel hingedly connected together by a side panel. The engaging panel includes at least one article retention structure having an annular series of engaging tabs and a friction flap. The friction flap is surrounded by the annular series of engaging tabs. The friction flap is coupled to the engaging panel by at least one connecting tab. The at least one connecting tab is located proximate a fold line between the engaging panel and the side panel.