Article Carrier Locking Tab for Adhesive-Free Heavy-Load Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cartons and carriers face challenges in minimizing material usage while ensuring secure retention of articles, particularly for heavy loads, and often require adhesives for assembly, which can be costly and environmentally unfriendly.
Innovation Solution
A carton design featuring a locking tab that protrudes through an opening in the lower panel, engaging with the panel's perimeter to maintain spacing and secure articles, allowing assembly without adhesives, using foldable panels and tabs to enhance stability and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional cartons use adhesives for assembly, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing cost and environmental impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding system (adhesives) with a mechanical interlocking system. The locking tab with engaging edges fits into the recess in the lower panel, creating a mechanical connection that eliminates the need for adhesives while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking tab structure is designed to self-lock into place through its geometric configuration. The engaging edges and recess create a self-retaining connection that does not require additional bonding materials or complex assembly processes, making the structure self-sufficient for maintaining strength.
2Strength
If more material is used to ensure secure retention of heavy loads, then retention strength is improved, but material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: the locking tab formed from the upper panel, the engaging edges on the tab, and the corresponding recess in the lower panel. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function while using minimal material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies material and structural reinforcement only where needed for retention strength. The locking tab and its engaging edges are localized to the specific area where load retention is required, rather than uniformly strengthening the entire carton structure, thus minimizing material waste.
3Quantity of substance
If a simple carton structure is used, then material usage is minimized, but article retention security worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tab extends in the vertical dimension, protruding from the upper panel to engage with the lower panel. This three-dimensional configuration provides secure retention without requiring additional horizontal material, thus maintaining minimal material usage while improving reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The article carrier 90; 290 comprises a pair of spaced panels including a cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 and an engaging panel 12; 112; 212. A male locking tab 80; 180; 280; 380; 480; 580; 680; 580 formed from the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 connects the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 with the engaging panel 12; 112; 212. The locking tab 80; 180; 280; 380; 480; 580; 680; 580 is hingedly connected to the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254 along a fold line 81; 181; 281; 381; 481; 581. The fold line 81; 181; 281; 381; 481; 581 lies upon a notional line n-n which extends obliquely with respect to at least one of an end edge M1, M2 and a side edge 19; 119 of the cover panel 18/20; 118/120; 254.