Top-Engaging Article Carrier with Nested Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carton designs for packaging multiple articles are inefficient in material usage and security, as they require more material than necessary and often fail to securely hold and transport large weights of articles.
Innovation Solution
A top-engaging article carrier design featuring a pair of panels with differently sized apertures and hinged connections, where the first aperture's diameter is greater than or equal to the article's end diameter, and the second aperture's diameter is less than the article's neck diameter, allowing for secure engagement and retention of articles through toothed or toothless edges and curved notches, optimizing material usage and strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional single-aperture carton designs are used, then material usage is reduced, but article retention security and strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The single aperture is segmented into two concentric apertures: an outer aperture with diameter equal to or greater than the article's end diameter, and an inner aperture with diameter less than the article's neck diameter. This segmentation allows the carton to engage the article at two different locations, providing enhanced retention security while maintaining material efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner aperture is nested within the outer aperture, creating a concentric configuration. The inner aperture engages the article's neck while the outer aperture engages the article's end, allowing dual engagement points within a single structural element, thus improving security without proportionally increasing material usage.
2Ease of operation
If larger apertures are used to accommodate articles, then article engagement is improved, but structural strength and material efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the aperture structure are assigned different functions: the outer aperture region is designed with diameter equal to or greater than the article's end diameter for easy article insertion and engagement, while the inner aperture region is designed with diameter less than the article's neck diameter for secure retention. This local differentiation optimizes both engagement ease and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture is divided into two functional segments: the outer aperture for article engagement and the inner aperture for article retention. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific function, with the outer segment providing ease of operation and the inner segment providing structural strength for secure holding.
3Reliability
If more material is used to strengthen the carton, then article retention security is improved, but material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested concentric aperture configuration allows the carton to achieve enhanced article retention security through geometric design rather than material quantity. The inner aperture engages the article's neck while the outer aperture engages the article's end, creating secure retention without requiring additional material beyond the dual-aperture structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the aperture structure by introducing a second concentric aperture with specific diameter relationships to the article dimensions. This parameter change enables secure article retention through precise geometric engagement rather than through increased material usage.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a top engaging article carrier (90) for packaging one or more articles (B) and a blank (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) for forming the carrier. The top-engaging article carrier comprises an engaging panel having an upper panel (12A) and a lower panel (12B) disposed in face to face contacting relationship with each other. The article carrier comprises a top engaging device (RT) comprising a first article receiving opening (A1) in the lower panel and a second article receiving opening (A2) in the upper panel. The first article receiving opening comprises a first diameter (d1). The second article receiving opening comprises a second diameter (d2). The first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The article comprises: an upper end, having an end diameter (Cd); a main body, having a body diameter (Bd); and a neck disposed therebetween and having a neck diameter (Nd). The first diameter is equal to or greater than the end diameter (d1≥Cd).