Asymmetric Package Top Wall for Opening Device Space
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packages for pourable food products have limited space available for the opening device, which restricts the size and functionality of the opening mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The package design features a top wall with a larger front edge than back edge, optimizing the space for the opening device, and the packaging blank is configured to form this shape, allowing for a larger opening device to be integrated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the top wall is made with equal front and back edges (traditional design), then the package structure is simple and symmetrical, but the space available for the opening device is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The top wall is designed with asymmetric dimensions where the front edge extends further than the back edge. This asymmetric configuration increases the available surface area on the top wall for integrating the opening device, directly resolving the contradiction between limited space and the need for a functional opening mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the top wall in the front-back dimension to create additional space. By making the front edge longer than the back edge, the design utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the package to accommodate the opening device, effectively increasing the available area without expanding the package footprint in other dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the top wall is extended to provide more space for the opening device, then larger opening mechanisms can be integrated, but the packaging blank complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging blank is configured with an asymmetric top section where the front edge crease line is positioned further from the center than the back edge crease line. This asymmetric configuration enables the formation of a top wall with extended front edge, providing adequate space for versatile opening devices while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended front edge of the top wall creates a localized area with increased surface area specifically dedicated to housing the opening device. This local modification allows for enhanced opening device functionality without requiring a complete redesign of the entire package structure, thus balancing versatility with manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2~3
AI summary
There is described a package (1, 1') comprising a bottom wall (3) and a top wall (4) spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal axis (A) of the package (1, 1') and a side wall (5) interposed between the top wall (3) and the bottom wall (4). The top wall (4) comprises a front edge (17) extending between two front corners (15), a back edge (18) extending between two back corners (16) and two lateral edges (19), each lateral edge (19) extending between one respective pair of one respective front corner (15) and one respective back corner (16). A first distance (d1) between the front corners (15) is larger than a second distance (d2) between the back corners (16).