Asymmetrical Corner Carton Design for Packing Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cartons with uniform corner configurations struggle to efficiently pack and secure articles of varying shapes, leading to empty space and inadequate movement during shipping, and lack visual appeal when stacked.

Innovation Solution

The development of cartons with asymmetrical corner configurations, formed from blanks with specific fold line arrangements, allowing corners to transition between square and curved configurations, which enables tighter packing and movement of articles while providing a unique visual appearance when stacked.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional cartons with uniform corner configurations are used, then manufacturing and stacking are simple, but packing efficiency is poor and empty space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacking efficiencyVSAvoidcorner configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by configuring at least one corner of the carton with non-uniform dimensions, where the first dimension of the corner differs from the second dimension. This asymmetric corner design allows articles of varying shapes to be packed more efficiently, reducing empty space while maintaining manageable structural complexity through standardized blank formation processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Productivity

If asymmetrical corner configurations are implemented, then packing efficiency improves and empty space reduces, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidblank formation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing asymmetry only at specific corner regions of the carton while maintaining uniform dimensions for the main body panels. This localized asymmetric modification optimizes space utilization for packing articles without requiring complex asymmetric structures throughout the entire carton, thereby balancing manufacturing ease with improved space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If uniform corner configurations are used, then manufacturing is easier, but visual appeal when stacked is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorner consistencyVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry to enhance visual appearance by configuring at least one corner with non-uniform dimensions where the first dimension differs from the second dimension. This asymmetric corner design creates a distinctive visual effect when cartons are stacked, improving aesthetic appeal while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized blank formation processes that accommodate asymmetric corner configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3535193B1Carton with asymmetrical corners, blank and method
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL LLC
  • EP3535193B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3535193B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3535193B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A carton for holding at least one article. The carton includes a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and a plurality of end flaps respectively foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels for closing at least one closed end of the carton. The carton comprises at least one asymmetrical corner extending between a top of the carton and a bottom of the carton and that transitions between a first configuration at one of the top and the bottom of the carton and a second configuration at the other of the top and the bottom of the carton.