Bag-in-Box Leg Flap Structure for Flat-Surface Tap Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bag in box containers for liquid dispensing are inconvenient to use due to difficulties in accessing the tap dispenser, positioning the container for dispensing, and storing the dosing cup, as they often require complex setups and are not easily adaptable to flat surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A bag in box container design featuring a tap dispenser with elevatable leg flaps that allow the container to stand on its own, a dosing cup integrated within the container, and a removable tear strip for easy access, enabling convenient positioning and storage of the dosing cup under the tap dispenser.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the tap dispenser is positioned near the bottom of the bag in box container to enable dispensing of most liquid, then the dispensing efficiency is improved, but the container cannot be placed on a flat surface and requires an overhanging countertop or shelf, reducing ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing efficiencyVSAvoidease of positioning container
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension by adding elevating legs to the container base. This allows the container to be placed on a flat horizontal surface while the tap dispenser remains elevated to an optimal dispensing height, resolving the conflict between dispensing efficiency and ease of positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The elevating legs serve as an intermediary element between the container base and the flat surface. These legs provide the necessary height adjustment to position the tap dispenser at the correct elevation while maintaining stable contact with the flat surface through the legs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the tap dispenser is in a retracted position between folds of the bag to save space, then the compactness is improved, but the consumer cannot easily find, grasp, and extend the tap dispenser, reducing ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompactnessVSAvoidease of accessing tap dispenser
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tap dispenser is pre-positioned in a ready-to-dispense state with the spout extended and accessible. The dispensing mechanism is prepared in advance so that when the container is opened, the consumer can immediately use the dispenser without needing to search for or manually extend it from a retracted position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the dosing cup is stored separately from the container to maintain container simplicity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the dosing cup can be misplaced and is not readily available for next use, reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer simplicityVSAvoidavailability of dosing cup
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing cup is integrated with the bag in box container by providing a dedicated storage compartment within the container structure. This merging ensures the dosing cup remains with the container, preventing misplacement while maintaining overall system simplicity through unified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing cup is nested within the container structure, specifically stored in an interior compartment or attached to the container walls. This nesting arrangement keeps the dosing cup securely housed within the container when not in use, ensuring it is readily available for the next dispensing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3632813B1Bag in box container and process for deploying such bag in box container
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP3632813B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3632813B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3632813B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bag in box container having one or more features for lifting the bag in box, deploying the tap dispenser of the bag in box conveniently, storing a dosing cup, or conveniently using the bag in box container.