Bag in Box Tap Articulating Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bag in box packaging systems often make it difficult for users to couple the tap to the outer box, leading to usability issues and the risk of the tap becoming dislodged, as the tap orientation is hard to reach and the opening in the box is too small for deep access.
Innovation Solution
A tap articulating assembly with hinge assemblies that allow the tap to transition from a shipping orientation, where it is fully contained within the outer box footprint, to a dispensing orientation, where it extends beyond the box, facilitating easier access and secure coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the tap is inserted into the outer box in a conventional manner, then the tap is contained within the box footprint during shipping, but the tap becomes difficult to reach and couple to the box
Solution Approach 1:
The tap wall is designed to be movable relative to the front wall through hinge assemblies, allowing the tap to transition between a retracted position (contained within box footprint during shipping) and an extended position (protruding for easy access and coupling). This dynamic structure resolves the contradiction by enabling the tap to adapt its position based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assemblies allow the tap wall to move along a rotational arc path, transitioning the tap from a horizontal orientation within the box to a vertical or angled orientation extending outward. This dimensional change enables the tap to escape the constrained shipping footprint while maintaining secure attachment during transport.
2Reliability
If the opening in the box is made small for secure coupling, then the tap can be securely attached, but the opening becomes too small to allow deep access for coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The movable tap wall design allows the coupling operation to occur at an extended position where the user has adequate access through the opening, rather than requiring deep insertion into a constrained space. The tap can be coupled securely at its extended position, maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the tap lies in a difficult-to-reach orientation during insertion, then the tap can be inserted into the box, but the tap becomes difficult to access for use
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assemblies enable the tap wall to be inserted in a convenient horizontal orientation during manufacturing, then later articulated to a vertical or angled dispensing orientation. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing easy insertion during manufacture while providing easy accessibility during end-use operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A bag in box packaging including an outer box, an inner bag and a tap. The outer box has a bottom wall and a front wall. A tap articulating assembly includes a tap wall and at least two spaced apart hinge assemblies. The tap wall has an opening to receive the tap. The hinge assemblies each have a first hinge panel and a second hinge panel. Each first and second hinge panel are joined to each other at an intermediate hinge fold, with the first hinge panel joined to the tap wall at a fold and the front wall or a respective side wall at a fold. The hinge assembly provides for a shipping orientation wherein the tap wall is recessed to substantially retain the tap within a footprint of the outer box to an dispensing orientation wherein the tap extends beyond the footprint.