Bag-In-Box Packaging With Removable Top Wall

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bag-in-box packaging requires positioning at the edge of a table for dispensing, limiting user options and creating isolated pockets of liquid as the bag collapses, necessitating gravity-based dispensing.

Innovation Solution

A bag-in-box packaging design with a removable top wall and hinged flaps, allowing for use with a pressure-assisted dispensing device, enabling the bag to be positioned inverted with the tap at the top and ensuring complete dispensing without gravity reliance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the tap is located near the bottom of the bag-in-box packaging for gravity-based dispensing, then the dispensing mechanism is simple, but the packaging must be positioned at the edge of a table which limits user options

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoiddispensing mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional dispensing configuration by positioning the tap at the top of the packaging instead of the bottom. This allows the packaging to be placed on a table surface rather than at the edge, providing positioning flexibility. The inversion is้…ๅˆ with pressure-assisted dispensing to overcome gravity's role in conventional bottom-tap designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If the bag collapses upon itself as liquid is withdrawn, then the structure is simple, but pockets of liquid are isolated from the tap and cannot be withdrawn

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete dispensingVSAvoidbag structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bag structure into multiple chambers or compartments that can be independently collapsed. This segmentation prevents the formation of isolated liquid pockets by ensuring that liquid pathways remain open to the tap as each chamber collapses sequentially, enabling complete dispensing of all contents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If pressure-assisted dispensing is used to enable inverted configuration with tap at top, then positioning flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning optionsVSAvoiddispensing device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a pressure-assisted dispensing device that can function in multiple configurations - both inverted with tap at top and conventional positions. This multi-functionality provides positioning versatility while managing device complexity by using a single integrated pressure mechanism that adapts to different orientations and dispensing modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3554964B1Bag-in-box packaging and set of blanks
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 WESTROCK SHARED SERVICES LLC
  • EP3554964B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3554964B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3554964B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A bag-in-box packaging includes an outer box, a collapsible inner box disposed within an interior of the outer box, and a dispensing tap coupled to the inner bag. The outer box includes a side wall, a tap access feature formed in the side wall, and a removable top wall. The top wall includes overlapping first and second top flaps. The first top flap is hingedly connected to a front side of the side wall along a first tear line. The second top flap is hingedly connected to a rear side of the side wall along a second tear line. The rear side of the side wall is disposed opposite the front side. The top wall is separable from the side wall along the first and second tear lines.