Corrugated Box Centering via Convex Portions and Recesses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corrugated cardboard boxes used for palletization are prone to sliding during transport due to lack of effective centering systems, which are often fragile and not suitable for low grammage materials, leading to inefficiencies and damage.

Innovation Solution

A corrugated cardboard box design featuring convex portions on the upper wall and complementary openwork recesses on the bottom, allowing for lateral placement and blocking without damaging centering means, and enabling simple and inexpensive formation, using non-rectilinear and non-aligned fold lines to create deformable, bulging portions that provide stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If traditional centering systems (lateral tenons with orifices) are used to prevent box slippage during palletization, then stacking stability is improved, but the centering means become fragile and prone to damage during repeated handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking stabilityVSAvoiddurability of centering means
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using protruding tenons that fit into recesses (conventional approach), the invention inverts the concept by using recesses that receive protruding portions of the box below. This inversion makes the centering system more robust as the recesses are integrated into the box structure itself rather than being separate fragile components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The centering recesses are merged with the box bottom structure, forming an integrated system where the bottom of each box includes built-in recesses that directly engage with the boxes below, eliminating the need for separate centering accessories and improving overall durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If embedding centering systems are used to achieve lateral blocking, then stacking stability is improved, but the system becomes unsuitable for low grammage materials and requires additional expensive accessories

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral blocking capabilityVSAvoidadditional accessories and handling equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centering function is merged into the box structure itself through integrated recesses in the bottom, eliminating the need for separate centering accessories and simplifying the overall system while maintaining lateral blocking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The box structure itself provides the centering function through its built-in recesses, making the system self-sufficient without requiring additional external accessories or complex handling equipment for palletization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional box formation methods are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but perfect vertical stacking is not achieved due to offsets during box formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebox formation simplicityVSAvoidvertical stacking alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of trying to achieve perfect alignment through precise box formation, the invention inverts the approach by designing recesses that actively receive and center the boxes during stacking, compensating for formation offsets and ensuring vertical alignment without requiring higher manufacturing precision.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design prevents slippage during palletization, allows for the use of light grammage materials, and reduces the need for expensive accessories, ensuring stable and efficient stacking without damaging the centering mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

a side deformable by folding, and cut out on its other sides with respect to said upper wall (and which will rise slightly to adopt a domed or inclined shape)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2847079B1Box having convex centring elements, and blank for manufacturing such a box
Publication Date: 2016.12.07 OTOR
  • EP2847079B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1A
  • EP2847079B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2847079B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a box (30, 31) and a blank (1) made of corrugated cardboard sheet material having a polygonal cross-section, comprising sidewalls (3, 4, 5, 6), an upper wall forming the top of the box, and a lower wall forming the bottom of the box. The top of the box includes at least one cut-out convex portion (26) in the upper wall, and the bottom includes portions (18) which have a perforated surface and a shape that is complementary to that of said convex portions, and which are arranged opposite the latter so as to be fitted into the convex portions of the box below.