Quick-Assembly Cardboard Box With Integrated Divider Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cardboard box packaging solutions for bottles require separate divider elements and complex assembly processes, leading to increased time and costs, especially in the glass bottle packaging industry, and often result in inefficient use of cardboard and limited bottle positioning options.

Innovation Solution

A quick-assembly cardboard box with self-erecting divider elements integrated into the box design, where the dividers are partially glued inside the flaps and can be easily positioned by hand, allowing bottles to be packed on their sides without the need for additional divider elements or complex assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate divider elements are used in traditional cardboard containers, then bottles can be separated and prevented from knocking against each other, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming requiring multiple separate operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebottle separation and protectionVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the divider elements directly into the box structure by forming them from the same folded blank as the box body. The dividers are created by folding and gluing specific portions of the blank to the box walls, merging what were previously separate components into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate assembly operations for inserting dividers and reduces the number of storage containers needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If complex box shapes are used to obtain separator elements from the box form itself, then separate divider elements are eliminated, but considerable cardboard waste occurs and box erection becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of separate componentsVSAvoidcardboard waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the folded blank into distinct functional zones: the box body formed by main folds and the divider elements formed by specific crease lines and glue lines. This segmentation allows the dividers to be created from the same material as the box without requiring excess cardboard, as each portion of the blank serves a specific function. The glue lines are strategically placed to join only the necessary portions, minimizing material waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate operations are required for box erection and divider insertion, then flexibility in bottle positioning is maintained, but valuable time is lost in the packaging process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebottle positioning flexibilityVSAvoidpackaging speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The divider elements are pre-formed as integral parts of the folded blank during box manufacturing. The crease lines and glue lines are pre-marked and pre-positioned so that when the box is erected by folding along the main creases, the dividers automatically assume their correct positions and orientations. This preliminary preparation of the divider structure eliminates the need for separate insertion operations while maintaining the ability to accommodate different bottle arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2687452B1Quick-assembly box for packing bottles
Publication Date: 2015.09.09 SCATOLIFICIO CERIANA
  • EP2687452B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2687452B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2687452B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A divider (35, 36) used inside boxes (30) designed to contain bottles (40) horizontally on their sides or other fragile items which must be kept separate in order to prevent damage during transport. The box (30) comprises a die-cut cardboard sheet (31) with four bottom flaps (32), four side walls (33) and four upper closing flaps (34). The divider is made from a single-piece cardboard die-cutting which has a bottom gluing strip (37) for gluing to one of the side walls of the box (30), folding creases (38) and precuts (39) which enable crossways opening, when seen in cross-section, of the divider (35, 36) where a flap (41) of the divider (35, 36) when in position forms a horizontal divider between a pair of bottles (40) one on top of the other and where the other flap of the divider (35, 36) when in position forms a vertical divider between a pair of bottles (40) lying side by side inside the box (30).