Cardboard Box Removable Positioning Structure Clipping Tabs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thermoformed polymer supports used in cardboard packaging boxes for consumer products, such as cosmetics and mobile phones, are costly to produce, prone to separation during handling, and pose recyclability issues, limiting their effectiveness in product presentation.

Innovation Solution

A cardboard box design featuring a removable positioning structure with clipping tabs that engage with notches in the side walls, ensuring secure attachment and preventing overturning, while also allowing for easier handling and reduced production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If thermoformed polymer supports are used to present products in cardboard boxes, then product presentation is enhanced, but production costs increase and recyclability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct presentationVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive thermoformed polymer supports with disposable cardboard positioning elements that are integrated into the box structure. These cardboard elements achieve the same product presentation function at lower cost and are fully recyclable with the box, eliminating the need for separate disposal of plastic components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning structure is merged with the cardboard box material itself, creating an integrated design where the presentation elements are made from the same recyclable material as the box. This eliminates the need for separate polymer components and simplifies the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Shape

If thermoformed supports are placed at the bottom of the box for product presentation, then product display is improved, but the supports separate and overturn during handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct displayVSAvoidpositioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from bottom-only positioning to multi-dimensional attachment by adding vertical clipping tabs that engage with notches in the side walls of the box. This creates a three-dimensional anchoring system that prevents the positioning structure from separating or overturning during handling, while still maintaining excellent product display capabilities.

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

3Reliability

If clipping tabs are added to engage with notches in side walls, then positioning stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clipping tabs and notches are all made from the same cardboard material as the box, maintaining material homogeneity. The structural complexity is minimal, consisting only of simple geometric features (tabs and notches) that are easy to manufacture and assemble, while providing reliable positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentEP3971098B1Box for presenting a consumer product
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 MPO INT
  • EP3971098B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3971098B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3971098B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a cardboard box (1) for presenting a consumer product, in particular cosmetics, watch, mobile phone, or similar, comprising a receptacle (2), a positioning structure (4) removable from the receptacle (2) and a lid (3) closing the receptacle (2), the receptacle (2) being formed by a bottom wall (20) and a plurality of side walls (21) defining an internal volume of the box (1), and having an opening selectively closed by the lid (3), the box (1) being characterized in that the removable positioning structure (4) comprises clipping tabs (41), at least two of said side walls (21) of the receptacle (2) opposite each other each comprising a notch (22) for receiving the clipping tabs (41) of the positioning structure (4).