Cardboard Container with Integrated Lid Flap for Secure Closure

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers made of paper or cardboard for storing objects require additional plastic covers for secure closure, leading to high material consumption and recycling issues due to mixed materials.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a top flap connected to the bottom wall via a side wall, with closure flaps that replace the need for separate plastic lids, allowing for secure closure using a single material (cardboard) and facilitating easy recycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an outer plastic sleeve is used for secure closure and containment, then the closure reliability is improved, but the material consumption increases and recycling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure reliabilityVSAvoidmaterial consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the container body and closure into a single integrated structure made of cardboard. The lid flap is formed as an integral part of the container blank, eliminating the need for separate plastic sleeves. This combining of functions into one homogeneous material system achieves secure closure while reducing material consumption and enabling recycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses homogeneous material (cardboard) for both the container body and closure components. By making the entire structure from a single material type, the design eliminates material mixing that complicates recycling, while still achieving the necessary closure reliability through the integrated lid flap design with locking flaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

2Reliability

If an outer plastic sleeve is used for secure closure, then the closure reliability is improved, but the recyclability deteriorates due to mixed materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure reliabilityVSAvoidrecyclability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses homogeneous material (cardboard) for both the container body and closure components. By making the entire structure from a single material type, the design eliminates material mixing that complicates recycling, while still achieving the necessary closure reliability through the integrated lid flap design with locking flaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the container body and closure into a single integrated structure made of cardboard. The lid flap is formed as an integral part of the container blank, eliminating the need for separate plastic sleeves. This combining of functions into one homogeneous material system achieves secure closure while reducing material consumption and enabling recycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate components (container and separate lid) are used, then the closure function is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure functionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the container body and closure into a single integrated structure made of cardboard. The lid flap is formed as an integral part of the container blank, eliminating the need for separate plastic sleeves. This combining of functions into one homogeneous material system achieves secure closure while reducing material consumption and enabling recycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4180346A1Container and blank for forming a container

Publication Date: 2023.05.17 MAYR MELNHOF KARTON

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Figure 2a~2b
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AI summary

The present invention relates to a container (10) made of paper, cardboard or similar materials for receiving and storing objects (98), comprising at least one cavity (100) surrounded by side walls (16, 18) and edge closure flaps (54, 56) for at least partially receiving the objects (98), wherein the cavity (100) is further bounded by a bottom wall (12) and an intermediate wall (14) opposite the bottom wall (12), and the intermediate wall (14) has at least one receiving and retaining device (28, 30, 32) for receiving and retaining the object (98), wherein the first side wall (16) is hinged on the one hand to the intermediate wall (14) and on the other hand to the bottom wall (12) via bending lines (70, 106).The container (10) has at least one lid flap (20), wherein the lid flap (20) is connected to the bottom wall (12) via the second side wall (18) and hinged to the second side wall (18), and at least one closure flap (22) is formed in the lid flap (20) for at least partially covering the at least one receiving and retaining device (28, 30, 32). The invention further relates to a blank (104) made of paper, cardboard or similar materials for manufacturing a container (10).