Carton Attachment Flaps for Secure Bundling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carton systems lack efficient attachment features for bundling multiple cartons, often requiring additional accessories like plastic overwraps or straps, which increases material usage and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The carton design incorporates removably connected attachment flaps that allow for secure attachment to other cartons, eliminating the need for external bundling accessories by extending or tucking these flaps to facilitate a multipack system with enhanced structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional accessories like plastic overwraps or straps are used to bundle multiple cartons, then the attachment reliability between cartons is improved, but the device complexity and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidbundling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment features are merged directly into the carton structure itself, combining the carton body and attachment mechanism into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate plastic overwraps or straps, reducing device complexity while maintaining attachment reliability through the integrated flap and receptacle design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment function is extracted from external accessories and embedded within the carton structure. The attachment features (flaps and receptacles) are taken out from being separate components and integrated into the carton panels, simplifying the overall system while preserving the bundling function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If additional accessories like plastic overwraps or straps are used to bundle multiple cartons, then the attachment reliability between cartons is improved, but the material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If attachment features are integrated into the carton structure, then the device complexity is reduced and material usage decreases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebundling system complexityVSAvoidattachment feature precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into distinct functional elements (flaps, receptacles, tear lines) that are distributed across different carton panels. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to a fully integrated monolithic structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment features incorporate dynamic elements such as foldable flaps and tear lines that allow for adjustable positioning and easy assembly/disassembly. This dynamic design compensates for minor manufacturing variations, reducing the stringency of precision requirements while maintaining functional reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of substance

If attachment features are integrated into the carton structure, then the material usage decreases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidattachment feature precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11787595B2Carton with attachment features

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL LLC

AI summary

A carton for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels including a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least one side panel, and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels and forming at least one closed end of the carton, the plurality of end flaps including at least one top end flap, at least one bottom end flap, and at least one side end flap. The carton includes attachment features for attaching the carton to at least one other carton, the attachment features including at least one attachment flap removably connected to an end flap of the plurality of end flaps for attaching the carton to a portion of the at least one other carton.