Carton Blank Tear Layout for Shelf-Ready Dual Product Display

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shelf-ready packaging cartons face inefficiencies such as wasted space, difficulty in viewing products, incorrect opening, and inability to handle irregularly shaped items, leading to increased costs and packaging waste.

Innovation Solution

A carton blank designed with tear features and cutouts that allow easy viewing and intuitive opening, enabling transformation into two display sections for efficient storage and display, accommodating multiple products with varying shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If products are packaged in traditional single-row cartons, then product protection is ensured, but space utilization is wasted and transportation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidpackaging waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested dual-carton structure where a second carton is placed inside the first carton. This nesting arrangement allows two separate product displays to be transported together in a single outer carton, maximizing space utilization and reducing the number of outer cartons needed for transportation, thereby decreasing packaging waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines two individual carton structures into a single integrated packaging unit. By merging the first and second cartons with shared walls and integrated base structures, the design achieves efficient space utilization while maintaining the functionality of separate product displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If cartons use perforated tear portions for opening, then opening is assisted, but users may mistakenly tear in the wrong direction causing products to fall out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintuitive openingVSAvoidcorrect opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric tear portion designs where the tear lines are positioned and oriented differently in the first carton versus the second carton. The first tear portion extends from the front wall while the second tear portion extends from the rear wall, creating an asymmetric configuration that provides visual and structural cues to guide users in the correct opening direction, preventing mistaken tearing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces directional indicators and structural guides as intermediaries between the user and the tearing action. These elements mediate the opening process by providing visual cues and physical guidance that steer the user's hand toward the correct tear line, ensuring reliable opening without confusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If cartons are designed for shelf-ready display, then displayability is enhanced, but the structure becomes complex and harder to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcarton structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the cartons with multi-functional elements that serve multiple purposes. The flaps serve both as structural components for carton assembly and as display surfaces for product information. The base structures provide both support functions and nesting interfaces. This universality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying manufacturing while achieving shelf-ready display capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3825244B1Carton blank for a displayable shipping carton
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 SC JOHNSON & SON INC
  • EP3825244B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3825244B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3825244B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A carton blank (100) includes a first main panel (102), a second main panel (104), a third main panel (106), and a fourth main panel (108). The blank further includes a pair of parallel lines (154, 156) of separation that extend through the first main panel, the second main panel, and the fourth main panel. The pair of parallel lines of separation are equidistant from one another throughout the first main panel, the second main panel, and the fourth main panel. Further, the pair of parallel lines of separation define a first tear feature that extends through the first main panel and the second main panel, and a second tear feature that extends through the fourth main panel. The blank also includes a single line (166) of separation that extends through the third main panel, connecting the first and second tear features.