Carton With Inwardly-Folding Display Window And Interlocking Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cartons lack a display window for product inspection, substantial stacking strength, secure centering during stacking, and efficient use of materials, particularly when formed from foldable blanks like cardboard or paperboard.
Innovation Solution
A carton design featuring an inwardly-folding display window panel that forms part of the bottom wall, with overlapping top and bottom flaps for centering and enhanced stacking strength, and a blank configuration allowing for minimal material usage and efficient assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a display window is added to the front wall for product inspection, then the ability to inspect products is improved, but the structural strength and stacking stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The display window panel is merged with the bottom wall structure, where the same panel that forms the display window also forms at least a portion of the bottom wall. This integration ensures that the display window structure contributes to both product inspection functionality and stacking strength simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between visibility and structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional stacking design is used, then assembly is simple, but cartons cannot be securely centered during stacking
Solution Approach 1:
The top wall features an outwardly-projecting overlapping portion while the bottom wall has a corresponding recess, creating an asymmetric interlocking configuration. This asymmetric design enables secure centering and alignment during stacking while maintaining simple assembly through the natural fit of the overlapping structures.
3Strength
If substantial blank material is used for structural strength, then stacking strength is improved, but material waste and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The window panel serves multiple functions: it creates the display window for product inspection, forms at least a portion of the bottom wall providing structural support, and enables the interlocking stacking mechanism through its configuration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate structural elements, reducing material waste while maintaining lateral strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A carton includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a front wall. A display window is formed through at least a portion of the front wall and through at least a portion of the top wall. The display window is formed by an inwardly-folding window panel. The inwardly-folding window panel forms at least a portion of the bottom wall. The top wall includes first and second top major flaps that partially overlap to form an outwardly-projecting overlapping portion of the top wall. The bottom wall includes first and second bottom major flaps that define a recess therebetween. The overlapping portion of a first such carton is configured to be received within the recess of a second such carton when the second such carton is stacked on top of the first such carton.