Carton End Closure With Integrated Handle for Heavy Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cartons require significant material usage and do not efficiently secure contents, particularly when carrying heavy loads, while also lacking efficient end closure structures for retention and handling.

Innovation Solution

A carton design featuring a tubular structure with a top and side end closure flaps, including a handle flap that retains the side end closure flap in position, and a distal glue flap that can be folded out, allowing the handle flap to remain coplanar and reinforce the carrying handle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional end closure structures are used, then the carton can retain articles, but the structure requires significant material usage and does not efficiently secure heavy loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial usageVSAvoidcontent retention security
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The end closure structure is divided into multiple functional flaps: a top end closure flap for closing the end, side end closure flaps for securing the sides, and a handle flap for carrying. Each flap is optimized for its specific function, reducing overall material usage while maintaining security for heavy loads through distributed structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle flap is designed to extend through the top end closure flap, creating a three-dimensional handle structure that protrudes from the carton end. This dimensional extension allows the handle to bear carrying loads independently without requiring excessive material in the closure flaps themselves, thus reducing material usage while maintaining security.

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

2Ease of operation

If a robust handle structure is added for carrying, then ease of handling improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling convenienceVSAvoidclosure structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle flap is merged with the top end closure flap structure, where the handle flap extends through the top flap to form both the closure and the carrying handle in a single integrated design. This merging eliminates the need for separate handle components, reducing device complexity while providing robust handling capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle flap serves multiple functions: it forms part of the end closure structure, creates a carrying handle for ease of handling, and provides structural reinforcement at the carton end. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, maintaining simplicity while improving handling convenience.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3619132B1Carton and blank therefor
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 WESTROCK PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC
  • EP3619132B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3619132B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3619132B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton (390) for packaging one or more articles and a blank (310) for forming the carton. The carton comprises a plurality of panels forming walls of a tubular structure including a top wall (316), a first side wall (314a, 314b), a base wall (312, 320) and a second side wall (318a, 318b). An end closure structure at least partially closes an end of the tubular structure. The end closure structure includes: a top end closure flap (330b) having a handle flap (360) which defines at least in part a handle opening in the top end closure flap for forming a carrying handle H2; a side end closure flap (326b, 334a) coupled to one of the first and second side walls; wherein the side end closure flap comprises a portion which underlies the handle flap when both the top and side end flaps are folded into an end-closing position.