Carton End Flap Overlap for Article Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cartons lack effective protection features to prevent breakage and damage of beverage containers or other articles during storage and transportation, particularly for breakable materials like glass or metals.
Innovation Solution
The carton design incorporates foldable end flaps and connecting panels with integrated article protection features, such as indentations and deformations, that overlap to form a closed end, providing cushioning and secure positioning of articles, and can include suspended corner panels for enhanced stability and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cartons are used without protection features, then the device complexity is low, but the articles are susceptible to breakage and damage during storage and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The carton structure is segmented into multiple functional components: end flaps, connecting panels, and article protection features. The end flaps are divided into at least two separate flaps that can be folded and positioned independently to create a closed end structure with integrated protection elements
Solution Approach 2:
The article protection features are pre-formed on the connecting panels and end flaps during carton manufacturing. Indentations, deformations, and structural configurations are prepared in advance on the blank before assembly, so that when the carton is erected, the protection features are already in place to cushion and protect articles
2Reliability
If end flaps are overlapped to form closed end with protection features, then article protection is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into the end flaps and connecting panels: closure function (forming closed end), protection function (indented surfaces and deformations), and structural support function (suspended corner panels). This integration reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting panels are pre-formed with indentations and deformations that create cushioning surfaces before article insertion. These pre-formed features provide immediate protection upon assembly without requiring additional cushioning materials or complex assembly steps
3Stability of the object's composition
If suspended corner panels are added for enhanced protection, then article stability improves, but the blank complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspended corner panels provide localized protection and stabilization at critical corner positions where articles are most vulnerable. Rather than uniformly complicating the entire blank structure, the design adds complexity only at specific locations (corners) where it is most needed for article stability
Data Source
AI summary
A carton for containing at least one article. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. At least two end flaps are respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The at least two end flaps are at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. At least one end flap of the at least two end flaps is connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels by a connecting panel. The carton further comprises an article protection feature for protecting the at least one article. The article protection feature can be positioned on the connecting panel.