Carton Handle Structure Using Mandrel Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carton designs for multi-packs lack an efficient way to incorporate a carrying handle while minimizing material usage and ensuring structural strength for transporting heavy loads.

Innovation Solution

A carton design featuring a mandrel panel with guide edges that facilitate folding structures for a handle, allowing for a carrying handle to be integrated without increasing material usage, and ensuring structural integrity through strategically placed fold lines and apertures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a carrying handle is added to the carton, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of carryingVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle structure is segmented into multiple folding structures (first pair and second pair), each with fold lines that allow independent movement. This segmentation enables the handle to achieve the desired carrying function while distributing the structural complexity across multiple simple, modular folding elements rather than requiring a single complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If material is added to form a handle structure, then the strength is improved, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidcarton weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle structure utilizes dynamic folding mechanisms that allow the carton panels to move and reconfigure during handling. The fold lines enable the handle to flex and adapt to carrying forces, providing structural strength through controlled movement rather than rigid material addition. This dynamic approach maintains strength while minimizing weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If fold lines are defined in the panel, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding precisionVSAvoidhandle structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fold lines are pre-defined and pre-scored during the blank manufacturing process, establishing precise folding paths before the carton is assembled or used. This preliminary action ensures manufacturing precision is achieved during production, while the actual handle structure remains relatively simple during use, as the complexity of precision positioning has already been resolved in the manufacturing stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3044112B1Carton and carton blank
Publication Date: 2018.06.13 WESTROCK PACKAGING SYSTEMS LLC
  • EP3044112B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3044112B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3044112B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A carton has panels including a top panel (12/20), a base panel (16), a first side panel (14) and a second side panel (18) forming a tubular structure. One of the panels includes a handle structure (h) defined in it. The handle structure includes a first pair of folding structures (R, R) each having at least one first fold line (X, Y, Z) defining a first edge of a handle strap and a second pair of folding structures each having at least one second fold line defining a second edge of the handle strap. Each of the at least one first fold lines and the at least one second fold lines is defined, at least in part, in the one of the panels, wherein the carton includes a mandrel panel (22) disposed in face contacting relationship with the inner surface of the one (20) of the panels.