Carton Structure Self-Locking Lateral Panels Flat Bottom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carton structures require excessive materials for closure, result in a non-flat bottom surface, and lack reliable tamper-evident features, potentially damaging contents during impact and allowing unauthorized opening.
Innovation Solution
A carton structure design featuring side wall panels, end panels, and lateral panels that are arranged to allow for efficient assembly without excess material, creating a flat bottom and ensuring secure closure with integrated tamper-evident functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional carton structures are closed using excessive materials such as tape, then the closure is secure, but the material cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carton structure uses self-locking lateral panels that automatically secure the closure without requiring external tape or fasteners. The lateral panels are designed to engage with the end panels through their own structural geometry, making the closure system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional closing materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the dependency on external closing materials (tape, straps, etc.) by integrating the closure function directly into the carton structure itself. The lateral panels are extracted as separate functional elements that provide the closing mechanism through their engagement with the end panels.
2Ease of manufacture
If lateral panels are folded inwardly in conventional cartons, then assembly is simple, but the bottom surface becomes non-flat causing product damage during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral panels are designed with asymmetric geometry where one surface is convex and the other is concave. This asymmetry allows the panels to engage with the end panels in a specific orientation that creates a flat bottom surface when properly assembled, while maintaining simple assembly through the natural folding action.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention addresses the bottom flatness issue by utilizing the engagement between lateral panels and end panels in a different dimensional relationship. The lateral panels extend outwardly and engage with the end panels through their longitudinal edges, creating a structurally sound flat bottom through three-dimensional geometric integration rather than simple folding.
3Reliability
If tamper evident tape is used on conventional cartons, then unauthorized opening can be detected, but the process is time-consuming and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The carton structure incorporates tamper-evident functionality into its own structure through the lateral panels and end panels. When the lateral panels are properly engaged with the end panels, they create an integrated structure that cannot be opened without visible damage or deformation, providing self-verifying tamper evidence without requiring separate tapes or labels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the closure function and tamper-evident function into a single integrated structure. The lateral panels serve both to close the carton and to provide tamper evidence through their engagement with the end panels, eliminating the need for separate tamper-evident materials and reducing assembly time.
Data Source
AI summary
A carton structure is disclosed, which includes a side wall panel, a first end panel, a second end panel, a first lateral panel, and a second lateral panel. The first and second end panels are connected to the side wall panel, respectively. The first and second lateral panels extend outwardly from two opposite edges of the second end panel, wherein the first and second lateral panels are pressed by edges of the first end panel to abut the side wall panel such that the opening of the carton structure can be closed.