Carton Shoulder Holder for Accessory Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carton designs lack an efficient mechanism for holding accessories alongside articles, such as condiments, which can lead to disorganization and inconvenience during use.

Innovation Solution

A carton design featuring a base and lid with a foldable shoulder that includes holders for accessories, allowing for secure storage and easy access to both the article and its accompanying accessories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a simple carton structure is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to hold accessories is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidability to hold accessories
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The carton is divided into distinct functional zones: a base portion for holding articles and a shoulder portion for holding accessories. This segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific purpose while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that doesn't significantly increase manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shoulder portion extends upward from the base, utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate accessories without expanding the horizontal footprint. This dimensional approach allows accessory storage without requiring a larger carton base, thus controlling material usage and manufacturing cost.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If a carton with holders for accessories is added, then the ability to organize accessories is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to hold accessoriesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder structures are merged with the shoulder portion itself, rather than being separate attached components. The shoulder panels are configured to define holders through their arrangement and connection to the base, integrating the holding function into the existing structural elements and avoiding additional complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shoulder portion serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the lid, creates defined spaces for holding accessories, and acts as a separator between the article compartment and accessory compartment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting complexity increases.

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

3Reliability

If the shoulder is made rigid to securely hold accessories, then holding stability is improved, but ease of carton assembly is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding stabilityVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shoulder panels are designed with fold lines that allow them to be flexible during assembly and shipping, enabling easy folding and compact storage. Once assembled, the interlocking panels and geometric constraints provide sufficient rigidity to securely hold accessories, achieving both ease of assembly and holding stability through dynamic structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3678953B1Carton with at least one holder, blank and method associated
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL LLC
  • EP3678953B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3678953B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3678953B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A carton for holding at least one article includes a base, a lid, and a shoulder attached to the base. The base includes a first plurality of panels and the lid includes a second plurality of panels. The lid is foldably connected to the base such that the base and the lid at least partially surround an interior of the carton. The shoulder includes at least one holder for holding at least one accessory for the at least one article.