Collapsible Gift Container Bottom Closure Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional gift containers are heavy, cumbersome, non-collapsible, and lack customization options, with weak bottom closures that can fail under heavy loads, and do not allow consumers to easily include additional presentation items like gift cards or bows.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible gift container made of sturdy paperboard with a robust bottom closure featuring an extended top panel and a detachable note card, allowing for easy folding and unfolding, and customizable with adhesive strips for a cellophane bag, enabling heavier loads and customizable presentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional auto-lock closure with intersecting panels is used, then the container can be folded between flat and formed configurations, but the closure fails under heavy loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidclosure strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom closure is divided into multiple panels (first bottom panel, second bottom panel, third bottom panel, fourth bottom panel) that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows the structure to distribute heavy loads across multiple support points while maintaining the ability to fold each panel independently for compact storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure panels are pre-positioned and secured to the container walls before the container is filled with products. This preliminary securing ensures that the closure is ready to support heavy loads from the outset, preventing failure before it occurs while maintaining the folded configuration for portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If traditional straw or plastic containers are used, then the container structure is established, but the containers are heavy and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer structureVSAvoidcontainer weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The container material is changed from traditional heavy straw or plastic to lightweight paperboard. This parameter change in material properties maintains the necessary structural strength for holding products while dramatically reducing the weight and improving portability of the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The container utilizes composite construction combining paperboard walls with a reinforced paperboard bottom closure system. This composite approach provides the necessary structural integrity to hold products while keeping the overall weight low, overcoming the limitations of single-material traditional containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Shape

If retailers select particular containers to coordinate with products, then the container appearance is coordinated, but the consumer has no control over customization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer appearanceVSAvoidcustomization control

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container incorporates a detachable note card that can be removed and replaced by the consumer. This dynamic element allows the container to adapt to different customization needs while maintaining its coordinated appearance, giving consumers control over the final presentation without compromising the overall design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The container is designed with universal applicability through standardized dimensions and a detachable note card system that can accommodate various products and customization needs. This multi-functionality allows the same basic container design to serve multiple purposes while maintaining coordinated appearance, giving consumers flexibility in customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Strength

If prior art gift baskets are used, then the container structure is provided, but additional presentation items like gift cards and ribbons must be purchased separately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer structureVSAvoidpresentation completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container merges the basic container structure with presentation elements by integrating a detachable note card into the container design. This combining of functions allows the container to serve both as a product holder and as a presentation device, eliminating the need to purchase separate gift cards and ribbons while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8955677B2Collapsible gift container

Publication Date: 2015.02.17 LADLER DENNIS SHIRLEY ANN

AI summary

A collapsible gift container comprises hingedly connected front, rear and side walls and a bottom closure having depending front, rear and side panels hingedly connected to the container walls, the front panel overlapping the rear and side panels and extending substantially the full length of the container between its front and rear walls, a note card detachably attached to the side border of a cutout in the front wall of the container, and a reversing tilted product receiving platform extending from the front panel having detachable portions forming one or more product receiving openings, the container foldable between a flat folded configuration and an open-top container configuration.