Collapsible Beverage Box With Telescoping Partitions for Faster Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage distribution often involves the use of separate cardboard inserts and non-specific packaging filled with non-recyclable cushioning materials, which is time-consuming and wasteful.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible box design with a body, coupling, and telescoping panel that can be folded into a self-supporting configuration, forming cells for bottles, using a unitary blank to simplify assembly and reduce waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cardboard inserts and cushioning materials are used to protect bottles, then protection reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The partition and cushioning elements are merged into a single integrated cardboard insert that forms both the structural divider and the protective cushioning simultaneously. The insert includes integrated flaps that fold over bottle necks to provide both structural support and cushioning protection in one component rather than requiring separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The cardboard insert serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural partition to divide the box, provides cushioning protection for bottle bases, supports bottle necks through integrated flaps, and maintains box structure integrity. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate cushioning materials and reduces assembly steps.
2Reliability
If separate cardboard inserts and cushioning materials are used, then protection reliability is improved, but loss of time in assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition and cushioning elements are merged into a single integrated cardboard insert that forms both the structural divider and the protective cushioning simultaneously. The insert includes integrated flaps that fold over bottle necks to provide both structural support and cushioning protection in one component rather than requiring separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The cardboard insert is pre-formed with integrated flaps and cushioning structures before insertion into the box. The flaps are pre-positioned to fold over bottle necks, and cushioning elements are pre-attached to the partition, eliminating the need for time-consuming assembly steps during packaging operations.
3Reliability
If non-specific packaging with cushioning materials is used, then protection reliability is improved, but waste generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The entire packaging structure including the partition, cushioning elements, and box components is made from the same recyclable cardboard material. This homogeneous material composition eliminates the need for mixed materials that are difficult to recycle, allowing the entire package to be processed through standard cardboard recycling streams without contamination from non-recyclable cushioning materials.
Data Source
AI summary
A box can include a body portion at least partially defining a cavity, the body portion defining a top body end and a bottom body end, the body portion including a plurality of panels, the top body end defining an opening to the cavity; a telescoping panel including an upper telescoping subpanel and a lower telescoping subpanel, the lower telescoping subpanel coupled to the body portion by a top hinge, the upper telescoping subpanel coupled to the lower telescoping subpanel by a telescoping hinge, the telescoping panel defining a locking tab disposed opposite from the top hinge, the lower telescoping subpanel extending into the cavity and positioned in facing engagement with a first panel of the plurality of panels, the upper telescoping subpanel extending across the cavity from the first panel to a second panel of the plurality of panels, the second panel positioned opposite from the first panel.