Container Blank Score-Line Layout for Reliable Denesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container blanks do not effectively facilitate the denesting of stacked containers, particularly when made from thinner materials, as they lack sufficient features to ensure easy separation without compromising strength and rigidity.

Innovation Solution

A container blank with a marginal portion featuring score lines positioned at an angle relative to the radius, extending from a central portion to the edge, which form overlapped portions upon formation, creating protrusions on both interior and exterior surfaces that facilitate denesting by allowing for increased spacing between stacked containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If score lines extend to the edge of the blank, then the container gains strength and rigidity, but the denesting features are compromised and containers cannot be easily separated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength and rigidityVSAvoiddenesting

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The score lines are segmented by positioning their endpoints inward from the edge, creating distinct zones: the score lines provide structural reinforcement in the marginal portion, while the space between the score line endpoints and the edge forms protrusions that enable denesting. This segmentation allows the same blank to simultaneously achieve both strength and ease of separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If containers are made from thinner materials to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the ability to maintain denesting features and structural integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidstructural integrity and denestability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blank is designed with different local qualities: the marginal portion contains score lines that provide localized reinforcement where needed for structural integrity, while the endpoints positioned inward from the edge create protrusions that maintain denesting capability. This local differentiation allows thin materials to achieve both cost-effectiveness and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If stacking lugs are compressed to form denesting features, then denesting is facilitated, but the height of stacking lugs decreases compromising stacking efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedenestingVSAvoidheight of stacking lugs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The score lines are pre-positioned with endpoints spaced inward from the edge before forming, which preliminarily defines the location and extent of protrusions. During forming, this pre-positioning ensures that protrusions are created without excessive compression of stacking lugs, thereby maintaining their height while still facilitating denesting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2470431B1Container blank and container with denesting feature

Publication Date: 2015.01.21 GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL LLC

Figure 1
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Figure 3~3A

AI summary

A blank for being formed into a container. The blank has a marginal area that includes a plurality of score lines for facilitating forming of the blank into the container. The score lines are positioned to facilitate formation of denesting features of the container. A container formed from the blank has denesting features.