Retail-Ready Packaging with Continuous Rim Flap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current packaging designs for retail-ready and shelf-ready packaging face issues such as untidy edges and potential damage during lid removal, as well as being costly and time-consuming to assemble, especially when using separate lids or perforated designs.

Innovation Solution

A packaging design featuring a base with foldable side and rear flaps that form a continuous rim, where the rear flap is folded outward and locked into the rear panel, eliminating the need for a separate lid and providing a crash-lock base for added stability, while allowing easy product access and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a separate lid is used to provide rigidity during transit, then the structural strength is improved, but the device complexity and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidpackaging structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the lid structure directly into the base container by forming a continuous flap from the rear panel that extends over the top and connects to the front panel. This merging of the lid and base into a single integrated structure eliminates the need for separate lid components, reducing assembly steps while maintaining the rigidity function during transit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous flap is divided into multiple segments (rear panel flap, side flaps, front panel attachment) that can be independently formed and assembled. This segmentation allows the complex rigid structure to be manufactured more easily and assembled in a straightforward sequence, reducing overall complexity while achieving the desired structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a perforated lid is used to allow easy removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision and potential damage risk worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelid removalVSAvoidperforation quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a continuous flap with a tab that can be dynamically manipulated during removal. The flap is designed to be pulled back and detached from the front panel in a controlled manner, allowing easy removal without requiring pre-formed perforations. This dynamic removal mechanism eliminates manufacturing precision issues associated with perforations while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If an entirely separate lid is used to avoid perforation problems, then the reliability is improved, but the productivity and assembly time worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge qualityVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the lid and base into a single formed structure with a continuous flap that is integral to the container. This merging eliminates the need to handle and assemble separate lid components, thereby improving productivity and assembly speed while maintaining the reliability benefits of avoiding perforated edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous flap structure is designed to be self-retaining during assembly, where the flap naturally tucks into or attaches to the front panel without requiring additional fastening operations. This self-service characteristic streamlines the assembly process, improving productivity while ensuring reliable edge quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If the front panel is completely open for easy product access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of substance and product protection worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct removalVSAvoidproduct containment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic front panel that can transition between open and closed states. The panel includes a hinge or attachment mechanism allowing it to be opened for product access and then reclosed to contain products during transit. This dynamic capability enables easy product removal when needed while preventing product loss during transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3700825B1packaging
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 SMURFIT WESTROCK UK LTD
  • EP3700825B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3700825B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3700825B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to packaging, in particular to point-of-sale packaging, more particularly to retail-ready packaging (RRP) and shelf-ready packaging (SRP). We describe a packaging box (10) formed of a board material and comprising a base (11), a front panel, (12), a left side panel (14), a right side panel (15) and a rear panel (13). The left side panel, the right side panel and the rear panel are each formed with a respective flap (23a, 23b, 23c) extending upwardly therefrom, wherein each flap is foldably connected to its respective panel and wherein the flaps of the left side, rear and right side panels are joined to form a continuous flap or rim (23). The rear panel flap (23c) includes a fold line extending into the flap (23c) in a direction away from each corner adjacent the point at which the rear panel flap (23c) contacts the rear panel (13), a respective side panel (14, 15) and a respective side panel flap (23a, 23b). The packaging is assembled such that the left side panel flap (23a) and the right side panel flap (23b) are folded inwardly towards each other and the rear panel flap (23c) is reverse or outwardly folded and locked into the rear panel (13). At least an upper portion of the front panel (12) is substantially open to provide an opening to the box.