Dual Compartment Dispensing Box With Independent Slide Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging solutions for solid pourable products, such as mints and candies, are limited to single-compartment boxes with a single slide opening, which restricts their ability to accommodate multiple products and are not easily scalable for mass production using conventional high-speed packaging machines.
Innovation Solution
A dual compartment box design featuring independently movable slide openings formed from a single cardboard blank, with a separator panel and support tabs to maintain the appearance and handling characteristics of conventional boxes, allowing for easy dispensing of multiple products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-compartment box with a single slide opening is used, then the box is simple to manufacture and has conventional appearance, but it cannot accommodate multiple products
Solution Approach 1:
The box is divided into multiple compartments (first compartment and second compartment) separated by a partition wall, with each compartment having its own independent slide opening. This segmentation allows the box to accommodate different products in each compartment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured conventionally.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple slide openings are added to accommodate multiple products, then product versatility improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slides are pre-formed as integral parts of the box blank during the manufacturing process, rather than being added as separate components requiring insertion. The blank is designed with the slides already positioned and shaped, allowing them to be automatically formed during conventional box folding and sealing operations, thereby avoiding additional manual insertion steps.
3Ease of operation
If slides are made independently movable for each compartment, then selective dispensing capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each compartment is equipped with its own independent slide that can be moved separately to control dispensing from that specific compartment. This segmentation of control allows users to selectively access either the first compartment or the second compartment without affecting the other, providing flexible product dispensing while keeping each individual slide mechanism simple.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a dual compartment design is implemented, then product variety increases, but maintaining conventional box appearance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The box blank is designed with a partition wall that divides the interior into two compartments, but the exterior dimensions and overall shape remain consistent with conventional single-compartment boxes. The partition is positioned internally without protruding externally, and the slides are designed to move within the box footprint, thereby maintaining the conventional box appearance from the outside while providing dual-compartment functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A package for convenient dispensing of multiple types of solid pourable product. The package comprises a single cardboard blank having a plurality of side panels, a first compartment slide, a second compartment slide, a separator panel, and a support tab. The side panels can be formed into a box having a first compartment and a second compartment. The compartments have a common front panel with a pair of apertures for each of the compartments respectively. The apertures are sized to dispense the multiple types of solid pourable product therethrough. The slides are independently moveable to selectively block and unblock the apertures. The separator panel is between the compartments and is at least partially defined by an inner tab to one edge of the panel. The inner tab is adhesively connected to the interior of the front panel. The support tab is disposed to press the slides against the front panel.