Flip-top Container Tooth-Shaped Side Perforations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flip-top containers are difficult to open without damaging, prone to unintended opening during transportation, and have issues with re-closing, leading to potential content exposure and increased production costs due to required reinforcements.
Innovation Solution
The design features perforation lines in the side panels that slope downwardly from the rear panel, forming tooth-shaped regions with staggered cuts, and includes transverse cuts and embossing lines to reduce bulging and damage, allowing for easier opening and re-closing with less force, and a flap mechanism for guided closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If straight perforation lines are used in prior art containers, then the container structure is simple, but the container is difficult to open and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The perforation line is segmented into multiple straight sections connected at angles, forming a zigzag pattern. Each section is a straight perforation line, but their angular connection creates multiple small notches that reduce the tearing force required to open the container while maintaining overall structural integrity during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The zigzag perforation line creates asymmetric notch distributions along the opening path. The angular connections between straight sections produce varying notch geometries that strategically redirect stress during opening, making the container easier to open without requiring symmetric reinforcement throughout the entire structure.
2Reliability
If straight perforation lines are used in prior art containers, then the manufacturing process is simple, but unintended opening during transportation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous straight perforation line is replaced with segmented straight sections connected at angles. This segmentation distributes stress along multiple segments rather than concentrating it along a single straight line, preventing unintended opening during transportation while still allowing easy manual opening when force is applied at the correct location.
Solution Approach 2:
The zigzag pattern introduces angular deviations from a straight line, creating a path that better distributes mechanical stress during transport. The angular connections between straight sections create a more resilient structure that resists unintended opening while remaining manufacturable with standard perforation equipment.
3Strength
If thick or tear-resistant material is used to prevent damage, then the container strength increases, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The perforation line is divided into multiple straight sections connected at angles, creating multiple small notches along the opening path. This segmentation distributes the tearing force across multiple locations, reducing the peak stress on any single point and allowing the use of thinner, less expensive materials while maintaining adequate strength and resistance to unintended opening during transport.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a container (1) comprising a bottom panel (2), a front panel (3), two side panels (4), a rear panel (5), and a top panel (6). The front panel (3) and the two side panels (4) each comprises a perforation line (7) so that a hingedly connected lid (8) is obtained when the perforation lines (7) are broken. The perforation line (7) in the front panel (3) is a row of perforations (23) arranged along a line or curve which forms an edge (24) of the lid (8) after the perforations (23) have been broken. Each of the perforation lines (7) in the side panels (4) is a row of perforations (23) each comprising two coherent first and second cuts (26,27) with a blunt angle (α) there between. These perforations (23) are arranged to provide a row of tooth-shaped regions (25), where each tooth-shaped region (25) is delimited by a first cut (26) and a second cut (27), respectively, from two mutually adjacent but non-coherent perforations (23). The first cuts (26) are arranged parallel to each other but staggered so that they are not arranged along one line.