Hinged Cartons With Pivoting Inner Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a carton that requires minimal storage space while maximizing access to its contents, as existing cartons do not efficiently balance storage efficiency and user accessibility.

Innovation Solution

A carton design featuring an outer container with a hinged lid and inner containers that pivot from a closed to an open position, utilizing a skirted section as a closure mechanism, allowing for easy opening and re-closing, and incorporating removable sections for convenient access to contents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the carton uses a traditional fixed structure, then it maintains structural integrity, but it requires large storage space and limits access to contents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidaccess to contents
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The carton is divided into multiple segments including an outer container, inner container, lid panel, and skirted section. Each segment can move independently to provide both compact storage when closed and easy access when opened, resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and content accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic elements including a hinged lid panel that pivots to open the outer container, and an inner container with a removable rear panel section. These dynamic components allow the carton to transition between compact closed state and expanded open state, simultaneously achieving small storage footprint and easy content access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the carton is designed for easy opening, then user access is maximized, but the carton may tear or lose integrity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening easeVSAvoidcarton integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The carton structure is segmented into outer container, inner container, lid panel, and skirted section. This segmentation allows each component to move independently during opening, preventing tearing while maintaining overall structural integrity. The nested arrangement ensures controlled separation rather than forced tearing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner container acts as an intermediary element between the outer container and contents. When the outer container opens via the hinged lid panel, the inner container remains protected and can be accessed separately through its own removable rear panel, preventing damage to both the outer structure and contents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the carton uses multiple components for access, then content selection is facilitated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent selectionVSAvoidcarton structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carton employs segmentation into outer container, inner container, lid panel, and skirted section. Each segment serves a specific function: outer container provides protection, inner container enables content selection, lid panel facilitates opening, and skirted section ensures secure closure. This functional segmentation achieves ease of content selection without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner container is nested within the outer container, creating a compact hierarchical structure. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall footprint when closed while allowing independent access to the inner container for content selection, balancing simplicity with functional complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2776327B1A carton
Publication Date: 2016.02.03 UNILEVER PLC
  • EP2776327B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~3b
  • EP2776327B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c
  • EP2776327B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6

AI summary

A carton (20) comprising an outer container (1) and at least one inner container (10) wherein the outer container receives the inner container(s) is provided. The outer container (1) comprises a lid (2), a bottom wall (3), a rear wall (4), two side walls (5, 6), a substantially open front section and a closure means. Each inner container (10) comprises a bottom panel (11), a top panel (12), two side panels (13, 14), a front panel (15) and a rear panel (16); a section of the rear panel is openable, so as to provide the inner container with an opening. The inner container(s) are hingedly attached to the outer container (1) so that each inner container (10) can pivot from a closed position wherein the inner container (10) is located inside the outer container (1) to an open position wherein the inner container (10) is located substantially adjacent to the outer container (1).