Hinged Lid Box Counter Tab Click Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Producing folding boxes with reliable closing locks is challenging, especially on powerful packaging machines, due to the complexity of interacting lid and box parts in existing designs.
Innovation Solution
The folding box design incorporates a counter tab that interacts with a click tab, where the counter tab is connected to the lid via a pivotable connection, allowing it to fold into an active position, providing a supporting edge that engages with the click tab during lid movement, enhancing the closing mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closing lock with interacting lid inner tab and front wall click tab is used (EP 0 392 737 A1), then the lid closing function is achieved, but the structure is complex and difficult to produce on powerful packaging machines
Solution Approach 1:
The closing mechanism is segmented into a click tab on the box front wall and a separate counter tab on the lid. The counter tab is further segmented into a counter flap that can be folded into position, allowing the mechanism to be produced in simple stamping operations without complex assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter flap is pre-positioned on the lid in the blank state, and during the folding process it automatically folds into its active position where it engages with the click tab. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex assembly operations on packaging machines.
2Reliability
If downward-facing holding tabs on box front wall with support tabs on lid front wall are used (CH 534 616), then the closing lock function is achieved, but the production on powerful packers becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having tabs extending from the box front wall (as in CH 534 616), the invention inverts the approach by placing the active counter tab on the lid itself. The counter tab folds into position to engage with a simple click tab on the box, reversing which component carries the complex mechanism.
3Reliability
If the counter tab is connected to the lid front wall via pivotable connection allowing folding into active position, then the closing mechanism is enhanced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counter flap is designed to automatically fold into its active position through the natural folding motion of the lid during the packaging process. The folding action itself positions the supporting edge of the counter flap to engage with the click tab, eliminating the need for separate positioning mechanisms or complex assemblies.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hinged box, consisting of a box part (12) and a (slip-on) lid (13), is provided with a click structure comprising a click tab (36) on an upper box edge (34) and a counter flap (37) on the inside of the lid's front wall (22). The counter flap (37) is folded from a starting position around a flap fold line (42) in the area of the lid's front wall (22) against its inside and fixed in place.