Integrated pulling system with back flap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shelf ready packs often result in unsightly and poorly displayed items after removal, and the biasing forces used to maintain on-shelf presence can damage fragile or deformable products like edible items.

Innovation Solution

A carton design featuring a resilient member, such as an elastic band, that urges items towards the front panel, combined with an intermediate member that reduces direct contact and force on products, allowing controlled dispensing without damaging them.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a biasing member is used to maintain on-shelf presence, then product visibility is improved, but fragile products may be damaged by the biasing force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct visibilityVSAvoidproduct damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate member (flap) positioned between the resilient member and the product. This intermediary element transmits the biasing force indirectly, allowing the product to be pushed forward for visibility while preventing direct contact that would cause damage to fragile items.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient member's biasing force is modulated through the intermediate member, which can be designed with specific mechanical properties (flexibility, friction characteristics) to adjust the effective force transmitted to the product. This allows optimization between maintaining visibility and preventing damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If items are stacked in the carton, then storage capacity is improved, but on-shelf presence and display quality deteriorate after item removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidon-shelf presence

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate member is designed to move dynamically as items are removed from the carton. It automatically adjusts its position and contact area with remaining items, maintaining optimal biasing force and product arrangement throughout the dispensing process to preserve display quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides mechanical feedback through the intermediate member, which responds to changes in item quantity and arrangement. As items are removed, the member's position and orientation adjust automatically, maintaining proper product stacking and visibility without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution maintains on-shelf presence while ensuring items are displayed attractively and dispensed without altering their condition, even for fragile products, by adjusting the biasing force as items are removed.

Implementation Method 1

A resilient member is configured to urge items stacked in the package, in use, towards the front panel of the carton body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3535195B1Integrated pulling system with back flap

Publication Date: 2022.12.07 KRAFT FOODS SCHWEIZ HLDG AG

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AI summary

A package (20) for displaying items (10) includes a carton body (22) having at least a bottom panel (24) and a front panel (32). A resilient member (50) is configured to urge the items (10) towards the front panel (32) of the carton body (22) and an intermediate member (62) is removably placed at a position between the resilient member (50) and the items (10).