Interlocking Lid and Box for Secure Packaging Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Display boxes are difficult to handle due to the risk of the lid detaching during handling, requiring manual labor or complex machinery, which increases costs.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of interlocking elements between the lid and box, featuring through holes in the box and protrusions on the lid, allowing secure attachment and detachment without adhesives, enabling easy handling and use of suction-based box handling machines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lid is made detachable for display purposes, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of accidental detachment during handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoidstability during handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is divided into multiple detachable parts (front wall portion, back wall portion, and connecting portions) that can be separated from the box through score lines, allowing the lid to be partially or fully removed for display while maintaining structural integrity during handling through the interlocking mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lid portions are designed to nest within or alongside the box structure when attached, with the front and back wall portions fitting into the box opening while the connecting portions extend along the side walls, creating a compact integrated form that prevents accidental detachment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If traditional fastening means are used, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple tabs and windows

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidcomplexity of fastening mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex fastening system with multiple tabs and windows is extracted and replaced by a single interlocking mechanism formed by score lines that create flexible connecting portions, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining secure attachment through the interlocking geometry of the lid and box edges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using protruding tabs that fit into windows, the invention uses recessed score line formations that create interlocking portions, inverting the traditional approach to achieve secure fastening through the complementary geometry of the lid and box edges rather than through protruding elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If manual handling is used to prevent detachment, then the reliability is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to increased labor requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure handlingVSAvoidhandling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid and box are designed with self-interlocking features where the connecting portions automatically engage with the box edges through the score line formations, allowing the packaging to secure itself without requiring manual intervention or specialized handling equipment, thereby improving productivity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3757029B1Assembly of a box and a lid, blanks for folding these, and method of handling at least one product
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 LEMOINE HOLLAND BV
  • EP3757029B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP3757029B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3757029B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a display box (10) and a lid (20), wherein the box and the lid comprise mutually interlocking elements (30) for interlocking the lid and the box. The invention also relates to blanks (40, 50) for folding the box and lid form, and to a method of handling at least one product.