Food Container Monoplanar End Panels Pallet Fit

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corrugated packaging designs often compromise on palletization and performance due to added layers of material, which increase structural strength but can lead to overhang, damage, and improper fit, especially when multiple packages are stacked, and this results in inefficiencies in packaging cost and product protection.

Innovation Solution

The design features oversized slots between side or end walls and minor flaps that fold inward, allowing the exterior wraparound corner flap to attach directly to the inside minor flap, eliminating one layer of board and maintaining structural strength without additional material layers, thus enhancing pallet fit and reducing material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If added layers of material are used to increase structural strength, then the container becomes stronger, but the container overhangs the pallet edges and causes improper fit when stacked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidpallet fit

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes unnecessary intermediate layers of material from the container structure. Specifically, the design eliminates one layer of board by allowing the exterior wraparound corner flap to attach directly to the inside minor flap, thereby reducing material thickness by ⅜ to ⅝ inch per box while maintaining structural strength and improving pallet fit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The container is divided into distinct functional components: a floor, two side walls, a front end closure, and a rear end closure. The end closures are further segmented into narrow-width end walls and separate anchor strips with corner stacking pads. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the thin-walled structure to achieve adequate strength while maintaining proper pallet dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If additional material layers are added to enhance structural strength, then the container is stronger, but material usage and packaging cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes unnecessary intermediate layers of material from the container structure. Specifically, the design eliminates one layer of board by allowing the exterior wraparound corner flap to attach directly to the inside minor flap, thereby reducing material thickness by ⅜ to ⅝ inch per box while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If thicker material layers are used to improve structural strength, then the container is stronger, but the container dimensions become improper for palletization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidcontainer dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes unnecessary intermediate layers of material from the container structure. Specifically, the design eliminates one layer of board by allowing the exterior wraparound corner flap to attach directly to the inside minor flap, thereby reducing material thickness by ⅜ to ⅝ inch per box while maintaining structural strength and improving pallet fit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7850064B2Food-transport container with monoplanar multipart end panels

Publication Date: 2010.12.14 INT PAPER CO

AI summary

A container is adapted to transport food or other articles. The container includes a floor, two side walls, a front end closure coupled to the side walls, and a rear end closure coupled to the side walls.