Multi-Product Container Blank With Integrated Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-product containers are overly complex to manufacture, not structurally sound, and lack leak and sift proofness, limiting their application due to the absence of a sanitary barrier over all product regions.

Innovation Solution

A single sheet of foldable material is cut and scored to create a container blank that can be erected without adhesives or separate fasteners, featuring a bottom panel, side panels, corner gusset panels, a top panel, and a fold-over cup panel with optional receptacles, ensuring leak and sift resistance through unperforated score lines and a locking mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If current multi-product container designs are used, then multiple products can be contained, but the manufacturing process becomes overly complex and structural soundness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-product containment capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple container regions for different products into a single integrated container structure. The container includes a first region for a first product and a second region for a second product, both within one continuous container body formed from a single blank, eliminating the need for separate containers or complex assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container blank is segmented into distinct regions (first container region, second container region, third container region) that can be independently formed and folded. These segmented regions are created through score lines and fold lines that divide the single blank into functional zones for different products while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If current multi-product container designs are used, then multiple products can be contained, but structural soundness and leak/sift proofness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-product containment capabilityVSAvoidstructural soundness and leak resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the container body, lid, and sealing structures into a single integrated unit formed from one continuous blank. This unified structure eliminates weak points at joints between separate components, providing superior structural soundness and leak/sift proofness while maintaining multi-product containment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container utilizes a flexible yet structurally sound blank that can be folded and formed into three-dimensional regions. The material properties and folding design create rigid container walls and secure lids that prevent leaking and sifting while allowing the container to be formed from a single flexible sheet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If current multi-product container designs are used, then multiple products can be contained, but the absence of a top panel covering all regions results in poor sanitary barrier performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-product containment capabilityVSAvoidsanitary barrier performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple lid structures into a single continuous top panel that covers all container regions (first, second, and third regions). This unified top panel is formed from the same continuous blank as the container body, ensuring complete sanitary coverage across all product regions without gaps or exposed areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Strength

If adhesive or separate fasteners are used for assembly, then structural strength improves, but manufacturing complexity and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer assembly strengthVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container blank is designed to self-assemble into the final container structure through pre-formed fold lines and interlocking geometry. The blank automatically forms the container body, corners, and lid when folded, creating strong joints through mechanical interlocking rather than requiring external adhesives or fasteners, thus simplifying assembly while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7757860B2Multi-product container and container blank

Publication Date: 2010.07.20 INT PAPER CO

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a multi-product container and container blank. In accordance with the present invention, a single sheet of foldable material is cut and scored to define a container blank. The blank includes a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, opposed side panels and a plurality of corner panels. Also, a top panel is attached to the back panel opposite said bottom panel. A fold over cup panel is attached to the front panel opposite the bottom panel. The cup panel does not include additional panels or tabs opposite the front panel. An optional cup receptacle is formed in the cup panel. As formed, the front panel, back panel opposed side panels and plurality of corner panels are hingedly attached to said bottom panel via unperforated score lines.