Multipack Secondary Package with Hingeable Front Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multipack packaging solutions for consumer products, such as blister packs and cardboard-based multipacks, fail to provide hygienic protection and aesthetic appeal after opening, as they are not designed to keep remaining products sealed, leading to potential contamination and a less attractive appearance, and lack sufficient space for printing or displaying information.

Innovation Solution

A package kit comprising a secondary package with a back panel and a front panel, where the primary packages are sandwiched between them, featuring apertures for displaying the products and a hingeable elevated portion for stability and easy handling, allowing the secondary package to be opened without damaging the primary packages, maintaining their seal and appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a blister layer is attached to a cardboard blank to store multiple products, then the products can be stored and displayed, but the package cannot maintain hygienic sealing after one product is removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygienic sealingVSAvoidproduct removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The package is divided into individual blister cavities, each with its own sealing structure. When one product is removed, only that specific cavity is opened while other cavities remain sealed, maintaining hygienic protection for remaining products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing structure is designed with localized features at each blister cavity that allow selective opening. The breakable connection and individual cavity design ensure that opening one cavity does not compromise the sealing integrity of other cavities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the blister layer is removed to take out a product, then the product can be accessed, but the overall appearance of the package becomes less attractive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct accessVSAvoidpackage appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The package structure allows individual product removal without requiring removal of the entire blister layer. The segmented design with individual cavities and selective opening mechanisms preserves the overall package appearance while enabling product access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single material like cardboard is used to make the multipack, then the package is environmentally friendly and biodegradable, but it provides limited space for printing information and artwork

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental compatibilityVSAvoidprinting space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The package employs a nested structure with an outer cardboard box and an inner blister tray. This nested design allows the cardboard material to provide environmental friendliness while the inner tray and overall structure provide additional surfaces for printing information and artwork.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the front panel is folded to create an elevated portion, then the package provides stability and easy handling, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackage stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The front panel incorporates hingeable limbs that can be folded to create an elevated portion, providing stability and handling features. The dynamic folding structure is designed to be integrated into the manufacturing process, balancing structural benefits with manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3124397B1Package for storing a plurality of products
Publication Date: 2018.08.01 THE GILLETTE CO
  • EP3124397B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3124397B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3124397B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A package kit (12) for storing a plurality of products (14) comprises a plurality of primary packages (16) and a secondary package (18). Each primary package comprises a cavity for storing one of the products. The secondary package stores the plurality of primary packages. The secondary package comprises a back panel (28) and a front panel (30) between which the plurality of primary packages is sandwiched. The front panel comprises at least a first row (96) of a plurality of apertures (32), wherein the number of apertures corresponds to the number of primary packages for displaying at least a portion of each primary package. The front panel further comprises at least a first outer circumferential portion (36) and a second outer circumferential portion (38). The first outer circumferential portion partially surrounds the plurality of apertures of the at least first row and is attached at least partially to the back panel, and the second outer circumferential portion is attached at least partially to the back panel. The front panel further comprises an elevated portion (40) being arranged between the first and the second outer circumferential portions. The first outer circumferential portion comprises a first limb (42) and a second limb (44), and the second outer circumferential portion comprises a third limb (46) and a fourth limb (48), and the elevated portion extends from the first, the second, the third and the fourth limb, respectively. The elevated portion is hingeably connected to the first, the second, the third and the fourth limb, respectively.The first limb and the second limb are hingeably connected to the first outer circumferential portion, and the third limb and the fourth limb are hingeably connected to the second outer circumferential portion