Dispensing Carton Offset Divider Panel Axial Stiffness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Known dispensing cartons lack optimal strength under compressive loads due to bending or deflection of divider panels when compressed, which reduces axial stiffness and is critical for stacked cartons during shipping and storage.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing carton design with a divider panel whose lower edge is offset from the bottom panel, providing a relief area and increased axial stiffness, and optionally featuring an inclined lower edge to prevent bending and enhance compressive strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the divider panel extends to the bottom panel of the carton, then the divider panel provides structural support and separates articles, but the divider panel bends or deflects under compressive loads reducing axial stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressive strengthVSAvoidaxial stiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The lower edge of the divider panel is offset from the bottom panel, extracting the problematic contact point between the divider panel and bottom panel. This offset position removes the source of bending moments that cause deflection under compression, allowing the divider panel to maintain axial stiffness while still providing structural support and article separation functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Volume of moving object

If the divider panel is positioned close to the bottom panel, then the carton structure is compact, but the divider panel deflects under axial loads reducing carton strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarton interior volumeVSAvoidcarton compressive strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The divider panel is positioned at an offset distance from the bottom panel, utilizing the vertical dimension to create separation between the divider panel lower edge and the bottom panel. This dimensional adjustment allows the divider panel to function effectively while maintaining carton compressive strength by preventing bending deflection under axial loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP1926667B1Carton with dispenser
Publication Date: 2016.05.11 GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL LLC
  • EP1926667B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1926667B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1926667B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A carton comprises a divider panel that connects a front panel of the carton to a back panel. The lower edge of the divider panel is offset from the bottom panel, and therefore is less likely to buckle or bend when the carton is subjected to axial compression. The divider panel therefore provides greater axial stiffness and strength to the carton.