Package Retention Flaps for Container Bracing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packages for holding and displaying containers are inadequate in bracing the containers, difficult to erect, and occupy excessive board space, leading to higher construction costs.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring a top panel, bottom panel, and intermediate panel with retention flaps foldably attached to the intermediate panel, which are aligned with apertures to securely hold containers, providing a retention force to prevent removal and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing packages use simple panel structures without retention flaps, then the package is easier to manufacture, but the containers are not sufficiently braced and may be removed easily
Solution Approach 1:
The package structure is segmented into distinct functional components: panels for structural support and retention flaps for container engagement. The retention flaps are separate elements foldably attached to the panels, allowing independent optimization of each component's function while maintaining overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The retention flaps are designed to be foldable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust during the container insertion process. The flaps can be folded outward to facilitate easy container insertion, then folded inward to engage and retain the container, providing both ease of operation and secure retention
2Reliability
If existing packages use adequate bracing structures, then the containers are securely held, but the package occupies too much board space increasing construction costs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing uniform bracing throughout the entire package structure, the invention applies bracing locally at specific points where containers are inserted. The retention flaps are positioned only at the aperture locations, providing bracing exactly where needed while leaving the rest of the package structure minimal and space-efficient
Solution Approach 2:
The retention flaps utilize the third dimension by folding outward from the panel surface to engage containers. This vertical engagement allows effective bracing without increasing the horizontal footprint of the package, optimizing board space utilization while maintaining container security
3Reliability
If existing packages use complex retention mechanisms, then containers are securely retained, but the package is difficult to erect
Solution Approach 1:
The retention flaps are designed to automatically engage containers through their own elastic deformation when folded inward. The flaps self-adjust to contact the container radially protruding part, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms or complex assembly steps while ensuring reliable retention
Data Source
AI summary
A package for holding a plurality of containers. The package has panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the package. The panels comprise a top panel, a bottom panel, and an intermediate panel. At least one bottom aperture in the bottom panel is for at least partially receiving a container of the plurality of containers. At least one intermediate aperture is in the intermediate panel for at least partially receiving the container. At least one retention flap foldably is attached to the intermediate panel adjacent to the at least one intermediate aperture. The at least one retention flap is for providing a retention force to the container to restrain the container from removal from the package.