Packaging Box Flap Engagement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packaging boxes for consumable supplies often misinterpret the unsealed state due to gaps between flaps, leading to incorrect sealing or unsealing issues, especially in larger boxes, and uneven folding of engaging pieces can prevent proper engagement or cause misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A packaging box design featuring an inner and outer flap with a slit and insertion piece, where the engaging piece is foldable at an obtuse angle to prevent interference with the slit and ensure secure engagement, and a wedge portion to enhance the engagement force, preventing the insertion piece from being pulled out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the gap between the tip edge of the outer flap and each of the engaging pieces is large, then the engaging pieces can be easily inserted into the slit, but the outer flap is opened by its elasticity after engagement, forming a gap that makes the packaging box appear unsealed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the engaging piece by forming it with an inclined upper surface at a predetermined angle rather than a perpendicular surface. This angular parameter change allows the engaging piece to wedge securely into the slit, preventing elastic rebound that would otherwise create visible gaps while maintaining easy insertion through the same engaging structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the engaging pieces are folded along folding lines extending orthogonally crossing the tip edge of the outer flap, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but uneven folding causes parts of the engaging pieces to be caught on the slit, preventing proper engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the angular parameter of the folding line, forming it at a predetermined angle rather than orthogonally crossing the tip edge. This angular modification ensures uniform folding behavior during insertion while maintaining the simple single-piece construction that is easy to manufacture, eliminating the problem of uneven folding causing engagement failure.
3Area of stationary object
If the packaging box has a large lateral width, then it can accommodate more consumable supplies, but the gap formed between the outer flap and inner flap becomes more conspicuous, increasing the risk of misinterpretation of sealing state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the engaging piece by forming it with an inclined upper surface at a predetermined angle. This angular parameter ensures that even in large lateral width packaging boxes, the engaging piece creates sufficient friction and mechanical interlocking with the slit to prevent visible gaps, thereby maintaining accurate sealing indication across all box sizes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design ensures accurate sealing and unsealing by minimizing gaps and preventing misalignment, ensuring the packaging box is not mistaken as unsealed and can be reliably opened or closed without interference.
Implementation Method 1
The engaging piece is configured to be foldable along a folding line extending in a direction crossing the tip edge of the outer flap and to have an engaging edge facing the tip edge of the outer flap. The engaging piece is insertable into the slit by being folded along the folding line so as to be overlapped on the insertion piece and being unfolded by its resilience and bent in a direction crossing the slit after the insertion so that the engaging edge prevents the insertion piece from being pulled out of the slit.
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging box (1) includes a storage part (2), an inner flap (21) and an outer flap (22). The inner flap (21) is provided with a slit (31) along an edge (11a) and the outer flap (12) is provided with an insertion piece (41) connected to a tip edge (22a) via a bending line (42). The insertion piece (41) is inserted into the slit (31) by being bent along the bending line (42). The insertion piece (41) has an engaging piece (45) configured to be foldable along a folding line (44) extending in a direction crossing the tip edge (22a) and to have an engaging edge (45a) facing the tip edge (22a). When the engaging piece (45) is folded along the folding line (44), the engaging edge (45a) is inclined downward toward its distal end.