Packaging Box Folding-Back Tabs Hide Cut Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Assembly-type packaging boxes with exposed cut surfaces on ridge lines detract from the appearance and high-class feel, especially when one surface is painted while the other is not, leading to an unappealing aesthetic.

Innovation Solution

The packaging box design incorporates folding-back tabs on the outer panels that are connected along the entire length of the sides, forming a frame shape and covering the cut surfaces, preventing their exposure on the front, rear, and upper edges, without increasing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a frame-shaped opening edge is formed using outer panels and upper-edge panels, then the appearance and high-class feel are improved, but cut surfaces of the material are exposed at ridge lines where surfaces intersect

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveappearanceVSAvoidexposed cut surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful cut surfaces are extracted and covered by introducing folding tabs that extend from the outer panels. These folding tabs are folded back to cover the exposed cut surfaces at the ridge lines, removing the harmful visual element while preserving the frame-shaped appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The folding tabs serve as intermediary elements between the outer panels and the exposed cut surfaces. These tabs act as mediators that bridge the gap between the panel structure and the cut surfaces, covering the harmful exposure while maintaining the overall aesthetic design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If folding tabs are added to cover cut surfaces, then the appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveappearanceVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging box structure is segmented into functional components: outer panels, upper-edge panels, and folding tabs. This segmentation allows the folding tabs to be added as discrete elements that can be independently folded and positioned to cover cut surfaces without redesigning the entire box structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The folding tabs are pre-formed and positioned during the assembly process before the final packaging box is completed. This preliminary action ensures that the tabs are in place to cover cut surfaces from the outset, avoiding the need for additional post-assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3326927B1Assembly-type packaging box
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 AUDIO TECHNICA CORP
  • EP3326927B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3326927B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3326927B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An assembly-type packaging box, being a cuboid when assembled, is configured by erecting a front and rear panel (12 and 13) in front and rear of a bottom panel (11) across fold lines, respectively, and erecting a left and right outer panel (18 and 21) on the left and right of the bottom panel (11) across fold lines, respectively. Front folding tabs (14 and 15) extending from the front panel (12) are disposed along inner surfaces of the left and right outer panels (18 and 21), and left and right-front folding-back tab (19a and 21a) are provided connectedly on front sides of the left and right outer panels (18 and 21), respectively. When a packaging box is assembled, the folding-back tabs (19a, 19b, 22a, and 22b) are positioned at the front and rear in the depth direction of the left upper-edge panel (19) and the right upper-edge panel (22) (frame members) which form a frame. This configuration can prevent cut surfaces of sheet material to appear on a ridge line where surfaces intersect, without causing a cost rise.