Packaging Sleeve With Bowed Dust Flaps For Undulating Display Racks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging solutions for cylindrical cans, such as those containing moist smokeless tobacco, face challenges in securely holding the cans while allowing visibility and preventing interference with gravity feed and rail systems used in retail display racks, and in ensuring proper alignment with undulating display rack panels.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve design featuring opposing planar side panels with bowed dust flaps and rounded upper corner portions, along with overlapping top panels that secure the bowed flaps, allowing the cans to be partially contained and displayed without interference, and a method for assembling the sleeve from a blank that includes specific fold lines and adhesive application to ensure secure closure and visibility of the can's regulatory label.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the sleeve uses flat panels and straight edges, then manufacturing is simpler, but the sleeve interferes with undulating display rack panels and causes snagging issues
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve incorporates rounded upper corner portions on the front and back panels, and bowed dust flaps that curve outward, allowing the sleeve to conform to undulating display rack panels without snagging. This curvature enables compatibility with wave-style display racks while maintaining structural integrity and ease of manufacture from standard materials.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the sleeve completely encloses the can, then protection is improved, but visibility and access for gravity feed systems are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is designed with a partial enclosure structure where the top panels overlap and secure the bowed dust flaps, but leave the lower portion of the can exposed. This segmentation provides protection for the upper can portion while maintaining visibility and allowing gravity feed and rail systems to access the lower exposed portion for efficient retail display.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the dust flaps are made rigid, then structural stability is improved, but they cannot conform to rounded panel portions
Solution Approach 1:
The dust flaps are designed with bowed curvature that allows them to flex and conform to the rounded upper corner portions of the front and back panels. This parameter change in the flap geometry enables both structural stability through proper conforming and the necessary flexibility to match the rounded contours without compromising integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sleeve operable to at least partially contain a cylindrical article, the sleeve including opposing planar side panels; bowed dust flaps extending upwardly from said side panels; front and back panels, each having rounded, upper corner portions; and overlapping top panels in superposing relation to upper portions of said bowed dust flaps, said overlapping top panels being mutually secured, whereby said bowed dust flaps are retained in a bowed condition that conforms with said rounded upper panel portions of said front and back panels.