Paper Container Flap Folding Line Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing flat top-type paper containers for storing liquid beverages face issues with repulsive forces during flap folding, leading to bulges and design problems that hinder storage and conveyance, as the flaps are thick and prone to warping, causing alignment and separation issues.
Innovation Solution
The paper container design features a configuration where the width of the front-side top sealing panels is larger than the tubular body's width, allowing the flaps to be folded down more easily by positioning the folding lines closer to the apex of the flap's corner, reducing repulsive forces and preventing bulges through strategic folding line angles and overlaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the top sealing panels and side panels are folded in layers to form thick flaps, then the sealing strength is improved, but the repulsive force against folding down increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different folding line positions to different regions of the flap. The first folding line is positioned closer to the apex of the corner portion, creating a longer lever arm that reduces repulsive force in the critical folding region, while the second folding line is positioned farther away to maintain sealing strength in the bonded region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a triangular-shaped flap configuration with two folding lines at different positions, transforming the simple single-line folding into a two-dimensional folding pattern. This dimensional change allows the flap to fold more easily by distributing the bending stress across two lines while maintaining the layered structure for sealing.
2Ease of operation
If the folding lines are positioned farther from the apex of the flap corner, then the repulsive force is reduced, but the alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the local positioning of each folding line independently. The first folding line is positioned at an optimal distance from the apex to balance ease of folding with alignment precision, while the second folding line is positioned to maintain sealing strength. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between folding ease and alignment precision.
3Strength
If the flaps are folded down with strong repulsive force, then the sealing is improved, but the body of the container bulges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the folding structure by introducing two folding lines at different positions. The first folding line closer to the apex reduces the bending moment and repulsive force during folding, preventing body bulge, while the second folding line maintains adequate overlap for sealing strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the single-line folding into a two-line folding system, adding a new dimension to the folding geometry. This dimensional change allows the flap to achieve both easy folding (reducing body bulge) and adequate sealing through the coordinated action of two folding lines.
4Ease of manufacture
If the top sealing panels are folded down, then the top portion is formed, but gaps appear between panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different folding line positions to different panels, with each panel's folding line optimized for its specific location. This localized quality approach ensures that each panel folds down properly without creating gaps, maintaining both ease of manufacture and alignment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A paper container having a top portion (4) that is tightly closed by bonding together opposing surfaces of first top sealing panels (20) and opposing surfaces of second top sealing panels (22), and each of side panels (16) is folded along a first side panel folding line (26) and a second side panel folding line (27) to form a flap (35) having a substantially triangular shape. The top portion (4) is formed by folding down the flaps (35) onto right and left side surfaces of a tubular body (3) through mountain-folding along front-side top panel vertical folding lines (17), front-side top panel vertical folding lines (18), and front-side top sealing vertical folding lines (23), and through valley-folding along second top portion horizontal folding lines (15) and back-side top sealing vertical folding lines (24).