Reclosable Chocolate Box with Barb Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging for chocolate products faces issues with fat migration, ink taste and smell transfer, and sustainability due to the use of cellophane film and plastic materials, which hinder recycling and environmental interaction.

Innovation Solution

A reclosable box formed from a single carton blank with a removable plastic insert and a barb system for re-closure, eliminating the need for external films and allowing printing on both sides while maintaining product integrity and recyclability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a film is provided on the inside of the lid to prevent fat migration and ink taste transfer, then product protection is improved, but recyclability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefat migration and ink taste transferVSAvoidrecyclability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the film layer from the packaging structure entirely. Instead of adding a film to the lid interior, the design uses the cardboard material itself with appropriate coatings or treatments to achieve the protective function, eliminating the contaminant that prevents recycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the properties of the cardboard material through special coatings or treatments that provide fat migration resistance and prevent ink taste transfer without requiring an additional film layer. This modifies the parameters of the base material to achieve the protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If cellophane film is used to hold base and lid together, then structural integrity is improved, but sustainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidsustainability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the base and lid into a single cardboard structure where the lid is hinged to the base. This merging eliminates the need for separate cellophane film to hold the components together, while the cardboard material itself provides the necessary structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite cardboard construction with integrated hinge mechanisms and adhesive sections that combine the base and lid into a unified structure, replacing the need for additional binding materials like cellophane film.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If the box is made as separate base and lid components, then assembly flexibility is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidpackaging structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the base and lid into a single integrated cardboard blank that is folded and assembled into the final box structure. This reduces the number of separate components from two (base and lid) to one unified structure, simplifying the overall packaging design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

While integrating the base and lid, the patent maintains functional segmentation through the hinged lid design that allows opening and closing. The adhesive sections are strategically placed to create distinct assembly zones, providing flexibility in the folding and assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If printing is done on both sides of the blank, then aesthetic quality is improved, but manufacturing complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic qualityVSAvoidprinting process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the blank and folding structure so that printing on one side of the flat blank results in visible printing on multiple surfaces of the three-dimensional folded box. The fold lines and panel arrangements are configured to distribute the single-sided print area across multiple visible faces, effectively achieving multi-surface aesthetics from single-sided printing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The solution provides a sustainable, reclosable packaging that maintains product freshness and prevents odor and taste transfer, while being easily recyclable and reducing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive section connected to one of the lid walls, wherein the adhesive section is provided with one or several adhesive points

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The notches and the flaps are similar in shape, so that the box becomes reclosable through a kind of barb system. The flaps are only partially glued to the front side wall in the box, causing them to at least temporarily be stuck as barbs in the uniform notches

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

a lid hingedly connected to one of the side walls for opening and closing the box

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinged rotation: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP4574697A1Reclosable box folded from a blank, blank, method and use

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 THE BELGIAN CHOCOLATE GRP NV

Figure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a reclosable box folded from a blank for packaging chocolate products, a blank, a method, a kit, and a use thereof.