Rigid Container Convex Concave Panels Stable Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid containers with special shapes for products like bars of soap are difficult to stack efficiently, posing challenges in logistics and consumer appeal due to their non-standard shapes.

Innovation Solution

Designing a rigid container with a combination of convex and concave panels that allow for stable stacking by matching supporting portions, replicating the shape of the contained article for consumer appeal while reducing packaging material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If rigid containers are designed with special shapes for consumer appeal, then consumer attraction is improved, but stackability and logistics efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer shapeVSAvoidstacking efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple perimeter walls (at least four) that can be independently shaped. This segmentation allows each wall to contribute differently to the overall shape - some walls can be convex for aesthetic appeal while others can be flat to provide stable stacking surfaces, thus resolving the contradiction between special shape and stackability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the container are given different geometric properties. Specifically, at least three perimeter walls are made outwardly convex for consumer appeal, while at least two perimeter walls are made inwardly concave or flat to create stable stacking surfaces. This local differentiation allows the container to simultaneously achieve aesthetic shape and efficient stackability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If rigid containers use special shapes, then consumer appeal is improved, but stackability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer shapeVSAvoidstackability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The container structure is segmented into multiple perimeter walls with different geometric characteristics. This segmentation enables the container to have convex portions for appeal and flat/concave portions for stable stacking, resolving the contradiction between shape and stackability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container employs asymmetric design where not all perimeter walls have the same shape. At least three walls are outwardly convex while at least two are inwardly concave or flat, creating an asymmetric structure that provides both aesthetic appeal and stable stacking surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Shape

If rigid containers are designed with attractive shapes, then consumer appeal is improved, but packaging material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer shapeVSAvoidpackaging material
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The container design dynamically balances between aesthetic shape and material efficiency. By using a combination of convex and concave perimeter walls, the design achieves attractive shape while the concave portions reduce overall material consumption compared to a fully convex design of the same footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3030496B1Rigid container
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 GD SPA
  • EP3030496B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3030496B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3030496B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Described is a rigid container for containing articles, preferably solid soap, the container (1) extending along a main axis (1a) and comprising a top wall (2) and a bottom wall (3) lying in respective planes transversal to the main axis (1a), and a front face (4), a rear face (5), which extend from the top wall (2) to the bottom wall (3) and two sides or lateral faces (6) which extend from the top wall (2) to the bottom wall (3); the front face (4) of the container (1) comprises a convex front panel (7) which has a first supporting portion (8), and the rear face (9) of the container (1) comprises a rear panel (10) which has a second supporting portion (11) shaped to mutually match the first supporting portion (8).