Stackable Carton With Bottom Handle And Locking Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product packaging containers often lack structural integrity, making them difficult or impossible to stack, and they typically require more material than necessary, which increases costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A carton design featuring a bottom wall, side walls, a top wall that is releasably coupled to the side walls, and a handle formed by the top wall, with a locking mechanism that couples the handle panels to the side panels, allowing for stacking while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional handles are added to cartons for consumer carrying, then consumer convenience is improved, but the cartons become difficult or impossible to stack due to handle configuration interfering with stacking surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is positioned at the bottom of the carton rather than the traditional top position, utilizing the vertical dimension differently. This bottom-positioned handle configuration allows the top surface of the carton to remain flat and uninterrupted, enabling proper stacking while still providing carrying functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is constructed from separate handle panels that are releasably coupled to the side panels through locking mechanisms. This segmentation allows the handle to be detached or reconfigured, and the handle panels are positioned to not interfere with the stacking surface of the carton.
2Stability of the object's composition
If more material is used to ensure structural integrity for stacking, then stacking stability is improved, but material cost and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanisms allow the handle panels to be releasably coupled to the side panels, providing structural support only when needed for stacking. During consumer carrying, the handle functions independently, reducing the material requirements compared to permanently reinforced structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle panels serve multiple functions: they provide carrying functionality when detached and provide structural reinforcement for stacking when coupled to the side panels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated stacking reinforcement materials.
3Strength
If complex locking mechanisms are added to ensure handle panels remain coupled during stacking, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and process difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanisms are designed to automatically engage and lock the handle panels to the side panels during the stacking process, without requiring additional manual intervention or complex actuation systems. The mechanisms self-regulate to provide the necessary coupling strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanisms are integrated directly into the handle panel and side panel structures themselves, rather than being separate added components. This integration reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the necessary coupling strength for stacking.
Data Source
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AI summary
Carton (100) includes a bottom wall (104), a plurality of side walls (140, 142, 144, 146) connected to the bottom wall, and a top wall (106) releasably coupled to one of the side walls. The carton also includes a handle (112) formed by at least a portion of the top wall. The carton further includes a planar surface (114) at least partially formed by the handle (112) and the top wall (106).