Stackable Paperboard Container Locking Tabs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing produce containers, especially those made of wood or paperboard, are heavy to transport and susceptible to weakening and contamination when exposed to moisture, lacking effective water resistance and microbial resistance.

Innovation Solution

A stackable paperboard container design featuring foldable panels, locking tabs, and ventilation passageways, constructed from corrugated paperboard with integrated support structures and waterproofing agents to enhance strength and water resistance, allowing for secure stacking and protection of contents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If wooden or paperboard containers are used for produce transport, then they provide adequate structural support, but they become heavy to transport and susceptible to weakening when exposed to moisture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidtransport weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining paperboard with waterproofing agents and microbe-resistant coatings to create a multi-functional material structure. This composite approach provides both structural support and moisture resistance while maintaining lighter weight compared to traditional wooden containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If wooden or paperboard containers are used for produce transport, then they provide adequate structural support, but they become susceptible to weakening and contamination when exposed to moisture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidmoisture resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by integrating waterproofing agents into the paperboard structure, creating a multi-layer composite that maintains structural integrity while providing moisture resistance and preventing microbial contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by treating the paperboard with waterproofing agents that alter its physical and chemical properties, transforming it from a moisture-susceptible material to a water-resistant material that maintains strength in humid conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Weight of moving object

If traditional paperboard containers are used, then they are lightweight, but they lack effective water resistance and microbial resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport weightVSAvoidwater resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms ordinary paperboard into a composite material system by incorporating waterproofing agents and microbe-resistant coatings, achieving both light weight and superior water resistance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of paperboard through waterproofing treatments, enhancing its water resistance and microbial resistance while preserving its lightweight characteristic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If stackable design with locking tabs is implemented, then stacking efficiency is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the container structure into modular components with integrated locking tabs and slots, enabling efficient stacking while maintaining relatively simple individual container structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the stacking function into the basic container structure by integrating locking tabs and slots directly into the panel designs, combining storage and stacking functions without requiring separate complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design provides a lightweight, water-resistant, and strong container that prevents microbial contamination, enabling efficient transportation and storage of produce while maintaining the structural integrity even when exposed to moisture.

Implementation Method 1

constructed from corrugated paperboard with integrated support structures and waterproofing agents to enhance strength and water resistance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobe: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS10329048B2Stackable paperboard container

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 JAJAC LTD

AI summary

A stackable paperboard container is provided and includes a bottom panel, a pair of side panels, a pair of end panels, a pair of side flaps, and a pair of top walls. The pair of side panels extend from the bottom panel and are foldable about a side panel fold line. The pair of end panels extend from the bottom panel and are foldable about an outer end fold line. Each side flap extends from one of a pair of side panels and is foldable about a side flap fold line. Each top wall extends from one of pair of end panels and is foldable about a top wall fold line. Each top wall includes a wall section, a pair of top wall flaps, each top wall flap extending from one side of the wall section and foldable about by a top flap fold line, and a pair of bottom locking tabs, wherein each bottom locking tab extends from each of the pair of top wall flaps along a locking tab fold line and is insertable into a bottom tab slot of the bottom panel.