Corrugated Windowed Clamshell Containers for Stackable Shipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional clamshell containers made of transparent polymer materials are satisfactory for inspecting contents but lack efficient stacking and shipping solutions, necessitating additional trays for bulk handling.
Innovation Solution
A clamshell container body made of corrugated paper material with a hinged lid and window openings, featuring stacking tabs and glue flaps to secure sidewalls, allowing for direct stacking and viewing without additional trays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional transparent polymer clamshell containers are used, then consumers can visually inspect the contents, but additional stacking trays are required for bulk handling and shipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the container body and stacking functionality into a single integrated corrugated paper clamshell structure. The container includes built-in stacking features such as recesses and protrusions that enable direct stacking without separate trays, merging the storage and handling functions into one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated paper container serves multiple functions: it provides structural containment, enables visual inspection through transparent panels, and facilitates stacking through integrated stacking features. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate stacking trays while maintaining all necessary capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If traditional polymer containers are used, then containers can be easily handled, but they require additional trays for stacking and shipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the stacking functionality from separate trays and integrates it directly into the container structure. By removing the need for external stacking trays and incorporating stacking features within the container itself, the solution reduces the total quantity of packaging materials required.
3Loss of information
If transparent polymer materials are used, then product visibility is maintained, but abrasion to product may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction using corrugated paper as the primary structural material, which provides protection against abrasion. Transparent panels are integrated into the corrugated paper structure to maintain visibility, creating a composite material solution that combines the protective qualities of paper with the visual transparency needed for product inspection.
4Productivity
If corrugated paper material is used, then stacking and shipping efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into distinct functional components including the corrugated paper body, transparent viewing panels, and integrated stacking features with recesses and protrusions. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using appropriate processes and then assembled, simplifying the overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining stacking efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A container includes a container body of a corrugated paper material. The container body defines a tray and a clamshell lid hinged to the tray for movement between a closed position wherein the clamshell lid and tray enclose an interior space of the container body and an open position wherein the clamshell lid is clear of a top opening of the tray for access to the interior space. The tray includes a bottom panel. The clamshell lid includes a top panel defining a top window opening therethrough. In the closed position, the top window opening is opposite from the bottom panel.