Crease Stiffness and Panel Compliance of Carton Folds and Their Integration in Modelling

Abstract

This paper investigates the stiffness characteristics of creases and panels of a carton, and their integrated effect on the carton during folding and manipulation in packaging, reveals the resistive moment resulting from carton creases and identifies the force required for folding cartons. The study starts from the residual moment of carton creases and its effects on carton panels when erecting a carton section. By characterizing stiffness of both creases and panels, an analytical model is developed and compared with numerical results from finite-element analysis. The study then extends to a whole carton with a crush-lock closure base. By modelling the base as a four-bar mechanism with guiding linkages, a kinematic model of the carton is established and the residual moment and forces are obtained. The paper further reveals the carton elasticity property and the non-linearity deformation that contributes to modelling in a case study.