Fixing a Package that Hangs Askew 3

Medeski · Oct 21, 2013

Hello ladies and gents,

We have launched a new product. Up until now, our sales have all been online or at a local kiosk, however we have recently started selling at retail locations. The problem, as you can see from the picture, is that the box hangs askew. On the left size is a basically a lithium-ion battery in an aluminum shell that you can use to charge mobile devices. The rest of the box is pretty much empty, but we put a USB cable, bag and instructions in there was well.

So my question is, is there a simple remedy for the situation? Do companies commonly put weights in their boxes if there is an imbalance? I think it would be a little hokey to glue a few washers on the opposite side, but maybe a small chunk of metal cut to size would work. I think if they are put on a "U" shaped hook then there wouldn't be a problem, but I don't know if I can dictate that or not. Working out how much to put in is trivial, but I'm sure this is a common problem and was wondering what other people had found works well (besides designing the box so this doesn't happen). Thank you in advance.

MikeHalloran · Oct 21, 2013

See the notch in the top center of the slot?
Cut another one at the left end of the slot.
If you are super lucky, the package will hang level.
If you are not that lucky, you will have to move the slot and notch to the left, or punch a hole to the left of and a little above the slot. A few minutes of experimentation with a paper punch will show where the hanging notch/hole must be, in order to be directly above the center of gravity, so the package will hang level.
Because the slot is typically used to hang the product on a loop or a bar, it could stay centered for that use.

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

Medeski · Oct 22, 2013

Thanks Mike, I'll give that a shot. This is the first retail package design I had been involved with, so overall balance wasn't on my mental checklist.

MikeHalloran · Oct 22, 2013

Rig a plumb chalkline next to the package on the peg.
Snap the line against the package.
The package's CG is somewhere along that line.
Punch a hole in the U/R corner of the package.
Hang the package from that, and again snap the chalkline.

The intersection of the two chalklines is at the CG.
Draw a line from that location perpendicular to the top of the package.

The package will balance on a hole anywhere on the top half of that line.

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

mcgyvr · Oct 25, 2013

They also make 2 post hangers.. But if you aren't supplying the hangers then moving the cutout is the proper solution.

IRstuff · Oct 25, 2013

Have you considered moving the position of the product in the package? Your product is too heavy to put on the left side of the package and expect it to be balanced. Placing it horizontal within the package would minimize the imbalance.

Moving the notch just looks goofy, in my opinion. I would suggest eliminating the notch altogether and prompt the seller to put it on a double hanger. There are lots of products that are displayed that way.

TTFN
faq731-376

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Medeski · Oct 25, 2013

Hi IRstuff, we may consider a redesign, it just becomes pricey with the design fees and paying for a new printing plate. That and we are sitting on a lot of boxes already made. I will look for some double hanger displays that we can use. In the mean time, we had a point of purchase display developed where the product simply sits in a larger box. Thank you all for your help.

Medeski · Jan 2, 2014

Here is the solution we came up with. We got transparent plastic outer boxes made with an offset cutout and tuck in the old cardboard header into the box. Our cardboard boxes were getting beat up anyway so this makes the product a bit more robust and allows us to use our existing stock of boxes. Thanks for everybody's help!

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Fixing a Package that Hangs Askew 3

Medeski

Mechanical

MikeHalloran

Mechanical

Medeski

Mechanical

MikeHalloran

Mechanical

mcgyvr

Mechanical

IRstuff

Aerospace

Medeski

Mechanical

Medeski

Mechanical

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